ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

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Spurred into thinking...

I just wanted to post regarding some of Moysie's recent buys/tactics. I'd be interested in hearing other's views on this, but there's a couple of things that struck me as I watched from the Lower Tier at White Hart Lane the other night.

First, my doubts over Fellaini grow with each game. Although a threat from the air at set pieces, and occasionally a threat going forward, I'm beginning to fear for the lad. He seems to have no defensive discipline, and coupled with an attack-minded Rodwell in the middle on Tuesday night meant that the pairing left us hopelessly exposed on the counter. One pass was all it took to open us up and that's hugely worrying.

I also think his presence is having a detrimental effect on Cahill, who was once our most potent midfield goalscoring threat. Cahill isn't being played in his best position anymore because Fellaini has taken that role: even though, in my humble opinion, he ain't as good. So Felli hasn't got defensive discipline, is a weaker offensive option than Timmy, yet plays every week. Anyone think he should be dropped for the team's benefit?

Secondly, I can't fathom why Lucas Neill didn't start at centre-half on Tue night instead of Heitinga. He's got an additional couple of inches on Johnny, who was hopeless for Huddlestone's goal, and is really a centre-half. Heitinga is more mobile, better on the ball etc. Why wasn't he starting at right-back instead?

Lastly, Jo just isn't up to it. He's lazy and for a Brazilian, from what I've seen this season, his first touch and finishing just isn't good enough. I'd rather have seen Agard given a chance in the second half against Spurs — at least we'd have seen what he's capable of in a game that was looking beyond us as soon as the first goal went in.

I'm not too despondent about the rest of the season yet, although more so than at the start. I agree that it's deeply worrying to see the likes of Sunderland whizz past us with richer owners and better form. Despite a recent post from me willing people to keep the faith, I can't help thinking that, without a new megabucks owner by the close of this season, the gap will just be far too big to close.

Carly Scott, Birmingham Posted 29/10/2009 at 16:41:13

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Gary Hughes
1 Posted 30/10/2009 at 02:02:16

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I’ve seen some shite in a blue shirt over the years but Jo is rapidly becoming possibly the worst player I have ever seen play for this club. Whatever possessed City to blow £18M on him is beyond me. What possessed Moyes to try to match that bid and also to loan him twice is another mystery.

I watch this fella play and I struggle to see how he even managed to turn professional, never mind play in the EPL. Then again, I don't often agree with Davey... for example, I’m one of those wierdos who expect highly paid professionals to be able to master the basics such as passing to teamates while also being able to control and manipulate a football instead of twatting it from one end of the pitch to the other.

I’ve sat through some shite over the years and never given up but now after 25 years of attendance, including several years of away days through the late 80s to mid 90s, I’ve had enough. The reason is that Moyes (to his credit) has assembled probably the best squad since 87, yet we still play this dull negative uninspiring dross.

Watching Everton is a miserable experience; we should be capable of so much more.

Matt Traynor
2 Posted 30/10/2009 at 05:16:28

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Being Asia-based, only get the TV perspective these days - that said, pretty much every game is shown live.

With Jo, I agree that his touch is most un-Brazilian. I believe that our option price on him is £8 million, and I can’t believe for 1 second that will be taken up.

Fellaini I’ve watched intently these last few games (as much as you can on the box). In the Bolton game I noticed his close passing was awful. Consistently losing possession. Also, for a big man he can’t jump for shit.

Neill is out of shape having not had a proper pre-season, but his passing is clearly a notch above most of our defenders. If he can get back in shape, he could be a good signing for a year or two.

I agree with what you and others have said. I don’t think Cahill and Fellaini can play in the same team. Fellaini can offer more passing-wise on his day, but for all-round threat, I’d go with Cahill back in the formation that brought us success with him as a support striker.

Mark Murphy
3 Posted 30/10/2009 at 10:17:21

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I got slaughtered on another thread for preferring Tim Cahill to Fellaini but I stick by it. Cahill, in his position supporting the striker, should be one of the first names on the team sheet. If Fellaini's inclusion prevents that then Fellaini should be on the bench!

Gary Hughes - amen to that. The team Moyes has built is capable of far better football than the tactics he is employing allows!

On another thread, someone said that a team with Dave Jones, for example, will never win the league. Whilst that may be true, my view on this is that even SAF wouldn't win the league on our budget.

I just want a good footballing side until we can match the "big" clubs.

John Gaulton
4 Posted 30/10/2009 at 11:09:48

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Its so frustrating and heartbreaking to know that this is our best team we have had for years and it should be capable of challenging the top four or at least the cups....but no the football, tactics, effort, skill etc is total rubbish!!

How can this be? Yes I know we have injuries but even when they are back you just know in your heart that we are still going to be frustrated and banging our heads against the wall.

Nick Entwistle
5 Posted 30/10/2009 at 12:53:02

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Cahill doesn't work in a 4-4-2, and neither to me does The Big Hair. 4-5-1 is how to utilise these two, with Rodwell pairing up with Felliani. That leaves Billy and Pienaar on the wings with Cahill behind whichever striker be flavour of the months. Saha or Yakubu would be my preference.

But would The Big Hair work in this formation when Arteta comes back in place of Rodwell? So should Fellaini be dropped?

Screw it, I’ll run a simulation on Football Manager....

Tom Bowers
6 Posted 30/10/2009 at 12:57:19

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Sadly Fellaini is not up to it. In his first season we all gave him the benefit of the doubt, especially his yellow cards, but he has not improved his playing despite his excellent goal at Bolton. Despite his age he is quite one-paced and despite his height he doesn’t jump well. You really got ripped off with this one Davey.

On the other hand, Cahill was a real bargain but he is not getting any quicker no matter what part of the field he plays on and in the box he is getting well fouled with no protection from referees.

Regarding Jo — thank God we didn’t pay out a fee.

Liam Reilly
7 Posted 30/10/2009 at 13:46:40

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Agreed that Fellaini & Cahil don’t combine well in a 4-4-2, I think you need to put this is perspective folks.

Fellaini is 22 years old and the Premier League is a vast step up from the Belgian league. The lad needs time and currently doesn’t have ball players around him to prosper. He’s been asked to play a game alien to him.

Timmy’s age gives him perhaps 2 more years as a guaranteed starter in the team and would be an ideal mentor to Fellaini.

Once Arteta is back, I would expect to see us revert to 4-5-1 with Cahill and Fellaini rotated a lot more.

Sean McCarthy
8 Posted 30/10/2009 at 13:56:14

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Couldnt agree more in relation to Fellaini and Jo. Both absolute crap!!!

Fellaini has no pace, can't tackle, doesn't track back when required to do so, is weak in the air for someone his height. I could go on and on!!

I got criticised the other week for saying all this coz he’d just scored a goal. Well Yippee!! An occasional goal can't hide his obvious limitations and I can't understand why some are so quick to slag Hibbert, Osman and lately even Cahill yet Fellaini is untouchable. He's useless!!
As for Jo... words fail me!!! He's up there with the ’best’ WORST players Everton have had in the past 30 years and that could be a long list!! In fact another thread could be our Worst XI... it might put a smile back on our faces or send us over the edge!!!

Darrel Pugh
9 Posted 30/10/2009 at 14:07:48

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Is it too simple to suggest that Darren Bent would have been a superb addition to our squad? It is worrying that despite finishing 5th, 5th and 6th in the last 3 years we are still competing with clubs like West Ham for players I would have hoped that our catchment area now was 1st choice outside of top 4 (Man City apart) but it's just not the case.

Ste Boyle
10 Posted 30/10/2009 at 20:42:19

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I have to agree, Jo is one of if not THE worst player I have seen for a long time, he makes Beatitie look like Joe Royle.

I cant understand how we never even looked at Darren Bent, he looks a top class buy at Sunderland and we’re left with the unholy alliance of Saha, Jo and Fellaini..God help us..

Gavin Ramejkis
11 Posted 31/10/2009 at 14:27:23

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Darrel, there’s little doubt Darren Bent would have been a useful addition and certainly a better bet than Jo... but, Ste Boyle, the reason we didn’t do anything about it as we were, are and always will be fucking potless.

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