ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Size does matter

Calming down on a Sunday night after all the excitement of the weekend, I would make a simple observation which would suggest that the future is indeed bright and indeed blue. Last season we could have fielded the following team, which although not necessarily world beaters, should have done a fair job for us,and we wouldn't have been too apprehensive pre kick-off, namely Turner, Hibbert, Stubbs, Neville (he could play centre back don't forget) Valente, Osman, McFadden, Carsley, AvdM, Vaughan, Vic.

This season we can field (injuries permitting) a team which requires none of the above, and which would be most people's First XI. So just re-enforcing the point that all the additions, (after yesterday TG included) were clearly for the good and the bigger squad WILL serve us well.

On a sort of related point, a post a few days ago said this was the best squad since 85-87. Contentious stuff - but if not, which WAS the best squad since the mid-80s. The cup team of 95?
Rob Gomme, Whitehaven, Cumbria Posted 02/09/2007 at 21:39:54

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Chris White
1 Posted 02/09/2007 at 23:43:50

One thing that will be key down the stretch is Cahill’s fitness, and Vaughn’s also. If AJ doesn’t come around, Vaughn’s playing time will pick up quickly, but both players havn’t exactly been known for durabilty, so I won’t hold my breath. But if they are both fit, that could mean an extra 6 points at seasons end.

Richard Murray
2 Posted 03/09/2007 at 00:05:17

With that side I’d be apprehensive before kick-off.

However, I’m only 21 and I can safely say this is the best side I can remember by quite a bit; even though we’re a top quality midfielder and winger short.

Andrew Gaule
3 Posted 03/09/2007 at 00:35:40

I would say that this is the best squad that Moyes has had to ’play with’ since he took over.

My usual take on squads with lots of new additions is that they take some "bedding in" ( Look at the current version of Man Utd if you want an example)and to be honest I wasn’t expecting the current EFC squad to really start gelling till the new year. Despite yesterdays pleasing last twenty minutes, I am not sure that this "gelling" has yet happened. We could have lost the game against Bolton yesterday - they squandered a number of perfectly legitimate chances. However Bolton are a good team and hard to turn over at the Reebok. So kudos to EFC.

I think we will look back at the draw against Blackburn as a very good result after a few more weeks. I think they will do very well this season.

As for Moyes additions: Baines looks lively and inventive at left back, Jags looks energetic and hasn’t made any major errors (surely the rumours about a loan move for him are withour merit?), Gravesen will provide some experience in the middle of the park and the Yak will provide some much needed physical strength to the team going forward ( apologies to AJ, Pienaar and Osman). Having said that, I think that Moyes needs to put the Yak and Gravesen through some pre-season training over the next couple of weeks. The Yak is a solid player but looks a bit too solid if you know what I mean.

I think we can beat Man Utd in a couple of weeks if we field our best side. Lets face it - we should have beaten them last year !!! Presumably the ban on Howard playing is now lifted !

I am wondering if Gravesen at the front of the midfield diamond in a reprise of his role a couple of years ago could work the trick. This would mean Jags or Carsley at the back of the diamond with Arteta and Pienaar/Osman on the other side with Johnson and the Yak up front. The defense would be Neville at right back with Lescott and Yobo in the middle and Baines at left back. Does this make sense?

Harold Birkenstock
4 Posted 03/09/2007 at 01:34:17

I absolutely agree that the diamond formation is the way to go. A 4-1-2-1-2 formation is probably the best bet, but making sure that the defensive midfielder doesnt get caught all over the place as this formation does leave a gaping hole in the center of the park.

Nick Xenos
5 Posted 03/09/2007 at 03:02:22

Andrew, no matter how much Blackburn have improved this season, I cannot consider a draw against them at Goodison as a "very good result". As for the Man U game, lets not forget that Ronaldo is back after suspension and Rooney a chance to return from injury. I still think we are a chance after watching them struggle against the Black Cats but with the two aforementioned players, they are a different proposition all together.

Rich Williams
6 Posted 03/09/2007 at 03:49:51

Best squad since the late 80’s early 90’s

Toffee
7 Posted 03/09/2007 at 09:10:56

I think this is the best squad that I have watched! I’m 24 and cant really remember 80’s too well.

This is shaping up into a very good squad! I wait for January with baited breath. Lets see what Moyes will spend his £10m on, now that he has had a while to scour etc! I reckon its gonna be Appiah!

If I could have Kanchelskis (16 league goals that season) on the opposite wing to Arteta then it would be my Everton Dream Team!

Brian Waring
8 Posted 03/09/2007 at 10:32:52

It looks a very good squad on paper.But,are we actually as good as we think we are?Can anyone genuinely say they are happy with the type of football we churn out?If the side is as good as we think,shouldn’t we be beating Reading and especially Blackburn at home.Some of the football we played against Wigan,Blackburn,Reading was dire to say the least.Against Bolton there was glimpses of how we can play,but we have to be consistent.I,m not being negative,but these are points I would like to pick up on.Is this side as good as 95?That team won a trophy,and against Man U as well.This team has not even got close to winning anything.I know people will say,we finished 4th,qualifying stages of the champuions league,eufa cup this season.But,we still havn’t won anything.As I said I;m not being negative,probalby more realistic.

chris keightley
9 Posted 03/09/2007 at 15:02:45

Im convinced Moyes is close to knowing what his best side is so we will only improve howard in goal neville right back baines left back yobo and lescott in the middle jags holding mid with gravesen centre arteta right mid mcfadden left with aj and yak upfront that would be my choice and i believe that side would beat class of 95 as for the doom mongers out there i believe hand on heart we could win the carling cup avoiding a top 6 side till the semis would be the key.