ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Proud to be a Toffee

We are all disappointed with the defeat to Villa but the performance was great, I am a lifelong toffee living in Dublin. I go to 5/6 games a season and love Goodison Park. Unfortunately I was not at the match on Sunday but I would like to praise & congratulate my fellow toffees who were at the match.

The reason I am doing this is because of the support that was shown to Phil Jagielka after his horrible mistake. On the TV I could hear the chant of "there's only one Phil Jagielka". Contrast that with the they way Arsenal fans treated Emmanuel Eboue at the weekend, they booed him off the pitch. Imagine that, booing yer own player so much that he was on the verge of tears.

It just goes to show the calibre and class of Everton fans and I would like to say a heartfelt thnaks to all those who supported Jags when he needed it during the match rather than turn on him like Arsenal fans did. Fellow toffees, you made me proud.... well done!!
Graham Nolan, Dublin, Ireland Posted 09/12/2008 at 08:54:15

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Chris Mason
1 Posted 09/12/2008 at 15:07:17

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Jags has been top class this season and last. You could see the disapoinment in his face throughout the remainder of the game. It was a bad error but he’ll never do it again.

Ciarán McGlone
2 Posted 09/12/2008 at 15:14:45

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Er.... I certainly don?t think jags will not do it again, because he makes his fair share of clangers. But it was definitely nice to see some humility from the Street End, rather than the expected vitriol.

I?m not a big fan of Jags, but I?m a fan of consistency, and he must be applauded for his recent defensive consistency.... irrespective of the mistake.

JL Slap
3 Posted 09/12/2008 at 16:02:13

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He's great for making them big slidies in the corner flag when the forward is going nowhere!!

Nah, to be fair he has made some great tackles this season and last but IMO he's not good enough, half of the pressure we face is cos we give the ball away from the back & he makes as many if not more mistakes than Yobo who got lambasted for it!! All about opinions & mine is, he?s not good enough.

Daniel Powell
4 Posted 09/12/2008 at 16:05:16

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Jagielka not good enough?! FFS what does that say about the rest of our squad this season?

Yes his distribution could be improved upon but for all round commitment and reliability (except Sunday) the lad's been been top draw this season. I?d back Jags against any forward in a one on one situation. More than can be said for Lescott and Yobo.

Rich Williams
5 Posted 09/12/2008 at 16:19:52

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I wonder what the reaction would be if it was Fellaini?

Adi Wade
6 Posted 09/12/2008 at 16:21:51

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Or Neville?

Or Ashley Cole if he played for us... lol.

Jimmy Crack
7 Posted 09/12/2008 at 17:36:40

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Daniel:

Jags isn?t good enough. No one in our squad is good enough for the lofty expectations we place on them. We expect world beaters, but let's face it, they?re not. However, I think with better tactics and coaching, they could seriously challenge the top 4.

Actually, I would say the Yak is good enough... I was amazed he hadn?t been picked up by one of the big 4 when we signed him. I?d rather have him over Tevez, Rooney, or Robbie Keane any day.

Andy Crooks
8 Posted 09/12/2008 at 17:38:17

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I?ve criticised David Moyes quite a bit on this site but I?ve never criticised a player here and have never jeered a player at a game. Confidence is a huge part of what makes a Premier League player ? has anyone ever seen a player whose game has improved after constant barracking? There is simply no point.

The way the crowd responded to Jagielka's howler will have done him, and the others, a power of good. It was the most positive thing to come out of the game and I?ll bet that today, Phil Jagielka feels like an Evertonian.

Daniel Powell
9 Posted 09/12/2008 at 17:39:44

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Jimmy, I agree the standard of our squad isn?t good enough, but that's the case throughout the whole league with the exception of the SKY4.

But in a season were our so-called big players have failed to live up to expectations, Jags has been the shining light. Players like Arteta, Cahill and the Yak have simply underperformed so I think our consistent centre-half deserves all the credit in the world.

I also find it hard to see how, with better coaching and tactics, this team could seriously challenge the top4. Our first XI perhaps on a good day could give any side a run for their money but the depth is simply not there to compete week-in, week-out. Let's face it we?ve became also rans in the scheme of things.

Gerry Western
10 Posted 09/12/2008 at 20:21:37

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Graham, I have to agree the reaction of the fans was tremendous. Jags knew he?d made a gaff of monumental importance... the last thing he needed was to be reminded by the fans. I?ve read so much crap in the past about the so-called loyal fans across the park who cheer and sing in defeat ? an act invariably engineered for the benefit to the cameras. However contrast their vilification of Riise for his gaff in the Champions League with the support shown for Jags ? no stage managed antics, just an overwhelming empathy for a guy who has given everything since the first kick of a ball this season.

As for his ability, I think the criticism is unfair. Yes, his passing at times leaves something to be desired. However, his timing in challenges is superb and his reading of the the game is second to none ? these are real qualities in a central defender where it is of the utmost importance to be able to anticipate the potential threat posed by the opposition. These qualities far outweigh the ability to hit a thirty-yard pass to a team mate.

Alan Codd
11 Posted 09/12/2008 at 21:45:47

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Pity Moyes didn't feel the same way after the match!!!

Alan Kirwin
12 Posted 09/12/2008 at 23:44:45

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Ciaran

What’s your take on Jagielka? You say you’re not a fan. I think he’s not the most comfortable on the ball and his passing is, erm, not great. But defensively (his main job) he has few peers.

He seems to fill a role similar to what Sol Campbell did for years and is responsible for saving Everton so many times it’s untrue. His timing & positioning is usually imperious. I’m surprised you don’t appreciate him...

Ciarán McGlone
13 Posted 10/12/2008 at 09:40:05

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Alan,

I would agree in principle with your assessment of him... but my opinion is somewhat tainted by something he did once at the end of last season and once at the beginning of this season ? he (as the last man) turned his back on an advancing striker... and on both occasions nothing short of a miracle prevented him from being embarrassed.

It's a thing I?ve only ever seen one other supposed quality centre half do in all the football matches I?ve watched... and that other player was Toure in the AFCON.

Therefore I?m of the opinion that he is capable of making a defensive clanger at any stage..

BUT ? and it?s a big but ? after his shaky start to the season (Sunday aside) he seems to have reduced this frequency.... and I?m always happy to be proven wrong about players I don?t rate.

If only he could learn composure on the ball and curtail the urge to hoof it...