COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Oldham (h)
By Ken Buckley : 05/01/2008 : 
Comments (35) :
Out of the FA cup in a fashion that defies analysis.
Comments (35) : Ten minutes of total domination that should have seen a formality, but for a miss by the much vaunted Vaughan, of a routine win and passage into the next round, yet I thought that was the precurser to our downfall.
Such was our dominance that the players seemed to buy into the notion that it was just a matter of time before we scored. Has no-one ever told them that football aint like that, especially in a cup-tie, and any advantage has to be earned???
We continued in that fashion for the rest of the half, believing that they couldn't hurt us, and played slap-dash football that didn't really hurt the opposition except for pegging them back without actually having a shot on goal.
The board went up for 1 min of added time and half way through this period a nothing clearance fell to McDonald who should have been closed down except for Gravesen and Carsley getting in each other's way leaving the lad to have a go from 20 yards that looped over our unjumping keeper and put us into the break a goal down.
The half-time chat was one of disbelief and the expectation of a team rollicked to produce in the second half... It didn't happen: we were no better than the first half and, no matter the changes made, 'toothless' we remained. Crosses that should have been pulled back fell to the keeper; passes that were obvious from the stand were not made; and far too much helter-skelter was the order of the dayu instead of measured build up.
Players who should have been pivitol such as Gravesen, Vaughan, AJ, McFadden, Baines and latterly Yak and Big Vic just didn't cut it for whatever reason, which left us with just a Yak effort off the outside of the post in injury time to think upon.
Make no mistake this was a justified win for Oldham. We failed to make class count; there was nothing wrong with the referee and Oldham played to their best which on the day was good enough. Compound this with the fact that their fans out-shouted and out-sang ours and you get some idea of the day.
Where does this leave us? I don't know... except to say that if the manager didn't know before that we are short in midfield, then he will now. If the players didnt know that you have to earn the right to progress in the FA Cup, they will now; and that their inflated salaries are not a guarantee when against working class minnows...
Overall I thought that the total domination of the first ten minutes led to the false premise that we could win when we liked without proper application. We had no discernable midfield to replace those out, which despite many rumours is one for both Manager and Club to ponder on and rectify if only in short term loans until a proper effort can be made come the Summer window.
I have no hesitation in naming my Man of the Match as Tony Hibbert as I thought he was the only player to show that the game meant something and was willing to stick to a Prem-like game plan. The rest, I thought ? with perhaps the exception of Pienaar ? were content to think they should win by right.
Still, footballers and their mentality will have no bearing on the next game and I am expecting a totally different approach at the Bridge; any single goal result will ensure a battle royal at Goodison come the 23rd.
BUT today should have been the same intesity. WE PAID GOOD MONEY AND GOT SHORT-CHANGED!!! UP THE BLUES
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Good post Ken I also think that we underestimeted them and paid the price - nothing more, nothing less.
Lets take on Chelsea
Lets take on Chelsea
Nice one ken , always look forward to your summaries.
This was a story of too many changes, too many players short of match practice, too many touches by certain players and a great deal of over confidence.
I think Graversen set a poor example thinking he could stroll through this and McFadden seemd disinterested playing wide midfield.
Its clear we lacked quality of application, hunger and strength in depth - some of these guys knew they were second or third choice.
This is a big test for the much vaunted team spirit - the reaction to this from the players, managerial team, directors and supporters will define the rest of the season, so lets all stick together and push on from this.
COYB !
This was a story of too many changes, too many players short of match practice, too many touches by certain players and a great deal of over confidence.
I think Graversen set a poor example thinking he could stroll through this and McFadden seemd disinterested playing wide midfield.
Its clear we lacked quality of application, hunger and strength in depth - some of these guys knew they were second or third choice.
This is a big test for the much vaunted team spirit - the reaction to this from the players, managerial team, directors and supporters will define the rest of the season, so lets all stick together and push on from this.
COYB !
I’m sorry Ken but for you to identify Hibbert as man of the match beggars belief. The number of times he got into attacking / crossing positions and failed to provide anything of quality was astonishing. When in possession he had absolutely no idea what to do, he never once tried to beat anyone or went beyond their back four and put in a telling cross, his throw ins were aimless lobs into the air and he offered nothing to the team. He had several opportunities to have a strike himself and never once tried. Yes, he was not alone in not providing anything to the team and perhaps others were even worse, but for me we had no man of the match they were all poor.
A back four that includes a player of such limited ability as Hibbert and a central pairing of Stubbs and Jags does not provide a good enough base. Without Neville, Lescott and Yobo our back four looks week and does not command and dominate the opposition. The number of times we lost headers was probably as great as anytime over the last 12 months. The midfield, as you identified looked short of numbers, class and ideas. With the news that Piennar will not play next week and Cahill possibly still injured I am genuinely concerned that Moyes will set up with 10 defensive players plus Yakubu against Chelsea - a recipe for defeat in my opinion. What price the following side : Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jags, Lescott, Neville, Carsley, Gravesen, Baines, Mc Fadden, Yak.
Like you I hope the penny has dropped and we reinforce the team, we do not have the depth in terms of quality that people have gone on about. We have a good first eleven with 2/3 decent replacements but no more, and don’t forget 3 are off within a week !!!
A back four that includes a player of such limited ability as Hibbert and a central pairing of Stubbs and Jags does not provide a good enough base. Without Neville, Lescott and Yobo our back four looks week and does not command and dominate the opposition. The number of times we lost headers was probably as great as anytime over the last 12 months. The midfield, as you identified looked short of numbers, class and ideas. With the news that Piennar will not play next week and Cahill possibly still injured I am genuinely concerned that Moyes will set up with 10 defensive players plus Yakubu against Chelsea - a recipe for defeat in my opinion. What price the following side : Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jags, Lescott, Neville, Carsley, Gravesen, Baines, Mc Fadden, Yak.
Like you I hope the penny has dropped and we reinforce the team, we do not have the depth in terms of quality that people have gone on about. We have a good first eleven with 2/3 decent replacements but no more, and don’t forget 3 are off within a week !!!
With you all of the way on that one Ken.
In the opening ten minutes (and for most of the first half), Oldham looked totally unsettled. The difference in class was there for all to see. I know it was a cup game but I thought it was going to be easy. I was thinking we would probably have a couple past them before they could get any kind of foothold in the game.
As you said, it seems that this is also what the players thought. How wrong we were.
However, even after their goal (was every Blue in Goodison expecting that??) I was only a tiny little bit worried. I think that was also the mental attitude of the players. How wrong we were.
I agree with Hibbert as man of the match. However, I am not going to have a go at McFadden. The guy is not a midfield player by any stretch of the imagination and lets be honest, if we had enough cover in Midfield, he would not have played (and we would have sold him already I reckon).
Moyes should have pulled Graversen (I can?t beleive how utter crap he was today) off at the beging of the second half and put Da Silva on. If he is not going to play Da Silva against opposition from the first division, why put him on the bench!!!??? (okay, I guess he was hoping that we would score a couple and then give him a few minutes in the second half when we were coasting).
Also, why the hell did we have five strikers on at the end of the second half??
If I am totally honest, if we also started to have a good FA cup run, I think other things would have suffered. Please don?t misunderstand me, I would have rather we won today but I think in the long run it is a blessing in disguise.
Oh yes and well done to Oldham. They defended really well in the second half and totally deserved the win today.
Hopefully we will turn this around against Chelsea.
COYB!!!!!!!
In the opening ten minutes (and for most of the first half), Oldham looked totally unsettled. The difference in class was there for all to see. I know it was a cup game but I thought it was going to be easy. I was thinking we would probably have a couple past them before they could get any kind of foothold in the game.
As you said, it seems that this is also what the players thought. How wrong we were.
However, even after their goal (was every Blue in Goodison expecting that??) I was only a tiny little bit worried. I think that was also the mental attitude of the players. How wrong we were.
I agree with Hibbert as man of the match. However, I am not going to have a go at McFadden. The guy is not a midfield player by any stretch of the imagination and lets be honest, if we had enough cover in Midfield, he would not have played (and we would have sold him already I reckon).
Moyes should have pulled Graversen (I can?t beleive how utter crap he was today) off at the beging of the second half and put Da Silva on. If he is not going to play Da Silva against opposition from the first division, why put him on the bench!!!??? (okay, I guess he was hoping that we would score a couple and then give him a few minutes in the second half when we were coasting).
Also, why the hell did we have five strikers on at the end of the second half??
If I am totally honest, if we also started to have a good FA cup run, I think other things would have suffered. Please don?t misunderstand me, I would have rather we won today but I think in the long run it is a blessing in disguise.
Oh yes and well done to Oldham. They defended really well in the second half and totally deserved the win today.
Hopefully we will turn this around against Chelsea.
COYB!!!!!!!
Jim. I agree entirely with your assessment that we have a very good first choice eleven with just little to back it up that needs to be addressed when the time and money is right.
You and me will just have to agree to disagree over the merits if Hibbert as I believe that if he had been named Hibberto and bought for big bucks and not a local lad his worth would be more appreciated.
You and me will just have to agree to disagree over the merits if Hibbert as I believe that if he had been named Hibberto and bought for big bucks and not a local lad his worth would be more appreciated.
Typical. After thirteen years of supporting Everton and experiencing difficulties getting disabled tickets as I am not a season ticket holder I finally get to see a game at Goodison.... and I choose today.
Have to agree with the majority of posts. I am Hibbert’s biggest critic but his distribution was better than usual today. Gravesen was useless, McFadden tried but produced little, Pienaar seemed pretty ineffective (perhaps his size was shown up in the physical battle?) What was going on with Baines’ crossing?
Fair play to Oldham, they probably deserved it although I think Wessels might have done better with the goal.
Have to agree with the majority of posts. I am Hibbert’s biggest critic but his distribution was better than usual today. Gravesen was useless, McFadden tried but produced little, Pienaar seemed pretty ineffective (perhaps his size was shown up in the physical battle?) What was going on with Baines’ crossing?
Fair play to Oldham, they probably deserved it although I think Wessels might have done better with the goal.
Firstly, very well done Oldham..
Secondly, There can be no excuses for this total embarrassment of a defeat. I think too many players minds were already at Stamford Bridge.
I don’t subscribe to the ’blessing in disguise theory either,
Tonight i’m just angry at the teams inability to progress to the next round, against a weakened Oldham side.
A sickening result.
Secondly, There can be no excuses for this total embarrassment of a defeat. I think too many players minds were already at Stamford Bridge.
I don’t subscribe to the ’blessing in disguise theory either,
Tonight i’m just angry at the teams inability to progress to the next round, against a weakened Oldham side.
A sickening result.
I have to applaud Oldham as well for the way they beat us today, they put on a good performance and never lacked battle.
I agree with most of the comments already posted - we expected to turn up and win and were lazy after the first few minutes etc.
I disagree with Hibbert MotM, he wasn’t good. He’s a solid premiership defender but not good enough if we want to progress. Gravesen went through the ’headless chicken’ routine again, Mcfadden didn’t look interested and Wessels doesn’t seem to have confidence in himself let alone provide the defence with some.
We weren’t awful but we should have killed it off early. Today wasn’t a major downfall for me though because we’re still in 2 cups and doing O.K. in the league.
What happens now is....we go to Chelsea with Arteta suspended, Pienaar away, Cahill doubtful and all our ’utility’ players filling necessary positions. Acouple of injuries and he African Nation’s may well expose our lack of midfield cover and ruin the season.
I agree with most of the comments already posted - we expected to turn up and win and were lazy after the first few minutes etc.
I disagree with Hibbert MotM, he wasn’t good. He’s a solid premiership defender but not good enough if we want to progress. Gravesen went through the ’headless chicken’ routine again, Mcfadden didn’t look interested and Wessels doesn’t seem to have confidence in himself let alone provide the defence with some.
We weren’t awful but we should have killed it off early. Today wasn’t a major downfall for me though because we’re still in 2 cups and doing O.K. in the league.
What happens now is....we go to Chelsea with Arteta suspended, Pienaar away, Cahill doubtful and all our ’utility’ players filling necessary positions. Acouple of injuries and he African Nation’s may well expose our lack of midfield cover and ruin the season.
I didn't get to watch the match yesterday but from what you guys are saying it sounds like we need some of Cahills humility to rub off on a few people. Absolutely gutted for us, made up for Scholes though
A third division team comes in and wins one against Everton,disgraceful. It has happened more than once under Moyes,as for the players, I hope they’re ashamed but somehow I doubt it.
I don’t think anyone deserves MOM, Hibbo did have a decent game compared to other games but surely any Premiership player should have looked good against a lower league team?
The back four played like they’d never met eachother before, getting in eachother’s way and clearly suffering from having a less than confident keeper behind them.
Oldham deserves their win, and I hope they get a good draw tomorrow but Everton handed this on a plate. I’m annoyed that none of our players, with the exception of Pienaar even looked as if it mattered.
It mattered to the thousands of Everton supporters who came along for perhaps the first time with their children? It mattered to people who believe that every game is there to win and deserves the best team and the best shot at it. It mattered to me because I hate to see my team lose. Okay, we have all these games coming up and DM has to look at the bigger picture and as someone who trusts his judgement I’ll just have to swallow this defeat and move on.
The loss to Clottenpool galvanised the team spirit, the fans, everyone connected with EFC, I hope that losing this game doesnt have the opposite effect.
Well done Oldham, you played well, your fans were superb and good luck in the next round.
The back four played like they’d never met eachother before, getting in eachother’s way and clearly suffering from having a less than confident keeper behind them.
Oldham deserves their win, and I hope they get a good draw tomorrow but Everton handed this on a plate. I’m annoyed that none of our players, with the exception of Pienaar even looked as if it mattered.
It mattered to the thousands of Everton supporters who came along for perhaps the first time with their children? It mattered to people who believe that every game is there to win and deserves the best team and the best shot at it. It mattered to me because I hate to see my team lose. Okay, we have all these games coming up and DM has to look at the bigger picture and as someone who trusts his judgement I’ll just have to swallow this defeat and move on.
The loss to Clottenpool galvanised the team spirit, the fans, everyone connected with EFC, I hope that losing this game doesnt have the opposite effect.
Well done Oldham, you played well, your fans were superb and good luck in the next round.
Patty, if you read this, it’s my fault we lost yesterday. Lucky socks were in the wash and the final kiss of death?....when they announced the half hour delay I said ’the last time we had a delay was against Metalist, hope we don’t play as badly as we did against them’. Famous last words!
So, it’s not DM’s selection, not the team playing badly - it’s my socks and reference to the Metalist game.
Thank goodness I don’t believe all this superstitious rubbish.!
So, it’s not DM’s selection, not the team playing badly - it’s my socks and reference to the Metalist game.
Thank goodness I don’t believe all this superstitious rubbish.!
Yes well done Oldham fully desrved their victory and fair play to them.
I honestly don?t know where to start with our performance. Firstly I don?t know how our players can look themselves in the mirror and collect their wages this week coz that was a fucking disgrace. This season has been great so far but that result and performance yesterday was totally unacceptable to say the least.
I honestly don?t know where to start with our performance. Firstly I don?t know how our players can look themselves in the mirror and collect their wages this week coz that was a fucking disgrace. This season has been great so far but that result and performance yesterday was totally unacceptable to say the least.
Moyes is at fault with his team selection but he is right in saying they should have been strong enough to get the result yesterday. If I was him I would be looking to offload the excess baggage at the club and bring in new faces that are gonna challenge for a 1st team place right away coz there are certain players that need a kick up the arse.
The only way I will be satisfied after that shambles is if we reach the final in the League Cup because anything else is not acceptable.
Oldham AT HOME?! Terrible!
By the way anyone still think McFadden is good enough for Everton?? Moyes ? bite Celtic?s hand off if they wonna buy that galute!!!
Would UTD or the RS, Chelsea & Aresnal lose at home to Oldham??? Would they fuck!!!
Breaking in this Big four bollocks !!! I think we need a reality check.
Breaking in this Big four bollocks !!! I think we need a reality check.
From recollection. Crossley only had to make one save from Vaughan in first minute. He was a spectator until we hit the post in the last. I lost count of the number of times we had 3 forwards attacking in a single line for crosses which went behind them. Please coaches teach them to attack in staggered formation so any cross can be attacked.
We hardly won a header up front all day. Lower division opposition are used to defending long balls to ale house centre fowards who put themselves about. Why then resort to long balls which we were never going to win. Unless we put Stubbs and Lescott up front.
I thought Pienar, Hibbert and McFadden worked hard without class. Gravesen must be left out as he was very very poor.
Having watched MOTD there were many routine saves from the sort of shot which beat Wessel. IMHO he had switched off.
We hardly won a header up front all day. Lower division opposition are used to defending long balls to ale house centre fowards who put themselves about. Why then resort to long balls which we were never going to win. Unless we put Stubbs and Lescott up front.
I thought Pienar, Hibbert and McFadden worked hard without class. Gravesen must be left out as he was very very poor.
Having watched MOTD there were many routine saves from the sort of shot which beat Wessel. IMHO he had switched off.
Ken Hibbert Man of the Match??? I didn’t think he supported Piennar hardly at all in the game.
What is the point in having a right back that has no intention on playing football or going forward and whose teammates look reluctant to give him the ball.
Summing up that performance was fucking shocking and I agree with what Jay Campbell is saying only victory against Chelsea over 2 legs will make up for this embarrassement. Very Poor and some players need to get their fucking act together or this good start to the season will count for nothing.
What is the point in having a right back that has no intention on playing football or going forward and whose teammates look reluctant to give him the ball.
Summing up that performance was fucking shocking and I agree with what Jay Campbell is saying only victory against Chelsea over 2 legs will make up for this embarrassement. Very Poor and some players need to get their fucking act together or this good start to the season will count for nothing.
Well said Ken. Can?t really totally disagree with all of the above, although some people who dislike players such as Hibbo, should give credit where credit is due. Wessels, what a big heap of shite! Sure, he didn?t have much to do, but if you are playing in front of an idiot like that, the confidence is not exactly flowing. However, we should have had enough skill and flair to beat Oldham, regardless of who was selected. (I refuse to give them credit, they are also shite). Midfield was the key, if we had had a Ball and a Kendall, (or Harvey), a Reidy, Brace, Sheeds, Steven etc, 4 up front would have given us a bag full. When I was playing, Waterloo Dock would have cruised that!! NSNO.
Thanks Ken for your views which I always enjoy reading. Didn’t go to the game but was stunned to see the result. Very disappointed to hear about ineffective performances by players who could be pushing for first team selection. Players lack of empathy is a sad reflection of modern day footballers as we all know. Someone should tell them its them that should ’fight fight fight with all their might’.
Im not sure how anyone hopes we can get a result against Chelski on Tuesday when we’ve got No Arteta, No Osman, No Pienaar and No Cahill (although I suspect Cahill will be forced to play fit or not). These are four of the five midfield that have seen us through most of our unbeaten run. Sorry to be defeatist there. Chelski will also be smarting from that last minute Cahill equaliser back in November. They have players out too and maybe we can do an ’Oldham’ on them but its going to be tough. COYB...
Im not sure how anyone hopes we can get a result against Chelski on Tuesday when we’ve got No Arteta, No Osman, No Pienaar and No Cahill (although I suspect Cahill will be forced to play fit or not). These are four of the five midfield that have seen us through most of our unbeaten run. Sorry to be defeatist there. Chelski will also be smarting from that last minute Cahill equaliser back in November. They have players out too and maybe we can do an ’Oldham’ on them but its going to be tough. COYB...
Don?t criticise Moyes.
We should be able to throw a 2nd string team out against an ordinary championship side and still win. We need to rotate with 1 of 2 games away from a 1st wembley appearance in 13 years on Tuesday and important league and Uefa cup games to come after a tough Xmas period.
I think we need another good centre half (For Yobo ANC) as Stubbs is past it, we?ve been doin? so much better since he?s been out of the team.
We also need backup in midfield (For Arteta), send Gravesen back, miles off the same player he was before.
So I think we?re only 2 players short of a strong squad.
Strikers just had an off day, they have all played well and scored goals this season when playin? instead of the Yak, e.g. last gane V Mid so why wouldn?t Moyes trust them?
Keeper was at fault for the goal but he seemed capable when deputising before.
Everyone had an off day yesterday but that was down to the players not Moyes. He picked team based on performances filling in this season, which were good enough for OLDHAM....
We should be able to throw a 2nd string team out against an ordinary championship side and still win. We need to rotate with 1 of 2 games away from a 1st wembley appearance in 13 years on Tuesday and important league and Uefa cup games to come after a tough Xmas period.
I think we need another good centre half (For Yobo ANC) as Stubbs is past it, we?ve been doin? so much better since he?s been out of the team.
We also need backup in midfield (For Arteta), send Gravesen back, miles off the same player he was before.
So I think we?re only 2 players short of a strong squad.
Strikers just had an off day, they have all played well and scored goals this season when playin? instead of the Yak, e.g. last gane V Mid so why wouldn?t Moyes trust them?
Keeper was at fault for the goal but he seemed capable when deputising before.
Everyone had an off day yesterday but that was down to the players not Moyes. He picked team based on performances filling in this season, which were good enough for OLDHAM....
Hibbert man of the match...? He broke down nearly every move we made down the right. HIs obvious lack of class and guile became more than apparent when we chased the game. His positional sence and on the ball was actually embarrising (again). This player really annoys me - were blatently not going to go forward with clowns like this in our squad, never mind starting 11, and of anyone thinks different i must ask them serious questions. Basically, this player is championship standard (at best) and the only reason he finds himself in our squad is because he came through our ranks. Would he be a full back who stood out for us to buy if he played else were (like baines from wigan)? Ofcourse not and how he plays premiership football must give every kid hope they can
Well played Oldham - they wanted it more - played to their strengths and were backed by some of the best support I have seen at Goodison in a long while.
As for Everton - a lot of points already well made but for me a keeper whose legs have clearly gone - a back 5 playing together for the first time - players in the middle of the park who believe they are far better than what they are. McFadden should be sold whilst his stock is good and whilst people like McLeish, Smith and Strachan are looking to spend money. Graveson is back - can the band wagon stop here. When we sold him he was a decent player in a very average side. He is not the player who left us and we are not the team he left behind. The roar that goes up when he warms up as sub constantly baffles me. Yesterday he was plain awful - at one point DM barked instructions at him and he seemed to argue back - thanks for your time Mad Dog but maybe you can give McFadden a lift to Celtic.
DM baffles me with Da Silva - the lengths we went to get this guy and yesterday would have been perfect to see what he was about - should have been the Graveson replacement for me as we had lost the midfield battle up to that point and never looked like winning it back - the size of Da Silva would have added a presence that had been missing.
Disappointing but I will forgive all if I see a reaction on Tuesday in a comp we are far closer to winning. Moyes was right in some of what he said post match in that those players could and should have been able to win that game - they didnt and its gone and hopefully some of those named above will be gone soon too!!
As for Everton - a lot of points already well made but for me a keeper whose legs have clearly gone - a back 5 playing together for the first time - players in the middle of the park who believe they are far better than what they are. McFadden should be sold whilst his stock is good and whilst people like McLeish, Smith and Strachan are looking to spend money. Graveson is back - can the band wagon stop here. When we sold him he was a decent player in a very average side. He is not the player who left us and we are not the team he left behind. The roar that goes up when he warms up as sub constantly baffles me. Yesterday he was plain awful - at one point DM barked instructions at him and he seemed to argue back - thanks for your time Mad Dog but maybe you can give McFadden a lift to Celtic.
DM baffles me with Da Silva - the lengths we went to get this guy and yesterday would have been perfect to see what he was about - should have been the Graveson replacement for me as we had lost the midfield battle up to that point and never looked like winning it back - the size of Da Silva would have added a presence that had been missing.
Disappointing but I will forgive all if I see a reaction on Tuesday in a comp we are far closer to winning. Moyes was right in some of what he said post match in that those players could and should have been able to win that game - they didnt and its gone and hopefully some of those named above will be gone soon too!!
Jeesus where do I start. I traded my usual Bullens Rd seat for a seat in the Family Enclosure as I took my daughter to her first game (what a memory for girl). I sat 10 yards away from Moyes and could hear everything he was (or should that be wasn't) saying. Whilst Sheridan was barking at his players to hoof it long and quickly, Moyes was silent, he only seemed to give the players Sunday League type advice. And I swear in the last 10 minutes I heard him say to Lescot, "5 and 5". I hope this was a breakdown of the 10 minutes remaining and not the formation we had employed.
The game itself was shocking with only a few ?decent? performances. I agree with Ken, I thought Hibbert played well and McFadden was busy. The rest were useless.
Is it any coincidence that when Stubbs plays we seem to punt high ball after high ball? The lad cant help it. Jagielka needs to learn how to defend (dont stand front on), how many times can one player be flat-footed? Gravesen should have played his last game, Vaughan and Baines looked short on fitness and match sharpness. Wessels, well, jump son, jump, it's not difficult.
There was enough on the pitch to beat a horribly poor Oldham hoof team, I think the players took it too easy and we were dragged to their level.
As for my daughter, her comment at the end "Its only a game dad"....Jeesus, she?s got a lot to learn :o)
The game itself was shocking with only a few ?decent? performances. I agree with Ken, I thought Hibbert played well and McFadden was busy. The rest were useless.
Is it any coincidence that when Stubbs plays we seem to punt high ball after high ball? The lad cant help it. Jagielka needs to learn how to defend (dont stand front on), how many times can one player be flat-footed? Gravesen should have played his last game, Vaughan and Baines looked short on fitness and match sharpness. Wessels, well, jump son, jump, it's not difficult.
There was enough on the pitch to beat a horribly poor Oldham hoof team, I think the players took it too easy and we were dragged to their level.
As for my daughter, her comment at the end "Its only a game dad"....Jeesus, she?s got a lot to learn :o)
Ken, I go to most games most matches home and away and usually totally agree with your considered observations. However, Hibbert as MOTM? Well, he actually had quite a good game by his own poor standards but he is so lacking in premiership qualities.
Thought Baines looked poor yesterday and seemed to be targeted for high balls into the area which strengthens my opinion that he is a great player (usually) but too small for a full back. Left midfield maybe?
McFadden frustrates the hell out of me and seems to have blown his chances once and for all.
Wessells looks so poor with his distribution (particularly on his left foot) that it’s embarrassing.
Gravesen, well a neat tidy player in slow mo within a radius of 5 metres but abolutely no legs any more.
In all a terrible performance which just highlights the importance of the core players.
However, onwards and upwards. Looking forward to Tuesday night now. COYB!
Thought Baines looked poor yesterday and seemed to be targeted for high balls into the area which strengthens my opinion that he is a great player (usually) but too small for a full back. Left midfield maybe?
McFadden frustrates the hell out of me and seems to have blown his chances once and for all.
Wessells looks so poor with his distribution (particularly on his left foot) that it’s embarrassing.
Gravesen, well a neat tidy player in slow mo within a radius of 5 metres but abolutely no legs any more.
In all a terrible performance which just highlights the importance of the core players.
However, onwards and upwards. Looking forward to Tuesday night now. COYB!
Hibbert, are you related to him, to be fair he was the only player who didn?t under perform!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moyes made two big mistakes, the first was not playing Howard.
The second was his formation at the start of the second half were he put Pienar in the middle just off the attakers that meant we had no width on the right so we never stretched them even though they sat back for the 2nd half.
Moyes made two big mistakes, the first was not playing Howard.
The second was his formation at the start of the second half were he put Pienar in the middle just off the attakers that meant we had no width on the right so we never stretched them even though they sat back for the 2nd half.
..........let me just throw this in for shits & giggles.....we’re a different team without Tim Cahill......how many balls yesterday just required that final touch, that player arriving to shoot/head/push/bundle it home........and I totally agree about Tim Howard......Wessels makes me fucking nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.......
And Tommy Gravesen......what the fuck????????????........
And Tommy Gravesen......what the fuck????????????........
The Oldham match proved two things to me. firstly, we cannot get the hang of 4-4-2; we always look a better side playing 4-5-1 and our worst performances have come with 4-4-2.
Secondly, we ar desperately short of midfield players, especially creative ones. We miss Osman as much as we miss Arteta.
I have to agree with Hibbert being MotM not particularly because he was so good ? his final ball still leaves a lot to be desired ? but because he was the only player to consitently find some space in which to receive the ball. No-one else seemed to be able to lose their marker.
Good luck Oldham, the win was down to team spirit, hard work and great organisation by their coaching staff.
Secondly, we ar desperately short of midfield players, especially creative ones. We miss Osman as much as we miss Arteta.
I have to agree with Hibbert being MotM not particularly because he was so good ? his final ball still leaves a lot to be desired ? but because he was the only player to consitently find some space in which to receive the ball. No-one else seemed to be able to lose their marker.
Good luck Oldham, the win was down to team spirit, hard work and great organisation by their coaching staff.
What a wake-up call that was! Moyes has kidded us all season that we now had adequate resources to compete on all fronts and see us through the ANC.The truth is that outside ’the first team’,there is very little talent. Wessells is a joke, Graveson a has-been, Stubbs a yesterday man and McFadden a jolly promiser.Da Silva is apparently so shite that Moyes couldn’t trust him even in a dire emergency. He made excuses against RS, Manure and Arsenal but insists he did things right yesterday! To me the season’s over-I’ve seen it coming and I think we shall soon be calling for the Moyesiah’s head again.
Fook me Terry, the seasons over!!! I though we had another 18 games in the league and at least 4 cup games to play.
Does that mean we are in Europe again next season, as we have finished 6th haven’t we if the season is now over.
My missus will be well pleased, as I will not be spending money going the game until August.
Does that mean we are in Europe again next season, as we have finished 6th haven’t we if the season is now over.
My missus will be well pleased, as I will not be spending money going the game until August.
Should Moyes get flack for a "second string" line-up, probably not but he deserves criticism for a line-up which played with no cohesion what so ever.
I slighly feel sorry for the Johnson & Vaughan who had no decent service after the first 10 mins. The midfield was truely awful and Stubbs & Jagielka mustn’t be paired again at the back
I slighly feel sorry for the Johnson & Vaughan who had no decent service after the first 10 mins. The midfield was truely awful and Stubbs & Jagielka mustn’t be paired again at the back
Lue - I knew our loss was down to something and now you?ve told me its your lucky socks - shame on you for not having them ready - ha! ha!
Never mind, let?s look forward with hope in our hearts. I hope the lads do well on Tuesday and in the second leg of the League Cup.... don?t mind which Cup we win as long as we win something this year.
Never mind, let?s look forward with hope in our hearts. I hope the lads do well on Tuesday and in the second leg of the League Cup.... don?t mind which Cup we win as long as we win something this year.
Hibbo?s distribution is normally poor but on Saturday I thought it was quite good, at least it went in the box unlike Baines who scared people in Row U. If we had scored from a Hibbo cross would people still slate him? Up the Blues!!!
As an Oldham fan visiting your site for the first time, I would like to thank the masses of Everton fans who not only congratulated us on the victory, but made us feel welcome.
Good Luck against Chelsea and for the rest of the Premier League season.
Good Luck against Chelsea and for the rest of the Premier League season.
Oldham were close to their best, they were missing 2 of their best players (not counting loan signing Kilkenny). Defensively they were excellent. Unfortunately Everton didn?t turn up & created little to worry Oldham ? only decent move coming in the last 10 mins. Thought Johnson felt the need to venture out wide too often. Arteta was missed & perhaps the weakness of Wessels didn?t help the rest of the lads either...
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Try again with my old address. Im eager to participate in your discussions.
If that does not work, then i will leave it be for now and return at a later date as i have a lot on at the moment.
Yours sincerely, Trudy.
If that does not work, then i will leave it be for now and return at a later date as i have a lot on at the moment.
Yours sincerely, Trudy.
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1 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:13:29
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Obviously for the time being I’m ignoring the Carling cup semi!
I agree about Hibbo being MotM. Some good crosses today and he was playing right-back and right-wing for most of it.
McFadden and Gravesen were shocking and if it wasn;t for a chronic lack of midfielders, I’d happily never see either of them in a Everton shirt again.