All competitions actually improves it very slightly as we did well in the FA Cup: four wins, one drew and five losses
You're getting mixed up. We're talking about our last ten games now; that's two wins in 10 in all competitions.... 2 wins, 3 draws, 5 defeats. Though 4 of those were the first four games of the ten and before the Man U match, we were undefeated in five.
Current last ten games: won two, drew three and lost five Last ten league games: won four, drew two and lost four
He sees himself, tall and prewd, Napoleonic, facing a wall, one hand tucked in vest, the other holding his pecker, mystified at his ability to both spunk up and piss up such a large sum of secretion.
Thing is, I'd rather win the FA Cup and finish 7th/8th than finish 5th with nothing. Football is about trophies to me and a trophy win is far superior than a couple of extra league positions. It's weird but, I didn't even get that excited about the CL. Last time we were in it, watching on TV it looked so special! The music, the fans, the matches... it was something we craved. But not ure if it was because our form has been bad this year but it just seemed like another game on tv for me this year. Not one of the games reminded me of a "famous European night at Anfield" which is bizzare. For that reason, I'm not massively fussed if we miss out again next year. Obviously it does have wider implications like player recruitment and money but I'd much rather win a trophy than just finish 4th and get into the CL.
Thats the difference between the fans and the owners/boardmembers though Bisc, we want to see our teams win trophies, they want to see the team in the Champions League as a) You earn a **** ton of cash and b) You can pimp your clubs brand to other countries, as it increases the global coverage of your brand. They are worried about profit margins and the like, which is their job I guess. My problem with football these days is that a lot of fans seem to have followed suit and jabber on endlessly about finances. "You only won cos you spent this......" "haha he cost you x amount and isnt very good" etc etc.
I agree... enjoy the successes. to those who say their glasses are half full I say stop whining and supping like a german tourist I drained my glass last year fully and am ready for a complete refill and hope this league cup is said refill and i'll enjoy that too... don't miss the good for fear of being disappointed! Its a roller coaster ride so the lows are always followed by a high somewhere along the way.
Consistent CL qualification/participation is crucial for long term success and stability of the club. Without it, we will never grow. In theory, it will lead to larger revenues, attract better players - which then should translate into success on the pitch. Is it better to finish 8th and win a trophy, than finish 5th and win nothing? I agree. Is it better to finish top 4 and win nothing, than finish 8th and win a cup? Definitely
Actually............. I would say that the right attitude to growth and using the europa not as a hassle but as a stepping stone is as crucial to atletico as CL qualification. Look at the marvelous "growth" at spurs and everton as they turned in just enough to scrape by then thrown the comp as soon as a half decent side plays them, contrast this to how atletico won the europa league twice and it's spring boarded them on to a league title! I would say go win something, then go compete in europe and set yourself up for competing in europe... I say this because i see most of the teams trying to attain 4th doing so buy thinking 38 league games and hassles of cups so if/when they do hit 4th they are totally unprepared for the following year. I'd rather a trophy filled cabinet than what arsenal have done.... arsenal are after all now trying to buy big but have a selling club mentality about them. Man city had 3 arsenal players in sagna, clichy and nasri on the pitch last week for example, hleb, fabregas, song, flamini and the list goes on of players who got out as soon as they got the offer they wanted.
If I remember correctly, we won the League Cup and finished eighth under Kenny. In the same season Tottenham finished fourth. However, I'd argue (and I recall a few others doing the same) that we had a better season because we lifted a trophy and we both ended up with EL football because of Chelsea taking Spurs' CL spot (by winning the CL whilst finishing sixth) However, that was a rare situation. In normal circumstances, I'd probably take a fourth place over a League Cup or FA Cup as you would normal get CL football as a result. This season onwards is slightly different, I'd take a EL win over a second place (assuming the title race is over early) but I'd take the chance of being able to win the league on the final weekend over winning the EL though.
this is all very strange I would never take 4th over a trophy... never. Also form this point in this season onwards the REALITY is 4th place is a pipe dream and the cups are not to ever be sniffed at and sure the europa would be an amazing return from a god awful first half of the season.
That's why I said 'consistent qualification' is crucial. And you have picked teams which have failed to capitalise on their initial qualification (i.e. Spurs and Everton) but those are the exceptions. The CL is full of the same names year in year out - this is because they have developed huge fanbases, worldwide exposure, massive commerical deals - all stemming from playing in the elite club competition.
I'd take fourth because it generates the extra income and increases the chances of attracting the better players. Get top four regularly and trophies will follow if we use those benefits correctly. This season we haven't.
Also, focusing on Rodgers - I read some interesting stats on his career. His defensive record at all clubs is extremely poor. His teams have conceded at least 2 goals per game in around 40-50% of his games - ACROSS HIS CAREER!! If he wants to have a successful career, he needs proper coaches in his team to help him.
^ this. The CL gravy train became an exclusive club over a decade ago, because only those clubs who had the benefit of the incremental revenue could both afford and attract the best players. Only the likes of City have managed to gate crash the party, solely because of financial doping.
So a league cup win against a team like Wigan would be better than finishing 4th place and a getting another season in Europe's best competition, in your opinion?
