Everton aim for a Europa boost
Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis
To Europa League or not to Europa League, that is the big question. And a question that I think can be answered differently for each team. On the face of it, it seems obvious. Why wouldn't you want to be in every available competition and give yourself a chance of silverware? As we all know, the question is a lot more complicated than that. It's also a question that has been asked a lot easier recently, but I'll get to that later.
It has been questioned that the Europa League hinders league performance in the Premier League. For Everton it's hard to prove that this has been the case in the past as we have had some fairly big wins following Europa League ties. Any decent team should be able to get out of the Europa League group stages quite easily, even playing youth or reserve players as Everton have done. The knockout stages provide great drama and lasting memories. Not to mention the away trips that fans have the opportunity to go on. The likes of Nuremberg away will live long in the memories of many Everton fans. As will Arteta's performance vs Fiorentina.
The unlikely scenario of getting into 4th place for Everton means Competitions like the Europa League should be taken seriously whenever we have that chance. Everton have been denied this chance in recent years due to other teams winning the FA Cup and League Cup. It is my opinion that this is wrong and has shown to be the case this year with Wigan. Teams should be awarded European places based on league positions and league positions alone. It is not only sad to see, but also harms England's European coefficients having teams like Wigan in the competition.
If Manchester City beat Sunderland in the League Cup Final it will mean that at least 6th place would be in the Europa League and if two European placed teams get to the final of the FA Cup, 7th in the league table will also be given a place in the competition. If Everton have hopes of gaining a reputation for investment, better players and increased revenues, the Europa League can be a good place to start. Atletico Madrid are certainly not regretting their two cup wins in recent years.
But next years competition is a game changer. The winners of the 2015 Europa League will be given a Champions League place. This will make teams take the competition a lot more seriously as they will see it as a back door to the big time. It's not an easy competition to win, but it is one that realistically Everton certainly could win, especially with Martinez in charge.
Next years tournament will provide the opportunity for not only a chance of silverware, great memories and great away days, but a chance for another shot at the lucrative Champions League that we were so close to getting into. In the domestic cup competitions I always keep an eye out for how other teams and draws will effect our European chances. The Europa League may not be the most fashionable, or best competition in the world but as of next season, it is one that I am desperate to get in to.
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
To Europa League or not to Europa League, that is the big question. And a question that I think can be answered differently for each team. On the face of it, it seems obvious. Why wouldn't you want to be in every available competition and give yourself a chance of silverware? As we all know, the question is a lot more complicated than that. It's also a question that has been asked a lot easier recently, but I'll get to that later.
It has been questioned that the Europa League hinders league performance in the Premier League. For Everton it's hard to prove that this has been the case in the past as we have had some fairly big wins following Europa League ties. Any decent team should be able to get out of the Europa League group stages quite easily, even playing youth or reserve players as Everton have done. The knockout stages provide great drama and lasting memories. Not to mention the away trips that fans have the opportunity to go on. The likes of Nuremberg away will live long in the memories of many Everton fans. As will Arteta's performance vs Fiorentina.
The unlikely scenario of getting into 4th place for Everton means Competitions like the Europa League should be taken seriously whenever we have that chance. Everton have been denied this chance in recent years due to other teams winning the FA Cup and League Cup. It is my opinion that this is wrong and has shown to be the case this year with Wigan. Teams should be awarded European places based on league positions and league positions alone. It is not only sad to see, but also harms England's European coefficients having teams like Wigan in the competition.
If Manchester City beat Sunderland in the League Cup Final it will mean that at least 6th place would be in the Europa League and if two European placed teams get to the final of the FA Cup, 7th in the league table will also be given a place in the competition. If Everton have hopes of gaining a reputation for investment, better players and increased revenues, the Europa League can be a good place to start. Atletico Madrid are certainly not regretting their two cup wins in recent years.
But next years competition is a game changer. The winners of the 2015 Europa League will be given a Champions League place. This will make teams take the competition a lot more seriously as they will see it as a back door to the big time. It's not an easy competition to win, but it is one that realistically Everton certainly could win, especially with Martinez in charge.
Next years tournament will provide the opportunity for not only a chance of silverware, great memories and great away days, but a chance for another shot at the lucrative Champions League that we were so close to getting into. In the domestic cup competitions I always keep an eye out for how other teams and draws will effect our European chances. The Europa League may not be the most fashionable, or best competition in the world but as of next season, it is one that I am desperate to get in to.
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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