Everton Apply for Intertoto Cup

[Rocket]

From the BBC:

Everton have confirmed they have applied for entry into the Intertoto Cup this summer.

The competition provides an alternative route into the Uefa Cup if David Moyes' side do not win a place via the league.

Everton and Blackburn are the only English clubs to have confirmed their participation in the Intertoto Cup.

However, Newcastle and Manchester City were also thought to have been interested in the competition, which has changed its format this year.

There will be only three rounds instead of five, with the 11 successful sides going through to the Uefa Cup second qualifying round instead of the first round proper.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/4715512.stm


Excellent news, IMHO.

[mischaDCU]

According to this (http://www.football365.com/news/story_177325.shtml) Boro have now thrown their hats in as well.

It also sounds like the actual selection criteria is that the highest team of those who have applied will get the spot in the Intertoto; but that the team must finish between 6th and 9th in the league (i.e., in one of the four spots behind the UEFA Cup qualifiers).

[TrooperBari]

Being back in Europe is attractive, sure.

On the other hand, starting the season in the Intertoto Cup has produced some decidedly mixed results. It shortens the off-season and puts even more strain on our already overstretched squad. Bigger, more stable clubs like Villa and Newcastle have tried reaching Europe by that route and barely survived.

What good is getting being in Europe if it worsens our already inconsistent league form? I'd like to see our roster fleshed out more before taking on that extra work load.

[Rocket]

The main advantage I see to playing in the Intertoto Cup is that it should help us to build up our UEFA team coefficient.

That way, when we earn a Champion's League or UEFA Cup berth in the future, we'll hopefully be seeded and thus avoid facing a team like Villarreal early in the tournament.

[scaryice]

My thinking on the Intertoto is that you're gonna play a bunch of preseason games anyway, why not play ones that actually mean something?

[sarabella]

Being back in Europe is attractive, sure.

On the other hand, starting the season in the Intertoto Cup has produced some decidedly mixed results. It shortens the off-season and puts even more strain on our already overstretched squad. Bigger, more stable clubs like Villa and Newcastle have tried reaching Europe by that route and barely survived.

What good is getting being in Europe if it worsens our already inconsistent league form? I'd like to see our roster fleshed out more before taking on that extra work load.
While I don't completely disagree with what you're saying, I do see the point of being in Europe. Really, it all comes down to money, and I hate to sound like a business person but football is a business. One where the solid clubs are the ones who do smart business. And as much as I hate football turning into a business, Everton deserves the same successess as everyone else - including our neighbors across the park.

Basically, we need the money that a good show in Europe can bring. If we're ever going to be competitive in the league or elsewhere (and that certainly won't happen for a while), we are going to need to bring in more players and unless Davey drastically changes his buying/shopping strategy, we can't do that without money.

It's like I'm torn between wanting our club to be successful and wanting to tell the money-making machine to stick it. It just sucks it has to be this way.

What I'd really like to see is Moyes strengthen the squad by making smart decisions and taking some chances on some up-and-comings first, and then we work our way into Europe. And maybe rushing things by going the Intertoto route will only hurt us in the long run, I dunno.

[Clan]

The main advantage I see to playing in the Intertoto Cup is that it should help us to build up our UEFA team coefficient.

That way, when we earn a Champion's League or UEFA Cup berth in the future, we'll hopefully be seeded and thus avoid facing a team like Villarreal early in the tournament.

Ah, but you have to actually get to the UEFA cup proper, for co-efficient points to start.
Games played in qualifying rounds are not considered.

[YankBastard]

While I don't completely disagree with what you're saying, I do see the point of being in Europe. Really, it all comes down to money, and I hate to sound like a business person but football is a business. One where the solid clubs are the ones who do smart business. And as much as I hate football turning into a business, Everton deserves the same successess as everyone else - including our neighbors across the park.

Basically, we need the money that a good show in Europe can bring. If we're ever going to be competitive in the league or elsewhere (and that certainly won't happen for a while), we are going to need to bring in more players and unless Davey drastically changes his buying/shopping strategy, we can't do that without money.

It's like I'm torn between wanting our club to be successful and wanting to tell the money-making machine to stick it. It just sucks it has to be this way.

What I'd really like to see is Moyes strengthen the squad by making smart decisions and taking some chances on some up-and-comings first, and then we work our way into Europe. And maybe rushing things by going the Intertoto route will only hurt us in the long run, I dunno.

You guys are going to be worn out by the start of the season and are going to be in the relegation battle once again because you decided to apply for intertoto.

[zerorespects]

Isn't the reason we applied this year because we would have to play less games? I think it's a good idea, and if we do make it it would give us a good chance to get back on the big stage.

[YankBastard]

Isn't the reason we applied this year because we would have to play less games? I think it's a good idea, and if we do make it it would give us a good chance to get back on the big stage.

How can you play less games?

[mischaDCU]

How can you play less games?

I believe he means less games than in past years. There is less of a commitment in terms of number of games with the recent format change for the Intertoto. I don't remember the numbers exactly, but Moyes has said that this specifically was the reason that they applied, and Graeme Sharp (I believe it was) said on the most recent Everton podcast that they wouldn't have applied had they had to play as many games for it as in previous years.

[Rocket]

I think they're saying Everton signed up for Intertoto because teams can advance to the UEFA Cup playing fewer games.

[Saviola7]

If we're worried about being tired, then why don't we just send some reserve/youth players the matches. As said before, if you're going to play preseason, you might as well make it mean something ... nobody said you had to try