ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Mixed Blessing

I see yesterday`s welcome but none-too-convincing victory as a mixed blessing. I am sure I am not alone in suspecting that the sudden interest in signing the likes of Gonzales, Fernandes and Yakubu was no more than a typical Kenwright `snow job` aimed at getting early votes for the move to Kirkby. It is already emerging that `hard bids` were in fact no more than `expressions of interest` and that we are still a hundred miles away from signing anyone of this calibre.

Moyes`s reluctance to embrace change showed yesterday in his failure to have his new boys in from the start. If Jagielka is not a better full-back than Hibbert and Pienaar not more creative in midfield than Neville then neither should have been signed. My worry is that he will see the victory as a sign that all is well with his side and that we shall soon hear that `big money` signings would only rock the boat.

Of course we shall see `numbers coming in` before deadline day but they will be just that ? numbers!If Everton are ever to worry the Big Boys or make a real impact in Europe there is an urgent need for an infusion of CLASS ? a commodity sadly missing under Moyes since the passing of a certain young local boy!
Mike Ormisher, Seaforth Posted 12/08/2007 at 08:48:06

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Rob Birks
1 Posted 12/08/2007 at 08:44:04

Hibbert was playing left back when their goal was scored, I thought he was supposed to be playing right back. Maybe he needs to play in those wellies that Jimmy Cricket used to wear. He would at least then have an idea of where a right back is supposed to live on a football pitch. Get rid!

Dan Mckie
2 Posted 12/08/2007 at 13:27:46

The Wigan goal was more Lescotts fault Rob,he was miles out of position therefore could not stop Scharners run! Hibbert could have done a better marking job on Sibierski but he got caught marking 2 men because both centre backs were ball watching and didnt pick up Heskey in the middle which is what made Hibbert cut too far inside leaving a simple tap in.

Ian Harder
3 Posted 12/08/2007 at 09:46:43

I have never not liked Hibbert as a defender, but for Wigan's goal yesterday he made the error that all bad defenders do of getting sucked to the ball and not sticking to his man who in turn has a simple tap in; simple error that could of cost us. That combined with his poor distribution means I hope Jags gets a game down at Spurs. He is a solid right-back but perhaps the weak link in our 'first team'...

John Holmes
4 Posted 12/08/2007 at 14:44:06

I think people are being unfair on Hibbert blaming him for the Wigan goal. If you watch the replays Yobo and Hibbert are left to deal with the man on the ball and two runners. Yobo goes to the ball and Hibbert tracked went to one of the men. The ball went to the other, not a lot he could do. The real problem was how easily Stubbs was left for dead earlier in the move forcing Yobo and Hibbert to come across to cover. It was a sloppy goal but certainly not Hibbert’s fault.

Dutch Schaffaer
5 Posted 12/08/2007 at 15:58:04

Just because Jagielka and Pienaar did not start the first game does not mean they are not good enough players. Man Utd aren?t starting any of their new players today either.

Moyes likes to give new signings a chance to settle. Both Jagielka and Pienaar will find their feet soon and be in the starting line up.

Don?t over-react. Thats what happened last season when Lescott didn?t start the first game and Tony Marsh immediately jumped the gun calling him the new Krøldrup.

Al;an Burnham
6 Posted 12/08/2007 at 21:33:39

Just to say that you are spot on Mike - if Jagielka cannot get ahead of Hibbert in the queue for right-back he must be pretty poor. I’ve re-played the Wigan goal umpteen times now and Hibbert’s aimless wandering was a complete joke.

Dan Mckie
7 Posted 12/08/2007 at 22:14:46

I cant believe the bad level of bad feeling towards Hibbert,if Lescott had of been where he should have in the first place then it wouldnt have happened,and after that if Stubbs had the pace to cover then again it wouldnt have happened,Yobo tried to cover for Stubb’s lack off pace but it was too late and whilst doing that left Hibbert to mark 2 men! Not 1 person on here mentions Lescotts part (or lack of a) in the goal!

Dick Fearon
8 Posted 13/08/2007 at 12:48:17

I agree totally with Dan McKie and John Holmes in their defence of Hibbert.
Am correct in thinking that John and Dan have experience of coaching at a level above Junior.