Do you want us to get into Europe?

This is true - can't find anything on the figures, but it is all 350 European matches from 2015 for 3 years.

 

You mean they are stopping the 3rd place teams from CL groups going into EL?

 

That's what Platini said.

 

No mention of £20million but talk of Europa becoming financially attractive once the BT deal comes into play:


"...for the first time, qualification for the Europa League will also come with significant financial rewards, which in turn should help to reinvigorate the FA Cup and the League Cup as a route into Europe.

"On Sunday the deal was being described as the most seismic shift in English football since the birth of the Premier League and the massive cash injection that came from Sky TV.

‘It’s a mindblowing deal,’ said Simon Johnson, former director of corporate affairs at the FA and now a sports rights specialist and consultant to law firm Charles Russell.

‘The money involved obviously makes it all the more important to qualify for the Champions League. But the really interesting bit for me is the fact that clubs are going to earn proper income from the Europa League. It won’t compare to the Champions League money but for the first time it will actually be financially worthwhile.’ "


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...A-Cup--deal-means-seismic-shift-football.html

 

Good news

 

I just wonder when it'll all reach a zenith. It cannot keep going and going and going, can it? With a lot of other 'entertainment' out there in this wide world of Youtube, etc., you have to wonder how many of football's current audience rely too much on instant success and, when it doesn't come (a la Man U), what's the impact? Half-empty OT? Goodness knows it might as well have been on Saturday, such was the sheer lack of noise. They''ve kept the plates spinning with ever-more creativity (corporate, family areas and deals, long-term season tickets, extra-curricular activities), but they can't keep doing it?

There's implosion everywhere you look; Sheff Utd, Portsmouth, Coventry, Leeds. FFP benefits the haves instead of the have nots. The bigger clubs breaking away is always a threat (Juventus were the latest to mention it), but surely that would just speed up any demise? Maybe the global game will keep it going a while longer, with money appearing in China and Brazil, with football - not soccer - appearing in USA/Canada. But then what does it become? I'm probably in the minority, as I couldn't really give a chuff for any club apart from Newcastle, and even then I don't exactly religiously turn up at SJP. But it seems to me that there's a "dot com bubble" appearing around football.

 

If the choice is the Europa League and a poor season, then no.

I voted yes: I would like us to take the chance that we could compete in Europe and manage a decent position. We're better than we were last season - - I'd give it another go

 

Albert Albert Albert, with fat mike on charge no chance

 

But with less players

 

I can understand why people dont want to but Id rather finish 5th then 7th

 

Fat mike on charge?
You make him sound like a battery operated robot

 

Yes. Champions league would be superb


Anything less would be failure and Pards should be sacked. That's the bar now Hacky, accept it.

 

That, and the compulsory wearing of white boots

 

I agree but why stop at sacking him. These managers need some genuine fear to motivate them to achieve. How about a contract clause about having to live with a family of 10 mackems (there's plenty) for a period of 6 months if CL is not attained? Or one night with Titus? We need to get them out of their comfort zone.

 

If it was in Pennywell he'd pick Titus.

 

Unfortunately we're tied to the European Union, and they have some fancy notions about "Human rights" or whatever

 

Another spin on this vote - I don't think anyone would say "no", if the way we got into Europe was by winning the FA Cup....

 

Aye go on then

 

Of course I'd love us to be in Europe, the only thing I would say is that hopefully the board have learnt from their mistake of last seasons European adventure. If you are in Europe we need double the amount of "purple" players to be able to compete on domestic and European fronts, if not you end up having a season like last year.

 

I think you have to assume that wouldn't happen mate. Maybe if this extra money is a reality he might get us a couple. It heightens the need for our youth system to start producing more too. We need to get that right. I think Pards would give them opportunity with his Palace, Southampton, West Ham background