The Mail Bag

Kenwright saved again

A few weeks ago, the pressure was slowly being applied to Bill Kenwright. Blue Union protests, genuine fears of relegation and, frankly (from my point of view) a fear that we couldn't be guaranteed to beat anyone.

Things look so much better now... A good transfer window created optimism but the results of it haven't filtered through yet so that is still to come. Moyes has done it again; the pressure was on Kenwright and Moyes comes good. Earlier in the season, Moyes was shite and Kenwright stood right behind him.

They really are a double act and the result of this makes them almost immune from outside criticism. Victories over City and Chelsea, added to a good cup run, make criticism of Moyes look churlish at the very least.

So, what does someone who believes that the double act are slowly suffocating Everton do? Shut up enjoy the cup run? ? until the next shite start to the season? I suppose so...
Andy Crooks     Posted 29/02/2012 at 19:13:42   Comments (169)

Would we have been better off with Lerner?

It`s an old chestnut on Toffeeweb that Everton 'missed out' by showing no interest when Randy Lerner came shopping for a Premier League Club. No-one (apart from Kenwright & Co) knows the truth about that but news this week that, from next to nothing, when Ellis sold out, Aston Villa`s debts now exceed those of Everton.

Now I have to admit that I always looked longingly at Villa and its business-like owners and even when Lerner let Martin O'Neill go and replaced him with Houllier, I still was mighty impressed when he forked out £20M for Bent.

But now it`s gone horribly wrong as first that Frenchman and then, McLeish, a very poor shadow of our David Moyes, have supervised Villa`s slide down the table to a point where they just might get caught up in the relegation battle.

I raise this issue, not to provoke yet another debate on how Blue Bill has failed us ? that`s been done to death under the Quinn Investments heading ? but more to discuss what impact a wealthy owner can possibly have if the manager(s) he chooses sign the wrong players and burn up his fortune.

It would seem that Kenwright's only saving grace, nay, saviour is his choice of a manager who was able to manage within the owner`s very limited means! No doubt, Lerner would have thrown money at the manager who he would have changed several times...

Doesn`t this indicate that, whoever takes over a club,it`s the manager who makes or breaks him?

Richard Dodd     Posted 29/02/2012 at 09:42:10   Comments (33)

Europa League

A scenario still exists that could see us pinch a Europa League place via a seventh place finish. Presently the team finishing 5th will take the spot in the Premier League. If Liverpool finish in the top 6 and win the Carling Cup then 6th place will also take a European spot. If two of the top 6 contest the FA Cup Final (distinct possibility) then 7th place will also take a Europa spot. 

With 13 games to play and 6 points from 7th, this has to be achievable now we are coming into form. With Newcastle not on the roll they were, it could be ourselves and The Toon fighting it out for this spot. And we play them on the final day at home.

Obviously we want to win the FA Cup but clinching a European spot can still happen through the league. Let's go for it. 

Neil Smith     Posted 25/02/2012 at 17:19:24   Comments (43)

Player?s international chances limited at Everton?

I just saw that Saha has been called up to the French squad and it got me thinking about how our club is viewed further a field than the UK/Ireland.

Is it a coincidence that, less than a month after leaving us for a more ?fashionable? team, he is suddenly drafted into the national team? Would he have been called up if he were still at Everton?

I wonder if the same will happen for Arteta? he was never given a look in with the Spanish team, even when he was at his best for us. Will he get his chance now he?s at Arsenal?

Not that it really bothers me as personally I?d rather not see our players called up for meaningless internationals.

Bobby McDermott     Posted 23/02/2012 at 16:43:13   Comments (47)

PM & FA Racism Meeting

I see that David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt the Culture Secretary met members of the Football Association to discuss racism and homophobia in football.

I think most fans want both eliminated not just from football, although how you regulate to acheive this is another matter.

They also discussed how to promote more black managers. I know that in America they have whats called the Rooney law which states that all coaching opportunities must have at least one black candidate. While I believe in equal opportunities for all surely the acid test should be, to appoint the best person for the job regardless of colour or sex.

I was listening to a discussion some months back on Goals on Sunday between Paul Ince and Les Ferdinand. Paul Ince said that he believed that not enough black ex-players bothered to do their coaching badges, so precluded themselves being appointed as managers. Whereas Les Ferdinand said he hadn't bothered to take his badges as he felt it was a waste of time.

So do people think that the best way to encourage black players to become managers is for a Rooney-type law to be introduced.

Brian Harrison     Posted 22/02/2012 at 16:01:43   Comments (100)

Quinn Investments

I'd give it to the summer and Niall Quinn will be chomping at the bit to get back into the game, as almost inevitably these guys find it difficult to replace the game once they leave.

Quinn was an average striker who made the best of his talents in cultivating certainly a wealthy if not too successful footballing career. Few would have thought therefore, that he would have had the business acumen to take a club like Sunderland and lead it through two successful takeovers.

Sunderland are arguably the second team in North East, don't have a Global Brand and in Premier League terms wouldn't cost a huge sum of money (sound familiar?), yet Quinn has proved that the right individuals can be sourced if the terms of sale are reasonable.

OK, because of our inept board we don't have a New Stadium to bargain with, but surely he's worth a punt... can't be any worse than paying Keith Harris and his dead duck.

Liam Reilly     Posted 21/02/2012 at 10:10:51   Comments (309)

The Greatest Merseyside Derby?

I'm actually surprised no-one has mentioned this on Toffeeweb yet, but yesterday was the 21st anniversary of the magnificent 4-4 draw against Liverpool. For those of you a little young to remember, this was arguably THE greatest Merseyside derby ever played (apart from the ones we one naturally!) What are the Bluenoses memory of the occasion?

History will show it was Dalglish's last game in charge first time around, and us Toffees had the last laugh as we won the replay 1-0 thanks to David Watson. Me? I didn't know the live result (my TV didn't have Ceefax back then ? ask your dad)... So I watched the rollercoaster is it unfolded on Match of the Day.

I thought we were dead and buried after each Liverpool goal in extra time. But then Tony Cottee showed why we payed as much for him as Spurs did for Paul Gascoigne and buried two equalisers. I went nuts, and given it was about 11pm and I was 16 at the time, Mum was severely worried what was going on in my bedroom!

Happy days...
Alex Robinson     Posted 20/02/2012 at 19:23:54   Comments (63)

A time for adventure?

After Pienaar's performance against Chelsea and Drenthe's against Blackpool, is it not now time for Moyes to be just a little bit adventurous while at the same time sticking to his favoured 4-5-1 formation?

Could Moyes be tempted to leave Cahill out of his starting calculations entirely and start with Pienaar on the left and Drenthe on the right? Might he even consider replacing Hibbert/Neville at right back with Coleman?

Could the team for the next league game possibly be......

(Roll of drums)

Howard

Coleman
Heitinga
Distin
Baines

Pienaar
Gibson
Fellaini
Rodwell (if fit. Barkley if not)
Drenthe

Stracqualursi / Jelavic (if fit)

That midfield could keep any opposing defence stretched right across the pitch assisted by two ball playing attacking full backs and two centre-backs who can pass the ball out of defence. This team could morph into a 4-3-3 at the drop of a hat if need be.

Will Moyes take the bull by the horns and give it a go?

Nah!
Dave Roberts     Posted 20/02/2012 at 11:18:39   Comments (33)

Being greater than the club

What is greatness? It is the state of being great. One of the stock football fans' phrases is "no-one is greater than the club". I have used it myself, in fact I used it when my friends talked about Rooney leaving. I have used it when people have talked about Moyes leaving, but then I stopped to think about it.

When people say "no manager is bigger than a club" or "no player is bigger than a club", what are you saying? On a clear obvious level, the club existed before and after the player or manager so therefore the club must be greater. Fair enough, I accept that. But that would mean the word 'greater' means being around longer than ? not 'greatness' in anyway.

If people think a player or a manager can't be greater than a club then they are deluded. Players who are better are sold, Rooney is better than Everton. Hence he plays at Man Utd who are a better club. Rooney does not define Everton, much like a manager does not define the club. But are Man Utd better with Alex Ferguson than they have been before? Yes. You could even say, Man Utd have a good possibly of being a poorer club under a different manager.

So the same is true of Everton; is Moyes greater than Everton? In a way... yes, he is. Do we have a very good chance of being a poorer club under a different manager? Yes. Everton will be around a lot longer than the manager... but has Moyes improved things? Yes, Has he brought in better players? Yes. Do others in the game and outside the game consider him a great manager? Yes.

People keep saying Moyes is rubbish because he didn't play Drenthe or Stracqualursi and he does not like those players. He bought them into the club. Why would he bring in players he does not like? The reason we have those choices on the bench is because of Moyes, so the only reason you can complain in the first place is because he did something.

I have watched Drenthe play this season and he blows hot and cold, he is exciting to watch, but often gives the ball away, and often runs head down. Under Moyes I think he has improved and hope like others before he stays and becomes a great player. Stracq is the same, this is a guy who wants to play for Moyes, too many people dismiss what a great job David does at motivating players to keep working.

I would love to see Everton in a 4-4-2, with Stracq and Jelavic up front, and when I see the team sheet, I wonder why he has gone with just 1 upfront, but history tells me he knows best, he has generally got it right and he might not be perfect... but he is a lot better than the alternative.

Tim Locke     Posted 19/02/2012 at 23:47:47   Comments (117)

Drenthe or Stracqualursi

After yesterday's game, listening to the phone-in on the radio, a caller asked if we could only sign Drenthe or Stracqualursi who would it be? The consensus was very mixed.

Personally, I think Drenthe is in a different class and gives us an extra dimesion that we need; pace and ability to take on players which as a team we lack in abundance.

I appreciate what Denis has done for us, but I can't help think that Drenthe would be much harder to replace and we would miss him more, especially with Donovan gone and no guarantees over Pienaar staying.

It would be disappointing to see the likes of Osman thrown out wide again next year because we have not retained wide players. People will argue Drenthe can be a liability which is probably true. I just hope that Moyes doesn't let his own ego deny us of a top talent in the summer by not signing Drenthe!

Anthony Millington     Posted 19/02/2012 at 10:46:56   Comments (74)

Thanks mate

I took my lad who was 13 on Friday to the Blackpool game. We sat in the Main Stand in the row just behind the Directors Box. My lad had a can of Diet Coke and was drinking it when a steward came in and told him cans weren't allowed in the ground and confiscated it ? rules are rules, I suppose, so fair does ? I didn't have a problem with that.

Anyway 2 - 0 up at half-time, a great first half. Just after half-time, I got a tap on my shoulder from a bloke sitting behind us ? he passed over a pint of coke and a big bag of crisps to my boy, saying "Here you are, mate, that's to replace what you had to give up ? it took me bloody ages in the queue to get that!"

My lad was made up as I was and thought it was a great gesture from a fellow blue to my boy who shook the bloke's hand and thanked him for his generosity. Cheers mate it was very much appreciated and proves what I have been telling everyone that we most certainly are the best fans in the world.

John Kelly     Posted 19/02/2012 at 08:20:34   Comments (17)

I CAN Get Some Satisfaction

I don't know about anyone else, but the sense of pure pride, satisfaction and well-being of seeing that horrible individual Ashley Cole still in the SAME position on the deck that Neville left him in ? after we have celebrated and had lined up again after the second goal on Saturday ? made my hairs stand on end......

Let?s hope we can have more of these great tackles returning to the game. However, I reckon Mr Cole might disagree??.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neville gets LOADS of shite from certain people in the crowd but, for me, his commitment to Everton FC has remained constant since his arrival. His professionalism and determination should be mimicked throughout the team, in my opinion. Although he isn?t the most gifted player, he?s always available, doesn?t hide, and leads from the front.

Well done, Phil........

NSNO

Andy Callan     Posted 16/02/2012 at 11:54:14   Comments (46)

Favourite Everton souvenir

I was just surfing the net to find out what happened to those seemingly daft paper-thin football scarves made out of something that resembles silk... I have one somewhere but no idea where!

I came across this: http://www.sportantiques.co.uk/items/21085_Football_Scarf_Everton_Football_ClubA_si

I don't have £165 spare at the moment but if anyone here does I think it's a pretty cool piece of memorabilia especially considering it features W R Dean.

What (if you have any) is your favourite piece of EFC related memorabilia?

Mine is an autograph from Howard Kendall, spotted getting out his car on the way to Brighton v Blackburn some years ago, It was the derby the next day and he was just off to see some mates from his time at Blackburn. My friend always reminds me that he nearly went through the windscreen when I spotted him, anyway it was a pub half-way between Crawley and Brighton that he was heading for so we joined him for a pint and an autograph. Yes, Mr Kendall did have just one pint!

Andrew Grey     Posted 15/02/2012 at 15:46:08   Comments (37)

Shiny silver cups

On another thread Sam Hoare, a TW member who is pro-David Moyes, asked me this question.

"Would you say that Portsmouth or Birmingham had enjoyed a more successful decade than us?"

Here is my answer;

I want to see us winning things.

If we went through the next 60 years playing in the top division but never winning anything I'd die never having really seen us win a trophy (age 10 in 95). All I'd have to look back on would be wins over Liverpool and Man Utd. For that reason I'd say yes they have.

Not an easy one to answer though. I can see the other side of the coin.

I'd be interested to know what others think about this?

As most who use the site regularly will know I'm not David Moyes's biggest fan. I'd also like to think I'm not blind to his faults.

I don't believe he is a manager who will win trophies as we have frozen when the pressure is on several times. We have also IMO underperformed in cup competitions throughout his reign.

Ste Kenny     Posted 15/02/2012 at 07:46:44   Comments (66)

Champions For Sale: £1

Those who believe that the answer to Everton?s problems may be solved simply by setting the asking price low enough should take a close look at Glasgow Rangers? predicament.

Sir David Murray sold the club for just £1 in return for a promise to settle debts and invest in the club. Perhaps somebody even said to him, ?If you love this club, Sir David? let go!?

It?s the kind of move that some who post on this site would have welcomed from Kenwright, no doubt ? just take over the debt and club is yours. However, the £1 price tag made Rangers vulnerable to predators ? who wouldn?t buy a perennial competitor in the Champions League for just £1 and a promise?

Now it turns out that not only did Craig Whyte, the new owner, not invest as he promised, he didn?t even pay the PAYE taxes he withheld from the players wages. Now Rangers face all kinds of restrictions on their activities during administration and they could be expelled from Europe next season.

The lesson here is that there is no short cut to solvency. Yes, Kenwright should be pressured to sell, but the best assurance that Everton is being sold to the right person is their ability to pay a fair free-market price, not one that has been artificially deflated.

The current restrictions that have been imposed on Everton by the banks are difficult to live within but we will ultimately be stronger over the long term if we control spending and debt. Not every new buyer is a saviour... as Rangers fans just learned to their cost.
Jack  Molloy     Posted 14/02/2012 at 22:02:23   Comments (52)

Darron Gibson or Joe Parkinson?

Just finished watching the Everton vs Chelsea and I am really impressed with Darron Gibson.

His performance goes unnoticed but his positioning and partnership with Fellaini is bringing the best out of the players around them.

Not only does he look a bit like Joe Parkinson, his performance is similar and I actually think he might be the most astute piece of business in the transfer market by Moyes for some time.

Looking up the league now and hoping for a few Wembley trips between now and the end of the season!

James Crolla     Posted 12/02/2012 at 14:21:38   Comments (48)

Saha owes EFC a refund...

The debate over Moyes's handling of strikers will never be settled until we see him manage a team like Spurs and the results will tell us if we were too harsh on him and that he can play attacking football...

I blame the Yak's decline in an Everton jersey on Moyes and his ego and I'm very happy to see him doing well for Blackburn and hope he continues to help them in their fight to stay up.

But after watching yesterday's Spurs-Newcastle game I was left feeling cheated...

Saha's movement, finishing, passing and overall attitude was top class; good for him and Spurs. Although I want to wish him all the best like the Yak I can't bring myself to do it. Moyes never lost faith in him and gave him every opportunity to help us break out of our scoring slump.

I know a new team and surroundings will always give a player a lift but as a professional footballer Saha should be ashamed at the shifts he put in for us over the last 3-4 months.

I can only imagine where we could have been in the table if the 'Straq Ataq' had gained Moyes's confidence earlier in the season and was leading the line for us.

Jelavic will be an interesting test for Moyes and I hope he can be the 15 goals a season we need to keep up with the top of the league...

After yesterday's win I think finshing above Liverpool is looking possible

NSNO
Mohammed Horoub     Posted 12/02/2012 at 09:30:22   Comments (94)

Go back to go forward?

Donovan said after the City game, "We now know what works and we have seen what doesn't" And so we do: Donovan, The Stracman, Pienaar, Duffy, Drenthe ? they all work in both senses of the word, all of those bar 1 are loans and of them, while I would like to see Donovan stay, I don't think it is in his long-term plan, no matter how much he tweets about loving us.

We need cash to cash in... on our loanees. So what's left to hock? Not a lot... only players.

I think most admit that our previous slash-and-burn business plan is not the way to go, but what else is there? I can't see the banks giving us another £12+ mill to spend. So we might have to do the never again one more time.

My short question is, who hasn't been missed??

Answer: Jagielka and Rodwell... sorry but sacrifices have to be made and these two drew my short straw.

Alternatives: Do nothing? not an option...The Banks give us more credit? not likely... The Board put money in for the first time this century? even less likely. One of these 12 Investors has a mad rush to blood to the wallet?....nah.

Sorry lads, clear your lockers and get packing.

Any more options?
Derek Thomas     Posted 12/02/2012 at 01:10:49   Comments (18)

Everton on TV

What have all the TV channels got against Everton Football Club? Why are we very rarely on TV?

I try to go to the match as often as I can but with cash being tight I cannot always get there. I am sick of watching the same top of the league sides all the time. Why are Liverpool always on? If we get to the FA Cup final we might get on ITV.

Sky have got so used to screening Man Utd that they have employed a down-and-out Manc now to give a biased view. The new layout is Sky United TV... ITV MUTV .

Philip Bickerstaff     Posted 10/02/2012 at 21:35:36   Comments (30)

Transfers - in whose interests?

Am I the only one surprised at the news that Harry Rednapp was entitled to a percentage of the profit on the transfer of a player where the player was signed and sold 'on his watch'?

Is this a widespread practice in Premier League clubs? Is it the practice at Everton?

It has been hard enough to accept that the club have had to become a 'selling club' to survive. Can anyone reassure me that our manager has not been benefiting financially from our club's misfortune in having to sell its best players?

Gregory Kelly     Posted 09/02/2012 at 10:16:47   Comments (47)

Capello: The beginning of the end?

With Capello's resignation, the smart money is on 'Appy 'Awwy becoming next England manager.

Spurs have been seen as the next obvious step for Moyes for some time. If the dominoes fall in line with the betting, we could well be looking for a new manager sooner than anticipated. Will we be as 'Appy as 'Awwy?

Personally, I see it as potentially an escape route for all parties.

For Moyes, a way out of the tactical cul-de-sac he has backed himself into.

For the pro-Moyes faction, the excuse that he moved on to greater things.

For the anti-Moyes faction, it provides a welcome relief.

The only person exposed is BK; Moyes leaving would expose him in a way he has successfully avoided for some time now and may provide the moment where he cannot sustain the illusion of stability anymore...
Steve Guy     Posted 08/02/2012 at 22:54:56   Comments (196)

12 Interested Parties!

I was trawling the net looking for any updates on the mysterious "Interested parties" looking to purchase our club.

I came across this BBC sport article and was amazed to read the following:

"But BBC Sport understands that Jain's was only one of a dozen initial approaches made to the club in the past 12 months."

The full story is here ;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15653928

A paragraph for anyone who believes that any potential buyer would go public reads; "The club is always receptive, responsive and professional, which means we respect the confidentiality agreements which prevent either side from disclosing the interest."

It might be possible these 12 "parties" cannot come up with the required £600m they need to buy the club. That's the latest figure Greg O'Keefe of the Liverpool Echo quoted on TalkSport recently.

I wish someone could pressurise the club into giving the answers why we have not been sold. Let's instigate a fans group, something like a Blue Union ? maybe they can get some information on the sale!
Kevin Tully     Posted 08/02/2012 at 10:38:36   Comments (48)

Time to think about the Chelsea game

We were poor at Wigan, we didn't get at them enough as they were there for the taking and we can't play that way against Chelsea. We have to get back on track.

I think we can get a result because Chelsea were poor on Sunday. They were all over the place! I could not believe it... they were three up because Man Utd ripped them apart.

If we show the spirit we showed v City, we can get a result. So come on, Blues fans ? let's get behind the lads and get Goodison rocking again!

COYB

Michael Summers     Posted 07/02/2012 at 10:54:19   Comments (117)

Three into two doesn't go!

With three experienced and impressive central defenders, it's going to he hard for Moyes once Jagielka returns, as Johnny Heitinga has been impressive of late and it would be unfair to drop him.

If only we would change formation, we could accommodate Heitinga, Jagielka and Distin.

After Donovan leaves, the first eleven could look like this:

GK Howard

CB Heitinga
CB Jagielka
CB Distin

WB Coleman
CM Gibson
CM Fellaini
CM Pienaar
WB Baines

FW Straq/Anichebe/Cahill
FW Jelavic

Obviously this won't happen but it not only solves the problem but also looks more capable in attack (which is why it won't happen!)

Anthony Jaras     Posted 05/02/2012 at 19:53:52   Comments (47)

Big Vic... just how good is he?

There are many aspects to a forward's game: goals, what you do with the ball, what you do without the ball, general attitude, and commitment will do for a start.

Goals. There are many different types of goals, let's take Anichebe's last (only) 3:

• The sniffer, turns and swivels in the 6yd box, Goal; tick.
• Put through one on one, Goal; tick.
• Header from the cross, goal; tick.
• Also, Putting your boot through it from the edge of the box, vs Birmingham, Goal; tick.

What he does with the Ball. Last season, I saw him put Beckford through like Donovan did for him, some type of football brain in there?? tick.

What he does without the ball; to be honest, a bit harder to quantify and off the top of my head I can't come up with any glaring examples of yes he is good off the ball to actually comment on it either way.

Just to digress a bit, up to the end of last season and prior to his injury, I nearly fell off my chair when Moyes gave him a new contract worth £30k/wk(??) and thought that if I could do a quantum leap into his body and not put up a 100% better showing than that lazy idle so-and-so then I would eat my hat etc.

Which comes under the attitude heading (and also what you do when you don't have the ball). I remember some defender playing a ball accross his own box in the 'general' direction of his keeper, it was shorter than one of Snow White's dwarfs (Dopey I think). It as also mid-way-ish between Vic and the keeper...

To my mind, a striker has to be single-mindedly selfish in pursuit of the ball, like a big cat: ball = food = mine, even at 30-70 in the keeper's favour. He didn't even move. "That's it," I thought, "if he's a forward, I'm a 'kin astronaut." But on reflection, it could be Instructions of the like: don't commit too far forward in case it all breaks down and we are caught on the hop.

But his attitude seems to have improved a bit, for how long I don't know, but he has the example of The Stracqman to copy.

I have given 5 examples, can they all be one off flukes, I doubt if 3 goals in 4 games is in the fluke category. So... Whither Vic from now on? Was I too hard on him in previous seasons? Then I would have said, "No way, he's a waster," but has Vic wised up and become a Clever Trevor and a Tricky Dicky... or is he still a Blockhead?? I don't really know ? and that's the problem.
Derek Thomas     Posted 05/02/2012 at 02:29:07   Comments (42)

MIA: Ross Barkley

As we all well know, Everton have struggled ? not only this season, but the last 3 or 4 seasons ? with creative players; we struggle to break teams down in the final third... So my question is: Where the hell is Ross Barkley?

I don't want to build the boy up into some sort of superstar but, from what I've seen, he can beat a man, sees a pass, and has got a decent shot. Now surely he can be no worse than Neville in the middle? Or the mis-firing Cahill in the hole? The worrying sign for me is that we have an injury crisis... yet, with the likes of Rodwell, Osman, & Jagielka all out, Barkley still can't get on the bench ? even last week, Baxter got a run before the boy.

Surely Moyes isn't still holding a grudge from the penalty he gave away early in the season? Or has he got a bad attitude? Something is not right with this situation, when the likes of Cahill and Rio Ferdinand are saying he is a very special player, I do wonder what's going on with Barkley. If he can't get a game now, he never will!!

Can anyone shed some light on this situation?

Sean McKenna     Posted 05/02/2012 at 02:15:08   Comments (230)

Goodbye Saha

I think it is worth posting Saha's statement on leaving the club.

'I have to say thank you to Everton and particularly David Moyes because they helped me when I really needed it and I will never forget that.

?Leaving a great club like Everton is always a bit sad, but things come to an end, and I also want to say thanks to the supporters as there have been good times and bad times but I have always felt supported and loved.

?Goodison is a special stadium and you can feel the spirit of so many great sportsmen when you go on the pitch. It has been an honour and a privilege as a football player to play there.?

I always thought he showed glimpses of being class in previous seasons, but always got injured before he could really get going. Ironically when the injuries were under control, his form dipped.

I wish Saha well at Spurs and hope he gets a good reception when he returns!

Jon Ferguson     Posted 02/02/2012 at 12:17:08   Comments (60)

Blue Bill buys himself some time

Two wins in the last week and the exciting signings of Jelavic and Pienaar have certainly changed the climate around Goodison Park.

Where there was doom, there now appears hope; where there was boredom, there is now excitement; and where we had protest, we now have a degree of understanding of the difficulties the Club is struggling under.

Now I know many of these difficulties are laid at the door of Bill Kenwright. That's only logical ? and par for the course if you have been at the helm for a dozen years and a member of the Board since Noah was a boy! However, whatever mistakes the self-proclaimed `Greatest Evertonian` has made ? and there have been a few ? I continue to believe that these can be attributed to naivety and bad counsel rather than to any plot to` screw` the Club or its very loyal supporters.

Increasingly, and somewhat reluctantly, I have come to agree that Bill is no longer up to the job. His somewhat bizarre response to the BU lads `at the gates` indicated to me that his judgement has become increasingly flawed and his `betrayal` allegation was more likely to inflame rather than ameliorate an already tense situation.

The CEO of the Premier League has recently pronounced that Everton are presently `a very well run club` and I certainly believe that to be the case. All too late, we have begun to operate within our means and if this results in a refusal to pay exhorbitant fees and meet ridiculous wage demands, so be it.

I, for one, want my club to endure and I think Blue Bill has played his part in making sure it does. He may not be everyone's idea of the perfect leader but who the hell is perfect, anyway?

In managing to rid the club of two over-waged and under-performing players and replacing them with two of far higher quality, he has given us all a deal of confidence in the future and bought himself a little time to do the decent thing.
Richard Dodd     Posted 01/02/2012 at 19:24:37   Comments (96)

You Can't Buy Spirit

First of all, what a fantastic result last night. It reminded me why I bloody love this football club. The Old Lady was properly rocking for the first time this season, and every man on the pitch was giving no less than 100%. I proper loved it!

Sticking it up City (again) was an awesome feeling. If each of their millionaires had even 50% of the spirit shown by the likes of Denis Stracqualursi, they would be unstoppable this season.

As Roberto Mancini is still discovering, you simply can?t buy spirit. You can lose it though, and up until last night I feared that was the case amongst our squad. That something special that can turn a team of average ability into a force to be reckoned with, has been sadly lacking throughout this season.

Then suddenly, out goes the fading talent, and increasingly looking-like-you-can?t-be-arsed figure of Louis Saha, and in comes the distinctly less talented, but lion-hearted ?Stracq? and we seemed to almost instantly get our mojo back. Not just up front, but all over the park? and that in turn has had a positive impact on what is going on in the stands. Let?s keep this up eh lads!

Off the pitch we saw an end to the transfer window which was surely better than any of us would have predicted. Jelavic is admittedly unproven in this league, but he certainly seems to have that knack of sticking it in the onion bag. I love the fact that in his interview, when asked what his strengths are as a player, he simply said ?scoring goals?. I hope he proves to be the kind of player that can grab us 15-20 goals a season.

He could prove to be a steal for what we paid, and the fact that we basically spent the money from the sale of the ineffectual Bily on him, plus reduced the wage bill by offloading Saha ? we shouldn?t be putting any greater financial strain on the club.

The loan move for Pienaar was also an unexpected bonus as the window was slamming shut. I think us Blues are quite divided on whether we should ever take him back, and I for one was pretty pissed off when he left. But now we have him back I hope we get right behind him and I look forward to a bit more Bainsey / ?Nuts action down our left flank. A smart move by Moyes I think as he?s a player that can instantly slot in and know the players around him and how they play.

So all in all, I woke up a pretty happy Evertonian this morning. I have been well and truly part of the half glass empty gang this season, and have been openly critical of our manager and board. But only because I was so desperate for things to improve, and also because I thought we could and should be doing so much better.

Last night we proved we can do better, and this is the level of performance that we should demand from our team every week and stop apologising for them when they fall so far below this level as they have done for so much of the season.

We still need major changes at the top, nothing that has happened in the last 24 hours has changed that reality. But I have a new spring in my step, and so I believe does our manager and players alike. Long may it continue! Bring on The Latics!

COYB!
Jamie Sweet     Posted 01/02/2012 at 20:59:21   Comments (3)

What a difference a day makes....

I don't want to jinx my current mood but this is the best I've felt in a long time, as an Evertonian! I'm not so naive to think that this isn't subject to change within a week or so. Nor have I forgotten about the turmoil off the pitch with Bill Kenwright etc, or the shite David Moyes has turned out all season. But right now I feel good and proud :)

Last night we played as a unit and as we, as fans expect the team to. With passion, determination and heart. For me, Denis encapsulated the whole teams "spirit" with an outstanding performance! For him to come out and play like that, having been for the most part ignored thus far, shows great character. Almost Ferguson-esque in heart. Well done lad. Let's hope you're rewarded for this and given a chance?

Where did this "spirit" come from? It's been non existent all season and yet there it was for all to see. Maybe it was the starting XI looking around at each other and thinking "Yeah, this is the right line up, we can do something with this".

I hope Jelly can bring the confidence of scoring goals elsewhere with him. Louis didn't have that luxury and I think it was best for all concerned that he left. In fact I got the sick satisfaction of selling something really shit on eBay when I heard we'd offloaded him. Pienaars back which I can only see as a good thing creativity wise. Gibson looks settled, Drenthe excites. This could be the start of something?

The only thing is.... Too many players on loan! And we're shit at tying those, up a la Fernandes. Personally I'd want to secure Drenthe, Pienaar and Straq if he can prove to be consistent? These players and the kids could put us back on the road toward attractive, attacking football. Who knows, maybe a trophy?!

Surely disappointment lurks around the corner? This is EFC we're talking about. Regardless I'm going to enjoy this little high and forget about the bollocks for a few days.
Wayne Mac     Posted 01/02/2012 at 18:00:03   Comments (22)

An Ode to Denis

Strange how the muse takes you sometimes. Watched the game last night and haven't stopped smiling since, but woke up this morning with this in my head so I thought I'd share it.

Who knows, perhaps a new career beckons as the official Everton poet... or perhaps not.


Tonight in bars
they'll talk for hours
On the blue side of the Mersey
Of the Argentine
Who led the line
Of Denis Stracqualursi

Twas a second start
For the lionheart
Who, in truth, is no Van Persie
But Goodison stood, as indeed they should
And acknowledged Stracqualursi

Because when they say
Who, on this day
Brought honour to the royal blue jersey?
The misty eyed, will recall with pride
One Denis Stracqualursi

His painful falls
And hopeful balls
And tackling without mercy
With lungs on fire, he refused to tire
Did Denis Stracqualursi

The auspicious cast
Of glories past
would surely not cry "heresy!"
If heroes, new,
Were added to
With the name of Stracqualursi
Andy Powell     Posted 01/02/2012 at 12:28:10   Comments (50)

Ins and Outs!

On the whole satisfied with our dealings in the window. Saha and Bily out, Jelavic, Gibson and Pienaar in. Surprised that Neither Mucha or Hahnemann moved on, and although Moyes has strengthened the squad, I feel he would have wanted a youngster or two to build on. Dont know why the Manolas deal fell through? So what does Moyes do now? What team will he pick if all are injury free? I think these three are going to be bench warmers soon.

DUFFY ? Will Duffy be forgotten again? After being loaned out and doing a good job, then brought home due to an injury crisis and pulling his weight in the PL, gets dropped for the least gifted full back in the PL. If it was me a transfer request would have been on Moyes desk next morning. Soon Distin and Jags will be back and he drops even further down the pecking order.

STRACQUALURSI ? What will happen to Straq, now that Jelavic is here? He has shown he has a better touch than everyone thought, a great attitude, holds up a ball well so we can move up, and gets on the end of crosses. Could be quicker, but must be worth a run in the team as we pump in umpteen crosses every game. Will Moyes have the balls to play 4-4-2, with him and Jelly up front? Or.....find himself back on the bench and used as a power-sub. I fear the latter!

DRENTHE ? After a really positive start, he has turned out to be a quite average player. Loses possession more than Bily did, although he has pace and a good shot. On the whole, he has shown that he is an undisciplined, egoistic type of player with the attitude of a 12-year-old. I suspect he will soon find himself on the bench, as most Evertonians are dying to see the Baines/ Pienaar partnership again. On the right?...when Donovan leaves, I would rather see Coleman back. Royston's biggest hope is if Coleman suddenly becomes a right back again.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD ? When all are fit then Moyes has a real headache here! Cahill, Felli, Rodwell, Osman, Gibson, Barkley, Baxter and maybe Heitinga. A headache or a luxury problem? One of the things we have learnt about Moyes is that he is a back-to-the-wall manager. Give him eleven players, he will make it work, give him a squad and he will usually make a balls up. Bad team selection, bad tactics and bad substitutions.

One thing I hope he gets better at is, that if players do a good job, then let them play. Hibbo did okay against City, but Duffy would have done the same job AND given us extra threat from corners.

It's going to be interesting for the rest of the season, with lots of debate here on TW.
COYB!!

Tony Cheek     Posted 01/02/2012 at 09:29:02   Comments (40)