Do You Want Us To Go Into The Europa League?

[MCFCKEV]

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

Yep which we did'nt do last years & cost us against Napoli and shud have done it even more so this year with the teams in this group too

[blue-nova]

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

Yep which we did'nt do last years & cost us against Napoli and shud have done it even more so this year with the teams in this group too

It's shocking to think that we had more than 70% of the possession AWAY at a team like Napoli and ended up losing. Agree 100% that sometimes it might be better to sit back a little and let a little more space develop.

[DoomMerchant]

It's shocking to think that we had more than 70% of the possession AWAY at a team like Napoli and ended up losing. Agree 100% that sometimes it might be better to sit back a little and let a little more space develop.

Inter under Jose and Chelsea under RDM used that recipe to beat better skilled teams and win the CL so it's not revelatory. It's the way it's being done, unfashionably for what 2 of the last 4 seasons?

I'd prefer us to just play our style and, like Barca, let the chips fall where they may. It's the tinkering and fucking about which I hate.

[Blue Since 76]

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

He either needs to use the Dortmund game to learn from it by doing something like the above, or by playing the kids/reserves.

We've got the rags a few days later, so I don't want some decent team but in a stupid formation that results in tiredness, injuries and another defeat when the rags game is more important.

[sandman]

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

Ha ha, whilst I agree with your sentiment I think it may be useful to give game time and European experience to our reserves and fringe players. Not often you get the opportunity to chance these squad players on the big stage with no consequences.

[blue-nova]

It's shocking to think that we had more than 70% of the possession AWAY at a team like Napoli and ended up losing. Agree 100% that sometimes it might be better to sit back a little and let a little more space develop.

Inter under Jose and Chelsea under RDM used that recipe to beat better skilled teams and win the CL so it's not revelatory. It's the way it's being done, unfashionably for what 2 of the last 4 seasons?

I'd prefer us to just play our style and, like Barca, let the chips fall where they may. It's the tinkering and fucking about which I hate.

And the results were than Inter and Chelsea won, despite being considered the poorer teams. I'm not suggesting we give up trying to outplay our opponents, but top European sides will usually have a few players of high enough quality to do something special on the break, so we can't afford to push on quite so much.

[brite blu sky]

If we do qualify for the Europa, do we have to use the same players we named for the Champions League or can we change it?

that would be the crux of it for me. I think City need to be able to 'cope' with the extra games, but not at the expense of either the defence of the title or the FA cup and that may well come down to who we can play from the squad. If we cant change the players then I'd say ditch the Europa this time round.. there is always next year to see if we can win it ;)

[Slim]

If we do qualify for the Europa, do we have to use the same players we named for the Champions League or can we change it?

that would be the crux of it for me. I think City need to be able to 'cope' with the extra games, but not at the expense of either the defence of the title or the FA cup and that may well come down to who we can play from the squad. If we cant change the players then I'd say ditch the Europa this time round.. there is always next year to see if we can win it ;)

The players registered with the club were registered for "UEFA Club competitions" not specifically for the Champions League, we can change 3 players over during the break, and there is some proviso for adding in a keeper, but apart from that I think we keep the same squad.

[john68]

If our real and long term aim is to compete at the top in Europe, we have increase our European coefficient. Like it or lump it, success in the Europa League does help us.

I don't see much difference between playing Thurs - Sun, than playing Wed Sat.

[blue 68]

Absolutely not, just watched a report on CNN stating that UEFA are considering scrapping it by 2015. They are talking about simply expanding the Champs League to include teams placed up to 6th in their respective leagues. Doubt this is a good idea but I'd rather we go out of the competition as bottom club than feature in that pile of shite which even the governing body concedes most clubs find a bit of a chore to be part of.

[spiny]

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.

+1

The seeding coefficient is based over 4-5 years so a bad year has a longer term impact. We are in danger of dropping into pot 3 again without a boost from the Europa.

[spiny]

Absolutely not, just watched a report on CNN stating that UEFA are considering scrapping it by 2015. They are talking about simply expanding the Champs League to include teams placed up to 6th in their respective leagues. Doubt this is a good idea but I'd rather we go out of the competition as bottom club than feature in that pile of shite which even the governing body concedes most clubs find a bit of a chore to be part of.

I think you are being a bit naive if you think coefficients, seeding and prequalification will not play a part. It will not be an FA Cup style knockout competition. G14 clubs wont allow it .

[blue 68]

Fair enough but even being in pot 3 with a squad of the quality of pot 1 won't matter if we can learn to master how to play in the Champs League. If we played to our potential then our coefficient will improve anyway and not wasting valuable energy in the pursuit of the domestic league this year is a gamble I would happily accept.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Yes.
A) It would be fantastic to make our mark someway in Europe and ease the pressure on that front as well
B) it would do wonders to our UEFA allocation and we wouldn't have to suffer these death groups year in year out

[kinkylola]

as many others have said ... it's a must for uefa coefficient. That's enough reason in itself, but I also feel like we need to be competing in Europe, to raise our own mentality. If all else fails and we find we cant deal with the rigors of europe, field some younger players.

It is in our best interests to take part in Europa at this point.

[Goaters 103]

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

Nice sentiments. However as we have to name players in our nominated CL squad, it sadly falls by the wayside. I do agree with the idea though.