UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[not3bad]

How would people feel if we "did a West Ham" next year and spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the Premier even though we were progressing in Europe?

[Beard82]

Imagine Purslow visiting Emery.

'Unai, we're so pleased with how things are going.  Fantastic.  Far better than we had even hoped for, to be honest.  Realistically of course, we won't be finishing in the top four, no problem there obviously, that would have been beyond our wildest dreams.  There's a real chance now of course that we might get to finish 5th or 6th, which would be really good, of course. On most levels, anyway.  And better than we'd thought, to be honest.  However, trying to finish in 5th or 6th place carries the real risk that we might actually end up in 7th place, and having to take part in that Conference thing.  Which we think it best to avoid, all told, for all sorts of reasons.  So having weighed everything up therefore, what we'd very much like please, between now and the end of the season, and only for this season mind, is for you to fix it to ensure we finish 8th.  Which would obviously still be really good.  And better than expected.  Would that be ok?  Oh, and while we're at it, can you keep an eye on Johan, I think he knows he's off and I'm pretty sure he has started to steal the stationary.'

[Monty]

How would people feel if we "did a West Ham" next year and spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the Premier even though we were progressing in Europe?

If that turns out to be winning a trophy, thereby qualifying for the Europa, and having a chill last few weeks of the season - well, we'd have had worse seasons.

[Risso]

How would people feel if we "did a West Ham" next year and spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the Premier even though we were progressing in Europe?

Ther's no reason why we should though. I don't think it's Europe that's held them back. Their main striker has been 33 year old Antonio, and they're tried to replace him with the £30m cart horse Scamacca. then add in the fact that players like Soucek have massively underperformed. We've got a better manager and better players in most positions.

[Dave]

How would people feel if we "did a West Ham" next year and spent most of the season in the lower reaches of the Premier even though we were progressing in Europe?

Ther's no reason why we should though. I don't think it's Europe that's held them back. Their main striker has been 33 year old Antonio, and they're tried to replace him with the £30m cart horse Scamacca. then add in the fact that players like Soucek have massively underperformed. We've got a better manager and better players in most positions.

West Ham are also the worst example of the "too early for European football" position.

Two seasons ago they somehow managed to get from 16th the previous year to finish 6th, surprising everyone. The following year - their "squad is too small, not ready, can't compete" year, they got to the semi-finals of the Europa League and finished seventh in the league. And also put up a decent(ish) showing in both domestic cups.

The thing they went and fucked up was the consolidate from a position of strength bit, not the unexpected European qualification bit.

[London Villan]

Now we’ve announced proudly that our season ticket prices are in the top eight in the Premier League that’s our target then obviously. I assume we get a discount if we finish outside the top eight.

[Meanwood Villa]

I suppose the cautionary tale about West Ham is that even with back to back European qualifications they haven't been able to attract particularly top quality signings.

[Dave]

I suppose the cautionary tale about West Ham is that even with back to back European qualifications they haven't been able to attract particularly top quality signings.

In terms of reputation, signing Italy's number nine and Brazil's number ten is probably attracting a greater pedigree than UEFA Conference League qualification really deserves.

The fact that they haven't adapted particularly well doesn't take away the statement of signing them.

Although I think Paqueta will probably come good.

[Brazilian Villain]

Yeah, fans of the Scab 6 clubs were dismayed when Paqueta went there as they felt he was "better" than West Ham. Mind you, many of them said the same about Bailey when we signed him.

[Dave]

Yeah, fans of the Scab 6 clubs were dismayed when Paqueta went there as they felt he was "better" than West Ham. Mind you, many of them said the same about Bailey when we signed him.

Yup, a good comparison. 

[four fornicholl]

Europe for me, full stop !!!Let the journey begin.

[Meanwood Villa]

Yeah, fans of the Scab 6 clubs were dismayed when Paqueta went there as they felt he was "better" than West Ham. Mind you, many of them said the same about Bailey when we signed him.

Yup, a good comparison. 

Fair enough. I've never heard of anyone we sign these days so perhaps I'm not in a good position to judge others' transfers!

[Meanwood Villa]

Or any transfers full stop come to that

[Lucky Eddie]

I don't understand why we get four champions league places and less than four in the two 'lesser' competitions.

[Dave]

I don't understand why we get four champions league places and less than four in the two 'lesser' competitions.

When you have 32 leagues involved, one league providing seven teams across three competitions seems to be plenty.

And I don't think anyone has ever said that the Europa League needs more teams and matches than it has already.