Don't understand this sentiment. It's only this country that views the Europa as a nothing competition. Hopefully we'll have the money to attract quality players but make no mistake, they see EL, rightly IMO, as a good European competition and so it'd certainly strengthen our case when chasing said players.
Yeah. Maybe we should finish 8th just to make sure. A good start would be to throw the head to head with Albion
EL qualification is a positive because
1) Can help us attract players in the summer
2) Gives the players and coaches an opportunity to get experience against European opposition before we hopefully qualify for CL.
3) Gives us an opportunity to give some of our younger players first team experience.
4) Gets us used to playing 2 games per week and the disruption that comes with midweek foreign travel.
5) A good run helps with the coefficient rating for when we do qualfy for CL. Pot 3 is decidedly better than pot 4.
6) It exposes the club to a wider catchment area/fan base/player base and just gives us generally more kudos.
7) Gives us another avenue/opportunity to qualify for CL.
8) Increase match day revenues.
9) Gives the boys an opportunity for some days out across Europe.
The only downside is that it will affect our league position. In the short term I have no doubt it will but we have to go through that pain barrier to get where we need to be to progress as a club. The sooner this process starts the better.