- Dec 22, 2003
- 8,067
- 7,540
I've seen a lot of posts lately that express fears for the worse should we fail to qualify for the UEFA Cup this season, and it looks likely. I'm not convinced it will be as detrimental as some seem to think, but first, the fear.
So on the one hand, if we don't have European football next season we will fail to attract quality players, we will fail to keep our better players and so our chances of any kind of long term success will be seriously damaged.
On the other, I don't think this is the case. Man City have had no trouble attracting players and staff and doing well, Portsmouth are also doing well despite not being in Europe. Bolton, who are in the UEFA, haven't really benefitted at all.
Players will sign for Spurs because they want to play in the Premier League, and I think that also goes for the players we have. The UEFA Cup wouldn't make a difference, the Champions League, would.
If as looks likely, we don't have European football next season, we will have fewer games to play and so be able to concentrate more thoroughly on the league with less opportunities for injury. Plus we will have a squad that has tasted Europe and wants to be in it again. I think this could act as a spur. If our ambition really is to crack the big four then not being in Europe, for a season could be a help.
Long term, I believe Spurs should be in Europe every season, ideally the Champions League, but at least the UEFA Cup. However, I want that through league position, winning a cup doesn't show improvement and doesn't give us back our status. I think that maybe a season out of Europe could galvanise the team to go that one step further than we managed 2 seasons back and reach the promised land.
So on the one hand, if we don't have European football next season we will fail to attract quality players, we will fail to keep our better players and so our chances of any kind of long term success will be seriously damaged.
On the other, I don't think this is the case. Man City have had no trouble attracting players and staff and doing well, Portsmouth are also doing well despite not being in Europe. Bolton, who are in the UEFA, haven't really benefitted at all.
Players will sign for Spurs because they want to play in the Premier League, and I think that also goes for the players we have. The UEFA Cup wouldn't make a difference, the Champions League, would.
If as looks likely, we don't have European football next season, we will have fewer games to play and so be able to concentrate more thoroughly on the league with less opportunities for injury. Plus we will have a squad that has tasted Europe and wants to be in it again. I think this could act as a spur. If our ambition really is to crack the big four then not being in Europe, for a season could be a help.
Long term, I believe Spurs should be in Europe every season, ideally the Champions League, but at least the UEFA Cup. However, I want that through league position, winning a cup doesn't show improvement and doesn't give us back our status. I think that maybe a season out of Europe could galvanise the team to go that one step further than we managed 2 seasons back and reach the promised land.