Personally, I think it would be an entirely positive thing to be involved in: more money, attract players, get better by playing good competition more regularly. Even if we went out in the first round, I think it would be great to be involved. I know there is the argument that it would be bad for morale if we struggled but we normally don't do much in the UEFA and our best run was concurrent with the UEFA campaign last season. Views? Must say by the way, that I don't really expect us to get the 4th place!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Answers

Maybe a controversial answer, but I'm saying NO. If we were to wing the last place, yet again it would only serve to raise fans' expectations above and beyond our true abilities (or deficiencies more to the point). We have to learn to walk before we can start running.

I'll still be completely be over the moon if we qualify for the UEFA this season. I'll be more than disappointed if we fail to do so next season and consistently thereafter.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I say no, because I think we are kidding ourselves if we think we can finish in the top 6 this season. I know there are a lot of teams around the same ability as us, but look, we've lost to some poor teams this season and we've got the difficult teams to come and we are only in 7th place. No I think we will finish in the top half, JUST. But having said that if we finished 4th and qualified for Europe I wouldn't complain.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I've said it on here before, but personally I would rather miss out on a CL place and go into the EUFA Cup either by right as 5th or 6th place or by way of the Worthy/FA Cup.

Other than 97 (Barca and all that) we have got into each of the Euro comps by the back door and have not covered ourselves in glory......and it has always given our detractors the opportunity to say Well we've played consistantly all season and they get into the competition because they happen to get into the semi-final of the FA Cup ala two years ago, they shouldn't have been playing in the competition anyway, so what do you expect and I for one can do without that kind of crap.

I know its not our fault that because of the way the rules are written, we got there by getting to the semi-final (and the other three semi-finalists had already albut qualified for their respecitive Euro comps) but when there is that slight doubt, it will always be raised.

EUFA Cup next season and then if, and only if, we are then ready...CL the next season would do me fine.

:0)

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

ITK, only twice have we got into Europe spawnily. The first time we did poorly, the second time we did fine all things considered (going out to Roma on a dodgy pen). Look at the teams who got legitimate European places this season - Chelsea and Leicester - both did as badly as we've ever done and Liverpool are struggling. Have to say, it's the CL riches I want. I'm with Sir John Hall on this - it's absolutely crucial that we are one of the teams involved in Europe within two years.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Its too early to say. As we play(?) at the moment, then I agree. We'd just be fodder to other teams and I don't want to see that (again). BUT, if we do end up with a top 4 spot we will have earned it. If (here comes my black'n white view of the world) we get Cort back and so have more balance to the side, and our defense gets better through stability, then we could have a good last 12 games. The way our fixtures are, and the way other teams are performing at the moment. Then its possible. But without more balance in the side we can't be sure of winning against middle of the table sides - which is basically what we are (damit).

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I'd love it ... but... we are in no way good enough to finish 4th this year. With a bit of luck we might end up 7th and get into the UEFA Cup.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Dougal.....I think we are singing from the same hymn sheet, albeit to slightly different tunes.

I agree completely that as a club, NUFC need to be part of Europe as you say, but I would rather do it, as I said, via the UEFA cup first of all and then the CL the following year when we are ready. Crawl, walk, run, (zimmer frame)

Yes you are right that we only got into the UEFA cup twice by 'the back door' but I am still of the old school who consider that the European CHAMPIONS league should only be for each nations Champions, not their second and third places. So even our dabble in the Nou Camp waters in the 97/98 season (Great and brilliants as it was) was in my opinion gained on false pretences....I may be in a minority of one in those thoughts....but hey, when did I ever let that stop me before.

I also disagree with the idea that those who fail in the first section of the CL as it stands at the moment automatically drop into the UEFA cup, cos in my opinion it devalues that competition, even if some of those team may have been their respective nation Champions.

Either bite the bullet completely and go the whole hog and create a full European league, or get back to the way it was successfully run for many a year......knock out....once you are out your are out...... with the timely words.....you are the weakest link GOODBYE.....ringing in their shell likes.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

The fact that the CL has been devalued by allowing other than league champions to compete removes any qualms I'd have about us getting in by default, so to speak.

The competition may have been devalued, but the money earned is as good as any other. So I'd say go for it, even if for no other reason than that. To recoin a phrase, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I'd have it.....dunno why we're having this debate though!?!?! there's no chance of us finishing anywhere near 4th this season.....I'm with Geordie in thinking that we'll be incredibly lucky to finish as high at 7th!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

You know me Gav.....ever the eternal optimist!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Dear Infernal Optimist,

how much for a pair of prescription sunglasses?

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Chumps League is a pipe dream this season. UEFA spot at 6th place is as hopeful as I dare be, but it's gonna be awful close at the finish. Currently, we are 2 results away from 14th and 2nd place and it'd be a brave man to bet on which side of that pair we'll be come May.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I think it'd be a brave man who'd even hope for a top 10 finish! I'm certainly not....we're playing like shite and yet getting optimistic after a flukey win....

Normal service will be resumed after we've been beaten by Villa, Arsenal and only taken one point from Bradford/Derby....

Bah Humbug.....

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Gav, we didn't play like shite yesterday. We were crippled by injury and faced a stronger side. We have lots of players to come back and the best manager in the EPL.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I'll take that point if you really want me to Dougal since I wasn't there....however I wasn't talking about yesterday....WE ARE PLAYING LIKE SHITE.....

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

I agree in general but the Premiership isn't great at present, hence our lofty position that could go either way. However, we have as much chance of breaking down Vila as I have of winning the lottery, particularlu since Dyer and Solano have got their 6 monthly goals. So, no points there. However, we may get something off Arsenal.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Of course - we should grab any chance to compete in the CL. However, don't hold your breath cos I aint gonna happen.
The fact that we even think we have a chance of finishing that high shows how weak the PL has become, and I'm wondering why it has gone so flat so quickly. It may well be because the top 3/4 clubs are increasingly cornering the cream of the talent - in which case we're heading rapidly for the SPL situation. God forbid.

We certainly did not play sh*te yesterday! We had a scratch team out against one of the better PL sides and beat them: we played some decent stuff going forward, but yet again became nervous and sloppy defending a 1-0 lead. However, every one of the team battled like tigers for 90 minutes - and I for one felt really proud of them.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Only Man U are better than us, We'll finish in second place.

Howay you lot, have some bliddy faith. Are Ipswich, Villa, Leicester, Liverpool and Arsenal THAT MUCH BETTER THAN US? The PL is very tight with a dozen teams including us in the chasing pack . We can get into the CL or UEFA especially when Cort returns. When WE DO qualify for Europe YBR will have the money and the prestige to be able to attract two or three top players, so we will be able to compete at that level. Wish some of you lot would stop being so F*****G negative.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Time will tell bonny lad, and I hope you're right!
If it weren't for individual opinions we wouldn't need this place.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Rik, Many of the teams you mention are not that far from us in ability. However, I do believe @rse have a stronger squad and better individuals in many positions. They also have a half-decent manager, so that's where we're better than them. Shame most of their good 'uns are French mind!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Ok , so which other Three teams are likely qualify ahead of us in 2nd 3rd and 4th spot? and who will be in 5th and 6th come May? Are YOUR choices any better than us? . Look at the likes of Leeds, they haven't done too bad in the C league,other than their last game against the Euro champs,they have done very well and we have something that they don't have, A top European coach at the helm.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Rik,

I reckon manure, the @rse, Liverpool and Leeds will definitely finish above us - after that, you're right it gets a bit sketchy.

Frustratingly, with a couple of good, but presently unaffordable, signings we could be challenging for 5th or 6th. As it is I reckon we'll do well to finish in the top half. My best guess is that we'll finish around 8/9th.

In a season of consolidation that would be a pretty reasonable achievement - ifit was demonstrably part of building for the future. That is if by the end of the season, for example, say CC, Caldwell, Bassedas, and Griffin have established themselves as consistent first team performers; we could see significant development in YKD's overall game; and Gavilan, Bernard and Ameobi were all pushing for a first team spot.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

What has sappened to young Diego? He seems to have disappeared off the planet,

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

Well, Clarky, apart from Liverpool, Leeds and Arse, I dare say Manure will finish above us too. I think I said elsewhere (tho' I might have forgotten to press "Submit" - I'm doing that more and more these days) but I think Arse are streets ahead of us. They have a better overall team and far better individuals in many/most positions.

So. that put's us out of the CL places. Not that I'd ever expected to get there - we're too inconsistent, and given that we've just had a fairly easy set of fixtures and f***ed up on many of them, then a UEFA place is about the best we could hope for.

I reckon we're not a million miles off the likes of Villa and Chewsee (depending on who the coach is this month). Then there are the others who don't have so much tallent as us, but do have better attitude - I'd lump the Mackems in that bracket, along with Leicester and possibly Spurs. No, forget Spurs, but for attitude, Charlton are up there.

Of course, some of these "lesser" teams will have to depend on being injury and suspension free for a lot of the season as they don't have the depth. We've had our share of injuries and shirkers, yet we're not doing badly. If only we could weed out the dross and mercenaries and get a team with attitude like Shearer, Speed (there, I said it!), Barton, Griffin, Hughes and Lee (and latterly Nobby) then we'd be a long way towards achieving a UEFA slot.

But IMHO, YBR has a lot of work to do on this front. He seems to have decided that South Americans have a better attitude than Euros. Who am I to argue with The Master?

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2000

The sooner they get some sort of euro league sorted the better. That'll clear out of the prem the four or five clubs that currently hog the limelight year after year, grabbing all the decent talent on the way, as Clarky mentioned. It should also give the premiership a new lease of life cos there'll be even more incentive to do well in it, the prize being promotion for one or two to the euro league(s).

The current Euro would probably need to be scrapped, unless they start off with some sort of regional format of three or four equivalent divisions, the winners of each division going into some sort of play off.

I'd far rather see something like that than to end up like Scottish football, which, as has been pointed out, looks like the road we'll be going down if we're not careful.

Mind, if we were one of the four or five hogging the limelight, I probably wouldn't be that bothered about what's happening with the rest of the them. Nothing if not hypocritical. :-))

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2000

Kegsy,

Gavilan got injured at a resorves game a couple of months back. He was out for a while but is now back playing with the resorves. Doesn't seem to be anywhere near the first team - a bit lightweight maybe tho' he's a canny player.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2000

I don't believe this one victory against Liverpool and we think we're going to qualify for Europe again.

One established Centre back (Hughes) when Goma eventually f***s off, one decent full back Griffin (I'm not even going to consider Barton), dozens of central midfielders, Nobby Solano, Kieron Dyer and one established centre forward whose back must be pretty sore by now after all he's carrying the attack, and we think we're worthy of a European place.

We're our own worst enemy when things get like this.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2000