FAN ARTICLES
The Consummate Away Performance
Comments (30) : Phil Neville couldn't split a defence with a machete but give him willing runners pulling spaces out all over the place and creating easy passing options in front of him and he can find a ball into the channels. Alan Stubbs is by no means a striker, but get one of his team mates to barge the wall out of the way and he can take his chances on a freekick. None of our midfield can run at the opposition and drive them back but drift it down the wings for Johnson to run on to, follow the ball, and he'll get you into the final third and lay it back for the build-up to begin. Stubbs can't keep pace with Bent but has the willingness of Yobo to swap position and take on the responsibility.
It's about what the team does for each other ? not what the individuals can do on their own.
So, whilst all the pundits talked up Spurs' Champion's League chances in pre-season it's Everton that have again shown how far teamwork, commitment and determination can take you. That said, there was more to last night's performance. Osman and Arteta had the quickest feet on the pitch and constantly terrorised the Spur's fullbacks and at no point did the centre-backs get to grips with Johnson's movement. The defence was as resolute as ever, and, as is ever the case, whenever anyone thought they'd slipped their marker a bald Irishman materialised to bar the way.
It wasn't all sunshine. There were periods when Everton displayed their prodigious ability to give the ball straight to the opposition after winning it back and at times Anichebe resembled a lamppost with the ball simply bouncing off him; some work on holiding it up definitely needed.
However, for a team lambasted for their negativity, it was refreshing to see Hibbert so often beyond Arteta. Apart from a brief period when we were forced back around the 80 minute mark there was none of the sinking deeper and deeper that characterised last season. Whilst Everton were justifiably defensively minded in the second half, Neville performed his role as captain and kept the midfield in the midfield whilst we defended our lead, allowing Arteta and Osman to continue to support Johnson right to the end.
This was exactly what an away performance should be like and Everton richly deserved the three points. With Vaughan, Cahill, Baines, Pineaar and, one hopes, Fernandes all to come, the future looks bright for Everton. The only question is how do you accomodate high-quality individuals such as the above into a team that is functioning like a single organism? For the first time in his Everton career, Moyes has real team selection decisions awaiting him in the near future. The best kind of decisions though!
Reader Comments (30)
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2 Posted 15/08/2007 at 10:53:42
Firstly he brings emotion to the role. Weir used to be generally quiet and sulk off after decisions went against the team or goals were conceded. Neville gets in the faces of the opposition and referees and certainly teammates when necessary. There has certainly been more exhortation and assertiveness to his captaincy, that fosters team spirit and a winning mentality instead of some of the insipid performances of a few years back.
Without wishing to lower ourselves to the bilious ref intimidation that MU used to do so well, I think that our new attitude goes some way to undo the clear anti-EFC reffing that's gone down in recent years. It's called standing up for ourselves.
3 Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:18:38
4 Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:17:37
I guess the only nagging feeling i have at the back of my mind is whether we will be able to break down teams at home that set themselves up like we do. Will we have the craft and guile that Spurs lacked?
We cannot play with Neville and Carsley in the middle against Blackburn, but i wouldn’t be surprised to see the same team against Reading.
I shall look forward to being at Goodison and seeing what team Moyesie puts out at home to Blackburn a week on Saturday and who knows, maybe we’ll have a certain talented Portuguese kid and a brick shit house Nigerian striker chomping at the bit to make a name for themselves in the famous royal blue jersey.
5 Posted 15/08/2007 at 11:16:55
I was at the game last night and I'm aware that Moyes likes to make players force their way into the team and all but for me he's simply not a good enough footballer. It pains me to see Jagielka on the bench when he's a far more astute and competent full-back ? both technically, athletically and when asked to go forward too.
The boys were great last night but for me Hibbo gave Berbatov far too much space and it was only the skiddy surface that saved his blushes a few times.
6 Posted 15/08/2007 at 11:24:47
Neville is Moyes's manager on the pitch - £4M from Newcastle is a good deal for his ability but nor his leadership. No deal. What is great is that when new players get signed (hopefully one or two more this month) this team must really help them settle. If you aren't as committed or need some help the boys will let you know soon enough. It all bodes well!
7 Posted 15/08/2007 at 10:48:49
I think the effectiveness of Carsley's contribution is obvious to everyone but I often read ToffeeWeb contributors questioning our captain's worth. My own guess is that he offers us the sort of intangible quality that unfortunately becomes apparent when it's gone. We need to bring Fernandes in to lend Arteta creative support in midfield, but if this requires off-loading somebody to help finance the deal, I hope Neville isn't the one to go; the presence of his absence might be glaring.
8 Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:19:57
9 Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:38:42
Unlike Spurs - 3 yellows
Villa - 4
Shite - 2
City - 4
Chelsea - 2
Fulham - 5
Blackburn - 4
Middlesboro - 3
Reading 2 and 1 red
10 Posted 15/08/2007 at 14:41:36
When new players are brought in WHO MAKES WAY?
Fernandes simply can not be left on the bench yet Neville is the Captain - so is Carsley the make weight? If Carsley makes way does that mean Neville becomes our defensive midfielder? But Carsley is better...
...Will Osman make way for Cahill despite his current run of form? What about Pienaar? Where does he fit in?
1) Osman, Neville, Carsley, Arteta
2) Pienaar, Neville, Fernandez, Arteta
3) Arteta, Neville, Cahill, Fernandez
4)???
It’s a good problem to have!!!
11 Posted 15/08/2007 at 15:15:29
12 Posted 15/08/2007 at 15:49:18
13 Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:13:46
14 Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:27:13
15 Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:13:46
16 Posted 15/08/2007 at 16:49:59
Did anyone register the sheer disappointment in the Sky Sports studio after the game, and at half time the assured belief that there would be ’more goals’? Basically that we would lose.
An astute performance.
"It seems like Carsley and Neville aren’t there but my God they are." - a magnificent quote, could not put it better into words.
17 Posted 15/08/2007 at 17:08:22
18 Posted 15/08/2007 at 18:08:14
Were you outside the church about half two on Saturday? That Willo? Either way, good lad for pullin’ him over his racist comment. I was just about to myself. No need now. OK shows over, move along.
19 Posted 15/08/2007 at 20:12:27
20 Posted 15/08/2007 at 21:11:43
COYB
21 Posted 15/08/2007 at 23:35:29
22 Posted 15/08/2007 at 23:32:46
Please understand, I’m not moaning in the slightest, it was a truly memorable performance - or perhaps its a sign of how far we’ve come and what are expectations are.
Now that sounds dangerous!
23 Posted 15/08/2007 at 23:50:02
That should be ’our’ not ’are’. Bad typist. Shit, how I hate bad grammar!
24 Posted 15/08/2007 at 23:57:32
25 Posted 15/08/2007 at 23:38:49
P.S.Marshy’s an evertonian like me and you,so you shut the fuck up
26 Posted 16/08/2007 at 11:29:43
I dont know if read "Marshys" latest verbal diatribe in which he had the audacity to tell us how (being such a great evertonian) he nor his children would be going to watch us should we move to Kirkby..and that those of us who do are "traitors"..but aside from his loyalty????
I weas merely pointing out that the aforementioned..ONLY..have negative comments,they never post after a great result or performance,they constantly slate the team, the maNAGER AND TGE BOARD IN THE FAINT HOPE THAT ONE OF their worthless piece of shit posts will come up with anything remotely accurate in the hope that one day(not yet here) when they may be able to smugly turn round and say "I told you so".!!
I for one can say that i lok forward to the day I can go to a game , be that in Kirkby ,Speke or the middle of a roundabout,,and not have to be within ear shot of the shite that streams from their lips...Yes we are all allowed our opinion,,but these guys never stop.
Its Moyes out or Kenwright out..or we Hoofed it..but no constructive alternatives...just jabber..moaning for moanings sake..
Boring , pointless, nasty ,childish..moronic garbage..
And I can now add you to my"DICKHEAD "list as this column was about the team, the result..and the effect on us.the supporters..and I wont use the word fan..because I am a SUPPORTER.!
And the team I support are doing great so far ..so lets tell them..lets all tell them..lets make them feel 10 ft tall and give them the belief that we want tghem all to play well..not just the ones we like..no more "oh god Osmans shite , why is he picking Osman"?..etc etc..then being gutted when it turns out he aint really shite and you look like a tit for saying so..
There is and never has been any need for the vitriol directed at some players , the manager or the board(or the SUPPORTERS)..it is just nasty..like the people who post that sort ofcrap on here.
And if they and theres dont go the game..well good riddance
27 Posted 16/08/2007 at 13:25:54
Tuesday however, felt different. I sensed possibility in every attack and as grateful as I am, I really though we could have slotted a few more in. There were times when we had the ball in the last third with three of ours and threeof theirs and the right pass or run would have opened things up to an almost certain goal. This is when you think ’if only’ !!
I did also watch the game thinking that a side with a bit more talent would have scored a hatful and Jol could be out the door.
Anyway, I am delighted with the result and I know at least 7 or 8 Spurs fans, so coming to work the next day was a treat!!
ps - I like Moyes but the Howard Kendall (the 80s brain not the 90s babysitter) is the greatest ever - come on enjoy the silence - just because you didnt like HK - we cannot deny his (somewhat curtailed by events well known) achievements.
28 Posted 16/08/2007 at 12:28:03
Well said and spot on.
George Brooks you were a bit unnecessarily harsh - did you understand what Terry was saying
But aside from petty squabbles - brilliant victory - it?s given me that feel good factor and I even look forward to work so I can talk footie, check out the match reports and GLOAT to other fans
COYB!!!
29 Posted 16/08/2007 at 19:36:26
Terrymarsbar, you talk as much shite as anyone else on these forums. Look back over the last month, then look in the mirror and see how red your face looks.
30 Posted 16/08/2007 at 22:03:00
would you care to elaborate..or do you consider my support for the team and positivity something to be embarassed about..?
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1 Posted 15/08/2007 at 10:04:09
Add to that Arteta's creativity, Carsley's defensive work, the solidity of the back four, Howard's competence and the hard running of the front two and we had a very competent performance. Even Osman looked good which is perhaps a little harsh. Let's hope that Newcastle's interest in Neville is just paper talk.