To the europa league haters...

[BoysInBlue]

Let's be realistic.

We're not going to win the league.
Top 4 is a long shot - we achieved our best points total and biggest number of wins for 25 years last season and still never qualified.
So our aim, as usual, is 5th to 7th. And what does that bring? European football.

So all this 'concentrate on the Premier League' stuff is utter garbage. If we concentrated on the Premier League and everything went great, we'd be in Europe next season. So we might as well just get used to playing in Europe now.

 

[EFCPaul]

If it meant winning the Europa League, which were definitely capable of doing, I'd be able to stomach finishing 7th-10th for this season only.

It's not good enough though, we should be able to go for the Europa League and be comfortably finishing inside the top 6.

 

[helpimonfire]

Just be happy we are in Europe and doing well. Plus a good run in the league could easily happen, and then, Happy days. Just no more games like the Hull one please, my feet are just thawing out from sitting their bored.

 

[ianefc]

The Europa League is toss, we won't win it, it pays nothing compared to the PL and the CL and people have no idea how the 3 teams we have faced would fare in our league and are spunking themselves because we have got a few victories, it's costing us in the league the stats back that up and if you think we will win it then you are as deluded as we call the RS fans who thought they would cope without Suarez to the same standard. I'm sure many have had some great journey's and some boss night stuck in front of the TV but I would easily give that Wolfsburg result away to have gone to White Hart Lane and battered Spurs. Time will tell of course, as it always does, but when we meet our first decent opposition and get beaten fair and square over 2 legs and are stuck 13th in the league with no hope of doing anything productive in the league, I very much doubt many will be rushing out to buy the 14/15 season review DVD, and we are stuck doing nothing, except the only thing to be thankful for is that we won't be back in it.

This is not kneejerking by the way, and although I doubt anyone would be sad enough to check, but I have been consistent on this issue never wanted it and we are now having a much much poor season than many expected and this is one of the main reasons even Mr Positive or Mr Waffle has even said that the amount of games has started taking it's toll.

 

[roydo]

I like it. NEA

 

[bitter-no-better]

This season. Combination of poor pre season due to world cup. Leading to poor start .... leading to europa and more games. ..lot of injuries. .... rotation. ....players playing when not fit.....more errors..... easy in hindsight but if we made less errors in the league we would be in a champions league spot quite comfortably. Nearly every player has had an injury or were part of a world cup squad and some have already played a few internationals this season. So the Europa is not the main reason but plays a part in our erratic season so far.

 

[nickob0202]

Poland would be a great holiday! Let's dream.............

 

[4737carlin]

If we were doing well in the Premier League all would be fine, but were awful, and having a good run so far in the Europa isnt making up for that. I would be happy to get out of the Europa as soon as possible if it means the league form was going to pick up again but i dont think it is as simple as that.

 

[LinekersLegs]

The Europa League is toss, we won't win it, it pays nothing compared to the PL and the CL and people have no idea how the 3 teams we have faced would fare in our league and are spunking themselves because we have got a few victories, it's costing us in the league the stats back that up and if you think we will win it then you are as deluded as we call the RS fans who thought they would cope without Suarez to the same standard. I'm sure many have had some great journey's and some boss night stuck in front of the TV but I would easily give that Wolfsburg result away to have gone to White Hart Lane and battered Spurs. Time will tell of course, as it always does, but when we meet our first decent opposition and get beaten fair and square over 2 legs and are stuck 13th in the league with no hope of doing anything productive in the league, I very much doubt many will be rushing out to buy the 14/15 season review DVD, and we are stuck doing nothing, except the only thing to be thankful for is that we won't be back in it.

This is not kneejerking by the way, and although I doubt anyone would be sad enough to check, but I have been consistent on this issue never wanted it and we are now having a much much poor season than many expected and this is one of the main reasons even Mr Positive or Mr Waffle has even said that the amount of games has started taking it's toll.

Fair enough mate but for me there is not much difference in finishing 6th in the table vs 13th enjoyment wise.

As you say it might make a difference financially but some of that will be made up in gate receipts and having our Sunday league games on tv. In general I like watching us play and two games a week vs one game a week means more of that, plus there is a better chance of the academy players appearing due to injuries/rotation.

I'd also love us to win some silverware after so long and as @BoysInBlue mentions the league title is unrealistic so the cups are our only chance even if you consider it a slim chance.

 

[helpimonfire]

We can only win it if we are in it. Cheer them on. We have no chance? Well we have won the group and have gone through, so yes we can win it. Maybe we wont, but we could do.

 

[bignev23]

Can't wait for the Draw and matches.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Draw 15th Dec.

 

[AlE]

The Europa League is toss, we won't win it, it pays nothing compared to the PL and the CL and people have no idea how the 3 teams we have faced would fare in our league and are spunking themselves because we have got a few victories, it's costing us in the league the stats back that up and if you think we will win it then you are as deluded as we call the RS fans who thought they would cope without Suarez to the same standard. I'm sure many have had some great journey's and some boss night stuck in front of the TV but I would easily give that Wolfsburg result away to have gone to White Hart Lane and battered Spurs. Time will tell of course, as it always does, but when we meet our first decent opposition and get beaten fair and square over 2 legs and are stuck 13th in the league with no hope of doing anything productive in the league, I very much doubt many will be rushing out to buy the 14/15 season review DVD, and we are stuck doing nothing, except the only thing to be thankful for is that we won't be back in it.

This is not kneejerking by the way, and although I doubt anyone would be sad enough to check, but I have been consistent on this issue never wanted it and we are now having a much much poor season than many expected and this is one of the main reasons even Mr Positive or Mr Waffle has even said that the amount of games has started taking it's toll.

Why don't you think we'll win it, mate?

 

[Moggers]

Fair enough mate but for me there is not much difference in finishing 6th in the table vs 13th enjoyment wise.

/\
Spot on for me this.​

Ok, we went close to 4th last year but the last few years it's sort of a guess where we will finish 5th to 7th/8th... Don't get me wrong, would much prefer finishing here than our perennial struggles of not so long ago, but just gets a bit boring.
Despite the league form, which admittedly is a little worrying (although not as much of a crisis as some make out!) E.L has give an extra dimension to the season for me - Desperate for a trophy also, so an extra little shiny object to play for this season and IF we win it, C.L footy... So count me in for this Europa lark please.

 

[Tubey]

I don't hate it, I just think it's the Capital One Cup of Europe and devalued by having the 'bigger' clubs drop in as a consequence of failure in the 'proper' European competition.

I don't think winning it has that much gravitas either, so much so that I often completely forget who won it last year.

I'd like to win it, obviously, but it doesn't feel like a major trophy. Indeed, until this year, I'd have rather finished 4th in the league than win the Europa League, as it's the difference between getting a ticket to possibly ride the best rollercoaster in the world compared to having a go on the kids merry-go-round. Now that Champions League qualification results from winning it, my opinion is changed - but I'd still rather finish 4th than get to the Europa League final and lose.