Football Banter

(12-06-2013 18:37 )Fernandez Esperenda Wrote:  was he the one that we rob in Brasil, I think we hate him there too

Yes it was!

What do people think of this idea put forward by Rupert Murdoch? It sounds exciting having the best teams play each other, but I fear their would be too many fixtures for players to cope physically.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/...t-football

(15-06-2013 09:51 )dan g 27 Wrote:  What do people think of this idea put forward by Rupert Murdoch? It sounds exciting having the best teams play each other, but I fear their would be too many fixtures for players to cope physically.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/...t-football

I saw this earlier today. So when would the managers, coaches, ground staff and players involved get their summer break? I really hope this doesn't happen as it will just be a soulless, vacuous money maker for the teams involved and of course the Murdoch empire. For me the domestic club leagues are what gives football its passion and emotion. I also enjoy the European competitions but I don't see what this Summer contest would add if it was played each close season.

(15-06-2013 16:07 )bytor Wrote:  

(15-06-2013 09:51 )dan g 27 Wrote:  What do people think of this idea put forward by Rupert Murdoch? It sounds exciting having the best teams play each other, but I fear their would be too many fixtures for players to cope physically.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/...t-football

I saw this earlier today. So when would the managers, coaches, ground staff and players involved get their summer break? I really hope this doesn't happen as it will just be a soulless, vacuous money maker for the teams involved and of course the Murdoch empire. For me the domestic club leagues are what gives football its passion and emotion. I also enjoy the European competitions but I don't see what this Summer contest would add if it was played each close season.

Like I said in the last page, it sounds exciting, but if this idea happens then it feels like the game is drifting away from those fans that go regularly to see their team.

I hope the big clubs dismiss the idea, but I have a feeling that they would agree to it as it would generate plenty of money for them and thus widening the gap between the big clubs and the smaller clubs. Plus the players will be wrecked playing that amount of football especially those in the Premier League, who don't even get a break at Christmas. Just look at the Spanish players for example. If this idea was already implemented then when would they get a break. Football players may earn a lot of money, but they are humans not robots.

Stupid idea, during that time players need rest, we already have champions league, we have pre season games and the clubs need to do buisness in this time and plan for next season not worry about a pointless competition...

(15-06-2013 16:46 )dan g 27 Wrote:  Plus the players will be wrecked playing that amount of football

No they wouldn't. It would mean playing 4 to 6 matches, but many clubs play that many on pre-season tours anyway, so this competition would be adding nothing to the number of matches that clubs play.

^^^ Yes clubs do pre-season tours already, but those tours are more exhibition games, whereas this tournament would be more competitive. Also, many clubs nowadays do these tours for financial reasons rather than getting their fitness levels back as it used to be. They are touring areas where they have big support already, or to increase their support levels, places like the asian countries, japan etc. Chances are those tours would still happen even with this tournament, it wouldn't be either or.

The real difficulty I see would be on the international arena. The world cup and euros etc are played in the summer break, so this would create an even bigger dilemma for the club v country thing, with players often needing not just rest, but medical treatments, and operations, which are left for this summer break. Do they have that during this tournament, which is potentially a money-spinner for their club, or during the international tournament, which isn't a money-spinner for the club that employs them!

(16-06-2013 09:36 )munch1917 Wrote:  Chances are those tours would still happen even with this tournament, it wouldn't be either or.

Yes that's correct, Chelsea are doing both. There is a pre-season tour to Asia in July and then we play the first version of this tournament starting on 1 August. There are 8 clubs in it this year, but if they expand it to 16 clubs next season as planned that will only mean 1 more round and therefore potentially 1 extra match, depending on whether the first round match is won. If Chelsea were to reach the final this year it would mean 3 matches in a week, so nothing too onerous. Anyone reaching the final next year would face 4 matches over 10-14 days.

There's a very good interview with Mourinho in the Guardian today. A clever manager who I'm sure will develop a very competitive Chelsea team. As a United fan have to say I am happy with the selection of Moyes as manager as I don't think Mourinho would have worked out at Old Trafford (get the impression he thinks that too), but think he will make Chelsea genuine title contenders next season. An interesting season awaits us!

Joe Kinnear says he has signed a three year deal to return to Newcastle as Director of football.
Kinnear: "I will have final say on transfers."
Source: SSN