I enjoy it. It gives me a chance to play "spot the players who you have signed on Football Manager". (7 in the Genk team, by the way).
It's not so much the way they play their football (although I do admire that), it's more the fact that they have Messi in their team. Now I can't compare him to Maradona, Pele, Cruyff etc because I wasn't around then. But for me he's is comfortably the best player since I've been around; better than Zidane, Figo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, both Ronaldo's, Henry, Bergkamp, Raul, etc etc*. I could watch him play football all day long, and never get bored. *(And yes, even Lallana!)
What if the Champions League was reserved for league champions and domestic cup winners? That would definitely make the FA Cup far more desirable.
I love Messi. however I don't rate him as highly as you obviously. He is way out in front as the world's best player however I would place him equal with Maradona and Zidane. One 'non skilled' thing in common with all these 3 that is great? They dribble along and try to stay on their feet. They are much more honest (on pitch) than most other 'world class' stars and would rather continue on and score that great goal than gain a free kick by falling over That is the best thing about Messi. A little chap, opponents try to hack him down continuously but he only goes over if he can't avoid it. An example to all players around the world.
If the champions league does return to champions only then bring back the cup winners cup for the FA cup winners
Actually, i've changed my mind. Unless there's only 16 or so actual champions competing, we'll end up with even more small obscure clubs and more predictability!
I disagree. The days of Steau Red Star Belgrade Ajax etc were great. Very competitive football from all countries.
But would you rather watch Inter v Real Madrid, or FC Levadia v Birkirkara? The Champions League should be for the best teams, otherwise we might as well give the Champions of England/Spain/Italy/Germany a bye to the semis.
Do you watch the first round of the FA cup when it is live on TV? Last year or before I watched Lincoln City vs Northwitch Victoria on ITV1 and it was only 1-0 but that is the beauty of cup games. Just as we watched Man U vs Crawley last year. I have clear memories of Coventry vs Sutton Utd and also a Burton Albion game and Canvey Island in there somewhere Football is beautiful at all levels and saying we aren't interested in watching 2 smaller teams makes us as bad as the glory boys who are only interested in supporting big teams!!!
Yes that is true. But the beautiful thing is that both Birkirkara (Malta by the way) and Real Madrid can take part in the Champions League. I was just trying to illustrate the argument about only having the Champions of each country, there's no reason for it. By the way, next week in the FA Cup is AFC Totton v Bradford Park Avenue, Totton have a serious chance of progressing to the 2nd round at home to comparable opposition, and Saints are not playing...
I once travelled to see Lincoln United vs Huddersfield Lincoln United ( second team in the city) were in the equivalent of division 9 or something like that and got whooped 7-0 but it was a good day out I also went to se a game between Lincoln Moorlands and Derby Rolls Royce which must've been in the equivalent of division 12 On the Birkirkara thing if they win their league then they enter the first round. Real Madrid should have to win their league to be in the Champions league however teams from the big leagues (Spain, Italy, England and Germany) go into the third round etc. Much better. What credibility can be used if the Champions of Europe are only the 2nd best or 4th best team in their country (i.e. Man U/Liverpool) Makes a mockery of it being called 'The Champion's League' And less games to reach the final which after all is what the top managers are warbling about - Player burnout. They voted for more games in the first place Apart from the contradictory name of the tournament. 'Champions League'. It isn't called the Champions, runners up and closest rivals league. lol
The champions league is very dull in my opinion. So predictable, so overhyped. It nearly always seems to be the same few times who win it or get to the semi's. It's good though when the 'smaller' (i.e not the English teams, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan or Inter Milan) do well. Apoel Nicosia to win this years Champions League!
Used to enjoy it..now too many games with everyone afraid to lose. I started watching the Arsenal game and thought if Saints passed as badly as that the fans would get on their back. Don't tell me the opposition are better...both teams were trying and failing to pass a ball to their own player in space. I turned it off because I'd rather watch the Saints result on ceefax that endure any more.
It was fascinating to read the excellent book "Provided you don't kiss me: Twenty years with brian Clough" and to recount how Forest won the old European cup twice. Considering that Forest are the archetypal team from the Provinces, I miss the fact that their likes will never be able to compete let alone win in this league. Shame that FA Cup winners don't automatically get thrown in to this competition as it would make som clubs respect this great tradition far more.
If ever we needed proof that European football nations, and the English FA in particular, have created a series of monsters this competition provides it. The latest attempt by Liverpool to try to secure the rights to their own televised football is another example. Liverpool can't see why the likes of Stoke or Wigan should get equal TV money when it is Liverpool and Man U, for example, that bring in the big audiences. It is all part of pulling up the drawbridge, and frankly I couldn't give a monkeys about any of it. I have loved the last two seasons under Pardew and Adkins, and am on cloud 9 this year. I fully understand the stated desire of Cortese to see us "competing" with the big boys, but it doesn't stop it all stinking!
Tbh, if we were to win the Championship, I'd prefer it if we elect to stay in the Championship. Only good thing about being in the Premiership is a bit more media coverage and you're on TV more.
