Second Captains Part II

Just because they're right once in a while doesn't mean they're not paranoid 😋

Just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you 😀

The format that took 8 rounds of games to end up with every single one of the teams we all knew would qualify getting through? Gosh it was exciting.

Well, City have to play one of Bayern or Madrid in a playoff and Lille have gone straight through.

One of the three pre tournament favourites are guaranteed to be eliminated before the Round of 16. Hardly predictable.

Still a terrible format. This last round of games were the only possible really interesting ones for a neutral and then with them all being on the same time (which i know they had to be) a big waste

The previous format was a bit **** anyway, so it's not a huge deal. Found myself not watching many group games in recent years (including this one). It's grand to dip in and out of if there's a game that catches my eye, but certainly not essential viewing. It's been the case that it only really kicks off in the knockout rounds for years now.

It's not like the upcoming changes to the World Cup format where they're altering the perfect format for a new, terrible version.

New format is rubbish. Loads of games, but a feeling of zero stakes to pretty much all of them: I never felt less engaged by a group stage of the CL.

Okay, the city game last night was must win - but that's one game and in the end they went through, as they were likely to do.

I'm sure the knockouts will be better, but let's not pretend that the group stage has been improved.

More games, less jeopardy - it's just a cash grab.

I've never been closer to canceling my subscription than when listening to Ken eating humble pie.

Definitely veered into smug and unlikable territory.

That needs to be nipped in the bud.

Ive dipped in and out of membership over the years. The thing is, I probably wouldn't bother listening to them if it wasn't for Ken. But there's only so much Ken I can listen to!

And Rugby chat...

I finished the Stakeknife series today. Overall I thought it was well put together and interesting, although there was no ‘theme’ or underlying argument or revelations - it was really just a collection of stories about Scappaticci.

Like most podcast series it was too long and ran out of steam towards the end. The story in the 9th episode was harrowing but had nothing to do with Stakeknife. And the driving around Guildford in the last episode was pointless - it seemed like they were trying to redo the climax from Where is George Gibney, but it came across as a gimmick.

Also, there was some misinformation in the last episode that wasn’t particularly significant but annoyed me. Mark referred to the Aldershot bombing in 1972 as having been carried out by the IRA. I’d say 90% of the listeners, and probably 100% of those in the UK, naturally assumed that he was referring to the same IRA that Stakeknife was a member of, i.e. the provos. But the Aldershot bombing was carried out by the OIRA, the Stickies, who were the sworn enemy of the provos. While nothing turned on it, I thought it was irritatingly misleading.

Even with those provisos, I thought it was a worthwhile series and a reminder of how grim and dark things were in the north until 30 years ago

Was it not just a p*sstake on the Tiger Woods one for those same reasons?

..drinking the moment when Tony Adams scored? 😳

Which of ye is the eejit who sent in the Villa Euro hatred email?