For once and for all

[Shaggy]

So you'd rather achieve something that you dont want to have to go through, just to finish above Spurs....you're clearly all ego

I just want to finish as high as possible.

But clearly I'm in two minds about the issue. It's a bit of a nightmare scenario.

If we miss out on the EL then I won't lose a wink of sleep.

Oh I dunno ...whatever will be will be.

[Kenneth]

That's a function of the software, smart arse

You have to fill in the poll details and until you do, and submit it, the thread is posted without the poll

Ah, right. That's cleared it up somewhat. Although independent supporting evidence is required to establish this as fact.

[Rudo]

I still have my sights firmly set on 4th.

If we win our game, and City lose, and lose and then Spurs draw and then we win, and City lose and draw, and Spurs lose again and we win, there's still a chance.

[Lecter]

Oh I thought this was going to be a referendum on Craigy versus LDP. Disappointing.

Can we delete the losers account if so I'm all in

[Craig_H]

I just want to finish as high as possible.

But clearly I'm in two minds about the issue. It's a bit of a nightmare scenario.

If we miss out on the EL then I won't lose a wink of sleep.

Oh I dunno ...whatever will be will be.

The ONLY reason i'd want to finish 5th, is just to finish above Spurs and shut my Spurs-supporting mate up To be able to say to him, you had your 'genius' tax-dodger in charge, spent a ****load of cash and STILL, with Blackpool Beach's finest donkey in charge of our club for half a season, we STILL finished above you....!

But then, i remember that this satisfaction would last for a short time and then i'd pay for my 'told you so' moment throughout various dire, dreary and painful-to-watch Thursday nights next season.

The gain is a one-off, the pain will last months next year

[elrichio86]

I can see the benefits of being out of it for a season (less games), but for me, the benefits outweigh them significantly. More income, chance to play the youngsters who can gain more experience, another trophy to try and win, not to mention the chance for European away day

[Neil Young]

I still have my sights firmly set on 4th.

If we win our game, and City lose, and lose and then Spurs draw and then we win, and City lose and draw, and Spurs lose again and we win, there's still a chance.

That's why I'm voting Rudo. Never mind mathematical impossibilities, blind optimism and a refusal to accept reality can get you a long way in the twenty-first century.

[Chris]

Yes, it's another chance of a trophy and I'd hope that next season we're far more equipped to deal with it after some transfers, and the more chances Flanagan and co get at playing games the better. Plus from a fans point of view theres more games and the potential of some great aways.

I get the arguments against it but Villarreal got to the semi's and have still secured a CL place in their league, I dont think getting in means your league form has to fall apart. I'm confident we can deal with it and we dont even have to play a strong team until the second knockout round anyway. We desperately need a trophy and the more chances the better.

[Mostar]

Want us to finish fifth and not play in the Eutopia league.

Same here unless we could play Wednesday-Saturday schedule which obviously won't happen. Cannot say I was heartbroken we lost yesterday.

[Craig_H]

Why cant they just schedule the Europa League for weeks when there ISNT Champions League games? And they could be played on tuesday or wednesday - and we could play league games on the saturday.

It's not ****ing difficult.

[PTP]

i'm not too fussed either way

I don't think it'll have a big impact on the types of player we will be signing - because we should be signing players to come here to win/challenge for the league, not to play in the europa, and so for arguments sake - lets say we signed clichy, defour, hazard and ashley young, - i doubt we'd be using any of them in the europa league, likewise, suarez gerrard reina etc.

it will mean we can use our squad to focus purely on the league, with no distractions.....38 league games, to get as many of best players fit/on the pitch and playing well

However - it means limited game time/chance to develop/keep up match fitness for the squad players and youth pushing through. One arguement in favour of the europa is say jay Spearing who looked well out of his depth early on when playing in the europa, but has played well later on in the season...possibly as a result of the europa games/exposure which helped him develop, get rid of nerves etc

So carling cup and fa cups would be a case of using a mixture of youngsters and squad players as much as we can

[Rudo]

Yes, it's another chance of a trophy and I'd hope that next season we're far more equipped to deal with it after some transfers, and the more chances Flanagan and co get at playing games the better. Plus from a fans point of view theres more games and the potential of some great aways.

I get the arguments against it but Villarreal got to the semi's and have still secured a CL place in their league, I dont think getting in means your league form has to fall apart. I'm confident we can deal with it and we dont even have to play a strong team until the second knockout round anyway. We desperately need a trophy and the more chances the better.

Good post Chris, i agree

[Kenneth]

Good post Chris, i agree

[Craig_H]

i'm not too fussed either way

I don't think it'll have a big impact on the types of player we will be signing - because we should be signing players to come here to win/challenge for the league, not to play in the europa, and so for arguments sake - lets say we signed clichy, defour, hazard and ashley young, - i doubt we'd be using any of them in the europa league, likewise, suarez gerrard reina etc.

it will mean we can use our squad to focus purely on the league, with no distractions.....38 league games, to get as many of best players fit/on the pitch and playing well

However - it means limited game time/chance to develop/keep up match fitness for the squad players and youth pushing through. One arguement in favour of the europa is say jay Spearing who looked well out of his depth early on when playing in the europa, but has played well later on in the season...possibly as a result of the europa games/exposure which helped him develop, get rid of nerves etc

So carling cup and fa cups would be a case of using a mixture of youngsters and squad players as much as we can

I think Spearing has looked good in the league games, because he was playing in a proper strength team and it's always easier to perform when the team is playing well around you. In the Europa games, when it was basically ALL kids playing, they're all not really good enough and there arent any senior players to carry them through.

That's one of the myths of the Europa League IMO, the idea that 'oh we can play the kids, bring them through' etc - kids will generally benefit from first team football if there's a couple or few of them mixed into the normal first team, not if the whole XI is kids, because that ceases to be the 'first team' and just becomes the u19s team, representing LFC in a 'first team' competition.

Sound of razor blades becoming acquainted with wrists coming from Chris' dressing room as we speak

[danperkins]

chris won't like that!!