To Have and Have Not

[KingsX]

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-ajax-and-monaco-being-ripped-apart-typifies-threatening-future-uefa-are-building

 

Fourfourtwo uses Ajax and Monaco as timely examples of the ills of the European football structure that basically makes virtually all other clubs into feeders for an ever more entrenched handful of megaclubs; and reminds us this system continues to be ever more refined and hardened.  While the piece doesn’t break ground, it hits hard on some points I think need discussed, not merely accepted:

 

There are 10 ‘haves’ and dozens and dozens of ‘have nots’. On one side of the line are a few teams afforded the luxury of continuity and personality, on the other a 12-month struggle for a club trying desperately to succeed while somehow managing to avoid detection.

 

UEFA take note: it’s becoming harder to avoid the conclusion that the entire European game exists to support the ambitions of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the rest of the lucky few. Take the players, take the managers, take the money; eventually, people will start to wonder what their own club is actually playing for.

 

(If this topic is not LCFC-centric enough for this forum, by all means move it.  I thought it close enough to home.)

[UPinCarolina]

For me anyways, this solidifies my opinion that the only way for a club like LCFC to become well and truly "established" as a top side is to continue to develop an identity through on and off pitch behaviors that aren't necessarily about the players on the pitch, though that matters a great deal as well. 

 

I'm thinking formation, team spirit, backroom staff and training support, etc. 

[Captain...]

Scrap the Europa League and create a single expanded European tournament, the Europa league is just a protracted Champions League play off that nobody cares about. It will increase interest in the champions league, allow more participants to get a share of the money and ensure that all of the big clubs get in. It will also give value to domestic competitions if winning the domestic cup gets you into the CL. 

[sylofox]

OP this is about LCFC we are trying to become one of the teams they are talking about. This the feeder club story it's all about greed now and nothing else.

[Milo]

I'm not sure its ever been that different, tbh. Big boys have always snaffled the best talent - in fact its probably harder for them now as PL clubs don't have to sell to survive. UEFA have always been giant cockwombles, nothing has changed.

 

Players (and Agents) appear to be a fairly greedy breed and many will want to agitate a move to line their pockets - John Bostock/Jack Rodwell/Scott Sinclair all ballsed their careers up by doing this. If the player has his head filled with nonsense then there is not much the club can do.

 

If clubs want to create an identity then a decent Academy is a good place to start - stop shipping in bang average foreign players to the first team and start to develop a youth system that can grow with the club culture present within it. If those players get to be world class and want to move on, then so be it.

 

For every N'golo Kante there are a dozen Momo Sylla's.  

 

Friend of mine is a lifelong Watford STH and didn't renew this year due to the awful/average foreign contingent and manager that couldn't communicate with the fans. Lost his appetite for going and sharing the occasion with players who (he felt) had no connection to the club.

 

We've been on an amazing 2 year journey and I have no idea what the next twist or turn will be - Some players might be moving on this summer, I just hope we can retain the essence of what we are all about and integrate the new arrivals accordingly.

 

I'd be happy with that.