Clubs In Europe

[MonkeyLove]

Obviously disappointing that our form for the last few weeks probably puts us out of the running for Europe but it also gives us a potential opportunity next season.

Both this season and historically clubs getting into Europe can often see a negative impact on league form. Understandable as unless you are a top side with a big squad it impacts pretty much every aspect of the club - tiredness/fatigue, less time to train, more injuries etc… whilst it’s not the only factor in their season we have seen it this year with the Mags, Forest, Palace etc…

Next season 40% of the league will now likely be in a European competition. The top 4 we aren’t competing with anyway and will likely have the depth to cover. But for everyone from Villa down some of our other competition if we want top 8 may take a hit. Just like we likely would if we qualified it will be interesting to see if Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford, or Everton if they get in have the squad to sustain a 60+ game season and 2/3 games a week. History suggests they often don’t and the extra money apart from at Champions League level is not enough to majorly add depth to the squad.

Still disappointing not to be in with a better shot being our run in but could be a blessing in disguise for our chances of kicking on next season

 

[contrarian]

The games, especially our quality of play, against Port Vale, Forest, West Hame, Brighton, Fulham shows we are nowhere near ready to be competing in both the league and Europe in same season
We are too inconsistent, have no plan B and overly reliant on 1 or 2 players.
Recruitment and Coaching are going to need to move to à new level in close season

 

[Rokeroar]

The games, especially our quality of play, against Port Vale, Forest, West Hame, Brighton, Fulham shows we are nowhere near ready to be competing in both the league and Europe in same season
We are too inconsistent, have no plan B and overly reliant on 1 or 2 players.
Recruitment and Coaching are going to need to move to à new level in close season

This “no plan B” narrative is just not true. The fact that we are one of the best teams in the league for coming back from behind shows that this is just not true.
I would agree we are over reliant on Xhaka, and I think we need to find a better solution to this next season.
As for Europe I certainly would have taken it, but not getting there obviously has its advantages, as the OP has pointed out