Now that’s a question I find interesting.
Lee Hendrie has said we should prioritise the Europa cup because “we’re miles behind Arsenal” in this link.
Now if we’re talking about actually winning the title, he is of course absolutely correct. We have no chance of winning the league and that’s a line I’ve consistently taken.
When it comes to qualifying via our league position though, that’s a totally different proposition. Indeed Hendrie himself says we can still achieve that, a stance I agree with, as much as we’ve made it more difficult over the last couple of weeks.
But the question is, should we actually make the cup the priority this season?
And contrary to last season, where I said we should actually prioritise league qualification, over winning the Champion’s league, I think we should.
So why do I think that? It’s quite easy. We’re currently favourites to win the cup, I believe. And while anything can happen over two legged games, it’s generally the team that is more highly regarded that gets the victory. So the logic is that there’s a very good chance we’ll get the silverware this time. Not that I’m anywhere near suggesting that we’re certs. We know how prone we are to falling at the final hurdle.
But if you look at the list of teams that are left in the competition, I think it looks quite winnable.
But then, if as I think, we’re in the middle of a bad run, which I think many saw coming, which shouldn’t last too long, Champions league qualification looks doable too, particularly as it’s looking like the top five will make it. We may well end up relying on that fifth spot but again that looks quite achieveable too.
I suppose the question boils down to which is the more difficult to acheve?
And for me, that’s Premier league qualification. I’m not saying the European teams are poor, but I’m sure most would agree that Prem teams generally are tougher to beat.
It’s tricky though. Both routes will get us into next season’s Champions League and that has to be the absolute priority.
And if I think actually winning it is easier, that’s what we have to concentrate on.
All while just going on as we are and see where it gets us.
Emery plays to win, so maybe it’s not a question of “either or” anyway?
It’s a tough choice.
Would love to win the uefa cup Would be a monumental feat UTMV
For me it’s more about how the loss of our midfield engine will affect us over February and into March. The evidence suggests we will find it tough to stay ahead of Manure, Chelski and Pool which puts us back in 6th place but, hopefully, still in touch.
Our last two games are home to Pool and away to Citeh and in March we have consecutive games home to Chelsea and away to Manure.
We don’t play in the Europa League until 12th March when, with luck and a fair wind (when did Villa enjoy either?), we, hopefully, will have SJM back; maybe also Tielemans.
So if you add up all the dots it’s pretty simple – just have to go all out for the Europa League but if we can hang on, in the EPL over the next five to six weeks, then 5th place might still be ours.
This weekends game is massive. I doubt Spuds will do us a favour. If we drop more points, those below us will see us as totally catchable…Still fuming over last weeks disallowed goal.
If Onana isn’t fit I’ll also be annoyed. He is ALWAYS injured.
Initial reports saying Watkins and Onana fit for tomorrow plus Alysson joined full training yesterday – be a boost to see him on the bench although mustn’t fall prey to too much hype.
As if I ever would 😂
We just need Fenerbahce to beat Forest over two legs and get rid of them, because if they win it and we don’t we won’t live it down, and I’ll come to accept that we’re just not winners at all whatsoever.
Ooooooo…You’ve been spending too much time with us oldies!!! Stay positive, youngster!!!!!
Prioritise neither. If we choose one it will encourage a ‘don’t care’ attitude when playing in the other.
Remember we mullered both Everton and Brentford in terms of chances created. What let us down was the number of shots blocked or off-target. Without Tielemans the killer pass close to goal allowing tap-in will be absent. More rustic crosses, and loose balls, may happen instead. Bournemouth’s keeper isn’t a miser, they depend on outscoring opponents.