If we were in the CL this season

[Mattshark]

We're obviously weaker now than we were then, but you're overdoing it somewhat with the idea that we'd struggle in ANY of the CL groups of this season.

It is not over doing anything, it is just my opinion.

[Craig_H]

You must think we're utter tosh then

[Arn]

We're obviously weaker now than we were then, but you're overdoing it somewhat with the idea that we'd struggle in ANY of the CL groups of this season.

The problem is the defensive bit. As already mentioned. You win the CL thanks to a great defence. Barca win it thanks to a great defence. They get a lot of possession thanks to a great defence. They even play Masch as a central defender just to be able to play themselves out of a tight situation.

We had Hyypia during our Rafa fantastic years in the CL. We don't have that sort of player in defence now. Agger is very close but he isn't the leader Hyypia was.

We have replaced Hyypia as our defensive leader with Carra. Man U have a big problem in defence now when Ferdinand is almost never playing and VdS retired. Vidic isn't as great leader on the pitch as them. Even Neville retiring is a big blow for them even that he almost never played the last couple of years.

We lack a great defensive leader and you notice that very often. If we want to challenge in the CL then we must sign a player like Hummels or Subotic. That kind of defensive leader.

[Kenneth]

Yep. If there's one thing that Barca will go down in history for, it's their defense.

Yes, I know they have a good defense, but while we're bickering...

[Slinky Skills]

We'll be back in it soon enough, I know we will.

Hate watching CL games now knowing we're not in it, depressing times.

Shows you how good we were under Benitez, regulars in this competition and we took it for granted during the latter years of his reign.

Wish we were in it now.

[Slinky Skills]

The problem is the defensive bit. As already mentioned. You win the CL thanks to a great defence. Barca win it thanks to a great defence. They get a lot of possession thanks to a great defence. They even play Masch as a central defender just to be able to play themselves out of a tight situation.

We had Hyypia during our Rafa fantastic years in the CL. We don't have that sort of player in defence now. Agger is very close but he isn't the leader Hyypia was.

We have replaced Hyypia as our defensive leader with Carra. Man U have a big problem in defence now when Ferdinand is almost never playing and VdS retired. Vidic isn't as great leader on the pitch as them. Even Neville retiring is a big blow for them even that he almost never played the last couple of years.

We lack a great defensive leader and you notice that very often. If we want to challenge in the CL then we must sign a player like Hummels or Subotic. That kind of defensive leader.

Barca win it because they are savage and are probably the best footballing team that's ever existed.

From back to front they can all play ball, every single one of them.

Pique is as comfortable and skilful on the ball in defence as a midfielder is, never seen anything like that.

The key is that they are all so comfortable on the ball. They can all pass, shoot, score, head the ball. Most if not all them are good with both feet, they're quick, strong, relaxed the list is ****ing endless.

They are a fantastic team and an absolute privilege to watch. They are a one off this team.

[Sebastian Rooks]

I don't believe we'd get anywhere in the champions league this year. I think the team is set up to try and get a top 4 finish and there's a bit of a squad strengthening exercise going on...

If we get top 4 this season I think there will be 3 or 4 top class players brought in for a go in the champions league next season. Were only at stage 1 of the rebuilding process, 2 seasons from now we might have another proper go at it......

A couple of years from now the younger players might be a bit more ready ( Carroll and Henderson for example ) we'll have a good mixture of the youngsters coming through plus what ever we've added..... if all goes to plan!.....

[Sebastian Rooks]

They are a fantastic team and an absolute privilege to watch. They are a one off this team.

I don't know..without being biased the Liverpool Team in the eighties was pretty special... and I remember the AC Milan team in 89 being touted as the greatest side ever ( they where an amazing side as well!) Barcelona are special but I wouldn't say they are a one off....

[Shaggy]

I think they are. As good as our 87/88 side was, and other LFC sides in the 70s and 80s, none of them got close to this Barca side. Let's be honest.

[Arn]

I don't know..without being biased the Liverpool Team in the eighties was pretty special... and I remember the AC Milan team in 89 being touted as the greatest side ever ( they where an amazing side as well!) Barcelona are special but I wouldn't say they are a one off....

It only show how special they are. You are comparing them with some of the best teams ever. It also took them over a decade with first three Dutch managers, Cruyff, Van Gaal and Reijkaard and after that Pep who had learned everything from all three of them, to develop the club.

It will most probably take our manager(s) over a decade before we can challenge every season in the league and CL. 10+ years and a lot of money.

A new stadium is also a must so we can pay higher wages and pay higher transfer fees. Henry said around a month or so ago that it may not make financial sense to build a new stadium only because of 15k extra seats. Well, it may not make financial sense but no new stadium means that we won't be able to win the CL or the league. A new stadium is still the most important thing.

If we want to be able to keep players like Suarez then we must be able to pay him £150k+ a week in a couple of years time when it is time to negotiate a new deal. If Carroll develop the right way then it is another player we must be able to offer a deal worth £150k+ a week. If Henderson develop the right way it is another player we must offer £100k+ a week. You get the point.

A new stadium is a must. Without it we will lose our best players and won't be able to replace them.

[Fernandinho]

But if it doesn't make financial sense then why build the stadium? If we were to lose money for the sake of 15000 more seats the money might be better off saved, which is basically what you said.

A new stadium is not simply going to guarantee higher income levels, it has to be payed for somehow.

[Arn]

But if it doesn't make financial sense then why build the stadium? If we were to lose money for the sake of 15000 more seats the money might be better off saved, which is basically what you said.

A new stadium is not simply going to guarantee higher income levels, it has to be payed for somehow.

The new financial fair play rules means that a new stadium is a must or we won't be able to challenge in the transfer market. A new stadium will generate higher income levels. 15 k extra seats and a lot of new executive boxes will generate higher income levels.

Yes it must be paid in some way but the money used doing it won't count in the account when UEFA look at our books.

[Fernandinho]

Fair enough

[Mostar]

It only show how special they are. You are comparing them with some of the best teams ever. It also took them over a decade with first three Dutch managers, Cruyff, Van Gaal and Reijkaard and after that Pep who had learned everything from all three of them, to develop the club.

It will most probably take our manager(s) over a decade before we can challenge every season in the league and CL. 10+ years and a lot of money.

A new stadium is also a must so we can pay higher wages and pay higher transfer fees. Henry said around a month or so ago that it may not make financial sense to build a new stadium only because of 15k extra seats. Well, it may not make financial sense but no new stadium means that we won't be able to win the CL or the league. A new stadium is still the most important thing.

If we want to be able to keep players like Suarez then we must be able to pay him £150k+ a week in a couple of years time when it is time to negotiate a new deal. If Carroll develop the right way then it is another player we must be able to offer a deal worth £150k+ a week. If Henderson develop the right way it is another player we must offer £100k+ a week. You get the point.

A new stadium is a must. Without it we will lose our best players and won't be able to replace them.

Why wait. He is our best player and he should be compensated accordingly. Restructure his deal now and give us a chance to keep him here long term.

[McDermotX]

Why wait. He is our best player and he should be compensated accordingly. Restructure his deal now and give us a chance to keep him here long term.

or at least be in a stronger position when negotiating a future transfer.

At the very least though, I don't believe that Suarez' career path is defined by how much money he gets offered (within reason obviously)...........we could be paying him 150k, but if we're not competing and an Spanish opportunity arises, he'll follow his path.