ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Decisions, Decisions

The current Everton side flatter to deceive, like a rather attractive car in a showroom which looks the dogs bollocks, but disapoints when you take it for a road test. You know, it just doesn't pull right despite the metallic paintwork and all the extras.

Looking at the teamsheet prior to the game, our side is packed with internationals, yet this new car lacks an engine making all the rest of the parts redundant! We have several excellent players including Arteta, Lescott, Yobo, Baines etc but in key areas we are nothing less than ordinary. In Neville, Osman, Hibbert (and maybe Jagielka) we simply let ourelves down badly.

Moyes must now be brave and admit the signing of Neville was an expensive mistake. His only long-term future at Everton is at right-back where the hapless Hibbert continues to disappoint. Unfortunately, Neville cannot effectively tackle or distribute the ball or make telling passes that put either of our two front men in positions in front of goal, in fact none of the midfield four who played against United held onto the ball long enough to take the pressure off our defence.

I feel Gravesen, when fit, will become a regular in midfield, not because he is a genius with the ball at his feet, simply because he is capable of picking a pass out that his teamates in the same position don't have the capacity to do so.

I felt United, although not at their best, always looked comfortable on the ball, simply because the majority of their players always play to feet, week-in, week-out, and this becomes a habit.

I do wonder sometimes about Everton's scouting system in Europe. I simply cannot accept that in the sum total of the Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Russian, domestic leagues, we can't find two strong ball playing mid-fielders who would be better than our current crop of plodders? January maybe too late to do anything about shaping our season.
Steve Hogan, Chester Posted 15/09/2007 at 21:20:41

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Steve Lyth
1 Posted 15/09/2007 at 23:36:21

Evertons scouting system in Europe ?
You got me wondering

Dick Fearon
2 Posted 16/09/2007 at 00:18:17

Though it is early days, Everton’s scouting system in Europe seems to have some reward with Wessels, Pienar and Arteta.

Richard Murray
3 Posted 16/09/2007 at 00:50:32

I hope he proves me wrong but I think Pienaar is bad version of Osman..

and that’s saying something.

Mark Stone
4 Posted 16/09/2007 at 01:16:30

I’m with you Richard - not been at all impressed by Pienaar - maybe he’s another of these ’I’m only good at Ajax’ players?’ (AvDM eat yer heart out).

I agree with the idea that we are short in a couple of positions although hopefully when fragile Tim gets back to fitness and with mad dog on top song we’ll be getting somewhere.

Andy Hegan
5 Posted 15/09/2007 at 21:56:17

Phil Neville, consumate pro yes, great attitude yes, all round good egg yes. I agree with all the above but unfortunately hes a liability where it matters most, on the pitch. A player who can't pass to a teammate and gives away possession as regularly as he does should be on the fringes of the team at best, not team captain and one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Alan Clarke
6 Posted 16/09/2007 at 06:20:41

Pienaar was signed when we had no money, almost as an act of desperation just to boost numbers in the squad. Gravesen is 31 and 31 year olds are prone to injury hence we won’t get a full season out of him.

For whatever reasons he didn’t sign, not signing Fernandes was a monumentous blow to our top 4 ambitions. My main worry now is that the money available for him will just disappear and come the end of January we’re still watching captain fantastic hoof the ball to the opposition.

Did anyone else see Arteta having a go at Neville for his shit passing?

Shaun Cook
7 Posted 16/09/2007 at 13:39:59

A central midfield of Neville and Jags/Carsely is simply not premiership class. Lets face it partnerships like Essien and Lampard and Scholes and Hargreves make us look silly. The truth is Phil Neville needs to be at right back or not at all and is certainly not good enough for the centre of our midfield-he can t pass,can t shoot,lacks pace and is often clumsey in the tackle.
When fit surely Grav will return alongside Cahill and we ll pose more of a threat. Tony Hibbert NOOOOO !! Championship player at best. Bainesy YESSSS !!!! Future England left-back for sure.

Mark Stone
8 Posted 16/09/2007 at 15:45:02

Shaun - Neville/Carsley with a combined cost of £5.5 million is nowhere near as good as Lampard/Essien (combined cost £35.5m and both on about £100k/week) or Hargreaves/Scholes (£17m for Hargreaves and both and £80k odd per week).

The problem is mate we can’t compete with that financially. Even if we could stump up £11 - £12m for a midfielder could we compete with the likes of Newcastle for wages? I doubt it which is why we lost out on Parker, Emre etc

Lets be realistic