For all the stick Arsenal get in the Champions League about making up the numbers in the competition, it really isn't that different a story for us and this competition.
We haven't looked close to getting near a final in the last 10 years we've been a regular participant, let alone winning it, and the likes of Fulham, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Chelsea all have made finals in near enough that same time frame despite playing in far fewer appearances.
This is the best team we've had for a while and we still look no closer to winning it if I'm honest. Still look like we don't want to be in the competition and put in half-assed displays when this should be our number 1 priority with the title race as good as dead.
If this is going to be the standard campaign from us in this competition even when it matters, then we may as well just play academy products right the way through and leave our focus on the PL in future.
Us and Europa/Uefa Cup
posted on 17/2/17
comment by aries22 (U1203)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
It's a European trophy of course it benefits you. Playing and winning against European teams makes you a better team domestically.
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Except when you're playing and losing against the eighth best team in Belgium.
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Whats that old cliché...you learn more from defeats than victories.
Only listened to the game on the wireless but it sounded like you where the better team, they were the home team (where they have a decent record) and it sounded like they sat back and hit you on the counter.
posted on 17/2/17
It only takes 3 injuries to make us look like horseshit. We desperately need Lamela, Rose and Jan back for the Stoke game. Failing that we should bin off Davies, play Trippier at right back and Walker on the left.
posted on 17/2/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 17/2/17
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 25 minutes ago
comment by aries22 (U1203)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
It's a European trophy of course it benefits you. Playing and winning against European teams makes you a better team domestically.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Except when you're playing and losing against the eighth best team in Belgium.
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Whats that old cliché...you learn more from defeats than victories.
Only listened to the game on the wireless but it sounded like you where the better team, they were the home team (where they have a decent record) and it sounded like they sat back and hit you on the counter.
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Wasn't what happened at all in truth.
They were the better side. They didn't sit back and looked more dangerous than us.
posted on 17/2/17
Flashy
Biased radio then.
posted on 17/2/17
comment by aries22 (U1203)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
comment by Ledders The King - Football Manager Icon (U20121)
posted 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
We don't have a squad capable of going far in the Europa league and also finishing in the top 4. We need more money to buy better players. PL teams can't get the necessary finances from the Europa league.
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Why do you have to think in terms of buying? What's your academy and scouting network doing?
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well the academy over the last 5 years or so has produced a number of premier league quality footballers, admittedly not many good enough for spurs, but the better the first team is the harder it is to produce players good enough to break into it
posted on 17/2/17
comment by PawlBawron (U1055)
posted 2 hours, 42 minutes ago
It only takes 3 injuries to make us look like horseshit. We desperately need Lamela, Rose and Jan back for the Stoke game. Failing that we should bin off Davies, play Trippier at right back and Walker on the left.
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Gent rested players, had won 2 in 12 and just lost at home to the mighty Eupen.
posted on 17/2/17
I just don't get it with Poch. His complete focus is on trying to win a title that he has no chance of winning this season. That ship sailed last season. He's thrown away the CL in pursuit of it and completely embarrassed Spurs in Europe when we all thought Leicester would be the European laughing stock.
Is he honestly saying that he doesn't have the squad to compete on both fronts? By compete I mean aim for top 4 this year and get into the knockout stages of the CL?
posted on 17/2/17
comment by Blackstarr (U12353)
posted 5 minutes ago
I just don't get it with Poch. His complete focus is on trying to win a title that he has no chance of winning this season. That ship sailed last season. He's thrown away the CL in pursuit of it and completely embarrassed Spurs in Europe when we all thought Leicester would be the European laughing stock.
Is he honestly saying that he doesn't have the squad to compete on both fronts? By compete I mean aim for top 4 this year and get into the knockout stages of the CL?
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Poor purchases (Wanyama aside) mean our squad can't cope with balancing the Cups and the Prem. Whenever called upon our b listers serve up a Wycombe type performance yet the top boys are looking jaded. God knows what team he'll pick for the Fulham game?
posted on 17/2/17
comment by Blackstarr (U12353)
posted 22 minutes ago
I just don't get it with Poch. His complete focus is on trying to win a title that he has no chance of winning this season. That ship sailed last season. He's thrown away the CL in pursuit of it and completely embarrassed Spurs in Europe when we all thought Leicester would be the European laughing stock.
Is he honestly saying that he doesn't have the squad to compete on both fronts? By compete I mean aim for top 4 this year and get into the knockout stages of the CL?
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Last season he could be accused of throwing Europe when he made 7(?) changes for the Dortmund game, while we were still in a title race.
This season and yesterday he at least did play a strong team against weak opposition so maybe the intention to do well is there but for some reason we just don't look up for it. The players don't act as though this competition is important to them. Or maybe they're at a point where they're knackered.
The CL earlier on this season was a bit different owing to bad luck with injuries and no home games, against better quality opposition than we played last night.
Whether it be the manager or the players; I don't think we (and this goes for all English teams) take this competition seriously, rightly or wrongly, whereas the likes of Gent in Belgium and other such on the continent, do.