Tinmans Love Child

2 hours ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

La Liga has been the best league in the world for the last 20 years so that claims long gone. 

You are looking at the wrong thing, it's not the quality of football that matters its how you sell it and the Prem has always done an amazing marketing job, that's why it has so much money being pumped in, because more people watch it as a result, the "best league in the world" is a self fulfilling prophecy 

11 hours ago, Super said:

Anyone else have the England shellsuit?!

I had the sticker album which was actually made up of loads of weekly magazines which went in a binder (which I still have!)

42 minutes ago, mozo said:

I agree with you, it's fun for the fans, but I'm just saying there's limited prestige and I'm surprised people would rate it as a notable achievement.

I also think that if you have too many European competitions it cheapen the kudos of getting into Europe. 

Presumably anyone that ranks this as a legitimate European conquest would also feel the same if a new cup competition was introduced for all the teams 8-10th in the Prem (versus European equivalents). Why not?

Are you on the wind up?  We don't have anymore European comps than before, they have just rebadged them.  If winning a European trophy is not deemed notable then what is?  As per my other post I assume you don't recognise any form of achievement lower down the leagues as worthy of note?  Our double year, so what, it's not winning the Prem is it 

3 hours ago, mozo said:

I think you're focusing on the wrong thing. Of course West Ham will join the competition, extra revenue will answer that question, and of course the fans will celebrate any success they get.

The point is that a competition whereby two 7th placed teams meet in the final, is not something to associate with European glory. This has replaced the old Cup Winner Cup which at least was winner vs winner.

When we won the Football League Trophy in 2015, did it feel like an FA Cup win? Or a League Cup win? No, the value was much lower. And the value of this thing West Ham won is pretty low in the scheme of things. Lower than the League Cup, I'd say.

How is the value low, how many trophies are up for grabs every season?  4 if you are in Europe.  That's it, just 3/4 opportunities for silverware between all the clubs.  To win one of those trophies is a great achievement, whether it be the Euro Conference or Prem, and should/is celebrated as such.

Yeh European football isn't the same as it was, but what is?  If you only want the winners of the leagues and cups to compete on the European stage to give it kudos I.e. like it was pre Champions League, then that ship has sailed.  You could argue it was easier to win back then as less games to play so actually a bigger achievement now, especially with the increased demands of the Prem.

The West Ham fans last night didn't look like they thought it was a lesser achievement, and I don't remember City fans at Wembley not loving the win.  Does winning League 1 mean less because it's not the Prem?  Should Wrexham wind it in because they've only got promoted to the league?  

I think you are focussing on the wrong thing to be honest.
 

People saying the euro competitions (excluding Champs League) are poor standard and also belittling the achievements of winning it, I wondered what do you think West Ham and all the other teams should do?  Not enter it?

I would love us to be in with a chance of playing some European teams, what an amazing measure for our clubs success to compete with other teams in Europe.  Yes it's not the champions league and yes it's not Barcelona or Munich or Madrid, but newsflash, the likes of West Ham (let alone us) will probably never dine at that top table, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a tournament for teams outside that top bracket.  West Ham and Fiorantina are still big big clubs, and it was great to see them play each other. 
 

Look at Brighton and Brentford etc, they are our recent peers and they have qualified or nearly qualified for Europe, how amazing is that for their fans!  If you hate these competitions you hate football and life if you ask me!

I'm trying to buy a mini kit for my daughters 1st birthday, and when I click on 'personalise' so I can add a name and number, it doesn't give the option to do it?  I read some comments that the numbers are washing off, does anyone know if they have stopped adding names and numbers until they sort this issue out or is it the website?  Thanks in advance

21 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

I like these posts, it's pretty obvious that the timing will be 8pm because that is the optimum time for engagement (my wife's business relies on social media promotions and any new product release is invariably announced at this time to boost views, engagement and therefore sales.

It's also pretty obvious that with international duty and previous posts that "Tuesday" will be the day that it will more than likely be today.

But you've presented it as if you "know" something. 

Very interesting.

10 hours ago, Lrrr said:

As said for my its a symptom that our media department is lazy, they haven't been able to come up with something new or original in 4 years, or haven't even tried to potentially. But its also evidenced by other things, one person in the media team saying it was too much hassle to put full 90's of the games online for fans to watch when in reality all they'd need to do (or more likely an intern) would be to have it uploading on another tab in the background. They also put zero effort into the academy, a few seasons ago when the club used to put highlights packages of academy games out it wasn't even the media department who put them together, it was the academy analysis department who would put them together and send them to the media team to then put online. The highlights packages used to give fans an insight into the academy teams and were relatively popular, well the highlights videos haven't even been done in the last 2 seasons. They've also stopped live streaming U21's fixtures despite the show pitch at the training ground having a purpose built gantry there to allow it, why? Because the media department can't be bothered spending 2 hours filming a game for fan engagement despite us having one of the most successful Cat 2 academies and how much credit gets given to the club for how many academy players we have in the first team it would be great for fans to be able to watch U21's games.

So as said, the media team is lazy for doing anything which goes beyond the job description.

I think you need a partner

18 minutes ago, Lrrr said:

Time off actually, but just annoyed they act like its some big feature of the club when the reality is (as said) that its just unimaginative at this point and actually coming up with something new would be better. 

Why would it be better?  I don't know if any other clubs that do it?  Its just a bit of fun really what's the big deal?

1 minute ago, Clevedon Red said:

We’ve signed Robin Day.

I love a Peugeot 

Don't forget the fan zone outside the ground with live music and all the cider you can drink!

It wasn't a deliberate handball, it didn't even impact the header, there was no advantage gained, such a stupid decision 

4 hours ago, E.G.Red said:

Manchester Uniteds  first win

VAR is such a waste of time, that's never handball, I don't care what the letter of the law says

59 minutes ago, formerly known as ivan said:

I won’t believe he has signed until I see him sat in a seat at Ashton Gate holding the shirt aloft and only then does it…. Oh, hang on a minute…

And even then it's not guaranteed!

4 hours ago, Monkeh said:

They conceded 28 goals at home and 43 away from home,

That's says teams did not spank them at home backing up my point

I never said Bournemouth got spanked at home, and all you've done is point out that on average they conceded more than a goal a game at home, hardly a fortress that away teams of scared of, so you have inadvertently backed up my point, so thanks

3 hours ago, Monkeh said:

Yes really,

Teams struggled at Bournemouth when they first went up,

The big teams and players aren't use to playing in these smaller stadiums with crowds in their face, and often struggle on there first visit

Judging by Bournemouth's league positions in the prem, I'd say it's Bournemouth who struggled not the other teams

8 hours ago, grifty said:

Really? I don't think many premier league teams are going to fancy going to Kennilworth Road next year on what is a pretty crap pitch, close stands and I expect the fans will whip up a ferocious atmosphere.

I can see them getting. spanked a few times away from home, but I fancy them to turn over a few teams at home. At least enough to get more than 11 points.

Really?  I think all of the teams will fancy going there and spanking them

5 hours ago, Agard Days Night said:

Never seen it I’m afraid Port. Won’t touch anything at all associated with Cleese. 

Real name John Cheese

11 hours ago, Not Banksy said:

When you look at Cov and Luton it’s hard to look at this with that much pride.. but is this proof that we are getting there? 

Wage rank isn't easy to say

1 minute ago, One Team said:

Well said Pete. Part of me hopes we are never a top 4 Prem club. Imagine the biggest stress of the season wondering what trophy you’ll win that season. 

As much as I don’t like Wednesday I’ve got far more respect for them than the usual suspects in the Premier League. 

I think it's a pretty safe bet we won't ever be a top 4 prem club!

having a quick google, the only requirement I can see that impacts Luton if they get promoted is that Prem and Championship stadiums must be all seater (safe standing excluded I assume?).  Obviously all seater was also a requirement in the Championship but I assume you get a period of time to implement?

Requirements for football stadiums

Nowadays, the following conditions must be adhered to by all football stadiums throughout the country:

• Premiership and Championship stadiums must be all-seated;
• there must be appropriate segregation of rival sets of supporters;
• there must be appropriate amounts of stewards in specific areas of the stadiums;
• there must be adequate car-parking at or near the ground;
• access for emergency services should be provided;
• there should be adequate toilet facilities;
• all clubs must provide first aid equipment at their ground;
• all dressing rooms for players and match officials must be secure and suitable for purpose;
• all exits must be clearly signposted and where fixed exit points are provided, there must be sufficient to ensure the safe evacuation of the ground if necessary;
• the smoking ban extends to all areas of a football stadium – Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulation 2006;
• no alcohol can be drunk in sight of the pitch.

2 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

Me too! I was listening to commentary on Talk Shite and they mentioned it a few times. 
 

aApparently ‘there is no appetite to to put money in the pockets Of MK Dons’ but realistically I don’t see much of a choice but to go somewhere. 
 

From what was said all those windows With hospitality areas have to go for starters. Luton have already asked that they begin their season with a minimum of two away games. 
 

Watch this space I reckon! 

Looking at the footprint of Kenilworth Rd, there is not much they can do in terms of size of ground, so anything they will do will be pretty cosmetic to appease the Prem rules on stadium quality 

11 minutes ago, REDOXO said:

If promoted Luton have to put 6-10m into the ground over the summer to make it Premier League standard. That’s a lot of work in a short period. I expect some games at Watford or MK Dons. 

Speak to Wael he can sort that in a few weeks no problem, and without planning!

5 hours ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Following your logic there then, it must be the case that, prior to their promotion about 4 or 5 years ago, Brighton had a "top flight pedigree" that "we don't have" ?

And the same for Brentford? 

What's logic got to do with it, it's facts!  When did we drop out the top flight 79/80,  Cov at that point had been in the top flight for 12 years and stayed for another 22 seasons after we bombed down the leagues never to return.  That's 33 top flight seasons, we had 4 in the 70's and 6 back in the day?  I'm not sure what point you are trying to make here if I'm being honest.

Re: Brighton their top flight record is currently 10 years in 2 spells (same as us) but all have come more recently than ours so we can call it a draw with them if you like (not that I mentioned them in this debate) and say neither of us have 'top flight pedigree'.

Re: Brentford, again I didn't mention them, but as you did, I would say they don't have 'top flight pedigree' as they only have 3 seasons I think in their history in the top flight.

Even Luton match us with 10 years in the top flight, and these were all also after we bombed out, so hardly 'top flight pedigree' but as good as us, and you could argue better, especially with a League Cup win.

If I'm out on the stats then happy to be corrected