​I’m looking forward to the challenge and I think the assumption from opposing fans that we’ll go down due to European football is a very lazy one — the last team to go down whilst playing in Europe was Ipswich in 2002.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs others have pointed out, we still need to add to the squad and improve our depth, which we will.A mid-table finish and a good run in Europe will do me this season, although we know the club will be aiming for much more, which is what makes it so exciting to be a part of.The old chestnut of “the Premier League is the be all and the end all” will no doubt be trotted out at some point in the season. And that’s fair enough, because that’s where the money is. But it isn’r where the history is — for Sunderland at least.So for one season only, let’s just go for it in Europe: who knows when we may get another chance? Seventeenth position, six points off the Visitors and a run deep in Europe would be more fine in my book (can you imagine saying that three years ago?!).AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReally, though, it boils down to the quality of recruitment — as it always does no matter what your aim. So if Florent Ghisolfi et al get it right, then there should be no worries either way.One thing that is obvious to me is that we would have had to strengthen the squad come what may — Europe or no Europe, and the fact that we brilliantly secured a Europa League spot just further emphasises that fact.I think the Premier League will always be the main target of the club, and not just securing survival but knowing the ambition of our owners, to continue to drive standards and push for further uncharted waters.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat said, I think the crowd’s reaction alone will demand a serious attack on the European competition. Support will always grow the further the team goes both in the FA Cup and the League Cup, but I expect a full house right from the off in the Europa League, and that’ll get a reaction from the team and club.The squad needs to be large enough and flexible enough to adapt and cope. Not many players (if any) will be used all the time and there won’t necessarily be a team for this and a team for that,but there will be frequent rotation.Because of the uniqueness of Europe, I’m sure many fans are extra excited about games in Europe, at the Stadium of Light, under the lights. I have every faith in our recruitment process and team unity to cope on all fronts.Bring it on!I’ve just been told by a Tottenham-supporting friend he can see us going down next season due to our European adventures. Given he followed that up with the fact he thinks they’ll be top four next season, I treated it with the contempt it deserved.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementI think we’ll need to add to the squad simply because we’ll effectively have two games a week from September.There’s more quality to be added and we have to brace for inju