Speaking of Middle Earth...it is actually a bright, sunny day here in Vancouver! So now that international break is over and there is no more rain, I will discuss less whimsical topics, such as why is the English media having a field day with Pep-bashing? In the span of a few months, he has won his club 2 trophies and is smashing all kinds of PL records. We haven't won anything in the past 10 years, Newcastle hasn't won a trophy since the 1950's and Everton's last trophy came over 20 years ago. Even though I find him to be an arrogant little prick, you can't argue with his success. Now having said all that, I hope our lot goes out there and smashes him!
whimsical topics are fine*, matey. I just found it all amusing, that's all. *except for musicals, of course. that's where I draw the line.
Does anyone else get redirected to a 'you've won some piece of shit prize' page every time they try to log on to bigsoccer on their phone?
Frequently. Terribly annoying as the only work around seems to be closing the affected tab and starting over - though sometimes I get the same ad again.
So my CL draw prediction was wrong, Real get Bayern and Liverpool face Roma, while Wenger FC get Atletico Madrid. Don't know what to cheer for. My natural instinct is to root against Wenger FC so they don't get into the CL through the back door. However, if they do win the Europa League, it would mean Arsène Whinger would probably stay on for one more year, which is what we want, right? Unless he pulls a fast one and decides to retire on a high... In more positive news, VAR will not be in the PL or the CL next year, but it does appear inevitable it will be introduced for the 2019-20 season, unless of course the English refs cack it up again, which is entirely possible.
under no circumstances do I want Arsenal to win the Europa League. We've been better than them for the 3rd year in a row, and yet - for the last two, anyway - they have had perfectly rational claims to having had (arguably) better seasons. we downed tools in '16 and they pipped us to 2nd, and last year - unlike us - they actually won something. we're miles better than them, but if they win a European trophy (and especially if we don't win the FA Cup [and you know we won't]), they will - again - have a reasonable claim to have had a better year. I know I'd take a trophy over 3rd or 4th, any time - and if it's a trophy that qualifies them for the CL, it's a no-brainer. frankly, i'm more than a little weary of this. it's been twenty-odd years (or more) since I've been able to rub a gooner's nose in our definitive superiority. I'm counting on Atletico to see me through.
Two things bother me about the Europa League: 1. The winner gets into the CL. 2. The 3rd placed teams in the CL groups are dropped into the competition.
yeah ... that second bit really does seem to undermine the competition, to my mind. that said, the Europa League does tend to offer some really tasty ties in the latter stages; and as often than not, they're with clubs that have dropped down from the CL. to my thinking, the real problem is that too many clubs qualify for the CL from certain countries. I wish it was still champions only, but beyond that, I don't think there should be more than two teams from any given country. obviously, that would have nasty consequences for a club like Spurs getting in. But ... the Europa would be soooo much better than it currently is - it would be less of a consolation, and something worth really pursuing.* ... not that such would ever happen, of course. *I mean, I still think it is worth pursuing ... but much of the lustre has admittedly been sacrificed.
That was what made the old Uefa Cup and Cup-Winners Cup so good. Because you only had 1 or 2 teams per country in the European Cup, you were guaranteed big names in the Uefa Cup. I can remember Spurs playing the likes of Real, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in consecutive seasons in the early 80s. The Europa League is still a big deal on the continent, it is only the English who denigrate it. It also doesn't help that when some PL clubs qualify, they play weakened sides (see Bolton, Stoke, Newcastle). I can even remember Harry Redknapp at a press conference saying how happy he was that we got knocked out at the group stage after he played our reserves in the competition in 2011-12. As a supporter, I found that very unsavoury and was not too displeased when Levy axed him at the end of the season (although it meant we got AVB).
United with the most Spursy week of the season? Comeback win away to league leaders Man City last week. Home loss to last place West Brom this week.
Indeed, but it doesn't really matter since Wenger FC are prioritizing the Europa League and Manure are saving themselves for the semi-final on Saturday. Congrats to Rafa Benitez who should get Manager of the Year for getting Newcastle into the top 10. Hopefully the will have the flip-flops on by the time we play them on May 9th.
Also congrats to Wolves on their promotion. Unfortunately, with WBA going down we will be denied one of the tastier derbies in England! Normally, I have no sympathy for other London clubs, especially Millwall and their heathen supporters. But part of me hopes they get promoted so we can sit back and watch the fireworks when they play West Ham.
I’m conflicted. On the one hand another season of Arsenal fans going apoplectic over Wenger would have been fun. On the other the inevitable adjustment period where they don’t immediately turn the clock back will also be fun.
When ArsenalFanTV caught up with him to ask him why he was retiring his response was "I'm tired Robbie."
He's looked tired for a few years, honestly. Nothing so sad as a competitively driven man who's age is catching up and he's just effin' tired.
West Brom have beaten ManU and held Liverpool to a draw in successive weeks. Nothing like going out with a bang.
We know what Arsenal fans call the day to celebrate each season if they eliminate Spurs from overtaking them in the table. BUT, what do we call today, the day on which Arsenal can't overtake Spurs? They sit on 57 points, with three games, meaning their maximum is 66 points while we sit on 68. I will refer to it as "Breech Failure Day".
I just think of it as the day those smug f*ckers can think about their clever little 'annual' holiday and eat a large slice of shit pie.
there have been worse ones. though Breech Failure Day is a pretty good one, to be fair. someone came up with North London Passover, which I liked, as well. but the fact is that two seasons back, a handful of fellas at SC started up a big discussion of what said day should be called, only for ... well ... we all know what happened two seasons back. it kinda dampered that dialogue. as stated elsewhere, I have no qualms about celebrating the fact. nor even about naming it. I just hated how that lot made it out to be an annual event - inevitable, if you will. I've known so many of them ... for so long ... I banged on for 15+ years how it was all cyclical, and how we'd be back on top at some point. I'm more than happy to rub their noses in who's better at the moment. I just don't want to behave as though that's inevitable, mostly because of all the banging on about it being pendular that I've done. that's just me, of course. I obviously understand the inclination to give it right back to them.