2016/17 Premier League & General Football Discussion
- Thread starter Liquid
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- The__Luke
Hard to tell if Hull are playing out of their skins or if United are no great shakes. I think it's the former but can't be sure. I guess the Manchester derby will answer a lot of questions regarding the title race.
Also, as much as it pains me to say, Chelsea have been the best team so far this season.
Also, as much as it pains me to say, Chelsea have been the best team so far this season.
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Very happy with the Arsenal result but you can see the defensive cracks when Watford had their opportunities but with Mustafi pairing Koscieny, hopefully it will patch out all the problems Arsenal had been on the end so far but still think Arsene needs 2 more signings.
Bayern recently tore through Werder Bremen but it is no surprise with the standard of football in the Bundesliga recently plus Schalke had a shock lost to Frankfurt. Happy days for @88GTA
. Dortmund dominated Mainz but could only manage a 2-1 win over them as Aubemeyang grabbed 2 and Muto got one from a last minute counter attack.
Good opening days for Roma, Napoli and Juventus, all look very strong but this time I won't be surprised if Juventus doesn't get the title this season but probably Napoli with front 3 of Insigne, Milik and Callejon look incredible. AC will hopefully clinch a European spot who already look miles better than the mess of last season.
Bayern recently tore through Werder Bremen but it is no surprise with the standard of football in the Bundesliga recently plus Schalke had a shock lost to Frankfurt. Happy days for @88GTA
. Dortmund dominated Mainz but could only manage a 2-1 win over them as Aubemeyang grabbed 2 and Muto got one from a last minute counter attack.Good opening days for Roma, Napoli and Juventus, all look very strong but this time I won't be surprised if Juventus doesn't get the title this season but probably Napoli with front 3 of Insigne, Milik and Callejon look incredible. AC will hopefully clinch a European spot who already look miles better than the mess of last season.
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- wrexham
- jameskent86451
- Jamobomb86
That late winner yesterday was something else! didn't play all that well I thought but Hull were tough to break down and i do feel a little gutted for them, the reaction from everyone when Rashford scored was Brilliant though! 
Brend
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- GTP_Mars
The EFL are apparently considering offering a place to Celtic and Rangers in a new 'fifth division' which is planned for 2019-2020...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...gue-to-consider-celtic-and-rangers-for-inclu/
I doubt it will happen since it would need the approval of the EFL, the SPFL and presumably UEFA as well, and I doubt any of them will agree to it happening, though the EFL may be in favour of it.... that said, would the Old Firm really opt for joining the lowest tier of a newly restructured 5-division EFL? Rangers have spent a few years in the wilderness coming back up from the lowest tier of the Scottish league after going into liquidation, but ironically this experience may have shown that their support base would not be averse to doing it again if the ultimate payoff was a place in a much more competitive (and lucrative) league - either in the Championship or even the English Premier League. For Celtic, however, it would be a massive change and I can't see their support base going for it since they would lose near-certain Champions League football, possibly permanently. Indeed, even the likes of Leicester - who remarkably won the EPL last season - are unlikely to enjoy regular Champions League football.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...gue-to-consider-celtic-and-rangers-for-inclu/
I doubt it will happen since it would need the approval of the EFL, the SPFL and presumably UEFA as well, and I doubt any of them will agree to it happening, though the EFL may be in favour of it.... that said, would the Old Firm really opt for joining the lowest tier of a newly restructured 5-division EFL? Rangers have spent a few years in the wilderness coming back up from the lowest tier of the Scottish league after going into liquidation, but ironically this experience may have shown that their support base would not be averse to doing it again if the ultimate payoff was a place in a much more competitive (and lucrative) league - either in the Championship or even the English Premier League. For Celtic, however, it would be a massive change and I can't see their support base going for it since they would lose near-certain Champions League football, possibly permanently. Indeed, even the likes of Leicester - who remarkably won the EPL last season - are unlikely to enjoy regular Champions League football.
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- GTP_Famine
Really? A newly-promoted SPL team instead of one of the Scottish teams that have been regularly enjoying* European football in the last five years?
*Well... participating in it briefly.
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- koszak27
AC Milan are my Serie A team and they better at least make the Europa League after this season. Didn't look too good against Napoli on Saturday but as you said, Napoli are stacked this year.Bayern recently tore through Werder Bremen but it is no surprise with the standard of football in the Bundesliga recently plus Schalke had a shock lost to Frankfurt. Happy days for @88GTA
Good opening days for Roma, Napoli and Juventus, all look very strong but this time I won't be surprised if Juventus doesn't get the title this season but probably Napoli with front 3 of Insigne, Milik and Callejon look incredible. AC will hopefully clinch a European spot who already look miles better than the mess of last season.
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- GTP_Mars
Yeh, I doubt it would go down very well with the other SPFL clubs. However, despite their recent problems, Rangers are still a much bigger club than most in the SPFL, at least based on recent attendances. Last season, only 3/12 SPFL clubs could muster an average attendance over 8000, and seven clubs could not even muster over 5000... Rangers got an average crowd of over 35000 in the second tier, and will exceed that this season no doubt.
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I know I wouldn't go for it. Rangers* didn't willingly go through that 'journey' of coming through the leagues - they spent money they didn't have and imploded. They had no other choice. Celtic would be sacrificing the ability to participate in the CL for 5 years to generate substantially less income for at least 4 seasons. I really don't see it happening. Plus, would most of our squad even stay at the club if we were to fight through the nether-regions of the league? I'm not convinced. Brendan Rodgers wouldn't be at the club either. How 'legit' of a league the SPFL is or not - winning is in the Celtic DNA, it's the one thing that keeps the club strong. Taking that away just wouldn't be possible.
It wouldn't be feasible to start at the very bottom for us unfortunately. Aberdeen would definitely be interested I think, decent squad and having a good average attendance - it could benefit them.
It wouldn't be feasible to start at the very bottom for us unfortunately. Aberdeen would definitely be interested I think, decent squad and having a good average attendance - it could benefit them.
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- GTP_Famine
I'm not sure that should be a consideration really. Teams should have places on merit, not crowd size - otherwise Bournemouth would be relocated to League One, along with Championship sides Brentford and Rotherham...
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- GTP_Mars
Interesting words - having been an erstwhile Celtic fan (well, I used to go to games with Celtic supporting mates) back in the day, I totally agree that this is indeed the average/normal Celtic supporters view, and it is both understandable and accurate. But, it is also what is all wrong with Scottish league football. While there are a few teams that can at least mount a challenge to the Old Firm every now and then, the Old Firm's dominance of Scottish football is crushing.
The Old Firm have won 101 of 120 league titles... every other team in the nation has won just 19 times in total, with the last time being 31 years ago... it's little wonder then that the average Old Firm supporter has this mindset of 'expecting victory' when there is effectively no competition out-with the Old Firm.
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Yeah, I can't disagree with that. That's why I really want to see Hearts and Aberdeen continue to build. They are in a decent shape right now.
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- mustafur
If I where Celtic and Rangers I would take it, Scottish league is a sinking ship and the old firm have been slowly shrinking since the millennium(this was before Rangers Bunkruptcy).
What's the point of Champions league football if the competition is getting better and your not, Celtic used to make it past the group stage all the time now they struggle to qualify.
In the English system they would have no problem getting to the championship as quick as possible after that might be a bit harder, but both clubs have much more fan base then anyone currently in there except maybe Newcastle who will likely get out instantly.
What's the point of Champions league football if the competition is getting better and your not, Celtic used to make it past the group stage all the time now they struggle to qualify.
In the English system they would have no problem getting to the championship as quick as possible after that might be a bit harder, but both clubs have much more fan base then anyone currently in there except maybe Newcastle who will likely get out instantly.
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Celtic have made it past the group stage 3 times in the past 10 CL campaigns. Celtic have a much larger fan-base than Newcastle, bigger stadium too.
Keeping the squad and manager, Celtic would get there but if you're starting in a 5th tier why should these players and manager stay? There would be a measly chance of keeping the squad in today's over-bloated BPL-aided transfer market where average players go for £10 mil~.
In an ideal world it would be a seamless transition - Celtic would not accept a 5th tier invitation. Rangers* might though.
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- The__Luke
I think it's a good transfer for Burke. Say what you want about Leipzig but they are committed to playing youth players. I'm not sure he would have had much opportunity in the Premier League. He'll also face less scrutiny in Germany than he would in England, which is probably good for his mental state.
