The Footie Thread

[Swango1980]

Firmino awful ?!? He has been key to our success over the past 5 years - if people don’t see how good he is then Imo it’s down to a lack of understanding of the way he plays for us

The GK is one of the best if not the best in the world

The fullbacks are both amongst the best in the world

Matip is criminally underrated but there isn’t many I would swap him for , Gomez is superb as well

Fabinho is imo the best DM in the world taking over from Kante - missing him last season was as big as missing VVD at times

Thiago is quality - Henderson is Henderson , oppo fans will never see what he brings to the team

And the front three are just lethal - Salah imo right now is the best in the Prem , Mane finding his form again and have Jota there to support

So yeah I think our first 11 is right up there - certainly better than Utd’s and Chelsea’s , City it’s close

Your goalkeeper is decent, but I suspect Liverpool fans consider him to be the best in the world because you compare him to the trash Liverpool have had before him. Robertson is very good, but nowhere near as good as Shaw. TAA is a fantastic crosser, but never rated him as a defender. However, he fits in well to what Liverpool do, so no problem with that. United would take him, not so sure about City or Chelsea.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Your goalkeeper is decent, but I suspect Liverpool fans consider him to be the best in the world because you compare him to the trash Liverpool have had before him. Robertson is very good, but nowhere near as good as Shaw.[ TAA is a fantastic crosser, but never rated him as a defender. However, he fits in well to what Liverpool do, so no problem with that. United would take him, not so sure about City or Chelsea.

?????

Anyway

The new CL

https://twitter.com/x/status/1438480536566108160

There is a reason that European football is one of the world’s most successful and popular sports. It never stands still. Since the inaugural competition, known as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, kicked off in 1955, UEFA has continuously evolved and adapted the Champions League to keep pace with wider changes in the game

To ensure the new 2024/25 format will deliver the best for clubs, players and fans, UEFA based its design on extensive consultations with key stakeholders in the European football community. The reforms received unanimous backing on 19 April from both the European Club Association (ECA) Board and the UEFA Club Competitions Committee (composed of a majority of club representatives).

"This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel," said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

How will the 2024/25 competition change?
The pivotal change in the reforms announced by the UEFA Executive Committee after its meeting on 19 April 2021 is the departure from the current format’s opening 32-team group stage. The present Champions League season begins with participants divided into eight groups of four. From the 2024/25 season, there will be a single league made up of all 36 competing clubs. This will give four more sides the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in Europe.

Under the new format, teams will play four matches more than is currently the case. They will no longer play three opponents twice – home and away – but will instead face fixtures against 10 different teams, half of them at home and half of them away. This gives the opportunity for clubs to test themselves against a wider range of opponents – and also raises the prospect of fans seeing the top teams go head to head more often earlier in the competition. The new format should mean that there is more to play for right up until the final night of league action.

How will the four additional spots be allocated?
Qualification for the Champions League will continue to be open and depend on a club’s final position in the previous season’s domestic league competition. The additional four slots available in 2024/25 will be allocated according to three different criteria:

Slot one: One of the additional places will go to the club ranked third in the championship of the association in fifth position in the UEFA national association ranking.
Slot two: Another will be awarded to a domestic champion by extending from four to five the number of clubs qualifying via the so-called 'Champions Path'.
Slots three and four: Awarded to the two clubs with the highest club coefficients that have not qualified automatically for the Champions League’s league stage, but have qualified either for the Champions League qualification phase or the Europa League/the Europa Conference League (due to start in the 2021/22 season).
How will the last 16 take shape?
The results of each match will decide the overall ranking in the new league, with three points for a win and one for a draw still applying.

While the top eight teams will advance automatically to the round of 16, those sides placed between ninth and 24th will enter a play-off round. Those who finished between ninth and 16th will be seeded in the play-off draw, meaning they will face a team placed 17th to 24th – with home advantage in the second-leg match. Teams who finish 25th or lower will be eliminated, with no access to the UEFA Europa League.

The eight clubs who prevail in the play-offs will then progress to the round of 16 where they will each face one of the top-eight finishers.

Do the changes impact the knockout stages?
From the round of 16 onward, the competition will continue to follow its existing format of knockout rounds leading to the final staged at a neutral venue selected by UEFA.

What does the new Champions League format mean for fans?
More opportunities to see Europe’s top teams playing each other earlier in the competition.
Every game counts. The new league format will ensure that any result has the potential to dramatically change a team’s position, right up the very last matchday. Winning or losing could make the difference between a side automatically qualifying for the last 16, entering the play-offs or being eliminated from the competition.

Will UEFA's other club competitions adopt the same format?
Yes. In addition to the Champions League, both the Europa League and the all new Europa Conference League – due to kick off in the 2021/22 season – will also evolve to replace their group stage with a single league. The new format can be adapted as needed to each competition, both in terms of the number of teams and the number of matches.

What are the next steps in preparing the ground for the new format's introduction in 2024?
Further decisions regarding matters such as the rebalancing of the access list, match dates, seeding system, format for the finals, coefficients and financial distribution will be made by the end of 2021. Potential adjustments to the format approved on 19 April could still be made if necessary.

How will the new format benefit the wider European game?
The changes made are designed to secure the positive future of European football at every level and meet the evolving needs of all its stakeholders. Unequivocally confirming joint commitment to the principle of open competition and sporting merit across the continent, the common purpose has also been to sustain domestic leagues.

UEFA has also reaffirmed its strong financial commitment to the whole of European football and will initiate steps to ensure that greater financial solidarity will be delivered to a wider spectrum of clubs who do not participate in UEFA club competitions. This will reinforce the solid foundation on which the game in Europe is built.

Continuous evolution
Our Champions League and Europa League timelines show in more detail how each competition has evolved, from the origins of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, which kicked off in 1955, the UEFA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup into their existing formats.

Not many steps until a Super League then

“legacy spots”

 

[Kellfire]

Yay, more group games. Zzz.

 

[Liverbirdie]

So going on how crap our team are 1-11, obviously everyone would agree then that Jurgen should be manager of the season without doubt, if he has to get by with such dross.

Robertson, nowhere near as good as Shaw - thats a killer that one. One good season after about 5 years, whereas one has been consistent over 5 years and has a few silver pots to show for it as well.

Asking for a Phil.

 

[Kellfire]

So going on how crap our team are 1-11, obviously everyone would agree then that Jurgen should be manager of the season without doubt, if he has to get by with such dross.

Robertson, nowhere near as good as Shaw - thats a killer that one. One good season after about 5 years, whereas one has been consistent over 5 years and has a few silver pots to show for it as well.

Asking for a Phil.

No one is saying your starting XI is dross but surely you agree it’s not the best in the league?

 

[Swango1980]

Yay, more group games. Zzz.

Most of the early games are like watching the Caraboa Cup. Even when teams like Young Boys get a great win, it is still odds on United go through, and Yound Boys don't. Losing the match, as a United fan, is simply mildly disappointing rather than crushing disappointment. There is no real buzz when most European matches come along, and even in the latter stages it is probably not as exciting as it could be.

It would be great to go back to a time where only the Champions of each European Country got through. The lower quality nations then play each other in various preliminary games, until the clubs from the bigger nations enter in the latter stages. Yes, it would mean United would not have been in it for a long time. But, it would become a prestigious event again.

 

[Swango1980]

So going on how crap our team are 1-11, obviously everyone would agree then that Jurgen should be manager of the season without doubt, if he has to get by with such dross.

Robertson, nowhere near as good as Shaw - thats a killer that one. One good season after about 5 years, whereas one has been consistent over 5 years and has a few silver pots to show for it as well.

Asking for a Phil.

Funny, I remember many saying that United's team, when they last won the league, were poor. They had a point, but they had a great manager and had some magic in the team. That is what Liverpool have. Not really saying any of their 11 is awful. Well, I personally think Firminho is awful, but maybe a better term would be extremely over-rated.

 

[Pin-seeker]

 

[pokerjoke]

So going on how crap our team are 1-11, obviously everyone would agree then that Jurgen should be manager of the season without doubt, if he has to get by with such dross.

Robertson, nowhere near as good as Shaw - thats a killer that one. One good season after about 5 years, whereas one has been consistent over 5 years and has a few silver pots to show for it as well.

Asking for a Phil.

I don’t think anyone mentioned your squad is dross but some obviously get offended when others suggest it’s the best in the league.
Obviously it’s up there though and I believe there are others players that other squads would want.
I would have Kante for sure.
Totally agree with you regarding Shaw and Robertson and Robertson’s 5 seasons.
Shaw is definitely back to his best now and Robertson’s performances have dropped off slightly but I would take both all day long.

Anyway least we have a competitive season this time.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Who has the best starting line-up on paper is the most tedious discussion imaginable and would only be relevant if the league table was going to be decided by a bunch of kids playing 38 rounds of top trumps.

The only thing that matters is which side has the most effective team and that can only be judged based on results on the pitch.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

So going on how crap our team are 1-11, obviously everyone would agree then that Jurgen should be manager of the season without doubt, if he has to get by with such dross.

Robertson, nowhere near as good as Shaw - thats a killer that one. One good season after about 5 years, whereas one has been consistent over 5 years and has a few silver pots to show for it as well.

Asking for a Phil.

I think the 1-11 became crap because they didn’t win the league last year and memories only look back on the last season

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Your goalkeeper is decent, but I suspect Liverpool fans consider him to be the best in the world because you compare him to the trash Liverpool have had before him. Robertson is very good, but nowhere near as good as Shaw. TAA is a fantastic crosser, but never rated him as a defender. However, he fits in well to what Liverpool do, so no problem with that. United would take him, not so sure about City or Chelsea.

????????????? oh swango ??

I'll have a schooner of whatever you're drinking, I don't think I could handle a full pint ?

 

[Swango1980]

????????????? oh swango ??

Well, in my opinion, if someone said United could swap Shaw with Roberston, as a United fan I would say absolutely no chance.

If we could swap Wan Bissaka with TAA, I'd definitely consider it.

 

[Bdill93]

Brilliant result this weekend for Villa. The atmosphere at Villa park at the moment is absolutely class and I love being part of it!

Hopefully the first step back on track, United to play on saturday - not an easy game but they have to slip up somewhere!

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Who has the best starting line-up on paper is the most tedious discussion imaginable and would only be relevant if the league table was going to be decided by a bunch of kids playing 38 rounds of top trumps.

The only thing that matters is which side has the most effective team and that can only be judged based on results on the pitch.

Aye, the league table never lies ?

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Well, in my opinion, if someone said United could swap Shaw with Roberston, as a United fan I would say absolutely no chance.

If we could swap Wan Bissaka with TAA, I'd definitely consider it.

Why? He can't defend....Well he can.....just er not very well?

 

[IanM]

Yay, more group games. Zzz.

The summary is appreciated I saw what it was, and immediately fell asleep!

Next week, FIFA proposal on staging a World Cup every two weeks!

 

[Bdill93]

Aye, the league table never lies ?

No it doesnt! Chelsea are top and will remain so after 38 games played I think!

Would only take other Manchester sides of Liverpool dropping out of the CL to change my opinion on that.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Brilliant result this weekend for Villa. The atmosphere at Villa park at the moment is absolutely class and I love being part of it!

Hopefully the first step back on track, United to play on saturday - not an easy game but they have to slip up somewhere!

Impressed with Villa - they seem to have improved a bit more since last season and Buendia hasn’t go going yet , can see them being the team that maybe challenges Man Utd for 4th spot

No it doesnt! Chelsea are top and will remain so after 38 games played I think!

Would only take other Manchester sides of Liverpool dropping out of the CL to change my opinion on that.

Only by alphabetical order ??

maybe it’s me but I don’t think Chelsea are as strong as suggested - got some very good players but need to play 5 at the back to be strong at the back and if Lukaku doesn’t score then where do the goals come from

 

[Bdill93]

Impressed with Villa - they seem to have improved a bit more since last season and Buendia hasn’t go going yet , can see them being the team that maybe challenges Man Utd for 4th spot



Only by alphabetical order ??

maybe it’s me but I don’t think Chelsea are as strong as suggested - got some very good players but need to play 5 at the back to be strong at the back and if Lukaku doesn’t score then where do the goals come from

I watched chelsea live last week. They have something special in them - current champions of Europe after all! Theyre a very good team, well balanced and insane depth. I cant look past them - they're really impressive and Lukaku was built for the premier league.

One thing is for sure, it really could be any of 3 teams - its going to be special!


For us - we need to progress but ill take that however it comes. We finished 11th last year after a great start, lost jack for 12 games and just couldnt win games. Now we are far better as a squad, have players on our bench and some real stars too (What a signing Ings was) - if we finished 10th this year I'd be happy but the dream is to start competing at a similar level with the Leicester and West Hams of the league for now! 7-9th would be amazing!