Hi all,
Just a bit bored of all the Redknapp articles, so I thought I'd open up the discussion of the Europa League.
Back last season when it became apparent that we weren't going to get Champions League football again, some on the old 606 basically said that they'd rather not qualify for Europe at all, rather than see us in the Europa League.
I felt that it was a good opportunity for us to bring in a few youngsters and see what they're made of.
I think I was right. Okay, there wasn't much excitement in the games, most of which were as dull as ditchwater, and the failure to get out of the group hardly speaks volumes for the personnel involved in the games.
However... Harry gave a lot of young players the opportunity of getting game time for the first time, and while some (Kane, for example) disappointed the fans slightly, others, such as Townsend and Carroll really showed potential.
I also think that Livermore wouldn't have been given so much time in all competitions this season if it wasn't for the Europa League, and he has been, in my opinion, one of the most reliable, if not spectacular players this season.
So what does everyone think? Was the Europa League good for Spurs? A waste of time? Not bothered at all?
Europa League
posted on 9/2/12
I am of the opinion that a club the size of Spurs has to be competing in Europe every season, and is that is the Europa League, then so be it.
I was gutted when we went out and although the format of the tournament has its faults, I still wanted us to remain in it and win it.
It would have been an ideal competition to give our fringe/young players a game, but sadly, we haven't appeared to take it seriously. Shame.
posted on 9/2/12
If the format of it was like the CL, then clubs would take it more seriously.
It just doesn't feel right playing Metalist Kharkhiv or whatever in a knock out round before the groupstage.
posted on 9/2/12
they need to stop teams dropping down from champions league as well. that just turns it into a losers cup
posted on 9/2/12
It would have been good to see Spurs in the knock out stages this year really, The Europa League needs livening up a bit and this season in the knockouts their are some very decent sides left in it.
Add Spurs to that as well and some of the potential matches in the knockouts of the Europa could be more intriguing matches to watch than some of the CL knockout rounds.
posted on 9/2/12
As a City fans I've got mixed views. 3 years ago we got to the quarter finals and lost 4-3 ion aggregate to Hamburg, the home leg created the best atmosphere yet in the 8 years we've played at Eastlands.
Compare it to this year when we're forced to play our home leg against Porto at 5.00pm on a Wednesday evening. At the moment the interest is about zilch because many supporters wont be able to go because of work or family commitments and those who can will face traffic chaos getting to the game.
There's definately some big clubs and some decent games in the competition when you get to the later stages but the way it's organised is garbage and alienates fans before it's even started.
posted on 9/2/12
Well you shld always try and finish as best you can,so I wanted us to do it....
And I think it was always gonna be the young'uns ans squad lads involved,and as above I was gutted when we went out....
Had we stayed in the comp,a lot of the lads that went one way or another in jan,may have stayed and our bench may not have been so light on Monday.
posted on 9/2/12
UEFA seriously need to review both the CL and EL comps - which they never will!!.
No way should 3rd place teams drop from CL to EL and the EL winner should get an automatic CL spot in the following year. Pigs will fly first however. Its all about money and maintaining the sky 4 or the European top 16.
Boris -have you responded to my previous posts yet?
posted on 9/2/12
Which ones?
posted on 9/2/12
http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/85208
posted on 10/2/12
Good and bad.
Good for the fringe/kid players.
Bad (for the very same reason) that we are out of it.
Bad also for our UEFA ranking (we could be "pot 4" if we get CL next season) .