If West Ham beat United we don't need a win :-)The swans are in a rich vein of form and we, well are not. We certainly not guaranteed to win even there
West Ham will probably batter the rags and we'll go and lose 3-0 at Swansea while they beat Bournemouth and pip us anyway.
I'm a glass half full kind of guy ;)
If we get another chance I firmly believe we will take it. Sunday will be basically a cup final where only one side needs to win and the players staying will want it far too much.
Swansea will play football and not defend for a draw. We will get space to attack. So if we need a win then I believe we will get it possibly more comfortably than anyone expects.
Our biggest risk is needing only a draw if United lose tomorrow. We really need to be going for a win as we are far better at attacking than defending - so a draw tomorrow will do me.
I am simply not convinced we will get that chance as when United and Liverpool messed up we used that to win the title twice and I think United will have too much desire not to waste the final gift that keeps on giving that have been our stuff ups.
Really hope I am wrong but my fear is that people are overestimating the positivity of it being the last match at Upton Park and that West Ham play the occasion and the crowd and United win the match whilst they do.
United win tomorrow and it is over. No way will they not beat Bournemouth then.
And I will be delighted if someone on here clicks and pastes that into a thread at 5 pm on Sunday!
I dont mind the Europa League, probably something we have a probably chance of winning anyways. Plus it would send a nice message to club that the Premier League should the priority and The Chumps League should only be a bonus and not the priority. They will probably never see that 'til they win it, but this season has demonstrate when a negative impact its had on the club, players and fans. (the farewell party said it all)
As for attracting players will be hampered cos of no Champions League, wouldnt be that much as an issue as the Guardiola effect will make up for it.
... but not gonna be a defeatist, hoping for a West Ham win on Wednesday, then its in our hands.
On the plus side, we would surely be able to blood some youth in that competition like Spurs did with Harry Kane, Ryan Mason etc
Yeah, we hit a bad momentThere are a lot of I think statements going on but in reality its just hope now. That's all we have got.
Those "We are fighting for four trophies" posts from some a few months ago seem a bit silly now.
Good job Pellegrini will be gone otherwise it would be same old, same old.On the plus side, we would surely be able to blood some youth in that competition like Spurs did with Harry Kane, Ryan Mason etc
I think the Europa League could be a blessing in disguise for the start of Pep's tenure.
Even if we finish 4th, Pep will be expected to win the CL and a huge amount of pressure will be added onto the side. No thought of a transitional season will be mentioned in the press and we will be under fire to perform on all fronts.
At least in the EL, we will know that the PL is our priority. Give players like Denayer, Iheanacho, Angelinho and Manu Garcia regular starts in Europe and see if the latter two can make a case to be in the 1st team.
Don't forget the likes of Sterling, Kane and Rashford only got a look in at their clubs because of the Europa League.
The in Pep's second season his players will have settled and the club will be ready to push on for the CL.
Baku away would be a great trip indeed!Europa League trips are miles better in my opinion, I dont think the hierarchy will think the same when we end up playing Baku away at the start of August though!!
Exactly. Totally agree with it. I was saying that we should've forget about CL during the 1st half of 14-15 season and make it to Europa League play-offs from the 3rd place in order to fix our league form and win the league to have a strong starting position in Champions League in the following season AND, what is [was] the most important, finally [re]build a team so we would stop dying to get 3 points from AV home or smth and losing every top match. That didn't happen, nothing changed positively, and, what's even worse, this philosophy continued to take place which got us to what we have today...I've enjoyed our times in this comp more so than the chumps league.
It's been cheaper flights, more interesting destinations which have been off the map, cheaper tickets....
True it's less prize money for the club but from a fans perspective it's much more enjoyable.
Well has been for me anyway
I think the Europa League could be a blessing in disguise for the start of Pep's tenure.
Even if we finish 4th, Pep will be expected to win the CL and a huge amount of pressure will be added onto the side. No thought of a transitional season will be mentioned in the press and we will be under fire to perform on all fronts.
At least in the EL, we will know that the PL is our priority. Give players like Denayer, Iheanacho, Angelinho and Manu Garcia regular starts in Europe and see if the latter two can make a case to be in the 1st team.
Don't forget the likes of Sterling, Kane and Rashford only got a look in at their clubs because of the Europa League.
The in Pep's second season his players will have settled and the club will be ready to push on for the CL.
Or a chance for youths to play. No doubt they would be able to knock out some weak sides.And that is my biggest worry as it means the first game at the end of July. Not a biggie in some years but a potential bloody disaster in a year with Euros, Copa America and Olympics. Those tournaments will seriously hamper Pep's pre-season plans. Fifth will be disappointing but at least the group stages don't start until mid September.