Final positions for Europe

[matttheclaret]

I think with 9 points we'll very likely finish in the top 7.

Big ask, though if we beat Wolves it would certainly make it interesting ahead of (on paper) the last two slightly less tricky games.

I'd love us to at least finish in the top half and try and beat the 54 points we got two years ago.

[tiger76]

I think with 9 points we'll very likely finish in the top 7.

Big ask, though if we beat Wolves it would certainly make it interesting ahead of (on paper) the last two slightly less tricky games.

I'd love us to at least finish in the top half and try and beat the 54 points we got two years ago.

Given our 5 point buffer to 11th placed Everton, a top 10 finish should be well within reach, and we potentially could finish above Arsenal, Everton and Spurs. That would surely constitute a successful campaign in anybody's book.

If we can go unbeaten in these last 3 games, that would mean we'd lost 1 in 16, and the 1 was at City, that's a heck of a run if we achieve it.

[NewClaret]

I think with 9 points we'll very likely finish in the top 7.

Big ask, though if we beat Wolves it would certainly make it interesting ahead of (on paper) the last two slightly less tricky games.

I'd love us to at least finish in the top half and try and beat the 54 points we got two years ago.

Can't see us finishing 7th with 9pts to be honest. Basically means us picking up 3 more points than Spurs and Arsenal, and 5 more points than Sheffield United (due to GD). Can't see that combination happening

[Ric_C]

One more win then that will pretty much ensure a top 10 place, which is an amazing achievement. Potentially could finish above Wolves if we beat them. Then 7th could still be on, with Sheff U finishing 6th. Can you imagine both us and Sheff U getting into Europe?

Would be brilliant to finish above Arsenal, absolutely hilarious

But looking at the fixtures, we will probably finish 10th in all probability.

[FactualFrank]

One more win then that will pretty much ensure a top 10 place, which is an amazing achievement. Potentially could finish above Wolves if we beat them. Then 7th could still be on, with Sheff U finishing 6th. Can you imagine both us and Sheff U getting into Europe?

Would be brilliant to finish above Arsenal, absolutely hilarious

But looking at the fixtures, we will probably finish 10th in all probability.

It'll be interesting. Southampton have a game in hand to go 2 points clear of Everton and 3 behind us - although that's away to the most inform team in the league, later this evening.

Regarding Arsenal - their next 2 games are Liverpool and Man City, so could be close.

[Sheedyclaret]

Be more than happy with 10th place wouldn't want us anywhere near Europe with our squad..

[dermotdermot]

It would have to be 7th as Man. City have just had their ban lifted.

[dsr]

To finish 7th, we realistically need to win all three. and then we need three of the following to happen:

Arsenal to drop a point against Liverpool, Villa or Watford.
Spurs to get 6 points or less from Newcastle, Leicester and Palace.
Wolves to lose to Palace or Chelsea, or to draw with both.
Sheffield United to get 4 points or less from Leicester, Everton, Southampton.

None of those are impossible scenarios. If all four happen, we could finish 6th and be automatically into the groups. but first, we have to beat Wolves!

[tiger76]

Looks like Arsenal are going to miss out on Europe, it'll be the 1st time since the 95/96 season they've not had European football, that's must hurt them financially, and it's not beyond question that Spurs could also miss out, that would be hilarious if they both failed to make Europe.

[Gordaleman]

I think we can forget Europe now, but I'd love us to have a real crack at one of the cups next season. I don't think Sean has taken them at at all seriously since he arrived.

[BenWickes]

Wow you're talking about 1993......27 year's ago, football is nothing like that anymore it can not be compared

He asked if a club with self made money had ever made it into European competition and the Premier League. The key word is 'ever'.

[Spijed]

To finish 7th, we realistically need to win all three. and then we need three of the following to happen:

Arsenal to drop a point against Liverpool, Villa or Watford.
Spurs to get 6 points or less from Newcastle, Leicester and Palace.
Wolves to lose to Palace or Chelsea, or to draw with both.
Sheffield United to get 4 points or less from Leicester, Everton, Southampton.

None of those are impossible scenarios. If all four happen, we could finish 6th and be automatically into the groups. but first, we have to beat Wolves!

The chances of both Arsenal & Spurs meeting the above criteria are likely with the way they've been playing recently.

Wolves & Sheffield United are harder to predict.

[jrgbfc]

Looks like Arsenal are going to miss out on Europe, it'll be the 1st time since the 95/96 season they've not had European football, that's must hurt them financially, and it's not beyond question that Spurs could also miss out, that would be hilarious if they both failed to make Europe.

There's no money in the Europa league anyway. The bigger clubs would probably rather not play in it and concentrate fully on the league for a year.

[Top Claret]

The only positive that comes from the europa league is the winner gets a champions league spot.
No manager right in his head wants to be travelling to Eastern Europe to play a game on a Thursday night and then back playing EPL on the Sunday. Neither does any chairman when the financial rewards are zero.

Has a supporter I honestly can't see the attraction of playing a team in the Ukraine or Romania, I have never heard of.

[matttheclaret]

It'll be interesting. Southampton have a game in hand to go 2 points clear of Everton and 3 behind us - although that's away to the most inform team in the league, later this evening.

Regarding Arsenal - their next 2 games are Liverpool and Man City, so could be close.

The City game is the FA Cup semi. Think after Liverpool, their other two games are Villa and Watford.

[FactualFrank]

The City game is the FA Cup semi. Think after Liverpool, their other two games are Villa and Watford.

Aye yes, you're quite right. In that case, Arsenal will likely pick up 6 more points, so we'll need 7.

[Woodleyclaret]

I predicted 10th in August
This is very likely and a tremendous achievement with our high injury list

[KateR]

I just want to finish above Arsenal and we have a realistic chance

[tiger76]

There's no money in the Europa league anyway. The bigger clubs would probably rather not play in it and concentrate fully on the league for a year.

Perhaps, but it's still embarrassing for 2 clubs of their stature to miss out altogether, the interesting aspect for me is how Sheff Utd will cope if they qualify, they've got a small squad like us, but as we know to our cost the EL can take it's toil in the early months, just look at the start Wolves had, if they hadn't started so slowly they'd be right in the hunt for a CL place.

It might be an advantage for both Arsenal & Spurs to take a year to rebuild, they both require major surgery to their squads, before they can be considered anywhere near top 4 contenders.let alone title challengers.

[NewClaret]

There's no money in the Europa league anyway. The bigger clubs would probably rather not play in it and concentrate fully on the league for a year.

Agree. It’s good for us because it’s a “prize” for a good season, but the bigger clubs don’t want it and I’m sure they’d rather focus on trying to achieve top 4 next season.