Get with the 21st century! Its a European super league not a knockout cup. We're in a Patch Adams movie like coma for 30 years?
I will always struggle to buy into the Conference League because it's basically a competition designed to a) allow the lesser teams chance to compete in Europe meaning generally coming up against lesser opponents for much of the competition before coming up against a bigger opponent and being knocked out and b) it's just an easy way for UEFA to further line their pockets. However, I am also a believer in little steps and had we somehow clung onto a top 5 finish, we would just spend the group stage of the CL being rinsed unless there was some serious investment, not just in the squad but also our first XI as well! A lesser competition at least gives a chance to be competitive (hopefully). The worries I have about this are that if we are heading off to the far reaches of Eastern Europe or the far tip of Scandanavia on a Thursday, we then have to get used to an entirely new schedule which could easily impact on our domestic form. Is a one off season in the Conference League worth it if it ultimately relegates us? On top of that, we also need a much better squad as there are a few of our backup players who have really struggled to make an impact when coming on. It's going to be hard to build a CL squad in terms of numbers but based on the financial gain of qualifying for the Conference League. Obviously all of this could be moot as I believe we will have to qualify for the main Conference League anyway and I have seen a Forest fan on Twitter suggesting we could end up facing Sparta Prague in that qualifying tie. So much for Dog & Duck FC from Azerbaijan
A lot of the teams in the early stages of the Conference league are so bad you can probably get away with playing the 2nd string. I know Chelsea have a deeper squad but they easily beat teams with their reserves and didnt even bother naming Palmer in the squad. We really struggled playing champions league 2 years ago with a thin squad and an injury crisis to boot and it affected our league form. This time we should be better prepared but need 4 or 5 new signings in the summer. *if we qualify that is, not taking it for granted just yet
Im sat here in Ireland right and the local sports radio is always on about the money their team (not really teams yet) get out of entering the conference league For what I see they are starting in round 1 of the cl and go until knocked out then drop to Europa and get knocked out and then end up maybe in the conference group. Thry are clearing real money for a league with no real tv backing and it will have a knock on effect. I think we should not knock the conference as something to small for English clubs but something that might be putting a lot of money into their leagues. Or it's just skewing them like the cl does, who knows lol.
Is this the way to Lithuania? F**k Bayern Munich i'm off to Albania Thursday nights in Transylvania Conference league awaits for me
I'd imagine technically so, but also I'm not convinced it necessarily follows that that means slot has done a better job. If you look at that list almost everyone has an arsenal/man city/Liverpool top 3. I suspect that means most of them viewed the season similarly to me - expecting those three to be quite far ahead of everyone else as an established top 3. So while most people (including myself) didn't expect Liverpool to win the title this year, if you could go back in time and tell them that man city and arsenal would have terrible years and struggle to get 70 points, I think most would have picked Liverpool as the champions by default. Newcastle on the other hand would have had an impressive season by any metric if they get the champions league, and especially if they finish 2nd Of course I also expect slot to win it in reality.
Who needs to waste all that effort coming 2nd or 3rd and getting CL football when you can be half arsed through the season, finish 16th or 17th, win a trophy and get CL football. Less stress worrying about the chasing pack trying to get that top 5 spot.
I was a bit dismissive of it when it was first announced but I think it has actually been a breath of fresh air. Maybe moreso as a supporter of a club who've been in Europe a lot the last 20 years because the Champions League gets a little "same old.." if you're not going to realistically win it. From a Forest perspective I think any European competition will be enjoyable but all have their pros and cons. You will have to play a playoff round to qualify for the Conference League but I don't think you'll come up against anyone too daunting in it. It's a different challenge for the club juggling the domestic and European schedule but that's going to be a challenge irrespective of which competition you qualify for. Theoretically I agree. Although ironically it was doing just that that partially contributed to Nuno's downfall at Spurs. He had a couple of really poor results in the Conference League which really no English club should be struggling in early on. Chelsea have made light work of it this year, as expected. I wouldn't say better but I'd always take winning a trophy over a trophyless season. Ultimately all Arsenal have achieved this season is Champions League qualification which Spurs / United now have the opportunity to match. The motivation for winning the trophy is the trophy for us though. The Champions League qualification is just an added perk. The old Sevilla trick. Win the Europa League, qualify for the Champions League, finish 3rd, drop in to the Europa League, win the Europa League and retain your trophy.
Yep agreed. Trophy anyday. Creates a lifelong memory. Additionally winning this gets you into the UCL.
Is winning the Europa League really better than getting to the UCL semi finals? I'm no Arsenal fan but I think a top 3..5 finish plus UCL semi final appearance has got to be a greater achievement surely? Otherwise why bother?
It's a million dollar question really. From a general viewpoint I think it is safe to say that 2nd in the league and CL semi-finals is probably better than 17th in the league and winning the Europa League. But from a fans point of view, if Spurs do win the Europa League their fans have something to actually celebrate whereas you don't have that moment of celebration when you are talking about 2nd in the league and semi-finalists in a cup
In the world of trophies = good, no trophies = bad, of course Spurs have had a better season than Arsenal should they win the Europa. In the real world, one club is preparing to back their guy again this summer while the other is already briefing the media about a potential departure even if they win the Europa. That says it all really
But 17th and losing the Europa League final could be equally devastating to fans!! But I get your point.
I guess it's all a matter of perspective. As a Brighton fan I'd rather have spurs' (or man u's if they win it) season than arsenal's just to see us win a trophy. If I supported a club that had won things (and in particular won things in my lifetime) I may well take the opposite view
It's more looking at things from both sides. Like I completely understand why people would want to think they've had a better season and I can't disagree with it if you wish to view football as it being all about the trophies.
