ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Andy van der Meyde

Given our midfield at the current moment (Arteta suspended, Osman injured, Pienaar called up and Gravesen being crap), I will be surprised if Andy van der Meyde doesnt make it into the squad tonight. Yes, the man's had problems, but I haven't heard anything about him for weeks... Is he injured?

And what about Dan Gosling, what's happened to that deal?
Adam Doyle, Liverpool Posted 08/01/2008 at 13:46:05

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Michael Kenrick

Andy van der Meyde got injured playing for the reserves some weeks ago, and needed 13 stitches in a leg gash... but I think he should be fit by now.

Paul Lenehan
1 Posted 08/01/2008 at 14:15:44

I read somehere that he still is injured.

Graham Nolan
2 Posted 08/01/2008 at 14:29:32

Andy van der Meyde is probably fit but his dog might get kidnapped, his daughter is still ill and his house will be broken into. Not to mention his drink getting spiked or his aunties cousin?s second best frind having chronic asthma.
Everytime I see a post about AvdM I despair, can we not just pretend he is no longer an Everton player, because since he joined us it seems he has done everything but play for Everton!

Steve Linden
3 Posted 08/01/2008 at 14:35:27

According to the OS he’s still injured. Must’ve been a very nasty (RS) tackle.

Harj Badial
4 Posted 08/01/2008 at 14:40:05

AVDM is still injured....the guy will be given another chance - according to Moyes...has has got his head down and trained hard...everyone deserves a chance. He would have played in our last UEFA cup game but got injured again...he was unlucky.

John Turner
5 Posted 08/01/2008 at 14:30:37

Even if Van der Meyde wasn?t injured I don?t think Moyes would consider playing someone obviously in need of match practice in such an important game, same goes for Gosling being both a newcomer and a youngster. I only listened to the Oldham game but the general consensus on Gravesen?s performance against Oldham seems to be that he?s not up to it, legs have gone, struggled etc so I don?t think he?ll play against Chelsea. David Moyes will play Tim Cahill if he has to parcel-tape his knee up himself.

I?m sure Hibbert will play right-back to free up Neville for the midfield as that?s obviously we we?re short. I?d like to see Baines left-wing as he?s comfortable going forward and can support in defence with Lescott, creating a five-man defence when we?re on the back foot. We look a much better team playing 4-5-1 (as we have done during most of the recent good run) so I can?t see Moyes going 4-4-2 with Yakubu and Johnson, especially against Chelsea, whose second choice side are still a very strong one. In that case we could see Mcfadden right-wing/centre forward as he is capable of cutting inside and getting shots in on his left foot:

Hibbert Jagielka Yobo Lescott
Neville Carsley
Mcfadden Cahill Baines
Yakubu

Then there?s of course there?s Andy Johnson, I admit it?s great to bring him on after 70 minutes with his fresh legs and blistering pace once Yakubu has tired the defenders out, but he is far more beneficial to the team than this and I think the only reason Johnson has been used like this recently is because of Yakubu?s impending departure. If Johnson plays I think we?ll still see Mcfadden, Cahill and Yakubu starting, with Mcfadden and Johnson?s using their movement to create 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 going forward:

Hibbert Jagielka Yobo Lescott
Neville Carsley
Johnson Cahill Mcfadden
Yakubu

Having said that, Moyes knows that even a 1-0 defeat leaves us with a good chance at Goodison and I for one can?t imagine him employing such an attacking formation against even a depleted Chelsea side. Either way (or if I?m completely wrong!) our lads will be up for this game and with Chelsea missing some of their key players as well I think this one will be tight.

Can?t wait!

Neil Styles
6 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:09:42

Adam I would love to see AvdM back in the squad for tonite’s game. I know talent is all too fleeting in the life of a footballer but I genuinely believe that the gifted, European class Andy van of several years ago is hiding deep down in the shell of our number 7-come on Andy I know you can get your finger out and deliver!

COYB

Graham Nolan
7 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:16:59

Harj.
I agree that everyone deserves a chance, even a second chance but I think this will be ADVM4th or 5th chance. Let us not forget that we are probably paying this guy in around 30 grand a week.......for what?

Peter Pickles
8 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:13:30

Everybody mentions that Gravesen’s legs have gone.
Where have they gone?
Did he leave them at Celtic and we can’t have them till we buy him?

Do Madrid still have them, they’re holding them to ransom till we give them the Carsley they asked for.

Can we get him new legs? Are they expensive, would Andy vandy Mandy’s legs fit him?

Surely in this day and age we can get round such trifling matters as these....

Paul gladwell
9 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:19:51

Pissed up all hours partying with lads who were going to boro from the party, believe what you will but the man wants sacking end of.

Eddie Yates
10 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:21:06

The way that dope Gravesen played against Oldham i woud rather have given DaSilva a run out but he is another who probs wont get a look in even though we are a bit short at the minute.

Graham Nolan
11 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:25:42

Good point Eddie.
I find it hard to understand why DaSilva doesn’r=t get a look in, particularly when we are struggling for midfielders and he has done well at Barnsley....it’s a strange one alright!

Allan Hobbs
12 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:35:17

I just want someone to answer Peter Pickles!

Joe McMahon
13 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:57:46

FAO - John Turner
Baines is not comfortable going forawrd, he was shite against Oldham and didn’t go forward oonce- dare I say he was hoofball- 6Mill- what a waste!!

John Lloyd
14 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:59:43

AvDM is a party lad, he’s always about the city or the outskirts on the pop and he’s not too shy in trying stuff either.

I think someone else earlier said it, just forget he’s here. He’s shite, he’s been shite for years.

Now lets concentrate on tonight, cos I cannot fucking wait lids.....

Paul Niklas
15 Posted 08/01/2008 at 15:56:57

To try and resolve the mystery of gravesons legs.

I think they never left Everton the first time around, he forgot them and I think Pistone took them and wont give them back as he broke them and he does not want to own up to it.

Hence Madrid and celtic both pissed off at being sold a pup or sorry a great Dane.

Apologies could not resist.

He will have a blinder tonight now.

COYB

Paul

Brian Waring
16 Posted 08/01/2008 at 16:03:33

Joe,I think your being a bit harsh on Baines.Up to now,he has had a few injuries,and doesn’t seem able to get a run going in the side.I reckon when he gets a run of games under his belt,he will turn out to be a gem.

David South
17 Posted 08/01/2008 at 16:31:21

Paul Niklas.
You are mistaken.
Tony Hibbert acquired the missing legs when they were left lying around.
Unfortunately he put them on back to front.
That is why he is rubbish.

John Turner
18 Posted 08/01/2008 at 16:25:08

I think Joe McMahon?s being harsh on Baines too if he?s judging him on just one game which, don?t forget, was also his first for some time.

I was very impressed with him on his debut for Blackburn, looking to get forward and overlap when he could and I also remember him at Goodison running most of the length of the pitch skinning half the Man United team as he went, very nearly winning us a pen.

Natural left-footer, quick, composed, attack-minded defender? £5-6 million? absolute bargain when you consider his age and ability? Future first choice England left-back in my opinion? (that?s with Lescott playing centre-half of course!)

Mick simo
19 Posted 08/01/2008 at 16:35:22

I for one thinks shandy Andy wont pull the jersey on again. Graveson as been one big let down. Worried big time about our midfield tonight though and I just hope the lads give 110% tonight.

Tom Rowe
20 Posted 08/01/2008 at 16:49:47

re: Gravvo’s legs

I think DM found them , took them home and wittled them down ito a smaller legs, put a coat of ronseal on them (TAN) and gave them to Our Tater. Now look at him go.

John Turner
21 Posted 08/01/2008 at 17:02:08

Gravesen?

We only get half upfront because we took him on loan, we get his legs in the summer if we make the loan permanent

Martin Cutler
22 Posted 08/01/2008 at 17:01:00

Regardless of the whereabouts of Gravesen’s legs (probably Wyness peddled them on ebay), anyway, whatever the line-up tonight.....
GOOD LUCK TO MOYES AND THE LADS TONIGHT.....it won’t be easy but with Chelsea missing the three players I fear the most (Drogba, Lampard, Terry...in that order) we have every chance..........can’t effin wait...I’ll be listening via Evertons audio link........

COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Turner
23 Posted 08/01/2008 at 17:06:07

Maybe there’s a leg burglar at large... Van der Meyde’s been legless all year!

Paul Lally
24 Posted 08/01/2008 at 17:16:12

Martin Cutler - I use Everton TV as well - it is brilliant but you can watch games on PC for free / donations, at http://myp2p.eu/ Click ’Live Sports’ then ’Football’ and you will see game listed. Click on little tv and it will then show channels showing the game. You will need to download a player. I use TV Aants and TVU. It takes minutes and does not affect your pc. TVU are showing game in English with a 2/3 minute delay. Log into game at least 20 mins before kick off as can get busy. And keep trying. Sometimes the picture will load then stall or stagger. Wait for a bit to allow it to re buffer but if sticks re load channel. Worst that happened to me was missing 25 mins of first half away at Portsmouth but loaded in end.
You can watch home and away 95% of games.
I live abroad at moment but got to Arsenal game over Christmas. Everton TV best £40 I have ever spent and myp2p a Godsend.
Come on tonight. Why not ? A battling draw will be brilliant and I think achievable.
I can taste Wembley. Commmmme onnnnnnn

Mark Griffiths
25 Posted 08/01/2008 at 19:05:59

Just wondering what anybody thinks of lecott at left back, and jags at CB.

I personally think we need Lescott at CB tonight given jags recent errors.

Anybody agree??

Mick Simo
26 Posted 08/01/2008 at 19:10:35

I am suprised at 4-4-2, thought he might have packed the midfield and play the Yak upfront on his tod. Still think that midfield is dodgy, remember Metalist they cut through us like butter at times.

Jeremy Benson
27 Posted 08/01/2008 at 19:14:18

Either some (or all) of the stories are true, or he?s the unluckiest player in the premiership.

Either way, we shouldn?t want him in a semi-final cup game...

Steve Williams
28 Posted 08/01/2008 at 23:13:10

Mark Griffiths,

Huge dose of hindsight I know but ... last minute I’d prefer Lescott at centre forward!

Paul Coldock
29 Posted 09/01/2008 at 00:24:37

Regarding the ’can’t we just forget he doesn’t play for us’ comment;

It would only work if Everton’s payroll also forgot too!!! Then the freed up wages could go towards an other Midfielder. I actully think, if Everton did stop paying him, he would still hang around. Like that kid at school that nobody ever liked!!!

Paul Coldock
30 Posted 09/01/2008 at 00:42:52

Just to clear that up. I meant the ’can’t we forget he plays for us’ comment. Not sure how that extra word got in their, sorry.