Europa League - Good or Bad?

[GrandOldTeam]

It's been done before. To death, I know. But given there is a chance we could be in it next season, I figured a poll was in order. We love a good poll.

Also a good place to make an observation on our managers view, alters considerably depending what mood he's in...

Last season, March 2014 he spoke of needing six new players to compete in the Europa as well as domestic league;

"We haven’t budgeted for players yet,’ said Martinez. ‘Where we finish in the league will be a big factor in that. Whether we are in Europe or not is a big factor. We’ve got money but I didn’t want to spend it in January. That was clear. I didn’t think spending in January was the right thing to do.

‘If we get in Europe I think that makes a difference of six players. I always found you can work on a squad of 21 players in the league and for domestic competitions. You need around 27 players plus keepers for Europe. It doesn’t have to be 27 senior players, it can be young players too, but 27"

After saying he needs a bigger squad to compete, his narrative changed. He already had the squad to complete - it was continuity which was important. Maintaining the squad he had.

During our participation, despite previously claiming it can impact domestic form, he repeatedly denied it having any impact;

Roberto Martinez was bullish. “I don’t see the Europa League as a hindrance.

“We are not a team who wants to moan about the number of games or talk about the Europa League in a disrespectful manner.

He had a bit of a wobble in March 2015, repeating his support for a Winter Break, explaining Europa impact on domestic form;

“The British competition demands every game to be 100%. I don’t think you can win a game in the Premier League at 70% whereas teams that play in other leagues in Europe can cruise through games and can get through them at 50%. The intensity is not the same compared to the Premier League. Also, a break in the winter would enable the players to regenerate and refresh. A key moment in the season is February and March so I think the biggest teams are a little bit unfairly treated.”

“I find that Thursday and Sunday is very tough, especially because the trips are longer than in the Champions League and some kick-off times are very early,” added Martínez. “We had a big advantage last week to play Dynamo Kyiv at home before Newcastle at home on the Sunday at 4pm. I noticed a big difference when it was Krasnodar away, followed by Old Trafford at midday on the Sunday.

But he continued to be his usual positive self;

“You cannot underestimate the amount of work and effort that has gone into this competition at the club over the last 18 months,” said Martínez. “One competition shouldn’t get in the way of the other. When we built the squad at the start of the season it was with playing in Europe in mind. That hasn’t changed. We have a strong enough squad to face the two competitions.

When, a month later, we got knocked out, his narrative again completed switched.

Suddenly, "of course" Europa damaged league form;

“But the reality is we got stuck with a couple of things that have stopped us replicating last season. Playing in Europe – and you can look at the stats of teams that have been involved in Europe for the first time – has a massive impact in the league.”

Even right up to his interview with BT Sport prior Sunderland Yesterday, he cited it as the key reason. "Psychology, the players couldn't cope". It was tough. he went on, and on and on.

Hours after that interview, he's now saying he would embrace early entry;

'Absolutely, we would take part,' he said. 'We would embrace it as a football club.

So, what do you think?

If it was your decision, would you accept an entry into next season's Europa League through the fairplay record even though it would means playing a first competitive match in the first week of July?

 

[Furey1878]

We don't deserve to be in Europe next season. End of.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

We don't deserve to be in Europe next season. End of.

It isn't though, is it?

That's not the question.

 

[scratchnsurf]

Tl;dr

But having spent some time considering it. Both.

Move up on that there fence azul.

 

[bizzaro]

The prize money for being in it and the needed extra resources for it - aren't justified

compared to league position and/or Champions League

 

[Goat]

I think the squad we had was fine, numbers wise, it lacked quality in some areas clearly, Europa League wasnt the reason for our terrible league form, nor is it the reason we exited both cups at the first hurdle, terrible tactics, shocking team selections and downright lack of motivational skills from our manager was the main reason.

To answer the question, who even cares when we start our season, the players can cope with ONLY a month off, the poor little lambs.

Being in Europa helps us attract a better standard of player and helps us retain the players we currently have.

Its a yes from me, but I personally dont think we will make it.

 

[moyeslovechild]

too early

Dis rupt pre season

 

[Goat]

The prize money for being in it and the needed extra resources for it - aren't justified

compared to league position and/or Champions League

Its not about money, its about us having another pot to try and win, its about putting something in the trophy cabinet that we no longer even have.

 

[scratchnsurf]

It's good because we have a better chance of attracting and keeping decent players. Also Everton in Europe is ace.

However, it impedes our chances of qualifying for the champions league and/ or winning a domestic cup, so it's bad.

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

I want in, but think that the early rounds should mostly be competed by younger players and definitely non-internationals.

I would enjoy the footy during the summer, would probably base a short summer holiday around it too.

 

[bizzaro]

Its not about money, its about us having another pot to try and win, its about putting something in the trophy cabinet that we no longer even have.

Yes but its killing the players and costing us even more money in lost Premier League revenue.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Everton playing in Europe is a good thing. We need to get used to it if we want to get to the next level.

It's been used as an poor excuse this season when the real reason why we've been so crap is abysmal management.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Its not about money, its about us having another pot to try and win, its about putting something in the trophy cabinet that we no longer even have.

If it was, how much is each league position worth?

Our manager has said it had a definite negative impact on our domestic form.

 

[BoysInBlue]

We're never going to win the league.
It's highly unlikely we'll manage to get into the top 4.
We haven't won the league cup in our history, and have only reached the final twice, the last time 31 years ago.
The FA Cup is perhaps our only chance of winning something.

Europe is something tangible that we can qualify for, and have an 'adventure in'.

If we start rejecting the opportunity to participate in Europe, what is exactly the point of us as a club?

 

[Goat]

Yes but its killing the players and costing us even more money in lost Premier League revenue.

When I was Roms age I played football 3 nights a week, plus worked during the day.

Killing the players, PFFT.