Home > Football > Everton's dilemma: UEFA Cup glory or Champions League goldmine?
by 101greatgoals.com on 12 February 2008
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The Toffees have impressed in their return to Europe this season and are currently fourth favourites with most bookmakers at 13-1 to bring home the silver trophy. If they can get past the Norwegians, they will face either Rosenberg or Fiorentina, both strong sides but both beatable by a hardened Everton side who should progress to the quarter-finals at least. During Saturday’s win over Reading, Everton again showed that they struggle when a couple of their bigger, more important players are off form. Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, usually their most creative players struggled and David Moyes’ side were distinctly average against a Reading team who have now lost seven league games in a rowe.The depth of Moyes’ squad is going to become a key issue in the remainder of the season, particularly if they continue in their quest for UEFA Cup success. Players such as Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman, Andy Johnson and Yakubu have had very good seasons to date, but are there the players in reserve to cover in their absence?Squad depth at Everton is most clearly illustrated up front. Without Yakubu, away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, they were unable to press home the advantage of a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Chelsea. And Phil Jagielka’s goal on Saturday was the first scored in three Premier League games, all played without their Nigerian forward. When available, Johnson and Yakubu make a great goalscoring partnership but James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe are not good enough to make a difference in big games from the start or coming off the bench. The dilemma over which competition to prioritise will be felt most keenly should Everton progress to the last eight of the UEFA Cup. Only four days after a crucial game at Anfield on March 30, which should go some way to deciding who will clinch fourth place, Everton will play their quarter-final first-leg. Moyes simply doesn’t have enough quality players to rotate his squad and the former Preston manager can ill-afford any injuries to important players. Following the win over Reading, Moyes admitted that the battle on two fronts is a large dilemma. "Fourth place is going to be tight with the teams around us going well, and we just have to stay out in front if we can. But what is most important to us, winning the UEFA Cup or finishing fourth? I don't know what to say. We just have to hang in there. Within the squad, there is a determination to do it. I would love to win the UEFA Cup, but the financial package for the club is much greater to finish fourth, even though it would be terrific to win a trophy." In many ways, Everton’s battle on two fronts illustrates one of the anomalies of modern-day football. Silverware should be everything, progression to the UEFA Cup final and a first trophy since the FA Cup win in 1995 would re-energise the club and perhaps instigate a period of prosperity for the blue half of Mersyside. But the riches of Champions League football are simply impossible to ignore. The win over Reading owed a lot to goalscorer Jagielka, who proved his worth again. The £4m transfer fee is looking a snip, especially as the former Sheffield United utility man can play in every position - including goalkeeper. If Everton do take the race for fourth down to the wire and progress in the UEFA Cup, Moyes will need a few more players like Jagielka.
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Comments (11)
by Mike on February 12, 2008
There is no way that Everton will get fourth unless Liverpool have another great Champions League run. In this case Benitez will place end up sacrificing league results. Personally I would love to win it a six time and Everton to come fourth but lose the place to Liverpool.
by marcdale on February 12, 2008
Mike, you really do live in a dream world. I don't know who th emost deluded fans are, your lot or Newcastle fans. Face facts with all the money that Liverpool have spent you are nothing but a 2nd rate team. If you work out the facts, if Liverpool spent the same amiount of money as Everton in the last 6 years, Liverpool would be near the bottom every year unless they changed there approch, which they would because like Newcastle fans you live in a dream world, where Liverpool is great. Also you really should get to know your football facts, WHEN Everton finish 4th, if Liverpool somehow paid and bribed there way and won the cup, the position wouldn't be taken off Everton as the rules changed and state that all cups holders can defend the cup.
by toffeeblue on February 12, 2008
I just find it funny that because LiverPOO fans can't brag about how well there team are doing, they have to come on websites and slate everybody elses. Its about time that LiverPOO fans stop slagging off other teams and start working out their team problems. Lets face facts, Everton are higher than LiverPOO. Everton have a better chairman that loves the club (ok doesn't have bags full of money) but would never screw Everton over. LiverPOO fans suck plain and simple, while Everton fans are the greatest ones around. LiverPOO have a rubbish youth policy and prefer to throw bags of money at players from abroad, whereas Everton have produced and still are producing some of the greatest young players around (Mostly English as well). So Mike and all you other LiverPOO fans SUCK ON THAT
by blue4eva on February 12, 2008
Toffeeblue great comments. Totally agree with you 100%
by John Phythian on February 12, 2008
Liverpool's rubbish youth policy has won them the FA Youth Cup 2 seasons on the trot.As to Everton fans being the greatest,where were they when you were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham.As for Bill Kenwright not screwing Everton,chance would be a fine thing as no business man with any accumen would invest in a 2nd rate club with the MIGHTY LIVERPOOL as their nearest neighbours and their MILLIONS of fans worlwide.
by ToffeeDan on February 12, 2008
[quote]Liverpool's rubbish youth policy has won them the FA Youth Cup 2 seasons on the trot.As to Everton fans being the greatest,where were they when you were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham.As for Bill Kenwright not screwing Everton,chance would be a fine thing as no business man with any accumen would invest in a 2nd rate club with the MIGHTY LIVERPOOL as their nearest neighbours and their MILLIONS of fans worlwide.[/quote] What Mighty Liverpool are you referring to? I don't know of this team. Perhaps you mean might-qualif-y Liverpool? TD
[quote]Liverpool's rubbish youth policy has won them the FA Youth Cup 2 seasons on the trot. As to Everton fans being the greatest, where were they when you were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham? As for Bill Kenwright not screwing Everton, chance would be a fine thing as no business man with any accumen would invest in a 2nd rate club with the MIGHTY LIVERPOOL as their nearest neighbours and their MILLIONS of fans worldwide.[/quote] Thought I would just correct your errors John! Perhaps they have EFL branch for you to attend in the centre of Oslo. TD
by John Phythian on February 13, 2008
I live in Seaforth,born and bred in Bootle not Norway.Perhaps if I replied in Welsh you would understand Better.Please educate me what does the abbreviation EFL mean.By the way show some guts and don't hide behind a ridiculous pseudonym.Who in their right mind would want to be known as 'ToffeeDan@.
by Gary on February 13, 2008
[quote]Liverpool's rubbish youth policy has won them the FA Youth Cup 2 seasons on the trot.As to Everton fans being the greatest,where were they when you were knocked out of the FA Cup by Oldham.As for Bill Kenwright not screwing Everton,chance would be a fine thing as no business man with any accumen would invest in a 2nd rate club with the MIGHTY LIVERPOOL as their nearest neighbours and their MILLIONS of fans worlwide.[/quote] Sorry John, im afraid FA Youth Cups arent a measure of how many youth players your team develops. U can win all the cups you want, but if these players dont come through to the first team whats the point? Secondly, someones name is irrelevant on here, what does it matter what TD calls himself? U gonna go find him if he posts his real name? Comical fella, comical.
by Fergieblue on February 13, 2008
John you really are a sad muppet. Coming on here slating Everton when your team is doing worse than anybodys. Look at the money your team has spent lad and tell me your proud of where your club is. Name a decent youth player since Michael Owen that you have brought through. I can name quite a few, Rooney, Vauny, Victor, Osman, Kissock, Agard etc. So don't start spouting that Liverpools youth team is great. How many british players do you have in your 1st team? As for our board, I am not Kenwrights biggest fan, but he is blue through and through, at least our fans are not so p***ed off there trying to buy the club from him. At least if we move ground, it won't have a baseball field in one corner. Lets face facts, with all the money Liverpool have spent there is only one place Liverpool is going and that is DOWN the table. Now back to our fans, did you hear us against Chelesa (Home and away), what about your graveyard fans, hell I have heard money news from dads watching there kids play on a field.
by Red4Ever on February 13, 2008
LFC have used 16 non British players in their 1st team.EFC have used 12 non British players in their 1st team.LFC'S youth team has produced Gerrard,Carragher,Warnock,Guthrie,Hobbs,Hamill etc.The reserve team are top by 5 points and contain 5 former youth team players.As for having a baseball team in one corner we won't have a supermarket.No I didn't hear you against Chelski at home for most of the game you were silent as usual.Face facts yourself LFC are still in the Champions League,FA Cup and are only 3 points behind yourselves with a game in hand.Even the Yak wants to spend as little time as possible with your lot.I believe your new stadium is going to be named'Lilliput' the 'Little peoples Club'.Bitter blues as usual.
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