Rafa Watch

[Red_Polo]

The fact is correct, we did play in CL in 2005.

Strictly to the fact of technicallity at the time the winner of the CL did NOT automatically qualify for next years CL. It was the first time a CL winner finished outside domestic qualification, and we only got in because another team was thrown out (can't remember which, but believe it was a Chzech team).

The rule was changed after this, so that the CL winner would always be qualified.

****, I remember all this - it was way more complicated than that. UEFA did have a CL place allocated specifically for the holders. As the holders always previously qualified through another route, it meant there was an extra place to give away and someone got bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round.

Had we been from an FA entitled to only 3 places, we would have automatically qualified and taken this allocated place as an additional team from our association. It was the fact UEFA had stipulated a maximum of four teams per association which made that impossible - their rules put it down to letting the FA decide between holders/league placing. This exact scenario happened to Real, who were favoured by the Spanish FA over the 4th placed team.

Our FA had no prior policy on what they would do and probably saw a way to blag 5 teams in, so favoured Everton knowing the competition would look pretty stupid without the holders in and UEFA would have to sort something out. As a result, the team that was expecting to be bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round wasn't.

[The_weatherman]

****, I remember all this - it was way more complicated than that. UEFA did have a CL place allocated specifically for the holders. As the holders always previously qualified through another route, it meant there was an extra place to give away and someone got bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round.

Had we been from an FA entitled to only 3 places, we would have automatically qualified and taken this allocated place as an additional team from our association. It was the fact UEFA had stipulated a maximum of four teams per association which made that impossible - their rules put it down to letting the FA decide between holders/league placing. This exact scenario happened to Real, who were favoured by the Spanish FA over the 4th placed team.

Our FA had no prior policy on what they would do and probably saw a way to blag 5 teams in, so favoured Everton knowing the competition would look pretty stupid without the holders in and UEFA would have to sort something out. As a result, the team that was expecting to be bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round wasn't.

The english FA is amazing really.

[Mattshark]

****, I remember all this - it was way more complicated than that. UEFA did have a CL place allocated specifically for the holders. As the holders always previously qualified through another route, it meant there was an extra place to give away and someone got bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round.

Had we been from an FA entitled to only 3 places, we would have automatically qualified and taken this allocated place as an additional team from our association. It was the fact UEFA had stipulated a maximum of four teams per association which made that impossible - their rules put it down to letting the FA decide between holders/league placing. This exact scenario happened to Real, who were favoured by the Spanish FA over the 4th placed team.

Our FA had no prior policy on what they would do and probably saw a way to blag 5 teams in, so favoured Everton knowing the competition would look pretty stupid without the holders in and UEFA would have to sort something out. As a result, the team that was expecting to be bumped up into the CL 1st qualifying round wasn't.

Real when they won it in 2000 finished 5th in La Liga and were given Zaragoza's place in the CL by the RFEF.

[Red_Polo]

Real when they won it in 2000 finished 5th in La Liga and were given Zaragoza's place in the CL by the RFEF.

I know man, I refer to as much in the same post.

Didn't phrase that well - was trying to say it was more a case of a team not getting bumped up rather than one having to be turfed out. Subtle difference maybe, but an important one.

[magicalbarnes]

I remember at the times there were rumours circulating that we would take the place of the team that finished 4th in the premiership that season - Everton. That would have been funny!

[cream]

I think Barwick had a lot to do with us back in that season.

[colin85]

From this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...a-manager.html

To this http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...s-Chelsea.html

[Lee]

Just heard about this on the radio.

It'd be a ****ing nightmare if Rafa went to Chelsea.

[colin85]

We could kiss goodbye to top four if they replaced AVB with Rafa before the season is out.

[red g]

We could kiss goodbye to top four if they replaced AVB with Rafa before the season is out.

while he maybe succeed long term, not sure short term, to much animosity from the 'olden days' with Rafa when we were successful.

[Roger]

I had expectations of us being in a better position this year at the end of last season. Right now though I lack confidence in us to put together a run that will take us into CL qualification. I would dearly love us to do better, but I'm very worried we lack the quality to overhaul either a very average Arsenal or Chelsea.

And I said that I thought CL was the minimum requirement after the summer transfers, however, I was not expecting it (I expected 5th/6th). That ,in my eyes, is not good enough and my concern was compounded by us failing to bring anyone in during January.

totally agree.

[Muddled]

If Chelsea appoint Benitez - and it is believed to be '75 per cent certain' they will - they are taking on a master strategist.

[Fivex]

Hopefully he'll be able to show FSG exactly what he can do.

[Shaggy]

If Chelsea appoint Benitez - and it is believed to be '75 per cent certain' they will - they are taking on a master strategist.

75%?? Where has this come from?

[Muddled]

75%?? Where has this come from?

Chris Bascombe.

I wasn't sure where to put the article, so put up the speculative 75% for reaction and then the rest of the article in the AVB thread.