Dave Ewing's Back 'eader said:MON, like a lot of Villans, think that the Chimps League next season is a real possibility, and inclusion in EUFA cup this season has turned out to be an inconvenience. Hope they miss out on both. But the point of selling tickets for a match in which you know you will have a weakened side, is yet another indication as to how poorly clubs treat the travelling fans. They ought to pay for the travelling expenses if they field a side, injuries apart, that they wouldn't field in a Premier match.
bluebarn said:Dave Ewing's Back 'eader said:MON, like a lot of Villans, think that the Chimps League next season is a real possibility, and inclusion in EUFA cup this season has turned out to be an inconvenience. Hope they miss out on both. But the point of selling tickets for a match in which you know you will have a weakened side, is yet another indication as to how poorly clubs treat the travelling fans. They ought to pay for the travelling expenses if they field a side, injuries apart, that they wouldn't field in a Premier match.
There is an intrinsic problem here, and it could conceivably afflict us next year. Outside of the top 4 clubs like Everton, Villa and ourselves are really keen to get a UEFA Cup slot. However, and this is what has happened to Villa, when they have progressed in domestic competition the following season and are in with a serious chance of a Champions League spot, do they really want to jeopardise this with a long UEFA Cup run? Given the money involved in the CL you can see why most clubs would make qualification for that a priority. It is a shame as it means that the CL is demeaning even further the UEFA Cup. I have no idea what the solution to this is.
cyberblue said:I know where you are coming from but it shows the sad state of football if a team would rather finish FOURTH than actually WIN a european compition
TheMightyQuinn said:cyberblue said:I know where you are coming from but it shows the sad state of football if a team would rather finish FOURTH than actually WIN a european compition
Yep, in 10 years time the accounts of this and next season may well make good reading for the Villa hierachy but I'm sure their fans would prefer a trophy, any trophy, as opposed to this small victory!
Ok, if they can qualify for the champs league year on year after this season then it could be justified, maybe.
blue62 said:You're all laughing at Villa/O'Neill. Where have we been since 1981 while his clubs have been winning trophies? Fact is, we haven't even made a semi-final. In 28 years. The guy is trying to achieve something at Villa and he's a clever man, perhaps when we're better than them then we can laugh. And when we have a big enough squad we'll rotate, and you will all get upset, but face up to it - there are too many games, we all have to prioritise competitions.
Pam said:blue62 said:You're all laughing at Villa/O'Neill. Where have we been since 1981 while his clubs have been winning trophies? Fact is, we haven't even made a semi-final. In 28 years. The guy is trying to achieve something at Villa and he's a clever man, perhaps when we're better than them then we can laugh. And when we have a big enough squad we'll rotate, and you will all get upset, but face up to it - there are too many games, we all have to prioritise competitions.
I wasn't laughing. I am questioning their reasoning and I wonder what their fans have made of it but I'm not laughing and I think O'Neill is a good manage, which is why his attitude has been such a surprise to me.