Europa league swerve or not?

[barneygumble]

But we would enter the 3rd qualifying round as our 1st coming into the tournament through 7th place. That would make it 17 games

No. We'd enter in the second round.

Meaning 2nd round, 3rd Round and then the Play-Off, before qualifying for the group.

Due to the UEFA changing their rules for the Champions League, every team who's eliminated in the qualifiers, be that in the preliminary round (San Marino, Andorra etc...), the first round (TNS, Linfield, Dundalk), or all the way to the final stages (Basel, PAOK etc), you drop into the Europa. There, qualifying follows a similar trend to Champions League "Champion" and "Non-Champion Route". If we end up in the Europa, we'd start in the second round, in the non-champion side.

This means six qualifying games before the group, unlike this season where it was four.

 

[Carlito]

Well going along the lines that I think Sam will be here next season, in the game that he was in the studio for, he said Everton should play a weak side and just concentrate on the league. This was before we were mathematicaly out but it was looking like we were going out, so on that basis I think if we do get it he will play a poor side from the first game and disregard it.

Oh, definitely. He'll think that his job is to take the tenth-most expensive squad in the world and finish just ahead of Stoke and Bournemouth.

I'll be taking a break from Everton if he stays on past the end of this season.

 

[Ihaters]

European games are ideal as a pre-season anyway. Competitive from the start.

 

[cooperman]

players aren't keen as it means Sunday games and sober Saturday nights

 

[Saint Domingo]

European games are ideal as a pre-season anyway. Competitive from the start.

Worked really well this season ha. But I do agree with you. The Europa League is just used as an excuse by poor sides like us when we botch our season. The sides that win it invariably end up having good league seasons too. It didn’t bother us when we had a good side between 07-09. We just don’t prepare properly for it, the squad selection is wrong and ultimately we’re just not very good in our own league whether we have Europa or not.

 

[brieverton]

If we enter then we have to take it seriously obviously but I'm not sure what you can do in terms of special preparation particularly in terms of such an early start to the season competitively.

Other than not being crap, I'd be interested to know the what the assessment is as to how we could have prepared or performed better not just in Europe but generally.

This should be right up the street for a competent DOF.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

I’m swerving Kelly Brook too.

 

[Death]

How can anyone doubt we could get 7th. We have been disgraceful and are 2 points away. With most the big game out if the way. We are almost going to get it by default let alone if we improve a tiny bit or not.

 

[LiamG]

Still the easiest way into the Champions league so yes would like to be in it.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

How can anyone doubt we could get 7th. We have been disgraceful and are 2 points away. With most the big game out if the way. We are almost going to get it by default let alone if we improve a tiny bit or not.

For this reason I think we will.

 

[everton1953]

I wonder if there was a vote would a majority prefer to "swerve" the Europa?

 

[4737carlin]

I wonder if there was a vote would a majority prefer to "swerve" the Europa?

I would much rather we dont get in it, but at the same time if we need a win on the last game of the season to get 7th I would want us to win the game, ideal scenario is we get 7th and Southampton win the FA cup

 

[StreetEndBlue]

To get away from the last Europa League slot (should it go down to 7th) we need to start getting beat even more and drift down the table and then these types who are saying they don't want us to qualify for it would be on here cryarseing about us losing games.

I want us to be in Europe every season. Increased profile, makes us a few bob, maybe able to attract a higher standard of player etc

 

[marcus]

Europe of course....

Why wouldn't we want to be successful....

 

[4737carlin]

Europe of course....

Why wouldn't we want to be successful....

Getting into Europe isnt being successful, your only successful when you have something you can put in a cabinet