ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

We did win, you know!

As ever, Toffeeweb is awash with exaggerated extremes on both sides.

Last night we ground out a win against a clearly technically superior side. It was a bit like the old days, when the spirit of the English side won the game through sheer bloody-mindedness.

The win only proves that we won the group, a game early, with a so-far 100% record. As someone who takes issue with Moyes when he fucks up, I'm happy to praise him for our fine current run. Given that a mediocre Boro side got to the final two years ago, who knows what this team could do?

I'm happy to keep dreaming ? I hope we can learn from another side who showed more composure on the ball and had better movement. Imagine how good we could become if we could fix a bit more of that onto our exisiting winning skill and spirit!
Paul Tran, Kendal Posted 06/12/2007 at 09:50:08

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Steve Jones
1 Posted 06/12/2007 at 11:18:34

Enjoyed the game last night and it was great to see us demonstrating some patience in Europe.

I was impressed by their captain, Tymoschuk though. He looked like their best player, was very comfortable on the ball, athletic, distribution was good and played a great defensive midfield role ? also he filled in at centre half and did really well.

I think we are vulnerable if Carsley gets injured because we have no real back-up of quality as a defensive midfielder (we all know Neville and Jags arent the answer)... So what do you think about a swoop for him in January? Maybe he has the Goodison bug now he's been here.

Arshavin looked a good, intelligent player as well, as did the centre-forward they took off ? but their captian stole it for me as their best player who could compliment our side.

Michael Parkes
2 Posted 06/12/2007 at 12:47:15

Football Manager syndrome has hit me, must be the time of year. How impressed was everyone else with Andrei Arshavin for Zenit? He can play midfield as both winger and central playmaker and also a striker. If we still have that Manny money then he, if Zenit get knocked out, would be an exellent Jan signing. He couldn't play in Europe, however, we may be able to rest Cahill and Arteta more domestically with him in the squad to keep them fresh for Europe. He looks a world-class player.

Ajay Gopal
3 Posted 06/12/2007 at 13:53:00

Michael:

i did not get a chance to see the game. But, if you all say he is good, I believe it.

He is already linked with the Toons and is quoted to be happy to be linked to them !

James Elworthy
4 Posted 06/12/2007 at 14:16:46

Buying Arshavin would be sensational:
Here is a snippet about him I have copied,

Andrei Arshavin has played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and as a striker. He won the Russian Premier League Award for the player of the season largely because of his ability to play well as a winger, playmaker and as a striker. He is known for superb pace, dribbling qualities, vision, technique and passing. These attributes and his hard working nature have turned him into one of the most important players for his club and country.

Keith Glazzard
5 Posted 06/12/2007 at 14:32:54

Yes, we did win, and it has to count as a very good one. It wins the group (very valuable) with 3 out of 3 and keeps the unbeaten run in tact Zenit (the Russian champs) turned out to be a big, strong and very physical side, as well as skillful and mobile. And we won.

The great teams of the mid-80’s didn’t have everything their own way. They had to dig in and grind out results when necessary. Is it selective memory, or do I recall that one of our hallmarks was the ability to force late victories?

Moyes is quoted on Viginmedia as saying that Arteta and Pienaar were better than anything they had and Lescott was the best player on the field. As others have said, you could imagine a couple of Zenit’s players fitting well into our squad, and I agree. But just think about what that means - five years back we might have wanted most of them !

One last point, about 4-5-1 vs 4-4-2. Tim Cahill spent most of the game not doing what he’s best at, up the field, in and around their box. When at last he did get in there - a good and ultimately well-deserved win.

January in Europe - here we come.

Declan Burke
6 Posted 08/12/2007 at 17:34:47

Having won our group, are we at home for second leg on 21st February? Need to book flights. Cheers