ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Preston: Decent Game

Not a match for the ages but Beattie, frustratingly still out of touch, could not be faulted for effort.

Da Siva will continue to be a squad player next year but he can be pleased with his 90 minutes.

Jagielka strolled through the game and looks like a decent catch.

Big Victor will play many wonderful 30 minute matches this season and we can be prepared to give him the full 90 if required. Excellent goal!

Poor James Vaughan... so unlucky... but let's hope the news is better than it looks for James should be a major player for the Blues this year. 20 goal season ? ...wouldn't surprise me!

Vaughan apart - not a bad work out for a few players who will probably go no further than a regular bench seat next season.
Glen Strachan, Oaxaca , Mexico Posted 18/07/2007 at 21:24:26

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Dutch Schaffaer
1 Posted 18/07/2007 at 22:09:52

"not a bad work out for a few players who will probably go no further than a regular bench seat next season."

Looking at the starting line up, Howard Hibbert Lescott Stubbs Valente Arteta van der Meyde de Silva Carsley Vaughan Anichebe you could argue that 9 of them will probably be regulars next season.

Only Anichebe (super-sub), de Silva (squad player) and AVDM (who knows what to expect) will probably find themselves on the bench most of next season.

So this game was almost the strongest team Moyes could field. Only Jagielka, Yobo, AJ and Cahill missing really.

Connor Rohrer
2 Posted 18/07/2007 at 22:25:14

I think it just shows the need for more players. James Vaughan our best striker is now out for months. Who is going to step in? By the looks of it Anichebe. He is so strong it is unbelievable and has looked bright so far.

Beattie looks to be finished. Having the first touch of a baby elephant is not good for a centre forward. Arteta and Van der meyde showed a few good touches. De silva is to hard to judge at the moment. He is a good passer, shows good distribution but im not sure what he would be like in the premiership.

It is good to see a full squad of players. If the likes of VDM and Anichebe stay fit then we will also have a decent bench aswell as first eleven.

David Barks
3 Posted 18/07/2007 at 22:29:15

Dutch, that was not this coming years first team and nowhere near the strongest team Moyes could field.

Chris Cook
4 Posted 18/07/2007 at 22:33:33

We definatly need another winger

VDM was quite good down 1 wing but no one was on the other side, we ended up playing far too narrow

David Barks
5 Posted 18/07/2007 at 22:34:15

Absolutely gutted for Vaughan. What did this guy do to deserve the types of injuries he has had. I do think this will help Anichebe a great deal and he will be first choice along side AJ. Mcfadden has got to be 3rd choice striker before Beattie though, and Lucas just might see some action this season after all.

Stian Skaar
6 Posted 18/07/2007 at 23:23:48

Have to say Arteta impressed me tonight. Lacked the killer touches in key areas, yet always inventive, calm and precise.

Anderson too slow on the ball, I thought, and him and Van der Meyde mostly chose the "easy" options. Not good enough, in my opinion - squad players.

Shocking defense on the Preston goal! And most Beattie touches shocking as well!

But Tim Howard? Spotless.

Hoping for a quick recovery for Vaughan.

Dan Mckie
7 Posted 18/07/2007 at 23:27:42

Dutch Schaffer - Only AJ,Yobo,Cahill and Jagielka missing?? These are 4 of our best players and the team will not be the same without them (possibly exclude Jags from this cos we aint seen him) Friendlys never have and never will mean anything!

John Charles
8 Posted 19/07/2007 at 00:52:23

I thought tonight was encouraging - should have won the game and probably would have if young James hadn’t have got injured.

I feel so sorry for the lad. Genuinely, in my opinion and I know lots of other blues too, he really can be a top top striker, terrible luck. Totally gutted for him.

Da Silva did okay I thought. Neat and tidy in possession - yeah he chose the easy passes, but he kept the ball - thats what you want.

VDM, nice touches but for me if I was Moyes i’d tell him to go stick to the touch line and then when he gets it to run at people. His job -to me- should be getting to that touchline and wipping the ball back across - thats all I’d ask him to do. I am not sure the instructions are clear enough to him about that is whats required of him. Once he starts doing that then he can cut inside for shots - but he needs to give us real width.

Thought jags looked good. two headers could have scored. Looks strong for not a massive lad, nimble and pacey. Beats did okay when he came on, looks trim and fit - but him and Victor just dont go well together.

good good from big vic btw. well taken.

Overall, missing the spine of our team, 3 of our 4 best players didnt play (Joey, Tim C and AJ), so a good work out. Passed the ball well at times.

p.s.. dont run on the pitch and make us all look like nob heads hey?

Chris Cook
9 Posted 19/07/2007 at 10:39:36

Must say i’ve never seen the deepdale marshals so terrified that when the 2 "fans" ran on the pitch. This including during derbys againsts Blackpool and Burnley although wasn’t 1 of the people who ran on a north ender?