Champions League by a mile, but there's no reason we can't compete for both.
I wonder if those who were devastated by the League Cup exit are as bothered now actually. It should be obvious that having that dog of a competition off the schedule is beneficial whilst we try and actually compete for worthwhile things.
It used to be fa cup all day long for me. But when you see that you get lumbered in that Europa league the following season it is now 4th for me. The riches it brings might enable us to keep lukaku, but if it doesn't it will raise the profile of the club and attract better quality players. Saying that I would rather be in the Europa league next year by winning the fa cup then by finishing 5th.
Don't understand this finish FOURTH. We would ideally need THIRD to avoid a tough playoff and no guarantee of the financial windfall.
Winning the FA Cup would be amazing but if CL secured the services of Lukaku plus one or two other marquee signings then we potentially have the chance to do both as other CL clubs do in the future.
It needs to be the FA Cup, the CL doesn't go on the history list and its nothing to celebrate. We have neither the squad or the money to compete in CL and and the FA Cup puts us back on the map with a trophy.
In all honesty, I wouldn't want CL qualification until Bob has been in the job for a good 18 months and he has players, like a proven striker, that are signed permanently with the club
I'm old fashioned, football is about winning things not finishing fourth, winning is what really matters. Defo the Cup for me, and it would give us a European place too.
Champions League would be a nice consolation prize if we don't win the cup, but footie's about much, much more than money and profit and loss accounts, it's about pride, trophies and open top bus parades through our city shoving our trophy up our neighbour's backsides and being able to hold our head up high with some silverware in our trophy cabinet which has been bare for too long.
It needs to be the FA Cup, the CL doesn't go on the history list and its nothing to celebrate. We have neither the squad or the money to compete in CL and and the FA Cup puts us back on the map with a trophy.
In all honesty, I wouldn't want CL qualification until Bob has been in the job for a good 18 months and he has players, like a proven striker, that are signed permanently with the club
If I had to pick one though it'd be the Champ league. Increases the rep and revenue. We'd be in a better position long term to challenge for future honours.
Don't see why it would. You don't need the Champions League to sign a proven striker.
The new Premier League TV deal is worth more than getting to the group stages of the Champions League, and yet we're still not spending money.
If the thread said choose between finishing 3rd or winning the FA Cup i'd probably say 3rd, but 4th place and no guarantee of actual CL qualification ? I'd take the FA Cup win.
Don't see why it would. You don't need the Champions League to sign a proven striker.
The new Premier League TV deal is worth more than getting to the group stages of the Champions League, and yet we're still not spending money.
If the thread said choose between finishing 3rd or winning the FA Cup i'd probably say 3rd, but 4th place and no guarantee of actual CL qualification ? I'd take the FA Cup win.
Also, you don't necessarily need to sign a proven striker, you just need to spot the talent likely to turn into a proven striker.
Chelsea signed Lukaku for ~10 million plus add-ons, what's he worth now ? Growing a football club when you're not laden with cash needs some smart dealing and a bit of risk taking.
