2012/2013 English Premier League thread

[d_phaneuf]

you will get some dissidents as well from the Manchester Clubs/Barca/Madrid etcs.

but the Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Atleti's/Inter etc. would love it

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think it happens

same amount of teams combined but by calling it the champions league they can raise the tv revenue

UEFA/FIFA love money

And potentially sell more tickets. Lets face it, most early-round Europa league games are deserted.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

you will get some dissidents as well from the Manchester Clubs/Barca/Madrid etcs.

but the Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Atleti's/Inter etc. would love it

I guess it also offers more opportunity to some clubs like that. You never know when a giant killer will go on a run and maybe make it deep. It opens up that possibility a little bit more even though its still wildly unlikely.

[d_phaneuf]

which is why the big clubs won't want it, why risk more teams

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

I guess it also offers more opportunity to some clubs like that. You never know when a giant killer will go on a run and maybe make it deep. It opens up that possibility a little bit more even though its still wildly unlikely.

From an Arsenal point of view I'd like the prestige of keeping them separate but would also like the increased security of advancing to the more lucrative stages of the CL. For Arsenal, I guess it depends on whether or not they believe they'll be able to compete on a more level footing with their new commercial deals.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

which is why the big clubs won't want it, why risk more teams

And, as Addick mentions, it dilutes the prestige.

As it is there are too many teams in the CL. The early rounds and most of the group stage are a total snooze-fest.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

which is why the big clubs won't want it, why risk more teams

and potentially many more fixtures in an already packed schedule (unless they work out some sort of top qualifier exemption). FA and League will suffer even more in terms of the quality of the teams put forward by the big teams.

[devo22]

from my own point of view, there are already too many teams in the CL ... and they seriously want to double the number to 64?!? Typical Platini.

In a perfect world (for me anyway ), they'd go back to the old format with 24 teams. Less quantity, more quality.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Addick

From an Arsenal point of view I'd like the prestige of keeping them separate but would also like the increased security of advancing to the more lucrative stages of the CL. For Arsenal, I guess it depends on whether or not they believe they'll be able to compete on a more level footing with their new commercial deals.

Based on how their board has acted towards finances I think they would 100% support it

5 years ago maybe not, but going forward

Man United will always be there

Chelsea and Man City play billionaire football

Liverpool are down now but a club that size will become competitive again in the next 5 years

Spurs have upped their spending and will have a new stadium within 5 years which would put them on par financially with Arsenal and Man United for highest revenues in the PL every year

there are going to be 6 teams going forward which could easily finish top 4, and missing out on that 30m+ for making the group stages is a huge risk

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

and potentially many more fixtures in an already packed schedule (unless they work out some sort of top qualifier exemption). FA and League will suffer even more in terms of the quality of the teams put forward by the big teams.

I don't think it would add many games for the big teams

they would probably just do 16 groups in that stage instead of 8, so the teams in the 4-6 range say in their countries would have to qualify, but it shouldn't add many extra games

[d_phaneuf]

Stuart Downing and Glen Johnson playing at FB today against Lennon and Bale

every time Spurs get the ball they need to go out wide

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Based on how their board has acted towards finances I think they would 100% support it

5 years ago maybe not, but going forward

Yup, that's why I said if the board truly believes they will be able to compete financially again. It wouldn't be on par with City and Chelsea but a level where we wouldn't let RvP walk. It could happen as a lot of people don't realize how large of an expenditure the Grove was for the club.

[d_phaneuf]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the new shirt deal

there's no excuse for not spending this summer, I know it's been said in the past but I think this summer is where Arsenal fans find out if they are cheering for a football club or a corporation who own a football club to make money

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Stuart Downing and Glen Johnson playing at FB today against Lennon and Bale

every time Spurs get the ball they need to go out wide

That is not going to end well.

FFS. Jose Enrique is lining up as a central striker with Suarez on his left and Sterling on his right.

Someone has presumably told Rodgers that this isnt a Sunday night pub league game right?

[d_phaneuf]

Spurs are off to an absolute blinder

1-0 6 minutes in

the fullbacks are getting punished

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

That is not going to end well.

FFS. Jose Enrique is lining up as a central striker with Suarez on his left and Sterling on his right.

Someone has presumably told Rodgers that this isnt a Sunday night pub league game right?

ya why is he doing this?

I know he's not the biggest fan of Enrique or Downing, but why swap them positions?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Spurs are off to an absolute blinder

1-0 6 minutes in

the fullbacks are getting punished

Saw that coming. Bale and Lennon are getting gifts on the wings. I hope this isnt a complete slaughter.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ya why is he doing this?

I know he's not the biggest fan of Enrique or Downing, but why swap them positions?

No idea. Maybe hes trying to keep the bar set very low so that when he can get players in the transfer window his future success will look amazing in comparison.

It looks like outside of Reina, Skrtel, Agger and Suarez he just drew names and positions out of a hat.

"Hey, Lennon and Bale will be working the wings, I've got a plan! Screw it."

[d_phaneuf]

Bale is winning this game on his own

but Reina got absolutely no help from his wall there, can't fault him at all

2-0

[Locke]

Yeah. Good job Rodgers. Nice team selection.

2-0. This is going to get a lot worse.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Bale is winning this game on his own

but Reina got absolutely no help from his wall there, can't fault him at all

2-0

I saw that goal going in the second Dowd blew his whistle for the foul. It just has the feel of 'one of those games.'

[d_phaneuf]

Suarez is trying (and almost succeeding) in bringing Liverpool back in to this game