We’ve been hanging on to the hope of European football for so long that what I’m about to say may seem like heresy.
This afternoon a victory for Manchester United at Wembley will see us with a Europa Cup spot but is it really such a great idea?
Quite beyond whether or not we have the squad strength for such an adventure, there’s a much bigger issue in my opinion and that’s the move to the Olympic Stadium.
Like many clubs before them the Hammers face a period of readjustment and perhaps in our case that will be even more taxing than it was on the likes of Southampton, Derby County, Sunderland and others.
I am perfectly happy – indeed hope – I may have got this entirely wrong and that the lads will take to life in Stratford like ducks to water under a manager we have all come to trust implicitly.
However, the luxury and splendour of the OS is a million light years from the homely romantic and unique Boleyn which has been part of our DNA for so many years and I think that adjustment could take a while.
I recall a Saints player commenting when the club moved to St Mary’s that it felt like playing away for much of the first season and that it was very difficult.
A European campaign in our first season at the OS may just be a step too far in what can become an exhausting Premier League and European schedule.
If it happens I trust Slav to manage the situation with his normal laid back aplomb but should we not make it into the Euro League I personally won’t be wildly upset.
Either way I am looking for another season of stability next term before we truly kick on into the 2017-18 season with our first OS campaign behind us.
Well if Europa League football does come our way i for one will welcome the chance , and if the transition to the O.S proves problematical then i guess we won’t be in the competition long enough to worry about squad depth . A faint heart never won a fair lady and we will only find out how good we are or not, by dipping our toes into the water ! As for home games feeling like away games , some of our best form and results last term were away fixtures . Whatever happens next season , i am looking forwards with relish . COYI ( and M.U.F.C ! )
It could be argued that a few early games against the top teams from Malta and Romania could help us bed in quicker at the stadium before the season proper starts. I think we need Europa to attract players plus maybe keep some of the fringe players happy with game time.
Good point Rum, our first match may be at Wembley if the OS isn’t ready anyway (at least thats what I hope)
Let’s waits and see what happens in a few hours before we worry about this,
But if Manure win then any ground that we are offered may be Wembley or The Valley ( they would love to see us play there )
It will be all the same as we would not have settled in the OS
With our team we are good enough to win playing 2 away games