Football Focus

[kpc]

I think it would actually be quite good fun if Spurs did win it. After all, they've provided a fair amount of entertainment so far and, given that there are many current or former champions still involved, it would be some achievement to lift the trophy if they get through the next six games. Heavens, some of the champions from the past have hardly lit up the final (Steaua and Red Star in particular).

[Sharon_H]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Don't understand, Quids.

> It's bad enough that Liverpool won the CL but have

> not ever won the English premierhip, but of course

> they have such great pedigree in the competition

> so noone thinks its odd. If Spurs won it, it would

> be odd.

Change the name again and no one has won it. Hmm I wonder why Fergie wants to equal Liverpool's record.

Edited cos I missed a word out.

Edited again cos I put the missed word in the wrong place. Yup, I've been to the pub.

[Narnia]

kpc Wrote:

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> Tomorrow's dilemma for V*!!a fans: Songs of Praise

> or Midsommer Murders.

There's also the Midwinter Murder @ wembley to watch.

[Narnia]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Its not a Sky invention. Nothing to do with Sky.

>

> If you qualify to be in it then you can win it, of

> course. I just don't think Spurs will win it and I

> also don't think it would be "good" for the

> competition if Spurs won it.

Wikipedia

Of course it had to do with Sky. It was/is all about money as is the CL. They should just go back to calling it the European Cup

[Narnia]

Just saw Rooney's thuggish behaviour v Wigan. Idiot. Wonder why the ref didn't send him off as he gave a free kick?

[Mick Mac]

The Champions League is an excellent format. I love it. I'd be happy for Spurs to win it and I'd support them as i like their style of play.

Just think it would be odd if a team that have never been champions of their own league in living memory were to win it. Of course they can do it, but noone would think them the best team in Europe.

[Keef]

I personally think that only the champions, of each country's top flight, and winners of the top cup, should be in the competition.

[Mick Mac]

Unfortunatley Keef, that format gives you the best team in each country but based on their achievements the previous year.

You get Blackburn, a team in mid table in the premiership (the year after winning the league) representing England, and going out in the early stages.

A competition on that basis can have a fair few weaker teams (not playing as well as when they wn their domestic league the previous year) and the genuine strong performers year on year have to play in a minor competition.

[Keef]

Unfortunatley Keef, that format gives you the best team in each country but based on their achievements the previous year.

For me, that is enough for them to deserve their place.

I also don't think there should be a secondary competition, it's a waste of time (even if Liverpool win it this season).

[kpc]

My official status has now been upgraded to excited. 136 years of history, only one League Cup to show for it and not many more finals (twice beaten in the FA Cup - 1931 and 1956 - and once in the League Cup in 2001 - plus two european finals where to qualify, you had to hold a trade fair). Our recent successes have been confined to a competition where you won a van (Leyland DAF 1991) or a year's windscreen cover (Auto Windscreens 1995). So yes, today is a big day for Blues.

Whatever the outcome, and Arsenal start as justifiable favourites, today will be about the pride and the passion of a team, the fans and the city. We cannot afford the wages of Arsenal, nor can we hope to match their incredible scouting system and development squad (something that would take years just trying to emulate), but we will outdo Arsenal for desire (in a good way) - the reactions of the players at the final whistle of the semi-final epitomised this.

And, in Foster, Johnson and Jiranek, we have better players than their Arsenal counterparts, Ferguson too if Fabregas is really unable to play. With Zigic causing mayhem to Arsenal's centre-halves and Martins or Jerome playing off him, who knows. Or what are the odds on Lee Bowyer being the least popular person ever to score a Wembley winner.

I'm going to have a cracking day out, kick started by a couple of glasses of G&B's 'breakfast' Prosecco. 31,499 other Bluenoses will also have great days (and I hope Arsenal fans on the forum enjoy their day too, but with a slightly less successful way).

One thing I do know about today, there'll be joys and sorrows too.

Keep right on.

[Annasfield]

Shhh Keef. Irrespective of the competition - it makes for good holidays.

And to reiterate ????'s point. It really pisses me off when people seem to think that the top flight didn't exist before the Premiership. Whatever did everyone do on a Saturday before Sky invented this wonderful game.

[Narnia]

I agree especially when it comes to Sky giving stats. It's like nothing happened prior to the Premiership.

[Mick Mac]

Noone thinks the top flight did not exist before the Premiership - but the Premiership has been in place a long time now and as time goes by even Liverpools achievements will be seen as past glories to many.

[Mick Mac]

Keef Wrote:

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> Unfortunatley Keef, that format gives you the best

> team in each country but based on their

> achievements the previous year.

>

> For me, that is enough for them to deserve their

> place.

>

> I also don't think there should be a secondary

> competition, it's a waste of time (even if

> Liverpool win it this season).

If you have a competition that hopes so provide Europe's best team of this year then it needs a selection process that is wider than just the league winners of last year.

[Narnia]

You can't have it both ways Mick. You say if Spurs won the CL this year no one would think they are the best team in Europe. Neither can last years league winners as that was last year. So who can be considered the best team in Europe? The fact is that the best team doesn't always win a knock out competition. I'd say Barcelona are the best team in Europe and not many would argue with that. Doesn't mean they will win the CL this year though.

[????]

7500

[????]

7500

[????]

1-0

[Jah Lush]

1st minute and Birmingham should have had a penalty and the Arsenal keeper sent off but the linesman Mr Magoo calls for offside. Lucky lucky Arsenal!

Come on Birmingham!!!!

[Mick Mac]

Narnia Wrote:

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> You can't have it both ways Mick. You say if Spurs

> won the CL this year no one would think they are

> the best team in Europe. Neither can last years

> league winners as that was last year.

No Declan - I did not say the second bit.

In trying to find the best team in europe for 2011 this should not be restricted to the teams that won their league in 2010. UEFA have realised this some time ago. Otherwise you can have out of form teams like Blackburn once or this year Chelsea representing England. So you open the competition up to the top teams in the best leagues to strengthen the competition. Nothing wromg with that.

But Spurs can't make themselves the best team in europe, having never in recent times been the best team in england. If they won it no reasonable person would say they were the best team in europe. But they would no doubt have played above themselves several times to win the CL.

[SCSB79]

cracking results in the SPL today.

[Jah Lush]

Mick, whoever wins the Champions League will quite simply be the best team in the Champions League. Like any competition you've got to be in it to win it.

[Mick Mac]

Absolutely right Jah.

Bad day for Arsenal by the look of things. Hats off to McLeish for putting an attacker (Martins) on in place of a midfielder with 10 mins to go, showed real ambition.

[Jah Lush]

Yup! Birmingham the best team in the League Cup. Well done you Blues. Tough shit Gooners!

[Sandperson]

Amen Jah. Great stuff Birmingham.