FAN ARTICLES

Don?t reward the coward

I was at the match on Saturday and thought the game was lost when I heard the line-ups. I can?t comment on what was happening at the club over the summer and why it took to the last minute for anyone to be bought. Its pointless debating what would be different if we?d got so-and-so in earlier, then we wouldn?t be in this mess.

I also can?t comment on what the club are doing in regards to the ground move. It?s been argued to death on these pages but none of us really know what?s going on inside the offices at Goodison Park. The same with Moyes?s contract situation. What I can do is offer my humble opinion of what?s happening with the team selection. I think Moyes has lost the bottle he had in his early years and is taking the cowards way out. For this reason, I feel that his contract offer should be put on ice to see if his heart still remains at the club and that he can start making decisions that he is well paid to make.

During the painful match on Sat, I challenge anyone to admit that they thought the 5 man midfield was working. Neville was toiling and giving the ball away far too much. Fellaini was, to put it kindly, crap. I think the wind was out of his sails with the early (incorrect) booking and he was scared of being red-carded. I?m prepared to give him time but he should have been withdrawn in this match. For me it was a simple half time change to remove both players and replace them with Castillo (my man of the match against Liege) and Saha. The fact that Moyes didn?t, convinced me that the man has lost his bottle.

I label him a coward because, again in my opinion, he?s ducking the hard decisions he needs to make when picking a team. I don?t know what goes on during the week and whose available but I think with a full squad he should be doing the following:

• Right back ? tell Neville and Hibbert that they are playing for this one position. Put Hibbert?s mind at rest by saying the captain?s armband will not guarantee Pip a game. The man in form plays. I?d also be on the lookout in January for a quality RB that fulfils the best parts of each of these players game, without their obvious weaknesses.
• Left Back ? the real conundrum. I feel he plays Lescott there not only because he did so well last season, but because he is too scared to drop a centre-half. Without Pienaar in front of him, Lescott has been very poor this season. The man doesn?t want to play there and is not a specialised LB. I personally think this is ruining Leighton Baines?s career. I would immediately re-instate him as first choice LB. And he?d also have the brief to tak corners/free kicks that are in his left foot territory.
• Centre Half ? Two from Yobo, Lescott & Jagielka. And I?d start the next match with Jagielka plus one other. At least he tried at the weekend and was brilliant covering the others mistakes against Liege.
• Midfield ? I?d play Felliani and Castillo with two from Cahill, Arteta, Osman and Pienaar till the new guys bed in. They must also have the brief of receiving the ball from the centre halves by always making themselves available. Then perm 4 from all midfielders. If it?s not working in a game ? change it immediately.
• Up front ? Yak and Saha (if fit) with the young lads in reserve.

I would be on the lookout for further midfielders in January and also a goalkeeper. If we?re to progress, Howard needs to be taught to command his area as all class keepers do or be shipped out. I would also decide where Rodwell is going to play in the future ? school him in that position and loan him out for experience. Stop ruining his chances asking him to fill in too early in positions he?s not comfortable with.

I?d never, EVER, allow every man back for a corner/free kick. Ok, bring your big fellas back but what are Arteta and Osman going to provide in our own box ? Put them on the half-way line, 30 yards apart, to stretch their defence and provide an out ball to relieve pressure. And to keep at least 3 of the opposition on the half-way line.

You may or may not agree with me (and I?m sure you?ll let me know !) but I think these are easy decisions to make. I don?t feel we?ll win on Thursday ? I?d love to be proved wrong but I can?t see an established European side playing as naively as Metalist did last year. The game against Newcastle is a must win and it needs to be followed up with attacking formations against Arsenal and Manure.

I?ve been a fan of Moyes and all he?s done, but Saturday was one game too far for me. Same as Howard ? shape up or ship out.

You can abuse me if you wish for this ? I shan?t be responding ? but in my 45th year, I?m beginning to lose the enjoyment of going to watch Everton and that is very sad, especially after the promise of last year and the best day out that was Nuremburg.

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