They never replaced the Cup Winners Cup when they stopped that competition, I just see this as its belated replacement.
I actually like the competition, as it gives those clubs who usually do badly in Europe, ie Spurs, or those with no European experience, a chance the cut their teeth against clubs of a similar level and learn what it is all about, then step up into the Europa League. If we were only good enough to finish 7th, I'd be made up to play in it and win it.
Think that's an interesting point and especially true if you are a club like say West Ham or a Real Sociedad if you want to choose a foreign option, those sort of teams who might more often than not be around those low top-half places.
I remember last season when things were looking pretty grim I just kept saying keep us out of the Conference League, but I wouldn't have even minded playing in the Europa League because I'd more than fancy us to win it and have always been a fan of the competition, even in recent years where it's not been what it was in the past. It's obviously not something a Liverpool fan would want to be in and in the future of course you'd like to think we'll still be competing in the Champions League on a regular basis.
It's interesting to see where this competition goes. It's ended with quite a few strong sides like Roma/Feyenoord/Marseille/Leicester who are all teams who could probably have been at the business end of the Europa League in recent years. Roma and Feyenoord are well established and seem quite happy to be here tonight so fair enough. Next few years will be interesting, will success in the competition act as that springboard up into the Europa League? Will there be a particular team who establishes themselves at this level ala Sevilla in the Europa League? Should be interesting to see who has success in the competition, perhaps even some clubs outside the top 5 leagues.
