The "Europa League Effect"

Do we suffer from Europa League Hangover???

A disappointing result yesterday and it raised an old issue about being in Europa League.

Before I go on, this isn't me saying that we shouldn't play in it or ridiculing it. I am happy we are playing in the Europa League and hope we can have a good run in it.

My issue is the short space of time between games on Thursday and Sunday. I think that we should be looking for 3 days in between games. Now some of you reading this will say these guys are professionals and should be able to play 2 games in that time. However, when your going up against fellow well conditioned opponents its a bit different. I haven't seen the game yesterday and from what I've read we had chances to take something from the game.

I ask you to read and consider the contents of the link below.

http://worldfootballacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WFA_Study-on-recovery-days.pdf

So far after our 2 Europa League games we've taken 1 point from 6. A draw with Motherwell and defeat to Hamilton yesterday.

Does this explain a drop in performances?? Is it an excuse and we simply aren't good enough given other results haven't been that great either.

I had a quick look at the results of the teams in Group A of the Europa League(Villarreal,FC Zurich,Limassol and Monchengladbach) who played on Thursday night. Yesterday Villarreal and Zurich had comfortable wins, while Monchengladbach drew 1-1 at home to Mainz. Limassol play today which will be interesting to see how they get with the extra days recovery.

Following defeat in the Week 1 match in the Europa League. Zurich won 2-1 in Extra time against lower league opposition(although 8 changes were made to the sides from the Europa League game). Limassol who beat Zurich in the Europa game, won 2-1 in their next fixture. Again this game was played on the Monday and not Sunday. Monchengladbach and Villarreal played each other in the other Group A match. Monchengladbach drew 0-0 away to Koln on the Sunday and Villarreal won 4-2 against Rayo.

Some results disprove what I am saying and there are many variables to consider, like quality of opponent or other examples like team line-ups( we made 5 changes from the teams that played Salzburg/Motherwell and 1 change Zagreb/Hamilton).

I think it would be better if teams were given the extra days like Limassol have been by the Cypriot League grants its teams.

 

Tell you what lets win the dam thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'd happily win on the Thursday and take a draw on the Sundays.

 

Last time we were in it we won 5 and lost 3 of our 8 games after it.

 

Lets pretend its a youth cup and play all our up and coming talent. Like Henderson and errr O'Connell and ...those other lads that are about to break through.

Aye, well.....maybe not then eh.

 

Do we suffer from Europa League Hangover?

No - we are just pish, and in need of a new manager.
Pronto.


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It's all in the mind isn't it?? there is no real difference between Thursday-Sunday and Wednesday-Saturday. You see it even with fans, less likely to turn up etc for Sundays, I think it gives the games a lack of importance.

 

There is Wednesday - Sunday

 

Yes, we do. It is very common.

 

I can understand a European hangover if we were travelling back from Eastern Europe and the poor players had only lettuce to eat and bottled water to drink.

 

You have to be coherent or consistently sober prior to suffering a hangover every now and then.

We're looking like a barely functioning alcoholic.

 

We are playing 3 games every fortnight at the most just now- should hardly be an issue. I remember MONs team beating Boavista in a very tough UEFA cup semi in Portugal on a Thursday night and then going to Ibrox Saturday lunchtime and pumping the late Huns.

 

I find myself agreeing with you for the second time tonight. It must be contagious :smiley-laughing002:

 

People can laugh at excuses and it being little Hamilton but the fact is they have taken the league by storm with an attractive playing style, it was always going to be a difficult after Thursday but considering the effort we had to put in against zagreb it's no surprise we were flat and lacking..
Yes i know we should always beat our domestic opponents but as you quite rightly added is not a new phenomenan and football doesn't work like that..

If we did a poll on Thursday afternoon what game you'd drop points for now and i bet it woulda been a accies landslide win..

 

You speak more sense than a lot of people on here, its a shame the support are so judgemental if they could think back to the transnational period under lennons and how * a team we where up until sammy at ibrox it would be a completely different situation. Ronny just needs a run of results to gain the support of this delusional crowd and we'll be onto something.

 

It's also easy to call our crowd delusional but although i think ronny gets it tight some times, they are entitled to it..
It seems the support is making up it's mind very early and ronny might struggle to come back from it..

I'm still backing him, hope to * he can sort us out and quickly as time it seems may not.be his pal for as long as he wants..

 

Agree with the first part. But the second delusional? these are the fans paying the money.. how can they be deluded when even the payers have so far admitted it hasnt been good enough? they have every right to express discontent.. your ignorance is preventing you from realising this. right now, he needs a performance a la dundee utd at home to spark some excitement and belief in the direction he is taking the club. as well as a run of results.