Europa League & Conflicts of Interest?

[Brizzle]

So once the Europa League is up and running we are going to have fixtures left right and fucking centre. Even without any other games we'd be up against it trying to overhaul 3 of United, Arsenal and Spurs. Add in a host of EL games and the associated travel and I think we'll start struggling.

For me, i'd hope that whilst we are still in a run of form in the Premier League that Rodgers keeps a few players just for EL and just for the Premier League.

I think part of bring Ibe back is to ensure we have an energetic player added to the squad. I'd like to see the likes of Ibe, Lambert, Balotelli, Markovic (in a more attacking role), Allen, Lovren saved for EL games and keep a lot of our core set of players just for the Premier League.

Part of me thinks that the reason we kept Studge fit last season was the amount of recovery between games and to keep him fit until the Summer I would want him kept just for the Premier League, maybe Sterling too unless we get deep into the EL.

Has anyone had any thoughts about this? I think having a clear divide between where players will be featuring would be very advantageous, especially for those knowing they will get game time (Lambert, Ibe, Balo etc).

My biggest fear is that we go full strength too often and burn out with nothing.

 

[Markeh]

do the europa league winners get a cl spot this season?

 

[hmmmmm1]

Winners get automatic place in champions league, however some good teams still left in the competition.

If we only had to play once a week, I would be confident about 4th, though playing Sunday/thurs could be our undoing.

 

[Rosco]

The Europa League shouldn't be much more than an afterthought.

Play those that could do with game time - either to get them in the shop window or to give younger players experience of something close to top level football.

 

[Brizzle]

playing Sunday/thurs could be our undoing.

There are defintiely pros and cons - knowing how your rivals have done can be very good for tactics etc although a lot of our big wins last season came Saturday lunchtimes when it was up to us to make a statement

 

[Brizzle]

The Europa League shouldn't be much more than an afterthought.

Play those that could do with game time - either to get them in the shop window or to give younger players experience of something close to top level football.

This echoes my main sentiments - and I hope key players arent made to travel with the squad to the away games.

 

[Silver Sean]

The way we played in the CL we will only be playing on two Thursdays in this. Embarrassing that we surrendered so meekly in the CL and yet are still in Europe with one win in six games.

 

[Rosco]

This echoes my main sentiments - and I hope key players arent made to travel with the squad to the away games.

Yeah - I don't know whether I'd let Markovic play in it though.

The reality is there's no money in the competition, and less of a chance of CL qualification

 

[Mystic]

We could do with a good run to try and improve our coefficient for seeding in later seasons.

 

[peterhague]

I'd prioritise the EL along with the league, and sacrifice the FA cup.

At this point the EL is probably our best chance of getting CL next year, and that's all-important.

 

[Markeh]

Yea I wouldn't be too dismissive of the europa league when it has the prize of champions league qualification.

I'd like to see Rodgers try parking the bus and produce some boring away performances in that competition when necessary. I still think he's lacking in knowing when and how to kill off ties or how to give his team the best chance of progressing.

 

[RedStar]

By my calculation we have max 9 fixtures in the Europa league with a guaranteed CL spot for the winner. Abondoning that would be the absolute height of stupidity. There are some good teams left in it but nobody we should be afraid of. Wolfsburg are probably the biggest threat. Id say winning the Europa is a better bet than finishing 4th. We should be looking to play a full strength side against Besiktas at home and hopefully put the tie to bed then send a reserve side to Turkey

 

[Rosco]

We don't play a style that's conducive to winning knock out tournaments though

 

[SummerOnions]

We don't play a style that's conducive to winning knock out tournaments though

I agree. I don't know how you get that without learning on the job though

 

[Insignificance]

Denying a 4th placed Scum the CL spot would be an added bonus!!!

 

[6TimesaRed]

The Europa League shouldn't be much more than an afterthought.

Play those that could do with game time - either to get them in the shop window or to give younger players experience of something close to top level football.

I disagree..

we really should throw everything at this.. 4th place is not guarenteed.. this is another way to qualify for the champions league

Did we suddenly become Arsenal overnight and 4th place is a Trophy ?


The presitige through winning the Europa League is far better than 'just' finishing in the top 4..

 

[6TimesaRed]

Denying a 4th placed Scum the CL spot would be an added bonus!!!

wont apply.. a 5th place in the Champions league will be awarded... 4th spot will only be pulled if two teams finishing out side the top 4 win the Champions League and the Europa League

 

[white-sox]

By my calculation we have max 9 fixtures in the Europa league with a guaranteed CL spot for the winner. Abondoning that would be the absolute height of stupidity. There are some good teams left in it but nobody we should be afraid of. Wolfsburg are probably the biggest threat. Id say winning the Europa is a better bet than finishing 4th. We should be looking to play a full strength side against Besiktas at home and hopefully put the tie to bed then send a reserve side to Turkey

You would hope that's how it will play out but Liverpool don't roll that way. We will probably draw/loose at home and need to score two/three over there, which may or may not happen.

 

[Jack D Rips]

So Utd finish 4th. We win EL and Arsenal win CL. Not gonna happen is it?

 

[Jack D Rips]

The way we played in the CL we will only be playing on two Thursdays in this. Embarrassing that we surrendered so meekly in the CL and yet are still in Europe with one win in six games.

In fairness Sean, bad and all though we were, I do believe that if Sturridge had been fit we would now be looking forward to a last 16 CL match

 

[Silver Sean]

So Utd finish 4th. We win EL and Arsenal win CL. Not gonna happen is it?

Arsenal winning the CL. Fuck that. Wankers.

 

[6TimesaRed]

So Utd finish 4th. We win EL and Arsenal win CL. Not gonna happen is it?

I'd love to see it happen though..

Liverpool and Arsenal, Historically UTD's two biggest Rivals. Stop UTD qualifying for the Champions League.. RedCafe would go into meltdown...

Arsenal winning the CL. Fuck that. Wankers.

I'd prefer that than watching those mercenaries at Stamford Bridge win the thing again...

Fuck that shit...

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

So Utd finish 4th. We win EL and Arsenal win CL. Not gonna happen is it?

A little more likely that United don't finish in the top four.

 

[Oncy]

Try to win the fucking thing!!!

The players had a long fucking rest from August to fucking January while they were fucking dialling in performances.
I want us to try and win it.

Look at Chelsea, they have pretty much played the same players all season and theyre alright.
I would rather win that than get 4th all fucking day long.

 

[6TimesaRed]

Its bad enough of being accused to be playing like Arsenal lately (tip tappy without the clinical finishing), but to start prioritising targets in the same manner they do season after season is just taking the pi$$

 

[Brizzle]

Its bad enough of being accused to be playing like Arsenal lately (tip tappy without the clinical finishing), but to start prioritising targets in the same manner they do season after season is just taking the pi$$

Maybe we should just sack the manager after a few poor results instead.

 

[Piedro]

I disagree..

we really should throw everything at this.. 4th place is not guarenteed.. this is another way to qualify for the champions league

Did we suddenly become Arsenal overnight and 4th place is a Trophy ?


The presitige through winning the Europa League is far better than 'just' finishing in the top 4..

Plus I get a boss day out on the piss in Warsaw

 

[6TimesaRed]

Maybe we should just sack the manager after a few poor results instead.

Hardley a few poor results..

Though fair does to him he has turned it around.. But then we haven't really played anyone challenging our position to finish in the Top 4..

The next few games should certainly be interesting.. I feel a lot more optimistic though, given our current form and the fact studge is back..

 

[Rosco]

so whether or not you want a manager sacked is largely based on the sequence of fixtures we happen to have?

 

[Leo]

Hardly surprising though is it.