EPL 2023/2024
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This is fun - some more what ifs with defeated finalists. The EPL could have had a third instance of 3-in-5 with an Arsenal win in 2006 (to go with Liverpool in 2005 and man u in 2008. If Chelsea won in 2008 and Man U in 2009 then the EPL could have had 4 different teams win in 5 years.
If Leverkusen win in 2002 then the Germans manage 3 different winners in 6 years (to go with Dortmund in 97 and Bayern in 2001).
The Italians could also have had 3 different winners in 6 years with a Roma win in 84 (was a loss to Liverpool in a shoot out), to go with Juventus in 85 and Milan in 89.
Doesn't look like there are any other 'near misses'.
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elsewhere for all the talk about the pyramid being England's unique strength the EPL fat cats get their way and replays are now a thing of the past.
Another case of the greed and self-interest of the Top 6 looking to ensure no one can break into their cosy little club. The changes to FFP are more directly about that but this decision shows no sympathy for lower tier clubs, their financial positions or their fans.
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I think that Villa match aged me about 20 years haha.
Emi Martinez standing tall once again in a shootout.
Roll on Olympiacos.
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@Cyclops You can't apparently as it's deemed separate to the actual game or something like that haha as he was already on a yellow from the game which is my understanding.
And there's confusion as to whether the yellow was cancelled out as he was asking the ball boy for a ball as it got thrown on as Watkins was lining up his shot?
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@dogmeat I agree with your general principle but not on this point. There are so many games, adding another when there is a recognized tie break method (which has decided all of the ultimate prizes), seems pointless to me.
Draws are very common in football (Sherlock Holmes here). If they were infrequent then I’d totally agree.
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@MajorRage It's pointless except to the small clubs who if they get a televised home tie against a top PL side have the next 3-4 years covered financially
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Unfortunately, the big 6 (actually I don’t think city are that much of a draw) are the draw for all the broadcasting rights.
As it is, the season is an overcrowded mess with multiple clubs having their worst injury crises ever and in some periods , having to play up to 8 games a month in the process.
If you want to see the danger for a club trying to break into CL places artificially. Click on the link above around Everton. They are in financial dire straits. And Everton are big club.
The hope for the footballing pyramid is
that the deal they are trying to agree will be a consistent increase in revenue sharing that can be distributed down all of the clubs, which was a bargaining chip when it came to scrapping replays. I won’t hold my breath on that if I was in the 4th tier.Yes it does take away some of the romance of the FA Cup but realistically, how many clubs actually manage to get replays with a big side? Very few.
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@dogmeat said in EPL 2023/2024:
@MajorRage It's pointless except to the small clubs who if they get a televised home tie against a top PL side have the next 3-4 years covered financially
Agree entirely. However, that is a wider problem, not one that should be solved by what ball Ian Wright pulls out of the sack.
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You are over exaggerating the impact on a one off televised tie. The broadcasting fee is £144k before tax. It’s welcome revenue of course but ain’t setting anyone up for 3-4 years.
Although, non league Maidstone got to the 5th round and earned £700k before tax from broadcasting and prize money.
That will set up a non league club for a couple of years I would have thought👍
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Are you forgetting share of gate receipts which also happens in the FA Cup? I think the cancellation of replays with no consultation to speak of with the rest of the football league is shameful and typically selfish from the top 6. Another good example of why i've lost interest in football in recent years.
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No, just didn’t think it would be that big at some club in the 2nd tier with 8000 capacity.
Gate receipts are shared in the FA cup between both teams, after expenses.
I enjoy the replays as much as anyone but it does feel a bit antiquated now, especially when the ‘magic’ of the FA cup seems long gone.
If Parry is smart he will use this to kick up a stink, get an independent regulator back on the table again and use this to get the deal he is trying to do with the PL.
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It’s only been 5 times in 8 years that a league 1 (or lower) side has forced a replay.
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Tinfoil hat update:
Chelsea are denied the most obvious penalty against, yes you guessed it, Man City because the ref and Var didn’t want to follow the rule book.
The same ref has now given city 4 very favourable decision this year after he was invited to be a guest ref (and be paid handsomely for it) in the UAE league. Yes, you guessed it, the league that is owned by Man City owners.
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Great FA cup tie with finally the wrong result.
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Truly gutted for Coventry. I thought it was gonna be 1987 all over again haha.
Big result for Villa after a grueling week going away to Arsenal and Lille. Man Ollie Watkins has turned into some player. 19 goals and 12 assists for him in the league now this season. Sadly I don't think he fits into England's system for the Euros but since Emery has come in, his form has improved out of sight.
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@African-Monkey Watkins will come off the bench for England in the Euros. He can cover the whole forward line.
I also think Southgate will be tempted to play Watkins and Kane as an old-school Front Two at some point.
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@sparky A definite bench option, but I'd be shocked if Southgate changed formation and played Watkins and Kane together unless they fell behind in games. Solanke is another who is quality, but unlikely to make the cut.
He won't make it for a while yet, but Morgan Rogers is one to watch. I think he could well push for a spot come the next world cup.
