ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

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The Match Summary

The immediate gut wrenching disappointment can, if we are not careful elicit an overwhelming desire to attribute blame ? it's part of today's British culture. But as entitled as you are to express a view... particularly given the many hours you must devote to this great site... I do think to attribute blame to David Moyes does you little credit.

In truth, over two legs Chelsea possessed the stronger more technically superior squad and despite a great deal of applied effort we could not create sufficient openings or scoring opportunities. Sorry to have a go... something just struck a chord. Keep up the good work.
Mike Smith, London Posted 23/01/2008 at 22:29:42

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Michael Kenrick

You know, I don't care what you call it. I know what it is: post-match analysis. Positive if we win; negative if we lose. That's the real world. It's about looking at what we watched, making assessments, talking about how people performed...

Moyes stuck to his usual game plan, which I found hugely disappointing... if highly predictable. This game called for something else. He did not deliver that something else. Why call that "blame"? It's just the way it was. It's just the way he is... love him or hate him.

He's still "learning"... apparently.

People always take me to task and call me names when I dare to suggest that Moyes is perhaps not as perfect as we are supposed to think he is. It hasn't stopped me thinking what I think ? and it won't stop me writing what I write. End of.

David Pilling
1 Posted 23/01/2008 at 23:22:42

Well done lads on a great attempt. At the end of the day (I hate that phrase) we were second best but we can't fault the effort of our team. The only complaint I have is that we never ever were first to the second ball. We had our chances and didn't take them. I'm still proud of the effort and committment we showed.

Secondly may I say a huge thank you to Michael and the team for keeping the mood so positive yesterday. His post got us all in the proper mood. Keep your heads up blue-boys, there is still so much to play for this season. We can still go for 4th place in the league and we have every chance in the Uefa Cup.

Today is not a day to be misereable, today is a day to see the future, see the promise and see the new hope we have.

NIL SATIS is something that is very close, we just have to believe. Thank you Everton, for giving me re-newed passion and new belief.

Sam Morrison
2 Posted 24/01/2008 at 00:38:30

Well said Mike.

Nick Toye
3 Posted 24/01/2008 at 01:02:47

Michael, you know that what you say is damaging, and you will probably see a semi-final defeat as failure, and not progress.

If I am wrong then fine, but I don’t think I am.

Tonight we came up against a bloody good side, a side who could well win the league, probably not, but more likely than the RS.

I think too much respect was given to the Chelsea side and that was disappointing. I don’t think Moyes played it wrong, we did our best against a good side. First 25mins we were in with a chance, and controlled parts of the game.

I didn’t think he left the subs too late, I don’t think his selection was wrong. I’m sure Moyes doesn’t say just hoof it to AJ, I know he tells them to play it on the ground, he’s not stupid, despite what you think.

But until I hear Moyes out at Goodison Park, whatever you say about Moyes means sweet FA.

Nick Toye
4 Posted 24/01/2008 at 01:18:06

@Ian, this I would like to hear too. What is it Michael that you expect from Moyes, what is he not doing? Is he not fulfilling his end of the bargain? Why is it that you are still the minority voice, and then men that really matter feel Moyes is doing a great job.

Oh and The Times sports journalist says pound for pound we are the best side in the Premiership. Does that not also say your opinion is wide of the mark.

Mick Gillian
5 Posted 24/01/2008 at 02:17:45

Make no bones, Chelsea were there to be had tonight. We bossed the first half of the first half, same with the entire second half, but did Alex or Calvalhio, or the keeper ever looked worried? The deck chairs and cigars were out, too easy for them. Why does Moysie never make a change until after 65 minutes? Why not get in their faces? They had it too easy, too much respect, an opportunity wasted on a grand scale. I am shattered and let down, I hate this 'i am proud to be an everton fan' garbage ? what shite is this? I will be proud when we win something.

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 24/01/2008 at 06:23:35

Nick, I will ignore your sadly predictable insults. The thing I do not see enough of when I watch us is an attacking mentality. That’s what Moyes lacks, because he is and will always be a defender. That mentality translates to the team. It has done us well over the years, propelling us into the upper half of the Premier League and underpinning the progress we have made under him. But I’m looking ahead, always, for more progress, because I think that’s what we need. That progress would be knowing what to do when he have possession of the ball. For years under Moyes, that involved hoofball and little more. Set pieces were important too.

Things have improved a little bit in attack but we are still rarely clinical. Last night, as we often do, we took far too long to move the ball forward, and when we did it was a lob not a laser, or was simply too slow, allowing them to regroup. Our attack plans are sadly too slow and limited in scope and we don’t show enbough guile. Of course, if we spent more time training the players how to attack, our defence would suffer.

But to say, as many do, that we cannot expect to beat Chelsea because they are richer and better than we are... then honestly, what is the real point of us playing these games?

Ian Tunny
7 Posted 24/01/2008 at 11:29:44

Michael: ?Things have improved a little bit in attack but we are still rarely clinical.?
The last time I looked at the table we had scored more than anyone except Man U and Arsenal. The last time I saw a statistic we had the best shots to goal ratio so I think that blows your statement out of the water.

This ?attacking mentality? that you talk of what do you mean? Do you mean we should have played 2 or 3 upfront? Changing our tactics and everything that has got us this far. We did this in the FA Cup against Oldham and look what happend. Now you want to gamble against one of the best teams in Europe and attack without our top goalscorer. Come on, be sensible.

And to ask is there any point in playing these games which is silly just ask Oldham. There was a chance to beat Chelsea but for a fantastic performance of the best keeper in the world and a magic touch form Joe Cole we lost. 3 players over the 2 games were the difference between the 2 sides: Cole, SWP and the keeper. We're not far behind considering all these millions.