The battle for 4th place

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

Then you have a conspicuously imprecise way of articulating it.

I'll give you that.

I do usually post when I get into a bit of a panic by way of catharsis.

 

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

I think its fair to say that not only are you a glass half empty man....the bottom has been smashed off and all the contents are on the floor.

Again, this is true.

I am not an optimistic man.

 

[blueinsa]

Again, this is true.

I am not an optimistic man.

Hopefully we can win the CL this season and you can get straight on the worry bike about not winning it next ;-)

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I'll give you that.

I do usually post when I get into a bit of a panic by way of catharsis.

It might be cathartic for you, but is it fair to repeatedly burden the rest of us with your various neuroses?

 

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

Hopefully we can win the CL this season and you can get straight on the worry bike about not winning it next ;-)

Haha! Hopefully!

It might be cathartic for you, but is it fair to repeatedly burden the rest of us with your various neuroses?

No, it isn't but I didn't really think of it as a burden to other people. Just a post on a forum that can be easily ignored. . .

 

[cibaman]

It would indeed be very City-esque for that to happen. Or even to make the final and our own new manager knock himself out of the CL. That would be very typical City fortune.

I can see the argument about going for the league and not playing our best players in Europe to guarantee pot 1 in the CL the season after next.

Two big problems - though - with your thinking.

One is that unless we win the Europa our European coefficient would drop a lot from basically throwing the season in Europe. That would impact the future. As would the loss of income from not going far in the Europa which is already a seriously poor relation of Champions League income anyhow.

Secondly, Pep will be signing big players and I do not think he would be wanting to tell these (hopefully) big names and our own long term CL players that they will not be getting any European football next year as we intend to play the kids instead and get them just to win the league as fast as possible for CL the next sesason.

Yes Europa would give the chance to field some kids but we have to wonder as to how much basically not playing our first team in Europe at all would impact on some of the players we might hope to sign this Summer.

And even if we play the kids in the EL its still hugely disrupting for our PL preparations. We're never going to send a squad made up entirely of kids and a back up coaching staff to a EL game in eastern Europe, whilst the manager and all of the senior players stay at home.

 

[Healdplace]

And even if we play the kids in the EL its still hugely disrupting for our PL preparations. We're never going to send a squad made up entirely of kids and a back up coaching staff to a EL game in eastern Europe, whilst the manager and all of the senior players stay at home.

Agreed. I think those who feel not being in the CL next season will allow us to focus on winning the league at a canter are just trying to find a bright side to the disaster of not getting CL. Being out of Europe all together might be preferable but we had to do that really silly thing of beating Liverpool in the cup final....grrr. :)

No, we need CL for our ongoing progression - especially with limited years that Pep will probably be here - throwing one away would be foolhardy.

We could ride it if need be but we would be expected to do at least as well as Liverpool have in the Europa this season. Or we would be told that we are inferior.

If it has to be the Europa then we should be going all out to win it. We would quite probable be one of the favourites, if not THE favourite. Other teams would not want to draw us that's for sure. In a way that could help us gain confidence going forward in 2017-18 in the Champions League where we are going to be third or fourth favourite at best for a year or two.

We want CL above all else but if we end up with just the Europa only it presents an opportunity to boost our European status and gain more winning experience - one we ought to take and not toss away because playing Thursday is a nuisance.

One good thing is it might stop Sky picking us to test bed all those Friday night matches!

 

[worsleyweb]

I really don't want the Europa - would be a big step back.

 

[Bill]

I really don't want the Europa - would be a big step back.

it would but the trips are great. oh and we'd win it.

 

[aguero93:20]

I think its fair to say that not only are you a glass half empty man....the bottom has been smashed off and all the contents are on the floor.

Hope he cuts his foot.