Arsenal did their job at Wembley and in doing so ensured that Saints will be in the Europa League for next season.

There are some who are sceptical of Saints being in the Europa League, but I am not one of them, Southampton Football Club is as the name says a football club and that means trying to compete in every competition we are in.

The sceptics in general point to one reason why playing in the Europa League is a bad thing and that is it affects the form in the Premier League, whilst there is some evidence that those teams that play in the EL do see it affect league form, the overall difference is usually 2-3 points less.

But the teams that suffer this are not usually the ones that qualify through league position, but those who have done so though cup qualification. The likes of Spurs, Liverpool & Everton have spent a decade in the main maintaining a similar league position year in year out whilst being in the Europa League.

That being the case Saints qualification for the EL is the next step forward for Saints, in all respects its a boost for the club, it will help us build our club's reputation and in doing so it will help us in bringing in better quality players to build a squad that can sustain its league form through Europa League campaigns.

Yes it will mean a lot of Sunday games, but the truth is in this modern age where television calls the shots, the 3pm Saturday kick off is a rarity these days, indeed we played 8 games in 2014/15 on a Sunday and many more at a different time than the traditional 3pm Saturday, if we want to be a g club then we have to accept that things will change and we have to adapt with them.

So great news that Saints are in Europe again, there is a long way to go yet though and we first have to get through qualifying before we enter the league stage, if we use these games properly as part of our pre Premier League season preparation then there is no reason why this should not help us hit th ground running in that competition.

Ronald Koeman is a progressive manager, he is confident in his own ability and he is used to playing in the Europa League, he sees it as a positive thing, unlike our previous manager who scared of relegation would allow nothing to get in the way of league form and that meant not taking any other competition seriously.

The top flight has changed since the forming of the Premier League, the rich have got richer and the rest have to make do, Saints can lead the way in being a forward thinking club that sees winning trophies and competing in the Europa League as being success and another step nearer being able to break the top four monopoly, it will be a long road and one that many have failed in, but this is a big step forward.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 10:21 - May 31 Lucky for Koeman that somebody left the back door open.
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corkcitysaint added 10:31 - May 31 I think it's great news and it's important to be seen as moving us forward & being a progressive club. We now need to build up our squad in depth and quality. It would be great if we could keep those that are rumoured to be heading out the door and keep a bit of stability / consistency but such is football these days. We march on.. into Europe..
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Hugh_Jarce added 10:48 - May 31 It is absolutely the next step for SFC but we'll need to replace Spiderman and Clyne early so that we're ready to give Europe a go. Fitting that Theo's goal unlocked it for us. COYS
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warnfordcookie added 11:23 - May 31 So good to seea measuredand positive posting concerning our qualification. The football"experts" are already talking us down for next season due to the "supposed" negative effects of the Europa league. Personally I see the 3rd qualifying round as a good start for Jay Rod and a good way to give some u21's a chance. Also useful for players who sit on the subs bench only normally getting 10 or 15 minutes football. Now that there is no reserve league as such only the u21's u18's etc. will also be good for testing players fitness returns from injury. Then, as we progress and expand our squad and come up against better oppostion in the group stages more senior players can take over. Most top 6 teams have to used to two games a week on a regular basis and if the team are successful then fatigue rarely is a factor. Look at Chelsea who used less squad players then anyone in the top 8 last season but won the league by a mile and also the Capital One cup. Thursday/Sunday playing should affect a successful team no more than Wednesday / Saturday morming or Saturday night/ Tuesday as it will be for many of the Champions league teams. Plus we have a manager and coaching staff ready to cope with the experience of being positive about this scenario. Let's embrace the Europa league as our first attempt to progress towards Champions league in the coming years. Onwards and upwards Saints.

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warnfordcookie added 11:23 - May 31 So good to seea measuredand positive posting concerning our qualification. The football"experts" are already talking us down for next season due to the "supposed" negative effects of the Europa league. Personally I see the 3rd qualifying round as a good start for Jay Rod and a good way to give some u21's a chance. Also useful for players who sit on the subs bench only normally getting 10 or 15 minutes football. Now that there is no reserve league as such only the u21's u18's etc. will also be good for testing players fitness returns from injury. Then, as we progress and expand our squad and come up against better oppostion in the group stages more senior players can take over. Most top 6 teams have to used to two games a week on a regular basis and if the team are successful then fatigue rarely is a factor. Look at Chelsea who used less squad players then anyone in the top 8 last season but won the league by a mile and also the Capital One cup. Thursday/Sunday playing should affect a successful team no more than Wednesday / Saturday morming or Saturday night/ Tuesday as it will be for many of the Champions league teams. Plus we have a manager and coaching staff ready to cope with the experience of being positive about this scenario. Let's embrace the Europa league as our first attempt to progress towards Champions league in the coming years. Onwards and upwards Saints.

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legod7 added 11:48 - May 31 We don't start until the 3rd qualifying round 30th July/6th August. Would be about the same time as a couple of pre-season friendlies. The play off round is not until 20/27th August when the season has already started. The group stages don't start until 17th September. We could have gone into the competition in the 1st qualifying round like West Ham. They have to play home and away on 2nd/ 9th July then again on 16th/23rd July just to get to the 3rd qualifying round

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bstokesaint added 14:00 - May 31 I'm very proud of the team and it's nice to have something to show for our best season in the PL. Thanks Ronald. It's been a joy. Loved every minute. Bring on Europe, can't wait.
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Jesus_02 added 10:06 - Jun 1 Put simply we had better get used to it. We are not going to waltz into the Champions League so I imagine that that this could be about our level. I cant imagine that we will finish 7th next year but there is always the year. What is the option? Aim for 8th every year!
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