ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

For Everton (see England)

The following extract was written by a guy named Thayden on football365, and while it is in reference to the Great British capitulation over the last week or so in international football, some of the points had me nodding in agreement when I consider our own team, particularly some of the more maligned players.

I'm proud that we have a good backbone of British players and a British manager but when I compare us to Arsenal I see he has a point:

Rip It Up And Start Again

Eddie Harrison, Peterborough Posted 19/10/2007 at 14:08:40

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Beth Louise Carter
1 Posted 19/10/2007 at 16:37:28

Had a brief look at the article you suggested but did not have time too read all through it. My understanding is that england have failed to live up to their usual high expectations (no surprise there) and other uk participants (maybe wth the exception of scotland) have all but bit the dust. Lets cut to the chase - Although living in England I was born elsewhere and i am not really interested in international football. What gets my attention however is the fortunes of Everton football club, even more so tomorrow, where unfortuately the eyes of a nation will be focused elsewhere (paris, rugby) . I hope we can beat our hated, well unwelcome neighbors and have a blue mersey for the weekend. Its unlikely we will get any change at anfield.

Tony Williams
2 Posted 19/10/2007 at 17:00:46

Good article and a conversation that me and mymates have after every lost game.

There are simply no "skillful" players anymore, as a country it is disgusting that we cannot manage to get 10 outfield players who can actually hold and pass the ball.

We all know this is the same with Everton, we have the spirit but lack the necessary skill to push onward.

The part where he blames the parents is spot on, we instill the win at all costs mentality and feel effort equals ability, we do need to go to grass roots and start encouraging youngsters to try something different and not be affraid to try tricks.

Terry Maddock
3 Posted 19/10/2007 at 18:17:00

Its a spot on article....bar Arsenal, the rest of the Prem is based on strengh over skill..I have to laugh when i hear Stevie G. being lauded as "the best midfielder in the world" by commentators and players...He has a great engine..good at free kicks..but tackles like paul scholes on acid.and constantly tries the hollywood ball over the simple pass..also bar one season when everything he hit went in..most of his efforts at goal are high wide and not so handsome...compared to a KAKA , Riquelme..or Fabregas..he has nowhere near their class..thats the reason he looks shit for England..because he is generally playing against more technically gifted players..the same goes for Lampard,Carrick and co..these are seen as the back none of teams,,while the likes of Joe Cole, Arteta, Graveson,Malbranque etc are seen as "luxury" players...Arsene Wenger has shown that you can be successful playing 9 luxury players and 2 with a bit of steel rather than the other way round.

Tony Marsh
4 Posted 19/10/2007 at 18:45:03

Well said Terry I totally agree with your comment.Brazil are always the team to beat in any world cup yet most of thier squad are footballers above all else.Cant understand this need for utility types and workhorses.Give me a ball player any day over a clogger.

rob jones
5 Posted 20/10/2007 at 11:56:00

i agree with most of your comments but how is gravesen a luxury player hes hardly a ronaldo or kaka although he is an essential part of the team when he plays, I personally think we should always play with one defensive mid and one attacking mid.