[Albion] Levi Colwill

[Oh_aye]

Weird to see people writing probably the best keeper in our history off on the basis that we have a 32 year old with 4 Premier League appearances to his name to replace him. He is a far superior keeper to Steele.

Definitely. Also think this spell on the sidelines is a focus sharpener for Bob. Happens all the time for young keepers who have become.perhaps a bit sloppy. I think Ancellotti did it with Pickford. Put Robin Olsen in for a few games after some sloppy performances and high profile mistakes got a response out of the England keeper.

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

Our best chance of Europe right now is 2 games, 2 wins = FA cup. Sanchez improves that chance, especially when we consider penalties is an option in both games.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Our best chance of Europe right now is 2 games, 2 wins = FA cup. Sanchez improves that chance, especially when we consider penalties is an option in both games.

Strange comment bearing in mind most of us have never seen Sanchez get near a penalty and Steele has saved maybe 7 or 8?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Our best chance of Europe right now is 2 games, 2 wins = FA cup. Sanchez improves that chance, especially when we consider penalties is an option in both games.

Do you really think so? To achieve those two wins we will almost certainly have to beat both Manchester clubs, tough in the extreme.

For me it will be to finish 7th in the League, then providing either City or United win the FA Cup, we qualify for a European place. .

 

[Brian Fantana]

Strange comment bearing in mind most of us have never seen Sanchez get near a penalty and Steele has saved maybe 7 or 8?

This.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Do you really think so? To achieve those two wins we will almost certainly have to beat both Manchester clubs, tough in the extreme.

For me it will be to finish 7th in the League, then providing either City or United win the FA Cup, we qualify for a European place. .

Oh ye of little faith. Manchester United, whilst a tough opponent, should hold no fear for us in the semi-final we have played well against in them in recent years.

As for City, well first they have to beat Sheffield United. Even if they do reach the final they are not impossible to play. We acquitted ourselves well at the Etihad earlier this season and actually had them on the rack at 1-2 in the second half. If the lumpen misshapen pudding that is Crystal Palace can keep a game tight against them then I fancy our chances to do so also.

Two games, two wins job done. I think we can finish 7th in the league anyway but finishing in the top six (or even 4) will require a herculean effort.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Oh ye of little faith. Manchester United, whilst a tough opponent, should hold no fear for us in the semi-final we have played well against in them in recent years.

As for City, well first they have to beat Sheffield United. Even if they do reach the final they are not impossible to play. We acquitted ourselves well at the Etihad earlier this season and actually had them on the rack at 1-2 in the second half. If the lumpen misshapen pudding that is Crystal Palace can keep a game tight against them then I fancy our chances to do so also.

Two games, two wins job done. I think we can finish 7th in the league anyway but finishing in the top six (or even 4) will require a herculean effort.

Well l sure admire your optimism . . . me? well let's just say prefer to lace mine with more than a little realism.

But yes, it's the cup, so anything is possible.

 

[Swansman]

Do you really think so? To achieve those two wins we will almost certainly have to beat both Manchester clubs, tough in the extreme.

For me it will be to finish 7th in the League, then providing either City or United win the FA Cup, we qualify for a European place. .

Agree, also think it will be easier through the league.

Maybe a 30% chance of beating United in the semi and then a 10% chance of beating City in the final... if my estimations are right (we'll never know), that gives a 3% chance of winning the cup.

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Agree, also think it will be easier through the league.

Maybe a 30% chance of beating United in the semi and then a 10% chance of beating City in the final... if my estimations are right (we'll never know), that gives a 3% chance of winning the cup.

I agree as well but you can argue from an optimistic point of view too. Say we are so wonderful now that either game has a 50:50 chance of us winning that would give us a 25% chance of winning the FA cup.

Our chances of finishing 7th (or higher) in the league are much greater than that, we are on course for over 60 points and only 6 other clubs are currently predicted to get at least that much - being pessimistic I'd say we have a greater than 50% chance of finishing 7th or higher (some prediction models currently give us over 80%).

Of course this could all go tits up and Wham or the Chavs win a European trophy meaning 7th no longer gets a European spot. Or worse, Chelsea solve their issues and go on a winning streak in the league (on paper this should be possible).

Mainly though the odds of Europe don't matter to me compared to how much I really, really, really want us to win the FA cup!

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I agree as well but you can argue from an optimistic point of view too. Say we are so wonderful now that either game has a 50:50 chance of us winning that would give us a 25% chance of winning the FA cup.

Our chances of finishing 7th (or higher) in the league are much greater than that, we are on course for over 60 points and only 6 other clubs are currently predicted to get at least that much - being pessimistic I'd say we have a greater than 50% chance of finishing 7th or higher (some prediction models currently give us over 80%).

Of course this could all go tits up and Wham or the Chavs win a European trophy meaning 7th no longer gets a European spot. Or worse, Chelsea solve their issues and go on a winning streak in the league (on paper this should be possible).

Mainly though the odds of Europe don't matter to me compared to how much I really, really, really want us to win the FA cup!

Don't get me wrong, l really want to win the FA Cup too, but Europe is where the future lies, providing we can maintain our interest in the competition of course. Unfortunately the FA Cup has been somewhat devalued now as we know.

 

[Icy Gull]

Get into Europe and we have a better chance of keeping our best players and maybe signing Colwill. How long has he got left on his Chelsea contract? I thought I saw something about him signing a new one whilst he was injured, did he sign it?

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Don't get me wrong, l really want to win the FA Cup too, but Europe is where the future lies, providing we can maintain our interest in the competition of course. Unfortunately the FA Cup has been somewhat devalued now as we know.

Not the point I was answering. The suggestion was that the FA cup was the best route for us to get to Europe. I was trying to show that even being optimistic about our chances in the FA cup and pessimistic about how we will do in the league we are least twice as likely to make Europe via the league than the cup.

But in answer to you:
Yes Europe is more important than winning the cup for player attraction and finances. However if I had to choose between Europe and the FA cup I would choose FA cup - (happily that is not a choice we would ever have to make)! A more interesting conundrum is Champions League versus winning FA cup but for that conversation I think nurse would have to provide some medication first.

 

[Weststander]

Do you really think so? To achieve those two wins we will almost certainly have to beat both Manchester clubs, tough in the extreme.

For me it will be to finish 7th in the League, then providing either City or United win the FA Cup, we qualify for a European place. .

This.

A huge ask to beat the two most expensive teams on the planet, when they’ll be hellbent on silverware.

The league is our best bet.

 

[Hotchilidog]

People do realise we qualify for the Europa League if we win the FA Cup. Win two games and we are in, we get the silverware, a parade, the memories and a load of great anniversaries to celebrate. I think we can achieve 7th in the league comfortably but for positions 4-6 we need 6 or so wins and whilst doable that requires more effort than sorting out the cup. I fear none of the remaining teams.

For Roberto this is not an either or, he’s going for both.

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

This.

A huge ask to beat the two most expensive teams on the planet, when they’ll be hellbent on silverware.

The league is our best bet.

Correct.

We are currently 5/1 to finish top 4.

13/2 to win the FA cup.

 

[Weststander]

Correct.

We are currently 5/1 to finish top 4.

13/2 to win the FA cup.

I believe @Swansman’s odds in post #348.

We never beat 11 man Abu Dhabi, ever.

 

[rogersix]

Strange comment bearing in mind most of us have never seen Sanchez get near a penalty and Steele has saved maybe 7 or 8?

ward prowse, saints

 

[Triggaaar]

Our best chance of Europe right now is 2 games, 2 wins = FA cup

Our best chance of Europe right now is top 6 or 7 in the PL.
13/2 to win the cup, but about even money to finish top 6.

Sanchez improves that chance, especially when we consider penalties is an option in both games.

As others have said, I think the evidence is that Steele is better at saving penalties.

 

[BadFish]

People do realise we qualify for the Europa League if we win the FA Cup. Win two games and we are in, we get the silverware, a parade, the memories and a load of great anniversaries to celebrate. I think we can achieve 7th in the league comfortably but for positions 4-6 we need 6 or so wins and whilst doable that requires more effort than sorting out the cup. I fear none of the remaining teams.

For Roberto this is not an either or, he’s going for both.

We are goin to have to beat United (doable by tough) and most likely City (possible but unlikely) to win the cup. Obviously that would be my preferred route but it is harder than a top 6 finish one you take into account likely opponents.

 

[Billy in Bristol]

Strange comment bearing in mind most of us have never seen Sanchez get near a penalty and Steele has saved maybe 7 or 8

Our best chance of Europe right now is top 6 or 7 in the PL.
13/2 to win the cup, but about even money to finish top 6.


As others have said, I think the evidence is that Steele is better at saving penalties.

Nothing against the rules at subbing keepers before pens start, as long as the original keeper is on board.