That's right Eire.......and when other teams follow like sheep, how long before the FA Cup and League Cup are dead. How long before the once greatest Cup Final in world, revered, admired, envied, and watched by other countries around the world becomes more of a laughing stock than it is now. We're killing our own football competitions because of Euro football. Now they want to add another Euro competition, imagine how much more damage that'll cause. Yet the lower league teams, and non league teams field their full strength squads because of what it means to them, yet now, it means sod all to the prem and championship teams, and many fans it seems because money has become the root of all evil within football. Euro football is killing football in all countries, not just ours.
I think the FA and EFL should hold a referendum on being part of European competitions, non-binding of course
Serious question to coaching aficionados. Arsenal are now being taught Bielsaball high press and it worked against Man Utd. The last time they used it they were on top for 80 minutes against Chelsea and then tired and Chelsea won by the odd goal. Fitness is returning to the Arsenal squad. So the question is can two teams play high press at the same time? I believe not and one team usually on the end of a cricket score. Southampton tried and lost 7-0, Man City have lost by a few this season. Liverpool are the only team who when facing high press can beat it by their own pressing and tackling. I would say Leeds are more experienced than Arsenal but they have better players. Will Bielsa fancy it and field a strong team or not fancy it and use fringe players?
If both teams adopt that playing style, the fitter and/or more skilled team will prevail. That would be my expectation. Of course, its football and a weird bounce here, a referee decision/no decision there can completely change the game.
I hope Bielsa plays his best team, because I think we can beat Arsenal on our day, i'm sure all the player will want to play in this match, Imagine if we do beat them with a full strength squad, the lift that will give them to go on and win this league, can't understand some peoples negative attitude about getting a drubbing and our confidence being crushed, we could get tonked in a league game, its how the players bounce back that matters, have faith lads
Not wishing to be contrary but... May I suggest that the team with the quicker players for the ball over the top would be most likely to prevail. Man City and Liverpool both mix short and long to their advantage.
I want to see us go for it. Arsenal beat a poor Man Utd side so you can't give them total credit. Sheff Utd are ruffling feathers in the Prem and we were better than them, plus I am sure Arteta will rest players. On the negative side, it's in feckin London and we're allergic to London.
Yes me too Davy, there are plenty of songs our lot originate and others have copied, them gooners will get some stick tomorrow night from the 10k faithful no matter what the score is.
Yep. Watching Liverpool's U23s playing Everton. I'd still be tempted to rest Bamford until we get cover in.
It wouldn’t do that much. Other than Wigan it’s only been won by the top four who qualify anyway (and would we really want Wigan in the CL for winning six games, some probably not even against PL teams?)
You said earlier that Revie always played his best XI in cup games and yes he did, but so did everyone else. To answer your claim, yes absolutely the Leeds team felt the effects of all those extra games. "Jaded" was the term back then in 1972, Leeds had to play Wolves away (and lost). Being in the 1972 FA cup final might have cost us the league that year. Who cares if other countries admire the FA cup final - for me it lost its majesty over the years: 1. We won the league in 1992 - and suddenly re-realized what was impotent 2. The premier league started up and everyone knows where the $$$ is 3. The FA started to play semi-finals at Wembley undermining the majesty of the final occasion 4. The rebuilding of Wembley saw finals played in Cardiff. It's wouldn't have been worse to play them in Paris. 5. The new Wembley seems a soulless, generic venue now - it should be sold to the NFL as it has no real purpose. We've needed to kill the league cup for decades, now I'd dump the FA Cup (sponsored by some company) in with it There used to be three Euro competitions but each was valuable, the Cup Winner's Cup and the UEFA cup lost their value when the Champions league lets all the best team into it every year. The lower leagues value a cup run for the extra $$$ it makes them to keep them afloat, Prem teams see it as a worthless distraction until the semis. What is important to clubs this season is to get into the Prem or stay in the Prem - not a worthless cup. Euro football is NOT killing football in any country, only about 7 or 8 teams from England actually play in a Euro competition, and only the Champions League has any prestige. Bet thing to happen to Leeds on Monday is field the reserves and lose by a small margin. Worst thing is to play the 1st team and get hammered (with injuries/red cards to boot) 2nd worst is to get a draw and have to play a replay 3rd worst is to win the replay and face a 4th round tie 4th worst in the win a Monday and face a 4th round tie.
If what you say is correct, then can you square this circle for me please... Why are 8000+++ Leeds fans going to London on a wintry Monday night ? In addition, why will every other Leeds fan be glued to their television screens to witness one of footballs great encounters ? Are we all secretly hoping and praying for an honourable defeat ? If an honourable defeat is what we aspire to, then what is the point of football and supporting a particular team ?
