Europa Conference League 22-23

[il_martello_di_genovesi]

Seen a few posts saying that the ECL ‘only’ gives you a Europa League place. I’m guessing these people don’t realise how hard it is to get a Europa League place in the first place? We got to the SF of that competition this season. Knocked out by an average German team. No one should turn their noses up at European football.

[BondsoBob]

When I was a kid my dad used to get me to hoover the whole house for 20p.
That's what this feels like.

As much as that? You were spoilt!

[ironilunga]

You have to be honest and ask why did we finish 7th whereas Man U, Spurs and Arsenal finished above us?

A combination of better players and fewer games.

Man Utd and Spurs have 3 of the top 4 scorers in the premier league this season. They just have better players in more positions.

I personally think we would have finished ahead of Arsenal if we, like them, didn’t have Europa League.

[The Old Man of Storr]

And if we're struggling in the League we can always pretend we've got Covid and get thrown out by default .

[steveyrockstar]

If we had not been in the Europa League this year, been mid-table all season and sneaked 7th with a last minute run, i expect we would all have been buzzing for it

However, given we had really realistic hopes of qualifying the Champions League a couple of months ago and and such great coverage and positive publicity from our Europa League run, there is inevitable disappointment about this

Like everything, opinions are guided by context

I don't disagree it's not disappointing to have ended up in the ECL after what could have been and what we come so close to, but looking at the bigger picture, it's a great achievement to qualify for it, and I personally think we should all embrace it and be excited about hopefully have a real crack at European silverware again.

However, in terms of us falling short in the Europa League and the league itself, I can only keep pointing back to that January transfer window and our failure not to strengthen. At least Man Utd can feel vindicated for not giving us Lingard this time!

[steveyrockstar]

Seen a few posts saying that the ECL ‘only’ gives you a Europa League place. I’m guessing these people don’t realise how hard it is to get a Europa League place in the first place? We got to the SF of that competition this season. Knocked out by an average German team. No one should turn their noses up at European football.

Absolutely, not only could we win our first major trophy in 43 years, it's another chance to qualify for Europe for the third year running.

It's a great competition for us. But we do need to strengthen significantly in the summer to give it a proper shot in addition to the regular comps.

[hammerman11]

Totally agree . Let's watch moyes work his magic this summer; hopefully!

[The Straw]

Arsenal will probably drop down into this competition.

[hammers92]

Arsenal will probably drop down into this competition.

They’d need to finish 3rd in their group. They’ll get to the quarters of the Europa at an absolute minimum imo.

[The Straw]

I don't know. They won't get the help they usually receive in this country. They lack discipline, and the extra games will f*** them... they couldn't even really handle only playing about 40 games this season.

[Kermit]

You have to be honest and ask why did we finish 7th whereas Man U, Spurs and Arsenal finished above us?

As far as Man United are concerned we basically blew the opportunity of getting ourselves 2 extra points and reducing their total by 4 in our 2 games against them. There was the missed penalty at the LS and Fredericks aberration in the last moments at Old Trafford. Very costly as it turned out.

[LincolnshireHammer]

I can't bloody wait! Shame we have to go through a quali round but that'll be a fun August evening under the lights.

[BobbyMooreLower]

Arsenal will probably drop down into this competition.

No chance, theyll be top seeds and will have a pi55 easy group

[hammers92]

As far as Man United are concerned we basically blew the opportunity of getting ourselves 2 extra points and reducing their total by 4 in our 2 games against them. There was the missed penalty at the LS and Fredericks aberration in the last moments at Old Trafford. Very costly as it turned out.

Ronaldo was the biggest factor for me. There have been multiple games where’s he’s dragged them kicking and screaming over the line. For example the hat trick to beat Norwich 3-2.

Take him out and they’re probably 14th or something.

[Hammer in Hornchurch]

Absolute madness to right the Europa conference off.
We don’t get many opportunities to play in Europe.
Have to remember that only two seasons ago we were flirting near the bottom of the league.
Bring it on

[Centre Half]

At least we get a fun European game in August with a bit of jeopardy!

[Dieter Eckstein]

Our squad this year was probably better equipped to cope with the demands of the Europa Conference than the Europa League. Aside from the dead rubber final group game, we had to field a pretty strong 11 to get through the group before going full strength in the knockouts. Assuming we make it through the qualifier, we'll hopefully be able to rely on second string/younger players a little more and give some important players a rest. You'd hope that Alex Kral could have coped in the conference group stage this year. You don't want to underestimate any tournament, but unless we invest massively in increasing squad quality and depth, the Conference probably suits us in terms of not running out of steam in the league and domestic cups.

Not sure whether I've convinced myself there or not!

[BobbyMooreLower]

I hope they price the group stage games sensibly as I can't see many wanting to rush over to Stratford to watch us play the Macedonian cup winners.

They should be between £10-£25 based on what band you're in. If its higher than that and I can see an attendance of 25/35k

[e17]

I hope they price the group stage games sensibly as I can't see many wanting to rush over to Stratford to watch us play the Macedonian cup winners.

They should be between £10-£25 based on what band you're in. If its higher than that and I can see an attendance of 25/35k

They need to make the play off a proper kids for a quid job or the numbers for that will look comical. No doubt they will though.

[mickthekeeper]

No one's turning their nose up, it's figuring out if it's to be taken seriously when the demands throughout the season are tough enough as it is with a limited squad. The prize in winning it seemed to be qualifying for the Europa League properly, which in itself sounds like it's undermining it's own veracity. People are saying no I've got it wrong, it's a new prestigious European trophy to win in which case ok, I'll get on board if it's how we are to approach it. I asked reasonable questions about how long it takes to try to win it and that it will drain the energy of the squad but if that's what we want, then ok I'll come round to the idea. It's also not like fans we're questioning it just the same this time last summer either.

But where do you stop? Why not bin the league cup or the FA cup because they detract from the league - which even with a good wind we’ve got little (to no) chance of winning?

Agreed, it’s not as prestigious as the Europa or CL, but it’s a chance to play teams across Europe the quality of which are just as good as the next competition up as teams drop down (I don’t agree with that btw but that’s a discussion for another time).

You can use your same argument to question the Europa league as to win means qualification for the CL.

The argument about squad depth or the impact of Europe on a small squad is valid, but that’s shouldn’t exclude us from wanting to play in these competitions - that’s a problem that the owners and to an extent Moyes have left us with and hopefully the lessons from this seasons paper thin squad will be addressed.