UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[pauliewalnuts]

I spent some time earlier looking at some Juventus forums (I know, it's a slow day) to see what they were saying about the Conference League next year.

Their general line of thought seems to be that if we got drawn against them, we would win, we're the strongest team in the competition, and with Emery, we've practically got it won before a ball is kicked.

I agree with that and there is nothing wrong with overconfidence. I am NOT cancelling my hotel in Athens.

Screw it, you're right.  Booked a (cancellable) hotel in Athens.  I ain't missing out on this one like I missed out on the last one*.

I've just applied for Greek citizenship so I don't get stuck in a queue at Athens airport with thousands of Brexit casualties.

[chrisw1]

I think I agree with Doggie.  Right now I'd rather establish ourselves as a top 4 club with the money, players and likely success that should bring than, say, win the league cup. 

Now of course as others have said it's not mutually exclusive and I'd love us to win a pot.  But if presented as an 'either or' conundrum, right now I'd prefer an established place at the top table.

Declan Rice has just lifted a trophy, and it's been a brilliant adventure for the fans - but he'll leave this summer.  I want us to be in an established position where our best players want to stay.  Ultimately that means being in the CL.  Once we are, trophies should follow.   

[The Man With A Stick]

I don't think there's such a thing as an established top 4 club any more though.  Other than Citeh with their unlimited wealth, is anyone guaranteed a top 4 place?  Look at Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs this season.  Throw Man U, Arsenal and Newcastle into the equation, they can't all qualify for the CL every year.

Finishing in the top 4 would be great but I'd rather have a shiny pot to look at personally.

[cdward]

Emery won't do what MON did at CSKA Moscow.

[Footy-Vill]

This is the sort of size and quality of Squad needed for Europe and to still compete in the Prem

Goal Keepers
Martinez/ Raya

Defence
Foyth/Cash
Pau Torres/Konsa
I'm Eric laporte/Mings
Moreno/Digne


Midfield /Attack
Tielmans/Kamara
Guendouzi/Luiz
Lo Celso /Buendia
McGinn/Ward Prowse
Nico Williams/Bailey/Lee Kang Inn
Ramsey/Barnes/Alberto Moleiro
Pedro Goncalves /Coutinho/Summerville

Strikers
Santiago Giménez/Watkins/Archer/Marcus Thuram

[PaulWinch again]

This is the sort of size and quality of Squad needed for Europe and to still compete in the Prem

Goal Keepers
Martinez/ Raya

Defence
Foyth/Cash
Pau Torres/Konsa
I'm Eric laporte/Mings
Moreno/Digne


Midfield /Attack
Tielmans/Kamara
Guendouzi/Luiz
Lo Celso /Buendia
McGinn/Ward Prowse
Nico Williams/Bailey/Lee Kang Inn
Ramsey/Barnes/Alberto Moleiro
Pedro Goncalves /Coutinho/Summerville

Strikers
Santiago Giménez/Watkins/Archer/Marcus Thuram

So we need to sign around 15 players?

[Footy-Vill]

I think Emery and Mochi plan on only signing 6 at least and most 7 players.

I've doubled that but would think unlikely. I do think there's a chance of the 15 named some will be coming in.

[rob_bridge]

This is the sort of size and quality of Squad needed for Europe and to still compete in the Prem

Goal Keepers
Martinez/ Raya

Defence
Foyth/Cash
Pau Torres/Konsa
I'm Eric laporte/Mings
Moreno/Digne


Midfield /Attack
Tielmans/Kamara
Guendouzi/Luiz
Lo Celso /Buendia
McGinn/Ward Prowse
Nico Williams/Bailey/Lee Kang Inn
Ramsey/Barnes/Alberto Moleiro
Pedro Goncalves /Coutinho/Summerville

Strikers
Santiago Giménez/Watkins/Archer/Marcus Thuram

So we need to sign around 15 players?

And at least double the wage bill whilst the very best we can hope for in terms of additional income is about 15%. I suppose we could always double ticket prices to pay the wages of half of the additions.

FFS - someone else who has been playing Championship Manager.

[Footy-Vill]

This is the sort of size and quality of Squad needed for Europe and to still compete in the Prem

Goal Keepers
Martinez/ Raya

Defence
Foyth/Cash
Pau Torres/Konsa
I'm Eric laporte/Mings
Moreno/Digne


Midfield /Attack
Tielmans/Kamara
Guendouzi/Luiz
Lo Celso /Buendia
McGinn/Ward Prowse
Nico Williams/Bailey/Lee Kang Inn
Ramsey/Barnes/Alberto Moleiro
Pedro Goncalves /Coutinho/Summerville

Strikers
Santiago Giménez/Watkins/Archer/Marcus Thuram

So we need to sign around 15 players?

And at least double the wage bill whilst the very best we can hope for in terms of additional income is about 15%. I suppose we could always double ticket prices to pay the wages of half of the additions.

FFS - someone else who has been playing Championship Manager.

Monchi did a video content playing Football Manager 2021.

[wince]

This over confidence is going to bite us in the ass.

Yup.

Plus, if we did a WHAM! and won the bloody thing while showing everyone how shit we really are by dropping down the league table, all the good work we are doing to increase revenue and be attractive to a better class of players goes out the window.

The priority next season must be to show that we are serious about breaking into the top six, continue building our revenue and reputation, and use that to help build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

I know we all want a trophy. But if that comes with a 14th place finish, it's too big a price to pay.

We can do both. Or shall we qualify for Europe and then put it off for another day.? Let’s just go and try and win something next year. That’s how you attract investors players etc

[Footy-Vill]

This over confidence is going to bite us in the ass.

Yup.

Plus, if we did a WHAM! and won the bloody thing while showing everyone how shit we really are by dropping down the league table, all the good work we are doing to increase revenue and be attractive to a better class of players goes out the window.

The priority next season must be to show that we are serious about breaking into the top six, continue building our revenue and reputation, and use that to help build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

I know we all want a trophy. But if that comes with a 14th place finish, it's too big a price to pay.

We can do both. Or shall we qualify for Europe and then put it off for another day.? Let’s just go and try and win something next year. That’s how you attract investors players etc

That's why a big squad is needed with quality and football intelligence shining through.

[Lastfootstamper]

Could anybody point out to me an instance where a team was progressing in Europe but their league form was suffering, so sent out a team to scupper their European chances and their league form improved sufficiently that they qualified for Europe again? There must be loads, surely.

[Lastfootstamper]

I should have added, after all it went sooo swimmingly when we tried it.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Considering how much we drone on and on about our one European trophy won so far, it's surprising to see the thought of winning another one brushed away if it might impact our league performance.

We finished 11th the year we won the European Cup.

I wonder how many people were saying "Ah, it's all well and good, but look at the league table) this time 41 years ago.

And I know, football has changed, top four yada yada yada, but this it is so long since we won anything at all, and this is a prestigious European competition - one which, if you win it, guarantees you entry into the Europa League the next season anyway!

Eh hem; 2 European trophies won...

[eamonn]

Hang on....Footy had admitted that he is Eric Laporte. I'm trying to work out if that makes his posts all make sense now or not!