ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Make or Break!

Just looking at the fixtures for December, and we have 9 games at an average of 1 nearly every 3 days! This is the time that the depth of our squad is going to be needed most. The month of December is potentially the biggest of our recent era, with a League Cup QF against West Ham, which if we win, then I fancy our chances to be honest.

Also 2 Uefa Cup games which are not greatly important as we seem to have already qualified, but it would still be nice to finish top of the group with good performances maintaining the current flow and confidence.

And then there's the 6 league games.........If we can at least win 4 of these, I believe we will be very nicely placed going into the new year, where together with a couple of new additions (Alan Hutton, and an enforcing CM on my wish list, with maybe CB to cover), we can build on a GREAT half of a season and really push on for some much needed silverware, and qualification for Europe through the league. COYB, this really is a big month, where the quality we have in numbers maybe called up on.
Nicko Coyne, L23 Posted 26/11/2007 at 21:59:00

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Peter Pridgeon
1 Posted 27/11/2007 at 01:26:22

Nick, I like your optimism, but dont you think its a bit over the top if we beat West Ham in the LC Quarters you fancy our chances.
Every game from the quarters is like a final because you are playing premiership quality teams. The semi will be even harder .
The real season starts in the new year and we need to be in touch with the leaders going into it I would think that Moyes is concerned about the New Year because of the loss of the African contingent.
Moyes has always shown reluctance to purchase in the January window because of price and the difficulty of bedding in new players. I believe he will look at loan options on one or maybe two players or he may promote the likes of Rodwell as cover for Stubbs and Lesscott
Who knows lets see what December brings, it could be a whole different story by the time we sit down and munch on our Turkey

Greg Murphy
2 Posted 27/11/2007 at 08:19:47

Whilst I’m not exactly overlooking the Utd game on Dec 23rd as an indicator of how the Blues are progressing, I’ve already got a particularly keen eye trained on the Arsenal fixture on Dec 29th, purely because the last thing you’d really want in preparation to play the Gunners is four games in nine days (Alkmaar, 20th, Utd 23rd, Bolton 26th, Arsenal 29th)!!

I think it will be a really telling game because on one hand I can see a car crash ahead with knackered Blues being carved open by the Globetrotters. Then again, Arsenal have got a stiff run coming up and just maybe coming to a ground they’ve been wary of for a few years might be a game too far for them as an attritional Blue wall grinds them down (in which case cue more Wenger whingeing about the winter break).

Then again it could be the dullest 0.0 draw because both teams are goosed. I ain’t having a bet.

The only reason I’m looking at the Arsenal game as a barometer is because I think many have written the Utd game off already (I know - should never do that) but we always fancy ourselves against the Arse at Goodison - especially in what should be a bear-pit, aled-up, floodlit, festive atmosphere.

So this is the game I’m really looking to gauge things by because there are so many factors to consider.

However, I think the Alkmaar game will be key as to how we cope with the loony festive schedule - and it would be great if, whilst not disrespecting the 7,000 Blues gathered for a Christmas do in the Dam (whether they get a ticket or not), Moyes can take his foot off the gas for a meaningless game and play the likes of Lukas.

Thing is, though, I can’t see that being the case because I think we’ll need to win our group and we’ll probably need at least a draw at AZ to do it.

Therefore I think Moyes has already probably already put the Utd game in the "anything’s a bonus" file.

Put it this way, there won’t be a fit player in the squad who doesn’t get used from Dec 1 to Jan 1st.

Great month to look forward to, though, innit?

Lee Spargo
3 Posted 27/11/2007 at 12:43:55

Peter, I happen to agree with Nicko. If we can beat West Ham at their place, then I fancy our chances as well. The reason being, our team just seems to refuse to be beaten just now. The Semi is over two legs, meaning whoever we draw will have to come to Goodison. I always fancy us to beat anyone at Goodison.

I just have a feeling we will do something this season, whether it be finishing in the top 4 or winning a cup.

Kieran Fitzgerald
4 Posted 27/11/2007 at 17:56:47

With CL games, plus the league cup, Arsenal have as many games as we do. Utd have CL games which will be a drain. I think it?s the teams that have only league games between now and the new year that I would be more concerned about. Less games will mean they?re fresher and they have less chance of injury and suspension.
I do agree with Greg though that it is a great month to look forward to.

David Barks
5 Posted 27/11/2007 at 18:32:13

This period is make or break for all clubs, not just ours. There are a load of games for everyone with potential injuries and fatigue a problem for any team. Lets just look at each game as it comes and hope that our key players (Arteta, Cahill) can stay healthy throughout. This is why we built a solid squad, with players like Baines, Vaughan, McFadden not even making the bench one game, but are good enough to start the next if called on. And hopefully we can sign a top class center midfielder in January to knock us up to that next level that we are all looking for. But Riquelme will not be the one to do that for us.

Gareth Hughes
6 Posted 28/11/2007 at 12:28:53

Who is Alan Hutton when he is at home?

Steve Templeton
7 Posted 28/11/2007 at 15:07:13

Gareth,
Alan Hutton is the Rangers right back.

He is tall, quick, skillful and loves getting forward. He has been playing out of his skin for Scotland and was probably their best player against the Ukraine and Italy.

I’m sure Moyes must be aware of him being a proud Scot himself.

The only problem we may face in signing him (assuming that Moyes wants him bearing in mind how well Neville is playing at right back) is that he has already been linked with Man Utd and Rangers will not sell for less than 8 million.

Well that’s according to the NOTW!