EL or not EL

[dontcallme]

I still dream of seeing Spurs win trophies.

I don't like the current format of the EL but still want to see us compete in it.

We have quite a big squad and if the manager can leave key players home during away games in the group stages we should be able to handle both competitions.

I know it can affect our league form but I still hope to see my team win trophies so I'd rather we were in it.

 

[marion52]

From a purely personal point of view I'd like a rest from EL so that we can have Saturday 3pm ko's occasionally.

 

[Shadydan]

I think we should sack it off completely tbh. If we happen to find ourselves in the competition next season by the virtue of finishing 5th or 6th then we should play the kids or a weakened team. If we're in it after Xmas then take it a bit more seriously and start playing first teamers.

I won't disagree that the EL is a trophy worth winning because it is, it's what you have to endure to actually win the thing. The very fact that you're travelling miles away (further on average if you were playing in the CL) and then you only get a 2 day rest before the next Premiership game is a major factor. People always argue that Spurs should go for it because they'll have a chance to win a trophy completely disregarding the other teams in there who are better equipped to win trophies, some of them being seasoned Champions League regulars, what makes us favourites over the likes of Juventus and Benfica?

If you want a realistic chance of winning a trophy then look towards the C.O cup or the F.A cup, both require 6 and 7 games (barring replays) respectively to win both competitions, not 17.

 

[carpediem991]

For me only one answer: Yes, qualify!

Even in these days I can't wait for the next Tottenham game. Thursday wouldnt have any sense for me.

+ Winner gets a cup
+ Winner qualifies for CL
+ Lots of possible awesome trips where you normallyy won't get to.
+ The non league starters get their matches.

 

[nightgoat]

Pro's of finishing 5th;

- European football once again
- Increased prize money
- Helps our European coefficient
- Enhances profile and lure to managerial candidates and potential signings
- Champions Leage berth for winning Europa League
- Chance to utilise squad
- Finish above Manchester United for the first time in donkeys!
- Another chance to win a trophy, a European one at that!

By the time the draws for next season's European competitions come around we could be around 15th in the UEFA rankings. The season after that, we lose our ranking points from our CL season. If we assume that CL qualification will be the target again next season, a good EL run would be vital to keeping us up the rankings to get the best possible draw should we actually qualify again.

 

[felmani26]

By the time the draws for next season's European competitions come around we could be around 15th in the UEFA rankings. The season after that, we lose our ranking points from our CL season. If we assume that CL qualification will be the target again next season, a good EL run would be vital to keeping us up the rankings to get the best possible draw should we actually qualify again.

It's not something that's regularly thought of in these discussions but it most definitely is a valid point another big tick in favour of European competition next year.

 

[Mr Pink]

I'd rather concentrate on the League and take the domestic cups much more seriously and I include the Carling Cup in that. Its far less of a strain and won't impact on League performance in the same way.

Should be going all out for the Carling Cup and FA Cup. Treat them like League games.

 

[felmani26]

I'd rather concentrate on the League and take the domestic cups much more seriously and I include the Carling Cup in that. Its far less of a strain and won't impact on League performance in the same way.

Should be going all out for the Carling Cup and FA Cup. Treat them like League games.

There will still be people moaning about playing a strong side in those games.

Plus as well, there will be a greater proportion of our squad that barely see any game time so you'll likely see disgruntled members asking to leave January time.

 

[Shadydan]

By the time the draws for next season's European competitions come around we could be around 15th in the UEFA rankings. The season after that, we lose our ranking points from our CL season. If we assume that CL qualification will be the target again next season, a good EL run would be vital to keeping us up the rankings to get the best possible draw should we actually qualify again.

When we qualified for the competition in 2010 we weren't even ranked as we didn't have a a European campaign the previous season, we ended up being 3rd seed and still came out on top by beating the holders.

You make a valid point but you can't think like that IMO, if we qualify for the competition the very least we're guaranteed is €10.7m Euros which is twice as much as you'd get for simply winning the Europe League also we'd have a chance of attracting good players simply for being in the Champions League.

 

[Mr Pink]

There will still be people moaning about playing a strong side in those games.

Plus as well, there will be a greater proportion of our squad that barely see any game time so you'll likely see disgruntled members asking to leave January time.

Good.

We have too many players as it is. I'd rather streamline the squad and improve its overall quality and give youth a chance.


All this bloody stock piling, its absurd.

 

[felmani26]

Good.

We have too many players as it is. I'd rather streamline the squad and improve its overall quality and give youth a chance.


All this bloody stock piling, its absurd.

Same sentiment goes for youth then unless they are loaned out again.

 

[YiddoInPoland]

Yes we should qualify for next year. Why? It offers another avenue into the Champions League from next season.

This really, and only this.

 

[Wrenchy]

Highly recommend reading this article on why the Europe League, even the group stages, is important. http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnatio...atters-even-if-you-dont-care-about-winning-it

Teams in the Champions league get 4 points for making the group stage, vs 2 points for making Europa league group stage, and an additional 5 points for making the knockout stages (vs. zero additional for Europa). Beyond those 7 possible points, points are earned identically in each competition: 2 points for a group stage win, 1 point for a group stage draw, and 1 point each for competing in QF's, SF's, and Finals.

You might be taken aback by that, but winning on a Thursday night in Moldova on day 5 of this year's group stages, with advancement already locked up, will give Spurs 2 precious club coefficient points -- twice as many as Dortmund got for knocking out Real Madrid over two legs last year. The takeaway here is that points are much easier to come by in the Europa League than in the Champions League

Really interesting stuff.

 

[Shea]

The bottom line for me is I spent the best part of 20 yeArs hoping and wishing we could sneak into the Uefa and we pretty much never did so I'm certainly not going to turn my nose up at it now

I was a kid in 92 when I first went to a European game at the Lane and it was amazing - something special to me about European nights (even when we play Unknowns from the former cccp)

 

[The Scarecrow]

This really, and only this.

I think it's a bit sad if qualifying for CL is a bigger price than winning the trophy.

 

[parklane1]

That was said about 40+ years ago.

21 extra games to win it......too many.

Not sure what it is for CL?

I believe its 17 to win it which is two games more then winning the CL if we finish forth.

 

[parklane1]

I think it's a bit sad if qualifying for CL is a bigger price than winning the trophy.

Aint it just.

 

[YiddoInPoland]

I think it's a bit sad if qualifying for CL is a bigger price than winning the trophy.

Yeah, i can see where it seems i think like that, i don't. Winning it comes first (would have loved to have done it this year) but there is an added bonus next year is what i meant.

Love being in the Europa, no matter what dross we get in the beginning, nights against teams like Benfica are great nights to witness, or they should be at least.

 

[CheeseGromit]

It is about the best way to keep a large squad

My first concern about AVB ( sorry to bring him into it) was he did not use the Cup competitions in the right way with a large untried squad. He should have had a preferred league set up and a preferred cup set up The only way to get into the league side was to play well in Europe.

The early rounds are painful with long travel and high costs ( time money and fatigue) so I think it would be better if they regionalised the early part of the competition. You have even get some better games There would still be group winners so the strength of the competition especially once CL sides join it would not be compromised.
I was looking forward to Benfica games it was just a pity we made a hash of it

 

[Wellspurs]

If we finish 7th do we go into the Intertoto Cup?