The Association Football Thread

#6,501
#6,501
VolunteerHillbilly said:
LC won the EPL without having to deal with European play. Maybe adding in the Champion League exposed some coaching deficiencies along with depth issues? It is surprising though in light of the fact that, assuming no relegation, they will not be playing in Europe next season.
Click to expand...

Pretty damning of the quality of play in the EPL last year
 
#6,503
#6,503
DocVOLiday said:
I agree.

Haven't had a super powerful team in England in a bit. Always some good teams, but at least lately, not on part with other European giants
Click to expand...

I would say they aren't on par with most European teams. They get embarrassed every year no matter who they play
 
#6,504
#6,504
The English National Team and, in recent years, the EPL is a paper tiger.

They have all the trappings of being a big deal (money, tradition/history, branding, star players) but that is all it is: trappings.

It is funny how before the last few World Cups the question of is England a top 5 team has been asked. England, even on paper, is not a top 5 team on their own continent by any objective measure.

They might have invented the game and it was first organized professionally there, but it is more well-played elsewhere at the moment.
 
#6,505
#6,505
05_never_again said:
The English National Team and, in recent years, the EPL is a paper tiger.

They have all the trappings of being a big deal (money, tradition/history, branding, star players) but that is all it is: trappings.

It is funny how before the last few World Cups the question of is England a top 5 team has been asked. England, even on paper, is not a top 5 team on their own continent by any objective measure.

They might have invented the game and it was first organized professionally there, but it is more well-played elsewhere at the moment.
Click to expand...

I agree with all you said about the England NT, and most about the clubs. However, the reason the EPL is so popular is the fact that it's still the most competitive and entertaining major league in the world. Spain and Germany definitely have the very best teams, but outside of those giants, nobody else even has a chance. Right now there are 6 teams in England who have a legit chance to win the league each season (plus the bizarre anomoly that was Leicester last year). With more and more teams getting investments, and some level of FFP to at least keep the richest clubs somewhat in check, that number may continue to grow. Also worth noting that the grind of the English schedule really does hamstring their clubs in the CL. There's no winter break, plus they play two domestic cups. Those matches can really start to add up by February/March.
 
#6,506
#6,506
bleedorange0037 said:
I agree with all you said about the England NT, and most about the clubs. However, the reason the EPL is so popular is the fact that it's still the most competitive and entertaining major league in the world. Spain and Germany definitely have the very best teams, but outside of those giants, nobody else even has a chance. Right now there are 6 teams in England who have a legit chance to win the league each season (plus the bizarre anomoly that was Leicester last year). With more and more teams getting investments, and some level of FFP to at least keep the richest clubs somewhat in check, that number may continue to grow. Also worth noting that the grind of the English schedule really does hamstring their clubs in the CL. There's no winter break, plus they play two domestic cups. Those matches can really start to add up by February/March.
Click to expand...

Very true. There is no depth in places like Spain or Germany. However despite the lack of depth the big dogs in those countries seem to have been better than the English big dogs lately.

Don't most of the other leagues play 2 domestic cups too? I also think Germany is the only league with a winter break, but could be wrong.
 
#6,507
#6,507
05_never_again said:
Very true. There is no depth in places like Spain or Germany. However despite the lack of depth the big dogs in those countries seem to have been better than the English big dogs lately.

Don't most of the other leagues play 2 domestic cups too? I also think Germany is the only league with a winter break, but could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Apparently La Liga was off from Dec. 18 to Jan. 6. During that same span all the EPL teams played four matches. I wasn't aware of any other countries having multiple cup competitions, but I could definitely be wrong.
 
#6,508
#6,508
This whole perspective that the EPL schedule grinds teams out for European competition is hilarious. Teams aren't even making far enough to get fatigued. Unless, you are saying they are already spent by Early March
 
#6,511
#6,511
volball625 said:
This whole perspective that the EPL schedule grinds teams out for European competition is hilarious. Teams aren't even making far enough to get fatigued. Unless, you are saying they are already spent by Early March
Click to expand...

The point is that the knockout stage starts immediately after the most rigorous part of the English schedule. While everyone else in Europe gets a three week break over Christmas, EPL teams play four games, followed by an FA Cup tie, followed by weekly fixtures, another FA Cup tie, plus a possible two leg EFL Cup semifinal. Then the CL knockout stages start immediately after that.
 
#6,512
#6,512
bleedorange0037 said:
The point is that the knockout stage starts immediately after the most rigorous part of the English schedule. While everyone else in Europe gets a three week break over Christmas, EPL teams play four games, followed by an FA Cup tie, followed by weekly fixtures, another FA Cup tie, plus a possible two leg EFL Cup semifinal. Then the CL knockout stages start immediately after that.
Click to expand...

They have teams that don't even make it out of the group every year. Look at the group Tottenham didn't make it out of. Holy **** it's bad
 
#6,514
#6,514
volball625 said:
They have teams that don't even make it out of the group every year. Look at the group Tottenham didn't make it out of. Holy **** it's bad
Click to expand...

No excuse for Spurs massive failure in Europe this year. Although their fans would tell you it's because they played on that massive pitch at Wembley. If it's really that much difference, they're in for a tough year next year when they have to play all their games there.
 
#6,518
#6,518
I'd say that it gives an advantage in Champions when you can play Cristiano Renaldo almost 500 minutes less in in league play than Alexis Sanchez. Most of the national leagues sold out competitive league play in order to create 2-3 super squads for Europe. JMO but I think the top half of the EFL Championship table could beat the bottom half of any table in Europe other than the EPL.


As an aside, I wonder if Wenger is out after today?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#6,519
#6,519
VolunteerHillbilly said:
I'd say that it gives an advantage in Champions when you can play Cristiano Renaldo almost 500 minutes less in in league play than Alexis Sanchez. Most of the national leagues sold out competitive league play in order to create 2-3 super squads for Europe. JMO but I think the top half of the EFL Championship table could beat the bottom half of any table in Europe other than the EPL.


As an aside, I wonder if Wenger is out after today?
Click to expand...

Ronaldo never rests in La Liga. What are you talking about?
 
#6,522
#6,522
Decided to finally get into the English Premiere League I watched a cool little doc a while back on the Hotspurs so I am adopting them as my team and learning everything I can about them. How are they viewed by other clubs/fans?
 
#6,523
#6,523
bignewt said:
Decided to finally get into the English Premiere League I watched a cool little doc a while back on the Hotspurs so I am adopting them as my team and learning everything I can about them. How are they viewed by other clubs/fans?
Click to expand...

Congrats on never winning anything significant
 
#6,524
#6,524
volball625 said:
Congrats on never winning anything significant
Click to expand...

Is your comment really necessary?

Newt, I view Tottenham as a stable club, with a good manager and they should be in top 4 and EPL contention every year. Also, Harry Kane is an elite striker, and is very fun to watch. Welcome to the world of "that other" football!
 
#6,525
#6,525
Through_The_T said:
Is your comment really necessary?

Newt, I view Tottenham as a stable club, with a good manager and they should be in top 4 and EPL contention every year. Also, Harry Kane is an elite striker, and is very fun to watch. Welcome to the world of "that other" football!
Click to expand...

He asked how they are viewed
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top