ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Overreaction?

Is it me or has there been a lot of overreaction lately on here?

As someone who is probably regarded by many as 'anti-Moyes' (I'm just pro-Everton!), I think he had another good summer in the transfer market. He resisted the temptation to splash out on mediocrity, bought two good players in Jagielka and Baines and an outstanding striker in Yakubu. He also brought in Gravesen, who I believe will be a better player with better colleagues around him.

People seem to forget that below 'the big four', you could throw a blanket over eight sides fighting a Uefa Cup spot. People also forget that title-winning sides like United know how to play badly and nick results. To be honest, how many times have we played badly and nicked a one-nil over the past few years? It happens, live with it!

Same with Johnson, who is clearly on a barren goal run that all strikers get. Look at the work he puts in, look at the way creates space and chances for others. Who had our only decent chance on target on Saturday, cleared off the line? How many other chances did he get?

Yes, it's the best squad at Everton for a number of years. They still have to be coached and persuaded to pass and move, they still need greater flexibility in tactics.

Moyes has done a good job taking us a far as he has, even though its like watching someone complete a jigsaw puzzle one piece per year! Now he has his own expensively assembled squad, the best we've had in years. If he is the manager some people say he is, surely this is the time to stop making excuses, stop talking about Smith and Walker and watch EFC move further forward?

I think this season will provide us with some answers...
Paul Tran, Kendal Posted 19/09/2007 at 10:27:50

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

Some of the real answers come tomorrow night; we all resist making judgements of the manager based on one game (ha!) but this game is massive. I believe it will be a crucial test of what Moyes has learnt and his ability to change things in repsonse.

Daniel Johnson
1 Posted 19/09/2007 at 11:54:00

Every Evertonian has an opinion and we are all entitled to our opinions, but this year we are NOT going to break the top 4.

What I think we can all say about Moyes and the current Everton team is that we have made definite progress. We can now start seasons expecting europe as a bare minimum and hopefully (fingers crossed) even more.

As we re-establish ourselves with some form of consistency with high placed league finishes our repuation is slowly being rebuilt. We have now become a more attractive proposition. Our name is in Europe again bringing greater coverage and exposure for Everton and the Everton brand.

If things go well sponsorship money and revenue should increase, and hopefully players of a greater calibre will see that Everton are a team going places. A team based on hard work, graft honesty and teamwork.

We've made progress and we continue to make progress. Some seasons it may seem like we have stood still but we are definitely getting there. With a new stadium on the horizon and the team steadily improving its good to be an Evertonian again.

David Barks
2 Posted 19/09/2007 at 21:20:56

We have built a solid, young infrastructure for our team. Players like Lescott, Baines, Vaughan, Arteta are all young players who will continue to get better over the next few years. Meanwhile every season we can continue to improve the squad in needed areas. I would imagine that after the Fernandes collapse the first area to be strengthened this next year will be a creative central midfielder. Another position will probably be a right back with more quality than we currently have, someone to match the skill of Baines on the left. We can’t just go out and buy 4 or 5 superstars in Europe like Man U and Chelsea can, we have to build in stages. We’re getting there, and this season we should finish highly in the league. We’re good enough to expect a European spot now, although the competition in the league is better than it has been in years. Exciting times in my opinion.

Mark Pendleton
3 Posted 19/09/2007 at 21:47:19

I’d agree that with a bit of luck we’ll fare better in all cup competitions this year and hopefully qualify in a UEFA spot again. Then next summer i can see us signing 3 or 4 players - a central defender, a quality right back, a creative midfielder and perhaps a winger. The likes of Vic and Vaughany (if the poor lad gets fit) will be more experienced and then i truly believe we will have a squad that could perhaps break into the top 4.

roy coyne
4 Posted 19/09/2007 at 23:18:12

I think that this season any where from 4th to 7th acceptable and a reasonable run in any of the cups,I also think tomorrows game is a bench mark for Mr Moyes to see if the experience gained last time can be used to at least make the next stage,I think he did alright over the transfers although Manny was a blow still lets hope Bill still has the cash for him to spend at next window

Vince Grogan
5 Posted 20/09/2007 at 09:07:31

How easily pleased (fooled?)are so many Evertonians.We are still way behind the top four and the early signs are that we shall struggle to retain last season’s sixth position.I have seen nothing that indicates that the midfield deficiencies have been addressed and I am already convinced that AJ and The Yak are incompatible.(Moyes is already showing signs of agreeing with that statement).Tonight, against a Unibond team at best we shall have a chance to see if real progress is being made.No excuses if we fail....please!