The Football Thread

[snowy25]

A great result for Leicester tonight beating Brugges 2-1 at home. Through to the knock out stages with a game to spare and topping the group. A huge achievement for the club and even more so considering their league form so far this term. You always want to top the group but it doesn't always work out for the best. However I am sure City will just be glad to be there in the next round. I suspect quite a few sides won't want to draw Leicester in the next round.

I'm sure many will say it was an easy group. I said myself it could have been much worse when the groups were drawn. However all 3 of the other sides have European experience, especially Porto. Leicester have zero CL experience and very limited European experience of any sort. Yet the players did their jobs, much like when they won the league and they have been rewarded. Well done Foxes you deserve it.

On a side now WOW!!!

FULL-TIME

Dortmund 8-4 Legia Warsaw

[Meini Again]

Originally Posted by Markus R

It's a great story but Rush never said it! Mischievous Kenny Dalglish said Rushie said it

Sorry Markus. Kenny D was probably quoting when he repeated it.

The original line was from an interview Ian had about his time at Juventus.

It's like going to a different country.

The interview was from 1988, and many people have re-quoted it over the years. Quite often Skinner and Baddiel.

Unfortunately Ian did say it.

[footstep]

Ok for Monaco, Lyon still 'got a chance.
Well done Leicester, incredible 8 4 Dortmund.........

[snowy25]

I think I am going to give up having anything to do with International football now. I have just seen that FIFA are looking to punish the Welsh and Irish FA's because of poppies. Even including fans in the ground wearing them, WTF?.

I am still trying to work out how poppies are religious or political and are therefore on the FIFA banned list. As far as I am concerned they are neither of those things. It is not a political statement or a religious statement to wear one. Its simply a sign of respect to those lost fighting for freedoms. The very freedoms that have allowed FIFA to make billions running football and those involved to be rich in other areas of their lives.

It may see petty but if I was the UK and Irish teams I would seriously consider pulling out of any FIFA competition. Screw them and create a mini unsanctioned tournament between the English, Scottish, Irish, Northern Irish and Welsh sides. Then add any other national side that wants to play as a guest. Its obviously never going to happen or even something they would ever consider but I certainly would if I was in charge.

[ginny76]

British hypocrisy is the best in the world. Keen to remember the glorious dead while starting as many current wars as possible. And providing arms to any dodgy dictator with enough money. We shall never forget.

[snowy25]

Originally Posted by ginny76

British hypocrisy is the best in the world. Keen to remember the glorious dead while starting as many current wars as possible. And providing arms to any dodgy dictator with enough money. We shall never forget.

I don't disagree with what you are saying. Our politicians are as corrupt as FIFA officials and then some. However to me poppies are not political and therefore FIFA should keep its big nose out if teams want to wear them.

[gordian_knot]

I can't see Benitez going to West Ham, if he was willing to drop down to the Championship with Newcastle. Whether he stays on Tyneside after their inevitable promotion probably depends on how much money Ashley makes available next season. With the right backing and manager there's no reason Newcastle can't be one of the biggest clubs in England. West Ham's finish last season could be their high water mark.

If Benitez leaves Newcastle it'll be for some big european side. Although he likes Britain, there are no vacancies amongst the top sides here.

[snowy25]

Doesn't Wenger's contract run out next summer? There maybe other vacancies by the time next summer comes around also. As far as I recall Ashley pretty much gave Benitez everything he asked for, including full transfer control and a chunk of cash. Whether he would give him PL chunks of cash is different though. We all know how tight he can be with the cash when he should be spending. The reality of PL life is that you don't need to spend silly money but you do need to spend if you want to survive in the league. Even the smallest PL clubs are spending £20-30m in the summer windows. A few years ago that would have been half that.

Newcastle are indeed a sleepy giant to use a cliche. They have a great ground, a huge amount of fans and are a one club city. Everything is setup for them to be fighting it out among the top 6 or even better. The problem is or has been a mixture of Ashley, dodgy managers, dodgy appointments in other roles and poor transfers. Benitez looks to be the right manager, now with some funding and quality players in they should improve. The problem is it is going to take 4-5 years of keeping the squad together and reinvestment. Or like Southampton sell but invest in quality replacements, something Newcastle have continually failed to do.

[victor meldrew]

Found out earlier today the Bilic rumblings came from the 90 min site, so basically a non starter.

[snowy25]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

Found out earlier today the Bilic rumblings came from the 90 min site, so basically a non starter.

One of the problems especially with the PL is the media attention it gets. So if nothing is happening, European football week for example they trawl the net to find something. Then someone will write something and the other media outlets tag onto it. A prime example is these rumblings come from one site and a newspaper picks it up. Then because one paper picks it up another does and another. So for example the 90 min site starts it, The Telegraph then picks it up followed by The Star. Neither of them has any sources and use the old line we understand.

There is no doubt he is under pressure, it doesn't take a genius to work that out. However I suspect only the board knows how under pressure he actually is. They may say lose another game or two and he is gone. They may also say stay in the PL and he will be given another chance next season. What is clear is the team needs to kick start its season because whilst its early, relegation is a possibility if they don't.