The Europa League

[Saint Domingo]

If we maintain decent form it potentially could be on the cards for us next season. What do people think about the competition in general and the often quoted perception that it negatively impacts your league form?

Simple question for the poll. If we qualify, would you want Koeman to use the first team and take it seriously?

 

[ijjysmith]

I'd rather answer this if it happens to be honest.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Full strength at home, win our home games. Wholesale changes away. Full strength at all times if we progress.

 

[degsy]

If we maintain decent form it potentially could be on the cards for us next season. What do people think about the competition in general and the often quoted perception that it negatively impacts your league form?

Simple question for the poll. If we qualify, would you want Koeman to use the first team and take it seriously?

Take seriously

 

[neil999]

when i get together with jennifer lawrence, should i take her

- up the aisle?

- up the wrong un?

thanks

 

[Mountfield1985]

Depends on our group, but I’d think we would be okay to be at half strength in the group games.

Go full strength in the knockout rounds.

 

[GwladysPhil]

Tough one for me, I'd like to see the first 11 changed in the qualifiers + group stages then go full strength in the last 32 etc

 

[MikeH72]

I think a better poll would be: Do you want to see Everton play in the Europa League next season?

 

[blue61]

when i get together with jennifer lawrence, should i take her

- up the aisle?

- up the wrong un?

thanks

Up the junction at a squeeze.

 

[BlueLlama]

when i get together with jennifer lawrence, should i take her

- up the aisle?

- up the wrong un?

thanks

Not in that order

 

[TraffordBlue]

Don't get why people turn their noses up at it. It's a good competition for the level of club we are at the moment. If you win it you qualify for the Champions League and it raises the club's profile across Europe and gives the fans some enjoyable trips.

I also think that the opinion from managers, players and fans making excuses about the impact it has on league form are pathetic too. These are professional athletes. They should be able to play 2 games in a week with ease and the players should jump at the chance when they get that opportunity too.

 

[TheFinnFan]

It will always be compromise. With every team. If we'd get through group phase then it would become important enough to use best XI

Summer window especially would be important

 

[Blue_Berry]

Mate you may as well merge this thread with the last 2 hours of the Ronnie Koeman thread - it's all been had already...

 

[Barnfred 55]

If we maintain decent form it potentially could be on the cards for us next season. What do people think about the competition in general and the often quoted perception that it negatively impacts your league form?

Simple question for the poll. If we qualify, would you want Koeman to use the first team and take it seriously?

Voted gruyer as I didn't agree with any of the options.

When in Europe and playing 2 games per week it's impossible to play the strongest 11 every game. More than ever you need to rely on the squad.

Having said that we need to take the competition seriously as

1) Our fans demand it
2) It represents a second route into UCL
3) Performance will effect our ranking when/if we do qualify for the UCL.

So we need to put out a team we believe can win/compete in each match. That depends on the opposition and also what games we have either side of the EL matches. It can represent an opportunity to introduce youth and give playing time to some back up players (bearing in mind some of our back up players may well be first team regulars today). Provided we put out a team to get a result I won't complain. I actually think RM got it pretty much right 2 seasons ago (apart from Kiev away of course. Alcaraz. aaggh!!)

 

[MikeH72]

I'd rather answer this if it happens to be honest.

I echo this for mainly one reason. I need to see what our "second string" would be going into next season. If it's the current second string then no, not a chance, because they're all diabolical footballers who depress the life out of me and I want to see the back of as soon as possible. If come next season we've made some strong signings and the likes of Joel, Mori, Baines, McCarthy and Mirallas are considered "second stringers" then yes, I wouldn't be averse to seeing them played in Europa League games while some first teamers got a rest.