Last season we worked hard to achieve qualification for the Europa League, yes we might have got through the back door a bit, but we are there and need to make sure we don't blow it.
I am not one of those who thinks that the Europa League is a distraction from the Premier League, I have often wondered why the likes of Stoke, Hull, Middlesbrough and Fulham failed to win the Premier, perhaps it was the distraction of a Europa League /UEFA Cup campaign ?
I see the Europa League as a natural progression as a football club, testing yourself against European opposition and building a squad that gets better and better and eventually might let you challenge the so called big boys of the Premier.
Those Premier League managers who slag it off do so because they are scared of relegation, Ronald Koeman has never been like that he looks forward and not over his shoulder, he does not let fear get in his way.
This week we start our next step in Europe and that is overcoming FC Midtjylland on Thursday night at St Mary's, hopefully there will be another big crowd for this one, although at time of writing there still seem to be plenty of tickets left, that is a shame because the Danes could well be a far sterner test than Vitesse and we need the backing of another full house.
Beat FC Midtjylland and we are in the group stages and that could pit us against some top European sides and give the supporters some great memories, the Europa League is a chance to put the name of Southampton Football Club on the map lets help the team take it.