[Albion] Would failing to qualify for a European competition this season be a disaster?

[Iggle Piggle]

The only thing I'd consider to be a disaster this season is any kind of Ill health or accident that impacted Tony Bloom.

Personal view is that we should throw all our eggs in the Europa basket. Top 7 this season is a tough ask with our injury list and on the flip side there is absolutely no way Sheffield united, Burnley or Luton will finish above us.

 

[banjo]

What will be will be. Just keep enjoying the ride.

 

[Official Old Man]

Europe every year? My pension just about covers this season.

Bring it on...
Except that are we really top 7 material? The 'big' teams will buy their way in every season, except last season both Chelsea & Spurs missed out but Newcastle joined the group. Both us and Villa sneaked in at the end but remember Man Utd & Liverpool were below us for a long time.
Each season a different club will have a run of games, again remember Brentford, and we have to be that team.
Right now it could be said Villa have sneaked in with Chelsea missing out.

 

[Birdie Boy]

I would be very disappointed to not be watching us on a Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday next season after this one. It has been awesome.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

There's no need to keep playing Steele and accepting we're going to concede at least once in every game he plays. That's my only real frustration at the moment

This is a strange take, given that Verbruggen has also conceded 'at least once' in literally EVERY Premier League appearance he's made. In fact (whilst I personally agree that Bart is the better keeper) he has actually 'given away' more goals through clangers than Steele has - getting caught on the ball v Bournemouth / passing directly to the Liverpool player.

 

[Brovion]

The European Tour (and it still has legs!) has been an absolute joy. Having supported the Albion for 50+ years, all that is left for me now is to WIN something.

Spot on! Even teams like Stoke City, Norwich and Wigan won major trophies. Before I die I want us to win something. ("60 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming!")

And with the greatest respect to our esteemed colleague @Sheebo, things like the Division Three championship don't count

 

[El Presidente]

Err, absolutely not. Only an entitled bellend would consider otherwise.

 

[The Grockle]

For me maintaining top flight football for another decade or so should be our aim, if we get an occasional European season then fantastic.

This year finishing in the top 7 looks incredibly tough but that won't be the case every year.

Next season we will be much better placed to target a top 6 finish IMO

 

[e77]

Last year was a wonderful achievement but Chelsea and Tottenham had off years. If you look above us now the only really interloper is Villa.

 

[Badger Boy]

This is a strange take, given that Verbruggen has also conceded 'at least once' in literally EVERY Premier League appearance he's made. In fact (whilst I personally agree that Bart is the better keeper) he has actually 'given away' more goals through clangers than Steele has - getting caught on the ball v Bournemouth / passing directly to the Liverpool player.

Nothing strange about it. Steele isn't able to be a factor in saving shots which aren't straight forward. If Bart had a run in the team and the defence got comfortable with his goalkeeping, I have no doubt at all that we'd have a far better defensive record. I agree Bart has made a couple of more noticeable errors but he's also made saves that Steele can't.

Can you honestly say that you feel comfortable with Steele's goalkeeping? Obviously he's excellent on the ball and adds an extra dimension to the team, but I think his overall net negative to the team.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I'll add my heft to those saying .....

I want us to win a major trophy. This is the thing I most want us to do during this time limited period when we're bloody good

While discussion on who is our the best goalkeeper and should we rotate is a valid discussion, I don't this as the biggest determining factor in whether we qualify for Europe or not.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I think it all depends on where you think the Albion are now as a club versus those around us.

Given the resources available to the Big Six, Newcastle and Villa our starting point every season is going to be we need 2 of those to be having a really bad season in order to finish in the Top 7 of the Prem. That will happen maybe 50% of the time at best, but it doesn't look likely this season.

Last season Spurs and Chelsea had manager meltdown and - in Spurs case - a weak squad. This season they now have better managers and better squads.

Villa finally have a decent manager, while Eddie Howe has built something at Newcastle and is still getting a tune out of his squad.

So - right now - I go for minor setback. think we'll probably need to win a trophy in 23/24 to qualify for Europe next season. I also think that enough quality players will stay with us into 24/25 season for us to be strong again and - if we're not in Europe and keep our players fit - we could have another tilt at the Europeans places then.

However, given the age of Gross, Dunk and Veltman I fancy missing out in 24/25 will be far more serious for our hopes of staying in the 6th - 8th positions in the long-term.

 

[Stato]

Have 110 of our previous 111 league seasons been a disaster?

 

[Simster]

I've already given up on a top 8 finish as I feel that is beyond this squad with a European campaign underway. Just being realistic as we've had 50% more meaningful games than Spurs, Chelsea and most traditional non-top 6 clubs, the squad is riddled with injuries and the occasional suspension and we sold our 2 best midfielders last summer.

So no, it wouldn't be remotely disastrous, more like "expected"

 

[Pavilionaire]

I've already given up on a top 8 finish as I feel that is beyond this squad with a European campaign underway. Just being realistic as we've had 50% more meaningful games than Spurs, Chelsea and most traditional non-top 6 clubs, the squad is riddled with injuries and the occasional suspension and we sold our 2 best midfielders last summer.

So no, it wouldn't be remotely disastrous, more like "expected"

I wouldn't go that far, purely because we have De Zerbi.

 

[Mellotron]

This is a strange take, given that Verbruggen has also conceded 'at least once' in literally EVERY Premier League appearance he's made. In fact (whilst I personally agree that Bart is the better keeper) he has actually 'given away' more goals through clangers than Steele has - getting caught on the ball v Bournemouth / passing directly to the Liverpool player.

Agreed - I really don't see much between the two keepers.

They both have their individual strengths and weaknesses, but overall I'd put them about par at present.

 

[Eeyore]

We're still little old Brighton to me. And seven seasons in the top flight with European tour is something to behold. Never forget the rock from which you were hewn.

A top ten finish this year would be quite something. Last season we took a European position from the 'Haves'. They want their place back and they'll buy it, of course.

 

[Mellotron]

Have 110 of our previous 111 league seasons been a disaster?

A couple of them were.

 

[BNthree]

As long as we finish above Palace I'm fine with whatever.

 

[jimhigham]

Minor setback, in as much as it makes the club that little bit less attractive to potential new talent.