Reflections on Conference League

[Toronto Villa]

We are running on fumes against sides in the PL and Europe that don’t have close to the number of injuries as we have had to contend with. This isn’t about these two games. It’s about where we are and how we got here. There is loads to be proud about even if we are all unhappy about how these two games went.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Meh. You can count our good performances on your thumbs. Tactically I haven't a clue what Emery has been trying to do other than keep the players fresh of the league.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not proud of them for that. Sorry, it has been a great season and hopefully we’ll get 4th which would be an amazing achievement. But going into that tie if anyone had said we’d lose 6-2 on aggregate they’d probably have been laughed at. The level across those two games was dreadful. We were defensively all over the shop and we just didn’t look like we had a plan of attack (particularly tonight). For all the good of this season, this semi-final was close to embarrassing.

[Risso]

Injuries don't explain why Diaby is playing like a drain or why Emery keeps playing Konsa at right back.

[BoVillan esq]

Done good, all the way to the semi final, that would have seemed impossible just a few short seasons ago, good experience to take us on, if we make the CL it really will mean the board will have to dig deep and go into the the transfer market in no small way, big summer spends ahead.

Well done Villa, thanks for the journey.

[VillaTim]

Disappointing. We were clear favourites to win it and fell well short . Many of the games were borefests to be honest . Alkmaar away was very good . Good experience for the players ahead of next season when we are in a proper European competition. Overall I'm glad I stayed away from the games and conserved my money for next season .

[Villan82]

My heart sort of sank when the quarter-final and semi final draws were made. We couldn't have got a tougher route to the final.  And having to play the first leg of both at home.

[pauliewalnuts]

We are clearly fucked. There was no other way to play tonight as we had no other options, look at the state of the bench for a start.

It’s very disappointing to let in six to such a mediocre side but though the first leg wasn’t a brilliant performance everything that could go against us, did.

The tie was over with the missed penalty.

We kept the ball well tonight but switched off and they score. We on the other hand had run out of ideas in the final third. Cash must have passed backwards from the edge of their box 100 times.

So yes, it is very disappointing and not what we wanted, but seriously, pick any match thread from just over 18 months back and look at where we were. Back then you’d never have believed we’d be playing a European semi final and in line for a CL place.

Strengthen over the summer, recharge and go at it again.

[itbrvilla]

I can't be angry, really. Which is more dispiriting as we have two games left, and if it were just a bad display you could get angry about it would mean improvement was possible.

But I don't know if it is. They just look absolutely dead.

Barely inconvenienced the opposition in over 180 minutes. Gifted them the first leg after Martinez suspension meant Olsen started. Dreadful way to exit a tournament is to not even try to get back into the game.

[Ducksworthy]

As I said at end of the match thread:

It’s a meaningless observation at this point but we just haven’t got the squad left at this stage of the season. I feel very sorry for them all as they’ve given everything to get this far on fumes. Rotten luck with injuries.

Never mind, it’s been fun and I haven't gone as mental at anything in football as I did the Lille penalties in a very long time.

[CT Villan]

I am enormously disappointed at the manner in which we went out tonight and at VP. There were some absolutely shocking performances and Olympiakos weren't even that good.

That said, we are already guaranteed Europa League next season, with a very good chance of Champion's League. The season has been a resounding success regardless of the result tonight. Onwards and most definitely upwards.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Injuries don't explain why Diaby is playing like a drain or why Emery keeps playing Konsa at right back.

Why Cash receives the ball in space on the right and ALWAYS plays it back rather than put a cross in.

[Lastfootstamper]

I’m not proud of them for that. Sorry, it has been a great season and hopefully we’ll get 4th which would be an amazing achievement. But going into that tie if anyone had said we’d lose 6-2 on aggregate they’d probably have been laughed at. The level across those two games was dreadful. We were defensively all over the shop and we just didn’t look like we had a plan of attack (particularly tonight). For all the good of this season, this semi-final was close to embarrassing.

Was it fuck.

[Taylor]

There was very little to be proud of in those two legs. We were shocking tonight, and they looked like they'd given up.

Oh please, just give over.

[wince]

Sad we ran out of steam but proud of how far we have come. Fuck it if the the blue Fanny’s can celebrate getting relegated we can celebrate how far we have come and bring in Europe. Listening to the wm phone in and think a few need Samaritans. We go again