The Mail Bag

Happy New Year

To Michael, Lyndon and everyone who has lived here for the past X amount of years, Happy New Year, and may it be a good one for you.

Thanks guys for this amazing website and even if the world is in turmoil, keep it going.

Your dedication to all things Everton, I'm sure, will be applauded throughout the Royal Blue world.

Happy New Year.

Jonathan James Cox     Posted 31/12/2011 at 21:48:33   Comments (11)

The Golden Vision

A friend came in to where I work today and said he'd got a brilliant belated Christmas prezzie for me: a copy of BBC TV docudrama "The Golden Vision".

I watched it when it was first broadcast and, at 10 years of age, was gobsmacked. He told me that he had watched it and found it didn't live up to his memory of it. I'll watch it later... maybe with a bottle of wine.

However, the point of my post is:

? Do many of us look back with rose tinted spectacles?
? Was the Catterick era the best ever?
? Would Kanchelskis have got into his team?
? How do the Moyes years compare?
? Was the world better in black and white?

Most importantly, is anything achieved before the advent of the Premier League somehow tainted and devalued?

Andy Crooks     Posted 30/12/2011 at 19:20:51   Comments (27)

Who do you wish for?

Well, the transfer window opens on Monday and all Evertonians will be trawling the media for the slightest hint of the cavalry coming over the hill.

Doddy assures us Moyesie`s got it all boxed off and apart from having to first sell Bily ? and probably one or two others ? our manager has already done his mid-winter job.

Zamora has been mentioned as has Owen. Macheda is a name thrown around and Spurs are on the point of loaning is Pienaar... well, maybe!

But who do you wish for? Striker or midfielder?Perhaps both ? god knows we could do with them!

Truth to tell, we shall probably still be speculating a month from today as we await the arrival of yet another promising young goalie from Cambridge!

Phil  Walling     Posted 29/12/2011 at 09:59:17   Comments (50)

Leon Osman ? Cheat!

Always had time for this guy whenever he played for us. I know he gets stick but he did seem to me to be honest in that he would always put in a shift.

When he kicked the ground against Sunderland, fell to the ground and then put his hand up to claim a penalty, I thought, ?Oh no, not him as well?. I really hate that kind of thing ? whenever one of our lovable neighbours does the same thing, it gives me added fuel to hate them even more.

And now we do it too. I know we?ve had players who have gone down too easily in the past but not like this. My love for football and Everton just sunk further down the drain.

So just one question ? what is the point any more?

Vince Hindson     Posted 28/12/2011 at 17:09:32   Comments (93)

The sloppy defending is costing as well.

The lack of strikers is blamed, but 7 years ago when we stood second to Chelsea after 17 games we had scored... 21 goals, compared to 18 from 17 games this year. Just three goals more.

Yet our record was:
P17 W11 D3 L3 F21 A14 Pts 36.

I was having a clear-out and I saw a printed league table from 11 December 2004 and it brought to mind how many sloppy goals we have let in this year through third-rate defending. It hasn?t been one of those seasons when people have scored lots of great goals against us ? okay... Van Persie, but not like some seasons.

If we had prevented five or six of these soft goals then we?d have been near the 30-point mark and quite happy with our season.

Just thought I?d mention it because the press and most fans seem to be only talking about our striker problem.

Peter Hall     Posted 28/12/2011 at 15:21:57   Comments (20)

“Who needs Cantona? We've got Barry Horne”

Barry Horne always struck me as a real good guy and a true blue in the best senses of that expression. Honest, intelligent and prepared to say things exactly as he saw them.

This was reinforced to me when about two weeks ago he basically wrote in the Echo that the reason that the current owners had been unable to sell the club was because of an unrealistic asking price. I then see his most recent article in the same paper says that following a conversation with a ?senior official? he knows the club are in talks with a number of parties and the current owners are only after what is best for Everton FC and that the price being sought is not an issue.

Is there something really happening or is there some other reason for Barry?s dramatic change of viewpoint?
Andy Riley     Posted 27/12/2011 at 20:35:32   Comments (12)

Final Fling of the Old Guard?

The average age of yesterday's team was 30 years, 10 months and 21 days.

That beats the record for the oldest team we sent out in the last 15 years (my records don't go back longer than that ? but it means it does cover the Walter Smith era) by over 6 months.

So for the Moyes bashers, thought I would give you some more ammunition ? but what I will say is that with Rodwell, Fellaini and Coleman all injured ? experience or inexperience? Suspect inexperience (Barkley, Gueye & Bily for Cahill, Neville & Heitinga or Distin) would have not got the point we did.

Blue touchpaper lit. Now standing back.

Phil Roberts     Posted 27/12/2011 at 11:43:14   Comments (34)

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Just a bit of fun in line with the festive season and making some progress with various bottled Chrimbo gifts.

The new year is almost here. Time to look ahead with optimism and make some plans.

Given our recent "surge" up the table and an unbeaten run of at least 2 games, I just wondered what song will sum up the next 5 months for the Mighty Blues?

Will it be "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"; "Glory Days"; "That's Entertainment"; or the dreaded "Downbound Train" or "Road to Nowhere"?

I'm an optimist so my pick is "Vertigo" with a Donovan-inspired 6th place finish, just edging Liverpool out to 7th ? and the sack for King Kenny by May.

Fear the Blues...
Fear the Mighty Blues.

Mike Hughes     Posted 26/12/2011 at 22:44:36   Comments (28)

A man for half seasons?

Whilst Christmas Eve debate in the Freshy seemed to focus on the plan to transform our watering hole into a gastro pub (yuk!), there was still time to put forward our New Year predictions for Everton.

Encouraged by the knowledge that Moyes's teams invariably `came good` in the programme of return fixtures, I had no hesitation in plumping for a top half place. Others were less encouraged by recent performances and opted for toil and struggle.

Eventually, conversation turned to why, throughout Davey`s reign, we`ve almost always been rubbish up to Christmas. My own view was that it takes half a season for the manager to drum his drills and tactics into his team but as several pointed out, we now rarely have fresh faces, so that arguement falls.

The cynics ? and all Liverpudlians ? felt it was because the players were crap and as we true Evertonians know that just ain`t so, the blame went back to the manager. Because I`m an unashamed Moyes `apologist`, I continue to hold that it has something to do with familiarity of style and tactics and the fostering of team spirit which in these days of disparate wages cannot be taken for granted.

What do others put the problem down to?
Richard Dodd     Posted 26/12/2011 at 09:10:59   Comments (26)

Christmas Wishes

Well, I woke up this morning to see if Santa had brought me my wish list. I have been pretty good this year so I thought I would go for it with my requests.

My first one was that David Moyes woke up this morning and made a decision to start playing football which is attractive and free-flowing. Hoping he has told Phil Jagielka to start passing out of defence and not to hoof the ball into nowhere. That Everton sign a midfielder in the same vane as David Silva who has great foresight and passing ability.

I am really wishing that we sign a striker who terrorises defences and knocks goals in for the Toffees. That he has pace and strength in the air and never stops running till he drops.

I have wished for January to bring those things but my biggest wish for 2012 is for new owners to come in and make our much-loved club great again. For them to either build a new stadium or develop the Grand Old Lady.

MIke McLoughlin     Posted 25/12/2011 at 10:51:33   Comments (6)

Merry Christmas

Here we are once more... what a year: hopes fears, trials and tribulations, uncertainty prevails at Everton FC... In one hour Christmas here will be on us and it cheers me to have family and friends around to remind me that Christmas is a time for those we love.

So for all of you, your families and friends, Merry Christmas, to you all, those who post, who read, who love to argue. To Michael and Lyndon, Thank you for all your efforts.

To the team and club we love, good luck for the rest of the season, who knows Bill might get another train set for Christmas!

From me to each of you, a personal thank you for your support this year in what was for me a traumatic time. Battles are there to be won, but they are made easier when you have an army beside you.

Merry Christmas!

Christine Foster     Posted 24/12/2011 at 13:03:58   Comments (44)

Elstone's Blog

Merry Christmas

What rubbish that man speaks!

Just one thing he says that shows how out of touch the Club are, he reckons we are still The People's Club!!

After all what's happened he is still spouting that rubbish.

Unbelievable!

Russ Quinlan     Posted 23/12/2011 at 11:51:17   Comments (17)

Moyes to Rodgers

I want to make it clear that, up until this season, I had always been a big fan of David Moyes. I appreciate all he has done for us over the last decade and truly believe he has moved us on as a club.

However, this season has seen: the over-use of the 4-5-1 formation, the over-use of the hoofball tactics, the constant picking of players well out of form, the unexplainable substitutions, the playing of players out of position... and I could go on and on and on.

Now I have read countless amounts of ?Moyes Out? posts on various websites and rightly so all the Moyes supporters have said ?But who would replace him?? At this point you will get the anything from Martin O?Neill, Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce ? who are all unable to work effectively on a tight budget ? to Jose Mourinho, which is just absurd. My point being that you could see a problem with most of the suggested appointments. Now, after watching last night's game against Swansea and admiring the football they play, I?d like to firmly place Brendan Rodgers at the top of my wish list!

It has been widely acknowledged that Swansea keep the ball as well as any team in the Premier League (they had more possession at Anfield than Liverpool). They are all comfortable on the ball and their movement off the ball is excellent. Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff appear to have the ability to coach players ? who would probably be seen as average at best ? to pass and move and play excellent football. This is something David Moyes and his coaching staff have not been able to do... or do not want to do. This goes a long way to proving you don?t need a big transfer budget to get the ball down and play attractive football.

Now... close your eyes and imagine Everton playing the Brendan Rodgers style football with our players. Howard rolling the ball out to Jagielka, who passes the ball in to Fellaini?s feet. Fellaini turns and exchanges passes with Rodwell before passing the ball out wide to Drenthe. Drenthe plays a one-two with Baines and is now in behind the fullback. Drenthe moves into the box committing the defender before pulling the ball back to Saha who steps over the ball and Donovan strides onto the ball and strokes it home.

Ladies and gentleman ? I give you Brendan Rodgers... Everton Manager!!!

Greg Lambden     Posted 22/12/2011 at 08:57:05   Comments (121)

From My Seat: Swansea (H)

Three points and a clean sheet for the first time at home this season sees the Blues send the faithful into Christmas on a positive note.

A game that never really came alive was nevertheless enthralling in as much that the Blues had most of the attacking threat without making much of it leaving many a fan wondering if this would be the game that Swansea finally got an away win. As things turned out they lived up to their billing of a Pass, Pass, Pass side without really looking dangerous where it matters. With our record of goal scoring at home being abysmal a knife edge situation arose where there should have been no need. The absolute need for points from both teams ensured a fascinating if not convincing displays.

For the first half hour or so it was at best drab and at worst frustrating as the Blues looked quite the superior side until that last third syndrome kicked in time after time. At the end of that half hour Coleman who it must be said looked poor was replaced by Gueye and the way Coleman left the field suggested he had not recovered from his thigh strain. Should he have started?.

With no disrespect to Coleman but the change brought an instant lifting of the Blues performance and we all but laid siege to the visitor?s goal. Heitinga and Saha misdirected headers and missed the target. Then Gueye hit a Baines pass with venom that the keeper did well to parry but only back to Gueye who hit again goalwards only for a Swansea defender to block away amid frantic appeals for handball in the area from players and fans, the ref our own Mr Friend didn?t live up to his name and waved away appeals. To end the half Drenthe hit a free kick well but over the bar. We had a few of these and no matter who took them they all seemed to close to goal to get the ball up and down to have any chance of a score and it left me wondering why we do not ever try something inventive rather than ?Get the crowd hopeful then put it over the bar? which is what happens on most occasions.

The second half started and low and behold we got a free kick which Neville took quickly and fed Osman through but the surprise of it saw him only able to toe poke toward the keeper. We kept up our momentum and had Swansea rocking but in truth you could not see a goal coming from anywhere, everything was floundering in the last third.

On the hour mark we forced a couple of corners the first of which Drenthe took and hammered it over everyone and out on the far side. Then we forced another and I thought give it to someone else but no Royston took it this time a pearler that saw Osman rise and hammer a header home much to the delight of all assembled of a Blue persuasion. From then on it was dig in time and get what you can on the break. Swansea kept passing and we kept picking them off near the 18yd line and breaking if we could. On 75mins the manager sent on Stracqualursi for Saha and he ran about a lot and didn?t get very far and on one occasion got put through on goal but seemed to have no idea on how to finish.

10mins to go and Cahill replaced Drenthe which I thought was a good move as Drenthe was becoming more than erratic. Swansea did create one gilt edged chance from good build up down the right and Graham met the cross with a powerful header but luckily for us straight at Howard when a yard either side would have resulted in 1-1. We saw out the rest of the game including 3added mins and ?If yer know yer ?Istory? at last rang out after a home game.

M.o.t.M ? Osman just shading from Fellaini.

Overall the three points were everything but I thought in spells we played some decent stuff but we do seem to have an aversion to that final third. Hard to put your finger on because we build up quite well but the problem was highlighted in the first half when a ball was put across the box from a breakaway and not a Blue shirt had got in to contest it much to the displeasure of the faithful who didn?t hold back their concern. Again we won the shots on target count easily and the corner count was all ours but tangible reward was non-existent. Drenthe is becoming a favourite as witnessed by his ovation as he was subbed. You sure as hell don?t know what to expect. Stracqualursi? Not in a month of Sundays for me. Can?t see him staying.

Much talk tonight re the Rodwell press stories. Some for selling some not. My view is the club will do what they do regardless of fans feelings. One thing strikes me though. If we sell in Jan then any takeover is pie in the sky and finances have to come first but if we have no outgoing action of players such as Rodwell or Barkley then who knows. Fringe players moved on and maybe just a couple of additions (though don?t expect star names) plus the Donovan loan hopefully will see us kick on in the second half of the season. Personally I can?t see anything better than mid table but I am open to being surprised.

A good night out, a good three points that will do me over the festive days until it is time to lock horns with the Wearsiders in their industrial estate, who compiles these fixtures?

To anyone who reads this may I wish you and yours all the very best for Christmas. Have a Gud Un.

UP THE BLUES

Ken Buckley     Posted 22/12/2011 at 00:51:04   Comments (21)

A Star is Worn

It appears that Tim Cahill?s star is on the wane (if his last performance was anything to go by). He has got a choice to make?.Club or Country. He simply cannot do both. It has wrecked him.

I wrote an article a while back saying Jack Rodwell has the makings of an excellent box-to-box player. Fabio Capello and David Moyes have since seemed to be in agreement. Here is another one from left field.

Timmy has been an awesome player for us and I wish some of our other players would show the same level of commitment as him. This has, however, come at a price. His frequent forays to the Antipodes have taken their toll. Moyes is also hell bent on playing him as a ?floating? attacker. What Timmy has given in the past is goals. They have dried up and he doesn?t offer anything else in his current position as he ? and, by proxy, us ? have been found out. If Moyes is going to stick by his man, which he is very likely to do, then I think he can fulfil a better role for us.

I believe he could be employed as a defensive midfielder. Yes, you have read it right. This is no typo. His fighting qualities, energy, drive and ability to "get up people?s noses" is up there. Add this to his technical ability, granted not the best but good enough with time and space just in front of the back four, and I think you will have an excellent defensive midfielder.

The added bonus of allowing Rodwell and Fellaini to bomb on ? I believe their best suits ? and add Landon and Royston to the flanks, I think you have an excellent midfield with goals galore in it (so important at the moment with no-one to put it in the net up front). Also, the rotation in midfield that this will allow may help Timmy attack the box from deep and rediscover his goal touch. Furthermore, and perhaps the clincher, is not having Pip in midfield!!!!

Timmy, you have been an excellent servant but perhaps it is time you considered a change. If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always got!

Nil Satis, Nisi Optimum?..COYB!

Shaun  Laycock     Posted 19/12/2011 at 17:07:26   Comments (35)

Thinking outside the box

What has Sylvain done to sit on the bench now that he is fit? Possibly our most consistent player in the past 18 months can't get a place in a team that cannot keep clean sheets? Jags plays like a man scared to make a mistake which he knows he is going to make.

Apart from yesterday, Heitinga's inability to shut down a former non-league striker, I feel he has been doing a reasonable job. So with talent in short supply at Goodison, another manager with a more creative approach might consider a backline of Hibbo, Jags, Jonny and Sylvain with Bainsy playing in front of Sylvain as a left sided midfielder.

Sylvain is big and quick and has an excellent left boot and could do the job that Lescott did a few years back. This would allow Bainsy to spend even more time being our creative outlet for 80% of the game.
Dave Cooper     Posted 18/12/2011 at 18:31:10   Comments (20)

Would this work on Wednesday night?

If by some chance Mr. Moyes reads this forum, I would like to suggest something to him for the Swansea game.

I haven't enjoyed a twenty five minute spell at Goodison like I enjoyed the finale of match yesterday after the moment big Denis came on, quickly followed by one R.R. Drenthe since the Blackpool game in February last.

So... how about starting with the eleven which finished the game yesterday, playing with the urgency that our predicament required from the getgo?

Tell the lads they are 2-0 down before they leave the dressing room and let them loose.

FFS we are only playing Swansea and they find scoring even more difficulr than we do.
Domino  Darkley     Posted 18/12/2011 at 14:19:34   Comments (37)

Are we good supporters?

It's been on my mind for weeks and, after today's performance, I feel like I've got to put it to my fellow Evertonians, are we as fans any good?

Going the match this season has been horrible, the amount of negativity and tension around the ground is unbelievable! There's no singing before the game, hardly no cheering the players' names and no getting behind the team and being the twelfth man we have been in the past. I listen to people around me and they're slagging the team selection off, slagging the players before they've kicked a ball, slagging the price of the ale, the pies, the grass isn't green enough etc etc!

I think as fans and supposed 'supporters' of Everton we have a duty to sing and cheer, to get behind the team ? no matter how pissed off we are with the board, the lack of money & signings, we as fans have got to play our part in helping the team. Instead of bringing tension and animosity to the players, let's get behind them and help cheer them to victory. We need three points against Swansea so let's act like Evertonians!!!
John J Malone     Posted 17/12/2011 at 19:30:38   Comments (69)

Let's face it fellers, everything below the waist is kaput!

Don't know if any/many of you ever read the book 'Full Time' - the Tony Cascarino Autobiography, but I have been reminded of it (or some of the stuff in it) watching Saha over the last couple of years.

Firstly I should say that the book is/was almost unique in that it was staggeringly honest and revealed all sorts of (mad) stuff that went on in Cascarino's head and possibly/probably goes on in the heads of a lot of strikers.

Certainly the book was a massive departure from the usual "me and the lads were gutted" shite that fills the 'Sports' sections in Waterstones or wherever.

review - http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/3489/29/

One of the things I remember was that right at the end of his career, Cascariono actually ended up putting black dye on his sideez to make him look younger.

The reason wasn't vanity, but to convince a (French) club that he still had another year in him.

When he DID get another year, he was happy with the money but admits he was more than happy to stay on the bench and had lost any real desire to actually play.

He admits to being scared of playing, scared of missing chances, scared of (particularly Celtic) supporters, racked with self-doubt, racked with all sorts of mad stuff footballers NEVER usually admit to.

He admitted he though the money was great, he was tired of football.

I look at Saha and think he doesn't look scared of much, but he does come across as someone who has one eye (at least) on the next part of his life and though he makes the right 'I want to play' noises, I get the impression running through brick walls to score goals for Everton isn't actually that high on his agenda.

Human nature perhaps but something a manager should spot and not be duped by, financially or otherwise.

Eugene Ruane     Posted 17/12/2011 at 12:44:25   Comments (32)

Denis the Menace Heading Home?

Is Denis Stracqualursi?s time at Everton picking splinters out of his bum about to come to an ignominious end? The Argentine sports media is speculating that Denis the Menace is about to be signed by the new manager of Independiente, Ramon Diaz.

?We are looking at Denis Stracqualursi,? Diaz was quoted as saying in the sports newspaper Ole, describing him as the player he would most want to have as he prepares for next season,( which begins in March 2012).

One newspaper described Stracqualursi as ?the goalpoacher who has played little or no football at English Everton? and another is already using the past tense to describe his time at Goodison: ?Stracqualursi?who was not used at Everton.?

If it's true that he is likely to leave having hardly kicked a ball I for one think that?s unfortunate and a waste of his time and of course our money for his wages. The Executioner?s Bong said this about him:

Stracqualursi topped the scoring charts in the Argentinean Premier Division last season, registering a shooting accuracy of 72% yielding 20 goals ? including a hat trick against Boca Juniors. He possesses good hold up play and most of his goals are headers from inside the box."

A 6ft 3 striker who operates inside the box, mostly with his head. No, we don?t need someone like that...
Peter Fearon     Posted 16/12/2011 at 21:45:42   Comments (42)

The Missing £5 million?

Just thought I would highlight a key figure in the accounts I have just received, so that you and others can ask the question in any future letters to the club/media:

In the post balance sheet event section (page 28), it states that, since 31 May 2011 there were net transfer fees receivable of £13 million.

I recall that a figure of £18 million was widely reported in the media as the proceeds of the sales of Arteta, Yakubu, Beckford, and Vaughan (presumably this excludes the loan fees/costs of Yobo and Drenthe and the mysterious Argentine top scorer).

At the time, I thought we should have got in excess of £20 million for these four players. So where is the missing £5 million?

Did we only get the £5 million originally offered for our Spanish gem?

I shall, as a shareholder, ask Mr Evans for an explanation, but I doubt if I will get a reply.

Scandalous!
Paul Carr     Posted 16/12/2011 at 16:14:52   Comments (14)

Hunting for Heroes

My Evertonian work-mates are euphoric about the re-signing on loan of Landon Donovan. The first 100 posts on the announcement on ToffeeWeb show about 80% welcome his return with a minority sharing my view that this is merely a sop to the masses as the crack-papering season gets into full swing.

Now, don't get me wrong, Donovan is a decent player but to me he achieved cult status too early and on very limited evidence. Just remember that the player he will replace, Seamus Coleman, was similarly lauded after his first handful of appearances but we all now recognise his limitations.

Tommy Gravesen only became a hero after he went to Spain and both Arteta and the Yak are far more appreciated now they play for other clubs than they ever were when here.

So what really makes an Everton hero? If time serving was the only criteria, Hibbo and Ossie would be there already but, in both their cases, familiarity certainly breeds contempt.

I guess most of us would trot out Alex Young, Brian Labone and Bally in past eras but, in Premier times, heroes have been harder to find.

Dave Watson, Big Dunc, Unsey, Kanchelskis, Gary Speed and Kevin Cambell all graced the first ten years of the so-called `modern era` but in more recent times heroes have been in short supply.

For what it`s worth, Nigel Martin has been my outstanding performer ? Mr Consistency personified ? and barely adequately replaced. But who is your outstanding performer of the last ten years?.....

Please dont give me Yanks who`ve played barely a handful of games!
Phil Walling     Posted 16/12/2011 at 13:25:55   Comments (3)

Age Appropriate?

My son turns six in January and up, until now, my idea was to take him to his first game when he turned seven, which was the age I first went to a game. I now am thinking I may take him to Blackburn at home as I cannot wait for his blue baptism. Any advice from my fellow Evertonians?
Mark Griffiths     Posted 15/12/2011 at 20:12:58   Comments (22)

Three Questions...

1. Let's start on a positive theme, fellas. When was the last time one of our guys did something that made you jump off your seat & shout , "Shit hot, Lad... Shit hot!!!" For me, it's still Leon's goal against Larissa.
2. On to the current sorry state of affairs now: If Fellaini's new contract is just a ploy to inflate a transfer figure in the future, would you be sorry to see him go? I've got to say I can't see anything more than an average journey man midfielder.
3. Finally, this is something I've been struggling with for a while now: Why do fair-to-middling Premier League teams, as we reallistically are, continue to sign average players from no-name teams in Europe, when there are plenty of homegrown players in the lower leagues who are at least as good & would bust their nuts for a team with the traditions of Everton?

Vic Flange     Posted 14/12/2011 at 21:41:46   Comments (31)

Matchday Programme Subscription

This could be more of a plea for information. 

I subscribe to the Everton home programme. Subscriptions are done through a company called O PUBLISHING who are based down south. I have not received the Stoke copy so have rung O, to be told the contract with Everton has been cancelled and I should get back in touch with the club. 

I have rung the marketing team: no reply. 

I have emailed them: no reply. 

I await developments. The season subscription was a not insignificant £90.

Has anyone else heard anything?
Neil Smith     Posted 14/12/2011 at 16:20:34   Comments (6)

New Premier League record for Everton

According to Sky TV, Everton now hold the Premier League record for going two games without a shot on target (versus Stoke and Arsenal).

I found this hard to believe but, after watching both games, I think they may be right as we had shots but none of them were on target!

Also, we have played 16 times at Arsenal since the Premier League was formed and lost every time, and Saha said we are going for Europe! Ha, ha. Had to have a laugh at the last one.
Paul Holmes     Posted 13/12/2011 at 20:48:23   Comments (61)

Stale?... Stagnant morelike!

For the past 18 months, I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska, where my son has a travel and tourism business. Returning home for the Christmas festivities, I determined to catch up with `my old love`, Everton FC.

A season ticket holder since the days of Billy Bingham (the manager), I forfeited my season ticket at the end of the 2009-10 season, comfortable in the knowledge that for the foreseeable future I would not feel obligated to watch the shite served up almost throughout the Moyes regime.

Now those of you who know Alaska will appreciate that local TV does not exactly view the EPL as a major viewing attraction and I have yet to locate a bar which has it on their sport menu.

Of course, I try to keep in touch via the internet and relatives and friends back home but I must admit that, as the weeks and months have passed, I find the importance of football in general and Everton in particular has waned to the point that a month can go by without any feelings of loss on my part.

Come last weekend though, and a couple of visits to `The Weld` and a smidgeon of my old enthusiasm had returned. Radio City provided an Emirates comentary and my old friend Sky recorded highlights later in the evening....

However, what struck me from both accounts was that absolutely nothing has changed. No strikers in sight, midfielders incapable of splitting a defence, and a manager who must spend more time counting his ridiculous salary than he does planning how to BEAT the Arsenal!

Now I never had any time for Kenwright ? he blew it with me after Kings Dock ? but if, as he has always claimed, he is a true Evertonian, then to put up with this, week after week, he is insulting all those who still choose to put their money in his coffers.

Fuck whether he is waiting around for the next sheik to lose his marbles, his first duty should be to the fans and the insult of Moyes should be removed NOW!
Brian Noble     Posted 12/12/2011 at 17:24:18   Comments (54)

Ba Humbug!

Tis the season to be jolly as the festive season quickly approaches. Following Saturday's visit to Arsenal who were proudly celebrating 125 years at the splendour of the Emirates Stadium in the company of a galaxy of stars and former greats, our very own David Moyes bore the look of a haunted man.

The BBC MotD2 coverage treated those of a Gooner persuasion to a glimpse behind the scenes at The Emirates and proudly showcased 'The Arsenal's' considerable achievements, history and reputable position within the greats of English football. The montage although interesting for me was tinged with a great deal of despair and anger as Everton were once considered equals to Arsenal within the standing of the game, yet the chasm in 2011 could not be greater.

Reading through the posts on ToffeeWeb today, it would appear that, given our current plight, although Bill Kenwright and his board are held responsible for the majority of failings at Everton, there is not much festive cheer amongst many Evertonians for David Moyes in the twelve days before Christmas.

The seasonal tale of a Christmas Carol could not be more true for David Moyes as he is pilloried from all quarters regarding our dismal form heightened by his desperate search for a goalscorer which is gathering pace.

Moyes, although usually having the appearance of a dour Scotsman, would appear to adopting the character of the clerk Bob Cratchit in the Christmas tale. It is obvious if comparing Moyes as Cratchit that Kenwright should then be seen as Mr Scrooge. Mr Kenwright's modus operandi of miserliness and misanthropy regarding support for the manager in the transfer market would have Dickens's observations of Scrooge as "...a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!" as an apt description of our Chairman.

I'm hoping that a Ghost of Christmas Past visits Scrooge (Kenwright) in the form of Sir John Moores and takes him to see his time as a schoolboy many years earlier during the days of uncle Cyril's handlebars and the Boys Pen.

Scrooge is then visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows him the happiness of Stoke, Swansea and Norwich and the impoverished Cratchit and Everton family.

Which brings me then to the final chapter of the tale, the Ghost of Christmas yet to Come... which shows Scrooge the final consequences of his actions one year later. Everton, after teetering on the brink of relegation, finally sucuumb, leaving Cratchit and the entire Everton family in mourning. No one will mourn Scrooge's passing as the Club is broken up, Cratchit is rescued from his nightmare, and Everton stare into the abys.

Scrooge then weeps over his own grave, begging the Ghost of Sir John for a chance to change his ways and re-embrace life, before awakening to find it is Christmas morning. He has been given an opportunity to repent after all. Scrooge does so and becomes a model of generosity and kindness, towards his Club, his neighbours, and even Cratchit, he sells Everton for what they are worth... and the spirit of Christmas is alive.
Peter Laing     Posted 12/12/2011 at 16:43:07   Comments (7)

Barkley set to sign new contract

Seems Ross Barkley looks set to sign his new deal, according to his tweet over the weekend.

Let?s hope this means more game time for him and not a means to inflate a price tag!

Ross Barkley (@RBarkley20)
"Gutted about the result today an not getting on but signing new deal next week so that's something to keep me smiling, #Dreams"
Bobby McDermott     Posted 12/12/2011 at 12:04:21   Comments (1)

Going down the wrong rabbit hole

Having read the numerous comments about David Moyes, I feel I must respond.

Do I agree with everything DM does? No... But what irks me is our fans are attacking the wrong man; we are in danger of following LFC across the park. They blamed all and sundry for their slight fall from grace ? from Moores, Parry, the two Yanks ? and yet they couldn't see the large elephant in the room, namely Benitez; he is why they are no longer top 4. Everton fans I used to think were smarter, sadly recently that is not the case.

Like them across the park, most are not seeing the elephant in the room, Bill Kenwright, so rather than take on the task of getting rid of a "beloved blue" they are choosing the easier task of chasing Moyes.

Put yourself in David Moyes shoes for a minute, he came in an unknown to try and reignite a sleeping giant, he had a plan to build it up slowly due to the lack of finances and made good progress. Two years in, our Chairman sells our best academy player ever for half of the fee he himself suggested, did Moyes get any of that money that season? No!

We qualify for the Champions League ? did Moyes get any money to strengthen? No!

We then go on to bomb the following season down to 17th, so Moyes builds again with solid finishes of 5th, 5th and 6th... did Moyes get significant money to push us on? No!

He then builds a rather good team and what happens then? The club starts to dismantle it: Lescott, Pienaar and Arteta, did Moyes receive any/much of this money? No!

David Moyes to me looks a broken man so I go along with people saying he has lost some of his passion etc, but in the same situation wouldn't you? If you put 10 years work into anything you do and see it all wrecked, would any of you be happy?

So, I ask Evertonians to quit taking the coward's way and criticising the easy option, look around you the elephant is still in the room.

The Premier League has brought a wealth of money into the game, you need to ask why Everton have appeared to receive none of it, how and why is it since Bill Kenwright came in have we not had a bean to spend, despite selling nearly all our best players and all the club's assets?

Something is going on and money is going astray... look on page 12 of the accounts where it says Accountant Comments, those comments are probably why we are in the mess we are in now.

To all the seals who clapped Kenwright at the Villa game, you are the reason we are in the bottom half of the table.
Thomas Williams     Posted 11/12/2011 at 04:07:02   Comments (63)

Song for The Emirates

At a time when we are desperatly short of something to sing about, the lack of material presumably explaining the lack of inspiration, the thought struck me that maybe we could have the entire Emirates singing in unison.

How about:-

"We all agreeeee... Bainsey is better than Cashley."

Simple? Yes.

Does it matter? No.

Is it true? Er.....................

Shall we sing it? Why the hell not... I say he deserves it .
Brian Garside     Posted 09/12/2011 at 21:06:32   Comments (11)

CD Everton's final push to the top

Sunday 11th December, 23:30 UK time sees Everton Chile take this season?s final step towards promotion back to the top flight. After having failed to win outright promotion as 2011 overall Champions and then falling to the away-goals rule against Rangers in the Primera B Play-Off Final, they now face Unión San Felipe in the second leg of the Primera A/B Play-Off Final.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, the Ruleteros travel to San Felipe, a sleepy town at the foot of Aconcagua (the highest peak in the Americas) to complete their climb back to the top (...sorry).

Since playing in front of 26,000 at Goodison back in August 2010 our Chilean counterparts have not had an easy time. The earthquake earlier in that year had left their Sausalito Stadium structurally damaged, forcing to Club to play home games at arch-rivals Santiago Wanderer?s stadium in Valparaiso. Points were dropped and the 2008 Champions were relegated at the end of 2010.

Being the biggest Club in the second division brought its own problems with Everton playing every other team?s ?Cup Final?. However, despite a poor first half to the season (sounds familiar?) gates have been healthy with the Club achieving the fourth highest average attendance in all divisions ? this without the added bonus of visiting fans from the nation?s bigger teams (Colo Colo, La U, Universidad Católica or Santiago Wanderers).

So, the last chance saloon beckons in San Felipe. Anyone interested and capable of staying up that late to watch the match can find a link to the game on the Ruleteros Society?s Facebook page, which can be found via the www.theruleteros.com website.

John Shearon     Posted 09/12/2011 at 18:56:14   Comments (6)

So, now that Barkley is 18...

Seems we missed the opportunity to wish Ross Barkley Happy Birthday on Monday 5 December, for that was the day he turned 18.

I remember talk about Moyes holding him back until he could be locked in to a full contract, which appears to have been the case until now, considering the way Moyes has put the lad back under wraps.

But is there any talk of this big contract coming to fruition? I've seen nothing.
Paul Hardcastle     Posted 09/12/2011 at    Comments (11)

A new approach

How about this for an idea:

In goal: Tim Howard.
Across the back: Coleman Jagielka Heitinga Distin Baines.

But here is how it would work: Coleman and Baines (imo they are soft defensively, perhaps mainly due to height) would be out-and-out wing-backs, encouraged to literally bomb forwards at any possibility. I think this would get the best out of Coleman, and the idea is that, if Coleman is forward, Jags covers for him at right back, whereas if Baines is forward, Distin covers for him at left back. Heitinga would have a licence to get on the ball and get forward.

Midfield: Fellaini Rodwell Barkley.

I would encourage Fellaini to sit back and break things up, and give Rodwell and Barkley permission to get on the ball and run at defenders, or sprint into the box and make runs. (This never seems to happen at the moment.)

Forward line: Saha Vellios

Again this is really making the best of what we have. Saha would be encouraged to link up with the midfield, Vellios encouraged to be in the penalty box! For me, it really beats having a lone striker, which does not seem to work for Everton at the moment. <0p>

You will notice there are no right or left midfielders; that is because I believe most of ours to be ineffective... however, in this system Baines and Coleman would hopefully provide the width we would need.

Robbie Carew     Posted 07/12/2011 at 21:27:29   Comments (84)

Transfer Window

In a few weeks, the usual miserable time for Blues will be upon us. We will have a month of speculation & outright lies.

I can hear the shouts of "Where has all the Arteta money gone?" We all know we are looking for a centre-forward, I won't even start with naming any names, it only adds to the pain.

The question is, when was the last time we signed a player who you thought was going to turn our fortunes around?

You know, one of those names who you couldn't wait to phone your mate and say "You'll never guess who we have just signed?"

Personally, the last player who made me think we were a big club was Gary Lineker, then we sold him after one season.

Kevin Tully     Posted 07/12/2011 at 11:39:21   Comments (65)

Crab football, False dawns and no hope!!!

I can honestly say with my hand on my heart, I have not felt happy walking away from Goodison Park this season. I now watch Everton with an increasing gloom witnessing the negative football we play.

Please no-one preach to me that we play attractive positive free-flowing football or any of those elements of what we enjoy about football. We play negative sideways crab like football. With poor passing. No movement, infuriating back-passing, unbelievable punts up field by our stand-in captain, poor crossing of the ball, or ? if there is a quality cross ? no-one is there to connect with it.

Our goalie, whilst being a decent shot-stopper, has my heart in my mouth every time there is a high ball into the area. I yearn for edge-of-the-seat play; I yearn to be shouting from my seat "Great pass!" "What a run!", "Oh my god, what a shot!" "Brilliant play!"... No, none of that ? just boring backward crab-like shit with no pace no magic, no entertainment.

I worry that Fellaini will leave because on Sunday he became incensed with the lack of movement in the team and him not having anyone to pass to. I worry that Barkley will just decide to say, "Fuck this, why should I play for a bloke who is prepared to have boring almost safe older players stopping me from progressing in my career?"

Now I am not blaming Moyes... I actually have a lot of respect for the man. I know everyone blames Kenwright ? well, not everyone but a lot of people. But I am not sure either of them can be blamed for where we have landed in this football place where we are now. All I know is that I am coming to the decision that football isn't worth the frustration I feel when I am walking out of Goodison every other Saturday.

Is it Kenwright? Is it Moyes?? Is it the Players??? (No, I don't think so...) All I know is that I won't be renewing my season ticket next year ? and if I don't do that, I can't see me choosing my games and coming to Goodison again. That saddens me, but I am 56 and soon to be 57 and want enjoyable times ? good times ? and I have to say I want more to life.

My biggest passion in life has been Everton and the banter I have with Liverpool supporters. But I am sick of false dawns. Sick of expecting things will improve that better times will come again. I am now convinced there is only more disappointment on the way. No new money, no new signings, no new ground... False dawns, false dawns, false dawns...

I know this is a ramble, I know this is a grammatical load of shite... But this is also a very frustrated and disappointed supporter who will be leaving the Blue Heaven I have loved for so long...

This is a totally pissed-off Evertonian signing off.

Mike McLoughlin     Posted 06/12/2011 at 22:26:55   Comments (48)

Does Dave Know Jack about Scoring?

Everton's biggest problem is obvious ? so obvious even David Moyes saw it on Saturday. We don't have a reliable striker or the money to buy a good one and ? the majesty of this insight ? goals win games.

Perhaps the answer to our goal scoring problem is staring us in the face: Jack Rodwell.

I've been hearing for months now that his ultimate destiny is as a centre-back ? but frankly I think his talents would be wasted in defence. He certainly isn't getting much done in midfield with no-one up front with goal scoring ability. Why not play him as a striker?

He has all the attributes: the height, the physique, he can head the ball, he can play the ball on the ground, has a great positional sense, he can shoot and knows where the goal is. He reminds me of Joe Royle at the same age, but with better physical balance and control. He can also 'carve for himself.'

Could he really fail any more spectacularly than some of the others who have held the striker's role in the last several seasons? I think it's worth trying.

Peter Fearon     Posted 06/12/2011 at 22:01:50   Comments (30)

Media-led delusions and ridiculous bandwagons

No doubt I?ll get slated by some people for saying this, BUT it has to be said. The local media and deluded Evertonians have been propping up this ridiculous Kenwright/Moyes regime for years.

We've been hammered at home on numerous occasions, hammered away on numerous occasions, hammered and humiliated in Europe, knocked out of cups a good few times by lower division teams, pathetic performance after pathetic performance, big money spent on players we didn?t need, fallouts with nearly every striker we?ve had, tactics that defy belief and now our support is clearly dwindling.

And yet somehow the deluded Evertonians keep saying everything is fine just because we have finished top of the Premiership average pile, usually because our best run of results in a season came when we had injuries to the players the manager and the deluded Evertonians rate so highly.

Moyes can do no wrong, the chairman even got applauded earlier on this season after our only remaining effective creative central midfield player was sold to Arsenal. Now we have half the crowd going hysterical because a player does his party piece pirouette like a performing seal only to ultimately lose possession of the ball anyway. Other clubs supporters applaud players for going on an exciting run or having a shot on goal, or chasing back with determination to make a great tackle.

All last season, on this website, and on the radio station for the deluded, there was an incessant cry that Arteta was shit and Fellaini was brilliant. Idiots were saying Arteta could leave as we don?t need him. They got their wish and look what?s happened. We are now left with a midfield that can?t create a single chance during a game. The only inspiration comes from our left back and a makeshift right midfielder.

The over hyped Fellaini had one of his better games on Sunday but still failed to create anything and when we meet opponents who take the game to us his performance falls away but the bandwagon about how good he is just rolls on. He is not the great defensive midfielder he is hyped up to be and the main benefit we get from him is when he is pushed forward. Let?s have some realism please.

And the Moyes myth keeps getting fed by a stupid local media and people who believe everything they read or hear. It?s a joke.

Thank god for the Blackburn luck, for the Bolton 10 men, for Bobby Zamora's missed chance, for somehow getting past Wolves. It could have been so much worse and it still might if this delusional nonsense carries on for much longer.

And the other bandwagons. Since Arteta left it?s been Rodwell is shit(I hope he starts v Arsenal), Coleman is shit, Cahill is finished. These are three of our better players, leave them alone.

Meanwhile the obvious talent of Barkley is overlooked in favour of the labouring centre midfielders who played on Sunday. And if he does get a chance he?s played out of position. We could have a decent team out there on the pitch if only we had a decent manager who recognizes that he should put out a balanced team with players playing to their strengths and if this means leaving out a couple of the so called senior players so be it.

There was false optimism which was growing pace going into Everton's game on Sunday because of two wins on the bounce but I woke up on Sunday with a horrible knot in my stomach because I knew Stoke would be harder opposition than Wolves or Bolton. Not because I'm a pessimist but because I'm a relist and anyone who watched the Wolves and Bolton games should have known the problems we'd have against Stoke. Besides Stokes aerial threat they should have known that Ozzy would have a nice touch here and there but would lose the ball here and there too and would be knocked off the ball too easily, unable to impose himself on the game.

Fellaini would get the ball trot forward and touch it to someone else for them to do something. If we lost position he wouldn't bomb it back like Peter Reid or even Lee Carsley as it's not his game. Vellios would struggle as he is still learning and wouldn't get much service anyhow. Billy would be played, would be nervous and aware that half the crowd was waiting for his first mistake. Throw in Moyes's tactics and I knew it was going to be a bad afternoon. Just like the start of the season when all the deluded ones were saying we'll get nine points out of the first nine and couldn't understand how the hell QPR beat us. It's the same old same.

I care deeply about Everton Football Club and that is my motivation for writing this and I will still be paying my money long after Moyes has finally gone.

I believe Moyes would have gone a long time ago if people hadn't fallen for the biggest bandwagon of all - 'he's not been given any money'. Reading, Brentford, Oldham, Shrewsbury, they were all big spenders weren't they!
Ged Dwyer     Posted 06/12/2011 at 17:38:43   Comments (98)

Go Now

On every post that I have criticised David Moyes, I have always had some doubt at the back of my mind. He keeps us safe, things could be worse, let him hang on till a new owner comes in. Now I have no fear in saying: David Moyes is no longer fit to be manager of Everton. He drags us down with every cretinous utterance and his defeatist demeanour.

This is why I think he must go:

• He treats Wigan as though they are Man City, in fact his default start position is, "Let's see what we can nick from this game"...
• He is tactically inept. Against Stoke, we rained in crosses to a striker who had not a hope in hell of winning them.
• He accepts every piece of shit thrown to him by Kenwright and one can only assume it is because of his huge contract.
• His use of substitutes over the years has been lamentable.
• His handling of "difficult" players has shown him to be a demanding sergeant major.
• His utter inability to learn from mistakes is laughable.
• He has lost the spark which was his biggest asset.

Most importantly, he should go for his own sake. Every pathetic start to the season, every woeful performance against really, really poor teams diminishes his reputation and poisons his Everton legacy.

Show some integrity, Moyes ? save yourself and GO!

Andy Crooks     Posted 05/12/2011 at 18:49:16   Comments (119)

Lacking just a few things

I had the opportunity yesterday to use my brother-in-law's lounge tickets (he couldn't make it) which means watching the game in relative comfort ? and being fed to boot.

It was a toss-up between that and watching my 11-year-old son play for a team he's recently transferred to, for the first time.

I opted to watch my son.

Him and his mates played in driving rain, high winds, and bitterly cold weather. I was wrapped up like I was going to the Arctic and was still freezing.

His team won 12-1. He scored twice and had a good game.

My point is that he, and his teamates, and even more so the poor lads who were on the wrong end of a 12-1 hiding, showed plenty of the traits I list below:

Desire, determination, the will to win, guts, the bottle to never give up, even in horrendous conditions.....

What a pity that even a couple of these traits weren't evident in anyone wearing a blue shirt at Goodison yesterday.

To be beaten by a journeyman team like Stoke is an absolute nightmare. To be beaten by them without so much as a whimper is a disgrace!

Maybe I should invite the team to my son's next match because I tell you, those 11-year-olds could actually teach the Everton players more than a thing ot two if yesterday's performance was anything to go by... and amazingly my son only dreams of one thing ? wearing that shirt and playing for the club!!!

Brian Williams     Posted 05/12/2011 at 17:28:19   Comments (14)

Make-up; Do we have any Manager Remover

Two wins in a row. We hadn't conceded a goal from open play since the first half away to Newcastle. Fellaini had signed a new 5-year deal... Things were looking up (on the pitch and off).

Confidence is a very important componenent of any person (especially professional athletes). As soon as I read Moyes's comments about the recent wins being "make-up" and he is still worried, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Moyes has proven he's a leader and he of all people should know that every word he says has a ripple effect on the players, fans and club.

Yesterday's performance reflected a team and organization with zero confidence. If I were Moyes and I felt the team was not strong enough and any win was flattering, I would keep that to myself and make sure this squad maintained the positivity the results against Wolves and Bolton had created.

When you looked at Stoke's away form ? especially after a Europa game ? everyone thought a result (with hard work) was possible. That hard work never showed up. I don't doubt that Moyes is an excellent manager (you might argue he can spot talent but doesn't really know how to use it) but I'm afraid that, with comments like the ones before the Stoke game, he has given up on us.

I don't mind stressing the 40pt level and how important it is but maintaining any type of momentum is key to a decent season. I still think short term we will be worse off if Moyes leaves but, unless the rumours of investment are true and Moyes will have his 'Give me a tranfer budget' bluff called, then the team will reflect our Manager's apathy.

It's only apathy now; I hope it never reaches the stage of surrender...

Mohammed Horoub     Posted 05/12/2011 at 13:58:38   Comments (44)

Yakubu scoring for fun

I know Yakubu starts strong at first on transfer and I know the lad tends to loose interest and fitness, but that's an issue for a manager and coaching staff to control.

He's put four away this weekend. His last performance against Liverpool at Goodison Park was surely something to build on. We desperately need staff who can keep our players motivated, inspired and allow them to play to their strengths (never mind in their position).

David Moyes seems to have a knack for dulling an attacker's edge and seems to be on a similar path with Drenthe... wanting him to build on his defensive game. He'll sap the attack out of him too or give him the cold shoulder should he not tow the line.

Hopefully it's the fast tract for Dunc's coaching badges as we need some offensive input to at least balance the Moyes/Round/Stubbs 'back 11' mentality.

Here's to putting a few past Stoke tomorrow.
Paul Columb     Posted 04/12/2011 at 00:44:06   Comments (115)

Yannick Djalo

We have been heavily linked with this guy in the past couple of years and I'm sure fees proposed to get him were in the tens of millions. He looks a good player, pacy, direct, can play right wing or striker, bit like Landon Donovan.

Now this guy had a move to Nice, and for some reason his contract is terminated. I'm not sure why, I'm sure many posters know the situation more than I do.

Basically he's free and now he's on trial with Aston Villa. Why aren't we in there?! We've been crying out for a bit of pace in the team, so seeing he's free, makes a lot of sense to get him.

It may materialise with us giving him a trial. Would be interesting to see what happens.

Ben Jones     Posted 03/12/2011 at 11:41:44   Comments (20)

The club's overdraft

I just noticed an interesting snippet at the end of an article in today's (Friday) Times. I can't link it here as I don't subscribe to the online version, but here's a summary.

The article was actually about Birmingham FC having their overdraft facility withdrawn by HSBC, due to the nefarious activities of Carson Yeung and the possibility that he bought the club using criminally generated funds. Basically, HSBC decided that their predictions for Birmingham's income and outgoings over the coming year made the overdraft facility untenable.

Right at the end of the article was one throwaway paragraph as follows:

"In a similar situation in the Summer, Barclays predicted that Everton's overdraft would peak in excess of £25m this season, which the bank considered too high, and the club were pressured to act, selling Mikel Arteta to Arsenal for £10m".

Now, some will say this is old news. I do not propose to comment one way or the other. I just found it interesting to see that in a respectable newspaper, when throughout the club fed us the line that Arteta asked to leave and that his sale was entirely Moyes's decision. More spin and lies perhaps...?

Mark Boulle     Posted 02/12/2011 at 17:36:24   Comments (28)

CD Everton Promotion Push

After just one season in the second tier of Chilean football, CD Everton are presented with their third opportunity to gain promotion this weekend after failing to be the league's overall Champions ? Antofagasta took that title ? and last week falling against Rangers in the Primera B Play-Off final (drawing 4-4 on aggregate and going out on away goals).

On Sunday, they play the first leg of the Primera A / Primera B Play-Off Final at home against Unión San Felipe from the top flight, with the away leg to follow next week. The rewards associated with promotion are as significant as here with the Premier League.

Anyone interested in watching the match live can do so by following the Facebook link on the Ruleteros Society website: www.theruleteros.com - Kick-off on Sunday is 23:30 UK time.
John  Shearon     Posted 02/12/2011 at 15:55:06   Comments (12)