CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?

[Niceguyeddie]

Sadly, I just don't care where we finish in the league any more, because if we finish in the European places there's not much likelihood of us playing in Europe as others have pointed out.

To be honest I'm slowly coming round to the idea of just writing it all off the longer it goes on and the more the plans for the restart become clearer.

For our own selfish reasons we all want to finish the season and finish the fairytale story off – me included. But you can't really argue with the point that playing on a neutral ground and in front of no fans preserves the integrity of the game any more than wiping off the results does. You also can't really argue that it's fair to make footballers play against all government advice on social distancing, essential work, etc. AND further to that, you can't argue it's a worthwhile use of resources when Liverpool fans inevitably flood the streets when they win the title (you can't ever really justify that to be honest).

With all that said, what's the point? It's money, pure and simple.

I'll probably watch it, but I'm not going to follow it like I did before.

You can only hope that there's some kind of breakthrough in science or the virus just magically disappears, in a way that enables us to return to normal life and attending Bramall Lane by the end of the year. Other than that, football will just end up been another subscription for people to spend their money on during the pandemic, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Beer52 or Virgin Wine Club. Nothing more, nothing less.

Anyway, up The Blades! Hope you're all having a nice weekend.

People keep talking about players not being able to social distance but they will be thoroughly tested unlike the wider public who have to socially distance because they don't know if they are infected or not
If we were all tested we wouldnt need to socially distance anymore

 

[mattbianco1]

Not sure we want european football at all next season as Burnley found out it needs a big squad to keep playing on all fronts it nearly cost them their premier league status.
For sure the players will be up for challenge of finishing the season strongly.
Playing games in neutral stadiums may even be in our favour as our away form is excellent! We seem to relish playing away from home and our set up makes us really hard to beat.Just need to score a few more goals and who knows what's possible this season.

Never understand this idea of not trying to get to the highest possible position.

In League 1 people said, I'd rather stay here and compete at the top than struggle in the Championship.

In the Championship people said, I'd rather stay here and compete at the top than struggle in the Premier League.

You play EVERY Sport to WIN... What's the point in being a Tim Henman or a David Coulthard when you can be an Andy Murray or Lewis Hamilton?

 

[ATL Recs]

People keep talking about players not being able to social distance but they will be thoroughly tested unlike the wider public who have to socially distance because they don't know if they are infected or not
If we were all tested we wouldnt need to socially distance anymore

Nope your wrong about the testing
Those tested today ( you couldn’t do 60 million tests in a day ) as negative could be infected that day by someone who hasn’t been tested or the day after by that person
Then consider - touching a door or a petrol pump for example

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Nope your wrong about the testing
Those tested today ( you couldn’t do 60 million tests in a day ) as negative could be infected that day by someone who hasn’t been tested or the day after by that person
Then consider - touching a door or a petrol pump for example

They're looking at buying machines that can test every two and a half hours so they can constantly monitor the staff and playing squad

 

[BushBlade]

Nope your wrong about the testing
Those tested today ( you couldn’t do 60 million tests in a day ) as negative could be infected that day by someone who hasn’t been tested or the day after by that person
Then consider - touching a door or a petrol pump for example

That’s why I only go out with gloves and a mask on. I can’t touch my face with the mask on. If I was at a petrol station, I’d double up and put the clear plastic gloves over my other nitrile gloves.

 

[247Blade]

They are talking about scrapping the League Cup which I hope doesn't happen. For me, scrap European competitions next season, it will be difficult to complete anyway if some/most countries are struggling to contain the pandemic. And focus on domestic competitions (even that might be optimistic). We could perhaps have a British Cup for the teams who would have been in Europe (would love to see us play at Celtic or Rangers!)

It would be like playing non league ... wouldn't use any Scottish teams in any sentence about the game of football

 

[1973Blade]

It would be like playing non league ... wouldn't use any Scottish teams in any sentence about the game of football

I want to see United play at Stenhousemuir!

 

[Nonamedhorse]

That’s why I only go out with gloves and a mask on. I can’t touch my face with the mask on. If I was at a petrol station, I’d double up and put the clear plastic gloves over my other nitrile gloves.

Are you actually joking you would do this?

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Having not won a game on a neutral ground in any of our lifetimes, the stats don't agree.

Won in Portugal pre season

 

[BushBlade]

Are you actually joking you would do this?

No, I’m not joking. Yes I will be doing this, when I need diesel. I filled the car up before lockdown and haven’t really used it so there’s been no need to so far but I may have to drive to Southampton for work and it’s exactly what I’ll be doing. What’s your problem?

 

[Nonamedhorse]

No, I’m not joking. Yes I will be doing this, when I need diesel. I filled the car up before lockdown and haven’t really used it so there’s been no need to so far but I may have to drive to Southampton for work and it’s exactly what I’ll be doing. What’s your problem?

Each to their own I suppose but I personally find it mentalness! Washing/sanitising hands would do the trick for me and it’s the main message from the start.
BTW, I have always used the plastic gloves at petrol stations.

 

[BushBlade]

Each to their own I suppose but I personally find it mentalness! Washing/sanitising hands would do the trick for me and it’s the main message from the start.
BTW, I have always used the plastic gloves at petrol stations.

Yeah, I think that’s just as effective and sensible but I have skin allergies that mean I come up with hives if I use sanitiser so I prefer gloves. The petrol station I was thinking of doesn’t have washing facilities but if that was an option, I’d be happy with that.

 

[Rodley]

Only 5 years ago!

 

[SwissBlade]

Only 5 years ago!

If you'd asked me 5 years ago who'd have more chance of playing in the Champions League, Sheffield United or Pafos i'd have laughed at both but probably gone for United.

But its of course Pafos, that resort town of less than 40,000 inhabitants

 

[Brownieblade]

TBF if we ever reached that stage we would be screwed as we would have driven the owners and manager out for not winning league and only finishing 3rd and for also not buying the entire Real Madrid first team by the 3rd week of the transfer window

 

[SwissBlade]

TBF if we ever reached that stage we would be screwed as we would have driven the owners and manager out for not winning league and only finishing 3rd and for also not buying the entire Real Madrid first team by the 3rd week of the transfer window

It's incredible when you look at the Premier League, its cut throat in terms of the spending commitments required. The little battle between Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa and Forest, with Villa and Forest losing out. You can see what is on the line for these clubs and it was interesting to see the Forest owner like a crack addict last season as Forest missed their hit. It could almost bankrupt a club just to get there and it just takes one bad season after to see sides go down and potentially freefall.

After an incredibly hard season in the Premier league in Cold, wind and rain, trying to get players to live in Nottingham or Newcastle earing hundreds of thousands per week to push on, they still fail as its such a hard and competitive league.

Then you look at the SPL, Rangers and Celtic, for years having to go through the qualifiers, they still spend big and Celtic failed last night, Rangers have a 1-3 scoreline to turn around and to get through, a hard task. But the SPL is easier than the English Leagues, its not as physical, but plenty of demanding games, plus its still cold, wet and windy.

Then you get Pafos FC, formed in 2014, won the domestic cup and qualified for the Europa conferance last year, did alright in that, won the league domestically last year to get into the Champions League Qualifiers. A tough set of fixtures in the qualifying rounds through the heat of the Cypriot summer.

They don't have big named players compared to the top European leagues, most of their players are either journeymen or rising stars from Portugal, Spain or Brazil that haven't quite done it elsewhere, but they have a decent coach, they've taken advantage of the Cypriot league being in disarray with the traditional big teams caught up in not paying taxes, financial problems, hooligan problems. Pafos haven't had any of that, they've a rich or relatively well off owner from Russia (or at least former Soviet) developed the academy, worked on fan engagement, worked within the community getting people and businesses to support them. If anything they're a real local club, with no history and 1st generation supporters.

The players were chill at the local beach clubs on summer sundays between Champions League Qualifiers, they're approachable and decent lads...

And they stroll into the Champions League draw. Incredible really

 

[lazyfecklessblade]

Champions league for Pafos.

Pathos for us.

 

[Brownieblade]

It's incredible when you look at the Premier League, its cut throat in terms of the spending commitments required. The little battle between Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa and Forest, with Villa and Forest losing out. You can see what is on the line for these clubs and it was interesting to see the Forest owner like a crack addict last season as Forest missed their hit. It could almost bankrupt a club just to get there and it just takes one bad season after to see sides go down and potentially freefall.

After an incredibly hard season in the Premier league in Cold, wind and rain, trying to get players to live in Nottingham or Newcastle earing hundreds of thousands per week to push on, they still fail as its such a hard and competitive league.

Then you look at the SPL, Rangers and Celtic, for years having to go through the qualifiers, they still spend big and Celtic failed last night, Rangers have a 1-3 scoreline to turn around and to get through, a hard task. But the SPL is easier than the English Leagues, its not as physical, but plenty of demanding games, plus its still cold, wet and windy.

Then you get Pafos FC, formed in 2014, won the domestic cup and qualified for the Europa conferance last year, did alright in that, won the league domestically last year to get into the Champions League Qualifiers. A tough set of fixtures in the qualifying rounds through the heat of the Cypriot summer.

They don't have big named players compared to the top European leagues, most of their players are either journeymen or rising stars from Portugal, Spain or Brazil that haven't quite done it elsewhere, but they have a decent coach, they've taken advantage of the Cypriot league being in disarray with the traditional big teams caught up in not paying taxes, financial problems, hooligan problems. Pafos haven't had any of that, they've a rich or relatively well off owner from Russia (or at least former Soviet) developed the academy, worked on fan engagement, worked within the community getting people and businesses to support them. If anything they're a real local club, with no history and 1st generation supporters.

The players were chill at the local beach clubs on summer sundays between Champions League Qualifiers, they're approachable and decent lads...

And they stroll into the Champions League draw. Incredible really

No matter how much those at the top may want a closed off shop so to speak it is great to see clubs like this get there

 

[SwissBlade]

No matter how much those at the top may want a closed off shop so to speak it is great to see clubs like this get there

And lets be right, they make it as hard as possible for teams outside of the top tier to qualify, Celtic, Rangers and Pafos have all played qualifiers this summer, they don't get a free pass for winning their league, which is fair enough as the Premier League and Cyprus Leagues are not even close in terms of quality.

So Pafos have already played 6 games, this summer, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dinamo Kyiv and Crvena Zveda, all home and away (fun fact, Pafos, Dinamo and Maccabi Tel Aviv all play their home games away), before the big boys enter the arena.

 

[Anarita blade]

Paphos play in Limassol some 40 minutes away as the Paphos stadium is only two sided. The highway between is absolute madness after the matches .