The Global Football Thread

[Orac Zen]

I realise it takes time to fix a broken club, but weirdly whatever you say about the Glazers, the club had more success while they were 100% in charge than it's had since Ratcliffe/ INEOS has been running the footballing side of things!

This Graun article does a pretty good job of summing up why the parasites are such an abomination and why the club would be far better off without them. Much as I admire SAF and Gill, their support for them still really grates. As for Ratcliffe, he talks a good game but I'm not even remotely convinced by him thus far.

Really hoping the talk of sticking with Amorim isn't just talk and Ratcliffe et al don't screw up like they did when they kept Ten Hag. He was never the answer. Amorim might be if he's properly backed. I won't hold my breath.

And we agreed a while back that success is relative. I don't doubt that fans of plenty of clubs would be thrilled with what some United pseudo-fans want to incessantly whine about. All clubs have those sorts of "fans", though; pity they always make the most noise.

Still, considering Liverpool's own lengthy spell without much success, I do have sympathy for Utd fans. I have to wonder what might happen if Fernandes decides he's had enough, and wants to play on a higher stage. He's dragged Utd along at times, and might be their only truly world class player.

I was never one to kick Liverpool when they were "down" and they thoroughly deserved the title. As a fan of United, a club with the tragedy of Munich in its DNA, I've had nothing but respect for Liverpool since the horror of Hillsborough. The class and dignity of all involved as they pursued justice for the 97 merits nothing less IMO (and so-called "tragedy chanting" is fucking disgraceful).

If Bruno leaves, we're doomed. It's as simple as that. Love the bloke. Wish we had more like him.

Hearing united fans on talk sport etc saying they deserve better is crazy, no set of fans deserve success.

As I recall we all agreed a while ago that no club "deserves" anything, including success. I'd like to think most United fans have a more realistic view than that, but of course those sorts of "fans" do tend to whine the loudest.

 

[Starkers]

I mean let's be clear that fan expectation isn't just linked to Man Utd, I've lost count over the years of how many Derby fans I've heard suggest we should be doing better because "we're historically a big club" with a "big fanbase". Those things mean nothing.

With Ratcliffe I feel he's been sent by the cosmos for the same reason as Musk, to show us that billionaires are not remotely geniuses.

 

[XCV330]

So as an American fan that mostly watches MLS and other D2 and D3 leagues domestically, if I were to want to enjoy Premier League more next year, is there a good reason why I shouldn't be all into Villa?

 

[SithHappens]

So as an American fan that mostly watches MLS and other D2 and D3 leagues domestically, if I were to want to enjoy Premier League more next year, is there a good reason why I shouldn't be all into Villa?

No good reason no. Although if I was an overseas fan, I might look down a division and look at Wrexham who are getting plenty of global coverage thanks to Ryan Reynolds ownership.

The Championship is a great league to watch , is usually really close and because if the play offs the season stays alive for half the division or more right up to the final few weekends.

It's also a bit of an underdog story, whereas villa are probably nailed on for a good season again.

 

[DarthTimon]

So as an American fan that mostly watches MLS and other D2 and D3 leagues domestically, if I were to want to enjoy Premier League more next year, is there a good reason why I shouldn't be all into Villa?

I'd say take a look at Stevenage, my old home town, but their club, whilst punching above their weight, are not necessarily the most exciting team to watch, and they're unlikely to shake up the league table any time soon.

For a feel-good underdog story, Nottingham Forest have certainly been worth a watch this season, though next season is anyone's guess. I have a soft spot for Villa, not entirely sure why, though Stevenage beating them on their own turf in the FA Cup a few years back was a big highlight!

The Liverpool fan in me would say watch Liverpool, but I'm not actually sure we're all that entertaining to watch.

 

[Orac Zen]

I have a soft spot for Villa, too, and I also have no idea why. Norwich are in the same category. I don't know why I started supporting United, for that matter. It certainly wasn't because they were successful at the time.

I mean let's be clear that fan expectation isn't just linked to Man Utd

It absolutely isn't. Every club has those sorts of "fans". History and tradition etc are very nice but they don't entitle a club to anything in particular, and certainly not success.

Ratcliffe isn't all that (to say the least) but I don't know that he deserves to be lumped in with a creature like Musk. That seems a bit rough.

 

[Skywalker]

So as an American fan that mostly watches MLS and other D2 and D3 leagues domestically, if I were to want to enjoy Premier League more next year, is there a good reason why I shouldn't be all into Villa?

Villa are a historic club on the rise, so you could certainly do worse. I do recommend you watch a few different matches with different teams though, just to see if any one really jumps out at you. But Villa will likely be competitive next year; probably not for the league title (though anything's possible) but certainly for a place in one of the European cup competitions, and they'll be competitive in the English domestic cups, too.

I'm an American fan who was in a similar position about a decade ago, not really sure where to start so I just jumped in and watched a bit of everybody at first. Spurs happened to be the club I fell in love with.