The Mail Bag
Midfield Bypass
Comments (14)
Some people's way of dealing with things is to ignore the problem and hope it goes away. It strikes me as this is what's happening with our midfield as they are certainly being ignored by our defenders.
To be fair to Moyes, he wanted to take advantage of our progress and the momentum of last season but was obviously restricted by his transfer kitty. Perhaps this is also the reason for the delay in signing the new contract and his obvious lack of enthusiasm. Having said that, I think that we really should be playing to our strengths, a strong defense, a gifted midfield and good forward line. Not to use potentially the best area of our team (midfield) seems like madness and to my mind can only be coming from the training ground and general culture.
Maybe Moyes doesn?t have much confidence in them, maybe Moyes wanted to change that in the transfer window, maybe the players he did bring in were forced on him and need time to bed in but whatever the reasons he needs to sort it out soon and start playing more creative and attacking football, not least for the sake of the fans.
Ste Blundell, Posted 30/09/2008 at 11:26:31
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I think we honestly miss the hardwork that Carsley use to do and the organisational skills & commanding the back line of Stubbs. Hopefully Stubbs coming back as a coach will help the back line
Our defence usually plays very deep which push the team back as a whole. I find it strange as in Yobo, Jagielka and Lescott we have possibly one of the quickest defences in the Prem and all three are capable of keeping up with opposition strikers.
When the defence drops deep the midfield has to to drop deep, if they don’t we have a big gap which exposes us. Neville and Carsley basically play as third centre halfes at times because of this, that and the fact that they don’t have the qualties going forward to contribute.
Our whole set is a mess, Moyes found a formation that suited us last season and he’s got to do that this season. Carsley is gone so we can’t play the third centre half/sweeper role anymore. Fellaini isn’t being used in a defensive role so that leaves Segundo Castillo.
I think Castillo has been promising. He’s a good footballer, comfortable in possession and tidy with his passing. He’s strong and likes a tackle but I do feel he’s a little laid back and at times his positioning looks a bit iffy.
Maybe he isn’t a natural defensive midfielder either, someone called him a poor mans Lassana Diarra and I’d say he’s closer to that than a Carsley or even a Makelele.
We just have to find the right combination and stick to it. Pienaar coming back will help the style of play and Saha getting games will also improve our distribution in the final third.
It’s up to Moyes though, does he go positive like he did around this time last season or does he stick to his old ways, not learn from his mistakes and play negatively.
This team is capable of playing football and Moyes had them playing some decent stuff at times last season. Hopefully this will be the case this year.
It’s all well and good saying Moyes out, it isn’t going to happen I’m afraid. I’m looking for a positive improvement, hopefully he delievers.
When the defence drops deep the midfield has to to drop deep, if they don’t we have a big gap which exposes us. Neville and Carsley basically play as third centre halfes at times because of this, that and the fact that they don’t have the qualties going forward to contribute.
Our whole set is a mess, Moyes found a formation that suited us last season and he’s got to do that this season. Carsley is gone so we can’t play the third centre half/sweeper role anymore. Fellaini isn’t being used in a defensive role so that leaves Segundo Castillo.
I think Castillo has been promising. He’s a good footballer, comfortable in possession and tidy with his passing. He’s strong and likes a tackle but I do feel he’s a little laid back and at times his positioning looks a bit iffy.
Maybe he isn’t a natural defensive midfielder either, someone called him a poor mans Lassana Diarra and I’d say he’s closer to that than a Carsley or even a Makelele.
We just have to find the right combination and stick to it. Pienaar coming back will help the style of play and Saha getting games will also improve our distribution in the final third.
It’s up to Moyes though, does he go positive like he did around this time last season or does he stick to his old ways, not learn from his mistakes and play negatively.
This team is capable of playing football and Moyes had them playing some decent stuff at times last season. Hopefully this will be the case this year.
It’s all well and good saying Moyes out, it isn’t going to happen I’m afraid. I’m looking for a positive improvement, hopefully he delievers.
So, with TC out for the next three PL fixtures it seems we will have to find a new strategy!!
Is this a bad thing? Hardly, for all the effort of TC he often is a yard off the pace and is a liabillity.
How far away from fittness is Peanut? What will our midfield be for the next month?
Frankly I don’t care!!! The only thing I want is for us to start performing like a top five side, which by virtue of our finnishing position last season, is what we are.
Nothing is ever straight forward as an Everton fan. That is what makes being an Everton fan such an all consumming thing.
I truly hope that DM never reads half the shit that people offer up on this website, but maybe he has and is getting his own back!!!!!
As for BK, I will wait, play the long game and see what transpires. If fans think that this club is a mess then maybe they should take the time to look at many others, who would gladly swop places.
Outside the top four we may be, but if we give up hope we have nothing. So I for one will keep the faith a little longer. After all, its not easy to break a habit, even if it is detrimental to your health and well being.
NSNI, rather old very battered but still visible, and hopefully still achievable.
Is this a bad thing? Hardly, for all the effort of TC he often is a yard off the pace and is a liabillity.
How far away from fittness is Peanut? What will our midfield be for the next month?
Frankly I don’t care!!! The only thing I want is for us to start performing like a top five side, which by virtue of our finnishing position last season, is what we are.
Nothing is ever straight forward as an Everton fan. That is what makes being an Everton fan such an all consumming thing.
I truly hope that DM never reads half the shit that people offer up on this website, but maybe he has and is getting his own back!!!!!
As for BK, I will wait, play the long game and see what transpires. If fans think that this club is a mess then maybe they should take the time to look at many others, who would gladly swop places.
Outside the top four we may be, but if we give up hope we have nothing. So I for one will keep the faith a little longer. After all, its not easy to break a habit, even if it is detrimental to your health and well being.
NSNI, rather old very battered but still visible, and hopefully still achievable.
Burglary was recently committed at Everton?s ground and the entire contents of the trophy room were stolen.
The police are looking for a man with a blue carpet.
Sorry, I think this is funny.
The police are looking for a man with a blue carpet.
Sorry, I think this is funny.
"Man with blue carpet named"
Police have released the name of the perpertrator, James Marshall
Police have released the name of the perpertrator, James Marshall
After Evertons crap start to the season I nailed my season ticket to the club gates in disgust.
Next day I had a change of heart and went back for it - and some bastard had nicked the nail.
:)
Next day I had a change of heart and went back for it - and some bastard had nicked the nail.
:)
James,
Class.
Class.
Thanks D, I like em too!
Its at times like these, its important to laugh at ones-self, otherwise you become Tony Marsh. :)
Its at times like these, its important to laugh at ones-self, otherwise you become Tony Marsh. :)
Only a rumour but I see we may be in for Tom Huddlestone in Jan.
Not a bad shout in my book as we need a defensive mid who can spot - and deliver - a defence splitting pass, but if true what does this mean for the roles of Castillo and Felliani...??
Not a bad shout in my book as we need a defensive mid who can spot - and deliver - a defence splitting pass, but if true what does this mean for the roles of Castillo and Felliani...??
Huddlestone isn’t a defensive midfielder, he doesn’t have defensive qualities anyway.
I think the whole team is on hold until we find out what is going on with Kirby.
If we get the agreement, then Moyes gets transfer budgets confirmed, then Moyes signs his contract, his positive mental attitude picks up, the team start winning.... then Big Bill sell Everton with a new stadium....FUCK ME THAT IS SOME DREAM.
Long live goodison.
If we get the agreement, then Moyes gets transfer budgets confirmed, then Moyes signs his contract, his positive mental attitude picks up, the team start winning.... then Big Bill sell Everton with a new stadium....FUCK ME THAT IS SOME DREAM.
Long live goodison.
The original post is spot on in my opinion.
The way the likes of Jag, Nev, Howard & even more so recently Yobo & lescott just lump the ball aimlessly into an area rather than knocking it to a midfielder is piss poor football. It disgusts me, its basic rules of the game, keep your passes simple, dont play your mate into trouble, dont give possession away. Yet are defenders and goalkeeper does it as standard, its things like this where Moyes falls down.
Sometimes its the best option to clear your lines but not when you’ve got the ball at your feet with no-one around you.
If I could of got my seat off I would of chucked it at Jag on saturday, its becoming ridiculous the amount of times he just twats it as far as it can. If he starts that tomorrow I dont know what I’ll do, but I’ll fucking let him know
The way the likes of Jag, Nev, Howard & even more so recently Yobo & lescott just lump the ball aimlessly into an area rather than knocking it to a midfielder is piss poor football. It disgusts me, its basic rules of the game, keep your passes simple, dont play your mate into trouble, dont give possession away. Yet are defenders and goalkeeper does it as standard, its things like this where Moyes falls down.
Sometimes its the best option to clear your lines but not when you’ve got the ball at your feet with no-one around you.
If I could of got my seat off I would of chucked it at Jag on saturday, its becoming ridiculous the amount of times he just twats it as far as it can. If he starts that tomorrow I dont know what I’ll do, but I’ll fucking let him know
James I think your jokes are funny but I would have a belly laugh at this one ...............
David Blaine is gutted. After spending 40 days sitting in a box doing nothing, he now finds Robbie Keane has broken his record
On a change of note.. good news that Pienaar and Anichibe ok for UEFA game .. fingers and toes crossed!!
David Blaine is gutted. After spending 40 days sitting in a box doing nothing, he now finds Robbie Keane has broken his record
On a change of note.. good news that Pienaar and Anichibe ok for UEFA game .. fingers and toes crossed!!
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1 Posted 30/09/2008 at 14:15:50
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Having spent more time, recently, overseas I have had to watch Everton's games on various TV stations. However, in recent games I have been impressed by the way both Fellaini and Castellio have been able to control the ball in tight situations and make themselves available for passes. In the Derby game I was again amazed at how slowly Everton passed along the backline until the ball reached Hibbert and then other Everton players ran away from him until his alternatives were to take on three opposition players or hoof it somewhere downfield.
Also, the defence do not seem able to hold a line to play the offside trap or to know where each other are. Lescott is wasted at left back, Jagielka is, unfortunately, out of his depth and Yobo goes walkabout without someone alongside to keep him concentrating. A decent winger able to stretch and turn the opposition defence and cross from the byeline is desparately needed.
Asking proven goalscorers to backtrack is to excuse where that responsibility should lie. What makes me really despair is that if I, and many other Evertonians, can see this, why can't the manager? The cost of my opinion on the bleeding obvious? A lot less than £70K a week that others are being offered but I don't know what else is being asked for that sort of money.