Return of the English dynasty in Europe ?

kas wrote:So...4 English teams may well be through in the CL, but the 3 in the UEFA all have a big task on their hands to go through to the QFs over there.

Still, having three teams left in it is pretty impressive.

Have to admit, didn't really expect anything from bolton. Everton and Spurs both had bad results though. Spurs seem to have lost a bit of concentration since their Carling Cup win.

Everton is just inexplicable, I'm very dissapointed in them

Tweedle wrote:

kas wrote:So...4 English teams may well be through in the CL, but the 3 in the UEFA all have a big task on their hands to go through to the QFs over there.

Still, having three teams left in it is pretty impressive.

Have to admit, didn't really expect anything from bolton. Everton and Spurs both had bad results though. Spurs seem to have lost a bit of concentration since their Carling Cup win.

Everton is just inexplicable, I'm very dissapointed in them

they didn't take it seriously

Wenger - English clubs set to dominate Champions League

It is possible that half of this season's Champions League Quarter-Finalists will come from England. Arsène Wenger believes that demonstrates the strength of the game in this country right now. However, at the same time, the Arsenal manager has warned the Premier League about the dangers of self-satisfaction.

Wenger's men booked their place in the last eight of Europe's top competition with a stunning 2-0 win in Milan on Tuesday. Manchester United and Chelsea are also through while Liverpool are likely to follow them as they hold a 2-0 lead from their first leg with Inter.

The Arsenal manager feels that a period of English dominance is on the way.

"I am convinced of that," he said at Thursday's press conference. "It is down to the fact that the Premier League is so hard. Many good players now play in England but the pace of the game has stayed the same. So the physical demands are very hard and that's why we will find another English club in the Final this year.

"Of course I cannot be certain of that but I believe it. You have maybe four clubs out of the eight. Unless the four play against each other you have a big chance to have another English club in the Final."

However, before anyone starts patting themselves on the back, Wenger sent out this warning.

"It can change quickly if some other countries develop quicker," he said. "And the quality of your decisions can change quickly too. Fifteen years ago France was dominant a little bit, Italy was super-dominant, then France, then Spain, now England. It changes quickly.

"Somebody from Spain called me and said Real Madrid have not reached the Quarter-Finals for four consecutives years now. And they invested 575m Euros in that time. So it's never guaranteed and it's not only down to money, it is down to good decisions."

france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Toni Kroos wrote:france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Germany was dominant in the 70's and early 80's too.

Toni Kroos wrote:france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Germany were not dominant in those years, but were at least as competitive as anyone else unlike these days.

Luis wrote:

http://europeanboard.ephpbb.com/european-cups-f5/ac-milan-vs-arsenal-discussion-thread-t14089-820.htm

S4P wrote:What do you make of this then puro? Premiership teams representing 50% of the quarter-finals (assuming Liverpool don't spring a major surprise and play offensively in the San Siro) and the likes of Rooney, Flumps, A Cole and Terry all more than holding their own against continental Europe's finest.

Yo s4p I think that you like most English fans you think you know football, but in reality you know nothing or almost nothing about the game. How about that!

Gone wrote:

Toni Kroos wrote:france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Germany was dominant in the 70's and early 80's too.

Steady, they were dominent for 3 years, or Bayern were dominant more like.

# 1984 - 1985 Juventus
# 1983 - 1984 Liverpool FC
# 1982 - 1983 Hamburger SV
# 1981 - 1982 Aston Villa FC
# 1980 - 1981 Liverpool FC
# 1979 - 1980 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1978 - 1979 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1977 - 1978 Liverpool FC
# 1976 - 1977 Liverpool FC
# 1975 - 1976 FC Bayern München
# 1974 - 1975 FC Bayern München
# 1973 - 1974 FC Bayern München
# 1972 - 1973 AFC Ajax
# 1971 - 1972 AFC Ajax
# 1970 - 1971 AFC Ajax

robert wrote:Puro will say its the johnny foreigners doing the job in the English clubs.

I don't need to say it. The owners, coaches, and best players in the Barclays Premier League (a bit surprised they changed the name but then again the league went global so not so surprised after all) have been saying that for a few years to whoever is listening carefully. EVEN the English FA realizes that going 'Foreign' is the best thing to do when it comes down to football.

Puro wrote:

robert wrote:Puro will say its the johnny foreigners doing the job in the English clubs.

I don't need to say it. The owners, coaches, and best players in the Barclays Premier League (a bit surprised they changed the name but then again the league went global so not so surprised after all) have been saying that for a few years to whoever is listening carefully. EVEN the English FA realizes that going 'Foreign' is the best thing to do when it comes down to football.

Its not about being foreign or English, its about bring the best to the league, owners, managers, players, staff, stadiums etc.

Nationality is irrelvant - its the quality which is.

Kimbo wrote:

Gone wrote:

Toni Kroos wrote:france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Germany was dominant in the 70's and early 80's too.

Steady, they were dominent for 3 years, or Bayern were dominant more like.

# 1984 - 1985 Juventus
# 1983 - 1984 Liverpool FC
# 1982 - 1983 Hamburger SV
# 1981 - 1982 Aston Villa FC
# 1980 - 1981 Liverpool FC
# 1979 - 1980 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1978 - 1979 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1977 - 1978 Liverpool FC
# 1976 - 1977 Liverpool FC
# 1975 - 1976 FC Bayern München
# 1974 - 1975 FC Bayern München
# 1973 - 1974 FC Bayern München
# 1972 - 1973 AFC Ajax
# 1971 - 1972 AFC Ajax
# 1970 - 1971 AFC Ajax

They where the La Liga of those times. Look at the others cup(s). back then UEFA and the CWC where big too as only the champions where in the ECC. So you have the 2nd and 3rd teams in UEFA or CWC. So ...

# 1973 - 1974 FC Bayern München

Borussia Monchengladbach semifinals of the CWC and VfB Stuttgart semifinals of the UEFA Cup.

# 1974 - 1975 FC Bayern München

FC Cologne and Borussia Monchengladbach palyed an all-german semifinal in the UEFA cup and Borussia won the thing.

# 1975 - 1976 FC Bayern München

Eintracht Frankfurt - semifinal CWC
Hamburger SV - semifinal UEFA

# 1976 - 1977 Liverpool FC

They played Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.
Hamburger SV - won the CWC

# 1977 - 1978 Liverpool FC

Borussia Monchengladbach was in the semifinals.

And I could go on.

Like in 1978 - 1979 there where 3 german teams in the semifinals of the UEFA Cup and Fortuna Dusseldorf played the final of the CWC (losing aet against Barca).

79-80, Hamburger SV played the ECC final and an ALL GERMAN SEMIFINAL in the UEFA cup (VfB Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, Borussia M'gladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt). It's still a record.

So they where a real power house in Europe.

Kimbo wrote:

Gone wrote:

Toni Kroos wrote:france was never dominant

germany was dominant too

96 and 97

2001 and 2002

Germany was dominant in the 70's and early 80's too.

Steady, they were dominent for 3 years, or Bayern were dominant more like.

# 1983 - 1984 Liverpool FC
# 1982 - 1983 Hamburger SV
# 1981 - 1982 Aston Villa FC
# 1980 - 1981 Liverpool FC
# 1979 - 1980 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1978 - 1979 Nottingham Forest FC
# 1977 - 1978 Liverpool FC
# 1976 - 1977 Liverpool FC

Looks like some other country was dominant in these years........

Puro wrote:

S4P wrote:What do you make of this then puro? Premiership teams representing 50% of the quarter-finals (assuming Liverpool don't spring a major surprise and play offensively in the San Siro) and the likes of Rooney, Flumps, A Cole and Terry all more than holding their own against continental Europe's finest.

Yo s4p I think that you like most English fans you think you know football, but in reality you know nothing or almost nothing about the game. How about that!

Nice.

Puro wrote:

S4P wrote:What do you make of this then puro? Premiership teams representing 50% of the quarter-finals (assuming Liverpool don't spring a major surprise and play offensively in the San Siro) and the likes of Rooney, Flumps, A Cole and Terry all more than holding their own against continental Europe's finest.

Yo s4p I think that you like most English fans you think you know football, but in reality you know nothing or almost nothing about the game. How about that!

Nice attempted dig at us English there puro You should know that the likes of Flumps, Rooney, Terry, A Cole etc are huge players for their clubs. Lampard and Gerrard produced the goods in the CL round of 16, Rooney was a vital part of United's win over Lyon and hell, even Terry's scored at this stage of the CL before. The English players are playing very big roles as the English clubs hand the rest of Europe a 'can of whoop ass'.

I have to say i was impressed by Lampards contribution for Chelsea in mid week.

It looks like he has comprimised taking all the shots to get involved in the build up a little more, far more impressive IMO

Lampard and Ballack seem to actually work very well together. Since Flumps return, they've been steller!

Football Genius wrote:I have to say i was impressed by Lampards contribution for Chelsea in mid week.

It looks like he has comprimised taking all the shots to get involved in the build up a little more, far more impressive IMO

Still shouldn't be 1st choice for the big games imo but is doing well nonetheless. Just saw this as an opportunity to prove how the English players (Lampard, Terry, A Cole, Gerrard, Rooney, Rio and even Walcott with his minor influence on the 2nd leg in Milan) were all playing huge roles for the 4 English teams.

S4P wrote:

Football Genius wrote:I have to say i was impressed by Lampards contribution for Chelsea in mid week.

It looks like he has comprimised taking all the shots to get involved in the build up a little more, far more impressive IMO

Still shouldn't be 1st choice for the big games imo but is doing well nonetheless. Just saw this as an opportunity to prove how the English players (Lampard, Terry, A Cole, Gerrard, Rooney, Rio and even Walcott with his minor influence on the 2nd leg in Milan) were all playing huge roles for the 4 English teams.

How could you forget Michael Carrick

Tweedle wrote:Lampard and Ballack seem to actually work very well together. Since Flumps return, they've been steller!

Ballack is a great player when at his best, luckily for us he seems to be back to his best this season.

The difference between Gerrard and Ballack is that Gerrard likes to drive forward and is probably at his best when doing, whereas Ballack is more content to playing a deeper role. This is why imo Lamps-Ballack does work and Lamps-Gerrard didn't work (I have no problem saying Gerrard is the better player by the way!).

S4P wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Lampard and Ballack seem to actually work very well together. Since Flumps return, they've been steller!

Ballack is a great player when at his best, luckily for us he seems to be back to his best this season.

The difference between Gerrard and Ballack is that Gerrard likes to drive forward and is probably at his best when doing, whereas Ballack is more content to playing a deeper role. This is why imo Lamps-Ballack does work and Lamps-Gerrard didn't work (I have no problem saying Gerrard is the better player by the way!).

I think over the last few weeks, its pretty darn obvious that Ballack and Lampard can operate together, all be it if there is somebody behind sweeping up (not a critism, we use players to allow Gerrard to get forward too)

I think you're absolutely right in your analysis. Gerrard bombs forward and leaves space from where he has driven into, whereas Lampard will often chase the game and come on the end of a move from deep meaning if hes not picked up he has space and time to do something.

I truely believe when Lampard plays like he did in mid-week he can play with Gerrard as Lampard can involve himself in the build up and arrive late, whereas Gerrard can try and force the issue in the final third from his driven surges - but to do this we still would need a holding player ala Hargreaves.

The problem is we don't have a English front man of the quality of Drogba, when required he can offer an out ball if there is no room to play it on the deck - at lets be honest hes one of the best in the business at this.

Spot on FG though the only way I can see it working is if Capello adopts the 'Chelsea' approach:

------------Makelele
--------Ballack----Lampard
J Cole----------------Kalou
-------------Drogba

Hargreaves for Makelele; Gerrard for Ballack; Young or Bentley for Kalou and Rooney for Drogba. If it can work then there's a lot of goals in that team.

S4P wrote:Spot on FG though the only way I can see it working is if Capello adopts the 'Chelsea' approach:

------------Makelele
--------Ballack----Lampard
J Cole----------------Kalou
-------------Drogba

Hargreaves for Makelele; Gerrard for Ballack; Young or Bentley for Kalou and Rooney for Drogba. If it can work then there's a lot of goals in that team.

Absolutely agree, what gives me optimism is that Capello, has demanded he players look to play football on the floor, and only look for the longer ball in pressured situations (typically in our defensive third)

Surprised you've not mentioned Cole, and have put forward Young and Bentley, whilst i agree both of these offer different qualities and can become truely fabulous players, the two together haven't a pinch of the experience Cole has, if he was available i'd want him playing for Liverpool in an instance, he has the right attitude as proved by his work on the training ground to prove Mourinho he can adapt, his natural talent is unquestionable...

Joe Cole's already there mate, hence "Young or Bentley for Kalou"

S4P wrote:

Tweedle wrote:Lampard and Ballack seem to actually work very well together. Since Flumps return, they've been steller!

Ballack is a great player when at his best, luckily for us he seems to be back to his best this season.

The difference between Gerrard and Ballack is that Gerrard likes to drive forward and is probably at his best when doing, whereas Ballack is more content to playing a deeper role. This is why imo Lamps-Ballack does work and Lamps-Gerrard didn't work (I have no problem saying Gerrard is the better player by the way!).

Ballack never was a typical AMC , he's primary position was a DMC but you can say he's a complete mid as he can play DLP,DMC,AMC but his best his when he's dictating midfield from a deeper position making runs forward to trouble the defenders as he's has a good shot and a very good header.

Is there any point to this forum anymore?

The whole purpose of the European board on 606 was for Jonny foreigner to come on and say how $h!t the EPL was, then the EPL followers to argue that it wasn't.

Where do we go now?

Will posters like Otto, Deisler, Arnaud and Puro go into hibernation?

Tweedle wrote: Where do we go now?

Gerrard > Lampard

was too short lived