The English Football Thread

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

IMO it's the EPL's marketing strategy to have the title race as open as possible. (as long as the FA's beloved ManUtd can't win it)

A more open EPL title race generates more worldwide media interest and hence increases the leverage of the EPL to get bigger TV deals. Hence they influence matches and instruct the refs to make the league more attractive. Smaller clubs are only happy to agree to play along and alter the level of their perfromances as the FA commands so they get access to those huge TV money pots this way.

The Bundesliga and La Liga are usually less open. All their ressources are concentrated towards BAyern, BArca, real, who are guaranteed the league title and can focus on the CL. The CL success makes their TV rights attractive as well.

Too different strategies. The Spanish or German strategy yields more success in terms of CL titles whilst the English one yields more money.

I think in the end we will be Champions. The FA will influence games our way at some point as another City title would be rather boring. But in the end we will have no chance of winning the CL with our squad tiring in domestic competitions against the fresh teams of Real, Bayern, Barca.

[The Chels 2,502]

When we lose to Stoke

it is pretty much guaranteed. Away to Newcastle, Stoke, Villa and West Brom = 0-3 points.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

When we lose to Stoke.. Man-City will be level with their easy fixture list, let's hope the rumours are true about Aguero.

You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?!

Whenever Everton got the ball into relatively dangerous situations they were harassed and lost the ball immediately. Everton were definitely poor but City's good defensive play exacerbated that and limited Everton's attack significantly.

I never felt that anyone except Eto'o and Barkley showed and fighting spirit. That's why it was so easy for City to dispossess them. Against us, from the same kind of positions they were creating dangerous chances while today they were almost nonchalant.

[The Chels 2,502]

IMO it's the EPL's marketing strategy to have the title race as open as possible. (as long as the FA's beloved ManUtd can't win it)

A more open EPL title race generates more worldwide media interest and hence increases the leverage of the EPL to get bigger TV deals. Hence they influence matches and instruct the refs to make the league more attractive. Smaller clubs are only happy to agree to play along and alter the level of their perfromances as the FA commands so they get access to those huge TV money pots this way.

The Bundesliga and La Liga are usually less open. All their ressources are concentrated towards BAyern, BArca, real, who are guaranteed the league title and can focus on the CL. The CL success makes their TV rights attractive as well.

Too different strategies. The Spanish or German strategy yields more success in terms of CL titles whilst the English one yields more money.

I think in the end we will be Champions. The FA will influence games our way at some point as another City title would be rather boring. But in the end we will have no chance of winning the CL with our squad tiring in domestic competitions against the fresh teams of Real, Bayern, Barca.

I agree about the Bundesliga but in the PL this year only 2 teams will realistically win it, Chelsea or City. In La Liga there are 3 teams vying for the title, Real and Barca obviously, but Atletico are and will continue to put up one hell of a fight. So Bayern can definitely focus more on the CL in the latter stages but Real/Barca/Atletico can't really.

[Term-X 7,891]

You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?!

It will be 3 days before x-mas, a late kick-off in the cold dark Britannia stadium, 10 men behind the ball. Nothing more needs to be said really, although Jose being able to rest players at Derby might help matters.

[didierforever 7,349]

You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?!

I never felt that anyone except Eto'o and Barkley showed and fighting spirit. That's why it was so easy for City to dispossess them. Against us, from the same kind of positions they were creating dangerous chances while today they were almost nonchalant.

to be honest. lukaku was good. that volley was tremendous!!!!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

It will be 3 days before x-mas, a late kick-off in the cold dark Britannia stadium, 10 men behind the ball. Nothing more needs to be said really, although Jose being able to rest players at Derby might help matters.

Things went against us today, could go for us against Stoke. Of course it will be tough, but a fresh Hazard, Cesc and Costa can break a parked bus.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

to be honest. lukaku was good. that volley was tremendous!!!!

True, but a bit isolated. He doesn't have the ability to drop deep and participate with the link-up like Eto'o.

[Y123CFC 69]

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Edited August 11, 2021 by Y123CFC

[didierforever 7,349]

True, but a bit isolated. He doesn't have the ability to drop deep and participate with the link-up like Eto'o.

Yep. But they have different strengths. Lukaku needs service while etoo can create something on his own.

I watched the last minutes (10-15) of everton and hull game. It was the same story. Everton wete happy to pass the ball among themselves rather than try and cross it to lukaku in the box. In the end, there best efforts cane from a 25 yard lukaku shot and a lukaku header from a corner which hit a defender's hand and would probably havw been a goal.

And this is what is suprising. If yiu have bought a 28nil striker, you should be playing to his strengths.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I wouldn't go far as to celebrate Aguero being injured, but I do like City's weakness without him in the picture.

[The Chels 2,502]

Hopefully it won't come to this... but I genuinely would rather United won the title than City.

Yeah I said it.. Haha.

Just have a look at Bluemoon forum and you'll see why.

Although I still believe we will win it

Well yeah because City fans are really cocky right now and perhaps with reason. If United gain more ground on us their fans will be just as bad. They've been humbled recently but they are worse than City fans IMO.

[stroey 2,525]

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/12/06/season-long-stay-at-manchester-city-possible-for-lampard-admits/

Season stay at city possible for lampard, admits New york city chief

[LDN Blue 7,903]

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/12/06/season-long-stay-at-manchester-city-possible-for-lampard-admits/

Season stay at city possible for lampard, admits New york city chief

Wouldn't be surprised if the 'New York' move wasn't a PR ploy to soften the blow when he eventually continues there in 2015-16..

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

According to some reports Aguero is out for 6 months.

knowing simba's luck, it must be fake rumour, no? like Drogba one. Why it must be six, at least make it seven to make it is convincingly different, lol.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

or 4 lol..no seriously I think ligament injuries are one of the worst I wouldn't be surprised if he can't play for a while.

what a big blow for them if it's real, feel sorry for him but not to City.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Well Mangala is probably biggest idiot in PL. Havent seen CB that would go on air ball with leg like he did and instead kungfu kick Etoo. He is also lucky bastard not to get red and that would be second straight red for him too. Fucker.

But conveniently he had game of his life against us.

[Shogun 721]

Yesterday just reinforced my suspicions that football is indeed corrupt, in all countries.

I find there to be far too much coincidence that Chelsea lose earlier in the day and Man City have the opportunity to close the gap in the title race and they do it undeservedly. We didn't play well but we should have had the opportunity to play a 10 man (arguably 9 man) Manchester City for the majority of the game starting at 0-0 but instead a very controversial penalty was given and what do you know? It gives Man City the opportunity to score and of course, they oblige and that's why it's 'the most exciting league in the world'.

I'm just really fed up. Barkley got booked today for diving in what was exactly the same kind of tackle that led to the penalty and he was booked because the media harboured on about his dive versus West Ham which has earned him a reputation, the referee couldn't wait to book him when it was obviously, not a dive. However, this will continue because Everton aren't currently at the top of the table, they don't have a chance of winning 'the most exciting league in the world' and it keeps the clubs that Sky want exactly where they're supposed to be whilst continuously stopping other clubs. In stark contrast a player not too far from Goodison named Raheem has spent more time on the floor this season than he has on his feet but he won't be castigated for it because Liverpool were title contenders last season.

Not only that but it's the third year in a row we've conceded a penalty at the Ethiad. Incident #1 Fellaini tugging a shirt from a corner (Tevez I think) Incident #2 Coleman grabbing a hold of Zabaleta's hand in the box Incident #3 Jagielka shoulder barging Milner. They've all been very soft penalties and it's no coincidence they've been given over the time that Man City have propelled themselves to title contenders.

It's absolutely tragic.