sleepless 865 Report post Posted July 14, 2016 and Lennon sent to the stands... 1 HOODLUM65 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ejksjfc 642 Report post Posted July 14, 2016 This is true but also it's because the competition itself has changed. If you look at the UEFA Cup of 1999/2000 (when Saints played Vaasa and Monaco), the very first matches weren't until 10th August. So there's been quite a big shift since then. This season's competition had started before the Euros had even finished - bizarre that UEFA would be willing for that to happen. A lot of ifs here, but if Saints had qualified and Northern Ireland had progressed further, we might have had to play in Europe without our first choice goalkeeper. Both the Euros and the Europa League (and the Champions League too) are massively bloated and need a complete overhaul of format. And personally I think scrapping the Cup Winners Cup was a mistake. Also agree that the co-efficient stuff needs to be revised, although if you got rid of it completely I'm not sure how you'd work out how many clubs get to qualify from each country. PS I don't think Alashkert were as bad as a lot of people maintain they were. We still should have beaten them though. I cannot argue with anything you say, personally I think the Champions League should be "what it says on the tin" ie just champions of each country. I also think it was a mistake to scrap the Cup Winners Cup, this could possibly be extended to include e.g. the League Cup winners or equivalent from each country. Just as a side issue you mention Vassa/Monaco games.............. is this the only time Saints have been knocked out by the best team we played in the same year? 1 541ntees reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
541ntees 630 Report post Posted July 14, 2016 I cannot argue with anything you say, personally I think the Champions League should be "what it says on the tin" ie just champions of each country. I also think it was a mistake to scrap the Cup Winners Cup, this could possibly be extended to include e.g. the League Cup winners or equivalent from each country. Just as a side issue you mention Vassa/Monaco games.............. is this the only time Saints have been knocked out by the best team we played in the same year? eses Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Christmas Jones 1,495 Report post Posted July 21, 2016 Aberdeen 1-0 winners, Hibs 1-0 up and looking like penalties but the speedos 2-0 down and out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Christmas Jones 1,495 Report post Posted July 21, 2016 Hibs out on penalties 5-3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cagey 1,738 Report post Posted July 21, 2016 Some are touting Hearts to finish second or third in premiership. Can't see it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave H 444 Report post Posted July 21, 2016 Our league is no better than all the minnow leagues. Scottish mentality is abysmal. The mindset prevents any sort of success.... ah shit a team we know feck all about.... panic as we are used to playing teams 4 or 5 times a season... what will we do? Ah let's play defensive and try not to lose. Does my head in. Just go and win the game! Play to your strengths... don't over analyse the opposition as it's a new season and everyone is rusty so early on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cagey 1,738 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 Lucky the Saints v Aberdeen game was changed to Sunday for BT sport. They must have expected Dons to go through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havana Saint 681 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 Hearts result is a right shocker. Very poor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cagey 1,738 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 Lucky the Saints v Aberdeen game was changed to Sunday for BT sport. They must have expected Dons to go through. Also,looking at the Spfl site(key dates) the Betfred dates clash with a lot of Europe & Scotland games. Could be a major problem for Tic & Dons. 1 sixties saintee reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HOODLUM65 2,274 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 Some are touting Hearts to finish second or third in premiership. Can't see it. I'm touting us to finish above them in the prediction thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sleepless 865 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 second season syndrome for them. Everyone will have worked them out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
south inch 597 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 second season syndrome for them. Everyone will have worked them out. Except Robbie Neilson, he seemed a bit puzzled last night. 1 sleepless reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slambrother 136 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 Had a feeling hearts would get found out in Europe going on how poor defensively they were in the latter stages of last season. Really bugged me hearing Billy Brown on the news banging on about the quality of players not being good enough rather than just admitting they were gash! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
541ntees 630 Report post Posted July 22, 2016 but surely with the big boys back representing scotland our co-eff would soar after the embarrassment of the diddy teams the last few years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sleepless 865 Report post Posted July 23, 2016 Indeed. We're blessed to have The Rangers Football Club PLC representing the interests of Scottish football and wider Scottish culture. Them and their green-hooped twins across the city. How lucky we are to have such enlightened folks at the pinnacle of our society. 2 south inch and Crossest Man In Scotland reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cagey 1,738 Report post Posted July 23, 2016 We have to remember,it will take us years to recover from Armageddon. 2 MySpazz and sleepless reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gussie 139 Report post Posted July 23, 2016 So, its the last week in July and the Best Wee Country In the World has 2 teams remaining in contention for honours in European football. Just had a look at the fixture list for the 3rd qualifying round for Europa and its massive. Some good sides coming in like West Ham and Lille which just shows the scale of the task facing Scottish football. Having a poor coefficient is holding back countries. Aberdeen aside, for fun I'm watching out for AEK Larnaka and Grasshoppers to see how they get on! Brendan and his crowd have a nice relaxing journey over the next two weeks. As an incentive..I would suggest that if they are knocked out...they will wear mankinis for the rest of the season! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
541ntees 630 Report post Posted August 2, 2016 great read om how the folk in charge of the scottish game are recking it. found this after hearing doncaster drool over the fact that rangers are back basically stating that the last few years have been a waste of time http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/continuous-failure-of-spfl-to-champion-the-opening-weekend-1-4191967 1 Jiangsu Sainty reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cagey 1,738 Report post Posted August 3, 2016 Has he not seen the adverts on BBC saying Rangers are back where they belong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dunblanemike 135 Report post Posted August 3, 2016 That Hootsmon article is spot on. Probably not promoted over recent years as could be regarded as showing bias against a certain club that was not there and climbing through the leagues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gussie 139 Report post Posted August 4, 2016 Aberdeen...oot. There goes the co-efficient...slippage.... So Gordy has it all to do against Malta. AEK Larnaka and Grasshoppers did (very) well and I'm looking forward to viewing their "progress". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MySpazz 1,028 Report post Posted August 4, 2016 All alliances to the side, and looking only at these as Scottish teams. Gutted for the Dandies. Would have liked to seen a Scottish team in the Europa, and hopefully Celtic in the ECL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
babychunder 766 Report post Posted August 5, 2016 I see the 'tic got the second best draw, that Hapoel lot. Surely they'll get past them. 'Mon the coefficient! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gussie 139 Report post Posted August 23, 2016 Yup BC, the coefficient nudged up a wee tick....just! I see the 'tic got the second best draw, that Hapoel lot. Surely they'll get past them. 'Mon the coefficient! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites