Will we qualify for the CL?

[Drummond]

Of course there's still a chance. Not that I think we'll do it now, we're 17th based on form over the past 6 games.

Europa or Conference will be where we end up I think now, because I do think we'll improve.

[caster troy]

Not being in Europe next season would really hurt us, yes we'd have the advantage of less games but commercially it would mean a huge drop in revenue and we'd be resigned to losing some/all of Emi, Ollie, Bouba and it's unlikely we'd keep any of Asensio, Rashford or Disasi. You'd imagine we'd also offload Mings, Digne, Bailey, Cash to reduce the wagebill. It would be a huge rebuild job.

Sure, it's not comparable to getting relegated but nonetheless it is pretty disappointing.

[Dave]

Not being in Europe next season would really hurt us, yes we'd have the advantage of less games but commercially it would mean a huge drop in revenue and we'd be resigned to losing some/all of Emi, Ollie, Bouba and it's unlikely we'd keep any of Asensio, Rashford or Disasi. You'd imagine we'd also offload Mings, Digne, Bailey, Cash to reduce the wagebill. It would be a huge rebuild job.

Even if we ended up out of Europe altogether, I don't think we're going to reduce down to a squad of a dozen players.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

Not being in Europe next season would really hurt us, yes we'd have the advantage of less games but commercially it would mean a huge drop in revenue and we'd be resigned to losing some/all of Emi, Ollie, Bouba and it's unlikely we'd keep any of Asensio, Rashford or Disasi. You'd imagine we'd also offload Mings, Digne, Bailey, Cash to reduce the wagebill. It would be a huge rebuild job.

Emery might consider if it's worth sacrificing the FA cup to concentrate on the battle for 5th. We'll see with the team selection on Friday.
However it's only February therefore its possible we may pick up and others like Bournemouth and Newcastle will have their blips in March and April whilsts we'd find some form and big players to return Pau and Kamera. However last season we limped over the line and you think about ipswich at home a great opportunity to pump up the GD and we end up salvaging a point you think maybe its not going to happen?

[aj2k77]

It's not going to happen. We said we'd pick up defensively when Kamara returned and he did and the goals still flow. It's been going on for 50+ games now. We aren't going to miraculously become good when Torres reappears or Onana decides he can play through a bit of pain. The way we are set up, prepared and play the game leads us to concede, and concede a lot and until that changes we aren't going to qualify for anything.

[Brazilian Villain]

Of course there's still a chance. Not that I think we'll do it now, we're 17th based on form over the past 6 games.

Europa or Conference will be where we end up I think now, because I do think we'll improve.

That's a fair summary after last night. We might go on a bit of a run if we get some players back and rested during March.

[caster troy]

Not being in Europe next season would really hurt us, yes we'd have the advantage of less games but commercially it would mean a huge drop in revenue and we'd be resigned to losing some/all of Emi, Ollie, Bouba and it's unlikely we'd keep any of Asensio, Rashford or Disasi. You'd imagine we'd also offload Mings, Digne, Bailey, Cash to reduce the wagebill. It would be a huge rebuild job.

Even if we ended up out of Europe altogether, I don't think we're going to reduce down to a squad of a dozen players.

Obviously some would be replaced, and loanees like Enzo Barrenechea and Iling-Junior may be retained. Maybe the post-rebuild squad would do well with just domestic competitions but it wouldn't be a certainty.

[Rigadon]

After the game last night I thought we were done.  But, lots of us thought that after that horrid game v Spurs last season and it didn't turn out that way.  We're still in the hunt and will need to beat all of the teams above us in the league when we play them - that's not beyond us.  The absolute key to it is Kamara.  If he's out much longer we'll finish anywhere between 9th and 6th.  Does anybody know what's wrong with him?

[Drummond]

After the game last night I thought we were done.  But, lots of us thought that after that horrid game v Spurs last season and it didn't turn out that way.  We're still in the hunt and will need to beat all of the teams above us in the league when we play them - that's not beyond us.  The absolute key to it is Kamara.  If he's out much longer we'll finish anywhere between 9th and 6th.  Does anybody know what's wrong with him?

Torres is the other important factor. His ability on the ball when we're playing out is key.

[kippaxvilla2]

I honestly think he should sack the league off now and go all out for the cups.  Our goal difference alone is going to be too much to pull back - it is not as if we have been battering teams when we have won this season.  Still, we might pull some of it back at Southampton I suppose.

[Rigadon]

After the game last night I thought we were done.  But, lots of us thought that after that horrid game v Spurs last season and it didn't turn out that way.  We're still in the hunt and will need to beat all of the teams above us in the league when we play them - that's not beyond us.  The absolute key to it is Kamara.  If he's out much longer we'll finish anywhere between 9th and 6th.  Does anybody know what's wrong with him?

Torres is the other important factor. His ability on the ball when we're playing out is key.

True.  According to 'premier injuries' website both could be back by 8th March, so maybe back by the 2nd leg of the CL game.

[Demitri_C]

So just for context how bad we are doing in the league. If brentford win both their  games in hand they go above us and we we will be 11th.

Thats pretty poor tbh

[Rigadon]

So just for context how bad we are doing in the league. If brentford win both their  games in hand they go above us and we we will be 11th.

Thats pretty poor tbh

Thanks for that bit of good cheer!  The PL from 10th up to 4th is completely unpredictable.  Any of the teams in that pack could finish 10th.

[Flamingo Lane]

So just for context how bad we are doing in the league. If brentford win both their  games in hand they go above us and we we will be 11th.

Thats pretty poor tbh

Thanks for that bit of good cheer!  The PL from 10th up to 4th is completely unpredictable.  Any of the teams in that pack could finish 10th.

True, but all things considered and at this stage of the season I'd fancy a team that is currently on a downwards trajectory would generally be more likely to take that 10th spot than one that is currently on an upwards one.

[eamonn]

Not many are on upward trajectories though - they're all inconsistent. Bournemouth and Forest have started to lose, Newcastle have wobbled lately, Chelsea on an iffy run, Brighton draw a lot, not even Citeh are reliable. There's no one really in-form. Beware of the Brentford I guess. And we have them next, away.