This season

[kop205]

That's a fair point but doesn't contradict the argument.

 

Paisley was ruthless, like. Ruthless in his f***ing slippers.

Aye, he was. Though equally he very rarely bought badly so it wasn't always an issue.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

I do think football turns us into Tories but it doesn’t matter cos it’s only football.

 

maybe you , defo not me

[Rusty Shackleford]

I see what he means. When Origi tapped home the opening goal against Barcelona I couldn’t but feel delighted that we’d reduced the deficit.

[Earl Hafler]

In the past it was different - 

 

2009 - we had a brilliant first XI - probably the best in Europe. We had maybe 2 really good sub options and that was it. Then we sold Xabi & (to all intents & purposes) didn't replace him

2014 - was all Suarez, and then we sold him

 

So let's not sell Virge this summer. Nor Mo, Mane, Bobby, Alisson......

Context might have been different but we didn’t strengthen

 

I can’t believe that Klopp will just consolidate this summer and maybe sign one decent player for the attack

[honourablegeorge]

Thought origi looked really good on Sunday, the most confident I've seen him since his first season with us

 

He's had some great games lately, not just the goals, but running at people and all round play has been great

[Red Yoda]

He's had some great games lately, not just the goals, but running at people and all round play has been great

He has a lot of ability, strong, quick, technically good, can score good goals too, hopefully the penny has dropped with him in regards to what is required for him to cut it here and we can see him push on next season.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

it's the Klopp effect. He knows what Div's good at & he makes him play to those strengths. 

 

He has looked really good this season - not Mane good but good enough to warrant keeping him around

[Case]

You see, this is wrong.

 

If we keep Divock, and Brewster is going to be with the first team, which he is. Then we're not signing another good forward, which we need.

 

We need a better lad than Divock. By all means build him that statue, but then upgrade on him and sell him.

[growler]

We need 6 for front line. 4 quality, 1 cover and 1 junior. We need another top line player.

[Case]

I agree, yeah - I just don't see Divock wanting to be the 6th, and he'd be dead right too.

[Earl Hafler]

The choice of forwards needs to be superior to the midfield and yet it’s inferior

[Gunga Din]

divocks had some great games lately. but lets be honest, hes not very good. as much as i admire his commitment and his work rate, and that hes banged in a few really important goals this season, he's never going to be good enough to be a regular first teamer here. not if we have ambitions to win the big trophies. if we wants to stay and be 3rd or 4th choice keep him. if not, im sure someone will give us silly money for him

[growler]

Trent got more assists this season in the league than Lingaard has in his career.

[stressederic]

Trent got more assists this season in the league than Lingaard has in his career.

 

But Lingaard is still a promising youngster. Give him time to age a bit and he'll get there...

[Barnesy_10]

So it's us against City in the community shield then

 

Wonder if it will be a ballot?

[Jonesy]

So it's us against City in the community shield then

 

Wonder if it will be a ballot?

 

free for all normally isn't it? And you get a fair ol' wedge each for it. 

[oakie bob]

Any spares  

[Nebraska Red]

free for all normally isn't it? And you get a fair ol' wedge each for it.

City will only sell half their allocation, so pay at the gate?

[Cam]

So it's us against City in the community shield then

 

Wonder if it will be a ballot?

Lay down a marker for the season by absolutely ruining them.

[Nebraska Red]

Might need a new song!!

[Zoob]

Lay down a marker for the season by absolutely ruining them.

 

I like the idea of ruining them - I'd go with giving a trial to 10 outfield Sunday league players with bonuses paid for each City player they injure. 

[Maldini]

Brilliant piece from Ken Early on City

 

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-city-s-domination-has-been-bought-and-they-re-paying-the-price-1.3897613?mode=amp

[Red]

Brilliant piece from Ken Early on City

 

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-city-s-domination-has-been-bought-and-they-re-paying-the-price-1.3897613?mode=amp

Yes, very good article with some pretty jaw-dropping figures.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Brilliant piece from Ken Early on City

 

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-city-s-domination-has-been-bought-and-they-re-paying-the-price-1.3897613?mode=amp

 

Hate to admit it but this is true

 

The crucial difference was this: everyone knew that United’s power and success had grown out of years of intelligent decisions. They had the best manager. They were the first club to understand the commercial potential of their brand. They invested in expanding Old Trafford at a time when that was the best economic move a club could make. They turned youth team players into sporting and commercial stars. Even those who resented United’s domination understood that it had been earned.

 

 

 

Ultimately football will die - you have Juve & Bayern with 8 & 7 titles on the bounce respectively, PSG with probably 5, in Portugal & Spain the top 2 have won about 25 of the last 30 between them (each) if England goes the same way then where's the interest? 

 

Even the European Cup - in the last decade, Barca have won 3 & Real 4.

 

Since 2004 the finalists have been -

 

Barca - 4

Real - 4

Liverpool - 4

Man U - 3

Bayern - 3

Milan - 2

Chelsea - 2

Atleti - 2

Juve - 2

Arsenal - 1

Inter - 1

Dortmund - 1

Spurs - 1

 

All of whom are from England, Spain, Germany or Italy

[Nebraska Red]

Hate to admit it but this is true

 

 

Ultimately football will die - you have Juve & Bayern with 8 & 7 titles on the bounce respectively, PSG with probably 5, in Portugal & Spain the top 2 have won about 25 of the last 30 between them (each) if England goes the same way then where's the interest?

 

Even the European Cup - in the last decade, Barca have won 3 & Real 4.

 

Since 2004 the finalists have been -

 

Barca - 4

Real - 4

Liverpool - 4

Man U - 3

Bayern - 3

Milan - 2

Chelsea - 2

Atleti - 2

Juve - 2

Arsenal - 1

Inter - 1

Dortmund - 1

Spurs - 1

 

All of whom are from England, Spain, Germany or Italy

Football will be fine for a little while yet. It will die only when fans stop showing up for Liverpool-Porto, part 12 or Madrid- Shaktar part 15 and when the tv people realize nobody is bothered to watch the same old s***e. A super league will not make it better, it will speed up the sports demise.

 

Fans want a fair playing field with some hope of success. Maybe a super league helps the little clubs as the super clubs may not compete in domestic cups, leaving us with the mouth watering prospect of cup finals between the likes of Leicester and Bournemouth.

 

The major sports over here are suffering. Even rivalries like the Yankees-Red Sox have become boring as they play each other 19 times a season. The NFL gets worse as fewer teams get a look in, and the authorities water down the product. The NBA and NHL are niche sports appealing to smaller and smaller sections of the population.

 

Rules need to be in place and applied fairly and equally. Monies received from TV should be spread out equally, but need to be spent on making teams better, not just lining the pockets of owners who don't care about the product they serve up.

Will anything good happen in the near future. I really doubt it given the caliber of the people supposedly in charge of the games we love.