[Albion] We now have a BETTER chance of playing in Europe next year

[The Fits]

Our last 11 games we are 12th in the form table but over that period two teams below us, Bournemouth and Luton, would be above us if they had won the game less they have played. It feels like it would need a massive turnaround in form to get remotely close to a European spot.

 

[The Optimist]

I'm not shouting, just making it clear which specific part of your post I'm referring to.

Mitoma, Solly, Pedro etc., they are out for however long regardless of us being in or out of Europe, so that's irrelevant to the point being made, however big a factor it is in our chance of doing well in the run-in.

We are (effectively) out of Europe. We are definitely out of the FA Cup.

With just 11 league fixtures to focus on, there is now more time between games for proper coaching sessions (to begin to sort out the defence, to train with specific patterns of play in mind for the next opponent) and more time for recovery (fewer new injuries and more time for the players coming back to fully recover). Ergo, we have a better chance of finishing higher in the league and therefore a better chance of qualifying for Europe.

It's just a relative statement - having fewer games to play means we have a better chance of turning our form around, compared to trying to do that as well as compete on 3 fronts. Nobody is saying we will definitely do it.

While the title is more likely, and yes fewer games in Europe improves our chances in the league, the OP also said ‘I see no reason why we can’t finish 8th’. Perhaps it is this statement that’s being considered as deluded.

 

[Eric the meek]

Roma were totally beatable last night. We created big chances and gifted goals. A half decent organised team should beat them. And as for the others in the competition, top sides like Benfica drew at home to Rangers. Interestingly, Rangers manager was quoted after the game as saying anyone is beatable if you organise yourself properly....

That is what I found so painful last night. We could have beaten them. But we let them beat us, by missing our chances, and making individual mistakes and going walkabout when we needed to mark them on crosses.

 

[Justice]

Ferguson surely buries one of those chances that fell to Welbeck.

 

[Seagull58]

Time for RDZ to play Baleba in nearly every game for the remainder of the season and see what he can do. If he fixes the defensive porosity and enables WBG and Der Kaiser to work their magic we will fly. He's already made more appearances than WBG last season and it's "time to shine".

 

[nicko31]

This has got to be the most entitled thing I've read on here

I'll take it back, just reaction to last nights disappointment.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Can't understand people saying they aren't fussed about the Conference league. Have we really become that entitled after one season in Europe?
We would be favourites to win that competition. Ask a West Ham fan about how bothered they were about it...

Some fans seem seemingly have, yes...

 

[lizard]

I dare say an unpopular opinion, but... I think we may be better off without the extra matches and distraction of Europe next season. Regroup and push in the league, maybe a decent cup run too? Try to make it back the season after.
That said, there's still a tiny ember in my heart that believes we can still get past Roma. I know, I'm delusional.

 

[NorthstandRacoon]

In my opinion.

Having seen the levels of Roma last night, it is highly unlikely that we were ever going to win the Europa League. If we played at our best we could win a 2-legged tie against a side like that, but 3 times in a row? And then a final against Liverpool or someone? It was never going to happen.

Now, we have only 11 games left this season (plus the dead rubber next Thursday) and we are only one point off 8th, which could well be enough for a Conference League spot this year. With Pedro back there is absolutely no reason why we can't finish 8th. I think 8th would have been a real stretch if we'd have had a long run in the Europa League knockouts and the FA Cup. So while it feels like our season has fallen apart in 8 days, I genuinely think we are now more likely to be having European trips away next season than we were 8 days ago.

I'm trying to decide whether I actually believe this overly positive nonsense as I'm writing it, but there is definitely some logic in it. I think.

Love this!! I agree.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I’d love the Conference next season, obviously. Can’t believe anyone wouldn’t. But a season with no Thursday football would probably make it easier for us to push for Europa League again in two seasons with a more experienced team and possibly new coach.

My bank balance also says “gap season”!

 

[Terry Connor]

Conference League is our level. Getting there would be marvellous but we need to rediscover our confidence in front of goal and revert to a back four, pronto. IMHO, like.

 

[London Irish]

I can see the OP’s logic. But the more I see of our team, the more you feel the absence of Mitoma and Pedro has exposed real problems that won’t necessarily be solved when they return. De Zerbi over achieved I think a lot in the first half of the season but footballing gravity is a real bitch and I think it’s bearing down on us now

 

[Jeremiah]

I can't see how we can get into Europe next season unless we have a sudden change of form especially away from home.

Home - Forest, Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, Man U , Man C
Away - Liverpool, Brentford, Burnley, Bournemouth, Newcastle.

How many points can we get from that lot ?

 

[Giraffe]

Personally I’d rather we had a proper go at having a decent league finish next season than entry into a pointless conference European tournament. I’d absolutely take Europa again though, but just don’t think the conference is worth it for the distraction it causes to the league.

 

[Javeaseagull]

Personally I’d rather we had a proper go at having a decent league finish next season than entry into a pointless conference European tournament. I’d absolutely take Europa again though, but just don’t think the conference is worth it for the distraction it causes to the league.

Doesn't seem to have distracted West Ham last season and Villa this. It's still Europe and more winnable than Europa League.

 

[Eeyore]

Personally I’d rather we had a proper go at having a decent league finish next season than entry into a pointless conference European tournament. I’d absolutely take Europa again though, but just don’t think the conference is worth it for the distraction it causes to the league.

7th or 8th position is a very good season for us when you consider that there are at least 8 teams we can't compete against budget wise. It means that we have to be the best of the rest to qualify. Last season we got to 6th because Tottenham fouled up, Chelsea were pants and Aston Villa left it at little too late for their amazing run.

I'd love to see us in the Conference League.

I'm being realistic when I say the last season was a once in a while thing. We are not at that level

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Who gives a shit what other clubs think, I bet West Ham fans had 2 quality seasons following the team to a EL semi final and then winning the conference league.

Football in 2024 - celebration police and worrying what other club fans think.

As if the whole thing wasn’t Mickey Mouse enough, the fact that the trophy looks like an umbrella stand you’d see in The Range doesn’t exactly help matters. I’m surprised they didn’t do it in a rose gold finish with ‘Eat, Sleep, Drink Gin, Repeat’ or similar inscribed around the base and be done with it.

 

[dazzer6666]

Ferguson surely buries one of those chances that fell to Welbeck.

He hasn’t buried anything for 17 games now.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

We beat liverpool twice last season. You have to got back two years for the last time Liverpool beat us. Why is us beating them again so unlikely?

Two reasons. They are stronger, as their table topping position shows. We are weaker.

 

[trueblue]

Ferguson surely buries one of those chances that fell to Welbeck.

He had two easier chances at Fulham and didn’t bury those.