I'm no cynic but...
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Good job Pellegrini will be gone otherwise it would be same old, same old.
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Europa League
- Thread starter Blue Smarties
- Start date
daztrueblue91
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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.
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.
dadnlad
Well-Known Member
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.
you my friend might be on to something here but travel is issue with this cup
SlimShadyRus
Well-Known Member
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
Steviesleftpeg
Well-Known Member
I really like the EL. Hamburg, Salzburg, Poznan, that time we played FB Streymur at Barnsley because Bon Jovi were playing at Eastlands. We've actually got some history in that competition and a realistic chance of winning it. The CL has been nothing by a huge, over hyped, pain in the arse. We got through this season because we didn't play anyone good (even PSG were very poor v us), and the moment we did we choked. Didn't enjoy any of it (bar PSG at home).
Ask any Liverpool fan right now whether the EL is a pointless trophy, or any Sevilla fan. It actually means something. Atletico won it not long ago and now they are a real consistent force in La Liga and CL. Didn't do them any harm.
If we're in it I hope we try and win it. I can't see Pep sending our chances in it up in smoke. Would look very bad on his reputation.
Finish 5th, have a cosy easy group (to allow some sensible rotation), finish top, play some naff team in the last round of 32 and then we're only 7 games from winning it.
Ask any Liverpool fan right now whether the EL is a pointless trophy, or any Sevilla fan. It actually means something. Atletico won it not long ago and now they are a real consistent force in La Liga and CL. Didn't do them any harm.
If we're in it I hope we try and win it. I can't see Pep sending our chances in it up in smoke. Would look very bad on his reputation.
Finish 5th, have a cosy easy group (to allow some sensible rotation), finish top, play some naff team in the last round of 32 and then we're only 7 games from winning it.
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.
The plus too is no qualifier for the CL a couple of weeks before the season starts. Pep needs all the time he can get and the Euros will extend the rest periods and preseason start for many meaning between now and August he will probably get 1-2 weeks maximum with some players!
Not accepting 5th but it seriously in the long run would not be the end of the world.
SlimShadyRus
Well-Known Member
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.
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Healdplace
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One thing for sure, we will not get the kudos for doing well in it that Liverpool have done.
We will be expected to win it easily and if we falter at any point the media will take it out on us more than they do on any pet team going out of the CL early.
So we are set up to fail by the fact that we ought to be able to win this competition.
We will be expected to win it easily and if we falter at any point the media will take it out on us more than they do on any pet team going out of the CL early.
So we are set up to fail by the fact that we ought to be able to win this competition.
hihosilva
Well-Known Member
If we end up playing the Europa League I would like to see Pep playing some of the EDS. It would be a great opportunity for the lads to gain some competitive European games
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