ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Will Moyes and Everton evolve this season?

Whilst I was glad (and relieved in the end!) that we gained three points today, I feel that a couple of long-term issues, some interlinked, need addressing if this season is to be an improvement on the last:

1) We need to start killing sides off at home

This was apparent last season and obvious again today. More driving force and creativity from midfield would no doubt assist us in this regard. I know we are limited in this department but if we only have Pienaar to assist the efforts of Arteta then let's have him in from the start. On the evidence of today he warrants the inclusion. I thought both Osman and Pienaar could have been accommodated today at the expense of Carsley/Neville. I think Osman has the potential to excel against the likes of Wigan at home but tougher fixtures question his inclusion. How many times are we going to sit back on a lead and invite the opposition to put pressure on us? At 2-0 up today Jagielka and VDM could have been brought on to really twist the knife. Battering sides at home is morale boosting!

2) Carsley and Neville

As another contributor has said, Carsley and Neville in the same midfield hinders our ability to penetrate with telling passes. Neither of them is particularly good at passing and to be both selected in midfield for a home fixture is concerning to say the least. Neville is best in defence, keep him there. We only need one holding man and Carsley is the obvious choice.

3) Put out your best eleven in their best positions

Having spent the money on Jagielka let's have him in. I don't know the reasons why Hibbert started today over Jagielka but it's clear that the former is a squad player at best. The latter is a more dynamic player with superior passing ability. More of a driving force to link defence and attack. Let's have him in from the start for god's sake! Lescott paired with Yobo in the centre is undoubtedly the best option. Valente at LB would have offered us more link up on that flank today though I expect to see him superceded by Baines.

4) Drop the conservatism, let's go for it at home

I was slightly surprised/concerned by an apparent conservatism in team selection today. It worked and we gained three points but the customary nervey nail-biting at the end was unnecessary when Wigan should have been dead and buried. How many times have we said this before? If Fernandes and Yakubu can be drafted in then I think it will help Moyes to throw off the shackles.

I strongly believe that what happens in the first two months of this season will tell us whether our manager has really learnt anything at all. Moyes needs to change his modus operandi as on the evidence of today sides like City and Newcastle will be breathing down our neck for those European places. The first 8 fixtures are an excellent opportunity to get points on the board but we need a fresher, more dynamic approach to last season if we are to achieve this. Time will tell...
Anthony Newell, Nantwich Posted 11/08/2007 at 20:35:51

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Michael Kenrick

Excellent observations, Anthony and I would say 100% spot on. Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately it will take more than an earthquake for Moyes to stop relying on Stubbs, Neville and Carsley as his first three names on the teamsheet.

Peter Pridgeon
1 Posted 11/08/2007 at 21:03:52

Congratulations to Davey Moyes ? no, I do mean 200 up but congratulations on that as well. What I mean is congratulations on picking a starting eleven from the players who got us into Europe last season. This sends a clear message to any new player and potential signing that you will have to fight to get into this Everton team.

One of the most successful teams ever came unfortunately from across Stanley Park, their policy during the 1970s was buy a player put him into the reserves until he becomes a Liverpool player, then let him fight for a place. This amongst other things as we all know delivered the success that we as Evertonians crave for our club. Another factor during that time was a close-knit small squad, I wonder who Davey models his managerial style on? Congratulations again David Moyes

David Barks
2 Posted 11/08/2007 at 23:42:32

Don’t we have a game away at Spurs on Tuesday? Ya think that just maybe he was playing a weaker side against Wigan because he knew that he could, with a much tougher game coming up in just a span of 3 days. Kind of like how Chelsea or Man U will field a bit of a weaker side against a team they are confident they can beat when they have a tougher game in just a couple days. When Baines is healthy, probably next game, Lescott will go to the center for Stubbs. Don’t worry. And Carsley did a fine job today of breaking up Wigans attack throughout the game. Now if Moyes persists with Carsley and Neville in the middle for the next few games, then I will agree with you. But I am quite sure Pienaar will find himself in the starting lineup come Tuesday.

Keith
3 Posted 11/08/2007 at 23:51:28

Hibbert a squad player?!
Ye Gads.
One of the best defensive right backs in the prem. Ask any central defender or goalkeeper.
Just look at Wigans goal, if Hibbo had been a left back--- No goal

Tony Marsh
4 Posted 12/08/2007 at 00:07:13

Great observations Anthony.I have been saying the same thing for years now.Throw all the money you like at Moyes and let him sign who ever he wants it wont make a blind bit of difference.Moyes is a good at sending teams out not to get beat.Thats it.He is tactically inept when asked to send out attacking sides.
According to the Moyes brigade he is learning from his mistakes and improving with each season.I am sorry but todays tactics are exactly the same as they were 2,3,4 years ago.We have some great players who are being asked for performances that they dont want to give.Hoofball is still the way we go from defence to attack and its just not good enough.Wigan will most probably go down this season and we couldnt finish them off.What does that say about the Moysiah after all these years?Giving away possesion in this manner is a cardinal sin in football.Roll on Europe.They will lap it up.

Andy
5 Posted 12/08/2007 at 00:19:04

Keith - If Hibbert was doing his job at right back - no goal. He left his man and got drawn inside. Golden rule for any full back is to be the last man and not get drawn over. That being said, I do think he is a great ’defensive’ full back, but that is all. He is far too limited going forward which is a huge handicap in today’s game, his distrubition is terrible and he is poor at crossing. I always hoped he would develop this part of his game to make him a complete full back, but he hasn’t managed it, unfortunately.

Tony Marsh
6 Posted 12/08/2007 at 00:24:15

Oh No.Barksy is trying to compare Moyes,s shit tactics to Man Utd
>and Chelsea,s squad rotation policy.Ha Ha .Told you he was out of touch.

David Barks
7 Posted 12/08/2007 at 00:32:33

And how exactly am I wrong Tony? Is that not what a smart manager does, keep his team fresh when there is another game coming up in 3 days? Haven’t you been bitching all season that our squad is too thin and will get tired? And now when Moyes utilizes the squad, WHICH WON THE GAME, you complain. Don’t you have a woman to go to bed with, it’s late over there and it sounds like you desperately need to get laid.

Gavin Ramejkis
8 Posted 12/08/2007 at 06:51:41

Excellent letter, I was chatting to my family as we slowly made our way from the car and said I hoped we would be putting Wigan to the sword and not start with a DM over cautious game. Unfortunately a little too much of the latter, have to agree that Neville is better at Right Back than Hibbert who for all his tackles did give the goal away with a schoolboy mistake, the replay showing he didn’t even look behind him for Sibierski’s tap in.

I also agree wholeheartedly that paying out good money for players thus showing intent and not even giving them say half an hour is also over cautious. Let’s just hope we don’t need another Spurs game for Moyes to straighten his head out.

Ajay Gopal
9 Posted 12/08/2007 at 08:13:41

I watched the replay of the game on ESPN in India.

Although I am a fan of Moyes (with respect to team management, transfer policy, etc), I am sometimes irritated with his game plan, team selection, ultra-defensive strategy, etc.

Like yesterday, he HAD to bring on all his favourites - Stubbs, Hibbert, Neville, Carsley - didn’t he ? Too much hoof-ball, especially from Stubbs, Hibbert and Neville.

Better teams would have punished us for this profligacy. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the difference between Everton and Wigan yesterday was - in one word - Arteta.

My starting line-up for Spurs game would be:

Howard//Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Valente// Arteta, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar//Johnson, Anichebe.

Even this line-up is not very inspiring - especially the mid-field and up-front. We need 1 more class mid-fielder signing (hopefully, Fernandes). Also, 1 more striker before 31st.

Ray
10 Posted 12/08/2007 at 09:26:58

Did anybody else notice the amount of new players that scored for their new teams on the opening day?.Two of City’s new players scored ( they actually looked good City) Utaka at Pompey..Santa Cruz at Blackburn..Chopra at Sunderland scored a fantastic goal and one that if Rooney scored it they would all be raving about the majestic first touch..But I must say I was dissapointed to see not a single new player starting for us..I know I may sound a bit premature as Pienaar has yet to play in pre season thus his lack of action and Baines is injured he will surely be a starter when fit..Although we won we seemed to lack freshness at times and whilst we deserved to win ( just )2-0 probably would have flattered us..Better teams than Wigan are going to punish our glaring lack of pace accross midfield and for me the onus is still stuck on Arteta far far too much..We had four defenders plus two defensive midfielders on the pitch yesterday and that was at home to Wigan..We are going to need more attacking options to make an impact this season as alot of teams who struggled last season will, I think be better sides. It will most likey be 4-5-1 at Spurs on Tuesday with Jags coming into to the midfield probably at the expense of Big Victor..We won and thats all that matters.I would gladly take another dire display on Tuesday and get a lucky 1-0 win..We just need to look a bit fresher and sharper in our play and Im sure that will come.

Anthony Newell
11 Posted 12/08/2007 at 10:49:02

Extract from the Times match report:

’It was Granqvist and Bramble?s first competitive outing as a centre-half pairing and for the first 25 minutes they looked comfortable, as Everton sent a series of high balls down the middle. When the home side at last used a bit of width, disaster ensued, sadly in the all too familiar form of Bramble, the long-time butt of the derision of Newcastle United fans’

High balls down the middle and lack of width - obvious concerns that need addressing pronto. We’ve been here before

Tony Miller
12 Posted 12/08/2007 at 11:50:33

3 points on the opening day, a hard fought not pretty. This against a side that we had not until yeterday beaten at Goodison.

Wigan were a large physical side who wanted to stop us playing and in the main did so. This was their first match under a new manager so another reason for a possible slip up by us.

Yes it wasn’t pretty but we got the result, hopefully the team will improve as the season progressess and to be honest we need to.

Brian Waring
13 Posted 12/08/2007 at 12:01:30

Tony Miller.Not being funny mate.But,over the 90mins Wigan were actually the better footballing side.Their 2nd goal had quality written all over it.

Tony Miller
14 Posted 12/08/2007 at 12:07:40

Would say it was pretty even to be honest. Neither team were inspired but cannot comment on their second goal???. If you meant their only goal I would say it was down more to a defensive cockup. In that Lescott left to much space behind him and Stubbs has not got the pace to cover him.

Andy baker
15 Posted 12/08/2007 at 12:09:21

Keith your having a laugh arent you?? Hibbert is shite! If hibbert was left back.....he was right back and got drawn across like a school boy leaving sibierski on his own, the worst part being that he actually cut across him to get out of position!!! He gives possesion away every time and his ’one-two’ with arteta was laughable!

Both him and Neville should never play for everton again but for some reason Moyes is up nevilles arse? Ive never seen a plyer give the ball away so many times and evry ball is either hopefull or a hospital pass. SHITE the pair of them and no way good enough to pull on that blue jersey

We need jags right back and ideally Manny back in midifeld, i was quite happy with carsley, he wins the ball everytime and plays it simple....keeps possesion, not a problem. To sum up although made up with 3 points we need 3 more signings.

The bench was also seriously worrying me, if we needed a goal who was gonna get it? Course we didnt need another goal so were ok, good start made once again. its a results business, just look at spurs....an embarassment of riches up front and beaten by sunderland.

Brian Waring
16 Posted 12/08/2007 at 12:24:02

Tony,meant to say their only goal.

Dutch Schaffaer
17 Posted 12/08/2007 at 16:02:40

There?s a reason Neville, Carsley & Stubbs are the first names on the team sheet. Because they are fantastic players who never let Everton down.

I think this season Stubbs will find his games cut down as Baines forces Lescott into the middle.

But Captain Neville would be a massive loss and Carsley is such an underrated gem of a player.

People always pick on these players, is it the age? Because they may be in their 30?s but week-in-week-out they give 100% unlike some injury-prone youngsters (Vaughan) whose contribution to the side of the last three years has been half a dozen games.

Brian Waring
18 Posted 12/08/2007 at 17:44:55

I agree Dutch, Stubbs always gives 100%.Carsley is one of those no frills players,and for me, doesn’t get the praise he deserves(the unsung hero)but,I think we could cope without Neville.Especially in that midfield role.(he was piss poor yesterday,not for the first time in that centre mid)I think he has had his best games for us at right back.Also,yesterday proved we cannot have him and Carsley in centre midfield.

Dutch Schaffaer
19 Posted 12/08/2007 at 22:19:34

Brian, I do see your point concerning Neville but I feel there has to be a place for him in the team.

His influence as Captain is so important. At the moment I would prefer to see Jagielka and Hibbert battle it out for the right back position. So Neville has to play in midfield.

With Cahill out injured Moyes has very little choice but to play Neville and Carsley together. The likes of Da Silva and Vidarsson are far behind Neville. You don’t play for Alex Ferguson for 10 years and win 60 England Caps if your a bad player.

But when Cahill returns or when Moyes finally signs the world-class midfielder he appears to be looking for then Neville will have to work for his place and it will probably be a straight choice between Neville and Carsley.

At the moment Carsley is the better player but Neville’s influence as Captain is important.

It will be a difficult choice for Moyes to make.

Anthony Newell
20 Posted 12/08/2007 at 23:33:34

Dutch, if we persist with Neville in midfield then we continue to endure errant passing and thus limit our effectiveness going forward. If your only reason for sticking him in is because of his supposed captain’s influence then I’d give the armband to someone else. Your next question is undoubtedly who? Well I’ll pre-empt that by saying Jagielka was captain at Sheff Utd and I’d be prepared to give him a crack at the job. I doubt Moyes is brave or dynamic enough to try something like that but dynamism, creativity and forward thinking is exactly what we need this season if we are to improve on the last

Marc R
21 Posted 13/08/2007 at 15:33:47

Totally agree that Neville needs shooting, what can Moyes and Dutch possibly be watching if they think Steptoe contributes ANYTHING to our team, Ive no idea! The lad does nothing but run round the middle of the park letting the ball bounce off him in any random direction, while shouting at other players (to do the same). I’ll tell you one thing if he still played for Alex Ferguson, sir gobshite would have no qualms about telling him loud and clear to keep his fucking head or drop him back into the reserves. Moyes however preferes to praise him when 90% in Goodison can see he is just not good enough and never will be (particularly as a midfielder)

The only possibility I can think of is that he must have it written in his contract that he has to play when fit, I for one can’t wait till that contract expires, or someone sticks a boot into him.