ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

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Return of the optimist...

Watching last night as Everton showed their trademark spirit to recover a point that very few could have hoped for, I felt the presence of an old friend I have not seen in a while. Optimism, unmerited and irrational perhaps, but nonetheless the belief that better things may be around the corner.

In a month that has seen some woeful football, one of the worst injury streaks of all time, the meltdown of yet another grand stadium plan and some disappointing financial figures, last night — and in particular the play of a young Irish right back — gave me some hope.

I'm not suggesting that we are going to on to dominate Chelsea next weekend, start playing football and surge up the table. Nor should any player be heralded as a team saviour after one good showing. However, it got me thinking that if (and its a big 'if') we can get everyone fit and ready and hold onto certain young gems, we might have a seriously good team next season.

-------------Howard------------
Coleman---Jags---Heitinga---Baines
-------------Rodders------------
Pienaar---Arteta---Fellaini---Bily
--------------Saha--------------

Now to me, that's a seriously exciting prospect: a fairly youthfull side full of ballplayers that could match any team on its day. Add a bench of Yak, Timmy, Neville, Osman, Baxter, Yobo, Distin, Gosling and Anichebe and there are some options.

I'm not saying that we should consign this season to the scrapheap but the future on the pitch at least, looks quite mouthwatering.
Sam Hoare, London Posted 07/12/2009 at 07:29:00

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Comments

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Ciarán McGlone
1 Posted 07/12/2009 at 14:25:36

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Heitinga in centre half...

Based on what?

Ciarán McGlone
2 Posted 07/12/2009 at 14:26:01

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Oh by the way, completely agree with the rest of it..

If you think Yobo’s a liability...wait to you see Heitinga in that position..

James Stewart
3 Posted 07/12/2009 at 14:44:24

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I would prefer :

-------------Howard------------
Coleman--JagIelka---Distin---Baines
-------------Fellaini------------
Pienaar---Arteta---Rodwell---Bily
--------------Saha--------------

Ciarán McGlone
4 Posted 07/12/2009 at 15:16:01

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I also think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves with Coleman.

He’s had two games of note... One for being defensively atrocious and one for being offensively superb..

What does that tell us?

Sam Hoare
5 Posted 07/12/2009 at 16:21:29

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Ciaran, admittedly Heitinga not done much at CB but he’s robust and can distribute well from what i’ve seen. Wanted to fit in our reported highest earner and prefer him there to DM.

Obviously premature with Coleman but last night was the best everton RB display i’ve seen for some time (plus vs Benfica he was out of position and everyone had a shocker)

Ian Tod
6 Posted 07/12/2009 at 17:03:27

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I don’t agree with that team, whats with many on this site leaving cahiil our talisman and vice-captain out the the team? My team with a fully fit squad would be:
Howard
Neill Jagielka Distin Baines

Billy Arteta Fellaini/Neville* Pienaar
Cahill
Saha
subs:Nash,Coleman,Yak,Fell/Nev*,Osman,Rodwell,Heitinga
*depending on what game it is and if it calls for eperience or attackin nous.

Anthony Doran
7 Posted 07/12/2009 at 17:24:58

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I'd like to see Moyes experiment for once, with formations tactics and players, and to do it BEFORE the game fooking starts! Perhaps play someone up there with Jo, say the Yak for 60 mins and then bring on the King. Jo looks poor but he really isn't getting the service he may have been use too, or perhpas I'm been generous to him here?!

Mike Green
8 Posted 07/12/2009 at 17:56:52

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Before we slate Jo we ought to let him learn the offside rule, its only fair.

Mike Elbey
9 Posted 08/12/2009 at 11:40:10

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Mike Green - spot on !

I have never seen a forward more inept at keeping himself onside. He is a liability and the improvement in our performance once he went off and Saha came on was no coincidence.

If everyone was fit I would have :-

Howard

Neville
Jags
Heitinga
Baines

Pienaar
Arteta
Fellaini
Billy

Cahill

Saha

I would definately find a place for Neville and think he would actually lonk up really well with Pienaar. But hey, its all about opinions, we will never have them all fit anyway !

Kevin Hudson
10 Posted 08/12/2009 at 12:22:00

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"Heitinga at centre-half — based on what?"

His own personal preference...

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