Dark Munster

True, but the further they went the better the chances of the bastards actually winning it.

This. And not a massive gamble, just one player, the central striker we needed.

It was a big handbag though.

Depends. Maybe so, if Arsenal and ManU finish in the top 4, but if Liverpool or Spurs (or both ) do ... that would be unbearable.

Can't really argue with any of that. Only thing missing is the abysmal ref factor: 3 Manchester United 4 Liverpool 5 Arsenal 6 Tottenham 20 Southampton

Are you sure? I thought the only way to get 5 CL spots was for a PL winner of Europa (or the CL) to finish outside the top 4? We'll have to ask CB Fry to clarify.

If the reason we didn't get a front man was money, then to me that would be the ultimate in penny-wise pound-foolishness. Missing out on the CL riches, not to mention potentially losing 3 or more of our best players, is worth a minor gamble. A top 4 finish is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a club our size.

Even if we lose Morgan, Nathan and Toby? That's a huge loss.

I wouldn't say definitely, but most probably (especially Morgan). Agreed. Surely it was possible to get a decent target man, at the very least a back-up to Pelle. The difference could be a few extra points (0 goals in our last 3 home games suggests so), and that could be the difference between top 4 versus losing Toby, Clyne & Morgan.

Yes, should be a cracker.

Thanks CB, let me take it from here. If we lose to Arsenal in the FA Cup final this season we will qualify for Europa, provided Arsenal have qualified for the CL.

The second was a stonewall penalty today. Bloody Kevin Friend.

Saints 0 Kevin Friend 2 Worst. Refereeing. Ever.

I've heard a rumour about a massive injection of cash coming next season ... £100 million or more. Along with a possible consortium takeover. Anyway, enough about us. Have the fishy few found the missing £3000 yet? Must be a bit of a worry for them.

However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.

So we're the bald, fat guy with a stunner of a woman.

Yes. Yes we do. When does the transfer window close?

Shame Spurs will benefit in the final.

That's ok, let it all out.

So we all agree that this year's runner up qualifies for Europa if the winner qualifies for the CL?

Me too. It's going to be difficult to get a result at the Nou Camp.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9723485/southampton-v-liverpool-xi-phil-thompson-and-matt-le-tissier-call-it Phil Thompson and MLT come up with a combined Liverhampton team. Probably to help Brenda in the next transfer window.

This could be wrong (they claim the change is next season). If so, who will volunteer to correct it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup European qualification[edit] The FA Cup winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League (formerly named the UEFA Cup; until 1998 they entered the Cup Winners' Cup instead). This European place applies even if the team is relegated or is not in the English top flight. However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. FA Cup winners enter the Europa League at the Group Stage. Losing finalists, if they enter the Europa League, must begin earlier, at the play-off or Q3 stage.[11] From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.[12]

This year the runner up gets into Europe ONLY if the winner has qualified for the Champions League (not Europa). Next year, the runner up can't qualify for Europe.

[h=3]European qualification[edit][/h]The FA Cup winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League (formerly named the UEFA Cup; until 1998 they entered the Cup Winners' Cup instead). This European place applies even if the team is relegated or is not in the English top flight. However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. FA Cup winners enter the Europa League at the Group Stage. Losing finalists, if they enter the Europa League, must begin earlier, at the play-off or Q3 stage.[11] From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.[12]