The Mail Bag

Message from Neville to Moyes?

Just seen this on the BBC Football site where Phil Neville is adding his ?expert? comments:

BBC Radio 5 live summariser and Everton skipper Phil Neville: "If Stoke win a corner, Newcastle are leaving two up the pitch to give them the opportunity of a counter attack. Newcastle are looking solid in defence too."

Do you think this could be a coded message for David Moyes to do the same? ? ie you can defend well AND leave players up front when facing an opposition corner!?!

Methinks Phil will be getting a slap from Davey boy tomorrow for even thinking such heretical thoughts!

Rob Williamson     Posted 31/10/2011 at 20:43:06   Comments (30)

Switching Formation

There is always a lot of talk on ToffeeWeb about the merits (or otherwise!) of various players. However, apart from bemoaning Moyes playing 1 up front, we haven't had that much discussion about formations per se. So, let me start it off.

Moyes's preferred system seems to be the 4-5-1... Actually it is really a 4-4-1-1 with one up top and an advanced midfielder (eg, Cahill). IMHO, it's not working very well for us in terms of the number of goals or opportunities created. I also think that role behind the striker is a bit one-dimensional. I've seen quite a few forum comments saying that we should play with two up front - presumably a 4-4-2. However, I'm wondering if a 4-3-3 line up might be a better option for us?

There are a few ways to play 4-3-3. The 3 in the middle can be flat, 1 defensive or 2 defensive. The 3 up front comprise a central attacker and essentially 2 wingers.The wingers can cover back defensively to make a 4-5-1 system. 4-3-3 has been used by Barca, Chelsea, Ajax and is actually the new "mandated" coaching system here in Australia. It is meant to provide more opportunities for joined-up play all over the park.

So, how would it work at Everton? The back four would be as normal and in midfield I would have say Rodwell, Fellaini and maybe Osman as he has some creativity and is no winger. Up front Saha with Drenthe and Gueye/Barkley would be my thinking. This should provide us with the same defensive options but with more attacking options going forward. Open for comments.

Ciaran Duff     Posted 31/10/2011 at 10:53:22   Comments (49)

Ossie bashing again

Let me start by saying, if you could pick a player who could get into the Barcelona side from this present Everton side, my answer would be Leon Osmam all day long. So, in my opinion only, why has Ossie again become the whipping boy? (Along with Bily.)

Picture Xavi in this side; I'm not saying Ossie is as good but the lad has great feet, but Xavi would struggle.

Why Ossie? Because he has quick feet and is not the strongest of players physically, needs one-touch players around him, as Xavi has; we have not.
We did, with Arteta, Pienaar and Cahill, Saha could also join in.

Who can play with Ossie?

? Rodwell? I don't see him as a midfielder.
? Fellaini? He's not a give-and-go player who only plays well against the big boys, any idea why?
? Coleman as a fullback... and...
? Bily, who is not played in his rightful position.

Agree?
Colin Malone     Posted 30/10/2011 at 18:44:36   Comments (53)

Heading south before the winter

We?re 16th, on course for a 41-point season absent significant improvement, with five defeats in six matches, three points out of the last possible 12, and the likelihood of three out of 15 after next week. So is it okay with the ?Moyes is the Best Manager in the Premier League? brigade if the rest of us express concern now?

Given Bilyaletdinov?s half-hearted performance against Man Utd and the fact that he was replaced at half time by 17-year-old Ross Barkley ? supposedly on jankers for easing up in training ? I was left disgusted, not just by this one game but by his whole history at Everton. £9 million for someone whose impact at the club cannot be said to be more than marginal at the very, very best.

Compare him to what Arsenal got for just £1 million more ? Arteta! Or Andre Santos for a good deal less! Add Bily?s £9M to Yakubu?s price of £11M and you are not far off what Chelsea paid for Juan Mata. And for all the hype around Fellaini and what he might be, could be, should be ? most of the time he?s just a clumsy tackler with intermittently good distribution. There?s another £15 million that leaves you scratching your head...

It?s all very sad ? and it?s not just lack of money; it?s what you do with what you have. For several years now, Moyes's judgement in the transfer market has been way off. How much worse do we have to play, how much bleaker does the situation have to get before we demand changes? Not the "Quick, find me a billionaire" changes the Blue Union is demanding, but changes in the dressing room and on the field.

If there was a march for that, I?d be there. If there was a march for that, perhaps there would be some pressure on Moyes to switch things around instead of the constant fawning and groveling from the media from Kenwright and from some fans.

Walter Smith claimed that, if only Evertonians expected to lose instead of expecting to win, we?d be a lot less disappointed. Seems to me some of us are already doing that. Moyes needs to unload some deadwood and a couple of prospects to raise some money and bring in some new blood. If he can?t ? get in someone who can.

Peter Fearon     Posted 30/10/2011 at 19:22:51   Comments (84)

Bournemouth find billionnaire investor

According to tribalfootball.com AFC Bournemouth have just attracted a billionnaire investor (see link below). Oil billionaire named Maxim Demin has bought half the shares in the League One strugglers for £850,000 and is about to transform the club both on and off the field.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/are-you-watching-everton-bournemouth-find-their-russian-billionaire-2017901

Another one slips through the net, eh, Bill?
Micky Vee     Posted 30/10/2011 at 13:42:50   Comments (76)

Those who are getting off light

Kenwright gets all the stick he deserves on this site and I agree entirely with it. Moyes too; it's not worth going over it again. I'd happily see the back of both.

What about the players? Individually they get a bit of stick, but collectively, My God they get off light...
I never turn on a player at a game; it's horrible and only destroys confidence. This forum is different, though.

Does Tim Howard spread confidence through the defence? The idea of Jagielka as an England centre-half is utterly laughable. This season he has been abysmal.

Baines looks as though he has forgotten he is a defender. Cahill looks done. Barkley, today, looked shot of confidence. Osman, compared to last season, has been shite.

Fellaini? Yeah, he's going to be great. Fucking when? Rodwell is improving but who is ever going to pay big money for him?

Players may be played out of position. Moyes may be limited. We may have no money. Goodison Park might be falling apart, but....

Is it not time that these hugely paid under-performing fucking nonentities earned their money???

They make me feel sorry for Moyes ? and that takes some doing.
Andy Crooks     Posted 29/10/2011 at 16:26:00   Comments (45)

Takeover?

Followed a link if you like on my twitter or twatter account, and someone named Ratan Tata is the Indian interested in buying us.

Probably rubbish... but, if it is true he is potentialy the richest guy on the planet, worth an estimated 70 billion.

Come on, Bill, Indians love train sets as well!
Robert Daniels     Posted 27/10/2011 at 22:32:02   Comments (145)

Bily no mates

I thought Bily had a good game last night. He was willing to try and take the defenders on, showed nice touches and passes and was involved in some of our better moves. I was disappointed when he was taken off.

I rate Drenthe, but he had an awful game last night. He showed some flashes of brilliance but would ruin it each time by not playing the ball and being greedy. Bily on the other flank was the opposite, he created a few clear goal scoring chances with his passing, the main chance being the early one for Saha, and his decision-making was in the main spot on. I thought he deserved to stay on.

Bily clearly has the potential to be a really good player for us but has never fulfilled this promise. He can be justly accused of being lazy and slow but he has never been given a proper run to highlight his positive points for an extended period. I would prefer him to be played in the middle but he showed last night that he can link up with Baines down the left.

I think the only way forward is to give him a run in the team until the January transfer window. If he cuts the mustard, he stays and we play him; if he doesn?t, then we attempt to flog him (at a knock-down price if needs be) to a Russian side, where he is still an international player.

Jon  Ferguson     Posted 27/10/2011 at 12:01:50   Comments (32)

Could Distin play left back?

Thought about this quite a lot... and yes, the 'no cover at left back' argument has been brought up on here several times. But I think Distin could do a job there. He is very quick for his size and age and will have no problems bombing forward.

The obvious thing to consider is right wingers cutting inside on him... but he's an experienced defender and he would know what to expect.

Naturally this would allow Baines to play further forward (in a Bale type role) and help out Distin when need be. Another advantage to this is that it would add more height to the defensive unit. This is how it could possibly look:

GK Howard
RB Hibbert
LB Distin
CD Heitinga
CD Jagielka
RM Coleman
LM Baines
CM Fellaini
CM Rodwell
AM Cahill
CF Saha

(with Drenthe replacing Coleman when he is back)

Subs: Mucha, Neville, Stracqualursi, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley, Osman, Vellios.

John Crook     Posted 27/10/2011 at 10:51:15   Comments (14)

Don't blame Drenthe

The biggest disappointment for me last night was the sending off of Royston Drenthe. I'm more annoyed about this than the final result to be honest. It probably did cost us the game but we had enough chances to win. I really hope Moyes doesn't use this an excuse to stop playing attack-minded flair players.

This guy has the potential to be the best attacking wide player we've had since Kanchelskis. He'll make mistakes like in the Man City away game but I really hope this doesn't add weight to Moyes's beliefs of "keep it simple, sideways pass or launch it" football.
Craig Walker     Posted 27/10/2011 at 09:49:02   Comments (15)

The curious case of John Ruddy

I was really excited and nervous when we signed this lad... potentially a keeper for the next 15 years, potentially a Simonson, Gerrard!

I thought it was wise loaning him out but his career went from bad to worse.

Never starting any games for the blues and then going on loan to Walsall ? playing only a few games, then Chester, Stockport... all these world beaters and still not many games.

Finally, at 23 years old, he got a full season under his belt at the mighty Motherwell. We deemed him not good enough and released him ? on paper an obvious choice.

Then, from nowhere, Norwich sign him up as their Number 1 and he is integral to their promotion.

This season the kid looks like he is going to get into the England setup.

I'm neither a Moyes lover or hater but this can't be... it seems crazy how you can't get into the Stockport team then 2 years later potentially in England squad!

On paper, when he was released, I didn't think I'd hear this kid's name again. But Paul Lambert or his scouts saw potential we never did. I just wish we had given youth a go... Oops ? there I go, giving a little dig to Davey... Sorry ? it's only out of love!

Peter Griffin     Posted 27/10/2011 at 08:20:14   Comments (16)

Lies, Damned Lies and Post Match Comments

If David Moyes really wanted to win against Chelsea, as he claims with a straight face, why did he make five changes over the side that beat Fulham ? including a goalkeeper in whom Moyes has shown little confidence in the past?

Why make a 33-year-old striker play all 120 minutes when he has been "rested" in the past because he lacks fitness? This was a very winnable game. Chelsea fielded the Ladies Team. A good effort but we were still beaten. Moyes did more to bring that about than anyone on the Chelsea end.

I suppose I'm expected to believe he wanted players fully rested so they can be fresh when they lose to Man Utd. He should be fielding the strongest possible XI. There's no excuse at all for playing a third string goalkeeper. Another knock-out competition out of the way so Moyes can focus on the mediocrity he is so deftly aiming for in the Premier League.
Peter Fearon     Posted 27/10/2011 at 02:44:12   Comments (39)

Sympathetic doesn't mean apologetic

Another disappointing defeat and the vitriol against David Moyes is at its peak again on ToffeeWeb. The debate has seemingly become so extreme that anyone arguing any mitigating circumstances is immediately an apologist, and disagreeing that Moyes is a terrible manager who needs to be sacked immediately is somehow based on stupidity or blind faith.

David Moyes is clearly not a bad manager. He's brought stability and a modicum of success to Everton. I've generally been a lot prouder and happier to be an Everton fan over the last decade than I was for most of the decade before that. Moyes has not become shit, we *don't* just play hoofball, we've finished reasonably well placed in the league throughout most of his tenure, and we've done that despite significant financial constraints in relation to many of our competitors.

Which is not to say in any way that Moyes is perfect. I believe that he has stagnated to a degree, most particularly since last season when I think he seemed particularly disappointed that, when we genuinely did believe we had an opportunity to step forward, he wasn't backed and we didn't perform as hoped. I think as a result of that stagnation, and also as a reaction to the continued and increasing financial pressure, he's become increasingly conservative in his management.

I understand why; he wants to ensure that we're tough to beat, to maintain general parity, and perhaps hope for a point at which he might be provided with the opportunity to have the funds needed to refresh the team. I disagree with this approach; I don't think the conservative approach is the best way to approach the season, but I *do* understand why he's taken that route.

Much as he's stagnated as a manager, I think we, based on some of the responses on ToffeeWeb, have become entirely unrealistic in our expectations. If something can in any way be interpreted as a mistake, or as Moyes's fault, then you can guarantee someone on this site will be touting that opinion. It doesn't really matter what the circumstances are, the majority of the coverage on ToffeeWeb looks to find a negative interpretation of Moyes's actions. It's crap. There are many legitimate criticisms of Moyes's management, but no genuine discussion of those criticisms can be had when the argument starts "Moyes is a coward, Moyes out, we're going down because of Moyes, he's shit and he's always been shit...."

Perhaps most importantly, increasing criticism of Moyes effectively distracts from the real issues, which are the deeper problems facing the club. As the excitement over the BU march has dwindled, and without the prospect of immediate change, it seems to me that the main target of day-to-day criticism has moved back to Moyes and not Kenwright.

I genuinely doubt any manager is going to achieve much more than Moyes, and certainly not for such a sustained period, given the restrictions that they would be under given the current ownership and business model. That's what needs to change, *far* more urgently than the manager. I'd like whatever manager Everton has to not be hamstrung by the circumstances he's forced to work under. And when those circumstances *do* change is the right time to evaluate our management options, not now.

It might be that if we do achieve change and Everton are on a more solid footing, then it might be too late for Moyes; that he'll have been too long at the club, too set in his ways. That'd be a shame; I'd love to at least *see* if he would change his approach given greater freedom. But simply shouting down Moyes now pretty much just means you're raging at a symptom of Everton's problems, not the cause of them.

Robin Cannon     Posted 27/10/2011 at 00:36:59   Comments (57)

“Yeah, but no, but yeah...”

According to the official site:

"David Moyes says Marouane Fellaini is very close to agreeing a new contract at Everton. Talks between Club officials and the Belgian midfielder have been ongoing for several months and the Blues' boss believes they are now reaching a positive conclusion. He said at a press conference today 'I think it is very close to getting done'"

Now I know it's not like in 'the olden days' when goal ace Len Sgragg would be called in by the gaffer, told he's getting another 4/6d a week and..."NEXT!"

But Jesus, how come it takes SO fucking long?

Why can't they just set aside a day, get everyone involved into a room and (in the words of Mr Nike) 'Just twatting well do it'.

It's not as if there's a load of possible outcomes, there's only TWO.

("I'm signing" or "stick your contract up your hole").

The ONLY scenarios are..

BK: How about "£40,000 a week?"

MF: "No"

BK: "£50?"

MF: "No"

BK: "60?"

MF: "Ok"

BK: "Done!" (handshakes and afro-wigs all round)

OR...

BK" "£50?"

MF: "No"

BK: "Well that's as high as we go so you can fuck off"

I Know that's a simplification but it's more or less what is going on and it WILL come down to one of those answers.

What's going on right now plus the TIME it's taking is ridiculous and the press statements are total gibberish.

OS: "He's a little bit close..closer than he WAS..but not as close as we'd like. He's close-ISH. He's exhibiting closecritude and closeaciousness. His signing isn't imminent but it is SEMI-imminent..." etc blah blah.

(yes I know it's not just us but that doesn't make it less annoying).

Of course, I probably SHOULD be thinking 'Look, they know what they're doing, let them get on with it' and if it hadn't been for the Gosling cock-up (and the other 6745) I might.

(MAYBE) he will go for it?

What's is the fundamental difference between a league and a cup match?

The answer is that you can't gain a solitary point for a draw in a cup match. So we can't line up hoping to snatch a point.

Tomorrow's game against Chelsea presents the perfect oppurtunity to put out an attacking team in a home game with that mideek night-time special Goodison atmosphere. What's to loose?? Nothing! Only thing to loose is we go out of a cup we have never won and probably won't in the near future.

So come on Moyesy... surprise us all. No lone striker... no Osman on the left... let's just go for it.

There can be nothing to fear from Chelsea because they showed us how to play decent football only 10 days ago... so let's show them we are better than that dismal performance.

There really is nothing to loose tomorrow evening. Come on Moyesy... leave the 4-5-1 till the weekend at least.
John Crook     Posted 25/10/2011 at 13:27:11   Comments (28)

Stewards bottle it?

Can anyone tell me what the point of matchday stewards is? Apart from fulfilling the Club?s legal responsibilities over crowd safety and picking up a wage for standing around with a nice high-viz jacket on, I fail to see the point.

Not once in all the years I?ve been going to Goodison have I seen them intervene to stop a row getting out of hand. I?ve also heard plenty of player abuse that went well beyond humour and into the realms of racism and the homophobic, but never once seen the perpetrator admonished or evicted.

The ban on carrying plastic bottles into the stands in the wake of the recent derby game shenanigans is a case in point for me. There were plenty of stewards around, as can be seen from the still photos, so why didn?t they get a grip? They don?t have to manhandle the individuals, as I can understand the possibility these days of a supporter filing an assault charge; but, why not just take a note of their seat number and take a photograph of the idiots so that the Club can follow up later? The very act of so doing would be a deterrent.

Instead of which, we now have a ban on bottles being taken into the stands. (Not sure why they haven?t also banned loose change given there was also coin throwing going on.) That?ll do a lot for pre-match sales?

I would agree that, if the numpties who threw the bottles and coins hadn?t done so, this would not be an issue; but a blanket reaction by the Club hurts everyone (especially those with kids to keep amused). A review by the Club of how the crowd can be more actively managed during a game, with stewards actually doing a bit more to earn their wages, would be far more appropriate.
Steve Guy     Posted 25/10/2011 at 09:54:01   Comments (21)

Left out! No, should be left(-sided) in

Coleman that is.

Let's face it, Pienaar has not been replaced, many have had a go, with only the odd, semi-decent performance.

Fast forward to Sunday, the ineffectual Osman on the left and Drenthe on the right. We all saw who the weakest link was; centre-mid or nothing for Ossie.

So where does that leave Coleman? Drenthe supplies (part of) the answer. If you have any sort of pace you can attempt to go on the outside, but only if the fullback 'stays' your (Drenthe's) left and 'offers' you the outside option.

But if you are predominately left-footed on the right, you have the option to cut in to the space between the CB and the FB to shoot, cross or pass.

Another benefit of being left-footed on the right is when, as happens a lot, you have your back to the goal, the ball played in to your ' good ' left foot can be laid off infield on your right, not ping out for a throw if you don't control it with your right foot. I know it takes a bit of mental visualisation, but it is true.

Pienaar had a good right foot and an average left and it did him no harm being on the left. Same with Coleman; he has a semi-decent left peg and he DID like to shoot and, if the inside is blocked off, he can turn away towards the sideline and knock it back to Baines or play the give-and-go. It's all about options.

There is alway the option for the two of them to, once the opposition fullbacks have settled into the game and therefore comfort zone, swap over and mess with their heads. It gives us pace out wide and a certain unpredictabilty.

When the ball is played in from say the left, the incoming right-footer should by then have come in to the old inside-right position, and is (should be) able to get his foot around it goalward.

And no, I don't need reminding about Seamus's debut on the left ? that was then and this is now; different circumstances... chalk and cheese... especially if Anichebe, Osman, Bily or McFadden are the other choices.
Derek Thomas     Posted 24/10/2011 at 09:45:32   Comments (30)

What do I watch at 1:30 today?

Here I am, working for one month in the Philippines, life-long fan and season ticket holder. But cometh 1:30 (8:30 here), do I watch what I have loved for 40 years? or be entertained watching the Manchester derby? My heart says one thing and my head another. So which bar do I go to, the one full of Mancs (glory supporters) with atmosphere?

Or sit with a few depressed Evertonians...
Mike Hargreaves     Posted 23/10/2011 at 02:25:20   Comments (16)

Losing Patience

I don't have much to say about the state we are in just now, because more literate guys than I have said it all. However I did listen to 606 on the way back from our 'real' local footie game today and 2 things stood out.

First of all a Leicester fan complained that Mr Erricksson was useless, he has at least 3 good forwards on the books (one of which is Jermaine Beckford) but even at home he only ever plays 1 up front. (Sound familiar!)

They are also struggling in the Championship and it sounds like it's due to the Manager's reluctance to use the players he has (again, sound familiar). Jason Roberts then complained that 4-4-2 was hardly used anywhere nowadays and everyone was playing the same boring formation with 1 up front, ok if you have world class midfielders to back them up of course.

Secondly, I then heard the reports from the RS v Norwich game saying Norwich were a breath of fresh air because they had no fear playing at Anfield and took the game to the RS and fully deserved their point.

How is it that teams like Norwich can go there and have a go and yet we go to anyone and play for a draw, if we're lucky? Has Moyes totally lost the pelt, I think he has and I honestly think he's had his day, however I also can't see it changing any time soon.

Still depressed........
Russ Quinlan     Posted 22/10/2011 at 21:09:05   Comments (23)

Would relegation be that bad?

First off, I've been an Everton fan all my life. Apart from 1995, all I've ever known is that we were a poor team playing poor football with little to no money.

Things haven't changed in my 30 years of supporting Everton. I would class myself as a diehard Evertonian. I have all the jerseys, all the scarfs. I would take half-days off work to watch my beloved blues. I'd fly over for the weekend to watch matches, costing me a fortune. I would never miss Football First... but this last year or so ? and I hate to say it ? I've fallen out of love with Everton FC.

I was watching the Chelsea game last week and, for the first time in my life, I turned the channel over at half-time. My first thought to myself was I was betraying my love, I felt like shit doing it, but it was something that I couldn't bear to watch, seeing my team playing with no passion, no skill and ??most importantly, knowing we came for a point ? just sucked that last bit of love away.

Now to my point: would relegation be so bad? What would happen if we got relegated?

I'd like to think David Moyes would walk and we would get rid of our so-called stars: Fellaini, Jagielka, Cahill, Distin, Bily.... Kenwright would finally sell the club, and we can all start again ? albeit in the second tier of the English leagues... would that be so bad?

We could bring in the young guys, add a few Championship players with a new up-and-coming manager who likes to play the football we deserve. Of course, it could all go tits up; we could become a Leeds and never come back to the elite of football... However, something has to change, and it needs a MASSIVE change from top to bottom.

I feel like I've left my wife... I know I'll go back to her at some point, but she needs a major overhaul... and relegation might just be what we need.

Sean McKenna     Posted 21/10/2011 at 19:15:06   Comments (62)

A Good Manager Gone Wrong

I've never been a great fan of David Moyes but to suggest he has been anything other than a benefit to Everton is plain wrong. He took us from the doldrums of Walter Smith and gave us back some pride and has undeniably taken us from relegation fodder to a well respected top six outfit.

I will now dispense with the plaudits and offer an opinion on why David Moyes must be replaced as soon as possible. To me he is a tired and stale manager completely void of ideas and inspiration.

After the Chelsea game, everyone was fuming about Neville coming on at 3-0 down but that was just common sense or damage limitation if you like. The real issue is why changes were not made at half-time when one goal could still have made all the difference.

Seriously, what manager would not change things around at half-time when 2-0 down? It defies belief, it was an act of surrender from a manager with nothing left to offer. Players like Barkley, Vellios and Drenthe who look keen, eager and hungry are constantly overlooked when we are cryng out for some urgency, some pace, some will to win.

I can only conclude that David Moyes is a beaten man, his interviews reek of defeatism, every word out of his mouth confirms that we have no money and that we can't compete and it's not fair. Christ knows what his team talks are like, I shudder to think.

I'm sure the replies will ask who could possibly replace him? Well for me its quite simple, all over Europe in various leagues there are teams that play attractive attacking football who are not managed by David Moyes. This suggests that, contrary to common belief on this site, that not having David Moyes as your manager is not necessarily a death sentence and that other managers nowhere near as well rewarded as David Moyes can do their job too.

Enough is enough, we are tired, stale and void of belief and positive ideas, we need change desperately. The sooner the better.

Gary Hughes     Posted 21/10/2011 at 01:05:38   Comments (89)

Youth Development

I have always been interested in the area of youth development and there has been a lot written about it in recent years. Basically, a good youth system underpins and feeds great teams in the long term. At a club level, you only have to look at Barcelona and at a national level look at Spain, Germany and Holland to see the benefits of investing properly in a good youth setup.

Everton are in a reasonable position to follow this path out of sheer financial necessity. We also have a well known name, history, plenty of youth pedigree and of course a place in the Premier League. To a certain extent, we seem to be doing okay in the youth area already. However, I think that this is an area where we really should apply the NSNO motto. We should aim to be the best (or as close to it as possible) for youth development. This is not only to produce the best youngsters but also to attract the best youngsters.

Specifically, we should ensure that we have the best possible coaching and support staff for our youth setup. This should include European etc coaches. We should aspire to provide the best technical coaching possible (we know that this is a weak area in UK). We should aspire to provide the best education for all our youngsters. We should aspire to provide the best facilities within our budget. Basically we need to aim for "world's best practice" in this area.

I know this won't win us any games this season but I really believe it could completely transform the club's fortunes in the long term.

Ciaran Duff     Posted 19/10/2011 at 13:37:04   Comments (26)

Damage limitation? No thanks!

Before getting onto the main topic of this post, i'd like to state that I am still in favour of Moyes remaining in charge of the club, but only just. If he were to go now, I think that we could spiral into a far worse position than we already are. However, his recent tactics and decision making have been nothing short of depressing.

After the City game and his policy of playing with no strikers on the pitch I could sympathise with him a little despite the fact that we have beaten them the past few seasons. The derby was a write off because of an appalling refereeing decision, the game on Saturday at Chelsea was just sheer negativity though and really pissed me off.

Okay, lining up 4-5-1 was relatively attacking for Moyes and understandable going away to Chelsea, but at the same time the whole thing is just beyond predictable now and hasn't really worked for some time. If the majority of the fans can see it, I just don't understand why Moyes is persisting with it? He's got players sitting kicking their heels, most notably, Drenthe, Vellios and Barkley, who can all offer us something different and unpredictable to other teams but won't seem to use them!

For me, apart from Baines and Distin, no one in the current starting 11 could have any complaints if they were to be dropped. For Moyes to come out today and bascially imply that Barkley isn't in contention because of possible mistakes he may make is unbelievable. It's got to a point now where I would be much more content seeing us get beat by 5 if we have had a go and attacked the opposition, rather than trying to nick a one nil and ultimately getting beat fairly easily.

Things need to change and soon. Sometimes it's almost as if Moyes is still relying on the once secret 4-5-1 weapon which he used so successfully in 04/05 when we came 4th. The reality is though, this tactic was found out a couple of seasons ago and has gone stale. It's sad to see the crowds drop at Goodison this season but I don't think the club can expect people to keep turning up and paying good, hard earned money to watch football which they cannot get excited about. Moyes needs to change his negative, damage-limitation tactics before the fans really start to turn on him. Coyb
Matt Roache     Posted 18/10/2011 at 18:57:06   Comments (17)

Internet minority?

Apart from his new colleagues, I haven't found anything or anyone who sees the return of the Scottish Rooney as anything other than a backward step. Nor can I find anyone who thinks the performances from Everton this season have been anything other than woeful (Villa game apart and even then we blew it).

However, I still see comments on this site and elsewhere stating that these views are a bitter minority and that the majority are still behind Moyes and the Board. I suppose the evidence for this is the lack of dissent at home games ?

Whilst there are regular contributors who are typically in one camp or another, I for one will be interested to see what happens over the next few weeks. If indeed the true litmus test of support or dissent is the home crowd's reaction, then upcoming games against Chelsea and Man U may provide the answer, especially as Billy BS's face goes back up on the screen...

Steve Guy     Posted 18/10/2011 at 13:18:18   Comments (29)

Baxter and Garbutt

Trying to distract myself from the gloom of the first team I must say I am pleasantly suprised by Jose Baxter's impact at Tranmere. He seems to have hit the ground running and is probably their most exciting player at the moment. I have also noted with interest Luke Garbutt making a similar impact at Cheltenham.

Good news for us blues as both will learn a lot whilst on loan. I would like to think that as of next season they may be ready to stake a claim for a subs spot on the first team bench.

I must say I have not heard much of Duffy whilst he has been away. Doeas anyone know how he has got on?
Lee Jamieson     Posted 17/10/2011 at 19:36:31   Comments (16)

Is being an also-ran okay?

Now I?m not a dreamer, I know we cannot compete with the hundreds of millions of pounds being spent over the past few seasons by the ?big four? and Liverpool. But to suggest we cannot compete at all and should just accept defeat against these sides is okay, well it just isn?t. Last season we done particularly well against these sides and now this season it?s okay to get turned over? Not for me.

We are Everton.

We have something in our team spirit none of these ?big? sides have, we have players that at their best are a match for anyone on their day but we definitely need to step it up, as the players seem to have bought in to this negative attitude against the big sides, and start competing again.

With the young players we have coming through like Rodwell, Barkley, Coleman, Vellios, Fellaini, we can compete and Europe should be a realistic aim for us.

We just need a bit more belief, play two up front, give Vellios a chance or Denis, start Royston or Bily employed as a winger. Let?s just go for it for a couple of games and see where we really are. This month seems a month of hard (not impossible) games before the start; I imagine Moyes would have earmarked 4-6 points so we need 3 against Fulham. We then need to kick on up to Christmas.

Nothing is impossible ? we are Everton.

Bring back Neville ? it's the only chance we have

The team is only heading in one direction and that?s down. There is no confidence in the players, Moyes has instilled the thought that we can?t compete, we aren?t creative, and that the only possible way forward is to defend for our lives and hope to snatch a goal ? either by a set piece or by pure luck.

Who is playing well? ? you tell me!

Howard ? flapping again
Jagielka ? completely not at the races
Baines ? has forgotten how to defend
Coleman ? where has the blistering pace and bravado gone?
Rodwell ? reminds me of Ray Wilkins, 14 passes square to everyone forward
Fellaini ? just had enough and can?t wait to leave
Osman ? go and become a jockey, too lightweight
Cahill ? body can?t cope
Saha ? body never coped, and desperately needs a mate up with him
Bily ? haven?t got a clue whether he?ll ever make it as a Premier League player

Jury is still out with Drenthe (is he disciplined enough?), Barkley (too young, isn?t good enough to play for U-21s), Vellios (at least he?s scoring) and Stracqualursi.

I know people wont like me stating this but it?s time to bring Neville back in. He is the only true leader we?ve got and we need someone out there to take control and get the above shower into some sort of team ? one in which we don?t concede goals. Not pretty I know but if we carry on like this we?ll be staring relegation in the face and on current form we are not good enough to get out of it.

It's driving me mad watching the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool, Stoke, etc giving the Top 4 a tough time, playing the games as they want to win and not just hoping for a creditable draw. For the first time in my 55-year career of following Everton, I can't be bothered trying my best to get to the game, listen to the game or stream the game ? it's just too pitiful to watch.

Mike Oates     Posted 16/10/2011 at 22:21:04   Comments (62)

Everton Old Boys XI 3 - 0 Everton

I offer this as a brief respite from the understandable but repetitive gloom and doom and depression of these dark days. The talk about the return of McFadden, which I find worse than some of the crazy PFA Pension Plan signings by Walter Smith, like Ginola and Gazza, got me wondering: what is the best possible starting XI composed of former Everton players currently playing elsewhere?

The rules are that the players have to have current professional registrations as players anywhere in the world, even if they aren?t actually playing regularly for a club. So Francis Jeffers, for example, would be available even though he didn?t have a club last time I looked.

The other is that you are entitled to nominate a player based on the best seasons of his career, not on his current form, or even on his Everton form. So to use Danny Cadamarteri just as an example, you could nominate him based on his peak form, not on his 'down and out in Huddersfield' form.

On the other hand, they have to have played for the Everton 1st team; you can?t choose academy players who went elsewhere like Joey Barton. And no subs. That?s a cop-out. On that basis, here is my starting XI of former Everton players still playing:

Richard Wright;
Michael Ball,
Marco Materazzi,
David Weir,
Richard Dunne;
Steven Pienaar
Mikel Arteta,
Manuel Fernandes,
Landon Donovan;
Francis Jeffers,
Yakubu.

I reckon they would beat the current line-up 3-0.
Peter Fearon     Posted 16/10/2011 at 19:02:56   Comments (11)

And Jesus Wept...

I just don?t get it anymore. Yesterday?s debacle was basically a carbon copy of the Man City game which was one of the first games that I have ever watched my beloved blues, and could barely be arsed to look at the TV while I was making dinner.

I don?t want to go down the road of the rant as to the whys and wherefores that we have no money. I truly believe all Evertonians fully understand this and (whilst it?s frustrating) we accept that the playing field is now distorted beyond recognition.

The reason for my article has nothing to do with the financial state of the club. Having zilch money is not Moyes?s fault. However, I cannot fathom his thought processes when he is supposed to be making the best of what he has.

We have no right to beat teams like Man City and Chelsea with such a disparity in resources, but my mind boggles as to what the hell his plan was yesterday.

To start with 4-5-1 away at London?s elite I fully empathise with. I even imagine myself doing such a thing in his position. ?Right lads... keep it tight, 9 behind the ball and let's see if we can nick it via a set-piece or breakaway?. Good plan.

Then the first goal goes in. Still I am with Moyes on doing nothing; neither would I. ?Okay guys... well, not great but lets stick with what we're doing. Keep it tight and once again let's try and nick one and a draw is still a positive result.?

But once the second goes in, I?m sorry I do not compute??

I was absolutely catatonic when the same sodding 11 came out for the second half. Eh?!!!! Two-nil is way different to one-nil. I would rather at least we then decided to have a go from the start of the second half.

Yes, a pasting could have been on the cards but a defeat is still a defeat. If it gets to four-nil then yeah change back to avoid an annihilation. But at least play the percentages. But no... not our Dave. Why decide to ?Ah, lets give it another 10-15 minutes and see if things change, lads.? It ain?t gonna bleeding change Dave at 2-0 with 9 behind the ball!!!!!!! We are now beyond the realms of ?nicking? anything as we're more than one down???!!!!!!

Zero pace in the squad so let's leave the 1 player who has any on the bench in Drenthe. The one guy who at least when he gets the ball may perhaps do something. No, we are left to basically just waste the start of the second half watching the same shite.

Neville for Cahill and my TV nearly gets thrown over the balcony? What the Fuck????!!!!!! Why?!!! How??!!!!! A defender for what DM is passing as a striker??!!!! I think we were even 3 down at that point. Please explain the logic to me or am I just cerebrally challenged?!

What is the issue with Denis?! Has Dave decided he?s actually not very good, not a footballer à la George Weah?s cousin?! Has he struggled to adapt to the move overseas, family, lifestyle etc?!? How long does it take to get an athlete game fit??!!!! I know the bloke got knocked back by Leicester but Moyes must have got him in for a reason. It?s patronising in the extreme on us fans when we are getting nailed yet no strikers come on?! At least give it a go, man!

Vellios came on and scored again, so why not start him?! Am I missing something? Does he have an attitude problem?! Bad trainer?! Why do we have these sodding players and not use them?!

I apologise for the rant but I can accept our financial position. It is what it is and we may never know the reason why clubs like bleeding Blackburn Rovers are a more viable option for buyers.

What I cannot fathom is quite simply??.WHY NOT MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE??????!!!!!!!!
Mark Yeomans     Posted 16/10/2011 at 11:29:40   Comments (75)

Feel the fear; succumb to the fear

Chelsea have better players than Everton and a stronger squad. Yet I thought we might win today. It was the sort of match that David Moyes used to be good at and I thought he might still have it in him; he doesn't. The squad we had at the start of last season was possibly our last chance of success. The reasons it went wrong have been debated but the fact is, a year on, we have the same coach with a weaker squad. David Moyes has been forced to sell key players from his squad to keep the banks at bay and, frankly, why he is still here baffles me. He has always been a cautious coach but has at times produced some fine football. This season, however, fear is the key. He appears to have lost all confidence in his players. We appear to approach every game as though victory will be a nice surprise. We are devoid of arrogance and even purpose. Somehow, avoiding humiliation is becoming acceptable. This is not a heated post-match rant; it is the culmination of something I have been feeling for some time. In the short term, we are stuck with Kenwright therefore I feel that the only way our season can be saved is with the resignation of David Moyes. It seems to me that he has looked at a tough sequence of matches and calculated that we can get little from them. That is the attitude of relegation fodder and is not something that the David Moyes of old would have countenanced. His standing is still high in the game and he might achieve success elsewhere; I cannot believe that he will at Everton. Ten years is long enough. Who will replace him? I don't believe that knowing the answer to that is a prerequisite for believing he should go ? although, like many, I have my own ideas. I do feel that, for the good of the club and himself, he should go. This might just be the season when we don't come good. We have some good players but we are playing with fear; it permeates the club and will spread to the supporters. We need some sort of spark and I believe that David Moyes is past providing it.
Andy  Crooks     Posted 15/10/2011 at 21:18:07   Comments (20)

Stale

Is there any Club more predictable than Everton ?

Teams sent out with containment in mind. Moyes doesn't even try to hide it anymore "just keep it tight and see" is the pre-match mantra. We all knew that what would happen in any case; he didn't need to tell us, it's the same every week.

Players who know they will be in the team week-in, week-out because there's no real competition for places; giving lack-lustre performances and picking up stupid amounts of money for it.

Tactics that never differ. Opposition teams know what we will do every week; as do we the supporters.

Substitutions that never happen until it's usually too late. I knew at half-time today, despite Chelsea winning 2-0, that there was no chance of Moyes changing it at that point. Sure enough, with 20 minutes to go and 3-0 down, he makes one substituion and then waits another 10 minutes before making a second. Surely I wasn't the only one to predict it?

There's been plenty said in recent times about the off-field side of things and, when you add both the latter to the on-field apathy, you just feel the whole Club is flat.

When was the last time you REALLY looked forward to watching Everton? When was the last time you were entertained for 90 minutes? When was the last time you thought we would win easily?

The Club needs re-vitalising. In the short-term, it's clearly not going to be new players, as there's no money. Billy Liar's not going anywhere soon ? and Moyes? ? well...

We're a loaf of bread stuck in the bottom of the Bread Bin; stale and heading towards mould and decay.

Steve Guy     Posted 15/10/2011 at 19:33:19   Comments (27)

Return of the Scottish Rooney?

May well be something in this report from Tribal Football

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/wolves-and-everton-still-keen-celtic-target-mcfadden-1955201

Seem McFadden is without a club (go figure) and Everton may be sniffing round.

First thought is that he struggled, consistently played on the wing and not behind the striker, a lá Bily.

Second thoughts are that we have enough attacking players who aren't strikers, but if it's for a season, why not?
Nick Entwistle     Posted 14/10/2011 at 13:29:20   Comments (27)

Feel the fear; conquer the fear

There can be few Evertonians who are looking towards the visit to Chelsea without some trepidation. Rightly so; they have quality players who, when allowed to play, can take a team apart. Parking the bus and hoping to nick a goal won't work. Neither will a gung-ho Blackpool-style effort.

John Terry is ageing and one of these days will be exposed as over the hill; they are vulnerable at the back when pressurised. We have players who can hurt them and on Saturday they must not be on the bench. I would make two changes from the Liverpool game: Drenthe and Barkley for Cahill and Osman.

We will likely be defending for long periods and we need to hit them with pace. Now is Drenthe's time. Barkley has the arrogance of youth and I doubt he will feel any fear, he can offer something different. Rodwell must see this game as a real bonus and I expect something special from him.

We have good players but a defeat similar to that against City would be unpalatable and utterly demoralizing. Keep it tight, yes, but at least start with an eleven capable of winning.

Andy Crooks     Posted 11/10/2011 at 09:27:57   Comments (61)

The Right Choice?

Got a really good stream for the England U-21 game against Norway in Oslo last night and watched the whole game. The lads started well and were 2-0 up inside 7 minutes.

The next 83 mins were a real ordeal to sit through, with only a couple of well built-up attacks to write home about, Norway controlling the match and only bad finishing on their part enabled England to get the points.

But should it be so? Norway is a country of 4 million citizens and they tear us apart and look so much better on the ball it was embarrassing! England's play was a typical 2/3 passes before the long ball to fast forwards. They were terrible at possesion, and had problems as soon as they were closed down.

Ross Barkley's assist was one of the few times he got the ball. The second half was 12 mins old and he hadn't touched the ball once before he was replaced. I felt really sorry for him.

The whole game, because of a microphone placed somewhere near the dug-out, we could here "Psycho" Pearce effing and blinding. Don't think there was one call from him without "fuck" in there somewhere... Childish and embarrassing if you ask me.

Yes, I know they have won the first three games now, but where is the quality? I would love to hear a conversation between him and Cappello about how the game went! Is this man the right choice to teach the cream of our young players to play football?

Tony Cheek     Posted 11/10/2011 at 08:23:26   Comments (16)

Granddad's Axe etc

Recently a friend and I were discussing various matters Everton-related, and my friend raised an interesting philosophical question. It concerned the tipping-point at which one would say 'this is no longer my football club', and was framed in the form of the 'Grandfather's Axe' debate: ie "This axe has been in our family for 100 years. My dad had to change the handle in 1975, and I changed the head myself in 1995, but it's still 'Granddad's axe'."

Now imagine the following series of events, plausible even if not likely in the very near future (I hope):

(i) Bill finds his billionaire and we are taken over by an American who had a few years earlier bought a Baseball club and relocated the 'franchise' 300 miles away;

(ii) Our new stadium is built in Knowsley and the naming rights auction results in it being called The Asda Stadium;

(iii) The new owner decides to rename the club 'Knowsley United'

At the end of this process, could any Evertonian say it was still the same club? What, other than geographical location and name, represents the 'soul' of Everton FC?

Brian Denton     Posted 08/10/2011 at 23:02:40   Comments (25)

How do you rate Moyes and his tactics this season?

I ask this: Are you pleased with our tactics and how we have played for the last two games?

Reason I ask is because I think David Moyes has made us look poorer than we are. For example, we have played Cahill upfront on his own, which is not working. Stracqualursi with his height and strength is a better alternative, but he is left on the bench.

Many fans have voiced their anger at the referee, when in reality it is up to Everton to score the goals, not the referee. I think the problems lie in us not using Stracqualursi and Drenthe enough. They both clearly have something we need ? as do Barkley and Gueye by the way.

Defensively David Moyes is very good, but our defensive play has failed us this season. Offensively we seem to have nothing to offer, but is that true?

We play defensive 4-5-1 because Moyes thinks that is the best way. Maybe before this season we could play 4-5-1 and get results; however, this season shows us that we are lacking in midfield.

We lack players like Pienaar and Arteta who gives us precise passing going forward. We no longer have them, and therefore we need to adjust our tactics to the strength of our current squad. I firmly belive David Moyes needs to change things around until we can find out what works.

At the moment, we are heading into a downward spiral because we have not found out who is our current best eleven. The past season we had Beckford, Yakubu, and Arteta. A few other players have gone as well and we need to figure out a new side as we can not score and we fail to create enough quality chances.

I want to know how many of you feel that the 4-5-1 formation isn't working like it used to and that we need to change things a bit?

Jimmy Sorheim     Posted 06/10/2011 at    Comments (146)

More Rowan than Martin?

After a couple of days of quiet reflection which followed the gasket-blowing anger I felt after Saturday's shenanigans (whatever they are), I started to think about referees in general and more particularly, the allocation of referees to certain high-profile matches.

Why is it that certain teams and certain matches are deemed worthy of being officiated by those whom the FA/Premier League/Sky/MotD laughingly call 'our elite referees'? Why are Webb, Atkinson et al wheeled out to look after the Derby or Man Utd versus Chelsea etc etc whilst the humble journeyman of QPR, Wigan, Norwich etc etc have to 'make do' with mere mortals such as Dowd, Halsey, Foy?

And who decided that each ref has to nominate a team that he supposedly has an affection for and therefore can't referee them ever? Mike Dean, for instance apparently supports Tranmere but had to name a Premier League team so he chose us and subsequently never officiates at our games. Does that mean that he's biased against the Shite when he refs them? Or does he not ref them either?

Surely if these guys are all above reproach, paragons of virtue, entrusted with our national game we should be able to have confidence in them wherever they're working. Why is it that Atkinson hadn't been back to Goodison for a year before Saturday? Why has Clattenberg never been back? Why has Halsey hardly been seen since we gave him a standing ovation at the Chile Everton game (I thought that was worth at least a goal start next time he was here!). Why do we have one ref six times a year and another just once?

Here's a thought... perhaps the referees shouldn't be 'allocated' to matches as such, at all. Perhaps if they just chucked their names into the computer in the summer and they came out, with the fixtures, in a totally random way, the whole organisation might be a little more above suspicion.

I'd rather have every ref approximately the same number of times a season rather than this 'special treatment for certain games' nonsense. Who knows, perhaps if they knew they'd be back in a few weeks time, they might be a little more even-handed? At present, virtually every time we play a 'big team' we know we're going to get one of about three or four poodles trotted out. Let's face it, they're pretty well all useless so let everyone have their fair share of all the tossers. Mason or Probert? Marriner or Oliver? Hopeless or pointless? Let's see a little democracy eh?

It also might stop Webb and Atkinson and Co from thinking they're the 'dogs' and well above the likes of Everton. The strutting, preening cocks. Never mind exiling the bastards ? get 'em back here while we're still angry!

Chris Rudd     Posted 05/10/2011 at 15:41:31   Comments (9)

New-look ToffeeWeb

Hi ToffeeWeb,

I just read a response from Michael to someone who'd submitted a mailbag item that said "things are not as easy to find anymore, and we've added more stuff".

I just wondered why you've made the changes to ToffeeWeb, is it simply for more advertising revenue?

As a web designer myself I'd have to concur that I preferred the old layout, there is simply just too much going on on the homepage now.

I'm sure we'll all get used to it, but just wondered what other people thought?

Anyone who saw the recent backlash against Facebook for the changes they made will know how up-tight people get about these things!

It's a bit like someone coming in and rearranging your furniture whilst you sleep...

Dan Kemp     Posted 04/10/2011 at 21:45:19   Comments (50)

ArgenFooledYa!!

Being a bit long in the tooth, I can recall England actually winning the World Cup (yes, I know, England actually won something)!!

Due to failing memory and ale induced amnesia, I faintly recall a tour of South America by our England team (this was after we won the World Cup), but I think it was the ex-Fulham and Tottenham player Alan Mullery commenting on being on the bus somewhere in the slums of Buenos Aires, as it wended its way through the dead dogs at the roadside, that, although he could not condone the behaviour of the Argentinian team in the 66 game against England, he could, nevertheless, understand why someone with gifted feet would not want to return to that kind of life, particularly if he could extricate his wife and.family from that sort of social entrapment?

I have no idea of the backgrounds of the likes of Suarez and Tevez, but is there perhaps a smidgeon of sympathy for these sort of characters who have risen to be the cream of their nations' ambition-driven achievers, or is their determination to obtain financial security for their families crushing the life out of "fair play" amongst the Western European softies?

John Brennan     Posted 04/10/2011 at 17:54:33   Comments (12)

Why no fight over Stanley Park?

I see that the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson,has offered to pay Spurs £17M in `compensation` if the club withdraws its objection to West Ham being gifted rights to the Olympic Stadium. Now that begs the question why Everton didn`t kick up a fuss about a huge tract of Stanley Park being gifted to the dark side!

I know Liverpool Council may not have been as generous with ratepayers' money as Daft Boris but very similar principles of fair play and even-handedness apply and it would have been well worth a try. Even if an award had been ring-fenced for development, even half that amount would have financed the aborted Park End scheme at least!

An enquiry to the Goodison Press Office brought the response that `legal advice was against such a claim and, anyway, it`s history!`.

So yet again, Blue Bill has been sold short by his advisors and, as I wrote recently, with advisors like these ? no wonder he`s in trouble!

Richard Dodd     Posted 04/10/2011 at 14:00:44   Comments (18)

Rodwell Reprieve

I've just heard that Rodwell's red card appeal has been successful and he won't serve a three match ban.

However, following Lyndon's excellent recent blog regarding repercussions for Martin Atkinson, there are a couple of other points here which I thought were worth mentioning.

1. One man's mistake ruins the match for Everton and we lose 3 points.

2. Records show another derby win for Liverpool.

3. How many Everton fans days were ruined by this mistake and its match-changing effect? I never fail to be amazed by the dedication of Evertonians, many of whom travel great distances at great cost. Where is the payback for them?

4. OK the decision has been reversed but the same men seemingly will not endorse the use of technology. The ref does have a difficult job (incompetence aside) so why not enable a quick replay / consultation with the 4th official.

5. On a slight tangent from the main point, serial cheats and divers like Suarez and Gerrard will hardly be discouraged by their lack of punishment. By default, cheating is being encouraged.

The whole game has changed dramatically over past decade or so therefore some change management is required - including referee training / competence and the use of technology. There is too much at stake for the likes of Atkinson's screw-up to be met by seemingly just a shrug of the shoulders.

Mike Hughes     Posted 04/10/2011 at 13:42:23   Comments (65)

Has the Premier League bubble just burst?

It appears that, High Court permitting, Karen Murphy a landlady in Portsmouth has just won a ruling in the European Court of Justice to say that she is not breaking any International copyright law.

Surely, this now means that Sky will not be able to justify spending the amount of money they have done in the past.

However it would also open the doors for the Premier League and/or individual clubs selling their own games.

For Everton Football Club surely this will be a devastating blow. Although there will be lots of fans all over the place who will be able to watch live games via streaming etc. Can we really compete with the marketing machines that are MUFC, MCFC, The Shite, Chelski and possibly The Arse?

Gareth Prytherch     Posted 04/10/2011 at 10:39:11   Comments (8)

Wonderkid?

Anyone know anything about this rumour flying round that we have agreed a deal to sign George Green ? a wonderkid midfielder from Bradford City?

An initial fee of £350,000 has been mentioned with an overall total of £2m being mentioned!

Alasdair Mackay     Posted 03/10/2011 at 19:43:08   Comments (1)

Picking up the pieces

Cheated, robbed, unlucky. Yes we were. Time to move on... What good came out of Saturday?

Moyes picked a proper team (of course I'd differ with him but he set out a team that could and might well have won). He seemed, for the first time in many a long day, to have learned from what has been wrong this season.

For the first time in many a long day, ToffeeWeb contributors were pretty united against cheating and incompetence. It wasn't a bad weekend to be an Evertonian. This could be a catalyst. We have good players and I feel they might just be used properly now. Now is the time to start a run of positive football. I'm not talking Holloway madness but something based round how we started on Saturday.

What happens off the field is hard to change; what happens on it must be the best it can possibly be. Forget last weekend; we can and will move on. I have so many reservations about Moyes but I'll have him over Dalglish. We have players who can put it about (Cahill) but we don't have a coward and cheat like Suarez. I haven't had a glass half-full for some time but I have a feeling Saturday is the beginning of a turnaround.

Andy Crooks     Posted 03/10/2011 at 19:04:59   Comments (6)

“Bitter?” Too bloody right I am!

I've been told since Saturday that I'm just a bitter blue by Liverpool "supporters"

Well guess what? Too fucking right I'm bitter. And here's why...

I'm bitter than Clive Thomas disallowed our 3rd goal on the FA cup semi in 1977.

I'm bitter than Hansen handballed it on the line in the 1984 Milk Cup Final.

I'm bitter than arguably our greatest side were denied the chance to compete in the European Cup because of the disgraceful action of Liverpool fans.

I'm bitter that that Scummy club were not banned from Europe for life for their actions at Brussels.

I'm bitter that their ban was only a year longer than ours despite us never causing any trouble.

I'm bitter that they portray themselves as victims re Heysel and have tried to airbrush it out their history.

I'm bitter that Graham Poll disallowed Don Hutchinson's goal at Goodison.

I'm bitter that Gary McAllister's goal that sealed them a 3 2 win at in 2001 in the 4th minute of injury time was allowed to stand despite him moving the ball 15 yards up the pitch.

I'm bitter that the competition rules were changed retrospectively after they won the Champions League to allow them to compete in it the next season. This is the ONLY time a rule has been changed retrospectively in the history of football.

I can understand that the winners should be allowed in it but they should have changed the rules for the following year and not to allow the shite in through the back door.

I'm bitter at the Clattenburg referring debacle, which was the worst referring performance I have ever seen.

And I'm bitter at the sending off of Rodwell on Saturday which handed them the game.

So, yes, I'm bitter but I'd still rather support us than that shower of shitehawks any day of the week.
Chris Leyland     Posted 03/10/2011 at 17:54:21   Comments (35)

Premier League implosion

Will today be the day that the premiership ends? Not seen much talk about this [Verdict due in landmark TV-football case] but if the landlady wins then where does that leave the Premier League and the TV money?

I can see 3 teams not being terribly affected (Man U, Chelsea and Man City). Apart from that most other clubs will simply go to the wall. This includes ourselves who have mortgaged against future TV money we may never receive.

I?m assuming that SKY probably have a clause in the prem contract that voids it if they no longer have exclusivity to prem games in the UK. If this ruling goes ahead I expect the TV money to dry up rather quickly.

Craig Harrison     Posted 03/10/2011 at 17:48:01   Comments (11)

Still Can't Believe It

Having seen the Rodwell incident several times I still can't quite believe how such a decision could have been made.

Furthermore, I cannot believe, but fully expected, that both the BBC and Sky Goals On Sunday, whilst admitting that the decision was wrong, seemed more angry and focussed more attention to the fact that it was inconsistent and that Feline, Cahill (even though both feet were at equal height) should have been booked and that Hibbert should have been sent off also. No mention was made to Adam's professional foul on Osman in the first half or Lucas's second-half deliberate body check on Drenthe (I think) whilst on a yellow card.

Finally, whilst writing this at 14:18, how refreshing would it have been if the tosser Atkinson would have come out first thing in the morning, after watching it over the weekend, apologised and said "I got it wrong"? I will be writing to the FA to ask them to rescind the card.

Why does he have to wait for the FA to ask for his report? Ridiculous!
Sean O'Brien     Posted 03/10/2011 at 14:12:14   Comments (16)

When will Denis be allowed to Menace?

Why is Denis Stracqualursi not getting a look in at Everton? He was signed, presumably to play football ? what little we have seen of him so far I think has been impressive ? but David Moyes seems determined to keep him in the shadows.

When you look at his career in Argentina, he has as good a scoring record as Rodrigo Palacio who is now in demand by a number of top European Clubs, and a better scoring record than Mouche, who recently took his fifth Argentine cap. Going back to Hernan Crespo?s career in Argentina, Stracqualursi actually has a better scoring record than him at club level in Argentina.

Also, Stracqualursi played for unfancied Tigre, and so it?s likely he wasn?t getting a great deal of help from the players around him, which makes his top scorer achievement even more impressive.

Argentine players have a good record of adjusting to the Premier League, but of course you actually have to play to do that. As for fitness, you can only get truly match-fit by playing matches.

I don?t know of any other managers who repeatedly sign established players and then treat them like lepers. If, having seen him close up, Moyes thinks he?s incapable of playing at this level, then send him back to Argentina where he scores more goals in a season than we are likely to score as a team all year at our current scoring rate.

But as we are supposed to be so short of resources, why not give consistent playing time to someone who seems to know where the net is? I think the answer is that Moyes just doesn?t know how to work with strikers. He alienated Rooney, Beattie, Johnson and Yakubu; while the latter three all had their own serious failings, Moyes really didn?t know what to do with them. He even tried to shackle Rooney. He destroyed Beckford?s confidence and he refuses to play to Saha?s strengths.

On Saturday, Saha ? when he wasn?t back in his own penalty area as a defender ? was playing with his back to the goal with a plane ride between him and the midfield, hoping for an error to work with. That?s not his game.

Now Silva, who hasn?t ever been given a look-in, wants a move because he?s understandably tired of being ignored by a manager who claims he doesn?t have enough players. I?d want out too.

Drenthe and Stracqualursi are only here for one season. It seems a waste to only see Drenthe for a few minutes at a time, Stracqualursi barely at all and together even less. Let?s face it, it?s not the competition for places that?s keeping them out.

Peter Fearon     Posted 02/10/2011 at 20:12:06   Comments (18)

Where was Bill Kenwright off to?

Did anyone else see Kenwright driving out of the car park (at the Park End Stand) not more than 5 minutes before kickoff?

I found it a bit surprising no-one else has mentioned it. Any ideas?

Steve Ferns     Posted 02/10/2011 at 19:52:25   Comments (27)

Enough alehouse football

After watching Everton?s performances this year and comparing with what I just watched with supposedly a ?poor? Arsenal team and an attacking orientated Spurs then I have to say Arteta made the right call, totally.

We truthfully are a poor team, capable of improving our performances only by the ?Dogs of War? philosophy ? if you can't match them with football then harry, chase, kick the living daylights out of them and we?ll call it passion for want of a better term.

Just where is our playmaker, our controller, our orchestrater? Well, we haven?t got one; he?s just gone to Arsenal. There is no way either Rodwell, Fellaini, or Osman can control the tempo, and please don?t mention the 17-year-old Barkley can do it. We have no footballers in the team.

I fear the rest of the season will be one of the long ball to Cahill and whoever else plays with him up there; Saha, Vellios, Stracqualursi, or even Anichebe when he?s back, and we pick up the scraps and hope for set plays. It really does beg the question where the hell are we going as a club? ? Financially broken, alehouse-type football. It will lead to a decimation of the squad when the likes of Baines, Fellaini, Rodwell and even Barkley decide enough is enough and move, à la Pienaar & Arteta, to better teams.

Can anyone really see a brighter future!?!

Mike Oates     Posted 02/10/2011 at 17:42:41   Comments (13)

Techniques of the Cheat

Some teams cheat and reap the benefits. Some teams don?t and suffer.

We know how cheating ruined our day when Paolo Di Canio was provoked into this response after his player remained on his feet despite being clipped:

"From now on I will tell my players to dive anywhere on the pitch and not to be fair and not to be sporting but to simulate."

If you can?t beat them, join them. Thought I?d start a How-To Guide for Moyes to hand out to his players. These are techniques for cheating, endorsed by players and referees alike. Forget running the channels or picking up the second ball... you know, football stuff. This is what really wins matches. Please add to the list.

The Ouchy Ouchy

Football is a funny old game and some players still rely on an antiquated technique called a tackle. If a tackle is executed with a slide, this is an ideal opportunity to go to ground. Must be complimented by holding the ankle with one hand, and flapping the other about in an attempt to signal the bench. Probable free kick, possible card of either colour. Guaranteed to ruin derby matches.

The Professional?s Professional Foul

A player running through on goal with defender in pursuit will go to floor when inside the penalty box under the presumption the defender has clipped his ankles. Definite penalty, likely red card.

The Professional?s Professional Foul with Twist.

A player running through on goal with defender in pursuit will go to floor when inside the penalty box. But this time jinks across the path of the on rushing defender leaving him no room to avoid making contact. This is a cleaner version of the PPF allowing more ambiguity when replayed on television. Definite penalty, probable red card.

The ?Keeper Seduction

A striker running towards goal will show just enough of the ball to allow the goalkeeper to come out and challenge. At point of challenge the striker will push the ball away from the goalkeeper and without desire to retain possession will ?wait? for contact and go to floor. Guaranteed penalty, possible red card.

The Twist and Shout

Attempted in attacking areas, a player receiving the ball with an opposition player marking closely will allow the ball to run across him. Opening up his body he will ?turn? the defender and use the player?s proximity to go to floor. Great opportunity to hold ankle and feign injury. Definite free-kick and potential for yellow cards.

The Tug and Drop

In and around the penalty box, referees are advised to identify shirt pulling by a player?s shirt becoming stretched. Regardless of force exerted on the player, this is an ideal opportunity to go to floor for any discerning forward. The referee?s hands are tied and free kick or penalty must be awarded. Yellow card offence.

The Durex Moment

Goalkeepers, you too have your potential to cheat. During the season you will find yourself challenging for a high ball by positioning yourself within a group of players. Some of which may have the ability to beat you to the ball, but don?t worry, this is not your fault. A legitimate attempt at your goal can be ruled out by going to ground. You, after all, have protection.
Nick Entwistle     Posted 02/10/2011 at 10:56:30   Comments (4)

In this world you get what you pay for

There was a time that I was disappointed and disillusioned by what I thought was the incompetency of refereeing in the Premier League. However I?m beginning to believe it?s no longer about a referee having ?a bad day at the office? but reflects how corrupt the game has become.

In the last two Everton games there is no doubt in my mind of the absolute premeditated duplicity of Webb and Atkinson, which virtually guaranteed the outcome of the game and left no room for an upset.

This is no longer about the wealthier the club the better the squad, this is about how the corruption has contaminated the very heart and soul of the game. Let me be clear, I?m not saying that referees get bunged brown envelopes filled with large wads of cash or even larger deposits paid into Swiss bank accounts. It?s the downward pressure from investors such as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, John Henry and Roman Abramovich getting a guaranteed return on their investment by getting the prestige of their clubs playing Champions League football.

Equally there?s the need for Sky to deliver the premier league?s premium brands to ensure a TV audience to sponsors and advertisers. Occasionally, things don?t go always go according to plan, for example Beckford running the length of the pitch to score a goal against Chelsea or Everton outplaying Man City this last couple of seasons.

That said, the paymasters have asserted their influence to re-establish the natural order of the Premier League. And the quid pro quo for referees, if ?they play the game? they might get to officiate on the big stage for example a World Cup final.

What a twat

How long eh... how long? The list is endless. Everton robbed by a referee with his head so far up his own arse he can play the mouth organ on his larynx. ?It was an honest mistake? the pundits will say. ?He got it wrong? ?It was not one of his best performances?. And the list of injustices grows, the list of shite performances by shite and probably bent referees continues. Add Martin Atkinson?s name to the list headed by Clive Thomas, add it just behind Graham Poll, stick it next to Clatternburg, to Mike Riley, to Uriah Rennie.

I hate getting beat by Liverpool, it hurts - but the sting is taken out when it?s a fair even contest. I?ve seen us get trounced 0-5 and a master class of forward play by Ian Rush and it felt better than this. This match was ended as a contest after 20 minutes when Rodwell was sent off in one of the most inept decisions I?ve ever seen in a Derby game and I?ve seen a few.

As to our performance after the sending off - it was all about containment and we didn?t have the resolve nor the reserve.

I?ve had enough. We were up against it already with £100 million pre-season spending playing £250,000 - but this tit of a referee for reasons best known to himself (and who knows - his bank manager) felt he had to even up the score a bit.

Sod this for a lark - I?m off to watch a game less bent, like Stockbridge Village Infant school arm wrestling The Kiwi Rugby Union side second row - or cross channel swimming whilst carrying a piano.

Thanks Atkinson - I look forward to your book. If I might suggest a chapter - ?How I coined it by killing football?

Kevin Sparke     Posted 01/10/2011 at 15:01:30   Comments (92)