FFC columnist Greg Farrimond discusses whether European exploits can often have a negative impact on a club's domestic fortunes.

Every year there always seems to be a club whose league position is inferior to what many expected, and the excuse from the manager is regularly "It's because we're in Europe".

This year Spurs had a very rocky start to their Premier League campaign and a lot of the media suggested that maybe it was their UEFA Cup exploits that had rocked their concentration.

All that seems forgotten now though as Mr Ramos has come in and Spurs have marched up the league and finally landed themselves that elusive trophy they have long been searching for, and very deservedly so it has to be said.

On the other hand, there is Bolton Wanderers. They simply can't be a mid-table team can they? They are either pushing for Europe or fighting for their lives! As a Wigan fan I should genuinely despise the Trotters but I can't bring myself to hate a club that reminds me of my own. They have continually denied the odds in the Premier League and have frequently embarrassed these so called big clubs.

This year has been a struggle for them though; a struggle that wasn't helped with the departure of Nicolas Anelka. I know a few Bolton fans and they believe that the extra fixtures have had an affect on their form in the league this season, and I can honestly understand that. Bolton's squad is not exploding at the seams and it has undoubtedly been affected when they have been involved in more games than the teams that surround them in the Premier League table.

You then have the likes of Liverpool but I have not heard their fans complain that their league position is due to the extra fixtures that they have faced. But you have to ask, if Liverpool weren't in a European competition, would their Premiership season have lived up to their understandable expectations?

Personally I think Liverpool boast an extremely over-rated squad. Without Fernando Torres and their prodigal son Stevie Gerrard, quality is lacking. Teams like Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton would match Liverpool's current side if the above two were not to be included.

On the whole, I do believe that European competitions can be detrimental to success in the league. Steve Coppell commented last year that he did not want Reading to qualify for Europe so early in their Premiership tenure, as he thought it could spell the end of the success that they had enjoyed over recent years. Everyone laughed at such a negative attitude, but on reflection, were Coppell's words wiser than first imagined?

Would Derby have some competition for bottom spot if Reading had embarked on a European tour this season?

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