Well lads, it's been brought to my attention that the banter between our fans has taken a nose-dive in quality and regularity...Now I can guarantee neither with this thread, but at least it's a start. I was sat thinking about what the main differences are between our 2 very similar clubs...The main one is probably the varying forms of success: You famously won the FA Cup in 1973, whilst we haven't won it since '55 and haven't won anything of note since '69...We on the other hand, were regularly qualifying for Europe (Champions League and Uefa Cup) pretty consistently for over a decade throughout the 90's and 2000's. So my question is this; Would you trade the bragging rights of winning the last major trophy between us, the glory of beating the mighty Leeds, of capturing the heart of the nation, for our seasons in Europe, for 15,000 in Milan, for hatricks against Barca, for the excitement of consistent Wedneday/Thusday football? And let's keep the wumming to a semi-intelligent level eh lads!
I do believe Jesuswasageordie asked for at LEAST semi-intelligent responses?!? Jesuswasageordie - If you want to have a try at wumming, please feel free to comment on my article called Rose tinted specs......
This isn't an attempt at wumming, this is a genuine question...We always throw the 'ever seen a mackem in milan' at you, you always throw the 'haven't won anything since...' at us. I was just wondering is there any of you/us sitting there secretly wishing it was the other way around?
100% honest answer - I wouldn't swap the 73 cup win for any or all of your European nights. Had you actually won anything, then I may have given a different answer, but you didn't.
JWAG (pardon the familiarity), I can honestly say NO. From a SAFC perspective we've endured some dire years and took one heck of an amount of stick from your lot, but I wouldn't swap the 73 cup win for days out in Europe.
JWAG is fine, abreviate further and we'll have issues! Am I right in assuming that you were both around for the '73 final? I guessed before writing the article that any and all who were about for it would give the response that you both did... I'm only a young'n (22) and literally grew up with the Keegan era, so as much as I can watch DVDs and see interviews about 'The Spirit of '69' it doesn't mean anywhere near as much to me as those magic nights of running back from footy training just in time for the match!
Yes I was there. But, from a red and white perspective, in terms of history that win holds much more relevance than you being in Europe, and I can't believe that any of us would swap that day with anything that you might have since achieved, irrespective of age.
Yes, I was there (missed only one game in the run, Reading away) and will have to take this up later as if I don't get a shift on will miss the one today. Will resume hostilities, and banter, later.
I see what you're saying, and it's a fair enough point...But it's not as simple as you would suggest...I mean, on the basis of what you're saying would Middlesbrough not have a shout at being the most successful North East of the past almost 40 years for their Carling Cup Final win? Similarly, Pompey won the FA Cup win in 2008, Arsenal have won nout since 2002, yet you wouldn't suggest Pompey are the more successful side? Uruguay have won The World Cup more times than England, but we have a higher ranking and more credibility as a top International team (though only just). I guess it comes down to what you place your priorities on. Consistency or a season of success?
niether side would swap their history, but what it comes down to is whch club will have sucess next, obviously im gonna say safc as we are a better set up and more stable club, and even you geordies cant deny we are assembling a better squad, im not denying you have a few decent players but while you have the pie eater running your club your gonna be held back. i wil also add you've done better this season than many thought
Errrm, I definitely you look like you're in better hands than us. Quinn would certainly give the impression of being a top notch chairman and someone who genuinely cares about the club. As for the assembling of a better squad, I think that's a bit tough to judge at this point. Had we kept Carroll we would've had the highest scoring youngster/englishman in the League, probably the biggest surprise package in the league in Cheik Tiote and one of the potentially biggest names in French football in Ben Arfa. (Plus Enrique - though it's looking increasingly likely that he's away in the summer). Obviously we didn't keep Carroll, we sold him for ã35m, so it's difficult to judge either sides ambition until it's been spent! Realistically, you probably are in a better position to win something than us (at this very moment in time) but as we've seen with recent cup runs from Milwall, Cardiff, Pompey and Boro - football is so unpredictable, squad ability and strength is not the be all and end all of cup success!
You have one of the worst % capacity crowds in the league and minus a rich backer in Short would be in the ****. His money will only go so far and every club has to be financially independant in the next few years by FIFA rules.
i did state that i think you have a few decent players, you forgot about your resident idiot but a cracking player barton, and another in ireland
I would disagree with that...Ashley's plan, though massively unpopular with many, and based entirely on risk (risking premier league survival due to lesser investment in return for higher profits IF we stay up) is built around the FIFA ruling. He's decreasing the wage bill, bringing in profitable players (i.e. young CHEAP lads with lots of potential) and exploring various different income streams (i.e. outside investment/advertising). The worry for us fans is not that we will be in trouble financially, but that, as I said, he is risking our future success/premier league survival/credibility all in the name of profit margins.
I didn't mention Barton or Ireland because they weren't signed in the past 12 months/only a loan signing (I was pointing towards who was building the better team) .
