General Footy Discussions

[Jack the Stripper]

There was little doubt he was gonna survive with Spurs performances this season anyway but it might’ve been brought forward. He’s the type that would’ve spoken out about this Super League and wouldn’t have held back with his criticism.

As if Levy and co would admit to that anyway.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The ESL may be unravelling before it even gets going... Chelsea are preparing to withdraw their participation.

It has been suggested that as many of the teams have US owners they think that they want to turn the European game into a clone of the NFL.

EDIT: Now Manchester City are getting cold feet too. Woo Hoo!

[Zzzptm]

Tell me more about this "Super League." Sounds like a comic book thing...

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Tell me more about this "Super League." Sounds like a comic book thing...

It's definitely comic! However, you did ask....

As I understand it... 12 of the top teams in Europe (Manchester Utd, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham from England. Plus Athletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona from Spain and Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus from Italy) were going to arrange their own mid-week competition where only those teams play each other, with no chance of relegation at the end of the season. They were hoping to get some German and French teams to join in but as yet none have done so.

Basically each team would play in their national leagues at the weekend, but drop out of the existing European Competitions.

I don't think they expected the backlash they got, not just from UEFA and FIFA, but their supporters, and in some cases their players and managers (Klopp and Guardiola have both criticised the idea). In addition governments have vowed to stop it from happening through legislative measures.

UEFA/FIFA have said that any players from teams particpating would be banned from the World Cup and other similar competitions. Additionally there have been calls from the UK for the UK teams to be thrown out of the Domestic Leagues and Cup competitions should it all come into effect.


EDIT: Since posting last night, the whole thing has collapsed, all 6 UK teams as well as Athletico Madrid and one of the Milan teams (I forget which) have withdrawn their support.

[Zzzptm]

So which supervillan was behind it and which superhero broke it up? Should be a fun discussion.

[Jack the Stripper]

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli is said to be the supervillain behind the Super League along with the billionaire American and foreign owners of the big European/English Football clubs. And the Superhero were the fans or people power if you like.

[Zzzptm]

So... Lex Luthor against a combined Justice League, then?

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

The UK didn't quite get a clean sweep of finalists in the two European Cup competitions. Manchester City and Chelsea are the finalists in the Champions League and Manchester United are in the final of the Europa League, Arsenal failed get the goal they needed to beat Villareal so failed to procede (such a shame ). Sadly no Liverpool or Spurs this year neither team has performed well this season.

I think both cups will end up in Manchester this year!

[Jack the Stripper]

Champions League is Man City’s to lose. Man City and Chelsea actually meet each other this weekend in the premier league. Spurs need Man City to win if they’re any chance of jagging a Champions League spot. Chelsea have a bit of a testy run home compared with Spurs.

The Hammers could nudge them both out though.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

From a personal point of view 4 of Liverpool's 5 remaining games are against weaker opposition (Southampton, Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace who they beat 7-0 when they met in December and belied the slump in Jan/Feb which was to follow). Their only stern match is away to Man Utd which has been re-arranged for next Thursday (13th May). On Paper I could see them getting to 66pts, 67 if they can squeeze a draw at Man Utd. I'm not convinced Chelsea in fourth and currently on 61pts will fall below that total even with their more difficult run-in. Spurs haven't got it easy but their only really difficult match is away to Leicester so 65pts would seem likely. West Ham's run in seems quite easy too -- but we do not need West Ham in the Champions League!! -- having said that they've been inconsistent recently!

[Zzzptm]

Arsenal failed get the goal they needed to beat Villareal so failed to procede (such a shame ).

[Jack the Stripper]

Well if that wasn’t the final nail in Spurs season it’s pretty dam close. What a rabble!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

^^^
Leeds have had a good first season back in the Premiership after 16 years, mid-table with nothing now to play for. They've been exciting to watch, they score goals... but they concede them also, I felt Tottenham might have the edge... but it all depended on which Tottenham turned up. This is the sort of game they need to win to be challenging for the top four.


EDIT: Ok, Chelsea's surprise win at Man City probably is that nail in the coffin of Spurs chances of a top 4 finish, but Leicester's equally surprise loss at home to Newcastle last night brings them back into the mix. Liverpool are 1-0 up against Southampton after 31 minutes but I won't be relaxing until they get a couple more, they've given away leads recently. (Phew!! They went on to win 2-0!)

[Jack the Stripper]

That’s the thing. As good as Leeds have been this season they have nothing to really play for where’s Tottenham have everything to play for but yet they dish up that uninspiring crap. 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

A few weird results (Chelsea losing to Arsenal, Leicester beating Man Utd thus gifting Man City the title) meant that things are unclear as to who the chasing pack are actually chasing! It was imperative that Liverpool beat Man Utd at Old Trafford  tonight, they had the bonus that it was Man Utds 3rd game since Sunday. And Liverpool duly went on to win 2-4 to keep themselves in the running for the Champions League spot.

3. Leicester 66pts with 2 games to go
4. Chelsea 64pts with 2 games to go
------------------------------------
5. Liverpool 60pts with 3 games to go.

Chelsea play Leicester next Tuesday (just a few days after they meet in the FA Cup final)... they can't both win!