Football 2013-2014

[thetime]

It's quite amazing what's happened to city, just 6 years ago they lost 8-1 to Middlesbrough. Shows what big investments can bring, I see no problem in that and certainly shaked the league up.

[adam1234]

It's quite amazing what's happened to city, just 6 years ago they lost 8-1 to Middlesbrough. Shows what big investments can bring, I see no problem in that and certainly shaked the league

up.

[thetime]

I wonder how it feels as a city fan who has stuck with them through the bad and good times. Yes they have finally gained the success they crave however they will always know deep down that they have bought it rather than earned it.

I thought about this in some depth when we (stoke) played them in the FA cup final. I carefully broached the subject with a couple of decent city fans after the game. They said that it made no difference to them and they were just as ecstatic as they would be if there had been no investment. I do seriously question this though, if stoke had won that game I felt it would have meant so much more to our fans knowing that we had built ourselves up with hard work rather than just throwing billions at the club.

What do people think?

[pink_triangle]

It's quite amazing what's happened to city, just 6 years ago they lost 8-1 to Middlesbrough. Shows what big investments can bring, I see no problem in that and certainly shaked the league up.

[adam1234]

Didn't Stoke have one of the highest net spends in the league at one time? The reality is the way football is structured at present, the city way is the only way of gatecrashing the party. The

alternative (before city and Chelsea) was Man U and Arsenal finishing 1st and second every season.

[CHRLY]

Whilst I think that it's wrong to think that whoever wins the league these days doesn't have massive financial backing I (as a lower league fan) don't agree with it. It just makes the gap bigger and bigger between the rich clubs and the poor clubs.

[thetime]

Again I am not having a go at city I am just wondering how it feels from a long time fans point of view if there are any city fans on here or Chelsea fans who have been in the same situation. I am glad personally as it adds to the excitement of it all. Like you say it's better than arsenal and united being first and second every season.

[pink_triangle]

I don't think it is fair to say that Liverpool and United have done the same though.

[adam1234]

Do you really need to ask if city are happier winning leagues and playing Munich, rather than playing wycombe or getting thumped 8-1 by Middlesbrough. I work with a city season ticket

holders, he's more than happy.

[strummer77]

That was great fun. Was great to come so close but no complaints at the winners.

Hopefully the summer's football is just as good.

[thetime]

I'm asking if they feel that their achievements are marred or lessened by the fact that they have bought them. And if that changes how elated they are about their achievements. I don't know what the problem is with asking that?

[adam1234]

I would agree that Liverpool and United haven't done the same, but they haven't had the same starting point as city. The likes of those teams

cashed in when the champions league was

expanded to look after the elite. This has made it impossible for others to close the gap by gradual evolution.

I don't have any negative feeling about a team like Wigan (historically similar natural level to wrexham) doing a wigan, but neither am I particularly jealous. For all the highs (and more) lows lower league football just seems right for me.

[adam1234]

No problem asking that I never Saud there was, I just don't think it would matter one jot.

[thetime]

Fair enough it was just the wording of your response, "do you really need to ask". I personally think it matters a hell of a lot.

[LondonTom]

I don't think it is fair to say that Liverpool and United have done the same though.

Edited May 11, 2014 by LondonTom

[pink_triangle]

Thanks! This is the kind of thing I am after. Some people don't seem to understand that glory is not the be all and end all. Some people would not want a billionaire to come and take over their club and rise to the top because of it. I would not want that to happen at my club.

[thetime]

Seems short sighted not to take Ashley Cole, Baines and Shaw limited experience at the top level.

[pink_triangle]

Stones and Barkley are off to Brazil!

[pink_triangle]

Seems short sighted not to take Ashley Cole, Baines and Shaw limited experience at the top level.

[adam1234]

Seems short sighted not to take Ashley Cole, Baines and Shaw limited experience at the top level.

[pink_triangle]

I have now heard 3 times today people comment on how Demechelis has got a premiership winners medal and Gerrard has not. Its a really dumb comment as Demechelis has been excellent in the second half of the season.

[Benj]

It will be interesting to see what defenders BR targets this summer. The defense looked dodgy all year even during the run of wins and really needs strengthening with class

[Wooderson]

Get used to it Benj. We go again next season. Only City have (slightly) better points per game ave better than us since end of '12.

[Benj]

Get used to it Benj. We go again next season. Only City have (slightly) better points per game ave better than us since end of '12.

[eFestivals]

Playing an extra 14-15 games a year will have a HUGE impact

more realistically tho, it'll probably just be the six extra games.