The Mail Bag
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Comments (20)
It should be no surprise that the goals came from defenders as Yakubu was playing far too wide for most of the game and Johnson was playing far too deep. What exactly are their roles? If they are strikers then they should be focused on gettting themselves in a striking position. It is frutiless for Yakubu to play as an auxillary winger and for Johnson to be back with the midfield. Osman was anonymous throughout, Anichebe disappeared the moment he came on, Fernandes barely turned up. Arteta was the only significant creative threat.
Now we are in a position where we need to take something from the Arsenal game which will take some doing, frankly, with the tactics we tend to emply in such games. Deeply disappointing final third of the season. Totally unnecessary dropped points cost us a Champions League place and they appear to be about to cost us a Uefa Cup spot. It's not all down to Cahill's injury. Moyes tactics are also to blame.
Peter Fearon, Posted 27/04/2008 at 19:02:20
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2 Posted 27/04/2008 at 19:33:50
3 Posted 27/04/2008 at 19:39:01
Under Category 1 comes Neville, Osman, Carsley, Johnson, Jagielka.
Under Category 2 comes Piennar (got what he wanted), Fernandes (why should he care?), Arteta has not been arsed all season so why change. Yak, dreaming of Chelsea move.
Exceptions, Howard, Yobo, Lescott.
In summary, since 16/03/08 - fucking shite.
4 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:36:03
5 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:40:56
Arteta was woeful when he came on, really didn't look like he wanted to be there! To have a set-piece specialist who can't beat the first man consistently is not good enough! If he wants to go, let him go! Osman was ineffective also but at least today he had endeavour!
We really do need to sort the midfield out over the summer as so often we have been caught out! Players like Arshavin, Kallstrom and McGready of Celtic are what I would like to see brought in!
6 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:35:59
7 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:55:55
Yakubu always drops out left. He did it at Boro and he does it here. He does it to link play and get involved with the midfield.
On the performance it was much improved and especially in the second half. We were positive and we took the game to Villa. The real negative was the switching off. The defense needs to be switched on for 90 minutes.
8 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:45:35
Whatever happens in the next 2 games Moyes has to focus on midfield in the summer transfers. Quite simply our midfield is too lightweight with too many players not comfortable on the ball, which is why I think the defence resort to punting long balls upfront. Apart from Manny, none of the midfielders ever showed for the ball from the defence.
9 Posted 27/04/2008 at 20:51:13
No it wasn?t a masterclass, granted, but it was a significant improvement on recent performances. Had we played with that drive & spirit vs the likes of Fulham, Birmingham and even Liverpool or Chelsea then I think results would have been different.
Don?t forget, Villa have been scoring for fun of late, albeit against lesser opponents, but with their confidence high they could have destroyed a team as low on confidence as we have been recently. We stuck at it and at times looked a threat.
Other than set pieces and their second goal, what did they create? Who for them looked as good as they have recently? Nobody. That was because we defended very well for the most part and nullified their main threats - Agbonlahor, Young & Carew. In that respect Moyes?s game plan was spot on.
You say ?Fernandes barely turned up? - don?t know whether we were watching two different games but in my opinion that may have been his best game since he came back to the club - he was assured on the ball, didn?t give it away and was always in space - a sign of a good midfield player.
Ossie was neat and tidy as usual, worked hard and broke down their play well - he didn?t have as much impact going forward, but he?s low on match fitness at the minute having missed so many games recently and tired in the 2nd half. Personally I would have taken him off as opposed to Fernandes.
So, all in all I think an over reaction from Peter - yes we have given ourselves a lot to do in terms of keeping 5th spot, but this performance is something to build on for the last 2 games - Arsenal won?t be relishing us going to their place and Newcastle don?t like coming to Goodison.
We can do it - have faith & calm down.
COYB.
10 Posted 27/04/2008 at 21:08:56
That aside, he didn?t do anything when he came on that you wouldn?t expect from any level of Premier League midfield player with European aspirations. However, his free kicks and corners were woeful as they have been for some time and he was reluctant to track back. He was also at fault for the goal, Barry had far too much time to pick his cross.
I love Mikel Arteta and I would happily give my right arm for him to stay on next season - but fairs fair Peter. Moyesy, but your arm round him, tell him you love him and that if he stays he can keep taking all the corners and free kicks - even if Manny is better!
11 Posted 27/04/2008 at 21:13:44
12 Posted 27/04/2008 at 21:50:01
We are stiill short on quality and too lightweight to make a sustainable challenge. Pip marking Zat Knight at corners and Cars on Carew was just bizarre; however, Cars really did a number on Carew and the goal can?t be blamed on him.
I thought Arteta played well when he came on, he stands head and shoulders above anyone else in our side on holdng and passing the ball and we must keep him. I also cannot believe Osman stayed on the field and Fernandes was taken off. OK, so Manny had two shit corners, but did Osman even touch the fucking ball?
2-2, fair result, now we need to get something from Arsenal.
13 Posted 27/04/2008 at 22:36:39
Hearing that we’ve played 13 more games than Villa this season was key to me. A THIRD more games than them. That’s a hell of a lot and even if we’ve a similar squad size to them, two of the smallest in the top half of the league certainly, we’ve had more injuries than them and also they weren’t affected by the AFCON.
14 Posted 27/04/2008 at 22:47:51
15 Posted 27/04/2008 at 21:45:27
Poor subsitutions IMO, let's hope he finally realises that Neville is at his best at the back. Thought he had a great game today. I fear 5th has gone though.
16 Posted 27/04/2008 at 23:30:45
17 Posted 27/04/2008 at 23:36:53
Have faith we are 3 points ahead of Villa with 2 games to go.
Im sure they would prefer to be in our position.
I dont believe they will win their 2 games and even if they do we only need a maximum of 4 points from 2 games... diificult but not impossible.
18 Posted 28/04/2008 at 00:45:35
19 Posted 28/04/2008 at 01:53:24
20 Posted 28/04/2008 at 12:21:33
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1 Posted 27/04/2008 at 19:19:07
I'd have personally perservered with Fernandes rather than sub him as I felt he was far more effective than Osman. So it's still game on for a Uefa Cup place!