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Random observations
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Is it just me or is there some kind of ingrained refereeing bias against us? I'm not even talking about the big decisions or the penalties debate of a few years ago, just the little decisions that dictate the flow of the game and how each team competes in it.
For instance, Big Mo was dragged from pillar to post yesterday and nothing was done, yet the minute he puts a decent challenge in, the whistle goes. This may seem a small thing but it's affecting our ability to compete in midfield.
While on the subject, I think it's worth mentioning how well the Big Fella is playing lately! He finally looks to be bossing the midfield and has a bit of bite to his game. Moyes has called him the best midfielder in the Prem today, a bit over the top? I don't even think he's the best midfielder in our side but he is finally looking the player we needed in the middle. To think, up until 5-6 weeks ago, I'd have carried him back to Liege to get rid.
Some of the stuff we played yesterday was outstanding with Pienaar looking on a completely different level to anyone else on the pitch. I hope that we can get him tied to a long-term deal and build a side around him based on movement and passing. Probably a pipe dream but you never know.
I was behind the goal yesterday and because of that got a first hand view of Tim Howard. He was absolutely diabolical yesterday. The crowd were seeing situations develop and shouting for him to react before he even realised what was going on around him. There was a recent article syndicated on here that he was rated as one of the top five keepers in the world? For me he's not in the top ten in the Prem.
We played some excellent football yesterday and had enough chances to win the game comfortably; sadly, it was one of those days where chance after chance was squandered. The thing that I can't understand is how can largely the same team that started the season so poorly suddenly turn it on? And who's to blame?
Anyway merry Xmas to all Evertonians except Blue Bill and Richard Dodd... Only joking, Richard!
Ste Kenny, Posted 27/12/2009 at 08:24:00
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The really embarrassing thing about Moyes’s comment is — Davey boy, if he’s now the best midfielder in the Prem, how come you haven’t been playing him there for most of his time at the club?
Answers on a postcard....
You also raise a really good point about Howard Ste, I too get the feeling he sees danger a bit later than a top goalkeeper should.
Fellaini was played in his natural position when he first signed but his performances weren't great as he needed time to adapt to the English game. Then, we lost all our forwards so Moyes did what he could to patch up the side and put Fellaini up front, which worked out very well if you think back with Fellaini becoming our top goalscorer.
Now, Fellaini is more settled in the side and so Moyes has put him back in his preferred position, it's quite obvious realy.
However, crying about referee’s is pathetic. You cannot blame our form and results on them. Clutching at straws there. I would look a little closer to home for someone to blame.
The Sunderland CBs were allowed to climb all over us yesterday. It seemed like Atkinson was trying to make an even game of it at times. And I’ll bet any money that he thinks Steve Bruce was a great player and is a great manager, and that his team deserved to win.
And speaking of letting them get away with it — having watched MotD last night, it seemed to me that Stevie GBH had his arm across the CB’s neck as he ’climbed’ for the header. This was, of course, after (I read today) he could have been cautioned for each of two foul tackles, and the entire home team carded for unsporting behaviour and the manager sent to the stands. Referee bias? Never happens.
It’s not crying; I think we are where we deserve to be after the way we have played to date. I just don’t think we get impartial treatment from the officials. As Keith says, can you imagine what would happen if our goalie ran 90 yds to confront the ref?
Liverpool’s behaviour was disgusting. I hate it when players surround the Referee like that which ever team it is. And you are absolutely right about Gerrard’s goal. I was amazed it wasn’t even questioned!
But then I thought we were talking about Everton here. I don’t feel we are particularly hard done-by. Generally the home team will get the majority of the 50/50 decisions and I can think of quite a few instances we have been rather fortunate too. That’s just the way it goes.
But the idea that these poor decisions, these failures to apply the laws of the game ’even themselves out’ is nonsense. Last night on MotD we saw a goal chalked off when a player was feigning injury playing a player on, but worse than that, the scoring player was behind the ball when it was played to him (remember the Andy Johnson equivalent?).
At GP we saw BATE play on with their own man apparently injured on the ground - they had a good position, might have scored. When we gained possession and went forward, the ref whistled. And, of course, we gave them the ball that we had won fairly.
They were arseholes. The ref was an arsehole. One cross you have to bear as an Evertonian is that our boss hates that shit. Call him an arsehole if you like, but at least he’s an honest one.
We will have another manager one day - would you have him an Appy Arry who reckons these things even themselves out - so long as you’re winning? A Benitez? God given superiority. Odd sort of god, that one. Or an ’Im only here for the 3 million quid, see you’ type.
1. Was Phil Neville's 'warm-up' against Sunderland the longest ever in the history of football? Pretty cunning to get an extra 'coach' out on the touchline!
2. I know this has been discussed at length before, but will we ever, and I mean EVER, abandon the 11 men back for corners? Surely Moyes and Round are the only advocates of this in the entire universe.
3. Why do we never take quick throw-ins? Is it some kind of sporting gesture for us to always allow the opposition to 'get ready' before we get on with the game? Or is it some kind of daft rule within the coaching staff that ONLY our full backs are permitted to take them?
4. Ditto quick free kicks..... although Ossie did take one quick one against the Mackems and gave it straight to the nearest Sunderland player..... but that apart, it seems that we are loathe to play a quick tempo game.
5. Ossie! I have been an extremely harsh critic of the lad in recent times (before he got injured, in case some smart arse decides to point out that's the reason he hasn't been stinking the gaff out lately), but I thought he's been much better in his proper central position in the last two games. Move him out wide and he reverts to the shite we all got used to.
6. Fellaini HAS been excellent.... end of! (Always wanted to say 'end of' in a post)
7. We DO get a very raw deal from the officials, and it fucking well doesn't even itself out over season!
Happy New Year Blues....... 3 points today please!
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1 Posted 27/12/2009 at 15:28:56
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In fact, I’d go as far as saying Moyes has embarrassed himself by saying publicly he’s "the best midfielder in the country".
I assume he’s never heard of Cesc Fabregas then...
We’re not playing excellent football at all - we’re just playing better than we were, which wasn’t hard! A few injured players have came back - notably Pienaar. Unfortunately, when Phil Neville returns we’ll be back to square one again.