UEFA Europa Conference League-Knockout stages (Olympiacos)

[ChicagoLion]

I gotta be honest i prefer we take Thursday game seriously.  As i think if we can over turn this we will win the cup.

We could just play a weakened team and lose to liverpool anyway so why not go for it?

Because we simply can’t afford ( literally) to cock up the 4th place

Yep.

[Brazilian Villain]

I gotta be honest i prefer we take Thursday game seriously.  As i think if we can over turn this we will win the cup.

We could just play a weakened team and lose to liverpool anyway so why not go for it?

Exactly, I've no interest in chucking the Conference League just in case Spurs beat Citeh.

[German James]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

[andyh]

I don’t think we need an ‘either/or’ conversation.

We just have to give everything we can for two more games over the next week and we can have both.

4th place and a European final would be an absolutely incredible achievement.

Just 2 more games* !!!



*we worry about the final when we get there.

[Chris Smith]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

From a club management point of view CL qualification increases revenue and enables us to attract players of a highly calibre. I’d like us to win a trophy but I can see why they might think differently.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

Modern football innit!

[German James]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

Modern football innit!

*Rueful smile emoji*

[Risso]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

You don't know when we'll get a chance as good as this again for top 4. Chelsea are showing signs of getting their shit together for example and will almost certainly be much stronger next season. If we weren't 2-0 down and in terrible form, you'd have a point possibly, but as it is we've absolutely no chance of getting to the final in my opinion, I'd say we're far more likely to lose again on Thursday. Let's concentrate on hauling ourselves over the line to get 4th.

[Paul.S]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

This is a conversation I’ve had many times lately. The game is all about winning trophies for me but the game has moved on apparently. We see balance sheets as some sort of success and 4th place as the equivalent of winning a trophy.
I do get it though, the more you earn the better you become but nothing will ever be better than seeing the captain of your club lift a trophy.
We may move into a competition we’ve got no chance of winning next season. Could be out by December with no drop down into another competition.
We’ve had a fantastic season and have an unbelievable coach. If we go out on Thursday and stay where we are in the league I hope it’s all worthwhile and we go onto win things because that’s all that matters.

[Brazilian Villain]

We're 1/50 to finish top 4. For comparison, Labour are 1/10 to have a majority after the next GE. If Spurs were playing like we were at the end of last season, I could understand the concern, but they're not. Put it this way, we'd look pretty stupid if we fielded a weakened team on Thursday, and Spurs then fail to beat Burnley next weekend. The word 'Moscow' might even get a mention or two.

[Brend'Watkins]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

I sort of share that opinion but the real reason we need CL Qualification is to hang onto our better players and add better players to the squad. It might also stop our players being linked elsewhere. I say only might.

[German James]

I certainly wouldn't suggest fielding a weakened side in Athens. The mere thought of Moscow still sends a shiver down the spine. Emery is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, but I'd still rather have 5th place and throw everything at a cup. It's all moot, anyway and I hope we do it all, obviously! UTV!

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

I’m for Villa doing all they can Thursday to secure a final appearance and potentially our first trophy in 28 years. The chance of winning silverware where none of the scab 6 are involved has to be taken as fully as possible. PMA is what’s needed and Unai who’s a serial winner will want to progress. If during the game (particularly 2nd half), if the game is getting further away from us, then maybe Unai will start casting a glance towards the lobscouse fixture.
2 goals down with 90+ minutes to play is too early for a give-up attitude from the club and fans alike.
There’s no silverware for 4th place (which incidentally I think we’ll still secure), after all it’s only an indicator of the third best losers in any pl season.
Come on Villa boys! Give it all you’ve got!

[andyh]

I simply don't understand the obsession with qualifying for the CL.
We've over-achieved this season.
We're guaranteed European football next season, and that in a competion that's a step up from the one we're currently playing in, but that we should be able to at least compete in.
I would have played a second team at Brighton and rested the players we're going to need on Thursday.
We've done so very well this season, I'd take the chance (and I know it's only a chance) of silverwear over qualification for a competition which is still beyond us.

Why do clubs in the championship strive to get into the premier League ?
Because it’s the only place to be.
Most of teams in the PL are never going to win the thing, but they still want to be in it.

The CL is the pinnacle of European club football now (like it or not) and we need to be at the top table.

[DeKuip]

I know it’s an entirely different game nowadays and demands higher fitness levels, but then the medical/recovery side of it is so much more advanced too - but I remember in 1970 Leeds having to play a league game away to West Ham the night after playing Celtic in the European Cup semi final!