Soccer Thread

[Adam White]

I'll be in London for the Jags game. I'm hoping to be able to make it to a West Ham match. They are scheduled to play Middlesbrough on 10/1 but that will change if they win their Europa League match in a few weeks.

*POOF*

Your wish is granted.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/25/west-ham-astra-giurgiu-europa-league-match-report

So disappointing but it may be for the best with all of our injuries to start the season.

I guess European football would've been nice (as would the money, right?). But at least you'll get to see them play Boro.

[TimmyB]

You have to question just how much Bilic really wanted to play in the Europa League.  Does he see the better way to qualify for CL next year is to finish top 4, so why have the distraction of Thursday night football, with the extra fatigue and injuries?

[Adam White]

You have to question just how much Bilic really wanted to play in the Europa League.  Does he see the better way to qualify for CL next year is to finish top 4, so why have the distraction of Thursday night football, with the extra fatigue and injuries?

£££££

[TimmyB]

You have to question just how much Bilic really wanted to play in the Europa League.  Does he see the better way to qualify for CL next year is to finish top 4, so why have the distraction of Thursday night football, with the extra fatigue and injuries?

£££££

No, I get there's a lot of lost money, Adam, but maybe that pales compared to the TV money they are all receiving this year.  I mean, two years in a row against a team that no one has ever heard of, outside of this?  Just doesn't add up, to me.

[Adam White]

You have to question just how much Bilic really wanted to play in the Europa League.  Does he see the better way to qualify for CL next year is to finish top 4, so why have the distraction of Thursday night football, with the extra fatigue and injuries?

£££££

No, I get there's a lot of lost money, Adam, but maybe that pales compared to the TV money they are all receiving this year.  I mean, two years in a row against a team that no one has ever heard of, outside of this?  Just doesn't add up, to me.

They're just not that good (especially without Payet - amongst others). And it's so early in the season, no one really could expect them to be firing on all cylinders yet. That's the problem with having to play in qualifiers.

They're missing out on a lot of money, depending how far they got in the competition (especially when you consider the gate receipts, etc they would get per match). And since they basically are paying nothing for their stadium, it's all icing on the cake. On the bright side, this reduces the likelihood of English football hooliganism plaguing Europe this autumn.

[TimmyB]

You have to question just how much Bilic really wanted to play in the Europa League.  Does he see the better way to qualify for CL next year is to finish top 4, so why have the distraction of Thursday night football, with the extra fatigue and injuries?

£££££

No, I get there's a lot of lost money, Adam, but maybe that pales compared to the TV money they are all receiving this year.  I mean, two years in a row against a team that no one has ever heard of, outside of this?  Just doesn't add up, to me.

They're just not that good (especially without Payet - amongst others). And it's so early in the season, no one really could expect them to be firing on all cylinders yet. That's the problem with having to play in qualifiers.

They're missing out on a lot of money, depending how far they got in the competition (especially when you consider the gate receipts, etc they would get per match). And since they basically are paying nothing for their stadium, it's all icing on the cake. On the bright side, this reduces the likelihood of English football hooliganism plaguing Europe this autumn.

Oh, please.  There are PLENTY of hooligans left other than West Ham.  I mean, theoretically.  I mean...oh, never mind.

[bencrix]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once in the post-Redknapp era (he who completely and totally disregarded the EL, which I think it is Bilic's stance too).

I also don't think there is nearly as much $$$$ (can't find the key for pounds!) as the EL UCL - for instance, do any of you watch EL if your team is not involved?

(Also agree that WHU is a shadow of itself w/o Payet... Surely he'll play against Man City?)

[TimmyB]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once in the post-Redknapp era (he who completely and totally disregarded the EL, which I think it is Bilic's stance too).

I also don't think there is nearly as much $$$$ (can't find the key for pounds!) as the EL UCL - for instance, do any of you watch EL if your team is not involved?

(Also agree that WHU is a shadow of itself w/o Payet... Surely he'll play against Man City?)

It's a curse, but it sure makes the weeks go by quicker when you don't have to wait seven or eight days between games, plus international breaks.  It also gives others a chance to play.  For United, it represents a glorious chance to automatically qualify for CL next year, which is not a sure thing with six (or seven, if Arsenal gets its head out of you-know-where) pretty good teams fighting for those four golden spots.

[Adam White]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once in the post-Redknapp era (he who completely and totally disregarded the EL, which I think it is Bilic's stance too).

I also don't think there is nearly as much $$$$ (can't find the key for pounds!) as the EL UCL - for instance, do any of you watch EL if your team is not involved?

(Also agree that WHU is a shadow of itself w/o Payet... Surely he'll play against Man City?)

Well, they get money for qualifying (which they didn't) and then money for each round (as well as each win or draw in each round). So the longer they're in, the more money they get. It's not a crazy amount, but it is money they wouldn't otherwise earn. And there's the prize for winning, of course. And the added revenue from ticket sales and concessions at the stadium. I think it's a decent amount of money when it's all factored in - but whether it is worth the Europa League hangover every Sunday after playing is debatable.

I never really watch the Europa League or Champions League if Spurs aren't playing. But I rarely watch football if Spurs aren't playing.

[JaxAvondale]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once in the post-Redknapp era (he who completely and totally disregarded the EL, which I think it is Bilic's stance too).

I also don't think there is nearly as much $$$$ (can't find the key for pounds!) as the EL UCL - for instance, do any of you watch EL if your team is not involved?

(Also agree that WHU is a shadow of itself w/o Payet... Surely he'll play against Man City?)

In my opinion, our two best players are Payet & Lanzini. Hopefully, they can play tomorrow. We always seem to play well against the big clubs. It is the lower clubs where we screw up.

[JaxAvondale]

Fulham is off to a good start to start the season.

[Adam White]

Fulham is off to a good start to start the season.

Who?

[TimmyB]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once in the post-Redknapp era (he who completely and totally disregarded the EL, which I think it is Bilic's stance too).

I also don't think there is nearly as much $$$$ (can't find the key for pounds!) as the EL UCL - for instance, do any of you watch EL if your team is not involved?

(Also agree that WHU is a shadow of itself w/o Payet... Surely he'll play against Man City?)

In my opinion, our two best players are Payet & Lanzini. Hopefully, they can play tomorrow. We always seem to play well against the big clubs. It is the lower clubs where we screw up.

I hope so, too!

[Gamblor]

I think Europa League is a curse.

As a Spurs fan, it can be argued that it cost them Top 4 in the EPL more than once

The only curse is your being a Spurs fan. It happened again, it happened again....

[Adam White]

The real curse is living in an area full of West Ham supporters. Can't watch the match at a pub - had to pay £6.99 for a day pass to Sky Sports to watch the Liverpool match.