UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[Ads]

I have absolutely zero excitement about this. Yes it’s progress, but it could well be at the detriment of our next season. Perhaps I’m tainted from the O’Neill days of surrender “to concentrate on the league”. But I can’t see the real benefits unless we play the second stringers. I’d rather we finished in the top 6 next season and/or win a domestic trophy. This just seems like a whole lot of extra hoops to jump through to get the Europa.

Following Villa in Europe is absolutely brilliant and worthy of being excited about. Small followings, big followings, random places, it's always a great craic. It's worthy of being excited about after 13 years and I think we'll have a crack at winning it.

[pauliewalnuts]

Staggered anyone thinks this would be a bad thing.

I'm tired of being also-rans. West Ham are in a European final, imagine how that feels for them. I want some of that back.

We're a club who has finished top half once in a decade. Over a decade.

Not wanting to play in Europe in case it stops us qualifying for Europe next season seems nuts.

Also, don't forget, we have a manager who practically hoovers up European cup silverware.

[Clampy]

I thinks it's more that people dont want us to struggle rather than not get into Europe. It was only a few months ago West Ham bought Ings off us because it was looking a bit iffy for them, although mind you they have Davd Sullivan and we have our Richy Rich pair. That said, I'll be disappointed if we don't do it tomorrrow.

[PaulWinch again]

I thinks it's more that people dont want us to struggle rather than not get into Europe. It was only a few months ago West Ham bought Ings off us because it was looking a bit iffy for them, although mind you they have Davd Sullivan and we have our Richy Rich pair. That said, I'll be disappointed if we don't do it tomorrrow.

Yeah I sort of understand, but it’s incredibly self defeating. You’ve got to trust the club to get it right, they might not, but with our manager we have every chance. I’ll be gutted if we don’t make it, it’s an important step in our progression, and it’s earlier than we could have hoped.

[trinityoap]

Does anyone not want us to win the FA Cup in case we are disappointed if we don't win it the following year?

[Clampy]

Does anyone not want us to win the FA Cup in case we are disappointed if we don't win it the following year?

Hardly the same thing really.

[KevinGage]

Staggered anyone thinks this would be a bad thing.

I'm tired of being also-rans. West Ham are in a European final, imagine how that feels for them. I want some of that back.

We're a club who has finished top half once in a decade. Over a decade.

Not wanting to play in Europe in case it stops us qualifying for Europe next season seems nuts.

Also, don't forget, we have a manager who practically hoovers up European cup silverware.

Added to that it helps with the sales pitch to prospective new players.

Not that the Europa Conference League on its own is a massive draw. But: Successful, highly rated manager, committed wealthy owners and back in European football for the first time in 13 years. It all feeds into the narrative of a club on the up.

Which was prob more difficult to argue last summer when we finished 14th.

[trinityoap]

Fair point .My clumsy way of saying "let the future take care of itself".

[Paul.S]

European away days are what I’ve missed for years. Going to Rennes last summer just wet the appetite. This club should be in Europe every season and I’ll be absolutely gutted if we don’t make it.

[Goldenballs]

I've never been to a European away game so would love the chance. I expect it would be virtually impossible to get tickets for non season ticket holders though.

[trinityoap]

Go anyway just for the craic.

[Goldenballs]

I probably will tbh.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think it'd be a weird mix of the sort of small club UEFA thought would end up in this competition (hence the tiny final venue), your FC Tractorfactory of Tirana type, but then the likes of Fiorentina (I've been to a few of their matches, the ground is a dump, but it's big, and the city, well, the city is magnificent) which would be great away trips.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Re the Athletic article, it emphasises what a challenge it is to get into the European places given the massive financial disadvantage we have compared to those teams who've been doing it for years. Another reason why we should grab any opportunity we get. Everyone assumes we will be better next season and I hope we are, but it ain't necessarily so.

Emery made a great point the other day and it's obviously the plan for the future, "to get a strong position in the top seven and to STAY with them". That last part really registers with me, I've been more interested in the points we get rather than the position as the points will take care of the latter, plus we are in touching distance with those above us.

Tomorrow we could end the season on 61 points, worst case 12 points behind 4th place, 14 behind third which is some achievement given what went on up until November. West Ham finished 7th last season but were 15 and 18 points behind 4th and 3rd. We've got to stay within the top pack which might sound obvious but it's the real challenge. Everything else will take care of itself including Europe and trophies.

[Paul.S]

I've never been to a European away game so would love the chance. I expect it would be virtually impossible to get tickets for non season ticket holders though.

Just go because you never know what you can pick up while there.