The Mail Bag

Key difference from last summer

I have noticed some panic in the ranks of some 'ToffeeWebers' lately and suggestions already that we may be in for a summer like last year.

Evidently we are not going to be as free spending as a number of other teams but I think a MASSIVE difference from last year is the fact that David Moyes is not stalling on a contract offer.

Clearly last year he didn't know if he was going to be staying, so realistically he couldnt have been putting in the time and commitment to signing a player. From the other side of the coin even if he was as committed as ever last year; it wouldn't have been the best view for anyone he spoke too, to be looking at the situation and asking if they would actually be playing for him at Everton anyway.

Let's not panic just yet fellow evertonians, it will undoubtedly be a bumpy ride, but I think we do have one of the best managers in the business, who has learnt a lot from past mistakes aswell as successes.

He may even have to do the odd nasty move (dare I say cash in on Lescott) but at least we can be confident that if he does do something, he will be doing it knowing that he will be the one at goodison who has to put up with the consequences.

I think more than ever it is relevant to say "In Moyes we SHOULD trust".

NSNO
Craig Taylor, Leicester     Posted 30/06/2009 at 18:22:03   Comments

Define “flop”

I read on here and a lot of people seem to think that Jo was a flop with 5 goals in 11 games.

Now forgive me here for being maybe too optimistic but 5 goals per 11 games could possibly be said to be 15 goals over 33 games. Maybe if he was to play all 38 league games over the season, add another 3 goals. So that's a possilbe 18 goals in 38 games (not including cup games or anything).

Now, I know if he was to play a full season at Everton things may be a tad different but still he fared better with confidence with us than he did with Man Shitty. But it's still a better average than Beattie, Johnson, McFadden or even Bent offered us.

Every stiker signed by everton is compared to our great strikers of past, but with the state of our strikers in recent seasons what would you perfer? One 20 goal a season or two 15 goal a season strikers?
Tony Hale, liverpool     Posted 30/06/2009 at 17:20:14   Comments

M'Bia's second choice?

I have to say I am very wary of M'Bia. We've been linked to this guy for two seasons now and I'm concerned about what his commitment level would be. There was so much double talk last season where he wanted to come to us, then wanted to go to Arsenal, then wanted to stay.

Now we have M'Bia's agent/lawyer trying to bleed more money from all interested parties by declaring that Marseille just needs to sweeten the pot a little more because he wants to play Champions League footy, but he'd settle for us if he had too (that's the inference from the Sky report). I don't know if he can be trusted — I think he'd bolt at the first opportunity.
Chris Wilson, Denver, CO, USA     Posted 30/06/2009 at 08:09:55   Comments

England U21s and Jack Rodwell

If you saw the U21 game last night, England were comfortably beaten by a very good and highly motivated German side.

Jack Rodwell came on at about 75 mins — to me it seemed he slotted in at right back. Within a minute he was chasing down a german who headed for and scored their 3rd goal. The 4th Goal also happened down Jack’s side and nothing he could do about it either.

Why oh why was Jack brought on to play right back? He’s definitely not a defender and had a great first game against the Germans in midfield. In fact, even the german TV commentator wondered why the only player to score against them up to last night was on the bench.

England were not at the races and Jack should have been on much earlier in midfield. Sorry Stuart — I know it’s easy to manage from this fence and after the game we’re all wiser — but I was disappointed with your handling of one of England’s best young midfielders.

Yes, I am biased as a toffee — but I think I’m right on this one. It may not have changed the outcome, but England wouldn’t have been so overrun in midfield with our Jack.
Kevin O'Regan, Munich     Posted 30/06/2009 at 06:00:48   Comments

New Online Store Arrangements

Just a quickie to say how impressed I was on using the new online store. Before now postage to us here in Oz has been so ridiculously high that I had to get my Dad to go to the store, buy stuff and mail it.

Now the (UPS!) rates are very good. But what surprised me was the speed of our 2 new Home Shirts arriving. They came yesterday (Monday 29th), just 2 days after the first UK deliveries! In fact if UPS in Melbourne had done their job properly we would have had them on Friday 26th, A DAY BEFORE the UK! Very impressive.

One possible sour note — the Chang branding looks VERY flimsy and not a patch on the recent Umbro versions - handwash only I reckon (!). Otherwise it is a lovely piece of clothing. Anyway, must dash, got the Season Review DVD to watch and see Jack, Joleon and Peanuts one last time before they chase the $$$$...
Gregg Ainsworth, Melbourne     Posted 30/06/2009 at 02:42:46   Comments

Literature corner

Although 35 years older than the intended target market, I was very pleased to get a copy of Martin Dobson's "Ultimate Goals" for my Birthday last week. (Thanks Mum). Martin Dobson novelist ? Couldn’t resist it. Basically, it’s the tale of a couple of kids making it through the youth systems of two middling but “old style” clubs to meet in the FA Cup final. The clubs are fictitious but all the other actors and teams are real-life. I read it all in one sitting on long haul flight yesterday.

Although Martin may not get a shot at the Booker prize any time soon, you can't fault him for lack of drama. Our former midfielder was all grace and sportsmanship on the pitch but he’s a right tearaway with a pen. The plot takes in adultery, heroin, alcoholism, religion, wife-beating, a broken leg, fractured skull, smashed jaw and the Asian Tsunami. Oh yes, not forgetting two punch ups, three spells in hospital and a hike up Machu Picciu.

In between all this mayhem, Martin’s affection for Everton can still be detected. There’s a cameo role for Bob Latchford (“looking distinctly trim”) which provides an opportunity for a dig about the injustice of the 1977 semi final. When each kid’s respective team meets Everton in the league, the blues enjoy comfortable wins.

The book’s aimed at the 12-14 range I’d guess, so I’m hardly in a position can’t offer any meaningful criticism. It’s clear Martin has a passion for youth football development, and although the story is set in the present, it’s a tale of local heroes, long-suffering fans and firm but fair gaffers rather than Drogbas and debt refinancing. Definitely a buy for anyone’s kid in the close season doldrums.

Mind you, today’s average teenager must be made of stronger stuff then I was back in the days I used to watch Martin. Strewth. Do they really get up to all that?
Michael Coffey, United Kingdom     Posted 29/06/2009 at 17:43:40   Comments

The midfield...

The transfer window opens soon and there have been lots of debates on who we need, who we should get rid of etc,etc. The midfield has been the Number 1 topic, and rightly so. Most people seem to think we have enough quality in this area (apart from the right wing). I tend to disagree and heres why.

1. Osman doesn't cut in the top flight; lightweight... goes missing too often.
2. Cahill, although he has the drive and passion, lacks passing skills, pace, and awareness.
3. Fellaini has done excellent in the second striker roll, but has struggled as a box-to-box centre-midfielder that he was bought in as.
4. Phil Neville is not a midfielder, fullstop. But he has done wonders as a stopgap.
5. Rodwell, though much improved, is still young and needs time; he is not a regular first-teamer yet.

That leaves us with Pienaar and Arteta; no problems with these two at all — they are creative gems.

I think we need another creative midfielder (Defour, Moutinho), a defensive midfielder, (Cana or M'Bia), and a wing man (Pennant or Kieta?). If we get those three, will top 4 be ours?
Sean McKenna, Ireland     Posted 29/06/2009 at 16:50:37   Comments

Conspiracy Theory...

Here's one for all you who are bored given the lack of action at present.

Now that Jacobsen has departed, what odds do I get on Joleon (sadly) leaving in a deal for cash plus Micah Richards??
Rupert Sullivan, Paris     Posted 29/06/2009 at 15:15:38   Comments

Jacobsen move signals intent

With the news that Blackburn have "swooped" (I like the idea of Sam Allardyce swooping!) for Lars Jacobsen on a two year deal, are we about to see moves in the market from David Moyes to shore up the right back position? If so are we looking at a young player in the mould of Kyle Naughton and has Jocobsen been allowed to go because at 29 he doesn't fit into DM's plans for young recruits?

Or is this a case of the player going because we can't offer him the right length of deal, rather than an issue of how much playing time he will get?

Or are we persisting with Hibbo in that position with Neville as cover with no intention of creating competition for a place in that berth?

Not expecting inside info, just opinions.
Daniel  Marfany, London     Posted 29/06/2009 at 14:52:27   Comments

Jozy Altidore

As an American Evertonian I am always interested in my fellow Blue's opinions about American players. I do have to say that I'm little surprised at some of the recent backlash upon Tim Howard, but each to their own I guess.

But it was just announced on ESPN (news crawler at the bottom of the page actually) that Jozy Altidore told "Goal.com" that he DOES NOT want to return to Villarreal; that he wants to go someplace where he will play on a fairly regular basis. He was the most expensive U.S. transfer ever ($10 million), and there were rumors that Moyes was interested in getting him on loan in January.

I will say that he is only 19 and was not fully fit in the Confed Cup because he has hardly played this season except for U.S. World Cup qualifiers. Would you want to see him in a Blue shirt?
Chris Wilson, Denver, CO     Posted 29/06/2009 at 13:14:41   Comments

Howard must leave

Yes, I was among those who were enthralled by our win against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals. But I certainly didn't uphold the alleged brilliance of Howard in terms of explaining our triumph. Yes, he saved two poorly executed penalties, but that doesn't mean he is a Nietzschean Übermesch.

Southall would have saved Lampard's winner in the FA Cup final. And this is my main point. A superb goalie will land us 20 extra points and grant us the top spot in the FA Cup.

There are better goalies out there than Howard. I would suggest paying £5 million for Shovkovskiy of Dynamo Kiev. This will be a worthy replacement for Neville Southall.
Dominic Bobadilla, Berlin, Kreuzberg     Posted 27/06/2009 at 21:24:22   Comments

How much is enough?

If I were a professional footballer coming to the end of my career, this is what I would like to have achieved:

1. Financial security for me and my family.
2. A regular place in the Premier League.
3. As many honours as possible.
4. Played for my country.
5. Played at club were I was happy and were I was respected by my team mates.
6. Left supporters with the idea that I cared as much as they did.

I have read Evertonians on this site state that they don't blame any player for moving if he can double his salary. What nonsense. Personally, as someone who is poorly paid in a job I enjoy I would, with some regret, move for double the money. However, this is entirely relative. What quality of life can £80k a week provide that £40K a week can't?

I don't believe that footballers generally are any different to the rest of us as far as money goes. There are of course exceptions, Ronaldo being one, who have apparently focused on football to the extent that they have failed to develop any sense of proportion or morality.

All footballers are not like that and I strongly believe that Everton can offer as much to a player as anyone. We tick all the boxes except regular honours. That will come. We should be an attractive proposition to any thinking footballer who can see past the greed of his agent.
Andy Crooks, Belfast     Posted 27/06/2009 at 20:49:18   Comments

Confederations Cup thoughts

As a proudly South African blue living in Cape Town I thought I'd like post a few observations in the aftermath of the Confederations Cup currently being contested here.

1. It's oft not advisable to judge a player after one major tournament (Daniel Amokachi anyone?) but I believe that I have seen the best goalkeeping talent to emerge from South Africa since the likes of Gary Bailey and, more recently, Andre Arendse. The boy Khune (pronounced 'koo-neh') has been a revelation.

I only really began taking note of him after he saved David Villa's penalty in the final group game against Spain, but he truly has caught the eye both in the remainder of that game and in the semi-final versus Brazil. What immediately caught my attention was the way he catches the ball when struck from distance, hardly ever offering rebounds to strikers lurking in the box.

Another instantly recognizable attribute is his agility, and the size and accuracy of his goal-kicking. At 22, I expect to hear much more about "spiderman" after his exploits at the Confederations Cup.

2. Steven Pienaar is a gem of a player. Reading a few of the comments about the little man on here in the past few days, I must say that I concur with what the majority are saying. And then some! Naturally, I am biased, but Steven Pienaar is the type of player that is a joy to watch. When he's on song, he runs at defenders and into space all the time, dragging them out of position before delivering a killer pass.

The way he dictated much of the play against Brazil (five times World Champions, lest we forget!) made for delightful viewing, and if he improves his game even further (becoming more of a goalscoring threat, for instance), then Pienaar will become an even better player.

As to whether or not he should don the "Mikel mantle" and begin orchestrating things from the middle, or continue his fruitful link-up play with the improving Leighton Baines down the left is a poser, but that is part of what David Moyes is paid to do — make those kinds of decision. I suppose much will depend on Arteta's recovery, and activity on the transfer front.

3. This tournament was a roaring success, any way you choose to look at it. It produced some scintillating football, some wonderful goals and a couple of results that can only be good for the game. As wonderful a sight as Spain are when they are in the mood, I believe that the USA were the better team on the day in their semi-final, and in many ways reminded me a lot of the way Everton play in that and their other games. No superstars, just defending as a unit, knowing their strengths and limitations and sticking to a gameplan — and look at the results!

ps: To the site moderators: thanks for a fantastic website, both in terms of design and content! One of the first places I visit daily I assure you ;)
David Gallant, Cape Town, South Africa     Posted 27/06/2009 at 18:58:08   Comments

Past Masters?

I am sitting here watching the masters and its so sad to see the likes of Paul Gerrard and Tony Grant in an Everton shirt again. I had to watch them as a child and I hoped that would be the last... Thank God for Matt Jackson and Graham Stuart, we just drew level with Wigan. :)

Seems like a good amount of Blues in there though making quite a bit of noise...
Lewis Abbott, Ormskirk     Posted 27/06/2009 at 18:04:50   Comments

Joey Yobo — A Tribute

With Jagielka's superb season, Lescott's England call-ups and well deserved praise being heaped on Everton's defensive qualities, Joseph Yobo has had to take somewhat of a back seat of late. I, like most would put both Jags & Joleon as first choice centre backs, but now seems as good a time as any to honour just how good a servant Yobo has been for the blues.

One of Moyes's first buys (possibly his first? stat-heads will confirm this or otherwise), Yobo has been outstanding for us over his long spell at Everton. We all know he can be a little erratic at times and is prone to the odd error or two, but what a good signing he's been for us. He's not a badge kisser, he doesn't spout on about his love for the club and yet he's spent the best part of his career at Everton and has recently put pen to paper on a new deal, even though he has been warming the bench for large parts of last season and you never hear him complain. Players like Yobo are few and far between nowadays.

We've been spoiled with Jags and Joleon. Those two could make most defenders look ordinary in comparison, but Yobo has been and is still a quality centre back. I for one am glad he's sticking around and, with the possibility of Lescott moving on and with Jagielka out for the fist part of the season, Yobo is more than likely going to play a vital role in 2009-10. So here's to Yobo!
Ian Ankers, Chester     Posted 27/06/2009 at 12:26:35   Comments

Groundhog Day

Starting to feel as though this close season will be a similar washout to last time. The media will link us with every Tom, Dick or João until a final "flurry" of loan signings with a day or two to go.

I just hope we don't sell Lescott only to have Jô (loan) and Jacobsen paraded as "new signings" with the rest of the money spirited away for Kirkby with a final "Sky money" deal made with minutes to go.

Roll on September - please!
Mark Wynne, Bury St Edmunds     Posted 27/06/2009 at 11:38:31   Comments

The worst of all time!

Really hate this time of the year in the football calendar so to captivate my depression I thought I would make a topic about the worst ever Everton team from all the players over the years, its probably been done a thousand times already but heres mine!

Manager - Mike Walker

GK - Espen Baardsen
RB - Earl Barrett
LB - Terry Phelan
CB - Per Krøldup
CB - Carl Tiler
LM - Andy van der Meyde
RM - Niclas Alexandersson/Osman?
CM - Alex Nyarko
CM - Danny Williamson
ST - Michael Branch
ST - Stuart Barlow

Subs: anyone from a good choice of 50!
Dan  Machin, Sheffield     Posted 27/06/2009 at 08:56:53   Comments

Some good news at last!

A brief distraction from all the rumours about comings and goings (ok, more about goings), but Keith Hackett, oft-emailed head of Professional Game Match Officals Ltd (PGMOL) is stepping down.

Replacement is none other than Mike Riley.

This must surely mean that Riley's retired? I missed that if true.

So should be another 2 pens for us, and two legitimate goals not ruled out.

Update that prediction thingy...
Matt Traynor, Singapore     Posted 27/06/2009 at 00:21:26   Comments

Everton Direct (Kitbag)

Just a little word of warning to all those who will order the new kit tomorrow and expect to recieve it in the next couple of days.

I have only just recieved my Fathers Day present even though my wife paid the extra £7 to get the stuff delivered in 2 days. After the delivery did not arrive, she phoned Everton Direct who stated that, even though she had paid the extra shipping charge, it still takes 4 DAYS(!!) to get the stock out of the warehouse. This is supposed to be a multi-million pound company, yet it takes 4 days to get the stock ready for despatch?!? Come on, what a load of crap!

I hope this is not a sign of things to come in the next 10 years!

Happy buying!
Scott Jenner, South Wales     Posted 26/06/2009 at 17:01:26   Comments

Pienaar against New Zealand Brazil

Watched the Brazil V South Africa game. Peanuts had a great game in the whole of the midfield. What a player and bags of energy. Nearly scored twice with long-range shots.

Hope he can do it for the Blues — needs a free role IMO. If he and Arteta can click, we will see some great football.
Frank  Duffy, Formby     Posted 26/06/2009 at 07:57:46   Comments