Why do some English Clubs think they are to big for the Europa League?? We are the only country that has this take on the competition. The sides that both Newcastle and Liverpool have fielded de-values the competition, a cup that we hold in very high regard. They spend the whole season talking about qualifying for Europe and then when they are there don't seem to give a toss.
I've been saying this all night. Fielding 2nd string sides.. showing no respect for the competition. The English Clubs in this comp are desperate for success.. Its a good trophy to win.
roy fielded some weaker teams away in the early rounds aswell.
Quote from: fulhamben on September 20, 2012, 07:36:03 PM
roy fielded some weaker teams away in the early rounds aswell.
Not as weak as Newcastle and Liverpool have tonight. Look at Atletico Madrid. Strongest side in every game. Won it twice.
And Liverpool have just scored goal number 5...
Premier League & Champions League = (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/Stacks_of_money.jpg)
Europa League = (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jt217IV31rtssnp.jpg)
Quote from: cusackdribble on September 20, 2012, 07:47:48 PM
And Liverpool have just scored goal number 5...
Fair play...... wasn't my point though. IF they had lost tonight would they have given a toss?? Not sure they would have.
Group stage games are certainly ones where I would try new things, Liverpool have plenty of problems in the league so resting a few seems reasonable....
Spurs have put out a very strong side tonight... both the Ds starting...
Quote from: Mr_Moon on September 20, 2012, 07:48:56 PM
Premier League & Champions League = (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/Stacks_of_money.jpg)
Europa League = (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jt217IV31rtssnp.jpg)
If it was all about money why do all other countries take it as seriously as the Champions League??
Quote from: mccscratch on September 20, 2012, 07:49:42 PM
Group stage games are certainly ones where I would try new things, Liverpool have plenty of problems in the league so resting a few seems reasonable....
Spurs have put out a very strong side tonight... both the Ds starting...
As much as it will hurt, will have to watch now.
Quote from: Jambo on September 20, 2012, 07:50:41 PM
If it was all about money why do all other countries take it as seriously as the Champions League??
Because their leagues' financial packages aren't as lucrative. I take it you know that whoever finishes 20th this season in the Premier League will receive as much or more money than City did for finishing 1st last season.
Also, the French haven't taken it seriously for a while.
Quote from: Jambo on September 20, 2012, 07:50:41 PM
Quote from: Mr_Moon on September 20, 2012, 07:48:56 PM
Premier League & Champions League = (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/Stacks_of_money.jpg)
Europa League = (http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7jt217IV31rtssnp.jpg)
If it was all about money why do all other countries take it as seriously as the Champions League??
I think because there is still some decent money in it... not EPL level money but say Portuguese, Dutch and Polish sides still find the money useful and see it as a way to make more of a name for themselves in Europe...
Quote from: Jambo on September 20, 2012, 07:51:18 PM
Quote from: mccscratch on September 20, 2012, 07:49:42 PM
Group stage games are certainly ones where I would try new things, Liverpool have plenty of problems in
the league so resting a few seems reasonable....
Spurs have put out a very strong side tonight... both the Ds starting...
As much as it will hurt, will have to watch now.
If Dempsey has an awful game we'll feel much better :)
All valid points, but for me i wish we were playing tonight and putting out a strong tam at that.
Love or hate AVB, he's not showing any signs of disrespecting the Europa league.
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Dempsey, Bale, Defoe. Subs: Cudicini, Huddlestone, Gallas, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Mason.
Dempsey with a diving header goal but called back for marginal offside call...
*Sigh*
Missing those European nights...
Spurs speed on the wing is just devastating... I cringe to imagine how good they would be if Walker and Lennon actually had a first touch...
Quote from: Jambo on September 20, 2012, 07:38:17 PM
Quote from: fulhamben on September 20, 2012, 07:36:03 PM
roy fielded some weaker teams away in the early rounds aswell.
Not as weak as Newcastle and Liverpool have tonight. Look at Atletico Madrid. Strongest side in every game. Won it twice.
And conceded goal number three...
Quote from: cusackdribble on September 20, 2012, 07:47:48 PM
And Liverpool have just scored goal number 5...
I'm an idiot. This was the one I wanted to quote and say, 'and just conceded goal number 3'.
Just listening to talk sport earlier today and all the supporters think they only have to put a reasonably strong team to win it with Alan Brazil and Irani agreeing with them. Talk about underestimating the opposition! I can only think that because little old Fulham got to the Final they all feel its easy.
You would have thought the way Utd, City, Stoke and Spurs were all dumped out last season they would have a bit more respect for the quality in the competition, even at this stage.
As somebody said, Roy did it. I think other teams are trying to emulate what he did for Fulham in this competition. As for Tottenham, AVB needs every win he can get, even if it is a full team against grasshopper nohopers.
if the winner of the europa league got a champions league spot then the whole dynamic of the comp would change.
What's up with strikers using low numbers, like Dempsey with #2, it's so weird to see, there are others like Kone with #2 as well for Wigan now and Levante previously, and I remember several years ago Kallon using #3 with Inter. Is that as bad as Gallas wearing #10 for Arsenal? WTHell???
Call me old fashioned but numbers should be assigned according to the position in the field.
Here's a quick and easy run-down on this season's Europa League. OK, many will say "I already know all of that" but it's surprising that when you look for it you often can't find it. So just to have at hand in case ...
The UEFA Europa League comprises three qualifying rounds, a play-off round, a group stage and five knockout rounds.
Qualifying
In matches in the three qualifying rounds and the play-offs, clubs play two matches against each other on a home-and-away basis. The club which scores the greater aggregate of goals qualifies for the next round, with away goals and then penalties used to determine the winner in the event of a draw.
Group stage
The play-off round winners join the ten losers from the UEFA Champions League play-offs and automatic entrants. The clubs are split into 12 groups of four teams, playing home and away against each of their pool opponents between September and December. Two sides from each section advance, proceeding into the round of 32 alongside eight third-placed teams from the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Knockout phase
From the last 32 until the semi-finals, clubs play two games against each other on a home-and-away basis with the same rules as the qualifying and play-off rounds applied. In the last 32, group winners and the four third-placed sides from the UEFA Champions League with the best records are seeded, guaranteeing they will play the second leg at home. Teams from the same group or the same association cannot be drawn together. From the round of 16 onwards the draw is free.
Final
The final is decided by a single match, which this season will be played at the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday 15 May.
