What do we reckon for the League Cup semis then?
I have a feeling Arsenal will turn over Newcastle and get to the final. Seems like the Geordies are already planning their Trafalgar Square piss up...can see Arsenal shocking them.
As for Spurs, I think that lead from the 1st leg is absolutely vital for them. Can see them battling for a draw at Anfield, and progressing to the final.
A NLD in the cup final would be a sight to behold. Bit of a lose/lose for us whoever wins.
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Midweek football
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El Scorchio
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Re: Midweek football
Manuel wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 10:23El Scorchio" wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 10:06Manuel wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 06:02 Yea maybe, I'm no authority on this new set up and don't really have an opinion if it's better or not, seems to be a bit of a split in that regard, but for Man City to play Real Madrid just for a place in the last 16 just seem a bit strange to me, for the want of a better word.It does, but I suppose you’d have expected both teams to have been comfortably in the top 8 and clear of having to do this. Bit of a freak occurrence that two teams such as this meet at this stage. It’s really a ‘second chance’ for the big teams that underperform in the silly group league stage and a last chance to weed out an upstart team that hasn’t been compliant enough and got themselves knocked out already by finishing at the bottom of the table as they should. The order must be restored.
This whole format change is meant to stop any big teams getting iced in a group of death so that can all happily avoid each other more easily than before. The one plus is that it does keep most of the teams interested until near the end of the league bit. If it wasn’t there then loads of teams would have nothing to play for for vast parts of it. FWIW I don’t think it’s better. It’s just there to protect the big clubs more.Tbh, I can't really agree or disagree with what you've said as I haven't really got my head around it to arrive at a considered opinion, but it seems a bit 'messy' to me. I think there are at least two extra games now (for each club) so I don't doubt the extra income was a factor too.
Yup I think it's messy too. The old format was much better and more straightforward but there was more risk of a big club crashing out I guess (Although hey it's happened early this year anyway, so did it actually accomplish anything?) Yes they have 8 fixtures rather than 6 now so absolutely extra money for those poor cash strapped clubs and UEFA. The below does't sound dodgy as fuck at all either with all it's reliance on UEFA's 'software'...
'Teams will be placed in four pots according to their seeding. Each team face two teams from each pot, one at home and one away.A team will be drawn out of a pot and then Uefa's software will decide their eight opponents - and whether they will be at home or away.It means more matches between the biggest teams. For example, Manchester City could face Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.The software stops teams playing rivals from their own country - and means each team can only play two clubs from any one country.Uefa says the computer system plans ahead so will ensure no teams further down the line get drawn against teams they cannot face.'
'Teams will be placed in four pots according to their seeding. Each team face two teams from each pot, one at home and one away.A team will be drawn out of a pot and then Uefa's software will decide their eight opponents - and whether they will be at home or away.It means more matches between the biggest teams. For example, Manchester City could face Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.The software stops teams playing rivals from their own country - and means each team can only play two clubs from any one country.Uefa says the computer system plans ahead so will ensure no teams further down the line get drawn against teams they cannot face.'
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Manuel
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Re: Midweek football
El Scorchio" wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 10:06Manuel wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 06:02 Yea maybe, I'm no authority on this new set up and don't really have an opinion if it's better or not, seems to be a bit of a split in that regard, but for Man City to play Real Madrid just for a place in the last 16 just seem a bit strange to me, for the want of a better word.It does, but I suppose you’d have expected both teams to have been comfortably in the top 8 and clear of having to do this. Bit of a freak occurrence that two teams such as this meet at this stage. It’s really a ‘second chance’ for the big teams that underperform in the silly group league stage and a last chance to weed out an upstart team that hasn’t been compliant enough and got themselves knocked out already by finishing at the bottom of the table as they should. The order must be restored.
This whole format change is meant to stop any big teams getting iced in a group of death so that can all happily avoid each other more easily than before. The one plus is that it does keep most of the teams interested until near the end of the league bit. If it wasn’t there then loads of teams would have nothing to play for for vast parts of it. FWIW I don’t think it’s better. It’s just there to protect the big clubs more.
Tbh, I can't really agree or disagree with what you've said as I haven't really got my head around it to arrive at a considered opinion, but it seems a bit 'messy' to me. I think there are at least two extra games now (for each club) so I don't doubt the extra income was a factor too.
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El Scorchio
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Re: Midweek football
Manuel wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 06:02 Yea maybe, I'm no authority on this new set up and don't really have an opinion if it's better or not, seems to be a bit of a split in that regard, but for Man City to play Real Madrid just for a place in the last 16 just seem a bit strange to me, for the want of a better word.
It does, but I suppose you’d have expected both teams to have been comfortably in the top 8 and clear of having to do this. Bit of a freak occurrence that two teams such as this meet at this stage. It’s really a ‘second chance’ for the big teams that underperform in the silly group league stage and a last chance to weed out an upstart team that hasn’t been compliant enough and got themselves knocked out already by finishing at the bottom of the table as they should. The order must be restored.
This whole format change is meant to stop any big teams getting iced in a group of death so that can all happily avoid each other more easily than before. The one plus is that it does keep most of the teams interested until near the end of the league bit. If it wasn’t there then loads of teams would have nothing to play for for vast parts of it. FWIW I don’t think it’s better. It’s just there to protect the big clubs more.
This whole format change is meant to stop any big teams getting iced in a group of death so that can all happily avoid each other more easily than before. The one plus is that it does keep most of the teams interested until near the end of the league bit. If it wasn’t there then loads of teams would have nothing to play for for vast parts of it. FWIW I don’t think it’s better. It’s just there to protect the big clubs more.
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Eerie Decent
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Manuel
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Re: Midweek football
Yea maybe, I'm no authority on this new set up and don't really have an opinion if it's better or not, seems to be a bit of a split in that regard, but for Man City to play Real Madrid just for a place in the last 16 just seem a bit strange to me, for the want of a better word.
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Fauxstralian
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Re: Midweek football
If you finish 9th to 24th after 8 games you deserve to play an extra round
Having knockout games now before they get to the last 16 is a good thing
Still far too many teams in it. Should start with 24 teams not 36 & should play 6 teams on a random draw
Having knockout games now before they get to the last 16 is a good thing
Still far too many teams in it. Should start with 24 teams not 36 & should play 6 teams on a random draw
Re: Midweek football
Proof.(If any more was needed.) The Italian league is pot less. Don’t be too shocked if this new Champion League format gets binned in the next few years.
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goose
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Fauxstralian
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goose
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Mad Ferret
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goose
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Mad Ferret
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Mad Ferret
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goose
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Mad Ferret
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Re: Midweek football
I think you are a closet gay!
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goose
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Re: Midweek football
Not got HIV and not got AIDS you simpleton!
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Any Old Iron
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Re: Midweek football
Brightons wanky fans don’t deserve any success. If we were 3 up against the rent boys our place would be rocking. I’ve heard more noise at non-league games
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goose
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Re: Midweek football
Interesting to find out what happens first :
Chelsea get a new manager or AIDS finishing you off.
Chelsea get a new manager or AIDS finishing you off.