European Football - Why Would You Care?

[jrio]

Let's face it, we couldn't wait to bail out of it this year, along with the more absurdly looking Villa, who'd even gone to the lengths of qualifying through the Inter-Toto(some pressure from Randy, I understand). Villa seem to have bailed out of 3 comps in 10 days, recalling the Arse a year ago, except they did it in about a week :grin:. Our previous excursions, in what is a very denuded competition, have been far from exemplary, in fact a major embarrassment. The season we got to the QF was partly due to a bye against Feyenoord in that last 32. The new format does nothing to improve matters, making the competition a very weak imitation of CL and there still being far too many games. Teams dropping down from CL shows it for what it is - very much a consolation prize. You didn't get the holiday in Barbados, nor the caravanette, but you can take away the Blankety Blank cheque book and pen. Cheers.

Being in it won't attract players - the salary and being in London does that. As soon as we approach March and the side is looking good for a top 4 place, alongside domestic trophies, what will go out of the window first again? Yeah, the "Europa". Waste. Of. Space.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Yeah, it's a shame they've (UEFA) made such a complete cluster fuck of it. Why they don't just make it an exact replica of the CL, put a stop to the ludicrous system of alowing the CL drop outs to enter and reduce the games I don't know.

We are probably one of the few teams for whom it is actually profitable to partake in the competition due to the great support and affinity we (the fans) have for european competition. Again 30,000 turned up on thursday to watch the reserves turn out in an already lost tie.

I personally love european nights, home and away.

Shame.

 

[robin09]

I find the UEFA cup to have the same problems as the World Cup qualifiers. Too many matches, in too may far off countries against shit opposition.

Its a chore. There should be less teams, more quality.

 

[SlickMongoose]

I enjoy it. I like watching us play against different teams. It's fun to be in europe.

 

[dontcallme]

I like the UEFA Cup, it's not our top priority but is a good chance for our younger players to get some experience. I'd like us to take it more seriously but as mentionned the new structure has too many games.

 

[Black]

Its silverware

 

[fortworthspur]

more games to watch is better for me. and against teams we dont often see. plus, if we get through the group stage, its worth a little money. nothing like CL, but I think we got about 7 million euros the year we reached the last 8.

 

[CaYid]

Because the UEFA cup is the biggest trophy with the most glory that we have a realistic shot of attaining in the next 10 years

 

[sheringmann]

I care if the team cares.....at the moment they do not.....very dissappointed....

 

[DC_Boy]

It's good to be in Europe - but it's no great loss to be without it for a year - what will be a great loss is not being in the Prem and Harry's correct prioritisation looks like it will help to achieve that

our new stadium will not be delayed cos we aren't in the Europa Lge - but it may be if we're not in the Prem

I also doubt very much as to whether Europa or not will sway many players decision to join us - however prem or not will

 

[Kendall]

I care becuase I love us being in Europe and I think playing youth in the last round was a one off due to the shit we'd gotten ourselves into in the league.

It is far far too many matches to win it though.

 

[Dr Know]

Its good for the club to be in europe as it helps to attract good players in the transfer windows but the question is also are we going to loose out big time finacially?

 

[jimmy-jojo]

1. Qualifying for Europe is a by-product of being a sucessful team.

2. Being a successful team helps to attract the best players.

3. The best players help a team to be successful.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the end of time

Quite simple, really.

 

[mil1lion]

I think European football is important for the education of our players. Teams across Europe can be very different to teams in the Premier League. So we learn a lot from those games. We have to adapt our game and play at a different pace to English football. There are some very dynamic teams in Europe.

Its also a big tradition at the Club. A lot of the younger fans like myself would love to see the Club succeed in Europe. We hear about the past European success and would like to be around for that type of glory in our lifetime.

We also get more recognition across the world when we play in Europe. That can only benefit the team financially, and help attract new players to the Club.

 

[TheBlueRooster]

It doesn't bother me if we're in Europe or not. Yes I understand the money side of thing but unless you have a strong enough squad and every player in that squad can play in every game it becomes a burden. I've always preffered the domestic cups over Europen cups. Although I'm proud of our European history I don't think anything beats the sight of our club winning a trophy at Wembley.

 

[Shanks]

You need to be in Europe. You need to test your players against different opposition and you need to get the name of your club out there.

Unfortunately, this year wasn't to be for what ever particular reason (we have been aweful), but nexdt year our target will be to get into Europe.

Villa, went to the effort of the inter toto and then buggered it up, by putting all their eggs in one basket and going for a CL place. I think MOn changed his priorities slightly, tie that in with a rather weak squad, he didn't have much choice but to prioritse the league.

I think he may regret it though.

 

[DC_Boy]

It's a difficult one for Villa - cos it's quite likely they would have lost to Moscow even with their strongest team, then even if they won, add in two games with a good Shaktar team and another gruelling East Europe trip - and you're still only in the quarter finals!

I think O'Neill called it spot on like Harry by prioritisng the lge

none of the teams outside the big 4 have sufficient quantity and quality to give it a good go on four fronts, and even some of the big 4 suffer at times

City may get there next season, we might in two seasons time, if we could get some of our youngsters breaking through and we beef up a little in certain areas

 

[fortworthspur]

Villa is right to put a top4 finish above UEFA success. The money they will get for a CL spot is much, much more than the UEFA pays out. CL is everything - get through the group stage and you can finance next seasons acquisitions, for the most part. Its a self-replicating phenomenon, too, which is why the same teams from all the big leagues keep going every year. Its the Holy Grail based on the current financial arrangement.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I know it's only been 2 matches but Villa haven't won since they rested players for their Uefa match, maybe they would have been better to try and keep the momentum going. I think they had a good chance as well.

 

[Shanks]

I know they might just regret the decision, but everyone knew it would happen sooner or later. They would tire out, they would get the off injury and their squad is just not good enough to cope at that level.

Lets hope I'm wrong and they pip Arsenal, although I still want 3 points off them.

Good time to go to villa park, if there is ever a good time to go there!