SarniaSaint Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 With just 13 games to go and 4th in the league at present thoughts are very much on a European qualification of some sort. But are we ready! If we look at Champions League qualification some suggest our sought after players like Schneiderlin, Clyne and Alderweireld will stay, but will they? We are limited on what we can pay these players and certainly will not be able to match the £80,000 - £100,000 a week they can attract at the 2 Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool. OK, qualification will up our income substantially but we need to offer long term wages and therefore it is necessary to qualify every year. We are simply not big enough financially to compete. We are earning world respect but until our overseas income matches that respect we are not one of the “big 6” It will be fun, particularly if we qualify for the group stages by finishing in the top 3, but with a small squad and not enough money to commit to a larger one will our league position suffer. We have got away with it so far despite injuries to key players but upping the ante with even more games will stretch us even more. If we go into the Europa League we face the same problems albeit against opposition we should be able to compete with but Thursday away games in some of Europe’s outback it is bound to have an effect What if our sojourn in Europe so affects our Premiership aspirations that we find ourselves in a relegation battle. Don’t say it will not happen. Just look at some of the other teams that stretched themselves. Ask Birmingham, Leeds, Wigan etc. Where are they now? Not sharing the massive money that being a member of the Premier League offers and even more so in 2016/17 season So do we look to be a top 8 club and settle for ruffling the feathers of the big clubs on a regular basis until we can get our income to a level that turns us into a big club or go into Europe and hope that will be the catalyst for such increase in income on a regular basis? For me the Jury is out! I am very much undecided. Why don't you just join the scouse forum with your buddies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 Bucharest was the best Saints moment of my life and that includes being 6 on the 1st May 1976. The semi final of the FA cup at villa park was all about winning to qualify for Europe for me. Really didn't care about the FA cup at that time. Bucharest was an unbelievable 3 day experience and we couldn't have hoped for a better draw. Anyone who missed it get your passport ready and keep your fingers crossed!! Anyone else end up in Diva and the Pink Pussycat? What he said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1576 Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 We went to a couple of strip bars/brothels but I have no idea what they were called due to the heroic amount of alcohol consumed. The first one was empty, the second had leather sofas and countless beautiful women sat on our laps with their flaps out. Stayed in the Intercontinental. It was a 5* place about 200 yards from the subway where children were pimped out and rabid dogs lurked around menacingly. Eventually ended up in the casino underneath it and on finally returning to our rooms reception was full of 50yo Saints fans with a prostitute on each arm. I imagine plenty of them had the best night of their lives. As for the game, there was the madcap police escort to the ground, the armed cops sharing cigarettes with us, the muddy bank to climb up to the terrace surrounded by a row of trees which was the unofficial toilet. Flares, incredibly noisy, bouncing home fans and incessant drizzle. Rory Delap missing a sitter right in front of us, the Steua players applauding us and fans swapping shirts and scarves through the segregation. Apparently at that time we'd taken more than any English club ever. That's why I want to get back into Europe. Stuff the squad size just give me beautiful butt naked pole dancers, dirt cheap alcohol and a crazy atmosphere. That'll do. Diva was right behind the Intercontinental which was where we stayed also. We were 3/4 of the way up on the side facing the main road with the Cross of St George (Sholing Saints) tied from the balcony above to ours. Was a bit hairy stood on a chair to put it up!!! **** me did it rain as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 We went to a couple of strip bars/brothels but I have no idea what they were called due to the heroic amount of alcohol consumed. The first one was empty, the second had leather sofas and countless beautiful women sat on our laps with their flaps out. Stayed in the Intercontinental. It was a 5* place about 200 yards from the subway where children were pimped out and rabid dogs lurked around menacingly. Eventually ended up in the casino underneath it and on finally returning to our rooms reception was full of 50yo Saints fans with a prostitute on each arm. I imagine plenty of them had the best night of their lives. As for the game, there was the madcap police escort to the ground, the armed cops sharing cigarettes with us, the muddy bank to climb up to the terrace surrounded by a row of trees which was the unofficial toilet. Flares, incredibly noisy, bouncing home fans and incessant drizzle. Rory Delap missing a sitter right in front of us, the Steua players applauding us and fans swapping shirts and scarves through the segregation. Apparently at that time we'd taken more than any English club ever. That's why I want to get back into Europe. Stuff the squad size just give me beautiful butt naked pole dancers, dirt cheap alcohol and a crazy atmosphere. That'll do. Thing is, we could end up somewhere like Stockholm where pints are £8, the women look at you with a mixture of pity and disgust, and the atmosphere is flat and sensible and crime free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 Have been lucky enough to do European aways with England but nothing would come close to doing it with Saints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 Thing is, we could end up somewhere like Stockholm where pints are £8, the women look at you with a mixture of pity and disgust, and the atmosphere is flat and sensible and crime free. Having been to Sweden pre-season going to Halmstad via Copenhagen and Malmo I can tell you it would get the thumbs up from me, brilliant place. For all the wigan / Birmingham horror stories of Europa league and relegation we should aspire to do what Fulham and Middlesbrough did having amazing runs to the final. The Fulham v Juventus and Fulham v Hamburg Uefa Cup semi final were some of the best non-saints football I've been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Tony Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 We're more ready than a lot of teams. **** it, let's give the Europa a crack next season, even if our league form suffers for it. Otherwise what's the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 15 February, 2015 Share Posted 15 February, 2015 Be a bit of a let down if we don't get Europe at the end of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Not sure what the debate is all about really? Of course we should go all out for it, CL or EL - come on, who would have dared to dream this was even a possibility 5 years ago? Yes, we would need more players, but from what I can tell we made an approximate profit of £30M from last summer's transfers, and yes we might have had a debt of the same amount, but what happened to last year's TV money and also there is this this year's TV income to come. Surely we can afford a top striker even better than Pelle (or at least challenge him to be on top of his game), and a decent back up keeper? As said in earlier posts, any departures should and will be adequately replaced, with a healthy profit if history is anything to go by. Let's go balls out for it I say - hardly a risk compared to previous clubs who gambled on European success for survival - we on the other hand would be having a good sensible go! ONYRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1576 Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Let's go balls out for it I say - hardly a risk compared to previous clubs who gambled on European success for survival - we on the other hand would be having a good sensible go! ONYRS Can definitely do that in some places in Eastern Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Thing is, we could end up somewhere like Stockholm where pints are £8, the women look at you with a mixture of pity and disgust, and the atmosphere is flat and sensible and crime free. Cool. Count me in for this trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 If you really don't realise that current board have plans in place for Europe you have seriously underestimated them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Squad is nowhere near big or good enough to compete effectively in Europe and do well in the league. Every year the Premier League becomes more physically demanding and only those with the best squads can do well on two fronts. Take a look at Spurs - they play a different team in Europe and even then their league form hasn't been great for a while because even playing a different team impacts league form because of lack of preparation etc. Getting back from games early Friday morning and the playing on Sunday screws you completely. Liverpool's form has a relationship with their European games as well (it's not the only factor but it is a factor at least). That said, none of this scares me - I'd be happy enough to see us play kids in Europe. It's all a part of the adventure - and I'd rather play Academy players than see us fill out the squad with filler just because of the amount of games we've got to play. As the squad stands, and assuming no-one leaves (or is adequately replaced) and we play a different 11 in Europe (presuming it is the Europa league here!) then we have issues at right-back, keeper, central midfield, and winger. But then if players are injured we have issues again. It's tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giordano Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 I don't care if we are ready or not cos is we qualify then i'm going. Already told my gf that holidays are booked from August/September 2015 onwards until we win or get knocked out = city break to wherever it is we going for preliminary round, next round, group stages next round etc......I'm likely in Poland mid sept anyway so would love a wisla krakow tie or similar. Like the others above who have been to the swedish preseasons and Bucharest etc for me watching Saints overseas is 100X more fun than going to Palace away or at SMS for a match versus Everton...its no pressure no expectation just enjoying being there..If we qualify- people who post on this forum should be traveling in their droves.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 I don't care if we are ready or not cos is we qualify then i'm going. Already told my gf that holidays are booked from August/September 2015 onwards until we win or get knocked out = city break to wherever it is we going for preliminary round, next round, group stages next round etc......I'm likely in Poland mid sept anyway so would love a wisla krakow tie or similar. Like the others above who have been to the swedish preseasons and Bucharest etc for me watching Saints overseas is 100X more fun than going to Palace away or at SMS for a match versus Everton...its no pressure no expectation just enjoying being there..If we qualify- people who post on this forum should be traveling in their droves.. Absolutely, it's easier for me to get to Warsaw or Zagreb(and probably a damn site cheaper, haven't checked though) than it is to SMS. I shall make a point of going to every game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Got to go for it, that's why Saints are competing now, to be able to play in Europe. I would also imagine more of the U21s would be used as the intensity and speed of the game would be a lot less than the league. It's just a question of getting the right balance of experience and at what position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 OK. what teams would you like to be drawn against when location comes to mind...? Ajax Sparta Prague Legia Warsaw any other european scum-bag, strip club whore-a-thon places? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 OK. what teams would you like to be drawn against when location comes to mind...? Ajax Sparta Prague Legia Warsaw any other european scum-bag, strip club whore-a-thon places? Croatia Zagreb Roma Lazio Napoli Shalke Wisla Krakov Krakovia Dinamo Moscow PSG Galatasary Fenerbache Or any other club whose boys think they're a bit tasty so we can batter them all round their home towns like we did in the 70s and 80s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 (edited) OK. what teams would you like to be drawn against when location comes to mind...? Ajax Sparta Prague Legia Warsaw any other european scum-bag, strip club whore-a-thon places? Any Dutch or German side; also fancy Portugal as well as the likes of Shakhter Donetsk, Hadjuk Split, Marseille, Qarabag and PAOK. Out of the Turkish clubs, Trabzonspor has an appeal - looks a lovely place. Edited 16 February, 2015 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Agree totally (well apart from not having nippers), a club our size aren't going to get many opportunities in our lifetime so i'd take getting into Europe and having a few great **** ups over the hope that we "might" recreate this next season or the season after. Then again i come from the school of years of watching and playing the game over playing some computer game and thinking that means i know something about football. I play football manager a lot and agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 (edited) Can someone give an up to date summary of how qualification could be earned this season? As I understand it... Top 3 CL Next into last CL qualifying round, if don't qualify revert to EL Winner of league cup -EL, however if winner already qualified place reverts to league. FA cup winner EL, if already qualified then runner up gets EL place, if they have already qualified then reverts to league. Winner of EL earns bonus place for CL. Basically 4 (max 5 in English team wins EL) in CL. 3 places for EL, plus one for fair play possible. So, have I got this right, if our fa and league cup places revert to league, and say Spurs win EL it could look like this; 1 CL 2 CL 3 CL 4 Spurs win EL so CL 5 CL last qualifying round 6 EL 7 EL 8 EL Is that right as pretty much best case? Clearly would need more players but so many variables as to who will stay. Although we can guess who will go, some sound likely to leave, such as Morgan, but think its likely that nobody , including Morgan know yet. Even without geographic or family preferences, which clubs will actually want him enough to bid the right money, who will be attractive to him, are clubs going forward or backward, who manager is etc Every club loses players they want to keep, higher we finish, the more attractive we are in comparison to other clubs, same with European qualification. The progress and running of the club should give us some cause for optimism. The other positive of qualification, is it prevents a competitor qualifying. For example, our comparative finances could gain on Spurs or Everton. I went over this in my blog last month. You have a couple of things things wrong which I have highlighted in bold. http://redsloscf.blogspot.com/2015/01/european-qualification-rules-for.html After reading your post, I also realized that I did not explain, because I did not think about it, what happens to England's Europa league slots if a fifth English team qualifies for the Champions League. Does England still get three Europa slots? I do not know and will have to research it. Edited 16 February, 2015 by Redslo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 We clearly have a good enough team to give the CL a decent shot. Are we worse than Ludgorets, Metalist, Prague, Olympiakos etc? No, if we got to the Champions League it would be great. It would be intriguing and fun and would represent one of the biggest league achievements since the Premier League began. Would we probably do worse in the league next year? Yes, and I doubt we would re-qualify for the CL. But there's abosolutely no sense in saying, "let's hang around in eighth for a bit and hope we miracullously become as welathy as Liverpool or Spurs", becuase it just isn't going to happen. We wouldn't have to add too many players to our squad to still be confident of a pretty decent league season. The notion we would be in a relegation battle is just lilly-livered fearmongering. We are unlikely to ever become that wealthy, but the only way would be to qualify for the Champions League multiple times and routinely advance to the knock out phase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Wages that go with it mean you're then under pressure to qualify every season or your left with champions league player wages without champions league money. I refer you to the case of Leeds United for how that works out. I assume that if we expand our squad for European football next year and then fail to qualify the next year, we will sell some players. Therefore, the critical factor is not to over pay our players that we might want to sell so they can be transferred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 We are unlikely to ever become that wealthy, but the only way would be to qualify for the Champions League multiple times and routinely advance to the knock out phase. Which would require huge investment to achieve - more likely more than we would ever make back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 16 February, 2015 Share Posted 16 February, 2015 Which would require huge investment to achieve - more likely more than we would ever make back. You might be right. My point is that qualifying for the champions league is the only way to become competitive with the richer clubs--it is not something to be avoided until we are competitive because then that time will never come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 I went over this in my blog last month. You have a couple of things things wrong which I have highlighted in bold. http://redsloscf.blogspot.com/2015/01/european-qualification-rules-for.html After reading your post, I also realized that I did not explain, because I did not think about it, what happens to England's Europa league slots if a fifth English team qualifies for the Champions League. Does England still get three Europa slots? I do not know and will have to research it. I wasn't aware of the change re FA cup runners up thanks. Not sure what you mean by other bit. So is it as simple (?!?) as (if work with best case scenario that both cup winners in European places).. Top four CL, next 3 EL? Then if Spurs / Liverpool win EL they go into CL as additional side, (if not in top 4) meaning 5 CL and 3 EL? If they win EL plus finish in top 4 (so qualifying twice for CL) does the last CL league go to 5th? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 (edited) If saints finish 6th and Liverpool finish 7th (with no Europa league or FA cup place) then Liverpool get to play their 'great European nights at Anfield' trump card with the media waxing lyrical about their great fans, amazing atmosphere, thought provoking banners and generally being great ambassadors for the English game* So unfortunately saints will have to step aside and allow Liverpool to take their rightful place in Europe. Plus saints didn't give Steve Gerrard a proper send off and didn't send him birthday presents, which in case you didn't know is on cup final day. * apart from heysel and the subsequent ban, which wasn't their fault anyway, it was Thatcher, The NF, Chelsea, the stadium, etc. Edited 17 February, 2015 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 I wasn't aware of the change re FA cup runners up thanks. Not sure what you mean by other bit. So is it as simple (?!?) as (if work with best case scenario that both cup winners in European places).. Top four CL, next 3 EL? Then if Spurs / Liverpool win EL they go into CL as additional side, (if not in top 4) meaning 5 CL and 3 EL? If they win EL plus finish in top 4 (so qualifying twice for CL) does the last CL league go to 5th? No. There are only 4 CL spots in that case. The part you were not sure what I meant is my poorly expressed uncertainty as to what happens if 5 English teams qualify for the Champions League. Does England still get three Europa League spots? I think so, but I am not sure. What if the 5th Champions League spot club finished in a Europa spot? Does that mean only two Europa spots? I don't know, but it doesn't sound right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 If saints finish 6th and Liverpool finish 7th (with no Europa league or FA cup place) then Liverpool get to play their 'great European nights at Anfield' trump card with the media waxing lyrical about their great fans, amazing atmosphere, thought provoking banners and generally being great ambassadors for the English game* So unfortunately saints will have to step aside and allow Liverpool to take their rightful place in Europe. Plus saints didn't give Steve Gerrard a proper send off and didn't send him birthday presents, which in case you didn't know is on cup final day. * apart from heysel and the subsequent ban, which wasn't their fault anyway, it was Thatcher, The NF, Chelsea, the stadium, etc. I don't think the media waxes lyrical about the Europa League until the semi-finals. Otherwise, I appreciate the humor in you cynicism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 If we make it to ANY sort of Euro competition, it'll be necessary to consider a plan without the likes of Schneiderlin and /or Clyne....and even perhaps Jay Rod. Unless we end up in 3rd place, I can see these three moving onto clubs where they will get regular Euro games....as even " our best squad " will struggle to get us past the group stages. The departure of any of the current squad will mean we need to get 100%, laid-on replacements who can fit the mould in a matter of weeks. Not impossible as we've seen with Koeman's new squad. .....but if we end up buying another Lovren:lol: ....or Osvaldo:scared: ..the whole European enterprise could go out of the door before Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Thing is, we could end up somewhere like Stockholm where pints are £8, the women look at you with a mixture of pity and disgust, and the atmosphere is flat and sensible and crime free. Having lived in Stockholm for 30 years ....I think you've caught the right flavour of the city. However, if you've been to all 3 cities mentioned you really can't compare them. The more "sophisticated" Stockholm (my words) seems like a Utopian oasis compared to Gothenburg and Malmö, but it depends on your expectations. NOTE: Swedish women love English accents. As far as the football goes......the general standard of Swedish domestic football is poor and Malmö have been THE outstanding side for several seasons. They made it past the CL group stages last year, and in a tough group, but in the Swedish Prem.(Allsvenskan) ..they look like Chelsea playing against Championship sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
once_bitterne Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 If saints finish 6th and Liverpool finish 7th (with no Europa league or FA cup place) then Liverpool get to play their 'great European nights at Anfield' trump card with the media waxing lyrical about their great fans, amazing atmosphere, thought provoking banners and generally being great ambassadors for the English game* So unfortunately saints will have to step aside and allow Liverpool to take their rightful place in Europe. Plus saints didn't give Steve Gerrard a proper send off and didn't send him birthday presents, which in case you didn't know is on cup final day. * apart from heysel and the subsequent ban, which wasn't their fault anyway, it was Thatcher, The NF, Chelsea, the stadium, etc. Did you need to pay Solent Toffee a royalty for copying his post from TUI! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Did you need to pay Solent Toffee a royalty for copying his post from TUI! i did tell him i was nicking it Bradley! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Sorry, only skimmed through the thread. Sure this has mostly been said. But hell, I'd take a lesser league campaign for a decent Euro run. Obviously, I wouldn't want a relegation battle, but it's really not that long ago that I never thought I'd get a chance to see us in Europe again. It'd be a great achievement, and I really hope we'd give it a proper crack. If at all possible, it would be amazing to follow the team around Europe, or at least get out for one match. Forget who comes and goes, there's little that can be done to control that anyway. If last summer taught me anything, is that players leaving really isn't the end of the world. We probably won't always be as successful in replacing them, but we'll carry on. We're currently sat in a great position, let's just get there and worry about what happens when we get there (though I'm sure Les et al already have a number of plans in place). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 No. There are only 4 CL spots in that case. The part you were not sure what I meant is my poorly expressed uncertainty as to what happens if 5 English teams qualify for the Champions League. Does England still get three Europa League spots? I think so, but I am not sure. What if the 5th Champions League spot club finished in a Europa spot? Does that mean only two Europa spots? I don't know, but it doesn't sound right. On a related point, does it work like this; If we finish 4th, we have to play 1 x two leg qualifier to enter the CL group stage. If we finish 5th, we're automatically in the EL group stage. If we finish 6th we have to play 1 x two leg qualifier to enter the EL group stage If we finish 7th and get a European place, is it 2 x two leg qualifier to enter the EL group stage? Not sure if any of that is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 This is all so complicated I hope we finish 8th now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 That's perfectly normal though, unless you are expecting SFC to go into an entirely domestic season with a 30-man European mega-squad. Agreed, it is normal, but it's why we're not ready yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Wages that go with it mean you're then under pressure to qualify every season or your left with champions league player wages without champions league money. I refer you to the case of Leeds United for how that works out. The problem with it is that you might think Saints would only have 1 season in CL, but the contracts of the kind of players we'd need would most likely be 4 years. It's the equivalent of getting relegated from the Prem but without parachute payments (and with a squad still good enough for the top 6). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coxford_lou Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Having lived in Stockholm for 30 years ....I think you've caught the right flavour of the city. However, if you've been to all 3 cities mentioned you really can't compare them. The more "sophisticated" Stockholm (my words) seems like a Utopian oasis compared to Gothenburg and Malmö, but it depends on your expectations. NOTE: Swedish women love English accents. Although given the previous description of what blokes get up to when they're following their team abroad, I can kind of understand the Swedish ladies response! Yikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Although given the previous description of what blokes get up to when they're following their team abroad, I can kind of understand the Swedish ladies response! Yikes. FWIW I went to Bucharest on my own for 5 days due to wanting to minimise flight costs and spent most of the time in the Ibis hotel bar / Irish bar / other Irish Bar just getting drunk on the 60p Tuborg (as the robbing sods had put the prices up ) and reading The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy the rest of the time. I didn't get back home until after Saints had played Everton on the Sunday! Even so, I still had the awesome match, the mental coach trip to the match with police motorbike outriders, people falling in 5 ft deep puddles in the coach/car park in pitch blackness, the fit blonde policewoman, trying to work out who was buying stuff from the shopping mall at western prices, ordering random pizza for 30 in the hotel bar, going to see Dinamo and National's grounds in Bucharest, giving a Steaua fan $5 for his scarf and the look of utter delight from him, singing Saints songs in the hotel bar for 3 nights, riding on their marble-halled subway system with basically no-one on it, visiting Ceausescu's Palace, watching other fans and getting soaked from head to toe by a truck going through a pothole outside the hotel, to look back upon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 FWIW I went to Bucharest on my own for 5 days due to wanting to minimise flight costs and spent most of the time in the Ibis hotel bar / Irish bar / other Irish Bar just getting drunk on the 60p Tuborg (as the robbing sods had put the prices up ) and reading The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy the rest of the time. I didn't get back home until after Saints had played Everton on the Sunday! Even so, I still had the awesome match, the mental coach trip to the match with police motorbike outriders, people falling in 5 ft deep puddles in the coach/car park in pitch blackness, the fit blonde policewoman, trying to work out who was buying stuff from the shopping mall at western prices, ordering random pizza for 30 in the hotel bar, going to see Dinamo and National's grounds in Bucharest, giving a Steaua fan $5 for his scarf and the look of utter delight from him, singing Saints songs in the hotel bar for 3 nights, riding on their marble-halled subway system with basically no-one on it, visiting Ceausescu's Palace, watching other fans and getting soaked from head to toe by a truck going through a pothole outside the hotel, to look back upon. Was too young in 2003, this is what I want. A slightly below par Prem season would be well worth this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 Although given the previous description of what blokes get up to when they're following their team abroad, I can kind of understand the Swedish ladies response! Yikes. I expect your fella used to say he was going on a "golfing holiday?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/368300-How-do-you-rate-our-chances-of-top-4-now/page39 the number of fans on this forum that have counted us out is ridiculous lool. meh, I'm happy to be under the radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redslo Posted 17 February, 2015 Share Posted 17 February, 2015 http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/368300-How-do-you-rate-our-chances-of-top-4-now/page39 the number of fans on this forum that have counted us out is ridiculous lool. meh, I'm happy to be under the radar. The thread is really an amazing display of certainty that we must finish 7th and therefore do not need to be discussed--with a few exceptions. Of course, if they beat us, they might be right. The problem with it is that you might think Saints would only have 1 season in CL, but the contracts of the kind of players we'd need would most likely be 4 years. It's the equivalent of getting relegated from the Prem but without parachute payments (and with a squad still good enough for the top 6). Except that we would sell our extra players who should be good enough that we would profit--or at least not take big losses. On a related point, does it work like this; If we finish 4th, we have to play 1 x two leg qualifier to enter the CL group stage. If we finish 5th, we're automatically in the EL group stage. If we finish 6th we have to play 1 x two leg qualifier to enter the EL group stage If we finish 7th and get a European place, is it 2 x two leg qualifier to enter the EL group stage? Not sure if any of that is right. That could be right. However, if the FA cup winner does not qualify for the Champions League, they get the automatic EL group place and everyone is pushed down one slot. If we make it to ANY sort of Euro competition, it'll be necessary to consider a plan without the likes of Schneiderlin and /or Clyne....and even perhaps Jay Rod. Unless we end up in 3rd place, I can see these three moving onto clubs where they will get regular Euro games....as even " our best squad " will struggle to get us past the group stages. The departure of any of the current squad will mean we need to get 100%, laid-on replacements who can fit the mould in a matter of weeks. Not impossible as we've seen with Koeman's new squad. .....but if we end up buying another Lovren:lol: ....or Osvaldo:scared: ..the whole European enterprise could go out of the door before Christmas. As long as we are buying our Lovren not Liverpool's Lovren it won't be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 19 February, 2015 Share Posted 19 February, 2015 Just seen that cheapest seats for Man City fans away at Barcelona next week were £74, plus booking fee, maybe we're not ready for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 21 February, 2015 Share Posted 21 February, 2015 What needs to happen for us to get in Europa league for finishing 7th? Is it likely/unlikely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 21 February, 2015 Share Posted 21 February, 2015 Croatia Zagreb Roma Lazio Napoli Shalke Wisla Krakov Krakovia Dinamo Moscow PSG Galatasary Fenerbache Or any other club whose boys think they're a bit tasty so we can batter them all round their home towns like we did in the 70s and 80s I was in Liverpool for a few days this week and Besiktas were in town...they would scare the pants off our lot. probably the noisiest fans i have come across in 45+ years of going! There is a post on twitter of them in the centre of Liverpool One outside the Wetherspoons..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 21 February, 2015 Share Posted 21 February, 2015 I was in Liverpool for a few days this week and Besiktas were in town...they would scare the pants off our lot. probably the noisiest fans i have come across in 45+ years of going! There is a post on twitter of them in the centre of Liverpool One outside the Wetherspoons..... I think Turkish teams in general have very, umm, 'passionate' fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 21 February, 2015 Share Posted 21 February, 2015 What needs to happen for us to get in Europa league for finishing 7th? Is it likely/unlikely? Not sure, it would need for the Cup Final to be between two sides already qualified for Europe, think the only way that can possibly happen (given the current state of the PL table)is a Liverpool vs Arsenal/Man U final. Unless Liverpool or Tottenham winning the Europa League makes a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 21 February, 2015 Share Posted 21 February, 2015 (edited) Not sure, it would need for the Cup Final to be between two sides already qualified for Europe, think the only way that can possibly happen (given the current state of the PL table)is a Liverpool vs Arsenal/Man U final. Unless Liverpool or Tottenham winning the Europa League makes a difference. We need Chelsea to win the League cup and we need Man U/Arsenal, (or Liverpool) to win the FA cup and finish in the CL places*. Who those teams beat in the final is irrelevant as the runner ups get nothing as of now. *I am answering the question. Obviously we need us to finish in the CL places. Edited 21 February, 2015 by CB Fry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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