I'd like us to compete in Europe, I just don't have the same desire as I used to. The competition isn't glamorous any more, it lasts way too long and the entry criteria is weak. Hull, just as an example, are there because they beat a 3rd division team and lost to Arsenal. Far play, and I hope they enjoy it, but it's not exactly a brave entry into Europe. I didn't even realise they'd progressed until today, despite being on here and watching the news.
There are times when our entry criteria seem weak. Back in I think 2000 we lost the FA Cup final to qualify for it but we had apparently qualified just by reaching the semi-finals as the other teams (Man Utd, Arsenal and Tottenham) had already qualified. I think each cup-winner gets one and then the rest go to the league, none for runners up - why one rule for the league cup and one for the FA Cup? How come Hull get a place and Sunderland don't? Doesn't make sense to me, you get your day at Wembley and the chance to actually win something but you don't get automatic qualification for Europe due to it.
