The Footie Thread

[Don Barzini]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

It’s always disappointing to get knocked out of cups especially in the final

But the season is going way beyond any expectations we had

As I grew up the league was always the bread and butter - we took pride in sitting top of the tree and it wasn’t great when Man Utd went past - so it’s all about the league , we have the European glory that no English team can touch but we need to get back on top in the league

That’s always the priority every season

We are 12 points clear with 9 games to go - it’s hopefully going to be an amazing season to win number 20 and for Slot to do it in his first season , brilliant achievement

There is no “only” the league - the league is the one

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

You can’t win everything and the trophies being spread around is better for footy as a whole.
After we gave up against Plymouth I knew we not going to win more than 1, so as long as wake up and start to perform again I won’t complain.

 

[Billysboots]

Of the games I did watch of Leicester’s they played exactly the same as we did under Cooper in our first season. Horrible, backs to the wall, cling on to a lead with your lives type of stuff, but which ultimately led to our survival. And he had a much tougher gig at Forest, given the fact that he did it with a hastily assembled squad. I’ve just looked back at the results of the games he was in charge for at Leicester and it reads like survival/clinging on form for a newly promoted side to the PL.

But apparently that wasn’t good enough for the entitled fans and board of Leicester, because the football wasn’t nice. So I guess the important thing at this point is that the fans are happy and accepting of the fact that they are failing spectacularly under RVN, but didn’t find better results acceptable under Cooper. So all’s well that ends well.

RVN was a good player for a big club though. So his utter failure will be overlooked and he’ll walk into a top European job, just like Kompany did.

It has nothing to do with “nice” football. It’s entirely possible to play nice football and not win a great deal (Kevin Keegan anyone?), the same as you can play turgid football and be a serial winner, as anyone who ever supported a Mourinho side will acknowledge.

With respect, I think the fact that the club in question is Leicester, and more importantly the manager under discussion is Steve Cooper, are issues which may be clouding your judgement.

The entertainment value of Leicester under Cooper wasn’t the issue. It was the fact the players looked as though they simply didn’t have a clue what he wanted from them. They were absolutely lost. And, despite picking up a few points, the “entitled” owners realised they could either stick, and almost certainly go down, or twist, and maybe give themselves a chance.

They gambled, and it hasn’t worked.

 

[Bdill93]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

Not that I am a Liverpool fan but I think they're still having an amazing season.

Its absolutely crazy to compete on so many fronts, doesnt matter what anyone says, that amount of football has an effect on players.

You could tell on Wednesday and Yesterday than Liverpool weren't at it, they were tired and didn't have that extra 5% that Newcastle and PSG both did.

Going so deep in these competitions shows their true ability, a fantastic league campaign which now takes full focus. One game a week from here on out will ensure they get the job done in style. Wouldn't surprise me to see them start to turn it up in the league for a few weeks now.

 

[Bdill93]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

On Forest - I can see how you're feeling at the moment, the realisation that Champions League football is within reach is absolutely absurd to the fans and hard to even believe.

In some ways, you'd probably benefit if you qualified for a lesser- competition like the conference or Europa leagues for a year first, gives a chance to bed in the 2 games a week way of playing thing before you hit the big time and games are 10x more intense - but footballs all about the magic and there's simply no better feeling in the world than walking out of the concourse to the sound of "THE CHAMPIIIOOONNNNSSSSS" ringing across the stadium.

In the end, you'll get what you deserve to get, but again - what a season for you boys and I hope for your sake the momentum continues.

 

[Don Barzini]

he manager under discussion is Steve Cooper, are issues which may be clouding your judgement.

Same as it was for Leicester fans and Steptoe’s gang!

 

[clubchamp98]

Question for LFC fans after the week you’ve had. How are you feeling now?

Genuine question, not attempting to be sarky and I’m not on the wind up. I’m asking in the context of where you were and what you were dreaming about a week or so ago.

To explain, using my own club as an example of what I mean….

Forest are having a cracking season and are dreaming of finishing in a CL place. If not, at least one of the other European competitions. But it’s not done yet and we could have a sudden bad run of form and slip out of the places by the end.

Now at the start of the season if you’d offered any Forest fan a league finish in which we narrowly missed out on Europe, after we’d have finished laughing at you for being ridiculous, we’d have bitten your arm off. BUT, right now, given where we are and given the season we’ve had, if we do miss out on Europe it’ll feel like a “failure”. We’ll still say we’ve had a great season and we’ve done well…..but in the context of where we are right now at this moment it’ll feel like we’ve ultimately under-achieved.

So, wondering how LFC fans are feeling right now. Before the season, with Klopp having just left, Slot being a bit of an unknown quantity, you’d have taken being almost out of sight at the top of the PL but also being out of the cup competitions wouldn’t you?

But, given the season you’ve had, you’ll have been thinking about CL and Carabao glory recently, I’m sure. So now that you’re out of those, does it feel a bit flat that you’re “only” going to win the PL? (Even though on paper it is of course an amazing achievement, especially given the manner in which it’s been/being done).

Just interested and not trying to take the mick or start beef - especially as it could happen to me! Or fans of other clubs, have you been through a similar sort of scenario?

Playing in four competitions is very difficult.
The sheer amount of games takes its toll.
But it’s the quality of teams your facing as well the deeper you go in these competitions.

Newcastle recognised our weaknesses and exploited them so credit where it’s due.

We have had some bad spells in the PL but still managed to win games just.
Probably a good thing we have a lead because we’re struggling in front of goal atm.

But when we lift that PL trophy all the others will be forgotten and every club under us would trade places .

Good season is relative and winning the PL is a fantastic season.

Good luck to Forest footy now is getting boring as the result is everything but Forest have been very entertaining this season.

 

[Don Barzini]

On Forest - I can see how you're feeling at the moment, the realisation that Champions League football is within reach is absolutely absurd to the fans and hard to even believe.

In some ways, you'd probably benefit if you qualified for a lesser- competition like the conference or Europa leagues for a year first, gives a chance to bed in the 2 games a week way of playing thing before you hit the big time and games are 10x more intense - but footballs all about the magic and there's simply no better feeling in the world than walking out of the concourse to the sound of "THE CHAMPIIIOOONNNNSSSSS" ringing across the stadium.

In the end, you'll get what you deserve to get, but again - what a season for you boys and I hope for your sake the momentum continues.

Yeah…it’s an issue I’ve thought about a few times. Is CL too much too soon? Would we be better off with Europa League or Conference League? Walk before you can run and all that.

The owner would of course want to get CL as he’ll see the increased revenue etc and also the fact that we’d be able to recruit (and retain our) better players off the back of it. He’s an ambitious fella.

End of the day, like most Forest fans I’m in dreamland and thoroughly enjoying the ride (while it’s still going!)

 

[Swango1980]

Not that I am a Liverpool fan but I think they're still having an amazing season.

Its absolutely crazy to compete on so many fronts, doesnt matter what anyone says, that amount of football has an effect on players.

You could tell on Wednesday and Yesterday than Liverpool weren't at it, they were tired and didn't have that extra 5% that Newcastle and PSG both did.

Going so deep in these competitions shows their true ability, a fantastic league campaign which now takes full focus. One game a week from here on out will ensure they get the job done in style. Wouldn't surprise me to see them start to turn it up in the league for a few weeks now.

I'm not sure I'd praise them for going so deep in the Champions League. Yes, they did well in the league format. But, as soon as the knockout matches came, they were eliminated. I'd say getting eliminated before the quarter finals is not going deep into the competition.

Yes, getting to the final of the League Cup is good. I can't remember how good their opponents were, or the strength of the lineups they put up, but it is good getting to a final anyway. And, then we can add the FA Cup, which wasn't great, although fair play to them for beating Accrington Stanley.

They've done excellent in the league this year. But, after getting off to a great start, they simply haven't been put under any pressure. Man City has a remarkable decline, Arsenal still refuse to get a striker and then had key players injured. The league has been a walk in the park, but a lot of that is to do with there being less and less pressure as the weeks go by. It's a pity there hasn't been more of a challenge for them at the top, see how they'd get on as the pressure builds.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Yeah…it’s an issue I’ve thought about a few times. Is CL too much too soon? Would we be better off with Europa League or Conference League? Walk before you can run and all that.

The owner would of course want to get CL as he’ll see the increased revenue etc and also the fact that we’d be able to recruit (and retain our) better players off the back of it. He’s an ambitious fella.

End of the day, like most Forest fans I’m in dreamland and thoroughly enjoying the ride (while it’s still going!)

CL is massive , it allows such a huge increase in revenue , at the very least it’s £50mil in the bank even just playing in that new league system

 

[clubchamp98]

I'm not sure I'd praise them for going so deep in the Champions League. Yes, they did well in the league format. But, as soon as the knockout matches came, they were eliminated. I'd say getting eliminated before the quarter finals is not going deep into the competition.

Yes, getting to the final of the League Cup is good. I can't remember how good their opponents were, or the strength of the lineups they put up, but it is good getting to a final anyway. And, then we can add the FA Cup, which wasn't great, although fair play to them for beating Accrington Stanley.

They've done excellent in the league this year. But, after getting off to a great start, they simply haven't been put under any pressure. Man City has a remarkable decline, Arsenal still refuse to get a striker and then had key players injured. The league has been a walk in the park, but a lot of that is to do with there being less and less pressure as the weeks go by. It's a pity there hasn't been more of a challenge for them at the top, see how they'd get on as the pressure builds.

After 200+ mins CL of footy one of the best teams in the world beat us on penalties.

You can only beat what’s in front of you in PL

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When you get to this stage in a season it can not be unusual to hit a bit of a wall. Liverpool have just dipped in form at the wrong time, that happens. I know they have players away on international duty but the two weeks off from domestic football may well be at exactly the right time for them. It gives them a mental break, if not a physical one.

 

[Swango1980]

After 200+ mins CL of footy one of the best teams in the world beat us on penalties.

You can only beat what’s in front of you in PL

I'll take your world that PSG are one of the best teams in the world. I don't watch the French league, nor all their games in the Champions League

That being said, PSG have been one of the laughing stocks in Europe for quite a while, and many in here have mocked them in the past. They finished 15th in the Champions League table this season, and thus had to qualify via the play offs.

I mean, they are one of the best teams in the world, if you were to name the Top 50 Clubs in Europe, they'd be in it. Probably Top 20. However, I'm wondering if their ability is being inflated simply because the beat Liverpool? After all, it is much more comforting to fans of a beaten side when they believe the team that beat them are a great side

 

[nickjdavis]

I'm not sure I'd praise them for going so deep in the Champions League. Yes, they did well in the league format. But, as soon as the knockout matches came, they were eliminated. I'd say getting eliminated before the quarter finals is not going deep into the competition.

Yes, getting to the final of the League Cup is good. I can't remember how good their opponents were, or the strength of the lineups they put up, but it is good getting to a final anyway. And, then we can add the FA Cup, which wasn't great, although fair play to them for beating Accrington Stanley.

Liverpool beat West Ham, Brighton, Southampton and Spurs en route to the final.

Newcastle beat Forest, Wimbledon, Chelsea, Brentford and Arsenal.

 

[Deleted member 36742]

The entertainment value of Leicester under Cooper wasn’t the issue. It was the fact the players looked as though they simply didn’t have a clue what he wanted from them. They were absolutely lost. And, despite picking up a few points, the “entitled” owners realised they could either stick, and almost certainly go down, or twist, and maybe give themselves a chance.

They gambled, and it hasn’t worked.

Had far more to do with the playing squad not being good enough.

They did little to strengthen the Championship players from the previous season.

Not surprising that they looked lost.

 

[Bdill93]

I'm not sure I'd praise them for going so deep in the Champions League. Yes, they did well in the league format. But, as soon as the knockout matches came, they were eliminated. I'd say getting eliminated before the quarter finals is not going deep into the competition.

Yes, getting to the final of the League Cup is good. I can't remember how good their opponents were, or the strength of the lineups they put up, but it is good getting to a final anyway. And, then we can add the FA Cup, which wasn't great, although fair play to them for beating Accrington Stanley.

They've done excellent in the league this year. But, after getting off to a great start, they simply haven't been put under any pressure. Man City has a remarkable decline, Arsenal still refuse to get a striker and then had key players injured. The league has been a walk in the park, but a lot of that is to do with there being less and less pressure as the weeks go by. It's a pity there hasn't been more of a challenge for them at the top, see how they'd get on as the pressure builds.

One final
One round of 16 - Top of the new group stage (2 more fixtures than historical group stage)
12 points ahead in the league with 9 games to play
One earlier exit than maybe expected.

I think that's going deep enough to show how good they are.

They were also eliminated by a team which underperformed in the group stage and so had a very weird disadvantage. Villa played Brugge in the same round but finished 8th. That could easily have been reversed.

You're looking for something to criticise, cool, but Liverpool deserve a lot of credit for their efforts this season so far. You're underplaying the opponents who were both picked by all pundits to finish in the top 2. Arsenal not having a striker is their own fault

You're making me sound like a Liverpool fan.... pack it in

 

[Bdill93]

Yeah…it’s an issue I’ve thought about a few times. Is CL too much too soon? Would we be better off with Europa League or Conference League? Walk before you can run and all that.

The owner would of course want to get CL as he’ll see the increased revenue etc and also the fact that we’d be able to recruit (and retain our) better players off the back of it. He’s an ambitious fella.

End of the day, like most Forest fans I’m in dreamland and thoroughly enjoying the ride (while it’s still going!)

Keep dreaming.

Yes, you would be better off in a lesser competition purely for competitive reasons, no doubt about it - but this is football. It doesn't make it miles easier anyway - we still didn't win the conference league last year (albeit lost to a Europa league drop out which no longer happens)

Forest v Real Madrid on a Wednesday night in Nottingham has a ring to it...

 

[Bdill93]

Just been reading an article about Prince William and his support for Villa. He says he goes on forums and enjoys posting about Villa anonymously - @Bdill93, got anything to declare? Seems like a very poor attempt at a name to change William to Bdill

Unfortunately I am not the future King of England.. Enough people on here have met me to know I'm certainly not royalty

Now I want to know what forum he is on though!

 

[Swango1980]

One final
One round of 16 - Top of the new group stage (2 more fixtures than historical group stage)
12 points ahead in the league with 9 games to play
One earlier exit than maybe expected.

I think that's going deep enough to show how good they are.

They were also eliminated by a team which underperformed in the group stage and so had a very weird disadvantage. Villa played Brugge in the same round but finished 8th. That could easily have been reversed.

You're looking for something to criticise, cool, but Liverpool deserve a lot of credit for their efforts this season so far. You're underplaying the opponents who were both picked by all pundits to finish in the top 2. Arsenal not having a striker is their own fault

You're making me sound like a Liverpool fan.... pack it in

Liverpool are certainly getting enough praise, and I'm not saying their league form is a poor performance, clearly not. However, I don't think they are quite as good as people make out, I'm just giving the reason I think that. I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the Man City side have been up until this season, and I think there have been plenty of better sides in the history before that.

Just because UEFA have put more teams and games in the Champions League doesn't, to mean, a team has gone "deeper" just by playing the minimum required fixtures in the league. Liverpool were very good in the league format, but it becomes a bit pointless when the players get tired when it really matters, and simply don't turn up. Not turning up against PSG, not turning up against Newcastle, not turning up against Plymouth. That points to some big weaknesses in the Liverpool side. In comparison to other top sides in any era of course, they are still the best in England at this time.