I don't like the drop down situation - but at least if you progress in the Europa you get to play some CL teams, which apparently is so important these days, oh no sorry i forgot it's the money that's important isn't it? All I know is I want us to win this, and if it costs us 4th so be it- - i want to see a trophy or two back at the Lane.
How about 4th and EL winners! .....if we won the EL in style and defeated some big teams along the way, proving to be the best in the comp, then i would be happy, even if we missed out on 4th this year as its been too long since we won a trophy.
Part A yes. Part B no, for now anyway, no CL this season was a bitter enough pill, anything detrimental to playing in it next season is not on for me. No for now means that we need a bit more time for the season to unfold, as to whether this group of players are up to it, on paper maybe, but the proof is in the pudding as they say. If we fail to qualify, it will mean top players not choosing to come here, and the likes of Bale may be difficult to keep, he has been patient with us, but it won't stay that way. As much as I'd love a Final, a CL place is more important to the club, not us as individuals, THFC. The revenue for the club cannot be dismissed, as much as I don't particularly like that scenario, thats the way it is today.
Too right, it's also 28 years since we've even been in a European semi-final let alone winning something, so even getting that far would be a real boost to putting us back on the European map and boosting those coefficients,we might even get back into the 'European Premier League'.
Group A will see one of PSG, Porto or Dynamo Kyiv drop down, Group C one of Milan, Malaga and Zenit (unless Malaga are kicked out for FFP violations, giving us a bye), Group D one of Real, City, Dortmund or Ajax, Group E one of Chelsea, Shakhtar or Juventus, and Group F one of Barca, Benfica and Spartak Moscow. That's a lot of tough teams and/or away trips there. Some of that list we can compete with their first teams, others will probably field a weakened side - but, then again, a weakened side for Barca, Real or City is still on a par with a lot of clubs' first teams. What we can, indeed should, use the Europa League is a platform for players to bed into the club. For example, when Berbatov first joined us he had a slow start in the league, but had some good scoring form in the UEFA Cup and that carried over into his league form. From that standpoint, if the Europa League helps both Lloris and Sigurdsson bed in and start performing - or, for that matter, spark Bale and Walker into life as they've been a little flat so far - then it will be positive for our league form.
I know where you're coming from and yes the champions league is where we all want to be and if we get back into the CL, and don't win any silverware, it will still be a great season. But If we show we can compete for champions league football, but miss out and win the EL, I would still class that as a great season, as I think both would show that the following season will (unless the club flog players) be an even greater success. Also, AVB would then have proven he is the right man for the job and we wouldn't have to hear any of this transition rubbish!
Apparently it was necessary for our prematch press session to be dominated with questions about whether Lloris is happy and whether AVB feels he's under pressure. Both were dealt with in the post match interviews on Sunday, if not before
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is out of the Group J encounter due to a hamstring injury. Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has vowed to make a few changes to his team, which could mean a debut for France captain Hugo Lloris in goal. Scott Parker (Achilles), Heurelho Gomes (ankle), Jake Livermore (groin), Younes Kaboul and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both knee) are out. Lazio have a blemish-free record this season, with five wins from as many games, and although yet to be tested by top-class opposition, there's no denying that they're a confident and free-scoring outfit. Brazilian playmaker Hernanes is very much the man behind the magic at present. The Prophet, as he's known locally, attracted plenty of attention in the summer with some suggesting that Spurs themselves had a bid turned down. Add Mauro Zarate and Miroslav Klose - the latter bagged a brace against Palmero to show that there's still life in the old dog - and you have a very dangerous proposition. And while new head coach Vladimir Petkovic might not have been a popular appointment at the Stadio Olimpico, it's a case of so far, so good. Petkovic is only the second manager in Lazio's history to start his tenure with three consecutive Serie A wins. Lazio should field a side similar to that which beat Chievo 3-1 on Sunday, with Hernanes the lynchpin in the centre. Despite getting on in years, 34-year-old Miroslav Klose will most probably lead the line for the Italians, backed up by the attacking threats of Stefano Mauri, Ederson and Lorik Cana. Emmanuel Ledesma will hold the defensive midfield position in an attempt to prevent Spurs from breaking through the centre. Probable line ups SPURS : Lloris Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton Dembele, Sandro Lennon, Dempsey, Bale Defoe LAZIO : Marchet Scaloni, Biava, Dias, Cavanda Ledesma Ederson, Cana, Hernanes, Mauri Klose
A few useful facts concerning the two teams : Tottenham and Lazio have never met before in a European competition. Andre Villas-Boas has named just two strikers in his 25-man Europa League squad list - Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor. Tottenham have played Italian clubs seven times, coming away with three wins, while Lazio have won just three from 12 against English competition. Tottenham have only won two of their last six European homes games, losing twice and drawing twice. Lazio have not won any of their last seven games against English teams. New Lazio boss Vladamir Petkovic is only the second manager in the club's history to have won his first three Serie A games. Petkovic has managed a side that has beaten Spurs before - he guided Young Boys to a 3-2 victory in the 2010-11 Champions League qualifying round, but lost the return leg 4-0. Former England star Paul Gascoigne played for both clubs during his career - the playmaker left the London club for the Italians in 1992, and has been invited as an official guest to the return fixture in Italy.
One thing i will say about this fixture is either team are capable of winning the trophy unlike last night's chumpions League money fest which paired Montpellier v Arsenal
Why have we got so many bloody injuries, again? Perhaps moving to the new training facilities will help us to sort that out, as it's been a problem for years.
thinking about it we have alot of bad habits as a club..terrible injury record....is Anderton still injured?
assuming dempsey is in the squad - we have strikers, him ade and defoe i like the team mentioned earlier Lloris Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton Dembele, Sandro Lennon, Dempsey, Bale Defoe but would bring in Daws for Gallas I want to see a very strong team out there. If we are to qualify, I think it's very important to win this one, it then puts pressure on the rest of the group, and helps stop any stitch ups later on
... and I think we might dare say that we have a manager who is more experienced than most in the EL!
Let's take it seriously and try and win it. It's isn't the champions league but if we won it there is no denying it would boost our stature around Europe and would help us attract quality players. For the first time in ages I'd prefer 5th and winning this than finishing 4th and no trophies
