The Mail Bag
Can somebody clarify?
Comments (34)
Okay, I'd like to put a general question out to all Everton fans, especially those who physically saw the game. I didn't see it (I listened to it on the radio which isn't the same). Now a lot of people were saying yesterday that assuming we didn't win that we had to score a goal (we did) and we had to keep it close (which we did also).....it's a one goal difference and basically 1-0 or a win by 2 goals will do it for us in the second leg.
I'm not disputing for one second that this (sounded like) a poor performance but why all the doom and gloom? All of a sudden Howard (I've yet to read any prior criticism of him unless I've missed it) is a goalie we need to replace? Lescott, normally he's fantastic... even if it was poor defending how often does he score an own-goal?
And for the second leg they still wont have Drogba and Terry (not sure about Lampard) but we will have Arteta... we won't have Yakubu/Yobo , that'll hurt I know. However, if today was a poor game for us and that's mainly why we lost, who's to say we can't turn in a blinder next time and win it?
So I'd like some feedback as to why everybody appears to be so doom 'n' gloom surely we have every chance of beating them in the second leg? (If not, then surely we didn't expect to win today either!).
I'm just confused. (Pissed off, angry, cutting up pictures of SWP etc.)
Martin Cutler, Posted 09/01/2008 at 05:53:50
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Kevin Sparke
1 Posted 09/01/2008 at 07:22:02
1 Posted 09/01/2008 at 07:22:02
Martin, some people just like to moan - it’s quite as simple as that.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t as if there wasn’t plenty to moan about but a couple of defeats gives the professional naysayers a platform to air their prejudices.
When we took the game to Chelsea they looked very beatable - and when we play them at Goodison I expect us to beat them
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t as if there wasn’t plenty to moan about but a couple of defeats gives the professional naysayers a platform to air their prejudices.
When we took the game to Chelsea they looked very beatable - and when we play them at Goodison I expect us to beat them
James Power
2 Posted 09/01/2008 at 07:58:57
2 Posted 09/01/2008 at 07:58:57
Martin - thanks for your post inviting comments, I have to say that I have a sinking feeling in my stomach at the thought of last night’s game.
I moved to London from Merseyside in 1998 and have been sat in the Chelsea stands more often than not when Everton go to the Bridge - perhaps this is why I feel so frustrated, and if, like at Spurs and West Ham, I sat with my own fans, I would have been able to vent my frustration, I may not feel as furious.
I don’t think we played well and during the evening I just thought we would lose. Obvously Chelsea have an excellent record at home, but they really looked there for the taking. My view in the East stand couldn’t have been better and our passing was sloppy. Yobo in particular made a couple of very poor passes that could have turned out worse and yet again this is down to a lack of concentration. This lack of concentration / focus can also be levelled at Lescott and my overall feeling is that this is preventing us from winning games like this. I am so utterly disappointed and feel that another false dawn is with us. I only hope that our self belief is not too damaged because we have lost 3 out of our last four - twice we have been a man up and once we lost against a team from division 3. Moyes’s psychological powers will be tested.
On a separate note, the fans sheer weight of numbers and noise generated filled my chest with pride and had some of the Chelsea fans giggling at our behaviour / chants and dumstruck by the noise we made.
Utterly downcast at the frustration of the match but immensely proud to be a blue.
I moved to London from Merseyside in 1998 and have been sat in the Chelsea stands more often than not when Everton go to the Bridge - perhaps this is why I feel so frustrated, and if, like at Spurs and West Ham, I sat with my own fans, I would have been able to vent my frustration, I may not feel as furious.
I don’t think we played well and during the evening I just thought we would lose. Obvously Chelsea have an excellent record at home, but they really looked there for the taking. My view in the East stand couldn’t have been better and our passing was sloppy. Yobo in particular made a couple of very poor passes that could have turned out worse and yet again this is down to a lack of concentration. This lack of concentration / focus can also be levelled at Lescott and my overall feeling is that this is preventing us from winning games like this. I am so utterly disappointed and feel that another false dawn is with us. I only hope that our self belief is not too damaged because we have lost 3 out of our last four - twice we have been a man up and once we lost against a team from division 3. Moyes’s psychological powers will be tested.
On a separate note, the fans sheer weight of numbers and noise generated filled my chest with pride and had some of the Chelsea fans giggling at our behaviour / chants and dumstruck by the noise we made.
Utterly downcast at the frustration of the match but immensely proud to be a blue.
Craig Ashford
3 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:28:31
3 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:28:31
Martin, I see you point i just think some people are gutted to loose the match the way it happened (I certainly was). But also are dissapointed that the uphill struggle just got harder. IF it had remained 1-1 then a goaless draw at Goodison would have saw us through on the away goal, as it finished we have to win 1-0 or 3-1 (i think as 2-1 would be canceling out chelseas win so kind of like a draw)
The way i saw Everton didnt really turn up til Mikel was sent off then realised they were gifted a chance, which they were so close to seizing, but took their foot off the gas towards the end.
COYB!
The way i saw Everton didnt really turn up til Mikel was sent off then realised they were gifted a chance, which they were so close to seizing, but took their foot off the gas towards the end.
COYB!
Graham Holliday
4 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:40:59
4 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:40:59
Lyndon - I agree the cross was clearly out of reach for Howard. However, although I haven’t seen it since switching the TV off in disgust last night, my immediate thought was that he could have got across his line to stop it once it struck Joleon. Maybe I’m wrong, but that was my impression.
As for Lescott’s involvement - I play left back at amateur level and my experience tells me that that kind of cross is almost impossible to deal with - a high, looping cross coming towards you facing your goal and with an opposition player getting a run on you and attacking the ball.
We got unlucky with the goal, but someone mentioned it before - the real problem was that we defended too deep against 10 men. Defending deep seems a common problem in my experience of watching this Everton side. Defending deep invites pressure, and often leads to conceding unecessary goals. And the only reason for defending that deep is if you have a slow defence...which we don’t.
As for Lescott’s involvement - I play left back at amateur level and my experience tells me that that kind of cross is almost impossible to deal with - a high, looping cross coming towards you facing your goal and with an opposition player getting a run on you and attacking the ball.
We got unlucky with the goal, but someone mentioned it before - the real problem was that we defended too deep against 10 men. Defending deep seems a common problem in my experience of watching this Everton side. Defending deep invites pressure, and often leads to conceding unecessary goals. And the only reason for defending that deep is if you have a slow defence...which we don’t.
Mark Murphy
5 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:43:47
5 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:43:47
I thought Lescott was pure class and his speed covering back got us out of jail more than twice. He was unlucky at the end and needs to work on his awareness under high balls but to me he is the most valuable player we have, even more so than Arteta.
Also, though I know he prefers centre half he is so secure at left back I wouldnt mind seeing him there if Jags settles in in the middle.
Yobo made some silly errors last night but will come back.
Overall thought we looked good after the red card but before that they made us look pedestrian and nervous. With Arteta back we can do them and once Arteta & Pienaar & even Osman are back in this team we will only get better.
Were not the finished article but were not shite anymore!
Also, though I know he prefers centre half he is so secure at left back I wouldnt mind seeing him there if Jags settles in in the middle.
Yobo made some silly errors last night but will come back.
Overall thought we looked good after the red card but before that they made us look pedestrian and nervous. With Arteta back we can do them and once Arteta & Pienaar & even Osman are back in this team we will only get better.
Were not the finished article but were not shite anymore!
Mick Wrende
6 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:52:42
6 Posted 09/01/2008 at 08:52:42
The gloom is because we lost - once again we bottled it against one of the big four. Just like the home game against Arsenal we had Chelsea on the rack after we equalised and once again we blew it. Chelsea didnt win the game, we lost it. Lescott who had been brilliant all night just couldnt hack the pressure both with his own goal and then his easy chance after. I am proud to be a blue like everyone else but am gloomy because we have needlessly chucked away our last 3 games so are not closer to the top 4, are out of the FA cup and have a really tough job in this one.
Jay Campbell
7 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:01:45
7 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:01:45
The only luck we get is bad luck!!!
Still all to play for and I’m sure we can take them at Goodison. Gutted though.
Still all to play for and I’m sure we can take them at Goodison. Gutted though.
Tony Part
8 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:00:58
8 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:00:58
I am sorry but I just cant help feeling let down by us again today..Everyone is saying the tie is still alive but in my opinion we have blown a massive chance to take at least some advantage of even a draw back to Goodison through once again another late lapse in concentration, the same of which happened at Old Trafford, the Merseyside derby at home in October and also think back to Manchester United at home in September..Why do we keep on making this mistake?. Until we stop this then sucess is going to be difficult to come by..We now have to do something we have never done under David Moyes...Beat Chelsea..And not just beat them but beat them by two goals..We had a big chance last night..For the second leg we are going to be without Yobo and Yakubu plus Pienaar and they will probably have Cech and Lampard back and possibly a few others..I am trying to look on the bright side but one again I feel so let down that our psyche always crumbles late on against the so-called top four.
Chris Stewart
9 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:17:31
9 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:17:31
Honest to God some of the comments on here are just unbelievable, talk of lost bottle, bad luck, Top 4, sack Howard and Lescott.......for Christ?s sake lets get a bit of perspective here.
We scored an away goal and for the most part contained a Chelsea squad with a value way in excess of ours. Yes both sides had some key players missing that both will bemoan as having a bearing on the result but at the end of the day we only need to win one nil at home and we are in the final.
We scored an away goal and for the most part contained a Chelsea squad with a value way in excess of ours. Yes both sides had some key players missing that both will bemoan as having a bearing on the result but at the end of the day we only need to win one nil at home and we are in the final.
Paul Hennessey
10 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:32:25
10 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:32:25
Haha ? the only luck we get is bad luck ???
It wasn't bad luck it was panicking at usual, the amount of times we?ve panicked in the last 10/20 minutes against a top side over the last 12 months (United twice, Arsenal, Liverpool and now Chelsea) is more than just a fluke.
It wasn't bad luck it was panicking at usual, the amount of times we?ve panicked in the last 10/20 minutes against a top side over the last 12 months (United twice, Arsenal, Liverpool and now Chelsea) is more than just a fluke.
James Elliott
11 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:31:09
11 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:31:09
It was the fact that we didn?t finish them off. in the second half they were a man down, we had just scored, they had most of there key player out and we could have beaten then. It was disappointing not to have any wide play and Hibbert and Neville played on top of each other for most of the game. Without Pienaar and Arteta to put in crosses and pull the strings we really struggled, McFadden just didn?t cut it last night.
Philip McAvoy
12 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:41:47
12 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:41:47
I acually think that Neville playing in defence makes all the difference. He organises them better and keeps everyone focused for the set pieces. Hopefully at goodison we?ll have arteta back and we can move neville back to defence.
Allan Hobbs
13 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:40:01
13 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:40:01
I was (un)lucky enough to be sat in the East Stand with the Chelsea fans, not faf from where the Yak celegbrated his goal, and from where I was sitting Chelsea were simply way better than us in the first half. Its not that we played badly as such, more that they played incredibly well for the first 45 and I as happy only being a goal down at that point.
The cup is sometimes half full as DM likes to point out, rather than the usual cup half empty that alot of people on Internet forums like to spit out.
After the sending off, obviously we saw more of the ball and deserved to equalize when we did; then we had a decent period of control over the game which as the half wore on we sadly let slip.
Its about mentality now more than anything else for us. The main difference between teams like Everton and Chelsea is that they always believe they can win, whereas we start to think we can hold onto whatever we have. Thats exactly what happened; they brought on defenders but rather than us contiue pushing up, we sat back more & more and as a result they scored.
Still, all that said, I was happy with 2-1, a fair reflection on the game as a whole; we have an away goal and can hold our heads up high in my opinion. All our players played their hearts out against a very well organised Chelsea outift, there was no small amount of passion from all our players and the away support was at times fantastic, though oddly muted 2nd half.
All in all a good result under the circumstances and I think we have a decent chance in the 2nd leg. I’m still very hopeful for this team this season.
Up the blues.
The cup is sometimes half full as DM likes to point out, rather than the usual cup half empty that alot of people on Internet forums like to spit out.
After the sending off, obviously we saw more of the ball and deserved to equalize when we did; then we had a decent period of control over the game which as the half wore on we sadly let slip.
Its about mentality now more than anything else for us. The main difference between teams like Everton and Chelsea is that they always believe they can win, whereas we start to think we can hold onto whatever we have. Thats exactly what happened; they brought on defenders but rather than us contiue pushing up, we sat back more & more and as a result they scored.
Still, all that said, I was happy with 2-1, a fair reflection on the game as a whole; we have an away goal and can hold our heads up high in my opinion. All our players played their hearts out against a very well organised Chelsea outift, there was no small amount of passion from all our players and the away support was at times fantastic, though oddly muted 2nd half.
All in all a good result under the circumstances and I think we have a decent chance in the 2nd leg. I’m still very hopeful for this team this season.
Up the blues.
Allan Hobbs
14 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:47:16
14 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:47:16
PS They had 6 defenders on the pitch for the last 5/10 minutes.
Brian Waring
15 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:41:44
15 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:41:44
I know the tie is still wide open,but can anyone see Chelsea not scoring at Goodison?Especially if the reports are to be believed, that they will tie the Anelka deal up over the weekend.I know some people will say that when we played Bolton we marked him out of the game.The big difference for me, is that the Anelka you see for Bolton,will be a more dangerous player in a Chelsea team,that play some excellent football.
Harj Badial
16 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:01:24
16 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:01:24
All I?m going to say bring on the second leg and unleash our secret weapons in Vaughan and Anichebe... Chelsea watch out for the real blue waves! COYB
Arthur Jones
17 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:46:18
17 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:46:18
Some of our passing was sloppy and we couldn?t hold onto the ball but this has to be down to our engine room missing . I know Chelsea had players missing but with their squad they can replace them far easier than we can , I mean fr as hard as he tries , Phil Neville will never be a Mikky Arteta , AJ is a forward never a midfielder , and Faddy can never replace Peanut , although I thought he was unlucky with his chance that hit the post , even then , if one of the midget gems had been playing they would have been waiting to bury a pull back ? Also in this system Tim Cahill was playing too far back to be effective .
I am not happy with the result , we could have done better but we?re not dead and buried , and as as been mentioned , a lot of us wuld have taken this result before the game
I am not happy with the result , we could have done better but we?re not dead and buried , and as as been mentioned , a lot of us wuld have taken this result before the game
Allan Hobbs
18 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:05:52
18 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:05:52
Cahill looked lost for most of the game, he was never sure whether to sit back or go forward.
In Obi Mikel & Ballack they have 2 of the best in the business; we were never going to able to compete with them.
Just look at their lineup; long established Internationals in every position. Alex, Carvalho, Belletti, (Bridge?), J Cole, Obi, Ballack, SWP, Maloud and Pizzaro - they may not be the first choice team but thats still one hell of a lineup. We did really well against them in the grand scheme of things and however disspointed we all are, lets concentrate on the positives eh.
In Obi Mikel & Ballack they have 2 of the best in the business; we were never going to able to compete with them.
Just look at their lineup; long established Internationals in every position. Alex, Carvalho, Belletti, (Bridge?), J Cole, Obi, Ballack, SWP, Maloud and Pizzaro - they may not be the first choice team but thats still one hell of a lineup. We did really well against them in the grand scheme of things and however disspointed we all are, lets concentrate on the positives eh.
Tony Part
19 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:12:42
19 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:12:42
I dont think its a cae of people being negative or veiwing things as glass half empty its just being realistic and having an honest opinion..When we scored to make it level we looked for about ten minutes as though the least we could get was a draw yet for some reason despite Chelsea missing all their main danger men and being down to ten men we reverted deeper and deeper just like the second half at Old Trafford..We simply need to be more confident and the one thing that has bugged us thise season is our ability to give away careless goals..We did it alot earlier this season and since Xmas we have been getting back into the old habit..It tells me to move on to the next level as Moyes wants us to we need to invest more in certain areas of the pitch..We are getting there but there is still some way to go before we are the team that can break into the top four..At the moment I dont think anybody can but with more quality signings such as Yak and Pienaar then we could one day..We now have two important and winnable league games coming up before the second leg so lets leave the cup for another day..
Allan Hobbs
20 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:28:05
20 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:28:05
In a roundabout way we all agree then, good, move on. : )
Mark Duggan
21 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:45:44
21 Posted 09/01/2008 at 09:45:44
I was also at the game last night. I definitely came away disappointed, but not at the result but at the way we lost the game. (Own goal, 2 minutes into injury time). Regardless of all the factors that contributed to the score line I would have taken a 2-1 deficit into the 2nd leg and I think giving it a couple of days to gain some perspective, the more pessimistic of fans will start to see that we have a real chance of getting to the final. In some ways I think it’s good that Everton have to come out and score. At times being on level terms has a negative effect on Everton, they sit back and invite the opposition to attack. Even though I feel sick and had real problems trying to get to sleep last night, replying the own goal, over and over in my mind, I still feel optimistic that even if we don’t reach the final this adventure has given us real hope for the future. COYB!!!!!!!
Tom Rowe
22 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:20:21
22 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:20:21
With regards to the Mcfadden comment, I think he had one of his better games, he always looked a threat, chased everything down. He had a far better game than AJ. I think the make-shift midfield did alot better than we couold expect from a number of players out of position.
as for the comment about cahill not getting a look in, i think he tracked back well, got a lot of blocks in, and held the ball up well from clearances. Considering that he was out of position also, I dont think you can point the finger at any of the players.
As for the Lescott and Howard blamers for the goal, I think Lescott was impeded, and he couldn?t jump for the ball, however he should have been stronger, but the ball should have been cleared long before the cross was made.
We were beaten by the superior team on the night, but im confident we can do them at home. with Arteta back, and possible signings over the next week or so.. who knows. We may still be going to wembley yet. COYB!!!
as for the comment about cahill not getting a look in, i think he tracked back well, got a lot of blocks in, and held the ball up well from clearances. Considering that he was out of position also, I dont think you can point the finger at any of the players.
As for the Lescott and Howard blamers for the goal, I think Lescott was impeded, and he couldn?t jump for the ball, however he should have been stronger, but the ball should have been cleared long before the cross was made.
We were beaten by the superior team on the night, but im confident we can do them at home. with Arteta back, and possible signings over the next week or so.. who knows. We may still be going to wembley yet. COYB!!!
Robbie Shields
23 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:18:32
23 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:18:32
Guys,
I haven’t read all the posts but I need to have my say about last night.
A week or so ago I agreed on this website with Mr Marsh that Everton (And Moyes in particular) have to stop being afraid of teams like Chelsea and stand up and be counted. Last night we obviously went there to defend BUT AGAIN we gave them far too much respect and let them completely dominate the midfield, EVEN WITH 10 MEN. If we are going to places to defend then do it properly.
1) Close down the opposition
2) Mark up and make sure there are no easy passes
3) Keep the pressure on the opposition
4) When players are tired after running themselves into the ground put fresh legs on to keep up the pressure (Cahill, Neville and Carsley were Knackered)
5) Try and hit them on the break and take risks going forward
Don’t
1) Sit back and defend on the edge of the Penalty box
2) Leave a massive gap in the centre of midfield
3) Leave wingers in acres of space to receive the ball and get crosses in (Especially when the opposition have Ballack, Mikel and Piszarro who are all giants)
4) Leave players unmarked on the edge of the box to pick up the second phase and have more attacks
Against quality opposition you have to stop them playing by hassling them continuously and relentlessly, not simlpy let them have the ball in midfield and on the wings at will and then say ’We’ll just deal with the crosses when they come in.... they’ll never score’ it’s a recipe for disaster and all the Evertonians there could see what was coming.
I’m fuming because we could and should have beaten Chelsea, they were completely there for the taking but our poor tactics caused us to lose this game, it could of been a hell of a lot worse AGAINST 10 MEN!
We missed a massive opportunity last night which Moyes must take the responsibility for. I just hope the once again Moyes learns from this but I’m utterly fed up that he can get the basics so horribly wrong so often.
I haven’t read all the posts but I need to have my say about last night.
A week or so ago I agreed on this website with Mr Marsh that Everton (And Moyes in particular) have to stop being afraid of teams like Chelsea and stand up and be counted. Last night we obviously went there to defend BUT AGAIN we gave them far too much respect and let them completely dominate the midfield, EVEN WITH 10 MEN. If we are going to places to defend then do it properly.
1) Close down the opposition
2) Mark up and make sure there are no easy passes
3) Keep the pressure on the opposition
4) When players are tired after running themselves into the ground put fresh legs on to keep up the pressure (Cahill, Neville and Carsley were Knackered)
5) Try and hit them on the break and take risks going forward
Don’t
1) Sit back and defend on the edge of the Penalty box
2) Leave a massive gap in the centre of midfield
3) Leave wingers in acres of space to receive the ball and get crosses in (Especially when the opposition have Ballack, Mikel and Piszarro who are all giants)
4) Leave players unmarked on the edge of the box to pick up the second phase and have more attacks
Against quality opposition you have to stop them playing by hassling them continuously and relentlessly, not simlpy let them have the ball in midfield and on the wings at will and then say ’We’ll just deal with the crosses when they come in.... they’ll never score’ it’s a recipe for disaster and all the Evertonians there could see what was coming.
I’m fuming because we could and should have beaten Chelsea, they were completely there for the taking but our poor tactics caused us to lose this game, it could of been a hell of a lot worse AGAINST 10 MEN!
We missed a massive opportunity last night which Moyes must take the responsibility for. I just hope the once again Moyes learns from this but I’m utterly fed up that he can get the basics so horribly wrong so often.
Martin Barron
24 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:59:39
24 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:59:39
I think one of the big differences between the teams last night was the full backs. Chelsea full backs are comfortable in possession and were always ready to attack. Lescott was tied up in defence most of the time but did not venture up field very often.
On the right hand side we were awful - both Hibbert and Neville never made any inroads going down the right hand side - poor passing that always left the pass receiver under pressure.
Neville to right back from now on and bring Baines and Arteta into midfield.
Hibbert just does not cut it at this level.
Play football and we may have a chance in the 2nd leg.
On the right hand side we were awful - both Hibbert and Neville never made any inroads going down the right hand side - poor passing that always left the pass receiver under pressure.
Neville to right back from now on and bring Baines and Arteta into midfield.
Hibbert just does not cut it at this level.
Play football and we may have a chance in the 2nd leg.
Mark Griffiths
25 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:49:40
25 Posted 09/01/2008 at 10:49:40
Pissed off about the way we through away a very good score draw last night, but the overall result is not that bad when you consider we coreed an away goal, although i have a feeling chelsea will score at goodison so does it make a difference?
We need to invest big time if we are to take the next step forward!
I agree with some of the posts that we are too scared of the big four and it is so abvious with the late gols we are conceding to them with silly silly stupid schoolboy errors.
We have a very good team (not squad) in my opinion but to have a great squad, we need at least a class def CB, another 2 creative midfielders and another class defender.
I really hope we get these in jan because i can sniff the same dissapointment as after the CL fiasco in 2005!!!
As for Anelka, if he signs for chelsea, then he wil be cup tied so cannot play against us.
It will be a tough gaem at goodison but if we cut out the stupid mistakes at the back and close down and take our chances then i can maybe see us get a 1-0 win!! FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!!
We need to invest big time if we are to take the next step forward!
I agree with some of the posts that we are too scared of the big four and it is so abvious with the late gols we are conceding to them with silly silly stupid schoolboy errors.
We have a very good team (not squad) in my opinion but to have a great squad, we need at least a class def CB, another 2 creative midfielders and another class defender.
I really hope we get these in jan because i can sniff the same dissapointment as after the CL fiasco in 2005!!!
As for Anelka, if he signs for chelsea, then he wil be cup tied so cannot play against us.
It will be a tough gaem at goodison but if we cut out the stupid mistakes at the back and close down and take our chances then i can maybe see us get a 1-0 win!! FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!!
James Elworthy
26 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:31:20
26 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:31:20
Annelka did not play in either of Boltons league cup ties so he is not cuptied. I have looked on the Bolton site and he was rested on both occasions.
Jay Harris
27 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:28:41
27 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:28:41
Mark
Apparently Anelka has not played for Bolton in the Carling cup this season and is not therefore cup tied.
I am more worried about the existing Chelsea players who seem to want it more than us.
For all those people slagging Moyes for the deep defending second half he has come out and said he doesnt know why the players do that so it is obviously not his instruction.i thought they looked tired and nervous but hey we would have taken this result before the game with the squad we had.I just hope we get more reinforcements in before the next leg.
Apparently Anelka has not played for Bolton in the Carling cup this season and is not therefore cup tied.
I am more worried about the existing Chelsea players who seem to want it more than us.
For all those people slagging Moyes for the deep defending second half he has come out and said he doesnt know why the players do that so it is obviously not his instruction.i thought they looked tired and nervous but hey we would have taken this result before the game with the squad we had.I just hope we get more reinforcements in before the next leg.
Paul Niklas
28 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:42:23
28 Posted 09/01/2008 at 11:42:23
Basically, in a nutshell and all that.
Howard he should have come for that ball simple as that.
why does he never play the ball from the back he without exception kicks it long to Johnson in the main and with his back to goal Johnson is not great.
Howard has been good for us but needs to cut out the silly mistakes and think about who he is kicking it to.
Hibbert not good enough, Chelsea knew that last night and played down that side, leaving Lescott to have a stress free game really.
Cahill will never play a traditional midfield role he is expected to score goals and wants to so his mindset cant be sudeenly switched on to something alien to him which is why he was non existant last night.
Carsley booking effectedhis game last night he would have been closer to SWP and tried to challenge.
Neville - right back - simple.
Johnson played as much in our own half as yobo- what was the point of that.
Biggest issue is midfield in general we have gone from the form side in the division to losing 4 games out of 6 who was missing in all the losses if you include the arsenal sending off. ARTETA.
We need Fernandes and Osman back.
Anichebe needs to learn how to jump for headers pumped up to him by Howard he wins very little.
Vaughn needs a run in the team if he is to develop his potential.
He will not be able to do that with the 5 strikers we have one of them has to go.
All in all we have issues and these will be compounded by the Africans Nations cup.
We are having a great season but in two weeks time it could be down to a fight for top six and a run in europe- not bad still I here you say however that will depend on the ability of other players to step up to the mark something they have not done in the last two games.
We were awful last night and the team is potentially worse for the second leg even including Arteta.
We need to beat City on Saturday or it will hit us hard.
Paul
Howard he should have come for that ball simple as that.
why does he never play the ball from the back he without exception kicks it long to Johnson in the main and with his back to goal Johnson is not great.
Howard has been good for us but needs to cut out the silly mistakes and think about who he is kicking it to.
Hibbert not good enough, Chelsea knew that last night and played down that side, leaving Lescott to have a stress free game really.
Cahill will never play a traditional midfield role he is expected to score goals and wants to so his mindset cant be sudeenly switched on to something alien to him which is why he was non existant last night.
Carsley booking effectedhis game last night he would have been closer to SWP and tried to challenge.
Neville - right back - simple.
Johnson played as much in our own half as yobo- what was the point of that.
Biggest issue is midfield in general we have gone from the form side in the division to losing 4 games out of 6 who was missing in all the losses if you include the arsenal sending off. ARTETA.
We need Fernandes and Osman back.
Anichebe needs to learn how to jump for headers pumped up to him by Howard he wins very little.
Vaughn needs a run in the team if he is to develop his potential.
He will not be able to do that with the 5 strikers we have one of them has to go.
All in all we have issues and these will be compounded by the Africans Nations cup.
We are having a great season but in two weeks time it could be down to a fight for top six and a run in europe- not bad still I here you say however that will depend on the ability of other players to step up to the mark something they have not done in the last two games.
We were awful last night and the team is potentially worse for the second leg even including Arteta.
We need to beat City on Saturday or it will hit us hard.
Paul
Tom Rowe
29 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:01:56
29 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:01:56
Anelka is shit. who cares.
Billy Ferguson
30 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:24:44
30 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:24:44
I went the match and to be honest after watching the game again we was beat by a better side, they played us of the park in the first half, and we should have been 2-0 down. Ok they had players out but their second string is better then ours, we had our chance in the second half, but Chelsea are a good quality side, with bags of european and big game experience. We was unlucky to concede a late goal, but at the end of the first half eveyone in our section would have given you 100.1 for a score of 2-1 we was that bad, but we are still in this contest, it will be hard but, its defo not over. We worked hard yesterday, and you could see the players were goosed, towards the end of the game and Lescott had just run 50yards down the pitch and chased back into the middle just before that goal, he is a legend and a credit to the blue jersey.
Ben Brown
31 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:28:33
31 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:28:33
After seeing those pictures Lyndon, you have a point. Perhaps it was just unlucky, but if I was Lescott I would still want Howard to come out and clatter everything even if he couldn’t get the ball.
Also I thought Nev was fantastic again last night, just like he was against Boro.
Also I thought Nev was fantastic again last night, just like he was against Boro.
Tony Burke
32 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:49:17
32 Posted 09/01/2008 at 12:49:17
Guess what! When Anelka signs for Chelsea, he’ll be available for the Carling Cup, not having played for Bolton in previous rounds. I wonder what other club/team/player they’ll sign before meeting us. A victory for the real blues would be a victory for true competition and fair play. In other words, I hate those bastards. COYB
Allan Hobbs
33 Posted 09/01/2008 at 13:51:22
33 Posted 09/01/2008 at 13:51:22
Lescott wasnt unlucky, he froze, didnt know what to do in a moment of madness in what was until that point, another great display. Shit happens people, plain & simple - no doubt other players will make costly mistakes over the rest of the season but thats the price you play for being human.
In other news - it was lovely to see fellow blues being ejected from the game just after our goal, and thankyou to the Chelsea fans who so rightly pointed out to the stewards that I was also Evertonian. Happily I managed to keep my seat till the bitter end.
I hope we smash em at home.
In other news - it was lovely to see fellow blues being ejected from the game just after our goal, and thankyou to the Chelsea fans who so rightly pointed out to the stewards that I was also Evertonian. Happily I managed to keep my seat till the bitter end.
I hope we smash em at home.
Martin Cutler
34 Posted 09/01/2008 at 16:07:07
34 Posted 09/01/2008 at 16:07:07
Thanks to everybody who responded to my posting!
My summary of all of this is that with the team we had last night, regardless of how we played, it was going to be tough so given that there’s only one-goal in it, that ain’t too bad.
As somebody pointed out....we have to go out now and score, we can’t sit back and defend......not against them...so in that respect that’s a good thing.
I just hope we don’t make it 1-0 and then defend that lead...we need to go for goals!
I think the confidence aspect is not to be overlooked.........I coach soccer and there’s definitely something to be said about the confidence of players, good players I mean, when they go up against "a very good team" or a Top Four team you might say.............I think the way we are playing now (recent results aside) I think we can, and more often than not, will win against all the teams below the Top Four (I count the Red Shite in the top 4, not Man City for this argument)......I think we can all agree that we are one or two players away from REALLY competing against ALL teams......I think the players know that too.........we are so so so close to being there. (Oldham was a blip!)
I think we’ll win the return leg.
Again, thanks everybody!
COYB!!!
My summary of all of this is that with the team we had last night, regardless of how we played, it was going to be tough so given that there’s only one-goal in it, that ain’t too bad.
As somebody pointed out....we have to go out now and score, we can’t sit back and defend......not against them...so in that respect that’s a good thing.
I just hope we don’t make it 1-0 and then defend that lead...we need to go for goals!
I think the confidence aspect is not to be overlooked.........I coach soccer and there’s definitely something to be said about the confidence of players, good players I mean, when they go up against "a very good team" or a Top Four team you might say.............I think the way we are playing now (recent results aside) I think we can, and more often than not, will win against all the teams below the Top Four (I count the Red Shite in the top 4, not Man City for this argument)......I think we can all agree that we are one or two players away from REALLY competing against ALL teams......I think the players know that too.........we are so so so close to being there. (Oldham was a blip!)
I think we’ll win the return leg.
Again, thanks everybody!
COYB!!!
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As you say, it's just a one-goal deficit which most of us would have taken before the game and with a semi-final under the lights at a packed Goodison I fancy us to get it done in the second leg, even without the absentees.