Match Day Thread 2015/16 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

#blameliverpool

 

Give you atlectico

Valencia should not have been a second seed at all. But thier group at least has a 3rd seed that might compete.

Utd have easy group.. you should be pleased as it means you can win it handy and then get an easy draw for next round too.


Lfc should be pleased as if Utd don't sign a striker in next 5 days it will mean Utd will fight on two fronts with first 11 while lfc can play dross in the I don't care cup.

It's all moot anyway as 4th place will be taken off England and given to it lay with 3 years... teams like Southampton are seeing to that by throwing the comp.

Both west ham and Southampton have thrown it now.

 

We didn't throw it, we were just ridiculously ****!

 

Did you guys play a strong team?

i always find it very odd when teams like West Ham, Newcastle, Stoke who aren't going to get relegated and aren't going to win the league or get CL decide not to play strong teams.

Its ya such a good way to get exposure to other players in different countries in terms of transfers. It's like you play the whole season to finish as high as possible and get euoope, so when you get into Europe you get out asap.

Not or saying you guys did, didn't see the team you played but thoight a good run in Europa League would be great for every team now in the Cl

 

Good post but no, we did play a pretty much full strength side (bar injuries of course) we just didn't perform over the 2 legs. I like your 2nd paragraph as well n had this discussion on our board in pre-season with people who were saying "we need to get out of Europa asap n focus on the league". I would of loved to have a run in it, doesn't happen a lot for clubs like us. Wasn't meant to be though.

 

Shame because not having you or West Ham will dent English coefficient which could affect how many CL Spaces we get in the coming years if Italy continue to perform well.

I'd rather win the Europa league than any other trophy bar the prem or CL (especially as it gives you entry to the CL) so don't understand people who continually dismiss it.

 

Let's see if you're still of that opinion when it ****s your league season mate.

It's a slog of a competition that adds 19 games to your schedule if you're to win it.

The Thursday / Sunday thing takes it's toll, it happens year after year.

 

The proof is there yeah but if Rodgers and the players are to have a long term future here they need to get used to two games a week tbh

So much is made of this Thurs - Sunday stuff. Its the same as Wed - Sat but like I say the proof is there. We'll just have to use the squad and tell the players to man the **** up

 

Was an article on sky sports about how it affects your league position. Only teams that suffered massively were teams like you and Newcastle, teams that don't have the money to have squad depth to compete in 2 big competitions like that (that's not a dig btw)

it it actually showed that on a couple occasions, performance improved. City and us both actually improved out league position and Spurs have always hovered around same level moving 1 place max.

Team that can afford to have big squads don't struggle as mucn as the myth goes.

 

2012/2013 - Spurs down 1 LFC up 1
11/12 - LFC up 1 city up 2 Stoke down 1 Fulham down 1

last year, efc down 6
year before Swansea down 3
yese before Newcastle down 11

like I say, teams that can afford it, cope just fine.

 

I think the Thurs / Sunday thing is partly psychological as you're playing after everyone else every week and it's not televised so there's not the lift that gives either.

Also don't forget that the travelling distances tend to be further in the EL, you're going to far flung Eastern European locations as opposed to skipping over to Northern Europe.

 

So who do we have good enough to use in the Europey and give players a rest?

As long as we rotate it shouldn't affect our league season too much, will Rodgers do it is the question.

We have sat on our bench.......

Ings
Origi
Ibe
Sakho
Moreno
Rossiter
Lucas

That bunch wont be starting every league game and are all capable.

 

We'll see

 

Proof isnt there though. Look at my posts, proof is if you have the money to have a big squad, it can help you.

 

Draw is taking place as we speak

 

Honestly tobes I think there are 3 factors;

1. club resources; everton and tottenham have not tied to have the resources required to compete in europe and the prem. small squads = focus on league. Cheslea could swan though that comp and others like seville can focus on it too.

2. relative prize money: to half the clubs in this the prize money is a big deal .Again spanish clubs might get 20-30 mil max out of tv so 10mil form this is actually a big deal. its nothing to our clubs.

3.competition. some clubs can compete domestically and not care. in england everyone has 60mil from tv.. they can all buy players so all can beat eachother relatively speaking. So this doesn't mean all get better though.. it means they all inwardly focus and fear the distraction.

my view is this develops players, develops mentality to compete, and most of all offers opportunity.

If LFC can top whatever group we get by playing origi, ibe, lallana, ings, lucas, rossiter, sahko, moreno, toure, ilori, bogdan... just an 11 who would not be in my LFC best team.. then its a great comp for us.

 

We have Rubin in our group (Russia)

 

Help? Behave ffs.

You can't say it didn't have a negative impact based on your facts there either, as who's to say that without the comp those particular squads wouldn't have done even better domestically those seasons?

The overwhelming evidence is that it takes it's toll over the course of a season.

 

Dr is right... if long term goal is CL this teachs you how to play in europe, how to play 2 legs, how to manage your resources across 4 comps etc etc.

if that means you drop two league spots temporarily ok fine.


its when you see swansea end up bottom half and sack manager or everton really struggle then the fear comes in... but to actually be a big club you have to take on the challenge.

4th is not a goal its a stepping stone along the way to real success.

LFC failed that test last year.

 

And we have to be in Europe! Simple as


Was shocked to see Spurs have overtaken us ffs