Europa qualification for next year

[Exiled_red]

Obviously it comes down to making the right signings. With all due respect to them the players we signed in 1999 weren't high profile, the chances are most of us had heard of 3 of them at most probably Smicer, Hamann (playing at Newcastle), and Henchoz (playing at Blackburn). All of whom were making a step up to come to us. It could be argued that the signings in 2002 were more high profile than those in 1999; Diouf and Diao were coming in off the back of a good World Cup, while Cheyrou was also highly regarded.

So in 2002 it could be argued that being in Europe helped us attract more high profile players even though they ultimately worked out worse than lower profile signings of 1999. If we are to draw parallels this year you would have to say being out of Europe will probably hamper our chances of signing high profile players. But history proves that the highest profile players aren't always the most effective, as I said at the start it's about signing the right players.

[Norbs]

can i just point out that last time we finished outside the european places (in 7th) was 1999, and that summer, we brought in:

Hyypia
Smicer
Camara
Henchoz
Westerveld
Meijer
Hamann

say what you will about some but that was one mean defense and smicer may not have hit the heights often, but he was skilled, part of a very good czech side and scored twice in istanbul. not to mention der kaiser.

i do wonder if this europe thing is overstated, particularly when we have cash and an exciting new project getting underway. i can't imagine us finishing outside the european places next year, and i will be disappointed if we go to the wafer cup again. we're looking strong for the future despite what's happened this year.

in 2002, we finished 2nd and lost in the 1/4 final of the cl, and signed:

Cheyrou
Diouf
Diao
Diarra
Luzi
Xavier

not sure this is all it's cracked up to be

Great post Dave

[little dave hedgehog]

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