I agree with Jose for once

For the record I think it's a great idea that the winner of the Europa league gets CL football

As to the above question I really cannot recall a more boring side than this Utd side ever in top flight football

There are worse teams but none as boring

Agree about United being the most boring.

Even Pulis would struggle to show so little flair having spent what Jose has.

comment by Baz tard (U19119)
posted 34 minutes ago
comment by Tiddles (U17634)
posted 27 minutes ago
I agree.

If uefa are serious about making Europa a prestigious European trophy all clubs are excited about being in then they need to stop the parachute down.

I agree with baz too, make it more competitive to get into both. 1-3 CL 4-6 EL.

I think that would enhance both competitions.

That said, go Ajax.
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Ajax aside, it's the way to go. The CL is becoming stagnated and predictable, any enhancement to the Europa is a good thing, especially given this seasons final 4.

At one point before money corrupted the game, you had EC for winners, UEFA for runners up, and cup winners cup for the winners of domestic cup competition.

I'm not saying go back, but it adds immense value to the cup trophies if each country, having a reward like that to go for.


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Yep I agree, which is why I laugh when people dismiss our first four champions leagues as it "was easier basic then". If anything it was harder as it was straight knockout and only true champions.

Making the champions league more elite again would enhance it greatly, sadly I think it will go the other way with certain people calling for "fixed entrants" where the likes of united, Liverpool, Bayern, real, Barca etc would always be granted special entry despite how they do in the league. Which would just be maddeningly stupid.

comment by Tiddles (U17634)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Baz tard (U19119)
posted 34 minutes ago
comment by Tiddles (U17634)
posted 27 minutes ago
I agree.

If uefa are serious about making Europa a prestigious European trophy all clubs are excited about being in then they need to stop the parachute down.

I agree with baz too, make it more competitive to get into both. 1-3 CL 4-6 EL.

I think that would enhance both competitions.

That said, go Ajax.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ajax aside, it's the way to go. The CL is becoming stagnated and predictable, any enhancement to the Europa is a good thing, especially given this seasons final 4.

At one point before money corrupted the game, you had EC for winners, UEFA for runners up, and cup winners cup for the winners of domestic cup competition.

I'm not saying go back, but it adds immense value to the cup trophies if each country, having a reward like that to go for.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yep I agree, which is why I laugh when people dismiss our first four champions leagues as it "was easier basic then". If anything it was harder as it was straight knockout and only true champions.

Making the champions league more elite again would enhance it greatly, sadly I think it will go the other way with certain people calling for "fixed entrants" where the likes of united, Liverpool, Bayern, real, Barca etc would always be granted special entry despite how they do in the league. Which would just be maddeningly stupid.
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Fixed entrants is almost what they've got. It's what they aim for, and the powerful are slowly getting their way.

All just a precursor for the inevitable European league. Where the richest split away, negotiate a huuuuge tv deal, and leave it all behind.

Don't know if I agree the old European Cup format was harder to win since a lot of teams won 2, 3, 4 even 5 of them in a row. Look at the Barca and Real sides of the last 5-10 years yet no one has retained the current trophy as of yet.

The CL is harder to win than the old EC, no question, didn't Liverpool have to play Shamrock Rovers over two legs at one point? Also, the fact that no team has retained the competition since it became the CL tells you all you need to know.

Regarding the EL, it's really only in England were it's seriously looked down on, in leagues such as Spain, Portugal and Italy it's seen as a big deal, I remember watching a game from the Bundesliga were 'Gladbach fans were celebrating EL qualification.

The problem with English football is the amount of money swirling round, money creates snobbery imo and that's the issue with the EL in England a) it isn't the CL and b) you don't get much money for being in it.

If clubs received more money for qualifying, progressing and winning, you watch the interest increase in England.

If anything it was harder as it was straight knockout and only true champions.
_________________

There is an obvious flaw with the idea that only letting in the champions would/did make the CL harder. The champions were good the previous season but are not always good when defending their crown. Look at Leicester: the best team in England in 2015-16 but certainly not so in 2016-17 when they were actually in the CL.

Letting multiple teams in from the "big" countries means you're more likely to get teams like United in 99, who have missed out entirely on silverware the previous year but then perform outstandingly. Thus making the competition harder to call at the start and ultimately harder to win.

comment by Clockwork Red: blow a kiss, fire a gun (U4892)
posted 3 hours, 12 minutes ago
If anything it was harder as it was straight knockout and only true champions.
_________________

There is an obvious flaw with the idea that only letting in the champions would/did make the CL harder. The champions were good the previous season but are not always good when defending their crown. Look at Leicester: the best team in England in 2015-16 but certainly not so in 2016-17 when they were actually in the CL.

Letting multiple teams in from the "big" countries means you're more likely to get teams like United in 99, who have missed out entirely on silverware the previous year but then perform outstandingly. Thus making the competition harder to call at the start and ultimately harder to win.
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That is a fair point.

I do feel going head to head knockout with champions of other leagues was extremely hard though, and often gets dismissed far too easily.

much easier to win it in the old format.

Agree though that they should slim it down and offer the europa more positions.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/04/28/jose-mourinho-admits-he-had-to-lift-the-morale-at-manchester-united-after-louis-van-gaal-era-6604736/

http://www.squawka.com/news/jose-mourinho-seemingly-claims-his-style-of-football-is-more-man-united-than-louis-van-gaals/853425#Hv54ae9yWmsLgblL.97

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4460916/Redknapp-Mourinho-s-Man-Utd-van-Gaal-s.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/1562559/jose-mourinho-hits-out-at-louis-van-gaals-boring-style-and-blasts-arsene-wenger-and-jurgen-klopp-unethical/

Jose had a few digs at van Gaal about boring football, so I'll just leave those articles here.