Reflections on Conference League

[russon]

I’m sympathetic to this (seemingly eternal) ‘running on fumes’ argument but hells bells, we could surely have lifted it for these two games, no? Winners find a way to win, we’re not the first club to have a full fixture list. Great season of course but to go out with such a whimper over 3 hours against qualifiers is pretty lame.

[KevinGage]

If we can get some sort of depth back with Tielemans or, eh, Zaniolo returning we *might* get a point against either the Redscouse or Palace.

But with the same mob out there this evening it's asking a lot. They're running on empty.

Nowt more to give.

Nice that we made a Greek team look good n'all. Makes me feel proud to be part of the European family.

[Villan82]

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

Konsa played RB when we beat Man City and Arsenal. He probably is playing there at the moment because Cash was out injured for a period recently and now that Cash is back he is plugging a gap in midfield where we are to the bare bones.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

Well we had a good run, but my personal opinion is we should of played the kids and stiffs as soon as we knew we had a serious chance of champions league contention. ie november. West ham were mid table they were able to take it serious.
Irogbunam, Kesler etc could of had 16 games under their belts by now (well probably less as we most likely would have been eliminated earlier) but they'd be in a better position to help out the team in the run in.

[curiousorange]

Utter shit. I can't find any positives in the tie at all. A limited team worked out a squad that is a Manchester City win away from the Champions League. That's not tiredness, that's just crap.

[Monty]

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

Konsa actually being good at right back is one of those things that just makes me want to scream. He's fine! He's generally perfectly fine! The trouble is when there's no pressure on the midfield and they turn us! Both full-backs struggle with that whoever they are! And there's no pressure in midfield because of the injuries and fatigue! Which is also why Cash was at right wing! Hence Konsa at right back! Etc etc.

[Ian.]

This team has performed brilliantly for many months and given us some fantastic games to watch. They somehow managed to get those seven points from nine while Spurs didn’t play, which I never expected as they have been quite clearly shot for a while.

We’ll learn from this, hopefully we will also have far better luck with injuries next season. I don’t mean the odd knock, but the injuries we’ve had to Ramsey, Mings, Kamara and Buendia is unbelievable. You could probably include Morneo in that lot. He’s never quite recovered properly.

Onwards and upwards and it would be lovely to get something from the Liverpool game. UTV.

[coreyfeldman]

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

You're so ridiculously harsh. We have no options on the bench and have one of the most overcooked and smallest squads in the league currently.

Proud of us, we're still going places. Don't listen to the misery arses

[Bad English]

Not sure it made a difference or not, but interesting that both Lille and Olympiakos had time off the weekend before our ties.

Once again, the French Ligue 1 has 18 teams in it. The Greek league has 14 teams in it. The Premier League has 20 teams in it. It is not some unfair cheating by foreigners, they simply have space in their calendar.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's disappointing, and frustrating that we couldn't go at them with a squad and near fit side. But we've come a ridiculously long way, 9 years ago today we beat West Ham. We then won 4 of our next 52 league games.

[Risso]

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

Konsa actually being good at right back is one of those things that just makes me want to scream. He's fine! He's generally perfectly fine! The trouble is when there's no pressure on the midfield and they turn us! Both full-backs struggle with that whoever they are! And there's no pressure in midfield because of the injuries and fatigue! Which is also why Cash was at right wing! Hence Konsa at right back! Etc etc.

And when did it last work? When did it last NOT cause a really bad goal?

[Ducksworthy]

I’m sympathetic to this (seemingly eternal) ‘running on fumes’ argument but hells bells, we could surely have lifted it for these two games, no? Winners find a way to win, we’re not the first club to have a full fixture list. Great season of course but to go out with such a whimper over 3 hours against qualifiers is pretty lame.

No, we’re not, but we haven’t much of a squad left - just look at the bench tonight.

[Beard82]

Just too big a stretch.  We let in poor goals at bad times and no luck.  We never really looked like scoring, same against brighton.   

But the bench today shows what an achievement it has been to get this far, missing these players:
1. Moreno
2. Mings
3. Tielemans
4. Ramsey
5. Rogers
6. Kamara
7. Buendia
8. Zaniólo

Thats crazy, just no options.  Luiz and Diaby seem to be struggling particularly for form / struggling to play the role they are asked.

Need one more performance to secure 4th - I hope they have 1 more in them.   Would be gutting to have got this close on two front just to run out of steam inches before the finish line. 

[aldridgeboy]

Just finished work. Missed the game. Was hoping to come out to good news.

Disappointed obviously, but European experience including a penalty shoot out will bode us well for next season.

This season has been amazing. I’ve loved it.

We are in a great place and should be so proud of our boys.

[charleeco7]

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

What rubbish. Injuries clearly explain why Konsa is playing right back.