The Mail Bag
Please, let me rant this one out!
Comments (24)
I'm still angry at last week's Uefa Cup shocker and therefore have spent the last five days attempting to work out what went so wrong.
Firstly, you don't 'over-run' a side by playing three in midfield against their five. And secondly, well, you probably don't play a system that you've never played before.
But, I reckon the main reason behind our failure is down to the players Moyes has brought in. You destroy weak sides like Kharkiv by playing the ball on the deck and allowing your skillful players to 'get at them', which, when you only have one skillful player is a bit of a problem. Even more so if he's injured! Our only other player who we all know is capable of taking control of a game and keeping hold of the ball is Gravesen, so with him out as well, we were always gonna be a bit fucked.
As much as I like the look of Jagielka and Baines in particular, you don't win games with these sort of players. Moyes's priority should have been to bring in three or four creative, attacking players and then worried about the defence next year. Our problems last year were all too clear to see ? slow going forward, solid at the back, so why, oh why did he go and spend the summer searching for full backs and then panic buy at the end of the transfer market with Yak? For all Yak's goalscoring pedigree, he won't add what we need in terms of skill, he's more Emily Heskey then Eider Gudjohnson.
My final rant is solely dedicated to the woeful player that is Tony Hibbert. This lad, in my opinion, is the worst player I have ever seen in an Everton shirt. Completely and utterly bereft of any ability whatsoever. I hate him.
Jack Johnson, Posted 25/09/2007 at 10:41:36
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Sean Ruffell
2 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:43:03
2 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:43:03
Hate’s a strong word my songwriting friend- i’ve got nothing against the lad personally.
However when it comes to playing football at this level he is woefully short of the required skill/composure needed and therefore (as everyone seems to think) he should be fucked off immediately!
If Moyes persists to play him, i think it may be enough to sway a lot of folks’ opinion of his qualities as a manager as there are better options available to him such as our equally woeful midfielder- Philly Pippins!
Please Dave- show him the door!
However when it comes to playing football at this level he is woefully short of the required skill/composure needed and therefore (as everyone seems to think) he should be fucked off immediately!
If Moyes persists to play him, i think it may be enough to sway a lot of folks’ opinion of his qualities as a manager as there are better options available to him such as our equally woeful midfielder- Philly Pippins!
Please Dave- show him the door!
Sean
3 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:50:25
3 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:50:25
At best i think everyone would agree, he’s a squad player to bring in last resort and nothing else...all apart from dave & a few blinkered sheep of course!
Gai Roberts
4 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:42:36
4 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:42:36
Totally agree Jack,Tony Hibbert has been the most consistant shite performer this season,yet,Moyes still continues to put faith in a player,who,in my opinion, cannot play a square pass to any of his team mates in a blue shirt. Tony Hoof-bert does exactly what it says on the tin!! Secondly,we have to sort this midfield that we have to watch week-in,week-out. Why Moyes cannot see that Phil Neville is better at right back,thus leaving TH out altogether,is the better solution,for now at least. I agree until Gravesen comes back,along with Tiny Tim and Mikel,Johnson or any of our strikers aren’t going to get a sniff of goal if they are going to rely on through balls from Phil or Cars. We are crying out for creative players in midfield,let Jags,Pienaar,Osman have a go for now,but for fucks sakes,leave Tony Hibbert out and stick Neville at RB and i’m sure this will make SOME difference. I don’t know if can put up with watching Hibbert any longer,it is THAT bad. Plz Moyes, for now
Neville,Yobo,Lescott,Baines
Arteta,Gravesen,Jags,Osman/Pienaar
Johnson,Yak/Anichebe
C.O.Y.B
Neville,Yobo,Lescott,Baines
Arteta,Gravesen,Jags,Osman/Pienaar
Johnson,Yak/Anichebe
C.O.Y.B
Lee Mandaracas
5 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:47:12
5 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:47:12
I’m with you there Karl. I don’t rate Hibbert particularly. He is one of the best tacklers of the ball in the whole Premiership but sadly has very little else in his locker. Furthermore, most of the goals we have conceded so far this season have been as a direct result of his poor positioning. However, to hurl such abuse is clearly badly coloured by the disappointment of the game against the Mentalists.
How quickly some supporters forget the likes of Trevor Ross, Earl Barrett, Alex Nyarko, Alessandro Pistone, etc.
We have a fantastic team but it is wafer thin and the injuries are telling badly. I, for one, am very nervous indeed that Davie is losing his grip on the fantastic morale he has done such a great job of building. Seems to me that the players aren’t as solid a unit as they were until recently and, if the rumours about Arteta and he falling out are to be believed, we are in for one hell of a bumoy ride.
How quickly some supporters forget the likes of Trevor Ross, Earl Barrett, Alex Nyarko, Alessandro Pistone, etc.
We have a fantastic team but it is wafer thin and the injuries are telling badly. I, for one, am very nervous indeed that Davie is losing his grip on the fantastic morale he has done such a great job of building. Seems to me that the players aren’t as solid a unit as they were until recently and, if the rumours about Arteta and he falling out are to be believed, we are in for one hell of a bumoy ride.
Allan Hobbs
6 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:04:21
6 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:04:21
Joleon Lescott and Tony Hibbert have exactly the same amount of skill on the ball, and distribution ability as each other. One is in the England squad, the other is slated weekly by Everton fans.
1 word - scapegoat.
1 word - scapegoat.
Jack Johnson
7 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:07:03
7 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:07:03
Sorry Karl if I say what I feel. When I see Hibbert give the ball away, lose his marker, react slowly to inswinging corners and run around with his fucking hands in his sleeves - I hate him. I’m sure he’s a nice lad, but that’s not why he’s in the team is it now. Tell you what, why dont we just mollycoddle everyone who ever wears the Royal blue. Next time I see Hibbert give the ball away I won’t ask him what the fuck he’s doing, i’ll ask him if he wants a big hug. I give a great bear hug you know.
Allan Hobbs
8 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:22:40
8 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:22:40
I think you should stick to singing namby-pamby shite pop songs jack.
Gai Roberts
9 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:35:20
9 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:35:20
Allan does that mean u are a fan of Hibbert’s?????
Jack Johnson
10 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:44:16
10 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:44:16
Cheers for that advice Allan, but i’m afraid I cannot take anyone who compares Hibbert to Lescott seriously.
John Holmes
11 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:53:03
11 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:53:03
Whilst I think Jack’s a bit OTT with the criticism, particularly given that the midfield is somewhat decimated on the creative front at the moment, I too can’t take seriously anyone who compared Lescott to Hibbert. Lescott might not be Rio in terms of skill on the ball but at least when he plays a long-ball it’s aimed at someone and when he plays a short pass it doesnt arrive spinning backwards at waist height giving the team mate no chance of controlling it cleanly. Hibbert should definitely be at the club for now but is also definitely a squad player and Neville’s understudy.
I actually feel sorry for Neville as he’s a good right-back and decent defensive midfielder but he’s spending all his time playing as an attacking midfielder which makes him look shocking.
I actually feel sorry for Neville as he’s a good right-back and decent defensive midfielder but he’s spending all his time playing as an attacking midfielder which makes him look shocking.
Sean Ruffell
12 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:53:17
12 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:53:17
To bring some of what’s been said together...i think most posts here have a fair point.
Hibbert’s no Danny Alves as everyone knows & in my humble opinion, Nev would be better suited to that position in order to free up a midfield spot to someone else with a little more nowse...im sure even the recently returned Da Silva’d do better than him there!
But Allan’s got a point too... although in many’s eyes, our Tone’s seen as the weakest link- it’s only because of the overall lack of quality that our side has that brings into question his position in the first place. To support this just look at Pip’s past situation at Manu- he looked better than he does now in a side full of worldbeaters and flair players. The problem now is that he’s being asked to do a job he’s not capable of...
Sadly, it remains my opinion however that despite this, Tone’s not up to the job either- be it surrounded by world-beaters or not.
Not a fan of Jack Johnson’s songs either- two-chord liberal middle-class shite! (ahem...sorry)
Give me Dylan & Marley any day!
Hibbert’s no Danny Alves as everyone knows & in my humble opinion, Nev would be better suited to that position in order to free up a midfield spot to someone else with a little more nowse...im sure even the recently returned Da Silva’d do better than him there!
But Allan’s got a point too... although in many’s eyes, our Tone’s seen as the weakest link- it’s only because of the overall lack of quality that our side has that brings into question his position in the first place. To support this just look at Pip’s past situation at Manu- he looked better than he does now in a side full of worldbeaters and flair players. The problem now is that he’s being asked to do a job he’s not capable of...
Sadly, it remains my opinion however that despite this, Tone’s not up to the job either- be it surrounded by world-beaters or not.
Not a fan of Jack Johnson’s songs either- two-chord liberal middle-class shite! (ahem...sorry)
Give me Dylan & Marley any day!
colin malone
13 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:59:34
13 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:59:34
Get off Hibberts back, Worst player to put on an Everton shirt. Are you taking the piss? Give the lad a break, Until we get a proper balanced midfield, All our defenders will have to put in a double shift.You dont suddenly come from, on the edge to an England call up, to crap. Lescott and Yobo are starting to get critisim. Its all down to our shite midfield, who cannot keep the ball, so the ball will keep comming back to our defence, and they can only do so much.
Karl Masters
14 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:56:10
14 Posted 25/09/2007 at 14:56:10
It’s a sad fact of Everton and Merseyside life that local lads get more stick than others regardless of whether they deserve it any morethan thev rest of the team. Tony Hibbert is not a bad player, but that’s forgotten when he cost us nothing whilst others who cost milions, while just as culpable, are let off. Actually, I’d play Jagielka at right back, and put Carsley as anchorman with Osman playing just behind the 2 forwards,( he’s more than capable of threading through quality through balls )while Cahill and Gravesen are absent. Neville and Hibbert would be benched for now as they are both out of form, but this does not mean I ’HATE’ either of them or think they are ’BEREFT OF TALENT.’ Try and keep some perspective while you spend ’5 DAYS’ in a padded cell working out what went wrong!
Jack Johnson
15 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:19:13
15 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:19:13
Oi, leave my padded cell out of it!
John Holmes
16 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:20:50
16 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:20:50
Sorry but Hibbert’s not an innocent victim here. Nobody doubts his committment but his positioning has cost us goals this season and his distribution is criminal. Teams are starting to target him as he panics when closed down and punts the ball aimlessly forward. I bear the guy no malice but he simply isn’t good enough. When it was backs to the wall and all hands to the pump circa 2004/5 he was one of the staunchest members of the team but we’re aiming higher than battling 1-0 victories now. Aside from anything else we don’t have the players to achieve them consistently anymore.
Karl Masters
17 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:23:01
17 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:23:01
I might need it myself, Jack, if we don’t win tomorrow night! For now, though we have to remain calm, recognise the problems, most of which are only temporary. and fix them.
ste c
18 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:55:58
18 Posted 25/09/2007 at 15:55:58
Ray atteveld!!! Kroldrup!! Naysmith!!
EFC
19 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:04:03
19 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:04:03
Phil Neville is worse than Hibbert. At least Hibbert can defend.
Franny Porter
20 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:10:53
20 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:10:53
Im not a big fan of that Jack Johnson, I cant stand all that American ’moms apple pie’ type middle of the road music.
I go as far as to say, I hate him.
I go as far as to say, I hate him.
Jack Johnson
21 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:47:49
21 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:47:49
It’s not my fault I share my name with a shit whiny American singer. It’s actually a pretty popular name. Leave me alone. Although I do quite like Ryan Adams, who ironically nearly shares his name with a shit whiny American singer as well!
Kev Kendall
22 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:36:34
22 Posted 25/09/2007 at 16:36:34
I agree with EFC, Neville is far worse than Hibbert. Here’s why:
Phil Neville believes he is better than he is.
David Moyes appreciates his professionalism.
Steve McClarren appreciates his professionalism.
Sven Goran Erikson appreciated his professionalism.
Alex Ferguson appreciated his professionalism.
Various journalists have highlighted his professionalism.
An awful lot of Everton fans have highlighted his professionalism.
Not 1 person I have read, or heard the opinion of, has got anything good to say about his ability as a footballer, but somewhere along the line, he has got this impression and it has stuck.
He genuinely believes he can pass and take set pieces like his good friend Beckham as witnessed by his "Quarter back role on Thursday, "Don’t you pass, give it here, I will pass it for you, for I am the colonel"
He believes after 1 game as effectively a "spoiler" against Viera, that he can play the most difficult and often most important role in any good side.
He believes the hype that the medals he has been handed over the years would seem to justify, if you asked him, he would believe he is that good.
But Roy Keane didn’t think so, and all of the managers mentioned earlier don’t think so. Even on Sunday in the Paper, Moyes practically said, "I know he’s shite, but he tries hard and he really, really wants to do well, so don’t give him stick".
Hibbert knows his strengths and weaknesses, hence often refusing to go past the last man. He’s there to tackle and give, tackle and give. And if I was Hibbert and all I had was Neville to pass to in midfield, I?d probably launch it too.
After all, he’s only copying his captain.
Way to inspire the troops Phil. A true leader of men.
Our Colonel.
Phil Neville believes he is better than he is.
David Moyes appreciates his professionalism.
Steve McClarren appreciates his professionalism.
Sven Goran Erikson appreciated his professionalism.
Alex Ferguson appreciated his professionalism.
Various journalists have highlighted his professionalism.
An awful lot of Everton fans have highlighted his professionalism.
Not 1 person I have read, or heard the opinion of, has got anything good to say about his ability as a footballer, but somewhere along the line, he has got this impression and it has stuck.
He genuinely believes he can pass and take set pieces like his good friend Beckham as witnessed by his "Quarter back role on Thursday, "Don’t you pass, give it here, I will pass it for you, for I am the colonel"
He believes after 1 game as effectively a "spoiler" against Viera, that he can play the most difficult and often most important role in any good side.
He believes the hype that the medals he has been handed over the years would seem to justify, if you asked him, he would believe he is that good.
But Roy Keane didn’t think so, and all of the managers mentioned earlier don’t think so. Even on Sunday in the Paper, Moyes practically said, "I know he’s shite, but he tries hard and he really, really wants to do well, so don’t give him stick".
Hibbert knows his strengths and weaknesses, hence often refusing to go past the last man. He’s there to tackle and give, tackle and give. And if I was Hibbert and all I had was Neville to pass to in midfield, I?d probably launch it too.
After all, he’s only copying his captain.
Way to inspire the troops Phil. A true leader of men.
Our Colonel.
John Martin
23 Posted 25/09/2007 at 18:13:23
23 Posted 25/09/2007 at 18:13:23
Kev Kendall you say all those managers never say a good word about Neville the player, actions speak louder than words and they have all at times picked him on a regular basis so they must rate him.
I think Neville is a good right back ok in midfield but badly out of form at the moment, likewise Hibert is in very poor form but nowhere near as bad as some people suggest,
i have seen lots of rubbish at everton onver 37 years and to claim hibbert is the worst ever is a joke, this is the 1st time in a few years that his form has been awful. he shouldnt be in the 1st team but doesnt deserve to be the scapegoat because of 3 poor results,
I think Neville is a good right back ok in midfield but badly out of form at the moment, likewise Hibert is in very poor form but nowhere near as bad as some people suggest,
i have seen lots of rubbish at everton onver 37 years and to claim hibbert is the worst ever is a joke, this is the 1st time in a few years that his form has been awful. he shouldnt be in the 1st team but doesnt deserve to be the scapegoat because of 3 poor results,
Neil Pearse
24 Posted 25/09/2007 at 19:05:28
24 Posted 25/09/2007 at 19:05:28
I’ve said it before: Cahill for Captain! Passion, energy, in your face spirit. Maybe at least when he’s fit again Moyes could make him vice captain, and maybe make Neville then easier to drop.
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1 Posted 25/09/2007 at 13:39:27
And you stating this with such venom is going to achieve what? Encourage other fans to think in your twisted way, hurl abuse at him and lower his confidence perhaps? Then we’ll have to spend £5m on a replacement. Call yourself a supporter?!!!! You’re entitled to an opinion, but the way you express it leaves me disgusted.