UEFA Cup

[Simster]

What is the point of this tournament? Anyone?

There were two games on last night involving British clubs - personallly I didn't even know. I can't help thinking we'll soon get to the stage where teams who finish out of the top 2 Champions League group tables will then turn their attention to ensuring they don't consequently finish 3rd in the group, because the UEFA cup is such an unwelcome distraction.

I think I'd rather win the League Cup these days in all honesty.

 

[Gully]

Fair comment, about 15 years ago it actually meant something, particularly before they merged it with the Cup Winners Cup. I don't like the fact that teams who fail in the Champs League move across, surely failure should mean just that.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think I'd rather win the League Cup these days in all honesty.

Which would then mean playing in the UEFA Cup...

 

[severnside gull]

Which would then mean playing in the UEFA Cup...

the bastards think of everything

 

[withdeanwombat]

What is the point of this tournament? Anyone?

There were two games on last night involving British clubs - personallly I didn't even know. I can't help thinking we'll soon get to the stage where teams who finish out of the top 2 Champions League group tables will then turn their attention to ensuring they don't consequently finish 3rd in the group, because the UEFA cup is such an unwelcome distraction.

I think I'd rather win the League Cup these days in all honesty.

If there wasn't a UEFA Cup only 4 managers in the Premiership could complain about fixture congestion,which would be unfair on the others.To get enough games to generate income there might have to be a return to replays,second replays etc. in domestic cups.That would have the lucky foursome really bitching.Except they'd be exempted until the quarter finals.Or not have to enter at all.

I'd rather win the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

 

[Simster]

Which would then mean playing in the UEFA Cup...

Indeed. Perhaps a small price to pay for getting some silverwear in the cabinet.

I'd rather win the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

If we're going to watch our team in a devalued competition, at least lets pay low prices. I like the PAINTPOT for that reason alone.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I've always found it really odd, that at the end of the season they make a reall point of the 'fight for the UEFA Cup places', then the teams that have 'fought' to get them show f*** all interest once they play in the thing!

Witness crowds of about 36 people at Bolton and Blackburn this season.

Good luck to Everton though - I'm sure interest will pick up a little bit further on, and I'd like to see them win something.

 

[Badger]

Good luck to Everton though - I'm sure interest will pick up a little bit further on, and I'd like to see them win something.

Once they got knocked out of all other competitions I'm sure people will still to take notice

 

[Superphil]

I guess the UEFA cup (and Cup winners cup) meant something when the European Cup was played for by the CHAMPIONS of the various European leagues. The other two cups were an opportunity for the runners up to pit their wits against other teams in Europe.

Now it is just a moneyfest for the CL, and desparation by the football authorities to provide additional competitions for the others.

I would like to see it go back to Champions in the European cup, the next two in the UEFA and the cup winners in the Cup Winners Cup. I'm not normally one to want to take backwards steps, but in this instance I don't think the changes of the past 10 or 12 years have been forward steps.

 

[Zed Seagull]

The point is the Dandy Dons got through!

 

[Yoda]

I guess the UEFA cup (and Cup winners cup) meant something when the European Cup was played for by the CHAMPIONS of the various European leagues. The other two cups were an opportunity for the runners up to pit their wits against other teams in Europe.

Now it is just a moneyfest for the CL, and desparation by the football authorities to provide additional competitions for the others.

I would like to see it go back to Champions in the European cup, the next two in the UEFA and the cup winners in the Cup Winners Cup. I'm not normally one to want to take backwards steps, but in this instance I don't think the changes of the past 10 or 12 years have been forward steps.

Have to agree with you there Phil. All you have to look at is how some of the teams treat the UEFA cup to know it's not working how it is.

 

[Spiros]

I din't know that the Everton game was on last night until I stumbled across it when flicking through the channels. It was a cracking game played at a good pace in front of a noisy and passionate crowd. There were a few Everton fans there even though they had already qualified for the next round.

I agree with Superphil in that it was better when we had one competition for champions only with the UEFA cup for next best, but realistically the 'big' clubs in Europe will never let it go back to that.

I'm sure the UEFA cup means much more to Everton fans that the paintpot does to us. As for low crowds being an indicator that Bolton fans aren't interested in the UEFA cup then by that score they're not interested in the League Cup, FA Cup or Premier League either!

Also I like the new format of playing each team once only as it seems to have stopped away teams playing for the draw and you get more open games than in the CL.

 

[Easy 10]

As soon as the European Cup expanded into being the Chumps League, the UEFA Cup became a complete irrelevence. The UEFA was always for the well-placed runners up in the League, but now that its made up of basically mid-table teams and Chumps League failures (drop-outs), its a bit of a joke really.

Christ, I couldn't even tell you who the current UEFA Cup holders are.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Is it Seville?

 

[Frutos]

Is it Seville?

I believe so.

 

[Storer68]

i have the same thoughts about league one!

 

[perth seagull]

The one thing that I like about the UEFA Cup is that you get to see different and lesser known clubs from around Europe playing each other. If not for the UEFA Cup all European games would feature the same few elite clubs all the time, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Milan, Liverpool, etc.

 

[Midikilledmydog]

it should go back to being a cup, these play each other once mini leagues with 3 teams qualifying is so mickey mouse