I know it's a trophy and one that would be great to win but it is a slog and we could work like demons to get to the final and lose and in the process we could have suffered in the league to get to that final.
The quarter final first leg takes place just before a game at home to Chelsea and the second leg is just before an away game at Burnley.
The semi final first leg takes place just before a game at Arsenal and the second leg takes place just before our game at Spurs.
We all wanted the Europa trophy back when we were 9 points behind the fourth placed team in the PL as we thought we'd never catch them. But now we find ourselves just 2 points behind second place. We are far more likely to get top 4 than win the Europa IMO.
I very much doubt we can do both, especially with those fixtures after our Europa games. 4 very very tough games.
I for one wouldn't be heartbroken to crash out of Europa early.
(Disclaimer - I'd rather WIN the Europa and get into the CL that way than go in via the top 4 - I'm just saying that it will be a huge task to do so and something will have to give)
Would going out of the Europa be that bad?
posted on 12/2/17
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 3 hours, 15 minutes ago
I think for us to survive the run in in all comps we'd almost need to have two separate teams and alternate between them.
I.e. , have a Europa and FA Cup side and one for the league
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European games can be a hindrance but I've always wondered how much of it is down to fatigue, and how much is down to preparation time between games. I reckon it's more the latter.
Also worth noting that all those big teams we play at the end of the season (apart from Chelsea) have European commitments currently, and they have a pretty decent chance of advancing to the latter stages too.
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I can't see Arsenal getting past Bayern and I fancy Monaco to get past City.
posted on 12/2/17
We're within two pts of 3 teams now and if city fail to beat Bournmouth it will be 4 teams.
The league is more realistic than europa right now for sure. But both should be targeted. Rather have my eggs in more than one basket.
The FA cup is bottom of my priority list. As current holders we've put to bed that record of not winning it for a while. I could live with going out of that if it improves our chances in the other 3.
posted on 12/2/17
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 11 minutes ago
I think we'll have to win 9 of our last 13 to stand any chance.
With Chelsea H & City, Spurs, Arsenal all Away it's a huge ask. We're capable of picking up pts in those fixtures but I don't fancy us strongly to win any of them.
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The fact that 68 points normally guarantees a fourth place finish in the PL indicates how fierce competition is at the top this season.
Nine wins, even with four losses, would leave us on 75 points, normally enough to comfortably secure third place.
posted on 12/2/17
Like it says in the OP we have four very tough games after all four quarter and semi final games.
So we'd likely need to play strong sides in all 8 league and cup games if we wanna get top 4 and win the Europa
I just think something has to give
posted on 12/2/17
I think the required pts mark for 4th will be higher this year.
posted on 12/2/17
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 3 minutes ago
I think the required pts mark for 4th will be higher this year.
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Undoubtedly.
It'll be up over 70 points despite the fact there are a lot of top six clashes yet to come.
posted on 12/2/17
comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
I think for us to survive the run in in all comps we'd almost need to have two separate teams and alternate between them.
I.e. , have a Europa and FA Cup side and one for the league
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We managed both with an average first Xl and literally no depth.
posted on 12/2/17
comment by Returning managers (U1762)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
I think for us to survive the run in in all comps we'd almost need to have two separate teams and alternate between them.
I.e. , have a Europa and FA Cup side and one for the league
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We managed both with an average first Xl and literally no depth.
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The competition for top 4 wasn't as strong as it is now.
posted on 12/2/17
comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by Returning managers (U1762)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
I think for us to survive the run in in all comps we'd almost need to have two separate teams and alternate between them.
I.e. , have a Europa and FA Cup side and one for the league
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We managed both with an average first Xl and literally no depth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The competition for top 4 wasn't as strong as it is now.
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We were in an intense four way battle for it, only one team difference.
posted on 12/2/17
I suppose if you think about it, we are fortunate we have that option, but personally i would sacrifice the europa league as i will be confident we can get top4 easily without it!