ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Seconds out Round 4

Congratulations to the blues for getting a well earned point last night, but I am a little dissapointed that we didn't take all three. Not because our performance deserved it, but due to the fact that we have lost ground on those we are chasing. This makes the Arsenal game even more important and if we lose that game then our chances of finishing higher than sixth are slim.

Which brings me to David Moyes, what will he do on Sunday? Seeing as he got the lads to work their socks off for 90+ minutes without substituting any player, it is my guess that a couple of players may well sit out the FA Cup tie on Sunday. I'm not sure if I agree with this possible strategy as the Cup is our only chance of silverware and it does offer the prospect of Europe to the winners.

Also as it seems likely that no new faces will be joining the squad, would it not be appropriate to go all out for the Cup as our league position is unlikely to be very different come May. Ideally we should play our strongest team every week in every competition. But would it not be better to go for something that is attainable rather than hope results between now and the end of the season start to go in our direction?
Anthony Dyer, North West Posted 20/01/2009 at 16:55:56

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Erik Dols
1 Posted 21/01/2009 at 07:42:47

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I favour the one-game-at-a-time approach at this point. Let’s see if we can beat the RS come sunday. After that we have a couple of very difficult league games. For all those games I expect us to play our strongest possible team. I guess we really should wait to after those games to start discussing about what should get our priority.

Alan Clarke
2 Posted 21/01/2009 at 08:29:45

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There is far more glory in winning the cup than there is in finishing 5th or 6th. We are doing well at the moment but our squad is very small and one more injury or suspension could totally fuck up our league position. The FA Cup is our best chance of any glory. This Sunday is by far our biggest game this season and Moyes should be doing everything possible to make sure we win. I know it’s not a realistic choice but I would take a victory against the RS on Sunday over victories against Arsenal and Man U.

iain love
3 Posted 21/01/2009 at 09:35:25

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What can Moyes do ? You all saw our bench the other night, really he has no option but to field the same team, Yobo in for ???? thats about it.
As for importance league against cup ! Erik said it take each game as it comes, even if we beat Liverpool nowing our luck we’d get Manure away in the next round plus the size of our squad dictates we cant sustain a cup run as well as the league
We could wait for the injuries to clear up but really the Yak is out for the season and both Vaughan and Saha are made of Balsa wood .
Final point after the cup game we have Arsenal within days ,

Michael Hunt
4 Posted 21/01/2009 at 10:07:15

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Worry not fine fellows (barring even more atrocious injuries!) as last season the AFCoN robbed 4 of our squad (incl. 3 key regular starters) and we had the UEFA Cup too, with the traveling to Norway and Italy that that entailed. This time no AFCoN (fkn great!) and no UEFA Cup (bollox!) Also, Cars was a key player but his engine was wearing out...Big Fella’s engine is only wearing in, I see his influence will become ever greater as the season wears on.
I predict (mugs game I know) two games to reach round 5 (draw Sunday then knock out the RS at GP...revenge for the embarrassing goodison derby :-)) Then win through to Wembley final (we’re well overdue some luck in the Cup!) at seasons end....gotta bag a tinpot this decade!!
Yak not back and Saha to be sicknote, but ’new knee Vaughany’ to score in victory!
Now wheres me lotto ticket??

Alan Clarke
5 Posted 21/01/2009 at 11:00:39

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Iain, you know as well as I do that Moyes has a very poor cup record and has not prioritised it as long as he’s been at Everton. This is the first time in 4 seasons that we’ve actually made the 4th round. Moyes has opted to play the youth and 2nd string in the past which has cost us. He does have options to change things if he wants to prioritise the league.

I think playing the RS might be a good thing because Moyes has to prioritise this game because it’s them and the fans would crucify him if he didn’t.

Nick Wall
6 Posted 21/01/2009 at 13:39:58

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"we have lost ground on those we are chasing" - this is only true if those teams go to Anfield and win. You’ve got to compare like with like.