ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

The End of Plucky Little Everton?

I've wanted an Everton team that passes, moves, scores goals and puts a smile on our faces. So a big Thank You to David Moyes for buying better players and having the courage to let them play.

Previously we would play hard-working hoofball against the big three/four, sometimes chiselling out a result that would justify playing the same way against the rest. Bad to watch, with the inconsistency to boot.

Our great recent run has been based on attacking these clearly inferior teams and putting them to the sword, just as we should. The rest of the world is noticing precisely because we are now good to watch, which in turn will make us more attractive to better players....

It was wonderful to see us have a right good go against United and Arsenal. We were treated as equals by both sides and pushed them all the way. Both sides are much further in their development and had more experience, depth and nous.

Instead of being 'plucky little Everton', we are now clearly one of, if not the best side outside the big three/four and certainly playing the best stuff. Interesting that now we are playing more positive football, we are progressing in two cups.

This run has been a reality check. One that has shown we can play attractive football regularly, we can finish teams off and we can compete with the big three/four. There is a gap between us and them, but if we keep playing the same way, while maintaining our attitude and strengthening in midfield, we can bridge it!

A Happy New Year to all Blues everywhere. Here's to a passing, moving, attacking and trophy-winning 2008!
Paul Tran, Kendal Posted 31/12/2007 at 09:59:44

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Comments

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Kieran Fitzgerald
1 Posted 31/12/2007 at 13:28:53

I think that Moyes has the brains to sit down and review the games against Arsenal and Utd and see that we played very very well. The second half against Arsenal was a freak one in that we rarely make one defensive mistake, let alone three, of the magnitude that cost us the goals. Moyes will have the brains to see that too and I?m sure that it will be dealt with in an exception that proves the rule sort of way. After all, our defence has been brilliant for large parts of the season.

If you look at a lot of our fixtures for the next six or seven weeks, there are the same calibre of very winnable games that there were for the last six or seven weeks.

I think that a lot of work will have been done with the squad since the Arsenal game in emphasising what has been so positive about our season so far, and what can still be achieved.

Neil Styles
2 Posted 31/12/2007 at 14:58:13

Appreciate your article and I dont mean to seem on a hair trigger here but the title of your article is a little insulting; using adjectives like ’plucky’ and ’little’ to describe our great club is downright incorrect.

Harry Charles
3 Posted 31/12/2007 at 14:40:49

Everton should appeal on the Arteta sending off. Classy players like Arteta and Fabregas, play, turn, and run with there arms out stright, Arteta's arm was straight and the hand did tap him in the face, as did fabragas catch Arteta in the chest. but a dilibrate ELBOW by either player no. What was sad was Fabregas taking to the floor in agony, and other players hustling the ref.

Charlie Skinley
4 Posted 31/12/2007 at 16:18:13

Neil, I think you have miss read Paul?s comments. I read into what he said was having a slight ?dig? at the so-called big four who used to treat us a ?Plucky little Everton?. I think the fat Spanish waiter even said as much.

I agree with Paul that I think a bit more experience playing some good football and hopefully the mistakes against Utd and Arsenal will not happen. At the end of the day if you make mistakes against the quality sides then they will punish you.

I just hope Moyes can ensure the players stay confident and get back to winning ways tomorrow. COYB

Charlie Percival
5 Posted 31/12/2007 at 16:43:59

A bit random but I have known since Fabregas came into the Prem that him and Arteta hate each other. They make out they're friends like most players) but Fabregas wanted Arteta off.

Derek Thomas
6 Posted 01/01/2008 at 22:17:34

Spot on ! I second that emotion.