The Mail Bag
4-4-2 and No Hibbo!!!
Comments (36)
A decent-looking line-up to take on Derby County, with Hibbo out injured, TWO STRIKERS up front, and Manny getting a chance... although Jags dropped to the bench!:
Tim Howard
Phil Neville (c)
Joseph Yobo
Joleon Lescott
Leighton Baines
Mikel Arteta
Manuel Fernandes
Lee Carsley
Leon Osman
Andrew Johnson
Ayegbeni Yakubu
Subs: Stefan Wessels
Jorge Nuno Valente
Thomas Gravesen
Phil Jagielka
Victor Anichebe
Michael Kenrick, Posted 06/04/2008 at 14:39:58
Comments
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DAvid Moore
2 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:20:28
2 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:20:28
how did yak miss that???
Anthony Newell
3 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:27:05
3 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:27:05
That’s more or less the best line up we have with the exception of the missing Pienaar - no excuses then!
Alex Taylor
4 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:37:58
4 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:37:58
Frustrating half. Need to get in this game. No excuses today. If we can?t finish off the worst team in the league at home then its saying a lot about us.
David Barks
5 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:46:30
5 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:46:30
This is absolutely pathetic. This team doesn’t deserve a pay check for the past month. Why do we need Carsley as a holding midfielder today against the worst team to ever play in the premiership.
Rish Atcha
6 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:35
6 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:35
Pathetic. How can we be drawing against a team with 10 points?! We don?t deserve Champions League football if we don?t win this game.
dave gleaves
7 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:37
7 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:37
Whats the bloody score
I live in a one horse town
I live in a one horse town
Raymond Choi
8 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:45:06
8 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:45:06
Jeez, I don’t think anyone can complain about the formation we have with the players available. Yet I can’t believe the rubbish that I witnessed in the first half. Apart from that awful Yak miss, have we created anything decent against the worst team in the premiership history ? And can Arteta for once deliver a decent ball ?? (I am gettin’ on his back because I am wearing the replica kit with His name on my back !!)
The Derby players have more hunger to get to the ball than our players and why is that ? You think a midfield not comprised of Captain Pip and Cars would be work better given the criticism they received for the derby, but what the fuck have Fernandes, Osman and Arteta done ?
And can Neville and Howard stop pumping the ball so often ?????
The Derby players have more hunger to get to the ball than our players and why is that ? You think a midfield not comprised of Captain Pip and Cars would be work better given the criticism they received for the derby, but what the fuck have Fernandes, Osman and Arteta done ?
And can Neville and Howard stop pumping the ball so often ?????
Anthony Newell
9 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:45:56
9 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:45:56
If we don’t get three points today we may as well ask the last person to switch off the lights
Some thoughts:
Arteta - crap delivery and free kicks. Let someone else have a go. What is going on on the training pitch for gods sake? Can someone in our side take free kicks and get them on target other than Stubbs?!
Fernandes - no show, lost possession. Not demonstrating anything worthy of consideration for perm transfer
Johnson - completely missing from the game? What is going on?
Baines - good performance and must continue in the side. Seems the only one possible of quality crosses at the minute
Neville - usually tendency to give away possession and lump it irrespective of where you put him on the pitch. Last season surely?
Osman - too diminutive to have any real impact against the quality sides. If you can’t assert yourself in games like this then what hope is there
Lescott - usual admiration for this guy but when the fuck are referees going to discipline players blatently holding us in the box - it it just us or what?
Yakubu - lacking service despite the presence of Johnson up front. Seems to be going down very easily these days. I see a frustrated player who needs feeding through quality possession/passing
Watch how the poor deliveries, lost possession and lumping it affects the whole confidence of the side. Even Howard starts kicking becomes wayward
Come on lets get a grip for godsake and get this game won
Some thoughts:
Arteta - crap delivery and free kicks. Let someone else have a go. What is going on on the training pitch for gods sake? Can someone in our side take free kicks and get them on target other than Stubbs?!
Fernandes - no show, lost possession. Not demonstrating anything worthy of consideration for perm transfer
Johnson - completely missing from the game? What is going on?
Baines - good performance and must continue in the side. Seems the only one possible of quality crosses at the minute
Neville - usually tendency to give away possession and lump it irrespective of where you put him on the pitch. Last season surely?
Osman - too diminutive to have any real impact against the quality sides. If you can’t assert yourself in games like this then what hope is there
Lescott - usual admiration for this guy but when the fuck are referees going to discipline players blatently holding us in the box - it it just us or what?
Yakubu - lacking service despite the presence of Johnson up front. Seems to be going down very easily these days. I see a frustrated player who needs feeding through quality possession/passing
Watch how the poor deliveries, lost possession and lumping it affects the whole confidence of the side. Even Howard starts kicking becomes wayward
Come on lets get a grip for godsake and get this game won
Gaz Daniels
10 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:57:38
10 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:57:38
Seems to be no motivation in the team. Where?s the desire? Everything is too slow unimaginative and predictable. C?mon Blues... step it up!
Paul Gallagher
11 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:48:33
11 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:48:33
Moyes should have dropped Neville and played Valente left back and employ Baines on the left wing. He appears to be getting a bit of joy on the left. Coyb dont let the redshite off the hook.
Brian Richardson
12 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:59:35
12 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:59:35
Newell, are you at the game with a laptop on your knee?
Anthony Newell
13 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:57:45
13 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:57:45
Just realised that we no longer have Stubbs but pitiful that we have nobody who can get a freekick on target COYB
Anthony Newell
14 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:03:35
14 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:03:35
Richardson, no I?m not, are you?
Ted Critchely
15 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:52:37
15 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:52:37
The bigesst culprit at long-ball hoofing is Yobo, whenever he has had the ball today he has hoofed... and what's with the Yak diving and falling all over the place?? C'mon Yak ? you're better than that.
It kinda makes you wonder who the fuck is the one who has been relegated here... yet again another embarrasing display in the first 10 mins of the second half.
I am sorry if we loose today... no knee jerk reaction... moyes has to go... no if?s and or but?s. You simply dont loose to the worst team in premiership history... and a draw is as good a fucking loss in my opinion.
It kinda makes you wonder who the fuck is the one who has been relegated here... yet again another embarrasing display in the first 10 mins of the second half.
I am sorry if we loose today... no knee jerk reaction... moyes has to go... no if?s and or but?s. You simply dont loose to the worst team in premiership history... and a draw is as good a fucking loss in my opinion.
Alex Taylor
16 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:04
16 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:04
GET IN! 1- 0
Anthony Newell
17 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:02
17 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:02
Thank fuck for that!
David Moore
18 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:14
18 Posted 06/04/2008 at 15:47:14
GOAL great ball from Fernandes to Osman who streaks in and scores. Manny is totally class in this 2nd half.
Danny Lizars
19 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:10:58
19 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:10:58
Finally Osman scores!!!!!!!!!!!
Raymond Choi
20 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:18
20 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:12:18
Oh finally. Better when the ball is played on the deck. Great delivery by Fernandes.
Joey Brown
21 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:13:15
21 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:13:15
SIGN FERNANDES NOW!
Anthony Newell
22 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:14:01
22 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:14:01
Wouldn’t argue on the basis of that throughball alone
Lee Aitch
23 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:13:18
23 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:13:18
Killa ball from Manny!
Not a great display thus far but good to see our more "peripheral" players are the better ones - Fernandes, Johnson and Baines!
Not a great display thus far but good to see our more "peripheral" players are the better ones - Fernandes, Johnson and Baines!
Alex Taylor
24 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:15:07
24 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:15:07
Better stuff, we need to kill this now. I want a couple more from AJ or Yak. Good to hear Fernandes is getting himself about, but not sure signing him on the basis of one assist.
Anthony Newell
25 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:33:25
25 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:33:25
Killl the game off? I wouldn?t hold your breath, not Moyes?s style, would rather get another defender on!!!
Alex Taylor
26 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:36:24
26 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:36:24
We’re much better than these on paper, yet still can’t shake this poor form. I’d be happy with a win, but we’ve played shite again today and it’ll still be hanging over us. What happened to the team who beat Man City, Portsmouth, Fiorentina?
Rish Atcha
27 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:42:57
27 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:42:57
We need more quality in the squad. As soon March kicks in all our players are running on empties. Plus with the rule where we can have 7 subs on the bench, we need to bulk up with attacking options.
McFadden would?ve been perfect for a game like this, it?s just unfortunate Vaughan, Cahill, Johnson and Anichebe are picking up injuries. With Gravesen leaving, and most likely Fernandes as well, there is a massive HOLE that needs to be filled. Having a first 11 does work if we?re trying to do well in every competition we enter.
McFadden would?ve been perfect for a game like this, it?s just unfortunate Vaughan, Cahill, Johnson and Anichebe are picking up injuries. With Gravesen leaving, and most likely Fernandes as well, there is a massive HOLE that needs to be filled. Having a first 11 does work if we?re trying to do well in every competition we enter.
Alex Taylor
28 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:52:06
28 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:52:06
3 points, but we?ve got some massive games coming and playing like that simply won?t do.
Raymond Choi
29 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:51:08
29 Posted 06/04/2008 at 16:51:08
Thank god it?s over.
I thought Manny improved a lot in the second half, and Osman did have more time on the ball also. But Jagielka for Manny? Is he still not fit enough? I don?t get it. I thought we need that second goal to kill the game ...
We really need someone to boss the midfield. Osman/Arteta/Manny clearly isn?t the answer.
At least we won. But 4th place? COYB!!
I thought Manny improved a lot in the second half, and Osman did have more time on the ball also. But Jagielka for Manny? Is he still not fit enough? I don?t get it. I thought we need that second goal to kill the game ...
We really need someone to boss the midfield. Osman/Arteta/Manny clearly isn?t the answer.
At least we won. But 4th place? COYB!!
Connor Rohrer
30 Posted 06/04/2008 at 17:41:12
30 Posted 06/04/2008 at 17:41:12
Horrible horrible game. The worst of the season for me. The players need to get a grip or we’ll lose out on 5th place......simple as.
The only half decent players where Baines, Osman and Fernandes and even they where average. The the likes Arteta, Yakubu, Carsley and Johnson where terrible.
Going to Goodison hasn’t been nice for a while. The football’s dire and the atmosphere’s terrible.
I think its plain to see we need a defensive midfielder. Carsley has done a good job but he is the weak link in the team. We need a more imposing centre midfielder who will put his foot in.
The only half decent players where Baines, Osman and Fernandes and even they where average. The the likes Arteta, Yakubu, Carsley and Johnson where terrible.
Going to Goodison hasn’t been nice for a while. The football’s dire and the atmosphere’s terrible.
I think its plain to see we need a defensive midfielder. Carsley has done a good job but he is the weak link in the team. We need a more imposing centre midfielder who will put his foot in.
Ken Chung
31 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:02:25
31 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:02:25
Manny played very good in the second half when compared to Arteta!
I don?t think Arteta should take all the free kicks and corner kicks as he is not at his best. Moyes should let Baines and Manny try to take them and I?m sure it will provide ?surprises? to us and to the opponents!
I don?t think Arteta should take all the free kicks and corner kicks as he is not at his best. Moyes should let Baines and Manny try to take them and I?m sure it will provide ?surprises? to us and to the opponents!
Rob McFawn
32 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:53:41
32 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:53:41
Anyone got a link to the goal please?
Tom James
33 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:54:49
33 Posted 06/04/2008 at 18:54:49
Yes I was going to ask that, link anyone?
Connor Rohrer
34 Posted 06/04/2008 at 19:00:17
34 Posted 06/04/2008 at 19:00:17
http://videos.sapo.pt/3N7BIpB7gq6b9vk8PUnO
Gavin Ramejkis
35 Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:20:13
35 Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:20:13
Shite first half, good goal and confusing sub in putting Jags in midfield when my two resounding memories of him playing their were Metalist and Man U games both if which proved like Phil Chuckle he isn’t a midifielder by any imagination. Arteta’s face a peach when he fucked up chance with another terrible cross when Anichebe was screaming for it to his feet and he turned to face the Park End afterwards hearing a crescendo of shite hurled at him and he was substituted just afterwards having not chased another ball. Then to top my day found my car had been screwed on Goodison Road as well as several others and was being protected by two great traffic wardens who put the old bill to shame, they told me they had to wait nearly half an hour for one of Merseyside’s finest to struggle the few hundred yards down the road from the stadium to instruct me and the other poor bastards in a similar boat to attend the local station on Walton Lane, a great presence when the neighbours told me this same thing had happened the week before but Merseyside Police presence today was pitiful (maybe they had earned their overtime yesterday at Aintree) call me cynical but even the heard two coppers talking at the Park End walking to my car saying there wasn’t enough uniform presence there today. So thankyou to the RS scum bastard (my thoughts as any decent blue was at the game and not screwing their own) and my disabled passengers who had to sit whilst I attended Walton nick and drive home in the sleet and snow for thirty miles - and what did you steal - fuck all you twats.
Dick Fearon
36 Posted 07/04/2008 at 00:35:12
36 Posted 07/04/2008 at 00:35:12
For the first time this season we had no TV coverage here in Oz. I tuned into Radio Merseyside and found it to be an excellent alternative.
By time I was set up for reception I missed the names of two very good commentators. who made it a pleasure to hear the broadcast delivered in my own scouse lingo.
From their comments and those of each and every mailbag description it came across that we are still plumbing the depths with pre-Moyes rubbish.
It is good to see everyone climbing onto my bandwagon about Arteta and his Free kicks. Over the past year my occasional criticisms of his woeful free kicks would usually result in a barrage of ridicule from apologists who would point to a mysterious groin problem. A groin problem!? Fer gawds sake! it is a bag of air he has to kick, not climb mount bloody Everest.
Once the free kick problem is finally sorted perhaps something can be done about Neville?s diabolically slow and predictable throw ins. I cannot understand why for the past 12 months in game after game we have been incapable of identifying or fixing such basic errors.
In comparison to our fare of late, the telecast Boro vs United game was a breath of fresh air. There were few hopeful punts as both teams moved the ball quickly and with purpose. All throw-ins found their target while most free kicks and corners had real menace or were thereabouts.
Unlike the poor sods at Goodison, spectators at the Riverside got full value for their money.
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1 Posted 06/04/2008 at 14:49:23