The Mail Bag
Eura Load of Crap
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After seeing the squad Martin O?Neill has selected to take over to Russia with him for tonight?s Uefa Cup match, it got me thinking again about the benefits of the Uefa Cup.
O?Neill has left all his star players back home and stated that finishing 4th is ?everything? to his club. If he thinks leaving players back home rather than flying out to Russia is going to benefit his side?s push for a top 4 finish (and hitting the jackpot of income the Champions League offers) then I think he has a strong argument.
This is why I can?t stand the perception that finishing 6th/5th is good because it offers a place in next season?s Europa League (Don?t names with bad connotations often get changed?). I think Europe's second-class football tournament is on par with the domestic League Cup; if we are to take part in it next season, it should be treated as an opportunity to rest players, blood new ones and get some player back fit again.
Otherwise, I fear it may distract from our main priority ? a top 4 finish.
Robbie Muldoon, Posted 26/02/2009 at 09:17:28
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Why have you been sucked into the Sky/Big 4 mindset that only competions they decide to compete in are valid?
I remember the European Cup Winners Cup being referred to in a similar fashion and eventually they go rid of it ? but try telling 30,000 Evertonians that Rotterdam 85 didn?t mater because it ws not the Champions League.
Just remember, finishing 4th is fuck all ? you win nothing. I would swap a 4th place finish and win the FA Cup any day.
I remember the European Cup Winners Cup being referred to in a similar fashion and eventually they go rid of it ? but try telling 30,000 Evertonians that Rotterdam 85 didn?t mater because it ws not the Champions League.
Just remember, finishing 4th is fuck all ? you win nothing. I would swap a 4th place finish and win the FA Cup any day.
You’re right Robbie and it’s like the FA Cup. Whenever a team puts out a weakened team for any competition then that competition is completely devalued. There are now only two competitons, Premier League Membership and the Champions League.
What a load of rubbish!
Playing in the Uefa cup gets us known better throughout the footballing world, attracting better players. It gives our players valuable experience and gives us fans something to shout at and hope for.
Playing in the Uefa cup gets us known better throughout the footballing world, attracting better players. It gives our players valuable experience and gives us fans something to shout at and hope for.
Uefa have made some changes to the competition next year (http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=2097152/newsid=788365.html) but for me the tournament still has one major flaw:- "The titleholders and ten clubs eliminated from the UEFA Champions League play-off round qualify automatically for the group stage." If they want to make it the Championship equivalent to the premier league i.e Champions League I applaud that, but stop having the eliminated clubs join the competition halfway through, it devalues the group stage and the work put in by teams up to this point.
I agree the financial rewards should be changed so that there isnt such a gulf between the Uefa and Champs League, but some bright sparks allowed the clubs who play in the champs league year in year out to make the decisions!!! Certain clubs are bigger and more influential than Uefa itself, which is a disgrace.
’The Losers’ Cup’ was what it always has been and will continue to be regardless of what it’s called.Not only does it clog the fixture list but it pays next to nowt for doing so.How the hell can you call finishing fifth/ sixth in your league success?
The sooner clubs tell Platini where to stick it the better!
The sooner clubs tell Platini where to stick it the better!
I travelled to Brann, Fiorentina and Liege last year with my son to watch Everton. Thousands of proud Evertonians loyal and loud getting behind the blues and at great financial expense. I was lucky enough to go to Rotterdam in 1985 to watch my beloved Everton lift the Cup Winners Cup with my Father, god rest his soul.
What a dickhead I was to support my club in waste of time cups, I wish you would have told me before I booked as I could have saved a lot of money.
Its only crap because you say its crap and its even crapper when you field a weakened team because that?s an insult on the fans that actually go. If I was a Villa or Spurs fan I would feel insulted and I wouldn?t blame any fan for not going.
I was chatting to some Liege fans before the game in Belgium and they said ?Liverpool shit, 1000 fans and no English. Everton great, 5000 fans and all English?. Blue and proud of it.
What a dickhead I was to support my club in waste of time cups, I wish you would have told me before I booked as I could have saved a lot of money.
Its only crap because you say its crap and its even crapper when you field a weakened team because that?s an insult on the fans that actually go. If I was a Villa or Spurs fan I would feel insulted and I wouldn?t blame any fan for not going.
I was chatting to some Liege fans before the game in Belgium and they said ?Liverpool shit, 1000 fans and no English. Everton great, 5000 fans and all English?. Blue and proud of it.
Uefa cup is the bastard off spring of Uefa re-branding, re-formatting, re-financing European competition.
It’s fun while you’re in it but ultimately I have to disagree with all that Graham says: ’Playing in the Uefa cup gets us known better throughout the footballing world, attracting better players. It gives our players valuable experience and gives us fans something to shout at and hope for. ’
well, we’re 6th in the Premier League. That will make us by far more known to the world than progressing in the Uefa cup.
Attracting better players? Well, not the ones good enough for Champions League it won’t... but yes, I may shout and hope for Everton to win it, as its better than a kck in the nuts.
It’s fun while you’re in it but ultimately I have to disagree with all that Graham says: ’Playing in the Uefa cup gets us known better throughout the footballing world, attracting better players. It gives our players valuable experience and gives us fans something to shout at and hope for. ’
well, we’re 6th in the Premier League. That will make us by far more known to the world than progressing in the Uefa cup.
Attracting better players? Well, not the ones good enough for Champions League it won’t... but yes, I may shout and hope for Everton to win it, as its better than a kck in the nuts.
O’Neill enters the competition pre-season, plays God knows how many games to qualify and then, when he gets within shouting distance of the QFs, bottles it. I hope the season implodes for the gobby twat and he has the decency to fork out for the fares the gullible Villains have shelled out to see their second string in Moscow. If he does make the CL for next season, I hope he has the decency to say he doesn’t want the UEFA spot when his lamentable jammy bastards fall at the group stage.
The UEFA Cup suffers from being a crutch for failed CL teams - remove their entry, and get rid of the stupid group stages, bring back the ECWC for the clubs that actually won something and it would be a lot healthier competition.
I have to agree with most of what Graham says particularly - ?Playing in the UEFA Cup gets us known better throughout the footballing world, attracting better players. It gives our players valuable experience and gives us fans something to shout at and hope for. ?
As for attracting better players if we finish higher and get into the Champions League ? WE HAVENT GOT A POT TO PISS IN. Been there, knocked out, got the T-shirt and by the way it was a total embarrassment.
Based on our resources or lack of them, if these competitions did not exist we may as well throw the towel in now because what?s the point of going the match.
As for attracting better players if we finish higher and get into the Champions League ? WE HAVENT GOT A POT TO PISS IN. Been there, knocked out, got the T-shirt and by the way it was a total embarrassment.
Based on our resources or lack of them, if these competitions did not exist we may as well throw the towel in now because what?s the point of going the match.
One simple solution make the Champions League for Champions alone. That is the sole reason that the UEFA cup is devalued.
But also how come the FA and UEFA don’t protect their competitions from ’Weakened team syndrome’. If you don’t intend winning whatever competition you’re involved in then don’t enter it.
Fans are messed about with fixture list changes , different days of the week for certain competitions and then the teams they support can’t be bothered to play their strongest teams.
Why not have a named squad at the start of the competition of say 18-20 players who the clubs have to select from for the whole competition.
If you progress to the January transfer window then you can alter your squad accordingly. At least fans would then know what to expect.
But also how come the FA and UEFA don’t protect their competitions from ’Weakened team syndrome’. If you don’t intend winning whatever competition you’re involved in then don’t enter it.
Fans are messed about with fixture list changes , different days of the week for certain competitions and then the teams they support can’t be bothered to play their strongest teams.
Why not have a named squad at the start of the competition of say 18-20 players who the clubs have to select from for the whole competition.
If you progress to the January transfer window then you can alter your squad accordingly. At least fans would then know what to expect.
The UEFA Cup is a great tournament, I would be overjoyed to win it. Give me that over finishing 2d, 3rd or 4th anyday.
What is rubbish, is the prize money for it, not the competition. What is also rubbish, is that clubs put money before success, in fact what is rubbish is that success is not rewarded proportionately.
What is rubbish, is the prize money for it, not the competition. What is also rubbish, is that clubs put money before success, in fact what is rubbish is that success is not rewarded proportionately.
Nick - Better than a kick in the nuts?? Are you avin a laugh - if we were to win the Uefa cup I am certain we would all be over the moon.
If we were to progress to the final stages of the Uefa cup or even win it and finish 6th in the Premier League that would surely be better for Everton than just finishing 6th cos what does that win us- fuck all!
When we were a poor side, scrapping it out at the bottom of the league, if someone said here you go, have a go inthe Uefa cup, would we say no thanks its a shit cup - doubt it.
But now that we are in the Uefa cup some people are slaggin it off - unbelievable
If we were to progress to the final stages of the Uefa cup or even win it and finish 6th in the Premier League that would surely be better for Everton than just finishing 6th cos what does that win us- fuck all!
When we were a poor side, scrapping it out at the bottom of the league, if someone said here you go, have a go inthe Uefa cup, would we say no thanks its a shit cup - doubt it.
But now that we are in the Uefa cup some people are slaggin it off - unbelievable
Its about priorities Graham. As a club Everton will only progress by qualifying in the top 4 and playing in the group stages on the CL.
You can win the Uefa 10 years running, and that’s fine if you like finishing 5th or 6th. But I want to go that step up.
Do you want to play Matalist Khakiv or Real Madird?
You can win the Uefa 10 years running, and that’s fine if you like finishing 5th or 6th. But I want to go that step up.
Do you want to play Matalist Khakiv or Real Madird?
It’s crazy to look down on the UEFA Cup. You have to see it for what it is. Unlike the Champions League, which is immensely profitable for every team that reaches the middle and later stages, the UEFA Cup is a zero-sum contest. You have to win it to make it worthwhile, not unlike the FA Cup. If Everton were to win the UEFA Cup I’m sure we would be dancing in the streets just as we would be if we won the Carling Cup. Europe is important. Competing carries all kinds of benefits over and above the financial advantages. What’s crazy is the gamble Villa is taking. Maybe it will pay off. Maybe it won’t.
I would definitely rather win the Uefa cup than finish in the Champions League place, no question. Yes, as a long term goal we want to finish in the top 4, as that helps gives us the financial clout to compete at the very top. But to get that we have to finish in the top 4 (and get into the group stages of the CL) for probably 3 successive seasons to "catch up" on the others.
Most disappointing result of the season so far? The Liege game, no question. Clubs are judged on silverware, not what their average league position is over 10 seasons.
To the people who say that the Uefa cup run derailed our challenge for 4th last year - that is rubbish. Following on from that argument so did our league cup run, but I’d have preferred to have won either of those competitions than finished in 4th.
Most disappointing result of the season so far? The Liege game, no question. Clubs are judged on silverware, not what their average league position is over 10 seasons.
To the people who say that the Uefa cup run derailed our challenge for 4th last year - that is rubbish. Following on from that argument so did our league cup run, but I’d have preferred to have won either of those competitions than finished in 4th.
Graham, I think I may have the answer. All those who think it?s a waste of time DON?T GO and if we are fortunate enough to get into the final of any of these shitty cups then DON?T GO. Does mean it?s shit if we win it?
I actually went to some pre season games this season but I guess they are also insignificant but guess what, if you feel like that then DON?T GO.
Some of you are starting to sound like spoilt Kopites, wake up and look at us. We are Everton not Barcelona and we take what we can and make the most of it, I really don?t care what cup it is so long as we win something for Christ?s sake, which would be a good start. One step at a time eh boys and Nick I would be made up to win the UEFA cup ten times in a row. Who would Metalist Kharkiv rather play Everton or Real Madrid?
I actually went to some pre season games this season but I guess they are also insignificant but guess what, if you feel like that then DON?T GO.
Some of you are starting to sound like spoilt Kopites, wake up and look at us. We are Everton not Barcelona and we take what we can and make the most of it, I really don?t care what cup it is so long as we win something for Christ?s sake, which would be a good start. One step at a time eh boys and Nick I would be made up to win the UEFA cup ten times in a row. Who would Metalist Kharkiv rather play Everton or Real Madrid?
I love watching us in europe and if its not the CL then the Europa League it is. I do see however the need to make it more attractive. For me there is only one way to do this:
Make a Champions League spot availiable to the winners of the competition.
If the CL is the prize for winning it then surely it makes it all worth while??
Make a Champions League spot availiable to the winners of the competition.
If the CL is the prize for winning it then surely it makes it all worth while??
How about the winners of the Uefa cup recieving a champions league place? I bet most teams would take it more serious the closer they get to the final.
Sevilla were put on the map by winning the UEFA Cup initially.
They weren’t that well known outside Spain and had spent years in mid table obscurity.
They had very little money, and instead, had to promote a policy of youth development. This bore fruit with the development of the likes of Jesús Navas and Diego Capel.
They were put on the map by finishing 5th in their league and the next season winning the UEFA Cup, playing stunning football and beating Boro comfortably in the final.
The next season they finished in the Top 4 and the rest, as they say, is history.
They are now constantly challenging for the Top 4, and last season they came close to winning the title.
Will someone tell me why we can’t model ourselves on Sevilla? We already share similar features!
They weren’t that well known outside Spain and had spent years in mid table obscurity.
They had very little money, and instead, had to promote a policy of youth development. This bore fruit with the development of the likes of Jesús Navas and Diego Capel.
They were put on the map by finishing 5th in their league and the next season winning the UEFA Cup, playing stunning football and beating Boro comfortably in the final.
The next season they finished in the Top 4 and the rest, as they say, is history.
They are now constantly challenging for the Top 4, and last season they came close to winning the title.
Will someone tell me why we can’t model ourselves on Sevilla? We already share similar features!
To be like Sevilla you don’t need to win the Uefa, but it can hinder you from getting 4th.
If you win the Uefa it will reflect on your current ability as a club, but won’t directly help you progress. That is why Martin O’Neill is right.
If you win the Uefa it will reflect on your current ability as a club, but won’t directly help you progress. That is why Martin O’Neill is right.
Mixed feelings about this one. While it would be nice to get European recognition by going far in this competition I am not sure if it worth the potential fatigue and player injuries.
I am sure Zenit is a much more recognizable name now after winning the cup but outside of England and Scotland you would be hard placed to name the losing finalists last year.
Having said that, I would be very surprised given Artetas injury if we finished above 6th. Lets face it even if we did get into the champions league we would struggle to get past the qualifying stages due to our lock of depth and dare I say it inexperience at this level.
I am also concerned at how these past European exits - Villareal, Bucharest and Fiorentina have adveresely affected our performances and if they could do so again.
I am sure Zenit is a much more recognizable name now after winning the cup but outside of England and Scotland you would be hard placed to name the losing finalists last year.
Having said that, I would be very surprised given Artetas injury if we finished above 6th. Lets face it even if we did get into the champions league we would struggle to get past the qualifying stages due to our lock of depth and dare I say it inexperience at this level.
I am also concerned at how these past European exits - Villareal, Bucharest and Fiorentina have adveresely affected our performances and if they could do so again.
As much as it annoys me, I agree with what O’Neill’s doing.
Unlike ourselves Villa have a billionaire owner who’s willing to back O’Neill in the transfer market. Without Champions League football he’ll find it hard to attract the players he needs to consistently challenge the Sky 4 over the coming seasons and the likes of Barry and Young will begin to look elsewhere (certainly the former anyway)
God I wish it was us choosing between Uefa glory and future title challenges *sigh*
Unlike ourselves Villa have a billionaire owner who’s willing to back O’Neill in the transfer market. Without Champions League football he’ll find it hard to attract the players he needs to consistently challenge the Sky 4 over the coming seasons and the likes of Barry and Young will begin to look elsewhere (certainly the former anyway)
God I wish it was us choosing between Uefa glory and future title challenges *sigh*
"God I wish it was us choosing between Uefa glory and future title challenges *sigh* "
Villa are? I seriously can’t see they’re any better off than we have been in previous seasons. Remember we finished fourth too. Villa is nowhere near of being capable to challenge for the title, just like we ain’t either.
Someone also categorized our venture into the champions league abysmal. We lost by a goal to a team that got to the quarter-final(or did they go to the semi actually?) only hindered by a wrongly disallowed goal in Spain. Hardly shameful if you ask me.
Yes, we were abysmal in the UEFA-cup.
But aren’t you guys just saying we SHOULD lay down in those games as they are worthless anyway? In fact you should be chuffet we got stuffed in Bucharest.
Villa are? I seriously can’t see they’re any better off than we have been in previous seasons. Remember we finished fourth too. Villa is nowhere near of being capable to challenge for the title, just like we ain’t either.
Someone also categorized our venture into the champions league abysmal. We lost by a goal to a team that got to the quarter-final(or did they go to the semi actually?) only hindered by a wrongly disallowed goal in Spain. Hardly shameful if you ask me.
Yes, we were abysmal in the UEFA-cup.
But aren’t you guys just saying we SHOULD lay down in those games as they are worthless anyway? In fact you should be chuffet we got stuffed in Bucharest.
Paul Smith - Like it, cracking idea.
to be fair it must be a shit competition, Boro made the final not that long ago
What’s wrong is that there are too many teams in it which means it goes on forever. There should be fewer teams, FA Cup type knockouts i.e. no home and away legs and a lot more prize money which could be cascaded down from the Champions League members of which already have too much cash anyway. I too was one of the lucky fans in Rotterdam in 1985 and it was one of my best ever footballing experiences - and though we drank the place dry, we did’nt go marauding around upsetting the locals and beating up people.
Yes Rich Williams has a good point. Those sides eliminated from the Champiuons League should not be allowed entry at a later stage of the EUFA cup. They have competed and been knocked out - end of story.
Remember Leeds in rthe Champions League? Shall we ask them if they would trade their Champions League journey for a trophy?
It’s better than nothing in my opinion, and with the likes of Milan it’s not that bad company!
I think the original post is a load of shite the main priority is winning trophies not just being happy with top 4 if we ever get there again i really hope we qualify again as i think it impacts on leauge performances keeping the momentum up it really pisses me off when people get sucked into this top 4 is everything you don’t get a trophy for 4th place remember
I think Anthony Matthews has a fantastic point... make the winner gain champions league qualification. Those who think the UEFA cup is a shit competition, has an extra incentive to winning it as well as a trophy. We shoulc consult Mr Platini about that one... brilliant.
The UEFA cup is a great stepping stone to getting into the champions league and not making ourselves look foolish in the long term...
A few seasons in the UEFA cup to get our European tactics and experience up before getting into the champions league is the best way of doing it... I for one don’t want to see Everton get twatted by someone like Olympiakos in the group stage of the champions league (if we ever get there that is)... That would be quite embarrassing...
Its a training ground for inexperienced clubs with regards to Europe. I would love to see Everton win it. That is for sure... but yes the financial side of things isn’t balanced, so you can see why some teams whose priorities change (e.g. the spot Villa find themselves in), makes it a less of a blow to fans if they field a weakened side and bow out for the chance of securing a champions league spot. They would be made to jeopardise that chance!
For me anyway, the group stages of the champions league is boring and quite predictable. I can’t remember a decent game until you get to the knock-out section.
In my honest opinion, the UEFA cup games I’ve seen this seasons have been a lot better than the group stages of the champions league...
Give me Sampadoria vs Hertha Berlin over Chelsea vs some romanian side any day... I know which one will be the better game to watch.
So, lets treat the UEFA cup exactly the way it suits us at the time... For me anyway, I’d take league cup, fa cup or a uefa cup win over 4th spot... Slow and steady wins the race... just look at leeds...
A few seasons in the UEFA cup to get our European tactics and experience up before getting into the champions league is the best way of doing it... I for one don’t want to see Everton get twatted by someone like Olympiakos in the group stage of the champions league (if we ever get there that is)... That would be quite embarrassing...
Its a training ground for inexperienced clubs with regards to Europe. I would love to see Everton win it. That is for sure... but yes the financial side of things isn’t balanced, so you can see why some teams whose priorities change (e.g. the spot Villa find themselves in), makes it a less of a blow to fans if they field a weakened side and bow out for the chance of securing a champions league spot. They would be made to jeopardise that chance!
For me anyway, the group stages of the champions league is boring and quite predictable. I can’t remember a decent game until you get to the knock-out section.
In my honest opinion, the UEFA cup games I’ve seen this seasons have been a lot better than the group stages of the champions league...
Give me Sampadoria vs Hertha Berlin over Chelsea vs some romanian side any day... I know which one will be the better game to watch.
So, lets treat the UEFA cup exactly the way it suits us at the time... For me anyway, I’d take league cup, fa cup or a uefa cup win over 4th spot... Slow and steady wins the race... just look at leeds...
The key to me is progression. If we do qualify for the UEFA Cup this season and do reasonably well again, it will serve us in good stead for when we eventually do reach the Holy Grail of the CL. You can’t underestimate the experience that comes with playing in Europe. However, I do agree that the tournament is devalued by the multitude of ways in which teams can enter and also by the fact that the top 4 from the major footballing nations qualify for the CL.
What’s needed is some adjustment of the format - but as an experience it’s got to be worthwhile.
What’s needed is some adjustment of the format - but as an experience it’s got to be worthwhile.
If no-one can be arsed with the Uefa Cup, we might as well finish 17th every season because its unlikely we will finish in the top four.
The Uefa Cup is a great competion for clubs like us as an incentive for silverware ? what's the point of qualifying for the CL to get destroyed in the qualifiers or group stages?
The Uefa Cup is a great competion for clubs like us as an incentive for silverware ? what's the point of qualifying for the CL to get destroyed in the qualifiers or group stages?
Frustrating that we’re wallowing in an argument over what’s better - Champions’ League qualification or winning the UEFA - when we have no chance of acheiving either this season.
Either of these would be a huge improvement on likely outcomes for this year, so lets not get too picky. Simple fact is we’d settle for either.
However, to add my twopence worth - being a football fan is all about winning tropies. We’re in the game to rack up silverware, so any trophy should be treasured. I remember winning the cup as a 14 year old and making what i thought were realistic lists like this:
1995/96 - top 6, League Cup Winners
1996/97 - top 3, UEFA Cup Winners
1997/98 - Champions
etc etc...
Given that we’ve won sweet FA since, we are in no position to get snobby about the merits of individual cups.
Also, can i just say i have a nagging feeling that this should have been our year - we’ve done bloody well - but how good could it have been if Moyes had signed that contract and Arteta and the Yak were fit? Certainly better than poxy Villa. However, i’m buoyed by some of the optimists on these pages who suggest that we’re just warming up and next season will be the one when it all comes together. And if it does, and we win the Europa Cup - we’ll enjoy every minute of it!
Either of these would be a huge improvement on likely outcomes for this year, so lets not get too picky. Simple fact is we’d settle for either.
However, to add my twopence worth - being a football fan is all about winning tropies. We’re in the game to rack up silverware, so any trophy should be treasured. I remember winning the cup as a 14 year old and making what i thought were realistic lists like this:
1995/96 - top 6, League Cup Winners
1996/97 - top 3, UEFA Cup Winners
1997/98 - Champions
etc etc...
Given that we’ve won sweet FA since, we are in no position to get snobby about the merits of individual cups.
Also, can i just say i have a nagging feeling that this should have been our year - we’ve done bloody well - but how good could it have been if Moyes had signed that contract and Arteta and the Yak were fit? Certainly better than poxy Villa. However, i’m buoyed by some of the optimists on these pages who suggest that we’re just warming up and next season will be the one when it all comes together. And if it does, and we win the Europa Cup - we’ll enjoy every minute of it!
If a Champions League place was the prize along with a big shiny trophy then the UEFA cup would become a million miles more appealing to me.
Our club is crying out for MONEY. And I want it to be flooding in because we are playing in the most lucrative competition in football - not because we have just sold off a homegrown star player.
Just think about it.
Our club is crying out for MONEY. And I want it to be flooding in because we are playing in the most lucrative competition in football - not because we have just sold off a homegrown star player.
Just think about it.
hang on - why are people crying out for money making avenues rather than trophies? surely the only reason you want money is to be able to win the trophies! Illogical stuff this, guys.
So how are the Villa supporters feeling tonight? And not just those that have spent a load of money to be with their team tonight, but all of them who have been presented with surrender?
How would any of us feel? ’Oh well, we’ll be in the CL, so what?’ That’s not how it works, in my experience. O’Neill has just told everybody that failure is accptable. Let’s see where that takes him.
How would any of us feel? ’Oh well, we’ll be in the CL, so what?’ That’s not how it works, in my experience. O’Neill has just told everybody that failure is accptable. Let’s see where that takes him.
It would not surprise me if the UEFA cup was devised in its present format purely to keep ambitious clubs, such as Everton and Villa, out of the Champions League. To win the competition a club would need to play 21 games in addition to their domestic challenge. To my knowledge, only Sevilla have consistently overcome this handicap. The top clubs want their money guaranteed, as witnessed by Milans proposal of automatic entry into the Champions League for former winners. The competition needs a drastic re-think regardless of whether or not we would be pleased to win it.
Metalist Kharkiv just beat Sampdoria 3-0. Milan are out, standard of competition can’t be that bad can it? Although Man City are through...
I went to Goodison half a dozen times last year, 4 of which were the UEFA Cup games. I got to see the finest performance I’ve seen in a long time from my Blues when they played a very good Fiorentina side off the park and lost on the lottery of penalties. The memories I will take from our UEFA Cup run will last a while. As will the memories of all those who went to Kharkiv, to the Ukraine, to Alkmaar, to Norway. That alone cannot be devalued, yet all those devaluing the UEFA Cup are devaluing the memories of those supporters watching.
There is also one crucial thing that’s very important which everyone has missed, and which makes UEFA Cup runs a necessary thing: co-efficient rating. The extended Cup run last year, coupled with the CL and UEFA debacle of 2005, and the success of our nation’s "representatives" in the Champions League has meant our co-efficient ranking is much higher than it was 3 or 4 years ago. That means we get supposedly easier draws as a seeded team and thus a better chance of progress (this year being the exception when we somehow drew an unseeded Champions League reject in the form of Standard Liege)
Gary Williams also has a point - why get sucked into thinking only the Champions League is good enough? It’s as good as a closed competition now - it’s small wonder how the same teams are in the last 16 again - Real, Barca, Lyon, the Sky Four, Bayern. Besides, I’m not sure if anyone watched any of said matches this week but I nearly fell asleep watching Real, and couldn’t have been less bored watching Chelsea if I’d sat in front of the radiator I’d just dried. The games are dull and dreary for the supposed best club competition in the world. You get more excitement and unpredictability in the UEFA Cup. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
There is also one crucial thing that’s very important which everyone has missed, and which makes UEFA Cup runs a necessary thing: co-efficient rating. The extended Cup run last year, coupled with the CL and UEFA debacle of 2005, and the success of our nation’s "representatives" in the Champions League has meant our co-efficient ranking is much higher than it was 3 or 4 years ago. That means we get supposedly easier draws as a seeded team and thus a better chance of progress (this year being the exception when we somehow drew an unseeded Champions League reject in the form of Standard Liege)
Gary Williams also has a point - why get sucked into thinking only the Champions League is good enough? It’s as good as a closed competition now - it’s small wonder how the same teams are in the last 16 again - Real, Barca, Lyon, the Sky Four, Bayern. Besides, I’m not sure if anyone watched any of said matches this week but I nearly fell asleep watching Real, and couldn’t have been less bored watching Chelsea if I’d sat in front of the radiator I’d just dried. The games are dull and dreary for the supposed best club competition in the world. You get more excitement and unpredictability in the UEFA Cup. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
I hate to see the UEFA Cup derided. Those away trips can be great fun.
And it certainly raises a club’s profile; just being in the list of results makes people abroad aware we exist. Not many Spaniards know about Ball, Kendall and Harvey.
And it certainly raises a club’s profile; just being in the list of results makes people abroad aware we exist. Not many Spaniards know about Ball, Kendall and Harvey.
This one will run and run, because UEFA will keep tinkering (not until they get it right, but until they maximise profit), but for us PBI, I think Peter Roberts is right.
Finishing fourth in 2004-05 was a gesture for the time. There was no way we were going to win the Premiership - we were hot favourites for The Big Spit that season (anyone remember?) - but what Everton did in May 2005 was to give everyone - Liverpool, the rest of the Sky4, and the Premiership Praesidium a bloody nose, and after Istanbul we’d given UEFA a migraine. It was playground stuff. We’d stood up to the bullies.
Is it any wonder that after all that mischief, when no one was looking, they cornered us behind the bikesheds with tennis-balls in their mam’s tights and gave us a whacking? Villareal! Whack! Collina! Whack! Bucharest! Whack! Don’t come back! Whack!
We don’t belong in the Champions’ League. We haven’t been Champions since 1987. Neither do Liverpool; they’re nineteen years behind in that race. Neither do Chelsea; they won jack last year. As for Arsenal ... if they finish fourth this year, their membership of the CL will be reviewed because apparently the Emirates isn’t turning over as much turnover as it was supposed to turn over.
If UEFA had the courage of their convictions, the Champions’ League would be just that. Whoever won their domestic league each year would be granted a sabbatical from their domestic league the next season, and on a weekly basis, would host or go to the other champions from all round Europe. Come on, what’s Ryanair for?
As it is, we have a loose cartel, wherein promising newcomers are pounced upon as boatrockers, and either pitched overboard, or ambushed by CL regulars who have fallen short in the group stages.
I’ve always been a Blue, as has the Da, and I used to work in radio. Twenty-odd years ago, one Sunday morning, the Da gave me a lift to BBC Manchester. In reception was (as then just plain) Bobby Charlton. The Da, who is a couple of years younger than the great man, strode over and asked to shake his hand. No problem. They talked for a few minutes, while I thought "I can’t interrupt this". If the same thing were to happen again, I’d ask Sir Bobby "do you not think that the European Cup should still be a cup? Do you not think a cup format means that if you lose you should go home?"
If I meet anyone from UEFA on my travels, I’ll ask them.
Finishing fourth in 2004-05 was a gesture for the time. There was no way we were going to win the Premiership - we were hot favourites for The Big Spit that season (anyone remember?) - but what Everton did in May 2005 was to give everyone - Liverpool, the rest of the Sky4, and the Premiership Praesidium a bloody nose, and after Istanbul we’d given UEFA a migraine. It was playground stuff. We’d stood up to the bullies.
Is it any wonder that after all that mischief, when no one was looking, they cornered us behind the bikesheds with tennis-balls in their mam’s tights and gave us a whacking? Villareal! Whack! Collina! Whack! Bucharest! Whack! Don’t come back! Whack!
We don’t belong in the Champions’ League. We haven’t been Champions since 1987. Neither do Liverpool; they’re nineteen years behind in that race. Neither do Chelsea; they won jack last year. As for Arsenal ... if they finish fourth this year, their membership of the CL will be reviewed because apparently the Emirates isn’t turning over as much turnover as it was supposed to turn over.
If UEFA had the courage of their convictions, the Champions’ League would be just that. Whoever won their domestic league each year would be granted a sabbatical from their domestic league the next season, and on a weekly basis, would host or go to the other champions from all round Europe. Come on, what’s Ryanair for?
As it is, we have a loose cartel, wherein promising newcomers are pounced upon as boatrockers, and either pitched overboard, or ambushed by CL regulars who have fallen short in the group stages.
I’ve always been a Blue, as has the Da, and I used to work in radio. Twenty-odd years ago, one Sunday morning, the Da gave me a lift to BBC Manchester. In reception was (as then just plain) Bobby Charlton. The Da, who is a couple of years younger than the great man, strode over and asked to shake his hand. No problem. They talked for a few minutes, while I thought "I can’t interrupt this". If the same thing were to happen again, I’d ask Sir Bobby "do you not think that the European Cup should still be a cup? Do you not think a cup format means that if you lose you should go home?"
If I meet anyone from UEFA on my travels, I’ll ask them.
Makes me laugh.
A few years ago UEFA cup football was the dogs? bollocks and now it is beneath us. I guess that spells progress. We have proved a soft touch in this so called ?Useless? competition, so what does that make us?
Nick Entwistle - From the top of your head tell me who came 6th in Serie A, or the Bundesliga (confused?). Bet you could tell me who won the UEFA cup last year, and the year before that and the year before that!
Even if we took 4th we would still need to qualify for the CL before we see serious money. The last time we were there we made as big an impact as Artmedia.
This competition has given us a lot which some of you have forgotten. Not to mention the investment winning it might bring to our doors.
It has provided a psychological advantage making us believe we are better than those below.
It has added much needed gate receipts and television money which all helps pay the bills.
It has forced Moyes, the players and our emerging youth to adapt beyond one dimensional English football.
It has created a road map for foreign players and managers who several years ago didn?t give a shit we even existed and -
It has given us bragging rights over those who sit and watch.
We don?t need to miss this competition we need a bigger squad to handle it. We shouldn?t be trying to win it for money. We should win it because we?re capable and ready. As yet we?re not.
Man Utd want it all while Villa are ducking out the back door. O?Neil has taken a huge gamble as Arsenal are about to welcome back Fabregas, Rosicky and Walcott. Dropping big game players admits to everyone that they are psychologically tired. With 12 games to go Villa will be lucky to cement 4th.
A few years ago UEFA cup football was the dogs? bollocks and now it is beneath us. I guess that spells progress. We have proved a soft touch in this so called ?Useless? competition, so what does that make us?
Nick Entwistle - From the top of your head tell me who came 6th in Serie A, or the Bundesliga (confused?). Bet you could tell me who won the UEFA cup last year, and the year before that and the year before that!
Even if we took 4th we would still need to qualify for the CL before we see serious money. The last time we were there we made as big an impact as Artmedia.
This competition has given us a lot which some of you have forgotten. Not to mention the investment winning it might bring to our doors.
It has provided a psychological advantage making us believe we are better than those below.
It has added much needed gate receipts and television money which all helps pay the bills.
It has forced Moyes, the players and our emerging youth to adapt beyond one dimensional English football.
It has created a road map for foreign players and managers who several years ago didn?t give a shit we even existed and -
It has given us bragging rights over those who sit and watch.
We don?t need to miss this competition we need a bigger squad to handle it. We shouldn?t be trying to win it for money. We should win it because we?re capable and ready. As yet we?re not.
Man Utd want it all while Villa are ducking out the back door. O?Neil has taken a huge gamble as Arsenal are about to welcome back Fabregas, Rosicky and Walcott. Dropping big game players admits to everyone that they are psychologically tired. With 12 games to go Villa will be lucky to cement 4th.
If Villa are lucky enough to make it past the CL qualifier... I’m fairly sure Spainish, Italian and English clubs are playing each other next season for this game ?
Villa arent good enough to get through the Group Stages to the more lucrative rounds, then all that hard work from this season will have gone to waste..
I think O’Neill will have egg on his face..
Bad call..
Villa arent good enough to get through the Group Stages to the more lucrative rounds, then all that hard work from this season will have gone to waste..
I think O’Neill will have egg on his face..
Bad call..
From next season the competition is changing to a new format.
It will be known as the Uefa Europa League. It will consist of 48 teams in twelve groups of four. The top two qualify for the last 32 along with the C.L. teams who finish 3rd ,( which does devalue it for me.) It is meant to bring the competition more in line with the current C.L. format, but this is far to long winded for clubs with limited squads and resources. It will however, give much needed experience and ranking points to teams like ours.
It will be known as the Uefa Europa League. It will consist of 48 teams in twelve groups of four. The top two qualify for the last 32 along with the C.L. teams who finish 3rd ,( which does devalue it for me.) It is meant to bring the competition more in line with the current C.L. format, but this is far to long winded for clubs with limited squads and resources. It will however, give much needed experience and ranking points to teams like ours.
Villia were beaten 2-0. O?Neill make a mistake. The funny thing about football is if you start losing, you got into a bad spell. Even if you got the players back, the confidence level have dropped. I can see Villa start losing points the next few games.
If we are very honest, but do you think we are on par or near to europes elite. Aston Villa have one thing we dont, thats money, therefore if they finish fourth they can offer CL football to a number of top players with top transfer fees and top wages. Can Everton do that, no. At present we are not good enough, and dont have the financial clout to be good enough. I was at Rotterdam, that ranks as one of the best moments of my life, my kids birth, getting married to my wife of 20 years and Dave Watson lifting the FA cup in 95. Until we get a sugerdaddy and can offord to mess with the big boys we need to take what we can get, UEFA cup win bring it on.
If we don’t play (and progress) in the UEFA Cup when we have the chance then we won’t improve our co-efficient for the time that we DO qualify for the CL and will be drawn against strong teams while those tw@ts across the Park continue to play the winners of the Welsh League to qualify.
The thing you are missing is that the players all want to play in europe and it attracts a better calibre of player to the club.
Granted, its not the champions league and its why champions league clubs attract better players, but the uefa cup is also why the likes of Yakubu chose to come to Everton over any mid table premier league team.
The arguement for not being in the uefa cup is not without some merit, but overall I think it is an extremely short sighted view from people who do not know players and football people.
Granted, its not the champions league and its why champions league clubs attract better players, but the uefa cup is also why the likes of Yakubu chose to come to Everton over any mid table premier league team.
The arguement for not being in the uefa cup is not without some merit, but overall I think it is an extremely short sighted view from people who do not know players and football people.
I don’t understand some of our fans. We haven’t won a trophy in 14 fuckin years & so many of you turn your noses up at the UEFA Cup or the League Cup for that matter. When did finance replace glory? Give me silverware any day over qualification for a tournament that we are incapable of competing in. I could go along with it if I thought for one minute we would make a genuine attempt to go out & buy the sort of quality that would give us half a chance to compete, but we’ve been there before & we bought Phil Neville. We all know what happened next.
Got to agree with Gary Hughes. Look, we couldn’t even get past the first fucking round so what’s this bullshit is saying we can choose to win the UEFA Cup or not?? Everton ready? For what? 4th place finish? Silverware? Look past the last summer and decide for yourself whether Everton are ever ready.
Even if Arteta was still playing, who would put their house (or what’s left of it) on us winning the FA Cup. Are Chelsea or ManUtd simply let us walk over them???????
Even if Arteta was still playing, who would put their house (or what’s left of it) on us winning the FA Cup. Are Chelsea or ManUtd simply let us walk over them???????
I still don’t get the money for top players equal to success logic. So far I don’t see it happening to many clubs; otherwise Man City, Spurs should be challenging the premiership. If there is any windfall, it should be for nuturing potential players, investing in long term goals with strategic and succession plans.
Jason Broome
Your talking out of your arse again lad
"The competition provides us with a psychological advantage over those below us "
Yeah right, Portsmouth and Blackburn - or anyone else - really shit themselves coming to GP because we were in this Micky Mouse cup didnt they ?
"It added much needed gate receipts and television revenue"
The club was forced to slash the prices of tickets, because the ground would have been empty otherwise and the untold riches generated by TV coverage saw us just about break even, It costs a lot of money to stage these games you know
"It forced Moyes and the players and our emerging youth to adapt beyond the one dimentional English game"
We played football once - and still went out to the Italians - for the rest of the time we DID play one dimentional football, just as we did at both GP and in Belgium in this years competition. As for the youth, Well there was only Big Vic who really shone, but you’ve slaughtered him this year havent you, so who exactly are you saying benefited ???
"It created a road map for players and Managers who several years ago didnt give a shit that we existed"
For your information pal we are known all over the fucken world.
Qualification to Europes Micky Mouse competition has hardly got these players queing around the block to join us now
"It has given us bragging rights over those who sit and watch"
LOL the shite take their greatest pleasure ridiculing this cup , More people watch holby city than this tatty worthless little competition. Who exactly do you brag to ?
Your talking out of your arse again lad
"The competition provides us with a psychological advantage over those below us "
Yeah right, Portsmouth and Blackburn - or anyone else - really shit themselves coming to GP because we were in this Micky Mouse cup didnt they ?
"It added much needed gate receipts and television revenue"
The club was forced to slash the prices of tickets, because the ground would have been empty otherwise and the untold riches generated by TV coverage saw us just about break even, It costs a lot of money to stage these games you know
"It forced Moyes and the players and our emerging youth to adapt beyond the one dimentional English game"
We played football once - and still went out to the Italians - for the rest of the time we DID play one dimentional football, just as we did at both GP and in Belgium in this years competition. As for the youth, Well there was only Big Vic who really shone, but you’ve slaughtered him this year havent you, so who exactly are you saying benefited ???
"It created a road map for players and Managers who several years ago didnt give a shit that we existed"
For your information pal we are known all over the fucken world.
Qualification to Europes Micky Mouse competition has hardly got these players queing around the block to join us now
"It has given us bragging rights over those who sit and watch"
LOL the shite take their greatest pleasure ridiculing this cup , More people watch holby city than this tatty worthless little competition. Who exactly do you brag to ?
There is pro’s and cons to the UEFA Cup. Yes, it is not the cash cow that would catapult us to solid cashflows. But there is something that is being missed here - experience
Playing away to a tricky tie like Kharkiv lets the players experience something completely alien to them. The fact of if it is CL or UEFA makes no odds once that whistle is blown. The players do gain from European Games, thats for sure.
So if we do break the CL, we arent going to go into the situation cold, and get daunted by the occasion as much as if we never played in europe. We arent going to clinch automatic CL for the forseeable future, so the UEFA is giving us vital experience on how to approach games like the qualifiers. The benefit is not just for the players, but also the coaching staff.
UEFA Cup is not the holy grail, but it certainly develops the club into being able to play in Europe, as well as domestically. If you dont do well in the UEFA, then you can forget about the CL. The standard of football between the two cant be far off the prem compared to the championship. I simply dont think getting a good hiding in the CL is going to do us any good at all. I dont think we are ready for that level yet. Its all about patience again.
Playing away to a tricky tie like Kharkiv lets the players experience something completely alien to them. The fact of if it is CL or UEFA makes no odds once that whistle is blown. The players do gain from European Games, thats for sure.
So if we do break the CL, we arent going to go into the situation cold, and get daunted by the occasion as much as if we never played in europe. We arent going to clinch automatic CL for the forseeable future, so the UEFA is giving us vital experience on how to approach games like the qualifiers. The benefit is not just for the players, but also the coaching staff.
UEFA Cup is not the holy grail, but it certainly develops the club into being able to play in Europe, as well as domestically. If you dont do well in the UEFA, then you can forget about the CL. The standard of football between the two cant be far off the prem compared to the championship. I simply dont think getting a good hiding in the CL is going to do us any good at all. I dont think we are ready for that level yet. Its all about patience again.
We weren’t knocking it when we were in it so why some of you now.My only beef is that clubs should play their best teams except for injuries in any game.People work hard for their money and expect to see the best especially at Euro prices.
O’Neill’s actions were an insult to the Villa fans. Siverware is silverware and a European cup is even more so.
Why enter the competition if you will not take it seriously.
Why enter the competition if you will not take it seriously.
I can’t understand how anyone can prefer to finish as an also ran rather than actually win something? Turning up our nose at the League Cup for example seems daft. The fact is we’ve never won it and that is a line missing from Everton’s impressive CV. Same goes for the UEFA -we’ve not won that either. One European trophy in our history. Even the Barcodes can match that.
Personally I would get a much bigger kick out of seeing Pip raise a trophy aloft than bask in the ’glow’ of finishing fourth. I can’t imagine reminiscing about the good old days (when I am an even older fart) of winning fuck-all but at least finishing fourth.
Personally I would get a much bigger kick out of seeing Pip raise a trophy aloft than bask in the ’glow’ of finishing fourth. I can’t imagine reminiscing about the good old days (when I am an even older fart) of winning fuck-all but at least finishing fourth.
It says alot about the financial revenues of a competition when CHANNEL5 can dictate kick off times.
Dave Wilson ? What are you going on about, I think that Jason made some valid points. If you think that the only decent game we played in Europe last year was against the Italians then you must have been watching Holby on BBC 1.
Some of my best memories from last year came in the UEFA Cup. Standing in the sports bar in a Viking hat out singing the Brann fans in Bergen with my son, walking around Florence with my Everton top and meeting BK in Bologna airport, taking over Liege town centre and gaining respect from Liege fans compared to their disgust of Liverpool fans. So yes I think these things do put you on the map, it certainly proves what a fantastic support we have compared to most.
If I was a Villa or Spurs fan I would feel robbed right now, a genuine chance to win a trophy taken away on a gamble for better things. Spending all that money to watch my team to be let down is an absolute disgrace and fans don?t deserve it.
The run in the cup last year did us the power of good and I for one would have been thrilled to have won it but as I have said in an earlier post, if you don?t like it don?t go, get real and leave the support to those of us who actually want to win something.
Some of my best memories from last year came in the UEFA Cup. Standing in the sports bar in a Viking hat out singing the Brann fans in Bergen with my son, walking around Florence with my Everton top and meeting BK in Bologna airport, taking over Liege town centre and gaining respect from Liege fans compared to their disgust of Liverpool fans. So yes I think these things do put you on the map, it certainly proves what a fantastic support we have compared to most.
If I was a Villa or Spurs fan I would feel robbed right now, a genuine chance to win a trophy taken away on a gamble for better things. Spending all that money to watch my team to be let down is an absolute disgrace and fans don?t deserve it.
The run in the cup last year did us the power of good and I for one would have been thrilled to have won it but as I have said in an earlier post, if you don?t like it don?t go, get real and leave the support to those of us who actually want to win something.
Dave Wilson? I?m beginning to think you?re a wind-up merchant. Again paraphrasing and partial quoting to twist my words to fit your argument? From you Dave I expect nothing less!
So I?m talking out of my arse am I? Well you seem to have your lips placed firmly in that direction.
?Known all over the fucken world? are we? You don?t get out much do you son. Many English supporters outside of Liverpool don?t even know where Everton is! Top players arriving at Goodison need to be coached and sold on our history. Many of the players we are trying to attract weren?t even born the last time we we?re successful in Europe!
?Who do we brag to?? We brag to those not? in? Europe. Not those in Europe FFS! If I?m typing to fast for you, I?ll slow it down.
I like to play nice on this site as we all share a common passion, but lately mate your rantings have been ?for? the? birds.?
I?m beginning to warm to your sympathetic charm. It?s all fun but seriously mate ?you are a wind-up right??
I?m sorry if I?ve rented a room in your head as you?re making a career out of chasing my issue, but enough is enough. Why have I become your motivation for posting on Toffeeweb? Holding a grudge are we?
I agree with John Charles that playing in Europe provides a psychological boost to our boys and permits those not playing international football a change of scenery from the mundane fixtures. Winning breeds confidence which gets carried over into training and other domestic matches, benefiting our youth.
The players enjoy it, the fans enjoy it and it brings in ?more money to help pay the bills,? even if it is only a small amount. So why change? If we won it, would it be ?Useless? then? When Liverpool won it they rented a fucking double decker.
The UEFA cup is more prestigious than the Cup Winners Cup. Yet I remember the atmosphere back in 85. Money will come and money will go but history remains forever. Don?t be so quick to turn your back on it!
And seriously Dave, read and get it right next time!
Wishing you a happy day. J.
So I?m talking out of my arse am I? Well you seem to have your lips placed firmly in that direction.
?Known all over the fucken world? are we? You don?t get out much do you son. Many English supporters outside of Liverpool don?t even know where Everton is! Top players arriving at Goodison need to be coached and sold on our history. Many of the players we are trying to attract weren?t even born the last time we we?re successful in Europe!
?Who do we brag to?? We brag to those not? in? Europe. Not those in Europe FFS! If I?m typing to fast for you, I?ll slow it down.
I like to play nice on this site as we all share a common passion, but lately mate your rantings have been ?for? the? birds.?
I?m beginning to warm to your sympathetic charm. It?s all fun but seriously mate ?you are a wind-up right??
I?m sorry if I?ve rented a room in your head as you?re making a career out of chasing my issue, but enough is enough. Why have I become your motivation for posting on Toffeeweb? Holding a grudge are we?
I agree with John Charles that playing in Europe provides a psychological boost to our boys and permits those not playing international football a change of scenery from the mundane fixtures. Winning breeds confidence which gets carried over into training and other domestic matches, benefiting our youth.
The players enjoy it, the fans enjoy it and it brings in ?more money to help pay the bills,? even if it is only a small amount. So why change? If we won it, would it be ?Useless? then? When Liverpool won it they rented a fucking double decker.
The UEFA cup is more prestigious than the Cup Winners Cup. Yet I remember the atmosphere back in 85. Money will come and money will go but history remains forever. Don?t be so quick to turn your back on it!
And seriously Dave, read and get it right next time!
Wishing you a happy day. J.
Cheers Mick!
Your welcome Jason and you make some valid points.
Dear Jason Broome - I agreed with most of your points except "Many English supporters outside of Liverpool don?t even know where Everton is!" From where I come from the word Everton gain instant respect from other arseholes for our shear tenacity. As for me I want Everton to be in UEFA cup because I simply can’t stand the sight of others bragging about how their teams are in it.
Mick Flemming
I’ve travelled to every Everton game in Europe since and during the 80’s - I also go to the league cup games even though I know thats a Micky Mouse competition too. I go because I’m a match going Evertonian.
just because you had a good piss up in Brann it doesnt hide the fact that we stunk as we did in Florence, Russia and Belgium
Jason Broom is talking out of his arse - again - we ARE world famous,
I know that through travellng the world.
You may feel having a bevy with some fella you met in Belgium enhances that, I know it doesnt - they see British supporters as drunks
Broom doesnt make any "valid" points in his post thats why I blew them away so easily.
Trust me, a guy who see’s meeting BK as one of the highlights of a European tour and a guy who thinks bragging to his Charlton supporting mates gives him Kudos hardly represent a powerful argument, however you do make a lovely couple
Jason Broom
Wind up ? me ? perish the thought
I’ve travelled to every Everton game in Europe since and during the 80’s - I also go to the league cup games even though I know thats a Micky Mouse competition too. I go because I’m a match going Evertonian.
just because you had a good piss up in Brann it doesnt hide the fact that we stunk as we did in Florence, Russia and Belgium
Jason Broom is talking out of his arse - again - we ARE world famous,
I know that through travellng the world.
You may feel having a bevy with some fella you met in Belgium enhances that, I know it doesnt - they see British supporters as drunks
Broom doesnt make any "valid" points in his post thats why I blew them away so easily.
Trust me, a guy who see’s meeting BK as one of the highlights of a European tour and a guy who thinks bragging to his Charlton supporting mates gives him Kudos hardly represent a powerful argument, however you do make a lovely couple
Jason Broom
Wind up ? me ? perish the thought
David Wilsonn (you spelt mine wrong) - thanks for your pathetic points. Trust me you say, aren?t you the one bemoaning the UEFA and Carling cups but travelling all over Europe etc to watch them. Do you just get of the plane or coach and go straight to the ground, moan and complain whatever the result and then pack up and go home. I would hate to go the match with you because you must be the life and soul of any party.
Having a piss up in Brann, talking openly with BK in Bolgna airport, sharing footie banter with Liege fans and introducing my son to the European experience was fantastic. My Father did the same for me during the 80?s and I wouldn?t swap that for anything Mickey Mouse cups or not. I am talking about the invaluable experience for our fans and players and most of all spreading the Everton word because we don?t really get that many opportunities, oh and by the way I still think we played some decent games during last years campaign you must have travelled to the Liverpool European games instead.
Talking out of his arse, grow up because with some of your comments you sound like the brown stuff that comes out of an arse.
Wind up you; it certainly looks like from where I am sitting.
Having a piss up in Brann, talking openly with BK in Bolgna airport, sharing footie banter with Liege fans and introducing my son to the European experience was fantastic. My Father did the same for me during the 80?s and I wouldn?t swap that for anything Mickey Mouse cups or not. I am talking about the invaluable experience for our fans and players and most of all spreading the Everton word because we don?t really get that many opportunities, oh and by the way I still think we played some decent games during last years campaign you must have travelled to the Liverpool European games instead.
Talking out of his arse, grow up because with some of your comments you sound like the brown stuff that comes out of an arse.
Wind up you; it certainly looks like from where I am sitting.
Ok so yes The Champions League is where the big money is but does it win us anything? NO! Id take even the League Cup over finishing 4th. To see Everton win anything is only something i could dream of and isnt football about trophies. Does finishing 4th land you a trophy, it doesnt. I do agree that the Uefa Cup has been treated with dissent but id still love it if we were to land it next season.
If Aston Villa do finish 4th this season and i hope they do for the sake of the league, what will happen? They will be robbed in the same fashion as us. Look what the Uefa Cup did for Sevilla. They are in a better position now than they were 3 years ago. Of course i want instant success, but thats trophies not finishing in the top 4. League positions i.m.o only take priority over domestic competitions/european if we are trying to win the Title. I say if we do qualify for next seasons Uefa Cup or whatever it is then Fuck trying to finish 4th and go for that instead. Can we really say in 20 years time "Oh i remember the year we finished 4th" SIMPLY NO.COYB FTRS
If Aston Villa do finish 4th this season and i hope they do for the sake of the league, what will happen? They will be robbed in the same fashion as us. Look what the Uefa Cup did for Sevilla. They are in a better position now than they were 3 years ago. Of course i want instant success, but thats trophies not finishing in the top 4. League positions i.m.o only take priority over domestic competitions/european if we are trying to win the Title. I say if we do qualify for next seasons Uefa Cup or whatever it is then Fuck trying to finish 4th and go for that instead. Can we really say in 20 years time "Oh i remember the year we finished 4th" SIMPLY NO.COYB FTRS
Dave Wilson - In between your obsession with my ?arse? and your new found need to ?blow me? you really need to start using both hands to type with! Maybe then your posts, spelling and pagination will start to improve!
The Mick Flemings of this world are the reason why I enjoy going to the games. His glass is half full and his passion? twice as much! He may not agree with me tomorrow, but the man has class!
As for you, you may not agree with what I say (like 50% of the people in this world),
But in deliberately spelling peoples names incorrectly you have shown a total lack of respect for your own and therefore have given me an insight into the man they call Dave Wilson.
Trust me when I say? I will not be taking you so seriously in the future.
The Mick Flemings of this world are the reason why I enjoy going to the games. His glass is half full and his passion? twice as much! He may not agree with me tomorrow, but the man has class!
As for you, you may not agree with what I say (like 50% of the people in this world),
But in deliberately spelling peoples names incorrectly you have shown a total lack of respect for your own and therefore have given me an insight into the man they call Dave Wilson.
Trust me when I say? I will not be taking you so seriously in the future.
Mick Flemming
When I go to watch Everton, whether it be to wigan or Warsaw, I always have a great time, I still meet with friends I knew at school, we are now 3 generations of blues and we have a fucken ball
But we knows a Micky Mouse cup when we see’s one,
Still, you sound a real party animal, with your Viking hat on, "spreading the Everton word" - how exactly do you do that ? - and sharing banter with the Liege fans, not to mention your thrilling encounter with BK
Trust me you’ll never be given the option to go to a game with me . . . I couldnt stand the excitement.
Some of us are ambitious, we want CL football and wont be satisfied until we get it,
You on the other hand will settle happily for second best. Its because we have fans like you that the board gets away with as much as it does
Love to Jason
When I go to watch Everton, whether it be to wigan or Warsaw, I always have a great time, I still meet with friends I knew at school, we are now 3 generations of blues and we have a fucken ball
But we knows a Micky Mouse cup when we see’s one,
Still, you sound a real party animal, with your Viking hat on, "spreading the Everton word" - how exactly do you do that ? - and sharing banter with the Liege fans, not to mention your thrilling encounter with BK
Trust me you’ll never be given the option to go to a game with me . . . I couldnt stand the excitement.
Some of us are ambitious, we want CL football and wont be satisfied until we get it,
You on the other hand will settle happily for second best. Its because we have fans like you that the board gets away with as much as it does
Love to Jason
One word Mr Wilsonnnn - PATHETIC
Jason Broom / Mick Flemming
I give up, I cant get my words of wisdom heard above your camp histrionics
Stay ignorant
I give up, I cant get my words of wisdom heard above your camp histrionics
Stay ignorant
Mr Wilsonn, what are you going on about with the camp histrionics. I thought I would offer a comment on your last post. My comments are in capitals just in case it confuses you!
?When I go to watch Everton, whether it be to wigan or Warsaw, I always have a great time, I still meet with friends I knew at school, we are now 3 generations of blues and we have a fucken ball
But we knows a Micky Mouse cup when we see?s one, - WHY BOTHER THEN
?.Still, you sound a real party animal, with your Viking hat on, "spreading the Everton word" - how exactly do you do that? - and sharing banter with the Liege fans, not to mention your thrilling encounter with BK ? SUPPORTING MY TEAM, HAVING A LAUGH AND BEHAVING MYSELF IS HOW I LIKE SPREAD THE WORD AND PORTRAY MYSELF AS AN EVERTONIAN, AFTER A LONG AND HORRIBLE DAY IN FLORENCE BK WALKED INTO THE AIRPORT AND WAS SURROUNDED BY EVERTONIANS, HE TOOK THE TIME TO TALK TO US, NOT SAYING A MASSIVE FAN BUT MY LAD WAS MADE UP.
Trust me you?ll never be given the option to go to a game with me . . . I couldnt stand the excitement. ? I DON?T GO TO THE MATCH WITH IDIOTS SO NO FEAR THERE AND I WASNT ASKING YOU OUT ON A DATE ANYWAY.
Some of us are ambitious, we want CL football and won?t be satisfied until we get it, - TURN YOUR PLAYSTATION OF AND GET REAL
You on the other hand will settle happily for second best. Its because we have fans like you that the board gets away with as much as it does ? YES, BLAME EVERYTHING ON FANS LIKE ME WHO SUPPORT MY CLUB THROUGH THICK AND THIN AND ARE MORE REALISTIC. LET?S WIN SOME OF THESE SO CALLED SECOND BEST THINGS FIRST THEN WE CAN CONSIDER LOFTIER HEIGHTS.
ENJOY THE MATCH TOMORROW AND HAVE A EFFIN BALL WITH YOUR 3 GENERATIONS!
?When I go to watch Everton, whether it be to wigan or Warsaw, I always have a great time, I still meet with friends I knew at school, we are now 3 generations of blues and we have a fucken ball
But we knows a Micky Mouse cup when we see?s one, - WHY BOTHER THEN
?.Still, you sound a real party animal, with your Viking hat on, "spreading the Everton word" - how exactly do you do that? - and sharing banter with the Liege fans, not to mention your thrilling encounter with BK ? SUPPORTING MY TEAM, HAVING A LAUGH AND BEHAVING MYSELF IS HOW I LIKE SPREAD THE WORD AND PORTRAY MYSELF AS AN EVERTONIAN, AFTER A LONG AND HORRIBLE DAY IN FLORENCE BK WALKED INTO THE AIRPORT AND WAS SURROUNDED BY EVERTONIANS, HE TOOK THE TIME TO TALK TO US, NOT SAYING A MASSIVE FAN BUT MY LAD WAS MADE UP.
Trust me you?ll never be given the option to go to a game with me . . . I couldnt stand the excitement. ? I DON?T GO TO THE MATCH WITH IDIOTS SO NO FEAR THERE AND I WASNT ASKING YOU OUT ON A DATE ANYWAY.
Some of us are ambitious, we want CL football and won?t be satisfied until we get it, - TURN YOUR PLAYSTATION OF AND GET REAL
You on the other hand will settle happily for second best. Its because we have fans like you that the board gets away with as much as it does ? YES, BLAME EVERYTHING ON FANS LIKE ME WHO SUPPORT MY CLUB THROUGH THICK AND THIN AND ARE MORE REALISTIC. LET?S WIN SOME OF THESE SO CALLED SECOND BEST THINGS FIRST THEN WE CAN CONSIDER LOFTIER HEIGHTS.
ENJOY THE MATCH TOMORROW AND HAVE A EFFIN BALL WITH YOUR 3 GENERATIONS!
Alright . . . . no need to shout
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1 Posted 26/02/2009 at 15:07:04
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Treat the Useless cup with the contempt it deserves until UEFA restructure the financial side of things.
Some clubs actually lose money playing in the poxy tournament and we just about broke even after making the knock out stages.
I am still waiting for the flood of global superstars who many of our fans thought would be banging the door down because we made it to the Uefa cup places. It's not worth a Carrot in the present format and teams like Everton,Spurs ,Villa etc should refuse to play in it unless more revenue is added to it.