ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Jay Lovegood
1 Posted 29/01/2008 at 23:54:13

Gravesen, Van der Meyde, da Silva. Surely it?s time one of these at least made it to the bench. Maybe beyond if Osman doesn?t recover!!

David Moore
2 Posted 30/01/2008 at 00:09:37

It says on the OS that TG is injured.

Kieran Kinsella
3 Posted 30/01/2008 at 02:11:10

This is one of those times you wonder about the timing of selling McFad. If we had waited we probably wouldn’t have got $5m for him but selling him when we did with the ANC on left us vunerable to injuries and suspensions. One name I wouldn’t mind seeing on the bench would be Agard but as long as no one else gets crocked we should be OK. Back in the day we only had the option of one sub and lets be honest I would rather play Spurs tomorrow with Wessells, Anichebe, Baines, Stubbs and Bill Kenwright on the bench than do what we did 20 years ago and just have Alan Harper. Silly idea but maybe the starting 11 could play the whole game ?

Ant Hill
4 Posted 30/01/2008 at 03:53:45

Alan Harper? You made me laugh out loud... and those were the days when we were winning the league .

Sean Condon
5 Posted 30/01/2008 at 03:43:41

Dare I Hope For A Sister-Kisser? If we win tonight surely Moyes will pick up Manager of the Month. Well, we sure as hell don't need that particular jinx, do we? Given Spurs' form and our absentees i'd take 0-0 right now. Oh, sorry, forgot it was Spurs. 4 all then. COYB!

Arthur jones
6 Posted 30/01/2008 at 06:11:40

Spurs have won at Goodison for the last 4 seasons , thats one jinx we have to master , along with 7 players missing and Spurs current form , I’ll have to settle for a 2 - 0 win for the blues

Michael Hunt
7 Posted 30/01/2008 at 06:49:48

No. Not first teamers anyway. If Ossie is not fit, I’d like to see Anderson Da Silva start. He could be ready to make the step up and therefore maybe ’da silva lining’ we are looking for.

Staring eleven I’d LOVE to see tonight, but doubt I will:

---------------------Howard-------------------
Neville------Jags----Lescott------Valente
-Arteta---Da Silva--Cars----Fernandes-
-------------Anichebe---Vaughan-----------

(I think Anichebe and Vaughan’s raw aggression, pace and power would cause more problems to their creaky backline than AJ.)

Stuart Mitchell
8 Posted 30/01/2008 at 08:23:58

Nope we do not have 16 fit players. The squad list on the Offical Site lists 15 players:

Everton from: Howard, Wessels, Lescott, Baines, Jagielka, Valente, Stubbs, Neville, Carsley, Arteta, Fernandes, Osman, Johnson, Anichebe, Vaughan

Stuart Mitchell
9 Posted 30/01/2008 at 08:25:56

And Osman is listed as doubtful, so that maybe 14 players to choose from, 13 outfield players.

Scott Jenner
10 Posted 30/01/2008 at 08:47:22

Jay, I hate to tell you but Andy VDM is also still injured as you will see from the details below, which was taken from the EFC website. Maybe Rodwell will play in that holding role in midfield with Carsley, and Arteta and Fernandes attacking. Saying that I know ossie will do all he can to be on the pitch tonight.

Player: Andy van der Meyde
Position: Midfield
Injury: Shin
Expected return: February 2008

Jimmy Crack
11 Posted 30/01/2008 at 08:58:21

Howard; Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Valente; Arteta, Neville, Carsley, Fernandes; Johnson, Anichebe

Stefan Tosev
12 Posted 30/01/2008 at 09:05:39

I am just wondering what will happen if Osman has picked an injury that will sideline him for another 2-3 weeks and with Cahill departure for Australia it would leave us with only 3 fit midfielders for really crucial period.

Brian Noble
13 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:12:58

At least it will give the Moyes Apologists a ready made excuse if we get turned over again. Bad management I would call it but we don?t go there these days do we?

Tom Rowe
14 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:17:18

I feel like this should be the oppurtunity for the younger players we hear so much about to get a look in. A little bit of premiership experience can do youngers players alot of good. Instead we?re loaning them all out or selling them.

Stefan Tosev
15 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:24:16

Brian,

Insightful as ever

Fred Kwong
16 Posted 30/01/2008 at 09:57:00

Stuart, Baines also got some problem in his ankle. So we can have only 11 outfield players to choose from for spurs game.

Peter Corcoran
17 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:37:48

Hibbert is suspended.

Looks like Wessels as the playmaker in midfield then.

Ange Stamos
18 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:44:26

Nearly all our players are out and we think Spurs have problems? I?m dreading tonights match. I?ll be happy with a draw but I highly doubt that. Prove me wrong boyz. COYB!!!!!!

Dom Eaton
19 Posted 30/01/2008 at 10:54:00

Stuart,

The answer is quite frankly NO...bring on the kids, got to be better than McWasteOf Space!

Graham Holliday
20 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:02:30

Yep - 15 players named in the squad on the OS, and 2 of them (Osman and Baines) are doubts. If they’re even close to match fit, I’d expect these two to be named in starting line-up and subs bench respectively. Potential other subs? Gosling, Rodwell, Irving...I’m struggling beyond that.

It won’t help that the likes of Jutkiewicz, Vidarssson, Kissock are all out on loan!

Dean Hudders
21 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:45:14

DM has know re Tim going to an Aussie game (can you believe he is jetting off off for a friendly!?) for a while.

So why loan out Vidjarsson now?

He cant moan about lack of numbers then loan out.

I reckon Anderson may even start tonight!

Paul Lenehan
22 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:44:59

We have enough fit players to beat Spurs. I doubt we will be playing with just one up top. I would like to see Vaughan partner AJ. I really wish we could do a clear out. You would have thought that with our obvious lack of numbers in midfield then the likes of Da Silva and VDM woudl be in contention. The fact they are not says it all.

Steve Collins
23 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:42:39

Brian Noble - Somehow i don’t think moyes is making excuses with regards to the amount of players we have. He was stating fact that with the African Nations and injuries we are a bit thin. Simple as!!
Now i don’t imagine he will use it as an excuse if we get beat. Give the man the benefit of the doubt.
I am getting sick of the Moyes boo boys. What does he have to do to prove his worth?

Mike Coates
24 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:50:55

Da Silva should be in there.. Seeing there’s a club so desperate to take him away. He’s scored one for us already against Werder if I recall. Must be the easier comps that are making him look good? I dunno. Perhaps Moysey doesn’t think he’s up there yet. But if we’re desperate, he should be there.

Steve Collins
25 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:52:12

"You don?t hear Portsmouth complaining about the African players"? What cave have you been living in? ?Arry does nothing but complain every time the competition comes around.
Now don?t get me wrong it was disappointing to hear Moyes mention it but c?mon he isn?t the only one who has an opinion on it.

Steve Collins
26 Posted 30/01/2008 at 11:55:09

Hudders - The Aussies game is not a friendly. It’s a World Cup qualifier if i’m not mistaken.
Moyes point is that it shouldn’t be sandwiched in between domestic fixtures like that especially as it takes forever for a player to get there and back.

Steve Collins
27 Posted 30/01/2008 at 12:20:06

The Reason Portsmouth have ’gone and done something about it’ is because they have the finances. Being bankrolled by a Russian helps.
How do you suppose we pay for new players? As mush as i think we need players i don’t think we have the cash.
We are in the same situation every season. You can’t blame Moyes for that. We do the bulk of our spending in the summertime and try to get 1 or 2 in Jan. Same story.
I bet the cash taken in for McFadden is being used to pay debt. Or no doubt Moyes has been told we would have to restructure our finances to buy a player.
He has always been reluctant to splash the cash especially after the couple of lemons e purchased.

Dan McKie
28 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:04:22

Im taking my boots with me tonight, I reckon I might get a game! Moyesie, Im declaring myself fit!

Michael Brien
29 Posted 30/01/2008 at 12:54:45

Steve - I am not a Moyes " boo boy" as you call them. ButI have to confess I am a bit concerned as to our lack of numbers at the moment.I know McFadden could be brilliant one match and then ordinary the next,(indeed sometimes he could be both in the space of 5 minutes !!) however I would not have sold him unless we had an incoming deal lined up.
McFadden could play wide midfield as well as striker and personally I think I think we will regret letting him go. Given a decent run in the team I think he would have become more consistent and reproduced his "Scotland" form.
We knew we would lose some key players to the ACN so I think we should have brought in at least one more player - either a loan signing or perhaps looked to give one or two of the reserves a chance.But I gather that Vidarsson and Kissock are out on loan.Is Da Silva back with us ? I thought he was still out on loan.if he is back with us isn’t it better to have a fully fit reserve team player on the bench rather than a less than fully fit first teamer ?

Lee Spargo
30 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:09:38

Brian Noble - I know many people cal DM ’The Moyessiah’ but he hasn’t got healing hands!! It’s not his fault if players are injured or suspended. With the squad looking as it is at the moment, I can see us getting turned over, I hope not, but you have to face facts. We have 7 first choice players missing. And by that I really do mean FIRST choice, not just squad players.

Jay Harris
31 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:10:40

What is this crap about we dont have the finances of other teams.
Do we want to go to the next level up or down?
The difference between 6th and 10th place (approx 6 points VS Blackburn and Spurs) is worth about £3 mill Sky money and a champions league place could be worth about £30 million.
We just got £5 mill for Faddy who was stated to be an important member of the squad.
That money should be put out for a replacement NOW before we freefall down the league and out of the Uefa Cup.Its about time Billy and his mates need to put out instead of borrowing from the bank or move over and let a proper investor with foresight take over.

Dave ????
32 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:25:06

Dave: no last name, no e.mail... no can do. ? No message. Sorry!

Charlie Jenkins
33 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:18:16

Just no question about it .It was known about ANC, it was known this is the time of the season yellow card suspensions start to kick in, it was known Cahill would be going to Ausssie. So why have players been allowed out on loan if we are short of numbers, yet no one brought in? Surley even a cople of loans, I can?t work it out can anybody? It has to be down to saving money... Or is Moyes realy that naive??

John Lloyd
34 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:25:05

We’re short but come on, look at the 14 or so guaranteed fit players, thats more than enough to beat tottnham. Also Baines can go on the bench, he has a problem when he kicks the ball hard but has said he is willing to play with an injection/painkiller as we are short.
As for the Mcfadden sale, get the tinted specs off, dont suppose anyone seen his debut last night & your wishing he was still here FFS?? 5/6 million for him was up there with on of the best bits of business DM has done!! I desperatly wanted faddy to turn into the player I hoped he would but he didnt, he was generally shite for us and he couldnt do nothing that one of the other players in squad couldnt do.
The other players we have released (Vidarsson, Kissock) are not good enough, as Da Silva mustnt be, simple as.

Back to the point, this is only for one game & its not ideal but it should be a problem??

Alan Humphreys
35 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:33:32

Physioroom is usually a good guide on checking who’s injured etc but it seems half the team haven’t been added lately - unless Baz’s keeping it to himself these days !

www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

James McNicholson
36 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:46:18

What the fuck is wrong with you all? They have got a squad, they are all professionals and they just have to get on with it. Baines has used the miracle cure for one night, Osman will probably suddenly do the same... Have some confidence... They have a full fit eleven... that's a team ? not 14,15,16. We will win if you lot support instead of moaning....

Steve Collins
37 Posted 30/01/2008 at 14:00:13

Here!! Here!! to James McNicholson. Why can’t we have more of you on here instead of the people who are just plain negative all the time.

Spurs are there for the taking. They have a terrible away record.

As for the people talking about keeping Mcfadden i’m sorry i just don’t see why he would have?? Not taking that sort of cash for a player who has not lived up to his potential is nuts.

Remember when he plays for Scotland he plays with different players and is given more freedom. They Revolve their team around him.

Just because he is an international doesn’t mean he is fantastic or worth keeping.

Tom Campbell
38 Posted 30/01/2008 at 13:58:10

I can see Alan Stubbs as our wide midfield player, running down the line with his electric pace and skill !

Tony Hughes
39 Posted 30/01/2008 at 14:53:51

John Lloyd, I have to agree. I watched McFadden last night and I am amazed we got £5.5M for him. He was complete shite!!

Mark Griffiths
40 Posted 30/01/2008 at 15:15:41

Just heard on Sky Sports nes that Peanut is injured now!!!

FFS!

So even if RSA do not qualify, he may be injured, although i do not know the extent of the injury.

As for tonight, it will be a tough game... I think he will go with AJ and Victor up front as AJ has the experience but Vaughan is too much of the same player as AJ, although he could go Victor and Vaughany and put Arteta on the left and AJ right wing??

Michael Brien
41 Posted 30/01/2008 at 15:19:35

"Spurs are there for the taking" - isn’t that what Arsenal thought last week ?
Personally I think there’s a difference in fearing our opponents and respecting them.I would always have the notion to respect our opponents.You mention negativity - not so - more a case of being a bit concerned at the lack of numbers at the moment - there is also the matter of Blackburn away on Saturday. Every game is vtal I know, but we are coming to the final furlong so to speak and if we drop any points needlessly we will run out of games to make good any such loss.

Tom Rowe
42 Posted 30/01/2008 at 15:58:52

... aka Mystic Meg:

Gosling Right Back, Jags and Lescott in the centre, Valente Left Back, Phil Neville on the right, Arteta on the left, Manny and Cars in the middle, AJ and Vaughny Up top.
Bench: Wessels, Stubbs, Baines, Anichebe, Agard (seems to be poppin them in for the ressies)

2-0 to everton, Arteta (pen) 41?, Vaughan 80?. Neville + Cars yelow cards

James McNicholson
43 Posted 30/01/2008 at 16:21:17

Micheal.. Chill out lad.. have a bit of confidence it costs nothing.. OK if we are honest we are not the best in the world but we are pretty good this season. Yes things are tight and will still be for afew more weeks. " Unless someone suddenly pulls two three wonderful fit rabbits out of the magic transfer hat " We have got to get on with it we can?t change that, but we can try to do our share. Join me & Steve and loads of others by giveing it your all tonight ..Sat.. and next week ..no matter what happens.. This is when TRUE support is needed & proved.....By the way I did not include the "f" word it was added.. In case me Mrs sees this....

Gavin Ramejkis
44 Posted 30/01/2008 at 16:51:18

TG was at IKEA in Warrington last Sunday shopping with his friend lugging stuff about, looked like sod all wrong with him... send him back to Celtic!

Mark Pendleton
45 Posted 30/01/2008 at 16:59:39

McFadden was sold because, apart from the very infrequent bit of magic, more often than not he was like he was last night for Brum ? infuriating! Even with the depleted numbers tonight, I don?t regret us selling him because he is not a midfielder. We have sufficient attackers and defenders for this evening, it?s midfield where we?re short.

As for Vidarsson he?s obviously not made the required step-up hence he?s on loan with a view to a permanent deal. The same goes for our Brazilian maestro.

One thing we do know is that players don?t cry off with minor injuries in our squad. The likes of Baines and Ossie are likely to play through the pain barrier and give a good account of themselves tonight if it means helping out while we?re short.

COYB!

Eric Holland
46 Posted 30/01/2008 at 17:19:32

Spurs have a very leaky back four especially away from home, expect a high scoring match.
My prediction 4-3 to the blues.

Davey Roskin
47 Posted 30/01/2008 at 17:43:43

I don’t see how we can have any other starting lineup today other than:

Howard
Jagielka, Stubbs, Lescott, Valente
Arteta, Neville, Carsley, Fernandes
Johnson, Anichebe

Bench: Wessels, Baines, Osman, Vaughan, DaSilva

It would be foolish to start either Osman or Baines with both carrying knocks - any aggravation of those injuries could see them out for a much longer period. Still, might as well have them on the bench for emergencies only. It’s not like DM ever uses all three subs anyway. I’d stick Jags at right back and start with Vic and AJ upfront. Surely DaSilva is good enough to make the bench - I can’t really figure out who else would make it. MAYBE Rodwell, but still - might as well give DaSilva a shot, especially being short in the middle of the park.

As for transfers, I’m definitely disppointed we didn’t bring in at least one proven midfielder. I’m not demanding a world-beater, but we could use an extra body even without these injuries/suspensions/int’l. duties/curious loans, let alone coping with this depleted squad. I’m not doom and gloom, and I see no reason why we can’t win today, but the squad just seems a little too thin for comfort these days.

I loved Jimmy Mac if only for his all-too-infrequent skill and his reputation as a nice guy, but the price was simply too good to turn down regardless of timing. End of story.

Gary Dos Santos
48 Posted 30/01/2008 at 18:07:47

Pienaar has turned his left ankle over but is confident of playing for Bafana tomorrow ? that was on the news in RSA.

Dave Wilson
49 Posted 30/01/2008 at 18:31:44

Cant get there, missed me train, stuck in London, what a fucken shithole, were can I see the match ?

Anthony Jaras
50 Posted 30/01/2008 at 19:17:32

WTF!

Leighton Baines.....right back???? Surely an error on the OS.

Apparently to replace the injured Osman, don’t they mean the suspended Hibbert?

VDM on the bench with Da Silva.

Vic and AJ in attack, fair enough.

Lescott, Jag and Valente making up the backline with Neville, Cars, Manny and Mikky across the centre.

Weird Shit!

Simon Gemine
51 Posted 31/01/2008 at 10:59:46

I hear he wants to leave the barcodes. Does anyone else think that we should move for this guy as he seems to be a better player than Downing, who it seems DM is interested in. He would cost a lot less than the £10m or so quoted for Downing.

Machiel Barnard
52 Posted 31/01/2008 at 04:06:00

Steven Pienaar picked up an ankle knock in training yesterday and will have to undergo a late fitness test before their game later tonight against Senegal