COLUMNIST KEVIN SPARKE
Is this the ?one??
By Kevin Sparke : 05/09/2007 : 
Comments (48) :
Comments (48) : ?This is the oneI?ve been lucky enough to bear witness to two great Everton teams. As a 10-year-old I celebrated the genius of the Ball, Harvey and Kendall, the holy trinity. I was too young to fully appreciate just how good that team were and my memories of great games are few as I was only taken to a couple of matches. I?m ashamed to admit that as a 10-year-old I was more interested in the banter of the grown ups and the half-time pies than anything that was happening on the pitch.
Oh this is the one
Oh this is the one
This is the one
I've waited for?? The Stone Roses, 1989
The memories of the teams of 1983?89 are fresh in my mind and those few years were my Everton supporting glory days. I was a season-ticket holder and missed very few away games. The only thing that taints my memories is the fact that during this era we were all too often bested by a very good Liverpool side who on a couple of occasions were outplayed by us in all respects except for their uncanny knack of scoring goals against the run of play ? and scoring goals, ladies and gentlemen, is what the game is all about.
Sometimes, it was almost as if we stopped believing in ourselves for periods of the game when we played the Reds and we let them back into matches when we really should have ruthlessly put them to the sword. Joe Royle as Everton manager sorted out that problem but the teams he fielded in the mid 90s were nowhere near the standard of Kendall?s team of the mid 80s.
It is fair to say that the years between 1987 and 2007 have not been good to Everton and one FA Cup win against Manchester United is a fair reflection of the quality of the teams Everton have fielded during that era. Last-minute relegation escapes and ?dogs of war? are not what I want my Everton to be about. Which brings me to the present team and the question ? just how good is this team of 2007-8 that Moyes has assembled?
Moyes came to Everton with the promise of a five-year plan to restore the team to greatness and compete for trophies. So far, 6 years into that ?5-year plan?, he has not delivered a trophy and to be brutally honest, he has not even looked like delivering a trophy.
In mitigation, football has moved on and the Premier League has become polarised into the elite or ?Big four? and the rest. These four teams generally have the most expensive players playing for them ? more expensive usually means better quality ? Everton have not been able to compete in this market. Consequently, Moyes has had to be very canny with his meagre transfer budget and make up for lack of genuine quality by developing cohesive unit-togetherness and an ethos of "what we have, we hold!" This has led to an Everton side which wore teams down and ground out results, who were defensively solid, uncompromising and traded flair for unadventurous and occasional winning football but hardly ever pretty football? until last season.
Last season we were treated to a different approach. Last season Everton seemed to open up a bit, they stormed the first 5 games had an adventurous approach to their football in spells throughout the season and began to take chances, especially after the Spurs (A) game. But we just didn?t have the strength in depth to cover vital areas of the team when the normal attrition of a season took its toll and we reverted back to type, playing percentage football (4-5-1, long aimless punts up field, minimal aggressive passing, long periods of soaking up pressure).
I?ve a hunch that this season things are going to get a whole lot better and looking at the players we?ve now got gives me the confidence to predict that we will improve both the quality of football and our league position. Moyes has built a team that wherever you look has quality in abundance and ? for the first time since Tony Cottee and Peter Beardsley ? we?ve a genuine goalscoring attacking partnership in the side.
If Everton can maintain our reputation for defensive meanness; if we can add some more genuine flair to midfield in January; if Yakubu and Johnson develop an understanding and both get the 15-20 goals expected from good strikers; if Arteta avoids injury? If Moyes gets it right with his direction on and off the field ? this could be a season to remember for all the right reasons.
At times, Moyes has proved an able tactician and a master man-motivator ? he?s also frustrated with his conservative tendencies regarding team selection, use of substitutions and negative approach to attacking football. This season is the first season for a long time I genuinely believe that, if Everton finish less than top six and we don?t pick up a bauble along the way, then we?ve underperformed and (barring a mass injury crisis) the manager will be to blame.
He?s built this team bristling with potential ? let?s see how he gets them to play. This season could be the one I?ve waited 20 years for!
Reader Comments
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The bar has certainly been raised in terms of our expectations, and that feels great. I agree with you thoughts Kevin and think that any less than a cup final and European qualification ( hopefully CL ) will be considered failure. No excuses now for Moyes, its up to him to deliver and I believe he will. Hopefully the money will still be available in January to allow us to strengthen even further and send a message to the rest - Everton are back.
Whether we win a trophy or not this season, you still have to give Moyes credit for what he has achieved with his limited budget over the last five seasons. I am excited at the prospect of watching better football this season. A master stroke was playing Jags at right back, negating Hibbos long balls up front. Jags can actually play football.
I agree,it is without doubt the best squad for 15 years+ and we should be aiming to finish top 6 as a matter of course.Actually winning a trophy would be fantastic and realistically it would have to the League cup but I just wonder how much effort and what sort of team we will field in this competition.We desperately need quality in midfield to supplement what we have but that will have to wait till January.I am quietly confident but the next month or so will tell us all how we can expect to do.
It would be great if Moyes could deliver a top 4 finish or a trophy, but I don’t think it’s make or break for him this year. He is not under the same kind of pressure that other managers are under - WHY?
It is because he has single handidly turned Everton’s fortunes around in 5 years by introducing a real work ethic, a strong togetherness and by gradually building a very good squad. He has not had rediculous amounts of money to spend like other managers, but has had to be shrewd and take some gambles on players. Some have worked out (tim, mikel and AJ) whilst others haven’t (Simon Davies, Per Kroldrup) but to get Everton competing at the level they are now competing at with limited funds, early boardroom wrangles and by inheriting a poor ageing squad is nothing short of brilliant!!
He will take us to the next level, but I really don’t care if it is this year, the next, or the one after that because the journey is an enjoyable one!
This is a great time to be an Everton fan, solely because we have a great manager. Bring on the top 4, we are now ready!!
It is because he has single handidly turned Everton’s fortunes around in 5 years by introducing a real work ethic, a strong togetherness and by gradually building a very good squad. He has not had rediculous amounts of money to spend like other managers, but has had to be shrewd and take some gambles on players. Some have worked out (tim, mikel and AJ) whilst others haven’t (Simon Davies, Per Kroldrup) but to get Everton competing at the level they are now competing at with limited funds, early boardroom wrangles and by inheriting a poor ageing squad is nothing short of brilliant!!
He will take us to the next level, but I really don’t care if it is this year, the next, or the one after that because the journey is an enjoyable one!
This is a great time to be an Everton fan, solely because we have a great manager. Bring on the top 4, we are now ready!!
Davey has had nigh on 6 years now and to be fair this is the first time that he has been allowed to bring in 5 Top Qual players in one go. I include TH in that equation.
But he does have to deliver this season, To many false dawns for my liking & I still question his tactical savvy though? Roll on the Mancs those Matallurgic Boys and the Owls!
But he does have to deliver this season, To many false dawns for my liking & I still question his tactical savvy though? Roll on the Mancs those Matallurgic Boys and the Owls!
I think I’d be very satisfied just to remain unbeaten at Goodison Park all season, really.
Although a good cup run wouldn’t go a-miss.
Although a good cup run wouldn’t go a-miss.
There is no reason why Everton can’t win the UEFA cup. There is no non English team in the competition good enough to finish top 4 in the premiership. So barring a disaster for one of the major teams and they drop down from the Champs League, why not.
Rob Thomas ur spot on we’re called supporters lets get behind davey he’s been everything and more that weve needed im sure @ the time he took over every1 would have taken where we are now in exchange for the crap walter was serving up??? @ the time i bet most fans would have favoured curbishley 2 take over not moysey i for one am glad were not west ham or own their players. im loud and proud to shout my love for everything everton all over europe! I can smell the glory and like grolsh it’ll be worth the wait!
sorry Andy but i dont believe that there are no teams worthy of our top 4 in the uefa cup. This is the strongest looking uefa cup ive seen for years; Bayern Munich, Ajax, Spurs, Galatasaray, Athletico Madrid and Fiorentina will all give Everton a run for their money.
We will need all the experience of our international players to even make a slight dent in the uefa cup in my opinion. There are also teams that will drop out of the group stages of a very strong champions league draw to come.
However, i want everton to get the hardest group possible in the uefa cup group stages (if we get there) because it will give us vital experience for the years to come, and prove to the rest that we are back!
Big ties at Goodison are close by, and im just loving it!
We will need all the experience of our international players to even make a slight dent in the uefa cup in my opinion. There are also teams that will drop out of the group stages of a very strong champions league draw to come.
However, i want everton to get the hardest group possible in the uefa cup group stages (if we get there) because it will give us vital experience for the years to come, and prove to the rest that we are back!
Big ties at Goodison are close by, and im just loving it!
A much better squad than the one Moyes inherited and capable of mounting a realistic challenge for 4th spot. Still a critical year for Moyes now he has been given real money to spend. I’d want to see how he gets the best out of the squad via selections, use of substitutes and tactics, and stop us yo-yoing in the league before accepting he’s the real deal.
Gaz, all big names but living on their past glories. Especially as they all failed to qualify for the Champions League in weaker competitions than our own and Athletico Madrid needed the Inter Toto cup. And yes the German and Italian leagues are weaker than our own as you will see with results in both European tournaments this season. As for Spurs, I did say non English but I think we have already proved a point there this season
Ok point proved but i think this will be a european campaign that will be primarily for experience rather than trophies. The further we go, the more experience our young squad will gain.
Its important in europe to learn how to defend against different styles of play and in the main, Spanish and Italian teams offer better technical styles than in our league. Therefore, our defence needs to be able to adapt to technical players much better than they did in the campaign a couple of years ago against Riquelme.
Its important in europe to learn how to defend against different styles of play and in the main, Spanish and Italian teams offer better technical styles than in our league. Therefore, our defence needs to be able to adapt to technical players much better than they did in the campaign a couple of years ago against Riquelme.
Could be in for another one of those 6-7 year itch moments ...
27-33-39
63-70-77*-84
95-02**-08?
*circa 77 including The 2-2 win in the FA Cup semi-final (3-2 draw if you prefer!)
** Moyes arrives and saves us!
TD
27-33-39
63-70-77*-84
95-02**-08?
*circa 77 including The 2-2 win in the FA Cup semi-final (3-2 draw if you prefer!)
** Moyes arrives and saves us!
TD
At last some optimism, however, to prick the bubble slightly the odds on bringing the Fa Cup aren’t that encouraging, Everton where the last team outside the "TOP 4" to win the FA Cup, therefore the odds are stacked firmly against us, i think the FA Cup is as hard now to win as the UEFA. The league cup must be worth a shout, i’d like to see us put a real effort in, due to all prem ties another 5 top flight will fall next round on top of the ones that have already gone, barring a top 4 finish (depending on all the variables Kevin has outlined) i would much rather see us win the league cup than finish fifth sixth, in the end you get the same reward, but with an added trip to wembley and open-top bus parade!!! COYB!!!!
Spot on Barry. I think Moyes should go all out to win the league cup on the basis that it is the easiest to win, gives the fans a great day out and also secures a UEFA cup spot early on, thus allowing relative freedom to go gung ho and be adventurous in the remaining games - which will hopefully include UEFA Cup matches.
apert from some dodgy substitutions moyes has worked wonders with this club, no longer are we an embarresment or an easy 3 points for very everyone else.
alot of fans still blame moyes for not keeping hold of rooney. if we didn’t sell rooney we wouldn’t have the squad we’ve got now and davey spent a good chunk of that money very wisely. are we good enough for a trophy this year? definitely!!!!! the players are there it’s just down to moyes to make player and tactical changes at the right time.
come on boys!!!!
alot of fans still blame moyes for not keeping hold of rooney. if we didn’t sell rooney we wouldn’t have the squad we’ve got now and davey spent a good chunk of that money very wisely. are we good enough for a trophy this year? definitely!!!!! the players are there it’s just down to moyes to make player and tactical changes at the right time.
come on boys!!!!
Kev, a real good article which had a bit of optimism and reality about it. I think Davey has done an excellent job with the funds (or lack of) he has had since being with us.
I honestly beleive we are starting to see the benefits of ’sticking with’ the same manager. I think this may be a good year for us but we must not forget a lot of clubs have spent a lot of money this year - which indicates to an exciting and opening Premier League this year, hopefully with us holding our own.
Bring on Man U cos I think we will give em a good game - shame I’m in France when we play them! COYB
I honestly beleive we are starting to see the benefits of ’sticking with’ the same manager. I think this may be a good year for us but we must not forget a lot of clubs have spent a lot of money this year - which indicates to an exciting and opening Premier League this year, hopefully with us holding our own.
Bring on Man U cos I think we will give em a good game - shame I’m in France when we play them! COYB
Sod the cup competitions. Let’s go out and win the biggun...
We can win the league.
Seriously.
We can win the league.
Seriously.
I remember and saw the 68-70 team I saw the crap that followed (remember Joe Harper), and we lived again in Howards time; But have you forgotten Wimbledon, was your heart not permantly damaged by the Coventry game? This guy has put that behind us (bar one season) Yes we are all Nisi Satis, but we need to be Semper Realasticus! The game has changed and we do not and will not compete against the dollars. I believe (and yes its an article of faith) that the current model of money merchants,agents and fernadeslikeattitude [sic] is not sustainable and I want us to be there when it all unravels and we take our rightful place as the Original and Only. Moyes is the man to keep us ready for that day. If I am wrong about the unravelling then we need to fight to keep our place as also rans and never have a "last Saturday again". Moyes is our man for that future too.
WE LOVE YOU EVERTON WE DO
WE LOVE YOU EVERTON WE DO
I think Moyesy has been as frustrated as us over the past five seasons that he hasnt been able to raise the quality of the squad as quickly as he and we would have liked.
Restricted finances have been the reason for that. It has however enabled us to develop a settled happy squad with a great team spirit and we should now start to reap the rewards. I think Europe will take a few seasons for us to get used to the different style of oppositions the competion provides but i think we have a squad that will be very competitive in the premier league.> I think we are better equiped to play teams in the premier league that are of a higher standard and quality than the teams we will meet in the uefa cup. I am more worried about playing the metalheads than playing Man Utd purely and simply because we know what to expect from the mancs. I am however delighted with the way we are heading and hoping that Moyesy has another five years at least ahead of him because he knows the right direction for this club and remember this is the highest level he has managed at so he is still learning and developing as a manager himself. he has in five years gone from managing a decent championship club to a struggling premiership club and now manages a club that is amongst the top six in the premiership. I believe he is beginning to have the players and the know how to take us to that next stage by turning us into a consistant european team. Once we get that regular european revenue in I think the sky could be the limit for what he can achieve here
Restricted finances have been the reason for that. It has however enabled us to develop a settled happy squad with a great team spirit and we should now start to reap the rewards. I think Europe will take a few seasons for us to get used to the different style of oppositions the competion provides but i think we have a squad that will be very competitive in the premier league.> I think we are better equiped to play teams in the premier league that are of a higher standard and quality than the teams we will meet in the uefa cup. I am more worried about playing the metalheads than playing Man Utd purely and simply because we know what to expect from the mancs. I am however delighted with the way we are heading and hoping that Moyesy has another five years at least ahead of him because he knows the right direction for this club and remember this is the highest level he has managed at so he is still learning and developing as a manager himself. he has in five years gone from managing a decent championship club to a struggling premiership club and now manages a club that is amongst the top six in the premiership. I believe he is beginning to have the players and the know how to take us to that next stage by turning us into a consistant european team. Once we get that regular european revenue in I think the sky could be the limit for what he can achieve here
For me, born in 1980, the 80s is a mear memory unfortunately, even though i went to a few games i was too young. Then through my teens i followed the blues through the royle era, with only an FA cup to show and a lot of relegation fights, after nearly 6 years of the moyes era, i feel he has built a team good enough, and now with strength and depth, I beleive we have a chance of doing grat things this season, defeating metallist and a european run is essential, with the extra european experience that can only make us stronger too. Things are looking up, and if we can steer away from too many injuries, we can certainly win a trophy this season. I predict that in the next 3 years with more investment we can even start thinking of winning the premiership, wouldnt that be something?. But one thing i feel is important, we make goodison a fortress, we sing more, and we intimidate opponents, because sometimes our ground can grow frustrated all too quickly, lets scare the living daylights out of our opposition, lets be the 12th man to take us to glory blue boys, put us back where we belong!!!.
Cos its a grand ole’ team to play for, its a grand ole team to support!.
Cos its a grand ole’ team to play for, its a grand ole team to support!.
Yes.
I see all these comments of hope but unfortunatley I think the RS will improve more than we will this season and win stuff etc etc etc. If you don’t have a billionaire owner in this league you can’t win anything. But I am happy to be supporting the only English team in Liverpool !!!
Agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments - it does feel like the best time for years to be a blue. My brain though is telling me this is the strongest Premier League ever, many teams having splashed even more cash than us. We’ve done well to scramble 4 pts against two useful teams in Blackburn and Bolton, but now you’ve also got teams like West Ham and Manchester City starting to look like serious outfits, and Newcastle having repaired their weakness in defence. So it’ll be tough. But I’m still feeling optimistic ...
Definitely felling positive again for our team (at last!) although we need to stop comparing our current crop of players to those of the 80s. If we?re going to compare them to anyone compare them to todays teams and look to emulate the most successful of this, which I feel we are starting to do.
As for this season any of the cups are winnable and decent runs in them (especially Europe) and a top 6 finish again will be a clear improvement. However, the goal should be Champions League qualification and the bring one of those cups home, if we achieve that then we can set the bar higher still and prove that we are back amongst the top tier were we can remark on our motto with conviction once more.
As for this season any of the cups are winnable and decent runs in them (especially Europe) and a top 6 finish again will be a clear improvement. However, the goal should be Champions League qualification and the bring one of those cups home, if we achieve that then we can set the bar higher still and prove that we are back amongst the top tier were we can remark on our motto with conviction once more.
I also agree with everyone else that a last minute winner against bottom 3 bolton is a sure indication we are gonna beat real madrid to 10 european cups!
Dont wanna piss on anyones chips but Ive got a memory that goes back at least 2 years so Ill wait to see IF we can beat Metallica before planning my next 10 summer holidays!
ToffeeDan can you use your abacus to find how many goals we conceded last time we went to Europe?
Lets hope they are playing shortarse toad Ulrich in goal!
Dont wanna piss on anyones chips but Ive got a memory that goes back at least 2 years so Ill wait to see IF we can beat Metallica before planning my next 10 summer holidays!
ToffeeDan can you use your abacus to find how many goals we conceded last time we went to Europe?
Lets hope they are playing shortarse toad Ulrich in goal!
We can win the league. I’m serious and we r capable of it. Why running behind the League Cup when we can be the champ.
Think about it!!!!!
Think about it!!!!!
this is the best squad we have had in years, Johnson and big Yak, i cant wait, and the spirit of Tommy Graversen, this is the year we have waited a goddam 10 years for, no more are we the club whos best days are behind them, we are a big compitition now. EVERTON ARE BACK
Whilst i agree with many of the points you make in your article I dont think DM will have failed in any way if he does not deliver some silverware. He has built the best young squad we have had for years and we are making progress year in year out with some shrewd activity in the transfer market. Given our start to the season i think the top 6 is a realistic aim with any attempt to break into the "big four" a couple of years off.
I agree, with the strongest squad we have had in years, we have reason to be optimistic but I still think we are a few players short of being able to win a trophy. Moyes has done a great job thus far but I would say we’re getting carried away on this board. Look around the premier league, we’re not the only club who look stronger; blackburn, west ham, newcastle, pompey, city, spurs to name a few, all look to have top 6 potential and all have good managers at the helm. I don’t think any of them have finished spending yet either. Our 1st choice XI is capable of great things but add the 4/5 inevitable injuries/necessary rotations when the fixtures pile up and I think our frailties may be exposed. I think if Moyes keeps us in touch with the top 4 and shows signs of being able to compete in the UEFA cup then we can have considered the season a success. Sorry if you think this is lowering the bar but sustained progress is the key - what’s the point of a prolonged UEFA cup run if it means we are plunged into a relegation dogfight. As for winning the UEFA cup, Bayern Munich will walk it, and if they stumble then there’s always the champions league dropouts or Villareal etc. Europe is a completely different game and we don’t have the experince to win it. If we can have a good run in the group stages and get back in it next year then we will have the benefit of experience and be able to attract players who will see us as consistent European contenders. Consolidate this year, patch up the weaker areas of the squad/develop what we have, and move on next season.
Oh deary deary me, this is absolutely hilarious, I?m bookmarking this page so I can come back in May when you lot win f**k all yet again. Talk of winning the League? That?s got to be the funniest thing I?ve ever read, everton will be lucky to finish in the top half, and if you can avoid getting completely humiliated in Europe again, you?ll be doing well. I guarantee now you won?t win a thing for the 13th year running, and I?ll bet anyone a grand who thinks otherwise. The sooner you clueless, deluded fools leave our city the better.
Lets keep our feet on the floor. We’ve had one good performance this year at spurs and two horrible ones at blackburn and reading. This is th best squad we have had in years but lets not get carried away. We’ve spent money this year but so have other clubs so you can argue it evens itself out. Blackburn, Newcastle and Man City look useful this year so a top 6 finish is gonna be a real dog fight.
The thing im most pleased about is that I can see signs of progress both ona nd off teh pitch but lets not get too carried away hey lads.
The thing im most pleased about is that I can see signs of progress both ona nd off teh pitch but lets not get too carried away hey lads.
fkoff back to Norway, you lowlife ponce!!!
well well well eddie, was waiting on that one. you have to remember that last season we beat use lot 3.0 and drew 1.1. thats 4 points out of 6. now if i was a liverpool fan i would be more concerned, yes use have started well this year but its just a start. you just have to look at the villa game..very lucky to win and there will be much harder tests than villa away!!!! i will bet you 1 thousand use wont win the league..however a blind man can see that everton are making slow but very good progress with a small budget.. look at sunderland 30 mill spent and relegation material for sure. everton do not have the funds of use lot and if we did we would be right up there...and as for the everton not in liverpool i couldnt care less.. i would watch everton if they moved to america!!!! true blue
Amran - I do want to see a "last Saturday" but I want it to be a Tony Hibbert 30-yard Exocet past the despairing dive of Jens Lehmann in the 90th minute (I believe we play Arsenal last game of the season) to deliver the league title on a plate, just as the Premiership trophy was just about to be adorned in red ribbons on the other side of Stanley Park. Surely not too much to ask for from the boys???
"Tony Hibbert 30-yard Exocet" hahaha Let’s all dream eh. I think we’re all well accustomed to his 60 yard Scuds launchers up the right wing! Now Leighton Baines on the other hand .....just maybe
I can’t believe most of what has been posted. I’ll have just half a pint of what most of you must have been drinking!
Kevin’s article contains six (yes, SIX) ’if’s’ in the last two paragraphs alone. Surely that is six too many for us to really believe that we can make the breakthrough to the really big time?
Don’t forget:
- we have played 5 games so far and failed to keep a clean sheet in any of them,
- we are currently one point BEHIND last season’s points in comparative fixtures,
- for long periods of most games we have been distinctly second best.
Now I’m not a doom and gloom merchant - just a realist. I happen to think we are moving in the right direction but finishing in a Uefa Cup place again would signify real progress, to dream of anything more is just that, a dream.
Let’s hope for the best but be realistic at the same time.
Kevin’s article contains six (yes, SIX) ’if’s’ in the last two paragraphs alone. Surely that is six too many for us to really believe that we can make the breakthrough to the really big time?
Don’t forget:
- we have played 5 games so far and failed to keep a clean sheet in any of them,
- we are currently one point BEHIND last season’s points in comparative fixtures,
- for long periods of most games we have been distinctly second best.
Now I’m not a doom and gloom merchant - just a realist. I happen to think we are moving in the right direction but finishing in a Uefa Cup place again would signify real progress, to dream of anything more is just that, a dream.
Let’s hope for the best but be realistic at the same time.
Keep our feet on the floor...? Let’s not get too carried away...? Let’s be realistic...?
Whatever happened to optimism, hopes and the ability to turn dreams into reality amongst we Blues?
On the one hand we have many Blues denouncing the media catchline that the PL is dominated by the Big Four, yet there is evidence in this thread that too many of us are prepared to accept "our place" outside that elite group.
There are those among us who say we have only played well in one game so far this season - which is fundamentally true - yet choose to ignore the equally evident fact that even so we are third in the table, having had arguably the hardest opening fixtures of any other team in the league to date. I genuinely believe we CAN play better, so why is it false optimism to believe we can maintain and even improve on our current position?
Another creative midfielder - which we virtually had in the bag - would have made this an outstanding summer of recruitment. As it is, maybe - just maybe - Tommy G could be the modern day Paul Power of our last championship side. A surprise signing, getting on in years and bought on the cheap... and who proved absolutely pivotal in helping us win the tiTle that year.
Like the championship side of the 80s, Everton is currently made up of promising footballers, not yet recognized as leading lights in the game. But what they do have is something instilled by Moyes that money simply cannot buy - a work ethic and togetherness almost unparalleled. Harnessed to that, from the end of last season and the start of this, there are the green shoots of some really joined up football coming together in the team.
Go through the personnel... try and think of a better custodiam in the PL - certainly among the leading clubs - than Tim Howard. I might concede Petr Czech to you, but no one else.
Take the back four as a unit. It is somewhat surprising, given their miserliness last season, that they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but they will all tune in soon and the familiar ’zero’ against the opposition’s column will again become a regular feature. There is pace, control, solidness, experience and youth right across our back line.
The midfield - granted, perhaps our weakest area - still has variety, ability and doggedness.
Up front - even with Vaughan currently injured and McFaddy sporadic - offers real threat and interesting combinations.
The talk earlier in the summer with the slow transfer market was one of woe, that we were being "overtaken" by those clubs around us. In truth,, a lot of clubs are playing catch up to us... and late in the transfer window we have genuinely enhanced the squad.
It IS early season yet, so no side has got into its stride yet. Why can’t it be us? I would personally prefer us to concentrate on the league and have a real go at it that take a chance on the lottery of cup competitions, if we have to prioritise.
Just out of August and people are already fretting about the African Nations Cup and the impact that will have on our squad. Just look at other PL squads - they too will hurt, but given our larger number of HOME-based players, January may rather present a window of opportunity for us to push on whilst other teams struggle to cope with the loss of personnel.
No... others can keep their feet on the floor if they wish. I dare to dream. Aim for the ceiling and your feet won’t leave the floor. Aim for the stars and the sky is your limit.
Dare to dream. The power of positive thinking can work in mysterious ways.
Believe, Blues, BELIEVE!!!
Whatever happened to optimism, hopes and the ability to turn dreams into reality amongst we Blues?
On the one hand we have many Blues denouncing the media catchline that the PL is dominated by the Big Four, yet there is evidence in this thread that too many of us are prepared to accept "our place" outside that elite group.
There are those among us who say we have only played well in one game so far this season - which is fundamentally true - yet choose to ignore the equally evident fact that even so we are third in the table, having had arguably the hardest opening fixtures of any other team in the league to date. I genuinely believe we CAN play better, so why is it false optimism to believe we can maintain and even improve on our current position?
Another creative midfielder - which we virtually had in the bag - would have made this an outstanding summer of recruitment. As it is, maybe - just maybe - Tommy G could be the modern day Paul Power of our last championship side. A surprise signing, getting on in years and bought on the cheap... and who proved absolutely pivotal in helping us win the tiTle that year.
Like the championship side of the 80s, Everton is currently made up of promising footballers, not yet recognized as leading lights in the game. But what they do have is something instilled by Moyes that money simply cannot buy - a work ethic and togetherness almost unparalleled. Harnessed to that, from the end of last season and the start of this, there are the green shoots of some really joined up football coming together in the team.
Go through the personnel... try and think of a better custodiam in the PL - certainly among the leading clubs - than Tim Howard. I might concede Petr Czech to you, but no one else.
Take the back four as a unit. It is somewhat surprising, given their miserliness last season, that they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, but they will all tune in soon and the familiar ’zero’ against the opposition’s column will again become a regular feature. There is pace, control, solidness, experience and youth right across our back line.
The midfield - granted, perhaps our weakest area - still has variety, ability and doggedness.
Up front - even with Vaughan currently injured and McFaddy sporadic - offers real threat and interesting combinations.
The talk earlier in the summer with the slow transfer market was one of woe, that we were being "overtaken" by those clubs around us. In truth,, a lot of clubs are playing catch up to us... and late in the transfer window we have genuinely enhanced the squad.
It IS early season yet, so no side has got into its stride yet. Why can’t it be us? I would personally prefer us to concentrate on the league and have a real go at it that take a chance on the lottery of cup competitions, if we have to prioritise.
Just out of August and people are already fretting about the African Nations Cup and the impact that will have on our squad. Just look at other PL squads - they too will hurt, but given our larger number of HOME-based players, January may rather present a window of opportunity for us to push on whilst other teams struggle to cope with the loss of personnel.
No... others can keep their feet on the floor if they wish. I dare to dream. Aim for the ceiling and your feet won’t leave the floor. Aim for the stars and the sky is your limit.
Dare to dream. The power of positive thinking can work in mysterious ways.
Believe, Blues, BELIEVE!!!
Art,
I warned you about whatever you’ve been drinking!
I warned you about whatever you’ve been drinking!
Lets get things in perspective. First off we will not win the premiership. Agreed? Fine- An FA CUP win is plausable. But within your heart of hearts is this club going to win it? - Not really. And before anybody starts slagging me off have a bit of sense. Anybody knows the days of the likes of Southampton, Coventry and Wimbeldons winning fa cups are long gone. Anyone unfancied getting to within sniffing distance is promptly put on by inept and muppet like referee decisions and impartiality vanishes of the face of the earth. (I have a sister living in Chesterfield still livid ten years on about not being in a final because apparently a club of their stature would not be acceptable in english footballs "greatest knockout competition". Sorry I was getting a bit carried away there. That leaves the league cup. I think david will go after the aforementioned league and fa cup with europe another one for future progression. What Im trying to say is that i understand and read each individuals valid and heartfelt points but with regard to todays issue this club is not ready just yet to win silverware. Challenge for it by all means. If anyone wants to disagree just wait until next may which should hopefully illustrate my point. Make no mistake about it,whatever happens when we do win something it will be long overdue. I think we can all agree on that. Until next time. Thanks for reading.
Steve Williams
lighten up mate, some of the younger guys have never seen anything other than dog fights, they endure the misery, let them enjoy whatever time we have in the sun, yes I?ve a had a couple of Captain Morgans but I?m enjoying the optimism, surely even that is progress
lighten up mate, some of the younger guys have never seen anything other than dog fights, they endure the misery, let them enjoy whatever time we have in the sun, yes I?ve a had a couple of Captain Morgans but I?m enjoying the optimism, surely even that is progress
Every Evertonian is spot on with there optimisim for the season and rightly so demand for a trophy is what we need.
We have a football team now.One that can give the big guns a run for there money. Last season we hammered spurs,the shite, 2 up against the mancs, up twice against Chelsea and away we should have beaten them(offside my arse). Not to forget arsholes last min johnson goal. We lacked the kill and the strength in depth.
No-one bullies Everton these days. We havent hit our peak yet and have fiddled with the team that we havent got a clue whos playin where and I love that.
Cant wait to see Baines hit top form and Jags is quality without the fuss. Grav is back home with a better team in front of him. Pienaar's got promise. Yaks not even fit yet, positionally spot-on at bolton kidded the defender goin to the near post then checked back. Lescott is the new Mountfield. Aj all over teams like a rash, he?ll bang em in soon no worries.
Statistically howard was just behind Petr Cech for best goalie.
All the ingredients for a season to remember. We?ve Cahill & Vaughan to come back as well, should be a hell of a ride. We've had to battle for our wins and this is the strongest prem in years but were no mugs ourselves everyone hate playin us as it should be.
There was a ten-minute spell against Werder Bremen when we went up a gear we were fantastic, moving the ball on the floor at speed then Arteta left three germans on their arse in their own box. Quality football against a top German team until we tired, but it gave us a glimpse of what we can do when we get in the mood.
And wasnt it brilliant to beat Bolton in the last minute? We changed the game last 20, put pressure on and got what we deserved. Now let's do it to the Mancs and Chelsea then we?l know how good this team can be.
But every evertonian is correct on one thing: This is the best squad of players to grace Goodison in 20 years. Young too. Theres a few stars in this team already. All this team need is to go for the kill and start to batter teams 3-nil so when they come back next season they're already beaten by fear.
Great time to be a toffee. But isnt it always. The best soap opera in the league. It's gonna get a whole lot better than this. NOTHING SATISFIES BUT THE BEST. thats what it says. Time to prove it. I?ll settle for a 30 yarder off AJ against the mancs for starters.Not asking much are we. Hope your reading this Andy!! COYB.
We have a football team now.One that can give the big guns a run for there money. Last season we hammered spurs,the shite, 2 up against the mancs, up twice against Chelsea and away we should have beaten them(offside my arse). Not to forget arsholes last min johnson goal. We lacked the kill and the strength in depth.
No-one bullies Everton these days. We havent hit our peak yet and have fiddled with the team that we havent got a clue whos playin where and I love that.
Cant wait to see Baines hit top form and Jags is quality without the fuss. Grav is back home with a better team in front of him. Pienaar's got promise. Yaks not even fit yet, positionally spot-on at bolton kidded the defender goin to the near post then checked back. Lescott is the new Mountfield. Aj all over teams like a rash, he?ll bang em in soon no worries.
Statistically howard was just behind Petr Cech for best goalie.
All the ingredients for a season to remember. We?ve Cahill & Vaughan to come back as well, should be a hell of a ride. We've had to battle for our wins and this is the strongest prem in years but were no mugs ourselves everyone hate playin us as it should be.
There was a ten-minute spell against Werder Bremen when we went up a gear we were fantastic, moving the ball on the floor at speed then Arteta left three germans on their arse in their own box. Quality football against a top German team until we tired, but it gave us a glimpse of what we can do when we get in the mood.
And wasnt it brilliant to beat Bolton in the last minute? We changed the game last 20, put pressure on and got what we deserved. Now let's do it to the Mancs and Chelsea then we?l know how good this team can be.
But every evertonian is correct on one thing: This is the best squad of players to grace Goodison in 20 years. Young too. Theres a few stars in this team already. All this team need is to go for the kill and start to batter teams 3-nil so when they come back next season they're already beaten by fear.
Great time to be a toffee. But isnt it always. The best soap opera in the league. It's gonna get a whole lot better than this. NOTHING SATISFIES BUT THE BEST. thats what it says. Time to prove it. I?ll settle for a 30 yarder off AJ against the mancs for starters.Not asking much are we. Hope your reading this Andy!! COYB.
If Platini gets his way then watch the FA Cup become an even more difficult holy grail to achieve as it will provide a Champions League ticket.
Love this article.
I was a season ticket holder during the 90s and don’t have a great recollection of the 80s as a kid. In fact, the mid 90s were my ’glory years’!
Now exiled in Australia and old enough to know better, yet this is the most excited I’ve ever been about Everton.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
I was a season ticket holder during the 90s and don’t have a great recollection of the 80s as a kid. In fact, the mid 90s were my ’glory years’!
Now exiled in Australia and old enough to know better, yet this is the most excited I’ve ever been about Everton.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
Ok, i know that we have to be realistic, but BIG DREAMING is what being an evertonian is all about, ist it.U never Know, we could be flying high this year, lest face it, what everton have been through the past 20 years, enything can happen, lol.
Kevin,
Excellent article mate.
Its the first one I have read in some time that has united us on one subject, THE SAME SUBJECT.
I much prefer to read these articles as I feel they truly reflect where we currently are.
COYFBB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent article mate.
Its the first one I have read in some time that has united us on one subject, THE SAME SUBJECT.
I much prefer to read these articles as I feel they truly reflect where we currently are.
COYFBB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This thread is great! So much enthusiam and optimism and to that i say too right we do have the best squad for years so why not feel good about it!! And to those of you who comment that so far we havent played great so far this season answer me this can you honestly say we have started our best 11 in ANY of those games? I think the closest we have got to our best eleven was during the end of the bolton game and we were playing well and got a result! however the naysayers have a good point as well we havent kept a clean sheet as a result of the more positive football we have been trying to play! and dreaming of a huge trophy haul is just that, dreaming. Top 7 and one good cup run is realistic.
COME ON YOU BLUES!
COME ON YOU BLUES!
It is the best squad for a long time and we should EXPECT a good finish in the league (top six) and enjoy some good cup runs. We have a useful set of forwards, some creativity in midfield and a stingy defence, so whats the problem? The answer I may suspect be our over cautious manager, we are difficult to beat (agreed) but if we are going to win anything he must be prepared to be bolder (in cup games in particular) with his tactics.I hope I am wrong because I like Moyes but I suspect he would have picked Alan Harper in front of Kevin Sheedy every week in the 80s. Moyes is a solid manager but he needs to be open to other influences that will make us both a winning and an ATTRACTIVE side to watch.
i thinkthe fact that many teams have improved over the summer will help Everton,not hinder them. When you look at teams such as newcastle, spurs, blackburn and villa i think we will the top four get beaten more often. OK so it will be harder for everton but i believe we are a harder team to beat way than Arsenal are. We just need to keep with the strong team spirit and i believe we can finish in the top four.
This is definetly the best squad quality wise that we have had since the Premiership began thats without a doubt..Theres still a slight worry about squad size but Im sure most clubs will feel that anyway..I am genuinly excited by the Yakubu and Johnson partnership up front..I think it could be fruitful,very fruitful for Everton this season and that will be crucial as to what we achieve..We have a good midfield with enough there quality wise to take us up to January..We have Leighton Baines in at full back who is another player that excites me..An attacking full back with true quality..Its been a long time since we had one of them..The defence on paper looks good and Im sure we just need a clean sheet to get that confidence now..Goalkeeper looks solid and reliable..Everything looks promising at the moment but I will come back and make another judgment on it in maybe late November and see how we are coping with more games to play..Lets hope we are all still as positive.
So much of what has been said so far is true. This is, by far, our strongest squad for years, we have lots of young potential and we have a strike partnership that looks truly threatening. We obviously still have areas that need strengthening: right back, another quality central defender (like Watson and Gough before him Stubbs can’t go on forever) and cover across the midfield, but what Moyes has done is so right. Bringing in quality young players gradually is far better than what we’ve so often seen; the buying of stop-gap journeymen who have the wrong attitude or who are years past their best. Maybe Moyes could exercise a little less caution at times on the pitch but I for one am more than pleased with our progress when you consider the financial constraints he has worked under. However, to maintain progress we not only need to cary on investing in quality young players, we need to have realistic ambitions. I don’t think a top four finish this season is realistic. The 4 biggest spenders have such a fiscal advantage over us that, unless we have huge investment from new sources, the only realistic way to attempt to compete is to carry on with Moyes’ transfer policy. Furthermore, we have to hope that team spirit, optimism and the common cause will keep the squad together when players are tempted to leave. So for me this season is another in the long rebulding process. Moyes’ five year plan has now gone, but a new one can start (hmmm getting a bit Stalinist here) and can build on the solid foundations he’s laid. Happiness? Success? Good cup runs, especially in Europe, keeping our best players, hopefully the emergence of more youth team starlets, another top 6 finish and more quality buys in January. Add into that attractive football: in the Blackburn debacle the few times we kept the ball on the deck and passed it we ripped through them. Season 07-8? Another big step along the long road back to the top.
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1 Posted 05/09/2007 at 15:08:14
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