...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 1)

[iNero]

Definitely keep the number of clubs taking part the same.

 

In my opinion, the biggest clubs in Europe have too much damn say on how it gets run, it's kind of ridiculous in my opinion that fourth place in the premiership get's a chance in the 'Champions' League. Then the competition is seeded, and the big clubs get to play the sh*tty ones, and it only get's really engaging when it's the knockout stages, I'd like to see smaller clubs from less prestigious leagues having more chance to progress.

 

 

why? its the CL. If you want to win the Cup you have to beat every other team.

[A J]

Maybe you missed my point, but my gripe with how the CL is organised, is because it's been shaped purely in the favour of the bigger teams from the bigger leagues.

In the past it was a seeded knockout tournament, but the bigger teams hated the risk of falling at the first hurdle, in my opinion that would be better, because again I think the League stage, with the third team going to the Europa is utter bullsh*t, and the tournament only really gets going once it's the tournament stage / knock out stage.

[GTA_stu]

The format wasn't rearranged to please the bigger teams. It was done to increase TV revenue and also ultimately to make it more exciting. It does generally favour bigger teams more, but it also strengthens the competition and you have the best teams playing each other in the latter rounds which is what most people want to see. Ultimately you want to see the best v the best.

 

If you had a seeded knockout stage from the very start instead of the group stage, the first few rounds would still be relatively boring because you'd have teams like Barca or Bayern playing teams from Hungary, Bulgaria, Moldova etc. You'd still have the 2 leg system, so even if some sh*tty team nobody has heard of manages to beat a massive top European club, it wouldn't matter because they'd inevitably turn it around in the 2nd leg. Just because it's knockout it doesn't automatically mean it's more exciting.

 

I think the group stage is good because it adds more variety and more dimension than just KO. 3rd place being put in the EL also gives more of a chance to smaller teams. A small club from Romania for example, if they won their league they deserve to be in the CL. They have virtually no hope of winning their CL group or even coming 2nd, but at least they still have the incentive and possibility of coming 3rd.

Edited March 13, 2014 by stu

[SouthLand]

▚ I hope we win! ▚

 

[Nlwt]

Anelka terminating contract at West Brom apparently.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26587077

[I cucked Alex Jones]

The Jews keeping the black man down once again, I see.

[Crokey]

Seem to be saying this a lot in this topic these days but again Grade A Donkey Sh*t refs.

 

Still a cracking goal by Silva

[Joseph Cooke]

Hearing about a dive from Boyd. Will be interesting to see on MoTD dneet.

[Shoumaker]

Still a cracking goal by Silva

That assist tho was nice too, you don't see goals like them anymore.

[Hodgey.]

Well atleast we wont get Chelsea fans posting here telling us how great they are this week.

 

Plus the Ramires challenge is one of the worst I have seen this year.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Hodgey.

[Vercetti27]

I have to say ramires is the worst cheat in the league, at first I thought it was a coincidence when I say him diving repeatedly, but it's plain to see he's a cynical ,cheating prick who has no place in football. Glad he won't be facing us next week.

[GTA_stu]

f*ck Foy. He's completely clueless. Torres was never offside and would have had a great opportunity, and Ramires would have been through 1 on 1 when their last defender brought him down. Clear red. Ramires was also clearly fouled by a late challenge from I think it was Westwood, in the build up to their goal. The Matic handball was correct, Ramires was a definite red don't know what he was thinking. Maybe the Willian one was 50/50 whether or not he should have been sent off, some will say he should have been others will so he shouldn't. Obviously I think he shouldn't.

 

Overall though he f*cked us completely. Before this game he'd sent off 5 Chelsea players in his last 8 games. Ridiculous.

[Vercetti27]

I agree, the referee f*cked chelsea. definitely some conspiracy to keep poor chelsea down

[Max]

While Foy didn't have a blinder I think the Matic and Ramires decisions were correct. Ramires should be ashamed of himself for that one.

 

On another ugly note have you guys seen Boyd's spit at Joe Hart? Disgusting

[Crokey]

Didn't catch that one, I think I know when it would have been about and that's why Joe went nuts at him.

[Hodgey.]

On another ugly note have you guys seen Boyd's spit at Joe Hart? Disgusting

 

I missed that. I was half watching the game, half doing something so I didn't see it. Should see what happened in MOTD tonight.

[Crokey]

Just seen it on MOTD, wasn't that much of a spit, more like spittle than a full on phlegm.

 

EDIT: I've been a bit of critic of Mourinho recently but his post match interview was great, a subtle f*ck you to the FA system of not being able to criticize referee's, which I find a total pointless exercise and defeats free speech.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Crokey

[Nlwt]

f*ck Ramires, El Ahamdi lucky to escape injury there. Pure dick move.

Fine goal from Delph though, great run and finish.

 

EDIT: Scavenging the last bit of WiFi I can before kick-off. Atmosphere is going to be great, hoping we can get something out of it. Enjoy the game fellas

Edited March 16, 2014 by NathanT

[Der_Don]

Don't they give yellow cards for a deliberate handball in England?

[Shoumaker]

Whattey dive.

 

Justice has been served, we didn't deserve that penalty.

Edited March 16, 2014 by Shoumic

[iNero]

wow. how much luck can one have?!

 

 

[Nlwt]

Well that was dire. We could have played for another 4 days and not score a goal. Two stupid mistakes with Rafael's handball and Jones' tackle cost us and a lovely dive from Sturridge. He's been watching taking notes from his team mate I see. Was a great atmosphere and I'd go to all United v Liverpool games if I could, just hope the next one I go to isn't as bad as that.

[Hodgey.]

lovely dive from Sturridge.

 

Yes........................ yes it was.

 

[Shoumaker]

He's been watching taking notes from his team mate I see.

Januzaj and Young are in Liverpool?

 

 

If you don't know I'm joking I'm murdering you.

 

 

Great game, Daniel didn't need to dive as we had the game in the bag. United were appalling, they're just not the same United anymore. We didn't even play our best today to be honest.

 

Cardiff next Hodgey, if we take it one game at a time, we may just win it.

 

Another good game on people.

[Dnero]

[Shoumaker]

I knew someone would post that lmfao.

 

HOLY sh*t, an absolutely unstoppable shot by Thomas Rosicky.

[Hodgey.]

 

He's been watching taking notes from his team mate I see.

Januzaj and Young are in Liverpool?

 

 

If you don't know I'm joking I'm murdering you.

 

 

Great game, Daniel didn't need to dive as we had the game in the bag. United were appalling, they're just not the same United anymore. We didn't even play our best today to be honest.

 

Cardiff next Hodgey, if we take it one game at a time, we may just win it.

 

Another good game on people.

 

 

If we win all our remaning games then no doubt we have a chance but still alot of football left Shoumic.

 

As for the game today we outplayed, out worked, out passed, out dived United. Moyes is just a idiot. We score directly after half time and he waits till the 75th minute to change things, and then when he did he brought on Welbeck and Cleverly f*cking terrifying

 

Edited March 16, 2014 by Hodgey.

[Banks.]

Well done Liverpool, deserved the win I guess.

 

Our support was amazing today. 3-0 down to our bitter rivals yet the whole Stretford End and most of the other stands were on their feet chanting '20 times Man United' Brilliant just brilliant.

 

Welbz should of started. Shockingly underrated.

Edited March 16, 2014 by Tommy.

[Hodgey.]

[The Gardener]

http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article1298194.ece/ALTERNATES/s2197/Manchester%20United%20manager%20Sir%20Alex%20Ferguson%20looks%20on%20dejectedly%20-1298194