Putting financial implications aside and CL participation does it really matter? Seen a thread on the Spuds board where they seem to genuinely believe finishing above us means they are a better team than us. NoW the league is the be all and end all, in my eyes only City are entitled to say they are a better team than us I have always believed that 2nd place is just the first loser. I really can't see any point in celebrating finishing above rivals unless you win it. I'm aware Spurs have a small club mentality so their attitude differs from the fans of genuinely big clubs. But if you were to ask a United or Arsenal fan whether they'd take 6th and FA Cup/CL or 2nd/3rd with no trophies we all know what they'd choose. It's clear based on our performance in domestic and European cups we are in no way the 6th best team in the league but a number of factors have led to our league position being as low as it is, for all the **** the media have given us this season and rival fans I don't believe any other English team would have been able to go overcome Barca or Bayern never mind on their own patches having been behind in both with only minutes to spare. So yes, City can say they are better than us, maybe United too as they finished level with them but Arsenal/Spurs/Newcastle? Absolutely Not. Finishing 2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th is all the same in my eyes - FAILURE
I think below 4th is a failure for us, our standards should be challenging for the title every season with the squad we've got but winning two major trophies (including the Champions League) is a million times better than finishing 2nd/3rd/4th imo, which is what makes some Spurs fans (you know who they are) so deluded.
What's the point of qualifying to play teams like Barca, Real or Bayern if you're not good enough to beat them? That's part of the problem with CL qualification, you're rewarded for failure unless you win the league. I have to say that winning it is a magnificent achievement but I honestly believe that the CL should be for the winners of the respective leagues but I don't make the rules so - FKN GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whatever--it is vital for Chelsea to finish in the top 4! We didn't do it this year, but we compensated in the most spectacular way! Lets hope we do it more comfortably next season!
Good post other than the obvious mistake, the scum finished 2nd, in goals scored, in goals conceded and in head to head. I'm sure you did't mean it and I forgive you! good luck next year, it would be a great City/Chelsea final.
Looking forward to the Community Shield at Villa Park . There was some great banter exchanged when we visited the Etihad in March!
A comment that Dalglish made after he was sacked showed that he was not up to speed with modern football. I however agree with him. Without quoting he said that he wouldn't swap the Carling Cup win for a higher league finish. I agree with him as I was brought up watching football where winning things is what was important. I bounced around my living room like a lunatic when we won that cup, I have never celebrated finishing 4th. I may be wrong as my club needs to in the top 4 in order to attract certain players and for financial reason. I just don't really care about the financial side of the game I just want to watch my team win things.
It's a major gripe of mine that the need to qualify for the CL has made fourth place into some sort of trophy or achievement. Second place is just the best loser. In terms of the joy of achieving the feat, give me either cup over fourth place though for the benefit of the club long-term, European football puts more in the coffers and breeds more success.
In my eyes celebrating coming 2nd and 3rd/4th is the equivalent to celebrating coming 18th or 19th. Total failure IMO
Luv - well said. I find it astounding how some Spuds are actually gloating that they finished above us! To put it bluntly, I'd rather be a cup team than finish below 1st any day of the week.
Don't knock it - Arsenal have been celebrating finishing above us for years. For them it's as good as a trophy
I agree but Arsenal are still a huge club. The mentality at small clubs like Spurs is different. Spurs relsease DVD's for wins or sometimes even draws against big clubs
I was just trying to emphasise that standards at Arsenal still remain high and any position other than 1st is seem as failure. Spurs to their credit have punched above their weight but as you say they will not compete if they lose Modric or Bale. The psychological damage missing out on CL compunded by their poor finish to the season will trigger a collapse IMO and they'll get 6th. Arsenal need to find a balance, they still concede far too many goals to realistically be able to mount challenge. Yann M'Vila and Podolski will help, hopefully they can change the mentality at Arsenal. It's clear that once you take the Manchester clubs out the equation Arsenal are comfortably the strongest or 2nd strongest (at worst) team
