Wolfcastle

from an Everton fan "been reading a mixed bag of thoughts on possible Saudi involvement and looks like its already splitting opinion on GoT. Tbh think most just want to see the back of Moshiri and the club been ran well again for the first time in about 9years Just good to see plenty of interest after FM gave 777 a free run at it" Well I never, who'd have thunk it

Conversely I'm sure "backwards European teams" speak so highly of a club that's not kicked a ball in Europe for 50years, spent most of that time in the lower leagues of another country and if it is known is mostly known for being near and/or rivals of Newcastle

Yeah that's the thing. It probably worked for 2years in that regard when there was a buzz there but its been 20years now of the only team being intimidated is their own and a stark lack of buzz in the stadium exemplified often by empty seats. Seems like a parody.

Manchester United did, more so probably. Pre Abramovich the lowest they'd finished in 12years was 3rd once and won 7 of the previous 9 titles (Man City 8 in 13) and by 18points in 99/00, only twice were they taken to the last day. With plenty of cups along the way trebles and a couple doubles, whilst being the richest club in the country. (Liverpool probably likewise in the 70s and 80s). Funnilly enough there was no talk I recall about changing rules then, and pre Abramovich there was no signs that that dominance wouldn't continue.

They're saying its a recylced Sunderland shirt from one of the league one seasons. Which means that was a recycled version of our Champions League days under Sir Bobby shirt. I appreciate the own-goaledness and reminder of the chasms between us.

These stories are so great. Think a good deal if it is the vindictive knowing S****s D****t are missing out

Always thought it was Barcelona in the Champions League, geeing them up after elimination. Doubting that now.

Was Wimbledon in the CCLC but at Palace. Was widely reported and well known that he went AWOL. Sort of wonder what his side of the story is after all this time.

I'm still a little taken aback at us being a professional organisation.

Its nefarious business practice in any walk of business but in sport its just absurd for the established top competitor to prohibit competition. Its probably why its never been done until recently as much as all the top competitors of times gone by would have benefited from it, it was just too obvious.

Yeah. Because of that and the commercialisation (headed by the usual) it killed the possibility of anybody being able to grow anything organically and challenge at the top and because success equates to money and without money you cant have success its a closed shop unless investment is allowed.

Villa, ourselves, Chelsea, Forest, Leicester and Everton ay Just six clubs that had or have ambition which is now a bad thing and banned henceforth. If you don't have ambition or just give up that's fine. What a mess.

No there's a lot to that. These rules would be absolute perfection to Ashley. Gives an excuse not to compete and just make up the numbers and makes it almost impossible for any ambitious club behind us to catch us removing the threat of losing PL money as it was only relative ambition (our having zero) that made us vulnerable not income. If its ideal for the likes of Ashley it cant be good.

Nobody but Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal would be able to build anything to challenge Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal except in a freak exceptional season after which they're be plucked bald by them - ironically because of their money having been able to capitalise on the ultra-monetisation of football via things like international fanbases and areas of the country. You might say they got those fanbases for a reason but how is anybody else going to manage the same?

Yes chronic under investment in a major club directly causing it to be relegated twice and put needlessly at risk of that financial strife were it not immediately promoted was just fine. The powers that be showed no interest in his 14year reign until he decided to sell to the PIF. Should have helped us long before it came to that....for the sake of football and protecting clubs and everything were supposed to pretend this is all about... like we suggested and it wouldn't have come to where were at now.

Todd Bulky

Clubs playing clubs owned by the same people - totally fine, nothing like as bad as clubs wanting to compete, they're the ones that are ruining football the big fat ruiners

They experimented with it in one of the non-leagues in the mid90s.It was like free-kicks being pumped into the box. Looked horrific. Don Howe checked it out and predictably liked it which says it all. Long as it stays at youth level.

"very patient fanbase" ?!? Suppose they only turned on the owner, at least two managers, the director of football, Jobe and the club staff last season and left in their droves every time a result went against them.

Leicester weren't able to build on that success, weren't allowed to spend money they have access to, relegated as a result, promoted but losing the manager to a club that WAS allowed to spend money in the same way Leicester were not and starting with a fifteen-point deduction for not sacrificing enough. Thank heaven's FFP has made football so much more competitive.

They should have a mackem version of that old Reebok advert with the Man United greats, showcasing Giggs' in Reeboks. "....their greatest ever team, Kevin Ball would be in it...."

Jiz Ratcliffe

Its wrong, extra money from gates and everything compared to the team that finishes 2nd - but its always been that way, well before sky.

Weeks a long time in football. Why it was only a few days ago that the Conference League was a joke, the intetoto cup revamped and going to distract us from the major competitions - now our missing out on it is the highlight of their season and they're positively giddy about it. May as well be as its their lot in life, to achieve nothing themselves but celebrate failures and slight under achievements at a higher level of their rivals

What happened to the league table never lies. Wigan won a cup but wouldn't say they deserved Europe more than a team that finished 11 places ahead of them just that those are the rules and thats fine.