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Two Tribes

By Peter  Pridgeon :  09/11/2007 :  Comments (11) :
I believe Moyes could be close to getting it right... well let's say nearly close to nearly getting it right. That?s five wins on the trot and some anorak, somewhere will tell us how long its been since the last time we won five games.

There are two branches of the Everton family and at a guess, it is probably split fifty-fifty with all shades of extremities on either side. There are those who believe that Moyes has done as much as he can but he will never make Everton a great team, ?Thank you very much Mr Moyes for converting us from perennial Premier League basket cases but its time to move on and let someone else reap the fruits of five years hard slog?

Then there is the growing? "Moyes can probably take us all the way" faction and therefore be offered the support and respect from the greater Everton family that he deserves.

While I admit I am of the latter persuasion and I suppose this is obvious from what I have said, I do sit closer to centre and am yet to be fully convinced. Moyes still manages to baffle me with some of his decisions.

The problem with Everton over the last few seasons is that we have given sides like Man U (especially) and Chelsea far too much respect and gone out with the mentality that could be described as the football equivalent of a French General ? we capitulate in the face of overwhelming strength that we perceive the opposition possessed.

My view of last night's game is that we treated FC Nurnberg with exactly the contempt that we should have and we are starting to show this level of respect to teams like Derby County and Birmingham City, we go there or entertain them with the expectation of winning and get what we expect.

Chelsea are another thing altogether; if we get a draw, it certainly will be mission accomplished. However, we are now in the mood to expect the unexpected... could we win at Chelsea? Who knows, but who dares wins and three points at Chelsea are big points.

One thing that most of us seem to agree is; we have the best Everton squad for many years and believe it or not it may just get better! Moyes is no longer plugging holes as he has done in the past but bettering his already quality squad.

When you see Nuno Vallente turn in a performance like last night, Leighton Baines will be making sure his time on the Physio?s bench is short and Andy Johnson who has committed himself to Everton will be wondering where he is going to fit in.

A very positive position from wherever you sit.

Reader Comments (11)

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Mike Blakey
1 Posted 09/11/2007 at 13:39:26
Totally agree

And Nuno was absolutely outstanding last night, although think he might be off in January, if he isnt playing he wont get in the Porugal squad for the euros.
Luke Brooks
2 Posted 09/11/2007 at 14:05:43
3 points off Chelski....please, please, please

Come on you blue boys! NSNO
Philip McAvoy
3 Posted 09/11/2007 at 14:06:17
This is the only time i?ve ever got to do this but i know a guy who?s friends with valentes family - he was told some time ago he was no longer being considered for selection.
In the latter half of the 05/06 season i though his performances made a real difference to us and is very underated. He just needs a run of games but with baines and lescott ahead of him he?s not going to get the chance bar injury.
Lue Glover
4 Posted 09/11/2007 at 15:29:56
I would love to see Nuno stay until the end of the season. He has had some terrible luck with injuries and no doubt his best years are behind him but it’s clear that he is a well liked and respected member of the squad. He has spent many years playing in European competitions as well as at international level. Nuno and Phil Neville are our most experienced players. Both of them had good games last night and considering how infrequently Nuno has played, I thought he did extremely well with some perfectly timed tackles and blocks. His distribution is good too. I know many people have no time for him but personally I think Valente has been a good servant to Everton, no one could doubt his commitment, you just have to see how he celebrates when we score!
Well done lads, every single one of you turned it on when needed. How I wished I’d been there. A proud night to be a Blue and even better, we showed UEFA that we can actually behave ourselves. Stick that Mr Platini.
Gavin Ramejkis
5 Posted 09/11/2007 at 15:55:32
I watched the Chelski v Leicester cup game andf that showed they can be taken to the wire and last year’s game against us showed just the same but for another diabolical decision by the ref, we should play every game like they can be won, fear no evil my blue brothers we can take it them and show them we are Everton.
Gavin Ramejkis
6 Posted 09/11/2007 at 16:09:38
Sorry Blue sisters, I meant the brothers in the Holy Kit not the blue family
Pat Marwood
7 Posted 09/11/2007 at 17:00:40
What a great way to finish the working week. Well done to all of them but I think the references to Valente are very worthy. He looked every inch the accomplished international last night. I think we should try and keep him until the end of the season, his european experience is invaluable. We will face much stiffer opposition than Larissa or Nuremberg and we will be without the African players for a while.

Oh yes - a couple of pints tonight, an amorous liaison with the lady from number 43 and then 3 points on Sunday. Does it get any better?
Kiern Moran
9 Posted 09/11/2007 at 17:24:48
"Moyes can probably take us all the way" I am definetly in this faction and we can only think and dream of moving forward thanks to were Moyes has taken us, we can see the fruits on the trees now whilst previously we could only see the trees.

Valenta had a good game, Im glad Moyes is able to keep a player of his ability on board with only sporadic selection.
Arthur jones
10 Posted 09/11/2007 at 17:49:39
We are performing as well as I can remember for 20 years and the results back this up 5 wins on the trot but the more telling statistic is 8 wins from our last 10 games , the 2 losses being 3-2 to newcastle and 2-1 to clattenburg , If we can carry this form on for the rest of the season then even that elusive 4th place is up for grabs ..... COYB
David OBrien
11 Posted 09/11/2007 at 19:01:18
What’s wrong with giving opposition respect? It’s similar to going for 40 points before looking at the next step. We were strugglers - fact, we ain’t anymore - fact. You can’t just go gung ho from the start and whether you like it or not a point at the bridge will be a result for us. Moyes isn’t without faults but you have to hand it to him that he is willing to accept he makes mistakes. The team is progressing at a steady pace and finally we are looking at a Moyes team and I have to say - it’s not too bad at all. Look at Spurs and Newcastle and then look at Everton.
Blue Swede
12 Posted 09/11/2007 at 22:14:41
Valente must stay. Underrated,can pass the ball, "puts in a good shift" but with style.

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