The Mail Bag
Midfield the key
Comments (18)
Right cards on the table. I'm no Arteta basher and believe that he is among the top 5 most skilful players I've ever seen at Everton - and I go back to 1961 watching the Blues, but please tell me why he has to take every single free kick and corner? If the guy is operating with a niggling set of injuries, why is he setting himself up for a fall - because most of his dead ball deliveries this season have been awful.
This brings me onto our other skilful midfielder, Fernandes, who, admittedly prone to being caught on the ball in dangerous situations, is probably the only player with the vision to play that pass to Osman today. I thought he got better as the game went on - but was then substituted!
With some more guile, strength and change of pace in midfield, I reckon both of these guys would come on leaps and bounds. And the added competition would mean that the likes of Arteta could actually be dropped when he loses form. But then it's sacrilege to even suggest that isn't it?
Please, Davey Moyes, strengthen that midfield in numbers and quality because that's the only way we'll make the next step up.
Ray Robinson, Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:09:24
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Trevor Thompson
2 Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:42:33
2 Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:42:33
I agree too. Arteta as been shit with his delivery this season and I can see why he hasn’t got into Spain’s national side as his performance as a whole as been under-par. As for Fernandes, I thought he was very good. The pass to Osman was excellent. The reason he may dwell on the ball is because our movement is awfull and he always looks for a pass, but there is nobody to pass to most of the time.
Davey Militwitch
3 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:23:34
3 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:23:34
Best midfielder on the park was Hossam Ghaly by a country mile. I would bite Tottenham's hand off at the £2-3mil price-tag he has.
Paul Murphy
4 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:29:23
4 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:29:23
If Arteta?s agent wants to know why he isn't in the Spain squad, he should look at his form this season because, apart from the first few games this season, he?s been shite
Danny Broderick
5 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:35:54
5 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:35:54
I agree boys. I think he might need surgery though on his groin and would hope he will get this done as soon as we get 5th place sewn up, assuming we do. Hopefully he will come back all guns blazing next season!
Keith Glazzard
6 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:23:27
6 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:23:27
’Midfield the key’ - no doubt about it. The defence is big enough to take care of itself, plus Baines on the left (+ NV if needed), so what happens infront of them is all important. When Pienaar, Ossie, Tim, Cars and Mikel were all at their best we only needed one striker. Leon seems to be moving into Tim’s role and Manny has the potential to make it work for us. And we have a striker to spare, plus Vic.
I think the doggy can see the rabbit now, and the target is clear. The lads will give everything to get there.
I think the doggy can see the rabbit now, and the target is clear. The lads will give everything to get there.
Oliver McAdam
7 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:02:42
7 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:02:42
1. Howard
13.? Need a better sub, Wessels just not reliable.
2. Neville
3. Baines
4. Yobo
5. Lescott
12. Hibbert
14. Jagielka
15. Rodwell
16. A sub LB as Valente is not good enough, however I would go for a new first choice RB first and keep Nev as sub.
6. Defensive mid essential, must be able to pass, Kallstrom would be exellent, Cana also but know less of him. Boateng of Boro would offer a cheaper experienced proven short-term option
7. Creative central player, must also be able to defend. Manny if the price is right, Bradley and Felliani offer untried youth.
8. Arteta
9. Piennar
17. Osman
18. Carsley
19. Sub wide player essential, Joe Ledley, Mike Keightly or another Championship youngster would offer good support.
20. Another sub central mid, maybe another from Manny, Bradley, or Felliani. Possibly Sidwell.
10. Cahill
11. Yakubu
21. Sell AJ while stock still high, £10mil could help fund move for Arshavan or someone similar. Need a cultured attacker to help feed yak, support midfield and offer something different.
22. Anichebe
23. Vaughan
24. Kissock
25. Gosling
That would mean 7 signings, 8 includind Piennar with only 1 real departure, however despite being alot of player I doubt too much disruption would be caused as the first 11 would remain similar to this season. (AVdM, Tommy G, Manny don't really count).
I wouldnt sell nev as I dounbt it would bring much money, however he needs to be relegated to squad player and club captain, with Lescott/Yobo taking up the captaincy on the pitch.
I imagine it wont be achieved, however 3 midfielders are essential, the rest would be a bonus. Moyes claims to have identified a few players, 1 of which would cost ?a bit more?. Hopefully though he will discover another £2-3M gem from Europe that none of us predicted.
13.? Need a better sub, Wessels just not reliable.
2. Neville
3. Baines
4. Yobo
5. Lescott
12. Hibbert
14. Jagielka
15. Rodwell
16. A sub LB as Valente is not good enough, however I would go for a new first choice RB first and keep Nev as sub.
6. Defensive mid essential, must be able to pass, Kallstrom would be exellent, Cana also but know less of him. Boateng of Boro would offer a cheaper experienced proven short-term option
7. Creative central player, must also be able to defend. Manny if the price is right, Bradley and Felliani offer untried youth.
8. Arteta
9. Piennar
17. Osman
18. Carsley
19. Sub wide player essential, Joe Ledley, Mike Keightly or another Championship youngster would offer good support.
20. Another sub central mid, maybe another from Manny, Bradley, or Felliani. Possibly Sidwell.
10. Cahill
11. Yakubu
21. Sell AJ while stock still high, £10mil could help fund move for Arshavan or someone similar. Need a cultured attacker to help feed yak, support midfield and offer something different.
22. Anichebe
23. Vaughan
24. Kissock
25. Gosling
That would mean 7 signings, 8 includind Piennar with only 1 real departure, however despite being alot of player I doubt too much disruption would be caused as the first 11 would remain similar to this season. (AVdM, Tommy G, Manny don't really count).
I wouldnt sell nev as I dounbt it would bring much money, however he needs to be relegated to squad player and club captain, with Lescott/Yobo taking up the captaincy on the pitch.
I imagine it wont be achieved, however 3 midfielders are essential, the rest would be a bonus. Moyes claims to have identified a few players, 1 of which would cost ?a bit more?. Hopefully though he will discover another £2-3M gem from Europe that none of us predicted.
Richard Murray
8 Posted 07/04/2008 at 01:01:37
8 Posted 07/04/2008 at 01:01:37
@ Davey Militwitch
Spot on. I was in awe of his composure at times.
I didn’t realise who he was until after the match, but number 40 with the red boots looked pretty decent.
The guy sat behind me and my friend beside me were all in agreement.
Spot on. I was in awe of his composure at times.
I didn’t realise who he was until after the match, but number 40 with the red boots looked pretty decent.
The guy sat behind me and my friend beside me were all in agreement.
Mark Wynne
9 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:41:19
9 Posted 06/04/2008 at 23:41:19
It was like watching Holland in '74 only instead of Cruyff and Neeskens we've got Carsley and Neville. Any of those deluded fools who doubt our Davey when he says our squad is big enough, please go to the back of the room and don your tinfoil hats now.
Nick Xenos
10 Posted 07/04/2008 at 01:52:39
10 Posted 07/04/2008 at 01:52:39
C’mon guys, Ghaly has one good game and all of a sudden he’s a world beater?! He was hopeless at Spurs for a long time, lets not get carried away with this guy. Good to see Manny getting back to some good form. Hopefully he kicks on from here.
Mikhail Ridhuan
11 Posted 07/04/2008 at 02:38:31
11 Posted 07/04/2008 at 02:38:31
Yup, Ghaly was good last night but why assess his potential after only one game? He was anonymous in others (admittedly, through highlights).
A more contentious thought would be the slight haranguing I’ve noticed some fans on Arteta after blown spot kicks and such.
There was an incident in the second half when he got into a great position down the left hand side, and with AJ and Vic tearing down the middle, he floated the cross harmlessly out for a throw-in instead of a controlled side-pass.
What happened next was Arteta was looking back at a couple of fans behind the goal, probably reacting to another potshot at him, maybe. He wasn’t best pleased. And this, ultimately, will be cannon fodder for his delightful agent to prep up the usual soundbites, ending up with Arteta more and more starting to believe it...
Overall, part of me wanted Derby to win, and deliver a good kick in the collective system up the boys. Because I shudder the possibility that the boys would think they’re already good enough, and go to other games with the same mindset. Not one easy game left in the fixture list. Arsenal and Chelsea to come. Birmingham and Villa are not pushovers. And why oh why can’t Newcastle sort themselves out until after the season is done?
Fourth place is out. And fifth is not guaranteed. Not by any means.
The future is bright. The future is blue.
A more contentious thought would be the slight haranguing I’ve noticed some fans on Arteta after blown spot kicks and such.
There was an incident in the second half when he got into a great position down the left hand side, and with AJ and Vic tearing down the middle, he floated the cross harmlessly out for a throw-in instead of a controlled side-pass.
What happened next was Arteta was looking back at a couple of fans behind the goal, probably reacting to another potshot at him, maybe. He wasn’t best pleased. And this, ultimately, will be cannon fodder for his delightful agent to prep up the usual soundbites, ending up with Arteta more and more starting to believe it...
Overall, part of me wanted Derby to win, and deliver a good kick in the collective system up the boys. Because I shudder the possibility that the boys would think they’re already good enough, and go to other games with the same mindset. Not one easy game left in the fixture list. Arsenal and Chelsea to come. Birmingham and Villa are not pushovers. And why oh why can’t Newcastle sort themselves out until after the season is done?
Fourth place is out. And fifth is not guaranteed. Not by any means.
The future is bright. The future is blue.
Martin Cutler
12 Posted 07/04/2008 at 03:43:47
12 Posted 07/04/2008 at 03:43:47
Well, a few weeks back we -- according to nearly everybody on this site -- and the media (up to a point) -- thought we were EXCELLENT, good value for money, great defense, MANY attacking options...hardly one player at fault ... in fact the only real gripe (there was more than one but I haven’t got all day) was the issue of Neville and Hibbert in the same line-up.
We knew then and we certainly know now that midfield has issues but that can’t be addressed to the summer.
So, it’s still the same team, injuries yes, but still the same.
I watched todays game and there’s no question we were CRAP.............but I ask the question...WHY?
Are the players just too physically tired, too mentally wiped out, are the injuries truly taking a toll (the obvious and the not so obvious...i.e. something must explain Arteta’s current lack of form).
Anyway, all I’m saying is that it’s the same team that we’ve all admired not that long ago...the last few games (oddly enough since losing on PK’s in the UEFA) have been dire to say the least......injuries are definitely a factor but even with that starting line-up today we should have done better against Derby!!!!
All that said, it is a vital three points and providing we at least get 5th then this season has still been a fantastic season, no question!
I just wish they’ve play better on the rare occasions I see them play! (i.e home against Fiorentina). PK’s aside, that was awesome so we know they can do it!
COYB!
5th place PLEASE!!
4th is still on but would require the RS to drop points...I just can’t see it.
We knew then and we certainly know now that midfield has issues but that can’t be addressed to the summer.
So, it’s still the same team, injuries yes, but still the same.
I watched todays game and there’s no question we were CRAP.............but I ask the question...WHY?
Are the players just too physically tired, too mentally wiped out, are the injuries truly taking a toll (the obvious and the not so obvious...i.e. something must explain Arteta’s current lack of form).
Anyway, all I’m saying is that it’s the same team that we’ve all admired not that long ago...the last few games (oddly enough since losing on PK’s in the UEFA) have been dire to say the least......injuries are definitely a factor but even with that starting line-up today we should have done better against Derby!!!!
All that said, it is a vital three points and providing we at least get 5th then this season has still been a fantastic season, no question!
I just wish they’ve play better on the rare occasions I see them play! (i.e home against Fiorentina). PK’s aside, that was awesome so we know they can do it!
COYB!
5th place PLEASE!!
4th is still on but would require the RS to drop points...I just can’t see it.
Peter Corcoran
13 Posted 07/04/2008 at 06:49:02
13 Posted 07/04/2008 at 06:49:02
Ghaly saw a lot of the ball and looked very compsoed but did bugger all with it when he got it. If he is the standard of player acceptable for Everton FC then I do not think we will progress further.
Yesterday?s game was crap. Probably only Osman and Baines had any sort of decent game.
Arteta could not cross the road and as said in other postings should be given a rest from all dead ball duties for a while.
Accept 5th place - we will not get 4th.
Yesterday?s game was crap. Probably only Osman and Baines had any sort of decent game.
Arteta could not cross the road and as said in other postings should be given a rest from all dead ball duties for a while.
Accept 5th place - we will not get 4th.
Paul Johnson
14 Posted 07/04/2008 at 07:39:05
14 Posted 07/04/2008 at 07:39:05
Moyes is no dummy and i think he now realises that some of our better players cannot raise their game sufficiently to "take the next step". In general we have had a decent season, but when it has really mattered - Chelsea in both legs of the CC Semi, Fiorentina away and all matches against the 4 teams above us - our top players have disapeared. Cahill is about the only match winner who rises to the occasion, unfortunately Arteta, Osman & Pienar have proven that they can’t cut it at the very top level and although I would keep them all for the squad, we need to bring in 2 world class midfielders if we want to progress.
Tom Freestone
15 Posted 07/04/2008 at 09:29:31
15 Posted 07/04/2008 at 09:29:31
I agree with pretty much all of this thread.
Arteta - I think it’s obvious he’s not fit. At that level of football, any kind of groin injuy, however ’small’ , is going to affect his game. But yes, why make things worse with corner duties? From open play, his crosses seem to be a bit better, but why not have someone like Carsley take corners? Or Osman? Two clean strikers of the ball I reckon, and Arteta could be more useful hanging round the edge of the if anything breaks.
He probably needs a game off, but Moyes won’t drop him at this stage - I wouldn’t.
Fernandes - I’m not sure if anyone realised how unfit he actually was when he came (including Fernandes himself probably!), and what a bad time he had over in Spain, so I think he’s only now getting anywhere near where he needs to be. He’s been getting better for sure, but with Cahill out and Arteta off form there will be no better opportunity for him to prove himself and, for me, he hasn’t quite done it yet. But 5 games to go - let’s see.
Ghaly - nope. Played OK yesterday, but lost interest after 80 mins and i’ve seen him a few times (for Spurs) and he won’t add anything whatsoever to our squad. Need to be thinking bigger and better than that.
Arteta - I think it’s obvious he’s not fit. At that level of football, any kind of groin injuy, however ’small’ , is going to affect his game. But yes, why make things worse with corner duties? From open play, his crosses seem to be a bit better, but why not have someone like Carsley take corners? Or Osman? Two clean strikers of the ball I reckon, and Arteta could be more useful hanging round the edge of the if anything breaks.
He probably needs a game off, but Moyes won’t drop him at this stage - I wouldn’t.
Fernandes - I’m not sure if anyone realised how unfit he actually was when he came (including Fernandes himself probably!), and what a bad time he had over in Spain, so I think he’s only now getting anywhere near where he needs to be. He’s been getting better for sure, but with Cahill out and Arteta off form there will be no better opportunity for him to prove himself and, for me, he hasn’t quite done it yet. But 5 games to go - let’s see.
Ghaly - nope. Played OK yesterday, but lost interest after 80 mins and i’ve seen him a few times (for Spurs) and he won’t add anything whatsoever to our squad. Need to be thinking bigger and better than that.
Richard Murray
16 Posted 07/04/2008 at 10:55:29
16 Posted 07/04/2008 at 10:55:29
I think Ghaly being the best mf on the pitch underlines how bad out midfield is sometimes, more than anything.
Colin Malone
17 Posted 07/04/2008 at 12:25:37
17 Posted 07/04/2008 at 12:25:37
Got to revert back to 4-5-1 formation, we are not strong enough with the 4 and yesterday proved it, the worst team in the prem out-played us. I know we are short on numbers for midfield but we cannot afford to have two strikers who are not going to get fed by a weak four-man midfield, so let's beef it up and feed the Yak.
Greg Murphy
18 Posted 07/04/2008 at 12:28:48
18 Posted 07/04/2008 at 12:28:48
Whilst I agree with Tom Freeman regarding Arteta’s obvious lack of fitness naturally having an effect on his overall displays and on-ball confidence, I’d like to spin the coin around on Mikhail Ridhuan’s version of events regarding the spat at the Park End with 20 minutes to go.
Rather than the order of things being that the fans’ barracking may give fuel to Arteta’s agent, might it not be that the agent’s cleverly timed words gave rise to the slating that Arteta got?
Yep, we can have a chicken and egg conversation all day but I thought I detected a continuation of an exit strategy from Arteta yesterday.
Whilst his body language has been ambiguous at best since Fiorentina (but, yeah, as Tom says, that may be fitness related) it’s beyond dispute that Arteta and his risible agent have got an Everton history laced with "quoted out of context" episodes.
There comes a point when it just doesn’t wash any more when Arteta claims it’s all rubbish and he has no control over his agent.
In the wake of the derby and the unlikely arrival of CL footy at GP, suddenly Arteta’s agent is on the "misquoted" bandwagon again. Hmmm?
Don’t get me wrong, I want the lad to stay. I want him to knuckle down and cement the chance he’s got to be an all-time Blue legend.
At the same time, I ain’t gonna gnash my teeth all summer if he gets off. He’s good. Very good in fact. But I don’t think he’s as splendido as he thinks he is.
Maybe Moyes should call his bluff and wait to see exactly who does come in for Arteta given the chance (let’s face it, any of the Sky Sports-SCBF can make an "unsettling" enquiry any time they want).
Arteta will get the likes of Spurs (with Ramos) and clubs of the calibre of Sociedad, Getafe and Atletico Madrid chasing him (Spanish Evertons basically) but I’ll eat my sombrero if the likes of Barca and Real are craving him.
Mind you.... *thinks back to Tommy Gravesen*
Anyway, Mikhail, as I say, there are two ways of looking at the incident yesterday. You’re right to home-in on it, though, because something’s clearly "up".
Rather than the order of things being that the fans’ barracking may give fuel to Arteta’s agent, might it not be that the agent’s cleverly timed words gave rise to the slating that Arteta got?
Yep, we can have a chicken and egg conversation all day but I thought I detected a continuation of an exit strategy from Arteta yesterday.
Whilst his body language has been ambiguous at best since Fiorentina (but, yeah, as Tom says, that may be fitness related) it’s beyond dispute that Arteta and his risible agent have got an Everton history laced with "quoted out of context" episodes.
There comes a point when it just doesn’t wash any more when Arteta claims it’s all rubbish and he has no control over his agent.
In the wake of the derby and the unlikely arrival of CL footy at GP, suddenly Arteta’s agent is on the "misquoted" bandwagon again. Hmmm?
Don’t get me wrong, I want the lad to stay. I want him to knuckle down and cement the chance he’s got to be an all-time Blue legend.
At the same time, I ain’t gonna gnash my teeth all summer if he gets off. He’s good. Very good in fact. But I don’t think he’s as splendido as he thinks he is.
Maybe Moyes should call his bluff and wait to see exactly who does come in for Arteta given the chance (let’s face it, any of the Sky Sports-SCBF can make an "unsettling" enquiry any time they want).
Arteta will get the likes of Spurs (with Ramos) and clubs of the calibre of Sociedad, Getafe and Atletico Madrid chasing him (Spanish Evertons basically) but I’ll eat my sombrero if the likes of Barca and Real are craving him.
Mind you.... *thinks back to Tommy Gravesen*
Anyway, Mikhail, as I say, there are two ways of looking at the incident yesterday. You’re right to home-in on it, though, because something’s clearly "up".
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1 Posted 06/04/2008 at 21:29:38