The Mail Bag
Now or Never
Comments (48)
If I could offer advice to David Moyes it would go something like this.
Go for broke against Brum, throw the kitchen sink at them, hit them with everything that remains of our armoury.
Do not pack the midfield or concentrate on defending deep.
Order Yakubu to play as an out-and-out hit man and not as the striker/midfield/partly defensive jack of all trades role he had in recent games.
Even if they are youngsters, have at least two strikers on the bench.
This is our last chance to throw a spanner in the RS works. Make sure that every player fully understands what that means to Evertonians. We expect nothing less than an all-out attacking game.
Defeat is acceptable only if it a glorious defeat.
Dick Fearon, Posted 12/04/2008 at 11:14:31
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James Marshall
1 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:17:22
1 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:17:22
His hand is forced, the team is as follows:
Howard, Lescott, Jags, Hibbo, Baines
Pienaar, Fernandes, Carsley, Neville
Johnson, Yakubu
Howard, Lescott, Jags, Hibbo, Baines
Pienaar, Fernandes, Carsley, Neville
Johnson, Yakubu
James Marshall
2 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:18:42
2 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:18:42
Oh and the bench is:
Wessels, Nuno, Yobo, Gravesen, Anichebe.
Spoilt for choice.
Wessels, Nuno, Yobo, Gravesen, Anichebe.
Spoilt for choice.
Joe McMahon
3 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:22:19
3 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:22:19
James hope you are kidding about Carsley & Nevile again....FFS!!!
Why do we bother!!!!!!!!!
Why do we bother!!!!!!!!!
Neil Scott
4 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:27:47
4 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:27:47
I know mate but if we feel this bad imagine how bad gravesen must feel!!
Santosh Benjamin
5 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:30:45
5 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:30:45
Just saw the team sheet....Hibbert makes a miraculous recovery in time for the game!!
Nice to see Baines starting...terrible centre midfield with Neville and Cars...glad that we have Yak and Aj upfront though...actually saw Gosling and Rodwell walking in with the other lads...sadly no signs of them on the bench...can Gravesen be worse than Neville,honestly?
Hope we can get the win coz Brum are playing pretty well of late..see that Faddy too has recovered to join Forssell upfront..with Zarate also on the bench,they have options...will be a tough game..praying that we can get the job done....COYB!!!
Nice to see Baines starting...terrible centre midfield with Neville and Cars...glad that we have Yak and Aj upfront though...actually saw Gosling and Rodwell walking in with the other lads...sadly no signs of them on the bench...can Gravesen be worse than Neville,honestly?
Hope we can get the win coz Brum are playing pretty well of late..see that Faddy too has recovered to join Forssell upfront..with Zarate also on the bench,they have options...will be a tough game..praying that we can get the job done....COYB!!!
Scott Jenner
6 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:41:27
6 Posted 12/04/2008 at 14:41:27
What has Gravesen done to be constantly overlooked? We all know what he can do, and how much he created in his early Everton days so surely in a game like this with Arteta and Osman missing he would be the ideal replacement. Now we can just look forward to Carsley and Neville sitting back and defending all day. Awesome!!
Connor Rohrer
7 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:29:32
7 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:29:32
Scott Jenner, no-one doubts Gravesen has quality but his legs have gone. Physically he just isn?t up to it. If you're slower than Lee Carsley then you?ll find competing in the Premier League a hard task.
Neville and Carsley are woeful YES but there at the peak of there fitness and are obviously Moyes?s favorites.
Neville and Carsley are woeful YES but there at the peak of there fitness and are obviously Moyes?s favorites.
James Marshall
8 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:43:00
8 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:43:00
I?m watching the game and its not a pretty sight - neither side is much kop, though we look only slightly better than them. Both look pretty toothless; AJ & the Yak are feeding off scraps - we have the lion's share of possesion but Brum are defending well. AJ?s had a few chances but not yet tested the keeper - he looks quite lively though (as opposed to Yak who looks bored). Our midfield's done quite well first half without the usual suspects.
Santosh Benjamin
9 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:46:02
9 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:46:02
If he has no legs then why is he on the damn bench? A slow,unfit player serves no real purpose in my mind but,hey im no football manager...
The 1st half has been pathetic...
Hibbert...been ok so far
Jags...terrible distribution
Lescott...disappointing going forward
Baines...looking ok
Neville...pass to our players,Phil..not to the opposition/fans in row Z!
Carsley..tackling well but poor passing
Manny...gone missing again today
Pienaar...not looking fully fit
Yak...coming out too deep to get the ball coz of the poor service
Johnson...getting knocked off the ball too easily
Couldnt we have found 1 midfielder in the academy better than the Nev? We were lucky tyo have not gone a goal down from the Jerome chance..
Noticed that Villa are already up 3-0 against Derby...the team that we were lucky to beat...can we please end the season now????Please..........before things get worse
The 1st half has been pathetic...
Hibbert...been ok so far
Jags...terrible distribution
Lescott...disappointing going forward
Baines...looking ok
Neville...pass to our players,Phil..not to the opposition/fans in row Z!
Carsley..tackling well but poor passing
Manny...gone missing again today
Pienaar...not looking fully fit
Yak...coming out too deep to get the ball coz of the poor service
Johnson...getting knocked off the ball too easily
Couldnt we have found 1 midfielder in the academy better than the Nev? We were lucky tyo have not gone a goal down from the Jerome chance..
Noticed that Villa are already up 3-0 against Derby...the team that we were lucky to beat...can we please end the season now????Please..........before things get worse
Joe McMahon
10 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:53:21
10 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:53:21
We really are thread bare with quality aren’t we. I don’t honestly think Yakubu stands a chance with this pitifull midfield.
The distribution is awfull, unless this gets sorted out in the summer, with quality signings, in midfield, right back and anothet decent striker (not AJ) then I can see Yak wanting to move in a years time.
The distribution is awfull, unless this gets sorted out in the summer, with quality signings, in midfield, right back and anothet decent striker (not AJ) then I can see Yak wanting to move in a years time.
Dick Fearon
11 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:56:00
11 Posted 12/04/2008 at 15:56:00
Half time at St. Andrews, so far so bloody pathetic.
I could understand all those high balls to AJ if he was a six footer but he is tiny.
Is it beyond the wit or wisdom of Moyes and his team to grasp that plain and simple fact?
If high balls are the thing then get Victor on.
I could understand all those high balls to AJ if he was a six footer but he is tiny.
Is it beyond the wit or wisdom of Moyes and his team to grasp that plain and simple fact?
If high balls are the thing then get Victor on.
James Marshall
12 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:03:49
12 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:03:49
I rarely slate any of our players because I think its our job to back them at all times, but having said that, what's wrong with AJ?s shooting? Seriously, my 5-year-old can shoot as hard as AJ - it's woeful.
Joe McMahon
13 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:20:18
13 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:20:18
Agree James I cannot beleave AJ’s shooting, it’s so weak - 8.5 million for such woefull finishing.
A lot of players get slated, but let’s face it, for 8.5 million I expect a striker to be able to hit a ball like a bullet.
Endless hoof, high balls.....Villa are winning 4 0 and Popmpey will win tonight.
A lot of players get slated, but let’s face it, for 8.5 million I expect a striker to be able to hit a ball like a bullet.
Endless hoof, high balls.....Villa are winning 4 0 and Popmpey will win tonight.
Alex Taylor
14 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:24:33
14 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:24:33
Another load of bollocks. We’ll be lucky to hold on to 5th at this rate. There is simply no excuse for the shite we’re playing at the moment. Out of steam and ideas with no-one on the bench who can change things.
Chris Wilson
15 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:27:18
15 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:27:18
Listening to the match over the internet here in America. It’s about the 65’. WILL SOMEBODY IN AN EVERTON JERSEY TAKE A SHOT ON GOAL!?!
Connor Rohrer
16 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:23:50
16 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:23:50
We really are woeful. Getting outplayed by a relegation threatened side, endless hoofs and no possession keeping.
In the first half our two most creative, technically gifted footballers where on opposite sides of the pitch. Who are they going to link up with? Neville and Carsley don’t even look for the ball and when they get it they are woeful. Should have moved Fernandes centrally for longer and got him linking up with Pienaar.
Now Pienaar’s gone off and Anichebe is playing as a right sided forward. What the fuck? If anyone is going to play out wide its Johnson with Anichebe making some use of the aimless long balls. Get the tactics sorted!!!
I’d seriously think about bringing Gravesen on.
In the first half our two most creative, technically gifted footballers where on opposite sides of the pitch. Who are they going to link up with? Neville and Carsley don’t even look for the ball and when they get it they are woeful. Should have moved Fernandes centrally for longer and got him linking up with Pienaar.
Now Pienaar’s gone off and Anichebe is playing as a right sided forward. What the fuck? If anyone is going to play out wide its Johnson with Anichebe making some use of the aimless long balls. Get the tactics sorted!!!
I’d seriously think about bringing Gravesen on.
James Marshall
17 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:29:44
17 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:29:44
Alex - to be fair we do have the excuse of our entire midfield (apart from Carsley) being missing - we just dont have any creativity; its not for the want of trying, its just we dont have the players available and it shows....badly!
James Marshall
18 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:31:50
18 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:31:50
Get the fuck in!!!!
Alex Taylor
19 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:32:14
19 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:32:14
Thank god! I take it all back James! Get in! ha!
Chris Wilson
20 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:35:22
20 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:35:22
See what happens when you take shots!?! Fernandes shoots ? leads to a corner... we get a goal. Not real difficult to put that together. Will we hold it though?
Alex Taylor
21 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:38:28
21 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:38:28
Bollocks, I ’m off to work
James Marshall
22 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:37:56
22 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:37:56
Oh dear.
Matt Gibbs
23 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:58
23 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:58
For Christ’s sake...
Chris Wilson
24 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:19
24 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:19
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed Europe this year, because I don’t see us going back at this rate. Aside from Osman, this is the team we’ve got with still Arsenal and Chelsea to come. Portsmouth, must be giddy with delight.
Joe McMahon
25 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:43:05
25 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:43:05
Can Mauro Zarate please start coaching Andrew Johnson!!
Why do we always end every season with a pitiful finish?
Why do we always end every season with a pitiful finish?
Scott Jenner
26 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:41:40
26 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:41:40
I really am worried about our season now as we defiantly have a much harder run in than Portsmouth and Villa so we could even struggle to qualify for the Intertoto. How can Villa score 6 past Derby away when we struggle to score one at home. Do we really rely on Cahill as much as it shows? We didn?t win many at the begining of the season when he was injured and we have only beaten Derby since he has been injured now. We should be battering the likes of West Ham, Derby and Birmingham!!
Joe McMahon
27 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:45:26
27 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:45:26
Villa are also closing the goal difference.- 6 - 0 against a team we beat last week 1 0
James Marshall
28 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:35
28 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:40:35
We’re awful, not one of our players can shoot and the best pass of the entire game comes from Gravesen with his first touch after 89 minutes!
Chris Stephenson
29 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:46:04
29 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:46:04
Sitting here in front of the BBC live ticker thingy is really frustrating... keep looking at the team list wondering why Moyes hasn't made any other changes... I'm glad I'm not watching it though... would be tearing my hair out...
Joe McMahon
30 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:38
30 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:38
Chris Stephenson - that?s why I?m fucking Bald!
Paul Coleman
31 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:09
31 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:09
Lazy fuckers. They have given upon 4th and before they know it we will be out of Europe all together.
Complete and utter shite! Roll on June.
Complete and utter shite! Roll on June.
James Marshall
32 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:52:18
32 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:52:18
We were shit today, but Brum were right at it so all in all probably not a bad result given that we’re playing badly and missing 3 midfielders.
We’re 5 points clear of Pompey now anyway.
We’re 5 points clear of Pompey now anyway.
Joe McMahon
33 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:51:36
33 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:51:36
So Portsmouth will be just 2 points behind tonight. We have to play Villa who scored 6 today...oh dear :-(
Seamus Murphy
34 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:54:50
34 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:54:50
Let's hope Newcastle can do us a big favour this evening...
Chris James
35 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:42
35 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:50:42
For once I’m inclined to agree with some of the naysayers, whilst a point away to Birmingham isn’t a terrible result in itself on the back of post-Fiorentina results we have to face it that the race for 4th is now officially over and the race for 5th is well and truly on.
Clearly the performances are not all Moyes fault and I appreciate that the absence of Arteta, Cahill and Osman plus a slightly injured Pienaar and off the pace Fernandes don’t leave us with much of a midfield but...
The decision to not play Gravesen for at least a chunk of the game (surely he could start and be subbed or play the last 20 mins) OR have junior midfielders such as Rodwell/Gosling on the bench is frankly mystifying - especially when we HAD to take Fernandes off!
Sure Grav’s not so mobile these days, but he can still pick a pass (unlike say Neville) and with the pace of Johnson and skill of Yakubu that’s exactly what we need, think of him as our own version of Jan Molby!
Also had the wry thought that it might have been nice to be able to call on McFadden in the last few weeks...
Bring on Chelsea?
Clearly the performances are not all Moyes fault and I appreciate that the absence of Arteta, Cahill and Osman plus a slightly injured Pienaar and off the pace Fernandes don’t leave us with much of a midfield but...
The decision to not play Gravesen for at least a chunk of the game (surely he could start and be subbed or play the last 20 mins) OR have junior midfielders such as Rodwell/Gosling on the bench is frankly mystifying - especially when we HAD to take Fernandes off!
Sure Grav’s not so mobile these days, but he can still pick a pass (unlike say Neville) and with the pace of Johnson and skill of Yakubu that’s exactly what we need, think of him as our own version of Jan Molby!
Also had the wry thought that it might have been nice to be able to call on McFadden in the last few weeks...
Bring on Chelsea?
Ted Critchely
36 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:58:23
36 Posted 12/04/2008 at 16:58:23
Just watched this woeful match. I think we?ll finish outside the top 8, there is no gas, no caring, in fact no fuck all. Next 3 matches we have lost... mark my words.
This is the same sack of shit we will put out against Chelsea, Villa and Arsenal.
You can't use excuses repeatedly, c'mon even with a full strength team we?d stuggle. It?s such a shame we are a one-man team, and it fucking shows...
The only positive thing is, only 4 matches until the nightmare ends.
This is the same sack of shit we will put out against Chelsea, Villa and Arsenal.
You can't use excuses repeatedly, c'mon even with a full strength team we?d stuggle. It?s such a shame we are a one-man team, and it fucking shows...
The only positive thing is, only 4 matches until the nightmare ends.
Ted Critchely
37 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:09:24
37 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:09:24
Everton have 61 points, Portsmouth before play today have 57... doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out if they win, they will 1 point behind us not 2. So something seriously worrying brewing. IMO I think it is time to start panicking...
Joe McMahon
38 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:17:45
38 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:17:45
I too saw the match (well what I could bare to watch) and I do wonder WHY do we always end every season like this?
It?s not just that though ? we have an £8.5 million striker in AJ, who couldn?t hit a barn door; he is useless!
Our midfield ? No comment, and is it me or are we just not pretty to watch, the football is dreadful? Realistically we are looking at 7th I think. Yak will be off next year to play in Europe.
As for Moyes, some years, he has done OK, his substitution decisions are ALWAYS questionable, and again, Thanks Bill for no finances in January, not even the McFadden money.
Champs League...? Yeah right.
It?s not just that though ? we have an £8.5 million striker in AJ, who couldn?t hit a barn door; he is useless!
Our midfield ? No comment, and is it me or are we just not pretty to watch, the football is dreadful? Realistically we are looking at 7th I think. Yak will be off next year to play in Europe.
As for Moyes, some years, he has done OK, his substitution decisions are ALWAYS questionable, and again, Thanks Bill for no finances in January, not even the McFadden money.
Champs League...? Yeah right.
Paul Lynch
39 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:22:13
39 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:22:13
Lack of belief in the whole team and with Phil Neville as captain things are never going to change. He can't cross his fingers let alone the ball. Absolutly useless .
Gavin Ramejkis
40 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:20:15
40 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:20:15
We were shite, outgunned and outplayed by minnows again, we will be lucky to finish in the top six, watch Villa tonight and how they disposed of the same shite Derby we could only scrape one goal past last week, no doubt Pompey will get a result against the skunks later too. Disgrace, utter disgrace, words fail me at how shit we have been now since the Fiorentina game.
David Barks
41 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:20:24
41 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:20:24
Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. Neville and Carsley in the midfield again, both need to be sent packing next season. Gravesen can’t get a look in until the final 3 minutes. I don’t see us winning another game. Even with the size of our squad being what it is, Moyes could have done things better. He talked about including youngsters if he needed to, not one to be found on the bench today though. If Gravesen isn’t fit to play then why is he on the bench? This is a total fuck up and Villa are no only 6 points back from us in 7th.
Tony Part
42 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:34:41
42 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:34:41
Another shit performance that see?s us very lucky to even draw thanks to Tim Howard. I honestly cannot see us winning another game this season simply because we look dead and gone for this season and number two we have no players there available at the moment who look like giving us the injection of life we need. My only hope is that Pompey and Villa don't get the results between now and the end of season because all the talk of fourth, we may not even get sixth!!
Adam Bennett
43 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:33:23
43 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:33:23
Oh and to make things worse, now 5th is the only way to get into Europe from the league ?and we aren't going to get that. Bullshit.
Connor Rohrer
44 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:55:28
44 Posted 12/04/2008 at 17:55:28
"Our midfield - No comment, and is it me or are we just not pretty to watch, the football is dreadful, realistically we are looking at 7th I think. Yak will be off next year to play in Europe."
Joe McMahon, I see what you mean but it's not just the midfield. It starts in defense. They hoof completely by-passing the midfield. The whole team needs to learn how to retain possession. Only Pienaar and Fernandes seemed capable of it today and even they where average.
Joe McMahon, I see what you mean but it's not just the midfield. It starts in defense. They hoof completely by-passing the midfield. The whole team needs to learn how to retain possession. Only Pienaar and Fernandes seemed capable of it today and even they where average.
Mark Griffiths
45 Posted 12/04/2008 at 18:20:12
45 Posted 12/04/2008 at 18:20:12
Shite!!!!
WTF has gone wrong?
I really think we will struggle to get 6th now, Villa and Pompey will beat us to 5th and 6th.
I know we have injuries, but I am sorry, the team we had out today should be able to beat them, no excuses!
If we do not get Europe, I think it will be a distinct possibility that DM may go, especially if the Board do not back him come the summer.
WTF has gone wrong?
I really think we will struggle to get 6th now, Villa and Pompey will beat us to 5th and 6th.
I know we have injuries, but I am sorry, the team we had out today should be able to beat them, no excuses!
If we do not get Europe, I think it will be a distinct possibility that DM may go, especially if the Board do not back him come the summer.
Ean Palese
46 Posted 12/04/2008 at 18:38:35
46 Posted 12/04/2008 at 18:38:35
Our new slogan should read:
Nil satis nisi mediocris
Nothing but average is good enough.
Nil satis nisi mediocris
Nothing but average is good enough.
Santosh Benjamin
47 Posted 12/04/2008 at 19:08:35
47 Posted 12/04/2008 at 19:08:35
Unbelievable...Pompey held to a goalless draw by the barcodes...so we still have a 4 point gap....lucky us
Alan Doyle
48 Posted 12/04/2008 at 19:03:59
48 Posted 12/04/2008 at 19:03:59
Well, thank god Pompey have failed to capitalise on our poor result today so the gap to 6th remains what it was this morning - i.e. it’s as we were folks.
That aside, if you look back to our performance today, last week v Derby and v the RS how many chances have we created from open play over those three critical league matches where these have resulted in making the opposition keeper make a save? I dont have the answer to that question but on balance reckon the sum total is pitiful, probably a half dozen at best.
Not only do we create nothing from midfield and are toothless upfront, we are dog awful to watch and I suspect will be viewed as such by the neutral observer very quickly.
Whats the answer - cash permitting we need a fast and creative right winger, solid and confident right back a central midfielder who can tackle and a striker who can finish and who can support the Yak. The four of those are likely to cost in the order of 8-12m apiece so thats a 30-40m transfer kitty being required this summer.
Fat chance I reckon. Looking to next season, based on the 2008 performances of Villa, Spurs, Pompey (maybe) and West Ham (Maybe) we’re looking at a mid table struggle next season.
New Investment required urgently.
That aside, if you look back to our performance today, last week v Derby and v the RS how many chances have we created from open play over those three critical league matches where these have resulted in making the opposition keeper make a save? I dont have the answer to that question but on balance reckon the sum total is pitiful, probably a half dozen at best.
Not only do we create nothing from midfield and are toothless upfront, we are dog awful to watch and I suspect will be viewed as such by the neutral observer very quickly.
Whats the answer - cash permitting we need a fast and creative right winger, solid and confident right back a central midfielder who can tackle and a striker who can finish and who can support the Yak. The four of those are likely to cost in the order of 8-12m apiece so thats a 30-40m transfer kitty being required this summer.
Fat chance I reckon. Looking to next season, based on the 2008 performances of Villa, Spurs, Pompey (maybe) and West Ham (Maybe) we’re looking at a mid table struggle next season.
New Investment required urgently.
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But then we'd be like Newcastle, and we'd have turned David Moyes into Kevin Keegan!!! Oh dear....