02 Jun 2014 19:39:17
There is a general opinion that playing Thursdays and Sundays because of the Europa League is detrimental to a team's Premier League form. How is that different from playing Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Champions League - especially as the CL opposition will (generally) be better quality and the matches against them more demanding? Besides, because of television, there will be Premier League fixtures on Saturdays and Sundays and Monday evenings - all of which would be as disruptive to a team's routine, so I'm beginning to wonder about the Thursday/Sunday argument. I'm now beginning to think the teams that suffered in previous seasons were looking for an easy excuse for their failures and blamed Thursday/Sunday fixtures.
Would anyone like to give a plausible reason for the problems with Thursday/Sunday fixtures - especially as matches are spread over several days for television and the full Saturday 3:00pm fixture list is a thing of the past?

1.) 02 Jun 2014
I think it is just the same as the Champions League. You have the Premier, the FA and League cups and then the extra games that come with Europe. That's why the Champions League regulars have bigger or should I say stronger squads. The CL gives the extra money to buy higher quality fringe players but Europa just gives extra games with no extra profit.

{Ed002's Note - It is experience, profile, advertising, the chance to get some sponsors in, but as you say, not a great deal for winning. You can opt out if you want.}

2.) 02 Jun 2014
I think there is no difference at all between the rigors of playing champ league footy and saturday/ sunday games and the europa league thurs game and sun/mon game, the only real difference is generally speaking (man utd, man city, chelsea, arsenal, spurs and liverpool) who all have qualified for champions league football in the past few seasons have had considerably bigger squads than the teams who have qualified in the europa league in the past. I think our saving grace will be the kids who have developed within the club and externally on loan last season, combined with permanant transfers bobby will be looking at this summer will put us in a better position to compete on multiple fronts as opposed to previous seasons and teams who have qualified for the europa in the past (ourselves included).

3.) 02 Jun 2014
The winners this year get a CL place next year so its worth going for also the last couple of times we were in it we didn't have a bad season because of it if memory serves. grbefc

4.) 02 Jun 2014
I don't want us to opt out Ed002. I want us to win it!

5.) 03 Jun 2014
That extra 24 hrs recuperation by the opposition makes a difference. Take Chelsea who will play say Wednesday and then Saturday or Sunday will have a 24 hr advantage over Everton. On top of this, Chelsea who have a seasoned squad for Europe would not be new to them. Swansea and Newcastle were first time round Europa league entrants without being able to significantly strengthen their squads. Everton will be in the same boat, albeit with a manager with a bit more savvy. I still worry about the knock on effect though.