The age old Champions League or FA cup argument...

In a Mirror column today, the controversial opinion has been made that Everton should go all out for the FA cup, regardless of whether it leads to them losing out on a champions league spot. The argument is they have a very, very small chance in the champions league with behemoths like Barca, Madrid and Dortmund throwing their weight around. Everton are a club without much trophy history, and setting their sights on nabbing the FA cup is much more obtainable and would mean far more in the long run.

The logic is hard to disregard. The real problem is that in the modern era Champions League football brings a heck of a lot of money into a club, the FA cup doesn't. What it does bring however is history, which in theory means far more to the fans.

So champions league and a potential early exit but bucketloads of cash, or risk it all by going for glory in the cup?

I'm all for aiming realistically and growing from there. So, start with a domestic trophy or two before attempting to compete in European competition and aiming for a domestic title.

I know the Chumps League brings in money BUT if you already have a team capable and used to winning things - even at a domestic level - you are more likely to be successful. Otherwise, you could end up with a sudden influx of cash to a squad that might not necessarily have the nous or confidence to be competitive against teams who know how to win. Suddenly, your team is faltering, form slips and you're no longer competing in Europe or for a European slot, then what happens to all those players and bills you racked up while competing at the higher level?

I have to say, looking at Swansea and assuming they beat Bradford I think they will be quite well equipped to deal with a Europa League spot and be competitive. As much as it pains me to say it, they have grown steadily over the course of the last 5-10 years and, assuming they don't go bat-s**t crazy with money all of a sudden, they may just continue to do so.

Red614 wrote:In a Mirror column today, the controversial opinion has been made that Everton should go all out for the FA cup, regardless of whether it leads to them losing out on a champions league spot. The argument is they have a very, very small chance in the champions league with behemoths like Barca, Madrid and Dortmund throwing their weight around. Everton are a club without much trophy history, and setting their sights on nabbing the FA cup is much more obtainable and would mean far more in the long run.

The logic is hard to disregard. The real problem is that in the modern era Champions League football brings a heck of a lot of money into a club, the FA cup doesn't. What it does bring however is history, which in theory means far more to the fans.

So champions league and a potential early exit but bucketloads of cash, or risk it all by going for glory in the cup?

I know quite a few Evertonians having driven the bus a few times to Goodison for the Northampton Branch of the supporters club. They want full teams fielded in the FA Cup - full stop!!
Yes, the Champions League brings more money into a club, but that tends to go straight out the door on higher salaries and agents fees. You need to be able to cement 4th place and above, year in year out to make really serious money; the seedings system does it's best to ensure this, but sometimes other clubs break through.

I've thought for a long time that teams like Everton should have noticed us making two finals and thought that should be them. Too many mid table PL teams are content for safety and a shot at Europe when they should be pursuing cups.

Kamuza wrote:I've thought for a long time that teams like Everton should have noticed us making two finals and thought that should be them. Too many mid table PL teams are content for safety and a shot at Europe when they should be pursuing cups.

The Premier league is more insidious than that; I think you win more prize money by finishing one place higher in the PL than for winning the FA Cup. Could be wrong but it is pretty close.