Pienaar still has sights on Europe

Lyndon Lloyd , 2 May, 17comments | Jump to most recent

Steven Pienaar insists that qualifying for Europe and not merely finishing above Liverpool remains Everton's highest priority.

The Blues' chances of claiming a berth in either the Europa or Champions League were dealt a potentially decisive blow with their defeat at Sunderland a fortnight ago but Pienaar still has hopes of playing in Europe next season.

No extra Europa League place will be created if Chelsea win this season's competition (except in the unlikely event that they win the Europa League but fail to qualify for Europe via League placing) which means that Everton would have to finish fifth in order to qualify.

That, of course, would mean that the Blues would finish above their local rivals from across Stanley Park for a second successive season, something they haven't achieved when playing in the same division since the Second World War.

"The most important thing is to get into Europe,'' the South African told evertontv. "I know at this stage it is difficult but we just want to win the games and see how far we go.

Going into this weekend's programme, Tottenham in fifth are just three points higher than Everton, albeit with a game in hand.

"You don't know what is going to happen on top of us," Pienaar continued. "Maybe one of the teams can lose all their games and we win all ours. We just want to win the games that are left.''

That includes Sunday's Anfield derby, of course, a game Everton haven't won for over 13 years.

"We will give everything to make sure we come away from Anfield with three points," Pienaar promised, "because it has been a long while since we won there.''

Quotes or other material sourced from ESPN.co.uk

Reader Comments (17)

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

Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 02/05/2013 at 20:32:41

Spurs are shaky and Chelsea have Spurs, Utd, Villa then us. We're not just in a shout for 5th, but the final day could be a fight for 4th.

This is a positive vibe coming from Pienaar but those against the current manager always cite him for dour communication.

They're ironically the ones who have less belief in Everton doing anything other than finishing 7th or 8th.

We'll definitely achieve it because Pienaar has God on his side... even if Moyes benched him for Neville.

Ross Edwards
2 Posted 02/05/2013 at 20:51:51

If God existed Nick we'wouldn't have Bill and his cronies in charge and we'd have the best players in the world in our squad and a world class manager like Pep or Mourinho.

I'd say by having Bill and his shambles of a board in charge, Satan looks over Goodison rather than the Lord.

Brian Cleveland
3 Posted 02/05/2013 at 22:59:36

...or it just means the dark side have a more powerful "God" ....

Robin Cannon
4 Posted 03/05/2013 at 04:47:36

Despite the many thanks given by players, I think God has very little interest in professional sports...

Brian Hill
5 Posted 03/05/2013 at 06:23:51

Robin Cannon, I concur with your assertion. I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation many times and I can assure all interested parties that sport is not mentioned.

Tony Pickering
6 Posted 03/05/2013 at 08:48:08

The English Standard Version of the Bible suggests God may like Southampton - and no doubt helped them out with their early season struggles:

"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus" Revelations 14:12 ;-)

Ray Roche
7 Posted 03/05/2013 at 08:51:35

God is on * Park. Has a ring to it...

*(our side)

Mike Green
8 Posted 03/05/2013 at 09:07:29

Ross #695 - not so hasty...

‘Rejoice, though for a little while you may suffer trials, so that the testing of your faith, which is more precious than gold which is tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus the Messiah is revealed’ (1 Peter 1:6 & 7)

i.e. these things are sent to test us, but the Messiah is on his way! :)

Brent Stephens
9 Posted 03/05/2013 at 09:11:00

If Moyes didn't exist, we'd invent one.

Barry Rathbone
10 Posted 03/05/2013 at 09:25:24

Brent, take a bow son - top quality that.

Brent Stephens
11 Posted 03/05/2013 at 10:15:22

Thanks, Barry. I thought somebody might latch onto it.

Ross Edwards
12 Posted 03/05/2013 at 13:02:52

Mike
According to the Doddists, the messiah arrived 11 years ago.

Nick Entwistle
13 Posted 03/05/2013 at 15:40:46

Who are you Ross, Pontious Pilate?

Gerry Morrison
14 Posted 03/05/2013 at 16:05:11

Getting back to the original, godless, point: I believe that if Chelsea win the FA cup and finish fifth, the Europa League spot will be taken by the team that finish sixth.

Tony J Williams
15 Posted 03/05/2013 at 16:41:37

That'll be an interesting FA Cup final - City/Chelsea against Wigan

Gerry Morrison
16 Posted 03/05/2013 at 16:49:10

Oh yes, forgot about city winning. Old age and too much beer.

John Gee
17 Posted 03/05/2013 at 17:27:13

God said 'come forth and rejoice' but we came 5th qualified for the Europa.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, 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 Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads