If (and its a big 'if') we win the league, will it be the biggest feat in English Football History?

[Webbo]

If you look at the record in the 1970s and 1980s, it was dominated by English teams.

 

1977 - Liverpool

1978 - Liverpool

1979 - Forest

1980 - Forest

1981 - Liverpool

1982 - Aston Villa

1983 - Hamburg

1984 - Liverpool

1985 - Juventus

 

In fact, some have argued this was part of the reason why English teams were banned post Heysel - UEFA had been worried about the level of English dominance for years and its impact on the competition. Basically; if you won the league, the European Cup was almost yours to lose regardless of club size. It's a lot, lot more weighted to the big names of Europe now.

Not just the European cup but the UEFA and Cup winners cup as well. It seemed like we won 1 or 2 European trophies every year back then.

[Samilktray]

Basically Forest winning the European cup wasn't that impressive and us winning the premier league would be enormous.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

I think Ipswich winning the league in the 60s or Forests early 80s successes will always remain unsurpassed.

You MUST be taking the piss?

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

I think Arsenal going a whole 38 game season unbeaten would be better than our achievement but I think our achievement would be better than Blackburn winning it. I mean, it was a great achievement by Blackburn, but they did spend a lot of money when you think back to the likes of Sutton, Sherwood and Shearer.

A team chock full of superstars going a season unbeaten is impressive, but it would be nowhere near as impressive as Leicester winning the PL title. The prices you gave were also big money for the day

We have a top scorer who was playing amateur football while we started building this squad, another star in Mahrez who we plucked out of nowhere for chump change, captained by Morgan who had been written off by many before he'd even started playing for us, an academy product in King who has starred for us from our lowest depths of League One right up to where we are now. Even the manager was odds on to be the first to be sacked this year. What we could possibly achieve this year is nothing short of a miracle in footballing terms and should we do it, I'd say it's the biggest feat in modern domestic football. I can't even think of anything that would come close (except for our survival last year!)

[Chester Dontlie]

Christ! Is that your contribution to the discussion and are you 3?

Try harder please!

No reason to be rude mate!

 

Well there was already a similar "IF" thread sometime ago and me and few other lads thought it's not "IF" but "WHEN". I know, I'm incurable optimist but I cant help it! I've been like that since the Great Escape happened. I though Leicester was doomed then but then things miraculously clicked and now this season, I'm repeating myself, but simply put it's the stuff that dreams are made of and I honestly believe the stars are aligned showing the giant starry fox in the sky and Leicester will win the title.

 

There are just too many results and "lucky coincidences" that go our way. I will probably be massively disappointed if we finish second, for a day or two (because as many have pointed out, it's a chance that may not repeat itself again)... Or if we'll finish top 4. After that I'll make a reality check and come to conclusion that Champions League football isn't so bad after all. Europa League, on the other hand... Well your probably right mate this season I'm just like a spoiled 3 year old brat

[Guest Bilo]

Not just the European cup but the UEFA and Cup winners cup as well. It seemed like we won 1 or 2 European trophies every year back then.

 

This is true as well. I know I've read articles that suggest that English dominance had UEFA seriously worried. 

 

I've always seen Forest winning the league as a greater achievement than the European Cup wins for that reason, I believe even Clough said the same in an interview.

[Viva]

If you look at the record in the 1970s and 1980s, it was dominated by English teams.

1977 - Liverpool

1978 - Liverpool

1979 - Forest

1980 - Forest

1981 - Liverpool

1982 - Aston Villa

1983 - Hamburg

1984 - Liverpool

1985 - Juventus

In fact, some have argued this was part of the reason why English teams were banned post Heysel - UEFA had been worried about the level of English dominance for years and its impact on the competition. Basically; if you won the league, the European Cup was almost yours to lose regardless of club size. It's a lot, lot more weighted to the big names of Europe now.

This is exactly the case. Forest would have been first or second favourites to win the European Cup. It wouldn't have been a massive surprise. Villa did the same.

A club starting 5000/1 to win a league would be a far bigger surprise. If you consider last March we was about 6/1 I think to stay up. So in theory if you could have placed a bet then for us to stay up and win the league the next season you would be looking at odds of 30,000/1!

I'd call that a bigger feat.

[moseeds]

I think Forest's achievements are still the greatest in football league history. I say that with grudging respect!

[Bob Weasel Fox]

I think Forest's achievements are still the greatest in football league history. I say that with grudging respect!

Another one taking the piss

You do know they spent £1 million on Trevor Francis (which was the equivalent of us spending £70 million on a forward today)

[Great Boos Up]

Because of the money involved in the competition and the rapid rise up the league. I'll say YES. 

It would always be discussed as the underdog wins against all the odds giving hope to every football fan in every league in all the world.

[Countryfox]

 

It would always be discussed as the underdog wins against all the odds 

 

LCFC, the 'Rocky' of the football world !     

[Salieri]

Well my father in law has said if lcfc win or finish top 4 am gonna have to give him a feast better start cooking now

 

 

Sounds a bit gay mate, I'd watch your back.

Gave me a laugh on a depressing Sunday night   

[Izzy]

Another one taking the piss

You do know they spent £1 million on Trevor Francis (which was the equivalent of us spending £70 million on a forward today)

If my memory serves me right, they bought Francis AFTER they won the league after being promoted the season before. The Forest team that got promoted and then won the league the next season didn't include any big money signings I don't think.

So it's like us winning the PL this season and then signing a world class striker in the summer and then going on to win the Champions League next sason. Crazy really, but that's kinda what Forest did whether we like it or not.

[Viva]

If my memory serves me right, they bought Francis AFTER they won the league after being promoted the season before. The Forest team that got promoted and won the league first time round didn't include any big money signings I don't think.

So it's like us winning the PL this season and then signing a world class striker in the summer and then going on to win the Chamopins League next sason. Crazy really, but that's kinda what Forest did whether we like it or not.

 

It was from an era though where smaller teams were challenging or winning titles. Derby and Forest won the league. QPR, Ipswich, Watford and Southampton were all runners up.

 

The current era of domination of only 4 or 5 clubs does not see a smaller team get anywhere near to even the top 4.

 

The European Cup whether people like to think it or not, was easier to win for English clubs back then too. 

[Suffolk exile]

Definitely would be in terms of the Premier league period. 

 

The really odd thing for me is that I can hardly bring myself to dream about it happening, and yet I am strangely unfazed by it.............But imagine if we did it......................

 

 

One thing that occurred to me is, what about next season? How could we ever do this again? It's not possible, is it??

[Izzy]

It was from an era though where smaller teams were challenging or winning titles. Derby and Forest won the league. QPR, Ipswich, Watford and Southampton were all runners up.

 

Yep. And what a fantastic era it was...

[Kitchandro]

I think Ipswich winning the league in the 60s or Forests early 80s successes will always remain unsurpassed.

In these modern times I'd say it's far more difficult now than when they did it.

So in answer to the main question, quite possibly.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

It was from an era though where smaller teams were challenging or winning titles. Derby and Forest won the league. QPR, Ipswich, Watford and Southampton were all runners up.

The current era of domination of only 4 or 5 clubs does not see a smaller team get anywhere near to even the top 4.

The European Cup whether people like to think it or not, was easier to win for English clubs back then too.

This exactly this

[Brown Fox]

They went 49 games (was it 49 or 50?) unbeaten. That's phenomenal, especially in the top flight.

They had a great set of players Wenger built, and they didn't exactly cost loads. .... Veira cost £3.5million, Bergkamp cost £7.5million, Toure cost 150k, Pires cost £6million.... Not like we're talking about a team of 11 £20million players, is it?

The point I'm trying to make is that Arsenal were a team of superstars, littered with World Cup winners and genuine world class players. They were expected to win the league, to win it unbeaten is obviously ridiculously impressive but you wouldn't have ruled it out before that season started with the squad they had.

Us on the other hand, are essentially a team of nobodies if you look at us on a broader spectrum. 2 years ago half our team were championship players. In the last 20 years only 4 teams have won the premiership. Liverpool and spurs have spent hundreds of millions trying and failing. Then all of a sudden we come along, a team of nobodies almost relegated last year, a squad worth about 30 million. If we were to win the league honestly I can't see how you'd say that wouldn't eclipse arsenal's invincibles.

[fuchsntf]

In the Forests , Villa, and Pool days, the clubs and players were not hyped up as much as today.

The press like today, were salesman for their wonder clubs, but today with sport info and pastimes

being immediately accessable, emotions across the board, not having time to die down,

The adrenilin push of failure and success, is literally pushed into our faces, no time for digestion.

Sports forums major part of todays world plus the immediate everyday pundit panels pushed out every single day.

Will give mixed views and memories across the various fans generations.

An older fan (like me) will try and try and remember the unbiased memories and try and digest,all football wonders impact.

Simply because of the media hype, and money/financial clout involved that caused success, and created a massive divide, between big clubs, and also rans, then any club not unlike city,

using still survival basics.The PL leaves the past well behind.

Cloughie changing the history of Forest and Derby was brilliant, but if City got a title

or even top 4, ( or a team like Palace, West.brom, Stoke, with only modest investment)

would outweigh, top and out do, all European simple wonders.

This is the PL it would be the biggest feat in history of profi football sport.

Another point why, because it will be with a team of players who never will go down in history, as being their countries best or even just top Internationals. Club legends will only be created, not international idols.

[(.) (.)]

I think Ipswich winning the league in the 60s or Forests early 80s successes will always remain unsurpassed.

 

I may be wrong but did Clough not spend big?

 

It was before my time but Shilton and Francis were big money signings.

[Izzy]

In the Forests , Villa, and Pool days, the clubs and players were not hyped up as much as today.

The press like today, were salesman for their wonder clubs, but today with sport info and pastimes

being immediately accessable, emotions across the board, not having time to die down,

The adrenilin push of failure and success, is literally pushed into our faces, no time for digestion.

Sports forums major part of todays world plus the immediate everyday pundit panels pushed out every single day.

Will give mixed views and memories across the various fans generations.

An older fan (like me) will try and try and remember the unbiased memories and try and digest,all football wonders

impact.

Simply because of the media hype, and money/financial clout involved that caused success, and created

a massive divide, between big clubs, and also rans, then any club not unlike city, using still survival basics.

Cloughie changing the history of Forest and Derby was brilliant, but if City got title or even top 4,

( or a team like Palace, West.brom, Stoke, with only modest investment) would outweigh, top and out do,

all European simple wonders, this is the PL it would be the biggest feat in history.

Another point why, because it will be with a team of players who never will go down in history, as being

their countries best or even just top Internationals. Club legends will only be created, not international idols.

So.....is that a yes then?

[dylanlegend]

Yes definately. It would be the biggest upset in world football ever, if we won it. Forest did it back in the day but in the modern era it's pretty much unprecedented. The difference in budget from us to the big boys is huge. Some players in this league are on 250-300k a week. Hence the normally huge gulf in class. For us to sustain this over 38games in the modern era would be the biggest upset ever I believe. We were 5000-1 with bookies at the start and I think no-one would predict top 4 let alone champions

[Izzy]

I may be wrong but did Clough not spend big?

It was before my time but Shilton and Francis were big money signings.

Clough only really spent money after they won promotion and then went on to win the top flight at the first attempt. Buying Francis etc. then helped them push on to win back to back European cups...

[WesMorganGod]

Yes it will be the biggest, it will be amazing and incredible.. it will rock the football world. no one can believe it and even us Leicester fans can't really believe it, still feeling we will wake up any minute