UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[Sexual Ealing]

And they were in Europe last season and did well enough to qualify again through the league.

[eamonn]

I think Brentford getting something at Spurs is slightly more realistic than us winning/drawing at Anfield.

I can see us beating Liverpool. No idea why, just a hunch.

Well we've taken points off everyone above us this season other than Arsenal, so we are due a result against Liverpool

yes this is very impressive. And if only VAR had done it’s job Arsenal game would have ended 2-2.

Would it?

[edgysatsuma89]

And they were in Europe last season and did well enough to qualify again through the league.

Yeah, this gets regularly missed.

Also we need the games to help youngsters get more game time.

[kippaxvilla2]

Ah well.  It’s the Final Countdown.

[Pete3206]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

Yes

[PaulWinch again]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

For me, no.

It has fecked up West Ham in the league this year, non prestigious, non profitable and no benefit for attracting top players.

Focus fully on top 4 next season with no european distraction.

Apart from Man Shitty, we have no reason to fear anyone in the league. With a good pre season, 3 or 4 more quality players and no distractions I will be disappointed if we dont seriously challenge for top 4 next season.   

No it hasn't, Antonio being injured and/or out of form for most of the season and 3-4 other players being found out a bit (Soucek in particular) is where they've struggled.

Indeed - and the non-prestige thing is not really something we’re in a position to get too exercised about. We haven’t won a trophy since 1996, and haven’t been in Europe for over a decade. If we were to get into the Conference league, go on a good run, and potentially win it it would be really important for the club.

[algy]

In reality, I think it’s us and Spurs for 7th now.  I think Brighton will get enough points in their remaining games to secure 6th, so we’re going for 7th.  Might not be the case as Brentford are a good side and Leeds could be scrapping for survival on the last day, but I think we’re probably going to need to get something at Anfield and beat Brighton to finish above Spurs.

I agree. We need 6pts from the last 2 games now. However, Brighton are only 1pt ahead of us & have Newcastle (a), Soton (h), Man City (h) and us (a) left to play. Beat Liverpool and 6th place is still (just) possible provided Brighton get less than 5pts from their 3 games.

[Nunkin1965]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

Yes

Of course.
I think you'd only need to ask the manager about playing in Europe.

[Baldy]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

For me, no.

It has fecked up West Ham in the league this year, non prestigious, non profitable and no benefit for attracting top players.

Focus fully on top 4 next season with no european distraction.

Apart from Man Shitty, we have no reason to fear anyone in the league. With a good pre season, 3 or 4 more quality players and no distractions I will be disappointed if we dont seriously challenge for top 4 next season.   

No it hasn't, Antonio being injured and/or out of form for most of the season and 3-4 other players being found out a bit (Soucek in particular) is where they've struggled.

Indeed - and the non-prestige thing is not really something we’re in a position to get too exercised about. We haven’t won a trophy since 1996, and haven’t been in Europe for over a decade. If we were to get into the Conference league, go on a good run, and potentially win it it would be really important for the club.

Antonio (and 3 or 4 others) might be out of form because of their european involvement this season and all the time, energy and travel it involves!! This is exactly my concern.

I would rather have no involvement in the Conference League next season. Let it fuck up Spuds instead!! We have much bigger things to aim for next season, fully charged.

[LeeB]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

For me, no.

It has fecked up West Ham in the league this year, non prestigious, non profitable and no benefit for attracting top players.

Focus fully on top 4 next season with no european distraction.

Apart from Man Shitty, we have no reason to fear anyone in the league. With a good pre season, 3 or 4 more quality players and no distractions I will be disappointed if we dont seriously challenge for top 4 next season.   

No it hasn't, Antonio being injured and/or out of form for most of the season and 3-4 other players being found out a bit (Soucek in particular) is where they've struggled.

Indeed - and the non-prestige thing is not really something we’re in a position to get too exercised about. We haven’t won a trophy since 1996, and haven’t been in Europe for over a decade. If we were to get into the Conference league, go on a good run, and potentially win it it would be really important for the club.

Antonio (and 3 or 4 others) might be out of form because of their european involvement this season and all the time, energy and travel it involves!! This is exactly my concern.

I would rather have no involvement in the Conference League next season. Let it fuck up Spuds instead!! We have much bigger things to aim for next season, fully charged.

I think the owners, the manager, the players and myself would strongly disagree

[RamboandBruno]

Do we want the conference league thing, or is it more effort/trouble than it’s worth?

For me, no.

It has fecked up West Ham in the league this year, non prestigious, non profitable and no benefit for attracting top players.

Focus fully on top 4 next season with no european distraction.

Apart from Man Shitty, we have no reason to fear anyone in the league. With a good pre season, 3 or 4 more quality players and no distractions I will be disappointed if we dont seriously challenge for top 4 next season.   

No it hasn't, Antonio being injured and/or out of form for most of the season and 3-4 other players being found out a bit (Soucek in particular) is where they've struggled.

Indeed - and the non-prestige thing is not really something we’re in a position to get too exercised about. We haven’t won a trophy since 1996, and haven’t been in Europe for over a decade. If we were to get into the Conference league, go on a good run, and potentially win it it would be really important for the club.

Antonio (and 3 or 4 others) might be out of form because of their european involvement this season and all the time, energy and travel it involves!! This is exactly my concern.

I would rather have no involvement in the Conference League next season. Let it fuck up Spuds instead!! We have much bigger things to aim for next season, fully charged.

This feels like its based on the assertion that there is something guaranteed next season, there are too many variables for that. If we don’t make it, fair enough, its been a massive effort, but if can get there we should grasp it.

[lovejoy]

Even if we finish 8th it has still been a much better season than any of us could have expected in october.

[IFWaters]

I don't think Spurs on the last day, away will be that bothered about the fight for the conference league spot which may help us whereas we will be motivated. That's not to say they're a bigger club, just a bunch of entitled pricks. I think it will come down to goal difference, we might have to beat Brighton by 2 or 3 goals.

[olaftab]

The objections against ConfLeague beggars belief. There were similar noises made on here back in MON’s day about Europa League. Then our manager also showed the same arrogance as some fans for that competition. Remembering his meek effort in CSKA away game and club's token gesture when losing twice to the mighty Rapid Vienna over next two seasons, it still boils my piss. In order to develop our width and breadth of capability we must start to compete in wider euro based completions. The best way to do that is to start competing in the weakest competition first where we can build the squad strength. Learn to play Thursday Sunday and manage a team based on 18 or so first teamers. There is no point in deluding ourselves that somehow we are going to waft into CL like birds of paradise and start rubbing shoulders with Bayern and Real with panache. We are more likely to get pummelled on a Wednesday and then get shafted by likes of Bmouth on Saturday.
Aston Villa FC MUST always compete at the very highest level in the game of football. We have the very best man in the world now in charge to build out strength and capability to start competing at the highest level but it’s going to take time. Let’s start if we can in a place from where we can organically grow. If that is ConfL, fine I am looking forward to it.

[AV82EC]

The objections against ConfLeague beggars belief. There were similar noises made on here back in MON’s day about Europa League. Then our manager also showed the same arrogance as some fans for that competition. Remembering his meek effort in CSKA away game and club's token gesture when losing twice to the mighty Rapid Vienna over next two seasons, it still boils my piss. In order to develop our width and breadth of capability we must start to compete in wider euro based completions. The best way to do that is to start competing in the weakest competition first where we can build the squad strength. Learn to play Thursday Sunday and manage a team based on 18 or so first teamers. There is no point in deluding ourselves that somehow we are going to waft into CL like birds of paradise and start rubbing shoulders with Bayern and Real with panache. We are more likely to get pummelled on a Wednesday and then get shafted by likes of Bmouth on Saturday.
Aston Villa FC MUST always compete at the very highest level in the game of football. We have the very best man in the world now in charge to build out strength and capability to start competing at the highest level but it’s going to take time. Let’s start if we can in a place from where we can organically grow. If that is ConfL, fine I am looking forward to it.

Well said, a pox on the naysayers.