Match Preview
Welcome home, Inchy!
If there is a manager that is experiencing more stick than
Walter Smith at the moment, it must be that old Evertonian
Peter Reid. And, if the Sunderland fan's websites are
anything to go by, Adrian Heath is even less popular. So
what a perfect time to welcome them back into the comforting
loving bosom of Goodison ... as long as they respond by
granting us 3 points!
Most of the comments that I made relating to Sunderland
those few weeks ago still hold true: they are over-reliant on
Quinn; Quinn is past it; Phillips is therefore suffering;
their midfield lacks guile; and their defence is not up to
standard.
They still beat us 1-0.
Reyna was the goalscorer that day what a change someone
scoring their first goal for their club against us! Fortunately he looks likely to be out of action until February
which may lead to Schwartz returning to the fray, but rumours
are circulating at Sunderland that he has had a personal
fallout with Reidy so team selection in that area could be
interesting. McCann is also unsettled but I feel sure
that he'll be well up for this one. (How much would it
cost to buy him back? Hell, why even consider it 'cause
Walter won't!)
For us? Well, after the "magnificent win"
at Stoke, where we were missing 8 first teamers, news of
returning players has been very quiet.
You'd like to think that "same again" could lead
to another 1-0 win, and it could well do, but my main
concern relates to Xavier at fullback. The guy has no
pace at all. He has put in some magnificent performances
in the centre but looks distinctly uncomfortable out
wide. Personally I would love to see Hibbert given a
go.
I guess, with the pressure on against Stoke, Walter wanted
experience at the back. I think we all know that, when
pushed (or even if not), Walter will choose experience over
youth. Also, it may be that he feels it important to
have Xavier playing at the moment due to contract negotiations
(and Xavier's very strong support of Smith last week) but
surely the time must come when Hibbert is given another
chance.
Elsewhere, I think Walter basically was forced to pick
whoever was fit. Blomqvist was looking dangerous and
should cause Sunderland plenty of problems and Dunc should be
getting sharper. As he's hit the post in each of the
last two games, maybe it's time that luck was on his
side. Varga, the player likely to pick him up, is a
donkey but a very large donkey and Dunc may have to show a bit
more movement that he has done recently to get around him.
JMM will probably start alongside Dunc but I have to say
that he does not convince me at all. He certainly works
hard enough but in the Premiership you need to have something
special about you; pace (Henry), power (Hasslebaink), aerial
threat (Ferdinand), finishing (Fowler), vision (Sheringham),
movement (Zola). Pepsi just doesn't seem to have
anything special about him. When he first arrived, he
showed promise of simply being a poacher but that ability
appears to have deserted him. His inability to support
Dunc or provide a goal threat does leave him as a bit of a
liability and in my mind not worthy of a place upfront.
Another goal from Nick Chadwick in the reserves win over
Newcastle (1-0, Gerrard MotM) may see him retain his place on
the bench. Again, it would be great to see him get on
the pitch at some point... but don't hold your breath; I think
Unsworth is next in line !
Nick Chadwick may well have been one of the kids who got a
bit concerned when Bill announced the new "financial
package" last Thursday. A new striker must be top of
Walters wish list and if Nick is not getting on now with
injuries to 3 strikers how will he do when the injuries ease
(if they ever do!) and another striker is bought?
Mind you when will this purchase take place?
I noted that Bill on the Official WebSite says that he
"hopes" the new financial package will be in place
"by the end of the month". What?? That's
not the way it was first sold to us.
It was also very worrying that, despite Bill's assertion
that he and Walter speak 3 times a day, Walter declared that
he knew nothing about the package other than what had been
stated publicly! Way to go, Bill! Surely your
manager should know exactly what the financial picture
is? The fact that he still doesn't know how much he has
to spend suggests that Walter really is way out of the
picture. I don't think Bill should be shouting figures
out (although it appears "accepted knowledge" that
the figure is 25M from Allied Irish Bank - who still hold
the mortgage over Goodison and did before this deal) as that
just leads to clubs hiking up their prices; but surely Walter
should be informed of the financial situation a bit better
than Joe Public !
However, the "expected" financial package is at
least a step in the right direction. It should have been
a shot in the arm to the club and the victory over Stoke (and
the draw at home to Orient) should ease some of the tension
that has been settling on Goodison.
A victory over Sunderland with the defence again being the
backbone to the result should see us easing a bit further
clear of the relegation trap door.
The victory should come. Shackle Quinn, push back their
midfield leaving Phillips isolated and put pressure on their
defence.
2-0 I reckon this time. A goal in the 1st half would
certainly make things easier but then I guess I'm asking for
far far too much!
BlueForEver
Swede Taste of Victory
by Matthew Fearon
Another victory like that and we are doomed, sighed an exhausted
Pyrrhus after defending Tarentum against the Romans, 281 b.c.
Todays match was good for the soul, but threatened to leave both heart,
blood pressure and fingernails doomed. We needed a win desperately, and
desperately we played. Once again Smiths team sheet provided widespread
confusion: at five to three the decision to play Campbell upfront, on his
own, after missing the last seven weeks without even training, was frankly
incredulous. As it transpired, Captain Campbell did himself and Everton
proud but he was chasing shadows, alone, for the last half an hour.
We began as we always do, by conceding possession from our own kick-off by
hoofing the ball straight to the opposition. Opening exchanges were
tentative, with both sets of players fully prescient of the need for three
points. We created the better chances, hitting Sunderland on the break, with
both Swedish wide-men looking exciting going forward.
Alexandersson wasted
the best chance of the first 20 minutes, choosing to dally on the ball
and lay responsibility at Campbells feet, when he should of finished
himself. For this, the crowd must take full responsibility. I admit Nic
hasnt been on top of his game for the last five matches, but nobody
deserves to be booed off the pitch the way he was against Charlton. For
Nics lack of confidence in front of goal, which was exhibited again at the
beginning of the second half, the only people to be blamed are those who
booed him off. Today you cost us two goals!!
Our 4-5-1 formation wasnt allowing us to take the pressure off the defence;
a bunched midfield seemed unsure of their roles, with Unsworth, Gemmill and
Gazza all afraid of putting their foot on the ball and calming everyone
down. One man who is calmness personified is that man David Weir; he allowed
the red-and-white Super Kev very little space and, just before the half hour
mark, he released Alexandersson down the right. With immaculate vision
and precision, one Swede found the other, and Blomquist finished off the
free-flowing move with a downward header inside Sorensons far post. One-nil
it stayed through to half-time.
For the first five minutes of the second half, it looked like we would have
nothing to worry about; Alexandersson twice broke into the box, but twice
our attacks were nullified by our lack of numbers upfront. With 35 minutes to go, tactical genii Smith and Knox decided it was
backs-to-the-wall time. Quinns introduction induced collective panic, and
highlighted how much more effective he is than Dunc. One-nil might have
been enough against a side including only Kevin Phillips up front.
And so it proved to be, but only because they demonstrated a blandness of
imagination that I havent encountered since I read the first ten pages of a
Harry Potter book, and because 10 players (Gemmill was again
merely average and frequently got lost in a midfield demonstrating fight and
bottle that has been inexcusably absent from the team of late) sweated blue
blood for the team. Gascoigne was outstanding, playing with so much
effervescent effective energy it was as if both him and Gravesen were on the
pitch together. Unsworth was awesome, not pretty, but this boy would die for
club.
With Campbell crying out for a partner upfront, Smith duly obliged;
seven minutes to go and Nick Chadwick came on for his first league appearance.
Not
only was the lateness of this substitution frustrating... the fact that we
brought a big lad on to replace the truly magnificent winger, Blomqvist,
does little to improve my assessment of Smiths tactical insight. Too many
times this season I have thought to myself, in Scotland, yes, but down here
where 20 teams compete for 20 places, NO!
We hung on; for 35 minutes we hung on; for 35 minutes we
played like it was the final minute. You just cannot get away with that more
than once in a season. We deserved to win, we wanted it more, we werent any
better, despite having more quality in our side, but out there today the
boys did the crowd and the jersey proud. And we did them proud!
For the last 10 minutes, the hairs on the back of my neck wouldnt sit down, they have
barely tingled since the opening 10 minutes of the derby, but today we were
how a Goodison crowd should be win, lose or draw. So lets have no more of
booing individuals, lets have no more dull incessant droning of Kopites
are gobsh**es, and more of supporting and encouraging our beloved Everton.
We dont fork out good money for season tickets just so we can clap the
opposition politely, boo our own players, moan about those from across the park.
From
this day forward, let us make Goodison as intimidating as it used to be; let
us remind the players who there are playing for, the history that this great
club has created. Because remember, IF-YOU-KNOW-YOUR-HIS-STORY, its enough
to make your heart go whoa...
As is becoming type, my report must conclude with my man-of-the-match
candidates. Today there were many:
- Hibbert, that right-sided youngster, who
showed Smith exactly what sort of mistake he was making by ignoring him when
Stevie was playing upfront and Pistone was being forced to play out of
position.
- On the other side of defence, Naysmith was a rock, and looked
threatening coming forward, one determined run almost sewed the match up in
the final minute.
- Also at the back, Mr Weir, who I am deeming no longer
eligible for this accolade because he is too good.
- Wide on the left, Blomqvist always looked dangerous, and took his goal wonderfully well.
- Unsworth showed just why he is nicknamed Rhino
- Alexandersson worked tirelessly
up and down the right-flank, got himself into goal-scoring positions,
provided the lethal cross, and responded in fine fashion to his disgusting
treatment against Charlton.
- Campbell played well on his return, I just hope
Walter didnt ask him to do too much!
However, todays man-of-the-match, was One Paul Gascoigne.
He was
everywhere, in the last minute taking out man and ball defending his own
corner flag, and when the defence cleared, chasing the ball right down to
the opposition corner flag. If we play with as much heart as we did today
for the rest of the season, not even Smith could take us down. Roll on
Spurs!!!!
Pilgrims Progress
by Rob Burns
Though rarely mentioned in the same breath as Lourdes and Chartre, Goodison
Park must surely be growing in spiritual significance following today's show of
rejuvinated passion - a hugely energetic 90 minutes of nail biting football in
front of just over 30,000.
Walter made changes to the starting lineup - Hibbert in for Steve Watson; Alexandersson returning to the side after injury; and Kevin Campbell
stepping into his 'minor role' as a sole striker for Duncan Ferguson out with a
strain - of flu. The formation was exotic to say the least. A flat back
four included Hibbert at right back, Weir and Stubbs in the centre berths and
Naysmith on the left. Gemmill, Gascoigne (fresh from his hysterics on Sky's
Soccer AM this morning) and Unsworth made up a midfield of three behind
Campbell, who played alone between Blomqvist and Alexandersson. This is Walter's
'Emergency' formation - which was successful against Chelsea and Arsenal last
season - when the chips were similarly in the 'down' position. The match
had been billed as a six-pointer with both managers under considerable pressure.
Reid's players looked lively at the start, playing on the enthusiasm injection
which they had surely been given from their manager before kick-off. But
enthusiasm was seemingly all that they had as they failed to complete a
meaningful pass for some minutes. They too had struggled, significantly to
Evertonians. McCann's presence was heavily fancied to provide one of 'those
stories' - a returning player who shows his former manager what for. But there
was also a nervousness about the Black Cats which led them to play Philips up
front alone with Quinn warming the bench. For their part, Everton started
brightly, and the ring-rusty Campbell was far from it - quick footed and mobile.
On
5 minutes he had his first taste, firing wide from close range from Jesper Blomqvist's
flick header. Then it was Blomqvist who set out his stall, with some
silky skills on the left side which Unsworth followed with a first-time cross to
the far post. As Alexandersson arrived, the bounce just eluded him and the ball
continued harmlessly toward the touch line. Attacking in waves, the
confidence was growing and the football was improving. With a lack of striking
opportunities in the middle, it was out of necessity that they attacked down the
flanks. Two capable, attacking full backs in support, the two Swedes were
rampant. Sunderland's defence was AWOL, as on three occasions Alexandersson had
to look again to believe that he had so much space. His run into the area met a
wall of three Sunderland players, easily beaten with a pass slid to Campbell who
took a touch too many in front of stranded 'keeper and gaping net. Perhaps the
most worrying aspect of this was the speed in which the boo-boys were sparked to
life, barracking the Everton Captain as 'useless' and 'lazy' even
young kids seemed destined for an adult life as sad and naive as their
accompanying parents 'Campbell yer crap!' As a return after three months
of injury, this could only be a pleasant surprise to Evertonians - more chances
created in 20 minutes than in the previous 6 weeks with a combination of
Ferguson, Watson, Radzinski and Moore leading the line... This guy was doing it on
his own in the middle, leading the line and providing a mobile breath of fresh
air for our wing commanders to aim for. But then KC is more of a millstone to
our club than David Scapegoat Unsworth if the educated minority are to be
believed! Sadly it wasn't Campbell who finally broke the deadlock, but a
combination of the two wide men again brought first blood as Niclas
Alexandersson waited and waited for his moment on the right and then lifted an
excellent cross to the far post to find the flying Blomqvist anything Giggs
can do! Sunderland argued: McCann shouted the odds, Sorensen argued with
Gray, Philips came deep to do it for himself, McAteer kept his head down and
played for the cause. Disarray was the only way to describe it. Peter Reid's
half time show would surely have required an X certificate if shown on the big
screen. As if guilty of altering the clocks for a little respite, the red and
whites returned to the field well in advance of the home side. And waited.
Enter
our conquering heroes to a recently unfamiliar ovation. Reid introduced
Quinn as, after 10 minutes Everton continued to run them ragged. To the groans
of the home fans the man who makes Emlyn Hughes look like the happiest,
sickliest Butlins Redcoat entered the fray with a foul in the Everton area.
In
true Quinn style, he climbed, manhandled, pulled and pushed and began to make the
defence earn their living. In response, the Everton midfield upped the pace
and, dare I say, defended outside of the box. Unsworth provided a weighty,
reliable stopper, with confident, accurate distribution and not the
characteristic thump unless absolutely necessary. His awareness on the left
helped to give Naysmith an outlet and support for Blomqvist. Gemmill was
probably the least impressive of the three but there wasn't a player on the park
who was not eclipsed by the undoubted man of the match, Paul Gascoigne. Not
one to bow to the hype, I have made my feelings clear on Gazza in recent weeks,
but today's performance was the best he has shown at Goodison since his arrival.
Ironically his performance jogged memories of the visiting manager, as he ran
the midfield for both sides, harrying, leading by example, tackling. Breathtaking skills and superb distribution were commonplace and the crowd
reacted in accordance. In the first half he had chased down a lost opportunity
and stolen the ball from Varga in his own area and with a little luck could have
steered the ball in. Frequently in the second half he ran the length of the
pitch to close down a back-pass or make a tackle on a defender who had dwelled
for a second too long. As usual, 10 men came back for corners, but the
disadvantage was almost negated by the rediscovered pace of the Geordie. Gazza's
occasional lack of timing went unpunished as Schoolmaster Elleray
remembered the referee's 'Code of Gazza Conduct'. Quinn had made the
difference to Sunderland's cause and chances did come. Kilbane was switched to
the left after running alongside Philips for the opening minutes; Bellion was introduced on the Mackem's right.
Everton found danger on the flanks, with
the impressive and heavier Tony Hibbert at fullback soaking up the pressure,
strong in the tackle and clever in releasing the ball. Campbell continued
to encourage both team and crowd, and seemed to have restored the rapport with
the Goodison crowd even if certain elements would have preferred it otherwise.
An intelligent change from Walter saw Blomqvist move up front - support
for Campbell and more pressure on the centre of Sunderland's defence where much
of their forward play began - and Unsworth add much needed strength to the
left-back position with Naysmith the lively runner ahead. Cleland replaced
Alexandersson in the final minutes, and Chadwick made an appearance in place of
Blomqvist.
In a limited time Cleland appeared to get too involved in the
defensive line - giving ground away and confusing Hibbert, Stubbs et al. Chadwick looked willing and extremely able on his introduction, and another
player who appears to have added some beef since we last saw him. Everton pushed
out of their own half an regained full control into injury time. A
relieved crowd applauded the blues off the field. Campbell personally thanked
the crowd for their support, but the biggest ovation was saved for Gazza, for
whom many had stopped on their way out for a final chorus in honour of a man who
had defied all of the odds to add much needed sparkle to a Goodison tarnished by
recent performances. Everton's revival was miraculous, and was symptomatic
of a number of factors coming together at once. Blomqvist is almost fully healed
and is showing the form which years of top European football demands. Dragging
the unpredictable Alexandersson with him, we have genuine width that will
frighten any opposition. Behind them the full backs - Naysmith and Hibbert - are
showing courage and confidence in their willingness to go forward. In the middle
Gascoigne showed for 90 minutes and worked without any sign of fatigue, quite
out of sync with his age, and Unwsorth looks settled in the
midfield berth. Up front there is no doubt that Campbell will need a
partner but given the difference today - the workrate, the danger, almost the
cutting edge - Everton have a goalscoring rest of the season to come
barring disastrous injuries. Now, I wonder if the baths of the home
dressing room can do anything for my tennis elbow?
Match Report
by Richard Marland
Another important 'must-win' game at Goodison. That run of five
straight league defeats just had to be broken or our freefall, and the resultant
pressures, would have increased to an very unhealthy level. That fact that
we were playing Peter Reid's Sunderland, who had enough problems of their own,
just added spice to the occasion.
The team news was dominated by the absence of three who were expected to
play: Ferguson, Xavier and Watson. Watson seems to have been playing with
one knock or another for most of the season. Ferguson's and Xavier's absence
hadn't been forewarned, other than their own past records. Apparently
Ferguson had the 'flu and Xavier had some sort of stomach upset.
This all meant a starting berth for Tony Hibbert, a return for Niclas
Alexandersson and a premature return for Kevin Campbell. The return of
Campbell highlights some of the problems that Walter is working under.
Campbell has only just returned to fitness, in reality he needs to be eased
in. The same happened to Dunc over the holiday period, he too needed to be
eased in. But, it seems that as soon as we get one striker fit, another
cries off with injury, and we are forced to play players who aren't fully match
fit. This is a Catch-22 situation as the player is much more likely to
pick up an injury.
Walter went for an enterprising 4-3-3 with Alexadersson and Blomqvist
encouraged to play in support of Campbell. Blomqvist in particular seemed
to be given free rein to roam the pitch.
First Half
The first half was a poor, turgid affair between two sides struggling for
form and confidence. Without ever playing especially well, we undoubtedly
had the better of the first half. We weren't creating chances by the
boat-load but chances there were. Campbell's lack of sharpness accounted
for at least one; Alexandersson's lack of confidence for another.
The goal finally came courtesy of the Swedish chef's. Gemmill won the
ball in midfield and released Alexandersson into acres of space down the
right. Campbell went near post dragging two defenders with him, Blomqvist
came in behind him. Alexandersson, who had been looking up throughout,
delivered a cross right onto Blomqvist's head who had an easy conversion.
A good goal and a bit of quality all round.
We deserved the lead at the interval. We had a few a chances while
Sunderland hadn't had a sniff.
Second half
If we'd had the first half, Sunderland had the second. I guess some
harsh words had been exchanged at half-time and they clearly came out to battle
to save the game. For all their efforts, though, they never seemed to have
the quality required to cause us real problems.
They were already gaining the upper hand when they rolled out Niall Quinn
about 15 minutes into the second half. This gave their players and fans a
lift, and seemed to send us into panic mode. Fortunately David Elleray
came to our aid by penalising Quinn five times within the first five minutes of
his arrival. In the past, Quinn seems to have been able to get away with
this at Goodison; today, Elleray was wise to the wiles of an old lag.
Needless to say, Sunderland were now pumping an inordinate number of balls
into our box. We defended admirably and barely gave them a sight of
goal. Certainly I cannot recall a Simonsen save of any note; his work was
reduced to collecting the odd cross.
If we were defending well, it was the only thing we were doing well.
Our passing game completely disintegrated and we posed no threat whatsoever to
the Sunderland goal. It was a wretched passage of play for us as we seemed
to defend deeper and deeper. The feeling throughout the second half was
"Could we hold out?"
It was only within the last few minutes of normal time that we were able to
exert anything like pressure on the Sunderland goal we even managed to force
a corner. In the three minutes of injury time, it got truly desperate as
we were reduced, even Gazza, to kicking for touch.
Summary
The first half we did OK. The second half the nerves jangled, we
defended well but we couldn't string two passes together. However, this
was one of those days where the result was paramount and in the return of
Campbell and the continuing rehabilitation of Blomqvist, there is cause for
cautious optimism.
Ratings
- Simonsen 7 Can't recall a proper save. Dealt well with
a few crosses and looked largely assured except in his kicking which went
astray somewhat today.
- Hibbert 7 Occasionally showed his inexperience but did well
and coped well in the second half when we were under pressure. Wasn't
seen much in an attacking sense, perhaps wisely concentrating on his
defensive duties.
- Naysmith 7 Becoming a bit of a favourite of mine.
Uncomplicated, unfussy, won't let you down.
- Weir 8 Fought a magnificent rearguard action in
defense. Someone else who won't let you down.
- Stubbs 8 Another of the reasons why we were able to keep
Sunderland at bay.
- Gemmill 7 Looking a bit more comfortable than of late. Did
OK.
- Gascoigne 8 Covered a prodigious amount of ground and worked
very hard for the cause. Occasionally over elaborates (licence I will
allow him!) and had a worrying five minutes when he seemed more intent on
kicking Gavin McCann than playing football.
- Unsworth 6 Did his job shoring up the left side of the field.
- Alexandersson 7 It's easy to see why coaches and managers
like him he works hard, always tracks back and can deliver quality
(witness his part in the goal). He infuriates the fans because he is
inconsistent in his delivery and his shooting is undermined by his current
lack of confidence. I reckon he's worth persisting with.
- Blomqvist 8 Has been a bit of a revelation. Got a
deserved goal and was bright and dangerous until he ran out of legs. A
good footballer.
- Campbell 7 Shouldn't have been playing but surprised me with
how fit he seemed. Lacking a little sharpness but that's hardly
surprising. What you forget about Campbell is his intelligence and I
just love the way he lets the ball do the work for him as he lets it run
across his body as he turns the defender.
- Cleland 6 Came on for Blomqvist, did OK with getting overly
involved.
- Chadwick 6 Came on for Alexandersson, got stuck in, did
plenty of running, did OK.
Team 6 Important win, good defensively but in all reality pretty
poor.
Man of the match For me it was the defenders who saved the
day. I'd give it to Stubbs.
|
Stoke
City
