Football

[adrock1976]

The Champions League replaced the former European Champion Clubs' Cup and is a different competition with a different qualifying format, it doesn't need to be renamed.

On that basis, would you be happy if the participants were just restricted to those who have won the top flight division of the various associations that are members of UEFA, and got rid of the nonsensical situation of having the runners up, third, and fourth placed teams from participating as those positions are not champions of the division?

 

[507021]

On that basis, would you be happy if the participants were just restricted to those who have won the top flight division of the various associations that are members of UEFA, and got rid of the nonsensical situation of having the runners up, third, and fourth placed teams from participating as those positions are not champions of the division?

No, I wouldn't. The Champions League was created so more teams could participate in a European competition.

If the competition was restricted to the top level league champions of each European league, then I think it is very likely there would be periods where the same teams would be in the latter stages of the tournament each year. At least with the Champions League, there are usually a few different teams in the knockout stages each year, which makes it far more interesting to watch.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There seems to be a shortage of quality keepers these days - look at England in days gone by Shilton and Clemence rotating.

Anyone got a suggestion of potential targets for Klopp to entice to Anfield ?

Joe Hart ??

I don't think there is a shortage- it's more that at the highest level if a keeper makes more than one howler in a season, he becomes known as a liability. Particularly if one or more is in a high-profile game.

As I said last night all keepers have a mistake in them, even the best. But if a keeper makes a mistake there are no hiding places.

In any case Klopp has a very good goalkeeper at his disposal already.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

No, I wouldn't. The Champions League was created so more teams could participate in a European competition.

If the competition was restricted to the top level league champions of each European league, then I think it is very likely there would be periods where the same teams would be in the latter stages of the tournament each year. At least with the Champions League, there are usually a few different teams in the knockout stages each year, which makes it far more interesting to watch.

Agree that the current format of the competition is better than the old... it's the name "Champions League" that sticks in the throat. The old European Cup wasn't called the Champion's Cup, but at least that wouldn't have been a lie!

 

[507021]

Agree that the current format of the competition is better than the old... it's the name "Champions League" that sticks in the throat. The old European Cup wasn't called the Champion's Cup, but at least that wouldn't have been a lie!

I think the Champions League should be called the European Cup.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think the Champions League should be called the European Cup.

As do I... that's what I call it unless I'm referencing the stupid name specifically! Likewise, I'd rather call the "Premier League" the First Division, because that's what it is.

 

[507021]

Likewise, I'd rather call the "Premier League" the First Division, because that's what it is.

I'm with you on this. They should be League 1/2/3 or First/Second/Third Division etc in my view.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm with you on this. They should be League 1/2/3 or First/Second/Third Division etc in my view.

First, Second, Third and Fourth Divisions. "League 1/2/3/4" just sounds wrong.

As for having the top three divisions all branded as if they're the top league, that's just nonsense!

 

[AlterEgo]

A fair slice of luck against Man City!

Who had only a few shots on target the whole tie. Wouldn’t call that luck. City weren’t good enough on the two nights.

 

[AlterEgo]

Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa

Villa will be spending a third consecutive season in the second tier, which I did have an inkling that would be the case due to having had an end of season wobble and finishing in fourth place.

Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon paired up to score the only goal of the game in the first half, while Denis Odoi having been red carded in the second half with 20 minutes of the match remaining. Sadly, Villa could not make their numerical advantage count.

Assuming the dirty Bluenoses are still in the second tier*, that should hopefully be a minimum of 6 points on the board for next season.

*PS I never pay attention to what the Bluenoses are up to, except when they play against the far mightier and far superior Aston Villa.

Never really understood why Birmingham, Britain’s second city, has two small football clubs - one of which has such enormous delusions of grandeur.

 

[507021]

First, Second, Third and Fourth Divisions.

Yeah, that would be better to be fair.

 

[roversfan2001]

Rotherham joined us and Wigan in promotion to the Second Division ( ) by beating Shrewsbury on Sunday. Wanted Scunthorpe to progress through the play-offs but I'm just happy it wasn't Shrewsbury really.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As do I... that's what I call it unless I'm referencing the stupid name specifically! Likewise, I'd rather call the "Premier League" the First Division, because that's what it is.

It is not just English football that followed this particular type of naming. Have a look at how recent divisional matters in Scotland football have progressed and then at both Rugby Union and Rugby League and see how their named divisional structures are at present.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

First, Second, Third and Fourth Divisions. "League 1/2/3/4" just sounds wrong.

Why not go the whole hog and ban the supporters from turning up to matches wearing replica shirts and insist that only supporters can enter a football ground unless they have both a rattle and a club scarf and are prepared to have a hot Oxo and a pie at half-time. Those in the Yorkshire area must also prove they have both a flat cap and a ferret down their trousers.....

 

[Butts]

Sad about the Villa but i couldn't see them not struggle in the premiership at the moment. Maybe its better to be competing at the top of the championship than yet another low to mid-table grind to mediocrity which quite frankly our last half dozen at least seasons in the PL were.

Post Martin O'Neill era ?

 

[Butts]

Never really understood why Birmingham, Britain’s second city, has two small football clubs - one of which has such enormous delusions of grandeur.

European Cup 1982 ?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Why not go the whole hog and ban the supporters from turning up to matches wearing replica shirts and insist that only supporters can enter a football ground unless they have both a rattle and a club scarf and are prepared to have a hot Oxo and a pie at half-time. Those in the Yorkshire area must also prove they have both a flat cap and a ferret down their trousers.....

Very good... though you miss my point. I'm not being a traditionalist for the sake of it, I just don't like the dishonest branding/labelling.

I'm all for new innovations when it comes to going to the match, be it cardboard clappers (handy in midwinter, and the kids seem to like them) or better-quality food (the "Yorkshire Wrap" being a favourite at the Cheap Beer Stadium)... just don't reinvent the wheel and try to pass it off as something better than it is.

 

[birchesgreen]

Post Martin O'Neill era ?

Yeah it was almost a relief to get relegated in the end

 

[birchesgreen]

Never really understood why Birmingham, Britain’s second city, has two small football clubs - one of which has such enormous delusions of grandeur.

Well the Blues were cursed by a gypsy apparently

 

[AlterEgo]

European Cup 1982 ?

Before I was even born.

What league are they in now again?

 

[birchesgreen]

Not before i was born, i was merely at primary school

Over the years the Villa have had bright spots though never managed to turn it into a sustained period of dominance like Liverpool, Man Utd or Arsenal.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Before I was even born.

You must be a lot younger than I took you for. In 1982, I was fast approaching middle age at the age of 37.

In terms of early European football tournaments with British participation, the very first Inter-City Fairs Cup ran for a very long three-year time period from 1955 to 1958. The eventual final was played over two legs.

1st leg...played at Stamford Bridge
England XI 2...Barcelona XI 2

2nd leg...Played at Camp Nou
Barcelona XI 6...England XI 0

Tournament won 8-2 on aggregate by Barcelona XI

 

[Dentonian]

Who had only a few shots on target the whole tie. Wouldn’t call that luck. City weren’t good enough on the two nights.

Certainly weren't good enough in the first half of the first leg. Thereafter, it was the match officials who weren't good enough!

More generally - though it does include Milner's OG that wasn't - I've never understood why hitting the woodwork or disallowed goals don't count as "On target"

 

[greyman42]

No, I wouldn't. The Champions League was created so more teams could participate in a European competition.

If the competition was restricted to the top level league champions of each European league, then I think it is very likely there would be periods where the same teams would be in the latter stages of the tournament each year. At least with the Champions League, there are usually a few different teams in the knockout stages each year, which makes it far more interesting to watch.

A champions only format would not be any where near as attractive to the TV companies and sponsors so would not generate any where near the income generated with the present format.

 

[greyman42]

Fulham 1-0 Aston Villa

Villa will be spending a third consecutive season in the second tier, which I did have an inkling that would be the case due to having had an end of season wobble and finishing in fourth place.

Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon paired up to score the only goal of the game in the first half, while Denis Odoi having been red carded in the second half with 20 minutes of the match remaining. Sadly, Villa could not make their numerical advantage count.

Assuming the dirty Bluenoses are still in the second tier*, that should hopefully be a minimum of 6 points on the board for next season.

*PS I never pay attention to what the Bluenoses are up to, except when they play against the far mightier and far superior Aston Villa.

I thought it was a entertaining game with tremendous commitment from the players and a great atmosphere in the stadium. The opposite to the FA Cup final. I think the Championship play off final is now anticipated just as much as the FA Cup by neutral supporters.

 

[507021]

A champions only format would not be any where near as attractive to the TV companies and sponsors so would not generate any where near the income generated with the present format.

This is it, plus it's more exciting for football fans to see different teams participating each season.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Certainly weren't good enough in the first half of the first leg. Thereafter, it was the match officials who weren't good enough!

More generally - though it does include Milner's OG that wasn't - I've never understood why hitting the woodwork or disallowed goals don't count as "On target"

Hitting the "woodwork" is off-target unless it goes "in off": if it was classed as on-target it would really have to be a goal (arguably they should count double, as it's harder to hit the crossbar than to hit the back of the net!)

Disallowed goals don't count as shots on target because the ball isn't "in play".

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This is it, plus it's more exciting for football fans to see different teams participating each season.

Agree the present format is better... thing is we've gone from a competition that WAS only for champions but didn't say so, to one that isn't but says it is!

 

[AlterEgo]

More generally - though it does include Milner's OG that wasn't - I've never understood why hitting the woodwork or disallowed goals don't count as "On target"

Because a shot on target means it is going to be a goal, save for an intervention by another player.

 

[507021]

Agree the present format is better... thing is we've gone from a competition that WAS only for champions but didn't say so, to one that isn't but says it is!

The name is the only thing I don't like about the current format, the old "European Cup" name would be better.