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The Mail Bag

It's a squad game

A number of posts recently have touched on the size, quality and versatility of our squad. A number have also questioned whether DM has taken us backwards in his 8 years in charge. It got me thinking - how good is our squad? Some have said the best in 20 years.

Well, DM's undoubted high point was the 4th place finish in 2005. So here are the 2 squads (22 players in each - I have had to omit a few here and there to make the best 22 in each case).

2004-05 - Martyn, Wright, Watson, Pistone, Naysmith, Hibbert, Stubbs, Weir, Yobo, Bosnar, Arteta, Kilbane, McFadden, Osman, Carsley, Gravesen, Cahill, Li Tie, Ferguson, Beattie, Bent, Vaughan.

2009-10 - Howard, Nash, Neville, Baines, Hibbert, Coleman, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Yobo, Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov, Gosling, Anichebe, Fellaini, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman, Saha, Cahill, Yakubu, Vaughan.

So, which would you rather have? Who would you swap?
Stewart Littler, Wigan, Lancs Posted 21/01/2010 at 23:38:21

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Comments

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Jack Farrell
1 Posted 22/01/2010 at 14:38:10

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Martyn would be the only swap from the ’05 side; everyone else is definitely better.

Gareth Humphreys
2 Posted 22/01/2010 at 14:48:53

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Gravesen for Osman and 04 Cahill for 10 Cahill.

Jay Harris
3 Posted 22/01/2010 at 14:55:43

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Interesting that, Gareth.

I would swap Martyn, Yobo, Osman and Cahill 2004 for Howard, Yobo, Osman and Cahill 2010.

Otherwise IMO a much better current squad not forgetting other teams have spent millions in the interim period.

Kenny Lloyd
4 Posted 22/01/2010 at 14:53:59

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The fact that Eddy Bosnar is in the best 22 of the 04-05 squad should give everyone their answer as to whether our squad has improved! Deary me.

And being the sentimental tit I am....I wouldn’t mind having Ferguson back.... especially with a derby coming up!! Ha.

Martyn competing with Howard would also be fantastic - quality compettition for both.

Dave Whitwell
5 Posted 22/01/2010 at 15:43:20

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Think i’d swap Martyn for Nash, Stubbs for Distin, Weir for Yobo, Ferguson for Anichebe & McFadden for Gosling

Thus leaving a squad of:
Howard, Martyn, Neville Baines Hibbert, Coleman, Heitenga, Jagielka, Stubbs, Weir, Pienaar, Billy, McFadden, Ferguson, Felliani, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman, Saha, Cahill, Yakubu & Vaughan.

I could be pretty happy with that.

Alasdair Mackay
6 Posted 22/01/2010 at 16:12:42

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I think it is a little unfair to swap the same player for a younger version of themselves.

I agree about Nigel Martyn being added, but if Martyn was still around would Moyes have gone for Howard when he did.

I think a manager should be judged on a number of things (in no particular order):

1) How much he gets out of the players he has got.
2) The style of play he likes to employ
3) Results
4) Success ratio in the transfer market.

I don’t think anyone can dispute Moyes’s quality with regard to points 1 and 4. I personally think he fairs very well on point 3 as well (considering finances). Point 2 seems to raise the most debate amongst Evertonians. Personally I think we have played excellent football under Moyes when we have been ticking this season and the last two, but then I am too young to remember the Catterick days and was only 4 in 1985!

Keith Glazzard
7 Posted 22/01/2010 at 18:54:33

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Good one, Stewart.

Comparing present players to greats of the 60s and 80s is a good game in the close season or when the match has been frozen off in midwinter, but going back six years gives us a clear baseline to work from. Are we making progress?

Jay expressed it well — when you consider what we’ve had to spend, in a world where you have to run just to stand still, the look of the current squad is quite amazing.

Nigel Martyn was an exceptional keeper, and comparing Big Tim to him is as unfair as comparing Nigel to Big Nev. Having a better than reliable keeper at any stage is a blessing in itself.

One lesson that the '04 squad should teach us is that players regarded as moderately talented, Marcus Bent for example, can be very valuable in a good team. The progress that Lee Carsley made through his years with us is a wonderful example of a manager working with what he’s got, and getting the best out of a squad.

And if Moyes eventually gets the best out of this lot, we will be going places. Back on the road to Wembley tomorrow would be a good start.

Andy Crooks
8 Posted 22/01/2010 at 19:44:32

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Good point, Keith, re Marcus Bent. A vastly under-rated player who was perfect for DM’s early 4-5-1 formation.

Mitchell Wilton
9 Posted 22/01/2010 at 22:28:45

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i also note that we have a few more from our academy in the 09/10 squad (3 vs 6)

Is this a reflection of a better crop, management style or not selling our youngsters?

Richard Porter
10 Posted 23/01/2010 at 11:14:54

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6 academy products? I count five- Hibbert, Rodwell, Osman, Anichebe, Vaughan. I know Baines and Jagielka spent time with our academy as children, but made their names elsewhere, so I guess they don’t count. So who is number 6?

Mitchell Wilton
11 Posted 23/01/2010 at 14:42:30

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sorry i got carried away, i think i counted coleman by mistake

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