World Cup and European leagues

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Liverpool move on, 4 English clubs in the quarters.

Torres with a beauty to seal the Inter match.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Did you hear the FA is not going to let Cardiff go to the UEFA Cup if they win the FA Cup?  Apparently the English don't want one of their spots going to a Welsh squad.

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One of those four may be in the UEFA Cup as well, although the FA has a bad habit of changing the rules sometimes.

I think Birmingham a couple of years ago was in a similar situation with the FA when they were in the League Cup Final as a Championship club.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I was referring to UEFA's recent penchant for making things right in their tournaments, like giving Liverpool a spot in the Champs League as holders when they didn't earn it and the FA wouldn't budge.

If Cardiff wins (and that's a big if in my mind), I'm hopeful UEFA will find a place for them.

[Spence]

Did you hear the FA is not going to let Cardiff go to the UEFA Cup if they win the FA Cup?  Apparently the English don't want one of their spots going to a Welsh squad.

I wouldn't think the FA would have anything in it. It's UEFA's tournament, if they want to invite Cardiff, they can.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Did you hear the FA is not going to let Cardiff go to the UEFA Cup if they win the FA Cup?  Apparently the English don't want one of their spots going to a Welsh squad.

I wouldn't think the FA would have anything in it. It's UEFA's tournament, if they want to invite Cardiff, they can.

The FA decides who represents them, but UEFA can create extra spots if they want to do so.

[Spence]

Did you hear the FA is not going to let Cardiff go to the UEFA Cup if they win the FA Cup?  Apparently the English don't want one of their spots going to a Welsh squad.

I wouldn't think the FA would have anything in it. It's UEFA's tournament, if they want to invite Cardiff, they can.

The FA decides who represents them, but UEFA can create extra spots if they want to do so.

And that's what they've done before and what they'll probably do again.

The FA is a corrupt POS though. West Ham should have been relegated and fined about a bazillion dollars. Hard for me to complain that much though since it brought Mascherano to Liverpool, who I think is going to be a terrific defensive mid.

Liverpool needs some speed on the wing and a few defenders to replace some of their older guys. And bringing kun Aguero up from Spain to join fellow Argentine Mascherano would be nice too!

[ScotsFan]

Don't look now, but ManU is back at the top of the Tables in the Premiership.  They have the edge on Arsenal based on goal differential.  The Red Devils should claim the outright lead tomorrow as they host Bolton.   And look who's still hanging around.  Good 'ol Chelsea.  And I guess you can't count out Liverpool just yet, but I have to believe that the Reds have put their focus on winning the CL ahead of the Premiership for now.

IMO, I think this is going to indeed end up being a 2 horse race.  It's going to be ManU and Chelsea once again.  Arsenal were fortunate to escape with a win last week.  The Gunners haven't won 3 points in a match since back on the 11th of February in a 2-0 win over Blackburn.  Since then, they have drawn with Birmingham, Aston Villa, Wigan and Middlesbrough.  These lack of results are why Liverpool find themselves 8 points out and why Arsenal will soon be passed by ManU.  They are just not the same team without Eduardo.  And seeing the gauntlet that the Gunners will be facing over the next couple of weeks starting this weekend at Chelsea, I will be shocked if Arsenal is still 1st or 2nd by April 13th.

[Spence]

Don't look now, but ManU is back at the top of the Tables in the Premiership.  They have the edge on Arsenal based on goal differential.  The Red Devils should claim the outright lead tomorrow as they host Bolton.   And look who's still hanging around.  Good 'ol Chelsea.  And I guess you can't count out Liverpool just yet, but I have to believe that the Reds have put their focus on winning the CL ahead of the Premiership for now.

IMO, I think this is going to indeed end up being a 2 horse race.  It's going to be ManU and Chelsea once again.  Arsenal were fortunate to escape with a win last week.  The Gunners haven't won 3 points in a match since back on the 11th of February in a 2-0 win over Blackburn.  Since then, they have drawn with Birmingham, Aston Villa, Wigan and Middlesbrough.  These lack of results are why Liverpool find themselves 8 points out and why Arsenal will soon be passed by ManU.  They are just not the same team without Eduardo.  And seeing the gauntlet that the Gunners will be facing over the next couple of weeks starting this weekend at Chelsea, I will be shocked if Arsenal is still 1st or 2nd by April 13th.

Liverpool has an opportunity to get back in contention, playing at Man U and at Arsenal coming up. If they can somehow get 6 points out of that and go into April only down 6 or so I think they've got a shot. They're playing as well as anyone right now.

Arsenal and Liverpool will play 3 times in 6 days counting the Champions League! And I'm going to be away from a TV! Cruel.

[Hoosier Titan]

It's true that Liverpool are looking the best they've looked all season.  In part that's probably due to Rafa's letting up on the rotation of players.  I also like the new formation with Torres out in front of Babel, Gerrard, and Kuyt--sort of a 1-3-2-4.  And it was great to see Javier Mascherano's work ethic rewarded with his first EPL goal on Saturday.

The club have finally announced that Daniel Agger will not be back this season--he needs surgery on his foot--something many had long suspected.  The acquisition of Martin Skrtel seems to have been a help on defense.

They just have to focus on winning as much as they can, with Man U, the Merseyside derby, and then Arsenal coming up.  They managed to put a little space between themselves and Everton last weekend.  At this point, if they can stay in the top four and move up in the EPL standings that would be great. It's less than I hoped for at the beginning of the season but far better than I feared a month or two ago.

[Greek Tragedy]

I heard on Fox Soccer Channel that there is a Russian Premier league team that is located 4000 miles away from Moscow, where 6 teams call home.  Talking about a road trip.  They said it's the equivalent of a trip from Chicago to London!  And the Chargers complain about a trip from SD to NY! lol

Man Utd is level on points with Arsenal with a game in hand and a better goal differential.

As well as Liverpool has played lately, I don't see them catching the league leaders, Man. Utd.  Remember that both the Red Devils and Blues have a game in hand.  I don't see them taking 6 points at Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium.

I have to find a TV with Fox Soccer Channel this weekend for Arsenal v Chelsea.  I'm really not sure what team I hate more, so I have to hope that both drop two points.

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Arsenal v Liverpool 3 times in 7 days. 

That middle game is going to have some tough squad selections.

[ScotsFan]

As well as Liverpool has played lately, I don't see them catching the league leaders, Man. Utd.  Remember that both the Red Devils and Blues have a game in hand.  I don't see them taking 6 points at Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium.

This is how I feel.  It's basically too little too late for the Reds IMO.  Rafa's got his squad playing well and I think it definitely is linked to his letting up on the rotation, but that is probably something he should have done long ago unless his goal was the Champs League all along.  I'm not saying it can't be done, but picking up 6 points at OT and at the Emirates is a tall order no matter what form you're in.

I have to find a TV with Fox Soccer Channel this weekend for Arsenal v Chelsea.  I'm really not sure what team I hate more, so I have to hope that both drop two points.

I've mentioned before that I liken Chelsea and Arsenal to the Yankees and the Red Sox.  Being an Indians fan, I really despise both the Yankees and the Red Sox.  But the Yankees are by far my most hated team out there.  There was nothing more enjoyable than watching the Indians and their paltry $70 million payroll knocking mighty George and his Yankees with their $200+ million payroll out of the playoffs!   And that about sums up how I feel about Clelsea.  While I have a strong dislike for both Chelsea and Arsenal, I would far rather see Chelsea stumble.  With that said, the ideal result would be a draw with both teams dropping 2 points!

[Hoosier Titan]

I hope people are not misinterpreting what I said--I also think it is way too late for Liverpool.  I don't really think winning the EPL is the goal at this point.  And that's a shame, because I think they're showing now that they could have made a run.  But anytime a team is behind, all they can do is win and hope the others lose.  Catching Chelsea might not be out of the question, but all three are not going to fold.  For next season and beyond, Liverpool have to start winning EPL matches with the other Big Three.  For some reason, Champions League victories seem achievable for Liverpool, while beating the same sides in the EPL is almost impossible.

With regard to who I despise more--I like several Chelsea players, but as a team their constant whinging, crying, and even attempting to intimidate officials gets on my nerves--a lot.  They've been disciplined for this more than once, and rightly so.  They're capable of winning matches on talent.  In Liverpool it's Man U who are the most despised.  So for me Arsenal is the least of the three "evils."

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've mentioned before that I liken Chelsea and Arsenal to the Yankees and the Red Sox.

Isn't it more like Chelsea and ManU are the Sox and Yankees.  Arsenal doesn't recklessly spend money on their squad; they win with smarts.  Perhaps they are the A's?