Europa League or not?

[Unbelievable]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Newcastle-can-exploit-Chelsea-fixture-pile-up-to-pip-them-to-European-place-says-Alan-Pardew-article887538.html

But Pardew insisted he would have mixed feelings if Newcastle’s fine season did not result in a Europa Cup slot.

 

He said: “There will be one side of me quite pleased if we don’t qualify for Europe, because it will mean we can attack next season without having the extra pressure of Europa League.

 

“Having said that, the other side of me would welcome it because it would take the club forward, bond some of the players to the club, and it would be an achievement of sorts. We could also perhaps add to the squad with the extra finance we’d get.”

 

To do what exactly? Try and finish in the top 6 to reach European football?

[SUPERTOON]

Think it is a different discussion for us, than with any other club, because we can't be sure Ashley will allow us to get the squad we would need.

[Lenny]

May not be very ambitious in terms of going for a CL spot, but I'd probably bite your hand off for the automatic Europa spot right now.

[Neil]

Total no brainer but, without additional investment, its bound to impact our league performance.

 

and it would be incredibly naive to think otherwise.

 

Europe is where you want to be playing. Sure, the Europa League (please bring back the UEFA Cup) isn't a patch on the Champions League but it's how you develop as a club. Bigger stature, better players are more likely to come, increased performance, increased funds, and so on. To compete successfully and maintain good league form, yes, of course you need a strong squad. But it equally doesn't mean you have to rest most of your first-team for every European game. There's a middle ground to be had here.

[Neil]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Newcastle-can-exploit-Chelsea-fixture-pile-up-to-pip-them-to-European-place-says-Alan-Pardew-article887538.html

But Pardew insisted he would have mixed feelings if Newcastle’s fine season did not result in a Europa Cup slot.

 

He said: “There will be one side of me quite pleased if we don’t qualify for Europe, because it will mean we can attack next season without having the extra pressure of Europa League.

 

“Having said that, the other side of me would welcome it because it would take the club forward, bond some of the players to the club, and it would be an achievement of sorts. We could also perhaps add to the squad with the extra finance we’d get.”

 

To do what exactly? Try and finish in the top 6 to reach European football?

 

Again, a pretty stupid statement (from Pardew).

 

Unless you were ultra-confident of finishing in the top 4, then it's an utterly perplexing point to make. It's one of those statements that makes it sound like he's got a plan but in reality makes no sense whatsoever. It's ludicrous.

[Stifler]

Hell yes.

 

Unlike other clubs we have a love affair with it. Our fans love it. Yes a lot of our Premiership games will be on a Sunday but thats no different to now. Yes we will play more games but so we would for the Champions League in the unlikely event we make it. I think it will help attract more players to the club, persuade Ashley to let us get 1 or 2 more squad players and show everyone that we do have ambition, and you never know we must just end up landing ourselves a trophy.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

It's only worthwhile if we expand the squad. Our players have got a lot of niggling injuries this season just playing league games.

I'm pretty sure I read that our transfer plans won't change even if we qualify for Europe. In a way I can understand that. Imagine if we qualified for the Champions League. We would be better off treating that as a massive, unexpected bonus and enjoy the ride rather than spend money because of it.

[Guest BlacknWhiteArmy]

If it affects our league position, so be it. I think being in the competition and the increased reputation that comes with it makes any small league slide worth while. Being in Europe is vital if we want to progress and get better players. I actually think playing in the Europa will increase our chances of finishing in the kind of position we find ourselves now more regularly.

[Spider Jerusalem]

Of course, but if we went into it with a similar squad to what we started this season then we would be struggling.  We are just about running on empty now.

 

I wouldn't want to be next years version of Stoke, who gave up after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and played a weakened team in the next to 'save' thier players, or Villa when O'Neill had them there and he disrespected the competition in a similar manner.  If we do qualify then we want to compete, not just give a half-hearted attempt at bringing up the numbers.

[Cronky]

Pardew isn't the first manager to express mixed feelings about the Europa League. I think it was Hodgson, but I'm probably wrong on that.

 

A Thursday night jaunt to Azerbaijan before a game on Sunday is a serious pain in the arse, even if you take your reserves. It's not all about games against Valencia or Roma.

[Unbelievable]

Of course, but if we went into it with a similar squad to what we started this season then we would be struggling.  We are just about running on empty now.

 

I wouldn't want to be next years version of Stoke, who gave up after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and played a weakened team in the next to 'save' thier players, or Villa when O'Neill had them there and he disrespected the competition in a similar manner.  If we do qualify then we want to compete, not just give a half-hearted attempt at bringing up the numbers.

 

[Disco]

http://i.imm.io/lsVa.jpeg

[Hanshithispantz]

Regarding Pardew's comments, he may just want the time to build a better squad capable of competing in Europe, as opposed to qualifying now, 'panic buying' 5-6 players and expecting them to bed straight in?

 

Anyway, I hope we make good use of our right to loan a couple of players in for next season.

[Stu]

It's only worthwhile if we expand the squad. Our players have got a lot of niggling injuries this season just playing league games.

 

Another good point, not sure Ashley will see it that way.

 

Professional athletes are going to pick up "niggling injuries"; it's how they deal with them and manage them through the season that shows their character (and also the club's ability to get a player wanting to play each week). They have the end of season 'break' to fully rest and recover.

 

In all sports, players grind their bodies through a season, putting up with wear and tear knocks until they get the chance to relax in May/June.

[Guest Roger Kint]

It's only worthwhile if we expand the squad. Our players have got a lot of niggling injuries this season just playing league games.

 

Another good point, not sure Ashley will see it that way.

 

We are paying close to £8m pa on 5 players who have barely got their boots dirty this season. I would imagine that pisses Ashley off a lot more......

[Cajun]

Yes please.

[themanupstairs]

The only time to scoff at European qualification is in hindsight, when you've just missed out on it and you can say, "well at least we can focus on the league" etc...

 

Definitely for me.

[James]

Definitely want to be back in Europe, but I think we'd need to use every ounce of our outfield squad, and that includes Vuckic, Gosling, Abeid, Tavernier, Sammy.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/04/08/pardew-europe-could-be-curse-for-united-squad-79310-30716638/

 

Pardew: Europe could be curse for United squad

 

Apr 8 2012 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

 

ALAN Pardew has admitted for the first time that making it into Europe might be a curse as well as a blessing.

 

United are in pole position to make it back into European competition for the first time since 2007, with a Champions League place within reach if they continue their sensational form.

 

They moved into fifth on Friday night, a position that would book them a slot in Europe’s secondary knock out competition the Europa League.

 

Pardew admits that tournament - with its long knock-out stages and potentially treacherous trips to Eastern Europe - would put “extra pressure” on his Newcastle side.

 

There is merit to his argument, with Newcastle not currently equipped to fight on four fronts. But the flip side is that Europe would give United the chance to bring in extra players, keep current stars and bolster their stature.

 

It has left the Toon boss conflicted.

 

“There will be one side of me quite pleased (if we miss out) because it means we can attack the season next year not having the extra pressure of that European league,” Pardew told the Sunday Sun.

 

“Having said that I would still, on the other part of me, welcome that because it will take the club forward. It would bond some of the players to the club and would be an achievement of sorts.

 

“We can perhaps add to the squad with the extra finance we get from it.”

 

Whether United make Europe or not, Pardew is certain about one thing – this season has been a rip-roaring success for the Magpies.

 

However, he knows that all of the club’s good work could potentially be undone by an Everton victory in the Merseyside Cup derby at Wembley on Saturday.

 

That would likely mean only one route into Europe through the league this year, for the fifth-placed Premier League finishers.

 

“There’s no way you could look back on this season as a failure. I think in some ways we’re in the lap of the Gods really because Chelsea have a big determination,” he said.

 

“Then you’ve got this Liverpool-Everton FA Cup game which will impact on it if Everton get through to the final, which I still think is a rule that needs to be looked at in my opinion.

 

“I think if you finish higher in the league, that is more deserving than finishing runners up in the Cup. If you win it, fair enough.”

 

Of course, United’s destiny remains in their own hands. They have a May 4 trip to Stamford Bridge which – if they win – could see them book fifth.

 

Chelsea remain engaged in the FA Cup and Champions League as well as battling to return to Europe’s premier club competition.

 

“I think that whole period is crucial for Chelsea more than us,” Pardew added. “I think we can do without that Chelsea game. We could lose that game and still finish above them.

 

“They’ve got two semi-finals, the Champions League and the FA Cup, and maybe finals. They’re being pulled in a lot of directions.

 

“I don’t think we will come to that game depending on it for Europe. It will be about our other results – and Chelsea’s.”

 

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/04/08/pardew-recruits-required-for-european-campaign-79310-30716617/

 

Pardew: Recruits required for European campaign

 

Apr 8 2012 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

 

ALAN Pardew says Newcastle United will need “four or five” new signings if they clinch European qualification.

 

As the Sunday Sun revealed last week, the Toon boss says his current plan is to bring in only two new signings this summer.

 

But if they manage to book their place in the Europa League, that will increase to a maximum of five - with possibly more if Danny Simpson and Danny Guthrie leave in the close season.

 

Asked about whether European qualification would require a bigger summer recruitment drive, Pardew said: “It will possibly change us a little bit.

 

“I think we would need a bigger squad, therefore where we might only bring in two or three we might need four or five to bolster the numbers.

 

“We’ll have to see because obviously we’ve got contracts up here as well, whether we all agree to stay or they go as well. We’ll have to wait and see.”

 

All of United’s main targets have international pedigree.

 

The Magpies are eyeing Holland defender Erik Pieters, France right-back Mathieu Debachy and FC Twente’s Douglas – although they are understood to have other centre-back targets than just the towering Brazilian.

[midds]

Would love to qualify but it would bring problems next year. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages though.

 

Bit of a moot point until we actually qualify which is far from certain as I fancy Everton to win the semi.

[Mole_Toonfan]

Not one for sweeping statements but this topic is an exception.

 

Any fan who doesn't want their club to qualify for Europe needs their head checked immediately.

 

One of the biggest piles of bullshit in football is when a fan or whoever says they don't want Europe (or for that matter an extended cup run) because of the extra games, injuries, tiredness. f*** off man, give your head a shake.

 

Said everything i wanted to say and more cheers 

[Dokko]

I'm not too fussed either way, it would stretch out small squad and take focus off finishing high in the league again. Though it's a sure sign of progression to potential signings.

 

So I'm 50/50.

[Guest firetotheworks]

I wouldn't be anywhere near as elated or devastated over the Europa League as I would over the Champions League. That goes without saying obviously, but whatever happens, we've had an absolutely sensational season and nothing will change that.

[Karjala]

Is this the daftest poll ever?

[Cajun]

Tbh when we were fighting against relegation, fighting for promotion and in our first season back in the premiership cup runs were the last thing on my mind and going out of them wasn't the end of the world (obviously there is still that hurt you get when you lose any game, no matter how much you try to think you aren't bothered) because I had far greater concerns and although it's just that one more/a few more game/sr it was still that slight chance an important player could get hurt/the team could be a bit more lethargic for an important league game.

 

I am a lot more confident we now have the squad to cope and still do well in the league so any extra chances to win something are more than welcome. Really love European games, even against the weaker sides.