Will we ever be able to compete?

megalolz :icon_mrgreen:

 

in terms of ability were up there with the best in europe but we're not street wise

 

I think in 2/3 years time we can get a team capable of getting to the last 16 of the CL and maybe quarter/semi's of the EL. As much as I hate the filth across the city they do well in Europe by negating teams. Now we don't have to do it to the extreme they do it but we must certainlu set up to defend against the clearly superior teams. Look at some of our best CL victories under WGS and you'll see it was defensive not 10 men behind the ball defensive but still very defensive. I think in Europe against the stronger teams away from home with our current team I would go

Forster(or whoever next year)
Wilson - Big Dan - Mulgrew - Izzy
Kayal
Brown - Ki - Ledley - Commons
Samaras​

Samaras for all his faults can hold up the ball, bring Commons onto it by allowing him a slightly freer role than the other four in the midfield. Kayal would sit deep and break up play and play long balls because he has a great range of passing on him. Ledley can burst forward and support the attack when needed. When we play against weaker teams we can play our standard game with Hooper and Stokes in attack.

 

What's money got to do with 22 professional athletes on a pitch playing football? Whatever happened to team-work, will-power, tactics and a 60,000 strong support?

wat wat wat!? They aren't superhuman, and can be beaten?

 

I semi-agree. I think while we lack the pure talent the best way to play is defensively and on the counter-attack, but I think the best teams in CL are usually those that play good balanced football; solid in the back and opportunistic attacking. Arsenal always have problems because they just fly forward and get caught on the counter. Teams like Inter hardly ever win because the quality opponents will usually break you down. When they do win, the final has the lowest ratings ever I think Man U is a good barometer of how to play in Europe. They are solid in the back and play a lot from the wings. They don't get dispossessed in the middle of the park, which limits counter opportunities. I think that's what we have to aim for, and we are building a team that can fit that mold if we can retain players. Btw, I hate Man U. I just know class when I see it.

 

Proto would hump us mate, Villareal probably would beat us too