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Where Are Our Ex-Players and Staff Now?

Discussion in 'Watford' started by oldfrenchhorn, Sep 23, 2013.

  1. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Celtic have only just won a knockout game European tie for the first time in 14 years which I think says how good they really are.

    Sure they have some good young talent but you would feel still need big investment to compete at the top level in the Premier league for example.

    Even we have got decent results against the top sides on occasions at home.
     
    #1181
  2. colognehornet

    colognehornet Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately all the smaller leagues in Europe have slipped behind the big 5. Celtic, Anderlecht, Ajax and Benfica are all great clubs but they will never really challenge in Europe again. The decline is the most marked in the Netherlands - the Eredivisie was once ranked the 4th strongest league in the World, but is now ranked 24. Nobody invests in Dutch or Scottish football clubs, and players from the much famed youth academy at Ajax leave the club at 19 whereas in the past they became established players first. There was talk about combining the Dutch and Belgian leagues a while back, which would make sense. Perhaps the smaller leagues should join forces.
     
    #1182
  3. Bolton's Boots

    Bolton's Boots Well-Known Member

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    The term 'slipped back' can be slightly misleading though - quite possibly the standard of play has slipped (or, more likely, hasn't increased at the same rate as that of the Big 5), but average attendances generally show an increase over the last forty years in most European leagues - and two of the clubs you mention above showing considerable increases.

    That suggests to me that, from the spectators' point of view, enjoyment levels have increased over that period. And as far as I'm concerned, that's what matters in football. The fans of most clubs have a sense of where they are in the pecking order - they may crave for their clubs to be successful, but at the end of the day they are realistic - and happy if they have been entertained by some skill and effort from the players of their chosen clubs, regardless of the result.
     
    #1183
  4. colognehornet

    colognehornet Well-Known Member

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    By 'slipped back' I actually meant on the pecking order BB. The increased crowds at Ajax were down to the move from the old De Meer Stadion (29,500 capacity) to the Johann Cruyff Arena (52,000) - always sold out in both cases. Ajax fans particularly would pay just to watch the grass grow but still instinctively think that they should be measuring themselves against Juventus rather than NAC Breda or Utrecht. There is just the big one against Feyenoord, and the minor one against PSV and the rest of the season consists of routine visits to 15,000-20,000 stadiums like Kerkrade. A few years back Ajax beating Man. City was described as 'a major sensation' - how times have changed ! The slip in standards in the Netherlands has also hit the national team badly - which has seen a whole generation go missing. We saw this season how Feyenoord could be deserved champions and then be humiliated in European competition. The same is true for Anderlecht and Celtic - great clubs with great traditions (far bigger than Paris St. Germaine) yet can no longer compete on the top European stage. Benfica can partially stop the rot only because they have access to so much Brazilian talent.
     
    #1184
  5. Bolton's Boots

    Bolton's Boots Well-Known Member

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    I think you're still missing my point though - people are still going in increased numbers regardless of how successful or otherwise their teams are. The standard of football being offered up doesn't really matter. Yes it may be nice to compete in Europe, but, for many, being competitive at home against local teams is just as satisfying.

    I don't really follow International football very much, preferring to watch my clubs - but I suppose that's understandable, living where I do. :) I think my interest in it waned completely in 2009 when Craig Levein became manager, and played a 4-6-0 formation against the Czech Republic - hardly a recipe for entertainment. I've watched a few games with Strachan as manager - but that was mainly because Ikechi Anya was playing.
     
    #1185
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  6. A1 Horn

    A1 Horn Well-Known Member

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    Amrabat on the bench for Leganes v Real Madrid tonight. Not come on yet...
     
    #1186
  7. A1 Horn

    A1 Horn Well-Known Member

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    Just come on. Super sub! (They’re 2-1 down)
     
    #1187
  8. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    #1188
  9. oldfrenchhorn

    oldfrenchhorn Well-Known Member
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    Cedric Avinel now plying his trade in French League 2 on Corsica. He scored tonight.
     
    #1189
  10. Bolton's Boots

    Bolton's Boots Well-Known Member

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    Craig Beattie and Josh Walker have both scored for Edinburgh City against Elgin.
     
    #1190

  11. NZHorn

    NZHorn Well-Known Member

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    Wasn't Josh Walker the next great thing?
     
    #1191
  12. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Good win for QSF as his Espanyol side beat Real Madrid 1-0.

    Vital one too as they are close to the relegation zone.
     
    #1192
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  13. Mexican Hornet

    Mexican Hornet Well-Known Member

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  14. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Ashley Young has developed into a decent full back - probably didn't see that when he first started his career !
     
    #1194
  15. andytoprankin

    andytoprankin Well-Known Member

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    I agree. He was impressive. Amazing how the change of wind direction affects him far less now at the defensive end of the pitch. <whistle>
     
    #1195
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  16. Jsybarry

    Jsybarry Well-Known Member

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    Scott Loach was in goal for Hartlepool yesterday against Boreham Wood.
     
    #1196
  17. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Been their best player apparently.
     
    #1197
  18. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like John Joe O'Toole sent off - be a loss for Northampton as he still seems to have an eye for goal .
     
    #1198
  19. NZHorn

    NZHorn Well-Known Member

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    Matthew Briggs, whose absolute failure to tackle Knockaert resulted in TD9 scoring against Leicester, has been released by Barnet.
     
    #1199
  20. Markthehorn

    Markthehorn Well-Known Member

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    Hard to believe he was the once the youngster ever Premier league player .
     
    #1200

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