The Mail Bag
Why do I smell a set-up?
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David Moyes's complaints about having to field a weakened team against Spurs strike me as strange. He has fielded weakened teams in the Carling Cup before without compunction or comment and has shown little interest or respect in the competition up to now.
I could be wrong, but I suspect we are being set up for reserve team drubbing and an early exit from the competition to clear future fixtures. That's a pity because the Carling Cup is winnable silverware.
Peter Fearon, Posted 21/10/2009 at 11:23:37
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What do you mean he has shown little respect to the competition up to now? We always field a strong side compared with most other teams, like Hull for example in the previous round, and gave it a good go a couple of years ago when we reached the semi-final!
I take your point, Peter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if players get rested for the Bolton game. Moyes wants silverware and Bolton away in the league is a game we get point/points from by playing ugly and being tight. Last season we won there with Cahill and Fellaini up front.
Moyes may rest Piennar, Billy and Yak against Bolton and start them all against Spurs.
Felli may play only one of them as well and Baxter may get some minutes off the bench.
I was not sure about going to Spurs, Benfica has cost me too much, but I may go now. I am thinking that UEFA or League Cup may be our best chance of a trophy this year. Spurs away could be a good game.
Moyes may rest Piennar, Billy and Yak against Bolton and start them all against Spurs.
Felli may play only one of them as well and Baxter may get some minutes off the bench.
I was not sure about going to Spurs, Benfica has cost me too much, but I may go now. I am thinking that UEFA or League Cup may be our best chance of a trophy this year. Spurs away could be a good game.
Some people talk through their hat don’t they? I’m with Davey on this one... it is a bit much to expect them to play Sunday and then Tuesday. I bet Alex Ferguson or Rafa wouldn’t stand for it, so why should we?
Something Moyes might think but can’t say would run something like - ’this fixture hands a clear advantage to the home team - would they be North London media darlings Tottenham Hotspur by any chance? Well, what a surprise.’
This isn’t a ’set-up’, its a carve-up.
This isn’t a ’set-up’, its a carve-up.
Set up or carve up, point is its only three days work in six days they should be fit for that.
Oh and by the way not a bad six days pay either , they dont know there born.Moyes should insist on playing his srongest team at every chance he gets for the fans.
Oh and by the way not a bad six days pay either , they dont know there born.Moyes should insist on playing his srongest team at every chance he gets for the fans.
Yes Robert, then when they seem jaded and play crap we can slag them on here.
Hang on, hasn’t Moyes just come out and said something along the lines of other teams dis - respecting the cup by fielding weakened sides, and said that the sponsors Carling should kick up a stink about it?
Now, if he fields a weakened side against Spurs, doesn’t that make him a hypocrite?
Now, if he fields a weakened side against Spurs, doesn’t that make him a hypocrite?
I tend to agree Robert but I have a feeling highly toned sportsmen probably get injuries easier and exert more energy than us Sunday leaguers (retired).
Unless you are the Yak of course, with his baby steps.
Unless you are the Yak of course, with his baby steps.
Just one more criticism we can heap onto him, Brian.
Hang on Tony, this came out of his own mouth. So,if he planned to field a weakened side, then why come out with it?
Isnt this why we have a squad. I’m not expecting Moyes to do a wenger and field a bunch of kids. But i do expect to see Lucas Neill play, Gosling, Yakubu & JO and whichever midfielder is on the bench for Bolton will no doubt start. I have no problem with him fielding a slightly weaker side as its a joke we are being forced to play 48 hours after a league match.
"My philosophy has always been to try and put our best teams in whatever competition we enter, but I find the lack of respect we have been shown by the Carling Cup organisers really disappointing,"
"We have been asked to play Tottenham at White Hart Lane on a Tuesday night after playing the previous Thursday and Sunday at Benfica and Bolton..... That’s the support you get for trying to put out your strongest teams in as many competitions as possible," .... "If I was Carling, I would question the people running the competition."
These are the words that came out of his own mouth, not some "something along the lines of" version.
The man couldn’t be clearer or more honest. If that’s hypocrisy, god help the rest of us.
"We have been asked to play Tottenham at White Hart Lane on a Tuesday night after playing the previous Thursday and Sunday at Benfica and Bolton..... That’s the support you get for trying to put out your strongest teams in as many competitions as possible," .... "If I was Carling, I would question the people running the competition."
These are the words that came out of his own mouth, not some "something along the lines of" version.
The man couldn’t be clearer or more honest. If that’s hypocrisy, god help the rest of us.
Apologies to Mr Moyes then Keith. I read it this morning, and thats why I said " Something along the lines of "
I think David Moyes is making a very good point. Over the last few seasons I think it is fair to say that we have fielded our strongest possible teams for matches in this competition, unlike several other clubs - we all know who they are - and our reward is to be treated like this !! I doubt very much if Man Utd & Co would be forced to play to such a schedule.
Fair enough Brian. And I think what he has said can also be taken as ’if we have to put out a weakened team at Spurs its not our fault’. Which is mainly true. A deeper squad would help, of course.
Given the squad situation, however, I think he should try to protect key players. Not against exhaustion - they are fit enough to play every day - but injury. The big bad ones can happen at any time of course. Its the niggling ones that take their toll when there isn’t sufficient recovery time.
A possible positive to come out of this could be Wallace, Duffy and Coleman getting a look at the action. But away to Spurs? Even then, I doubt it.
Given the squad situation, however, I think he should try to protect key players. Not against exhaustion - they are fit enough to play every day - but injury. The big bad ones can happen at any time of course. Its the niggling ones that take their toll when there isn’t sufficient recovery time.
A possible positive to come out of this could be Wallace, Duffy and Coleman getting a look at the action. But away to Spurs? Even then, I doubt it.
Arsenal and Liverpool play 3 games over 9 days, where as Everton are playing 3 games over 6 days.
We will never know if it was ever his direct intention to field a weakened team from the start but what we do know is that his choice to field a stronger team is lessened.
After the next 2 matches there may be some genuine injuries as a result, which will of course prevent him from playing that stronger team.
Just because someone has said they have to do something, doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to. Because of the reduction in that choice of selection it’s a bit harsh to label it hypocritical and a bit early.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting week for all of us.
I’m now wondering if the 1st half against wolves was a trial for Benfica only with Felli playing instead of Heitinga because I don’t see us attempting a very attacking approach. I’m with Alsadair, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of Baxter, Gosling over the 3 matches, with Neill even making an appearance against spurs.
Though it will all be dependant on the outcome at Benfica, hopefully unscathed. To coin a cliché “take each game at a time.”
We will never know if it was ever his direct intention to field a weakened team from the start but what we do know is that his choice to field a stronger team is lessened.
After the next 2 matches there may be some genuine injuries as a result, which will of course prevent him from playing that stronger team.
Just because someone has said they have to do something, doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to. Because of the reduction in that choice of selection it’s a bit harsh to label it hypocritical and a bit early.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting week for all of us.
I’m now wondering if the 1st half against wolves was a trial for Benfica only with Felli playing instead of Heitinga because I don’t see us attempting a very attacking approach. I’m with Alsadair, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of Baxter, Gosling over the 3 matches, with Neill even making an appearance against spurs.
Though it will all be dependant on the outcome at Benfica, hopefully unscathed. To coin a cliché “take each game at a time.”
I raised this in a Mailbag article a few weeks ago ( ’A TOUGH WEEK MADE TOUGHER’ ) and it’s certainly made it very difficult for us and that’s even without injuries. 3 GAMES IN 5 DAYS.
I would expect us to play a slightly weakened team tomorrow, and despite waht all the gloomy baatards on here keep saying about boring football, a draw would be a fine result.
We need the 3 points on Sunday so expect a more or less first choice team.
As for Spurs, I will be there and expect Moyes will see what he has left after Sunday regarding fitness, energy levels and injuries. Neill, Gosling, Baxter, Jo will all get starts in the next week. You never know though. Spurs may underestimate us and somebody may come through and make a name for himself. COYB!!
I would expect us to play a slightly weakened team tomorrow, and despite waht all the gloomy baatards on here keep saying about boring football, a draw would be a fine result.
We need the 3 points on Sunday so expect a more or less first choice team.
As for Spurs, I will be there and expect Moyes will see what he has left after Sunday regarding fitness, energy levels and injuries. Neill, Gosling, Baxter, Jo will all get starts in the next week. You never know though. Spurs may underestimate us and somebody may come through and make a name for himself. COYB!!
I agree Karl - of the 3 games the PL fixture will be the priority. Pienaar has been kept out of trouble for that. Heitinga and Neill are available too, but not tomorrow.
I think the TW team should start an ’official’ game of YADM (you are dm, that is) soon now. It would be a brave man who went for a treble - all three stating teams for the three games. Tomorrow’s is fairly straightforward considering who has travelled to Lisbon.
But Tuesday’s line-up? Who knows? I’m sure Moyes doesn’t.
I think the TW team should start an ’official’ game of YADM (you are dm, that is) soon now. It would be a brave man who went for a treble - all three stating teams for the three games. Tomorrow’s is fairly straightforward considering who has travelled to Lisbon.
But Tuesday’s line-up? Who knows? I’m sure Moyes doesn’t.
Well guys the way things are going we may have no alternative but to field weakened teams in upcoming games. Tomorrow Yobo, Peanuts and would you believe Osman will not play due to injuries and with Heitinga and Neill cuptied it looks like Hibbo at centre-back again with Gosling at right back. A draw in Lisbon would be a miracle.
Sorry, but wasn't everyone screaming for us to play in the Europa cup?
Dave - of course we were. Would you rather we didn’t play European opposition? It brings problems, but every Evertonian can say Alkmaar? Decent team - beat them. Fiorentina? Decent team. Beat them at home, shame about the pens. Or would you rather not be at the party?
Tom - just heard about Osman myself.
My YADM starting 11 already had Hibbo at CB with the Young Goose at RB.
My guess now would be a start for Jo. So -
Howard
Gosling Hibbert Distin Baines
Rodwell
Billy Cahill Fellaini Jo
Saha
From the bench, we will see Yakubu come on, possibly Baxter, maybe Wallace.
Coleman RB with Gosling in MF, Jo to the bench (to come on later) and Billy to the left MF is obviously another possibility.
Tom - just heard about Osman myself.
My YADM starting 11 already had Hibbo at CB with the Young Goose at RB.
My guess now would be a start for Jo. So -
Howard
Gosling Hibbert Distin Baines
Rodwell
Billy Cahill Fellaini Jo
Saha
From the bench, we will see Yakubu come on, possibly Baxter, maybe Wallace.
Coleman RB with Gosling in MF, Jo to the bench (to come on later) and Billy to the left MF is obviously another possibility.
Perhaps he’s just trying to get a few free cans of Carling in for Christmas. Don’t they also sponser Celtic?! Conspiracy time.
I think he’s right to speak out about it and as someone already said, we’d never hear the end if it were Arsenal, Man U or Liverpool.
I think he’s right to speak out about it and as someone already said, we’d never hear the end if it were Arsenal, Man U or Liverpool.
I think Keith’s team for Benfica is spot on, with Rodwell playing the holding role, Tim up top supporting King Louis, and Fellaini linking up the play.
The other question is who will be captain.
Apparently Moyes already knows who it will be. I have heard Moyes talk about Hibbo deserving the arm band, & with him playing in central defence this is a possibility. It is between him, Howard & Cahill in my view. I would give it to Cahill because he needs some firing up and being given the honour of captaining Everton would definitely get him going.
The other question is who will be captain.
Apparently Moyes already knows who it will be. I have heard Moyes talk about Hibbo deserving the arm band, & with him playing in central defence this is a possibility. It is between him, Howard & Cahill in my view. I would give it to Cahill because he needs some firing up and being given the honour of captaining Everton would definitely get him going.
Keith
TBH no, i would rather not be in this competition, but I’m prepared to accept I’m in a minority , fair play, but lets not start whining about being stretched to the limit , we knew that would be the case around about last April
TBH no, i would rather not be in this competition, but I’m prepared to accept I’m in a minority , fair play, but lets not start whining about being stretched to the limit , we knew that would be the case around about last April
Sorry Dave, but how did we know? Were Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Baines, Yobo and Vaughan all injured back then? Didn’t think so. Fact is, if we had even close to a fully fit squad, we would be able to rotate somewhat. The worst injury list I can ever remember limits that a little.
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