ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Revelation

I was just reading Tony Burn's season preview on ESPN's website and I think he summed up something about next season very well.

"At some point this season we could be looking at a strongest 11 of: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Cahill, Fernandes, Pienaar, Johnson, Vaughan."

If that isn't mouth watering I don't know what is. And that's if we don't sign Yakubu.
Joey Brown, Athens, GA, USA Posted 09/08/2007 at 23:48:59

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Comments

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Brian Waring
1 Posted 10/08/2007 at 09:53:02

Thing is Joey.What about Neville and Carsley?Remember these are 2 of Moyes’s blue eyed boys.I couldn’t see them being dropped from the first eleven.Also,at the end of the day,Carsley has probalby been our most consistant performer.I also think Pienaar will be used more of a squad player,than a regular starter.I know what you are getting at though.On paper that looks a strong first 11.(we haven’t got Manny either yet)

Allan
2 Posted 10/08/2007 at 09:58:54

Totally agree! COYB!

Matt C
3 Posted 10/08/2007 at 10:08:19

A very attacking line up if it was to come off. I’d rather have Neville at right back than Jagielka though.

Mike Hughes
4 Posted 10/08/2007 at 10:56:03

Don’t forget Hibbert at right back. I know he’s mediocre on the ball (improved a bit last season)but as a defender he’s not too shabby. It does look a strong first team - lacking in some depth / cover, though. Agree that I think Pienaar will be squad player.

Ray
5 Posted 10/08/2007 at 11:19:37

Hibbert for me has never really moved his game on from four years ago as far as Im concerned..Whilst I do agree his stong point is his tackling he lacks the vital ingredients to being the more complete full back..Awareness, pace and one of his biggest downfalls..Distribution..There is nothing he can do about his lack of pace but you would have thought at some point during the last four or five years Everton would have really been working him on his positional play and distribution..The amount of passes and crosses that go out of play are alarming for me.Whether Jagielka is any better only time will tell..Neville probably is the best for right back in my opinion,his crosses for the goals at Spurs and Wigan last season seem something that give him the edge over Hibbert..I honestly think we will have to see Pienaar play before we judge whether he will be a squad player or not..He could turn out to be a player we cant afford to leave out..Osman another player who is living off the season he had in 2004/05 has struggled to move his game on also and could be one who is removed from being a regular..Ossie is always a trier but if he doesnt pop up with the odd goal here and there he offers little else to the midfield..I think Carsley will actually be the one to play less games next season despite him being consistent over the years we are going to have to try new things because he wont be here next season.. I am certain the line up against Wigan will be Howard in goal.. Lescott at left back if Baines is out..Yobo and Stubbs in the center..Neville at right back.. Pienaar on the left of midfield..Arteta on the right with Jagielka and Osman in the middle..AJ and Anichebe as the two up top... I cant see the point in playing 4-5-1 and two defensive midfielders in midfield..We could have done had Cahill been fit or Fernandes been signed but why go defensive at home to Wigan?. Lets get out there and start off with a win.

Tony Bell
6 Posted 10/08/2007 at 11:37:25

Ray, are you having a laugh. Hibbo has no pace. I don’t personally think there are many quicker. Did you watch the Wwerder Bremen Ggame? Valente wa sleft one on one, looked like he was going backwards (i know he is slow) and Hibbo made up 10 yards and made a superbly timed tackle. I have no qualms with his poor distribution, but i would say that there are few better at the defensive side of the game as a right back than him in the Prem.

Ray
7 Posted 10/08/2007 at 11:41:04

Tony maybe that could have something to do with the fact Valente is slow and has never had any pace more than the point of Hibert being quick..I am sorry I just cant see where or when Tony Hibbert has ever been quick..Baines will be the first Everton full back in years to have any pace..

John Charles
8 Posted 10/08/2007 at 11:59:21

I reckon Hibbo is quite quick too... his short legs are a bit deceptive... but you can recall loads of times like against Bremen were he makes up 3 or 4 years from nowhere to bail us out just as the attacked is 1 no 1 and about to pull the trigger..

rememner analfield and stubbs tripping over the ball? Smelly made up about 6 yards ... okay, he cant pass it, but defensively he is ace.. we’ve got a very good team and surely but surely the squad is getting there too.

Manny!! get in!! get in!!!

Ben Atkins
9 Posted 10/08/2007 at 12:51:43

Starting eleven v Wigan should be something like this: Howard, Neville, Lescott, Yobo, Valente, Osman, Carsley, Jagielka, Arteta, Johnson, Anichebe. I think Moyes will give Pienaar a run out for the last 15 minutes depending on the scoreline.

nick harris
10 Posted 10/08/2007 at 13:10:42

i think the new lads will have to earn a starting place.
i think the line up will be...

..........howard
hibbert yobo lescott valente
osman neville carsley arteta
.......aj anichebe

(with this line up i can see us being really hard to break down and score against.the trouble is i cant see many attacking options , so i dont expect a huge goal tally )

subs
turner , jagielka , pienaar , jutkiewicz

in reserve
ruddy , boyle ,stubbs , da silva , vdm , vidarsson

injured
baines , cahill , mcfadden , vaughan .

Dave Reiner
11 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:12:55

I read Tony Burns regularly (or at least when he is bothered to post) & he is brilliant. I share his optimism, especially if Manny comes in (PLEASE!!!!). Regarding Hibbo, he has plenty of pace for me, no passing skill & poor dribbling but his tackling skills & mentality make him a valuable member of our squad - he’ll be in the mix! Carsley - we may start to faze him out a tad this season but with the UEFA Cup on the horizon he will probably still get considerable playing time. SEASON’S FINALLY HERE, COYB!!!!!!!!!