Shels fans at Derry Match

**MariborKev** · 13/08/2006, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by GalwayFrancis

rangers would be a dream draw for derry

Are ye clean mad?

**Dazzy** · 13/08/2006, 10:41 PM

I dont know why every one keeps going on about Dream draw i want a team we can beat and reach the group stages, now that would be the dream!

**monkey magic** · 13/08/2006, 10:50 PM

waregem is probably the best draw of those that derry could get - outside the top two belgian football is pretty poor

**Speranza** · 13/08/2006, 11:27 PM

I will cry if we get Rangers in the next round. The demographics of our fanbase is obvious but our support prides itself on not attaching a tribal identity to the club via flags, songs, colours e.t.c. This would go out the window if we play Rangers as we would get every scrote from every side taking an interest. Imagine the Celtic clad scumbags that stoned the Linfield fans if we drew RFC.

Red&White · 13/08/2006, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Speranza

I will cry if we get Rangers in the next round. The demographics of our fanbase is obvious but our support prides itself on not attaching a tribal identity to the club via flags, songs, colours e.t.c. This would go out the window if we play Rangers as we would get every scrote from every side taking an interest. Imagine the Celtic clad scumbags that stoned the Linfield fans if we drew RFC.

Tell me about it. I get a headache even thinking about it.

**higgins** · 14/08/2006, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Unless I have it completely �rseways, the co-efficient just gives you a preferential draw against unseeded opposition. They still have to be beaten. Then you come up against supposedly stronger opponents. They then have to be taken on in the same way.

If Irish teams are good enough, they'll progress, simple as.

Well if your coefficient is high enough you get a buy into the Champions League and dont have to go through 3 qualifying rounds!

Why dont AC Milan just start in round 1 if they are good enough

In EL terms we are trying to get seeded in the first round and thereby get into the 2nd round more often. We then aim to get a bye into the 2nd Round. When this happens we are seeded and play a winner from the first round. Its safe to say that we should then get into the 3rd round more and more as we face easier ties i.e. A first round winner rather than a second round seed.

**NY Hoop** · 14/08/2006, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by sfc red

After reading that post I am wondering how you are old enough to bet...

Spot on.

I know a Galway fan that went to Prague last year to support cork. I dont see the problem.

Once again fair play to Derry.

KOH

**Dr.Nightdub** · 14/08/2006, 6:21 PM

Originally Posted by higgins

Well if your coefficient is high enough you get a buy into the Champions League and dont have to go through 3 qualifying rounds!

Oh sweet suffering lantern of divine. Where's the shaking head sadly smiley when you need it?

If your team is good enough, you beat three teams in successive qualifying rounds (hint: the clue is in the name) and get into the Champions League.

Having a whopping coefficient is feck-all use in the long run cos it doesn't magic away the inevitability of running up against Red Star Belgrade or similar. Beat them and you're through. Get beaten and you and your precious coefficient are out. Simple.

Yes, I accept that the co-efficients of the EPL, Serie A, La Liga, etc contribute to how many entrants they get and how many of those are automatic starters in the CL proper, but you're talking about a whole different football planet than the eL is ever gonna live on in any of our lifetimes. Let's keep the discussion grounded in some kind of realistic context here.

Originally Posted by higgins

Why dont AC Milan just start in round 1 if they are good enough

Milan are a particularly bad example to quote cos of the fallout from the Italian ref-fixing scandal and its implications for who gets to represent Serie A in Europe this season.

However, to address the thing at a more general level: no League has automatic qualification for the first round proper for all its entrants. Even Arsenal, last year's beaten finalists, have to go through qualifying because of where they finished in their League. Their coefficient is arguably much higher than Chelsea's - I couldn't be bothered looking it up to check, but logic tells you Wenger's sustained progress in Europe over a long number of seasons is gonna count for more than anything amassed by Mourinho's johhny-come-latelies. However, cos Chelsea won the EPL, they automatically qualify, not Arsenal. Again though, a whole different planet.

Originally Posted by higgins

In EL terms we are trying to get seeded in the first round and thereby get into the 2nd round more often.

Oh no!

Not the coefficient-driven lucky rabbit's foot again? For the last time: seeding does not put you in round two, winning games on the pitch does. Apologies for the use of a couple of multi-syllable words there, I tried making it simpler but couldn't.

**OneRedArmy** · 14/08/2006, 6:39 PM

Originally Posted by higgins

Why dont AC Milan just start in round 1 if they are good enough

You've just answered the question yourself.

Because they are good enough. Entering at a later stage simply reflects your club and country strength, ie you are expected to beat teams in earlier rounds and thus don't have to face them. Its not some feckin magic pill which makes the respective club and league better overnight!

Repeat after me:
cause and effect
cause and effect
cause and effect
continue ad naseum....