I have some reservations about winning the league cup if that is our fate. The reason is quite simply the number of games next season. It could leave us up short with no real break in the season, and more injuries etc The question to ask is, is it worth the risk to our league survival ? Is playing Europe all that its cracked up to be ?
why? plenty of teams have played in Europe. If we get relegated next season it wont be because we have played a few games in Europe it will be because we are not as good as other teams... European football is our natural next step and the place to be....its fantastic...
Since the hull game I am yet to witness our club struggle in any given season at almost any given time. We are on a massive upward curve and have been for the last decade and I'm still wondering when we are going to find our peak. I thought we had last season but under laudrup we look to be on a whole new level entirely and are only 5 points off a European place in the league. I have no fears about our future in this league as this is where we belong, Europe will be just another giant leap forward.
If we get into Europe, Michael Laudrup, more than anyone, will know that we need a large, quality squad to compete. With the board's backing, I'm sure he will recruit wisely to see that we have the necessary players. No worries for me.
I dont think we need to worry, the number of games we have had recently has prooven one thing, we finally have depth in the squad and can rest several players at a time if needed.
Playing in Europe will give some cash to spend on a bigger squad to overcome injuries etc. though. I have no idea how favorable it is financially to play in Europe League but there's bound to be some money from Sponsors and TV rights floating in Swanseas direction. And as someone else mentioned in another thread, Europe is a good place to showcase players which means that a lot of good players will be attracted to Swansea. Plus there's the off chance that the added games and competition will actually raise Swanseas level of play. Training passes is one thing but get them right when it really matters is another thing and playing more games could just be a good training exercise.
We are on the verge of a first major cup final in our 100 year history, and we are worrying about next season and being relegated If anything, getting to Wembley and hopefully winning will make us stronger not weaker. It wouldn't be a major focus for us and would allow us to develop some fringe players, which will benefit us in the long run.....anyway, we have the small matter of Chelsea to worry about first!
Bloody hell Jager enough with the prophet of doom stuff will ya!! ... Lets worry about this season first
If nothing else, playing in the Europa cup will allow our top U-21 to come through and play in games.
I've had my reservations about Europe too because it'll stretch or resources but it is a natural progression for a club that's on the up. I bet if you ask anyone from the Chairman to the Manager to the players, they'll all want to win that Cup and get into Europe.
The financial rewards are pretty crap. All the decent dough is tied up in the Champions League. If I remember rightly I think Porto only got about £7mill when they won the thing a couple of years ago.
If we get to the group stages it will add about 10 games to our season, obviously if we progress further then more games. My concern is also that with the league, the fa cup and the league cup as well as that we may over burden ourselves and take our eye off the number 1 objective of staying in this league. It may be as why worry about it as JackPA mentioned above, but if we do win the cup it will be a worry for next season, and we will need to plan for it.
I think we would need a cup 11 for the season. There is the potential of playing 15 odd games in cup competitions then it would be worth having 11 or so player who we always use...then for the league have our normal 11...This allows for the odd player to come in and out of each team depending on form/injury , whilst all should stay happy, as there could be plenty of games to go around.
I don't think there would be too much of a problem putting out competitive sides in the regular comps as well as the Europa League. If you look at it, the squad is pretty big and has plenty of competition already. I think I read that Laudrup wanted to reduce it if anything. As it stands, he usually puts out: Vorm Rangel Chico Williams Davies Ki Britton DeGuzman Routledge Hernandez Michu On top of that, next season he'll be able to field: Tremmel Tiendalli Bartley Richards Taylor (Canas?) Agustien Lamah ??? Dyer Graham (hopefully!) A couple of shrewd buys during the summer and I can't see competing in Europe to be a problem.
Of course there could be problems, just look at Newcastle this year and Stoke last year. It is important that the club are aware of that. I think the largest difference is that we have a manager that is excellent at rotating the squad and using all the players for what it's worth. Secondly we have a board that would (and will) support Laudrup in whatever requsts he makes regarding the squad and that's why I am not that concerned. There is not a lot of money in the Europa League, so I would assume that players like Rory Donnelly would get a chance. But first we would have to win the ****...
