ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Musings From 'Boro Away

First off, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the gang. Let's hope it brings us..... something! Anyway, I don't do this often but here are some of my thoughts on yesterday's match.

Was it my imagination, or was the 'Best Little Spaniard......' leaping about like a man possessed yesterday, winning hundreds of headers? Think he must have got a new pair of of spring-heeled boots off Father Christmas.... or has he been concealing his aerial prowess from us all this time? Pretty startling.

And, I thought he was fucking brilliant yesterday, as was the entire midfield.... and defence.... and the Aussie lad 'up top' (about whom much has been written on another thread).

Mike Riley? Joke... Almost single-handedly waging a campaign to eliminate all contact from the game. I couldn't believe it when he didn't point to the spot when Johnson went down.

And just for once, we had a Blue in the commentary box. Instead of the boring no-mark miserable kopite Efan Ekoku, or the terminally dull Paul Walsh, we had Barry Horne! Which was nice.

Let's hope we can keep it going!

COYB
Dave Richman, Benoni, South Africa Posted 27/12/2008 at 07:26:57

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Joeynkoo Ludden
1 Posted 27/12/2008 at 15:23:14

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Dave, our Barry Horne often commentates on us, and he?s always unbiased and objective. Much improvement on the other rubbish that get a go with the mic.

Thought we controlled the game yesterday, but for 5 mins when the sprinty Johnson came on. Man for man they were excellent, Fellaini must have won 99% of the headers he contested, and knocked I?d guess 75% of those headers to the feet of a blue shirt. Mikel is so much better in the centre, and Gosling had a good run out. I want to see more of the likes of Gosling and the youth element, hoping Moyes gives them a run out.

Riley was frustrating. He turned the game into a sneeze and you get a free kick type encounter. Stop start. That in the last 10 mins actually helped us. Don?t know why Moyes didn?t try and run the clock down using subs, but in the end that wasn?t needed as I think half the 4 added minutes were lost to Riley?s whistle. What can the FA possibly see in this guy?

Up to 6th and everyone sounds quite positive as we are winning and playing some nice stuff in batches too. Cue home defeat to the makems and an embarrassing exit from the Cup at the hands of Macclesfield. I?m just cynical I guess!

COYB!

Graham Brandwood
2 Posted 27/12/2008 at 22:52:58

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Its about time the papers or somebody produced some figures on the corelation between the entertainment value of matches and the referee?s in charge. Riley is a totally useless referee. He shows no understanding of the game, almost all physical contact leads to a foul, all fouls are yellows, and yellows are often red. He spoils games with his constant whistle blowing, and is responsible for the worst refereeing display I have witnesed. Does anybody else remember an FA Cup tie against Ipswich in the late 90s when they had a late equaliser denied and Danny Cadamateri was carded for diving when he fell over?

Dominic Fitzpatrick
3 Posted 27/12/2008 at 23:21:01

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I’m loving Graeme Sharp’s Radio City commentary this season.

He’s so full of passion and goes crazy when the ball goes in, love it!

It’s not an ideal situation having to listen on the Radio but Sharpy’s commentary makes it tolerable.

Irman Khusaini
4 Posted 28/12/2008 at 12:26:17

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Dominic,

how do you tune in to Radio City Is it available on the internet? Here in Singapore, we can get most live messages but there are times when we don’t so just checking alternatives on how to tune in to my beloved Everton. Thanks.

Mark Cassin
5 Posted 28/12/2008 at 13:18:18

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Irman, i’m also in Singapore.

Today we’re on starhub--supersports channel 21.

We’re usually on either supersports (21 oe 22 )or football channel 27.so unless you’re stuck in work nights then you should be ok!

Also some lads on here and other sites link us to plenty of streams which are of really good quality.

Mike Mulhall
6 Posted 28/12/2008 at 07:07:12

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I know I should have written this post nearer the time but Xmas was upon me and the missus was pestering me to wrap things! But after the Terry sending off, at half-time on Setanta, did any one see graham poll give his verdict on the sending off?

He said Phil Dowd would be nervous because he isn't sending off just any player! He is sending off the England Captain and so extra care would have to go into deciding whether it is a red or yellow card!

This shows what teams like us, Villa and a host of others are up against! By Poll saying this, it clearly indicates to me that the FA put pressure on referees to give preference to certain players and clubs! So outrageous was this verdict by Poll that even the Setanta presenter got annoyed and questioned what Poll said! I suppose that attiude explains a lot for seasons gone by, such as the Hutchison goal etc!