The Mail Bag
A new season dawns
Comments (27)
And I have to say I do not view it with the usual anticipation. Despite our fine standing last season I just look at the probable midfield for tomorrows game and despair: Arteta (fine, but then..) Carsley, Neville and Osman. That is one poor midfield and thank God we are only facing Wigan, although to be fair they are probably looking at that and feeling the same way!
Also, am I correct in saying that we currently do not have a Number Nine? The club of Dixie Dean does not have a centre-forward to grace the shirt?
We are not ready for this season yet - and thats very sad when we consider the platform we had to build on! Still ? COYB ? fingers crossed eh?
Mark Murphy, Posted 10/08/2007 at 13:44:46
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Mark Murphy
2 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:22:55
2 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:22:55
I DID say probable!
Personally I’d like to see Jagielka in the mix. But I think Moyes will go with the 4 I named.
in my not so humble I dont think Neville & Osman are good enough for the first eleven of an Everton team with our aspirations and sadly, Carsley should no longer be more than a squad player.
But I am humble enough to acknowledge that Moyes is a professional football manager and has forgotten more than I will ever know about team selection and I’m just another voice in the crowd.
Still not happy with that mid field though - it looks more like a low to mid table than a top six to me!
All opinions I know but any optimism I had were dashed when I saw that midfield four being touted as the starting quartet!
Murf
Personally I’d like to see Jagielka in the mix. But I think Moyes will go with the 4 I named.
in my not so humble I dont think Neville & Osman are good enough for the first eleven of an Everton team with our aspirations and sadly, Carsley should no longer be more than a squad player.
But I am humble enough to acknowledge that Moyes is a professional football manager and has forgotten more than I will ever know about team selection and I’m just another voice in the crowd.
Still not happy with that mid field though - it looks more like a low to mid table than a top six to me!
All opinions I know but any optimism I had were dashed when I saw that midfield four being touted as the starting quartet!
Murf
Dave Torley
3 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:43:17
3 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:43:17
Isn’t that pretty much the midfield that got us to 6th?
I’d rather Cahill was fit and Fernandes had signed but hey, it’s hardly a desperate midfield is it?
I’d rather Cahill was fit and Fernandes had signed but hey, it’s hardly a desperate midfield is it?
Tony
4 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:42:22
4 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:42:22
It may not look that brillint without Cahill’s name on there, but take Gerrard out of Liverpool’s for example and it also loses its sheen.
I also believe Pienaar will be a decent player and lets all hope Osman plays like he did against Werder Bremen week in week out.
If we do get Manny and its a huge if, we will have the makings of a decent midfield. I’m not saying one player will change it, but with everyone fit we will have a top 8 midfield. Our defence is as good as anyone’s in the league and with Johnson and Vaughan (even better if it was Yakubu and Vaughan) i think we have a lot to look forward to. COYB.
I also believe Pienaar will be a decent player and lets all hope Osman plays like he did against Werder Bremen week in week out.
If we do get Manny and its a huge if, we will have the makings of a decent midfield. I’m not saying one player will change it, but with everyone fit we will have a top 8 midfield. Our defence is as good as anyone’s in the league and with Johnson and Vaughan (even better if it was Yakubu and Vaughan) i think we have a lot to look forward to. COYB.
Tony Bell
5 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:46:15
5 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:46:15
Sorry i meant even better if Yakubu and Johnson
Ian McDowell
6 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:44:07
6 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:44:07
Its not the midfield that worries me most, it is the attack, it looks good with AJ and Vaughan fit. Take them out and I can’t see where the goals will come from, Would love to see Manny back and us get the YAK.
Andrew Bentley
7 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:43:28
7 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:43:28
Whilst I too am a little bit concerned about the look of the midfield for our first few games and have similar thoughts to you Mark about osman, neville etc - I wouldn’t worry too much now about this being a chance to push on missed. We haven’t missed anything yet!! The transfer deadline isn’t till the end of Aug and I’m sure we will get more players in before then, hopefully of the calibre of the likes of Yakubu & Fernandes. Remember we don’t kick off in Europe till end of Sept if I’m right so we’ve got plenty of time to get people in and get a settled side in place for the rest of the season. So we may not be challenging for the title by the end of August but we are not so far into the season that we are doomed for a relagation battle or a rubbish season.
We’d have all liked the players in earlier but lets not fret yet. If it’s Sept 1st and we’re lining up against Bolton with only Carsley, Neville and Osman as 1st team options then thats the time to worry!!
We’d have all liked the players in earlier but lets not fret yet. If it’s Sept 1st and we’re lining up against Bolton with only Carsley, Neville and Osman as 1st team options then thats the time to worry!!
Dan Mckie
8 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:49:50
8 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:49:50
Id like to see an attacking 4-5-1 tomorrow (because of the injuries) with AJ lone man with Arteta playin off him,AVDM (dont laugh) on the left Pienarr on the right with Cars and Nev keeping it solid!
As for the defence Jags Yobo Lescott and Valente!
As for the defence Jags Yobo Lescott and Valente!
Andrew McDonnell
9 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:06:49
9 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:06:49
And there was me thinking Osman, Neville and Carsley were regularly present in a side that took us took 6th, only missing 5th thanks to some very shoddy refereeing at Chelsea.
I suppose I’d better check out my Championship ground travel options and stock up on Prozac....
FFS, cheer up!
I suppose I’d better check out my Championship ground travel options and stock up on Prozac....
FFS, cheer up!
Allan
10 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:27:25
10 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:27:25
They seemed to do ok last season Mark. Not sure what your problem is mate!
Mick Mac
11 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:38:44
11 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:38:44
I am with you Allan. I thought the midfield did brilliantly last year.I dont know why your slagging off Neville and Carsley are out of oreder. Like it or not they were the backbone of the midfiled and defence last year. It would be nice to hear a little more positive comments coming from people off this site. You sound like a load of redshite supporters
Mark Murphy
12 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:48:08
12 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:48:08
I’m not slagging anyone off - just dont think they are good enough to take us forward.
As I said, its opinions anyway.
And in my opinion, we have a weak midfield. I’m often accused of being blue tintedly biased towards anyone who pulls on a royal blue shirt but Neville, Carlsey and Osman do not get my pulse rating.
Sorry!
And, in my opinion, if we’d had a better midfield last season a dodgy ref at Chelsea wouldnt have mattered!
As I said, its opinions anyway.
And in my opinion, we have a weak midfield. I’m often accused of being blue tintedly biased towards anyone who pulls on a royal blue shirt but Neville, Carlsey and Osman do not get my pulse rating.
Sorry!
And, in my opinion, if we’d had a better midfield last season a dodgy ref at Chelsea wouldnt have mattered!
David Barks
13 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:41:29
13 Posted 10/08/2007 at 16:41:29
You don’t view it with the same level of anticipation? We have the same squad that just missed 5th last season due to a referee error against Chelsea, not to mention all those penalties that the head of the referees association admitted should have been granted, which is unprecedented. But we have cut the deadwood, added three good additions in Jagielka, Baines(very good), and Pienaar. And now it is being strongly suggested that we are getting Fernandes, and that we have more money to spend after that.
Tony Marsh
14 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:15:39
14 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:15:39
We have cut the dead wood you say David.Well Leon Osman is as dead as they come mate.I cant remember him having one decent game last season.To small,to slow.to weak
and he will be starting tomorrow by all acounts.The truth is we should beat Wigan by 3 goals if we have any aspirations for the coming season.Wigan have lost all thier best player and the best manager they will ever get so
a resounding victory is the least I expect.3-0 is about right if we are as good as you say we are.
and he will be starting tomorrow by all acounts.The truth is we should beat Wigan by 3 goals if we have any aspirations for the coming season.Wigan have lost all thier best player and the best manager they will ever get so
a resounding victory is the least I expect.3-0 is about right if we are as good as you say we are.
David Barks
15 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:31:46
15 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:31:46
Oh come on Tony, Leon Osman is as deadwood as they come? Give me a break. You’re just talking complete nonsense, but what’s new there.
Steve Claringbold
16 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:35:20
16 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:35:20
Leon had a bad one last season, I’m sure he’s looked at what went wrong and aims to make it right.
But it was probably Kirkby’s fault, and Kenwright’s and Wyness’ and the whole board that Osman had a shocker last season wasn’t it Tony.
But it was probably Kirkby’s fault, and Kenwright’s and Wyness’ and the whole board that Osman had a shocker last season wasn’t it Tony.
David Barks
17 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:37:18
17 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:37:18
Yes Steve, it was that wasteland of Kirkby. Anyone who sets foot there shall never be heard of again. Be ware, be ware.
Tony Marsh
18 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:36:21
18 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:36:21
I give up with you Barksy.Osman is crap and if we put him up for sale there would be no takers in the PL thats for sure.My 8 years old son would knock him off the ball hes that lightweight.You sure you have seen this lad play?????????
David Barks
19 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:40:38
19 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:40:38
Yeah I have, I remember him holding off that bruiser Edgar Davids at White Heart Lane then getting the ball out wide to be crossed in to be put home by Andy Johnson. Did you see that game, we won 2-0 with 10 men.
Steve Claringbold
20 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:44:20
20 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:44:20
He freely admitted that he didn’t have the best season.
So let’s see how he does this season and then judge him.
So let’s see how he does this season and then judge him.
David Barks
21 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:49:25
21 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:49:25
I never said he was great, but he’s definitely not as bad as Tony would have us believe. He’s young, plenty of room for improvement, lets see how he does before we cast him as being as deadwood as they come.
Pete
22 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:49:07
22 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:49:07
Cheer up Tone!...your off to see the wizard, the WONDERFUL wizard of OZ!! Leon, Leon, Leon...Get behind the blue boys!
Tony Marsh
23 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:38:52
23 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:38:52
Steve I admire your loyalty to all things Everton but every now and again a reality check would not go amiss. By defending Kenwright and Wyness you become a joke figure im my eyes.A man who is shelterd and blinkerd from what real and whatis fantasy.You carry on being a dreamer mate.Its the likes of you that damage the club by supporting the current chairman and his antics
Steve Claringbold
24 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:56:20
24 Posted 10/08/2007 at 17:56:20
Tony,
Everytime you write something you come off as a poor Panto bad guy.
Everyone is laughing at you.
BooHiss, he’s behind you!!!!
Everytime you write something you come off as a poor Panto bad guy.
Everyone is laughing at you.
BooHiss, he’s behind you!!!!
Tony Marsh
25 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:03:39
25 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:03:39
Stevey Boy keep the post,s football related please.Your attempts at comedy are funny but not funny ha ha.I thought you said you were above attacks of a personal nature.Just goes to show how getting flustered effects people.
Steve Claringbold
26 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:08:55
26 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:08:55
Not flustered, and tend not to go for a personal attack, but it doesn’t seem to bother you Tony so right back at ya!!!
Chris James
27 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:40:23
27 Posted 10/08/2007 at 18:40:23
Come on chaps, let’s admit it the doom-mongers are absolutely right, just like they have been for the last 3 seasons!
We’ve got a small squad packed with light-weight / past-it / over-priced cloggers and not fit to wear the royal blue shirt nevermind form a tight-knit team with the best spirit in the league who put in countless gutsy performances and displayed no little skill over the last few years.
The board? Don’t get me started! A bunch of scheming crooks who’s only reason to exist is to screw the hard-earned cash out of true Evertonians and want nothing better than to drive our clubs name into the ground. Trying to clear debts, set up new commercial arrangements and offering the fans a deciding vote on the club’s future - don’t make me laugh
Oh ad as for the manager, don’t get me started. Tactically naive, obsessed with defensive long-ball football and a ditherer in the transfer market who couldn’t spot a value signing to save his life. He couldn’t get a job coaching my boy’s Sunday league team nevermind 2 premiership manager of the year awards.
No, you’re absolutely right, we’ll never get anywhere with this little lot, other than a Champions League 4th and UEFA cup 6th in probably the world’s toughest domestic league.
Might as well give up now and go home....except they’ve even bloody moved that!
If only Johnson and Smith were still ruling the roost and bringing in those hungry young starlets like Ginola, Gascoigne and Gough. Ahh those were the days....to be honest if it weren’t for the loyal support, you know the unremitting faith and humour of fellow Evertonians like Tony I don’t know what would keep me going!
We’ve got a small squad packed with light-weight / past-it / over-priced cloggers and not fit to wear the royal blue shirt nevermind form a tight-knit team with the best spirit in the league who put in countless gutsy performances and displayed no little skill over the last few years.
The board? Don’t get me started! A bunch of scheming crooks who’s only reason to exist is to screw the hard-earned cash out of true Evertonians and want nothing better than to drive our clubs name into the ground. Trying to clear debts, set up new commercial arrangements and offering the fans a deciding vote on the club’s future - don’t make me laugh
Oh ad as for the manager, don’t get me started. Tactically naive, obsessed with defensive long-ball football and a ditherer in the transfer market who couldn’t spot a value signing to save his life. He couldn’t get a job coaching my boy’s Sunday league team nevermind 2 premiership manager of the year awards.
No, you’re absolutely right, we’ll never get anywhere with this little lot, other than a Champions League 4th and UEFA cup 6th in probably the world’s toughest domestic league.
Might as well give up now and go home....except they’ve even bloody moved that!
If only Johnson and Smith were still ruling the roost and bringing in those hungry young starlets like Ginola, Gascoigne and Gough. Ahh those were the days....to be honest if it weren’t for the loyal support, you know the unremitting faith and humour of fellow Evertonians like Tony I don’t know what would keep me going!
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1 Posted 10/08/2007 at 15:02:32