Newcastle have found this and Swansea are finding this as well. I've watched with interest over the last few seasons the way things have gone for Europa League candidates who don't have multi million pound squads. Newcastle last season were massively impacted due to their small squad. Swansea this season - even against us they looked jaded - OK so it didn't affect the result but they were, in no way, 4 goals better than us on the day. Is the Europa league a poisoned chalice for the smaller PL clubs like Newcastle etc. We are looking at a quarter final of the league cup now and, personally, I'd love to win it - but can we cope with a Europa campaign as well as the league?
Theres nowt wrong with a little success but youre getting just a little ahead of yourself mate. At the moment its just baby steps out of trouble. If we were that lucky hough, then we'd need to know just how deep Ellis's pockets are as we would need strengthening all over the pitch. Like your optimistic outlook though.
There are far too many European games in the Europa League (and the Champions League as well in my opinion), and the vast majority that I have watched have been dreadful entertainment value..Both competitions should go back to the knock out format which would reduce the number of games significantly, but I fear that money rules OK in the game these days, and this will not happen..
This. The second they brought the groups in it meant teams needed champions league sized squads. 90% of teams in this competition can't afford squads this size. The other 10% can because they're champions league teams who've just missed out. Think the whole format is geared towards making sure minnows drop out and the high profile teams win it each year.
Put it this way - if you won the cup and survived this season, I'd be very surprised if you'd survive next season whilst playing in it. IMO we have the better players but we very nearly paid the ultimate price last season for having a thin squad. I'd love to finish 5th this season but wouldn't look forward to the Europa. It simply means more games without any real financial benefit. You need to pretty much win it to make it worthwhile. A distraction from the much more important EPL. You CAN beat Chelsea but what sort of side will you put out? Start worrying about this dilemma if you win your next 2 matches in the cup.
the 15 playesr PDC bought in would get a full run out if we were in the europa league mannone Celutska, Roberge, Diak, x (we need a new LB) Klarson, Cabral, Ba, Maviras Borini, Wickham
Its an awful competition. I completely forgot till the weekend that Chelsea won it last season...... It should go back to being called The Uefa cup and be straight knock out competition to make it different to the CL. All it is now is a Netto Champions league . I do think the Champions League format works though. The big problem with the Europe is that the games are on a Thursday.
As RAW said, it's needs to go back to knockout so that teams take it seriously and there are less games. Also, NO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAMS DROPPING INTO IT HALF WAY THROUGH.
In total agreement with this MRRA. Even the name is a misnomer as the top 4 teams in many leagues qualify for a comp called the champions league but the majority of teams in the thing are not even champions like they were in the old days. Quick trivia question which team has been european champions more times than won their own domestic league?
