Fans Comment
Anthony Newell
What Lies Ahead? Some Analysis Of My Own
27 April 2005
Having been a regular reader of this
website for some time, I decided it was time to assert some views of my
own. This is not an essay or thesis by any means but addresses some
salient issues. By the way, Rob Fox, if you are writing your dissertations
in work time, fair play to you!
I have to say that, first off, the Birmingham game was a huge
disappointment for me. Whilst my pulse was racing at a level
comparable to a boat race rower during the last 20 minutes of the
United game, I affirmed in my usual style afterwards that it would be
worth nothing if we couldnt get the three points against Brum at
home.
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Moyes: Never change a winning team? |
Sure enough, points were lost...
bringing back memories of similar wastefulness at home to Charlton and
Blackburn. What we would give for those points now to save us reaching
for the valium. However, an aged Everton punter like myself is not
nave enough to have the medicine cabinet unsuitably stocked at this
point in the season. Thankfully, our lovable red friends managed to
implode against Palace whilst the Trotters' point retained some
breathing space. I dare not think what my Saturday night would have
felt like if both of these had won!
I have never been one to understand
why you would change a winning side and rest players that had produced
a fantastic result then bring those same players on later on in the
game to try and salvage the situation. I am not one to question Moyes
but I would have thought that giving Wednesday nights adrenalin-assisted heroes a chance to kick-on for 45 minutes would have been a
better policy.
It is my opinion that you should try and win a game from the 1st
minute. The likes of Bent, Ferguson and Watson could have been rested
after a full 45-minute shift then replaced by Osman and Beattie as and
when.
The game against Brum highlights a number of themes, some of which have been
apparent for a while, others more short-lived. I will address each in
turn:
Beattie Waste of money?
The likes of Alan Green (whom I will return to later) would have you
believe that this guy is the biggest white elephant known to mankind. I tend to file opinions like this in the jealousy / wishful-thinking
category. Morientes has hardly done much better and lets not
forget how long it took to get a decent season out of Barmby at a
comparable fee. I am not suggesting we should be similarly
patient but I do believe the lad (God, I feel old saying that) should
be given the time he needs.
I have a funny feeling that Beattie may be trying too hard to impress
and justify his fee; he needs to relax a bit more. Fair play to
him, though, for getting himself in contention for the Man Utd game after
his lay-off. To be honest, the only thing that rankles with me
since he joined (the head-butting incident aside) was to go out on the
lash in Brum after the Villa result. It hardly smacks of high IQ
levels.
I am of the firm belief that, given a decent pre-season, new players,
and a longer term change of system, we will begin to reap the
dividends from our investment. A suitable and regular strike
partner would assist no end and I just cant get Robbie Keane out of
my head. Pound for pound, I expect a better return from Beattie
than Big Dunc which brings me nicely to the next theme:
Duncan, Contract Renewals Who / How long?
As the saying goes, what a difference a week can make. It wasnt
very long back that certain commentators were calling for Dunc to be
ousted from Goodison. I have always maintained a soft spot ever
since his Derby debut and the original shirt-swirling heroics against Man Utd.
However, I have not forgotten how much the club has spent on this
players down time and has suffered due to his ill-discipline.
Lets get some perspective here before clamouring to dish out another
years gravy.
My view is this: any decision on giving Duncan a further contract
should wait until the Summer. Hopefully he can notch a couple
against his old Geordie friends in the meantime. I trust Moyes
to put sentiment aside when making a decision to offer a contract and
the terms within it. If Duncs efforts do help us acquire the
much coveted fourth place then I would regard this effort as only
partially commensurate to the wages already racked up to conduct his
investments in Freshfields.
As far as the contracts of other players are concerned, its easier to
say who you would be willing to let go than who you want to stay.
For me, its the end of the line for Pistone. Although he has
defended well on occasions this season (its been a long time coming),
his ball distribution is woeful and footballing brain the size of a
peanut. There have been times when I thought the guy has been a
genuine liability (West Brom away for one). Its heartening that
Moyes recognises this and hauled him off against Brum. However, Naysmith is no great shakes either.
The problem we face is that forays into Europe are going to demand a
larger squad, which necessitates keeping some players around longer
than we would have liked give Stubbs and Weir another year.
Ultimately, we need quicker and younger replacements. We would be shooting ourselves in the foot not to retain the
services of these two if we needed them whilst bedding in
replacements. Steve Watson should be foregone to keep Arteta, who could be a useful addition if acquired at a fee of 2.5
million, say. Ive nothing against Watson, but the Summer is a
time to start raising the quality of our personnel. I also hope
Osman does not slip through our hands due to contract wranglings.
Transfers
Who to bring in? A quality left-back to replace Pistone/Naysmith.
No immediate names spring to mind but if we got Michael Ball back I
wouldnt be too disappointed. In addition, the centre-back
positions need addressing: a partner or two for Yobo.
Further craft, guile and creativity in midfield is an absolute must,
whether it be central or on the wings. An enigmatic distributor
of the ball is absolutely essential if we are to break down teams and
alleviate ourselves from some of the dour stalemates we have had to
endure. Though Gravesen performed this role for a short time
admirably, I am sure Moyes can find alternative replacements out
there.
Referring back to improving the overall quality, that standard must also
apply to McFadden and Kilbane. I cant say I would be
cock-a-hoop at the arrival of Simon Davies but somebody in the Rosicky
mould would be more the ticket. Finally, the need for a pacey 20-goal-a-season striker upfront to accompany Beattie is a no-brainer.
Again, nobody immediate springs to mind but Im sure Moyes already has
names on his shopping list. So, were going to be very busy
spending money in the Summer... right?
Investment in the Club / Qualification for
Europe
There have been times in the past when I have been sick to my stomach
at the lack of funding offered to kick-on after periods of short-term
success the season before last; after the cup in 95. This
Summer can and must change all this. I think Kenwright has
realised that Moyes is not the type to continue with the role unless
his blueprint gets bankrolled. Speaking of Kenwright, I am glad
that he has disappeared into the shadows once more, his Vaughan
comments aside.
I can only hope that Blue Bill has been working tirelessly on an
alternative investment proposition and has told Fortress from fantasy
land to sod off. Even if they did come back, would we
realistically let them buy into our club now on their previous
valuation? I know Bill has a tendency to say things to make you
squirm in your seat with embarrassment but I do believe he would not
sell us short on this front. I hope my words do not come back to
haunt me...
To lose hold of fourth place now would be a sickener so late on.
Although I settled for Premiership safety following the Arsenal
pummelling, I admit it: I am now greedy, though my sensible head says
that Uefa qualification represents a magnificent achievement this
season. My greed and desire is not driven by the potential
riches offered by the Champions League but the opportunity to ram the
following words down a certain persons throat Everton, for the
Champions League?! Im sure the rest of Europe must be quaking
in their boots.
Yes, our lovable red friend Mr Alan Green. I have no qualms in
saying the following to the likes of you: may I remind you that if
wasnt for the shower that you loosely show your allegiance too
getting us banned from Europe we would have been making many a
European club side quake in their boots. Your commentary during
the Palace and Goodison derby matches was scandalous. I pray that
we get the fourth spot so that you and the other doubters who wrote us
off at the beginning of the season have to endure particularly
unpleasant tastes in your mouths when you speak or have to write of
Evertons European games next season.
Bring it on, Mr Moyes!
Anthony Newell
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