ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

What`s our priority?

The fear that we could be without FOUR of our regular players for the central part of the season has suddenly become reality with the news that Anichebe, Yobo, Yakubu and Pienaar will all be off to the African Nations Cup. To me that means the spine of the team will be missing at a very crucial part of the season and begs the question as to the manager`s foresightedness is signing the two Africans brought in last summer.

Be that as it may, he will surely have to address the shortfall in numbers during the January `window` ? but just where do HIS priorities lie?

To me, we can just about get by in defence with Stubbs and Jagielka able to cover for Yobo. People on here have been saying for weeks that we have an embarrassment of riches up-front and our wealth in that area will be put to the test very shortly. Personally, I doubt whether AJ, Faddy and Vaughan will be up to actually getting the goals we could expect from our absentees but soon we shall know the answer.

From the foregoing, you will know that I am again leading up to the old chestnut of our already inadequate midfield resources. Whilst Pienaar is hardly the general we have cried out for, he WILL be missed. Just one or two injuries to the other regulars will see us relying on the doubtful legs of Tommy G and Moyes`s delusion that Neville and Jags can play in midfield!

But, as with everything else Everton, I know opinions differ. So what do YOU see as our priority ? or would you take a chance on what we`ve got?
Brian Noble, Ince Blundell Posted 20/11/2007 at 12:56:55

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Comments

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Jay Wilson
1 Posted 20/11/2007 at 15:01:54

I believe we will be ok up front as we will still have 3 strikers competing for 1 spot (I think we can all agree that Cahill is our most potent second striker). We are also adequately covered in defence which leaves the midfield. We are a bit short here anyway; Moyes has looked to address this on a number of occasions so I can’t see January being any different. He has already spoken of his desire to add some height and strength to the midfield so I am quietly optimistic about the coming months ANC or no ANC.

Phil Tweed
2 Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:52:51

Begs the question to your short sightedness rather than the manager?s foresightedness. Pienaar, if signed, and Yakubu are players for the future; Moyes is building a side for the future not the short term!

With that in mind, during January rely on Stubbs and Jags, have faith in AJ, Faddy and Vaughan and invest circa £10m in a midfield general.

Seamus Murphy
3 Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:13:58

There can be nobody left in any doubt that what we need (even before losing Pienaar) is a quality midfielder. I think Stubbs and even Jags can cover for Yobo (Jags looked perfectly comfortable there against Birmingham).
Think we should be ok up front too as we also have Cahill and are playing 4-5-1 so three strikers should be enough to cover that

Ste Kinder
4 Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:13:56

What we need is a solid midfielder someone like Gareth Barry who can also play left midfield if needed. Would also like to see Gamst Pederson on the left (plus an owner who would/could buy these players). Defenders and forwards we have.

Tony Connor
5 Posted 20/11/2007 at 20:49:14

Garry Speed as a replacement for Irvine and we get a damn good squad midfield player effectively for nothing.

...sounds like a Moyesy style bargain to me

(and no I don’t know what happened when Speed left the Blues but I’m pretty certain there was more to it than met the eyes of those that leapt in to slag him off)

Steve Saye
6 Posted 20/11/2007 at 21:12:21

Tony O'Conor, I knew someone who worked at Bellefield at the time of Gary Speed's exit and I was told that at on the friday before an away game at westham gary walked into Kendall's office to find him completly bladded quoting "You pick the fucking team"? this is no joke.

Jay Harris
7 Posted 20/11/2007 at 21:29:47

Tony and Steve.
Not only did speed assist in picking the team but when the players were coming off at half time Speed picked up what he thought was a bottle of water and it turned out to be Vodka.
That was the final straw.
Stories are legend about Howard being found legless on Formby beach and being taken home.

Mark Pendleton
8 Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:05:02

I too have it on good authority that Steve and Jay’s accounts of Speeds departure from Everton are true. I’d love to have him back.