ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Nerves

Everyone post Metalist is talking about Moyes tactics, poor side selection, poor individual performances, hoofball over possession football (all of which are very relevant and on my mind) but no one has discussed the players' nerves.

The players hadn?t forgotten the disappointment of 2 years ago, more than ever they were desparate to get a result for both the fans and themselves, and they were extremely nervous. They knew how important it was for the club to reach the group stages.

Have you ever been nervous? When I?m nervous I lose concentration and find it hard to stay composed and think straight. I believe that is exactly what most of the players felt last night?they were overawed by the sheer importance of the occasion. I reckon Moyes did ask them to keep possession and a good shape, but the nerves got the better of the players and they resorted to hoofball.

I guess some of you would say?.?but they?re suppose to be professionals? ? yes that?s a point, but not many of them have experience of big games, hositle foreign stadiums etc. None of them are yet to regularly grace the elite competions of football. Yes Howard, Yobo, McFadden, Yakubu and Piennar are internationals but as part of largely unsuccesful sides when it comes to World and European competions.

Now that we?ve reached the group stages, I feel that the players will be far more relaxed and we?ll enjoy some much improved performances.

I see we?re in pot 3 with arguably better teams than pot 2 i.e. Galatasary, Foirentina, Athletico Madrid. I can?t wait for the draw on Tuesday and the group stages, with more relaxed players, a healthiier squad (Cahill, Gravesen, Vaughan) and our fantastic team spirit I really believe that we can go a long way, maybe all the way??we compete with Arsenal, Liverpool, Man U, Chelsea, Spurs and Bolton week in week out in the prem, so if they can reach European semis, finals etc we can certainly do that in the UEFA cup. COYB fans have some faith.
Ernie Boyce, midlands Posted 05/10/2007 at 12:51:51

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