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true. There are two ways to look at it. Hope to pull one of the "easier" teams (Salzburg revenge maybe??) and make it through to the playoff or pull a big name (and hopefully a big gate ;) ) safe in the knowledge that you will go into the Europa League playoff anyway... its a tough one.
Rosenberg could be a good draw too. They're probably a little fortunate to be seeded having slipped a lot in the past couple of seasons (although they did win their league last season).
Personally, I think Bohs are as good as some of those possible 3rd Round opponents, I think they would have a reasonable chance against Litex Lovech, Rosenborg, Sparta Praha and Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Anderlecht are miles above anyone else in that section, but the others would get a tough game.
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Originally Posted by SkStu
Wud be handy if it was TNS of Wales, nice easy trip, good for co efficients and into next round:)
The next round looks a stinker alright, so much for Plantini making it easier and all that...................
TNS could easily be as good as Monaghan.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Exactly, they're crap!
I thought the idea to reform the rounds was to make them harder?Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Easier for Champions, harder for non-Champions. Hence the reason that both groups are now split.
Quote:
Originally Posted by holidaysong
But you could argue that it isnt really simplier. First in belgium etc is difficult, but if you were up against the third/fourth in Belgium?
TNS would give Bohs a harder game than they realise.Quote:
Originally Posted by fionnsci
than who realises?
reminds me of the old Jeff Stelling quote... "and they'll be dancing in the streets of total network solutions tonight!" :D
Reminds you? or did you do a google ? :) Its been upgraded to The New Saints now :). There is a touch of Derry city about them as they are a border side playing in England.
no, i didnt do a google and i knew they about the new name (didnt realise they were in England though!) - they've been talked about on our mb quite a bit since theyve become possible opponents... maybe thats where i read the quote... :) either way its a classic!
You wouldn't be up against third/fourth in Belgium. Partly because they don't get into the CL, and partly because of the seeding. Look at the clubs the LoI faced or were drawn to face if they'd advanced - Depor (twice, I think), Sparta, Lille. Compare that to Salzburg and you can see how it's a bit easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Lille were in the Uefa after shelbourne were beaten by Depor werent they? pyunik, steaua bucharest, rosenborg, halmstad are teams i can think of that have beaten Irish qualifiers in recent times and i dont think Salzburg in their current form are easier than any of them to be honest considering their huge budget, and the fact that they went on to take 18 points from 18 points in a Europa League group containing Lazio and Villareal.
The argument is that it's easier to play the champions of countries like Belgium, Norway or Serbia than playing the third and fourth placed teams from countries like England, Germany and Spain.
Under the old system, Shels (national champions) got drawn against Deportivo (non-champions) in the final qualifying round, as these types of clubs were always seeded higher than most of the actual champions. Under the new system, Bohemians 'only' need to beat the likes of Anderlecht, Rosenborg and Partizan Belgrade to get into the group stages rather than the likes of Tottenham, Werder Bremen and Sevilla.
yeah or the 3/4 from Portugal, Holland, Turkey, Greece?Quote:
Originally Posted by holidaysong
Swings and roundaouts :)
I don't think this new system makes it much easier for the likes of the LOI champions. It was more aimed at helping the champions of countries like Denmark, Austria or Bulgaria get into the group stages by avoiding teams like Liverpool or Valencia.
None of those countries get three, never mind four clubs in the Champions League.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
You're right; mea culpa. Ditto Sparta.Quote:
Originally Posted by topia
But these -
- are all teams who LoI clubs played in rounds 1 and 2. I was looking at who you face in the final round before the groups. They're slightly less daunting this way.Quote:
Originally Posted by topia