Possible European Hangover?

**City Hero** · 09/08/2004, 12:53 PM

If Shels qualify for the group stage of the UEFA cup or Champions league

, they will be playing a european tie every 2 weeks until the week before Christmas (thats nearly 4 weeks after the season ends).

Apart from the obvious financial rewards & the glamour ties they would encounter, how do people think it will effect their league matchs in terms of schedule & performance.

I believe that it could seriously jeopardize the stability of the league if alot of matches are postponed etc., but it could also cost them the league title.

Just thinking about this realistically, as in the worst case Shels may not be in European football next year.

**Shelsman** · 09/08/2004, 12:55 PM

I don't think it will be a problem. If they get into the group stages of either the CL or UEFA Cup then they will expand / enhance their squad.

City Watch Out!

**Slash/ED** · 09/08/2004, 12:57 PM

Well we'd be playing games mid week and really, there's no reason why a full time team like us can't play tuesday/wednesday - saturday - tuesday/wednesday again. The Cork match next saturday hasn't been called off so I don't think any league games would be postponed if we did make either group stage.

We've a pretty big squad and anyway Shels will be in Europe next year, even if we have to get there by winning the champions league

**City Hero** · 09/08/2004, 1:10 PM

I know Shels are full time, and they have a big squad, but 2 months of a schedule like that, especially if you throw in an FAI cup replay along the way is going to take its toll, and if its the UEFA cup, then the midweek games are on a Thursday night.

I think that 2 Shels games have already been postponed; last weekend against Dublin City and the weekend before against Bohs I think (correct me if I'm wrong). Could this lead to agro between Ollie Byrne & the League, or will he be too busy checking the club bank balance evry 5 mins

**pete** · 09/08/2004, 1:21 PM

I don't think even $hel$ would complain about such a schedule & IMO no chance of CL group stages & fairly slim chance (I don't belive they get seeded in 1st round) of UEFA CUP group stage but would still just be 4 more games in that anyway.

**City Hero** · 09/08/2004, 1:43 PM

Surely they will be seeded coming from CL qualifier. If this is the case they will be up against one of the teams in the last qualifying round of UEFA Cup, and they should be well capacble of beating on of them.

**pete** · 09/08/2004, 2:08 PM

Originally Posted by City Hero

Surely they will be seeded coming from CL qualifier.

I don't think this possible as the eL ranking not higher enough by long way & they would be losing the CL qualifier so won't inherit Deportivos ranking either...

**Slash/ED** · 09/08/2004, 4:17 PM

We have Hajduks thouh, which has to be alot higher than msot of the teams in the UEFA qualifyers.

**pete** · 09/08/2004, 4:43 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

We have Hajduks thouh, which has to be alot higher than msot of the teams in the UEFA qualifyers.

Assuming that would ye on

Hajduk Split Cro 11.734

UEFA 1st Round seeding

That page says ye got your own ranking but even at 11 with 11.734 would still be good bit off seeding.

Even ifshels unseeded theres a decent draw in Alemannia Aachen (seeded) from Bundesliga 2 who lost in German Cup Final last year? Hearts & Milwall are also seeded.

**Slash/ED** · 09/08/2004, 4:45 PM

I wouldn't mind any of thsoe teams you mentioned, but not being seeded is a blow, I was hopeing to get someone like Bate, who Bohs on another day would have beaten.

**ian** · 09/08/2004, 6:09 PM

Lads the bst of luck with the game on wednesday night I can see you getting a goal but Surely they will put on or two past you. So lads enjoy your night with one of the big boys in europen football. Get a goal as fast as you can you never know what might happen.

As for next saturday night you well be up for it all right don't worry about that.