The Mail Bag
Playing it on the ground!
Comments (55)
So nice to see the Everton players not hoffing it at every opportunity but actually trying to play football along the ground!!! Fernandes... infuriating. So good and yet so bad. COYB!!!
Paul Hardcastle, Posted 04/05/2008 at 14:34:30
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Steve Ryan
2 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:23:51
2 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:23:51
A place in Europe at stake against a very poor Arsenal team and we have one meaningful shot on target in 90 minutes. More boring, negative tactics by Moyes, no width and a midfield that needs to be completely dismantled.
Mark Ramshaw
3 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:24:12
3 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:24:12
Yeah it wasnt as bad as it has been but it was obvious that Arsenal weren’t in top gear either. Carsley and Neville once again with Johnson the lone front man. Its going to the wire but at least we are still in there. Looking ahead is Baines going to play next season? I just think he will offer width with quality delivery. We layed for a draw today and got beat! Next season will see us fall down the league as the money clubs build there squads and back their Managers.
Nick Xenos
4 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:23:24
4 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:23:24
If it wasn’t for Moyes been so negative against a second string Arsenal side then we could of had all 3pts in the bag. Tottenham took apart this same Arsenal side in the League Cup, why couldn’t we? Moyes has been too re-active against the top 4 this season. We had control of the game in the second half and Moyes sat on his hands and did nothing until...you guessed it, we conceded. Instead of been pro-active and bringing on Yakubu or Anichebe to give Johnson a hand, he persisted with the same team which looked toothless up front. I feel that this was a golden opportunity to seal UEFA football for next season and Moyes bottled it.
Joe McMahon
5 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:30:41
5 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:30:41
If you play for a draw you deserve nothing!
Lee Watters
6 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:31:32
6 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:31:32
All the ball and 1 chance!!! Such a negative team again!!! Deserved wat we got!!! Moyes loves osman.. he is no centre midfielder!!! Weak and loses the ball a lot... not fast either!!!! When did Fernandes turn into a winger??? Surely he should be playing centre-mid??? Johnson??? I just don't know!! Fair play to the lad, he works but that is it!!!
Paul Coleman
7 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:31:43
7 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:31:43
Never looked like scoring did we. State of the bloody obvious but Carsley, Neville and Hibbert all need to be replaced. They are not assured on the ball and cause us to lose posession all the time. Fair enough, so do the other players sometimes but at least they have something about them to compensate.
On a funny note did anyone else crease up laughing when Hibbert found himself driving through the middle of the park. I thought it would have been crazy if he had gone past two and smashed it in the top corner..........but no, he just ran in straight line and bounced off an Arsenal player... lol!
Edwin Cole
8 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:34:42
8 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:34:42
Carsley should've been rested with Baines and Neville to patrol the flanks. On this match count Fernandes seemed disinterested and a tad off the pace; certainly not worth £12M. Pienaar was outstanding today... and surprise, surprise, Hibbert for me was MOTM, hardly put a foot wrong except for his ineptitude for crosses, which is inherent I guess.
Brian Waring
9 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:32:06
9 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:32:06
That?s the problem Nick. Moyes is so negative. Arsenal for most of the game never got out of first gear, and played like there was nothing to play for. We had something to play for, so why didn?t Moyes try and take advantage of the situation? But as usual, he play?s for the draw? Also why was Manny taken off again, with only a few minutes left and replaced by a defender?
Tony Williams
10 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:36:05
10 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:36:05
I am sorry but what a load of twaddle. So Moyes is negative is he, funny I heard David Platt saying at half time that we looked the more likely to score.
A poor Arsenal team!!! You mean the same one that had just thumped Derby 6-2? The team full of internationals? The team who until yesterday were still mathematically in with a chance of winning the title.
We played well today and passed the ball around instead of punting it into corners but as usual it was that moment of brilliance/lack of concentration that undid us again, not negative tactics and spare me "they were there for the taking" talk, as they have only been beat at home one in over 50 games, just like Chelsea and The Shite but apparantly that doesn?t matter because some fans feel they were there for the taking???
A poor Arsenal team!!! You mean the same one that had just thumped Derby 6-2? The team full of internationals? The team who until yesterday were still mathematically in with a chance of winning the title.
We played well today and passed the ball around instead of punting it into corners but as usual it was that moment of brilliance/lack of concentration that undid us again, not negative tactics and spare me "they were there for the taking" talk, as they have only been beat at home one in over 50 games, just like Chelsea and The Shite but apparantly that doesn?t matter because some fans feel they were there for the taking???
Mark Ramshaw
11 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:42:10
11 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:42:10
Do we actually have any wide players at the club - Osman, Arteta, Neville, Carsley, Cahill, Fernandes? Not wide players. Is Pienaar? Do we not want two wide players as well as a physical presence in midfield. What about Lennon and Wright Philips? Both could be bought at a price? There's sommit up with Fernandes and although I personally think he is a quality player, I don't think he?ll be a blue next season...
Paul Hardcastle
12 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:46:32
12 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:46:32
I think you?re completely wrong Tony. There was a stage there in the second half when the intitiative was there for Everton to take. Moyes, as ever, sat back, content in the belief that we could hold out for the draw. We couldn?t of course, and for me that is negativity of the highest order.
Why oh why oh why can?t we go for the jugular? We definitely had the chance to do that today and we didn?t. Moyes bottled it yet again. He drives me utterly fucking mad!!!
Why oh why oh why can?t we go for the jugular? We definitely had the chance to do that today and we didn?t. Moyes bottled it yet again. He drives me utterly fucking mad!!!
Lee Watters
13 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:46:34
13 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:46:34
Mark we are definetly short of wingers but surely fernandes is a better centre-mid than Osman and Osman is more accustomed to the wing than Manny... At the end of the day arsenal were not really at the races and we didn't really try to score!!! Same against Liverpool, Fulham away ? no chances... I thought we passed it well but once we got t final third we just lost it continously; really frustrating!!!
John Sreet
14 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:48:46
14 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:48:46
Tony Williams, don?t bother, a bad result always brings out the whingers and the whiners, don?t you know that we?re supposed to win every game, be brilliant all the time, compete with the best on a small budget and small squad? Tony, you?re far too positive to be posting comments like this. This team is totally knackered. Still it?s all Moyes?s fault, 62 points so far, really pathetic don?t you agree!
Tony Williams
15 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:50:07
15 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:50:07
So it?s as simple as that is it Paul?
What do you think Moyes should have done differently? Bring on the Yak earlier and then get over run in midfield? They nearly caught us a few times on the break with 5 in the middle so how does having less in there help us?
As I mentioned before I don?t know where this throw away phrase "they were there for the taking" comes from. Why were they there for the taking? What are the reasons behind this theory? Is it because Hleb, Fabregas and Van Rapist wasn?t playing? Fair enough but look at their replacements, all internationals.
To be there for the taking, we have to play well and they play poorly, which they did not. We passed it better than of late but our final ball was either appauling or non existent. The players that were available and playing were simply not good enough to break down Arsenal?s back line, nothing to do with negative tactics but everything to do with not being good enough to beat a Sky 4 team.
What do you think Moyes should have done differently? Bring on the Yak earlier and then get over run in midfield? They nearly caught us a few times on the break with 5 in the middle so how does having less in there help us?
As I mentioned before I don?t know where this throw away phrase "they were there for the taking" comes from. Why were they there for the taking? What are the reasons behind this theory? Is it because Hleb, Fabregas and Van Rapist wasn?t playing? Fair enough but look at their replacements, all internationals.
To be there for the taking, we have to play well and they play poorly, which they did not. We passed it better than of late but our final ball was either appauling or non existent. The players that were available and playing were simply not good enough to break down Arsenal?s back line, nothing to do with negative tactics but everything to do with not being good enough to beat a Sky 4 team.
Dan Parker
16 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:56:06
16 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:56:06
It’s funny people complaining that we’re too negative when yesterday after the Villa game, most people were calling to play defensive hoofball and play for the point. Moyes is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t!
Jay Harris
17 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:48
17 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:48
Paul
I totally agree with you although if we had got a draw some would be happy. The minute I saw the team sheet I feared the worst Neville and Carlsey in MF, no Yakubu and no Baines - WTF?But they actually played better than I expected in parts.
I totally agree with you although if we had got a draw some would be happy. The minute I saw the team sheet I feared the worst Neville and Carlsey in MF, no Yakubu and no Baines - WTF?But they actually played better than I expected in parts.
Why we didnt play Neville RB and Pienaar RM with BAines LM and YAkubu instead of AJ I dont know. At least the YAk can hold the ball and link up play. AJ is just a quick headless chicken.
And I also thought Jags had a bad one today. Couldn't pass water.
Ah well a nervy game against the barcodes to come.
Paul Hardcastle
18 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:59:25
18 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:59:25
Sorry, Tony but that is absolute rubbish. These players have proved they can play good enough football to beat anyone., I believe that ? why don?t you? Why don?t they? Because of Moyes?s negativity, that?s why. He only knows how to defend. He does not know how to set up a team to attack with pace and creativity. These players have it: Moyes does not. It?s just not part of his training manual.
You have to believe you can win... otherwise, what?s the fucking point? You accepters of mediocrity drive me fucking insane!
You have to believe you can win... otherwise, what?s the fucking point? You accepters of mediocrity drive me fucking insane!
Brian Waring
19 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:29
19 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:29
Paul, you beat me to it mate. That?s why Moyes is negative Tony. Good manager?s know when to change things. And I don?t care what you say, they were there for the taking today. But, Moyes continues to play for a draw, when the Arsenal players were thinking of their holidays. Even my neighbour (who is a Reading fan ) who was watching the game with me, couldn?t understand why we never threw the Yak on up front with AJ, (when it was still 0-0) and went for it. I had to remind him though, that we were talking about David Moyes. Now in the last 8 games, we have dropped a whopping 18 pts out of a possible 24. But that?s okay, isn?t it Tony?
Nail Sumner
20 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:03:27
20 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:03:27
Just one win from our last EIGHT games -and that against Derby County! Let?s face it since our exit from the Uefa Cup we have been total shite. How will it be any different next season with this prick in charge?
Brian Waring
21 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:03:54
21 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:03:54
John Street, so we are all whinger?s hey? Don?t we have the right to moan? It?s not just today though John is it? What about the last 8 game?s were we have dropped 18 pts out of a possible 24? And for the majority of those games, we have been fucking woeful. You know, dropped points against those illustrious sides of West ham, Fulham, Birmingham. Lay down, and surrender points against Chelsea and the redshite. Beat an already relegated Derby by the skin of our teeth. So, can you tell me why we are all whingers?
John Andrews
22 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:48
22 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:51:48
I was very pleasantly surprised today when, even Hoofball Jagileka, we managed to pass the ball about. However, the mere mention of Jagielka seems to bring the very worst in me. He is nowhere near as good as either Yobo or Lescott and should be out of the side as from now.
We have also appeared to have wasted £5m on Baines who cannot get a game for love nor money. And Leon Osman? What can I say? Another poor performance today. He may well still be suffering from his recent injury but if this is the case then he should not be playing.
We must sign Fernandes or somebody very similar. Somebody who can actually beat a player ! Although I must confess he has not been as good this time as he was last.
I can only agree with popular opinion that Moyes has, once again, bottled it when it came to the crunch. A side set out for the draw and not enough aggressive intent.
Richard Murphy
23 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:10:20
23 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:10:20
Is right boys, lets get this manager out. Where are we going with him?...Okay we might of been relegation fodder without him but we still cant break into that top 4 and all that money he has spent as well on rubbish like Arteta, Cahill, Lescott, Jagielka. I also hate the way he never gives the young ones a chance, since hes been there, only, Vaughan, Anichebe, Osman, Hibbert, Rooney who he has given a chance. We play rubbish football aswell apart from the Sunderland, Fulham, Fiorentina games. We deserve more than this, we should be in Europe every single year and not just the UEFA cup. Doesnt Moyes realise we were European regulars all the time before he got there. I reckon we should try and get Walter Smith back at least he knows how to get to European finals without scoring. 5th is just not good enough, Newcastle, Blackburn, Tottenham, West Ham, Portsmouth would accept it would they???...Why should we?....If we had of gone for it, we could of won 4-0 today easy, WE ARE EVERTON - doesnt Moyes understand that. Everybody would like to come and manager or play for us, why doesnt he get the big names in!!!...
Nick Xenos
24 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:37
24 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:37
Moyes really needs an experienced right-hand man, preferrably with alot of experience in European football. If we can add a little more craft to this team in the Summer, and employ a man that fits the bill above..I truly believe that Everton will be back in the big time.
Dan Parker
25 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:14:42
25 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:14:42
"This prick in charge" is regarded as the best manager in the Premiership operating without a ton of cash to spend.
We have played a lot more games than the other shit teams below us and our squad just ain’t big enough.
I agree Moyes has his faults but nobody’s perfect. I would challenge anyone out there to find a better manager without an unlimited budget to take us forward right now.
Man City, Spurs, Newcaste etc all spent a bucket-load more money than us and were pipped to be in the top 6 this season. Where are they now? Below us that’s where!
We have played a lot more games than the other shit teams below us and our squad just ain’t big enough.
I agree Moyes has his faults but nobody’s perfect. I would challenge anyone out there to find a better manager without an unlimited budget to take us forward right now.
Man City, Spurs, Newcaste etc all spent a bucket-load more money than us and were pipped to be in the top 6 this season. Where are they now? Below us that’s where!
Paul Hardcastle
26 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:43
26 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:43
It really is pitiful to me that there are Everton fans who blythly accept the pathetic end-of-season whimper David Moyes is overseeing. Of course, they justify it by all this Sky 4 bollocks (we have beaten these teams in the recent past, in case you?ve forgotten, and under Moyes, miraculously).
The only plausible explanation I am left with is that Moyes is cunningly engineering this dicey end-of-season flop to send home the message to BK and the Board loud and clear that they have to come up with the readies this summer ? no excuses ? or he will be off.
To be honest, I?m getting to the point where I?m fed up watching the shite we have for the past 8 weeks ? and it is especially all the more painful knowing how well Moyes had them playing earlier in the season. The days of Everton being a yo-yo team are over? I don?t think so.
The only plausible explanation I am left with is that Moyes is cunningly engineering this dicey end-of-season flop to send home the message to BK and the Board loud and clear that they have to come up with the readies this summer ? no excuses ? or he will be off.
To be honest, I?m getting to the point where I?m fed up watching the shite we have for the past 8 weeks ? and it is especially all the more painful knowing how well Moyes had them playing earlier in the season. The days of Everton being a yo-yo team are over? I don?t think so.
Tony Williams
27 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:21:12
27 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:21:12
Paul, who said I am accepting mediocrity? I am simply pointing out that we were beat fairly and squarely today and that Moyes couldn?t and shouldn?t have played it any different.
As we are told nearly everyday on this site our players are not good enough to beat a Sky 4 team, why now is it that it is Moyes negative tactics and not that we don?t have the good enough players to beat a team, that we up until late vieing for the title?
You say that all the accepters of mediocrity drive you insane perhaps the "we should of went for it as they were there for the taking, I would rather lose 7-0 then draw ugly" posters are possibly just as bad methinks.
As we are told nearly everyday on this site our players are not good enough to beat a Sky 4 team, why now is it that it is Moyes negative tactics and not that we don?t have the good enough players to beat a team, that we up until late vieing for the title?
You say that all the accepters of mediocrity drive you insane perhaps the "we should of went for it as they were there for the taking, I would rather lose 7-0 then draw ugly" posters are possibly just as bad methinks.
Brian Waring
28 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:18:22
28 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:18:22
It’s funny how some of you think the sun shine’s out of Moyes’ arse! FFS lad’s, we have won 1 game out of the last 8, one fucking game. How can you keep defending him is beyond me.Maybe the problem is that some some of us expect a bit more from the manager. Can anyone actually come on and explain why we have dropped 18 pts from the last 24? Do that, instead of coming on here and slating people because they are pissed off, at yet another defeat. As I said, please explain the 1 win in the last 8? I would love to hear your view’s on that.
Gavin Ramejkis
29 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:20:23
29 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:20:23
To the posters complaining about the whingers, we are also damned if we do and damned if we don?t ? we get the "where are you when we win?" Well I for one post when I am happy and post when I am pissed off. It's a bit much to say "there for the taking" but why not go for a win? That?s what the game is about and not sticking with a RB as a midfielder when it had never worked.
DM deserves the plaudits when it works and the brickbats when it doesn?t. Surprised no complaints over the Gallas back pass or the elbow right in the head Carsley got but if the ref didn?t blow for it then it?s water under the bridge. DM could have changed things earlier but he didn?t and his side and his tactics failed again so his receipt of complaints, it?s what happens.
Don?t give out to supporters who are right when they complain about a wasted opportunity and overly negative tactics ? ince when does sitting back give you a chance to win a game? And if the majority of the game with one up front still only produces one meaningful shot on goal then surely changing that might have gotten more and maybe one that actually hit the net?
Phil Hamer
30 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:15
30 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:17:15
Ha Ha this mailbag cracks me up, even after a narrow defeat away to Arsenal we have people coming on and ranting like bad tempered school boys, then a person called ?Nail? comes on and calls Moyes a ?Prick? !! We played well today, we made a conscious decision to keep it on the floor and we caused a top top team problems. You people are alone in the entire football world in your opinion of David Moyes. You have no grip on reality, no perspective, and cry like teenage girls after any setback. You hide behind your PC?s and bitch and snipe after every defeat. You think we should win every single game we play and then list all draws and defeats as evidence against Moyes (Brian Waring).
Alan Rodgers
31 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:34:27
31 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:34:27
Too many lightweight short arses in the team, who get knocked off the ball too easily - Osman, Pienaar, Johnson. I thought Hibbert did well today and Fernandes looked good at times. As others have stated, Moyes bottled it when we were on top ? as he has done every time. The guy has done wonders for us but he has reached his limit.
Nick Xenos
32 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:38:44
32 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:38:44
Phil, YOU crack me up! Do you really think the team Arsenal FC put out on the park today is REALLY a top team and would merit 3rd position in the EPL if that was how they lined up for the majority of the season? You are a very funny man!
Dan Parker
33 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:34:59
33 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:34:59
I don?t think the sun shines out of Moyes?s arse but he?s the best man for the job at the moment. I honestly can?t think of any other managers out there that could do a better job given our budget. There are also other factors to play such as number of games, squad size, Uefa Cup exit etc.
The football leagues constantly circulate the same shit managers, even in the Premier League. I think we?ve got a pretty good deal right now and shouldn?t be too quick to give it up.
If we win next week, we won?t even be talking about it!
The football leagues constantly circulate the same shit managers, even in the Premier League. I think we?ve got a pretty good deal right now and shouldn?t be too quick to give it up.
If we win next week, we won?t even be talking about it!
Tony Williams
34 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:31:52
34 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:31:52
Brian it is clear you are somewhat upset with the frequent us of expletives, however, I do not think the sun shines from Moyes?s arse and yes, his decision-making is in question on occassions, what I do take offence to is the when the manager who has just given us the highest points total in the Premier League, who has given us a 9 wins out of 10 European adventure, took us further in the Carling Cup than ever before and has been named the best pound for pound managers by the press is called "this prick in charge"
Brian, why exactly were Arsenal there for the taking, it is easy to suggest but give us some reason for your theory? I have advised why I think they weren?t but apparantly you think they were.
The 1 win in 8 is disgusting but if you asked me before the season started if we would beat Chelsea at home, The Shite and Arsenal away, I would have said deffinitely not and this has gome to pass.
Let?s break down the 8 games.
Fulham - We have never beaten them away
West Ham - Poor performance but not a defeat
The Shite - Poor performance and a crap goal to give away, incidentally the shite have only been beaten at home by Man Ure in the last 2 years
Derby - Poor performance 3 points
Birmingham - Poor performance but again not a defeat
Chelsea - Outplayed by a superior side, but I suppse they were there for the taking as well?
Villa - better performance but dodgy defending cost us 2 points
Arsenal - Beaten by a superior side.
So the last 8 show 4 defeats (3 by Sky 4 sides) 3 draws and a win so not as bad as you are making out, a terrible run of form just like when we went out of the CL and Uefa Cup last time.
I am fed up with the way we are playing at the moment, even though we looked better today but to put the blame solely on Moyes?s doorstep just doesn?t seem right to me. The players have to take their fair share too.
Brian, why exactly were Arsenal there for the taking, it is easy to suggest but give us some reason for your theory? I have advised why I think they weren?t but apparantly you think they were.
The 1 win in 8 is disgusting but if you asked me before the season started if we would beat Chelsea at home, The Shite and Arsenal away, I would have said deffinitely not and this has gome to pass.
Let?s break down the 8 games.
Fulham - We have never beaten them away
West Ham - Poor performance but not a defeat
The Shite - Poor performance and a crap goal to give away, incidentally the shite have only been beaten at home by Man Ure in the last 2 years
Derby - Poor performance 3 points
Birmingham - Poor performance but again not a defeat
Chelsea - Outplayed by a superior side, but I suppse they were there for the taking as well?
Villa - better performance but dodgy defending cost us 2 points
Arsenal - Beaten by a superior side.
So the last 8 show 4 defeats (3 by Sky 4 sides) 3 draws and a win so not as bad as you are making out, a terrible run of form just like when we went out of the CL and Uefa Cup last time.
I am fed up with the way we are playing at the moment, even though we looked better today but to put the blame solely on Moyes?s doorstep just doesn?t seem right to me. The players have to take their fair share too.
Glen Strachan
35 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:31:23
35 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:31:23
Honesty time guys?
Today didn?t matter to Everton and the main aim was to lose by a narrow margin and keep goal difference looking good.
Never in a million years was this squad going to finish in the top four because the Big3 and even Liverpool are miles better than our lads.
That being the case 5th place is the very best we could do and Tony and others of like mind make a good point.
Our lack of any kind of style is not the point.
We play long ball and look like crap..........so what ?That works! ....we are 5th!! Celebrate!!!
We should be proud to be the best riff-raff side in the Premier, even if the teams above us appear to play a different game entirely. There is no shame in being 5th.
Posters criticising our midfield should remember that Pienaar , Osman, Arteta, Neville and Cahill are under contract at huge wages for years to come and David Moyes has already indicated to the press that Lee Carsley will be offered an extension to his deal. Like it or not they will figure in our midfields for seasons to come.
It looks like Fernandes will go back to his club of choice...............Valencia. Can anybody really say that he is/was ever worth worth £12 million ?
Surely Uefa Cup qualification for next season is already ?in the bag? as it is very hard to imagine Aston Villa getting more than a draw next week at West Ham.
Probably David Moyes will go for a tight 0-0 against Newcastle next week and then bring on some forwards if we go behind. His team will finish in 5th place with the best points total that Everton has ever snagged in the Premier. Who can say that his caution is a mistake?
Today didn?t matter to Everton and the main aim was to lose by a narrow margin and keep goal difference looking good.
Never in a million years was this squad going to finish in the top four because the Big3 and even Liverpool are miles better than our lads.
That being the case 5th place is the very best we could do and Tony and others of like mind make a good point.
Our lack of any kind of style is not the point.
We play long ball and look like crap..........so what ?That works! ....we are 5th!! Celebrate!!!
We should be proud to be the best riff-raff side in the Premier, even if the teams above us appear to play a different game entirely. There is no shame in being 5th.
Posters criticising our midfield should remember that Pienaar , Osman, Arteta, Neville and Cahill are under contract at huge wages for years to come and David Moyes has already indicated to the press that Lee Carsley will be offered an extension to his deal. Like it or not they will figure in our midfields for seasons to come.
It looks like Fernandes will go back to his club of choice...............Valencia. Can anybody really say that he is/was ever worth worth £12 million ?
Surely Uefa Cup qualification for next season is already ?in the bag? as it is very hard to imagine Aston Villa getting more than a draw next week at West Ham.
Probably David Moyes will go for a tight 0-0 against Newcastle next week and then bring on some forwards if we go behind. His team will finish in 5th place with the best points total that Everton has ever snagged in the Premier. Who can say that his caution is a mistake?
Carlton Rogers
36 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:53:29
36 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:53:29
What an ungrateful lot of buggers we are! As though we should expect the team we’ve followed all our lives and on which we’ve spent a fortune over those years should be able to get as many as SEVEN points from their last nine games so we can get back into Europe.Why do we set our aspirations so high?After all,before the Moyesiah came unto us, Everton were a little known club with no history.Now we’re a household name.....The Peoples’ Club even!
Nobby Jones
37 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:02:21
37 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:02:21
Glen, goal difference after yesterday was academic.
Didn't matter if we got nailed 9-0.
If villa win next week and we lose, their goal differernce would have been better anyway... anything other than that outcome would result in us finishing 5th anyway....
Didn't matter if we got nailed 9-0.
If villa win next week and we lose, their goal differernce would have been better anyway... anything other than that outcome would result in us finishing 5th anyway....
Mike Price
38 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:54:31
38 Posted 04/05/2008 at 16:54:31
If he?s so good why do no other clubs ever want him? He wont take us down but we?re just as likel to end up 13th next season as 5th. He?s negative, reactive, stubborn and has a dour personality. Everton as a team mirror him as a person. We all know Neville and Carsley with Hibbert ends with inevitable defeat... ANYTHING else would be better.
He?s done OK for us, but this is it, if your happy with the style of play and bouncing aroud between 5th and 15th then fine. Personally I?ll be very pleased when he leaves because at least that will give some hope for change.
Connor Rohrer
39 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:29:54
39 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:29:54
I was happy today. No one played poor bar Carsley. Hibbert and Yobo where solid at the back, Osman, Fernandes and Neville where tidy if a little in and out.
I thought Pienaar and Yobo where excellent. Pienaar back top his best. Always wanted to ball, passed it well and some of his movement was excellent.
I thought the game was crying out for the Yak. AJ was running the channels well but it was crying out for someone to get hold of it and link play.
Negative was Carsley for me. Didn’t win a tackle all game and doesn’t get involved. I’m not fan of Neville but at least he shows for his defenders and tries to get involved. If he was given such a limited role like Carsley does I’m sure he’d do a better job.
All in all the ball retention was a joy to watch and just shows we can do it and we do have the players capable of doing it. More consistency please.
I thought Pienaar and Yobo where excellent. Pienaar back top his best. Always wanted to ball, passed it well and some of his movement was excellent.
I thought the game was crying out for the Yak. AJ was running the channels well but it was crying out for someone to get hold of it and link play.
Negative was Carsley for me. Didn’t win a tackle all game and doesn’t get involved. I’m not fan of Neville but at least he shows for his defenders and tries to get involved. If he was given such a limited role like Carsley does I’m sure he’d do a better job.
All in all the ball retention was a joy to watch and just shows we can do it and we do have the players capable of doing it. More consistency please.
Gareth Lerwell
40 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:47:40
40 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:47:40
I feel today we lost the game with Fernandes playing on wing. Did you see how many times he failed to track back with the left-back today?
Where did the goal come from? A cross from the left-back! If he tracked back, maybe he could have prevented it.
Another thing, what's the point of Baines, he much better in attacking positions than Lescott. Put Lescott back in the middle with Baines at left-back.
Where did the goal come from? A cross from the left-back! If he tracked back, maybe he could have prevented it.
Another thing, what's the point of Baines, he much better in attacking positions than Lescott. Put Lescott back in the middle with Baines at left-back.
Jay Wilson
41 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:44:39
41 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:44:39
It?s funny how some of you think the sun shine?s out of Moyes?s arse! FFS lad?s, we have won 1 game out of the last 8, one fucking game!!! How can you keep defending him is beyond me.
Maybe the problem is that some some of us expect a bit more from the manager. Can anyone actually come on and explain why we have dropped 18 pts from the last 24? Do that, instead of coming on here and slating people because they are pissed off at yet another defeat. As I said, please explain the 1 win in the last 8? I would love to hear your view?s on that.
In response to this post, Brian, take the 2 most effective players out of a team and they will stuggle. Imagine United without Rooney and Ronaldo, Liverpool without Torres and Gerrard, Arsenal without Fabregas and Adebayor. We have been without our 2 most effective players for the last 8 games. Like it or not Cahill and Arteta fully fit and firing make us a different team. That is why we are struggling... I can?t believe people on here can?t see it.
Albert Dock
42 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:45:45
42 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:45:45
We are now rated seventh in Europe. Check it out and see. David Moyes has transformed this club and I for one will never forget that.
Sometimes I have a perverse deathwish that these untermensch get their way and Moysey leaves. What you going to do then? Phone Phil Scolari or Frank Rikjard Want a manager who?se done it in the Premiership and at International level - Lawrie Sanchez?
David Moyes arrested our freefall into mediocrity or worse.
Sometimes I have a perverse deathwish that these untermensch get their way and Moysey leaves. What you going to do then? Phone Phil Scolari or Frank Rikjard Want a manager who?se done it in the Premiership and at International level - Lawrie Sanchez?
David Moyes arrested our freefall into mediocrity or worse.
Steve Templeton
43 Posted 04/05/2008 at 18:05:21
43 Posted 04/05/2008 at 18:05:21
Brian Waring.
You are judging us over the last eight games whilst the rest of us are judging us over the last 52.
Take your negative blinkers off mate and you might get the bigger picture you miserable bastard.
You are judging us over the last eight games whilst the rest of us are judging us over the last 52.
Take your negative blinkers off mate and you might get the bigger picture you miserable bastard.
Mark Griffiths
44 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:24:12
44 Posted 04/05/2008 at 17:24:12
I thought we were ok in parts today, it was a case of "the good, the bad and the ok".
I agree with comments about us being quite far behind the top 4, if the Rs had played them today, I for one think they would have beaten them comfortably. I feel a nervy Sunday nest week now, but should do it.
Is anybody else concerned about our forward line? AJ works so hard but I do not think he is good enough anymore. Anichebe, well let's just say he has hugely dissapointed this season and does not look any where near the player we thought he might be on his way to becoming; I suppose next season will be a key factor.
I agree with comments about us being quite far behind the top 4, if the Rs had played them today, I for one think they would have beaten them comfortably. I feel a nervy Sunday nest week now, but should do it.
Is anybody else concerned about our forward line? AJ works so hard but I do not think he is good enough anymore. Anichebe, well let's just say he has hugely dissapointed this season and does not look any where near the player we thought he might be on his way to becoming; I suppose next season will be a key factor.
But Yakubu, well WTF has happened to him, is this what we were warned about?? Fades away in the last third of the season... he just looks disinterested to me, his shooting is woeful and I would say let's see if the same happens next season before saying, erh no thanks.
To be fair though, I could be way off the mark and maybe with some really great midfield signings next season, things could be more threateningly consistent up front.
Dave Jeanrenaud
45 Posted 04/05/2008 at 18:54:53
45 Posted 04/05/2008 at 18:54:53
Brain Wearing,
I will explain the 1 win in the last 8 games for you. Cahill got injured and the team got tired after playing such a long season with a small squad. Simple really.
We have just achieved our best points tally in the Premiership ever and you want to slag off the manager.
Unbelieveable.
I will explain the 1 win in the last 8 games for you. Cahill got injured and the team got tired after playing such a long season with a small squad. Simple really.
We have just achieved our best points tally in the Premiership ever and you want to slag off the manager.
Unbelieveable.
Peter Whiting
46 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:15:13
46 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:15:13
So, Dave ,what you are saying is that without Tim Cahill we can?t play for pussey? Bit one dimensional that theory as just like Arteta, Cahill is every season a serial absentee for one reason or another. Do you live in a world that only sees Everton?s long-term absences and assumes every team we play is always at full-strength? It?s the manager?s job to see that all positions are covered adequately and his Chairman?s to see he has the funds to do it! Until that happens we shall always be jolly promisers.
Dave Jeanrenaud
47 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:30:51
47 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:30:51
Peter,
That is precisely what i am saying. Just look at the points gathered with Cahill and the points gathered without!
I live in a world in which the loss of any team?s most inspirational player will have an effect on performances. Take Gerrard away from Liverpool or Fabregas away from Arsenal and you would see the difference.
I susepct the manager will already have identified the players needed to strengthen the squad for next season but like you say it is then up to the chairman to find the money.
Roll on next season!
That is precisely what i am saying. Just look at the points gathered with Cahill and the points gathered without!
I live in a world in which the loss of any team?s most inspirational player will have an effect on performances. Take Gerrard away from Liverpool or Fabregas away from Arsenal and you would see the difference.
I susepct the manager will already have identified the players needed to strengthen the squad for next season but like you say it is then up to the chairman to find the money.
Roll on next season!
Jay Wilson
48 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:36:17
48 Posted 04/05/2008 at 19:36:17
No Peter, he is saying that every team would stuggle with out their key players and like it or not Cahill is our Key player, he is the heart or the side and for some reason he makes us tick. Without him we are less of a force.
George Sedlack
49 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:17:03
49 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:17:03
Phil Hammer, spot on mate. People need to take a reality check, we don't have a right to beat every team in the league, we just arnt good enough yet. However, Moyes is taking us where we want to be, slowly but surely.
Patience really is in short supply on this website!
Patience really is in short supply on this website!
Brian Waring
50 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:25:20
50 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:25:20
Slag me off all you want, lads. Unlike you lot, I won?t accept it when we are shite, and will say it as I see it. None of this, "it?s one of those things", "they?ve got more money than us", "we?re tired", shite. I?ve come on here and praised Moyes when he has got it right. So I have every right to have a go at him when he fucks up. Maybe I expected a better return on his 6 years here than some of you, but that is my opinion.
Tony Williams
51 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:40:35
51 Posted 04/05/2008 at 20:40:35
I understand your frustrations Brian but can I ask why you expected a better return on Moyes’s 6 year reign? What are you basing your ideals on?
Tony Part
52 Posted 04/05/2008 at 21:12:34
52 Posted 04/05/2008 at 21:12:34
The biggest concern for me is that, despite the fact that Moyes has been here for more than six years, our football under hin has rarely changed.
For me, we are still a one-dimensional slow paced team and look no better than when Joe Royle's Dogs of War were on show in the mid-90s.. I never see Everton attack as a team under Moyes and every time we cross the half-way line we are let down time and time again by poor control or a serious lack of ideas..
We cannot keep blaming injuries to players as, even when we have had our full team out in the past, we still don't look convincing... Other clubs get injuries but have to deal with them and at the end of the day Moyes knew that this scenario could happen as it never fails to happen at Everton. We always struggle at the end of every season for form and wins.
I don't know what they will do this summer but they need to have a long hard look at the players they are talking about giving new contracts out to and think if those players are really good enough to play for a so-called top five club.
We could so easily slip behind a lot of this summer's big spenders if we are not careful in our own transfer dealings..
It's been a good season up to March but a terrible typical Everton end with relegation form.
Ian Buffey
53 Posted 04/05/2008 at 22:02:13
53 Posted 04/05/2008 at 22:02:13
I?m sorry but Toffeeweb is really becoming the most miserable web-site imaginable. I now look at it as a benchmark for the worst case scenerio.
It was less negative when we were struggling against relegation every season.
It worries me that people want to undermine our obvious progress.
62+ points in a season where we?ve coped with extra games.
Surely we want it to continue, if so lets get behind them on Sunday.
A battle for Europe again at home... superb.
It was less negative when we were struggling against relegation every season.
It worries me that people want to undermine our obvious progress.
62+ points in a season where we?ve coped with extra games.
Surely we want it to continue, if so lets get behind them on Sunday.
A battle for Europe again at home... superb.
Rupert Sullivan
54 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:45:43
54 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:45:43
I agree that Moyes played for a draw - and yes we could have done better. I am as infuriated as the rest with the way Moyes avoids going for the jugular - especially in a nothing to lose match like this one.
But the midfield played really well today and we defended well. Arsenal never looked like scoring either!!! Manny played really well and held the centre together, Yobo defended really well and I think that we were a little unlucky going forward, we moved around, we passed the ball excellently - even Neville - probably worth seeing the positives in our play as well as the downsides...
But the midfield played really well today and we defended well. Arsenal never looked like scoring either!!! Manny played really well and held the centre together, Yobo defended really well and I think that we were a little unlucky going forward, we moved around, we passed the ball excellently - even Neville - probably worth seeing the positives in our play as well as the downsides...
Will Wallen
55 Posted 05/05/2008 at 01:08:52
55 Posted 05/05/2008 at 01:08:52
Moyes has been the perfect manager to take Everton to this level. But can he take them to the next level? I don?t think so. He?s too conservative and isn?t prepared to get big name, attacking players. We?ve played good football at times, but every season it?s bloody infuriating. And why buy Baines and never play him?
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1 Posted 04/05/2008 at 15:25:19