FA cup draw = No hopes of European Football for the Toon

The draw has been made and the resulting fixtures mean that there will now only be one more spot up for grabs in next years Europa Cup. The void between the top 5 and 6th downwards is considerable, especially so due to the money being spent by the top 5 clubs.

It's unfortunate for many reasons. Personally I thought it would be a struggle to gain a place in next year's Europa cup, however it was a great motivator in terms of giving the team something to aim for.

Now that source of motivation has gone we have to consider how we'll bounce back after the last two games. I think we have a good mix of games remaining and we're in the position to both clinch survival and consolidate ourselves as a Premier League club (hopefully with some investment in the summer).

But, this season has been anything but predictable and with so many other teams (like ourselves) desperate to secure survival, it's impossible to say that doing so ourselves will be an easy feat, although it would be nice to think so considering the season we've had.

Realistically, I can see us slipping down the table slightly, but wouldn't be distraught if we finished in 12th place. Obviously finishing as high as mathematically possible should be our main goal, but a good target to set ourselves now should be a top half finish.

What are your thoughts, will we be dragged into the relegation dogfight or sit comfortably in mid-table?

 

I don't give two ****s about Europe now mate. I'm going to be optimistic next season, all i want to do is survive, and get our team ship shape and ready to push up the table next season.

I think with a few quality signings and everyone fit, we could easily push for Europa next season, but this season, survival is my only goal. Once we're mathematically safe, perhaps top 10 would be nice, but i'd rather spend time giving youngsters a shot. Ferguson and Ranger should both get as much time as possible once we're safe.

 

So does this mean top 5 only get in Europe?

 

Survival was always my aim, not bothered about Europe.

 

Yes, a Europa Cup place only goes to the team in 6th place if the two finalists in the FA cup final have themselves already qualified for Europe.

Because Man City and Manchester United will face each other in the Semi-final (if Man City get through to the SF that is), it means that there will only be one 'top 5' club in the final. In this case, the Europa cup place goes to the team in the final who hasn't qualified for Europe e.g. Bolton, Stoke or Reading.

 

I thought that rule had been abolished and it went to the team in the league?

If this is true, how come Portsmouth didn't qualify through the FA Cup last year when they got beat off Chelsea in the final?

 

No one cares, the aim is still survival, we're still not safe yet.

 

Pompey didn't get into Europe last season for financial reasons only I heard...

 

Until we're mathematically safe, I don't even wanna think about Europe.

 

What happens if Bolton win the cup and/or finish 6th in the league?

 

Didnt they forget to fill out the forms or something?

 

If Bolton win the FA cup then they qualify for Europe. If they get into the final against Man City or Man United then they automatically qualify.

 

So it would affect the league spots if they qualified and finished 6th? It wouldn't go down the 7th?

 

I never got my hopes up for it anyway, was a very slim chance of us getting there anyway.

 

So it would affect the league spots if they qualified and finished 6th? It wouldn't go down the 7th?

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No, only 3 places are awarded europa league places - 5th place (say spurs), carling cup winners (brum), FA cup winners/runners up etc (stoke or bolton), bolton would have to finish 5th for this to have any impact then 6th would get into europe. As it stands unless l'pool win the europa they arn't getting into it.

 

Cheers. Couldn't get my head around it.

I was looking at the Fair Play League (I know, clutching at straws) and I noticed we're LAST!

More interestingly, it's shown what a 'clean' team Fulham are;

2010/11 - 1st (current standings)
2009/10 - 1st
2008/09 - 1st

In the last three seasons they've only had two red cards! In the same period we've had 15! (5 were in the championship)

Odd.

 

Most likely due to players not being able to tackle, as opposed to dirty play, e.g. Perchinho or Raylor

 

Not true.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...is-shut-for-FA-Cup-final-losers-Football.html

 

Jesus, I hope Stoke don't get to the final.

 

It is true:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...a-League-ticket-FA-Cup-triumph-Tottenham.html