The Mail Bag
Reading away
Comments (10)
Before I start I want to be perfectly clear that I think David Moyes is doing a good job as manager and I think the club is most definitely moving in the right direction (on the pitch). I just wish to make an observation or two on why we didn't get anything out of what was a tricky away fixture against a well-drilled, but far from exceptional team.
Wednesday 15 August and at half-time Chelsea are 1-0 down to Reading with the home team good value for their lead. Their manager sensing an upset uses his last two substitutions and his team go on to win the match 2-1, albeit with the help of Reading being reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute.
Saturday 18 August and Everton find themselves in a similar position at half-time yet the manager only makes a change in the 57th minute when forced to because of an injury to Anichebe. James McFadden would follow in the 66th and Jagielka in the 89th. Everton go on to hit the post bust lose the game 1-0.
Now, not for 1 minute am I suggesting that we have the squad Chelsea have or that I wish Jose Morinho was manager. Instead, I question the reason why we have players on the bench who can make an impact (McFadden, Pienaar) if we are not going to use them when we need to change our approach to a given situation?
By all accounts McFadden played well when he came on and created our best chance; perhaps if he had been given more time he could have got the goal we needed to earn a draw. The Tottenham performance was superb (even though some still weren?t happy!) and I am sure Moyes rightly feels loyalty towards those who have done well for him in the past, but isn?t the point in having a squad and a subs bench that if the formation/tactics need changed you have the tools at your disposal to do so?
I?m optimistic about our team and I feel we are on the verge of having a really good side, especially if we get Fernandes and Yakubu in. I don?t mean to harp on but I am frustrated that we are so close and yet so far, as ? although we are progressing ? old frailties continue haunt us. COYB!!!!!!!
Stan Sheppard, Posted 19/08/2007 at 19:18:36
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1 Posted 19/08/2007 at 22:02:49
I witnessed the game first hand from Row A and I felt we should have got a draw. We did play better in the second half anyway, but it was actually an injury to Anichebe that forced the changes. Pienaar didn’t do very well at all, misplaced passes and losing possession too easily while McFadden looked very dangerous. The frustrating thing was though that we just kept lumping it up to Andy Johnson who looked like a boy next to the giant Bikey in their defence and won nothing. With Arteta having an off day we missed the ability of Cahill to pop up with a goal when all else had failed.
On the bright side, from my pitchside view I can say there was no lack of effort, but as a confirmed Moyes fan I agree that he could have done things differently. Maybe Jagielka in centre midfield instead of the limping Osman after 60 minutes would have helped. We also saw Lescott in the middle because Yobo was out and as he re-adjusted to that position we not only let in a poor goal, but missed his presence on the flank where Valente looked very rusty.
Still, 4th we are and I think we would have taken 6 points from 9 eight days ago. But, yesterday was an opportunity lost and we must now put that behind us and pick up 3 points vs Blackburn.
2 Posted 19/08/2007 at 22:52:45
McFadden always looks dangerous as a game changing sub. It?s when he starts that he tends to look a bit lost.
Also, considering it was his first run of the season, i doubt Moyes would have started him, anyway.
3 Posted 19/08/2007 at 23:13:53
What’s wrong with AJ for example. How did he forget how to score goals?
4 Posted 19/08/2007 at 23:48:50
Good point Dutch. It’s a shame that the guys who had performed so well against Spurs were unable to match Reading playing us at our own game. It is the manager who buys the players, names the squad and determines the tactics, but ultimately he is then relying on his team to give a good account of themselves. Having options on the bench means that if they don’t he needs to make a change..... I do accept that there is a collective responsibility and it was unfair to pick on Davy individually.
As I said I think Moyes is doing a good job but I won’t apologise for wanting more, especially when I feel we have punched below our weight. Onwards and upwards.
5 Posted 20/08/2007 at 01:50:14
6 Posted 20/08/2007 at 04:05:52
7 Posted 20/08/2007 at 07:04:39
Over here in sunny Australia I get to see every Everton game live on sky! It doesn’t compare to the atmosphere at the ground and being able to see all the other little things that the camera doesn’t pick up but it does allow me to see more of Everton than I managed in Bootle.
One thing that has really stood out for me is the difference in quality between Hibbert and the rest of the team. I have always liked Tony, I love it when ’one of us’ makes it into the team. I have disagreed with others on here when they have called for him to be dropped, however, Everton have improved steadily over the past couple of seasons and although Osman is doing his best to keep up with the improvement and so still has my full support I have to now admit that Hibbert is no longer keeping pace with the improvement and the time has come to replace him. I do not say this lightly, this is from someone who used to go to most games in the UK and can honestly say that even when ’one of our own’ was not up to scratch I gave him a lot more leeway than players we bought (I include Cadamartari in that even though we actually paid a fee for him).
Unfortunately Hibbert does no longer justify that leeway. He was at fault for two of our three goals this season and I would not be surprised if the stats showed fewer passes finding his own team.
The other problem area was the other full back position. I cannot recall the last time I saw Valente have a good game. Can anyone enlighten me on this?
I can be placed firmly in the pro-Moyes camp so it pains me to say that when watching on Saturday I couldn’t believe how long he left Hibbert and Valente in the full back positions.
The problem for this Saturday is what to do about it? I can’t see him replacing both full backs, but I honestly believe this is what’s needed....
8 Posted 20/08/2007 at 07:22:15
I have been a big fan of him in the past, but it may be time to look at others in the squad as first choice right-back.
9 Posted 20/08/2007 at 08:59:51
10 Posted 20/08/2007 at 10:30:18
Re: Fernandes. I know as much as you do. He was meant to be signed within 24 hours but since that statement we haven’t heard much. The fact the story appeared on the official site is encouraging but you know us! The weekend has probably meant that the formalities of the deal could not be completed, or maybe there is a problem with the 3rd party ownership! Who knows? However we will hold our breath in anticipation.
Re: Yakubu. Like Fernandes, there has been no news since Friday but I am encouraged that Middlesbrough have been linked with a £6m bid for Brazilian striker Afonso Alves. Although this does suggest that Yakubu is leaving them it doesn’t say that he is definitely on his was to Goodison!
So no answers or anything new there and considering you probably knew all that already it is as much use to you as an ashtry on a motorbike!
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