Couldn't agree more Sam. A club needs a very big and strong squad to compete in the Prem and European competitions. Fulham are not one of those clubs, and should put all their efforts into remaining a top half Prem side, but push harder for the League and FA Cup glory.
No disrespect to Southampton (they deserved their victory), but without our strongest eleven from the start, we proved our lack of strength in depth.
Totally agree it holds a value marginally above that of the inter two bob trophy and would probably cost us money at the expense of a league place, no plusses anywhere
Great article Sam. Be careful for what you wish for. Most Premier clubs can’t cope with the fixtures or the travel schedules. Teams often get a lot of injuries as they are playing more competitive matches with no time for treatment and rest. I remember in our Europa run, Damien Duff could hardly run his legs were leaden from having played earlier in the week.
There must be a fine balance from having to add to the squad, and what revenue the club would get from being in Europa League.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: is Marco paid a bonus Not to get us into Europe each season. Is this why we implode near the end of the season. Being a mid table club is much easier for the board to manage-discuss.
Thanks Bruce. I love your conspiracy theory idea. Almost an impossible task given top 10 (or even further some years) can technically qualify for Europe in very narrow circumstances, so that one could back fire!
I of course don’t buy the theory though. I should make clear - as I do in the article - Europa League qualification and above is still worthwhile. Just not the Conference League.
Agreed that it can be a poisoned chalice but how much do we make as a club if we don't lose every game and instead progress a few stages? This article only tells us the earnings in a worst case scenario.
Click through to the Swiss Ramble article linked and you can see the maximum, total prize money is €15.4m - nowhere near what 17th in the Prem gets you.
Completely agree its not worth it and under a reaction-based board it definitely isnt. Maranakis is a proactive style chairman and makes a lot of mistakes and even he is struggling to give his manager the resources needed to balance league and europe.
If we want to go into europe and not have to worry too much about the league knowing we will be safe, we are about 3 good seasons away of constantly building the squad..... but the fanbase wont accept that like most modern fans as they want it now and wont wait.
Couldn't agree more Sam. A club needs a very big and strong squad to compete in the Prem and European competitions. Fulham are not one of those clubs, and should put all their efforts into remaining a top half Prem side, but push harder for the League and FA Cup glory.
No disrespect to Southampton (they deserved their victory), but without our strongest eleven from the start, we proved our lack of strength in depth.
Totally agree it holds a value marginally above that of the inter two bob trophy and would probably cost us money at the expense of a league place, no plusses anywhere
Great article Sam. Be careful for what you wish for. Most Premier clubs can’t cope with the fixtures or the travel schedules. Teams often get a lot of injuries as they are playing more competitive matches with no time for treatment and rest. I remember in our Europa run, Damien Duff could hardly run his legs were leaden from having played earlier in the week.
There must be a fine balance from having to add to the squad, and what revenue the club would get from being in Europa League.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: is Marco paid a bonus Not to get us into Europe each season. Is this why we implode near the end of the season. Being a mid table club is much easier for the board to manage-discuss.
Thanks Bruce. I love your conspiracy theory idea. Almost an impossible task given top 10 (or even further some years) can technically qualify for Europe in very narrow circumstances, so that one could back fire!
I of course don’t buy the theory though. I should make clear - as I do in the article - Europa League qualification and above is still worthwhile. Just not the Conference League.
Agree, however if it does occur, with the current squad, the Premier League is the priority.
Agreed that it can be a poisoned chalice but how much do we make as a club if we don't lose every game and instead progress a few stages? This article only tells us the earnings in a worst case scenario.
Click through to the Swiss Ramble article linked and you can see the maximum, total prize money is €15.4m - nowhere near what 17th in the Prem gets you.
Oh fair, still not loads.
I get your point and I agree that Europe is much better and that the conference league does'nt offer and great benefits.
But what would your reaction be if we did go to the conference league seeing as though that is still and achievement?
Completely agree its not worth it and under a reaction-based board it definitely isnt. Maranakis is a proactive style chairman and makes a lot of mistakes and even he is struggling to give his manager the resources needed to balance league and europe.
If we want to go into europe and not have to worry too much about the league knowing we will be safe, we are about 3 good seasons away of constantly building the squad..... but the fanbase wont accept that like most modern fans as they want it now and wont wait.