Fourth place

[Red_Polo]

...and Juve

[Mattshark]

...and Juve

Aye, but they probably cheated.

[anfieldanfield]

The margin for error was extremely small. Fourth has gone now. Shame.

[Craig_H]

If dropping 2 points in ONE game means it's gone, then the margin for error was zero

[topscorer]

I could. But not now.

And if we cant get 4th, i'd rather finish outside the europa places.

I'm surprised by you Craig.

A trophy is a trophy and a European one at that.

Being in the Europa competition doesn't need to affect league form, we can play second string players and youngsters in the group stages. It would be a great forum to blood some of the young kids.

We managed it this year even with Bodgson.

[Red_Polo]

Well, it depended on the others results as well in fairness Craig...

[Craig_H]

Of course it can affect league games - for a start, we're playing on sundays more often than not. And where we have the thursday games in europe, we wouldnt have them - we'd have a week between league games to prepare, rather than a game in the middle of it, to contend with. It's not just about players playing, it affects training, preparation time for league games - all sorts.

[Craig_H]

Well, it depended on the others results as well in fairness Craig...

True enough. Spurs last 2 results have been massive, unfortunately. Last minute winner at home to Bolton and then taking 3 points from a very tough away game yesterday. Doh.

[anfieldanfield]

I'm surprised by you Craig.

A trophy is a trophy and a European one at that.

Being in the Europa competition doesn't need to affect league form, we can play second string players and youngsters in the group stages. It would be a great forum to blood some of the young kids.

We managed it this year even with Bodgson.

[Lecter]

That really doesnt fill me with much joy. Win it this year by all means, but i really dont want to be in it next year. I know we would be if we won it, but meh.

In another thread you are suggesting that FSG's spend what you earn could be difficult considering previous financial statements

In this thread you are suggesting we should avoid being in a tournament that could earn a £5-10 million (including prize money gate receipts, tv money)

[Craig_H]

No, in another thread i am asking a question.

As for the Uefa Cup money - I'd say £5m is the upper end of the scale.

[Lecter]

No, in another thread i am asking a question.

As for the Uefa Cup money - I'd say £5m is the upper end of the scale.

Prize money yes

Read those articles Fulham earned €10 million from prize money and the TV pool, add in gate receipts and it shows that being in such tournaments is beneficial financially

We have to be in the Europa league both in financial terms and to have a hope in hell of enticing players

We definitely need this and need to build on it going forward

[RichC]

As much as this tournament doesn't help us in terms of when we play, it does make financial sense to do as well as we can in it.

[topscorer]

Of course it can affect league games - for a start, we're playing on sundays more often than not. And where we have the thursday games in europe, we wouldnt have them - we'd have a week between league games to prepare, rather than a game in the middle of it, to contend with. It's not just about players playing, it affects training, preparation time for league games - all sorts.

The other day you argued that you'd rather get 4th and the Mancs win the title so we could attract better players in the summer. Now you say you prefer to be in no European competition and concentrate on the league if you cannot get 4th.

Makes no sense.

We should want to take part in, and win, as many competitions as we are entitled to. We are here to win trophies.

If we got into the Champions League we could end up with Tuesday night football or Wednesday night football. Both would be distractions from the league, especially as the fans would want to see our strongest team in that competition.

No one is going to be upset, except UEFA, if we use a second string team in the groups stages of the Europa and it will be good experience for them.

I said this somewhere else, if we aren't strong enough to play 2 games a week then we are never going to win anything.

Another thing is that too many people on the forum are talking about what we need to do to finish 4th next season. We should be talking about what we need to do to win the title next season. I am not willing to see another 5 year plan.

With some shrewd moves in the summer we can challenge next year, no doubt about it.

[RichC]

We're almost certainly going to be playing in the Europa next season which although isn't ideal helps on the financial side of things to a certain extent - what we must make sure of though is that we prioritise the league and do everything we can to get back into the top 4, if that's to the detriment of how we do next season in the EL then so be it.