European Football

[Brend'Watkins]

it will be great as long as we don't play any of our squad players in it until we reach the last 4.

[Dave]

[passitsideways]

Don't the FA cup winners go straight into the group stage? I'd understand an aversion if you had to go through three or so two-legged playoffs just to get into the groups, but otherwise, the way I see it, the whole point of football is to win things.

[AV82EC]

Sorry didn't realise it was straight to the Group stage. In that case 6 group games then 4 knockout rounds and the final, 15 games job done. Reserves/youth in the League Cup and have a go in the FA Cup. Priority needs to be the League though.

[Gregorys Boy]

Don't the FA cup winners go straight into the group stage? I'd understand an aversion if you had to go through three or so two-legged playoffs just to get into the groups, but otherwise, the way I see it, the whole point of football is to win things.

I did think that to be fair, and if that is a case then I am more sold on it.  But I still stick by my guns that for now it would be more of distraction than a positive.  Don't forget that one of the big turn offs about it is the Thursday night games and then having to play again at the weekend.  I know then our weekend game would be on a sunday but still if you have a long trip and then don't have much time to train before the weekend then I can still see why it would be a pain in arse.

[passitsideways]

Yeah, from the standpoint of a club itself it's probably not the greatest to have a Thursday night on the continent, possibly in some backwater, and then have less than a couple of days to prepare for a league game.

I obviously don't want to be getting ahead of myself at all, but if the squad depth's decent enough, may as well give it a go.

[ozzjim]

I really like the Europa League, but think we are way too short and way too injury prone to cope with it at the moment. 5-6 new faces in the summer and maybe.

[passitsideways]

No worries, Sylla, Tonev, Helenius and Bennett are all ready to twat on whoever we face.

[rob_bridge]

Of course we want to play in Europe. It will mean we've won the FA Cup.

Top 6 isnt going to happen unless at least one of Spuds znd 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' to bomb. Oh and then we would have to better than half a dozen teams we've not been better thsn for a while.

Europe gives us a profile. Yes its shit that games are moved to Sundays but I want those evening atmospheres back at The Majestic Complex. Witness the Souless Old Tafford and even Anfield which come alive on big European nights.

[TheMalandro]

it would be a bonus, but winning the fa cup and staying in the league would do me for the next decade!

[montague]

Win the Europa League and you are in the Champions League - it should be taken seriously, just a shame its so long.

[Villa Lew]

Don't you think we should win the cup first , before we start talking about Europe.

[UK Redsox]

Don't you think we should win the cup first , before we start talking about Europe.

The thread was started because some people thought that being in the Final was enough to qualify for the Europa (as it used to be)

[Witton End]

Don't you think we should win the cup first , before we start talking about Europe.

thumbs up

[silhillvilla]

Don't you think we should win the cup first , before we start talking about Europe.

The thread was started because some people thought that being in the Final was enough to qualify for the Europa (as it used to be)

Indeed , driving back yesterday a caller had Collymore convinced we'd already qualified for Europe . 4 mins later Stan was corrected by his producer.
Personally , I'm not sure we are ready for Europa league yet , as in squad personnel and also inevitable detriment to the domestic games.
Then again, if we are being sold this summer who knows ?