ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

John Audsley
1 Posted 05/01/2008 at 17:25:45

Pathetic!

So Davey, you've had your "Shrewsbury"!

Well, now you've had an "Oldham"!

Spineless performance today. We have had a great season so far but sorry there is no excuse with what's happened today, none at all.

And for anyone who thinks Gravesen is some kind of saviour in returning to the club, forget it. Utter, utter rubbish.

Guy Pierce
2 Posted 05/01/2008 at 17:48:26

Phil Neville writes...

Well, at least we'll be first on Match of the Day.

Jeremy Beaddle
3 Posted 05/01/2008 at 17:53:38

Lets not make too much fuss.

If you would ask the majority of supporters what would they prefer:

1. Last 16 of the UEFA cup
2. The final of the Carling Cup
3. Fifth place in the premier league or
4. 4th round of the FA cup

I will bet my (fondly looked after) cat that the FA Cup would be a distant 4th. Disagree? No. I didnt think so. Lets get to the real world. No team can fight on all 4 fronts to the bitter end.

Kunal Desai
4 Posted 05/01/2008 at 17:53:53

It may be a weakened side but the side was certainly strong enough to see off Oldham. Their attitude was all wrong, they probably thought they could stroll all over them without realising the opposition would raise their game against a premier league side. Need to certainly ship out Gravesen and McFadden.

Mike Oates
5 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:00:48

If there?s one thing I hope Moyes?s learns from this is that clearly Gravesen , Mc Fadden , Wessels arent good enough as squad players to cover for a team who believe they can compete at the Top level of the Premiership.
We have only about 16 players who you can count on :-
Howard,Hibbert, Neville,Yobo,Lescott,Stubbs,Jags,Baines, Valente,Pinnear,Arteta, Osman,Cahill,Carsley,Johnson,Yakubu.

Still learning - Vaughan, Anichebe.

To loose 4 or 5 due to injuries, suspensions,ANC etc and you effectively cannot compete at the Top level , loose 9 like we did today (by choice for some) and you cant be trusted to compete against teams who will fight for everything.

Anyway main point after rabbitting - get rid of McFadden and Gravesen to Celtic, Wessels back to Germay and get another two midfield players in asap.

Dan Walker
6 Posted 05/01/2008 at 17:57:07

You can understand Moyes thinking in resting a few key players for this one. It was a perfectly reasonable decision to make.....at home against an average League One side, with a big semi-final game against Chelsea to come on Tuesday. No arguments there.

The fact of the matter is, the 11 players out on the pitch today should’ve had more than enough about them to breeze through this one. But it didn’t happen and that’s totally unacceptable.

Is that down to the attitude of the players, or perhaps Moyes inability to motivate them? Or was it poor tactical decisions that cost us?

I wasn’t at the game, so maybe someone who was can shed a bit of light on it?

Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
7 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:02:32

Jeremy, you could have said the same thing at the third round stage of the Carling Cup had we been knocked out then. "Would you prefer the last 32 of the Uefa Cup, an FA Cup run and top 6 in the League to the fourth round?"

You have to be in it to win it and if we get knocked out against Chelsea in the cup semi, then I think we’ll be ruing today’s defeat even more.

Alex Krayford
8 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:02:03

The only thing which is more outrageous than todays result against Oldham is the the ridiculous expectations of some of the supporters thinking we can tackle four competitions at once.

With the amount of games which have been played so far and the games scheduled for the near future it could even be a blessing in disguise.

Its always going to be bitterly dissapointing being beaten at home to a League 1 though.

I regret skitting the RS about their home performance with Wigan the other night now!

Dave Lynch
9 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:02:05

Jeremy.
I would prefer to still be in the fucking FA Cup if that?s alright with you.
In case you hadn?t noticed we are not in the final of anything YET !
We should have walloped Oldham hands down with our ressys, so don?t give me this all fronts shit.
As for the rest of your preferences,they are not worth Jack Shit ! Why ? Because they mean nothing unless we actually achieve something.
I spent best part of £100 today watching that shite with my family. So don?t give me the all is rosy bollocks.

Ben Nichols
10 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:03:23

Im not disputing the result was a bad one, but i?ve just listened to the radio and heard all those sad moaning bastards demanding public apologies in the echo from Moyes.

What a gang of Dick ed?s!!

At the end of the day, we are in the semi of the Carling cup, the last 32 of the UEFA Cup and going strong in the league! If you offered me that at the start of the season i?d have took it, fuck, i?d have ripped ya arm out ya socket!

Perspective PLEASE!!

Key Injuries and bans.... Any team would miss Howard, Yobo, Neville, Cahill, Arteta and Osman, let alone us!

Our 1st choice keeper needs a rest!!

we had a championship keeper in goal, a 35yr old at the back, a shit right back that needs a Bosman ASAP. I?m not saying that the side put out should not have beat Oldham coz it should, but its the FA CUP and anything can happen, Bolton and Blackburn are out to lesser sides so get a fucking grip!!!

All that today has highlighted is that we need reinforcements this month because will and desire alone, cannot get you a result every game when your averaging one every three days!!!

And the gob shites ringing in about Moyes make me cringe with embarassment! They were licking his Arse last week.

Look atthe bigger picture, Giant Killings happen and today there were plenty! Oldham score a ridiculous goal from about a hundred yards and we do everything but score!.......... It happens!

But, I bet most clubs in country would take getting beat by shitty Oldham , and going on a European tour, a strong 6th place and a semi in the Carling Cup!

we?ve had a fucking cup run and are still on 2 of them!!!

Jesus!

Carl Rimmer
11 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:10:46

I see all the media are rubbing their hands at our demise. The BBC can’t get enough of the giantkillers, they’ve enough just shown the Oldham goal at half time of the United Villa game.

Laughing stock again.

Shrewsbury, Blackburn and now Oldham.

If we do get knocked out by Chelsea bang goes our season.

Carl Rimmer
12 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:14:46

By the way, all the people who are saying we shouldn’t get Fernandes are talking rubbish. We desperately miss a ball playing centre midfielder especially as we are currently missing Cahill, Arteta, Osman and now Pienaar !!!

Get him signed up Moyes.

Ben Nichols
13 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:14:41

The only clubs that are more or less guaranteed success every week are the so called "Big Four".

Demise???!!!! WTF! we are out of a cup...... not in administration!!! GET A FUCKIN GRIP!!!

And if we get beat by Chelsea then Moan then, but lets not forget they are billionaires with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of players! They are not fucking mugs and we have no god given right to win fuck all!

We have to work at it and we are still doing that! All the games have took thier toll!

Im sick with the result like all of ya?s.... but its 1 cup out of 2. The other 2 are still there.

A defat to Chelsea is not "Bang goes our Season"

I think everyones main objective this year is to finish in the top 6 again and that is progress!!!!

A cup run is a bonus for any side and we are no different.

Karl Masters
14 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:14:52

’Bang goes our season’

Oh please!

We should have beaten Oldham, but we didn’t and now we have 3 competitions left out of the 4 we entered.

It’s painful now, but we may be glad of a few less fixtures for our still small squad in the next couple of months. Moyes will have learned something from this I’m sure.

All that matters now is Chelsea on Tuesday. Get a result there and this will not feel so bad.

Craig Taylor
15 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:19:29

Look it was poor, and diappointing. But hey the semi final of the carling is now more important Moyes had to be cautious but if we win on Tuesday it will be a gamble that has paid off even though we have lost today.

Lets get back behind the team and help them pick themselves up for Tuesday and the Uefa cup.

Peter Fearon
16 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:14:14

Talk about counting your chickens! You dont handle four competitions at once! You handle one match at a time. If we had lost against a Premiership team the four fronts argument might have held up. But this is Oldham in the FA Cup. If we needed to rest players, put them on at the start and bring them off after killing the game off early. A football lesson by Oldham isn’t exactly a good preparation for a semi-final against Chelsea. I really think Moyes believes the FA Cup is unwinnable and acts accordingly. I just wish it hadn’t been so humiliating.

Toffee
17 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:23:15

Lets say we twatted Oldham today with Howard,Yobo Lescott, Cahill, Arteta and Yakubu.

A few pick up knocks and others are running on empty!

We face chelsea and we get fucking mauled beacuse of it!

You lot would still be going mad "Disgrace"... "Pathetic" and all the rest of it!

This was the third round, we could have drawn Man U the round after and got twatted, plus been dumped out the Carling Cup because we risked players against Oldham.

As i said, we are out of 1 cup and have another 2 that we are still very much involved in. Plus the league which will always be our bread and butter!

We are having an amazing season and the sad thing is that peopel seem to forget that 5 years ago, we were out of every cup at the 1st hurdle, Europe was a pipe dream and the biggest game of our season was the last day scrap to Stay Up!

Come on people, lets get some perspective.

These things happen in Football........... Shocks are part of the game.

I hope there is a fucking shock in the months to come when we do Bayern Munich the UEFA CUP Final!!!

Ian Tunny
18 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:27:56

I think this is the best thing that could have happend to us and the kick up the back side we need before the Chelsea game. This is hopefully the incentive for Moyes to go out and bring more players in. I don't think the extra games in the FA Cup would of helped much with our push in the league either.

Martin Berry
19 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:25:40

This is just typical of the Everton side of old. I thought we had got away from this kind of shite performance in the cups against mediocre teams. Well I hoped we had. But at the end of the day it may be a godsend with the Uefa and Carling to look forward to. I?m gutted but let?s not get us down. Come on you Blue Boys on Tuesday.

Chris Bradley
20 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:18:32

Today was yet another example of how weak the team is without the main 11 regulars in. We were piss poor and I'm 90 quid lighter after taking my wife and kids but what we've got to stop doing on this site is abusing fellow Evertonians who make there views public on here ? ref jeremey. Like all of us hes a blue and just wanted to say it how he saw things. Let's not get on his back for that. We're all fuming but let's hope those players who let us all down today know that and put it right on Tuesday.

Ben Nichols
21 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:33:42

Chris B,

I agree mate,

But the chances are....

The majority of the 11 will be fresh becaus ethey didnt play in this game.

We need reinforcements, no question.

A game every three days is a fucking big ask and i dont give a shit how good or big ya squad is.

We cant win everything but we have had a fucking good crack of the whip this season!

Nick Gartland
22 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:28:25

Embarrassing to say the least. Yes I agree we don’t have the squad to compete on all fronts but this was Oldham for gods sake. They had a 39 year old goalkeeper who wasn’t troubled the whole game.

A couple of injuries and suspensions and look at our midfield, the only one with any credit today is Pienarr. And he is gone for the Chelsea game, I hope Cahill is back for it.

Peter Fearon
23 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:26:44

Ben Nichols. I agree with you it’s only one game and only one competition - but a good first half to the season shouldn’t stop people being able to criticize what is,no question, yet another historic defeat to a team from the lower reaches. Moyes brought this defeat entirely on himself with his team selection and poor preparation and his refusal to make changes at half time. And we are supposed to stay silent because we’ve had a good season so far? Let us know when we have your permission to have an opinion.

Ben Nichols
24 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:38:30

Peter,

Everyone has a right to an opinion and mine is no more valid than anyone elses.

But, all I ask is that people look at the bigger picture.

If we hadnt qualified for europe last year and done so well in the league, were mid table this year and out of the Carling Cup.... I would be the same as most! FUMING!!!

I am pissed offf because i beleive prem players should not be beat by League One players no matter the calibre of them..... But it happens all the timem all over the country in every single round of the F.A Cup!

We could have drawn Man U and dumped them out in the £rd round and it would have been just as bigger shock as this!

Its happens lad, and just because we have done boss this season so far, have a massive fan base and lots of history, doesnt mean that Oldham CANNOT beat a team like us!

Its a knock Cup and they have wcored a freak goal and defended for thier lives!

Lets stay behind the lads because we may still get a trip to wembley this year! and a trip to Florence, and maybe to Munich, or Madrid???? who knows.

I know one thing for sure, MOYES has eyes and he will now know for a fact, that the Gravesens and Hibberts and Faddy’s and Wessels and Hibberts of this world, Cannot gurantee you a result when ya rest ya Big Names.

We need more QUALITY plyers to sustain our charge on the remaining cups!

Get MANNY back and bring Vogel in, get Wes Brown.

Lets not get too gutted blues!.......... its Hardlythe End, it might only be the start!!!!!

Dave Turner
25 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:45:02

Carling Cup semi finals, dreams of Uefa Cup finals... it all does not take away from the simple fact that we have been serverly embarassed today, it is a disgrace.

It the Cup, these things happen, problem us, they happened to us, today. Going to take a bit of getting over, going to love the stick to come our way for the next few weeks, and if it all goes wrong against Chelsea, then really am going to have to get the tin hat out.

Charlie Skinley
26 Posted 05/01/2008 at 18:49:12

Ben, I totally agree with you... lets put this into perspective. But you only have to look at some of the above and they are well known on here for being anti Moyes - a couple of them are just using this defeat to bash Moyes.

Dont get me wrong I am as pissed off with the result as everyone and we all have a right to state our views, but its the usual anti Moyes brigade who are loving this who make me sick

Paul Hardcastle
27 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:00:46

Skinley, you should be banned for writing shit like that and the people who run this website would be fully justified in my opinion. All this shite about anti-Moyes... wind yer neck in will ya. We just lost a winnable game in one of the world’s oldest and greatest competion, and people like you are making excuses for it, and then claiming that those of us who are rightly angry with Moyes are "loving it". Just fuck off please.

Michael Kenrick
28 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:05:03

Charlie, Paul’s right to an extent: no-one is loving this. And for you to state that really is a crime against all Evertonians who are not as sanguine about this results as you are.

Trust me, no matter how much one hates Moyes (and I’m not that fond of him myself right now to be honest). To claim that any Evertonian is loving this is downright crass and pathetic. I await your retraction.

Ben Nichols
29 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:03:21

Charlie,

Its a sorry state of affairs then, WHEN.... or own fans cant wait for a result such as this , just so they can air thier views and the guys who sit on the fence may just take that extra bit of notice tho what they say!

Everyone has a right to say what the fuck they want but lets not get too carried away with all the doom gloom about todays result.

Todays result was a shcok, arguably the biggest of the day....... Blackburns was up there though. They got battered, we battered Oldham but just didnt have the luck! Post in the last seconds lads, today was Oldhams day and let them have it. Its what the FA CUP does and always has done!

We won it on 95 the year we were rock bottom of the prem for most of it! We beat the League winning Mancs! That was a shock and if they didnt happen, then our last trophy would have been during the 80’s!

Maybe this can put things into some sort of perspective.

Villa, are a team who are similar to us in quality and ambitions.....

They are out of the cup now, albeit to Man U, but they are still fucking out, just like us!

But we are in a carling Cup semi and Europes last 32! Plus we are higher in the leage.

You cant win them all lads, no one can!

Lets not argue and get behind the lads, AND THE MANAGER!!! who is the best thing to happen to us for 20 years!!!!

Peter Fearon
30 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:07:11

Ben, I agree with you in principle, but check out David’s totally complacent post game reaction. As usual, the surgery was executed perfectly but the patient ruined it by dying.

Nick Gartland
31 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:07:46

I love Moyes so not arsed about the ’brigade’.

The bottom line is we had a team albeit our second string ’premiership’ team against Oldham and we simply didn’t perform whether we are in 2 other cups or none.

The team out should have had the attitude, temperament, skills etc etc to beat Oldham and that wasn’t good enough.

Steve Lyth
32 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:08:23

Mr Skinley, face facts, the buck stops with Moyes, yet again in the FA Cup were dumped out by inferior opposition.
He does not seem to learn any lessons in this competition and I can assure you, no one is loving the result. Commiserations Dave Lynch.

Ben Nichols
33 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:13:43

The manager picks the side!

HE IS NOT ON THE FUCKING PITCH !!!!!!!!!!

Once he names his team, it is out of his hands!

If it was our only competition, he would have put our "Prem 11" out today!

He didnt and they got beat! ........ they should have won, but they never.

Thats down to the bags of shite like Hibbert, AOP’s like stubbs and jarg goalies like Wessels getting lobbed from the half way line!!!

Today was not our day but why imply that he doesnt take the competition serious or hasnt a clue!

Look at the league Table lad, oh and our Uefa Cup group.... Oh and the varling cup fixtures!

We cant win everything and today our luck FINALLY ran out.

Not bad after so so so long of great win after win after win!!!

Charlie Skinley
34 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:12:13

Michael - My point was probably not put accross as well as I would have liked. I did not for one minute mean that any Evertonian loved the result... far from it. But my comments meant to reflect that some are loving the opportunity to have a go at Moyes.

I am not ’sanguine’ about the result, I am as upset by it as anyone.

James Elworthy
35 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:21:01

GRAVESEN: absolute joke
WESSELS: makes Richard Wright look world class
JAGIELKA: allowed Hughes to shove him round at will

Nick Toye
36 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:26:48

You can say that again. :)

Jim Feeney
37 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:20:28

the only player who gave 100% was Pienaar. The comments about stength in depth that have eminated from more than one individual inside the club are clearly not true. Yes we have progressed but we only need a few injuries/suspensions for the good work to be undone.

Why does a goalie need a rest, its not as if he had played every game and as well as Oldham defended, the game could have been put to bed if we had started with a stronger team and then made substitutions.

Ben Nichols
38 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:26:14

My 11 to start at Chelsea,

Given what is available to pick from given bans and the African Nations Cup.

Howard,

Neville
Yobo
Lescott
Baines

McFadden
Carsley
Gravesen
Cahill

Johnson
Yakubu

Its not what I would hope but arteta is banned, Pienaar has to go and Osman Is injured

Charlie Skinley
39 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:22:11

Hardcastle - my comments may have been mis read due to the way I worded it, but at least I didn’t go as low as telling people to fuck off, which certainly cant be mis-read!

I am not pleased with Moyes at the moment but just becuase I am not pulling him to bits doesn’t mean I am any less pleased with the result than any other.

Gavin Ramejkis
40 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:28:18

Few carefully chosen none too rant like points to make:

Graveson is not half the player he once was and was garbage today, marking thin air and standing rooted when the ball was just a few feet away from him

Wessels has no sense of position, watching him on the few Oldham build ups was scary he wandered about aimlessly, was at schoolboy error fault for the goal

McFadden played one of his enigmatic shite games today, he and Hibbert must be the safest Vampires in the world as neither know what a cross is

Pienaar still looked tired and it showed

Oldham simply did an Arsenal to us in the second half, pub type long balls and barged us off the ball, we deserved to lose end of story, three guesses who will be first on Match of the Day tonight

Chris Lawlor
41 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:20:07

Talk about having one eye on the next game. The only player out there today who played well was Piennarr. Gravesen should never play for us again, he was dire. Lescott and Yakubu should have been on at half time and not with 18 mins left. Moyes yet again left it too late to make vital changes and this is his everlasting problem. Fair enough we went 1 behind, it happens, but to come out for the 2nd half with no apparant game plan or changes was criminal and led to our poor result. I admire Moyes and think he isnow moving everything in the right direction but today he reverted to the man that guided us o 17th not too long ago. Certain players showed their inabilities today and Mr Moyes lack of effective decision making compounded this.

Nick Toye
42 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:35:51

Just look at yourselves, your bickering like animals over a bone.

Chill brothers. Its all cool.

Yes it was disappointing, yes it was annoying, but lets move on.

I know that some folk are amused over the bitching here. Its not the end of the world.

Chris Perry
43 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:33:30

I am not surprised at all, its been on the cards for weeks; we fly by the seat of our pants week-in, week-out. When we play a team in the top 6 we shit ourselves and play piss poor, eg Man U & Arsenal.

I read on here a few weeks a go a number of idiots saying how Jagielka would provide good cover when Yobo is away ? bollocks, he is shite!
I love Everton, watch them week-in, week-out, but don't get carried away like some of you on here. We are not a good team, we are better than a few seasons ago but there is more chance in Princess Diana, waking up perfectly formed, juming the bones of Charles and Camilla, than Everton doing anything this season. Why? Lack of ambition and money.

Jagileka - shite
Neville - Shite
Hibbert - Shite

who do we buy? Fuck all unless its a loan deal or free! Oooh I can feel the class being lined up now by the ginger one, some twat from Preston, Oldham, any wank club that wants to offload some tosser.

We will end up 6th this year, but boys we have do find some serious invesment to really improve.

Nick Toye
44 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:51:51

@Chris,

What a load of crap. From start to finish that was crap. Have we had a shit season then? Or has this been our best season since the 80’s. Yes it has.

Chris Perry
45 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:54:22

Nick Toye.

you clearly have lower standrads in life than I. I stand by what I say, I was there in the 80?s, that was class. Your the only twat speaking shite!

Dave Wilson
46 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:35:37

Gutted, absolutely gutted. I?m looking to point the fingure of blame but I don't have enough fingers. Get rid of your anger tonight blues, coz in less than three days we play our biggest game for over a decade and only a united Evertonia can overcome the Chelski monster
The guys have let us down today, but I?ll be screaming me fucken head off at SB on Tuesday. Like I say, vent your anger tonight, coz tomorrow we go again only wiser and with even greater desire.

Nick Toye
47 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:03:14

@Chris,

Lower standards? Behave. Its a different sport now, we are never going to get back to the 80s unless we get shed loads of cash.

But we have been on a good run. Last 32 for the first time since 85 in a Euro competition. Semis of the Carling Cup for the first time in how long.

We have a decent side. We have only lost recently to top 4 sides, and narrowly really. Today was just one of those days, it happens. It happens to all clubs.

Dave Jeanrenaud
48 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:02:40

Chris,

I agree with Nick. You are talking crap.

One shocking result does not spoil what has been a fantastic season and i remain convinced that something special is happening at our club.

Please don’t call me a twat as well. It would really upset me.

Charlie Skinley
49 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:04:44

Michael - You have just pulled me on my comments before (and I understood why and replied). Yet Chris Perry is calling people idiots and twats because they disagree with his comments. Surey that needs some editorial intervention?

Charlie Skinley
50 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:07:11

Dave - you are spot on mate. I, like many others tonight, have been having ago at each other cos of our opposing views. But Tuesday is only a couple of days away and despite our views on todays game, Moyes, world hunger etc we will all be in it together on Tuesday.

Come on you blues. Apologies if I offended anyone before...... shit we probably only all have only one thing in common and what a thing to have.... We are Evertonians!

Ste Moorcroft
51 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:01:06

What a reality check!!

Proves that although we have improved the past couple of months as soon as we don?t play our strongest side we struggle.

With the full eleven playing 4-5-1 then there is hope, but given inevitable injuries and suspensions then the cover just isn?t there.

Was hoping that days like today were a thing of the past but this one needs filing next to Tranmere as a very dark day in our history.

Also why do we go with about nine strikers on the pitch for the last 20 minutes. None able to play wide effectively. De Silva should have come on centre-mid and we should have tried to keep our shape,pass the ball and most of all be patient (some hope)
It is heartbreaking to see Johnson constantly wide and never in and around the box.We are destroying him.

To see Oldham survive with relative ease and people say let?s move on "we?re having a great season" is laughable. This club has has had too many days like today to just say it was one of those things.

Yes, we can go the Chelsea and battle but do we really have the quality to beat them over two legs without key players?

Paul Chisholm
52 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:46:31

Anyone notice Paul Scholes at the game today? Wouldn’t be one little bit surprised if he’s running out in a blue shirt next saturday.

Ray Robinson
53 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:07:23

Someone said nearer the top of the thread that we need quality replacements. I agree. The squad that we have is the best for many a year but the squad players only really complement the core players such as Howard, Arteta, Cahill, Osman, Yakubu, Yobo, Lescott. When these players are out, there is a marked reduction in playing standards ? all replacements are all reasonably good players in their own right but cannot impact the team as much without the better players.

Andrew Conroy
54 Posted 05/01/2008 at 19:58:54

It certainly appears that Gordon Strachan knew what he was doing in sending the lamentable Gravesen our way. Apart from setting up the goal at Bolton he?s been woeful. Even at his (ahem) ?peak? he was never the player certain Blues would claim. Hopeless, and if ever there was a player to ruin team morale it?s him. He?s 3 yards off the pace, and at his age this is not something that will change for the better.....

As for James McPudding, I struggle to find the words. For all his obvious ability with the ball at his feet, and all his eloquence in post-match interviews, he?s clearly as thick as fuck, and obviously short of a few ?learning genes?. Time and time again he makes the worst possible decisions, breaking down promising moves and causing endless frustration for his colleagues and fans. I?ve spent years living in hope that he will make good on his initial promise, but I will stick my dick in a bottle of Chang while Rafa Benitez dry humps me if this chump amounts to much more than he is now. McCleish, PLEASE take him and give him all the man love this feeble tosser so clearly craves.

Nevertheless, I?m not gonna let one terrible result skewer my recent euphoria for all things Blue. But if Chelsea turn us over in the League Cup........

Rich Grisdale
55 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:14:00

Having been back a couple of hours and having tried to calm down a bit I'm still in complete shock at what we all had to watch. With the quality of football we have been playing at Goodison in recent months, I was expecting a comfortable win, even with the weakened team we put out. End of the day we had the chances and opportunities to win today and we didn't take them.

During the game there was opportunities that if the right pass was played I think we would have got through. Quality of the final ball was woeful, with McFadden's cross at the end summing up our day. Hope Moyes can rally the troops for Tuesday because that must have hurt.

Also, why was Da Silva on the bench if Moyes wasnt prepared to put him on??? i.e Gravesen = shite!

Greg Murphy
56 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:20:17

Peter F, Lyndon - couldn?t agree more.

Unbelievably I had the rare good fortune to fail a fitness test today (I know how to pick em) and had to make do with radio commentary.

Goodlass was vehement in his view that Moyes was blameless today. The Chelsea excuse was inevitably trotted out and, while I can see where he was coming from, you have to ask, then, what the mitigating factors were against Shrewsbury, Fulham and Blackburn in 03, 04 and 07 (you can discount Man Utd in 05 and Chelsea in 06)?

Because in every one of those ties he suddenly tooled around with the formation with lame or totally disastrous results.

Bottom line is that in five of his six FA Cup seasons, Moyes has taken Everton out of the competition in a tie that we have initially been drawn at home in (this list excludes Shrewsbury!).

On four of those home tie occasions it?s been because he?s decided to dispense with his tried and trusted methods...and let?s not even talk about his complacent balls-up at Shrewsbury.

I?m a Moyes man. But he doesn?t half test you at times!

Colin Malone
57 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:30:07

Gravesen lost us this game today, he should never wear the blue shirt again. He's got his own head up his arse. The same as when he was here before, then he was a decent player in a very bad side.

Michael Kenrick
58 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:39:04

Jaysus, Greg, that last set of facts has tipped me over the edge... I am now CONVINCED Moyes sees the FA Cup as an irritation. It’s the only rational explanation.

Why? I have absolutely no idea, but he does not seem to have any of the required passion or committment needed for winning any game in it, never mind winning the pot itself. And for an Everton manager, that is to my mind execrable. It truely astounds me.

Stig Meacham
59 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:40:06

Jesus! Look at you people.

We lost. It happens. Grow up.

We had a bad, humiliating day, where we played shit football. End of. Let’s see how the squad and management handles it. If it’s anything like the way you folks are writhing and freaking out here, then maybe we ARE fucked. Happily, I think the team will do just fine.

Way to be great supporters. I’m more embarrassed of this message board today than I am of the team. What the fuck?

Nick Toye
60 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:45:00

Its not just Moyes. This week and today I have witnessed total lack of respect for the cup from players, managers and fans alike.

Maybe the magic has now gone. And its all about getting up the table and earning more wonga.

Greg Murphy
61 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:48:46

Don’t do it Michael!

Trev Azul
62 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:52:31

I sympathise with the people paying good money to watch that gash but theres been an outburst of ’geordieism’ on here today.

Moyes got it wrong, the players didnt do the job and we got beat. We’ll over it.

Keep the pitchforks in the cupboard for now.

Will Leaf
63 Posted 05/01/2008 at 20:48:49

First of all, thank you for that very disturbing image Andrew.

Otherwise, let’s have the recriminations if needed at the end of the season. The team needs our support throughout the season, and the fans falling about themselves does nothing but hurt the morale of our players and help the opposition. Moyes needs to take on board some of the players’ deficiencies, as above... Graveson, Faddy., shore up the midfield in the present window, and keep up the team morale for the run in of the season. This can still be a great year, and losing in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup will be forgotten if we can meander our way through the upcoming minefield. So, those that can attend the games, get out there and make some noise, and make us all proud.

Rich Grisdale
64 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:40:47

simon what are you about? we might not be able to fight on all 4 fronts but i expect us to beat oldham at home. No excuses in my book.....

John Smith
65 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:54:58

"Michael and lyndon and all the rest of you..." This message that was originally on here which has now been taken off should remain up. I was gobsmacked by the last sentence! I think it should have been left uncensored to show him up. What a strange person!!

Greg Murphy
66 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:57:19

Just a note to anyone trotting out the "we can’t fight on four fronts" line: the Brann game is five weeks away. So for the time being we’re fighting on three fronts.

Which we managed to do quite well at from August through to now.

Eddie Yates
67 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:50:29

I thought i saw Scholes on the big screen but i wasnt quite sure and why hasnt Vogel signed? Fuck offChicken wing tommy ur shite and travis mcdunce and you sherbert hibert get shut now please moyes and try and sign 4/5 players before feb god knows we need them!

Anthony Newell
68 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:51:21

I’m fully with Dave Lynch. The poor buggers who have spent their hard earned dosh deserve better than what was served up today. Christ, I always regarded the FA cup as something special worth playing for. I queued in the pissing cold rain to get tickets for FA cup games in the past and today reminds me of why I questioned my sanity in doing so. I therefore know what damp squibs like today feel like, irrespective of what fucking competition we are still in

While I’ll applaud him when he gets it right, Moyes got it wrong BIG STYLE today. We aren’t at the level where our second string can do what the likes of Arsenal’s can do and thinking such shows a certain naivety in my book. I actually think that today will be beneficial in the long run and remind the manager that we cannot get ideas above our station. Nothing less than progression to the final of the Carling Cup will make up for the lapsadaiscal/casual attitude shown today

Stig Meacham
69 Posted 05/01/2008 at 21:46:55

Rich G,

Me, too. I certainly expect EFC to beat a depleted League One club at home. You think I’m happy with today? I woke up at 4 in the morning for that shower. But sometimes expectations aren’t met. How does one handle it when that happens? Judging from most of the posts above, you moan like a stuck boar.

Apparently a lot of people who haven’t been able to vent a whole lot of anger on Toffeeweb recently choose this poor showing as an opportunity to go berserk on the manager and players who’ve had a damn fine season thusfar. Sad and weird, if you read it all.

Tuesday’s another match. How are you going to feel about that if we lose it? Maybe we could ax Moyes and bring a winner like fat Sam the kickback man or Graeme Souness in to replace the heinous Moyes? Or maybe Jose might deign to join us?

If I were a RS looking to make sport of us, all I’d need to do is plug into this mailbag piece and it spells out the mockery. Bitter Blues indeed.

Let’s admit we were shite today and move on?

Terry Smith
70 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:02:22

The kick in the bollocks is that with such a great season so far in League & Carling Cup etc etc. I just feel that we was going to to turn over Oldham with the squads we have been fielding out in the past. Today Moyes got it wrong. I'm not saying that the players picked was wrong BUT he had NO plan B if the shit did hit the fan which it did! Which resulted in playing 4 forwards & no midfielders when Oldham started to attack more in the second half.

Nick Toye
71 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:18:26

@Terry,

But we created chances in the second half, we should have scored. Its not easy against 11 defenders.

I think your all looking for a reason to slag Moyes off. Its getting pretty boring to be honest.

Michael Kenrick
72 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:19:16

John, regarding the immature "simon smith", I have zero tolerance for abuse of this discussion forum. And I have a rather broad interpretation of what constitutes ’abuse’. As you can see from the volume and breadth of corespondence we receive, there is a rather large number of intelligent and sensible (if occaisionally aggrivated) Blues who frequent this site in the right spirit. For the minority who lack those graces, there is only one sanction that works. The sound of silence.

Rich Grisdale
73 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:27:10

Stig...
We were shite today and we got what we deserved. The final ball just wasn't good enough, we should have been able to carve out many chances against them. Fair play to Oldham, defended very well and no dirty fouls unlike the Arsenal game, Hope Moyes gets the fired up for tuesday. Still got a lot to fight for this season.....we move on.....

Rich Grisdale
74 Posted 05/01/2008 at 22:36:41

Well said, Michael.... I read that Simon post and people like that are not welcome on here. Not only did he write abuse but he wrote complete rubbish about football!!!!

Nick Toye
75 Posted 05/01/2008 at 23:17:08

Here here, its not about abusing one another is it. Its about one thing and the success of this club.

We need to realise that success is not going to happen so easily, but we also have to realise that this season we are witnessing a massive change in fortunes, and in performances. If someone had told me your going to lose 3 times in the next 3 months. Get in the semi and last 32 of two tournaments, I would be happy.

Roy Jordan
76 Posted 05/01/2008 at 23:44:07

Attitude Attitude Attitude.
You either want to win every game you play in or you...???
Too many players out there today who weren?t up for it!
It doesn?t matter if were in one cup or not. I want to win everything I do, so stop backing off, your either a winner or your happy to take seconds, which are you?

Nick Toye
77 Posted 06/01/2008 at 00:30:09

What a daft thing to say. Of course we want to win, but not going to call for the managers head each time we lose.

Gavin Ramejkis
78 Posted 06/01/2008 at 08:49:18

As no one has commented on the Ginger Minger Scholes, I’d just like to point out the lad supports Oldham and still lives up that way, hence his appearance in the director’s area, he was just watching the game.

Taka Nyahunzvi
79 Posted 06/01/2008 at 16:30:48

I agree with Kunal Desai. That was not our strongest team on display, but we still had FIVE full internationals in the starting line-up and another TWO on the bench. David Moyes did nothing wrong; the players must take responsibility for the defeat.

And I also agree with the general feeling that yes this was an embarrassing day ... but our season ain’t over.