If we want to do this European malarkey again next season, then we have to aim for 7th in the PL.
We'll never know whether a stronger squad would have earned 2 more points at HBS, but personally I doubt that it will turn out to have been a decisive factor in getting to the knockout stage.
So it was the correct principle to apply. We have moved on from that team that used to get a European adventure once in a blue moon.