Top Four Possibility

[USABlue]

I dunno, Blue.

Leicester made a heck of a leap from about 15th to the top

and back down to where they started haha. don't fault them at all, magnificent achievement but that was a very special season that won't happen again for sometime

 

[jinkyali]

Many, well some, European leagues actually help their EL and CL teams with domestic fixtures mind. An English side might fly into Heathrow at 5 on Friday morning after an 8 hour flight from god only knows, with an away, Sunday lunchtime fixture 300 miles away.

The European sides will have a gentle, home match, Monday night, against tosh.

''Tis true but those European teams don't compete against us in the league.

It's the same for every English league team .

 

[roydo]

''Tis true but those European teams don't compete against us in the league.

It's the same for every English league team .

Missed the point of your post mate. I think.

 

[jinkyali]

Missed the point of your post mate. I think.

I was stating that all teams in European competition in England are afforded the same opportunities to win the league as the rest of the English teams !

Minimum 60 hour break between euro game and league game.

 

[roydo]

I was stating that all teams in European competition in England are afforded the same opportunities to win the league as the rest of the English teams !

Minimum 60 hour break between euro game and league game.

Like I said, misunderstood it. Thought it said other countries get more points after a CL/EL game than English clubs do.

Anyrate, if we get it, we deal with it. RK will have a squad to cope. Dats de promise.

 

[Eggs]

I see your point, however look at what happened to leicster and the RS the following seasons. I just think we need to start developing a winning culture and aim high was possible. Don't see how anyone can say it'd be better to finish 7th and miss out on europe then place 5th and get into EL. Rom would've never signed here permanently if we didnt finish as high as we did during his loan season

...I don't disagree, Matey. I'm all for finishing as high as possible and if that means a EL spot then that will be brilliant. I know history tells us a EL run can negatively impact league performance but I don't see why one can't enhance the other. Indeed, it would be fantastic to win another European trophy.

 

[micknick]

Nobody is saying we shouldn't go for it - but it's a consolation prize and a drain on the following season. My mind is always to aim for 1st place, so anything that gets in the way of that is of little use. The negatives outweigh the positives of the Europa League for me for that reason, whereas the Champions League - with the added prestige of playing amongst the proper elite and massive financial gain - adds towards the long term goal of being the best.

Like any fan, it's "nice" to see Everton playing Locomotiv Whatsitz in Nowhereville on Thursdays, but it isn't practical. So the only benefit I see of the Europa League is a run out for the reserves; that's how I'd handle it anyway until it's given a proper status by the governing body which at least somewhat competes with the Champions League.

We may as well aim for 7th or lower then if we cant get top 4 eh.

 

[Khalekan]

and back down to where they started haha. don't fault them at all, magnificent achievement but that was a very special season that won't happen again for sometime

Well, you never know my friend.

You just never know

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Years of supporting Everton make me think we will get 4th, but then relegated Leicester will win the Champions League thus meaning we have to play in the Europa instead

Everton That

 

[Barnfred 55]

I'm 100% sure we'll be bringing in quite a few very good quality players this summer with or without the Europa League. I'm sure we could cope with that competition and get to the latter stages, but it'd come at a cost in the league - I'd rather those very good players coming in were focussed on 38 games towards one set goal rather than 50-60 games aiming at four goals.

Am I reading that correct in that you'll happily sacrifice all the cups for a good run in the league?

 

[AndyGray]

I'd play a (mostly) 2nd string until the final rounds of 16 or even 8 of any of the cups. Then look at how our league position is at the time and decide how to proceed. Pursuing Top 4 is (to me) the main priority if we have them team to do so.

 

[bluestevon]

Years of supporting Everton make me think we will get 4th, but then relegated Leicester will win the Champions League thus meaning we have to play in the Europa instead

Everton That

CL winners get an extra place mate, only way 4th misses out us if both the CL winners and the Europa ones are English and finish outside the top 4.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I'd play a (mostly) 2nd string until the final rounds of 16 or even 8 of any of the cups. Then look at how our league position is at the time and decide how to proceed. Pursuing Top 4 is (to me) the main priority if we have them team to do so.[/QUOTE
As a club we need to be aiming to achieve CL qualification on a regular basis, not just as a one off every 5/6 years or so. If we fall just short of CL and qualify for EL then we need to embrace that too, at least in the early years of our project.

As a club/squad/team, we have to get used to playing 2 games per week, and that will only come with practice/experience. Secondly, we have to improve our club coefficient ranking. It'll be fantastic as a spectacle to be in a group with Barcelona, Juventus and Monaco, but let's be honest, most of us would prefer a draw that would make qualifying for the knockout stage that little bit easier.

Personally I would take each game individually and play a XI good enough to win that match. Also need to take into account league games either side when deciding who/how many to rest. We have to take the competition seriously though.

 

[Bluebonic]

It wasn't that long ago loads on here were saying that if we didn't buy eight class acts in January our season was a disaster. Now we have had a run of a few good results and we are going to make the top four? If the rs were chatting such bubbles we would be in hysterics!

Is top 4 possible, of course it is, is it probable, no, not even close! Be happy with a better style of football, some good kids and Rom looking like he fancies us again and look to push on next season!

 

[Stutheblue]

Years of supporting Everton make me think we will get 4th, but then relegated Leicester will win the Champions League thus meaning we have to play in the Europa instead

Everton That

Or Man Utd (despite finishing below us) then win the Europa League and get a Champions League spot instead of us!