The UEFA Cup

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

not necessarily this season's, just in general.

 

Now obviously I want us to win it this season & that puts us back in it next season. I couldn't understand people saying that they wouldn't care if we weren't in it next season, but 19 games to win it? f***ing hell, that's bloated. They should bin the EC second chance teams for a start.

 

I think - winning it this season aside - that I'd rather we're not in it next

[Nate.]

If we win it then fair enough.

 

I'd rather not be in it going on league position though if we go out. Be much better served making a proper run at top four again and then see where we're at in terms of getting as close to the leaders as we can. Also we can then make an effort to win the cups too with less rotation needed.

[Mike]

dont agree, its not like were tied up with fa cup and league cup games is it

[Earl Hafler]

not necessarily this season's, just in general.

 

Now obviously I want us to win it this season & that puts us back in it next season. I couldn't understand people saying that they wouldn't care if we weren't in it next season, but 19 games to win it? f***ing hell, that's bloated. They should bin the EC second chance teams for a start.

 

I think - winning it this season aside - that I'd rather we're not in it next

 

 

You're expecting UEFA to act progressively and not be influenced by money ?

Edited March 13, 2011 by Earl Hafler

[Nate.]

It's also a f***ing rank competition to watch too.

 

The CL can be a bit poor in the groups too but the Europa is like watching round after round of CL qualifiers. Utterly frustrating.

[psl]

Its bloody boring until the semis.

[Billy Talbot]

I love the UEFA Cup itself. It's beautiful. But the competition structure is abysmal.

 

Would be far better as a straight knockout - on a Tuesday / Wednesday night on non-CL weeks.

 

It's viewed, quite rightly as a poor mans CL. Which it should never have become.

 

 

The league structure is a joke, larger clubs play their reserves against minnows for much of it.

 

Knockouts would at least guarantee wider audiences. I hardly ever watch other games apart from ours until I know there's a chance of a good knockout.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I rather us be in Europa League than not be in it

I rather us be in the CL than be in the Europa League

I rather us be in the FA Cup than not be in it

I rather us be in the Carling Cup than not be in it

I rather us be one place higher up in the league than our current position

 

etc

[Jarg Armani]

We haven't got the squad to compete in all comps, but we're starting to use this as an excuse not to bother, which does my head in.

 

Success breeds success, try and win every game and then look at why you didn't at the end of the season.

 

I love the cup too, nicest troffee in the werld.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Even the EC is s**** really until the QFs - each year there are about 10 or so 'good' teams so really you may get one or two good games in the 2nd Round but it doesn't really get hotting up until the QFs.

 

The group stages are by & large dull too, unless you need 3 goals in the 2nd half of your last game to make the k/o stages

Edited March 13, 2011 by Macca

[Epic Swindle]

Hate it, there's far too many games and Thursday-Sunday is a pain in the a***.

[johngibo YPC]

I like it. Better aways and you aren't playing the same teams every year

Obviously would rather be in the Champions League but European footy is just generally better

[Swipe]

Its bloody boring until the semis.

 

Aye. Was like that before the new structure, but the league fomat has made it even duller.

[David Hodgson]

I rather us be in Europa League than not be in it

I rather us be in the CL than be in the Europa League

I rather us be in the FA Cup than not be in it

I rather us be in the Carling Cup than not be in it

I rather us be one place higher up in the league than our current position

 

etc

 

That's like a Billy Bragg lyric. Maybe John Cooper Clarke at his driest.

 

I like it. Better aways and you aren't playing the same teams every year

Obviously would rather be in the Champions League but European footy is just generally better

 

UEFA could so easily put some spice in it by adding CL qualification as a prize. The semi finalists could go into one of the earliest qualifying rounds, and the winner go straight into a group. Don't see what harm that would do to the CL and it would sure as hell raise the stakes in the Europa.

[Tommy Cockles]

 

UEFA could so easily put some spice in it by adding CL qualification as a prize. The semi finalists could go into one of the earliest qualifying rounds, and the winner go straight into a group. Don't see what harm that would do to the CL and it would sure as hell raise the stakes in the Europa.

 

I have always thought this. I can't believe its never even been mooted.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

 

 

UEFA could so easily put some spice in it by adding CL qualification as a prize. The semi finalists could go into one of the earliest qualifying rounds, and the winner go straight into a group. Don't see what harm that would do to the CL and it would sure as hell raise the stakes in the Europa.

agree with that - certainly as far as the winners are concerned

[David Hodgson]

agree with that - certainly as far as the winners are concerned

 

I also think it would be cool to make the 4th CL spot from England to be for the winner of a play off between the 4th and 5th placed teams and the FA and Carling Cup winners. Again, gives a good added edge to the domestic cups and stops the league being always about a 'big 4'.

[renzo]

I'd reform it completely and make it like a European FA Cup.

 

- All Europe qualified teams, including the CL teams, would play so you have relevance and interest lent to it by the presence of all the big clubs.

- Single leg ties until the quarters.

- Straight knock out format all the way through.

- Cut the number of CL games to accommodate it.

 

It would become a prestigious trophy to win again.

[Epic Swindle]

I'd reform it completely and make it like a European FA Cup.

 

- All Europe qualified teams, including the CL teams, would play so you have relevance and interest lent to it by the presence of all the big clubs.

- Single leg ties until the quarters.

- Straight knock out format all the way through.

- Cut the number of CL games to accommodate it.

 

It would become a prestigious trophy to win again.

 

Not enough profit in that.

[renzo]

Not enough profit in that.

 

Maybe. But any loss in CL revenues would be partly compensated by higher TV revenues from a more compelling UEFA Cup.

[Jim D]

Only 5th placed team in the League can qualify for the Europea now; (Stoke or Bolton guaranteed last spot). Looks like we're not participating in European competition next year.

[MFletcher]

Portsmouth weren't in the Europa League last year, nor were Cardiff the season they were runners-up. I'm not sure that rule exists anymore.

Edited March 13, 2011 by MFletcher

[stressederic]

Portsmouth weren't in the Europa League last year, nor were Cardiff the season they were runners-up. I'm not sure that rule exists anymore.

 

Portsmouth weren't in it because of their financial situation. They lacked the ability to guarantee they'd be able to play the games etc and, as a result, the spot was switched to the league.

[Rimbeux]

Portsmouth weren't in it because of their financial situation. They lacked the ability to guarantee they'd be able to play the games etc and, as a result, the spot was switched to the league.

 

and we got it

[MFletcher]

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