Maybe you're right Spurf. But to be totally honest I just sat down and went through the CL groups, replacing the weakest team in each with ourselves. Only a madman would bet on us qualifying from any of them, with Group H being the possible exception - although even that would be a stretch with Lyon, Zenit and Valencia all more than capable of beating us. With respect, Utd are a poor example to use as they are miles behind the other English teams let alone the real big fish. I actually think they'll struggle to get out of a relatively easy group. Also, I'm not sure where you got the 6 teams from but I can count at least 12 who can humiliate us with ease if they bring their A game. I hope I'm coming across as more of a realist than a pessimist, but I've seen nothing in any of our previous 4 EL campaigns to even begin to suggest that we'd be able to take it up to the next level. I would also stand firmly by the main gist of my original point - our squad now isn't fit to polish the boots of the CL squad back in 10-11.
Boss Monaco and Anderlecht are hardly irrelevant teams and Qarabeg are like Manchester City i.e. mega rich. The Europa also gives a lot of Spurs members an opportunity to see the team live, as most of them cannot get tickets for EPL games. Also I wouldn't say we have no chance of winning, slight chance probably, but not none at all.
I know that Paul, you maybe misread my post as I'm happy that we will face bigger teams and look forward to seeing either our first team or youngsters compete, as previously I've dismissed the competition and found the games against irrelevant teams pointless and boring to watch, mainly because playing Europa league impacts chances of top four. But as I feel we have no chance of top four via the league, I would rather we faced a test from the outset, or if we do play our youngsters, it will be good experience to see them play decent teams.
Blimey - even Harry would only have said "its going to be very difficult..." But seriously we are the second best team in it so who does have a non-zero chance of winning it?
So this is what the Europa League will do to our fixture list... 13th September - Sunderland (A) 17th September - Quarabag (H) 20th September - Palace (H) 26th September - Man City (H) October 1 - Monaco (A) October 4th - Swansea (A) 17th October - Liverpool (H) October 22nd - Anderlecht (A) October 25th - Bournemouth (A) November 2nd - Villa (H) November 5th - Anderlecht (H) November 8th - Arsenal (A) November 22nd - Wet Spam (H) November 26th - Qarabag (A) November 29th - Chelsea (H) (I ****ing knew that would happen...) December 10th - Monaco (H) December 12th/13th - Newcastle (H)
Haha if I could afford it mate I'd definitely be on going out there. Looking at a little trip to Anderlecht though, likely drive it with a few mates, already doing a little weekend to Ghent in October so I can prep myself up for the Belgian experience lol.
It'll be interesting to see how Pochettino approaches the competition this season. The transfer window's remaining days may well dictate how strong our selections will be in the group. If we add significant depth, which I sadly doubt, then I think we'll have to do quite a bit of rotation. The Qarabag away trip is pretty horrible and I'd hope that we're in a position to send a weakened team to it, for a start.
Both of the November games are bad in different ways: the Villa/Anderlecht/Arsenal games are scheduled for Monday/Thursday/Sunday, although we get some mercy due to all of them being played in North London - but an away trip to Azerbaijan between two derbies is the definition of an ass blasting bitcheloid.
Why was the Villa game scheduled for the Monday? They knew we were playing on the Thursday when the fixtures were compiled, let alone when the TV lot got hold of them.
The Villa game got moved for Sky's benefit, presumably because they didn't get the Chelsea/Liverpool match that weekend (instead they have Everton/Sunderland, Southampton/Bournemouth and Spurs/Villa)
They shouldn't be allowed to do that with Europa League teams. That's bollocks. Sunday/Thursday/Sunday is ****, but Monday/Thursday/Sunday is ridiculous.
It's perfectly possible for us to beat anyone, even Real or Barca, just as it’s perfectly possible we lose to a team which is theoretically weaker. Desire and belief are such strong factors in team games that much bigger upsets than us beating Real happen relatively frequently. MK Dons over Man U springs to mind. For that matter, we just played Real, albeit in an exhibition, and didn’t look outclassed, IMO. If Lamela knocked in what should have been a routine finish at the beginning of the game we might well have won, and the most impressive player on either side was Alli. This Spurs team seems to have figured out how to be competitive with anyone. It’s closing the deal that’s still beyond them. Young teams should get better at winning. In this year’s Europa, I’d rather see our youth players because it may be the only chance to see them play a few games. How would a team of Pritchard, Carroll, Alli, Onomah, Bentaleb and Kane look? I wouldn’t be surprised if their combination of talent and experience training together (Alli, it’s true, is a relatively recent arrival) makes them as good as our first team. Secondarily, I’m tired of seeing the Europa effect year after year in the league. I’d like us not to play more games than anyone for a change.
"November 26th - Qarabag (A)" Wanted : phial of serious illness. Must : be capable of being applied on a sunday, taking full effect no later than the following tuesday, and clear up by the following saturday. Please apply to : Mr E Adebayor. NO TIME WASTERS PLEASE.
It looks like Adebayor's joining West Ham on loan. He's outdone himself and managed to dodge the Europa League twice in one season.
"t looks like Adebayor's joining West Ham on loan. He's outdone himself and managed to dodge the Europa League twice in one season." Poor old Dildo bros. Had to go out of the Europa just to get Adebayor on loan. And no wet wednesday League Cup away gigs for him there either.
Tough group indeed, but that's what Euro footie is all about, playing the big clubs from other countries and I've always loved that. But, WTF are Qarabag doing in a Euro comp is beyond me. They should be in the Asian football federation as they border Iran. They don't even play in their home city, because it was practically erased from the map due to the war there in the 90's. Plus, as HBIC listed, we've got to play Chelsea 3 days after traveling from a place that's further away than Newfoundland in Canada. Moaning aside, I'd love for us to take this comp seriously and go for it. Top 4 is out of reach and it's a winnable trophy with a good draw in the knockout stages.
And Celtic are ****e Don't think your draw is 'that' bad. Anderlecht are bang average and Monaco never really took off. They lost Kurzawa this week, might lose Abdenour by the time you play them too. Only genuinely good player now is Moutinho. Like us it'll all be about how you apply yourselves. Personally I hope Liverpool go for it... so I hope you play the kids!
