It’s been a quite couple of weeks for Everton with the last international break of the season rolling right into FA Cup weekend, which has hopefully allowed any injured players extra time for respite while the remainder of the squad has hopefully rested up as we head into the final stretch of the campaign.
Everton sit in eighth place with seven games left to play, having picked up 46 points. They are level with Brentford who are two goals better off in goal difference. Chelsea are just two points ahead
of the Toffees, with Merseyside rivals Liverpool a further point away, and eminently catchable given the derby is yet to come.
Everton’s remaining schedule starts off with a six-pointer against the Bees that could go a long way towards determining which of the two could find themselves in Europe next season.
With that in mind, for this edition of the roundtable, we asked the RBM writers the following question –
How high up the table can Everton finish?
Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Geoff –
Realistically I think the very highest we can get is 6th but more likely 7th or stay 8th. In some respects, I hope we don’t earn a Europa League place if Roma also find themselves there. The “Crystal Palace/ Lyon scenario” is not one I want to see. Some kind of European campaign might help with the attraction of decent players and furthermore we stand a chance of winning the lesser competition.
To get there, Moyes needs to be trusted even though, like many others, I have struggled with some of his team selections. It’s not the time to just give untried players like Dibling and Aznou full matches.
In terms of the players, we need star players like Ndiaye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall and Gueye to stay fit and in-form. We need a run-in of goals from Beto and also Pickford and the defence to keep things strong at the back.
Kevin –
Against all expectations, Everton are in a good position to challenge for a European spot in what’s been an unpredictable season. For a long time, our inconsistency meant that I dismissed this possibility, expecting us to land somewhere around tenth – which may still end up being the case – but over recent weeks we’ve looked solid, with three wins in four, the sole loss being against likely title winners Arsenal, in a game Everton largely bossed for 88 minutes. So yes, Europe is on, but which colour of competition?
The Champions League would seem a stretch, but is hardly out of sight. I think Everton will win at least three of their remaining seven, but could do better given the fixtures. For me, the ceiling is fifth, which would grant UCL qualification, but the minimum expectation would be that we do not lose ground on where we stand currently, in eighth, so Europa or Conference League, depending on the various permutations.
Personally, I see this as a fantastic opportunity to skip a season or two of “rebuild mode”. The UCL would transform the club financially, and from an optics standpoint, increasing its profile to would-be targets. The Europa League would have a similar impact, though at a much lower level; the Conference probably not. There should be no reticence, no worrying about whether we are ready to deal with the challenge of playing continental football. This should be embraced. We’ll plan, and spend accordingly, depending on the competition we are in.
Go big, or go home. This is what football is all about, for a club with ambition, something Everton have sadly lacked much of in recent decades.
Moyes has hit on a successful formula for away games, but the Chelsea win showed that this can be adapted effectively at Hill Dickinson also, so from a tactical standpoint if we play like we have over the past month that should be sufficient. I would like to see him be more proactive with the use of the bench, rather than reactive. We have players who may not be quite at the level of the first eleven, but they can contribute.
As regards players stepping up, I think despite the previous statement of desire, that our finish to the campaign will rest almost entirely on those who’ve got us to where we are now — namely Garner, Ndiaye and KDH, along with a reliable ensemble defensive unit. We do need Beto – who is a streaky confidence player – to finish strongly, and for Barry to be motivated to prove himself when given a chance from the bench. The younger players and what they can contribute will be a question for next season, as I see none of them poised to suddenly contribute overmuch at this stage.
John –
With this season being one of the most unpredictable, Everton can finish in a Champions League spot. Whether it is realistic and if the club is ready, remains to be seen.
But if you think about some of our results, particularly on the road, the places in the table will alter and Everton are right in the mix.
Brentford away will be huge, win that and who knows. Can we play against our city rivals and not choke? Both the Bees and Liverpool are two of four sides above us, the other two are Chelsea and Aston Villa, a quarter who will all drop points unexpectedly.
So with no cups to be competed for, and a number of players playing for their futures, who knows where we will pick up wins.
And then there’s Moyes. A steadier of the ship who loves nothing more than approaching a fight as an underdog.
Realistically, where we are now is probably our level, but would anyone bet on a higher finish given the unpredictability of the Premier League this season?
Tom –
It says much about the truncated nature of the league this year that Everton are three points off fifth and just four points clear of 12th. So, while Europe is a realistic aim, things could go wrong very quickly, like it did under Carlo Ancelotti in 20/21 when they were as high as fourth in early March only drop down to 10th on the final day.
However, there should be nothing to fear from their remaining fixtures. Arsenal have been the only consistent team this year and Everton pushed them all the way a few weeks ago. While the teams immediately above them aren’t exactly flying. Chelsea certainly look like they could be reeled in if their performance at Hill Dickinson last week is anything to go by. Liverpool are also stumbling again under Arne Slot.
The next two games against Brentford and Liverpool feel massive. At least three points from those games and some form of European competition – likely the Europa League – will be very much on. Lose both though and they can easily slip back into the chasing pack.
Peter –
If anybody offered an Evertonian eighth place with seven games to go, I am quite sure that they like myself, would have happily taken that with glee.
With 10 games to go we had one of the most difficult run ins in the league with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester city. With two of those games and some positive results, the games are not quite as daunting.
It would be nice for me to say that we would finish in 6th or 7th but I think it is better to go one game at a time and enjoy each one on the way. We Evertonians set ourselves up for a fall. This time, let’s just enjoy the ride and see where it gets us.
Calvin –
That epic beating of Chelsea on a Saturday evening at Hill Dickinson Stadium was as good a trailer as you will see for magical European nights at the new stadium. Hopefully that win whetted the players’ appetites because it certainly left the supporters greedy for more.
Over the last couple of decades, when push has come to shove, unfortunately Everton have choked/bottled it/dropped the ball (choose your metaphor here). The next two games against Brentford and Liverpool are a very good opportunity to show that there is something different with the squad this year, and that they have the fortitude and mental strength to carry through with this campaign and finish off in a European spot.
Call me a blind optimist if you will, but I think Everton finish the season in seventh place and end up in a European berth for next season.
