Europe – Guaranteed!

toonsy

Get your plane tickets ready!
Dust off your passports boys and girls, it’s now official – Newcastle United are back in Europe!

Everton’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford this afternoon, whilst very very entertaining to watch, means that we are now guaranteed to finish at least 6th in the table and will pick up at least a place in the Europa League next season as a result.

Being honest it’s no less than our team has deserved based on the course of the season. I was looking earlier at how much time we’ve spent in the top six this season and the answer is that all bar two weeks have been spent in at least 6th place (we dropped to 7th between December 21st and January 4th) so nobody can say we’ve fluked it.

Of course eyes are on bigger prizes right now as we currently occupy the final Champions League qualification position, but it’s nice to know that whatever happens from now on we won’t drop below 6th or miss out on Europe. I’m not saying we should pack our bags and head off on holiday right now, but the security blanket is nice to have.

In two years we’ve gone from Championship to Europe which signals a truly remarkable turnaround in the fortune of the club. I get called positive quite often, but not even I envisaged anything like this and credit should be given to everyone at the club, even Mike Ashley I guess!

The only question now is which competition we’ll be entering!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

View all posts by toonsy →

You may like these posts

230 thoughts on “Europe – Guaranteed!”

  5. Kim – Nope. Europe isn’t as important as a result that happened well over 100 years ago 😉

      (Quote)

  6. What a turnaround from that display against Villa 3 years ago. Roy Of The Rovers stuff!!!! HWTL…..

      (Quote)

  10. 5th place in Premier League earns place in play-off round of Europa League August 23/30

    6th place would Europa League 3rd qualifying round August 2/9

    4th in Premier League could see #nufc go into Champions League at play-off round (one before groups) on 21/22 or 28/29 August

      (Quote)

  11. yep i have to say that even me, the most negative, anti ashley fan in the world.. has to hold hands in the air and say i was 100% wrong. Ashley was right all along.. there i have said it. When he bought us i recall him saying he wanted nufc in the champ league in five years.. well, true to his word… we aint far off it and might even make it, either way though, its european nights again once more for nufc. its great to know and i think that with 6th spot and uefa cup (i cant call it that other stupid name) now in the bag we will proper let rip and enjoy that last couple of games..

      (Quote)

  14. The way it’s going next week we could be talking about beating the Gunners to automatic champions league group stages. 🙂

      (Quote)

  16. preandup – 3rd in Premier League would see #nufc straight into the group stage match day 1 is either 18–19 September 2012 – how could I have missed that 😆

      (Quote)

  17. Does anyone know what the protocol is for getting tickets for Euro games? I’m assuming its season ticket holder points basis for away games which will rule a lot of people out but what about home games ❓

      (Quote)

  18. There is still 1 fly in the champs lg ointment. If chelski win the champs lg. not much chance I know, but barca didnt look that brill last night 😯

      (Quote)

  19. Fantastic – no matter what happens over the next 4 games, we are still in the mix for CL ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and snapping at Arsenals heels – un BA fooking lievable
    Passports up to date – now lets see where we end up travelling to 😉

      (Quote)

  21. B1GSTEVE @18 I thought that as well but it looks like it doesn’t matter if Chelsea win the CL. Found this on the FM site:

    “The current top 6 teams have all qualified for Europe as Chelsea are in the FA cup final along with Liverpool. If Chelsea win Champions league it only changes the make up of who qualifies for what competition not who qualifies for Europe. Everton cant catch us so we are guaranteed a top 6 finish”

    Hopefully this is correct

      (Quote)

  23. I reckon Everton will give us a hard game on the last day because of recent results against them plus the whole us getting Europe and them not thing and they are in quite good form.

      (Quote)

  24. 3hourswasted

    whilst that is true re Chelsea, It would mean only one other CL place up for grabs so we would need to finish 3rd.

      (Quote)

  25. C’MONNNNN ❗ ❗ ❗ ❗ 😀 😀
    We’re back bitches 😆 I want to see us challenge for 3rd, then we won’t have to qualify in the summer for CL we’ll automatically have it. :mrgreen: So chuffed 😆

      (Quote)

  26. stuofthetoon no only strength in the market but our own players have a bigger reason to stick with us.

    Joebloggs the only problem with that is would he lose his strength 😀

      (Quote)

  27. Joebloggs
    wonder if someone will remind him, aqnd if he’ll actually do it 😀
    laughing at the comments from three years ago
    “not suited to the PL”
    “not good enough for the speed of the top flight” 😆

      (Quote)

  28. Yep it’s true what 3HW said. If, and it’s huge if, Chelsea win the CL then only 1st, 2nd and 3rd would get the Champions League. Chelsea would get the 4th place as they have the right to defend their title. That would mean that we’d qualify for the Europa League if we finished 4th and Chelsea won the CL.

    The nuts of it is that we are in Europe regardless, it’s just the competition which needs to be sorted now

      (Quote)

  29. Big dave
    Like samson? I made that comparison with cisse after he went to the hairdressers, seems his power isn’t in his hair 😆

      (Quote)

  30. Toonsy -You know what they say about things coming in threes. They sure did for you this week , Billy ,Toon win and back in Europe . 😀

    I’m making do with a Toon win back in Europe and right now a huge slice of cream cake. 😉

      (Quote)

  31. Toonsy
    If chelsea win the CL will the 3rd placed team have to go through the CL qualifying rounds? 😕

      (Quote)

  32. Shot Bru // Nov 7, 2009 at 2:01 PM

    Not suited to the premiership style of play, he has no pace and poor in the air, we should sell him if we get promoted. Although he does sound committed this season, probably because we’re on top of the league.

    😳 😳 😳 😆 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  37. Must admit it’s strange looking at the table coz at the start of the season being where Everton are as best of the rest in 7th would have been real progress. I’d be thinking the only way is up.

    Now I’m really worried is the only way down ?? :mrgreen: 😀 😀 😀

      (Quote)

  38. hey big dave weres ya bud troy at only poped in have good laugh at him over his bet lmao aint moved abroad by any chance lmao 🙂

      (Quote)

  39. Well at least the majority of supporters on here can see the achievement for what it is and enjoy it. Others unfortunately see fit to ridicule those supporters who rightly questioned certain elements of the clubs decision making over the last 12 months.

    The fact that this season the club have proved the likes of me wrong is absolutely fantastic. I only want a successful NUFC, others it appears are only interested in mocking and enjoying their ‘ I told your so’ moment.

    Are they real fans, really?

      (Quote)

  40. Stuart – Depends mate. I mean it could quite easily be flipped round the other way. I said all along that we’d signed quality players so couldn’t see what the vast majority of fuss was about or why people were questioning it. We’ve rebuilt a squad that is affordable, is technically very good, and want to be here at the moment.

      (Quote)

  44. Think Chelski would have to qualify as Cesspool had to when they won it 😕

      (Quote)

  45. @andymag – think the rule is that Chelsea would have to go into final qualifying round rather than 3rd

      (Quote)

  46. afternoon boys and girls 😉 , just been on the premier league about european football, enjoy the read 😆
    The top four teams in the Barclays Premier League qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

    English winners of the UEFA Champions League finishing outside the top four places (but who qualify for the UEFA Europa League through their domestic Barclays Premier League position) go forward as Winners to the group stage along with domestic champions, runners-up and third place.

    No extra domestic place can be gained by winning the UEFA Champions League, therefore the team finishing fourth drops to the UEFA Europa League.

    English winners of the UEFA Champions League who do not qualify through their domestic position go forward as Winners to the group stage, with the team finishing fourth dropping to the UEFA Europa League. In this case, the national association of the title-holder is entitled to one additional place in the UEFA Europa League.

    UEFA Europa League

    There are three places in the UEFA Europa League available: the FA Cup winners will enter at the Group Stage; the fifth place team in the Barclays Premier League will enter at the Play-Off stage; and the Football League Cup winners will enter at the Q3 stage.

    In the event the FA Cup winners are qualified for the UEFA Champions League the FA Cup runners-up will qualify, but in the place reserved for the lowest ranking Barclays Premier League representative. The place with direct access to the Group Stage will be given to the club that finishes in the highest position in the Barclays Premier League of the clubs qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.

    English winners of the UEFA Europa League will enter at the Group Stage, gaining an extra domestic place only if they fail to qualify through other means for the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League. If the holders of the UEFA Europa League have already qualified for Europe, no extra domestic place will be gained.

    Should the FA Cup winners, runners-up (if applicable) and the Football League Cup winners already have qualified for Europe, their place goes to the next best placed clubs in the Premier League.

    Fair Play winners enter at the Qualifying round 1 stage.

    This place will automatically go the three best-placed national associations in the UEFA Respect fair play rankings provided they achieve an average of 8.0 points or more. The top three associations will then be entitled to enter the club that has either won their domestic top-division fair play competition, or if they are already qualified, the runners-up and so forth

      (Quote)

  47. Chelsea go through in 4th CL place and thus have to qualify.

    Stuart79 some of the abuse dished out to the dreamers was pretty rough. Not surprised they having a little gloat. Shouldn’t get nasty either way in my opinion.

      (Quote)

  48. Toonsy – In reality the fact you thought we’d sign quality players was based on the same logic as saying Colonel Gadaffi would start being reasonable and start spreading his wealth among his country. There was no real evidence that would happen and therefore was based on guess work and a whole lot of luck. Nobody knew, we just had history to go by.

    Personally I’m delighted to have been proven wrong but I still have my suspicions regarding this summer. But again I hope I’m wrong, I hope Ashley is enjoying it so much he wants more, he wants us to challenge and win things. I believe this team has the potential not just challenge but get into CL every year and actually win something. A few additions and we’re there. Then again, sell Ben Arfa, Krul and Cabaye and we’re back to square one.

      (Quote)

  49. Stu – I think ALL toon fans should be feeling a little smug right now. We deserve it!

    The ones you should be questioning are the ones who only appear when things are going badly. I think we all know who I’m talking about.

      (Quote)

  50. And Stu – Toonsy said he thought we had signed quality players – not he thought we would.

    We both said Cabaye was a class act after watching him play live at Leeds, and we were roundly ridiculed by some (again, mention no names). It’s sad really that some of our own “fans” choose only to focus on the negatives. Why bother supporting a team if it just makes you miserable?

      (Quote)

  53. Stuart – perhaps it just time to have some faith in the club.
    Lessons have been learned, I’m sure.
    Dont beat yourself up about it. I think we are all abit sceptical and unsure what will happen thru the summer.
    But what I have learned this season, is to enjoy supporting the Lads on the pitch, and not worry so much about the running of the club. Its all out of our hands and control anyway.
    Keep the Faith. Howay the Lads.

      (Quote)

  54. OK, now when is the right time to let the breadknife know I plan to spend a small fortune travelling to ukraine or some such later this year.

    I off for a look at some of the european domestic leagues….. I fancy a cheeky mid week jaunt to Amsterdam, majorca, or Paris????

      (Quote)

  55. Stu I think it’s more the fact some of us were mocked for not believing that it was Ashleys plan to do the bare minimum of staying up each season, claiming all of our good players would continuously be sold off on the basis of one anomaly of a transfer.

    @11 Fair play mate, we see a lot of people debating one another on here, but never really people conceding when they’ve been wrong.
    I think we’ve all been a bit naiive with regards to the quality that could be found in Europe, and i’m a bit embarrassed we weren’t more excited about signing Ba.

    Most embarrassing of all is that a couple of months ago we were worried about the Liverpool finishing above us 😯 😆 we’re all such a bunch of neggers!

      (Quote)

  56. 100% agree BB
    I’m staying as far away from transfer rumours as I can this summer. I’ll allow myself the guilty pleasure of reading potential signing articles on here but even then I won’t take it seriously. The majority of our signings have been out the blue recently. And I hate people going on about their bullsh!t sources, Tiote’s been transferred about 12 times by my last count!

      (Quote)

  59. sunglasses check 😎 suntan lotion check 😀 passport check 😆 now all i need to nar is were to book the flight to 😆

      (Quote)

  60. Exciting times, credit should go to Chris Hughton and the player bunch that stuck with us when relegated, and credit to them for later leaving us, to allows to evolve from a one dimensional side to a very compact, multi dimensional side that can challenge for Europe. Credit to Pardew for taking us to the next level and I guess credit to Ashley for bringing in Pardew and making the decision he did at the time. Now it seems like a clear sign of ambitions. Credit to Carr for fantastic scouting he has done for us. And hopefully we can build on this, so we can occupy European places every season.

      (Quote)

  61. Just the sight of that De Jong on the pitch turns my stomach. 👿 👿
    Dont think city have looked anything special here today.
    Of course they will be well up for it at St James’ Park.
    WBA go above the scum 😆

      (Quote)

  62. TAE I think Troy has been busy, he pops on an odd time but not much.

    Stu @ 39 your right.

    Wolves are away with their ugly footbal, tis just a pity big nose mick isn’t still with them

      (Quote)

  63. Cheers guys, thats good that they dont get a free pass that would be stupid. HAHAHAHAHA Liverpool are beyond **** 😆 :mrgreen:

      (Quote)

  65. Stuart – No, it wasn’t blind logic. It was logic dictated by actually knowing about players outside of the UK.

    I said that Cabaye was a cracking player, and that was confirmed to me at Leeds where Cabaye stood out and Barton fecked about.

    Ba, it was obvious he’d score goals. He’s done it everywhere else so I can’t say I’m surprised and most people said that he’d score regularly for us.

    Papiss Cisse is the same. Scored loads, so why would that change?

    Is it a surprise that they’ve clicked and are performing so well so soon? Yes. Is it a surprise that they are showing quality? No. This is why I never even considered relegation or anything like that and said we’d be comfortable top ten, maybe even top seven right at the start of the season

    Anyway, it’s a pointless debate over who was right and who wasn’t etc etc. The most important thing is that the club have done us all proud whatever your viewpoint 🙂

      (Quote)

  66. How the hell Cesspool are still 8th simply beggars belief.
    They really are shyte.
    😆

      (Quote)

  67. Goodbye Wolves,even the weather there make it all more the emotion for them.
    3yrs in PL ended. 😐

    And WBA last won at liverpool 45yrs ago. 😆

    Oh man.

      (Quote)

  68. Completely forgot that mighty Liverpool were playing today. I see they did well. Must be all that ambition 😆 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  69. I’d laugh my **** off if Woy’s West Bwom finish above King Kenny’s bunch of bindipping bar stewards! 😆

      (Quote)

  70. BB well you know what gob ***** daglish will say ;we got to wembley twice and finished in the top ten and are building a team blah blah 😈

      (Quote)

  71. @Icedog: They might be outside top 10 by next few fixtures,and potentially down to even 14th.

    Loserfool’s. 😳 😆

      (Quote)

  73. Yes Toonsy I am proud of our club.
    But I am equally proud of our great fans. We have stuck with the team for many years, as we steadily got worse and worse.
    Yet even during our relegation season in the CC, we were still 3/4 filling the stadium and supporting the Lads on the park.
    Now we have a full ground again, and it is fantastic when the roar starts.
    Have no doubt, we are THE best fans in the world.
    We are mental and we are mad.
    And now we are back in europe again.
    So Proud.

      (Quote)

  74. TOONSY@65 it just comes down to knowing “A” player when you see one simples 😉 if you know what your looking for like

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *