Given you can only pick one. This topic came up in a different thread earlier, I would personally like us to qualify for the Champions League instead of winning the Carling Cup. I feel it can bring us greater long term success. Whereas winning the Carling Cup would just be papering over the cracks for us to say we had a successful season with Europa League qualification and an insignificant trophy.
Top four place for me, I really miss watching those European Nights and it would also help attract more players.
It's a pointless argument, we can win both cups and finish fourth. But we need to get our act together pronto.
We're already in the Carling Cup final, so I would hope that we can and will win it. Europa League qualification come with it, so be it. And again I would hope that the club will put as much effort into getting 4th, as the ultimate goal of the season is CL football next year. However if we dont get 4th I would not be unhappy with a cup win and European football next year, it would be a slight disappointment with the money spent and the games we have dropped point in (draws at home to certain clubs). Its got to be understood that alot of teams have roughly at the same place this year, shown by the fact that there are a number of clubs all in the hunt for a top 4 finish. The fact we can still get 4th and have the chance at winning two cups this year shows alot of progression from last year, when at one point we were bottom three and stood no chance of even getting CL.
Difference is won't be getting back into the top four any time soon you have 3 sides to compete with to get 4th back then it was a Newcastle poorly managed in the end.
Well, if you persist, I'll just have to report you for taking this thread off topic. It could lead to some very good debate and discussion, but idiot like you try to ruin it.
Well the income qualifacation for the champions league provides is important and helps attract players. But as stated would rather win the cup and qualify for fourth, but if I had a gun to my head I would choose Champions League for the £££££
I have to agree that the proposal is very limiting as the 2 goals are not mutually exclusive. However in the form that the question is put then claiming 4th spot would be my preference. 4th spot not only brings higher possible financial gain but also may help in our continuing search to strengthen the quality of the squad. Having said that 2 cups and Europa qualification would still be viwed by me as being a vast improvement.
Don't get me wrong, would love to win a cup, and we certainly should. Champions League is crucial, £20 million for qualification makes a huge difference, still don't see the point of having to choose TBH.
Personally i would always take the realistic option. ill take the carling cup and guarantee europe next season. Then the pressure is off and we are in our best possible position to fight for fourth.
Europa league is rubbish and a big distraction, best avoided unless used as an exercise to blood youth, IMO.
