Did we really want Europa League?

[Voll Blau]

19 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

 

 

Playing in the UCL is the highest form. The Europa League isn't.

Playing in Europe > playing domestically.

[Guest MattP]

What's actually the point if we don't?

 

Just surviving every year winning nothing sounds like purgatory, I'd rather be a yo-yo club again than go down that route.

[Suzie the Fox]

44 minutes ago, Gerbold said:

Yes - I did

Ditto

[VLC86]

If you are watching the West Ham V Stoke match at the minute it probably answers the question. I would rather travel around Europe watching us be shit than go through season after season of tedious shit.

[Monsell1976]

2 hours ago, st albans fox said:

I suspect that clubs earn very little from a Europa league campaign unless they reach the quarter finals at least 

Which we could do I think, would be another great experience 

[MC Prussian]

2 hours ago, Monsell1976 said:

Owners, extra income = definitely 

 

Fans, to experience Europe away again = definitely.

 

Players, extra matches, more work for their money = definitely not

Personally, I think what motivates a footballer is being able to play football. In the end, it's why one chose that profession, that way of living. And the joy of encountering new teams, new grounds, different atmospheres applies to footballers just as much as it applies to fans.

 

Ask any footballer and they'll tell you they fancy the challenge and want to play as many games as they can (provided they pay attention to the regeneration process).

[foxinsocks]

11 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Personally, I think what motivates a footballer is being able to play football. In the end, it's why one chose that profession, that way of living. And the joy of encountering new teams, new grounds, different atmospheres applies to footballers just as much as it applies to fans.

 

Ask any footballer and they'll tell you they fancy the challenge and want to play as many games as they can (provided they pay attention to the regeneration process).

I am gutted that we have fallen short in a year when we could have easily been 7th.  Good luck to burnley...i hope they win it 

Edited 16 April 2018 by foxinsocks

[Spudulike]

10 minutes ago, Voll Blau said:

Playing in Europe > playing domestically.

Playing in the Europa League is greater than playing in the Premier League ?? Is that what you are saying ??

 

If LCFC played in any other domestic European League then I would more than happy to be one of the 185 clubs. Retaining our Premier League status is crucial at this time to continue the forward momemtum. Relegation would most probably put the brakes on the Seagrave and stadium development proposals and we just can't risk that.

[Captain...]

1 hour ago, Max Wall said:

Not sure you can say that without a hint of self absorption really. The Europa league is a massive competition for most of the countries that take part in it. The majority of teams take it extremely seriously. That it is seen as an inconvenience tends to be an English thing and is more to do with our league being played at a more exacting pace than most, with more games and no winter break.  

I also can't understand top teams (usual champions league qualifying teams) calling it second rate when they fail to qualify for the CL but can Leicester City fans justifiably call it second rate? I'd argue we can't.

As a Leicester fan I would love to see us play in the Europa league. 

 

As a football fan that loved the cup winners cup and the UEFA cup but the Europa league in its current format is a massively inferior bloated competition that serves very little purpose. That’s been the case since they expanded the CL and merged the other 2 competitions and shoved them on a Thursday. The only reason big clubs take it seriously now is that you can get into the champions league which is basically the definition of second rate.

 

Look at the finalists before the winners got into the champions league. Full of Ukrainian, Portuguese and the likes of Fulham and Middlesbrough. It is not dismissive to call it a second rate competition when it clearly is. Doesn’t mean I don’t want Leicester in it, I just want a more meaningful second European competition.

Edited 16 April 2018 by Captain...

[Max Wall]

Just now, Captain... said:

As a Leicester fan I would love to see us play in the Europa league. 

 

As a football fan that loved the cup winners cup and the UEFA cup but the Europa league in its current format is a massively inferior bloated competition that serves very little purpose. That’s been the case since they expanded the CL and merged the other 2 competitions and shoved them on a Thursday. The only reason big clubs take it seriously now is that you can get into the champions league which is basically the definition of second rate.

 

Look at the finalists before the winners got into the champions league. Full of Ukrainian, Portuguese and the likes of Fulham and Middlesbrough. It is not dismissive to call it a second rate competition when it clearly is. Doesn’t mean I don’t want Leicester in it, I just want a more meaningful second European competition.

I'm old enough to have seen lots of Uefa and cup winners cup  matches and I agree with your thoughts on that.

However, the reality is that it won't change back so it's Europa or nothing, unless we finish in the top four. I'd rather we qualified for it.

Edited 16 April 2018 by Max Wall

[Monsell1976]

1 hour ago, MC Prussian said:

Personally, I think what motivates a footballer is being able to play football. In the end, it's why one chose that profession, that way of living. And the joy of encountering new teams, new grounds, different atmospheres applies to footballers just as much as it applies to fans.

 

Ask any footballer and they'll tell you they fancy the challenge and want to play as many games as they can (provided they pay attention to the regeneration process).

I would agree, but with group of players, for whatever reason, do not seem to be playing with the desire for 90 minutes a game, to suggest that they want it.

 

 If they had shown any sort of consistent form this season, europa league was there for the taking, but lacklustre performances, against poor to average teams, speaks volumes to me, this season is possible the realistic chance we had

[MC Prussian]

1 minute ago, Monsell1976 said:

I would agree, but with group of players, for whatever reason, do not seem to be playing with the desire for 90 minutes a game, to suggest that they want it.

 

 If they had shown any sort of consistent form this season, europa league was there for the taking, but lacklustre performances, against poor to average teams, speaks volumes to me, this season is possible the realistic chance we had

Which in itself begs the question why they can't be bothered:

Why can't they motivate themselves?

Why can't the manager motivate the players to come out of their comfort zone?

[sacreblueits442]

On 4/15/2018 at 19:58, fuchsntf said:

You Know..!!

We have heard,the positives the negatives,blaming someone something for our good/Bad/AVG

Season.The whole forum has swing one way or the other on opinions,each trying to explain

the Twists and turns, thousands of in depth Debate on the reasons why,no matter what our

Individual take/stance maybe.Plus the Blame or not to Blame topics...

 

One thing we fear to mention...

We just wasnt good enough,for that covetted top 7 spot,and its simple AS that!!

Just maybe This group of players are simply not good enough to take us further!!

Through in reality this is our first attempt,to find some PL top 10 consistency after

the title.We have not Been in the PL for a complete 4 seasons,and some Posters

have the Gaul to react,that we have some entitlement to expectations and earning

the right doesnt come Into it. Reading between some post and topics one would

believe we are a wise and Willowed top PL Club with veterans and Years of tradition

of Europe routine,or years chasing and competing for top 6.

 

In our title year,we found an ethos and system,that Yorker,that worked

Burnley for top 7,for their Stature,found for this season ditto ,that bit extra consistency,

and with some solid good football.

What puts this forum to shame,are the few who cant resist in showing envny or spite

Towards another another Club's achievement,they deserve that acknowledgemant

and respect because it was that same something we ourselves happily  received in our season of glory.

And we didnt play great football in every game either ,in our season of triumph.

Take,ourselves Everton,Soton,WBA,Stoke,Palace,who looked strong above midtable team potential,

Well Dyche ,Burnley and squad,kept basically together,and found a system that outshone all of US...

Why??  Because Like our great season,fans and Experts stubbornly and arrogantly overrated themselves,and

underrated ,a stated lower Team/Club...because of expectations of entitlement.

 

And of those in this or any other forum that disagree,are just confirming the point!!

 

I am an LCFC proud bias supporter,we had an indifferent Fall off to a good season,

worthy of a top 8 allright,but not good enough by At least 9pts,to be that Team dreaming

to chase Arsenals 6th,...that honour is rightly Burnleys..

 

Just for the pot,its not beyond City to win the Next 5games,then a free-for-all against Spurs.

Now wouldnt that be something..We could scare Burnley Into having to earn till the bitter End 7th.

Or we Peter out,that even Newcastle jumps over us..

Ahh yes !! aint life and football grand..

 

 

 

 

.....Once again people are using that word entitlement as some sort of club to smash anyone who do not agree with their point of view. Their are no entitled supporters on this forum, just people who have witnessed a squad of players massively underachieving and wanting some one to notice and address the performances they are witnessing.

  We know what this squad of players are capable of and the fact that Burnley are ahead of us is not envy but a realisation that a cohesive team without stars can perform and compete in this league mirroring what we achieved to a lesser extent. We have not been as fearless as we once were, we lack composure on the ball and do not believe in ourselves and take responsibility when receiving the ball.

  I hoped we could have made it in to Europe and feel this is an opportunity missed. For those who believe that we  are better off out of the competition then I suspect that your are taken this club for granted!!!

[CosbehFox]

By default, the realistic aim of the club is to get 7th. Which in most examples will get Europa League. So it’s an occupational hazard if the club want a progression. 

[Izzy]

5 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

By default, the realistic aim of the club is to get 7th. Which in most examples will get Europa League. So it’s an occupational hazard if the club want a progression. 

Never thought I'd see the day when Leicester City qualifying for Europe is an 'occupational hazard'.

 

Might as well pack in all in really...

[Harry - LCFC]

9 hours ago, Dan LCFC said:

We should want to make it but I wouldn't be surprised if deep down we didn't. Coming 7th and going in at that stage would've made for a very challenging season.

 

But at the same time, if we can't get excited for it, then why on earth do we even bother at all?

 

Dyche's cup record is abysmal. I can see Burnley getting knocked out before the group stage simply because it will be too big a strain.

 

The excessive money you get just for playing in the Premier League has totally spoiled so much about the game. It's skewed everything to the extent that being an also-ran is seen as the priority. It's disgraceful.

Sadly, yes, this is a well made point.

 

I despise the anti-cup mentality that clearly exists in some people, but they themselves are only partly at fault. The incentives to prioritise PL status are very strong. So at least some blame needs to be assigned to the game, and not the player.

[CosbehFox]

6 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

Never thought I'd see the day when Leicester City qualifying for Europe is an 'occupational hazard'.

 

Might as well pack in all in really...

I’d love Europe again -  my post was more addressed at those worrying about a big squad, or starting a season in July. If we want a good season, it’s all a byproduct of it

[Wymsey]

I have very little feint hope that we can still get to seventh.

Burnley have a couple of tough games against sides that need results for tneur nsnagers for different reasons.

 

 

Edited 16 April 2018 by Wymeswold fox

[Monsell1976]

42 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Which in itself begs the question why they can't be bothered:

Why can't they motivate themselves?

Why can't the manager motivate the players to come out of their comfort zone?

I personally think I believe the players unrest rumours.

 

 Puel is trying to change the playing style, which puel refers to in the interview with hoddle, but for me the telling comment was where he says, some players can only play one way.

 

 Again they are rumours, but ones I leaning towards believing, I think they is a power struggle, puel has been brought in to improve our style, not so one dimensional, and the players are not playing for him, and resisting change, because they know their time here, and expecting to be first choice could be coming to an end.

 

 This should play out in the summer if it is true, and puel has balls, some unexpected names will probably move on

Edited 16 April 2018 by Monsell1976

[lancyclaret]

2 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

I have very little feint hope that we can still get to seventh.

Burnley have a couple of tough games against sides that need results for tneur nsnagers for different reasons.

 

 

If you fancy a flutter, Skybet give you 7/1 Foxes to finish 7th.

[Guest]

8 hours ago, lancyclaret said:

If you fancy a flutter, Skybet give you 7/1 Foxes to finish 7th.

 

You can go away now.

 

It's clear that WE, the fans, wanted the Europa league and equally evident that some of the players didn't want Europa league or at least couldn't be bothered to put in enough effort against some average teams in recent weeks.

[Voll Blau]

11 hours ago, Spudulike said:

Playing in the Europa League is greater than playing in the Premier League ?? Is that what you are saying ??

 

If LCFC played in any other domestic European League then I would more than happy to be one of the 185 clubs. Retaining our Premier League status is crucial at this time to continue the forward momemtum. Relegation would most probably put the brakes on the Seagrave and stadium development proposals and we just can't risk that.

If you're purely playing in the Premier League to retain your status in the division every year then yes it is.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

11 hours ago, Spudulike said:

Playing in the Europa League is greater than playing in the Premier League ?? Is that what you are saying ??

 

If LCFC played in any other domestic European League then I would more than happy to be one of the 185 clubs. Retaining our Premier League status is crucial at this time to continue the forward momemtum. Relegation would most probably put the brakes on the Seagrave and stadium development proposals and we just can't risk that.

So 8th is the best we should possibly be hoping for? And people want the manager sacked

[ZeGuy]

16 hours ago, Monsell1976 said:

I personally think I believe the players unrest rumours.

 

 Puel is trying to change the playing style, which puel refers to in the interview with hoddle, but for me the telling comment was where he says, some players can only play one way.

 

 Again they are rumours, but ones I leaning towards believing, I think they is a power struggle, puel has been brought in to improve our style, not so one dimensional, and the players are not playing for him, and resisting change, because they know their time here, and expecting to be first choice could be coming to an end.

 

 This should play out in the summer if it is true, and puel has balls, some unexpected names will probably move on

I also think that there is some truth to these rumours and there are players clearly threatened by the changes Puel introduced.

 

It is normal for every evolutionary force to meet resistance, a reactionary one, powered by those who are unable to adapt or to see the bigger picture, which will try with all its might to maintain the established status-quo.

 

It's not only about Puel showing balls, because if I refer to his club's history, he's kinda stubborn and quite the fan of an iron discipline, never hesitating to drop those who don't to get in the rank. 

 

In my opinion it is much more about how much credit in the bank he has. He has to choose his battles.

 

He absolutely must get results in the last 5 games, starting with Southampton, which could really be his demise if we happen to lose against them. That's why he wouldn't risk to launch an open war in the dressing room. There is a power balance and he doesn't seem to be strong enough for the moment.

 

Should he survive this season, he's going to clean-up that dressing room and maybe we can move on. At last.

[Dan]

21 hours ago, Spudulike said:

Some 'reward' that screws the following season.

 

Do you think that we would've won the Premier League or even completed the Great Escape had we been playing in the Europa League in those seasons ??

That screws the following season of....

 

Oh, aiming to do one of those things that results in the Europa League, unless we somehow go and finish in the top four again.

 

We as a club are absolutely not above the Europa League.