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UEFA Cup - second rate?

European Football Manchester City
by IanCheeseman (U12211495) 10 July 2008
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If Manchester City are to win the UEFA Cup they will have to play 19 games, the equivalent of half a Premier League season. Can you imagine how many miles they, and their fans, will have to travel if the Blues end the season in Istanbul. The first game, in the Faroe Islands against EB Streymur involves a round-trip of 1224 miles and in some cases cars, ferrys and trawlers - even the home leg is in Barnsley, and all this to win a trophy that is considered second rate by some!

Why is it regarded unfashionable? A pal of mine reckons it's because the teams that finish third in their Champions League groups get a second chance in the UEFA Cup - others argue it's because of the way teams qualify for the competition. City are the perfect example, having got in through the "back door" by being the "fairest" team in the Premier League, that didn't already qualify through their league position! Next season there's a place reserved for the smartest dressers.

City boss Mark Hughes, and owner Thaksin Shinawatra, have promised to make the UEFA Cup a big priority this season, which is good, because I think the competition is cheapened by clubs fielding weakened teams because they're more bothered about staying in their domestic top flight. Bolton Wanderers often fielded second strings last season, though ironically they still did quite well - which might even be another reason to suggest it's a second rate competition.

I'd get rid of the Champions League teams, reducing the number of games - other than that I think it's a fascinating competition. My first games, as a boy was a thrilling European Cup Winners Cup semi-final against Schalke, the games City played against AC Milan, Juventus and Borussia Monchengladbach in the 1970's still linger in the memory, and more recently I enjoyed the games in Lokeren, Groclin and at the Millennium Stadium against TNS.

Let's face it, with the top four locked tight by the big four and even the domestic cups usually dominated by the richest, the UEFA Cup still offers the chance of success by any other club. But then again, maybe that's the argument again - if the big clubs aren't in it, how can it be taken seriously? I'm not bothered by that, I just love the unknown of UEFA Cup football. I didn't even know where the Faroe Islands were until the last couple of weeks. Within a few days I'll be an expert of the islands between Scotland and Iceland with a population of just 46,000. I might even have tried a puffin butty or sampled Whale meat!

Follow Ian's trip to the Faroe Islands with Manchester City on BBC Manchester

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comment by corzellian (U9314173)

posted Jul 17, 2008


The UEFA is of course far too long and would benefit, in a purely football sense, from a straight KO with seeding in the early rounds and definitley no CL rejects.

For example think about what's actually happening tonight. Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in... well... Manchester... are playing a team of part timers who play in a league where there are a total of twenty football clubs in two divisions in a country with a widely scattered population totalling just 46000.

And all this in the middle of July!

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comment by TottenhamCOYS (U7721397)

posted Jul 17, 2008

Neither Brain dead or a comedian.

I made some valid points about the UEFA cup which were not directed at Manchester City.
Then you start having a go at me and my team.
I was sure these boards were for debate.....

Never disliked City infact had been the opposite but I sure will be hoping you and your blood money have a horrible season after the random abuse I got for making normal initial comments on this thread.....

A corrupt dictator as chairman, a Man United legend as a manager, a 9th place finish, a rejected bid for Ronaldinho and a trip to the Faroe Islands is nothing to be proud of.

I shall look forward to our fixtures with a bit more anticipation this year.....cant wait to play you

see you then

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comment by city4me (U9051873)

posted Jul 22, 2008

Hard cheese is something best eaten well before bedtime. Tottenhamcoys be careful what you wish for now, it could bite you in the Arsenal!

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comment by braveblues4me (U12750485)

posted Jul 24, 2008

"A corrupt dictator as chairman" "blood money"???
Anyone would think that the premier league was all above board!!
At the end of the day Spurs aren't exactly world beaters. They may have won the odd cup here & there, but a fifth place finish doesn't add up to anything more than an also ran does it?
As for the comment that City and Villa shouldn't be in it, I'd have to say that according to UEFA they obviously do!

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comment by U8778470

posted Jul 30, 2008

And they say city fans are bitter, tut tut TottenhamCOYS. when I first read you comments I thought you had some valid points but then you turned all bitter and twisted. I like you don't think Man City should be in the UEFA cup, I am a city fan and although the had a fantastic start to last season it finished same old city (letting the loyal fans down again)Villa in 6th place should have gone through on merit. City on last years performance are not good enough for Europe,you should have to earn that right.
P.S.
God help Sparky if city don't have a good start

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comment by Where was Rooney and Ronaldo? In Puyols top pocket (U7794387)

posted Aug 5, 2008

Mark Hughes will be out of Eastlands by Xmas ---mark my words... his managerial methods have dramatically changed since joining City he has become slow and lethargic just like his team, is he a 'PLANT'? hmmmmm me finks so.....

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comment by realmancunian (U11144988)

posted Sep 3, 2008

the big clubs see the UEFA cup as "second rate" but i bet they'b be fuming if city won it! especially utd fans!

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comment by realmancunian (U11144988)

posted Sep 3, 2008

citysufferer, it might be a little early to judge his manegerial methods, how can we say theyve changed etc when hes been there 5 minutes. Give him a chance!

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