Hi guys I have a blog which looks at certain aspects of the game and clubs, and one thing I want to try and get something to write on is the feelings of Swansea fans toward the Europa League, broken down in to a number of categories.... 1. How you felt before the season started about the Europa League competition 2. How you felt as you progressed until the end of the 'league' stage. 3. You opinion on the knockout stage, from a Swans fan perspective. 4. Do you know if Swansea City has made any money out of taking part? 5. Your overall opinion of the competition and how it has effected the Premier League season. 6. Do you believe the 'failed' Champions League teams should be allowed in to the Europa League knockout stages? and were you knocked out by one of these teams? I am going to ask Stoke and Newcastle fans the same, so will be interesting to see the results. Thank in advance for those who take the time to respond either here on by PM
1) I felt really optimistic, because of thought it would attract better players 2) I thought we started amazingly then fizzled out and limped over the finish line 3) taught we done or club proud and nearly pulled off another shock win. 4) don't think there are much dividends from the Europa league. Maybe more overseas fans 5) yes massively, especially for a club without the resources to sustain 2 competitive teams for the congested fixture list. 6) yep we were knocked out by an failed champions league team, but I prefer going out to a team like Napoli than going out to a less known team. Just because that's what made me excited about Europe the chance to watch our club play teams like Valencia and Napoli.
1- Totally excited with no regrets from start to finish. 2-Thought we progressed perfectly to the 2nd round as we spread our resourses to stay in the FA Cup and stay in touch in midtable. 3-Thought we were unlucky late in the games , late in the group stage. 4-probably made a bit through 8 games, not counting gualifing. 5-Had to have an effect on Premier League results . After our last game against Napoli , we played the most games in all competitions than any Premier League club. 6-The Champions League rejects give Europa even more of a reputation imo.
1. How you felt before the season started about the Europa League competition Very excited. Very prestigious to be representing the Premier League (and Wales!). 2. How you felt as you progressed until the end of the 'league' stage. It started too well! Conceding late goals in multiple games to end in draws was very frustrating but we made it through. Relieved. 3. You opinion on the knockout stage, from a Swans fan perspective. Personally, I thought we had no chance against Napoli, never mind winning the competition but it was still amazing to be there. As it turned out we ran them very close and could have gone through. 4. Do you know if Swansea City has made any money out of taking part? I don't know. 5. Your overall opinion of the competition and how it has effected the Premier League season. Great competition to be in. I don't understand anyone who criticises it for being "second best" and Champions League is the only one worth being in. Same as the league cup argument (until you win it of course), which is also nonsense. It has affected PL form/results (in conjunction with the other cup competitions) but would rather be in it than not! 6. Do you believe the 'failed' Champions League teams should be allowed in to the Europa League knockout stages? and were you knocked out by one of these teams? We were knocked out by one of those teams but that is not why I think they should not be in it. It's just unfair. If you're going to have the Champs League teams in then you may as well just amalgamate the two competitions to start with. I liked the old days of the three European cups on consecutive nights!
1. A massive opportunity to showcase our club on a European stage and a journey to be embraced. 2. Felt really positive as we won the first couple of games and then dropped 4 points due to last minute lapses in concentration - frustrated as we should have topped the group. 3. The players did superb and nearly pulled off a massive European upset. 4. No idea - although i suppose a little. 5. Fatigue due to the number of games and a lack of continuity between line ups due to rotation. 6. Had anybody said when we won the COC that we would beat Valencia and nearly beat Napoli in the KO stage I think every Swans fan would have biten your arm off. For me, I'd rather get KO'd from a massive club like Napoli than a lesser club from Russia for example.
My personal Europa League experience : Before the start I was very excited about the whole thing. The first few matches lived up to it and the Valencia match was a huge high point. It was then ruined by miserable bastards moaning that we shouldn't bother with it and Laudrup should go. Spoiled my fun they did.
I should perhaps add - if anyone wants to provide their experience (assuming the thread does get closed) - please PM me
I will add something many Swans fans wont want to read. As far as I am concerned, regarding the questions I have put forward, Dai has as much right to express his opinion on the subject matter. I would rather you simply ignored his thoughts if you don't like them, or just ignore them in total and let the thread run its course I know many are fed up with him and his rantings toward ML, and thankfully I don't see most of it. As for me, if I think he is talking bollocks, I can either make use of his comments of not. So, to that end, I am going to ask Dai to answer each question in sequence. In the same way that the majority have done, and I will ask that you omit the 'Laudrup' factor out of your answers Dai, and provide a more general overview (if you would be so kind)
