UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[AV82EC]

I haven't seen anyone on here saying they don't want European football. Just one or two (me included) who thinks next season might be a a bit too soon.

It’s never too soon.

[Monty]

I for one thought we voted to leave.

[LeeB]

I for one thought we voted to leave.

Exactly, and I look forward to us qualifying for the English Super Cup in the future

[lovejoy]

I think it is a bit too soon for Europe given the lack of depth for our squad.

[Risso]

I think it is a bit too soon for Europe given the lack of depth for our squad.

We’re supposed to be sorting this in the summer.

[Brend'Watkins]

I think it is a bit too soon for Europe given the lack of depth for our squad.

We’re supposed to be sorting this in the summer.

If we are to make the Leyland Daf European equivalent then no better a stage to blood the likes of Archer, Iroegbunam, Bidace and other peripheral players into first team football. It might be a hindrance competition but it can be a benefit too. If the squad grows with more quality then some pruning will certainly need to be done.   

[pauliewalnuts]

I think it is a bit too soon for Europe given the lack of depth for our squad.

We’re supposed to be sorting this in the summer.

Indeed.

I don't get it. Compare the wailing when we bailed out of the cups half-arsedly with the seeming lowering of the ambition bar already re competing in Europe. It sounds like pre-emptively making excuses for mediocrity to me.

It's a loop of failure:

don't strengthen in January = "we'll get the players in the summer" / "we only want the best" / "we'll 'be fine till the end of the season" (whatever 'fine' means)

playing in Europe next year = "we won't have the squad to compete on so many fronts" / "it'll be too soon for us" / "we'll struggle like West Ham did"

It really is always next year / next window with Villa and it has been for years now, with the difference that now the fans are making the excuses rather than the club.

[Rigadon]

We can't compete with the Fulhams and Brightons of this world and should just be thankful that we aren't in division 2 anymore.  This is, after all, a 10 year plan to consolidate (for ever).

[Risso]

Indeed.

I don't get it. Compare the wailing when we bailed out of the cups half-arsedly with the seeming lowering of the ambition bar already re competing in Europe. It sounds like pre-emptively making excuses for mediocrity to me.

It's a loop of failure:

don't strengthen in January = "we'll get the players in the summer" / "we only want the best" / "we'll 'be fine till the end of the season" (whatever 'fine' means)

playing in Europe next year = "we won't have the squad to compete on so many fronts" / "it'll be too soon for us" / "we'll struggle like West Ham did"

It really is always next year / next window with Villa and it has been for years now, with the difference that now the fans are making the excuses rather than the club.

Exactly. Let's just paddle about in 11th, anything else is getting ideas above our station.

[Drummond]

Yet there's absolutely nobody saying that at all.

[London Villan]

Football is about the here and now - you have to take the chances when they come, as you never know what might change to prevent the opportunity ever happening again.

Look at Newcastle - basket case for years, but in 12 months they are likely to secure a European spot - West Ham, total opposite, Europe to relegation candidates in a season.

If there is a slim chance you have to go all out to qualify, in the same way we should be aiming to win both domestic cup competitions.

[Drummond]

Football is about the here and now - you have to take the chances when they come, as you never know what might change to prevent the opportunity ever happening again.

Look at Newcastle - basket case for years, but in 12 months they are likely to secure a European spot - West Ham, total opposite, Europe to relegation candidates in a season.

If there is a slim chance you have to go all out to qualify, in the same way we should be aiming to win both domestic cup competitions.

I don't think Newcastle are going to make Europe.

[SamTheMouse]

How can qualifying for European competition ever come "too soon"?  I really don't get that.

If we did make it into the Europa Cheerios Wonder League or whatever the fuck they're calling it these days, we'd have a whole summer to strengthen accordingly.

And if you want to attract the sort of players we do, any kind of European participation is a big bonus.

[London Villan]

Football is about the here and now - you have to take the chances when they come, as you never know what might change to prevent the opportunity ever happening again.

Look at Newcastle - basket case for years, but in 12 months they are likely to secure a European spot - West Ham, total opposite, Europe to relegation candidates in a season.

If there is a slim chance you have to go all out to qualify, in the same way we should be aiming to win both domestic cup competitions.

Football is about the here and now - you have to take the chances when they come, as you never know what might change to prevent the opportunity ever happening again.

Look at Newcastle - basket case for years, but in 12 months they are likely to secure a European spot - West Ham, total opposite, Europe to relegation candidates in a season.

If there is a slim chance you have to go all out to qualify, in the same way we should be aiming to win both domestic cup competitions.

I don't think Newcastle are going to make Europe.

True, they seem to be following a similar trajectory to what we had in the lockdown season.

[LeeB]

How can qualifying for European competition ever come "too soon"?  I really don't get that.

If we did make it into the Europa Cheerios Wonder League or whatever the fuck they're calling it these days, we'd have a whole summer to strengthen accordingly.

And if you want to attract the sort of players we do, any kind of European participation is a big bonus.

And in our context it would be proof of progress and underline the ambitions we're touting to recruit better players