The Mail Bag
Can we dare to dream
Comments (13)
David Moyes has assembled a side that is starting to show it can dominate some of the lower table sides in the Premier League. Given that this is where the majority of the points come from during the season, this bodes well for our finishing place at the end of season. As well as this we have recently taken a point each (away) from two teams that are currently operating in the top six, again this is a good exercise in points gathering that will add to our total come the end of the season.
What if we carry on this level of form? Can we dream of a top six finish again? Or can we extend that dream and covert of a champions league top four finish.
Well let?s get ambitious and dream a little further. Arsenal were beaten today by Middlesboro, Man United last week were downed by Bolton, The Shite this week were so bad, they got what they deserved at Reading, Chelsea like ourselves have been beaten by Aston Villa. My point; every team can be beaten by lesser teams on the day and no team is completely dominant at present.
By the time some of us are recovering on New Years Day and ready to face Middlesboro, Everton could be in a position where they are in the semi final of the league cup, have just got a point or more at Old Trafford, something from the Arsenal and Bolton games, or we may be reassessing the team and Moyes tactics and team choice during a crucial period in the clubs season, or dare I say; history, because if we do carry this form into the new year, then I do fancy this side for something more than just the top six or possibly four finish.
We can dream but let's see what the rest of December brings...
Peter Pridgeon, Posted 10/12/2007 at 07:42:07
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2 Posted 10/12/2007 at 09:39:52
If the African Nations cup was not happening in January I would be confident of finishing in the top six this season. For me we have slowly built a squad over the last five years that in terms of ability is better than everyone else accept the top four. The 4th, 6th and 7th place finishes in recent seasons have added to the sides confidence and experience and the our fantastic form plus experience in Europe this season is giving us a competitive edge over most sides in the Prem.
HOWEVER, we are still a long way behind Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal. In my opinion nothing but a similar experience for Everton can breed the confidence and experience that the top four have gained from continually playing in the Champions league and finishing in the top four of the Prem. In terms of ability Arteta may be as good as Fabregas, Cahill as good as Scholes, Lescott as good as Ferdinand but until they have similar big game experience and achievements I don?t think they?ll have as good a mentally and level of confidence.
Realistically if we want to break into the top four, I think we must consolidate over the next few seasons. We are capable of and must over the next few seasons finish fifth or sixth in the Premiership, compete year after year in the UEFA, FA and Carling cup. I honestly believe that we can achieve the above over the next few seasons and if make a few more quality signings then 2009/10 could be our year.
3 Posted 10/12/2007 at 11:51:54
I’m happy with getting a draw away from home, ie like Portsmouth...but we must do them in at Goodison.
If we want to finish top four then we need to do this against the top four aswell.
4 Posted 10/12/2007 at 12:20:02
That is why i can see Moyes on top of maybe getting that big midfield signing, a few loan sigings to cope with the losses.
Also, given the toughness of the next few games, and not wanting to drop out of the top 10 in the league, given the choice, which of the West Ham games would you rather win (pref both) but if we had a choice of one???????
5 Posted 10/12/2007 at 12:29:06
6 Posted 10/12/2007 at 12:36:48
But i would settle for winning the cup game and a draw at West Ham maybe.
Why is the the Cup game at West Ham not telivised???? You can bet your arse that the other ones will be!
7 Posted 10/12/2007 at 12:49:12
Johnson
Vaughan
Anichebe
McFadden
All good enough to start and all bring something different to the team. At the start of the year I wanted to see Johnson partnered by Vaughan in our 1st eleven. I think we will have adequate cover for the Yak.
8 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:08:59
Hasnt Yak and Vogts fallen out?
9 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:02:05
10 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:18:52
How many assists has SP got in the last ten games and how many goals has Yak got???
I am not saying we will be shit, but i am saying that with injuries and 50/50 games where we need to kick it up a gear and turn games around those 2 players will be big losses and possibly 10-20 points in the time of the ANC.
BUT, maybe Nigeria and South Africa will go home early, who knows??
AJ for me is not one of out greatest assets at the moment and McFadden is hit and miss, so i really do think the ANC will play a big part in our season unless we get some more players in the Jan transfer window.
11 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:36:02
Sky aren’t televising our game with West ham as it’s on a Champions League night and they tend to televise all CL games. The other LC quarters will be on as there are no PL or CL games for them to show next week.
12 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:40:09
Check out our fixtures:
Jan 1 A Boro
Jan 5 H Oldham (FA)
Jan 12 H City
Jan 20 A Wigan
Jan 30 H Spurs
Given the current state of the squad, balanced against the players likely to be missing, I don’t think any of those sides hold any greater threat because of the absentees. Indeed, given how the ACN may impact even more crucially on the teams above us, it could be a window of opportunity for us to overhaul a good few of them.
The power of positive thinking.
Believe, Blues - BELIEVE!!
13 Posted 10/12/2007 at 13:56:06
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1 Posted 10/12/2007 at 09:28:47
Roll on Wednesday,