UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[rob_bridge]

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.

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

[Risso]

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

Absolutely rob, in fact the more far flung and unheard of, the better. Would love an away trip to somewhere completely random in Estonia or similar.

[Drummond]

We need the competition, and the income it generates, to help push on. A win would qualify us for the next tier of European competition so we wouldn't need to rely on our finishing position in an ever more competitive league.

I might not have agreed before, but with the direction the club is now  taking in its staffing recruitment and the rumoured player recruitment, we should aim to enter and win everything we can.

[LeeB]

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

Absolutely rob, in fact the more far flung and unheard of, the better. Would love an away trip to somewhere completely random in Estonia or similar.

Absoultely this, fucking Champions League is full of the same boring teams every year that we've seen a million times. I want to see us draw a team I've never heard of that were formed as a works team for the railways in some far flung ex-Soviet state.

[eamonn]

It's Dynamo Concrete, managed by Ron Vlaar, gerrit right.

[Risso]

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

Absolutely rob, in fact the more far flung and unheard of, the better. Would love an away trip to somewhere completely random in Estonia or similar.

Absoultely this, fucking Champions League is full of the same boring teams every year that we've seen a million times. I want to see us draw a team I've never heard of that were formed as a works team for the railways in some far flung ex-Soviet state.

I went to Prague for a week in 1995, and in some pubs the beer was 5p a pint. I lived like a king on about £20 for the week. Is there anywhere left still like that? If so, that's where I want to go.

[LeeB]

I'd like a trip to Istanbul

[Brazilian Villain]

I'd like a trip to Istanbul

Let's see how the election goes first.

[pauliewalnuts]

There’s a club in Estonia called Eston Villa.

It’d be great to get drawn against them.

[Brazilian Villain]

There’s a club in Estonia called Eston Villa.

It’d be great to get drawn against them.

Alika the way you're thinking.

[LeeB]

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

Absolutely rob, in fact the more far flung and unheard of, the better. Would love an away trip to somewhere completely random in Estonia or similar.

Absoultely this, fucking Champions League is full of the same boring teams every year that we've seen a million times. I want to see us draw a team I've never heard of that were formed as a works team for the railways in some far flung ex-Soviet state.

I went to Prague for a week in 1995, and in some pubs the beer was 5p a pint. I lived like a king on about £20 for the week. Is there anywhere left still like that? If so, that's where I want to go.

I went about 10 years later and it was much the same, I don't think I've ever eaten as well in my life let alone the booze, top level restaurants for the cost of a carvery

[chrisw1]

Totally agree. I don't care whether we play Oslo Boslo, Dynamo Crapo and Andulucian Averages - the 3rd competition is worth participation

Absolutely rob, in fact the more far flung and unheard of, the better. Would love an away trip to somewhere completely random in Estonia or similar.

Absoultely this, fucking Champions League is full of the same boring teams every year that we've seen a million times. I want to see us draw a team I've never heard of that were formed as a works team for the railways in some far flung ex-Soviet state.

I went to Prague for a week in 1995, and in some pubs the beer was 5p a pint. I lived like a king on about £20 for the week. Is there anywhere left still like that? If so, that's where I want to go.

I went about 10 years later and it was much the same, I don't think I've ever eaten as well in my life let alone the booze, top level restaurants for the cost of a carvery

I went early 90's.  The 5p beers in the more off pitch bars in the old town were fantastic, the original Budvar and Pilsner Urquell.

Tbh I was pretty disgusted at the prices in St Marks square, where it was as much a 30-50p a pint in some places.

[lovejoy]

For those happy to play in Europe I get the positives but are you happy for our league form to dip like it inevitably will (see West Ham this season).

[LeeB]

For those happy to play in Europe I get the positives but are you happy for our league form to dip like it inevitably will (see West Ham this season).

West Ham are shit and have a shit manager though, and their form wasn't too bad last season when they got to the semis.

Sorry but it just feels like one of those tired cliches that people hide their poor form behind. We'd have more opportunities for players to play and the genious manager explicity wants it.

[chrisw1]

For those happy to play in Europe I get the positives but are you happy for our league form to dip like it inevitably will (see West Ham this season).

That's where our summer transfer business and loan decisions come into play.

One thing is for sure though, we would have to rotate and we don't seem to take kindly to that when it goes tits up.  People still moan about Moscow (although I agree that team was taking the piss -  starting Salifou & Delfoouneso was prob a step too far)