The Mail Bag

Vaughan on loan

Suprised to see JV going out on loan at this stage in the season, even if its only for one month.

With Donovan playing his last game at the weekend and Yakubu and Anchiebe looking out of sorts at the moment, plus Cahill's injury and Saha's fragility, I would have thought that ironically this would be the time that Vaughan would be essential to either start games or be on the bench as an impact substitute if required. Just don't understand the rationale about sending him out on loan now...
Alun Jones     Posted 12/03/2010 at 02:12:01   Comments (16)

Are you Superstitious......?

I was pondering Brendan O'Doherty's post the other night on Francis Porters "The tide is Turning...." mailbag thread...

"David, could be just the Chardonnay,but 1891,1915,1939,1963,1987.......2011." and it got me thinking....

Was Brendan alluding to the fact that if you add a 4 onto the last digit of each consecutive title winning season then you'd get the next?

If so this would be misleading - so I must be wrong about that - as 3 of the title winning years are ommited, the real sequence is as we know is....

1891, 1915, 1928, 1932, 1939, 1963, 1970, 1985 and 1987...

So, if I've got this right, the real sequence is 4, 3, 4, 7, 4, 7, 5, 2 or in real terms 24, 13, 4, 7, 24, 7, 15 and 2 - so no real correlation.

Or is there....

We have never gone more than 24 years — if I'm right — and not won a league title. This has nearly happened twice but was averted in 1915 and 1963.

If we don't win the title next season we will have gone more the 24 years without a championship title — for the very first time in our history.

However... wait for it... wait for it.....

There was 48 years between the two seasons when we last broke the 24-year hoodoo, 1915 and 1963....

Add another 48 years on to find the next time we will break the ..... oh my God..... OH MY GOD!?!?

24-year hoodoo...

It's 2011!!!!

Put your house on it lads! The trophy's coming home.....!!!!!
Mike  Green     Posted 11/03/2010 at 23:15:13   Comments (19)

Billionaire needed! So look at today's news, Bill

Bill and his mates are apparently looking hard for a billionaire. Well here is a list of people for you to contact courtesy of the latest Forbes magazine Billionaire list:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8560731.stm
Craig Taylor     Posted 11/03/2010 at 15:59:47   Comments (13)

Jermaine Beckford

I guess that this is probably more suited to the Rumour Mill, but here goes...

A close work colleague of mine is very good friends with the goalkeeping coach at a Championship club nearby to where we work in Sheffield. He just happened to mention this morning that his mate had told him that we have definitely signed Beckford from Leeds and he will join us during the close season.

Apparently it's common knowledge in football circles. Kind of fits in with the Vaughan to Leicester rumours as well?
Mike Southworth     Posted 11/03/2010 at 12:29:39   Comments (30)

The Underdogs...

I was reading through some articles, saying that we have nothing to play for, or playing just for a league position. Utter nonsense!

000 Someone said, 10 games, 30 points for grab. Which is absolutely true! I live in a small little country where there're competitions everywhere, so we don't dream here, we face the reality. But, looking at the fixtures, we have every chance of being the underdogs and surprise everyone.

The 9 Games left are... Birmingham (A) - after the 5-1 thrashing of Hull, morale is high, 3 points... why not?

Bolton (H) - Home form is excellent, another 3 points.

Man City (A) - Definitely the toughest compared to other matches. A draw is good.

Wolves (A) - Not easy meat as wolves are fighting to avoid relegation. Still, possible 3 points

West Ham (H) - I'd say, this is the most unpredictable game, Hammers are good but inconsistent, hopefully 3 points

Blackburn (A) - By this time, Blackburn has nothing much to play for. Possible 3 points

Fulham (H) - The second toughest among all. Maybe 1 point

Stoke (A) - Again, nothing to play for. Possible 3 points

Portsmouth (H) - hmmm..do I have to say more? 3 point.

Don't think we need a calculator to sum it up. So let's do it slowly and quietly. Europa, possible.
David Lok David     Posted 11/03/2010 at 05:37:17   Comments (23)

Pienaar Banned for 12 Months... on the road

When the news broke that an Everton player had been retarded enough to drink under the influence and get charged, I called the guy on these pages a tit.

Quite a few responded with a ‘wait and see what happens at the trial’ attitude, but with a DUI charge, the outcome was inevitable. We now learn Pienaar has a 12-month ban from driving and a fine of what would equate to you and me as a fiver.

I’m not looking for a public apology, or some kind of statement to re-enforce him as a role model… THE CHILDREN! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

What I do want is Moyes, or Kenwright who pays the guy, to give him a severe dressing down, and if done already, again. Other teams will happily sign players who drink and drive, screw around, dodge drug tests, assault people, roast girls, hide mobile phones in dark places, but David Moyes does not.

Away from the Coke ads and the Sky Sports Spectacularness, footballers are not looked on too well from the fans. David Moyes though has a squad of players who bring dignity to the club and the game, and Pienaar should be reminded that stepping out of line is not what we want from our team.

How difficult would it be to now support the type of players whose continuous bad behaviour makes them reviled to anyone but their own fans at other clubs? Sanctimonious this may be, but it reflects the culture that David Moyes has brought to the playing staff.

As for Pienaar, a tit-like action, but not a tit presumably or Moyes would not have signed him. So if Moyes does have Man Utd ambitions, this is where the hair-dryer treatment can be practiced.
Nick Entwistle     Posted 09/03/2010 at 16:47:54   Comments (40)

The tide is turning...

I know we don't usually talk about that shower on here, but after watching the Wigan - Liverpool game last night, I had to sit and think what might have been.

The score was only one-nil but could and should have been more. At one point, I watched four Liverpool defenders running after one Wigan player, like when you see under-10 teams play. It was brilliant. The amount of dross in their team is mad, Insua shite, Rodriguez looked shite, Lucas shite, Krygiakos shite, Babel shite, Kuyt shite, Carragher, well, well past his best.

It made me question how we never managed to take even a point of them this season. At Goodison, our bad run was just coming to an end but we got hit by two sucker punches. It's the return at Anfield that grates me so much, the fuckers where their for the taking and we missed a great opportunity. If only that Tim Cahill header...

It was also mentioned last night that they had around 80 million pounds worth of 'talent' on the bench. Jesus, what could DM do with that sort of money?

As I said earlier, I know we don't usually talk about that lot but I think if we can keep this squad and mananger together, along with a couple of new faces, we can seriously think about becoming the dominant force on Merseyside.

Is this just me wishfull thinking or does anyone agree?
Francis Porter     Posted 09/03/2010 at 13:55:43   Comments (32)

We all need one!

What? — you are probably thinking... Why, a Utility man, of course. The two best Everton sides had one each: Sandy Brown for the 1970 side and Alan Harper for the mid-1980s side, the former even playing in goal, all along the back four, in midfield and up front; while the latter was a back-four and midfield player.

Having a man to slot in a number of positions is invaluable. They know the pattern of play and continuity is vital. Ask Rafa the Tinkerman!

I'd be the first to say that the current side isn't a patch on 1970 and 1985. But the group as a whole is a good one and if it stays together, I can see silverware glinting in the distance.

We do, however, have a class utility player on the books. John Heitinga has played right-back, centre-back (with a number of different partners) and in midfield. Arguably he was the Man of the Match against Hull. Because he ensured that Mikel Arteta could do his stuff.

For next season, we need a lot of cotton wool to ensure our injury jinx does not continue. And we need our lads to have a moderate World Cup! Particularly Holland and South Africa!!!
Mike Berry     Posted 08/03/2010 at 19:22:21   Comments (11)

Big game chokers?

Now yesterday was fantastic. Couldn't have asked for much more, other than perhaps a few more goals (that we probably should've had). But, superb as it was, it raised again the question of inconsistency. An inconsistency that has ruined this season.

Thinking about it, yesterday, it became apparent to me that only when expectations have diminished do we really seem to to be able to consistently play our best football.

Often this happens during a match. Once we are down and have nothing to lose. Expectations of a win seem far off... THEN we start to play. Witness the second halves away at Hull and Tottenham for example.

Equally, some of the highlights this season have come against teams where, if we're honest, we may have expected nothing. Away to Arsenal, home to Man U and Chelsea. These are games again in which the team and Moyes may think they have nothing to lose, therefore no pressure.

Yesterday saw the beginning of a run of games in which, in terms of the grand scheme of things, there is little to play for. Yes, there is league position and an outside chance of Europe but realistically the pressure is off and voila... 5-1.

Sadly often in the BIG games, where expectations have been high and positive results realistically hoped for, we have gone missing. The derbies and Sporting away being the most painful evidence.

Now I am a big fan of Moyes and this Everton team. I'm not looking to knock them. I just think finding the key to this inconsistency is vital. To me, the problem does seem to be a sort of mental weakness... an inability to bring the same strengths to the pressure situations.

I'm sure I am oversimplifying it and I'm sure there are BIG games we have played well in (our FA Cup run last season, for example) but it does seem to me that, in order to progress, the boys must get used to playing to the highs standards they have set themselves in all the toughest of games. Then next season could be very exciting indeed.

On a side note, I read today that Wigan are looking at Egypt's Ahmed Al-Muhammadi. This guy is rapid, plays right back and right wing, has been described as the Egyptian 'Ronaldo' with 40 caps already for a good Egypt team, is only 22 and probably available for £2m. Worth a dabble, I say.
Sam Hoare     Posted 08/03/2010 at 17:21:28   Comments (24)

Anybody concerned about the Yak?

I know he's recently back from a career threatening injury but is anybody concerned with how poor Yakubu looked today (and in the past matches). He could've had 4 goals today!!

What is the verdict in the summer:

Sold? Moved into more of a supporting role? Will he revert back to old form? Does he even care enough to?

Somebody tell me because he was infuriating today...
Chris Kelly     Posted 08/03/2010 at 00:56:49   Comments (48)

Johnny Sixpence...

Great performance today... couldn't fault one player in a blue shirt, while the likes of Arteta, Pienaar, Baines, Jagielka and Co get a most of the media headlines, I thought Johnny Sixpence was EXCELLENT. One other thing with Heitinga is his will to win. We were 4-1 up in total control... then up popped a 50/50, now most players would've said "Nah, I'll leave that one because we are cruising..." but not our Johnny — he thundered into the challenge won the ball, took the man, stood up and puffed his chest out, as if to say, "This is my fucking patch. son..."

Fucking great stuff. All-in-all, Johnny Sixpence for the captain's roll — A legend in the making. COYB
Sean McKenna     Posted 07/03/2010 at 21:46:32   Comments (30)

What next?

Let's face it, we will be stuck at Goodison in its current state for many years. Some will think this a bad thing, ohers will not. We will be polarised by the inclusion of certain players on the teamsheet, (Hibbert, Osman, Neville and Distin to name a few). We will love or hate Bill Kenwright, David Moyes and maybe even Ethel the cleaner, but at the end of the day we all love our club, and rightly so.

With all this in mind, I am curious of what other Evertonians think of this coming summer and the prospect of us spending the majority of our transfer budget on securing our current players on more lucrative deals as has been reported in the press today, instead of spending it on improving the team/squad with fresh players.

Next year could be a big one in our history, we seem to have a very good first eleven and some very good subs, including a couple of very talented youngsters. Is it worth losing a Rodwell to fund a few high profile signings that will really put this club on the map, or should we be securing the Arteta's Fellaini's and the others on deals which would probably smash our wage structure to keep them out of the clutches of others.

Personally, I think the latter. I would not be too disappointed to see minimal movement into the club if it meant keeping the squad together as it is. If we needed the extra cash then there are players at the crossroads of their careers that might benefit from a move away, such as Nash, Vaughan, Vic, Ruddy and Turner. This won't bring in a great deal of money, but could be enough to fund one decent player. It could also mean playing next season with a smaller but more talented squad, and we all know the perils that can bring with injuries, bans etc.

Anyway, enough of me and over to you, and for what it's worth... I quite like Ethel and think she is worth every penny she earns!

Penalty Piss Take

As soon as Yakubu sauntered up to half-heartedly strike the ball straight into the keeper's grasp, it was obvious that we were going to piss another penalty gift up the wall. I had the same feeling of inevitability as Saha prepared to take the recent penalty against Chelsea.

Ok, so the misses didn't matter in the end, as we went on to win the game on both occasions, but in vital games these gilt-edged scoring opportunities need to be taken.

What baffles me is that on both occasions we had one of the best penalty takers in the Premier league on the pitch in the shape of Mikel Arteta. Anyone know why he's suddenly been relegated from spot kick duty? I know he's been missing for a long time and other people have obviously had to step forward & take them in the interim, but i can't recall him ever missing one for us before — unlike both Loius and the Yak.

I still have nightmares about Yakubus cocky little effort against Fiorentina bouncing back out off the post! I know a striker is always going to want to lay claim to a penalty because they see it as a golden chance to get their name on the scoresheet, so i can't blame either Saha or Yakubu for wanting to take the kicks, but surely Moyes needs to be telling them now that Mikel's the man.
John Daley     Posted 07/03/2010 at 19:47:06   Comments (16)

Europe... now very very difficult

We received a real hammer blow to our chances of getting into Europe for the 2010-11 season. At the end of the Matchday thread, Eugene Ruane asked the rules for Qualification:

The top 3 automatically go into the group stages of the Champions League. We know already that this will be Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.

There are then 2 more guaranteed places for Europe. 4th place goes into a final Champions League qualifying round - win you are in, lose you are the Europa League. 5th place is in the Europa League.

If the team that wins the Carling Cup is NOT one of the top 5, then they go in the Europa League. But if the winners are in the top 5, then that Europa League place goes to the team 6th in the League. Runners up in the Carling Cup has no European Qualification.

The FA Cup is different. The winners get a Europa League place, but if they have already qualified for Europe, then the Runners-up get the final Europa League place. If both of them have qualified for Europe, then the final Europa League place goes to the team who finishes 7th in the League (Like Fulham last year).

So where does that leave us? We have 5 clubs, Villa, Spurs, City, Liverpool and Everton, all after 4 places. However now it is Spurs/Fulham or Pompey, then unless Spurs get to the final and finish in the top 6, then 7th won't even get a place.

So we need to finish 6th or higher to get into Europe. That will be a tough ask.

Just as a guide — assume last year's results, that would leave us in 8th, behind City on Goal Difference, 2 points back on Spurs and 3 on Villa. And our results last year we won 6, drew 3 lost 1.

Silver Lining? — we can concentrate on getting into Champions League for 2011-12 or never give up hope...
Phil Roberts     Posted 07/03/2010 at 19:00:16   Comments (6)

Excellent Perfomance

19 shots, an excellent performance against an admittedly poor opposition. They look like they have give up.

Arteta without a doubt MOM. Two goals, and a million (exaggeration) good passes. How we have missed his talents. He looks like exactly the same player that left. I want to give praise to DIstin, who did his job excellently. And pushed forward when it was available. But in fairness, nobody had a bad game. They could sense Hull were down, and they lashed them for it.

Well done to all, a much needed tonic after a few weeks of shite.
Dan Brierley     Posted 07/03/2010 at 18:16:14   Comments (55)

Hull Matchday Thread

This is it...

[Sorry, but we have some technical problems with the Live Forum running on the new server we got switched over to last week...]

Michael Kenrick     Posted 07/03/2010 at 15:57:33   Comments (224)

Early Team news

Early team news coming out of GP is not good:

Midfielder Tim Cahill could be back in contention. The influential Australia international is still to return to training after suffering a calf injury two weeks ago but has not been ruled out by boss David Moyes.

Phil Jagielka, recently returned from a long-term knee injury, is doubtful due to a slight thigh strain, as is Leon Osman after a blow to the foot.

Top scorer Louis Saha (hamstring) is again ruled out and James Vaughan will be assessed after suffering a knock playing for the reserves in midweek.

In defence, Philippe Senderos (hip) is hoping to prove his fitness but Tony Hibbert (groin) is still out. Marouane Fellaini (ankle) will miss the rest of the season.

So it looks like (Moyes's choice):

Howard
Neville Heitinga Distin Baines
Donovan Arteta Cahill Bily Pienaar
Yakubu

My Choice:

Howard
Coleman Johnny Distin Baines
Neville
Donovan Arteta Cahill Pienaar
Yakubu
Jay Harris     Posted 06/03/2010 at 17:03:27   Comments (22)

Sunshine Superman Here For Spring?

You couldn't hear it here first, because it hasn't been signed off yet — but isn't Landon Donovan staying a while longer?

When his loan deal was announced there were a few on these pages who said he'd have no idea, he'd be crap, based on the notion that the yanks can't play (proper) football. The wise heads wanted to see a couple of games to weigh him up. And Moyes duly obliged.

I can't recall any overseas player making as rapid an adjustment to the PL as our Sunshine Superman. Attitude and athleticism obviously help, but his ability to soak up the complexities of tactical systems — for us and the opposition — marks him out as a good one.

And — would you believe it? — it seems that he'd like to stay. With all due respect to the developing soccer players and teams in the USA, he must be seeing the home flight as a backward step. Having earned the respect of the best supporters any team could ever have at Goodison must make him think again.

And it might happen — like we said it would.
Keith Glazzard     Posted 05/03/2010 at 20:29:08   Comments (18)

Going for broke?

After the bitter disappointment of defeat in Lisbon ended our Europa dreams, Evertonians’ thoughts have inevitably turned to the remaining league fixtures and what can be achieved between now and the end of the season.

At first glance, the league table doesn’t make encouraging reading – the Blues are in 10th place and 11 points off an automatic Europa spot in 5th. However, with the Carling Cup meaning 6th place guarantees a Europa spot and an FA Cup win for either Spurs, Villa or Chelsea opening the door to the team who finishes 7th, then all is obviously not lost.

Everton have 11 games left and a possible 33 points up for grabs. Nine wins from the last 11 may mean a European place is ours again. Moreover, there are away games at teams in the European mix (City, Birmingham and Villa). From the team point of view, we have Jagielka back, Arteta moving into form, and Cahill retuning soon. Obviously losing Fellaini is a big blow and it may be necessary to move Heitinga into the holding midfield position now, rather than rely on Jack Rodwell.

My main point is that there’s nothing now to lose for Moyes — it’s time to be positive and go on the offensive Clearly draws are going to be no good — we need wins from most if not all of our games. Better to lose 3-2 by going for it than draw 0-0 with no adventure.

The question is: Will Moyes adopt a positive approach and go for broke? – Or will he settle back and play it tight and hope to nick the odd goal to win games? I hope the experience in Lisbon will make him wary of sending out the team to contain the opposition and instead adopt a more positive approach. We can but hope...
Colin O'Keeffe     Posted 05/03/2010 at 10:48:57   Comments (9)

Jan Mucha

I was reading this article earlier on our new Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha, arriving in the summer:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6002832,00.html.

So does anyone know anything about this guy? Apart from his stats (age 27, 82 appearnaces for Legia Warsaw, 14 for Slovakia). Has anyone seen him play a few games? Seems a good age and a good build for a keeper, I look forward to watching him this summer at the World Cup.

Also interested to hear people's opinions on whether they think this guy is coming in as a No 2 or as a serious contender for the No 1 spot?
Richard Williams     Posted 04/03/2010 at 16:53:34   Comments (18)