ponsaelius

I don't agree. The biggest stage on club football absolutely pales in historical significance compared to the World Cup. The only reason we're even having this conversation at all is because we're hardcore football junkies. The general public doesn't give a shit about the Champions League, and small sample size as it might be, the World Cup is undeniably a key factor in determining a player's legacy. Then the general public is in no position to be judging the greatest players of all time. Fuck the general public.

Exactly - which results in disjointed football and players struggling to maximise their ability. The last World Cup was largely rubbish with most of the big name players underperforming.

Important part or not, it's still put on too much of a pedastal - especially today. Club football should take signicant presidence over it.

That's one hilariously exaggerated characterisation of the World Cup you've just concocted to suit your argument Exaggeration or not, it's true. I've never understood why such a small sample is the ultimate litmus test.

Completely daft using a 7 game tournament in which players are thrown together and asked to work it out 'on the night' as a yardstick to a player's greatness. May as well use the Nike cage.

Messi is everything Ronaldo was but far more efficient. In what way is he more efficient? Actually not even more efficient, but the fact you've said far more efficient is utterly absurd. lol u mad bro. I expected a better rhetort. Why, my original response was only to get a rise out of you anyway.

Btw Ronaldo was a twat. No loyalty to the club that stuck by him after injury.

This.

Messi is everything Ronaldo was but far more efficient. In what way is he more efficient? Actually not even more efficient, but the fact you've said far more efficient is utterly absurd. lol u mad bro.

Messi is everything Ronaldo was but far more efficient.

Who's better?

Get him in.

Of course it's simplistic, doesn't stop there being an element of truth to it.

No matter how badly we play there always seems to be a chance we can get a result against most of the sides in the division. I have honestly been surprised just how shit most of the teams are. All it has taken for us to leapfrog the other clubs in the legaue since promotion is shrewdly buy French/African players on the cheap who are physically and technically ahead of most of the plodders clogging up the league.

Do you reckon the rest of the league have closed the gap? I don't, I reckon the rest of the league is as weak as its ever been. On the whole I'd say the league has gone backwards in terms of quality. Man United are weaker than they were in 09 but remain at a constant level due to SAF. Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are all significantly worse than they were. City have improved artificially against the general tide of regression and Spurs tbf to them have filled the gap left by the others, but I still feel their progress leans more towards a 1 season flash in the pan more than being a genuine top side. Then you've got the likes of Everton and Villa who are shitter than they were and seemingly dead on their knees financially. The relegation group and midtable malaise are for me as s*** as I can ever remember. The competitiveness has improved and has made the league slightly more interesting that way, but generally I think pretty much everybody has gone backwards. I don't think you can legitimately say we're a one-season flash in the pan, given that we've finished fourth (up against a flush Man City), fifth (and done well in the CL) and are now pushing for third. I think we're better this year than we were last, but agree that Chelsea, Arsenal and Man U are all worse. 2 players have improved you drastically this season compared to last and it still annoys me that you've basically got the striker that makes the rest of your team infinitely better on a subsidised loan from Man City. I know it seems daft to refer to one player when you've admittedly improved drastically as a club but I don't think you can argue how much better he makes you. The fact it's the direct result of the other improved team I mentioned buying their way to artificial success and then deciding they don't need half their players just makes it all the more irritating. That said, I probably do your team a disservice as you are on the whole a very good side at the moment.

I would agree but you can't knock his performances this year. Okay, he looked a bit out of his depth at left back after a few months but in midfield he's disciplined enough to play on the RW, particularly in game where we're not instantly favourites. For example he was great against Man United. I don't think he was great against Man U. Infact I think he was probably our weakest performing player in that match. Even if he was the worst player on the pitch that night, it's hardly a black mark against his name Fair point, well taken. Still don't like the fact he's becoming not just a key player but a bit of cult hero amongst the fans. The bloke's one of the worst footballers in the league in terms of general play.

I would agree but you can't knock his performances this year. Okay, he looked a bit out of his depth at left back after a few months but in midfield he's disciplined enough to play on the RW, particularly in game where we're not instantly favourites. For example he was great against Man United. I don't think he was great against Man U. Infact I think he was probably our weakest performing player in that match.

Do you reckon the rest of the league have closed the gap? I don't, I reckon the rest of the league is as weak as its ever been. On the whole I'd say the league has gone backwards in terms of quality. Man United are weaker than they were in 09 but remain at a constant level due to SAF. Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are all significantly worse than they were. City have improved artificially against the general tide of regression and Spurs tbf to them have filled the gap left by the others, but I still feel their progress leans more towards a 1 season flash in the pan more than being a genuine top side. Then you've got the likes of Everton and Villa who are shitter than they were and seemingly dead on their knees financially. The relegation group and midtable malaise are for me as shit as I can ever remember. The competitiveness has improved and has made the league slightly more interesting that way, but generally I think pretty much everybody has gone backwards.

Tbh he appears to be a fairly nice guy and he has done OK this season but the fact Ryan Taylor has seemingly become an important player sucks big time.

Yeah the games between the top teams have been great this season. Benitez and Mourinho not being here may be indicitate of those clubs dropping in quality but atleast we don't have to watch their attritional 1-0s anymore.

Xavi is having his best goalscoring season of his career this season. If he wasn't too good already, he's just trolling everybody by adding goals to his game in his 30s.

Valencia resting their best players looked like Brazil 70 at the Brit last week, and they've been ripped to shreds tonight.

Tello has looked class tbf, as has Cuenca this season. Unbelievable production line, they want a quick orthadox winger or 2 and they just pull them out of the reserves.

Sums them up.

This has been a stunning game.