Champions League, who gives a ********?

[womble]

Bloody endless, boring rubbish. It's killing football in this country. The League Cup is virtually dead and the FA Cup is going the same way. They should revert to the original format and have just the CHAMPIONS take part (as the name suggests).

[afgrijselijkheid]

how exactly is the FA cup going the way of virtually dead?

[MRschizoid21]

Bloody endless, boring rubbish. It's killing football in this country. The League Cup is virtually dead and the FA Cup is going the same way. They should revert to the original format and have just the CHAMPIONS take part (as the name suggests).

Would you also include the champions of the FA and League Cups?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

womble has obviously been on the idiot pills today. How many more threads of your whining will we need to put up with?

Your team is not involved. Boo hoo hoo. The league cup has always been a joke as it is of limited importance. Your FA Cup comments are incorrect. Everyone would like the CL to revert to the original format, but it is never going to happen. Just accept it.

[womble]

how exactly is the FA cup going the way of virtually dead?

It used to be THE competition to win, outside of the League. Now, because nearly half of the Premiership are in with a sniff of a top 5 finish (or whatever it takes to qualify as Champions these days) they field uninterested, weakened teams which in turn totally devalues the competition.

[womble]

Would you also include the champions of the FA and League Cups?

That's not a bad idea, might breathe some life back into them.

[womble]

womble has obviously been on the idiot pills today. How many more threads of your whining will we need to put up with?

Your team is not involved. Boo hoo hoo. The league cup has always been a joke as it is of limited importance. Your FA Cup comments are incorrect. Everyone would like the CL to revert to the original format, but it is never going to happen. Just accept it.

I've been on the idiot pills??????????? This coming from a guy who starts a thread on whether the greatest player is real or a figment of your imagination, hmmmmmm.............

[Teso Dos Bichos]

I've been on the idiot pills??????????? This coming from a guy who starts a thread on whether the greatest player is real or a figment of your imagination, hmmmmmm.............

Are you referring to this thread (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167396)? Time for some more pills womble. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... :rolleyes: :D

[BocaFan]

It used to be THE competition to win, outside of the League. Now, because nearly half of the Premiership are in with a sniff of a top 5 finish (or whatever it takes to qualify as Champions these days) they field uninterested, weakened teams which in turn totally devalues the competition.

You contradict yourself. If "half of the Premiership" have something big to play for, then why would they field weakened teams and why would they be uninterested in their matches? It's just the opposite.


Everyone would like the CL to revert to the original format,
.

Not me. I could just see the CL semifinals: Milan v Rosenborg; Valencia v Bronby. *yawn*

[Visca...]

It should be just the champion and runner-up from each league.

[Clan]

Whether you agree with him or not, he's not totally wrong you know.

[Funk Essentials]

It used to be THE competition to win, outside of the League. Now, because nearly half of the Premiership are in with a sniff of a top 5 finish (or whatever it takes to qualify as Champions these days) they field uninterested, weakened teams which in turn totally devalues the competition.

To 'womble' :

I do believe that your comment does not give credit where it's due. There are a total of 52 football associations under the rule of UEFA. To be fair, each must be represented in some manner. This includes teams from Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan and other less well known areas comprising nearly 800 teams. It is a vast undertaking to determine which of these teams can be called the "Champion of Europe" even for a single season.

However, all teams cannot simply enter into the competition. Clearly, some adjustments have to be made, while not losing common sense in the process. This is why there is a need for qualifiers, and also why not all teams enter the competition at the same level. The champion of Azerbaijan would probably do very poorly against a team in danger of relegation in the Italian Serie A.

Also, there are only 3 leagues which allow 4 teams into the CL(Spain, England and Italy). Germany, France and Portugal (next season), will have 3 teams represented. Of these, only the top 2 from each league get an automatic berth. The rest of these teams must get by a qualifier. All other leagues have 2 teams or less in the competion. Obviously, some weighting according to previous performances enter the matrix.

The result is a broad sweep across Europe of the cream of the crop. There will always be some disappointments/upsets, whatever. To the best of anyone's ability - what you see is what deserves to be there. This is good for football on so many levels.

To say that the CL is killing domestic competion is folly at best. It is a link between provincial and continental representation. If anything, it adds incentive for clubs to finish second, third or whatever the case may be for their respective league. It is a pity that you cannot enjoy what millions already have been for so many years.

[ronaldinhobr10]

i agree with funk essentials

very good

ity should be the way it is

what do you want womble? you wanna see wimbledon qualify to the CL?
sorry not happening soon

the way it is right now is great
the best teams in europe playing against each other
what else do you want?

[BSjanitor]

Bloody endless, boring rubbish. It's killing football in this country. The League Cup is virtually dead and the FA Cup is going the same way. They should revert to the original format and have just the CHAMPIONS take part (as the name suggests).
Would you rather have the G-14 or whatever form a meaningless Superleague instead, like some form of European Soccer franchise league?

[BocaFan]

The simple solution would be reduce the size of each league to 18 teams + have only one domestic cup competition. Then teams will easily be able to focus and play their best team for the FA Cup, league and CL/UEFA cup.

[Cannon]

Whether you agree with him or not, he's not totally wrong you know.

Sure. In fact I totally agree with this part:

The League Cup is virtually dead

BTW, I really hope Chelsea enjoys its League Cup final against Liverpool. ;)

[Clan]

BTW, I really hope Chelsea enjoys its League Cup final against Liverpool. ;)

Okay, i'll play.

Do tell why not.

[Clan]

The simple solution would be reduce the size of each league to 18 teams + have only one domestic cup competition. Then teams will easily be able to focus and play their best team for the FA Cup, league and CL/UEFA cup.

There is nothing, whatsoever, simple about that.

[Cannon]

Okay, i'll play.

Do tell why not.

Damn you missed the point and now I've got to explain it. No fun.

On second though, I'll resist the urge to explain my little joke and give you a 2nd shot at reading comprehension. :D

[Clan]

Damn you missed the point and now I've got to explain it. No fun.

On second though, I'll resist the urge to explain my little joke and give you a 2nd shot at reading comprehension. :D

Humour me then.