Football 2013-2014

[jammy2211]

Doesn't sound like people here are aware but from next year the Europa League winners will get a Champions League place.

Further the rules are also changing so a nation can have up to 5 Champions League Qualifiers - albeit that 5th would have to be a CL or EL winner who finished outside the top 4. If a nation had a EL winner, CL winner both outside the top 4, 4th would miss out.

But yeah I'm a big fan of that rule, don't think it'll make the group stages anymore competitive but the last 16 onward could hot up.

[pink_triangle]

Mackay has been sacked: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/malky-mackay-sacked-live-updates-2964158

Really hope they get someone ridiculous in place. Tan himself or Glen Hoddle would be fine with me

EDIT: Oops I'm well behind with this

[pink_triangle]

Which leaves Liverpool. I just can't see them being worse than they've been; if they buy well in January, they'll be better.

There's simply no room for Utd - either with a space in the top 4, or with games to win to get the points for top 4 (given those factors above).

As the Chelsea bore has just said, Liverpool only have the Prem to focus on. That's a big factor in their favour.

[eFestivals]

You talk as if it will take a huge turnaround in results for man utd to overtake Liverpool

Not at all.

It will take a huge turnaround in form for man utd to overtake Liverpool.

[kaosmark2]

Not at all.

It will take a huge turnaround in form for man utd to overtake Liverpool.

[thetime]

Well no Rooney or RVP today.

[TheGayTent]

Gives me no pleasure, but I did predict this some time ago.

If Allardyce isn't sacked, we're down. If he is, we'll have a chance, but probably will go down anyway.

[kaosmark2]

If I'd been told one of today's games would end up 6-0, I wouldn't have guessed it would be Hull...

Cracking effort by Palace really, only Bayern have come away from the Etihad this season conceding only one goal.

[thetime]

If I'd been told one of today's games would end up 6-0, I wouldn't have guessed it would be Hull...

Cracking effort by Palace really, only Bayern have come away from the Etihad this season conceding only one goal.

[thetime]

So what ever happens tomorrow united are going to be only 3 points of fourth with 57 to play for.

#noroom

Edited December 28, 2013 by thetime

[jk1]

You're right about the 2nd half of the season being different ... if things pan out as they've done in previous years, the teams at the top will get a greater number of points in the 2nd half of the season than the first, cos as things stand those 4 teams would barely have scraped into the top 4 in previous seasons.

Will City and Chelsea be better in the 2nd half? It's hard to see how they won't be given how they're improving with new managers.

Will Arsenal be better in the 2nd half? Going by the last few seasons, undoubtedly.

Which leaves Liverpool. I just can't see them being worse than they've been; if they buy well in January, they'll be better.

There's simply no room for Utd - either with a space in the top 4, or with games to win to get the points for top 4 (given those factors above).

As the Chelsea bore has just said, Liverpool only have the Prem to focus on. That's a big factor in their favour.

[kaosmark2]

So what ever happens tomorrow united are going to be only 3 points of fourth with 57 to play for.

#noroom

[pink_triangle]

Not at all.

It will take a huge turnaround in form for man utd to overtake Liverpool.

[lharris92]

Gives me no pleasure, but I did predict this some time ago.

If Allardyce isn't sacked, we're down. If he is, we'll have a chance, but probably will go down anyway.

[pink_triangle]

Huddlestone has been one of the best midfielders of the season in my opinion. I can see him getting another opportunity at a bigger premiership side.

[eFestivals]

Isn't the old cliche that it's not the points you get when in form that matter, but the ones when you're not?

yep.

And with almost half the season gone, the points they've got haven't much mattered either. I can't see why it's going to be much different in the 2nd half.

[TheGayTent]

Huddlestone has been one of the best midfielders of the season in my opinion. I can see him getting another opportunity at a bigger premiership side.

[pink_triangle]

This tickles me.

From what I have seen, he's doing exactly the same things he's always done at the same level of skill.

My opinion is that he's now getting the plaudits because he's the biggest fish in the pond as opposed to the smallest, and his team are generally believed to be over achieving.

[pink_triangle]

yep.

And with almost half the season gone, the points they've got haven't much mattered either. I can't see why it's going to be much different in the 2nd half.

[thetime]

Well Newcastle had just the one tactic, then didn't have a clue.

That's Newcastle reeled in by united, who next Liverpool or Everton?

[kaosmark2]

Southampton to finish above Man U, Spurs and Newcastle

[thetime]

There's simply no room for Utd - either with a space in the top 4, or with games to win to get the points for top 4 (given those factors.

[Essex_George]

No room for Liverpool either haha.

[thetime]

Always difficult against 12 men..

[pink_triangle]

It's looking like a 3 way fight for the title and a 5 way fight for 4th place. Then half the table concerned with relegation. Looking at rye league there is only really southampton who look like they are in a position to coast through the second half. I can't remember a season like it!

Edited December 29, 2013 by pink_triangle