Tonight's Football

[BWFC_Insane]

There is just as valid an argument to say we can't afford to be in the Premiership. I mean, we struggled to stay in it whilst spending rather a lot of money that Eddie had. At least in this league we can compete to win it and not bankrupt ourselves or Eddie in the process.

We can only compete because of the parachute payments. Once they have finished, well it will be interesting to see.

Like BB I will watch Bolton any league, anywhere. I don't subscribe to the view that the FA cup will keep you warm on a cold winters night 4 years down the line in Scunthorpe though. I don't think modern football (love it, hate it, it's what we've got) works like that.

What I hope for is continued success. Not one blip then nowt. If that success means winning trophies then great, but if it means what Allardyce did here then I'd take that too.

Realistically best a club like ours can hope for is sustained periods in the premiership with quick returns. Being in the premiership gives you the best chance of winning a (major) trophy as well given the better quality of players you can attract and afford.

Again, that doesn't matter. Old Trafford or Scunthorpe. I'll still be watching Bolton, not the opposition.

It seems like you prefer current prestige to historical triumphs

I guess I prefer the thrill of potential future success to historical achievements.

For me it's not what we did last year or the year before, but about how good we can be now and in the future.

[boltonboris]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

[BWFC_Insane]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

I'm not saying you don't take them into account. But winning won is not a safeguard to the clubs future success. In those terms (future success) it means nowt as soon as you've won it, rightly or wrongly.

I'd love to win a cup next season. But if given a choice between promotion or an FA Cup win, I'd take promotion everytime.

[boltonboris]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

I'm not saying you don't take them into account. But winning won is not a safeguard to the clubs future success. In those terms (future success) it means nowt as soon as you've won it, rightly or wrongly.

I'd love to win a cup next season. But if given a choice between promotion or an FA Cup win, I'd take promotion everytime.

I'm not saying it is.. But you're coming across as though you'd rather never win anything than win anything. Wigan were going down regardless.. Yet they've won a cup and you've chosen to put a negative spin on it and somehow claim it's because their manager is shit. It's bollocks. Proper massive, hairy, sweaty bollocks.

[CrazyHorse]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

I'm not saying you don't take them into account. But winning won is not a safeguard to the clubs future success. In those terms (future success) it means nowt as soon as you've won it, rightly or wrongly.

I'd love to win a cup next season. But if given a choice between promotion or an FA Cup win, I'd take promotion everytime.

But that promotion only guarantees one season in the top flight. A season where we'd probably be in the bottom three all year and then come down again. I'd take winning the cup over that in a heartbeat. And in your heart of hearts you know you would too.

[BWFC_Insane]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

I'm not saying you don't take them into account. But winning won is not a safeguard to the clubs future success. In those terms (future success) it means nowt as soon as you've won it, rightly or wrongly.

I'd love to win a cup next season. But if given a choice between promotion or an FA Cup win, I'd take promotion everytime.

But that promotion only guarantees one season in the top flight. A season where we'd probably be in the bottom three all year and then come down again. I'd take winning the cup over that in a heartbeat. And in your heart of hearts you know you would too.

I wouldn't. I honestly see why you would though.

For me, a cup is a day out, some prestige some great memories and a parade. A promotion (to the premiership)is a successful end to a 46 game season a parade, tens of millions of pounds extra into the clubs accounts, better players a summer of excitement as a "better" team is built for the premiership, then another season in the top flight testing yourself against the best.

I realise that I'm going to be at odds with other opinion on here. But that's how I feel about it.

I'm not saying I don't want us to win the FA Cup, I do badly. But I just prioritise it differently. I don't see it as the be all and end all. Ultimately it's a one off day out. I'd like the club to be in a position where it can deliver those sorts of day outs more consistently.....

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

There is just as valid an argument to say we can't afford to be in the Premiership. I mean, we struggled to stay in it whilst spending rather a lot of money that Eddie had. At least in this league we can compete to win it and not bankrupt ourselves or Eddie in the process.

We can only compete because of the parachute payments. Once they have finished, well it will be interesting to see.

Like BB I will watch Bolton any league, anywhere. I don't subscribe to the view that the FA cup will keep you warm on a cold winters night 4 years down the line in Scunthorpe though. I don't think modern football (love it, hate it, it's what we've got) works like that.

What I hope for is continued success. Not one blip then nowt. If that success means winning trophies then great, but if it means what Allardyce did here then I'd take that too.

Realistically best a club like ours can hope for is sustained periods in the premiership with quick returns. Being in the premiership gives you the best chance of winning a (major) trophy as well given the better quality of players you can attract and afford.

Forgive me for my stupidity, but how did the other 23 clubs compete this season just gone? They weren't all on parachute payments were they? I also doubt whether finishing 17th in the Premiership would keep you warm 4 years down the line at Scunthorpe or Man U.

[Bruce Rioja]

Imagine in 30 years time...

"I was there that day.. The day we managed to draw with Fulham with 9 games left to ensure another season of mediocrity"

"Yeah, good story granddad"

This is often said. But said grandson or daughter is probably not going to be so impressed if your team are now lower league, or non-league scrappers. Even less so if they haven't ever heard of them cos they've gone out of existence.

And the use of the word "mediocrity" is a bit misleading. Being in the top flight, even mid table or bottom half is a long way beyond mediocrity.

Would one cup win mean that everyone would be happy with say 20 years of real mediocrity in league one? Would fans accept that and be happy? No moaning?

Having watched us play in all four divisions and never having seen us never win anything other than the Leyland DAF Trophy, yes.

[boltonboris]

But what "potential future success" does a club like Wigan or Bolton realistically have if you don't take cup competitions into account?

I'm not saying you don't take them into account. But winning won is not a safeguard to the clubs future success. In those terms (future success) it means nowt as soon as you've won it, rightly or wrongly.

I'd love to win a cup next season. But if given a choice between promotion or an FA Cup win, I'd take promotion everytime.

But that promotion only guarantees one season in the top flight. A season where we'd probably be in the bottom three all year and then come down again. I'd take winning the cup over that in a heartbeat. And in your heart of hearts you know you would too.

I wouldn't. I honestly see why you would though.

For me, a cup is a day out, some prestige some great memories and a parade. A promotion (to the premiership)is a successful end to a 46 game season a parade, tens of millions of pounds extra into the clubs accounts, better players a summer of excitement as a "better" team is built for the premiership, then another season in the top flight testing yourself against the best.

I realise that I'm going to be at odds with other opinion on here. But that's how I feel about it.

I'm not saying I don't want us to win the FA Cup, I do badly. But I just prioritise it differently. I don't see it as the be all and end all. Ultimately it's a one off day out. I'd like the club to be in a position where it can deliver those sorts of day outs more consistently.....

We did all that though.. And we've feck all to show for it.

And to be honest, it all got a bit feckin tedious.

[Bruce Rioja]

Oh my giddy aunt. Apparently, if Chelsea beat Benfica tonight then John Terry, who won't be playing, is going to do that thing again whereby he goes and puts a kit on to lift the cup, the shameless c*nt!

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Oh my giddy aunt. Apparently, if Chelsea beat Benfica tonight then John Terry, who won't be playing, is going to do that thing again whereby he goes and puts a kit on to lift the cup, the shameless c*nt!

So, he is essentially a full kit wanker

[a1]

https://twitter.com/indyliar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

is a good source of football news

[boltonboris]

https://twitter.com/indyliar

is a good source of football news

He's the guy who copies and pastes from journalists isn't he?, then claims he has "contacts within the game"

[a1]

its a pisstake of that.

[boltonboris]

Aaah. I dint look proper

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Rodrigo starting up front for Benfica tonight. I didn't see much of him with us but don't remember rating him.

[ChrisC]

Its a good job for Chelsea that Benfica left their shooting boots at home!

[TANGODANCER]

Its a good job for Chelsea that Benfica left their shooting boots at home!

Aye, Chelsea less than impressive up to now. Benfica playing all the football but they're champion divers. One feather touch and they're up higher than the parachute regiment. Pretty good at clogging too and the ref seems to be letting a lot go. Their movement and ball control are pretty impressive though. But for getting bodies in the way, Chelsea could be three down already.

[ChrisC]

Its a good job for Chelsea that Benfica left their shooting boots at home!

Aye, Chelsea less than impressive up to now. Benfica playing all the football but they're champion divers. One feather touch and they're up higher than the parachute regiment. Pretty good at clogging too and the ref seems to be letting a lot go. Their movement and ball control are pretty impressive though. But for getting bodies in the way, Chelsea could be three down already.

Yeah, Chelsea very poor. Never seen Mata misplace as many passes in a game as he has first half. Good team Benfica and will always control most games when it comes to possession.

Still fancy Chelsea to win with a Lampard screamer or something similar.

[ChrisC]

Is this the Uefa Offside Cup Final?