Not getting Europe

[Zippity]

How much of an impact do you think this will have on our summer business? Some of our big players might reconsider staying if we've only got domestic competition next season. I know they all love being here and being part of this project, etc, but the prospect of playing at a top club who are in European competition next year is certainly one that might turn heads that otherwise might not have been turned.

For my money, that stat of clubs like ours in their first year of Champions League action finishing, on average, 8th, is likely to come true for us. Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Villa and Spurs will all finish ahead of us and there's a very decent chance that Man U and Chelsea will do too..Both those two teams were too good to be sh!t all season. I know we've had some decent results too but with our injuries and respective squads, I expect both to have a stronger finish to the season than us.

Funnily enough, I'm not quite as worried about the situation affecting how we bring in. I'm sure it'll be a barrier to some players but we managed to attract Bruno, Botman and Isak on the promise of what was to come so there's no reason why we can't do so again.

Thoughts?

[ex_pat_magpie]

I hope reasoning in your last paragraph nullifies the reason some might want away in the first paragraph.

I'm hoping that if we don't make a European spot they will just realise that it's only a season's blip whereby we can regroup, rebuild and recover from the horrendous injuries and prepare for the next campaign.

I also don't believe this seasons gone until it's a mathematical certainty. There's a few above us could go on a bad run, and have, as we had, a bad injury crisis while we recover and pick up points.

I always think back to Alan Shearer's attitude, sticking it out here rather than going for glory elsewhere. I know he was an unusual loyal icon.

But what an example.

[Jammy89]

I don't think it'll turn heads of our players - I think they've seen what we're capable of and know the injuries we've had this season.

This isn't to say that I don't think we'll lose anyone, I think we might.

I think that it won't have that much impact on incoming players - you can see what we're trying to do, it's players who are willing to engage with that that we want. If they don't want to engage because we're not in Europe then are they the players we need right now.

[OwdBillCook]

I agree. This has to be a long-term project to haul us out of the horrific Ashley era.
That total lack of investment or vision has left a long legacy.
Last season. we very much over-performed. Other clubs did badly. There was no way anyone would have expected us to be in the CL at the end of the season!
This season, we've been blighted by injuries. And our performance has been up and down.
But I think we can still attract, and keep, the right sort of players. We don't want prima donnas. We want players who will want to buy into the project - to take us and them forward.
A tricky balance, beyond doubt.

[tinostongue]

As to wether or not we lose players will depend largely on who we recruit in the summer. If they see top quality signings then I’m sure they would stay, if they don’t want to stay then get rid, they’re not for us, move on to the next heroes.

[Magzer]

As to wether or not we lose players will depend largely on who we recruit in the summer. If they see top quality signings then I’m sure they would stay, if they don’t want to stay then get rid, they’re not for us, move on to the next heroes.

I think this sums up my thoughts as well.

[HughieG]

I think the coming window is the one that will answer your question, Zip.

Players like Bruno, Botman and maybe Isak and Big Joe will likely be asking questions if we don't supply the squad with 3-4 quality additions in the summer.

Another point though is; how many of our players can actually transfer to more attractive prospects? Okay, maybe a Saudi move is an upgrade money-wise, but other than that I can't see us losing a lot of players to rival clubs. Pope, Trippier, Schär, Wilson, Barnes, Almiron, Longstaff etc. won't leave for Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG etc. At most, they can make a sideways step or a step down; and what's the point in that if they're happy here?

[OwdBillCook]

I think the coming window is the one that will answer your question, Zip.

Players like Bruno, Botman and maybe Isak and Big Joe will likely be asking questions if we don't supply the squad with 3-4 quality additions in the summer.

Another point though is; how many of our players can actually transfer to more attractive prospects? Okay, maybe a Saudi move is an upgrade money-wise, but other than that I can't see us losing a lot of players to rival clubs. Pope, Trippier, Schär, Wilson, Barnes, Almiron, Longstaff etc. won't leave for Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG etc. At most, they can make a sideways step or a step down; and what's the point in that if they're happy here?

Totally agree with this. But, also, I cannot see why we won't have quality additions in the summer.

[Zippity]

I think the coming window is the one that will answer your question, Zip.

Players like Bruno, Botman and maybe Isak and Big Joe will likely be asking questions if we don't supply the squad with 3-4 quality additions in the summer.

Another point though is; how many of our players can actually transfer to more attractive prospects? Okay, maybe a Saudi move is an upgrade money-wise, but other than that I can't see us losing a lot of players to rival clubs. Pope, Trippier, Schär, Wilson, Barnes, Almiron, Longstaff etc. won't leave for Real Madrid, Bayern, PSG etc. At most, they can make a sideways step or a step down; and what's the point in that if they're happy here?

Yeah, good points, Hughie, especially regarding how are 'big' players will respond to our summer transfer activity.

[toonozandy]

I'm not fussed about Europe until we have a deeper and stronger squad to compete - we have seen the catastrophic results injuries have caused, by not having a squad that bats deep. The next window is going to be one hell of a ride for this club, so buckle up for shocks and tears !!!!