West Ham United have failed to progress to the group stage of the Europa League this season.
Rodney Marsh
Former Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers forward Rodney Marsh has stated on social networking site Twitter that failing to qualify for the Europa League group stage this season is a positive for West Ham United.
West Ham have failed to get past the qualifying rounds in the Europa League yet again.
The Hammers have suffered a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Astra Giurgiu in the qualifying playoff tie.
Having drawn the first leg 1-1 away from home last week, Slaven Bilic’s side needed just a 1-0 victory at the London Stadium in the second leg on Thursday evening to ensure their place in the group stage.
However, West Ham suffered a 1-0 loss in London, Filipe Teixeira’s goal on the stroke of half time proving to be the difference between the two teams.
West Ham United’s Winston Reid in action with FC Astra Giurgiu’s Florin Lovin
Marsh was following the match, and he believes that failure to progress to the Europa League this season will help the Hammers compete for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
West Ham United’s Sam Byram, Cheikhou Kouyate and Winston Reid look dejected after FC Astra Giurgiu’s first goal
The Europa League can be a distraction for teams aiming to finish in the top four of the Premier League or trying to win the title.
However, the Hammers are unlikely to challenge for a Champions League place during the 2016-17 campaign.
It would have been great for the fans if they had European football at the London Stadium this season.
Rodney Marsh
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