The Obsession with Getting in Europe

NorthCountryBoy · 14th May 2011, 10:38 AM

Seem to recall us going to Birmingham in April/ May 2003 and just having to avoid any bookings or red cards to keep us at the top of the Fair Play League and in the hat for a Uefa Cup place. Stewart got sent off though for something stupid and put pay to it.

Can't remember anyone being that fussed about qualifying for Europe that day. Do people only think it has value if you do it via the league or something? We were going down but a trip to the continent with your mates is still a trip to the continent with your mates whether SAFC are great or useless...

clem young · 14th May 2011, 10:49 AM

money, money...money!

Mackemansj1 · 14th May 2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCountryBoy

Seem to recall us going to Birmingham in April/ May 2003 and just having to avoid any bookings or red cards to keep us at the top of the Fair Play League and in the hat for a Uefa Cup place. Stewart got sent off though for something stupid and put pay to it.

Can't remember anyone being that fussed about qualifying for Europe that day. Do people only think it has value if you do it via the league or something? We were going down but a trip to the continent with your mates is still a trip to the continent with your mates whether SAFC are great or useless...

Dont you go into a lotto after that i dont think it give you a spot right away i think it goes into to a lotto type deal for a spot.

Frente Bokeron 1986 · 14th May 2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mackemansj1

Dont you go into a lotto after that i dont think it give you a spot right away i think it goes into to a lotto type deal for a spot.

I think they've changed the rules a bit fairly recently.

The 'fairest' team from each of the three, I think? 'fairest' leagues now. I think?

EDIT Forgot LOL to add, we are rated as one of the fairest leagues, I do believe.

Used to be a lottery.
Seem to remember Leicester City? getting pulled out of the draw once?

Alzeimers

Barry Siddall · 14th May 2011, 11:00 AM

I used to be obsessed with trying to beat Liverpool at home once I see Sunderland in Europe in a competetive match I'm ganna rap in watchen footy

NorthCountryBoy · 15th May 2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frente Bokeron 1986

I think they've changed the rules a bit fairly recently.

The 'fairest' team from each of the three, I think? 'fairest' leagues now. I think?

EDIT Forgot LOL to add, we are rated as one of the fairest leagues, I do believe.

Used to be a lottery.
Seem to remember Leicester City? getting pulled out of the draw once?

Alzeimers

Yeah we'd only have got into a lottery but it was a chance all the same. I just don't understand the lack of interest in it then versus all the excited Europa League talk a few weeks ago. Aside from the Millwall Semi and '92 it's arguably the closest we've been to Europe since 1973.

gipetto · 15th May 2011, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCountryBoy

Seem to recall us going to Birmingham in April/ May 2003 and just having to avoid any bookings or red cards to keep us at the top of the Fair Play League and in the hat for a Uefa Cup place. Stewart got sent off though for something stupid and put pay to it.

Can't remember anyone being that fussed about qualifying for Europe that day. Do people only think it has value if you do it via the league or something? We were going down but a trip to the continent with your mates is still a trip to the continent with your mates whether SAFC are great or useless...

Because we didn't have a good enough squad. If you qualify through the league you do it on merit and you should have a good enough squad to be able to compete. Imagine if we'd been in Europe and managed to stay in the cup's this season? We'd probably have ended up going down.

NorthCountryBoy · 15th May 2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gipetto

Because we didn't have a good enough squad. If you qualify through the league you do it on merit and you should have a good enough squad to be able to compete. Imagine if we'd been in Europe and managed to stay in the cup's this season? We'd probably have ended up going down.

If we'd got in this year we still wouldn't have tried in it so same difference, it'd be rank from a sporting perspective. The big buzz from getting into Europe would be the trip away with the group though which would have been just as good then as now.

gipetto · 15th May 2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCountryBoy

If we'd got in this year we still wouldn't have tried in it so same difference, it'd be rank from a sporting perspective. The big buzz from getting into Europe would be the trip away with the group though which would have been just as good then as now.

How do you know that?

Of course we would have tried in it and I firmly believe we would have brought in players strong enough to give us a fighting chance both in Europe and the league. It would have helped us attract better players as well.

cook · 15th May 2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCountryBoy

Seem to recall us going to Birmingham in April/ May 2003 and just having to avoid any bookings or red cards to keep us at the top of the Fair Play League and in the hat for a Uefa Cup place. Stewart got sent off though for something stupid and put pay to it.

Can't remember anyone being that fussed about qualifying for Europe that day. Do people only think it has value if you do it via the league or something? We were going down but a trip to the continent with your mates is still a trip to the continent with your mates whether SAFC are great or useless...

It was worth it though. Months of frustration taken out in one hoof