THE silver lining of defeat for Sam Allardyce is that at least it cuts off one route to Europe.

While playing in Europe would be a dream for fans it would be a nightmare for the Wanderers boss who admits he would not take European competition next season if it was handed to him on a plate.

The winners of the Worthington Cup earn an automatic place in the UEFA Cup and Allardyce believes the distraction of playing in Europe at this stage of their development would pose a huge threat to the future of the club.

The only remaining routes into Europe are winning the FA Cup or a sky high finish in the Premiership and Allardyce hopes they do not manage either.

It sounds crazy on the face of it but the Reebok boss points to the current plight of Ipswich Town to back up his argument.

"I hope we don't get into Europe because we couldn't cope," he confirmed.

"I know it is a dream but if the dream or Europe is going to kill the reality of the future of this club then it is not something you want to happen.

"Europe would lead to a disastrous run in the Premiership with the squad that we have at the moment.

"If we finish one place behind the European qualification places it would do me fine.

"You can see the fall from grace of Ipswich Town. It has been an absolute disaster for George Burley and we don't want to place ourselves in that position." IF Wanderers reach the final of the Worthington Cup Sam Allardyce will not know whether he will want his team to win or lose.

Allardyce is as desperate as the next manager to put silverware in the trophy room. But he is just as desperate to keep the club out of Europe next season.

While playing in Europe would be a dream for fans it would be a nightmare for the Wanderers boss who admits he would not take European competition next season if it was handed to him on a plate.

The winners of the Worthington Cup earn an automatic place in the UEFA Cup and Allardyce believes the distraction of playing in Europe at this stage of their development would pose a huge threat to the future of the club.

The other remaining routes into Europe are winning the FA Cup or a sky high finish in the Premiership and Allardyce hopes they do not manage either.

It sounds crazy on the face of it but the Reebok boss points to the current plight of Ipswich Town to back up his argument.

"I hope we don't get into Europe because we couldn't cope," he confirmed.

"I know it is a dream but if the dream or Europe is going to kill the reality of the future of this club then it is not something you want to happen.

"Europe would lead to a disastrous urun in the Premiership with the squad that we have at the moment.

"If we finish one place behind the European qualification places it would do me fine.

"You can see the fall from grace of Ipswich Town. It has been an absolute disaster for George Burley and we don't want to place ourselves in that position."

Asked if he wanted his team to lose last night, he said: "No, because I want to reach the final." So would he want his team to lose in the final then? He answers non commitedly: "If we get there come back and ask me again."