COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From My Seat: Chelsea (H)

By Ken Buckley :  18/04/2008 :  Comments (1) :

No points and after that performance its hard to see where we will get another before season end. It really is 'twitchy bum time' now.

My take on Thursday night's game was a first half where we ran and tried to be in their face but after ten minutes it became clear that Chelsea looked like the home team.

No matter how desperately we defended it was always when not if they would score.

Five minutes before the break another incisive move saw Essien go for the 'one two' which was aided by a touch off Jags, he coolly lifted over Howard and somehow you knew it was game over.

In that first half we had one worthwhile shot from a free kick by Manny that the keeper palmed away at full stretch.

The second half was as embarressing as it was encourageing as Chelsea didnt really go for the killer second and at just 1-0 they seemed to sense they were in total control but did leave themselves open to our only avenue of success that was via a set piece. They almost paid the price when Manny shaved the post from a free kick that turned out to be our only serious effort on goal for the second half.

The manager tried to change things with what he had available but Big Vic was as ineffective as AJ who he replaced and I have to say I was shocked to see Tommy Graveson playing as a pale shadow of the effervescent midfielder that left for Madrid. I felt embarressed for him.

If Pienaar had to go off due to injury concernes fair enough but if it was tactical then the manager must be questioned

The problem with us since the Fiorentina game is without doubt the midfield.No prospect of freshening it up so injured players being asked to play through pain barriers to help out have left us with no engine-room.

This in turn means no service to the strikers and increased workload on defenders. Put this together and you have the ingredients for a fall in confidence.

Last nights mid-field contained four experienced internationls,yet,only Carsley and Pienaar played in positions they understood which caused a big imbalance that could be guaged by the total lack of and any semblence of joined up football. This resulted in no one showing for the ball in midfield so back four players were trying to play those channell balls with no degree of accuracy.

Being a striker at Everton at the momment must feel like being marooned on an island.

Three games to go and all must be hoping that Arteta and Osman can regain full fitness and see out those games that just might get us some more points. I dont think a lot will be gained by slagging off manager and players for when you lose your complete midfield and have no ready made back-up then struggle is inevitable.

However I think a salutory lesson should be learned for seasons to come,if you want to mix with the big boys of both league and Europe then make sure you are well covered to meet injury and loss of form as well as just plain old tiredness.

On walking from the ground there were many mutterings of discontent with everything but the one common theme was no one was eyeing the last three games with any confidence.

Lets hope the players rebuild theirs and give us some points.

UP THE BLUES!

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