Champions League - PSG

[Risso]

Yes I think you're right Dave, it's definitely an example of Everything That's Bad In Football being more than acceptable because we're in it. But ignoring the money aspect for a minute, I do actually like the format, as it really should mean that most matches are still interesting going into the last couple of games.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's a better format. More chance of 'lesser' teams making progress, or just winning a game or two. I'll be disappointed if we don't at least make the play-offs, if we were still in the old format and in a group like Newcastle had last season i'd be expecting us to finish bottom if being realistic.

[Dave]

But ignoring the money aspect for a minute, I do actually like the format, as it really should mean that most matches are still interesting going into the last couple of games.

I completely agree - but I think even that's appealing from the angle of "will Villa finish ninth or thirteenth, oh look, Benfica have equalised against Leipzig so now they go ahead of us and we need Lille to get another against Arsenal.." Really entertaining if you've got skin in the game.

I think most people watching won't give a toss what order most of the teams finish in, it'll just be "well those 24 are through and those 12 aren't". Even with the top eight / middle sixteen thing. Teams are either through or they're not.

[Chip Butty 111]

Better format for me. Removes the group of death scenario and makes things more interesting in general as stated.Gives everyone the chance to accumulate a few points at least. The scrabble for home advantage for the knock out games keeps it very Interesting come the new year.

[Toronto Villa]

I like the format. I still don’t really get why they bothered with the pots. There are some top pot 1 sides with far more challenging 8 games than some of the teams in pot 3 or 4. I look at Celtic for example and think they got a better draw than Liverpool. But it’s a more interesting set up. I expect after week 3 or 4 the table start to resemble how we expect it to with the better sides climbing to the top. I hope that we can finish top 8, but I certainly expect us to be in the second group at the very least and make it through to the last 16.

[Brend'Watkins]

The new format, it's basically a European League through the back door isn't it?

[Toronto Villa]

The new format, it's basically a European League through the back door isn't it?

It’s certainly been created to appease the Super League protagonists. The domestic structure stays the same and isn’t threatened and there is a concurrent European league system now in place.

[Drummond]

We've often played the same night as each other. It's the only chance their fans will ever have of heading to the Sty and seeing away home fans in town for a CL game.

ftfy

[Risso]

When was the last time us and SHA both played at home on the same night? Can't think of any times in the last ten years off the top of my head.

[Drummond]

The format seems to give everyone more of a chance of progressing, but that also means the richer sides can afford to lose a couple knowing they can progress more easily. The games are all one-offs too, rather than a team fearing another over two games.

The goal difference thing is interesting too, in that it potentially matters more, and because of the myriad of permutations, it's harder for a team to work out what's needed.

[Somniloquism]

I like the format. I still don’t really get why they bothered with the pots.

Because they still wanted some seeding for the top teams to get through and not have someone like Young Boys getting through directly because they only played other pot 4 members where Real Madrid get Citeh, Bayern, Dortmund, PSG, Liverpool, etc.

[Somniloquism]

Reminded me of the double save against us where he saved Ollie’s header seemingly into an open net

It was an excellent double save but are we going to ignore the fact that he was well off his line when the pen was taken.

Not sure where you got that from. His foot is still on the line when the ball is struck.

[Neil Hawkes]

Well looking at the photo, it should have been retaken for encroachment by an Arsenal player top right.

[The Edge]

Reminded me of the double save against us where he saved Ollie’s header seemingly into an open net

It was an excellent double save but are we going to ignore the fact that he was well off his line when the pen was taken.

Not sure where you got that from. His foot is still on the line when the ball is struck.

Good spot. I'll take it back.

[TelfordVilla]

If the club are making £1.5m per game. It will be better to finish 9th rather than 8th.