ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Enjoying the Europa League

Well, the Champions League is out of the question and the new Europa League is almost guaranteed. Some Evertonians will not be pleased. A drain on resources, a meaningless competition, a diversion from the Premier League, look how it harmed Villa. In my view, not so. I feel it is important for the following reasons:

I would prefer that it were a straight knockout competition but even without that we had some great nights last season. Metalist, Zenit, and Fiorentina were decent sides and playing against them can only have been good for our squad.

We support our club to see them win and who would deny that our Cup Winners Cup win (a much ridiculed competition) provided memories for a generation.

Aston Villa's run of poor form was, in my opinion, caused not by them being over-stretched by the Uefa Cup but by the confidence-sapping defeat inflicted in it.

Wigan, Spurs and West Ham are striving to qualify. What Everonian would not like us to be playing Hamburg next week?

Let's look at it as a rehearsal for the Champions League. Give experience to younger players and raise the proflie of the club.It certainly did Zenit no harm. Let's win it next year as a stepping stone for bigger things.
Andy Crooks, Belfast Posted 12/04/2009 at 20:17:11

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Richard Parker
1 Posted 13/04/2009 at 07:23:53

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Fair comment. I can see the cons of playing in such a competition with a small squad, but at the same time who wasn’t proud of our 100% record in the group stages last season? The battering of Fiorentina at Goodison was incredible, until penalties came along.

Also, I don’t remember where, but I’m pretty sure that I read some UEFA official mentioning that the prize money had been increased in the Europa League next season. Obviously, it won’t be comparable to the CL, but does anyone have any details?

I’d really love another run in Europe and, let’s face it, to really consider that we’re improving as a club, we need to be able to deal with games in Europe alongside the Premiership season.

I, for one, am desperate to finish above Villa, after all this talk of their threat to the top 4, and secure a place in the Europa league, for better or for worse. 3 seasons on the trot in Europe (albeit not for long last time), is a sign of progress but a long way from job done.

Let’s just hope a better summer is to follow and we can come out next season all guns blazing.

Karl Saegaran
2 Posted 13/04/2009 at 08:25:59

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Richard, I really believe we will eventualy overtake Villa to 5th because they do have a tougher run in. However, I would rather win a trophy this season to really boost our players for all that they have rendered this season. It's not beyond our capability but the boys need to believe in each other and play till they drop.

It is almost certain that we will play in Europa League next season bar a total meltdown by the players. An FA Cup Winners medal would go along way in firing up the boys for next season.

Richard Parker
3 Posted 13/04/2009 at 14:08:37

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Karl - an FA Cup win would be awesome. Daren’t think about it too much tho.... the anticipation causes a quivery colon..... and that’s with 6 days to go!!

Callum Gorman
4 Posted 13/04/2009 at 22:30:24

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I?m a big fan of the Uefa Cup (Europa League), it?s a shame the money's not great in it, but as Andy said last season, it provided some great nights.

I think the competition is a great way of gaining experience of European football & hopefully if we do qualify for the Champs League any time soon, our expeirence of playing in the Uefa Cup will come as an advantage and see us progress futher than in 2005.

Overall it?s a trophy & a trophy which we have a good chance of winning & that?s what it?s all about. I don?t agree with the lack of respect for the competition shown by Aston Villa & Pompey this Year, why try all season to get into a European place if you're only going to play a reserve team throughout the competition?

Thankfully, Moysie treats the competition with the respect it deserves and hopefully there will be some more great nights & trips to come next season!!