Am I being pessimistic...or does anyone else think that its Chelseas Turn?

[Reece]

Course we are. That's why they're 9 points ahead of us.

Who is consistently better in the CL though?

[Craig_H]

But consistency in the CL has shown in recent years to be different to consistency in the league. In knock out CL competition we have beaten them 100% of the times we have played them.

In general I tend to agree with your assessment but I think the CL has shown it is a special circumstance and one in which we have consistently thrived. A good case for us being the better CL team could be made I think.

There's no greater or more accurate measure of consistency than the league.

[Craig_H]

Who is consistently better in the CL though?

So Fenerbahce are one of the best 8 sides on europe then?

I cant believe this is even a debate. Being better in a competition where you play a maximum of 15 games doesnt really overrule the obvious superiority they hold in the 38 game premier league.

[dww]

There's no greater or more accurate measure of consistency than the league.

But if form in two competitions can be de-coupled (which I think we have shown fairly often as did Arsenal when they reached the CL final) the measure is not all that useful as a way of judging the best CL team.

[Tee]

There's no greater or more accurate measure of consistency than the league.

And in the group stages this season you could argue we were very inconsistent, needing to win our last 3 games to qualify.

[Guest]

Putting you on ignore?

No. But you can put me on it if you want.

[Reece]

So Fenerbahce are one of the best 8 sides on europe then?

I cant believe this is even a debate. Being better in a competition where you play a maximum of 15 games doesnt really overrule the obvious superiority they hold in the 38 game premier league.

The fact is Syd that over the past 3 years we have been better in the CL than them. I'm not saying we are better overrall than them, cos we are not. But in the CL - well results prove that we are - in that competition.

[Craig_H]

But if form in two competitions can be de-coupled (which I think we have shown fairly often as did Arsenal when they reached the CL final) the measure is not all that useful as a way of judging the best CL team.

I'm not judging the 'best CL team', i'm judging who is the better team overall.

Cup competitions often dont tend to point you in the direction of the best team.

Pompey v Cardiff...

[Craig_H]

The fact is Syd that over the past 3 years we have been better in the CL than them. I'm not saying we are better overrall than them, cos we are not. But in the CL - well results prove that we are - in that competition.

So we agree then, that they are better than us. I was disagreeing with fredo when he said we're the better team.

[Jennings]

I just have this horrible nagging feeling that it will be third time lucky for the Chavs.

Anyone else got that?

Or am I just a pessimist?

I have a bad feeling about it too.

Why did I allow myself to get so hooked up on football? Why couldn't I have been one of those wiffy & wet blokes who don't like footy (no offence intended to wiffy and wet blokes).

[Reece]

So we agree then, that they are better than us. I was disagreeing with fredo when he said we're the better team.

Yes it looks like we do

[Guest]

So Fenerbahce are one of the best 8 sides on europe then?

I cant believe this is even a debate. Being better in a competition where you play a maximum of 15 games doesnt really overrule the obvious superiority they hold in the 38 game premier league.

You think your analysis is rational but it's not mate. We're statistically the best team in Europe in the last 4 years. It's just that Rafa is better suited at the tactical nature of the CL, as opposed to the less tactical and more gung ho nature of the PL. No accurate measure of how good we are as a team.

[Craig_H]

Yes it looks like we do

Welcome to the dark side

[Craig_H]

You think your analysis is rational but it's not mate. We're statistically the best team in Europe in the last 4 years. It's just that Rafa is better suited at the tactical nature of the CL, as opposed to the less tactical and more gung ho nature of the PL. No accurate measure of how good we are as a team.

You're the most deluded and clueless person i've ever encountered on any forum...and it's not even a close contest. "We're the best team in europe, even though we arent even the second best team in england". Classic. We're statistically not even the 2nd best team in england fredo.

We're one of the best sides to compete in the CL in the last few years, without doubt. We are not the 'best side in europe' and if you think the league is 'no accurate measure of how good we are as a team' then i'd have to suggest that you are talking nonsense.

With all due respect, like...if you told me the sky was blue, i'd put my money on it being bright green.

[Guest]

You're the most deluded and clueless person i've ever encountered on any forum...and it's not even a close contest. "We're the best team in europe, even though we arent even the second best team in england". Classic. We're statistically not even the 2nd best team in england fredo.

We're one of the best sides to compete in the CL in the last few years, without doubt. We are not the 'best side in europe' and if you think the league is 'no accurate measure of how good we are as a team' then i'd have to suggest that you are talking nonsense.

With all due respect, like...if you told me the sky was blue, i'd put my money on it being bright green.

Well, you're starting it all again. No point whatsoever debating with you.