ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Substitutions

75 minutes gone and Victor comes on for Yakubu, like for like except Vic is still learning. The big strong centre-forward... it hadn't worked to much effect for the first 75 minutes.

Meanwhile left on tne bench: McFadden, generally considered in this mailbag as an impact player. Scored 2 goals in 2 games for Scotland, both crackers, his confidence must be sky high. But he has to wait until the last 5 minutes when we are behind, even then he carves out our best goal attempt.

Come on Moyes, you've got to mix it up a bit, take risks. Skill for muscle with 15/20 minutes to go and the game there for the taking was that too much to ask?

Frustrated in Singapore!
Steve Parry, Singapore Posted 15/09/2007 at 14:23:27

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Mark Stone
1 Posted 15/09/2007 at 15:54:16

I don;t know maybe Moyes thought Yak was tiring and wanted to keep the shape but bring on fresh legs and enthusiasm?

Trying to take positives out of the game, I’d commend Moyes for making positive substitions. When I saw players warming up I immediately thought a striker would be going off for Carsley to make sure we didn’t concede. Maybe this would have worked better in hindsight, but it’s still a positive sign that all three substitions were attacking minded.

I was surprised to see Pienaar preferred to McFadden with 15 mins left though. I haven’t been overly impressed with the South African yet - he seems a bit off the pace and gets caught in possession too easily.

wabi sabi
2 Posted 15/09/2007 at 15:53:52

Yeah I thought Mcfad must be first in line for a forward substitution. I also think that hauling off your new 11m+ signing may not do wonders for confidence on his home debut. I think he was doing ok. McFad came and sat just behind the front two - his main hunting ground - were there were opportunities all game as their defence fell deep to manage Yak & AJ. Maybe Mc on earlier and in place of Osman or Nev would have produced a return. However the midfield and defence tinkering was our undoing today. The guys played with some heart but the smooth join up play weve seen emerging these last few weeks was lost with the changes. We let Manu get a foothold in all the important areas and finally they turned the screw. Equally frustrated across the causeway!!!

Neil Pearse
3 Posted 15/09/2007 at 16:02:49

It’s two steps forward and one step back when it comes to Moyes and substitutions. He seems to be getting more comfortable and more positive. Great!

But the decision to leave McFadden on the bench so late is utterly baffling. The boy’s confidence must be sky high after Paris, and indeed he comes on and nearly steals a goal with a great shot.

To every man and every man’s dog it must have been obvious that McFadden should have been given 15-20 minutes. We weren’t exactly under the cosh, so there was no defensive reason to keep him on the bench. He could even have come on for AJ. But he wouldn’t have got on at all if United hadn’t scored.

Davey deserves a lot of credit, but sometimes you do wonder!

roy coyne
4 Posted 15/09/2007 at 23:01:20

MY main problem with Moyes(apart from hoofball) is his basic lack of any plan B which shows in his substitutions I dont expect us to play free flowing football every week as the squad has too many players who are not up to it but that is not all down to Moyes if you spend peanuts you know what you get so if where honest are main problem is Bill has not got the cash needed.