08 Jun 2025 19:00:26
Just been looking at Chelsea's strategy in winning the European Conference and what we could learn, though I'm sure Nuno will be fully aware of what's needed.
For a start Chelsea have bigger resources and a " second string " of very good players. It's a big commitment, make no mistake comrades. An extra 15 games, which in Chelsea's case involved a 7000 miles round trip midweek to Kazakhstan, sub zero temperatures and artificial pitches.
Ok, most of their opponents were probably, at best, lower Championship quality. Ever heard of FC Noah, Serviette or Djurgarden? No? Me neither. I think they played mighty Shamrock Rovers too. Having said that our weakened team struggled against Exeter so let's not underestimate our opponents.
Chelsea paced themselves and, for example, didn't even register their star players like Palmer, Madueke or Jackson etc for the early stages. They gave debuts to 6 or 7 Academy lads and based their team selection on fringe players. This is where we need to beef up if we are taking it seriously, which I think we will do.
If we are fortunate enough to take Palaces place in the Europa we will definitely throwing everything at it with a back door to the European Championship.
I anticipate a huge clear out of dead wood like O Brien, Dennis, Bowler and an unexpected recall for Moreno and a retention of Toffolo and Boly, plus the development of promising youngsters like Abbott, Gardener, Sousa, Taylor and general reinforcements of the 3 from Brazil.
Should be an interesting close season and a big test of Nunos strategy for keeping the core of the team from stress and burnout which cost us towards the end of last season.
Thoughts?
08 Jun 2025 21:21:27
Don't worry mate we'll end up in europa league when Palace get kicked out
I've looked at some trips in conf league, alkmar away = Amsterdam, antwerp not too far Aberdeen further than I thought, but lot of right unheard of teams
How come we got to play a qualifier anyway.
08 Jun 2025 22:13:33
Still got to get past the preliminary game at the end of July before we can definitely say that we're in any European league. Let's not count our chickens too soon.
09 Jun 2025 02:36:55
Would not consider it a failure if we didn't get in more a bullet missed, the prize money for this cup is the equivalent of finishing about 11th in the Premier and has about as much kudos as the Inter toto cup!.
09 Jun 2025 11:05:30
Ah, my favourite subject Stokey - our superb Academy. Renowned as being one of the best out there - surely this foray into lower-level European football is the perfect opportunity to blood 3-4 of the better players from there, some of whom you mentioned. Yes we need a few quality reinforcements for the first team, but I think we should add the 'extras' needed for European football from our Academy players. Who knows - we could end up with a couple of future star players for our first team in the process.
09 Jun 2025 12:07:56
We have the Carabao cup to blood new players in, and Chelsea had a second string of players who cost more than our first team!. Everything to lose in this cup and no gains.
09 Jun 2025 14:59:52
I agree with both Lego and Mossy. Chelsea introduced 7 or 7 Academy lads in the early stages, as I said, but they have been able to attract the most promising youngsters on pay their expensive contracts.
Not sure about the Carabao Cup Mossy, we might go out first round, depends if we get the likes of Newcastle again.
Lego, it’s like the “dirt trackers” mid week squads on British Lions tours. But potentially 15 extra games is an increase in workload of 25% with many many times the air miles so, as you say mate, good opportunity for the youngsters and fringe players, certainly in the early stages of the competition whilst wrapping the core of the first team in cotton wool.
Whilst thrilled about us achieving European competition for the first time since Sir Robert Peel was a lad I wouldn’t be over distraught if we didn’t go all the way. Priority always is maintain Premiership survival, the rest is cherry on the icing on the cake ?.