ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

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Just a small gripe this one: After yesterday's game, for the life of me, I simply can't work out the logic in having both Jagielka and Hibbert on the bench. Surely the benefit of having utility men such as Jags means we can fill the remaining bench spots with players who offer something different to what's on the pitch ? Gravesen or McFadden for example.

Don't get me wrong, I back the Moyes regime, and football at its base level is a simple game, but at the highest level the small details can make all the difference. I simply can't fathom the reason for having Hibbert on the bench alongside Jags. If Davey wanted more defensive optons, surely Baines should have been include, giving us the option of a natural left-footer and also being a far better player than Hibbert.

Anyway, moan over and it was still a decent point yesterday.
Ian Kearney, South Shields Posted 02/12/2007 at 13:12:26

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Dave Trudgeon
1 Posted 02/12/2007 at 15:44:15

Exactly what I was thinking; Valente was poor yesterday.

James Elworthy
2 Posted 02/12/2007 at 16:15:07

I too was surprised to see Hibbert on the bench instead of Gravesen or McFadden as Jagielka is also a right back. Baines as a left side option would of also been better especially with Valente's injury record.

Connor Rohrer
3 Posted 02/12/2007 at 17:48:45

I dont see what everyone has a go at Moyes whenever Hibbert is selected. To be honest I dont want him in the starting eleven but as a squad player or on the bench he is decent.

He had a very good game against Chelsea last time he played and in most away games he does his job. At Goodison when the emphasis is to attack then I dont want him playing but away from home when someone like Neville is injured then fine. He’s our second choice right back and people have to accept this. Jagielka had a spell there but he is seen as a centre half by Moyes which is his natural position.

Anyway, he didn’t play so there’s no problem. He was there in case Neville got injured whereas Jags was there if Lescott or Yobo got injured. Baines probably would have been a better choice but when you think about it both Lescott and Valente can play left back so we where covered in that area whereas Neville was our only right fullback so Hibbert was on the bench as cover.

I wish people would stop knocking the lad. No he’s not the greatest player in the world but he’s a squad player and a local lad who desperately wants to stay at Everton Football Club.

Alan Rodgers
4 Posted 02/12/2007 at 18:07:36

McFadden not even on the bench again , must be off in January ?

Joe Rourke
5 Posted 02/12/2007 at 18:52:34

Yeah... Hibbert is probably a good player on the bench...he doesn?t have to kick a ball there!!!

Carsley wasn?t up to much yesterday... most of Pompey?s dangerous moments came from the left or the ?hole? in the centre in front of the centre backs... Carsley backed off too much and even passed back to Howard once from the centre line under little pressure. Also, Valente was scared of Utaka and didn?t close him down adequately nevermind challange him. Our link up play in the middle was atrocious sometimes too...

We need to groom Jags or get some body in for this DM position soon - I think at least...

Ray Robinson
6 Posted 02/12/2007 at 22:01:58

With no genuine midfielder on the bench yesterday, why wasn't Gravesen in the squad for the Portsmouth game? Has Tommy fallen out with Moyes or is Moyes struggling to keep everyone involved?

As for Baines, maybe Moyes thought Valente was better equipped to cope with Porstmouth's height and physicality ? and he may have been right. But surely he would have been a better man to have on the bench than Hibbert who can only play as right back and whose position was covered by Jagielka anyway?

I'm perplexed.

Ian Kearney
7 Posted 03/12/2007 at 12:15:22

Exactly my point Ray. I wasnt having a direct pop at Hibbert, just questioning the logic of having him and Jags on the bench when more varied options are available.

Neil Styles
8 Posted 04/12/2007 at 13:51:58

Agreed. Every week I look at the subs bench hoping that AvdM will be sitting there and every week Im disapointed. He’s being playing fantastic for the reserves so why cant we give him the nod?!