Cup Runs or League position?

Paul Sheppey 20/09/2007 0comments  |  Jump to last
I must admit I take a great deal of pleasure reading such diverse and topical views in this mailbox and up until tonight I have decided to discuss with friends the issues raised. However after tonight I feel the need to put my anger in writing.

I will be the first to admit that tonight's formation was an attacking one. However, to start with 3 up front with Leon just behind, baffles me!

Why is there a need to go so attack-minded from the off? Yes, OK, the idea is to get in their faces, score an early goal and watch them fall apart so we can go to the Ukraine with a 4 goal lead! This is a very dangerous approach as the away goal could be a killer in these competitions. I can't see why starting a 2 legged tie with 4-3-3 or 4-2-1-3 formation is a wise decision, especially when its not a familiar system to the players.

Metalist had chances in the first half to actually be in front at half time if they showed quality and composure in front of goal!

Still, the formation did not change and there was always a chance that one break would prove to be costly for Everton.

I agree with most posts regarding Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert. Both are not good enough maintain Evertons position never mind take us to the next level. But is Moyes going to make the decision to drop his captain?

Phil Jagielka shows promise at both right back and central midfield and the Bolton game (arguably one of our better performances) would be as close to our best 11 as I would pick.

Yakubu has the goal scoring record, but how may times do we see a striker with a good scoring record turn out to be an apparent waste of space as Moyes turns them into a more all round team player. Let him do what he does best, score goals! I for one would not be bothered if he scored 15-20 goals this season but didn't chase down a back pass.

Every Evertonian worth their salt would agree that central midfield was a priorty through the close season, someone with a bit of flair but also a box to box player to take the pressure of Mikel Arteta. Its so obvious to me, why wouldn't it be obvious to David Moyes?

Starting the season with Carsley and Neville in central midfield is depressing, and although we did bring in Gravesen, he certainly was not top of my list as I beleive he only had 6 consistantly good months in his previous spell.

The above seem to me to contribute to nights like these. Is it just coincidence Moyes has never had a good cup run? I don't think it is, I think he is a very good league manager but come to one-off (even two-off) games he seems to lose the plot.

We are not going to win the league anytime soon and we are not going to get a decent cup run never mind win a cup whilst Moyes is in charge.

This is the dilema. Can we ever win anything under Moyes? Or do we accept we will never get a good cup run in order to qualify for another cup that we will just be disappointed at for going out at an early stage.

There is one good thing to come out of today. I had Lescott first goalscorer at 25-1 but I for one would give that up for a 2 goal lead going to the Ukraine!

Reader Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


There are no responses so far to this article. Be the first to offer a comment using the form below.



© ToffeeWeb