Premier League

[philipl]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

2 out of 4 English sides finishing rock bottom of their Champions League group which jeopardises the Premier League being one of the countries that is allowed 5 teams in the (stupidly reformatted) competition next year.

Might slightly reduce the "best league in the world" shouts from Sky et al in the short term. 

Hopefully Newcastle or Man U come 5th and fail to qualify as a result of their own ineptness although Newcastle were robbed in Paris.

[Dreams of 1995]

But the Premier League is the best league in the world at the moment. It was Serie A in the 90s / early 00s

Finances, viewership and quality all outstrip the other major European leagues

Just because performances in the Champions League aren't up to scratch does not detract from the overall quality of the league. Newcastle pushed some European giants all the way, and whilst they finished bottom, it is no shame in a group of PSG, Dortmund and AC Milan

Edited December 14, 2023 by Dreams of 1995

[roversfan99]

I saw a tweet yesterday mocking the narrative last night about Newcastle being awakened as a "sleeping giant" in this seasons Champions League.

They have won nothing since the 60s, and have they really proven much with 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses in the group?

They seem to be viewed as plucky underdogs but is that a fair stance? PSG were obvious group favourites but beyond that, Newcastle finished 4th in the best league in the world and have spent loads of oil money. Bruno, Joelinton, Isak, Barnes, Gordon, Botman, Tonali, Trippier, the obligation to sign Hall, its an expensively assembled side. Milan are nothing special and Dortmund are victims of poachers on a yearly basis.

[Mattyblue]

They happen to be one of just three league clubs in the whole north east of England. Ergo they can attract big crowds and obviously as a result of that there’s a hell of a lot of potential there, especially with an oil state’s sovereign wealth fund backing them.

Good for them, but there’s nowt special about them regardless of what the media makes out.

[DeeCee]

I've nothing against Newcastle except the owners.

[roverandout]

Newcastle are the most overhyped Club in England 

[bazza]

On 14/12/2023 at 18:07, DeeCee said:

I've nothing against Newcastle except the owners.

You're not as old as me, Dee Cee.  I remember their chairman, Lord Westwood. who was also on the committee of the Football League. We had some problem with Glen Keeley coming to us and them stealing our manager, Gordon Lee. Bad blood between the clubs and I, for one, will never forget it. Much prefer the black cats.

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, bazza said:

You're not as old as me, Dee Cee.  I remember their chairman, Lord Westwood. who was also on the committee of the Football League. We had some problem with Glen Keeley coming to us and them stealing our manager, Gordon Lee. Bad blood between the clubs and I, for one, will never forget it. Much prefer the black cats.

Lord Westwood with the patch over one of his eyes. I too despised him when they took Gordon Lee from us after we won promotion.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

41 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Lord Westwood with the patch over one of his eyes. I too despised him when they took Gordon Lee from us after we won promotion.

He also took Graham Oates with him. Plus Roger Jones if my memory serves me well.

[bazza]

19 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

He also took Graham Oates with him. Plus Roger Jones if my memory serves me well.

Nothing new for poor old Rovers. Ken Furphy went to Sheff Utd taking Tony Field.

Earlier Johnny Carey went to Everton and took Roy Vernon. Such is football.

It was just the nastiness of Westwood and the money that bugged me.

[47er]

On 15/12/2023 at 05:07, DeeCee said:

I've nothing against Newcastle except the owners.

and the fans....

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

9 minutes ago, bazza said:

Nothing new for poor old Rovers. Ken Furphy went to Sheff Utd taking Tony Field.

Earlier Johnny Carey went to Everton and took Roy Vernon. Such is football.

It was just the nastiness of Westwood and the money that bugged me.

Furphy took David Bradford as well.

[bazza]

I was just thinking that we old codgers keep reminiscing about things from long ago and I wonder what the younger fans think.

I know what I would have thought if social media had existed in the early 1960s and people had been on there raving about Harry Healless and Sid Puddefoot etc. Then some old fogey comes on and says. "Ah, but did you see Eddie Latheron" blah de blah.

I would have loved it.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

17 minutes ago, bazza said:

I was just thinking that we old codgers keep reminiscing about things from long ago and I wonder what the younger fans think.

I know what I would have thought if social media had existed in the early 1960s and people had been on there raving about Harry Healless and Sid Puddefoot etc. Then some old fogey comes on and says. "Ah, but did you see Eddie Latheron" blah de blah.

I would have loved it.

That’s my one regret - that no film exists of games like the 7-2 demolition of Spurs and the Bryan Douglas wonder goal against West Brom. Now there would be.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[had.e.nuff]

just watching forest v spurs and noticed round the ground forest have listed all their trophy's which are quite impressive but claiming the one for playoff champions  is stretching it a bit as a major trophy

Edited December 15, 2023 by had.e.nuff

[Ianrally]

3 hours ago, arbitro said:

Lord Westwood with the patch over one of his eyes. I too despised him when they took Gordon Lee from us after we won promotion.

The patch was a perfect fit, he was a bloody pirate.

[DeeCee]

6 hours ago, bazza said:

You're not as old as me, Dee Cee.  I remember their chairman, Lord Westwood. who was also on the committee of the Football League. We had some problem with Glen Keeley coming to us and them stealing our manager, Gordon Lee. Bad blood between the clubs and I, for one, will never forget it. Much prefer the black cats.

Apologies, I was home and a lot of aways when that happened so I remember the fallout.

Small beer to what has happened since with other clubs and almost a generation ago but I take your point.

[wilsdenrover]

10 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That’s my one regret - that no film exists of games like the 7-2 demolition of Spurs and the Bryan Douglas wonder goal against West Brom. Now there would be.

Looking at the table for that season, it looks like the attacks were definitely better than the defences.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

Looking at the table for that season, it looks like the attacks were definitely better than the defences.

 

That’s because there was much more emphasise on attacking rather than defending. Most teams had two wingers and two main strikers normally augmented by an attacking playmaker. When the Dingles were a top side each of of the five forwards scored more than 15 goals each in one season.

Nobody parked the bus or came for a draw. Every team that came to Ewood came to win, if they got battered they got battered trying to win. If you watch film from that era there is much more play in the attacking third of the pitch and much less in central midfield. 

[Wheelton Blue]

Things have moved on, possession is all that matters don't you know?

It's now the 'best league in the world'!!!!!

[wilsdenrover]

34 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That’s because there was much more emphasise on attacking rather than defending. Most teams had two wingers and two main strikers normally augmented by an attacking playmaker. When the Dingles were a top side each of of the five forwards scored more than 15 goals each in one season.

Nobody parked the bus or came for a draw. Every team that came to Ewood came to win, if they got battered they got battered trying to win. If you watch film from that era there is much more play in the attacking third of the pitch and much less in central midfield. 

Sounds wonderful 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

21 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

Sounds wonderful 

If you’re going to a game expecting goal mouth incidents and excitement those were the days. If you want nice tip tappy intricate passing, especially in your own half, todays football is for you.

[wilsdenrover]

Looks like Lockyer shouldn’t have been given the okay to carry on playing.

[DE.]

Certainly raises some question marks around the medical advice he's been given.

[wilsdenrover]

Confirmed as a cardiac arrest.