COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Newcastle (H)
Comments (45) : A game between two clubs in stages of disarray saw us start well and Pienaar set up Yak for our first chance but he shot over and two minutes later he should have done better than guide the ball wide after turning his man when put in by a Fellaini flick.
The visitors attacked spasmodically and N'Zogbia shot wide. The Blues continued to have the better of it and after build-up down the left, Baines was felled in the box by Butt and the ref signalled penalty. The Yak had the ball, Arteta had the armband... the armband won and the captain for the day netted.
We seemed to be cruising now but the visitors had their moments and Howard had to save from Owen then Guthrie and then, after a bit of pinball in our area, we saw Baines clearing from the line. You just knew we needed a second and it was relief all around when Fellaini opened his Goodison account by toe-poking a Baines cross into the roof of the net. A 2-0 lead with half-time approaching and all seemed set for a good day all round.
But, hey, this is Everton circa 2008 and wouldn't you know it? Injury time in the first half sees a Newcastle attack cleared to the Yak who, with time a-plenty, makes the most woeful header and puts Geremi in a position to deliver an excellent far-post cross that saw the full-back Taylor, who had stayed in on seeing Yak's mistake, tower above Hibbert and net off the underside of the bar giving the flapping Howard no chance. Maybe it's just me but I reckon Nigel Martyn would have read that better given the angle.
The half-time tea talk must have found the manager not knowing whether to laugh or cry or to rollick or praise for that first half had been one of the best so far until that moment of madness... now an all-too-often occurrence. Whatever the talk was, it didn't work as, within two minutes of the restart, it was 2-2.
A break down the right saw Taylor turn provider, Pienaar stop to appeal for offside (play to the whistle, lad!), Taylor provided a low cross that should have been cut out except that other players stopped when Pienaar did (criminal); it found Duff six yards out and he easily finished.
The crowd, who had been quiet all match, now just threw in the towel and it seemed so did the players of both sides as the rest of the half seemed somewhat boring. Osman tested Given with a great shot that produced a great save. Owen missed a good chance when he scuffed a knockdown in the area. N'Zogbia had an effort cleared from the line by Baines. Big Vic, on for Saha, went close and the Yak had a goalbound header hit a defender and rebound into the grateful arms of the keeper.
Other than these highlights, not a lot transpired and we trudged away from the ground in 'Mutter mode'.
Overall, I thought we did well first half until that fateful injury-time aberration and then all the lack of confidence kicked in. Today, I saw a parallel with the 2003-04 season: Lack of team building, high injury incidence, no real balance with players either playing on knocks or just back from injury, suspension to key players, and the probability of players being asked to play out of position ? remember Watson playing both wide right and centre forward? Also that season we drew 2-2 with Newcastle at home in late September. Although I think we have a stronger core than then, I hope this isn't going to be another 'Blip' season.
On a positive front, I thought both Osman and Jags were the pick of both sides and, if Fellaini can be taught to tackle in a hard but fair manner, he could yet turn out to be a great buy. Today we played without an out-and-out holding midfielder but rather two lads who got up and down well and we looked the better for it.
Disappointing... yes, but ? with a kind international break ? let's hope we restart with the confidence to have a right go against two top-four sides and then make progress. A tall order for Moyes, Round and Co but that's why they and the players earn big wages. Let's see them earn them and make visiting Goodison a more plesurable experience than of late for the faithful. Let's fly Emirates next... see you there.
UP THE BLUES
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Also, I wish Arteta were better.
What goes on in the dressing room at half time?
It was good to see Peinaar back. He made some good tricky touches. We?re leaking far too many simple goals, though.
Don’t be silly lad, Baines was poor again whilst Arteta is our only hope.
Saha is clearly finished. Theres no way United would get rid of a £12 million buy for nothing if he weren't finished. Penalty aside Arteta offered us nothing. Why must Osman play every game, and why in central midfield. Does he offer us anything? NO.
Fellaini look a bit better, but still definitely not worth £15 million. Pienaar showed us a bit of what we've missed. Let's hope he doesn't get injured again. Hibbert was average, which is the best we can hope for from him. Jagielka was average, so too Baines, and Lescott. He's another player who needs to be dropped. He's gone so far down the pan.
And to think our next 2 games are Arsenal and Man United, what a frightening prospect that is. 2 hammerings running. And has Moyes signed his new contract yet, I do hope not. If he really wants the best for Everton, then he'd walk tomorrow, because we are clearly on the downslide. There's your Lord and Saviour. Moyes Out and Kenwright to follow.
I agree with most points although I can?t see where the praise for Fellaini comes from. I thought first half he looked okay, second half he was completely lost and didn?t know who or how to mark.
The Yak spat his dummy the moment Arteta took the penalty away from him. He didn?t really want to know after that. Not sure what goes on at half time but surely they knew that Newcastle would come out with all guns blazing and yet again we gave away a good lead. I?m glad we picked up our first point at home but I?m frustrated because it should have been an easy win - and for 45 minutes it looked as though that was going to be the case.
Trouble is, set up like it was on Sunday, our left flank is a good attacking line up but defensively it lacks both strength and pace.
Don?t really see the answer except that somehow, when both go attacking, someone must get back to fill in the obvious gap.
Jags was quite shocking if you’d ask me, he made far too many errors. Osman was easily pushed off as usual, the Yak was anoynomous, Howard looking like David James of old, and Lescott looked clumsy.
What was Yobo and Castillo doing on the bench? Osman is definately not good enough in the middle yet Moyes persists with him. Fellaini doesn’t know his defensive duties well for me and wanders off too much, which was why we were exposed whenever Newcastle had the ball on the break.
I still am bitterly disappointed about what panned out so far this season. And by the way, I’ve already turned against Moyes. I hope he is sacked.
I fear for this season if this continues.
Baines was poor again?
Away and get your eyes tested man.
Furthermore, Cahill (IMHO our most effective player) can play in his preferred position. The extra player in midfield also means that the full backs can get forward with confirdence they wont get caught on the break. Baines is a cracking attacking full back but no so good at defending. I guess what I?m saying is that its about playing to your strengths. 4-4-2 is not doing that. 4-5-1 is.
For the record, I?d give the Yak a place on the bench and start with Jimmy Vaughan next game, he won more headers than the rest of his taller strike partners put together.
IMO...our most ineffective midfield player (accepting the assumption that Neville is NOT a midfield player - or any other shoe horn Moyes feels fit to throw into midfield)..
Cahill is a luxury that a team like ours cannot afford - he offers next to nothingin terms of passing ability or creativity...and in terms of goal scoring options...saha is a far more attractive one for me.
I like full backs who can defend, who can head the ball and track their man.
He’s crap.
Baines had a good game
Baines was poor again?
Err What.... wins the penalty, great cross for our second and two goal line clearances.
Yeah he was fucking shit!
Because I have a differing opinion to you regarding Cahill, you suggest I should watch another sport?
Well, thanks for that little diamond piece of advice, but I think I?ll retain football as one of the sports I watch...
Is there any chance - any chance whatsoever - that you could explain to me what Cahill brings to our midfield?
I must agree with you that Cahill does not do much justice to our midfield, you quite rightly say that he does not posess the eye of a pass, his tackling can leave the exposed and what’s more when he doesnt play I beleive the team are more balanced.
Cahill has served us well during they last few years, but maybe just maybe it should adios Mr Cahill
So yeah, lets get rid of him quicksmart, so we have more defeats to moan about.
Fuck me!
No need to swear, everyone is entitled to an opinion. The stats may favour Cahill’s inclusion proves that EFc wins, what about the start of the season, I think he’s played in three and we have lost three with him?
ROLL ON THE TAKEOVER ----
We can then buy Joe Cole!
If the stats don’t lie perhaps you should take a look at the end of the season whenever Fernandes first came here...Cahill was out and replaced with the aforementioned portuguese player....we went on a run and played some blinding football...the like of which hasn’t been seen since...
Credit where credit is due, Cahill can score..but what we miss in midfield creativity by having him in the side - is part of the problem hoof ball problem - therefore that’s why I contend he is a luxury that we cannot afford..
Unfortunately, our dour performances will continue while we have players unable to string two incisive passes together in midfield...and last thursday was a prime example of this.
I agree with you regarding Fernandes and I wish the board would have provided the funds to buy the lad. I?m not arguing that we don?t need more quality, IMO Howard, Osman, Hibbert, Neville, maybe Yobo are not good enough, and some of the others are borderline, but there?s very few goal scoring mid-fielders in the league and we should always find a place for Cahill.
He shows passion, loves the club and always wants the ball. How many players could say that in the second half yesterday?
I didn?t bring up Fernandes in an attempt to say we should?ve signed him (although I do), it was merely to put erroneous suggestion that stats always suggest Cahill is the best option...
What there are very few of in the league, are goalscoring midfielders who can play football.... and sadly, Cahill does not fit into that bracket.
He is merely a deep lying striker... who adds nothing (football wise) to our midfield.
And I consider someone of that ilk to be a luxury.
I would put footballing ability ahead of passion when it comes to a team selection.
Otherwise, we’d have 11 Cahill’s or Neville’s.
Passion is all good and well but it rarely wins you matches.
As well as thinking Baines was good yesterday, I also happen to believe that if and when he gets the chance this season, AVDM is going to cut the mustard. Having understandably been distracted over the health of his little girl, he may now just be ready to answer the call. I saw him training a couple of months ago and I thought he was awesome. Admittedly, I haven’t seen him live but I think maybe just maybe its his time.
I think the reason people think Baines didn?t have a good game is because we got caught out wide left, but you can?t be in two places at once. If Baines darts forward but the attack breaks down there should be someone in to cover, shouldn?t there?
I respect your views on Baines, but I watch him and for me he just isn?t good enough. We have two international left backs at the club, Valente and Lescott, and I don?t think Baines is a patch on either of them.
He is a liabilty, just as Hibbert is. He is a poor defender, crap in the air and doesn?t track back properly.
Lescott is not a left back...and how anyone can say Baines is cráp, while extoling the virtues of the hapless Valente is way beyond my logical comprehension..
P.S Valente last played an international match in the early seventies.
Pienaar and Baines always linked well down the left handside. Baines was far from poor, he had a good all round game. Attacking wise he?s superb, defensively I?m not yet convinced but given a run of games he could do well.
I agree with Ciaran on Cahill, he is very one dimensional and he only should be used in one formation: 4-4-1-1. That?s why the "he?s our best player" bollocks makes me laugh. One formation change and his place could be in jeopardy. If Saha and Yakubu kick it off and score 20 each a season where is he going to fit in?
I certainly wouldn?t want him in midfield, not his strongest position and he?s certainly not our best option in the middle. He?s a second striker, not a midfielder.
We do not have the right players or balance for a 4-4-2. The reason the back 4 are coming in for so much criticism is there is no one in MF to "Guard" the space in front of them. Neither Arteta nor Pienaar are good at tracking back and they havent got a decent tackle between them.
It may be unpopular but I would bring Castillo in to "learn" the Carsley role and leave Saha on the bench. I would then rotate Pienaar, Cahill and Osman depending on the opposition. We need the strength and passing ability of Castillo and Fellaini in centre MF.
Osman is having surgery soon so I’m sure Castillo will get a chance to come in and prove himself.
I agree with you, in the first half we controlled possession and Osman and Fellaini didn’t have to worry about getting stuck in and protecting the back four.
In the second half it was a different story, Newcastle had more of the ball and we where on the backfoot, no one could win the ball back which meant they where running through us.
A ball winner is needed, especially away from home. Castillo should be in there against Arsenal.
His tackling is a liability and usually ends in a booking. His passing is one dimensional and he is not quick enough to be played wide.
Osman gets an unfair deal hear as he has very quick feet and he was getting stuck in to the Newcastle midfield as well.
I was baffled by the captaincy as Arteta has been poor this year and produced yet another anonymous performance. Baines should be trusted with some of the dead ball situations so that our centre backs can at least have a go at heading something in the opposition box.
For all you Phil Neville haters , could you truly see Taylor being given such an easy ride at the far post with him at RB i doubt it.
Hibbert is a very poor premiership player. Can?t pass, can?t cross and is always dragged inside leaving acres of space behind him.
Howard is a worry but believe me a guy signed when he was Wigan?s third choice is not the answer. Turner is also not the answer, when given the chance he has bottled it. yes he is young but when opportunity knocks and all that. maybe through Ruddy in for a home game at some point we need to know if he can hack it, if not then never mind midfield signings in Jan we will need a top keeper.
Baines and Pienaar combined brilliantly at times down the left while we were bereft of anything down the right.
Someone mentioned Andy Van but Moyes will never trust him so we have to find width from our FB?s so carrying Hibbert is not an option.
Not only does Hibbert go missing for the first goal but watch how easily Duff looses him for the second. I don?t think he is escaping punishment - it?s just that we can?t be bothered going on about just how poor he is anymore.
Cahills presence is essential as currently he’s one of the few players capable of making a challenge which is what is sorely missed with the loss of Carsley and lets face it goal scoring midfielders are at a premium. Lesson to be learned yesterday - we simply cannot play Osman, Piennar and Arteta in a 4-4-2 and Osman is definitely the weakest link.
Osman started well but faded quickly and was easily shrugged off the ball. I agree with Fellaini and Castillo being given a run in the centre. Anyone who doesn't rate Cahill needs to realise that he?s about our only midfielder who actually bothers to score. He?s been critical for the last 2 years.
We looked good going forward on the left and lousy at the back on the left. OK, maybe the guys need a few games together so that Lescott naturally fills the gap when Bainesy goes walkabout. I agree with some of the comments ref The Yak in the postings. He looked disinterested after Arteta bagged the penalty.
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1 Posted 06/10/2008 at 07:00:31
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I’m still angry with the Yak, imagine the abuse if that was Neville or Hibbert
Arsenal have come unstuck against Hull and they only just got out of jail against the Mackems, so they are definitely beatable, the trouble is if we dont repair the holes in our defence they are also capable of taking us to the cleaners big time
Sort it Moyes.
Now would be a good time