ECHO Comment: "Fears of Witch-hunt Against Liverpool FC"

[roydo]

In its defence, the format of the CL does usually mean that the best 16 teams contest the thing in the knockout stages.

 

[roydo]

True. But I just don't see how the current CL format is fair, it's a joke. Liverpool won it in 2005 and they weren't even champions of England!

Not sure you were in 99 either. Or when ever Fergie won his first one. Might be wrong though.

 

[Jim Lahey]

In its defence, the format of the CL does usually mean that the best 16 teams contest the thing in the knockout stages.

It does, but what's the point in the group stages up until Xmas? You very rarely get shocks. Although saying that, we were knocked out a few years ago in group stage, Liverpool last night and maybe City tonight.

I still don't like it though.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Not sure you were in 99 either. Or when ever Fergie won his first one. Might be wrong though.

You are, we were Champions. We have been English champions on ALL 3 ocassions when we've won the European Cup.

 

[Jacko93]

Doesn't really allow the teams hovering around 5th or 6th (Like us for example) much to aim for in the league then apart from a decent top ten finish.

Or a good domestic cup run.

 

[Jacko93]

You are, we were Champions. We have been English champions on ALL 3 ocassions when we've won the European Cup.

You sure? Arsenal won the league in 97-98, you finished 2nd, which qualified you for the CL you won in 99.

 

[roydo]

You sure? Arsenal won the league in 97-98, you finished 2nd, which qualified you for the CL you won in 99.

Checked. He is right.

 

[TheFinnFan]

So will rs get group winner against them?

 

[roydo]

Checked. He is right.

Double checked. Not so sure now ffs! Arsenal champs in 97-98, Utd won CL in 98-99 season.

 

[Jim Lahey]

You sure? Arsenal won the league in 97-98, you finished 2nd, which qualified you for the CL you won in 99.

Mate, I know when my club has and hasn't won honours

 

[Jacko93]

Checked. He is right.

But under what he proposes, United wouldn't have qualified for the competition which they won........ The fact they won the league in the weeks before they won the cup final means nothing.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Double checked. Not so sure now ffs! Arsenal champs in 97-98, Utd won CL in 98-99 season.

League titles:

• First Division[nb 3] (until 1992) and Premier League:[nb 3] 20
  • 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13

 

[Jim Lahey]

Ah I see what you guys are saying!

Yeah, I'd agree on that then. I still stick by my point, ONLY the champions should be allowed to play in the CHAMPIONS league.

This runners up nonsense is silly. Look at Arsenal - they won't get near the thing, as soon as they meet Bayern or Barca, they are out.

 

[roydo]

League titles:

• First Division[nb 3] (until 1992) and Premier League:[nb 3] 20
  • 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13

That the year you won the CL. The season before, Arsenal won the PL. So you won it by finishing 2nd the previous season. Unless I have missed something.

 

[Jacko93]

Mate, I know when my club has and hasn't won honours

Your honours list, which admittedly has a few.


As I read it, the team that qualified for the 98-99 ECL as English champions were Arsenal. You qualified for the competition you won as runners up.