UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[SoccerHQ]

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?

Isn't that more just due to most of their summer signings flopping?

They were in top 6 for most of 21/22 and they got to europa league SF and that has far higher standard of teams than what they've been playing in europe this season.

If we don't do well next season combining the two it will simply mean we haven't signed well enough but Emery is vastly experienced at juggling both so he'll know what's required.

[Smirker]

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.

I think the Conference League should be merged with the Europa League tbh. It would be one extra game.

[eamonn]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

[Dave]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

[JD]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

[Monty]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

I always found it maddening that when they made it not only for champions they changed its name from the European Cup to the precisely inaccurate 'Champions League'.

But I guess it's like that Teamster guy said about being ladylike - if you gotta say you are you probably ain't.

[Dave]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

And with good reason these days. I (and I get the feeling, most people on here) don't really care much for watching any of the European club competitions and I expect the only thing that will make me/us start is Villa playing in them.

Something that isn't going to turn on people who aren't already interested it is six months of Man City and PSG crushing the likes of FC Cluj and Ludogorets until the inevitable semi-finals of four of the champions of England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

I have no more than a passing interest either way, but I don't really see how a return to the original format makes it better than it currently is.

[Monty]

Should be called the European Cup though.

[Dave]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

I always found it maddening that when they made it not only for champions they changed its name from the European Cup to the precisely inaccurate 'Champions League'.

To be fair, I think when they rebranded in 1992 it was still league champions only. 97-98 is when they first expanded it. At which point, yes, a name change was probably in order.

[Monty]

Is that right? I was too young I guess but I seem to remember people calling it the European Cup.

Then again people still say the 'Premiership'.

[Dave]

Then again people still say the 'Premiership'.

My feelings on such matters have been well-documented on this site over the years.

[LeeB]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

And with good reason these days. I (and I get the feeling, most people on here) don't really care much for watching any of the European club competitions and I expect the only thing that will make me/us start is Villa playing in them.

Something that isn't going to turn on people who aren't already interested it is six months of Man City and PSG crushing the likes of FC Cluj and Ludogorets until the inevitable semi-finals of four of the champions of England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

I have no more than a passing interest either way, but I don't really see how a return to the original format makes it better than it currently is.

It destroys the certainty of income for the shark clubs, they'd be unable to stockpile players in the same way and it would subsequently breathe life into every league in Europe.

I honestly couldn't think of a single action that would do more to address the problems in club football.

[Monty]

Banning state ownership of clubs would come a close second.

[LeeB]

Banning state ownership of clubs would come a close second.

Yes, a close second on the basis the ruination of the European Cup was already complete when they turned up and if anything led to it.

[Dave]

Bring back the Cup for Cup winners.

Wouldn't really work though, would it?

It would be like bringing back a Champions League for Champions, rather than teams finishing in 4th place. It will never catch on.

And with good reason these days. I (and I get the feeling, most people on here) don't really care much for watching any of the European club competitions and I expect the only thing that will make me/us start is Villa playing in them.

Something that isn't going to turn on people who aren't already interested it is six months of Man City and PSG crushing the likes of FC Cluj and Ludogorets until the inevitable semi-finals of four of the champions of England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

I have no more than a passing interest either way, but I don't really see how a return to the original format makes it better than it currently is.

It destroys the certainty of income for the shark clubs, they'd be unable to stockpile players in the same way and it would subsequently breathe life into every league in Europe.

I honestly couldn't think of a single action that would do more to address the problems in club football.

Ten years ago when Champions League money was the biggest financial prize, maybe. Not now. Norwich got more Premier League money for finishing bottom last season than Milan will get Champions League money this season for getting to the semi-finals.

It would just accentuate the movement of the better players from other leagues to England. And while nothing lasts forever, and the Premier League money bubble will likely pop at some point - right now it would just strengthen the Premier League, not the rest of Europe.