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Fair Play

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With a little desperation, I thought I would check the fair play option.. As it looks and things stay the same with England's positioned in 3rd. England will receive an extra Europa Cup spot.

With Fulham top, they are pretty secure in the knowledge they'll have European football next season. If they were to win the Europa League Cup, then the spot goes to whoever is behind Fulham who hasn't already qualified for Europe.

As it stands, Burnley will be representing England in Europe and the Championship at the same time! Fair play to them but feel a little aggrieved. Though Fulham would firstly have to do what Liverpool couldn't and beat Athletico Madrid in the final.

Have we ever qualified through fair play?? Man City did last year though finishing 10th.

Here's to a big season next year and making sure we play well throughout the season — not just at the end.
Martin Clark, Sydney, Australia     Posted 03/05/2010 at 02:13:11

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Peter Bourke
1   Posted 03/05/2010 at 07:10:47

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I know every player wants to play in Europe, but I think it is a blessing in disguise that we didn't qualify for Europe next year. Let's just focus on the Premier League and there should be no excuses if we don't make a serious challenge for top 4 next season.
Norman Merrill
2   Posted 03/05/2010 at 07:58:39

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Martin, With the World Cup, and our trip to Australia, this close season, do we really need the Europa League? Does it start in July, as it did this season?

I suppose in most supporters eyes, they will want to be in it, as Fulham showed it can be done. But, in my opinion, I won't miss having to play on a Thursday, and then Sunday, and with L'pool in it, we could have been kicking off 5:45pm.

Colin Potter
3   Posted 03/05/2010 at 09:10:38

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Your'e grabbing at straws, Martin. Let's forget this season, and think more of going for the top next season. I think we can do it, but we must have consistency.
Danny Burke
4   Posted 03/05/2010 at 09:36:00

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While having an incentive for fair play is a good idea in principle, it makes a mockery of the whole system if you can qualify by virtue of not kicking people. Teams like us who are up there with Utd and Chelsea on points gained in 2010, Birmingham who have had a solid season may also feel aggrieved.

What if Pompey had filed their paperwork, 7th place would also miss out. Say Utd didn't win the League Cup, and it was Blackburn or some team like that, 6th would also miss out. So, as it stands City, Liverpool would miss out on Europe despite good league positions, but Burnley could possibly play in it!

I know thats a lot of ifs and buts but you see my point surely, leave European qualification to the teams that earn it, either by doing well enough in the league or winning a trophy!

Brian Foley
5   Posted 03/05/2010 at 09:36:02

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I think it's a psycological beast NOW, this missing out on Europe thing. It's like looking forward to your favourite things, personally, Grand National day (from 6am with all the papers... fab) and the Christmas break. I look forward to them so much, it's such an anti-climax when they are over.

Also being on your main holiday, you look forward to it so much but it comes to an end. Your last day on holiday you just want to go home and you're GLAD to get home too.

I AGREE with the boys above let's move on and make it pay, seriously strengthen — Donovan, or somone like him, Beckford, Onuoha, Ireland, Silva (in the bag?) SIGN UP PIENAAR QUICK — that lot isn't more than £10-12M is it? ... Including Pienaar's wages. Maybe sign a SPECIAL player too. Get Australia out of the way and START in August — not October. Yep that'll do nicely.

ps: Why does McClaren speak in that idiotic 'double Dutch' divided by 25%, accent, weird????

pps C'mon, World Cup last 4 from 5 England, Holland, Italy, Spain and what could be a ridiculously easy path for Argentina.

Martin Clark
6   Posted 03/05/2010 at 12:47:56

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If we can keep hold of our players and manage to pick up a few good additions like the ones Brian suggested, that would be great.

I can live without Europe, just hope the players stay and others can be added.
Micky Norman
7   Posted 03/05/2010 at 13:05:59

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Just a thought..... Liverpool are only in Europe next year because Pompey are in such a mess.
Dan Brierley
8   Posted 03/05/2010 at 15:40:57

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Martin, I think you have mentioned something there that seems to be overlooked. How do you keep the current players happy, and encourage other decent players to join you if you cannot offer European football?

It's all very well having no distractions next season, but it's not going to do us much good if our better players have already left!
Michael Brien
9   Posted 03/05/2010 at 16:09:00

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I think it appalling that Burnley have a chance of qualifying via The Fair Play League. Whatever next — an extra place for the club with the best stewards/nicest pies/best programme!!?? It should be based on playing achievements.

I remember how an Everton team that was acknowledged as being one of the best in the country at that time (1968-69) was denied a place in Europe even though we finished 3rd because of Uefa's stupid "one club from one city" rule [in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup]!!

We should aim to get into European competition and, once we qualify we should look to do well, not just be there to make up the numbers. I watched Fulham last week and was pleased for them... but come on, be honest, I am sure I am not the only Evertonian who wished that we had done as well?

Chris Wilson
10   Posted 03/05/2010 at 17:31:04

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Kinda in line with Dan's comment - I think some folks are concerned that by not having Euro football there will be some grumblings with the players saying "I have to be playing in Europe" and stuff like that. And then we risk losing players because of that; like Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar, Saha, etc.

I don't know if I'm alone in this, but does anyone else get the sense (maybe from player's comments) that next season is do or die for us? Like if we don't get a Champions League place, players will ask to leave? Not that I've heard anything, and certainly don't want to start rumors. Just wondering if anyone else felt that coming from the club?
Eugene Ruane
11   Posted 03/05/2010 at 17:42:39

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Agree Michael.

I think those who think it's a 'good thing' we're not in Europe (so we can give the title a real go) are living in fantasy land.

Wishful thinking above and beyond.

I mean should we try to go out of the League Cup and the FA cup first go?

Why not?

By the same 'Europa logic' we'll not only win the league, we'll piss it.
Andy Crooks
12   Posted 03/05/2010 at 20:27:23

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Playing in Europe is essential for Everton. If it means nothing then, as Eugene says, why bother with the league or FA Cup? In fact, why bother with anything? Is it Champions League or nothing for us? I'd like to be Fulham right now.
Eric Myles
13   Posted 04/05/2010 at 03:06:44

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I thought Portsmouth were lodging an appeal? I hope they succeed but, with it putting out the Fifa darlings, I don't expect it will.
Brian Waring
14   Posted 04/05/2010 at 17:15:52

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Eric it's not FIFA who are stopping Pompey entering, I read that they don't have a problem with it. It is the Premier League and the FA that have said No.
Steve Fletcher
15   Posted 04/05/2010 at 17:33:26

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Eugene@ 11- well said.
Based on my reading of the PL web site after yesterday's Blackburn game we are now exactly level with them and Burnley. IF we have no bookings on Sunday (or do the same/better than both) we will qualify IF Fulham win the damn thing... not sure if this means we come in at the 1st qualifying round though or we go in at wherever our Uefa coefficient takes us.
Eugene Ruane
16   Posted 04/05/2010 at 09:48:20

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Did this 'fair' (ie: lack of commitment) thing finish last week or does it go to the end of the season?

The telly/newspaper people seemed VERY sure (if Fulham won), it would be Burnley that qualified.

I didn't hear anyone say "But Everton/Blackburn could still pip them".

Steve Fletcher
17   Posted 04/05/2010 at 10:07:21

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Eugene; it has to be to the end of the season. Basically, what you have is tabloid newspapers/SSN being very selective with thier reporting......I know, I know, SUCH a shock isn't it!
Russ Quinlan
18   Posted 04/05/2010 at 12:36:51

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Looking at the EPL Fair Play League, as of today, we are 1 point worse off than Aston Villa and Blackburn and the same number of points as Burnley. Although we are still 8th, everyone else above will qualify for CL or EC so, unless Villa and Blackburn get a booking and we don't, then its curtains to Europe!

Pull yourselves together lads!

Russ Quinlan
19   Posted 04/05/2010 at 12:41:18

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Oh and of course Fulham have to win the Europe Cup.

Ah well... just have to win the league next season to make up for it!!

:-)
Chris Dawson
20   Posted 04/05/2010 at 13:47:01

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According to the Premier League disciplinary table (http://www.premierleague.com/page/Statistics/0,,12306,00.html), this weekend saw us draw level with Burnley and Blackburn on yellow cards (57), red cards (2) and points (63).

Just got to hope now that we have a clean match with Portsmouth and that Burnley & Blackburn pick up more yellow/red cards and therefore more points which will see us enter the Europa League... albeit by the back door!!!

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