Europa and Conference Leagues — Semi-Finals, 1st Leg

Can't understand why people wouldn't support there own countries clubs. Come on, Man Utd and Spurs.

So you’d support the RS in Europe?

I only support Everton, Paul.

I have a soft spot for some other teams based on where I've lived or visited. Bilbao is one of those places. Been there a number of times and have friends there.

Don't really understand why anyone would automatically want a team to win just because they were from the same country.

Not them, Rob. No.

We now seem to be the preferred venue of choice in the North West Paul.

I don't really have much affiliation to England. I identify as British. That's what my passport says and the flag I served under.

I'll keep an eye on Chelsea tonight as well, but that's a family thing. My cousin, born in Liverpool and his parents from Speke, grew up in Battersea is a huge supporter.

Support Satan. No chance.

Get in.

Deserved lead for Man Utd tbf.

They've been the better side.

It's going to be an all English final.👍

Very harsh pen and red card against Bilbao, but Utd worth their lead.

Tie over

I guess that depends on what you define as English, Paul.

I haven't looked, but it would be interesting to see what the percentage of English players for both teams are.

Portugese and Australian managers.

Man Utd's support base are global and half of Tottenham's are from Cyprus.

Teams I mean, Danny.

As Spurs and Utd are direct competitors in terms of PL position, then one of them winning the Europa League and getting the reported £100M windfall, may not be in Everton's interest.

Brentford 2-0. Forest slipping away!

Liam (9), Not sure about the red card but I thought the penalty was the correct decision.

THE difference in class between Bilbao and United was huge when they had equal teams it’s massive now like the difference in class between this match and the two we’ve seen in the European Champions games this week.

Bilbao looked too worked up and emotional to me Dave. Looked like the occasion got to them?

I know what you mean Paul. English football stopped being English years ago, unless you drop down to the lower leagues.

Everton have one of the highest percentage of English players in the top flight.

Despite my disconcerting for England I find it quite sad that as a nation of nearly 58 million, England can't compete with their own players.

I admire Forest for the the season they've had but always thought they would tail off. I hope they qualify for Europe, but I don't think it will be Champions League.

Loving the Forest demise. They'll end up finishing 7th now.

Nuno out, absolute bottle job.

Liam (16), Being honest I’ve never seen them before tonight and they had a massive crowd supporting them so the expectations were high so maybe the occasion was too big for them tonight——that’s assuming they will not fight back in the second half!

Am I right in thinking that, if super-club Manchester Utd (currently around our position in the Premier League) win this tournament, they will qualify for the “Champions” League?

Forest eh?

Not so long ago people were berating Moyes for not "aspiring" to be like them.

Man Utd got to the cup final because Coventry had a perfectly good goal disallowed in the last minute of their semi final and now they're in sniffing distance of the Champions League.

Football is an absolute joke.

If there is one team I am hoping David Moyes tries to play like next season Brendan, then it's Nottingham Forest.

I say Forest, because I believe it's within his reach to emulate them and I also think that it will be easier for Everton to move forward by playing with a similar system to the one that Forest have been using this season.

The basis is there, we are already as good as most teams defensively, so hopefully he his given the funds to buy a couple of players with pace and a couple more players with a little bit of craft.

If he his allowed to purchase a few players like this then I see no reason why Everton, can't be the surprise package next season.

I live in hope, especially when I look at tonight's results and see two teams around us in the table both looking comfortable in their quest to qualify for a European final.

Spot on, Tony, 24.

Let's hope Moyes has clarity in his plans and clarity in the profile of player he's after. Pace, especially in the wide areas, will hopefully be high on his agenda.

You are right Peter (21).

Can I add my name to the folk on here who are enjoying Forest's demise.

Premier League is shite as Hewey keeps telling us.

But I see that it looks like 2 teams in the Premier League's bottom third will contest a European final and the club currently 14th in the Premier League just slaughtered the the team who are 4th in La Liga in their manor.

Liam, amen. Very top of the priority list for me.

My point isn't necessarily that the Premier League is shit, more aimed at English football, which is still dining off 1966.

The Premier League has, by and large become a tough and mundane watch at times.

I'll never pass up or give up on Everton, but I often switch to the Bundesliga or English lower leagues.

Tony #24

I'd agree with that but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Moyes still prioritised the defence ahead of next season.

Brendan,

In personal conversations with a few, I remain sceptical as to whether Moyes can change.

I personally don't think so. To that end, I'm with you on your guesstimation that he will prioritise not losing before winning.

He may have been right for us this season and could succeed next season. But I don't think he is brave enough.

Danny:

'My point isn't necessarily that the Premier League is shit, more aimed at English football, which is still dining off 1966.'

What I enjoyed in those far-off days were the shots from range and the goals they produced. Charlton's efforts live in the memory as did many Dutch players at the time. Shots from outside the box, not trying to walk the ball into the net!

For me, Moyes is a stop-gap manager.

Alright for now and that is all.

In fairness, Moyes has inherited a complete mess due to chronic under-investment in squad and academy.

Due to departures and spending constraints, we will probably start next season with a squad quality that is between about 12th and 15th.

If he does prioritise the goals against column that might be boring – but it is probably the best way to over perform the quality of our squad and give us a chance of qualifying for Europe.

Robert, I agree with you on English football. Even though I don't really care for England, I do have a passion for grass roots and development of players.

Only approximately 30% of players in the Premier League are English. Compare that with 65% of Germans in the Bundesliga.

When I look at smaller nations, population wise, like the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia with the players they produce, it puts England to shame.

Robert @34. Totally. Despite my well documented reservations about Moyes, past and present, he is not at fault for the wrongs at Everton. They are far more deep rooted than that.

But I can criticise him for his safety-first approach. It isn't a recipe for success. And there has been no excuse since we were practically safe on 34 points.

Why put the handbrake on, when you can entertain the crowd?

Danny # 35,

The answer might be that Moyes thinks the squad is total shit and not capable of entertaining football without getting a hiding.

Robert, he was like it when he had decent teams.

I still haven't gotten over the surrender to Liverpool in the semi-final against them when they were there for the taking.

The final straw was not turning up in the quarter-final against Wigan. That was me finally done with him.

I am hoping to meet my second cousin in the summer. I'll give him my view.