**Official** English Football Season 2024/25

[andruid]

Bit late but the Trent news is now official.

Not much to say about it just gutted. Sort of accepted it a while ago but his behaviour recently made me have some hope he might change his mind. In the end he's made the same decision about 99.999% of people would make.

It'll take some time to get over it. I hope the parade goes well and is a celebration but I expect our fans will let him know how we feel and the negativity will get plenty of media attention.

The whole situation sucks.

I recent searched X to find out what Coutinho is up to these days and most of the viral posts were fans griping about how at least he and Suarez agreed to be sold rather than just leave on a free.

 

[sledger]

I mean, it could work - I just want to know more. I just question why an overseas consortium would be interested in Colchester. The highest we've ever been was the Championship - briefly. Nowhere near the household awareness or crowds that Portsmouth achieve.

Possibly want to get in on the act of "doing a Wrexham"?

 

[Skipper Pup]

I recent searched X to find out what Coutinho is up to these days and most of the viral posts were fans griping about how at least he and Suarez agreed to be sold rather than just leave on a free.

Yeah obviously Coutinho and Suarez weren't local lads. Their departures hurt for different reasons but most fans were at peace with it relatively quickly because they weren't players who had repeatedly expressed their loyalty to the club and city.

There are already talks of Trent's mural being taken down, his family's season tickets revoked etc. I don't use X but I can imagine it's pretty ugly on there right now.

It will all pass though - personally I'm more excited for the PSG v Arsenal game. 5am kick off and I'm meeting an old colleague (Arsenal fan) for the game before work at the casino. I give Arsenal more of a chance than most, hopefully the game doesn't disappoint. I also give my mate about 5% chance of going to work if they do pull it off

 

[Silver Silva]

If Utd/Spurs win Europa League and Arsenal fail to win the UCL , who has had the better season, The Europa League winners or Arsenal?

 

[Molehill]

If Utd/Spurs win Europa League and Arsenal fail to win the UCL , who has had the better season, The Europa League winners or Arsenal?

Winning a trophy is always more fun. Potentially City and Newcastle too, if they achieve Champions League and domestic trophy success.

 

[Chin Music]

If Utd/Spurs win Europa League and Arsenal fail to win the UCL , who has had the better season, The Europa League winners or Arsenal?

I'd argue it is probably huge for Spurs if they win the Europa, but I wouldn't say it is huge for United. I do think with a sane manager that Spurs would be in the top 6 mix. I can't say the same about Man United really.

 

[sledger]

Whether Arsenal win the CL or not (and I predictably suspect they won't), I still wouldn't swap places with Spurs or Utd, regardless of whether they win the Europa League.

 

[Molehill]

Whether Arsenal win the CL or not (and I predictably suspect they won't), I still wouldn't swap places with Spurs or Utd, regardless of whether they win the Europa League.

Yeah, there's no doubt which club is in the better position going forward. But on this season alone, one of them will probably somehow have something more to cheer about.

 

[Furball]

I recent searched X to find out what Coutinho is up to these days and most of the viral posts were fans griping about how at least he and Suarez agreed to be sold rather than just leave on a free.

I can't get on board with the idea that players owe their clubs a transfer fee at all. Not only that, I don't understand why players at the top sign long contracts at all.

Trent has honoured the contract he signed.

 

[sledger]

Yeah, there's no doubt which club is in the better position going forward. But on this season alone, one of them will probably somehow have something more to cheer about.

Maybe, in my mind they'll be somewhat hollow celebrations though, and I daresay the fans of both teams will feel this in their hearts even if they don't openly admit it. Winning a competition is obviously invariably better than not winning it, but there are broader contextual nuances that can't be ignored if one has serious competitive aspirations. Having a serious crack at the Olympic 100 meter final and coming in one of the runner-up positions trumps winning an egg and spoon race (for me personally anyway).

 

[sledger]

I can't get on board with the idea that players owe their clubs a transfer fee at all. Not only that, I don't understand why players at the top sign long contracts at all.

Trent has honoured the contract he signed.

Yeah, arguments like this tend to overlook the fact that players are ultimately just human beings at the end of the day. And sometimes people just want a change. They don't owe anyone any sort of explanation re: their motivations.

It's particularly annoying when you get pundits criticising players for moving to the UAE or wherever. "Oh no they've ruined their career and/or legacy for money." Nah get out of here with that ****. Players don't owe it to you to pursue a career path that you think is appropriate. If they want to phone it in making big money playing in some league that is perceived to be outside the top tier that's absolutely their prerogative.

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, arguments like this tend to overlook the fact that players are ultimately just human beings at the end of the day. And sometimes people just want a change. They don't owe anyone any sort of explanation re: their motivations.

It's particularly annoying when you get pundits criticising players for moving to the UAE or wherever. "Oh no they've ruined their career and/or legacy for money." Nah get out of here with that ****. Players don't owe it to you to pursue a career path that you think is appropriate. If they want to phone it in making big money playing in some league that is perceived to be outside the top tier that's absolutely their prerogative.

I remember absolute outrage when Kanu said at the end of his career he would just play for whoever offered the highest wage. He grew up impoverished and became one of football's biggest philanthropists, but still lots of fans felt like they could look down on him for not loving a British football club as much as they wanted him to.

 

[Molehill]

Maybe, in my mind they'll be somewhat hollow celebrations though, and I daresay the fans of both teams will feel this in their hearts even if they don't openly admit it. Winning a competition is obviously invariably better than not winning it, but there are broader contextual nuances that can't be ignored if one has serious competitive aspirations. Having a serious crack at the Olympic 100 meter final and coming in one of the runner-up positions trumps winning an egg and spoon race (for me personally anyway).

Not sure the Europa League counts as egg and spoon. And to be honest, Arsenal have largely spent the last 20 years doing that anyway.

I remember absolute outrage when Kanu said at the end of his career he would just play for whoever offered the highest wage. He grew up impoverished and became one of football's biggest philanthropists, but still lots of fans felt like they could look down on him for not loving a British football club as much as they wanted him to.

Scored the winning goal in an FA Cup Final during that period, I'll never look down on him.

 

[sledger]

Not sure the Europa League counts as egg and spoon. And to be honest, Arsenal have largely spent the last 20 years doing that anyway.

Yeah sure, but you get the point I am making. The whole "not winning a big trophy" thing has been a monkey on Arsenal's back the size of King Kong for more than 20 years now. A couple of wins in decidedly modest and unremarkable comps (of which Arsenal had several in the late Wenger/early Arteta years) like the FA Cup and Europa League (evidently) aren't going to shift it.

 

[Uppercut]

Nah if we win the Europa league I’ll be celebrating like this guy.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1919835443199184943

 

[sledger]

Haha fair enough. To each their own obviously.

 

[Furball]

European trophies (unless you're Real Madrid) are won so rarely that they're not to be sniffed at.

 

[andruid]

European trophies (unless you're Real Madrid) are won so rarely that they're not to be sniffed at.

Or Sevilla

 

[sledger]

European trophies (unless you're Real Madrid) are won so rarely that they're not to be sniffed at.

 

[Silver Silva]

View attachment 47271

But Arsenal don't have European trophy pedigree even at Europa League level. Should be trying to win every trophy they can get their hands on to be honest