Everton seek Intertoto Cup safety net
'It would be remiss of us not to put our name forward'
Brendan Simpson and agencies
Wednesday February 27, 2008
Everton have applied to enter the Intertoto Cup next season, despite lying fourth in the Premier League - three points clear of rivals Liverpool.
The club claim that the decision is a safety net following Tottenham's success in the Carling Cup, and does not indicate a lack of belief that David Moyes's team will continue their strong run of form in the league - the Merseyside club have not lost since the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on December 29.
Spurs's Cup win means that one of the Premier League's Uefa Cup places has been filled, leaving only two European spots available dependent on league position at the end of the season.
"Clearly European qualification through our league position or via the Uefa Cup is our main priority," the Everton chief executive Kieth Wyness told the club's website. "However, because of the deadline for Intertoto Cup applications, it would be remiss of us not to put our name forward." The Toffees are in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup and believe they have a realistic chance of winning the competition if they can overcome their next opponents, Fiorentina.
Some fans will worry that the move is a sign that the team have exceeded their own expectations this season, but as only six points separate Everton from Manchester City in eighth place, the club argues that it is a sensible precaution.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's club, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers have all said they are willing to enter the competition, while Liverpool have rejected the Intertoto route into Europe. Blackburn used the Intertoto route last season to qualify for the first round of the Uefa Cup but were knocked out by Greek side Larissa.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_St....ontinue
The bitters don't look confident , if they were , they would never have applied and don't tell me it's just to be safe .