ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Looking beyond... Europe and N'Zogbia

After reading the goings on this site over the last couple of days, I started contemplating what these last weeks' superb results could signify for the future.

In short, in outclassing Man U and Chelsea, i think we have shown that we could be entering into a very exciting period for Everton Football Club. In particular it has got me very excited about the possibilities for next season. To which end i would like to ask a relatively controversial question.

Given the potential excitement for next season might it be advantageous for the club to not make it into the Europa?

I am admittedly assuming that the CL is out of reach for us. Sad but true to my eyes. Playing in the Europa, whilst very exciting and occasionally glamourous, puts a big strain on a club that has a relatively small squad and rewards any success very meagerly. I personally love watching European games but might it be a blessing in disguise if whilst City, Villa, Spurs and the shite are distracted by Europe we have a free run on the league and the cups?

Perhaps the biggest problem might be that the players are less inclined to stay/come if we are not in Europe. As far as i know Stevie P is the only player close to his contract end and his recent comments suggest he wants to stay irrelevant. I'm sure the players would sacrifice one season in the europa for a real shot at the champions league.

I'm not saying of course that we shouldnt try and win every game. I don't think Moyes could ever duck out of a game even if he wanted to (dead rubbers aside). I simply think that should we finish 7th (and not in Europe) it might be a blessing in disguise.

My other totally seperate point is that if we dont' manage to keep Landon then i think we could do a lot worse than Nzogbia. He has pace and skill and seems to have acquired a fair modicum of graft. At 23 he has his best years ahead of him whilst being pretty experienced in the PL.

Either way, think Landon has demonstrated how much we have been missing an industrious pacey winger. This is a hole that should not be allowed to re-open.
Sam Hoare, Los Angeles Posted 21/02/2010 at 14:48:46

back Return to the Mail Bag

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

Dermot Ryan
1 Posted 22/02/2010 at 04:55:30

Report abuse

I thought he was good against us, but he was really poor today against Spurs. Maybe he’d shine in a better team than Wigan.

Ciarán McGlone
2 Posted 22/02/2010 at 09:52:46

Report abuse

Would love N’zogbia... hugely underated player who needs a bit of love.

Peter Hurley
3 Posted 22/02/2010 at 10:08:52

Report abuse

N’zogbia would be great addition, but so would Landon and we already know how well and quickly he has settled in.

As regards Europa, personally I would like to see us in it as I see it as being progressive steps in enabling us to compete for both the League and the CL concurrently. Remember if it wasn’t for Uefa Cup/Europa we would never have witnessed Rodwell or Anichebes exploits so early in their careers not to mention the youth team we sent out against Bate recently, all good experience for our increasingly effective youngsters. If we only had nights like those 7/8 years ago we might have been able to hold onto Rooney.

Gareth Humphreys
4 Posted 22/02/2010 at 10:57:40

Report abuse

All the 4 above us are seperated by 1 point so we have as much chance of catching someone in 7th as we do someone in 4th. In the past 6 games we have made 4 points on Liverpool, 5 on Villa and 7 on City and Spurs.

The gap is only 8 and we have 12 games to go. Keep this form going and we will be in the mix. I think Thursday is vital to keeping the momentum going though.

Dave Wilson
5 Posted 22/02/2010 at 11:02:55

Report abuse

I’ve heard it all now, love is in the air...

Amazing what a couple of good wins can do!

Ben Jones
6 Posted 22/02/2010 at 11:37:46

Report abuse

Yeah Dave, wins against the 2 best sides in the country.

Don’t you think people have a right to be confident? Love is in the air!!

Gary Tudor
7 Posted 22/02/2010 at 11:55:11

Report abuse

N’Zogbia would be a great signing and not too expensive.

I’m sure Moyes could take him to the next level.

Robert Johnson
8 Posted 22/02/2010 at 12:02:46

Report abuse

I agree re N’Zogbia (as does everyone else by the look of it), though would rather Donovan stay — or ideally both!

Re Europa League, I disagree — I think we should always welcome the chance to play in Europe. I had an amazing time in Nuremberg, and Benfica was also a great laugh, if not at the match itself. Giving up experiences like those, on the off-chance it may have some impact on our CL qualification chances doesn’t make sense to me. We’ll still be facing tough conmpetition for 4th next year most likely from Liverpool, City, Villa and Spurs, and much as I’d like to be optimistic I don’t think we could be confident that having a few fewer games would make all the difference.

Also, while not as glamourous as the CL, I’ve still no doubt that doing well in the Europa League helps our profile particularly among foreign players, creates the impression of a club going places and brings in some extra cash, all of which ultimately contribute to our future chances of success.

Duncan McDine
9 Posted 22/02/2010 at 12:33:30

Report abuse

I’m still hoping for Donovan, but its very unlikely. Shame that the results didn’t go our way (apart from Brum losing), but with the fixtures coming up, I can see the points stacking up.

With regard to Europa, I think we have to go for it, even if it means we play the fringe players away from home in the group matches.

Howard Don
10 Posted 22/02/2010 at 12:59:21

Report abuse

Good shout Sam. Personally I find it a hard decision, on the one hand it is a strain on our squad, best eleven v best eleven, I feel we’re a match for anyone in the PL but sqaud size is our problem and we could do without the extra games.

However the squad depth is improving all the time, I do enjoy the Euro nights, and there’s no doubt the experience is invaluable to the team. Suppose, just suppose we qualify for the CL next year, then several continuous years of Europa experience will have been invaluable. Unlike last time when we went in cold and a bit naiive.

There I’ve talked myself into it, I say go for it.

Gavin Ramejkis
11 Posted 22/02/2010 at 13:27:50

Report abuse

I think Donovan even at his age is a better player than Charlie Insomnia but if he was cheap enough then worth a punt. We do need depth in the squad as our curse with injuries always seems to kick in just as we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

James Elworthy
12 Posted 22/02/2010 at 13:52:03

Report abuse

As an aside if you want to gamble and book flights now to Hamburg for the May 12 final, Lufthansa have a direct flight from Manchester at 8:20 for £124 and Easyjet fly out of Luton for £105 which includes £18 for your bag.

Peter McHugh
13 Posted 22/02/2010 at 13:56:54

Report abuse

Europe is a great thing for players fans to look forward to, good chance of winning a trophy and attracts players helps blood in youngsters, gives first teamers returning from injury a chance to get to fitness. Also, add smuch needed revenue and in latter parts, means we may play some real glammer ties which also should result in players performances improving in the league - i.e. wanting to be in a semi-final or final.

I do not see any real detriments to the competition.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.