The Mail Bag
UEFA Cup Thoughts
Comments (21)
I reckon three goals away from home in any European tie, other than against obvious minnows, is no mean feat. Metalist are no mugs, having finished third in Ukraine behind two teams - Kiev and Shaktor - who have good ECL pedigrees.
I accept the performance wasn't great, but isn't there an old adage about good teams getting results when they are not at their best ?
Strikes me it was a result showing guts and character and those qualities could take us a long way. Agreed it would be nice to have some style as well though!
But maybe there's an omen to come out of it - 23 years ago I recall Howard Kendall's team struggled to beat a real minnow, University College Dublin, 1-0 on aggregate in the old Cup Winners Cup before going on to win the thing.
It's a learning curve for Everton in Europe and now we are guaranteed a run of group games, the learning can begin in earnest.
On Yakubu, I agree with those who are disappointed with him so far. But here's a theory - by his standards - maybe he's trying too hard. Those old enough to remember Malcolm McDonald will recall a player who scored goals for fun. But the truth is he did nothing else.
I watched him play for Newcastle against Man City once and he literally did nothing for 90 minutes, apart that is from turning on a sixpence on the 18 yard line and banging in the winner. Maybe Yakubu is that type of player. I suspect if Moyes wants him to become a workhorse, he's backed the wrong nag. But if he's allowed to maraud up front instead of chasing back and starts scoring regularly, would anyone be complaining then?
Richard Ewart, Posted 05/10/2007 at 07:14:39
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Neil Millichip
2 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:24:48
2 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:24:48
A couple of things we learnt last night.
1/ Jagielka is not a holding midfielder and should never be played in that position again.
2/ If DM keeps to his current style of play he might as well sell Yakubu now.
One thing that does concern me is why does DM keep playing players out of position? We had Lee Carsley on the bench last night but he picked Jagielka to play the holding role. A decision that had Kevin Ratcliffe perplexed .
1/ Jagielka is not a holding midfielder and should never be played in that position again.
2/ If DM keeps to his current style of play he might as well sell Yakubu now.
One thing that does concern me is why does DM keep playing players out of position? We had Lee Carsley on the bench last night but he picked Jagielka to play the holding role. A decision that had Kevin Ratcliffe perplexed .
Lee Penswick
3 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:34:29
3 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:34:29
I agree with most of what you say Richard, but please dont go on about omens.We could talk about good omens we have in every competition we enter,and many how many competition have we won recently?Omens mean nothing.
Keith Ed
4 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:52:25
4 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:52:25
Bob Latchford was only good at scoring goals. Give the Yak time and play to his strengths.
We’ve already got a workhorse, that doesn’t score goals. The job of a striker is to score. If thats all he does thats fine with me.
We’ve already got a workhorse, that doesn’t score goals. The job of a striker is to score. If thats all he does thats fine with me.
Andy Ellams
5 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:33:57
5 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:33:57
Odd decision to leave out Baines, but Joleon Lescott was immense last night. Will he be in the England squad for next week?Should he drop Yakubu for Victor? I say yes. What an irony that a club with £20million worth of strikers could end up with two home grown youngsters as it’s front two.
Chris R
6 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:41:57
6 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:41:57
Keith
I totally agree about Latchford but he had Dave Thomas to feed him balls from the wing. We need a winger as such for Yakubu to be anything like effective, I think thats the same reason why Beatie was so ineffective.
I totally agree about Latchford but he had Dave Thomas to feed him balls from the wing. We need a winger as such for Yakubu to be anything like effective, I think thats the same reason why Beatie was so ineffective.
Allan Hobbs
7 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:47:15
7 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:47:15
The performance means shit, last night was all about getting through regardless. Any manager will tell you the same.
Yakubu looked terrible last night, not his sort of game at all. He will score goals, for sure - theres no reason why he wont. He scored plenty for Boro and they dont exactly play exciting, free flowing football either. We’ll never play like Utd or Arsenal, thats just not our thing, we’re famous for being defensive so why people are all so up in arms about it currently has me baffled. I’ve been watching Everton 25 years and not much has changed in that time.
The Yak will come good and I cant help but feel optimistic about the season ahead after last night. 5th in one of the Worlds top leagues, into the group stages of the UEFA cup under a manager who has spent 5 years of his life building his team in the way he wants. Good on him, and good on him for his comments last night after the game. He deserves to take this team into Europe and he deserves our backing to the hilt.
Up the blues!
Yakubu looked terrible last night, not his sort of game at all. He will score goals, for sure - theres no reason why he wont. He scored plenty for Boro and they dont exactly play exciting, free flowing football either. We’ll never play like Utd or Arsenal, thats just not our thing, we’re famous for being defensive so why people are all so up in arms about it currently has me baffled. I’ve been watching Everton 25 years and not much has changed in that time.
The Yak will come good and I cant help but feel optimistic about the season ahead after last night. 5th in one of the Worlds top leagues, into the group stages of the UEFA cup under a manager who has spent 5 years of his life building his team in the way he wants. Good on him, and good on him for his comments last night after the game. He deserves to take this team into Europe and he deserves our backing to the hilt.
Up the blues!
Franny Porter
8 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:56:49
8 Posted 05/10/2007 at 09:56:49
I have to agree with a few of these posts, I know its early days but Yakuboobs seriously looks rubbish. Severely lazy and not very mobile or composed.
On another point, did anyone else reckon Ratcliffe had been on the vodka? Apart from mumbling under his breath on two occasions, he described a chance for Yakuboobs as ’food and strink’ for a striker and also kept referring to Jagielka as ’Jaggy-jelka’.
Come to think of it, wonder if Yobo was pissed too......
On another point, did anyone else reckon Ratcliffe had been on the vodka? Apart from mumbling under his breath on two occasions, he described a chance for Yakuboobs as ’food and strink’ for a striker and also kept referring to Jagielka as ’Jaggy-jelka’.
Come to think of it, wonder if Yobo was pissed too......
jr
9 Posted 05/10/2007 at 10:48:44
9 Posted 05/10/2007 at 10:48:44
Good result but a pretty ordinary performance.
Well done to all our supporters over there too.
As for Yakubu...when we start passing the ball around and working the ball forward he will start to score. No striker on earth can score with the rubbish longballs being played to him all the time. Remember: Feed the yak and he will score!!
Well done to all our supporters over there too.
As for Yakubu...when we start passing the ball around and working the ball forward he will start to score. No striker on earth can score with the rubbish longballs being played to him all the time. Remember: Feed the yak and he will score!!
seany mac
10 Posted 05/10/2007 at 11:02:13
10 Posted 05/10/2007 at 11:02:13
i personally think that yaks critisism is rather harsh. yes, we all are a little bit dissapointed in his ’effort’ but at the end of the day, everton have displayed nothing short of long ball football since he joined the club.
yakubu needs the ball at his feet. that is why i feel gravesen could prove to be an inspired signing cos ive thers one thing the gravedigger does, its keep the ball on the deck i.e. where yakubu wants it.. i think once tommy is back, we will c better thinks from yak but lets giv him a chance eh lads.
anyways, great second half last nite, pienaar is really starting to look like a decent bit of business. well in moyesy!!!!!
yakubu needs the ball at his feet. that is why i feel gravesen could prove to be an inspired signing cos ive thers one thing the gravedigger does, its keep the ball on the deck i.e. where yakubu wants it.. i think once tommy is back, we will c better thinks from yak but lets giv him a chance eh lads.
anyways, great second half last nite, pienaar is really starting to look like a decent bit of business. well in moyesy!!!!!
Steve Lynch
11 Posted 05/10/2007 at 11:03:08
11 Posted 05/10/2007 at 11:03:08
Franny, I agree I am sure he refferred to one chance as "Food and Cement"
Ernie Boyce
12 Posted 05/10/2007 at 10:45:57
12 Posted 05/10/2007 at 10:45:57
Phew?. what a relief!! What a frustrating and anxious game to watch, we won ugly but a win is a win. However, I am left with so many questions:
Good to see Howard, Lescott, Pienaar, Anichebe and most notably McFadden all enjoyed good individual performances?but I thought the team performance was dire. What exactly was the game plan?!? Surely in that atmosphere last night it was crucial Everton kept possession early on to silence the crowd, why the hang did we not play the ball to feet?. it was so frustrating. As soon as we ditched the long ball game we waltzed through the Metalist defence like a hot knife through butter.
Why did Carsley not play? He?s played in Europe numerous times with Ireland, and I think he would have been better equipped to play possession football and protect the defence than Jags!
Why was Baines dropped, Yobo reinstated and Lesoctt moved from CB (where he has been our best player this year!)? I?m sorry to say it but Yobo was awful last night. More often than not he is the weak link in defence.
Does Moyes understand Yakubu?s strengths? I?ve seen the Yak play many times for Portsmouth and Middlesborough and he is excellent when his teamates pass the ball to his feet. He?s strong has a good turn and good link up play. He is uselss in the air, so why do we persist in lumping balls from defence to him? He could be quality for us!
I think Faddy should be the first striker on the teamsheet, what do you think?
Good to see Howard, Lescott, Pienaar, Anichebe and most notably McFadden all enjoyed good individual performances?but I thought the team performance was dire. What exactly was the game plan?!? Surely in that atmosphere last night it was crucial Everton kept possession early on to silence the crowd, why the hang did we not play the ball to feet?. it was so frustrating. As soon as we ditched the long ball game we waltzed through the Metalist defence like a hot knife through butter.
Why did Carsley not play? He?s played in Europe numerous times with Ireland, and I think he would have been better equipped to play possession football and protect the defence than Jags!
Why was Baines dropped, Yobo reinstated and Lesoctt moved from CB (where he has been our best player this year!)? I?m sorry to say it but Yobo was awful last night. More often than not he is the weak link in defence.
Does Moyes understand Yakubu?s strengths? I?ve seen the Yak play many times for Portsmouth and Middlesborough and he is excellent when his teamates pass the ball to his feet. He?s strong has a good turn and good link up play. He is uselss in the air, so why do we persist in lumping balls from defence to him? He could be quality for us!
I think Faddy should be the first striker on the teamsheet, what do you think?
Andy Callan
13 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:27:50
13 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:27:50
Don’t be so fuckin’ daft. I am sick of inept performances and changing formations WHEN IT MOST MATTERS. I have been a blue as long as I have been breathin’, but that last night was shite; a complete and utter miracle.
Being positive doesn’t mask the fact that we were lucky last night; VERY lucky.
Moyes has to learn and fast. Let hope he does.
COYB.
Being positive doesn’t mask the fact that we were lucky last night; VERY lucky.
Moyes has to learn and fast. Let hope he does.
COYB.
Brian Williams
14 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:34:28
14 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:34:28
Watched the game last night from the "comfort" of my cabin on an offshore oil platform....and I’m glad I watched it alone because the first half was nothing short of embarrasing. So called "minnows" sliced open our defence at will and their midfield looked like world beaters due to the total ineptitude and disorganisation of our midfield.
Even the Jocks on here were dumbfounded by the performance as Everton are quite renowned for being well drilled and organised in defence.
I hope the euphoria of getting through doesn’t paper over the cracks of what overall was a shocking performance.
Even the Jocks on here were dumbfounded by the performance as Everton are quite renowned for being well drilled and organised in defence.
I hope the euphoria of getting through doesn’t paper over the cracks of what overall was a shocking performance.
Ste Birkett
15 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:50:26
15 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:50:26
Disagree with the Yobo comment above. More often than not he’s rock solid and the daft slips have been at a minimum for a long time. Last night was definitely a blip, for me.
And Lescott, however perversely, filled the attacking left back role superbly last night. He was at the heart of several key attacks, somehow, and probably wouldn’t have been if he was at CB. Think Moyes wanted the pace/experience combo of Yobo/Stubbs, which didn’t quite pan out in the end.
Overall, great result but lucky after some atrocious tactics.
And Lescott, however perversely, filled the attacking left back role superbly last night. He was at the heart of several key attacks, somehow, and probably wouldn’t have been if he was at CB. Think Moyes wanted the pace/experience combo of Yobo/Stubbs, which didn’t quite pan out in the end.
Overall, great result but lucky after some atrocious tactics.
Bob P
16 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:56:18
16 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:56:18
Hey Richard, I hope you’ve got this right but I agree with a lot of what you say. Mal Mac was one and Pickering was another. Problem is that we Evertonians might expect too much "immediately". Gee we’re lucky to have so much to complain about. if we were ordinary life would be a bore!!!!
Bob - Adelaide
Bob - Adelaide
Nick
17 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:59:00
17 Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:59:00
Strange game to win 3-2 but don’t care as through.
Regarding the Yak he is a quality finisher - and no more. If you put the ball to him in the right areas he will score. Playing 40 yard punts up to him and he’s not going to score. Personally I think we have to wait till Gravesen comes into the team and then we will probably (well hopefully) play it on the ground more. Then by sliding balls in Yakubu (and AJ for that matter) will start scoring.
As for Jags - he’s had a few shockers recently but he was looking alright b4. Again give him a bit of time and I’m sure he’ll be alright.
Hmmm. I’ve almost come over Richard Dodd-like there...
Regarding the Yak he is a quality finisher - and no more. If you put the ball to him in the right areas he will score. Playing 40 yard punts up to him and he’s not going to score. Personally I think we have to wait till Gravesen comes into the team and then we will probably (well hopefully) play it on the ground more. Then by sliding balls in Yakubu (and AJ for that matter) will start scoring.
As for Jags - he’s had a few shockers recently but he was looking alright b4. Again give him a bit of time and I’m sure he’ll be alright.
Hmmm. I’ve almost come over Richard Dodd-like there...
Gerard Madden
18 Posted 05/10/2007 at 13:23:01
18 Posted 05/10/2007 at 13:23:01
Not a great performance but it’s the result that matters - now we’ve got an opportunity of some guaranteed games to further the club and managers learning process in Europe, if we can progress further than the group stage that’ll be a huge bonus.
Great and interesting times for our club. :)
Great and interesting times for our club. :)
DJ
19 Posted 05/10/2007 at 14:22:24
19 Posted 05/10/2007 at 14:22:24
Why is nobody criticizeing stubbs, how on earth is he in the team, he his not even good enough for the championship.
Roy coyne
20 Posted 05/10/2007 at 14:24:24
20 Posted 05/10/2007 at 14:24:24
I can accept that Yak needs time to settle but that jog back was a disgrace when it was all hands to the pump mode he was strolling back,and also well done to the fans that went they were great frankly better than the teams performance deserved
Anthony Newell
21 Posted 05/10/2007 at 22:23:08
21 Posted 05/10/2007 at 22:23:08
Wasn’t Kevin Ratcliffe involved in Everton FC corporate entertainment package? - there was a photo of him on the official site going round tables with a mic speaking to fans. Maybe there is some truth in the fact that he aid into the sauce good style last night before and during the game and who could blame him?, I certainly did
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 05/10/2007 at 08:04:43
On Yakubu though, surely last night was the time to give a bit more. I think when had to track back and just gave up, it lost him any settling in time. He now needs to start producing.
Another point, he ended the game on the left wing, was that so Moyes could have a go at him to get running, just seemed a strange decision.