The Mail Bag
4th within our reach?
Comments (18)
Considering Best scenerio, we win against Derby, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Newcastle. Draw against Chelsea, Arsenal. Total points end season: 71 pts
Liverpool worst scenerio: Lose against Arsenal, Spurs Win against Blackburn, Birmingham, Draw against Fulham, Man City. Total points end season: 70 pts
Based on our current form, we will likely lose it against Chelsea, Arsenal, draw with Newcastle & Aston villa, Birmingham.
Oh well...
John Blestone, Posted 02/04/2008 at 02:28:42
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Bill Walling
2 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:09:48
2 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:09:48
They’ve written a song specially for you,John.
’’Dreamer,nothing but a dreamer’’
’’Dreamer,nothing but a dreamer’’
Paul Lenehan
3 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:22:22
3 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:22:22
Until we mathematically can’t qualify im not giving it up. COYB and come on the Arsenal!
Richard Parker
4 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:27:57
4 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:27:57
Not wishing to be overly negative, but Portsmouth are seriously breathing down our necks for 5th spot.
If we don’t turn this poor run of form around big time in the next 2 games against Derby (H) and Brum (A), we are gonna miss out on 5th, never mind 4th.
Last 4 games after Derby and Brum are Chelsea (H), Villa (H), Arsenal (A) and Toon (H).... right at this point in time, with the form of the last 4 games & our run in, I am getting a bit worried.
If we don’t turn this poor run of form around big time in the next 2 games against Derby (H) and Brum (A), we are gonna miss out on 5th, never mind 4th.
Last 4 games after Derby and Brum are Chelsea (H), Villa (H), Arsenal (A) and Toon (H).... right at this point in time, with the form of the last 4 games & our run in, I am getting a bit worried.
Gary Creaney
5 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:48:17
5 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:48:17
Lets not get worried about anything here. One game at a time, this week we are home to Derby and likely to win (touch wood), the RS are are away to Arsenal for the 2nd time in a matter of days and are unlikely to win, pompey are playing in the FA cup.
Therefore if all goes according to plan we’ll be 7 points clear of pompey and either 2 or 3 behing RS.
Lets get this weekend over first and forget about this doom and gloom.
Therefore if all goes according to plan we’ll be 7 points clear of pompey and either 2 or 3 behing RS.
Lets get this weekend over first and forget about this doom and gloom.
John Lloyd
6 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:51:46
6 Posted 02/04/2008 at 09:51:46
Its time to rewind our minds back to season start for a short time beacause with recent results the knee jerk reaction brigade have been out in force!!
Surely our target at beginning of season was to overhaul Spurs as the primary challenger for the top 4 (CL places) and to re-qualify for Europe. And when you look at the improvement & cash spent by some of our nearest challengers (City, Pompey, Spurs, West Ham) then this was a fair target.
Over the course of the season we have put ourselves in a position to maybe, I repeat MAYBE give that shower of shite a run for fourth. Every evertonian in the world would agree that would be amazing & a wonderful end to season and with a bit more luck in big games (1st derby & blackburn away spring to mind) then we would of had an even better chance than we do now.
But we CANNOT forget what our initial target was and probably still is and we are achieving that, which is unquestionably another marked improvement from the club, management & players. Especially when you figure our two cup runs into the equasion.
Now we are not without criticism & over the season we (well most of us) can see areas or players where we still need to improve, for example in my opinion 1 or 2 midfielders are needed ideally good ball players with a bit of physicality (height & strength) also a right back who can defend up to our standard but is also comfortable enough to join in play further up pitch. We probably also need another striker due to Vaughans injury problems leaving us with only 3 fit strikers for most of time.
Basically, as long as we keep picking up wins and finish (minimum of 5th) I will be a happy blue. Then we can start all over again with the transfer rumours, the doom mongering, the optimisim and see if we cant set our targets even higher and topple that pile of shite over the way for 4th.....or higher!!!
Surely our target at beginning of season was to overhaul Spurs as the primary challenger for the top 4 (CL places) and to re-qualify for Europe. And when you look at the improvement & cash spent by some of our nearest challengers (City, Pompey, Spurs, West Ham) then this was a fair target.
Over the course of the season we have put ourselves in a position to maybe, I repeat MAYBE give that shower of shite a run for fourth. Every evertonian in the world would agree that would be amazing & a wonderful end to season and with a bit more luck in big games (1st derby & blackburn away spring to mind) then we would of had an even better chance than we do now.
But we CANNOT forget what our initial target was and probably still is and we are achieving that, which is unquestionably another marked improvement from the club, management & players. Especially when you figure our two cup runs into the equasion.
Now we are not without criticism & over the season we (well most of us) can see areas or players where we still need to improve, for example in my opinion 1 or 2 midfielders are needed ideally good ball players with a bit of physicality (height & strength) also a right back who can defend up to our standard but is also comfortable enough to join in play further up pitch. We probably also need another striker due to Vaughans injury problems leaving us with only 3 fit strikers for most of time.
Basically, as long as we keep picking up wins and finish (minimum of 5th) I will be a happy blue. Then we can start all over again with the transfer rumours, the doom mongering, the optimisim and see if we cant set our targets even higher and topple that pile of shite over the way for 4th.....or higher!!!
Jason Lam
7 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:04:47
7 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:04:47
Anyone know when AJ’s due back?
Ben Howard
8 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:27:53
8 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:27:53
Nice post John Lloyd!
I agree with everything you say there and it’s nice to hear some perspective. And, as Paul Lenehan says, until it’s mathematically impossible I’m not giving up and daring to dream.
I agree with everything you say there and it’s nice to hear some perspective. And, as Paul Lenehan says, until it’s mathematically impossible I’m not giving up and daring to dream.
Robert Chan
9 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:54:55
9 Posted 02/04/2008 at 10:54:55
Everton are heartbreakers constantly Carling cup - failed to reach expectations
Uefa cup - failed to reach expectations
Champions League spot - Will again fail to reach expectations
They simply look less intimidating up foward with the super teams.
Uefa cup - failed to reach expectations
Champions League spot - Will again fail to reach expectations
They simply look less intimidating up foward with the super teams.
Richard Parker
10 Posted 02/04/2008 at 11:42:26
10 Posted 02/04/2008 at 11:42:26
John Lloyd - I think the whole knee-jerk phrase is no longer applicable after a 3 games without a win and 6 games left to play.
I’m not going to get into predictions, but anything other than a win on Sunday is unthinkable. And Brum away will be tough, with them scrapping for safety. It really is do-or-die time, and if some collective fingers are not removed immediately, our ’great-season’ is not going to be so great!! Anything less than 5th will be an enourmous disappointment.
I’m afraid that the expectations you talk of have been raised since the start of the season. Being the main challenger for 4th until now means nothing unless we keep 5th.
This is not doom-mongering in any way, it is a realistic assessment. We are in a poor patch of form, which will cost us a UEFA spot unless it is turned around immediately. If we can get 2 good wins from the next 2 games and can get on a roll for the tough last 4 games, 4th is still possible. But if this form doesn’t turn around for the next 6 games, 6th or 7th could become a reality.
Also Robert Chan - don’t agree at all with you, I think that the semi of a domestic cup lost to Chelsea and a 100% record to the last-16 of UEFA, lost to a good Italian side, plus in the race for 4th to the last 4 or 5 games would have gone down as exceeding realistic expectations. Though I think we all got more hopeful as the competitions progressed.
I’m not going to get into predictions, but anything other than a win on Sunday is unthinkable. And Brum away will be tough, with them scrapping for safety. It really is do-or-die time, and if some collective fingers are not removed immediately, our ’great-season’ is not going to be so great!! Anything less than 5th will be an enourmous disappointment.
I’m afraid that the expectations you talk of have been raised since the start of the season. Being the main challenger for 4th until now means nothing unless we keep 5th.
This is not doom-mongering in any way, it is a realistic assessment. We are in a poor patch of form, which will cost us a UEFA spot unless it is turned around immediately. If we can get 2 good wins from the next 2 games and can get on a roll for the tough last 4 games, 4th is still possible. But if this form doesn’t turn around for the next 6 games, 6th or 7th could become a reality.
Also Robert Chan - don’t agree at all with you, I think that the semi of a domestic cup lost to Chelsea and a 100% record to the last-16 of UEFA, lost to a good Italian side, plus in the race for 4th to the last 4 or 5 games would have gone down as exceeding realistic expectations. Though I think we all got more hopeful as the competitions progressed.
Lee Spargo
11 Posted 02/04/2008 at 12:25:24
11 Posted 02/04/2008 at 12:25:24
Sorry Robert, but if you seriously ’expected’ us to finish in the top 4 this season then you’re mad. We’ve all been hoping like, but to say we will ’fail to reach expectations’ is OTT. Surely our ’expectation’ this season was to finish top 6 again. Oh, and by the way, there’s still 6 games to go. After this weekend, we could be looking at a 2 point gap again.
John Lloyd
12 Posted 02/04/2008 at 14:04:44
12 Posted 02/04/2008 at 14:04:44
Richard Parker, the knee-jerk reaction I was speaking of was another columnist on this site, none other than Tony Marsh.
Its always gonna be difficult when 4 of your attacking options are taken away (AJ, Cahill, Anichebe & Vaughan) and at West Ham if another one of our disallowed for no reason goals was given as it should of been then they wouldnt have rallied 2nd half as the game would of been dead, so I also think we were harshly done to then mate.
Although the rest of your comment I agree with as in we must keep or (sorry) start winning again and guarantee 5th & hopefully in process keep pressure on 4th!!
All I wanted to say was lets not forget the good work we have done and our targets are still achievable, lets hope/pray that we can get going again
Its always gonna be difficult when 4 of your attacking options are taken away (AJ, Cahill, Anichebe & Vaughan) and at West Ham if another one of our disallowed for no reason goals was given as it should of been then they wouldnt have rallied 2nd half as the game would of been dead, so I also think we were harshly done to then mate.
Although the rest of your comment I agree with as in we must keep or (sorry) start winning again and guarantee 5th & hopefully in process keep pressure on 4th!!
All I wanted to say was lets not forget the good work we have done and our targets are still achievable, lets hope/pray that we can get going again
Richard Parker
13 Posted 02/04/2008 at 14:23:43
13 Posted 02/04/2008 at 14:23:43
Hi John, totally agree that the injuries to strikers is a serious handicap.... hindsight and McFadden are 2 words springing to mind!! Even if he did just have a knee op.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season so far, despite the lows of Chelsea in the cup, Fiorentina and the shite twice.... but I’m just starting to see it slip through our fingers at the last minute. If that happens and we don’t make Europe it really is going to go down as a hugely wasted opportunity.
Anyway, until results are in on Sunday, there’s no panic!!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season so far, despite the lows of Chelsea in the cup, Fiorentina and the shite twice.... but I’m just starting to see it slip through our fingers at the last minute. If that happens and we don’t make Europe it really is going to go down as a hugely wasted opportunity.
Anyway, until results are in on Sunday, there’s no panic!!
Kev Lacey
14 Posted 02/04/2008 at 15:57:13
14 Posted 02/04/2008 at 15:57:13
If Pompy win the FA cup does that not open up UEFA cup qualification to 6th place in the league, which given recent form could be a huge blessing!?
Seamus Murphy
15 Posted 02/04/2008 at 16:27:45
15 Posted 02/04/2008 at 16:27:45
Kev - Only if Pompey finish in the top 5. It would be a disaster if we were to relinquish 5th spot now though.
Steve Flanagan
16 Posted 02/04/2008 at 17:39:23
16 Posted 02/04/2008 at 17:39:23
Kev
In a simple word, no. If Pompey win the FA Cup and finish in 5th then the FA Cup runners up get in (including Cardiff City)
In a simple word, no. If Pompey win the FA Cup and finish in 5th then the FA Cup runners up get in (including Cardiff City)
Mick Wrende
17 Posted 02/04/2008 at 19:22:50
17 Posted 02/04/2008 at 19:22:50
You are wrong Steve - if you go on the UEFA website and download the UEFA regs it is quite clear. The runner up in the domestic cup is only allowed into the UEFA cup if the cup winner qualifies for the champions league. So if say Portsmouth win the cup and finish 5th they will not have qualified for the champions league so the UEFA cup spot goes to the team finishing 6th. So we can finish 5th or 6th as long as they win the cup.
The only exception is if the domestic cup winner is not eligible - say for example Cardiff won and were not allowed in then the cup runner up would get in.
The only exception is if the domestic cup winner is not eligible - say for example Cardiff won and were not allowed in then the cup runner up would get in.
Mike Allison
18 Posted 02/04/2008 at 22:01:06
18 Posted 02/04/2008 at 22:01:06
Will people stop mentioning McFadden? He was here for ages (3 years?) and did about two good things in that time. Selling him (especially for that price) was the right decision and no-one could predict having four of five attackers out injured.
I also agree that we should promote another young striker. We’ve paid for two recently, Spencer and Jutkiewicz, were they both a total waste of time and money? Unless the answer is a resounding yes, one of them should be on the bench as an option. Even a guy who ultimately isn’t going to make it can come on and mix it up with some enthusiasm and fresh legs (remember Freddie Sears for West Ham...?)
I also agree that we should promote another young striker. We’ve paid for two recently, Spencer and Jutkiewicz, were they both a total waste of time and money? Unless the answer is a resounding yes, one of them should be on the bench as an option. Even a guy who ultimately isn’t going to make it can come on and mix it up with some enthusiasm and fresh legs (remember Freddie Sears for West Ham...?)
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 02/04/2008 at 07:19:06