Football : Season 2007/2008

[Russ]

Originally Posted by danielf

Ah, fair enough. Realistically, that's unlikely to happen this year is it?

I see positives and negatives in this. My local team is Swansea (the South Wales rivalry is easily as intense as say Man Utd/Liverpool) so little gives me as much pleasure as watching Cardiff get stuffed yet at the same time 2 very unfashionable clubs have made it to the final, and to me that's what the FA Cup is all about - underdogs beating the big boys.

The downside is this is not likely to be a very good advert for British football. It's pretty safe to say that viewing figures will be lower. I still think it won't take anything off the prestige of the FA Cup though.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Russ B

The downside is this is not likely to be a very good advert for British football. It's pretty safe to say that viewing figures will be lower. I still think it won't take anything off the prestige of the FA Cup though.

The CL has lately been billed as the English Open Football Championship though

[Russ]

Really? I've heard they're thinking of calling it "Fergie's Cup"

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Russ B

Yes indeed why give them what they want when it's based on ignorant tribalism?

Except it isn't, it's based one what they give and what they recieve in return and speaking of ignorant tribalism, that'll be why you want a national anthem played in club competition

The FA is a business, it needs to make money. My opinion of you would seriously drop if I thought for one moment you believed the FA is in a financial position to turn teams away.

Considering it gives out more in prize money than it takes in through registration fees I am sure it could cope

Wrexham...probably not.

However with 2 Championship sides, one of whom is in the final of the most prestegious football tournament in the world (and even won it on one occasion, something many English teams have failed to do, even failing to actually get to the final), I'd say Welsh football is having something of a resurgeance.

How many times have they been in the top flight in the last 30 years and how many times in say the last 80 years have one of those teams been in the most prestegious cup tournament in the world? As for a resurgeance, the sun shines of every dogs ar$e eventually and if it's so good why not let them ply their trade in the woeful welsh leagues and let the resurgence rub of on them to.

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:03 ----------

Originally Posted by Russ B

Really? I've heard they're thinking of calling it "Fergie's Cup"

Heard the same said about Benitez

[Russ]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Except it isn't, it's based one what they give and what they recieve in return and speaking of ignorant tribalism, that'll be why you want a national anthem played in club competition

Not sure I said I wanted it played. I think I said it would a nice gesture. Still, let nothing stand in the way eh?

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Considering it gives out more in prize money than it takes in through registration fees I am sure it could cope

So we're agreed that the FA welcome the Welsh sides as much as any other?

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

How many times have they been in the top flight in the last 30 years and how many times in say the last 80 years have one of those teams been in the most prestegious cup tournament in the world?

if we're talking in terms of how many times they've been in the top flight then your 'rationale' would apply to a lot of English teams. But to answer your question, it would have to be Swansea City when John Toshack took them to the top of the old Division 1 in around 1982, which I believe qualifies for your requirement of "within the last 30 years".

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

As for a resurgeance, the sun shines of every dogs ar$e eventually and if it's so good why not let them ply their trade in the woeful welsh leagues and let the resurgence rub of on them to.

How are Swansea and Cardiff going to get better if they play against lessers sides like the part-timers of the Welsh leagues?

I think you're finding it hard to hide your bitterness and petty-mindedness now. Can't you just be pleased that other British teams are making improvements?

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Heard the same said about Benitez

Haven't we all....

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Russ B

Not sure I said I wanted it played. I think I said it would a nice gesture. Still, let nothing stand in the way eh?

Silly me I thought this meant you wanted it played

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ B
(will we get our anthem played?? )

So we're agreed that the FA welcome the Welsh sides as much as any other?

Do they actually welcome anyone?

if we're talking in terms of how many times they've been in the top flight then your 'rationale' would apply to a lot of English teams. But to answer your question, it would have to be Swansea City when John Toshack took them to the top of the old Division 1 in around 1982, which I believe qualifies for your requirement of "within the last 30 years".

And that's your qualification for not being missed

I think you're finding it hard to hide your bitterness and petty-mindedness now. Can't you just be pleased that other British teams are making improvements?

I couldn't care less about them tbh, what difference does it make to me? Unlike your goodself of course who tries to hide the anti English bias and bitterness behind a facade of 'I am half English'

[Russ]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Silly me I thought this meant you wanted it played

I guess some people will read whatever they want in to things - I've said it would be a nice gesture of respect, I didn't say I wanted it played as I actually agree with the notion that it's not England vs Wales. The point I've tried to make is they'll be playing the same anthem as they do for when England play.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Do they actually welcome anyone?

Yes, they welcome anyone to apply for a place who can pay the fees and have proven suitability.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

And that's your qualification for not being missed

I know! So that means the majority of English team wouldn't be missed either then!

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

I couldn't care less about them tbh, what difference does it make to me?

Double standards well in effect then - when I've been less than enthusiastic with England's performances in the past you've ask me can't I just be happy that a fellow British nation is winning. Just thought I'd see if that applies to you too. Clearly not, my apologies for mentioning it.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Unlike your goodself of course who tries to hide the anti English bias and bitterness behind a facade of 'I am half English'

So because I don't fawn over England, I point out their weaknesses and also the pro-England bias in the media, I'm anti-England?? I'm impressed at your level of patriotism but really, there's a line to be crossed.

Well, any chance Arsenal had to stay in the race is over. At least it's United rather than Chelsea who look like they will pick it up.

I wonder how it went so wrong for Arsenal in the last few weeks, how on earth did they fall so fast Was looking good for us a while back.

[DocDutch]

damien, am wondering the same.... just a case of bad luck, and need for investment in the team, as I think most of the players are about to burn out.

silly penalty for manure but those things happen.

[Shadow Demon UK]

Originally Posted by Damien

Well, any chance Arsenal had to stay in the race is over. At least it's United rather than Chelsea who look like they will pick it up.

I wonder how it went so wrong for Arsenal in the last few weeks, how on earth did they fall so fast Was looking good for us a while back.

It's been downhill ever since we thrashed you 4-0 Something like only 2 wins since then.

We played poorly today but who cares, Arsenal played worse and we won

---------- Post added at 18:05 ---------- Previous post was at 18:05 ----------

Originally Posted by DocDutch

damien, am wondering the same.... just a case of bad luck, and need for investment in the team, as I think most of the players are about to burn out.

silly penalty for manure but those things happen.

Bit of a handball for your goal aswell though

[shawty]

Originally Posted by DocDutch

damien, am wondering the same.... just a case of bad luck, and need for investment in the team, as I think most of the players are about to burn out.

silly penalty for manure but those things happen.

Silly penalty because it was a stupid one to give away or because you thought it wasnt one?

[DocDutch]

silly to give it away like that Shawty.

didnt watch the game so cant comment on the penalty itself.

Originally Posted by DocDutch

damien, am wondering the same.... just a case of bad luck, and need for investment in the team, as I think most of the players are about to burn out.

silly penalty for manure but those things happen.

Remember, They surprised everyone at the start of the season. There are a lot of positives to take from this season for us. We have a young team who properly can only get better and show their potential this season. All it needs it's some more depth so that the players do not burn out. Wenger does not need to run out and spend stupid money on a already established player. It's not like Arsenal can compete with the big spenders yet anyway.

Wenger has a history of choosing little-known players and they turn out to be great, he has a amazing talent for that. He needs to go out and do the same over the summer, find some good young players and use that to add to the squad. Like I said, it's a young team, but it was doing well in Europe and the league. A bit more time, and a bit more depth and we'll have it I think.

[pedantic]

Poor Arsenal!

Dumped out of 2 major competitions in the space of 5 days.

Life is good.

[Marge]

Good result for us, had a few palpitations watching that one