ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Tommy Gravesen

Totally disagree with Alan Middleton on the Tommy G headless chicken jibe. Although yesterday's perfromance at Bolton left a lot to be desired the G-man shone through in the end.

The first 25 minutes of the second half Everton were awful and it looked to me as if Moyes had ordered a defence of the 1-0 lead which he so often does. We were lucky not to concede at least twice before Graveson came on. Once Tommy arrived on the scene the game completely changed in our favour.

Instead of back-peddling, we started playing 40 yards further up the field and all the chances we created in the last 20 minutes of the game were all coming from TG's good work. Even the winner was crafted from Tommy's blocked shot and resulting corner. I just don't understand the hostlility towards Gravesen coming back. The man's class.

I think it's a bit to early to start knocking Yakubu as well. You can't ask much more from a striker than to score on his debut a couple of days after joining the club, can you? To me Johnson looks as if his confidence in front of goal is shot to pieces. He keeps making the wrong decision at the right time and needs a goal quick from somewhere. Man Utd at Goodison would be nice.

3 points away from home are not to be sniffed at but there were signs yesterday that a lot of work still needs to be done on passing and ball retention. There wasn't as much hoofball going on as usual but it still reared its ugly head from time to time. It has to stop.

It's a pity we threw away the game at Reading and 2 points at home to Blackburn as we would be sitting pretty at the top of the table this morning. Stll I can't complain at the position we are in at the moment. Staying there is the trick, though.

WOW ? I am starting to get all positive and stuff! What's happening to me?????? It's scarey...
Tony Marsh, Liverpool Posted 02/09/2007 at 13:50:35

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Tony Marks
1 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:04:38

Who are you? And what have you done with Tony Marsh!?! :-)

Rupert Sullivan
2 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:24:28

Good post Tony - I would also add that EFC look a lot better with Jags in the defensive midfield role than either Neville or Carsley.

Steve Guy
3 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:23:57

Reading from the top of the mail, I am thinking at last, someone who saw the same game I did!

People slagging off Grav or the Yak when both contributed key moments in the game is mad.

Then I get to the end of the mail and find it?s Mr. Marsh! Is it him or me have we slipped into a parallel universe?!

Derrick Piero
4 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:32:04

Anthony Marsh... From fire and brimstone to Bambi in one observation. What is going on?

Paul Coleman
5 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:38:45

Hang on a minute, Tony I really am not taking the piss but your whole personality has changed....Is it really you or is someone else using you name....Perhaps Mr Dodd??

Barry Bragg
6 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:43:19

Good post Tony. Things must be improving to get a good response from you. For the second game running Jag and Neville swapped roles and we finished strongly on both occasions. The introduction of Tommy proved to be the lynchpin that held the play together as he always wants the ball and is always available for a pass which often negates the need for the hoof. Having his presence there helped the other players to play the kind of football we know they can and with any luck his influence will grow and grow as these players start getting used to each other.

Lets remember there were 5 virtual debutants playing yesterday and Lescott and Yobo have rarely played together either. At this stage of the season getting the points is the main priority as the better football will come the more they play together and forge understandings. There is plenty of reason for optimism but plenty of work still to do.

Dave O'Brien
7 Posted 02/09/2007 at 15:53:49

Grav?s back, and thank god. A known quantity and with better players around him. Here?s to swimmin? with bow legged women. I remember Utd were linked with him once, let?s hope he smashes one in against Utd.

David Collins
8 Posted 02/09/2007 at 16:30:10

Lay off the skunk eh Tony lad, it?s making yer mellow.

John Prior
9 Posted 02/09/2007 at 16:43:34

Pffft!

I?m not falling for it!

Brian Waring
10 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:13:49

Just wondering if anyone is worried by Arteta’s form over the last 3 games?

Karl Jones
11 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:13:18

Totally agree with you Tony about Gravesen. As long as we dont expect him to be a holding player, he will always be the class act making things happen.
The time to start worrying is when you say something positive about the Kirkby move!

Peter Singer
12 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:33:20

Editors, please do something about this impostor. :)

Anyway, I’m a bit worried about Arteta’s shot-shyness but I hope it will go away soon.

Mike Hunt
13 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:34:59

Well in Tone: Feel the positivity flowing through your veins....bloody great hey. Let’s all use the power of positive thinking to banish hoofball forever!

Alan Clarke
14 Posted 02/09/2007 at 18:47:01

Arteta may be a little bit more quiet but didn’t he create the goal against Blackburn?

I think he’s been quieter against Blackburn and Bolton because both are violent sides who just kick ten shades out of him. Refs should give him more protection. He’ll shine again against the mancs.

James Elworthy
15 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:06:54

In the People today some rumour mongering tabloid hack states Jagielka is going back to Sheff Utd. Surely this isn't true as he has looked good since he got in the team.

Ray Robinson
16 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:13:13

This can’t be the real Tony Marsh. He’s admitting that Moyes, whom he dislikes with a vengeance and who he considers to be ultra-negative, changed the game by bringing on an attacking player instead of hanging on for a draw.

Credit to Moyes then, eh?

Also, notice how Everton kept 2 men forward at every Bolton corner - Johnson and Yakubu on the half way line. That’s certainly evidence of a more positive outlook.

Jay Harris
17 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:42:11

I think Arteta is miffed about Fernandes. His dip in form coincided with the hesitation in signing up Fernandes the week before when Moyes had stated he would be signed within 24 hours. Nevertheless, its good to see a real midfield general out there again - Oh Tommy Tommy!!

Connor Rohrer
18 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:38:05

Very good post. People who are critisising the likes of Gravesen and Yakubu obviously didnt go the match.

Gravesen is a good player and as I have said before his style of play will be vital to us this season. Jagielka looks a good signing. He is as good at right back as he is at centre half and in midfield which is a good thing. He height will also be vital in what is a small team. Baines is on the verge of getting in the england squad and it is always good to have a local lad in the team.

Pienaar was unfairly critisised by fans who probably listened to Barry Horne’s week in week out negative commentry. Pienaar played well and his pace will be an asset for us once he beds into the team. Yes he is lightweight but so is Osman and he still gets a game week in week out. I didnt know what to expect with Yak but he proved the Boro fans negative comments wrong. He held the ball up well, is strong, quick and scores goals everything we need in a striker. AJ played well also. He is never going to be a natural finisher but he is a very effective player. His pace and workrate are vital especially alongside Yakubu.

All in all there is work to be done but once we get our best starting line up playing for a few weeks we will improve dramatically. What we have got to remember is Arteta had an off day yet we still won and created a few chances.

Moyes has to be brave and play the likes of Gravesen, Pienaar, Baines, Jagielka and Yakubu because it will give us a boost.

Paul Coleman
19 Posted 02/09/2007 at 20:02:43

jayharris, completely agree, I was going to say exactly the same. Poor Mikel has to carry the burden again of being the only one with any great skill in that midfield. Or maybe he just doesnt like Tommy G. I have had the impression that Arteta is having a bit of a sulk at the moment. He will get over it when we are in the top 4 at xmas and about to sign someone classier than Fernandes.

Gerry Western
20 Posted 02/09/2007 at 19:39:59

Have to agree Tony, I’m not sure what game Alan was watching. We were on the back foot up to Tommy’s introduction. At long last we were playing joined up football in the opposition half. One of Tommy’s attributes is that he’s rarely intimidated by the opposition consequently he’s confident in retaining possession always looking for the right time to release the ball as opposed to hoofing it in any direction in order to get rid. I also agree on Johnson’s recent performances. His work rate can’t be questioned however, his willingness to go for goal appears to be less evident. His best work appears to be done when he’s cutting in from the channels. Perhaps Moyes might consider playing Mc Fadden alongside Yakubu in the interim with Johnson down the flank, particularly against the Mancs as no doubt Ronaldo will be returning for that one. It would be great to see us skinning their full backs for a change. Mc Fadden although inconsistent is perhaps our most clinical finisher, Yakubu aside. Jagielka alongside Gravesen would be my preferred choice in the middle. Neville must surely never play in the midfield role again as he’s simply awful. Although we are heading in the right direction I suspect Moyes will be tempted to play Neville yet again. It seems some lessons are much harder to learn than others.

James Elworthy
21 Posted 02/09/2007 at 20:37:11

If Arteta likes to take every free kick and corner and so does Gravesen it is inevitable that there may be a litte friction. I hope Neville stays at right back and Jagielka plays the holding role in midfield alongside TG with Arteta and either Pienaar or Osman making up the midfield.

Brendan McLaughlin
22 Posted 02/09/2007 at 21:14:45

Good post Tony although your little quip about throwing away points against Reading & Blackburn shows that you still need to keep attending the anger management classes for a little while yet.

With respect to the Arteta question raised by Brian, has he gone off the boil (Arteta that is, not Brian)or is it a case that teams realise that if you stop Arteta playing, you stop Evertonm playing? All I have seen are highlights on TV & its difficult to form an opinion. Someone else posted that teams were doubling up on him. Is this the case?

Also, apart from Arteta, I’m worried about our defence. We have conceded in every game we’ve played so far. I think its because we are using 4-4-2 as opposed to 4-5-1 and the lack of that extra body in the centre of the park is leaving us that bit more vulnerable.

Dave Tootill
23 Posted 02/09/2007 at 21:47:56

Why is Arteta not shining? Is he just being marked out of the game? That’s a sort of compliment anyway. Difficult to tell from TV.

Dick Fearon
24 Posted 03/09/2007 at 00:23:04

Tony has just had a ’Senior Moment’ he will come out of it shortly.

Alisdair Denny
25 Posted 03/09/2007 at 03:28:07

Regarding Arteta’s poor run of form, I think this is down to 2 main reasons.
1. The opposition are doubling up on him every time, sometimes he even has three defenders are on him.
2. He has been playing on the left rather than the right. I know he usually switches during the game, but he has been on the left a lot more this season. I would rather see Peinaar play on the left and let Arteta rule the right again