Considering Bradford's effort knocking Arsenal out of the league cup, if Leeds do something similar next week, the League cup will be left with some clubs and fans who might appreciate winning it. They would probably also enjoy getting into the Europa league next season too. In light of some of the Premier league clubs not appreciating European football in this competetion, how would we all feel if Saints were to get in it at some point. Personally, i would fecking love seeing Saints play in a European competition!
Saw it after our FA Cup runner up place. Brief appearance with a draw at SMS. Always fun for a side that rarely has a chance. Nicola would have trouble getting his head through the door if we managed it in the near future.
I am not sure that being in the Europa Cup benefits a football club unles thay have a large squad as in the early stages there is no money to be made and there is the risk of injuries as well as fatigue to key players because of extra games and travelling. I wont be jumping for joy if we end up in it.
In a hypothetical situation where we qualify for the Europa League next season, and ignoring the fact we'll probably have signed a few new players and let a few go, we could put a team like this out: --------Gazzaniga Richardson Martin Hooiveld Fox -----Chaplow Hammond De Ridder--Ward-Prowse --Lee ----------Mayuka They wouldn't be very good, but it'd be interesting to see how far they could get.
You need to expand the squad significantly to make it work. And unless you are confident of getting back into Europe every season, that's not a great idea. Newcastle tried to take on the extra eight games with the same squad as last year, and it's gonna cost them eight places in the Prem. Not right now for me, thanks.
I still find it really strange how people's views on it have now changed. Not just Saints supporters but a lot of premier league team supporters. Europa league is probably our only (semi) realistic ambition of progression (beyond surviving in the Premier league). Stoke seemed to enjoy their time in the competition last season, playing some good European sides. Even Pompey got a game with AC Milan in their time in the competition.
For a team like us or Leeds there are no benefits granted, because we have high gates anyway so it wouldn't really make us much money. for Bradford it would benefit because they would be guaranteed full houses akin to drawing a big club in the cup. Especially if they get automatic to the group stages. I'm sure they would sacrifice a run on L2 for it.
One thing about that last Euro season was the narrow striped kit for it. I liked it, apart from the big white rectangle for the number on the back. please log in to view this image
Wow, imagine if Bradford managed to get into the final and then played Chelsea, they'd play in the Europa League even if they lost the final! Amazing.
