tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post2273336672970173059..comments2024-01-02T23:42:42.632+00:00Comments on Bitter and Blue: European qualificationDanny Pugsleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426646073355525430noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-57624884371559977492009-05-05T13:21:00.000+01:002009-05-05T13:21:00.000+01:00To me, one of the most frustrating things about th...To me, one of the most frustrating things about the EUFA Cup/Europa League is the fact that all the games are played on a Thursday, which then means that all EPL games are played on a Sunday; I really dislike waiting through all those Saturday afternoons, listening to all the results, not being interested in MotD, just waiting for our games.<br /><br />The other side of this is that the TV companies do not appear to take into account that there will be games that we HAVE to play on a Sunday, and they choose another game for Sunday viewing that could have been on a Saturday!!!DunstableBluenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-11719386177512357492009-05-05T07:06:00.000+01:002009-05-05T07:06:00.000+01:00As someone else has alluded but not actually drawn...As someone else has alluded but not actually drawn the right conclusion, don't forget Brighton and Forest knocked out of two domestic competitions fat earlier than we should heave expected. That in itself accounts for the games in the UEFA cup. Anyway this is a ten year project not eighteen months. Good thought provoking article though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-89736754069316651192009-05-05T03:24:00.000+01:002009-05-05T03:24:00.000+01:00As with the lottery, you've got to be in it to win...As with the lottery, you've got to be in it to win it. The argument that it's better to be out of the cup(s) so that you can concentrate on the league is only ever put forward by teams that have just been knocked out of one of the cups. Our own performances in the cups this season demonstrated only that despite having a large squad on paper, we really don't have strength in depth. The return of some of our long-term injured will certainly ease that situation, and judicious buying in summer will reinforce it.<br /><br />Two first class contenders for each position has to be the minimum for any serious challenge in the league. And with that number of really good players needing first team football, the need to give them something to get their teeth into makes serious challenges for all the cup competitions a necessity rather than an option.<br /><br />Apart from anything else, we can't go on like this. We need to win something!Wigan Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09151565997394354471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-88816801996938369382009-05-05T02:58:00.000+01:002009-05-05T02:58:00.000+01:00Agreed with Gary here. Even though it's not the ch...Agreed with Gary here. Even though it's not the champs league is experence towards the champs league and to hold up the trophey would be a good start.adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-75531579425286308952009-05-05T00:42:00.000+01:002009-05-05T00:42:00.000+01:00A fair point, but two points strike me: 1 - I feel...A fair point, but two points strike me: 1 - I feel the comments about starting the season early are, of course, true but unfair. If we qualify for Europe, it won't be in the first qualifying round. This would mean that we started somewhere around the start of the Premier League season, and probably more like September, so we wouldn't have to worry about our players having no summer holidays. Also, we'd be skipping several matches that we played last year, so we'd have less problems in general. Point 2 - yes, you're right. An uncongested schedule would be beneficial to the players. Similarly, dropping out of the domestic cups as early as possible could save tired legs. But would this actually help us? Or would it not just make it plainly obvious how unready City are if they ever do reach the CL? I have a feeling that grooming a team on playing as little as possible will simply mean that when the team does have to play games twice a week every week, we will just be embarrassed, repeatedly. And what a stage the CL is to be embarrassed on. Wouldn't it be better to wait another year or two to break into the Big Four and actually be ready for the challenge? We are, after all, City fans. We're used to having patience over accomplishments. What's the rush to become world champions straight away? Far better to build up slowly and be a real threat when we get there.Falasturnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-81158436861887201752009-05-04T23:52:00.000+01:002009-05-04T23:52:00.000+01:00If people don't want to qualify for Europe then th...If people don't want to qualify for Europe then there is something wrong, yes the Europa league is not the Champions league but it is a prestigious European competition.<br /><br />It would also be a very natural step for us, with Europa league football we can attract better players, in turn when and if we get in the CL part of the team will be a good calibre. We can't wait to get in CL and then buy a whole team good enough, it just wouldn't be logical. <br /><br />It would be stupid to think that the Europa league is beneath us, it is a very important competition and I would be over joyed if we were top qualify.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12059420257057284992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-52227965494322074002009-05-04T23:36:00.000+01:002009-05-04T23:36:00.000+01:00Fulham Fan here:
Oh come on City. Don't give up o...Fulham Fan here:<br /><br />Oh come on City. Don't give up on Europe; we don't much want it either. We are off to Austrailia for pre season and wouldn't want our trip cut short to play in the quailifing rounds :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com