Do You Want Us To Go Into The Europa League?

[Spurge]

I don't get how some see it as possibly affecting our Title ambitions (like last season?) but qualification in the CL doesn't somehow. How ever tinpot its appeal its a european trophy that will aid the club in avoiding future 'groups of death'

We have a big enough and quality enough squad to be able to deal with this imo. I agree the old 3 cup format was much better but alas does not make as much money for Ewaffer

Agree with your first statement but don't see the europa league as tinpot.

This is effectively the UEFA cup, which was always a massive trophy to win back in the day. In the late 70's when we played the likes of Juve/Ac Milan and winning 4-0 at home against Standard Liege (and losing the away leg 2-0 I think) were exiting times largelt becuase of the trophy we were competing for and the infamous teams that were in it.

British clubs should take the europa league seriously -the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bilbao, Sporting, Schalke plaid some excellent football in the tournament last season, Atletico then thumped Chelsea in the super cup of course.

What typifies how bizarre british clubs approach to this tournamnet is is the likes of Spurs who spend all season long trying to qualify for europe, doing exactly that and then playing a weakened side in the competition - then the whole process begins again!

It's not a tinpot trophy - it's still the UEFA cup (if you are of a certain generation at least) so we should try and qualify and if we do go all out to win it - without taking our eyes off what was and still is our priority of retaining the premier league title!

[DoomMerchant]

We MUST put a second string team out against Dortmund. If we get a good beating, so what, fuck the Europa league.

Suggested team vs Dortmund

Pantilimon

Maicon
Lescott
K Toure
Kolarov

Rodwell
Garcia

Sinclair
Balotelli
Milner

Dzeko

i wouldn't play a team nearly that strong...surely we have some teenagers from the B Roster who need a runout.

i don't have any interest in doing anything with any first team or squad players in a match like Dortmund to try and progress.

Play some children and if they beat Dortmund then they are the squad that does Europa and see where they get. Do not risk the league or the FA Cup in any fashion.

I voted..No.

cheers

[Hazy2]

I would say yes but as we have binned one cup and we could be out of the FA. CUP in Jan players need games and our squad has to be used as a have they got it or not, Only in this Country do we not rate the comp, maybe we need as much European game time as we can get.

[Chinners]

I don't get how some see it as possibly affecting our Title ambitions (like last season?) but qualification in the CL doesn't somehow. How ever tinpot its appeal its a european trophy that will aid the club in avoiding future 'groups of death'

We have a big enough and quality enough squad to be able to deal with this imo. I agree the old 3 cup format was much better but alas does not make as much money for Ewaffer

Agree with your first statement but don't see the europa league as tinpot.

This is effectively the UEFA cup, which was always a massive trophy to win back in the day. In the late 70's when we played the likes of Juve/Ac Milan and winning 4-0 at home against Standard Liege (and losing the away leg 2-0 I think) were exiting times largelt becuase of the trophy we were competing for and the infamous teams that were in it.

British clubs should take the europa league seriously -the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bilbao, Sporting, Schalke plaid some excellent football in the tournament last season, Atletico then thumped Chelsea in the super cup of course.

What typifies how bizarre british clubs approach to this tournamnet is is the likes of Spurs who spend all season long trying to qualify for europe, doing exactly that and then playing a weakened side in the competition - then the whole process begins again!

It's not a tinpot trophy - it's still the UEFA cup (if you are of a certain generation at least) so we should try and qualify and if we do go all out to win it - without taking our eyes off what was and still is our priority of retaining the premier league title!

Agreed. For the record I don't think it's a tinpot trophy either, maybe I should have type percieved rather than appeal

[Dubaimancityfan]

We have to win in Dortmund to have a chance to get in the competition as a draw will mean on a head to head with Ajax we will be out.

I would like to give it ago but only with the fringe players. I think in Dortmund we should put the reserves out and let's see. A good run in the Europa helps the coefficient for Europe next season.

Starting line up Wright Maicon Rodwell Lescott Kolarov Razak Lopez Wabarra Suarez Sinclair Balotelli

I voted no but agree with this.

[stevefromdonny]

no, sorry but a big fat no

[City64]

Yes but if we dont so what ?

Christ we are due some luck in cup competitions so maybe the FA cup can be a tad kind to us ....... oh and we are top of the Premier league :)

[craigmcfc]

It's a no for me, our players never seem to give it 100% commitment, I'm sure our fans, in terms of attendance, won't either. Let's concentrate on retaining our league title and giving the FA Cup our best shot.

[mcfc1632]

I voted yes for selfish personal reasons rather than selfish CITY - i.e. I just want to travel to see CITY play and enjoy the trips

I of course might reconsider this position depending on the draw!!

[ruralblue]

While we have a good enouh squad to go far in this competition I dont see why not. Sadly I dont think we will get past dortmund. Not going to lose sleep if we dont go further as I would love to see us lift the far cup again and believe we will also give us the chance to stay at the top of the pile. With a final good push to cement the premier league title two years on the trot.

[Blue in the face]

Its a definite yes.

We'll win the champione league eventually and this is a trophy the scum never won.

[southern softy]

OK by me if we play a lot of second string players to keep them happier. We won't last more than a couple of rounds but it would give us a few extra coefficient points.

But, beating Dortmund away? I just can't see it, especially as our focus will be on the derby.

[MCFCKEV]

No. I think its more hassel than what its worth, Thursday nights will mean Sunday and Monday league games for majority of the season and thats no good for no one. All this will do is give us more hassel in the Championship Race and for me thats more important than the Europa League, I might be thinking differently If we have been palying at our best but were not and still find us top of the table. We want to retain the title and keep Mancini in a job, I could see us getting to the Semi finals of the Europa League and finnish 2nd to the Rags and waving bye bye to Mancini with tears in my eyes. So NO PLEASE NO EUROPA LEAGUE!

[branny]

I've got mixed feelings ideally we could do with the extra games for more European experience but not at the expense of retaining the title. Title number one priority. If we retain it I couldn't give a toss about any other trophy.

[BobbyDazzler]

It all counts towards European seedings so if we do well, we might get a slightly kinder group in next years champions league so it's a yes for me as long as we prioritize the league.

[Blue Since 76]

It all counts towards European seedings so if we do well, we might get a slightly kinder group in next years champions league so it's a yes for me as long as we prioritize the league.

If we do well, we might be able to stay in pot 2, depending on who else qualifies. We might even be in pot 2 if we don't go into the Europa.

But if we get another Napoli or Dortmund from pot 4 it doesn't matter which pot we're in. The seedlings are completely out of touch with where sides really are. With a bit of luck, Dortmund could easily win it, yet apparently there are two sides better than them in the rags group, even though I've only heard of one of the teams

[sandman]

Against Dortmund;

[center]Pantilimon
Maicon---Lescott---Kolarov
Milner--------Garcia--------Barry
Rodwell-------Sinclair
Balotelli-----Dzeko[/center]

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Against Dortmund;

[center]Pantilimon
Maicon---Lescott---Kolarov
Milner--------Garcia--------Barry
Rodwell-------Sinclair
Balotelli-----Dzeko[/center]

Is it still a 3-0 forfeit if we don't turn up? With that team I know which one we should take.

[Crossie]

Against Dortmund;

[center]Pantilimon
Maicon---Lescott---Kolarov
Milner--------Garcia--------Barry
Rodwell-------Sinclair
Balotelli-----Dzeko[/center]

Is it still a 3-0 forfeit if we don't turn up? With that team I know which one we should take.

lol

[Douglas Higginbottom]

We should use the Dortmund game to practice a very defensive approach. 4.5.1 and just try to play on the break which is basically how I think we should play away in the CL anyway