You're right, but for me juggling the CL and PL is worth it because of the extra money the CL brings in. Europa prize money is ridiculously low and imo isn't worth the distraction. Plus being in the CL will attract a higher quality of player and also give us more of a chance to keep our star players.
Still reckon we will finish on 70 pts. With my season long "and yet" comments all holding true. Such is the level of progression that this season may match Arrys' two best PL points hauls.
Totally agree regarding the continuity of manager. However, personally, I feel that the Europa and CL are two completely different situations altogether. Everyone said we'd struggle when we were in the CL, but we actually reached the 1/4 finals and managed to finish 5th in the league. - (which is about right for us) I'm not too bothered either way if we're in it or not next season. However, I think we'll continue to struggle to qualify for the CL through the league, if we continue to take the Europa seriously. Yes, winning it can get CL football the following year, but with all the teams that drop out of the CL half way through and cause the competition to get tougher, I don't see us winning the EL either. It'd just be nice to have 1 season where we go for FA cup glory for example, with no Europa distraction. However, if we were playing the youngsters in the Europa and none of the first team, then that'd be a much different situation.
"Everyone said we'd struggle when we were in the CL, but we actually reached the 1/4 finals and managed to finish 5th in the league. - (which is about right for us)" The KO stages of the CL showed the weakness of that squad. The slow grind to a halt in the final third of the PL campaign confirmed it.
I think our issues remain largely the same whether in the CL or not. Everyone around us will outspend us, with the exception of Everton, until there's a seismic shift in revenues. That means we have to squeeze as much value out of everything we can as Chelseas Citys, Uniteds and the rest will always be able to outbid us. If Everton get in the CL for next season, do you really think players will turn down United for them? Not a chance. Another problem for Everton is their loan players. Unless they manage to get another talented crop of players on loan then it's likely they'll have to spend their CL money just on compensating for the losses of Lukaku, Delefeu(however it's spelt) and Barry. The EL's income might be small but we've got to make our money go as far as it can and I think it helps us in that aspect. Also, it could be a long wait to get to the stage where we can qualify for the CL regularly, if we ever do, so like it or not the EL is our level.
The Europa should be used cynically by Spurs. Keep the ranking pts high for whenever a return to the CL happens. Use as many games as possible to keep squad players ticking over. Whatever revenues come in pay for something (if only the office cleaners) .
Juventus are currently walking away with Serie A and now they can priotise the Europa League, but if we had six games left to try and reach top four and found ourselves in the last four of the EL, we couldn't realistically compete a double (in achievements) unless we had a truly outstanding team/squad. Its fine for teams such as Benfica who play in an inferior league (one they are also running away with), a two team league or Celtic when they got to the final as they can win the SPL with their youth team! but even their form was impacted by the Europa League so we have to decide whats most important, winning a cup or aiming for top four? if its top four then all priorities go into the top four which is more achievable then trying to win a knock-out competition (after the group rounds) . The other teams Sevilla are 5th in their league and Valencia are mid table, so this season two teams left are running away with their domestic league and the other two can't get a top four finish.
To be honest, I can't see us taking the EL lightly next season, anyway. Not when you consider this big sponsorship deal with AIA. I just don't think we'll see ourselves in the CL again until we stop taking the EL seriously, that's all. - which sounds daft I know, as the winners qualify for the CL. But I'm afraid I don't see us winning it, which is why I'd like us to go for domestic cup glory.
I believe there is a middle line to be had in the Europa. Tis not an either-or between the Arry contempt of 2011, nor the AVB fear of losing one game so play your PL regulars. The time to press the ditch button is when the final third of the PL season arrives +/- too many squad injuries have currently clocked up.
Even with a few minor squad adjustments we should be able to play a strong second XI for the Europa and even any relatively easy domestic cup games. Our first XI with no movement either in or out, barring loan returns, is this in my opinion: Lloris Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Assou-Ekotto Sandro Lennon Paulinho Eriksen Chadli Adebayor That would leave us with a second XI of this: Friedel Naughton Dawson Chiriches Rose Capoue Lamela Dembele Holtby Townsend Soldado We'd still have the likes of Fryers, Livermore, Bentaleb, Sigurdsson, Carroll, Falque, Kane and others in reserve, though it's extremely unlikely that there won't be any transfers at all. A few sensible squad signings could see us in a very strong position, as long as the manager knows what he's doing and we're not devastated by injuries.
when it's put like that PNP, it looks pretty decent on paper. I think the only change I'd make would be Lamela for Lennon. Lennon has always been one of my fav's, and in the past we've missed him when he's not played. However, he's been poor this season. Where does Lennon go from here? IMO he's never reached the heights that we thought he could. (please excuse the pun ) Also, I am keen to see what Lamela is all about. We must have spent £26-30m on him for a reason! Unfortunately, we'll probably have 5, 6, 7, 8 of these players out at any one time, based on our injury record over the years. If that's the case, I'd be wanting all those "senior players" used in the prem to ensure we have a strong bench at all times, and the youngsters used in the EL.
Based on form of this season and like PNP says, if no changes are made in the summer, my current team(s) for next season would be: Hugo, Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Ekotto Sandro, Holtby Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli Ade and Friedel/ Archer Naughton, Dawson, Chiriches, Fryers Capoue, Dembele Lennon, Siggy, Townsend Kane With Soldado, Paulinho, Bentaleb, Livermore, Fredericks, Veljkovic, Carroll and co as back up - though the first two would no doubt be unhappy with their roles and likely want out, great players but unfortunately don't look suited to us. Neither have shown signs of improvement in my eyes, a few glimpses here and there but we expect and need more than glimpses for a £26m striker and a £17m midfielder. I'm amazed at myself for sticking Holtby in my first choice XI considering the amount of stick I've thrown his way performance-wise for us but his good displays at Fulham plus the fact we've lacked real creativity bar Eriksen this season, it could be a good idea to try the two together, Holtby looks as though he has a higher work rate and I think he'd be suited to a deeper role as he doesn't seem much of a goal threat, keep Eriksen in the "10" role as there's not many better than him in Europe when he's on form. Kind of like the new, young version of Luka and Rafa (hopefully!)
These line ups may look Ok on paper but this isn't the carling cup where teams can field second string teams and then call in the main team come the later stages so if we play a weakened team then don't expect us to progress as European teams take the Europa league more serious then ourselves, but mainly because they have realistic expectations. But if we're playing a weakened team because we're priotising the league then fine as then we're focusing on the league and if anything comes from the Europa league then that's a bonus. If we set out to win the competition then the manager has to install a belief the competition is a priority which Avb tried but as he won the competition with Porto then you can understand why he tried to apply the same mentality but he overlooked the fact that the English league is more demanding then the Portuguese league and in the end trying to win the EL ended with him and us missing out both targets. Someone like Van Gaal would clearly be more smart with his team selection so that's why we need someone with experience, another rookie manager is just asking for more disappointment.
I don't think that we'd have had any problem progressing through the group in this season's competition if we'd have picked the new players for it and stuck with the old for the league, Boss. It would've allowed them all to gain experience of the game in this country without any pressure, just as Lloris was allowed to do when he joined.
In essence I agree, as it's using the Europa league as a way to give players experience or playing time and I'm not saying we definitely wouldn't progress, just I wouldn't expect it and view any progression as a bonus. But it's more if we want to win the competition then I believe you have to treat it as a priority, unlike the champions league where it goes without saying that it's a competition each entry takes serious even if they can't win the CL. Do the players have much excitement or respect for the EL? Probably not but if Van Gaal walked in and showed passion to win the EL the players will follow...... Or we can stick with your mate Sherwood and he will have them fired up LOL
I agree with most of what you say Boss, but this season's group was crap! Anzhi's financial issues made the draw exceptionally easy, so we didn't need to pick our strongest team for every game. Far from it, in fact. A well organised group of players who were pushing for a start in the league might have shown more urgency and effort in those games, as they'd have had something to play for. We strolled through and barely ever looked like conceding, let alone losing, winning every time and only letting in two goals in the six group games.
That's funny. I agree. The problem is getting through a round or two leads you down a primrose path. You're playing good teams, you've had a little success, maybe you've already been hurt by the extra game, or lost a player...and before you know it you're trying to get fourth and win the EL and do neither. (Though the alternative may be trying to get one or the other and getting neither, we haven't tried that one in a while...)
And think of poor Brad (of whoever the replacement is), it can't be much fun sitting on the bench every week, let them have a few games in Siberia, it's good for the moral (and to keep the reactions sharp)! I say Siberia in jest, I really hope we qualify for Europa, but I really hope we don't draw that team near North Korea that have nearly qualified... (Vladivostok).
Holy Christ - I've just looked up where Vladivostok is - you weren't joking! I wonder what UEFA would make of a team simply refusing to travel there and just forfeit the game. You'd lose the game, probably get fined a couple hundred grand but it'd be worth it, wouldn't it? I mean come on - that really is not Europe. Bloody Russia - it should be getting smaller if anything, not trying to expand its borders! The logistical problems of sports tournaments should be presented to the UN Security Council
The span between Russia's borders, which meant games could be aired for prime time viewing in Western Europe and the Far East, certainly played a part in FIFA awarding them the 2018 tournament. Because a World Cup should be convenient to European viewers and to Chinese gamblers...
