The Mail Bag
A team to be proud of?
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Just had a chance to watch the Chelsea game after being away for the weekend, several points made me think of the contrasting tactics of Premier League teams.
We don?t really have any divers or play actors. (I know Arteta goes down a bit easy some times but he?s not in the same league as the likes of Drogba or Ballack.) Our players don?t roll around like they have been shot or surround the ref every time a decision is given against us. And it makes me wonder if this to our credit of detriment?
Personally, I would like to think we play the game the right way and deserve every point we get but can?t help thinking that the most successful teams use any means necessary to gain an advantage. Do we need to be more ruthless to succeed?
Kevin Price, Posted 24/12/2008 at 23:10:26
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But if you have a reputation, yellow cards can come quickly, as was the case for Chelsea on Monday.
If diving and acting like a prat and a bully is the way to succeed then I want no part in it. And before all the usual "end of the world" brigade jump on me, of course (as far as Monday's game is concerned) Chelsea are a fabulous team, many fantastic players but they do crowd the ref, they don?t like decisions that go against them, they do act like they own the frigging Premier League and they do behave like they are a rich club, which they are, who are entitled to be in the top four.
EFC are not perfect (and DM himself is not perfect) but I?m proud to call myself an EFC supporter and I wouldn?t want any player (Kevin is right about Arteta though) rolling around the ground like some kind of injured prima donna... jumping up as though as though nothing happened once the decision goes their way.
For the most part our players act and play like they "work" for the club and the supporters, that they are indeed true professionals and I wouldn?t want it any other way. If we get 4th or 5th or whatever then I know (we all know) that we?ve earnt it on merit, not because we were lucky with the refs (that?ll be the frigging day!) or that we?ve badgered the ref or dived etc etc etc.
I expect no action to be taken by any football body. They (FA, Fifa etc) are too preoccupied punishing players for over-zealous celebrating. When they pay attention to the real issues that detract from football they will earn some respect. On that day, pigs will fly, the reds will be humble, and the EFC marketing department will get a clue. Until then, Merry Christmas to you all. COYB!
Yakubu?s one of the worst culprits this season for pathetically throwing himself around as if he?d been snipered. All the worse due to the sheer fact that I?d put a fair bet on him coming out on top of a Premier League Battle Royale.
In football, the difference between winning and losing is paramount, not just to the club?s bank balance, the players or sponsors, but to us the fans as well. Nobody?s going to try and tell me they?d rather lose than win from an undeserved penalty or after having opposition numbers reduced ? may not feel as earnt, but it won?t stop that smile from taking over your face on the walk home or whenever you glance at the table over the following week.
We all hate it when we see Ronaldo, Gerrard or Drogba diving around ? but if they were doing it whilst wearing our royal blue, few would be moaning.
Yakubu is a diver as many times there?s no contact whatsoever. He doesn?t scream as much as Ronaldo, Drogba, Ballack though. But it?s just as embarassing cos he?s built like a tank. Won?t be printing Yak 22 on me jerseys anytime soon.
Yak has been embarassing at times. What's worse, is that several of those situations it would have been easier to shoot than to go down.
And Arteta, whilst he gets kicked a lot, does often "look for it" outside the box to get free-kicks or when there is limited option to pass. All part and parcel of the game that is and I have no problem with that particular aspect, but I wouldn't claim we were whiter than white.
Yes, Yakubu takes the odd dive (he should be subbed immediately by the way) but he gets fuck all for it except yellow cards.
What I am more proud of is that Everton do not go out to systematically intimidate the ref the way the Sky Four in particular do (think: Carragher, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Rooney, Ferdinand in particular). This is clearly dictated by their managers and is shameful. (Dowd nipped it in the bud on Monday by promptly booking Ballack and Lampard for dissent ? he could see exactly where this one was heading. Another feather in his cap.)
Whatever we think of their various abilities, in our defenders in particular (Neville, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Hibbert all) we have some of the most honest and decent professionals in the current game. When compared to scum like Arbeloa, I think we actually can be a little proud.
Many on this site mentioned how the last 4 games would define our season before the fact. Tottenham, Villa, Man City, Chelsea...
We?ve picked up 7 points from this merry band, please define...
I would like to congratulate Phil Dowd on his performance though; watching on tv, he seemed to get all the big decisions spot on, and I hope his bosses noticed. I laughed when he paced out the distance to the wall and Ballack got a card ? exactly the sort of response that players should get when they make those sort of ridiculous protestations.
As for diving to take advantage, the Yak does it but the worst I?ve ever seen was Drogba when he first arrived at Chelski, although when he stopped falling over he did become one of the best strikers in the world... maybe the Yak needs to be told? Anyway good game, and good reffing.
However, basically, we are an honest team ? as is Moyes an honest manager ? and I prefer it that way.
The real solution, as somebody mentioned earlier, is a panel to review the theatrics and dish out suspensions retrospectively. I see no reason why this can?t be instigated straight away.
No mention in the media about the way our players kept cool when Osman was fouled by Terry, nor when Cahill was stamped on on the edge of the box.
I think this is a most positive reflection on our team and deserves praise and respect. We should never resort to gamesmanship, we don?t need to.
I for one am very pleased that Moyes does not instruct our players to do this. You would have thought that spending millions was enough of an advantage for these teams, but they evidently think that it also gives them a license to cheat.
One thing I would like Moyes to do, though, is to stop our players getting involved in any arguments OTHER teams are having with the ref.
You know the sort of thing, a ref gives a contentious decision and the opposite team team start shoving and remonstrating with the ref. OUR players start holding them back and calming them down. Bugger that! Moyes should order them not to go anywhere near them, even if they are threatening to smack, say, Cahill or Osman. Let them. Then watch them get sent off. I?m sick of our lads being too nice and stopping opponents from making pricks of themselves. Bah! Humbug.!
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1 Posted 24/12/2008 at 03:08:20
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