Europa League - Good or Bad?

[toffeejack]

I have always felt there's far too many games for little financial reward, in comparison to the Champions League cash-cow!

At least the financial benefit of progressing in the CL is worthwhile, whereas I always thought the money gained by progressing in the EL was almost insignificant by comparison.

I've been told the EL money is better these days than it was before, but I'm not sure exactly what you get for winning it and how this compares to winning the CL?

The one big benefit now is that the EL winners get to play in the CL. At least that's a good carrot to dangle in front of people.

not sure any of us give a crap about financial reward. we want to see us win a trophy again. europe could see us attract better players anyway. ideally we want to be playing in europe on a continual basis and competing properly in the league as well. can't see us really doing that if the squad is making sporadic appearances in europe every 3 or 4 seasons - they can't learn anything that way.

 

[Khalekan]

I wish they would restructure the whole thing and slim it down massively. Then there wouldn't even be a debate on whether it is a hindrance or not.

I was thinking about how they could do this, Ed.

I think a pure knockout is not going to happen.

What about if they cut the amount of teams in a group to three, which would mean playing two games less and also there would be weeks each team didn't have a game so there wouldn't be such demands on the squad?

They could then have an extra knockout stage when the competition resumes in the spring to compensate for the extra teams going through.

 

[dannyboy]

Europa League is great, it's absolutely our level right now. Barring a miracle we aren't getting into the Champions League any time soon.

Just look at the top 4 as it stands, who is going to drop out of that any time soon?

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

Ideally I would go back to how the Uefa Cup used to be, where in the group stage you played each opponent just the once.

 

[1966efc]

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;



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;





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



But he continued to be his usual positive self;



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

Suddenly, "of course" Europa damaged league form;



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;



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?

It's a crappy little competition. Do a M O N.

 

[Khalekan]

It's a crappy little competition. Do a M O N.

That didn't work out well for them.

He sacrificed the EL in to concentrate on the top four.

Went out of the former, missed out on the latter and found himself back in the former again next season

He was gone a year later and Villa has been on the decline ever since.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

Like the kit will be ready for the 1st week in July.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Like the kit will be ready for the 1st week in July.

I think I read somewhere they're wearing next seasons kit for the Spuds game ?
Might be wrong though.

edit : See post below

 

[BoysInBlue]

Like the kit will be ready for the 1st week in July.

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/05/08/2015-16-home-kit-to-debut-against-spurs

Everton’s 2015/16 home kit will be worn for the first time by the players when the Toffees play Tottenham Hotspur in the final home game of the season at Goodison Park.

The closing game of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign on Sunday 24 May will see Roberto Martinez’s team wear the new kit designed by Umbro.

The new kit will be officially unveiled and available to pre-order from evertondirect.com, Everton One and Everton Two on Thursday 21 May, before going on sale on Saturday 20 June both in store and online.

The 2015/16 kits will again be available in a range of baby sizes and also women’s sizes (8-18).

This season Everton and retail partner Kitbag are also pleased to announce the roll-out of a new Click and Collect service that offers a more convenient collection method for supporters who order merchandise online.

As well as still being able to collect their purchases from either of the two Everton stores, supporters will now be able to pick up their parcels from any of the 5,000 Hermes Click and Collection partner sites throughout the UK. For more information about the Click and Collect service, visit evertondirect.com.

The 2015/16 home kit offering is the latest from Everton’s renewed association with Umbro, which began in 2014. Last year’s home shirt was hugely successful, with the popular Fabric campaign capturing the imagination of supporters.

 

[FTY]

I haven't really been keeping up with all this; how likely is it that we get in through FP?

 

[samZ]

Realistically I see it as our only chance of playing in European competition for the next few years.
Being involved in European Competition will surely enhance our profile as a club even further.
We can be competitive in the competition but we need to learn lessons from this seasons campaign both on and off the pitch.
It would be good to see some initiatives to sell more tickets for the games to encourage more people to go to the games and fill the empty seats that were in this seasons games.

 

[BoysInBlue]

I haven't really been keeping up with all this; how likely is it that we get in through FP?

The latest table last week had us in 3rd place.
Top of the table was Liverpool, who will get in the Europa via the Prem, and don't need the Fair Play place, so it will pass down to whoever finishes 2nd.
2nd place is West Ham, who will get the place as it stands, but we are close on their heels and play them next week. A few bookings for them and none for us and we might be in pole position.

 

[barneygumble]

I thoroughly expect another season like this one, so a beacon of sunshine, known as the Europa League is a must for me, personally.

The idea of rubbing my palms together for the 2nd round of the capital one cup, and a juicy home tie against Barnet at home, doesn't quite whet the appetite like a potential Sunny trip to Málaga, or a Thursday night in Dortmund.

Yeah, it may be a hinderence, but it's something for the fans, and my god, do we need something!

 

[The Equaliser]

It's a crappy little competition. Do a M O N.

Hang on, GOT is Damon ????

 

[bizzaro]

not sure any of us give a crap about financial reward. we want to see us win a trophy again. europe could see us attract better players anyway. ideally we want to be playing in europe on a continual basis and competing properly in the league as well. can't see us really doing that if the squad is making sporadic appearances in europe every 3 or 4 seasons - they can't learn anything that way.

Financial reward is what FUNDS SUCCESS.

Saying 'give a crap about finanical reward' is just silly.

It pays for transfers. Wages and everything else.

That makes winning stuff more realistic as we have a bigger budget. Financial reward is the lifeblood of the club