Europe a good thing?

[njligernj]

Europa will hurt our league position. That is almost certain with what we can afford squad wise. We've played the fewest number of players in the Prem this season -- if you add on another 8-18 games or so it's going to hurt us for sure. I also don't think many players care that much about Europa. You might get a moderate boost in your profile (but if a team offered 10k more p/w than us they aren't going to come here for less to play in the Europa).

So my old answer was no.

My new answer is yes. It's the best we can hope for so we should enjoy it (but don't whine too much when we finish 10th).

Here's the thing though, what if we get qualification and.... Fella doesn't leave? Where does the squad strengthening come from then?!

Would we be better off if we had five more Naismiths? Maybe moderately actually but basically not. Squad depth for the sake of depth isn't going to get us anywhere. We have a small squad now but that is a deliberate decision. We have the money for a good first 11 and useless squad depth or a mediocre first 11 with a decent squad of interchangeable mediocre players. Those are our options under current conditions.

If Fellaini doesn't leave we'd continue to have a good first 11 and useless squad depth. If he leaves we'll have a worse first 11 (probably) and better depth.

If you still harbour delusions about the CL then the good first 11 approach is the only way forward; if you're okay with mid-table and maybe a lucky Cup run then squad depth might be the way.

 

[TippEverton]

I'd prefer some european footy next season and a 10th-13th place league finish over another 7th place finish and no european footy.

 

[LTblue]

Europa League means the chance to have a couple of days away in Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Southern France in all likelihood you will draw a team in the group stages from warmer climes, this is what makes it ace. Mini Everton related holidays.

 

[mawders]

Yes Europe is a good thing. I cannot believe managers who's team fights tooth and nail the previous season to get into the Europa league and then play weakened sides. It's bonkers and a disservice to their club, players and fans who give all their spare cash and often more to see their team play (like Redknapp did with spurs)

 

[dixie7]

Given after the Utd game Moyes was quoted as saying the team looked "tired", and we aren't going to get the money any time soon to invest in quality players to give us any strength in depth.Would qualification be healthy in the short term.I'm obviously not factoring in the potencial for exotic away trips for the fans.

yes, it can be done. play the reserves for the away legs and first team for home legs, if we make it through the group stage then rest half players for the away legs and go full strength at home, Until the quarters and from there go full strength all the way
Carling cup and fa cup would obviosuly have to be sacrificed

newcastle rotated players and liverpool played 30 different players in the competition including reserves and u18's. it can be done.

also the good thing about this is we could land 3 half decent loan players and use europa league to attract them here, season tickets numbers would definitely increase and the fans get a few nice places to go to

 

[flibbyflob]

Us in europe and RS not. No brainer.

 

[Bluenose1995]

Europa League qualification will pretty much condemn Everton to midtable next season. We just dont have the numbers to cope and that wont change anytime in the near future whilst there's no investment. Thursday to Sunday games through into late winter/early spring will find us out. It raises our profile on the continent and enables us to blood a few peripheral players though (as we have done in the past with the EL).

agree mate however I will say that the difference this time to us last time in the EL is that we will have imo around a good £30 mil to spend should felli go + TV cash combined (wouldnt say no to someone like matt smith, very low wages and someone to purely play against the weaker EL sides)

 

[EFC NY]

undoubtably a good thing. The only way one can rationalize not wanting to get into EL is if they believe that w/o Europe we can qualify for Champions League next year. Well how is that working out for us this year?

 

[Bluenose1995]

like I always say anything top 6 and around is a positive until that redcoat ****s off ala doug ellis.

 

[Moomin]

like I always say anything top 6 and around is a positive until that redcoat ****s off ala doug ellis.

He will never do a Doug Ellis, he left the club in no debt when he sold to Lerner for £63 million.

 

[sbbefc]

agree mate however I will say that the difference this time to us last time in the EL is that we will have imo around a good £30 mil to spend should felli go + TV cash combined (wouldnt say no to someone like matt smith, very low wages and someone to purely play against the weaker EL sides)

Haha Matt Smith, I happen to work with an oldham st holder and by all accounts he's **** the majority of his Oldham career. A couple of fa cup goals and you get **** like this spouted.

 

[Bluenose1995]

He will never do a Doug Ellis, he left the club in no debt when he sold to Lerner for £63 million.

by all accounts didnt Doug leave due to his age and health? thats what I was trying to get at Kenwright wont go until he is either in bad health or dead.

 

[Bluenose1995]

Haha Matt Smith, I happen to work with an oldham st holder and by all accounts he's **** the majority of his Oldham career. A couple of fa cup goals and you get **** like this spouted.

1. we have no money
2. our wages are an issue
3. we have no squad depth
4. a player for very little coming in on very little wages who can score in big games and isnt arsed about being on the bench

I wouldnt mind him providing we have two other good strikers starting ahead of him mate.

 

[Moomin]

by all accounts didnt Doug leave due to his age and health? thats what I was trying to get at Kenwright wont go until he is either in bad health or dead.

I get you know. Yes, Doug left due to bad health at the time.

 

[riddick]

the main reason I would like EC is because, god forbid, should Everton ever make the CL this would help the club's coefficient.