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Let's try to be objective? Are you suggesting Pools away record, which is about the same as WBA , Norwich and Pompy, was due to deliberately fielding weakened sides in order to preserve their chances in the CL ?
What do you think of this 4558Yes we've fielded a weaker team in quite a few away matches including dropping our captain Gerrard to the bench in order to have fresh legs in Europe. Why do you need to ask stupid...
We could argue all day about which is hardest , CL win or getting into the top 4, ( although CL win would carry more clout) but if Liverpool won it, as they might well do, it might suggest that a CL win is a shade easier than a top 4 place in the Prem as it can be won by a side not good enough to finish in the top few in its own country? Leagues have always been regarded as a better test of a teams all round merit, not cup games (Millwall?) and that is why the CL requires a top 4 finish to qualify for the next stage.
It seems to have escaped the notice of many that Liverpool ARE in next years CL right now. If they fail to get a top 4 spot they will have fallen at the first elimination hurdle. Should a team which fails to qualify get a bye? Wasn't there screams of protest when Ferguson suggested recently that prestige should get sides through? If Liverpool fail it will be because of their poor record in games most feel they should have won. If they now fail by a few points, which is possible, we might try to blame bad luck or injuries. If it was because of putting out a weak side we might blame poor management for putting all our eggs in one basket?
Talking poo?....well maybe...but you will need to show the merits of a system which would allow a side which has been playing to qualify since last August and (maybe) failed, to then get through anyway. Does making a case for the team you support lead you to forget the hype and interest in the NG's about those apparently vital games between Pool. Everton, Bolton etc which would suddenly become meaningless? If you want crap look no further.
The biggest mistake in this whole affair was in allowing the countries governing bodies an option to incude a non top 4 side into the competition. The rule should be absolute. Thankfully the FA has seen that to use this option would make a mockery of what teams have been playing for for 8 months.
Is that poo or objectivity?
LC
