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Another thought that wandered across my mind the other day. On a very simplistic level it might be better if Chelsea are still in the comp when they play us? If they go out and then come to us in their next game, will they be dispirited in the way that Arsenal were this week. Or does the prospect of a tough quarter final distract them if they get through?
Looking at the bigger picture, if all English clubs are out, could it possibly lead to the Premier League losing a CL place? And if that eventuality came to pass, does that help or hinder City? Are we confident we are going to be top three for a good while? Does it have a bigger impact on Arsenal, Chelsea, Scouse or even the Filth? Do we want 4 places up for grabs OR one more of our domestic rivals missing out on the T.V. lucre?
I have a gut feeling it is better on the whole for Chelsea to go through. (I won't be upset if they get twatted though)
And finally does Chelsea going through increase our chances of landing our supposed transfer targets from Naples?

In a nutshell:

I'm confident that we'll continually be Top 3, so in that way it doesn't matter.

However, only 3 CL places will considerably reduce English clubs' UEFA Coefficient. This will mean our seeding will be lower.

On the flip side, things are calculated over a five-year rolling average. Therefore, a one year blip doesn't really affect a nation.

It helps in respect of Villas-Boas staying in the job long enough to ensure that our fixture against them is easier.

That said, if they win the replay with Brum it will be postponed until the arse end of the season anyway.

I'm old skool, top 1 gets the CL place, 2, 3 and 4 get the Uwaffa. I ain't bothered if Chelsea win or lose tbh

I think they'll get battered tonite. like handicap style.

Duckman wrote:I think they'll get battered tonite. like handicap style.

Is that your way of saying "beaten like a ginger stepchild"?

The premier league won't lose their fourth place for some time.

I always want the english clubs (apart from the obvious) to go far in europe as it keeps my attention. I would prefer to see chelsea/arse v Milan than Napoli v Milan on ITV on a weds night. I am more interested if the english clubs stay in, at least until the semi and then they can get battered out of site for all I care :-) I know this gives them income, but I dont care.

Well the way Chelsea are playing and having seen how Napoli played against us - regardless of their league form - I can only see a Napoli Victory in this game... 2-0 i'll go for!

BlueinBosnia wrote:
Is that your way of saying "beaten like a ginger stepchild"?

Racist

tbh, in spite of chelsea's poor run of form, i think napoli will find them tougher to break down than us. i'm predicting a dull 0-0 or 0-1 today.

Goaters 103 wrote:It helps in respect of Villas-Boas staying in the job long enough to ensure that our fixture against them is easier.

That said, if they win the replay with Brum it will be postponed until the arse end of the season anyway.

Last line very important, if they win their replay our match is off while the rags have wolves away so assuming they win that it means we are playing catch up for rest of season and our "catch up" is at home to chelsea which isnt an ideal catch up, the title could come down to us beating chelsea for the league.

Piccsnumberoneblue wrote:...Looking at the bigger picture, if all English clubs are out, could it possibly lead to the Premier League losing a CL place?...

CL spots are worked out by using coefficients for deciding how leagues compare to each other over a rolling (I think it's five year) period - so one crap year by English clubs wont see us lose our fourth CL spot.

Dubciteh wrote:

Goaters 103 wrote:It helps in respect of Villas-Boas staying in the job long enough to ensure that our fixture against them is easier.

That said, if they win the replay with Brum it will be postponed until the arse end of the season anyway.

Last line very important, if they win their replay our match is off while the rags have wolves away so assuming they win that it means we are playing catch up for rest of season and our "catch up" is at home to chelsea which isnt an ideal catch up, the title could come down to us beating chelsea for the league.

Even if it was Wolves at home it would be shit at playing catch up for the rest of the season. that's why I just had a thought about this. Surely it would make sense to play the City-Chelsea match on Wednesday March 21st?
It can't clash with EL or UCL and neither team is playing until next weekend...
It isn't ideal to have a tough match right before we travel to Stoke but it would be better than to play catch-up