Go fuck yourselves FSG

[Lycan]

I'm just wondering what's in it for fans of teams other than the top 4 or 5 clubs. Baseball, US Football, hockey, NBA all gave up the "first past the post" structure years ago and without a multi-division format with playoff's the sports would not have grown as much as they have.

 

I'd like to see the EPL reorganized into 28 teams, and 6 divisions. A post-season involving the 6 division winners plus 2 with next best records overall (compensates for overly competitive divisions).

 

Get rid of promotion/relegation as it is so disruptive and seems more or less a waste.

 

 

The mega rich clubs would still have an advantage but not the near insurmountable one they currently enjoy. More clubs would have something to play for late into the season and more fans could be optimistic for longer than the end of September.

 

 

Awful idea.

[Ranxerox]

Promotion and relegation is one of the greatest aspects of football.

 

Maybe in a past era, but nowadays it seems silly and pointless. Since 2000 how many promoted teams have established a permanent foothold in the EPL, how many have been P/R'd multiple times, how many top 10 teams have gone down since 2000? Now that's stale.

 

The league is getting more stratified every year.

[Ranxerox]

Awful idea.

 

reasons?

[Lycan]

1 and 8 are not reasons

 

2 is not explained, just an assertion

 

3 the number is random, 24 is too small but I think even 28 may be a stretch for finding enough viable franchises, dividing equally into 6 is irrelevant as the North American pro leagues have often comprised unequal divisions.

 

4 you would have two legs and yes there is a level of uncertainty, you can make the same argument about the FA cup, the CL, even the EPL on the final day of the season. The strength of this system is that it injects that uncertainty, that way the season isn't over in Dec.

 

5 I don't understand your argument

 

6 Why not, they said that about baseball when it moved to this system the fans would never go back to a first past the post system now. More fans would become interested, you wouldn't have the spectacle of fans celebrating finishing 17th in the league.

 

7. Is nonsense, franchises move because owners seek different markets or better deals, not because the league becomes stale.

 

 

No, no, just fucking no. The day that American-ised shite comes into practise over here is the day I pack in watching football altogether.

[Ranxerox]

No, no, just fucking no. The day that American-ised shite comes into practise over here is the day I pack in watching football altogether.

 

Why though, if we had playoffs last year we would have had a shot at playing for the title, that will never happen again under the current set up. You just haven't faced that reality yet.

[Lycan]

reasons?

 

 

I don't need any reasons. There is fuck all wrong with how the leagues are set-up now. Taking away promotions and relegations is just the shittest idea ever full-stop.

[Lycan]

Why though, if we had playoffs last year we would have had a shot at playing for the title, that will never happen again under the current set up. You just haven't faced that reality yet.

 

 

Because the mere thought of the 6th placed side being crowned as champions because they managed to win a couple of one off games is wrong fucking imo.

 

If you finish 1st, you deserve to be champions because you've been the best side in the country over a certain amount of games that season. And if that means we'll never win the league again, then that's just tough shit, we'll just have to deal with it.

 

Also and to say we'll never win the league again under the current set-up is a load of shite as well. Things can change very quickly in football. I mean who'd of thought 10 years ago Man City would win the league in 2012?...Nobody that's who.

[Ranxerox]

Because the mere thought of the 6th placed side being crowned as champions because they managed to win a couple of one off games is wrong fucking imo.

 

If you finish 1st, you deserve to be champions because you've been the best side in the country over a certain amount of games that season. And if that means we'll never win the league again, then that's just tough shit, we'll just have to deal with it.

 

Also and to say we'll never win the league again under the current set-up is a load of shite as well. Things can change very quickly in football. I mean who'd of thought 10 years ago Man City would win the league in 2012?...Nobody that's who.

 

That's an example of radical change, City winning the lottery. LFC will need radical change to seriously ever challenge for the title again, either change in the league structure, change in ownership, or some sort of salary cap.

 

I won't continue to discuss the idea though because I respect that its such a break with tradition and so unpopular that it probably actually offends people on here and I don't want to be accused of wumming. :)

[stringvest]

That's an example of radical change, City winning the lottery. LFC will need radical change to seriously ever challenge for the title again, either change in the league structure, change in ownership, or some sort of salary cap.

 

I won't continue to discuss the idea though because I respect that its such a break with tradition and so unpopular that it probably actually offends people on here and I don't want to be accused of wumming. :)

 

It's not an idea though, it's reality. And while the idea might offend people, I don't think many will argue with the logic. So shine on, you crazy zirconia.

[TheHowieLama]

"Ties and no playoffs? Why do you even do this?"

[Guest San Don]

Because the mere thought of the 6th placed side being crowned as champions because they managed to win a couple of one off games is wrong fucking imo.

 

If you finish 1st, you deserve to be champions because you've been the best side in the country over a certain amount of games that season. And if that means we'll never win the league again, then that's just tough shit, we'll just have to deal with it.

 

Also and to say we'll never win the league again under the current set-up is a load of shite as well. Things can change very quickly in football. I mean who'd of thought 10 years ago Man City would win the league in 2012?...Nobody that's who.

 

But if someone said 10 years ago that by 2010 city would be bought by a billionaire, who'd pump nearly a billion pounds into the club, how long do you think it would be before they won the PL, most people would have answered within 5 years.

 

Things only change quickly if someone is prepared to chuck a huge sum of money at a club.

[Code]

Peter Ridsdale would love this idea and those Indians at Blackburn, Fernandes at QPR etc, etc.

 

Shittest suggestion ever.

[Lycan]

Peter Ridsdale would love this idea and those Indians at Blackburn, Fernandes at QPR etc, etc.

 

Shittest suggestion ever.

 

It's not that often I agree with you but, I'm 100% on your side with this one.

[Lycan]

That's an example of radical change, City winning the lottery. LFC will need radical change to seriously ever challenge for the title again, change in ownership, or some sort of salary cap.

 

I won't continue to discuss the idea though because I respect that its such a break with tradition and so unpopular that it probably actually offends people on here and I don't want to be accused of wumming. :)

 

This is the only thing we can now hope for, because for me there is no fairer way of winning the league then there is now(as in how it's setup). 38 games played, whoever gains the most points are the champions. And the fact that as it stands, it doesn't look like we're going to win the league anytime soon, doesn't escape the fact that it's the fairest way to do things.

 

You see I'd much rather the champions be the ones who finished in 1st position, rather then a team that finishes 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th. And who may of finished the season a good 10, 20, 30 points behind those in 1st place. Those wouldn't be champions for me, those would be teams who just got lucky.

[TheHowieLama]

There are already two knockout playoffs in England.

 

It works in other sports cuz there are not.

[TSC]

Notwithstanding the Suarez to Madrid element, it's also clear from Rodgers comments that he's a bit miffed with recent events & FSG have pulled the plug on signings

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...rez?CMP=twt_gu

 

 

 

Liverpool have endured similar frustration this summer and Rodgers did not hide his disappointment after the club failed to land Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala. The Brazil midfielder's future is unresolved, with Chelsea making a late play for the Tottenham Hotspur target. Willian is understood to have had a medical at Spurs on Tuesday but there is anxiety at White Hart Lane that he may be slipping through their fingers.

 

Liverpool's interest is over after Fenway Sports Group refused to pay above their valuation of the 25-year-old. The Anfield club were close to a £30m deal at the weekend only for an improved package from Spurs to prompt the owners to withdraw.

 

Rodgers said: "We identify the targets and then try and get the deal done financially. That's how it was. The club pushed as hard as they felt they could financially but it wasn't to be. "It's the owners' money and they will always have the final say because it's they who run the club. What they have taken on here is a huge job. You have seen over the last few years they will finance a project we are trying to develop and what we have to make sure of is we get the right players and the value and worth of the player is right. It's disappointing because this was a player who would have been perfect for us."

 

The Liverpool manager added: "It wasn't a football reason [why the deal collapsed] and I don't really want to go into it. That's for us as a club really. The bottom line is he hasn't come here for whatever reason and we move on."

[FrenchEyeGlass]

Just thought I'd say - I watched his press conference earlier and he seemed thoroughly pissed off/frustrated when answering some of the questions. It was the first time I've seen him like that.

 

Anybody who wants to tell me that two fucking American baseball fanatics and Ian fucking Ayre can determine the value of a football player (and indeed, do so better than our manager) can fuck off. Being the only person of sound football knowledge, our manager should have decided whether Willian was worth the amount being talked about - not any of the know nothing wankers who sit above him.

 

People often temper their praise of FSG with 'admittedly...they've made mistakes, but...' as if they won't happen again and again. Whilst I respect their business acumen, their footballing ignorance and arrogance really fucks me off.

 

Is it so hard to hire a fucking CEO worth his salt?

 

*awaits somebody to come along and congratulate their prudence and frugalness as if we haven't made a £5m profit this window and sold half of our top earnings over the past two years*

[moof]

They need to let the manager do his fucking job

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

They need to let the manager do his fucking job

 

Clearly desperate for the player. Like I say, it's a judgement call. If they have the money - and they do - then surely backing the manager's vision for another few million was the right call. Even if the player isn't worth quite that amount.

 

I can see it from both sides. If somebody came in and demanded more after you'd agreed, you'd rightly tell them to fuck off. But such is the desperation for quality players, we need to push the boat out.

[Batigol]

He should be given his budget plus sales and allowed to spend it as he pleases. That way he lives or dies by his own sword.

 

The way things are right now, Brendan's just going to end up being the fall guy through little fault of his own. Tbh I don't think a more experienced manager would be putting up with this.

[ngogswilly]

Just thought I'd say - I watched his press conference earlier and he seemed thoroughly pissed off/frustrated when answering some of the questions. It was the first time I've seen him like that.

 

Anybody who wants to tell me that two fucking American baseball fanatics and Ian fucking Ayre can determine the value of a football player (and indeed, do so better than our manager) can fuck off. Being the only person of sound football knowledge, our manager should have decided whether Willian was worth the amount being talked about - not any of the know nothing wankers who sit above him.

 

People often temper their praise of FSG with 'admittedly...they've made mistakes, but...' as if they won't happen again and again. Whilst I respect their business acumen, their footballing ignorance and arrogance really fucks me off.

 

Is it so hard to hire a fucking CEO worth his salt?

 

*awaits somebody to come along and congratulate their prudence and frugalness as if we haven't made a £5m profit this window and sold half of our top earnings over the past two years*

 

Good post, echoes a lot of my frustration right now.

[thompsonsnose]

We've been here enough already.

Lights off.

Lock up.

Go home.

Even the manager is getting fucked off, but still the formation apologist tag team will be out in force.

 

7th.

Milky Milky.

[redfromtubebar]

I think we can see now the main reason Benitez wasn't considered for the vacancy. Can you imagine his public reaction to the owners pulling stunts like this? Something akin to a nuclear meltdown I would imagine.

[Megadrive Man]

I'm just wondering what's in it for fans of teams other than the top 4 or 5 clubs. Baseball, US Football, hockey, NBA all gave up the "first past the post" structure years ago and without a multi-division format with playoff's the sports would not have grown as much as they have.

 

I'd like to see the EPL reorganized into 28 teams, and 6 divisions. A post-season involving the 6 division winners plus 2 with next best records overall (compensates for overly competitive divisions).

 

Get rid of promotion/relegation as it is so disruptive and seems more or less a waste.

 

 

The mega rich clubs would still have an advantage but not the near insurmountable one they currently enjoy. More clubs would have something to play for late into the season and more fans could be optimistic for longer than the end of September.

 

There are a number of major flaws with this plan.

 

1. The Fa wouldn't allow it.

It would pretty much kill off the football league. It would mean huge numbers of clubs would end up having to go part time. There would be uproar amongst most people in football, and Dave Whelan would have a heart attack!

 

2.Champions League and Europa Qualification.

Which teams would qualify? How could we bring this in without the rest of Europe following suit?

 

3. Loss of gate receipts.

The 8 qualifying clubs would be ok, but the other 20 clubs would only have 7 home games a season! No Chairman in their right mind would take this risk!

 

4. Criteria for being a chosen club?

There are too many teams outside the Premiership that would have good claims to be involved, potentially you would have virtually all the Championship bar Yeovil Doncaster and Huddersfield. Then Clubs such as Charlton, Wolves, Sheffield United, Preston and Portsmouth. Celtic and Rangers would most likely try and get involved too. How could it possibly be decided on who makes the cut?

[Saintslfc13]

There are a number of major flaws with this plan.

 

1. The Fa wouldn't allow it.

It would pretty much kill off the football league. It would mean huge numbers of clubs would end up having to go part time. There would be uproar amongst most people in football, and Dave Whelan would have a heart attack!

 

2.Champions League and Europa Qualification.

Which teams would qualify? How could we bring this in without the rest of Europe following suit?

 

3. Loss of gate receipts.

The 8 qualifying clubs would be ok, but the other 20 clubs would only have 7 home games a season! No Chairman in their right mind would take this risk!

 

4. Criteria for being a chosen club?

There are too many teams outside the Premiership that would have good claims to be involved, potentially you would have virtually all the Championship bar Yeovil Doncaster and Huddersfield. Then Clubs such as Charlton, Wolves, Sheffield United, Preston and Portsmouth. Celtic and Rangers would most likely try and get involved too. How could it possibly be decided on who makes the cut?

 

Yep, it's a terrible idea and I'm saying that as an American.

 

I love most of our sports (not the biggest baseball fan but then the team I support are dogshit this year despite having arguably the best field player in baseball and definitely the best young player, there's also so many games that it becomes a bit tedious to follow the whole season and your team can kick ass in may and be shit by july with the season basically over despite only half of it being played) but bar the NFL they aren't really as competitive as some would have you believe.

 

In the NBA there are a handful of teams always in the conversation for example the Lakers have reached the NBA finals on average about every 2 years since the current format was implemented, they're down right now but eventually will get players via free agency, the draft, or trade and own the league for 2 to 3 years at a time, right now Miami is that team. The only reason the Knicks aren't on a similar level is because of their owner being terrible.

 

In baseball it's even more stratified, there is absolutely no fucking point in being a KC Royals fan for example as once they get good they start selling players because they don't have a choice. Free agency for all it's benefits fucks teams like the above because who the fuck really wants to live in KC when you're other options are New York (and I don't even like New York City), Los Angeles, Miami, etc.? Not many people I suspect. Occasionally you'll get a player who stays with his first team out of loyalty but in general when the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Giants, or Angels come calling players from the other teams are very interested for more factors than just pay as well. If one of the above teams are having a down period then the rest will at least attempt to poach their best players off of them as well, which is probably going to happen to the Angels if they don't get their shit together soon.

 

The NFL has the most parity by far but still there are those teams always in the conversation. The main difference being the hard salary cap keeps it more competitive and/or gives owners excuses for not spending money. Still, teams very rarely join that elite conversation and when they do it's usually because they have a masterstroke coaching hire. Sean Payton for example turned my Saints from perennial "also-rans" to a team always in the conversation but even then it was San Diego's ineptitude and an injury that allowed us to get one of the leagues best players for cheap at the right time. This subsequently has more players coming there because they see the Saints will pay (eventually at least) and will also be capable of winning a championship. Whether it's sustainable after Payton and/or Brees is another matter entirely. In terms of playoffs, one need only look at the Patriots a few years ago when they went undefeated all year only to be fucked by a few lucky Eli Manning passes and lose it all. The nature of American football doesn't allow for playoffs to have series but you still can't tell me the Giants were really the better team. They were just the better team on the day. Instead of trying to add extra games to the regular season that cunt Goodell should be trying to get home and home aggregate games added to the playoffs (bar the Superbowl as it would take away from what that day already has become). He kills two birds with one stone in that he gets extra games, in the playoffs as well, and increases the legitimacy of the championship game. Instead though he's trying to add two regular season games which will be meaningless for most teams as they'll either be out of it by then or trying to get stay healthy for the playoffs.

 

I don't know if Scott is a hockey follower but an negative example of playoffs is easily found there, for a few years recently the Vancouver Canucks pissed all over the league in the regular season only to be fucked once the playoffs came for some reason. Still at least there are series in hockey's playoffs.

 

The only reason I'm in favor of College Football having a playoff system is because they already do except it's just one game, and that one game has resulted in blowout wins for all to often recently, usually by SEC teams which I love (I'm a Gator fan) but it goes to show that one team didn't deserve to be there at all. With the fact that there are so many teams that it's impossible to have everyone play one another it makes sense, but it's not so in the Premiership. I also have a sneaking suspicion that those who don't follow the SEC will be tired of the playoffs once it becomes clear that more often than not two SEC teams will be playing each other for the championship.

 

Since I was first exposed to proper football I've felt that most American sports could benefit with a relegation/promotion system, of course for financial reasons of those already involved it would never happen (why take the risk that your team gets replaced when you don't have to?), but it would generate interest (loads of people turn up at minor league baseball games for example, imagine how many more might turn up if those teams had a shot at winning it all one day?) as well as give more people the opportunity to play a sport professionally.

 

TL;DR - I agree with you.