Dark Munster

Great picture. Shame Pardew wasn't there too, he really helped set the foundation for the spectacular rise.

What, no danger of relegation? Are you sure, Mack?

But could actually gain one. Possibly. Maybe.

Maybe he really hates Man Utd and West Ham (who would lose out altogether if Palace win).

This thread thrives on confusing matters. But unfortunately the above isn't a confusing matter, we all agree it is correct.

If it happens to the other team I agree.

A rule change I want is for goalkeeper subs to be counted separately. Currently if 3 subs are used and the goalie gets injured the team ends up with 9 outfielders and an amateur in goal. Like Blackstock in the FA cup about 10 years ago.

But this one was small fry compared to the doozy we had on the P*mpey thread.

When you wake up please let us know. It would mean 5 CL + 4 EL. I don't think it's in the rules, but if anyone can find it, it's you.

This. Good summary.

Here we go again, when beaten by logic, it's the old "it's never going to happen", followed by insults of course. Why do UEFA mention that possibility explicitly (see The9's post earlier)? Liverpool (8th) are in the EL final, and City (4th, but just 3 points out of 6th) got to the CL semi-final. So it was hardly a 5000/1 shot (which "never happens").

"The row 4 situation implies (a non cup winning) 5th won't qualify for Europe. While this appears to be the strict interpretation of the rules as they are currently written, I have a feeling UEFA didn't anticipate this happening (not for the first time) and would make an exception to let 5th into EL."

Good grief, I actually agree with you here!

Are you sure? 4th place is the highest placed non-CL league qualifier for EL.

Finally he gets it. That's all I've been saying all along. Wasn't that difficult, was it? And it appears you have been looking a different row 4 than me: it's the one that states "If teams outside top 4 wins UCL and UEL". Just like the scenario I gave, which you pitifully failed to understand.

Ok, let's try to make it a simple as possible, so maybe even you can understand. Sorry, I don't have crayon font, but I'll make it big for you. Suppose the following happens in the following league positions: 1. Don't win any cup 2. Don't win any cup 3. Don't win any cup 4. Don't win any cup 5. Don't win any cup 6. Win CL 7. Win EL 8. Win FA Cup 9. Win C1 Cup Now the quiz: 1) Who qualifies for CL (either group or qualifying round)? 2) Who qualifies for EL (either group or qualifying round)? 3) BONUS QUESTION: Who doesn't qualify for anything? Take your time.

Steve, the point I'm simply making is that (unless they win a cup) the 5th placed team doesn't appear to qualify for Europe. Note the assumption is that the FA and Capital 1 cup winners finish below 5th and aren't the CL and EL winners (who also finish below 5th). I think that is how the rules are written.

Look at row 4 again. If it's correct (and I think it is), as I said, in that situation a non cup winning 5th team does NOT qualify for Europe. Do you see 5th place anywhere on row 4? Do you see an FA cup winner in the top 4 mentioned in row 4? How do you manage to misunderstand so many things?

Row 4 doesn't exist?

I think that's because they haven't considered all permutations, and tried to keep it simple. For example, a CL winner outside the top 4 finishing in, or not in, an EL spot complicates things, and then they would have to add a load of extra lines just for that. Not to mention on top of that where the FA cup and Capital 1 cup winners finish.

None of the above is in doubt, as row 4 shows. The situation they don't address is that 5th place (which is usually the highest placed EL qualifier) gets bumped out completely.

The row 4 situation implies (a non cup winning) 5th won't qualify for Europe. While this appears to be the strict interpretation of the rules as they are currently written, I have a feeling UEFA didn't anticipate this happening (not for the first time) and would make an exception to let 5th into EL.

Sticky this, mods? Nice to have these all in one thread. That way we can hopefully avoid clicking on a bunch of tedious threads with some random player's name in the title, thinking he's about to sign for us, only to find out it's just another HCDAJFU.