Football 2013-2014

[pink_triangle]

I think the Invincibles were better than the Chelsea team that won just after. Man U were much stronger in 03/04 than the one after. They should have done better in the CL but they still made a massive achievement that year, and were an amazing spectacle.

They were lucky to win the CL, but the 3 consecutive league titles were deserved (if somewhat lucky as well). They weren't quite as dominant and rode their luck more but they had more different options and had to use them. I think that's one of the most impressive things. It's why I rate the Invincibles so highly, who combined great touch passing football with strength and resilience.

a top class player, just someone better than Milner/Rodwell/Garcia to offer an option).

[ThomThomDrum]

The theory is that Birmingam is too small when compared to the "first" City and therefore doesn't act as the hub that it should. The city of Birmingham isn't the thriving economy that a potential investor would be attracted to tap into.

That's an investor who at some point is looking at a return on his investment.

[kaosmark2]

I think all the best premiership sides have been let down to some extent in the champions league. Despite the premiership teams getting their fair share of titles, I don't think an English side has ever excelled in a champions league final and all winners have had quite a large slice of fortune in the final.

As for the players you mention, I think Milner is an adequate squad player and needed for his homegrown status. Rodwell is no different to Boyata and Richard (didn't realize he still played) Wright in terms of being there purely to tick that homegrown box. However its probably best they keep these players than a promising Southampton youngster who will end up never playing.

Edited May 7, 2014 by kaosmark2

[TheGayTent]

Your suggestion that Birmingham is not attractive to investors is plain wrong I'm afraid.

[mrtourette]

Neither have Everton.

[lost]

I don't think Everton are for sale

[mrtourette]

I don't think Everton are for sale

[TheGayTent]

I don't think Everton are for sale

[lost]

Kenwright has said for years that if someone comes along with the money and that has the good of Everton at heart he would gladly sell up. He's also said that no one ever has come forward.

Edited May 8, 2014 by lost

[strummer77]

Not necessarily a bad thing. Think Everton are just as likely to end up with a Hicks as an Abramovic

[TheGayTent]

I know but I could say if someone offered me 2 million for my house I'd sell up.. Then it would technically be for sale but I can't see anyone coming forward.

[ThomThomDrum]

No need to be afraid?

Though you keep saying Birmingham is attractive to investors, doesn't make it true.

Both Birmingham clubs have been open or indeed actively looking to sell for quite a while. The simple truth is that neither have had a stampede of investors getting involved in a bidding war...

Edited May 8, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[mrtourette]

I know but I could say if someone offered me 2 million for my house I'd sell up.. Then it would technically be for sale but I can't see anyone coming forward.

[lost]

He's been actively looking for a buyer for years now.

[TheGayTent]

Its simply a figure of speech

I only mentioned Birmingham being attractive to investors in my last post so I hardly have "kept saying it" and I only said it because it seems to be actually true

Just because you have a theory based on some mathematical law as to why football clubs in Birmingham have not been sold in recent years to investors does not make it true. Maybe these clubs are not attractive to potential buyers who have been looking to buy a club in the UK for loads of other reasons. Birmingham's unattractiveness to a foreign investor due to its population compared to London is not one of them.

The simple truth is the city of Birmingham is an attractive place for potential investors. Investors who at some point are looking for a return on their investments.

Their football clubs however may not be attractive to investors for their own reasons and failings.

[ThomThomDrum]

I don't have a theory - that's Zipf's, I was just throwing it out there.

[TheGayTent]

Zipf is a law. Not a theory. Based on that law you theorized that Birmingham as a city was not attractive to potential investors. I disagreed.

[TheGayTent]

Zipf is a law. Not a theory. Based on that law you theorized that Birmingham as a city was not attractive to potential investors. I disagreed.

[mrtourette]

That's true, but Zipf's Law is so laughably irrelevant in such a situation.

[TheGayTent]

That's true, but Zipf's Law is so laughably irrelevant in such a situation.

[lost]

I'd say maybe relevant.. The 2nd city argument is more about stopping your first city completely dominating the economy. Chelsea had won the league once before being bought out. Couldn't of seen that level of investment in say a similarly sized northern club.

[The Nal]

Some ending in La Liga coming up!

Is Ronaldo a doubt for the World Cup now?

Great ending in the Prem too. City haven't won it yet. I can't help but feel Liverpool thought they'd won it after the City game. The celebrations were way OTT and this "We go again" nonsense and a few other catchphrases became a big thing. The players lack of experience at the business end of the season showed I think. Gerrards slip was a massive massive mistake.

City on the other hand didn't flinch. Or haven't yet!

[ThomThomDrum]

Ignoring the rest...?

[TheGayTent]

I'm gutted I'm on a stag do and can't make the City game.

[strummer77]

Great ending in the Prem too. City haven't won it yet. I can't help but feel Liverpool thought they'd won it after the City game. The celebrations were way OTT and this "We go again" nonsense and a few other catchphrases became a big thing. The players lack of experience at the business end of the season showed I think. Gerrards slip was a massive massive mistake.

City on the other hand didn't flinch. Or haven't yet!