Cheer up, Evertonians

Lee Molton 05/10/2007 5comments | Jump to last

I would like to redress the balance on Thursday?s game following a few negative reports. We travelled over to Ukraine knowing that we had to score if we had any change of progressing to the UEFA Cup Group Stages. The first half wasn?t a very good performance with Everton giving Metalist far too much space and time on the ball. The crowd was behind them to create a terrific atmosphere along with more than 2,000 travelling Evertonians.

At half-time, Everton were still in the game and needed to score twice to progress. An early goal from our top goalscorer Joleon Lescott got us level — could he be the new Derek Mountfield with scoring 5 goals already. Everton were pressing in midfield better and attacking more, but a few minutes later Metalist scored again. As bad as this was, it didn?t really change anything as we still only needed 1 goal to go through. It is to Everton?s credit that they came back again with a good goal from McFadden.

His confidence seems to be high at the moment and he is certainly taking advantage of the absence of Johnson up front. He is also now putting pressure on Yakubu to start scoring goals. It is taking Yakubu a while to settle in to the team and the way we play plus he hasn?t really had a pre-season with them, so encouragement from the fans is needed and not constant critism and barracking during the game. This will do the player no good at all, he will come good in time.

It was great to see Big Vic come on and score at the end to make the game safe, then we could now party and look forward to the Group stages. It is good to see McFadden and Anichebe getting amongst the goals and with Johnson to come back from injury, we certainly have good competition up front. The midfield blend needs to be solved though as Pienaar and Osman are looking off form at the moment, but with Gravesen and Cahill to come back from injury soon we should be ok.

Overall, it was terrific to come from behind twice last night against a capable Metalist side who were certainly no pushovers and Everton should be given a lot of credit for this. It was a good long trip for us Evertonians and let?s hope that the draw next week is kind to us and gives us some closer away games. Evertonians should be happy now and look forward to the Group stages. It has been a good season so far with still being in 2 Cup competitions and also 5th in the Premier League. Keep the faith!

Reader Comments

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David Nicholls
1 Posted 06/10/2007 at 18:35:17

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Nice to see someone looking on the brightside Lee! I’m absolutely made up that we are in Europe proper. I do however share your concerns about the midfield particularly in the holding role, Pip Nev looks more confortable at full back and Jag seems a bit off the pace, time for Carley to return to the starting XI methinks. I disagree about Pienaar though, I think he’s starting to look the part

Danny Mullally
2 Posted 06/10/2007 at 20:48:30

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Lee,
You are a welcome breath of fresh air. This fucking website has got me reaching for the razorblades recently.
Your summary is what we should take on board with a big cheesy grin on our grids.
I mean FFS we very RARELY have anything to shout about and when we do you still get the D-heads whinging.
That Metallist side was dangerous, I would go as far to say as a very good side. For us to be on their turf, in front of their crowd, and to still pull back the lead twice, that signals progress for me. We didn?t capitulate, and whatever Moyes changed at half time obviously worked because we scored 3 times.

I have no doubts in my mind that our gameplay was awful, but this win will give us the kick up the arse we needed in Europe, belief will grow within the squad and we will also see the return of our experienced players who will only improve what we already have.

NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMISM!!!!!!!!

Gerard Madden
3 Posted 06/10/2007 at 22:43:23

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Good cheerful article Lee, despite what the small minority of doomlords and drama queens think most Evertonians are feeling pretty positive about where our club is heading at the moment - on and off the pitch we’re entering great and interesting times and i’m just lovin’ it. :)

Neil Mckinney
4 Posted 07/10/2007 at 11:23:38

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Well done Lee for this piece. Short, sweet and positive but with some constructive criticism thrown in.

I too have grown weary of visiting this website only to see another article saying the same fucking thing! I mean, everybody’s writing the same article! I’m all for people’s right to post, but why send in an article or mailbag item saying exactly the same thing as four others that you’ve just read! Just post a comment agreeing.

We need to improve, of that there is no doubt. However, there is also much to be positive about.

COYB

Ronny
5 Posted 07/10/2007 at 19:21:18

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be glad to see yobo go to the ANC hes been looking lost lately and id like to see Nuno and Baines tried down the left,Neville and mikel down the right,Lescott and Stubbs centre backs,a couple of grinders in the middle Carsley to sit an Grav to push on,with AJ and the jogger Yakubu up top or Faddy ,Vic works better from the bench as an impact player,we can ease Cahill and Vaughan back from the bench and Shandy should be given another chance,were paying his wages so why not.Any views?