Don't want to put a hex on the Odense game, but let's just say we qualify. After tonight's results and the two Mans now in the Europa League are we going to lose out even more on TV coverage? Probably a rhetorical question. It's not just that we'll have less chance of watching away games, will there also be a loss of revenue? Mind you, whatever you think about these clubs getting a second spin, with the names that have 'dropped down' which will be the bigger this year - the Championship or the League ?
Although I don't welcome the arrival of the 2 Mancs in "our" league it'll be interesting to see how they tackle it. Neither want to be there and I think both would much rather win the league than the EL. Having said that I think City's owners just want any silverwear they can get their hands on even if its not (in the eyes of some) "prestigious". I find it really annoying that these "big" teams think the EL is some sort of embarrassment. If they don't want to be in it they should opt out and leave it to those of us who want to be there.
The next round of the Europa will be after the Manchester FA Cup derby game, so I can see the loser taking a bit more interest in the competition, just to make sure that they have some compensation in case that is the only trophy left for them in the season. I think the 3rd place 'drop down' was given to stop some of the CL later games being meaningless. It will in time water down the Europa like the League Cup has become if teams dropping down use it as a Reserve competition, like Spurs have.
