If we go deep in the Conference (extra round from finishing second too) and have three games postponed that will be two games a week most weeks I think.
More time spent travelling, more injuries, more fatigue, less time on the training ground. That will impact our chances in the league, there's just no way around that. To what extent can be discussed. If the upsides of a potential trophy in the Conference is worth it can be discussed. But to me there's no doubt that a conference run will impact league performances.
The fact that our squad currently isn't good enough for a good top four push and a CL campaign is just that, a fact. Over the next two transfer windows, the rest of this season and the preseason next summer that will have to be rectified if we do qualify for the CL.
We don't heve a competing in the CL level squad. Haven't seen anyone argue that we do. If anything there seems to be a broad consensus that we need to improve the squad in several areas.