Europa League football is realistically the highest ambition West Bromwich Albion could have in terms of league finish - but one that they shouldn't strive to achieve.
Champions League football brings untold wealth, kudos and the chance to play in-front of a global audience. Europa League holds (seemingly colder than Tuesday and Wednesday) Thursday nights, in some cases hardly enough money to cover travel and a arduous 21 games to reach the final, of which upon winning you only gain qualification to the same competition.
And, luck depending, teams like Rubin Kazan could be awaiting in the draw which means a trip to central Russia - around 4000kms away from West Bromwich - could await The Baggies if they managed to get a bad draw.
In all probabilities, much like Newcastle's efforts last season, Albion would valiantly go after glory and be pipped to the covetted Champions League spot by some under-performing North London side and then have an ardous year of European football that no-one is that bothered about.
A squad perfect for Premier League football would be stretched too far and buckle under pressure - the worst part being that The Baggies would probably play a second string and go out with a whimper like Stoke at Valencia.
That woud be the worst part: not actually going for it. Trophies are hard to win and Fulham's plight to the final shows that glory and silverware are there. The Premier League, however, has such a hold over cup competition's team selection that it's now accepted the Europa League is a feeder competition.
Stoke's record of finishing 14th, collecting 45 points - only nine points above the drop zone - during the 2010/11 season which was the same sort of points tally as they had achieved twice previously shows that progression is hard when competing with the Europa League.
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