FAN ARTICLES
Moyes needs a new assistant
By Peter Jones : 06/10/2008 : 
Comments (47) :
Ask yourself what exactly has changed since last season?
Carsley has gone and we all now appreciate just what a competent defensive midfielder he was.
Fellaini has come in and is clearly not the finished article. Hopefully he'll improve but I for one don't see him as a dominating defensive central midfielder. Comments (47) : So do those two factors explain the disastrous start to the season? Surely not. Is it Moyes's dithering on the contract?
I doubt it - once the players cross the line the last thing they are going to be thinking of is whether DM signs his contract. No, I think the more significant factor is the introduction of Steve Round as first team coach. Players who we know are fine players seem to have playing with doubts in their minds. Most notably Joleon Lescott seems to be making consistently poor decisions,Yobo's game has become littered with errors. I don't think I ve ever seen a period, in the time that I've been watching Everton, when there have been so many instances of opposition players running unmarked in our penalty area.
Surely, of all the areas in a football team, the defence is the one which can be worked on in training to ensure that it functions correctly.The nature of a teams defence is to react to situations created by opposition players, i.e. crosses from either wing , passes over the top, passes through the middle to attackers feet, midfielders running from deep. All are situations you see in every game and a defence MUST know how it is going to react in each situation,i.e. who is going to pick up who,who is going to mark which particular area of space in the box.
Those collective reactions of a defence must be worked on over and over and over again on the training ground so that each member of the defence knows exactly what his role is in any given situation and reacts automatically without having to think what he should be doing.
I always remember hearing George Graham say that that above all was what he worked on as a manager - traning his defence on the training ground and ensuring that it was drilled into them what positions they should take up. He laid the foundations of one of the great back fours of recent years Adams, Keown, Winterburn and Dixon.
Its on the training ground that great defences are made not in the heat of battle - the Romans learnt that truth many years ago and built an Empire on strength of it.
So to conclude, my view is that the performance of the defence has been so bad this year that there is only one explanation as to why it must be failing and that must be a failure on someone's part to properly train the defence. Is that Moyes's failure or his first team coach's. Given that we've never had a problem in recent years it seems to be the latter's.
If this is the problem then perhaps we should bring in a coach who works solely with the defence - perhaps Alan Stubbs should be promoted to the role sooner rather than later.
Reader Comments
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I totally agree with your post. My Dad and I came to this after the Liege game when we asked what has changed since last season. I hate to point the finger at a man who doesn?t pick the team or play for the team but he doesn?t have the best record.
Newcastle brought him in under Sam Allardyce the start of newcastles downfall... and with Steve McClaren at England, dark days that our national team are still recovering from.
And now Everton! We all know how that's started.
Newcastle brought him in under Sam Allardyce the start of newcastles downfall... and with Steve McClaren at England, dark days that our national team are still recovering from.
And now Everton! We all know how that's started.
The assistant I would get rid of is Chris Woods. He was a poor goalkeeper and he is an even worse coach. I for one have little faith in him ? bring back Nev as coach and replace Howard at the same time.
Erm, you point out Round as the only difference from last season and go head long into a moan about the way the team play yet in no way can you substantiate the connection despite the length of the post. How do you know it is the result of Round and not that the two coincide (tenuously)? It seems Moyes of course is going to stay so what’s this? Shifting attention to another person to blame? After all, he’s new, he’s come from Newcastle, worked with Steve McClaren, and his last name is a bit silly if you want to think about it too hard. It could just be that we’re a bit shit at the moment...
As for Chris Woods being a poor goal keeper... yeah right. Only kept out of the England team by Peter Shilton and second choice at a time when England had a fair share of very very good goal keepers... as for his coaching ability, Martyn and Howard have been excellent for us even if Howard is a bit dodgy this season.
As for Chris Woods being a poor goal keeper... yeah right. Only kept out of the England team by Peter Shilton and second choice at a time when England had a fair share of very very good goal keepers... as for his coaching ability, Martyn and Howard have been excellent for us even if Howard is a bit dodgy this season.
Chris Woods is definitely a great goalkeeping coach.
Steve Round as an assistant on the other hand...................is neither a good assistant, nor a good coach.
My cat could do a better job of sorting the coaching out than that pile of steaming dog turd. Terrible record, terrible coach.
Steve Round as an assistant on the other hand...................is neither a good assistant, nor a good coach.
My cat could do a better job of sorting the coaching out than that pile of steaming dog turd. Terrible record, terrible coach.
How the fuck does anyone know Round is shite. Have any of you trained under him?
Love it; talk about clutching at straws!!
Love it; talk about clutching at straws!!
It may be a bit harsh to blame Steve Round but just look at the evidence, how can a good team that does so well in Europe last season go on to do so poor in such a short period of time? I live in the northeast and have listened to the comments from both Middlesbrough and Newcastle fans, they were both glad to see the back off him. Also hands up who has seen this type of play before. REMIND YOU OF ENGLAND PERHAPS!!!! Name the link.
David, first of all watch your language lad.
Secondly, it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together with regards to Round.
His tenure at England for instance the defence and the goalkeeper didn’t have a clue what they were doing. His tenure at Middlesborough and they concede a record number of goals for the season.
His tenure at Newcastle and what was a confident defence fall to pieces and fall into the relegation zone.
His tenure at Everton, the defence goes from a confident defence leaking little to no goals a game to a bunch of headless chickens.
You do the maths lad.......it’s not hard.
Secondly, it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together with regards to Round.
His tenure at England for instance the defence and the goalkeeper didn’t have a clue what they were doing. His tenure at Middlesborough and they concede a record number of goals for the season.
His tenure at Newcastle and what was a confident defence fall to pieces and fall into the relegation zone.
His tenure at Everton, the defence goes from a confident defence leaking little to no goals a game to a bunch of headless chickens.
You do the maths lad.......it’s not hard.
Round’s influence is probably one factor amongst many, but again, it might just be a case of the players getting used to him in the way that new players need to "bed in".
The only point in the original post that I would strongly disagree with is having Alan Stubbs anywhere near EFC again in any capacity whatsoever (even if he has sold all his shares in Pro-Active - which I doubt)
The only point in the original post that I would strongly disagree with is having Alan Stubbs anywhere near EFC again in any capacity whatsoever (even if he has sold all his shares in Pro-Active - which I doubt)
I suppose Steve Round was to blame for the absolute dross we served up halfway through last season until the end of the season?
I thought I heard all the excuses...cars, refs, ducks gone barefoot...but this one is ridiculous..
How about this one lads...WE ARE JUST NOT VERY GOOD...managerially or in terms of player quality ..AND WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE WE DON’T...
Rocket science eh!
I thought I heard all the excuses...cars, refs, ducks gone barefoot...but this one is ridiculous..
How about this one lads...WE ARE JUST NOT VERY GOOD...managerially or in terms of player quality ..AND WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE WE DON’T...
Rocket science eh!
Ciaran, regardless of how we played we still churned out results and our defence was rock solid.
Do you have another explaination for what’s gone on this season defensively so far, cause I don’t......
Do you have another explaination for what’s gone on this season defensively so far, cause I don’t......
We didn’t churn out results at the end of last season. We lost games and threw away 4th spot...
Whats wrong this season defensively?
Lescott played out of position..jags treated like he’s god when he’s a liability...and baines not even given a chance.
oh aye, and Howard being a calamity...which he didnt really get the chance to do last season...because the defence played out of their skins.
Whats wrong this season defensively?
Lescott played out of position..jags treated like he’s god when he’s a liability...and baines not even given a chance.
oh aye, and Howard being a calamity...which he didnt really get the chance to do last season...because the defence played out of their skins.
There is no doubt the we have serious problems with our defence and midfield and we better fix them quick or we will be fighting relegation (IMO); but the following stats also credit this opinion:
Last season we finished 5th with a goals against ratio in the premiership of 1.15 for the 38 games played.
The 06/07 season prior we finished 6th with a goals against ratio of 1.05
Up to now in this season we have played 7 games and have a goals against ratio of 2.14
Last seasons relegated teams had the following goals against ratios:
Birmingham: 62 goals against = 1.63
Reading: 66 goals against = 1.73
Derby: 89 goals against = 2.34
Like I say, we need to find some solutions or it will be a cold miserable season for all of us.
Last season we finished 5th with a goals against ratio in the premiership of 1.15 for the 38 games played.
The 06/07 season prior we finished 6th with a goals against ratio of 1.05
Up to now in this season we have played 7 games and have a goals against ratio of 2.14
Last seasons relegated teams had the following goals against ratios:
Birmingham: 62 goals against = 1.63
Reading: 66 goals against = 1.73
Derby: 89 goals against = 2.34
Like I say, we need to find some solutions or it will be a cold miserable season for all of us.
To be honest unless David Moyes has an assistant with tactical experience or fresh ideas then we’re not going to move forward. One of my ongoing criticisms of David Moyes as been his tactical inflexibility ! If a new manager was appointed then they would change all the assistants so we have to make do with what we’ve got at the moment until there are major changes in the boardroom...
In a previous post I went over most of the above criticsm of Round.
His history indicates a cautious man to whom a scoreless draw is counted as a success and who’s mantra is use the quickest route to get the ruddy ball as far as possible away from our goal.
Could almost be a description of Moyes don’t ya think.
His history indicates a cautious man to whom a scoreless draw is counted as a success and who’s mantra is use the quickest route to get the ruddy ball as far as possible away from our goal.
Could almost be a description of Moyes don’t ya think.
Nice one ciaran well explained.
So Lescott playing in position in the first two games was any better was it?
I bet you were one of the ones who was saying that he should be playing at left back when he had a shocker in those first two games. Now that he’s there and he’s playing more stinkers you all want him back in defence. It’s obvious the lad was doing something right last season but he obviously has lost some confidence this season, I can only put this down to the new assistant manager not knowing how to handle players, or the manager not dealing with his players either.
Think about it.
So Lescott playing in position in the first two games was any better was it?
I bet you were one of the ones who was saying that he should be playing at left back when he had a shocker in those first two games. Now that he’s there and he’s playing more stinkers you all want him back in defence. It’s obvious the lad was doing something right last season but he obviously has lost some confidence this season, I can only put this down to the new assistant manager not knowing how to handle players, or the manager not dealing with his players either.
Think about it.
Peter, i think this is a very good post. Since needed a number 2 and Steve Round was linked with us, i saw from my research, that he has had an awful record everywhere he has been. Personally i would have liked to have seen Stubbs and Holden as DM’s new assistants.
Some people blame everybody but the people responsible. Can’t you see that too many of our players aren’t very good and those that are have been playing below par.
Our manager wrote the book on defensive coaching and wont be ideally standing by whilst Round fucks it all up-will he? The players are not listening or are incapable of sticking to their tasks.Too many of the goals conceded this season have been down to lapses in concentration.
Our manager wrote the book on defensive coaching and wont be ideally standing by whilst Round fucks it all up-will he? The players are not listening or are incapable of sticking to their tasks.Too many of the goals conceded this season have been down to lapses in concentration.
Brian,
Lescott is NOT a left back...I don’t really understand what you’re getting at.
Lescott is NOT a left back...I don’t really understand what you’re getting at.
How any of you can say Chris Woods is a good coach is beyond me.
The guy is a complete joke who keeps his job by being a yes man (in a way that Big Nev could never be).
Look at the facts. No goalkeeper has improved under his tutorish. That includes several next big things (Simonson, Dickie etc).
When you watch him with the keepers before the game (and this was especially true of Dickie) he allows them to make very basic errors...wrong hand position to catch the ball in front of them, catching the ball in front of the face for collecting crosses which takes away the keepers advantage of using his hands.
Tim Howard is clearly a good player with natural ability who is going through some form of crisis of confidence. If he is not coaxed out of this slump then he may turn into a liability that needs replacing. I very much doubt if Woods has the charisma or know how to do it on his own.
The guy is a complete joke who keeps his job by being a yes man (in a way that Big Nev could never be).
Look at the facts. No goalkeeper has improved under his tutorish. That includes several next big things (Simonson, Dickie etc).
When you watch him with the keepers before the game (and this was especially true of Dickie) he allows them to make very basic errors...wrong hand position to catch the ball in front of them, catching the ball in front of the face for collecting crosses which takes away the keepers advantage of using his hands.
Tim Howard is clearly a good player with natural ability who is going through some form of crisis of confidence. If he is not coaxed out of this slump then he may turn into a liability that needs replacing. I very much doubt if Woods has the charisma or know how to do it on his own.
Moyes has the best defensive coach at his disposable, Alan Stubbs he’s been there and done it, played under Moyes and more importantly has blue blood running through his veins, also good shout for Southall goalkeeping coach
I think that the loss of Carsley cant be underestimated. When we qualified for the Champions League, but lost Carley for much of the season, we were shocking, once he returned and was almost everpresent, we improved and with that improvement came defensive solidity.
As for coaches, it is obvious that the areas where they should be making a positive impact are areas where we are underperforming. At the back there seems to be one shocker after another, its as if the players dont know what they are supposed to be doing, how else can you explain for example the number of own goals so far this year? I am pleased to see Baines being given a shot, but am worried by the form of Howard and i remain a Jagielka sceptic, he plays well for 80% of the time but the other 20% can and has cost us.
The other area we stink at this season is set pieces, both sides of them. We cant defend them and we cant do anything positive with our own. Most of our corners are headed away by defenders or caught by goal keepers and there seems little invention in our free kicks.
I dont know if Woods and Round are to blame, but Round especially doesnt seem to have a great track record, so maybe there is some truth there.
What ever it is, I can only hope that we get it sorted out soon, or this is going to be a very long and painful season.
As for coaches, it is obvious that the areas where they should be making a positive impact are areas where we are underperforming. At the back there seems to be one shocker after another, its as if the players dont know what they are supposed to be doing, how else can you explain for example the number of own goals so far this year? I am pleased to see Baines being given a shot, but am worried by the form of Howard and i remain a Jagielka sceptic, he plays well for 80% of the time but the other 20% can and has cost us.
The other area we stink at this season is set pieces, both sides of them. We cant defend them and we cant do anything positive with our own. Most of our corners are headed away by defenders or caught by goal keepers and there seems little invention in our free kicks.
I dont know if Woods and Round are to blame, but Round especially doesnt seem to have a great track record, so maybe there is some truth there.
What ever it is, I can only hope that we get it sorted out soon, or this is going to be a very long and painful season.
The results and all the foregoing comments, suggest that Round is no good. We were doing better when DM had no Assistant!!! Even better before his previous Assistant went to take over at Preston! Come back Mr Irvine PLEASE. Everton & DM need you very badly indeed.
What I’m getting at is this......
Lescott played superbly at left back for much of last season.
Put him in central defence for the first two games of this season and he had a shocker. Many, many fans at the Blackburn game were saying he should be back at left back.
The games he has played at left back he’s not played as well as he did last season, now those same voices are coming out and saying he should be back in central defence.
The lad doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going, no wonder his confidence is shot to buggery.
Lescott played superbly at left back for much of last season.
Put him in central defence for the first two games of this season and he had a shocker. Many, many fans at the Blackburn game were saying he should be back at left back.
The games he has played at left back he’s not played as well as he did last season, now those same voices are coming out and saying he should be back in central defence.
The lad doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going, no wonder his confidence is shot to buggery.
Round - like Fellaini has’nt had time to unpack his bag yet, they may prove not to be any good, but its idiotic to blame these guys for the shambles we have become.
How can they legislate for the fucks ups the "Heros" have made recently ?
Arteta against the Shite, The Yak on Sunday, Pienaar on sunday . . . . .
This has gone on since the season started !
No team, No team in the world, can overcome their best players or their manager fucking up with such regularity
Stop blaiming the new boys, the rot set in long before any of them got here, the night we blew it in Florence
Moyes, Arteta, The Yak, Pienaar, Cahill, Lescot have all let us down when the chips are down this season.
Lets make the darlings more accountable before we blame the new boys
How can they legislate for the fucks ups the "Heros" have made recently ?
Arteta against the Shite, The Yak on Sunday, Pienaar on sunday . . . . .
This has gone on since the season started !
No team, No team in the world, can overcome their best players or their manager fucking up with such regularity
Stop blaiming the new boys, the rot set in long before any of them got here, the night we blew it in Florence
Moyes, Arteta, The Yak, Pienaar, Cahill, Lescot have all let us down when the chips are down this season.
Lets make the darlings more accountable before we blame the new boys
After listening to Lord Triesman talking about football finances today, maybe it’s not anything to do with training, the state of the club etc that is accounting for the dismal play by Everton - maybe it’s our illustrious squad being more concerned about their stocks, shares and investments as the credit crunches, to be too bothered about concentrating on the football - it’s only a game and they have to maximise their income for what is, reputedly, a limited career - poor darlings.....hahaha
alternatively,
Dave Wilson has a reasonable point, Round has only been around a while - just like Moyes, who’s only had six years or so, give him a chance ;0)
Dave Wilson has a reasonable point, Round has only been around a while - just like Moyes, who’s only had six years or so, give him a chance ;0)
Brian,
I think if you check your facts you’ll find that we won more games with lescott at centre half last season...than at left back...
He is not a left back..he was OK in that position..but it’s clearly not his natural position.And the suggestion that because he had two dodgy games in the centre at the start of teh season (whenever everybody on the pitch was dodgy)...is about as short sighted as they come...
In fact, for those two games he played in the centre, it was no coincidence that teh hapless jags was the supposed cover in the middle!
I still not sure what you’re are getting at...are you suggesting that Lescott should continue to be played out of position, while admitting that he ’doesnt know whether hes coming or going’...
if so, thats a pretty bizarre approach.
I think if you check your facts you’ll find that we won more games with lescott at centre half last season...than at left back...
He is not a left back..he was OK in that position..but it’s clearly not his natural position.And the suggestion that because he had two dodgy games in the centre at the start of teh season (whenever everybody on the pitch was dodgy)...is about as short sighted as they come...
In fact, for those two games he played in the centre, it was no coincidence that teh hapless jags was the supposed cover in the middle!
I still not sure what you’re are getting at...are you suggesting that Lescott should continue to be played out of position, while admitting that he ’doesnt know whether hes coming or going’...
if so, thats a pretty bizarre approach.
John I think you have a point however, I think the following points have probably had more of an affect than Round:
a summer transfer period of absolute dissapointment for the players as much as the fans;
a lot of our first team players not getting a full pre-season;
loads of injuries;
having to start to season with a bunch of kids;
loads of disruption at board and management level;
losing one of our most influential players (surely nobody would questions Carsley’s importance now);
a manager who has not yet signed a contract (i know you have said this but Moyes has admitted himself that it may have had a negative impact on the players);
having a crap start to the season, things going from bad to worse on the and having a notable affect on the teams confidence.
Of course, Round has to take part of the blame, then again, so does Moyes and so do the players.
a summer transfer period of absolute dissapointment for the players as much as the fans;
a lot of our first team players not getting a full pre-season;
loads of injuries;
having to start to season with a bunch of kids;
loads of disruption at board and management level;
losing one of our most influential players (surely nobody would questions Carsley’s importance now);
a manager who has not yet signed a contract (i know you have said this but Moyes has admitted himself that it may have had a negative impact on the players);
having a crap start to the season, things going from bad to worse on the and having a notable affect on the teams confidence.
Of course, Round has to take part of the blame, then again, so does Moyes and so do the players.
Peter on another note, we want 100m in return for Bill Kenwrights % share in everton football club. Maybe you and the other dragons could create your own consortium?
This effort to try to understand and rationalise what is going on at EFC is becoming boring now. Do you seriously think that anyone at EFC is interested in what we think? Do you think any of this matters to them? EFC can only send out clowns like Neville to talk about all the success we have had. Moyes says it’s perhaps his contract negotiations, then denies that they are having any effect. Kenwrong doesn’t say anything. EFC don’t care. The only thing that matters is the MONEY.
If fans want to seriously be heard by this lot of crettins then they should stop going to the matches. Keep your money in your pocket - not theirs.
If fans want to seriously be heard by this lot of crettins then they should stop going to the matches. Keep your money in your pocket - not theirs.
Martin Bartholomew. Spot on with Carsley.
Just look at his record.
Out injured; we're nearly relegated.
Played full season; we qualified for Europe.
Does anyone watch the fringe players? I know Tony Marsh mentioned a lad from Huyton, Molyenuex. Maybe he's the Steve McMahon type player we are looking for.
Just look at his record.
Out injured; we're nearly relegated.
Played full season; we qualified for Europe.
Does anyone watch the fringe players? I know Tony Marsh mentioned a lad from Huyton, Molyenuex. Maybe he's the Steve McMahon type player we are looking for.
Martin
"Stubbs has been there and done it and has blue blood running through his veins"?
What has Stubbs done exactly? Played for Bolton, Celtic and Everton ffs! Where is the international experience? Where are the numerous European campaigns he has been a part of? Where are the medals? Where are all of the successful teams he has previously coached?
I have got blue blood running through my veins but I can?t coach. And I didn?t smuggle Rooney out of the club in my car boot!
Stubbs is not the answer. Not sure Round is either but signs are not great at the moment. We should be aiming higher. All summer everyone was crying out for an experienced coach with a good knowledge of the European game. We didn?t get him. It may prove to be just as damaging as our pathetic transfer performance. This Summer is proving to be disastrous on so many counts it just makes you despair..... again.
"Stubbs has been there and done it and has blue blood running through his veins"?
What has Stubbs done exactly? Played for Bolton, Celtic and Everton ffs! Where is the international experience? Where are the numerous European campaigns he has been a part of? Where are the medals? Where are all of the successful teams he has previously coached?
I have got blue blood running through my veins but I can?t coach. And I didn?t smuggle Rooney out of the club in my car boot!
Stubbs is not the answer. Not sure Round is either but signs are not great at the moment. We should be aiming higher. All summer everyone was crying out for an experienced coach with a good knowledge of the European game. We didn?t get him. It may prove to be just as damaging as our pathetic transfer performance. This Summer is proving to be disastrous on so many counts it just makes you despair..... again.
Andy Burke
Good points.
The Premier League is so marginal now that a team has to be well organised and prepared.
The players have had very little time together in the current setup and I hope this international break gives us the opportunity for more bonding, more practice as a team and more time to get the internal politics sorted out.
Good points.
The Premier League is so marginal now that a team has to be well organised and prepared.
The players have had very little time together in the current setup and I hope this international break gives us the opportunity for more bonding, more practice as a team and more time to get the internal politics sorted out.
It is funny because, as I was watching the joke of a game against Newcastle, I was thinking that Round looked clueless; then I remembered an interview and he sounded cluesless... maybe in this case we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Although, I don?t think Round is the only problem ? just one of many at the moment!
I have posted on here numerous times about Round since his appointment.
His record is not good, he was also at Derby as well as Boro, bar codes and under Mclaren at national level.
He fits the Moyes mentality of. Don’t concede at any costs.
To the detriment of going out to win a game at any cost.
Moyes to my mind finished me off after the Chelsea home semi tie.
The way the team sat back and invited them on was suicide, and robbed us of a chance of going to Wembley.
They are both losers who suit each other down to the ground.
His record is not good, he was also at Derby as well as Boro, bar codes and under Mclaren at national level.
He fits the Moyes mentality of. Don’t concede at any costs.
To the detriment of going out to win a game at any cost.
Moyes to my mind finished me off after the Chelsea home semi tie.
The way the team sat back and invited them on was suicide, and robbed us of a chance of going to Wembley.
They are both losers who suit each other down to the ground.
I see the Moyes apologists have found their scapegoat to take all the blame off Moyes. I take it then, it must have been Round?s fault for our shite form after the Fiorentina game last season? Oh, hang on, he wasn?t here then was he?
God, some of you lads are full of bullshit. At least Round will feel at home working with Moyes, after working with one miserable, clueless manager in McClaren, he now has to work with another in Moyes.
Davey Moyes and Davey Moyes only is responsible for the tactics at Everton. He tells the players what and when to do it. Fitness and other things will be left to the fitness coach?s. Steve Round will be there to discuss fresh ideas on coaching routines plays etc but ultimately it Moyes who must decide whether or not to implement them. If he thinks Round is talking out of his hoop then he should be told so IE "sorry Steve your talking out your hoop there young fellow me lad".
What else does Moyes have to do all day except wonder how he?s ever going to cope on £65,000 a week, poor thing. Peter mentions George Graham in his article, now there?s a tactician for you, don?t think he?d play second fiddle though. "1 nillllll to the Everton" has a ring to it!
Totally agree with the criticism of Chris Woods, how many goalies are we going to allow him to ruin? Numerous keepers have come in under his tenure as goalkeeping coach and all have gone backwards quickly, not one has been taught to communicate with his defenders and to command the area and they have all stuck to their line, terrified to come for anything. He was a dodgy keeper and is a second rate coach, he should be replaced ASAP with someone who can instill confidence in promising keepers, come home Big Nev.
The major difference between this season and last is the revolving adverts. Since they were installed we have got only one point. The revolving boards are distracting and get in the defenders eyeline. They have sudden changes from blue to red and added to this factor we have the replays on the big screen. The player miss a goal by inches at one end and concede at the other. This is because they are all looking up at the screen to see if their hair looks nice. Of course it could be that we spent all summer resting on our laurels while Hull City were getting Giovanni and Wigan Zaki...
It's very easy to be pessimistic and there's a danger I?m going to sound just that but I think we miss Lee Carsley and Alan Irvine equally. The team needs a good shake up. Personally I hope Moyes stays but he does need to improve. I agree with all the other people saying Chris Woods simply has not delivered, I don?t see how anyone can argue otherwise. As for Steve Round, well his track record is dreadful, there's no doubt about that and either he is very unlucky to have been the coach to so many failing teams or he is what we suspect, not good enough.
All great managers have great back room teams starting with the first team coach and we were clearly better with AI than Steve Round. Even old red nose Fergie needs a good number two and he is smart enough to recognise the difference between the good and the bad.
So, in summary, our dreadful start to the season is not the fault of one person but many; it starts with Moyes, flows through to Round and Woods and on to the players. It will be an interesting test of Moyes to see if he has the nous and the guts to get rid of Round and Woods. Don?t hold your breath!
All great managers have great back room teams starting with the first team coach and we were clearly better with AI than Steve Round. Even old red nose Fergie needs a good number two and he is smart enough to recognise the difference between the good and the bad.
So, in summary, our dreadful start to the season is not the fault of one person but many; it starts with Moyes, flows through to Round and Woods and on to the players. It will be an interesting test of Moyes to see if he has the nous and the guts to get rid of Round and Woods. Don?t hold your breath!
I assume all the people slagging Woods have seen his coaching in action are able to offer a full analysis of his methods. One possible explanation for Howard's poor form is actually nothing to do with Woods and just the fact he is an average 'keeper and no more.
Big Nev was a great keeper so should be 'keeping coach .... great idea, why not make Ratcliffe manager as he was great as well once.
All you need to do is look at Steve Round’s past clubs, Middlesborough, McLaren’s England and Newcasle, says it all
The point I was hoping to make was, it was not another defensive minded assistant who would add more support for Moyes own cautious ideas. What we really needed was someone to assist Moyes with his weakness in the attacking half.
Just some stats to compare:-
Last 7 Lge games of 07/08
W-2, D-2, L-3, Pts=8
First 7 Lge games of 08/09
W-2, D-2, L-3, Pts=8
Not sure what all that means but I?m pretty sure its not as easy as blaming the lack of Carsley who played all 7 games at end of last season or Steve Round who wasn?t with the club then!
Last 7 Lge games of 07/08
W-2, D-2, L-3, Pts=8
First 7 Lge games of 08/09
W-2, D-2, L-3, Pts=8
Not sure what all that means but I?m pretty sure its not as easy as blaming the lack of Carsley who played all 7 games at end of last season or Steve Round who wasn?t with the club then!
I believe that we have a great set of players at Everton.
I believe that they are capable.
I believe that the key reason for poor performances and negative tactics lay fair and square on the shoulders of the manager.
He does not believe.
Our players lack confidence, they do not ?believe? in themselves, you can see it in almost every game that we play.
Our manager is so negative, and I am not just talking of his tactics on the field. Yes we had injuries to two or three players ? that leaves 8 or 9 to do the job.
How do you think they must feel when the manager, during an interview on TV prior to the game, implies that ?we will have to make do with what we have as, as unlike the big four we cannot afford to buy the best?.
If you were one of the remaining 8 or 9, how would you feel?
I don?t know about the players, but I am sick and tired of hearing this dour scot putting the team down at every interview he gives. ?we are not in the same league as the big four and a position of 6th or 7th at the end of the season would do for us?. Yeah right! It may be for you, you miserable sod, but it?s not good enough for the fans or, more importantly the players.
All of the great managers (past and present) believe in their players and as a result get the best out of them.
We are blessed with a manager who has little to no motivational skills, little to no tactical skills, little to no sense of humour. No wonder we did not capture any of the targets we were supposedly linked with at the start of the season. Yet players were falling over themselves to go to teams like; Liverpool, Spurs, Wigan, Portsmouth, Man. United, Man. City, Aston Villa.
That young lad from Cardiff (his name escapes me) was courted firstly by Everton and much later, when the deal should have been finalized anyway, chose Arsenal. Wenger had him flown over to the South of France to ?chat? with him. It would not surprise me to hear that if Everton did talk to him it was in a lorry driver?s greasy spoon just outside Cardiff ? Who would you have picked?
If you think negatively (ala Moyes) you will get negative results and reactions.
This is not an opinion based on recent results. It is one that I have held for the past four seasons.
I believe that they are capable.
I believe that the key reason for poor performances and negative tactics lay fair and square on the shoulders of the manager.
He does not believe.
Our players lack confidence, they do not ?believe? in themselves, you can see it in almost every game that we play.
Our manager is so negative, and I am not just talking of his tactics on the field. Yes we had injuries to two or three players ? that leaves 8 or 9 to do the job.
How do you think they must feel when the manager, during an interview on TV prior to the game, implies that ?we will have to make do with what we have as, as unlike the big four we cannot afford to buy the best?.
If you were one of the remaining 8 or 9, how would you feel?
I don?t know about the players, but I am sick and tired of hearing this dour scot putting the team down at every interview he gives. ?we are not in the same league as the big four and a position of 6th or 7th at the end of the season would do for us?. Yeah right! It may be for you, you miserable sod, but it?s not good enough for the fans or, more importantly the players.
All of the great managers (past and present) believe in their players and as a result get the best out of them.
We are blessed with a manager who has little to no motivational skills, little to no tactical skills, little to no sense of humour. No wonder we did not capture any of the targets we were supposedly linked with at the start of the season. Yet players were falling over themselves to go to teams like; Liverpool, Spurs, Wigan, Portsmouth, Man. United, Man. City, Aston Villa.
That young lad from Cardiff (his name escapes me) was courted firstly by Everton and much later, when the deal should have been finalized anyway, chose Arsenal. Wenger had him flown over to the South of France to ?chat? with him. It would not surprise me to hear that if Everton did talk to him it was in a lorry driver?s greasy spoon just outside Cardiff ? Who would you have picked?
If you think negatively (ala Moyes) you will get negative results and reactions.
This is not an opinion based on recent results. It is one that I have held for the past four seasons.
Can we nail this myth, that Alan Stubss has blue blood in his veins, once and for all.
He left twice for money, once walking out on his "boyhood club?s? first brush with the CL, fatally undermining it with his post-cancer whinge when Sunderland were at Anfield, then having got through the group stage of the Uefa Cup and looking like having an extended run, he was off again. And again for money, to as good-as-down Derby who offered him 18 months.
Drags himself through pre-season, limps off in their opener last August and gets paid up another year on the insurance. The king of the Bosman also left celtic on a free after they gave him an extra yea on his deal, and the fans raised monies for him, to get over his testicular cancer. ?Don?t you think you owe the club a year, Alan?? asked the Glasgow press pack.
?How could I ever repay celtic?? was his reply. Er, by signing for another year and allowing them to get a fee, you greedy bastard.
Don?t get me started on his role in the Rooney move and his Proactive shares.
And he?s now with our youth players. Absolutely sickening.
He left twice for money, once walking out on his "boyhood club?s? first brush with the CL, fatally undermining it with his post-cancer whinge when Sunderland were at Anfield, then having got through the group stage of the Uefa Cup and looking like having an extended run, he was off again. And again for money, to as good-as-down Derby who offered him 18 months.
Drags himself through pre-season, limps off in their opener last August and gets paid up another year on the insurance. The king of the Bosman also left celtic on a free after they gave him an extra yea on his deal, and the fans raised monies for him, to get over his testicular cancer. ?Don?t you think you owe the club a year, Alan?? asked the Glasgow press pack.
?How could I ever repay celtic?? was his reply. Er, by signing for another year and allowing them to get a fee, you greedy bastard.
Don?t get me started on his role in the Rooney move and his Proactive shares.
And he?s now with our youth players. Absolutely sickening.
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1 Posted 07/10/2008 at 06:13:22
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My own wish would be to get a new attack-minded coach and a defensive No 2