The Mail Bag
Uefa Cup Draw
Comments (21)
My impression was a good start to the draw faded away leaving things looking pretty tough (a bit like our season really):
AZ Alkmaar ? look to be the weakest team in Pool 1, but did finish third in Holland last year and second the year before that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AZ_Alkmaar
Zenit St Petersburg ? don?t know a lot about them, but they finished 4th in an improving Russian league and have some good players: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenit_St_Petersburg
Nuremburg ? finished 6th in the Bundesliga last season which suggests they can?t be push-overs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1._FC_N%C3%BCrnberg
Larissa ? should be the whipping boys but stuffed a pretty good Blackburn side.
Richard Watts, Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:07:58
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Lee Mather
2 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:18:58
2 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:18:58
I can think of worse teams to have drawn. We'll go through in that group if we perform something like we can on the night.
We've dodged Bayern and Anderlecht so have to be pleased with that
David Moore
3 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:34:34
3 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:34:34
We got ourselves one of the tougher groups in the Cup, although I think we got off easier than Bolton. I know that Alkmaar and Nuremberg are pretty strong. What about the others?
Also, when tickets go out will they only be sold to season ticket holders or will I as a fan living in Sydney be able to get tickets?
Martin Wallace
4 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:04:40
4 Posted 09/10/2007 at 13:04:40
This is a Uefa dream draw: the two toughest teams at home. If we don't progress here, ideally topping the group, then DM needs shooting.
Louis Huglin
5 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:12:40
5 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:12:40
This looks good, considering the banana skins we could have drawn - Bayern, Villareal etc. Somewhere on this site a few days ago it was mentioned that there is no real financial reward from the Uefa cup until you get through the group stages, so that has to be the goal, and this draw puts us in a good position. It is not going too far to expect progression from this group - there will be some very tough away games but as long as we make Goodison a fortress we will progress. COYB
Liam Reilly
6 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:15:50
6 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:15:50
We should be looking to progress from this group. I’ts not a straightforward group but it’s not the toughest either.
Win our home games and there will be less pressure on the away legs, but this IS Everton and anything can happen.
Win our home games and there will be less pressure on the away legs, but this IS Everton and anything can happen.
Graham Nolan
7 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:19:07
7 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:19:07
Has to be considered a good draw.
St. Petersburg are currently 5 points clear at the top of the Russian League but we have them at home so that’s a bonus.
We also have Larissa at home and that should be 3 point.
AZ Alkmaar are currently lying in 12th position of the Dutch Eredivsie while Nuremburg are second from bottom of the Bundesliga.
Considering that the top 3 teams qualify from each group we must surely get through.
St. Petersburg are currently 5 points clear at the top of the Russian League but we have them at home so that’s a bonus.
We also have Larissa at home and that should be 3 point.
AZ Alkmaar are currently lying in 12th position of the Dutch Eredivsie while Nuremburg are second from bottom of the Bundesliga.
Considering that the top 3 teams qualify from each group we must surely get through.
Nick Xenos
8 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:22:44
8 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:22:44
Fixtures are as follows (subject to change):
October 25 Larissa H
November 8 Nurnberg A
December 5 Zenit St Petersburg H
December 20 AZ Alkmaar A
October 25 Larissa H
November 8 Nurnberg A
December 5 Zenit St Petersburg H
December 20 AZ Alkmaar A
Kevin O Regan
9 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:30:50
9 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:30:50
Guys, no matter what form a team has in their current league, do not underestimate any of them ?
They are not in the Uefa CUP for fun? It will be very very tough, and as Everton have had little or no European football for a long time, and certainly don?t seem to be playing anything like we should be or are capable of, we will have it tough against any European team >> eg. Metailst (whoever heard of them until a few weeks ago and they scared the life out of us)?. Likewise Nueremberg are a decent team ? good trainer, and some very good strikers.. eg Marek Mintal? They beat the Champions Stuttgart in last years Cup Final so they are a decent Cup team and technically very good like most European teams, and unlike .. I?ll stop there? B.t.w. >> MUFC were bottom of our league a few weeks ago.. now see where they are? What matter is the form on the night, tactics and motivation ? not league form.
Yes, we have a chance to progress, but no right to do so?. The Premier League has the most money, but not necessarily the best players or teams.
Let?s be a great example in Europe as fans and have a good time, no matter what the lads are doing on the pitch.
They are not in the Uefa CUP for fun? It will be very very tough, and as Everton have had little or no European football for a long time, and certainly don?t seem to be playing anything like we should be or are capable of, we will have it tough against any European team >> eg. Metailst (whoever heard of them until a few weeks ago and they scared the life out of us)?. Likewise Nueremberg are a decent team ? good trainer, and some very good strikers.. eg Marek Mintal? They beat the Champions Stuttgart in last years Cup Final so they are a decent Cup team and technically very good like most European teams, and unlike .. I?ll stop there? B.t.w. >> MUFC were bottom of our league a few weeks ago.. now see where they are? What matter is the form on the night, tactics and motivation ? not league form.
Yes, we have a chance to progress, but no right to do so?. The Premier League has the most money, but not necessarily the best players or teams.
Let?s be a great example in Europe as fans and have a good time, no matter what the lads are doing on the pitch.
Eddie Harrison
10 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:30:03
10 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:30:03
I’m quite happy with that draw. Petersberg have some good players, I think Asharvin is one of them, but we have them at home so thats good.
Alkmaar aren’t the same team they were the other year, though they still still pas the ball about pretty well, probably better than Metalist which is still worrying.
Alkmaar aren’t the same team they were the other year, though they still still pas the ball about pretty well, probably better than Metalist which is still worrying.
Gaz
11 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:00:24
11 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:00:24
The hardest match is going to be zenit at home so if we can beat them we will progress. AZ Alkmaar will be very tough away from home but i see no reason why Everton can?t progress out of this group with ease.
We must perform at home, and if we win against zenit, then i can see us finishing 2nd or 1st in the group! Exciting times for all!
COYB!
We must perform at home, and if we win against zenit, then i can see us finishing 2nd or 1st in the group! Exciting times for all!
COYB!
Brian Waring
12 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:08:36
12 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:08:36
Gaz love your optimism "I see no reason why Everton can’t progress out of this group with ease"Remember this is Everton.We were all saying on this site that Metalist should be a breeze before the games,and after having a football lesson we scraped through.
JL Slap
13 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:13:04
13 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:13:04
ALkmaar dec20th......too close to amsterdam for its own good. Cant wait liiid!!
lee jones
14 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:20:35
14 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:20:35
If we can’t get through from this group then we don’t deserve to progress. Having said that, it won’t be easy because we aren’t playing well. Let’s hope that Tim’s impending return can fire us up!
Neil Styles
15 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:43:27
15 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:43:27
When you think about how poorly we handled Metalist it suggests that things arent going to be any easier in the group stages. But I think our boys will be a little more composed in a group environment. I think much of our poor play in the qualifier was down not so much to tactics or poor performance but rather the element of sudden death and the disapointment of 05.
I know it sounds crazy but I was personally hoping to get Villarreal CF again. If we do play them in the later rounds I think we’ll do them this time around.
I know it sounds crazy but I was personally hoping to get Villarreal CF again. If we do play them in the later rounds I think we’ll do them this time around.
Billy Piper
16 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:55:04
16 Posted 09/10/2007 at 15:55:04
It just occured to me. As a kid I saw Everton beat Nuremberg 2-0 at Goodison in the fore-runner of the Uefa cup...’The Inter City Fairs Cup’.
Jimmy Gabriel
17 Posted 09/10/2007 at 16:05:28
17 Posted 09/10/2007 at 16:05:28
Billy Piper
I thought it was only 1-0 with me scoring the goal....
Haven’t I seen you on Dr Who?
I thought it was only 1-0 with me scoring the goal....
Haven’t I seen you on Dr Who?
patty
18 Posted 09/10/2007 at 16:23:59
18 Posted 09/10/2007 at 16:23:59
Knowing our Luck, Liverpool will get knocked out of the Champions League [now wouldn’t that be nice]and play us in the UEFA Cup and we will beat them...dream on patty, dream on...
Phil G
19 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:57:57
19 Posted 09/10/2007 at 14:57:57
Spot on Kevin O Regan.
They will all be tough games, just because we could have had tougher teams/destinations doesn’t make the teams we have got any easier.
Does that make sense? I should’ve really left it at spot on Kev!!
They will all be tough games, just because we could have had tougher teams/destinations doesn’t make the teams we have got any easier.
Does that make sense? I should’ve really left it at spot on Kev!!
Neil McKinney
20 Posted 09/10/2007 at 19:05:54
20 Posted 09/10/2007 at 19:05:54
Regardless of how we are playing or whether we will actually get through the group stage, you’ve got to be delighted with that draw!
I was just watching Skysports News and it brought it home to me just how much the UEFA Cup has been marginalised. They gave the odds for the eventual winner and Bayern Munich were 2nd favourite but the favourite were "Any other team" ie one of the failures from the CL.
I think it’s bollocks that these teams get a second chance and come into the UEFA Cup at the latter stages, it just shows what the general opinion is about the tournament. Just a 2nd chance for the big clubs.
I was just watching Skysports News and it brought it home to me just how much the UEFA Cup has been marginalised. They gave the odds for the eventual winner and Bayern Munich were 2nd favourite but the favourite were "Any other team" ie one of the failures from the CL.
I think it’s bollocks that these teams get a second chance and come into the UEFA Cup at the latter stages, it just shows what the general opinion is about the tournament. Just a 2nd chance for the big clubs.
Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
21 Posted 09/10/2007 at 21:17:23
Editorial Team
21 Posted 09/10/2007 at 21:17:23
Neil, I totally agree (although I can’t say I was unhappy that we got a crack at the Uefa Cup when we were dumped out of the Champions League qualifiers by Villarreal!) It just seems a little unfair that having filled their boots in their hugely lucrative group stage these clubs get to gatecrash the Uefa Cup and, potentially, win a tournament they didn’t have to slog through themselves.
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 09/10/2007 at 12:12:15