The Round Ball Game

[teamsaint]

Agreed. As I said, had the Bach on the iPod - all I needed was a pocket-book Shakespeare and I would have had all three of the greatest of mankind's creations!

do you not carry one at all times, Boeuf?
And I thought of you as Renaissance man.......

still......

[EdgeleyRob]

Unlucky Arsenal,won 2-0 in Munich,out on away goals.

[teamsaint]

Unlucky Arsenal,won 2-0 in Munich,out on away goals.

Missed the game.

The away goals rule needs to be scrapped. It has no value.

[John Wright]

The away goals rule needs to be scrapped. It has no value.

ts, without that rule would it have gone to replay or penalties? Do you value a penalty shoot-out more?

[teamsaint]

ts, without that rule would it have gone to replay or penalties? Do you value a penalty shoot-out more?

The point is that the away goals rule often has too much bearing on a two leg tie much too early, IMV.

A penalty shoot out is no better or worse. Extra time often decides it anyway.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

big night tonight, Spurs, Toon & Les Bleus are all in play ....

howay i ragazzi ... go azzurri ... vieni su speroni

[teamsaint]

big night tonight, Spurs, Toon & Les Bleus are all in play ....

howay i ragazzi ... go azzurri ... vieni su speroni

and for desert, Jazzer?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[johncorrigan]

The point is that the away goals rule often has too much bearing on a two leg tie much too early, IMV.

A penalty shoot out is no better or worse. Extra time often decides it anyway.

Maybe the away goals rule should only come into play after extra time in the second leg, ts - the likelihood of the penalty shoot-out would be diminished. At 3-0 the other night, one goal in the 89th minute could have put Milan through - perhaps if it gave them extra time with the possibility of winning after 120 minutes should the score remain the same that might be more logical - by the way I haven't thought this through, so it might be a rubbish idea.

[teamsaint]

Maybe the away goals rule should only come into play after extra time in the second leg, ts - the likelihood of the penalty shoot-out would be diminished. At 3-0 the other night, one goal in the 89th minute could have put Milan through - perhaps if it gave them extra time with the possibility of winning after 120 minutes should the score remain the same that might be more logical - by the way I haven't thought this through, so it might be a rubbish idea.

That compromise had occurred to me, JC, and it might be the best answer. Penalty shoot outs should be avoided where possible, but as you suggest, it would have been a travesty had Milan nicked a goal and gone through.
I think there are or have been competitions where away goals count only after ET.

[johncorrigan]

That compromise had occurred to me, JC, and it might be the best answer. Penalty shoot outs should be avoided where possible, but as you suggest, it would have been a travesty had Milan nicked a goal and gone through.
I think there are or have been competitions where away goals count only after ET.

ts, I suppose the thing is that the home team in the second leg has a slight advantage in that they get an extra 30 minutes on their own turf, so perhaps the advantage of the away goal should come on then. In the Arsenal game the other evening it would have given them an extra 30 minutes to get the third goal - in theory the advantage still would have lain with Bayern since they were at home - I think that would be OK. Away goals are still preferable to penalties, I suppose.

[gurnemanz]

ts, I suppose the thing is that the home team in the second leg has a slight advantage in that they get an extra 30 minutes on their own turf, so perhaps the advantage of the away goal should come on then. In the Arsenal game the other evening it would have given them an extra 30 minutes to get the third goal - in theory the advantage still would have lain with Bayern since they were at home - I think that would be OK. Away goals are still preferable to penalties, I suppose.

With all three English teams just getting away with it last might, it must have made Arsenal's narrow failure to do so the previous night all the more galling for Gooners.

It seems reasonable to offer an incentive to away teams to go on the attack rather than offer stonewall defence.

[teamsaint]

With all three English teams just getting away with it last might, it must have made Arsenal's narrow failure to do so the previous night all the more galling for Gooners.

It seems reasonable to offer an incentive to away teams to go on the attack rather than offer stonewall defence.

I don't really see that it does that, though. In fact it tends to encourage home teams to be rather cautious, knowing that a 1 -0 victory is far better than a 2-1.

[EdgeleyRob]

The away goal rule in European competitions is surely past it's sell by date.

Latest results.

Wednesday.

Chelmsford 1 Hornchurch 4.

Europa League.

Chelsea 3 Steaua Bucharest 1.
Newcastle United 1 Anzhi Makhachkala 0.

All three English teams are through and have avoided each other in the draw for the next round.

Mansfield's win tonight means that Wrexham have been knocked off the top of the conference.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend,especially St Mirren in the league cup final on Sunday.

[BBMmk2]

Thank you as Ever, ER! Sterling work!! I have had a rather busy week this week!

We go9 to Wigan Atheltic tomorrow afternoon at 16.00hrs.

[John Wright]

A rare thing for me to watch a whole Saturday lunchtime game on HDTV - it was very enjoyable, nice to see Everton win against Man City. Good goal disallowed early on, man sent off, possible penalty scare, and to win 2-0, especially with that stoppage-time clincher was sweet.

Everton goalie Mucha should have man-of-the-match though that might go to Coleman.

Thank you Mrs W for driving. It's now 6.45 and I haven't yet walked/eaten off those four pints......