with the CL draw almost upon us

[mike channon´s windmill]

Its not a con though is it - just we've not been good enough in the competition have we?
The annoying thing is had we managed an extra 2 points for our co-efficient (which we could have done playing in the Europa League easily) we would be in pot 2. We can't have it both ways though it's either play on Thursdays and try and win the thing and watch the League form go out the window or as most people wanted last year, fuck the Europa League off and concentrate on the EP League. In effect we did the latter (on purpose or not getting dicked by Ajax twice saw to that) so now were in Pot 3 and have to lump it! Teams in 3 or 4 end up with toughies in the draw and it'll always look like a group of death because we're in it from Pot 3. Theres only Napoli in 4 worth worrying about and am not sure if thats the case now as we're stronger and since we last played them they've no Cavanni or Levazzi who both ripped us a new one. We need to grow a pair, man the fuck up and do these fuckers at our place and graft for a result at their place.

How about Bayern - Atletico - MCFC - Napoli, lets have it!


I think you're underestimating how good Napoli are at their place which is arguably one of the most dangerous away trips in Europe for any team and its supporters.

Stelling wrote a blog on it when Chelsea got a hiding there...
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,12088_7540102,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/ ... 02,00.html</a>

I agree about Napoli, when the big teams turn up at their ground their fans back the team massively! Not many teams will walk out with 3 points.

Same applies to Atletico Madrid as well in my opinion, not only is Simeone one of the best new coaches on the scene who gets Atletico playing as a proper team, they arguably have the best set of fans in Spain and won't let many top teams leave with all 3 points as well.

Agreed about Atleti although it would be a bit of a dream come true to see my 2 teams in the CL at the Calderon - divided loyalties for sure but I would have a whale of a time with the colchoneros in the bars around Piramidés!

 

[BigJoe#1]

So why not embrace the TRUE spirit of real and proper competition and have an open draw?

If as a result of that you end up with a group that has

Real Madrid
Barcelona
Bayern Munchen
Man Utd.....

So what. I am fed up of all this seeding and separation malarkey. Come on UEFA get your fingers out and be totally transparent.... For the sake of honesty and the game itself!

 

[mike channon´s windmill]

200% convinced we will get another group of death - simply can´t see any other scenario. Some of seedings and co-efficients are so risible it´s clear these clowns at UEFA are doing their utmost to favour the traditional european heavyweights
Still looking forward to a nice trip somewhere - San Sebastian would be lovely

Real Madrid aren't heavyweights then?

Or Juventus?

Please read it again mate<br /><br />-- Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:22 am --<br /><br />

So why not embrace the TRUE spirit of real and proper competition and have an open draw?

If as a result of that you end up with a group that has

Real Madrid
Barcelona
Bayern Munchen
Man Utd.....

So what. I am fed up of all this seeding and separation malarkey. Come on UEFA get your fingers out and be totally transparent.... For the sake of honesty and the game itself!

The co-efficient system is a total anacronism
It doesn´t take into account recent form, whether you´re national champions or not (Thus last season we had 4 champions of 4 of the biggest leagues in Europe in one group) It is not in WAFFAS interest to change it though. The sponsors are the tail wagging the dog. It needs overhauling but it won´t happen for the reasons I´ve just specified

 

[Lancet Fluke]

I think the atmospheres have been quite flat in the champions league so far. I always dreamed that we would play in Europe under the lights with the fans going wild and so far it has been disappointing. However I think we will be playing attacking football in the champions league and the crowd might become more vocal. I'm hoping for something like the hamburg game.

That's because we haven't reached the knock out stages yet. Or played a home game that has secured qualification to the knock out stages. Or played a vibrant home game.

That's true, by time we played Real and Bayern at home, the competition had to a large extent already gone tits up for us. If we'd genuinely felt we had a great chance of going through, those games would have been decent, I reckon.

 

[squirtyflower]

UEFA should keep the draw simple; Champions go to pot 1, second place in the league go to pot 2, third place in pot 3 and 4th place in pot 4.

Something on the lines of this should be happening.

If UEFA want a more exciting competition, particularly in the group stage, then they need to event he groups out like I have proposed.

Look how entertaining our group was last year, if UEFA wanted they could have nearly if not all the groups like that.

You are right, of course, but, and it's a big but....
UEFA want the clubs that draw the biggest TV audiences to be still in the competition in the later stages. That is why the competition is seeded (rigged) to give these teams the best chance of getting through to the latter stages of the competition.

this is it exactly

when some of the "bigger" names didn't get out of the group stages in the 90s the format was changed and the co-efficient used to ensure they would have the system we have now

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Can, t believe some people on here think the draw is rigged if so would uefa put madrid in the group ov death last yr? We should, nt care who we get lets get 3 top teams and knock 2 out pellers got a good record in europe and players have 2 years experience against playing the best teams in it and hopfully some harsh lessons learnt I.e 2_1 up at madrid with 5 to go and being counterattacked to death at home got a good feeling about this seasons comp so bring on whoever!!!

 

[SaddleworthBlueRhino]

Can, t believe some people on here think the draw is rigged if so would uefa put madrid in the group ov death last yr? We should, nt care who we get lets get 3 top teams and knock 2 out pellers got a good record in europe and players have 2 years experience against playing the best teams in it and hopfully some harsh lessons learnt I.e 2_1 up at madrid with 5 to go and being counterattacked to death at home got a good feeling about this seasons comp so bring on whoever!!!

YES +1

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I am not arsed who we get.

The bigger the better for me as going to watch City v Cluj or some other unknown side doesn't particularly appeal.

Last years games at home were good even though we didn't do too well.

 

[City Raider]

can't imagine there'll be many teams in pot 1&2 looking forward to drawing us

 

[Pigeonho]

can't imagine there'll be many teams in pot 1&2 looking forward to drawing us

And that is exactly right. They could of course say the draw is fixed to stop them, what with having such a top class side there in pot 3 waiting in the wings. It isn't though, it's just where we are right now. Success will move us up, eventually to pot 1. In the meantime, if we're good enough, we will progress. Simple.