5th, 6th and 7th European Qualification

flibbyflob · February 2, 2014

teppic said:
What about 8th?

That is where United will finish.

sheedys big toe · February 2, 2014

remember the night against juventus?

Hangleton · February 2, 2014

I’d love to see a competition with smaller groups and start the knockout sooner. Like the old Cup Winners Cup or UEFA cup.
And the big incentive should be that the semi-finalists get a direct ticket to the qualifiers to the Champs league for the following year. Then it would be interesting.
We could play a weakened team in the League Cup, and just improve the squad to cover the extra 6-10 games.

Garrick · February 2, 2014

4737carlin said:
Really hope we dont end up in that Europa League, nightmare of a comp, if Liverpool were stuck in that this season i dont think they would be in the race for 4th, if ever there was a season killer its the EL. Be better to miss out on that and have a real go at winning the Carling Cup next season

A club of Everton's size and ability could play mostly reserve players in the group stage and get through no problem. Yeah, Swansea and Newcastle are struggling, but Swansea are a tiny club and Newcastle are just not good this year.

Everybody cites those two as examples, but I really just don't think we'd have the same issue. With a decent enough draw you're essentially playing a bunch of teams that are Championship-caliber.

Hangleton · February 2, 2014

Going back to my own format - if you knew you had a champ league place for the semis - it would improve the competition, it would be worth the massive disruption and i am sure that it would be worth some sacrifice in terms of league form.

Tubey · February 2, 2014

Garrick said:
I understand it's a complicated topic, but really, the chances of 7th getting Europa are still pretty slim.

The one thing that might happen (and might impact us) is Man City winning the League Cup and 6th getting Europa. Yes, they're playing Sunderland, but it's also the LEAGUE CUP. Do you think they'll be arsed since they're in a title chase?

That game is March 2nd. Don't even worry about it until then.

It's a cup final, of course they will be arsed. I despise the League Cup and see it all but completely pointless, but if our B team fluked their way to the final I'd fully expect a first team to be put out regardless of our league position. It's one game.

Carl Stewart · February 2, 2014

A good scenario would be if the sh!te finish 4th but by some fluke Manure win the CL (assuming finish outside top 4) and take the final place.
I've probably jinxed it for us to finish 4th and the same thing happen to us!

Tubey · February 2, 2014

Carl Stewart said:
A good scenario would be if the sh!te finish 4th but by some fluke Manure win the CL (assuming finish outside top 4) and take the final place.
I've probably jinxed it for us to finish 4th and the same thing happen to us!

That's probably the worst scenario I can imagine!!! It'd be my worst nightmare lol

Walken · February 2, 2014

Rather be in it that out, not arsed about the money thing, I love having the extra games, was at the fiorentina game and that was boss despite the pens, and we have a manager who would try an win it and not just play the ressies

Hangleton · February 2, 2014

I think we should do this in style.
1. 2014 Win the FA Cup
2. 2015 Win The Europa League
3. 2016 Win Champions League

Khalekan · February 2, 2014

Carl Stewart said:
A good scenario would be if the sh!te finish 4th but by some fluke Manure win the CL (assuming finish outside top 4) and take the final place.
I've probably jinxed it for us to finish 4th and the same thing happen to us!

Dream scenario.

Chelsea lose tomorrow night and are dragged back into the pack.

EFC pip the RS for third place so they finish fourth.

Chelsea fall out the top four but win the CL....... (y)

If there is a God.....he will make it so.

Big Fat Sam · February 2, 2014

Khalekan said:
Dream scenario.

Chelsea lose tomorrow night and are dragged back into the pack.

EFC pip the RS for third place so they finish fourth.

Chelsea fall out the top four but win the CL.......

If there is a God.....he will make it so.

If that happens I'll invite and pay for four GOT members to come out to Munich where I live for a weekend-long party.

You can vault that, haha!

evilwebby · February 2, 2014

I disagree about Europa cup not being worth the effort - look beyond the economics of it. It's a chance for our players to play against other European teams. That sort of experience is invaluable both for players and managers for clubs like ours.
Granted, the format definitely needs tweaking, and it shouldn't be the safety net for CL losers.

Brennan · February 2, 2014

evilwebby said:
I disagree about Europa cup not being worth the effort - look beyond the economics of it. It's a chance for our players to play against other European teams. That sort of experience is invaluable both for players and managers for clubs like ours.
Granted, the format definitely needs tweaking, and it shouldn't be the safety net for CL losers.

And you get in the CL if you win it.

Rook · February 2, 2014

The competetion is a joke and the thing is it so doesn't have to be. The group stages are pointless. The Champion league flunkouts don't want to be there and shouldn't be there.

You make it straight knockout and you have meaningful matches in the fall, can take some of the attn off the C-league boring group stages. We've had some of the best atomsphere ever at Goodison on those european knockout nights. Plus you can play in the fall and whittle it down to as little as 8 teams.

Then again UEFA probably wants to not take attn off their precious C-League.