From the Championship to European football

[EalingSB]

I never thought I would be thinking this a few years ago but it's an ambition of mine (and many of you, I'm sure) to watch us in European competition.

Was just doing a bit of tallying up (apologies if any mistakes) and a decent number of clubs have gone from the second tier to Europe in the last ten years - most recently Sunderland and Bournemouth yesterday.

Burnley: Promoted 2016 → Europe 2018

Brighton: Promoted 2017 → Europe 2023

Wolves: Promoted 2018 → Europe 2019

Villa: Promoted 2019 → Europe 2023

Forest: Promoted 2022 → Europe 2025

Bournemouth: Promoted 2022 → Europe 2026

Sunderland: Promoted 2025 → Europe 2026

I know next season is about consolidation but we can but dream and this list gives us hope.

 

[shmmeee]

As much as I’d love it I would worry if we got Europe next season before having a chance to really overhaul to squad to PL standards. I think Sunderland might be OK cos they’re spending far above a normal newly promoted side but most teams will struggle with the extra games. I think 3-4 years of consolidation is the sweet spot personally.

Just the idea that a good season could get us there is amazing. I remember thinking the same about the Prem: it’s a possibility but unlikely, only a few short years ago.

 

[covcity4life]

Would be amazing

For anyone saying not Europe too soon I would say don't forget few years ago we had fans saying promotion to prem would be a bad thing and our infrastructure is better suited to championship or league 1 lol

 

[Flying Fokker]

Would be amazing

For anyone saying not Europe too soon I would say don't forget few years ago we had fans saying promotion to prem would be a bad thing and our infrastructure is better suited to championship or league 1 lol

It was, and needs continued improvement. That’s the plan anyway.

 

[covcity4life]

It was, and needs continued improvement. That’s the plan anyway.

100m tends to help with infrastructure improvements so no such thing as too early really

 

[no_loyalty]

We need to consolidate for a few seasons in the PL before we think of Europe, although we could give the cup competitions a real shot and qualify through that route instead.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Get off to a good start and who knows, it allows you to aim a bit higher than survival. I would take Leeds’ season right now if offered though.

 

[jto123]

Love that people are dreaming like this, but to be the one that brings people down to earth - getting 17th would be the biggest achievement of the last ten years. Europe a long way off.

 

[sc1940]

Love that people are dreaming like this, but to be the one that brings people down to earth - getting 17th would be the biggest achievement of the last ten years. Europe a long way off.

Yes, that's right. This time last year I was dreaming of winning the Championship comfortably with a few games to spare.

 

[wingy]

These European ventures are not all they're cracked up to be IMO.

 

[Flying Fokker]

We need to consolidate for a few seasons in the PL before we think of Europe, although we could give the cup competitions a real shot and qualify through that route instead.

For myself, Hindsight suggests we weren’t set up for promotion to the Prem. When Luton beat us. Although I’d have taken it of course. The same with Europe although I’m certainly cautious in suggesting we’re really good enough. If it were to happen I’d be the same as most seasoned City supporters.

 

[jto123]

Yes, that's right. This time last year I was dreaming of winning the Championship comfortably with a few games to spare.

And finishing 17th in the PL will be 10 times harder than winning the championship

 

[Mcbean]

I wonder what the odds are of us getting to Europe - worth a tenner of somebody else’s money ?

 

[sc1940]

And finishing 17th in the PL will be 10 times harder than winning the championship

It is probably harder, not sure about 10 times harder than comfortably winning the Championship without parachute payments. We all have our dreams, they don't usually come true but this season proved they can. I'll update my dreams after we finish our recruitment.

 

[skybluecam]

Would be amazing

For anyone saying not Europe too soon I would say don't forget few years ago we had fans saying promotion to prem would be a bad thing and our infrastructure is better suited to championship or league 1 lol

They're a bit different.

There's no real downside to prem promotion. Worst case you end up back where you started with loads more money. Europe, you have to deal with the extra games and the money isn't even that much.

 

[King Dougs Quiff]

I wonder what the odds are of us getting to Europe - worth a tenner of somebody else’s money ?

Top half finish is 120/1, so if things go like they did this year around those odds

Sent from my SM-A176B using Tapatalk

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

Top half finish is 120/1, so if things go like they did this year around those odds

Sent from my SM-A176B using Tapatalk

Where have you seen those odds ? If you don't mind me asking

 

[Marty]

I think it could happen, busy schedule this summer for most prem teams, lack of preparation for them, tiredness towards the back end of the season. It's on boys.

 

[jto123]

It is probably harder, not sure about 10 times harder than comfortably winning the Championship without parachute payments. We all have our dreams, they don't usually come true but this season proved they can. I'll update my dreams after we finish our recruitment.

I really think it is that much harder. Obviously no problem with dreaming, but my concern is fan expectations. Would be a shame if they turned on players/lampard when we inevitably lose 5 in a row.

 

[JSL]

We have sensible people in charge who have been successful in life so far. I doubt that will change unless there is a major change / derailment in leadership so I am prepared to dream nowadays based how we have progressed in the last 18 months

 

[lowblocklounge]

Couple seasons consolidation for us would be ideal and better long term like Bournemouth/Brighton/Brentford have done. The 85% revenue spend drops to 70% in Europe. So would put us at a big disadvantage second season league wise if we did get Europe next season.

 

[King Dougs Quiff]

Where have you seen those odds ? If you don't mind me asking

Bet 365 a couple of weeks ago. To win prem was 2000/1. I put a tenner on both

 

[clint van damme]

Bet 365 a couple of weeks ago. To win prem was 2000/1. I put a tenner on both

Surely it was 12/1 to finish top half?

 

[lowblocklounge]

Surely it was 12/1 to finish top half?

I think Sunderland were 100/1 to finish top half last season at the start of the summer

 

[clint van damme]

I think Sunderland were 100/1 to finish top half last season at the start of the summer

It doesn't look like you can get better than 20/1 on us now,,I've only had a quick look mind

 

[Flying Fokker]

Surely it was 12/1 to finish top half?

16/1 today. Bet 365 Just put £20 on. Last time I backed city at 16/1 was Covid year when we won L1. £20.

 

[King Dougs Quiff]

sorry guys my mistake. This heat is getting to me ... must have been another which was 120/1.

 

[clint van damme]

View attachment 52134sorry guys my mistake. This heat is getting to me ... must have been another which was 120/1.

Hopefully you're 20k better off next May