COLUMNIST JIM HOURIGAN
Painful to watch
By Jim Hourigan : 20/01/2008 : 
Comments (32) :
Comments (32) : A great 3 points on a shocking pitch against a very poor side, but my God how difficult was it to sit and watch? Our inability to pass the ball leaves me so frustrated and angry. Yes, the players put in bags full of effort; and yes, they try their hardest... but boy are some of them sadly lacking in the basic passing department.
Go through the team player for player and how many would you put your house on making three consecutive passes to a fellow blue? I watched Carsley, Neville, Cahill and Osman all fail to pass 5 yds to a colleague under no pressure. I know the pitch was crap and some of the bobbles unhelpful, but some of it was just down to rank poor play.
I think sadly that the problems start at the back, continue through midfield and finish with AJ. Yes, I am being critical and No, I won't piss off to some backwater. Those of you who can sit through the football on show and be pleased and happy at the quality have either never seen a good Everton team or never played football beyond a park pitch.
Results are important; winning ugly is also important...but so too is picking and playing players that can do more than run, chase and harry the opposition.
If today was a one-off, I would sit back and accept a bad pitch, a team scraping for their lives, and an imminent semi-final. But let's be honest ? it's not. Today was another microcosm of playing lots of utility / defensive players sprinkled with a tiny bit of quality (Arteta). Jagielka hoofs balls in no particular direction, the free kick he took towards the end of the second half came nearer to me in the stands than it did a player for us.
Hibbert can't pass water let alone a football. Carsley would tackle his own grandmother but if he has to pass to another blue he's clueless. Cahill will probably get one or two passes right but three? No chance. Osman won't make three passes because he'll be knocked off the ball at least once before he can pass it.
Neville? In midfield controlling the play? Need I say more?
Clearly, as they say, the sum of the parts is greater than the individual sum of the players, but my God does it make for painful watching at times.
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Got to admit it was pretty frustrating to watch at times today and how much of that was down to the pitch and how much was down to disruption to the side is hard to say.
Two things I?d say in response, though:
- I think a few months ago, your views would have resonated a bit more. Against Reading and Blackburn in particular at the start of the season were exhibiting the kind of loose passing you describe.
- The standard of our play has been slipping a little since the absentees through injury, suspension and AFCoN kicked in but unless the sloppiness that we occasionally showed today becomes a more regular thing in the next few weeks, I think you?re being a bit premature.
I have to agree with you re ; Jagielka. Some of his efforts today were poor beyond belief. Every time he got the ball he just whacked it as far as possible, in no particular direction.
I mentioned this before and was roundly criticised so i had better shut up now.
I mentioned this before and was roundly criticised so i had better shut up now.
So whats your point Jim? looks like a knee jerk posting to me, and one that forgets the conditions, the fact Wigan were doing an Everton on us (pressing/harrying etc) that our team is not at full strength, that we aren?t Barca or Madrid just yet and we played just like that and won when we last finished 4th.. oh yeah, and we did win..(just thought it was worth repeating).
The same resilience on Wednesday may just get us the result we need..COYB...
The same resilience on Wednesday may just get us the result we need..COYB...
yeh i think we shud be like the geordies who prefer to lose and play attractive football
What more do you want? We pushed for a second goal, and didn?t fall apart after the own goal. That to me is not only a good result, but progress.
I understand that, due to the fact I am young, this is best I have ever seen us play. I have spent most of my life as an Evertonian counting every point, and I am glad to have another 3 in the bag. Sure, it wasn?t pretty, but all that counts is where 4th.
Villa to pick up a point against the RS, and we're laughing!
I understand that, due to the fact I am young, this is best I have ever seen us play. I have spent most of my life as an Evertonian counting every point, and I am glad to have another 3 in the bag. Sure, it wasn?t pretty, but all that counts is where 4th.
Villa to pick up a point against the RS, and we're laughing!
The tittle of the article shows how much weve come on in my opinion. Today was never about outplaying them - make no mistake Wigan are not a bad side and will comfortably stay up but we went there, won and that puts us in to 4th without playing well. Imagine us doing that even 3 years ago... 4th is ours
I play footie twice a week and I tell you the pitch played a huge part in the game. Any second touch would leave you exposed should the ball bounce unexpectedly. Even Lescott and Arteta were have trouble controlling the ball on the ground. It was all about hacking the ball up the field to safety, and our better quality in the last third got the goals. On another day, AJ could’ve lost control on the run in to his game, the pitch was that bad. The fact that Everton can also play ugly as well as on the ground (Goodison) shows we can adapt to the conditions. I didn’t think Wigan threaten our goal other than relying on their endeavor and desperation.
Jim, are you sure you’re not Tony Marsh’s long lost ,slightly less evil, twin, but got separated at birth??
This is one of the few times that the result really does count, your points, valid individually are collectively a bit harsh.
This is one of the few times that the result really does count, your points, valid individually are collectively a bit harsh.
I think Jim is spot on with what he is saying. At the end of the day 2 teams had to play on that pitch and Wigan seemed to be able to pass the ball to each other. Surely so called better quality players that we are meant to posses should surely be able to pass a ball to another blue shirt instead of smacking it down the touch line for AJ to chase all game. Even against City we were second best, OK we won both games but we were outplayed in both games in terms of posession and passing. On one last note. Neville is not a midfielder and never will be. Does David Moyes watch the same games we watch? all the man does is pass the ball to the opp, but thats ok because he’s the captain? and can take a throw in. Also do we get players on loan just to keep the bench warm? Manny should have at least got a 30 min run out in prep for weds game because if we play the same midfield against Chelsea we will get smashed.
Totally unrealistic on that pitch and don’t tell me that Wigan managed it because they didn’t and they play there evry other week - just ask Titus Bramble.
Are you trying to say AJ had crap ball control when he seized on Bramble’s error ran on and scored a great goal?
Come on now - wake up to reality. What sort of delusions do you have? I bet you were unhappy when we beat Sunderland 7-1 because they scored!
Could Arsenal have played better on that pitch? I very much doubt it.
Just watch us pass better in the next game v Chelsea.
Are you trying to say AJ had crap ball control when he seized on Bramble’s error ran on and scored a great goal?
Come on now - wake up to reality. What sort of delusions do you have? I bet you were unhappy when we beat Sunderland 7-1 because they scored!
Could Arsenal have played better on that pitch? I very much doubt it.
Just watch us pass better in the next game v Chelsea.
A wins a win, whether we play well or not. Wigan dominated possesion but other than the goal didn’t have many, if any, good goalscoring chances. Everton weren’t pretty to watch but for Wigans lack of good chances, and our Arteta and Osman goal scoring chances in each half, it was a good strong performance.
Don’t forget that we missed Yobo, Yakubu and Pienaar to the ANC, Ossie isn’t fully fit and once Manny is match fit he’ll inject quality into the side.
I was most disappointed with Cahill and Neville yesterday, Neville was not upto the pace of the game and Cahill looked very tired. Vaughan also looked a little laboured when on, I personally think Anichebe is more effective than him at the mo.
Don’t forget that we missed Yobo, Yakubu and Pienaar to the ANC, Ossie isn’t fully fit and once Manny is match fit he’ll inject quality into the side.
I was most disappointed with Cahill and Neville yesterday, Neville was not upto the pace of the game and Cahill looked very tired. Vaughan also looked a little laboured when on, I personally think Anichebe is more effective than him at the mo.
Yesterday’s game was all about gaining 3 points, all good team’s need to win ugly at times and was also the case for Man United over the weekend.
I am sure I don’t need to remind Jim of the great passing football we played against Arsenal.
How many points did we get out of that game?
A win is a win no matter how we play - if we had lost then maybe the whinge brigade could justifiably comment - but not this weekend!
How many points did we get out of that game?
A win is a win no matter how we play - if we had lost then maybe the whinge brigade could justifiably comment - but not this weekend!
I think any time would have struggled to play a passing game on that pitch, the lads battled well and deserve full credit fo coming away with 3 points.
It wasn’t nice to watch but we won. There have been a few games this season where we have clearly been the better side and lost - it’s the rub of the green and everyone has an "off day".
Newcastle is a club where supporters place the show above the results. A respectable attitiude some might say but look where they are - sometimes you have to win ugly. As someone once said to me - sometimes (unfortunately) its about the points - not the football!
Newcastle is a club where supporters place the show above the results. A respectable attitiude some might say but look where they are - sometimes you have to win ugly. As someone once said to me - sometimes (unfortunately) its about the points - not the football!
Unbelieveable!!
Where do you people come from?? We get a result against a team who are full of confidence at the minute away from home on a god awful pitch.
Jagielka is slated for booting the ball when if Titus the tit had done that, we wouldnt have scored!!! Ona surface like that fucking Arsenal or Brazil 1970 would have struggled to play beautiful football.
I’m all for critisizing when necessary, and coming down on players or the team when they underperform but to get a win which puts us 4th against a decent, organised side & to still get grief is harsh.
Didnt hear Man U fans moaning yesterday and they got tonked and sneaked a win or spurs fo that matter who also sneaked a win. They obviously appreciate how hard this league is & are more realistic about winning away from home.
Phil Neville even come out and said after xmas (the business end of season) it doesnt matter how you win as long as you win.
Its all that matters at this stage!!!
Where do you people come from?? We get a result against a team who are full of confidence at the minute away from home on a god awful pitch.
Jagielka is slated for booting the ball when if Titus the tit had done that, we wouldnt have scored!!! Ona surface like that fucking Arsenal or Brazil 1970 would have struggled to play beautiful football.
I’m all for critisizing when necessary, and coming down on players or the team when they underperform but to get a win which puts us 4th against a decent, organised side & to still get grief is harsh.
Didnt hear Man U fans moaning yesterday and they got tonked and sneaked a win or spurs fo that matter who also sneaked a win. They obviously appreciate how hard this league is & are more realistic about winning away from home.
Phil Neville even come out and said after xmas (the business end of season) it doesnt matter how you win as long as you win.
Its all that matters at this stage!!!
When interviewed before the game,D.M described the pitch as "not very good".
He also then said that it may be better suited to a team "getting the ball forward quickly"
Now many may describe how we played yesterday as hoofball and I am not saying it was pretty to watch...but in my opinion..the team talk was along the lines of..
"get the ball forward as quickly as possible, and let them make the mistakes on that pitch..if in doubt get rid...and try and keep it as close to Titus Bramble as possible cos he is an accident waiting to happen".
It was not pretty and we didnt play great..but the league table tells me he got that spot on.
He also then said that it may be better suited to a team "getting the ball forward quickly"
Now many may describe how we played yesterday as hoofball and I am not saying it was pretty to watch...but in my opinion..the team talk was along the lines of..
"get the ball forward as quickly as possible, and let them make the mistakes on that pitch..if in doubt get rid...and try and keep it as close to Titus Bramble as possible cos he is an accident waiting to happen".
It was not pretty and we didnt play great..but the league table tells me he got that spot on.
Although I was away for the Arsenal match and have seen no highlights of them, I?d like to probably bet we played better then that day and ended up with nothing.
Yesterday was painful to watch (not least because my feed was awful) but we did enough to get the 3 points. Quality football does not get you 4th place - just ask the RS - but the number of points do.
Just as an aside - Phil Roberts posts about three times a season the 38-game comparison - we?re on 60 points based on a 38-game. That means over the last 14 (?) games we only accrue another 18, based on last season?s results. There is still a lot of room for improvement and we have a lot of very winnable games coming up. I reckon we can push for 65 points this year, which will really put the frighteners on our neighbours. That?s also being conservative.
Yesterday was painful to watch (not least because my feed was awful) but we did enough to get the 3 points. Quality football does not get you 4th place - just ask the RS - but the number of points do.
Just as an aside - Phil Roberts posts about three times a season the 38-game comparison - we?re on 60 points based on a 38-game. That means over the last 14 (?) games we only accrue another 18, based on last season?s results. There is still a lot of room for improvement and we have a lot of very winnable games coming up. I reckon we can push for 65 points this year, which will really put the frighteners on our neighbours. That?s also being conservative.
Re: Terry and the team talk . You are probably more or less righ there!!!t.
Re: Alex Pat & Co.
The few times there was even some small passage of cohesive passing from Everton Wigan looked clueless. Neville was particularly guiltly of breaking up any possiblity of play by choosing to give the ball to Jags/Hibbert who had no option but to hoof it. I don’t understand why Everton lowered themselves to matching Wigan’s hoofballl game when the talent is there on the pitch and bench (fernandes) to run rings around them. Wigan’s goal was an Everton gift from Valente’s hack down through to Everton’s inability to defend the free kick. Wigan only looked dangerous we Everton gave them the initative.
I have to ask honestly why bring in expensive talented players if its hoofball that ends up getting played?
Everton should be braver...and more often..
Re: Alex Pat & Co.
The few times there was even some small passage of cohesive passing from Everton Wigan looked clueless. Neville was particularly guiltly of breaking up any possiblity of play by choosing to give the ball to Jags/Hibbert who had no option but to hoof it. I don’t understand why Everton lowered themselves to matching Wigan’s hoofballl game when the talent is there on the pitch and bench (fernandes) to run rings around them. Wigan’s goal was an Everton gift from Valente’s hack down through to Everton’s inability to defend the free kick. Wigan only looked dangerous we Everton gave them the initative.
I have to ask honestly why bring in expensive talented players if its hoofball that ends up getting played?
Everton should be braver...and more often..
Firstly I’m not Tony’s evil twin or even his long lost soul brother, I just say what I see. I acknowledged all the points about winning and the difficulty of the pitch but as I said it isn’t a one off. Do those of you saying the result is all disagree with my assertion that the quality of passing by some of the players mentioned is anything other than poor. If you believe that Hibbert, Neville, Carsley and Jagielka are good passers of a football then I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. Yes its better to be winning than losing and perhaps I always want more, but then I suspect thats what Ferguson, Wegner and others winners do.
We’ve been playing immense passing football in a lot of games this season. The pitch was woeful and the team was weakened, particularly with using Neville in midfield, our passing suffers.
We won. Sound. Don’t look into it too much.
Oh and we are 4th in the league, still in the euefa cup and have a semi final on Wednesday.
How many blues would have took that at the start of the season? Every last one of us.
We won. Sound. Don’t look into it too much.
Oh and we are 4th in the league, still in the euefa cup and have a semi final on Wednesday.
How many blues would have took that at the start of the season? Every last one of us.
Jim, you’re right (in a way) it was hard to watch. But would you rather it was an end to end game with flowing passing moves and finish 2-2?
I’m happy with the 3 points.
Lets face it. The team who made the fewer mistakes was always going to win, and hoofing the ball out of danger beats falling on your arse, trying to be clever on that pitch (like Bramble). Nuff said.
Roll on Wednesday!
I’m happy with the 3 points.
Lets face it. The team who made the fewer mistakes was always going to win, and hoofing the ball out of danger beats falling on your arse, trying to be clever on that pitch (like Bramble). Nuff said.
Roll on Wednesday!
No problem in wanting better all the time or wanting more but we have to be realistic.
Since when have Hibbert, Carsley, Neville or Jagielka ever been blessed with good passing skills on a really good pitch? Not realistic to complain about their lack of passing skill on a bad pitch. Whether or not Carsley is adjudged a good passer of the ball I would not swap him for anyone this season as I think he has been great.
Since when have Hibbert, Carsley, Neville or Jagielka ever been blessed with good passing skills on a really good pitch? Not realistic to complain about their lack of passing skill on a bad pitch. Whether or not Carsley is adjudged a good passer of the ball I would not swap him for anyone this season as I think he has been great.
Two points I would like to pass comment.
1. our poor passing - with Neville and Carsley in the middle together should we be too surprised when they pass the ball so badly?
2. Jagielka - to me he has so many flaws. long balls down the middle are a centre backs bread and butter and he routinely gets under them and the fly over him, (unchallenged might I had). Also, he has an inability to see balls out over the line. 3 times he got mugged against Oldham by hughes. Very Poor.
1. our poor passing - with Neville and Carsley in the middle together should we be too surprised when they pass the ball so badly?
2. Jagielka - to me he has so many flaws. long balls down the middle are a centre backs bread and butter and he routinely gets under them and the fly over him, (unchallenged might I had). Also, he has an inability to see balls out over the line. 3 times he got mugged against Oldham by hughes. Very Poor.
I’m not having that, its a cop out.
You have posted an article slating the experience of watchin us yesterday & I think your bang out of order. Top teams look at circumstances & if DM’s orders were to not be too pretty and get it forward early then they were great tactics as the game showed!!!
If the pitch was like a carpet I honestly believe that DM would of started Manny & used our better quality to beat them.......either way the desired end result is too beat them, which we did!!!
At times & given the opportunity we have played some fantastic football this season but like any top side (which we are hopefully becoming) we can adapt, which is what we done yesterday.
1 question Jim, if we grind out a result on wed, kicking lumps out of Chelsea getting the ball forward early to pressure their back 4 & end up winning......will you post a similar comment??
You have posted an article slating the experience of watchin us yesterday & I think your bang out of order. Top teams look at circumstances & if DM’s orders were to not be too pretty and get it forward early then they were great tactics as the game showed!!!
If the pitch was like a carpet I honestly believe that DM would of started Manny & used our better quality to beat them.......either way the desired end result is too beat them, which we did!!!
At times & given the opportunity we have played some fantastic football this season but like any top side (which we are hopefully becoming) we can adapt, which is what we done yesterday.
1 question Jim, if we grind out a result on wed, kicking lumps out of Chelsea getting the ball forward early to pressure their back 4 & end up winning......will you post a similar comment??
I didn’t find it hard to watch because I didn’t feel at any point that we were going to lose.
It wasn’t a day for pretty football. It wasn’t a ’short passing’ or ’run with the ball’ type of pitch as the ball wasn’t going anywhere on the deck and the pitch was soft and energy sapping.
I’m surprised that Victor didn’t get a run out, hit the long ball for him to win with his strength and bring Tim and the rest of midfield into it and take the battle into their half. Equally I was surprised that Ossie lasted the whole match given his recent lack of games. I worry that he won’t make Wednesday if he has a reaction after playing on a surface like that. I was made up with the spirit in the team and feel that we had the ability to step up if we needed to.
It wasn’t a day for pretty football. It wasn’t a ’short passing’ or ’run with the ball’ type of pitch as the ball wasn’t going anywhere on the deck and the pitch was soft and energy sapping.
I’m surprised that Victor didn’t get a run out, hit the long ball for him to win with his strength and bring Tim and the rest of midfield into it and take the battle into their half. Equally I was surprised that Ossie lasted the whole match given his recent lack of games. I worry that he won’t make Wednesday if he has a reaction after playing on a surface like that. I was made up with the spirit in the team and feel that we had the ability to step up if we needed to.
Hi guys/gals.
Just had to post in on this topic re the game at Wigan. I for one was really looking forward to watching this game on telly, and having a look at the lads before the big game on Wednesday..... but I must say I was very disappointed. Howard has lost it in goal, his decision-making has gone haywire, Jags just hoofs the ball anywhere, Tiny Tim looks bollixed and never got a kick, AJ?s first touch was terrible, and he lost possession most of the time. I?m not knock?n for the sake of it.... just being honest like some of the others on here have been.
I think we are having a great year overall, and playing some nice football too at times, but yesterday was very bad... end of! I just hope it was a one-off, and it?s out of the system for Wednesday.
Best of luck to everyone on Wednesday night!!!!!!!!!!!
Just had to post in on this topic re the game at Wigan. I for one was really looking forward to watching this game on telly, and having a look at the lads before the big game on Wednesday..... but I must say I was very disappointed. Howard has lost it in goal, his decision-making has gone haywire, Jags just hoofs the ball anywhere, Tiny Tim looks bollixed and never got a kick, AJ?s first touch was terrible, and he lost possession most of the time. I?m not knock?n for the sake of it.... just being honest like some of the others on here have been.
I think we are having a great year overall, and playing some nice football too at times, but yesterday was very bad... end of! I just hope it was a one-off, and it?s out of the system for Wednesday.
Best of luck to everyone on Wednesday night!!!!!!!!!!!
WTF is up with people!! Unbelievable!!
We travelled up there, we beat them, the fans had a great day. We?re 4th???? What is up with some of you really??
We travelled up there, we beat them, the fans had a great day. We?re 4th???? What is up with some of you really??
Wigan can pass the ball??? Anyone see Bramble?s backpass eh??? Everton outplayed the mighty Arsenal in the first half at Goodison over Xmas and the team?s play and passing since the end of November has truely astounded me. The results in Europe seem to have added confidence that may have been lacking before. All we need now is a cup final to show the rest of the world just how good we have become. 2-0 win against Chelsea Wednesday night. COYB!!!!!!!!
I fully expected us to play like this in January being without Pienaar and Yakubu. Osman looks twice the player when he has Pienaar alongside him. I?m not a fan of Neville in midfield and when he does play there alongside Carsley, the most we can hope for is an ugly 1-0/2-1 win, featuring at least 30 minutes of backs to the wall type defending. Johnson doesn?t hold it up like Yakubu, so Cahill is pretty ineffective up there just off him and mainly watches as AJ chases Neville?s punts into the corners.
I think the criticism of Jagielka?s performance yesterday is a little harsh. As we know, Hibbert?s forward play and general distribution leaves a lot to be desired and yesterday he often chose to go back to Jagielka with a bobbling pass, providing the centre half with no time or choice other than to hoof it. In other games I think Jagielka has shown that when it is appropriate to do so, he will pick a pass to feet. Overall, he did his job yesterday and dealt with most of what was thrown at him by the Wigan forwards (as did Lescott). Blame for the own goal can be directed as much towards Howard as anyone else for his flapping attempt to claim the cross.
What struck me most about yesterday was the lack of pace in our team (AJ aside). Our midfield was completely devoid of pace. Did anyone notice Mario Melchiot sweep up at the back near the end and go past Osman in his own corner as if he wasn?t there? Arteta is a gifted player, but doesn?t possess raw pace. Cahill is not particularly quick and neither are Carsley or Neville. Hibbert is no slouch but rarely ventures further forward than the half way line and Valente doesn?t offer the same sort of pacey overlapping that Baines does. The lack of pace was made so much more apparent by Palacios and Valencia on Wigan?s flanks who were direct and quick. There is no denying that they caused us some problems.
Yesterday we were very ordinary and we will continue to play this way in January unless Fernandes plays, we make some more signings and Vaughan partners AJ up front. Despite what pundits and fans think, we do not have the strength in depth to maintain the level of style we have become accustomed to this season. What we have are players that can come into a confident team with a winning mentality and self-belief and help us grind out some marginal wins.
Roll on February and the end of the ACN!
I think the criticism of Jagielka?s performance yesterday is a little harsh. As we know, Hibbert?s forward play and general distribution leaves a lot to be desired and yesterday he often chose to go back to Jagielka with a bobbling pass, providing the centre half with no time or choice other than to hoof it. In other games I think Jagielka has shown that when it is appropriate to do so, he will pick a pass to feet. Overall, he did his job yesterday and dealt with most of what was thrown at him by the Wigan forwards (as did Lescott). Blame for the own goal can be directed as much towards Howard as anyone else for his flapping attempt to claim the cross.
What struck me most about yesterday was the lack of pace in our team (AJ aside). Our midfield was completely devoid of pace. Did anyone notice Mario Melchiot sweep up at the back near the end and go past Osman in his own corner as if he wasn?t there? Arteta is a gifted player, but doesn?t possess raw pace. Cahill is not particularly quick and neither are Carsley or Neville. Hibbert is no slouch but rarely ventures further forward than the half way line and Valente doesn?t offer the same sort of pacey overlapping that Baines does. The lack of pace was made so much more apparent by Palacios and Valencia on Wigan?s flanks who were direct and quick. There is no denying that they caused us some problems.
Yesterday we were very ordinary and we will continue to play this way in January unless Fernandes plays, we make some more signings and Vaughan partners AJ up front. Despite what pundits and fans think, we do not have the strength in depth to maintain the level of style we have become accustomed to this season. What we have are players that can come into a confident team with a winning mentality and self-belief and help us grind out some marginal wins.
Roll on February and the end of the ACN!
Totally agree, Jim. While the result was the important thing, the performance leaves a lot to be disired.
I thought AJ up front was very poor, he can't hold the ball up, gets brushed off ball to easily and I think he has lost a bit of pace, he can't seem to accelerate past opponents with the Bramble last gasp tackle situation in the second half being a prime example. While I can't question his workrate, I think he is a very limited footballer and won't score enough goals.
While I think Osman has good football ability, he is a headless chicken most of the time and I question Moyes's decision to give him the full game but it seems that him and Hibbert are the manager's golden boys.
Cahill's contribution in general play is limited as per usual and Neville is not a midfielder but I again question Moyes for taking him off at a crucial part of a game. Speaking of our manager,he frustates me sometimes with his tactics, especially against poor teams. We were diabolical yesterday if we are to be honest and changes should have been made at half time, it was just luck that we were two up.
Howard in goal was poor, slow off his line on a few occasions and his kicking was terrible and he was at fault for goal, while Hibbert's passing has improved in recent matches, he is not the answer. Jags just hoofs the ball anywhere even though he has plenty of time and that stems from the management. The only footballers on show yesterday were Lescott, Valente and Arteta and maybe with the exception of Carsley I wouldn't put the other 7 on my pub team.
Jeezo!
I went to see Everton against Sheff Wed at Hillsborough in 85/86. We were dreadful, the pitch was a quagmire, but we played ugly and got, I think, a 1.1 draw. (Stats ain’t my thing). I’m talking about THE BEST EVERTON TEAM IN THE HISTOREY OF THE WORLD EVER. They occasionally had to dig in against fired up opponents, you know. Everton are great this season. Just enjoy it man, for f#ck’s sake.
I went to see Everton against Sheff Wed at Hillsborough in 85/86. We were dreadful, the pitch was a quagmire, but we played ugly and got, I think, a 1.1 draw. (Stats ain’t my thing). I’m talking about THE BEST EVERTON TEAM IN THE HISTOREY OF THE WORLD EVER. They occasionally had to dig in against fired up opponents, you know. Everton are great this season. Just enjoy it man, for f#ck’s sake.
James
Good to see you on ultra-positive form. I would agree with many of your points about individuals Carsley, Neville, Jagielka and with time we can perhaps replace them with better players. To be a critic of Carsley is akin to having 666 on your head if you read the posts on this website, so I admire your bravery. Try to enjoy it Jim when we are jammy bastards as we were on Sunday. You are being in danger of becoming the thinking persons Tony Marsh. What I am really waiting for from you is another anti-cahill post to really get us going!
Good to see you on ultra-positive form. I would agree with many of your points about individuals Carsley, Neville, Jagielka and with time we can perhaps replace them with better players. To be a critic of Carsley is akin to having 666 on your head if you read the posts on this website, so I admire your bravery. Try to enjoy it Jim when we are jammy bastards as we were on Sunday. You are being in danger of becoming the thinking persons Tony Marsh. What I am really waiting for from you is another anti-cahill post to really get us going!
To be honest I think that is unfair criticism on Moyes’s side. Look at the table, we’re 4th, 2 pts above Liverpool. What else do you expect? Who else plays free flowing football other than Arsenal? Even Chelsea played bad but won. Is style more important than points?
I don’t mean to be harsh but I think many of us here are being unrealistic. We have a team ready to challenge for some silverware and rather than getting behind the team we have people wanting beautiful football and points.
Let us inject a dose of realism in ourselves and remember that though our players have technical flaws, they do have something that many in the league don’t-lots of heart.
I don’t mean to be harsh but I think many of us here are being unrealistic. We have a team ready to challenge for some silverware and rather than getting behind the team we have people wanting beautiful football and points.
Let us inject a dose of realism in ourselves and remember that though our players have technical flaws, they do have something that many in the league don’t-lots of heart.
Tony, where are you?
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1 Posted 20/01/2008 at 23:32:22
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