ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Lyndon Lloyd

Sadly, the last few times I've seen Van der Meyde play he was slow and looked disinterested. I'm past hoping that he'll come good but am open to being pleasantly surprised!

Charlie Percival
1 Posted 13/02/2008 at 18:17:53

No way will moyes play 2 up front. The team will be

howard

hibbert
jags
yobo
lescott

Osman
Carsley
Cahill
Neville
Fernandes

Yakubu

Charlie Percival
2 Posted 13/02/2008 at 18:23:52

Although I do hope Moyes is more ambitious and plays 2 up front and really goes for a few goals.

Hope im wrong and he partners AJ

Paul OHanlon
3 Posted 13/02/2008 at 18:41:21

Spot on John, team news just in and it’s as you say:

Howard
Neville
Yobo
Jagielka
Lescott

Osman
Fernandes
Carsely
Cahill

Yakubu
Johnson

Stuart Mitchell
4 Posted 13/02/2008 at 18:48:43

Subs

Anichebe
Vaughan
AVM
Rodwell
Baines
Hibbert
Wessels

Stuart Mitchell
5 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:03:01

Positive start,

Yakubu and AJ already had chances

Stuart Mitchell
6 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:11:47

Cahil, Fernandes and Osman struggling a bit to keep possession and passes going astray!

They are going to be dangerous from set pieces with their 2 big centre forwards.

Ajay Timothy
7 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:49:08

Sounds like the Blues are playing like crap in the first half. What I would give for a comfortable thrashing a la Sunderland.

Not had too many of those over the past few years unfortunately

Stuart Mitchell
8 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:57:02

Yakubu has look good, thats about it!

Jimmy Last
9 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:00:35

Does anyone know where i can watch the game on the net?

Tommy Jones
10 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:00:45

Cahill is poor in a flat 4

Alan Doyle
11 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:59:30

Doing ok overall, 0-0 is a fair scoreline. Fancy us to nick it late on if vaughany comes on for last 15-20...
Plus points are Jag (MOTM so far) and Pip who have both looked solid.
Downsides are Cahill who has been muck from the start and Carsley?s wasting two chances on edge of box... Fernandes still looks a game or two away from having settled in properly...
We do seem to be missing Arteta but we should be able to step up to cover his absence if we?re to stay in this competion and in the top 4 at home.

Vinod Kumar
12 Posted 13/02/2008 at 19:59:17

The team need someone who crosses..there are no crosses in the danger area!!! It’s like, all of them prefer to push the ball to the next player instead of taking the initiative to move in to forward position and cross dangerous balls across the goal. What’s happening to Phil Neville?? Y is he so rigid on the flanks? I know he makes mistakes but he used to be a bit more composed and adventurous when playing alongside ARTETA. We need someone who can cross, make the opposing defence panic..they don’t look like a polished defence..penertrate them..But then,they really look dangerous on counter attacks! Concentrate boys! I won’t be surprised if Baines come in on the left flank and move Osman to the middle. Both Fernandes and Cahill are not effective. Bring on Vaughn to teach the opposition a lesson on what it means by fighting for everyball! COYB!!!!!

Stuart Mitchell
13 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:08:43

I think the bad pitch is really not helping the game

Stuart Mitchell
14 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:09:19

CAHILL HITS THE POST FROM DISTANCE!

Stuart Mitchell
15 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:15:11

GREAT Strike from Osman, 1-0

Øystein Lemvik
16 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:18:15

OSMAN!!! 1-0!!

Vinod Kumar
17 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:18:01

That's the way!!!!!! Superb strike from Osman!!!! Go for the kill!!!

Alan Doyle
18 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:18:24

Fantastic right foot dipper from edge of box from a rebound at speed... great technique.
Fantastic.
away goal fantastic - would take 1 all at this point even, fancy us to win by 2 at home.

Stuart Mitchell
19 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:26:02

Looks Anichebe is coming on

Øystein Lemvik
20 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:45:44

ANICHEBE!! We should start him every UEFA Cup match!! 2-0!!!!

Vinod Kumar
21 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:22:28

Brilliant run Lescott!!!! Brilliant Goal Anichebe!!!!! 2-0 Brilliant scoreline!!!!!

Alan Doyle
22 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:46:28

2 0. The Victor Bomber... brilliant cross from Lescott. Terriffic result.

Brian Richardson
23 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:48:27

In all the years I have watched Everton, this really has to have been one of the most mature and accomplished European performances I have ever seen. Some poor passes from Neville - and others - but the general shape of the team and ability to dictate the pace of the game was sensational. Well done boys.

Paul OHanlon
24 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:55:27

Poor opposition, but job well done. Jags MOM again, with the Yak a close 2nd.

Conor Feeney
25 Posted 13/02/2008 at 20:54:39

Got a couple of breaks tonite with the goals. Cahill usually woudn’t have got away with his tackle leading up to the first - though it was great determination by him.

Also, Vic was narrowly offside. But hey - if anyone deserves a couple of breaks - we do !

Great result, really enjoyed it - most relaxed I’ve been wathcing Everton play in a long time - you always felt they were too classy - and so it proved.

Tim Cahill was very good tonight , Lescott very good as usual - but man of the match for us - Phil Jagielka. Nothing went past him - superb.

Fantastic finish by Ossie for the goal.

Put that champagne on ice.........................

Terence Soh
26 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:03:42

Composed performance barring the 2 minutes when SK bombarded Howard. Jag was flawless tonite but the midfield looked especially thin. Fernandes giving balls away, Cahill missing in action.

Can’t wait for the return leg

Phil Roberts
27 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:19:57

Thought Yak was super tonight. How many times did he chase back and win the ball on the left touchline level on his OWN 22 before he came to us. Someone has had a word

Osman has such great technique.

VIc has now scored 4 goals in 6 European games and all in the last 5 minutes. Øystein, never start him!

Can’t wait until the home leg

James Arnold
28 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:29:52

I thought Jagielka was MOM again with Yakubu a close second but once again our midfield looks so lightweight. Fernandes has been really poor since he returned. I am not sure he has enough fight in him and for me Cahill didn?t track back again. It?s too late now but I hope Moyes signs two new midfielders and another right back who can cross the ball for next season. To be honest I am amazed we are in fourth place, but we keep grinding out results...

Davey Roskin
29 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:26:07

Overall a good performance against a decent but basically inferior side. We didn’t exacly look inspired today, but AJ and the Yak led the line well, and I thought Cahill played better than expected in a deeper than usual role. Manny needs to step up his fitness and man-marking - too often he seemed to be dragging his heels to get back on defense. He did have nice go at goal from distance late in the second half though. Neville was again basically crap - marking was o.k., but wasteful, pitiful distribution and crossing. Yobo and Jags were rock solid, and Lescott, though quieter than usual when deployed at LB, was totally dependable. Ossie’s goal was a cracker, and while Vic’s goal was definitely offside,I’ll take the breaks when they (finally) come our way.

It’s also been said a thousand times but I’ll say it again - damn proud of a squad missing key players and not lighting the word on fire with creativity, and STILL pulling out an impressive win on the road in Europe.

One thing I will say for Brann - they sure are dangerous on corners! We lucked out twice.

Nick Xenos
30 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:37:18

Man is Neville a liability. The sooner we get rid the better. I never thought I’d say this but I think Hibbert is a better option. He can’t be any worse in the crossing department, he gets up and down the wing quicker, and he is a better tackler. Fernandes was almost as worse as our captain today, but it wasn’t for a lack of ability or skill (like the aforementioned) but a lack of conditioning. He did some good things but had me curling my toes every time he got the ball in the second half. We could give them a good old roasting at Goodison, if we really go for it.

Tommy Jones
31 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:41:30

Much better 2nd half, Jags was outstanding but if your looking for one of the best preformaces from a forward in Europe I have seen for years is the Yak, he played suberb, dropped deep, spread the play, held the ball up and chased back, all is forgiven Yak, for me outstanding display. Midfield looked a bit unbalenced at times, the way we give possesion, but we are still learning and 6 straight wins cant be bad. Well done lads

Tony McCann
32 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:49:38

Listen Nick Neville is our club captain you dont become an Everton captain and remain if you dont offer the side something, for me Neville got forward more than enough today but was looking for an overlap or support, Fernandes kept comming into the middle. You see Nick you have got to understand for RBs to bomb forward beat his man and put the perfect cross in with no cover behind well you show me him, you see Nick any wide back player would be a bit nervous in case he loses the ball and he as 60 yards of space left behind him, Fernandes left him exposed because Fernandes is not a natural wide player so will drift inside you see nick you need to know the game and you dont.

Lee Gorre
33 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:55:03

Why the fuck does someone always have to have a go at Neville. He’s not always the best passer of a ball but some people just can’t wait to jump on his errors whilst ignoring the same mistakes by other players.

Neville’s drive, commitment and leadership is priceless to the team. Try and think beyond the obvious please - watch the guy’s positional sense, watch how many clearances he makes in his own area and watch how many times he overlaps and supports the attack.

Dan Ashworth
34 Posted 13/02/2008 at 21:59:24

Great result.... simple...

In defence of Neville, yes his crossing was dire but he was making up for the lack of Arteta, the positions he was in would have been where the spanish wizard would have been, apart from this crossing I felt his man to man passing was very good and very rarely gave the ball away, lets not try and find someone to castrate on what was a good performance for an under strength team...

COYB

Davey Roskin
35 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:01:49

So isn’t Neville just as likely as others to have an off day? I wouldn’t call him a liability, and I’ll still take him over Hibbert, but his normally sharp crossing has just been lacking a bit in the past few games. I think it’s because I’ve seen him play much better than this so know he can do better. Not saying he has to go or doesn’t deserve the armband - just wasn’t up to his own standards, IMO.

Dutch Schaffaer
36 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:22:01

Howard - 6
Solid as usual but will someone please teach him to kick properly.

Neville - 6
Found himself in lots of space but his distribution was awful. Defensively sound.

Yobo - 7
Solid and composed. Had the attackers beaten for speed but struggled a bit with the height.

Jagielka - 8
Another man-of-the-match performance. Always in the right place for several important tackles and blocks.

Lescott - 7
Defensively solid and got forward whenever he could. A peach of a pass for the second goal.

Carsley - 7
Probably the pick of the midfielders. Did his job as usual making the chances of the opposition scoring from open play very slim.

Osman - 7
Had spells where he looked great but drifted out at other times. Fantastic goal though.

Cahill - 6
Largely annoymous but did his best. Hit the post and made a couple of great tackles but looks a bit tired.

Fernandes - 5
Had an awful game. Gave the ball away almost every time he was in possession. Still hasn’t found his form since his return to Everton.

Johnson - 6
Did his usual running and working rountine and attempted to get behind the defenders but never came close to scoring. Why are his shots so weak? Has he lost power in his legs?

Yakubu - 7
Had a great first half and looked Everton’s best chance for a goal. Not so influential in the second half. Its a start on the road to forgiveness.

Anichebe - 6
Definately a European talisman. Took his goal confidently. Knocking on the door for more starts, Johnson needs to find his scoring boots quick.

Dutch Schaffaer
37 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:40:55

Neville may be a bit average but it speaks volumes for the type of character he is when you consider he’s won everything in the game and represented England over 50 games.

The guys a born winner and a natural leader. Sure he’s not our best player but he is the Captain and that cuts him a bit of slack.

I wonder how much of our great league form and newly found confidence in Europe is down the our Captain’s influence?

Peter Pridgeon
38 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:42:00

Alan A
By any chance do you know if Neville has been checked for colour blindness? because the bastard cannot see a blue shirt.
Maybe because the team we were playing played in Red and white with black trim he thought he had gone back to his spiritual home. What a fucking shame he didn’t stay there after the game.
Moyes has got to wake up to this guy sooner rather than later we need a a quality right back who can bring the ball forward and overlap the midfield. Hibbett is not the answer here either.

Dutch Schaffaer
39 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:50:15

I’m not gonna have a go at our Captain, he did his best with his limited ability.

What about Fernandes? £12 million???? Your having a laugh.

Giving the ball away endlessly. Reckless challenges. No final product.

If he doesnt improve soon there’s no chance of getting a permanent move.

We miss Pienaar.

Peter Pridgeon
40 Posted 13/02/2008 at 22:57:45

Dutch
Just because he is the nominated Captain does not mean he has the right to play every game and is automatically a good player.

The problem with him is, he cannot pass he cannot cross and sometimes his defensive capability comes into question.

No one doubts his commitment or his much publicised professionalism but these traits while admirable will not win Everton trophies.

He has played a valuable part in steadying the Everton ship but he is and dare I say it like Andrew Johnson; that is a very good mid table player. To consistently be part of the top four we need a player who has all the attributes of Neville but the ability to pick out an Everton player and deliver the ball on a regular basis.

Tom Carter
41 Posted 13/02/2008 at 23:07:05

I cant believe people are defending Neville saying he has had a "bad day" does’nt he have one nearly every week, come on get real he was never good enough for the mancs and he will never be good enough for us, apart from that it was a cracking result. COYB

John Gilfoyle
42 Posted 13/02/2008 at 23:38:12

Great performance against a pretty poor side!! Generally too good for them in every position!! However thought Fernandes was poor looks like he's not arsed, especially in the midfield with such willing and determined players such as Cahill and Carsley. So-called flair players we have Arteta, Pienaar, Osman still do the dirty work and get back, whether this is his lack of fitness or attitude not sure!!! Anyone????

Jimmy Crack
43 Posted 13/02/2008 at 23:55:58

I would love to see vaughan start the second leg.

Connor Rohrer
44 Posted 13/02/2008 at 23:49:52

Good performance by the Blue boys. I think the tie is more or less dead and buried personally. Brann didn’t look anything special and only really caused us problems from set pieces.

It just shows how far we have come. We where brilliant but we looked comfortable and seemed to have adapted to European Football. I think we can now play without Arteta. Obviously he’s our best player but if he’s injured or suspended then we have enough creativity in Osman, Fernandes and Pienaar to cope. We now have options all around the pitch which is nice to see.

In terms of player performances then I think there where a few good ones. Jagielka, Yakubu and Osman stand out for me. Yakubu held the ball up excellently, Osman provided the creativity and Jags was a man mountain. I thought Cahill and Fernandes had decent games to be honest. Don’t know why people are saying Carsley was any better because in my eyes he wasn’t.

Cahill showed to me that he can play in a 4-4-2 effectively. Its refreshing to see a midfielder with athleticism and box to box stamina. He’s not a superb footballer but he’s certainly capable.

I think people are going over the top about Fernandes aswell. Put in a much better performance for me. Yes he gave the ball away on occasions but he was trying to open them up. I’d rather see that than someone passing sideways and backwards all game. Some of his passing, touches and dribbles where excellent and there’s more to come. Not the all round performance we are looking for but good flashes and did a job for the team out wide which isn’t his favored position.

The only player I’d say was poor was Neville who despite offering some good movement and support play failed dismally on his crossing, passing and end product. To be honest though I’m not going to moan to much as it was a good all round team performance.

Well done Tim, Nev, Joe-Joe, Jags, Big Joleon, Manny, Cars, Tiny Tim, Ossie, Yak, AJ, Big Vic, Hibbo and Bainsey.

Peter Pridgeon
45 Posted 13/02/2008 at 23:59:50

John
I think Fernandes is suffering from not having played much football since the end of last season.

Either Moyes will get out of him what he has got or he will back in Valencia at the end of the season.

Jimmy
I would love to see Vaughan as a regular first teamer along with the Yak, he has the ability and a very astute football brain. At 19 he is ready to play week in week out and keeping him under wraps will not further a very promising talent.

I believe that Moyes may cash in on Andrew Johnson at the end of the season and start playing his promising kids next season along side the Yak and Cahill. We live in hope

Carlos Camacho
46 Posted 14/02/2008 at 00:25:42

I notice no CHANG beer on the front of the kit. Why not?

Richard Porter
47 Posted 14/02/2008 at 00:28:42

Carlos,

Alcohol advertising is banned in Norway, also in Switzerland and France. SO Chang has to be removed from the shirts.

James Vernon
48 Posted 14/02/2008 at 00:51:26

I agree that Neville was very poor in the opposition half today, time and time again in the first half he found himself in acres of space with an opportunity to cross and he failed every time.

But I kept thinking to myself - where was Manny to support him? Isn’t it odd that we’re moaning at the right back for not delivering enough quality crosses when the right midfield player was nowhere to be seen? Shouldn’t he have taken more responsibility down the right wing and helped Neville out from time to time? For me Manny is way, way short of being match ready, Moyes should have hauled him off at half-time. It just shows the value of Arteta and Pienaar and how we can look scrappy and devoid of ideas when playing without them.

Paul Coleman
49 Posted 14/02/2008 at 00:50:10

I think we should sell AJ in the summer and buy a better striker. He is good at what he does but we need someone world class up there. Maybe when we secure CL football we can nick Torres from accross the park...I mean he’s going to want to play in the CL isn’t he??
I think Manny has been told to pretend he is Tobias Linderoth so we can buy him for 5p at the end of the season.

Connor Rohrer
50 Posted 14/02/2008 at 00:58:49

James Vernon, I thought Neville was sound defensively. Why did he need Fernandes’s help?

The only aspect that was poor of Neville’s game was his end product. In terms of creativity we probably got most of our joy down the right hand side with Neville and Fernandes combining. Fernandes was drifting inside and dragging the fullback away leaving Neville to whip in the crosses and find the space. I thought Neville’s support play and movement where good but his crossing was poor.

In terms of Manny’s performance I thought he did okay. I think people are expecting to much. He definatly played better than Carsley for me and possibly Cahill. In the first half he was sloppy but in the second he showed alot more composure bar one cross field pass.

He’ll get better with time. People forget that he’s only 21 and settling back into the club. Pienaar, Yakubu and Jagielka have all needed time now look at them. Three quality players who are key to this squad. Once he gets back into the swing of things I expect him to get better. Not earning the 8 million price tag yet but its an improvement on his Reading performance and with potentially 20 games left he’s got time to adjust and improve.

All in all I’m liking the balance of our team and especially the midfield options. Creative midfielders like Arteta, Pienaar, Fernandes and Osman who are all versatile, A box to box/attacking midfielder in Cahill and a consistent defensive midfielder in Carsley. Yakubu coming back’s a big help. His link up play bring these midfielders into play which can only help us create and score more goals.

David Barks
51 Posted 14/02/2008 at 01:18:13

Well said Conner. I think you’ve gotten it just about right. It wasn’t a superb performance by us, but we came away with a much deserved 2-0 win away from home with Arteta and Pienaar both missing. Fernandes is still fitting into the team, having to play out wide and don’t forget that he is playing with an injury. If Arteta or Pienaar had been fit I’m sure he would have been rested tonight. Nevilles crossing tonight though was about as bad as I have seen him be. He kept making good runs and putting himself into position to deliver a good ball but was just dreadful. Please Neville, work on the crosses over the next week.

Santosh Benjamin
52 Posted 14/02/2008 at 01:21:16

Anyone knopw any links where i can see the goals we scored last night?
Glad we won...there were a few times before we scored when i was worried that we would lose.
I think that the team selection was spot on but wish that Vaughan could have got on for a bit...Great work at the back by a very solid defensive set-up that we seem to have built.Jags would be my MOM from what i read and heard(followed the match on the internet with live updates).
Yak seemed to work hard upfront too..as did AJ...Manny seemed better than earlier games but still short of full fitness...Ossie was great(esp the goal) and Vic the super Euro Sub came on to score yet again.
All in all i think that although Brann were not the toughest team in the competition,they are a decent side and without the creative input of Pienaar and Arteta in midfield..we did excellently to win and maintain a clean sheet.Onto the 2nd leg next week..am actually glad there are no league games this weekend..we are better rested for the 2nd leg...keep up the good work lads...COYB

James Vernon
53 Posted 14/02/2008 at 01:24:29

Connor, I agree that Neville was sound defensively (sorry, I should have made that clear in my original post). It was going forward that I thought he was poor, but my point was that I thought he was a bit let down by Manny in that too often Manny was willing to drift inside and let Neville be the one whipping in the crosses (to no great effect). Let’s face it, Neville is never going to be a great weapon in attack, so why wasn’t Manny on hand to whip some balls in himself?

David Barks
54 Posted 14/02/2008 at 01:38:19

James I think I can answer that one. Neville was making the overlap run and Fernandes continuously set him up with good passes to swing in an open cross. If Fernandes stays out there it puts a defender that much closer to Neville and makes it more difficult to get a cross past that first defender. The right back needs to be able to deliver a good cross now and then. Also, Fernandes needed to move inside to keep the spacing, otherwise you end up with two players in very close proximity to each other making them much easier to defend than if they’re properly spaced out. But Neville did very well in defense, just terrible with his crosses.

James Vernon
55 Posted 14/02/2008 at 01:43:01

David - fair enough, and again I don’t have a problem with Neville’s defensive work. But I think it showed that if we have to play without Arteta and Pienaar in the future then we either need different personnel or a different tactic down the right flank, as Manny creating the space for Neville to cross is never going to work.

Hope my posts haven’t sounded too negative, overall it was a good win and a sound performance. I guess some intensive practise on crossing the ball may be the answer!

Peter Pridgeon
56 Posted 14/02/2008 at 02:03:19

Santosh
Try ths http://efc1878.blogspot.com/
Sara runs this Everton Blog and has all the goals from the season on it, she is usually a day or two behind while she finds them but always comes up with goods
She is an American that has a fascination with all things Everton.
Drop her a line and say thanks after you have viewed them as she really goes all out to get the goals.

Connor Rohrer
57 Posted 14/02/2008 at 03:04:10

James, I see what you mean but Fernandes is naturally a centre midfielder so he does come inside alot. Sometimes its a good thing and sometimes it just doesn’t work. Maybe if he was a bit more experienced in that position or had a run of games out wide he’d learn to stay more wide like Arteta for example.

I thought he did a good job personally on and off the ball and Neville’s support play was excellent. He was moving inside and creating alot of space and Neville was exploiting it. Sadly his final ball let him down.

In terms of crossing as a team we don’t cross the ball alot and we don’t play with alot of width. Even when Arteta and Pienaar play out wide who are our normal wingers they look for the one-two or the pass rather than the cross.

I agree we do need more wide options but considering Fernandes and Osman are probably our second choice wingers they did well and we managed to create and score goals against the Norwegian Champions. At times this season I’ve seen Neville on the right wing and I can say I’d rather have Fernandes out there than him.

Nick Xenos
58 Posted 14/02/2008 at 03:23:01

Tony McCann wrote, "..for RBs to bomb forward beat his man and put the perfect cross in with no cover behind well you show me him, you see Nick any wide back player would be a bit nervous in case he loses the ball and he as 60 yards of space left behind him". So Tony, you’re telling me that Neville’s crossing was/has been poor because he is nervous what will happen if/when he loses the ball? ....and you think you know football! :-)