Sunderland 2 Saints 1 - Match & Reactions

[Legod Third Coming]

I seriously question whether some supposed fans think that finishing a few places up a League is better than winning a Cup are in fact fans at all.

 

You think Arsenal and Spurs fans would prefer to win this cup than finish 4th?

 

Knowing that winning this cup means jack ship in the scheme of things, whereas finishing 4th means competing at the highest level possible and providing a financial platform for the club that will, eventually, result in much more success?

 

Football is a financial business.

 

I loved a day out at Wembley for the JPT - FWIW I think it reminded us fans we COULD win, be winners.

 

But I loved more going from playing Leyton Orient to coming away from Anfield with three points, Lambert turning out for England, and seeing the likes of Shaw and JWP STAY with this club and play for this club.

 

But each to their own...

[The Kraken]

You think Arsenal and Spurs fans would prefer to win this cup than finish 4th?

 

Knowing that winning this cup means jack ship in the scheme of things, whereas finishing 4th means competing at the highest level possible and providing a financial platform for the club that will, eventually, result in much more success?

 

Football is a financial business.

 

I loved a day out at Wembley for the JPT - FWIW I think it reminded us fans we COULD win, be winners.

 

But I loved more going from playing Leyton Orient to coming away from Anfield with three points, Lambert turning out for England, and seeing the likes of Shaw and JWP STAY with this club and play for this club.

 

But each to their own...

All very well if you think sacrificing this cup means we'll have a much better chance of finishing 4th. Sacrificing it to finish 7th or 8th? Yeah, not for me, you're welcome to that sort of sacrifice thanks. Each to their own indeed...

[Graffito]

 

It was a wasted opportunity tonight, I don't remember Saints putting out a reserve team away to a Premier League side, one game away from the quarter finals before.

 

That may be because we haven't in recent seasons played a PL side, one game away from the quarter finals. You can't prove a negative.

[Junior Mullet]

The performance tonight shows why we cannot afford to risk our first-teamers in this cup.

 

Come on Glasgow, the JPT was completely different - it was a signal that we were on the up, it was the only cup we honestly stood a chance of winning, we weren't that worried about injuries to first-teamers, the new owner was keen to give the fans something positive etc etc.....it really doesn't compare.

[CB Fry]

You think Arsenal and Spurs fans would prefer to win this cup than finish 4th?

 

Knowing that winning this cup means jack ship in the scheme of things, whereas finishing 4th means competing at the highest level possible and providing a financial platform for the club that will, eventually, result in much more success?

 

Football is a financial business.

 

I loved a day out at Wembley for the JPT - FWIW I think it reminded us fans we COULD win, be winners.

 

But I loved more going from playing Leyton Orient to coming away from Anfield with three points, Lambert turning out for England, and seeing the likes of Shaw and JWP STAY with this club and play for this club.

 

But each to their own...

 

So you think we are going to finish fourth this season. Fine. That's clear. Enjoy the season.

[Legod Third Coming]

All very well if you think sacrificing this cup means we'll have a much better chance of finishing 4th. Sacrificing it to finish 7th or 8th? Yeah, not for me, you're welcome to that sort of sacrifice thanks. Each to their own indeed...

 

I have no idea where we will finish, but I'm happy to take the same view as Arsene Wenger. We don't have the depth of squad like Chelsea, Citeh and United to play a second string team that is easily better than most other teams' first 11. We appear to be prioritising the league over the COC. I don't have a problem with that because it spells our ambition.

 

We might have targeted the Cup, won it and finished 7th and lots of fans would say we'd had a good season. But given a choice, I'll take 4th and the financial impact of that every time... So my point is, there are (I am sure) lots of fans like me who would love a cup win but value CL qualification far more highly than the cup success.

[shirleysfc]

Have we ever taken this cup seriously?

[Barry Sanchez]

So people on here who think we might finish 4th-6th due to our great start are basically arrogant but thinking we will win the cup if we only play our best team is not arrogant...??

You missed the point though, we didn't try to win it did we? Or if we did its not the fans who are arrogant its the manager, we have no chance of finishing 6th-4th and you can hold me to that, 8th-14th we shall finish we this squad.

[Legod Third Coming]

So you think we are going to finish fourth this season. Fine. That's clear. Enjoy the season.

 

Not what I said. I said they club may well be targeting a 4th place finish and if they are, they have 100% my support in that.

What's obvious from tonight is that we place a higher priority on the league than the COC. And I still have no idea who won it last year, nor care...

[Saint_Tony]

I fully expected us to lose. Usually I watch the game or check scores every 10 seconds, didn't bother tonight. Of course it's disappointing but as soon as the line ups came out it was clear we'd struggle for a result. Made a nice bit of profit on it at least. This wasn't a massive game, imo Hull on Saturday is. Plus it's clear Chelsea's 'reserves' are far superior, if we'd have got an easier draw maybe the team selection would have been different. Let's just keep doing what we're doing and see how the season progresses, it's been amazing so far, and I can't believe how people are getting so upset over tonight

[The Kraken]

I have no idea where we will finish, but I'm happy to take the same view as Arsene Wenger. We don't have the depth of squad like Chelsea, Citeh and United to play a second string team that is easily better than most other teams' first 11. We appear to be prioritising the league over the COC. I don't have a problem with that because it spells our ambition.

 

We might have targeted the Cup, won it and finished 7th and lots of fans would say we'd had a good season. But given a choice, I'll take 4th and the financial impact of that every time... So my point is, there are (I am sure) lots of fans like me who would love a cup win but value CL qualification far more highly than the cup success.

Yep; as CB F says, good luck with that. I don't know how many there are like me (frankly I don't really care) but for this season and probably the next few I'd rather see us try to win a cup. Plus I don't subscribe to the view that cup success and league progress are mutually exclusive.

[Olallana]

You missed the point though, we didn't try to win it did we? Or if we did its not the fans who are arrogant its the manager, we have no chance of finishing 6th-4th and you can hold me to that, 8th-14th we shall finish we this squad.

 

I believe we tried to win, but not at all cost.

League cup would always be the run out for reserves/u21 players basically up until perhaps a quarterfinal (depending on the draw imo).

 

It´s been obvious for a long time that we wouldn´t play a team tonight with the first XI, anyone that hasn´t seen that must be blind imo.

[Barry Sanchez]

You think Arsenal and Spurs fans would prefer to win this cup than finish 4th?

 

Knowing that winning this cup means jack ship in the scheme of things, whereas finishing 4th means competing at the highest level possible and providing a financial platform for the club that will, eventually, result in much more success?

 

Football is a financial business.

 

I loved a day out at Wembley for the JPT - FWIW I think it reminded us fans we COULD win, be winners.

 

But I loved more going from playing Leyton Orient to coming away from Anfield with three points, Lambert turning out for England, and seeing the likes of Shaw and JWP STAY with this club and play for this club.

 

But each to their own...

 

We are not Spurs or Arsenal though, we are Southampton, a team that is about 15th -20th largest in the Country but well below that in terms of silverware, in short a massively underachieving side so actually trying to win a trophy is or should be important, or am I missing something?

[shurlock]

All the people bigging this competition up and moaning, where were you tonight?

 

Even taking into account the mess with the scheduling, I'd say a turn out of 300 pretty much sums up where this fixture and the competition ranked in the average fan's priorities.

[Barry Sanchez]

I believe we tried to win, but not at all cost.

League cup would always be the run out for reserves/u21 players basically up until perhaps a quarterfinal (depending on the draw imo).

 

It´s been obvious for a long time that we wouldn´t play a team tonight with the first XI, anyone that hasn´t seen that must be blind imo.

 

Seen what? A managers poor decision? Why would we not play a strong team and not try to win it? What is the point of entering the competition? Its not like we have 1000's of trophies in the cabinet is it?

[CB Fry]

Yep; as CB F says, good luck with that. I don't know how many there are like me (frankly I don't really care) but for this season and probably the next few I'd rather see us try to win a cup. Plus I don't subscribe to the view that cup success and league progress are mutually exclusive.

 

Also slightly concerned by this prevailing view that one fourth place finish once is going to lock in a kind of unstoppable sustainable success forever, unlike winning a dirty cup which is a meaningless flash in the pan.

 

Worth remembering finishing fourth does not actually qualify you for the Champion's League (Everton) and it also doesn't mean a financial platform to build to more success, as one or two fourth place finish/CL run doesn't guarantee subsequent fourth places consistently (Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool) and it doesn't lock in financial bounty forever (Leeds, Newcastle).

 

Even if we do finish fourth place, it could turn out to be just as much as a temporary flash in the pan just without the silverwear, day out, DVD or lasting memory. It could mean absolutlely nothing by the end of next August.

 

 

Lastly, I like LGSC's dismissive disregard for previous League Cup winners...I mean who cares? I can only assume he has a photographic memory for the squad names and numbers of the Everton, Newcastle and Spurs line ups that finsished fourth in recent years. Legends one and all. So many memories.

Edited 6 November, 2013 by CB Fry

[Tom28]

Yep; as CB F says, good luck with that. I don't know how many there are like me (frankly I don't really care) but for this season and probably the next few I'd rather see us try to win a cup. Plus I don't subscribe to the view that cup success and league progress are mutually exclusive.

 

In case you were wondering, the point where you lost my interest in your post was "Yep, as CB F says".

[Legod Third Coming]

Yep; as CB F says, good luck with that. I don't know how many there are like me (frankly I don't really care) but for this season and probably the next few I'd rather see us try to win a cup. Plus I don't subscribe to the view that cup success and league progress are mutually exclusive.

 

I don't believe they're mutually exclusive either but the depth of our squad makes it incredibly tough to do both - that's what tonight proved.

 

There would have been anarchy if Shaw picked up a knock in a game like tonight, I'm sure.

 

What I find quite strange is this same mentality that we had when we were a different club with different ambitions. I don't believe our Chairman views cups as the measure of success for this club.

 

Everything he says, everything he does is focused on making us a competitive club in this league - really competitive. I don't doubt he has sat MP down and mapped out his ambition to qualify for Europe (or more).

 

I don't know whether he'll succeed or fail but it's incredibly exciting to be a part of a club that has serious aspirations.

[The Kraken]

Also slightly concerned by this prevailing view that one fourth place finish once is going to lock in a kind of unstoppable sustainable success forever, unlike winning a dirty cup which is a meaningless flash in the pan.

 

Worth remembering finishing fourth does not actually qualify you for the Champion's League (Everton) and it also doesn't mean a financial platform to build to more success, as one or two fourth place finish/CL run doesn't guarantee subsequent fourth places consistently (Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool) and it doesn't lock in financial bounty forever (Leeds).

 

Even if we do finish fourth place, it could turn out to be just as much as a temporary flash in the pan just without the silverwear, day out, DVD or lasting memory. It could mean absolutlely nothing by the end of next August.

 

 

Lastly, I like LGSC's dismissive disregard for previous League Cup winners...I mean who cares? I can only assume he has a photographic memory for the squad names and numbers of the Everton, Newcastle and Spurs line ups that finsished fourth in recent years. Legends one and all. So many memories.

As ever, that sums it up very well. The desire for a 4th placed finish over some actual silverware; where football deviates from common sense IMO. The relentless ambition of a 4th place finish which might, just might, gain us entry into another competition that we have little to no hope of actually winning.

[Olallana]

Seen what? A managers poor decision? Why would we not play a strong team and not try to win it? What is the point of entering the competition? Its not like we have 1000's of trophies in the cabinet is it?

 

Because it´s a good run out for reserves/u21 players?

Because 3 games in 7 days for players actually are much tougher than most people understand?

 

The reward for winning the league cup is.....4 extra games in august if you want to compete in Europa League. Has obviously taken it´s toll on Swanseas performing this year.

[CB Fry]

We are not Spurs or Arsenal though, we are Southampton, a team that is about 15th -20th largest in the Country but well below that in terms of silverware, in short a massively underachieving side so actually trying to win a trophy is or should be important, or am I missing something?

 

WE SIGNED KEVIN KEEGAN ONCE YOU KNOW!!!!

 

(Thought I'd save LGTC the effort)

[Legod Third Coming]

Also slightly concerned by this prevailing view that one fourth place finish once is going to lock in a kind of unstoppable sustainable success forever, unlike winning a dirty cup which is a meaningless flash in the pan.

 

Worth remembering finishing fourth does not actually qualify you for the Champion's League (Everton) and it also doesn't mean a financial platform to build to more success, as one or two fourth place finish/CL run doesn't guarantee subsequent fourth places consistently (Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool) and it doesn't lock in financial bounty forever (Leeds, Newcastle).

 

Even if we do finish fourth place, it could turn out to be just as much as a temporary flash in the pan just without the silverwear, day out, DVD or lasting memory. It could mean absolutlely nothing by the end of next August.

 

 

Lastly, I like LGSC's dismissive disregard for previous League Cup winners...I mean who cares? I can only assume he has a photographic memory for the squad names and numbers of the Everton, Newcastle and Spurs line ups that finsished fourth in recent years. Legends one and all. So many memories.

 

Haha! Good chuckle at that - touché...

 

You know the point I make.

 

One 4th place finish will not make this club. But unlikely to do us too much harm wouldn't you agree?

 

Set the tongues wagging at UEFA. Ooo look at them, who do they think they are? The next Porto? The new Schalke? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

But a darned sight easier to persuade Shaw and JPW to resist the lure of Arsenal's agents...

 

No harm in being more ambitious than joining the illustrious ranks of Leicester City...

[Barry Sanchez]

Because it´s a good run out for reserves/u21 players?

Because 3 games in 7 days for players actually are much tougher than most people understand?

 

The reward for winning the league cup is.....4 extra games in august if you want to compete in Europa League. Has obviously taken it´s toll on Swanseas performing this year.

Ask the Swansea and see what they would prefer, your argument I suspect would fold.

[The Kraken]

I don't doubt he has sat MP down and mapped out his ambition to qualify for Europe (or more).

Don't look now, but there's a competition we're no longer in that could have fulfilled that objective.

[Olallana]

Ask the Swansea and see what they would prefer, your argument I suspect would fold.

 

My point is that the reward for finishing 6th are far better than the reward for winning the league cup.

 

And personally I prefer the former, but hey that´s me and you´re probably a much better fan.....

[Legod Third Coming]

As ever, that sums it up very well. The desire for a 4th placed finish over some actual silverware; where football deviates from common sense IMO. The relentless ambition of a 4th place finish which might, just might, gain us entry into another competition that we have little to no hope of actually winning.

 

How much money do we get for winning the Capital One Cup?

 

And how much would we get from one season in the Champion's League?

 

I don't make the rules but I did get a B at O-Level maths and know that £30,40,50, 60m? is worth a bit more than whatever we have just missed out on tonight...

 

This isn't deviating at all from common sense. It's looking at the reality of the modern game and understanding that Arsenal are a club with no debt who spent £40m on Ozil.

 

If we could sneak into 4th place it would be absolutely incredible.

[Saint in Paradise]

When Saints lose any game I find it sad, the bigger the loss the longer I feel that. However

I got over this loss within only a minute or so. IMHO Saints have made it very plain that the

P.L. is the be all and end all and will be for a long time, or at least until they have built up a

very strong squad where even if 3 or 4 get injured it won't effect the team.Then they may

take all of the domestic Cup competitions very seriously.

[Barry Sanchez]

My point is that the reward for finishing 6th are far better than the reward for winning the league cup.

 

And personally I prefer the former, but hey that´s me and you´re probably a much better fan.....

 

So you would rather play 28 more games to see if you can finish in 6th place over a team we beat at home last year for a possible place in a semi final? You dont gamble do you?

[OttawaSaint]

Are the trolls even disappointed about losing or are they too happy about being right?

 

C'mon Turks, Barry, Mr X, you must be just a little bummed?

[eelpie]

Four observations.

 

This defeat means that out youngsters are not going to be able to continue their development at competitive level in company with leading squad players at least until the FA Cup rounds. This is unfortunate, but not disastrous.

 

That our mainly reserve squad was unable to defeat a poor Sunderland side means that we are not yet strong enough in depth to be able to maintain both European football as well as Premiership football. This is not disastrous either. It is simply a reality check. We are getting there, but not there yet. For this to happen MoPo would have to be confident he can rotate players so that all are capable of slotting into the team and doing well at any time. We have been fortunate so far to have had few serious injuries, but we are where we are because only a small group in the squad are capable of achieving a top ten place this season. The manager dare not make too many changes to the first team.

 

On the plus side, both future opponents Chelsea and Sunderland might feel the stress of extra games, not us.

 

And Saturday's game against Hull will be the first opportunity for the team to prove their quality.

 

 

So I am not too disappointed, and I am very proud of all our players.

[shurlock]

Haha! Good chuckle at that - touché...

 

You know the point I make.

 

One 4th place finish will not make this club. But unlikely to do us too much harm wouldn't you agree?

 

Set the tongues wagging at UEFA. Ooo look at them, who do they think they are? The next Porto? The new Schalke? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

But a darned sight easier to persuade Shaw and JPW to resist the lure of Arsenal's agents...

 

No harm in being more ambitious than joining the illustrious ranks of Leicester City...

 

Agree if we want to progress sustainably as a club and be seen as the real deal, able to attract players and actually develop depth, the ultimate benchmark is the league. Indeed, it has nothing to do with finishing 4th, it's about as finishing as high as possible.

 

I went to the game tonight -unlike some of the self-righteous loons on here- and while I am disappointed we lost the game, I'm not going to lose any sleep over the result or the manager's team selection.

[The Kraken]

How much money do we get for winning the Capital One Cup?

 

And how much would we get from one season in the Champion's League?

 

I don't make the rules but I did get a B at O-Level maths and know that £30,40,50, 60m? is worth a bit more than whatever we have just missed out on tonight...

 

This isn't deviating at all from common sense. It's looking at the reality of the modern game and understanding that Arsenal are a club with no debt who spent £40m on Ozil.

 

If we could sneak into 4th place it would be absolutely incredible.

How much money? I couldn't care less. You can measure success all you like with a bank account, and play all sorts of meaningless sums in your head, that means little to me. Good on you if that's your benchmark,. As you said, each to your own. I'd rather see us shoot high for the league and go for the cups at the same time. Sneaking 4th place would be a terribly impressive achievement. Winning something at Wembley; well, IMO, THAT would be absolutely incredible.

[Olallana]

So you would rather play 28 more games to see if you can finish in 6th place over a team we beat at home last year for a possible place in a semi final? You dont gamble do you?

 

If the choice is between finishing 6th and going out of the league cup in round 4-5 or finishing 14th and winning the league cup I prefer the former.

For many different reasons.

[jasonb]

Some pretty conflicting opinions on here tonight about the players and their performances...

 

I honestly thought Lee looked like one of the better players on the pitch and was a little confused when he was subbed off.

 

Reed looked out of his depth and seemed a second late with every decision he made.

 

Chambers played well along with Yoshida. Would feel fairly comfortable if either of them started in a league game.

 

Jos, Fox and K Davis were their usual selves.

 

Cork looked half the player he was last season.

 

Gaston f*****g Ramirez... Truly terrible. I've been on the fence about him for going on a year now but tonight has made my mind up. This generations Delgado.

 

Nah for me he is this generations Anders Svensson! All the ability in the world to take a game by the scruff of the neck and really pull the strings but either a) can't be arsed or b) can't do it.

 

Sell him and get Benaga in on January 1st.

[Barry Sanchez]

How much money do we get for winning the Capital One Cup?

 

And how much would we get from one season in the Champion's League?

 

I don't make the rules but I did get a B at O-Level maths and know that £30,40,50, 60m? is worth a bit more than whatever we have just missed out on tonight...

 

This isn't deviating at all from common sense. It's looking at the reality of the modern game and understanding that Arsenal are a club with no debt who spent £40m on Ozil.

 

If we could sneak into 4th place it would be absolutely incredible.

 

It also is not going to happen, we are 8th favourite to finish there, the bookies are very very very rarely wrong on something like this

[modern matron]

What a bunch of tarts we have on here.

 

We were never going to play our first team tonight, just as Sunderland did't play their first 11 either. The high pressing game we play takes it out of players. They need good recovery and preparation time. The younger, fitter, ones such as JRod, JW and Al all played a part tonight. SRL is vital to our team on Saturday and so was never going to travel up, especially with a doubt over Osvaldo.

 

As for the bed-wetting, wrist-slitting over the 11 who did start - what did anyone expect? It is a SQUAD game. SQUAD players NEED game time. Let's look at the 11 individually:

 

K Davis - Our 2nd choice 'keeper. Needs match time or will be too rusy if called upon should something happen to Artur

Chambers - Started the season as first choice RB

Yoshida - Japanese international. Was widely expected to be Lovren's partner in the first team this season. Only isn't because not fit at start of season and Jose has played so well.

Jos - Understudy to Lovren and usually plays well in midweek matches

Fox - No1 hate figure on here (just behind Guly and Gaston) but our backup LB. Shaw is young and not yet strong enough (hence his string of niggling injuries) so wise not to risk him today.

Cork - Runner-up for PoS last season. Needs game time as will definitely be called upon for the first team when Morgan or Vic get a knock or suspension.

Reed - Excellent prospect. Had a good game today.

S Davis N Ireland captain. First team player.

Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time.

JRod - First team player. Only one to play a part in every competitive Saints match so far this season

Lee - Japanese international. Just back into the fold. Needs game time. Pro only there today due to Osvaldo's injury

 

All in all we were not shown up or completely outplayed. We didn't just roll over and not bother competing. We were just found a bit lacking in the final third and got aught out by one scrappy goal and a good strike on the break.

 

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

 

Blimey me overreacting read your own post we played a complete second team in a big game and blew the chance of getting through. We are not one of the big boys yet as your last point seems to suggest, so why not play a stronger side.....

[Barry Sanchez]

If the choice is between finishing 6th and going out of the league cup in round 4-5 or finishing 14th and winning the league cup I prefer the former.

For many different reasons.

 

Go on.

[Fowllyd]

From this:

 

I can not believe some of our fans would rather we finished 17th and won a Cup every time, I do question our fanbase sometimes, what do they genuinely want from the club?

 

to this:

 

I seriously question whether some supposed fans think that finishing a few places up a League is better than winning a Cup are in fact fans at all.

 

and all on the same thread.

 

Magnificent, even by your standards.

[The Kraken]

If the choice is between finishing 6th and going out of the league cup in round 4-5 or finishing 14th and winning the league cup I prefer the former.

For many different reasons.

 

Is that truly the only choice then?

[Jai27]

Nah for me he is this generations Anders Svensson! All the ability in the world to take a game by the scruff of the neck and really pull the strings but either a) can't be arsed or b) can't do it.

 

Sell him and get Benaga in on January 1st.

 

 

That's exactly what my flat mate said. Talented by just isn't bothered.

 

Banega would be a pretty exciting signing.

[modern matron]

If the choice is between finishing 6th and going out of the league cup in round 4-5 or finishing 14th and winning the league cup I prefer the former.

For many different reasons.

 

Why? No one would give a **** if we finished 6th it would be history if we won a cup.....

[Barry Sanchez]

From this:

 

 

 

to this:

 

 

 

and all on the same thread.

 

Magnificent, even by your standards.

 

 

What I was trying to say was I would always have the silverware, others understood it, you ok?

[Olallana]

Go on.

 

1. PL is a tougher competition that ALL teams go for week in week out, LC isn´t until basically semifinals.

2. 6th place finish will attract better players to joining us, if we finish 14th-ish they wont see any progress at the club that could lead them into CL which is most players ambition individually.

3. 6th place finish actually takes you into the europa league, winning LC gives you a place in qualification rounds which means 4 more games in august as I said.

 

Sometimes longterm ambitions have to be more important than shortterm success.

[Legod Third Coming]

It also is not going to happen, we are 8th favourite to finish there, the bookies are very very very rarely wrong on something like this

 

The same bookies who went 9/1 after Arsenal got thumped by Aston Villa?

 

Never wrong bookies.

 

Cue Card 10/11 favourite - third. As I know to my cost.

 

I backed us at 16/1 to win the Championship. We missed out by one fecking point.

[Olallana]

Is that truly the only choice then?

 

Cant see I said such thing in that post, do you?

[Olallana]

Why? Only one would give a **** if we finished 6th it would be history if we won a cup.....

 

Fixed it for you, and that would be me alone then.....(and many players that would be attracted to the club but who cares about that...)

[The Kraken]

Cant see I said such thing in that post, do you?

 

I just wondered where the option was to finish 6th and try to win a cup. It seemed you put only 2 options forward; I'm sure there's many more. God forbid it becomes such a black and white decision where trying for a cup = doomed to a lower league finish.

[Turkish]

If the choice is between finishing 6th and going out of the league cup in round 4-5 or finishing 14th and winning the league cup I prefer the former.

For many different reasons.

 

But it isn't a choice is it. The premier league haven't given us one or the other, it's not either or is it.

[Barry Sanchez]

1. PL is a tougher competition that ALL teams go for week in week out, LC isn´t until basically semifinals.

2. 6th place finish will attract better players to joining us, if we finish 14th-ish they wont see any progress at the club that could lead them into CL which is most players ambition individually.

3. 6th place finish actually takes you into the europa league, winning LC gives you a place in qualification rounds which means 4 more games in august as I said.

 

Sometimes longterm ambitions have to be more important than shortterm success.

 

Does 6th place take you into Europe?

Why will finishing 6th attract better players?

[Olallana]

I just wondered where the option was to finish 6th and try to win a cup. It seemed you put only 2 options forward; I'm sure there's many more. God forbid it becomes such a black and white decision where trying for a cup = doomed to a lower league finish.

 

Well, if you want to look at those options you might want to read a bit up the thread to see who brought that up....

 

Answer....Not me.