The Mail Bag
Heading for Europa?
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Whilst there'll no doubt be a fair few twists and turns over the remaining 11 games, we must now surely feel pretty confident of a place in the inaugural Europa League next season...whether we want it or not. Our feeder club up the road have done us a favour by ensuring that 6th spot now comes with a European slot.
Even in our depleted state we'd have to hope to come up with the 4/5 wins needed to keep our 8/9 pt cushion over the Hammers/Wigan suitably inflated to achieve that.
I'd love to think it could be even better still of course. With Villa's luck running out and confidence frayed the next couple of matches against Man City and Spurs sides desperate for points and wanting to get out of relegation trouble could easily see another 2-3 points slip away. Even if they manage to recover some form you'd have to expect another 3 points at least to be shipped away at Anfield and Old Trafford meaning that if we could do the business in a potentially easier run against Blackburn (a), Stoke (h), Pompey (a) and Wigan (h) we'd be going into the head to head within striking distance (i.e. 2/3 points). Add to the equation an Arsenal team who can't buy a goal at the moment and the champions league shout is looking well and truly alive...
...if that is you can ignore the fact that our most creative player and most natural proven goalscorer are both on the treatment table, that a host of other key players are carrying injuries, that we (rightly) have one eye on the FA Cup still, and that our already thin midfield is looking increasingly fragile and was outplayed for large periods by the bottom club at the weekend.
Sadly, even as a glass half full type of fan, I can't quite mange to ignore all of the above, so my main ambition is to do enough to hold onto Europa slot and focus our efforts on having a proper go at the Cup but I do so so want to believe we could get 4th as well though...Blackburn next COYB
Chris James, Posted 01/03/2009 at 20:23:20
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So the third season in Europe on the trot - a first for the club, I believe - gets closer. A good day's work?
But what is the situation with the FA Cup? If both finalists are already guaranteed Champion's League football, then does the Europa League place pass to losing semi-finalists or to the 7th placed Premiership team? And realistically, how far down can this entry be passed i.e. could a losing quarter-finalist be considered
Everton beat West Brom 2-0.
Liverpool lose 2-0 to Middlesborough.
Toothless Arsenal drop 2 points with another 0-0 home draw against Fulham.
Luckless Villa throw away 2pts with a home 2-2 draw against Stoke.
Man Utd win the Carling Cup, which almost guarantees 6th place as a Uefa Cup place.
It could have been better, but we must be thankful for small mercies.
May they continue. COYB.
Here's hoping the team can provide Mikky with the happiest of recovery periods as FA Cup winners AND Champions League qualifiers.
Missing players aside, I?m very happy with this season so far...I watched a program yesterday (here in the States) and they commented that DM could be voted Manager of the Year....I?m all for that. There is no question (after no question that the preseason and first few games absolutely sucked!) that DM has performed magnificently with a bare bones squad. I think even Ferguson would struggle with losing this many quality players!
Of course the plus side now is that if we were to advance any further in the Cup (or Prem) then that?s an even better "pat on the back" for both DM and the boys in blue considering the severe lack of quality players.
The thought has crossed my mind just how well we could do next year with a fully fit squad and players like Fellaini (hopefully) improving and NOT being booked every time he looks at the ref, plus the youngsters coming through with all this experience behind them, plus hopefully a decent signing or two in the summer.
Whatever happens, DM for Manager of the Year this year and good luck to the lads on Wednesday and more importantly on Sunday!! The next three games are being shown here on the tele... almost 7th-heaven!
COYB!!!
FYI. I live in the US and have a subscription with Directv which carries Setanta and FSC among other soccer channels. Between Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta, every Everton game has been televised this year except for the first WBA game (that includes, UEFA, Cup games too).
Changing subject slightly, does anyone think that Nolan's three-game ban is a disgrace?
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2292934/Everton-apply-for-Intertoto-Cup-entry.html
I suppose it means in a worse case scenario Everton could get into Europe this way. Villa used it to get into the Uefa Cup this season. The downfall is kicking off again in July, perhaps this is one reason why Villa look like they are running out of steam now
Anyway, like I say I am just mentioning this as a point of fact and I am sure we won’t need it. COYB
What about the third Europa League spot?
Sit yourself down in a dark room with a stiff drink. Ready? Read on. The third Europa League spot is designated for the FA Cup winners. If the FA Cup winners finish outside the top six, they will go into the Europa League play-off round and the team who finish sixth in the Premier League will go into the third qualifying round ? the round before the play-off round.
The Intertoto Cup has been abolished. There is now just the Europa League with extra qualifying games.
Chris
The FA Cup winners get the FIRST Europa League spot and, along with 5th place in the league, only have one qualifying round to play. The THIRD spot is for the Carling Cup winners but has now been transferred to 6th place in the league. This team will have to play two qualifying rounds.
The bit that I?m not sure about is the status of FA Cup runners-up. I think they should take the third place but UEFA probably allow them to keep the status of FA Cup winners.
Does anyone know for certain?
With Man U (already qualified...) winning the Carling Cup, my understanding is that the Uefa Cup place defaults to 6th in the league, not the runners up.
But not only that - assuming Arsenal beat Hull (for that not to happen would take all the planets to line up AND for Rafa not to make a stupid tactical change for the rest of the season) to reach the FA Cup semi... surely that means, even if we get defeated by Man U, that either we should receive the FA Cup Uefa Cup spot (all finalists, and other semi team having qualified already), OR the spot goes down to 7th. Thus guaranteeing European footie next season.
Come on the Arsenal!
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1 Posted 01/03/2009 at 17:34:06
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