OTF

Having now sewn up our qualification directly into the playoff round of the Europa League, thought I would have a look at some of the clubs that we'll be competing with in this competition. Despite having a bit of a reputation as a bit of a Mickey Mouse competetion there's quite a number of formidable sides who have qualified for next season, and as a result it should be a fiercly contested trophy. In addition to those noted below 15 losers from Chapions League 3rd Round of qualification will enter the playoff stage of the competition, 10 Champions League cast-offs will join directly into the Group Stages and another 8 will join in the subsequent Round of 32. Those already qualified include: Inter Milan, Lyon, Marseille, Athletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar, Liverpool, Chelsea/Tottenham, FC Twente, Sporting Club Portugal. Some here have already suggested that our qualification in this competition will adversely affect our League position for next season, but for me we have to treat this competition based on what it means for the club - and for me our qualification in this competition is an amazing achievement and should be treated thusly. The draw for our playoff round opponent takes place on the 10th of August, with the matches scheduled for the 23rd and 30th of August roughly 1 and 2 weeks after the start of the Premier League season. If we progress through that phase to the Group Stages that will be 6 mid-week matches spaced every 2-3 weeks from 20th of September through to the 6th of December. In the scheme of things I don't think that's a particularly huge 'burden' to bear. Each additional stage is a straight out knock-out across home and away legs, excluding the final which is a one off encounter on neutral ground. Given the quality of the sides in the comptetion the teams drawn in each stage will have a huge bearing on the chances of qualification to the subsequent round, how mucch importance and focus would you give this competition? and what do you think a good result for us would be?

Should be a massive suspension from the FA. There's absolutely no reason why they would have any hidden agenda with Barton so I can see them throwing the book at him.

Bwahahaha...

The Cahill reaction seemingly wasn't anything to do with the ballboy incident - not directly anyway. Cabaye also got a yellow for his involvement at the end (though nothing was showed on camera) so he must have done something to provoke Cahill.

Took Cisse 45 minutes to realise that we were the team in maroon.

Posting from a phone at 2AM makes me seem even more illiterate than I actually am.

Cabaye went to get the ball off the ball boy, the kid didn't give him the ball. Cabaye gave him a shove across the chest knocking him back into his chair and took the ball. It was embarrassing, and Cabaye knew it subsequently apologising to the kid at the break.

Came racing across and grabbed him by the throat, no idea why.

Sunderland fans, whose main source of joy is the misfortune of others doing the Poznan.... poetry in motion.

How's does the choke from Man Utd rate?

WTF Tim Cahill. Came racing across to grab Cabaye by the throat and rightfully got a red for his troubles. Maybe his kid was flipping the balls back?

Despite looking half his weight Jonas has won every encounter with Fellaini.

Never mind Everton who's only European match will be in Swansea.

Superb defending Jonas.

Lively and can pick a pass. Looks sharp despite the time out.

On their stadium 'Evertonians are born not created' FFS.

20 left.

Hilarious own goal from Hibbert. 3-1

Wonderful ball from Marveaux. Ba should have had a first time crack.

These commentators man.

3-0. Goal to the Cunt. No defending.

Good play from Ba there on two separate occassions.

Yep. Even with his good period he was still a disaster of a signing for us.

Yep, Heitinga still a cunt.