13 points out of 10 games

[Saint Domingo]

Precisely.

Too many people seem to be off the opinion that they are mutually exclusive.

They ain't.

And people on this forum need to leave that mindset behind.

For me our best side of late was in the period 2007-2009. In that period we got to the last 16 of the Europa at the same time setting our then record prem points total to qualify again for Europe. Also that season was a league cup semi final. We then made the cup final the season after along with finishing fifth as well to make it qualification for Europe for three seasons in a row.

This was probably Moyes' finest team (cruelly savaged by injury and players sold) and it showed that even with a close to zero net spend you can combine league form with European football and a cup run.

I am not asking for the impossible from Martinez here. Mainly just maintain that standard of challenging Europs league qualification every season and build from there. People on here are now writing off even top 8 finishes because we need to concentrate on domestic cups and that Europe ruins league form. This is just not correct. A strong Everton can juggle European football and the league. We now have a supposedly better squad (although I question that game by game) than we did then so why is out of their reach?

 

[davek]

...and how is that me saying 'we shouldn't compete'?

 

[Saint Domingo]

Please......stop comparing Everton to Wigan.

I wish some people on here would stop treating us the same. The expectation level across the forum has certainly declined.

 

[davek]

It would.

No team goes lower than 8th with 60 points...average of 7th in the last decade.

 

[bignev23]

concidentally we were on 13 points after 10 games last season but we were 9th in the table instead of 10th this season.

 

[mlyons]

...and how is that me saying 'we shouldn't compete'?

What does saying you don't want to finish between 5th and 7th mean, then?

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

For me our best side of late was in the period 2007-2009. In that period we got to the last 16 of the Europa at the same time setting our then record prem points total to qualify again for Europe. Also that season was a league cup semi final. We then made the cup final the season after along with finishing fifth as well to make it qualification for Europe for three seasons in a row.

This was probably Moyes' finest team (cruelly savaged by injury and players sold) and it showed that even with a close to zero net spend you can combine league form with European football and a cup run.

I am not asking for the impossible from Martinez here. Mainly just maintain that standard of challenging Europs league qualification every season and build from there. People on here are now writing off even top 8 finishes because we need to concentrate on domestic cups and that Europe ruins league form. This is just not correct. A strong Everton can juggle European football and the league. We now have a supposedly better squad (although I question that game by game) than we did then so why is out of their reach?

It's getting harder as the season's go by, more money in the game means the likes of Southampton, Palace etc can go out and spend more to compete for league positions, cups.

Agree though that it's not always about the cash, Martinez won the FA cup with Wigan, beating money bags City proves that skint teams can win trophies.

 

[Lanolin]

We'd also played chelsea, arsenal, liverpool and United in that run. The latter two away from home. And yet I vividly remember people being unhappy with our start. Suddenly, many people now seem to think the same start is a good one. Evidently our expectations have dropped...

 

[Saint Domingo]

concidentally we were on 13 points after 10 games last season but we were 9th in the table instead of 10th this season.

Yeah but look at the fixtures we've played this season.

Barcelona (A)
Bayern Munich (A)
Real Madrid (A)
1970 Brazil (A)
Saachi's Milan (A)
Wingers invincibles (A)
50s Hungarian national team (A)
2010 Spain team (A)
Maradona's Argentina (A)
Martinez's Wigan (H).

Come on mate it's been the hardest ten games anyone has ever played. People were predicting no points so to level last season's magnificent 12th is more than good enough. Nil Satis.

 

[Goat]

To be fair we did well to get a draw from a disgustingly bad Watford side and proabably 1 of the worst RS teams of the last 20 years, at home.

 

[Saint Domingo]

It's getting harder as the season's go by, more money in the game means the likes of Southampton, Palace etc can go out and spend more to compete for league positions, cups.

Agree though that it's not always about the cash, Martinez won the FA cup with Wigan, beating money bags City proves that skint teams can win trophies.

Is it though? Numerically the amount of money spent is going up but is the actual quality? Teams like Spurs, Newcastle, Villa, Portsmouth threw money around back then but we always expected to finish ahead of them or at least in and around Spurs.

Spurs now have a low net spend but according to some it's unrealistic for us to even challenge them. A lot of our traditional challengers have fallen away from us but we're now complaining that Palace Leicester and West Ham are making it difficult for us? We should be in the top 7 and everyone knows it.

 

[Saint Domingo]

To be fair we did well to get a draw from a disgustingly bad Watford side and proabably 1 of the worst RS teams of the last 20 years, at home.

Nah lad curse of the newly promoted team and recent Derby record, those two don't count. Same as City United and Arsenal we can't even expect a point because they spent money in the past.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Is it though? Numerically the amount of money spent is going up but is the actual quality? Teams like Spurs, Newcastle, Villa, Portsmouth threw money around back then but we always expected to finish ahead of them or at least in and around Spurs.

Spurs now have a low net spend but according to some it's unrealistic for us to even challenge them. A lot of our traditional challengers have fallen away from us but we're now complaining that Palace Leicester and West Ham are making it difficult for us? We should be in the top 7 and everyone knows it.

Agree to a point, if we don't finish in the top 7, then that is disappointing (to put it mildly)

 

[Toffeelover]

Let's face it: a top half of the table finish that goes hand in hand with a lengthy cup run is going to be satisfactory.

There's no chance of the CL spots even in our best season; the EL spots are a danger to our following season.

Just go for broke in the cups and maintain a creditable top half position. Job done until we get our takeover...IF we ever get our takeover.

So Dave, how long/ should we keep looking to cup runs and top half finish for the next 2, 5 10 years? You know as well as I, not to hold your breath on a takeover.

 

[Goat]

Nah lad curse of the newly promoted team and recent Derby record, those two don't count. Same as City United and Arsenal we can't even expect a point because they spent money in the past.

Its a wonder how West Ham have managed to win at Anfield, ive heard its impossible.