CL: Linfield v Gorica

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Originally Posted by paudie

Point of information - The last 2 EL champions have played 8 (Shels) and 6(Cork City) games in Europe during the seasons they won the league.

IMO the confidence gained from good Euro runs in 2004 and 2005 were significant factors in turning City into a league winning squad.

There is also the aspect of good euro runs raising the profile of the clubs making it easier to attract sponsorship/TV money.

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I concur with all of your points. I can recall the "good old days" when only League Champions played in the European Cup and there was an open draw. Now clubs from outside the major footballing nations of Europe are penalised by having to play during what is effectively their "close season".

The old system is gone forever and financial prowness is to the fore. In my opinion, that is a real shame and there is now little hope of a lucrative, big-name draw in Europe, certainly for IL clubs.

Money talks (it says goodbye to me!!;) )

But then again the Blues now have an effectively annual cash-cow with Rangers :)

Assuming they don't rouse themselves to three or four in the Alps tonight, we Irish League fans may have to wait another year. I've just thought of a further snag. If the Hatchetmen do manage to progress a couple of rounds against Baltic or Scando opposition, there's the posibility of a Turkish/ Bosnian team in the main draw. Might cause a few diplomatic problems...:(

Battling performance from the Blues tonight, 2-2 . 5-3 on AGG. Missed a penalty to boot!!!. Just imagine if the first leg was taken a bit more seriously, they'd probably be in the hat for the next round :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by dancinpants

Battling performance from the Blues tonight, 2-2 . 5-3 on AGG. Missed a penalty to boot!!!. Just imagine if the first leg was taken a bit more seriously, they'd probably be in the hat for the next round :rolleyes:

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I don't think it is a case of not taking it seriously, it is simply a case of players not being match sharp. I just got back from Slovenia last night and we should have won out there but at the minute we are not clinical enough and at times are giving the ball away cheaply, something that only really comes with match sharpness.

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Originally Posted by David

I don't think it is a case of not taking it seriously, it is simply a case of players not being match sharp. I just got back from Slovenia last night and we should have won out there but at the minute we are not clinical enough and at times are giving the ball away cheaply, something that only really comes with match sharpness.

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Good point but Gorica wouldn't have been match sharp either as their season hasn't started yet. Or has it?

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Originally Posted by paudie

Good point but Gorica wouldn't have been match sharp either as their season hasn't started yet. Or has it?

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As far as I am aware it has.

Jefferies said he was ecstatic after the game the other night:eek:
He needs to take a look at himself. With proper preparation and better
attitude they could have won the tie. Hes getting paid dont forget and
hes ecstatic at losing or having a moral victory
I thought he was more professional than that.
Ok Linfield fans see League as the main priority but do they not see the
first team to get the the CL will have the finance to dominate there league for years.
No vision:rolleyes:

The Slovenian league hasn't started yet...well according to soccerbot.com anyway!!

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Originally Posted by David

Given the choice between a league championship and an extra round in Europe it would be the league every time. Linfield's focus has always been on the league, that is what we are judged on, it is our bread and butter and for me that is the way it should be.

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Because of NL summer football, all of our clubs have progressed in Europe this year. 2 out of 4 are left, at least one of them will play two extra rounds, and with a good draw, maybe longer, and they are still challenging for the league. The LOI has raised the bar on the island. That's what clubs in the other league should aspire to.

There is no denying that summer football has been hugely advantageous to Eircom League clubs, although I feel it is very unfair on the clubs that do well to put it down just to that. Derry are through and I really hope that Drogheda join them but I personally still believe that the domestic league far outweighs European success and that is in no way trying to detract from what Eircom League clubs have achieved this season in Europe, fair play to them.