So given that Europe is on the cards for us next season just how seriously do think we should take it? Vote an' ting innit.
Just to clarify the logic behind this is in which games do we save our best players to keep them fresh, where do we play the squad players who don't normally start etc.
I want us to do well in Europe because Michael Laudrup has said that he likes the cups on the basis that "smaller" teams have a decent chance to win them. He came close when he managed in Spain and, of course, we won the League Cup for him. I think that he wants to prove a point by winning a European trophy with an unfashionable (that's us!) club to prove it can be done. I think it would give him immense satisfaction to do that and would cement his reputation as a manager who didn't need a bottomless pit of money to succeed. I'm being greedy and want to be successful in Europe as well as the PL but, forced to choose one or the other, I would always opt for Premier League survival first and foremost. That is our future, our lifeblood.
My only worry with playing in Europe and I'm looking forward to it, will be the demands it puts on the whole squad. I'd hate for us to be in a position like Newcastle struggling in the league. So survival is the main key, I'd like to get through the qualifiers, and then go out in the group stages.
We should take it seriously. We could be playing some of the great European clubs. But we need to strengthen our squad.
