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Suspensions

So Stevie Pienaar is out for the Villa game; this is a blow in my opinion, we were poor without him at the start of the season. I honestly thought Cahill's yellow was his fifth last night I must've been wrong, is he now on 4?

How many and which players do we have on 3 or 4 yellows as suspensions on our main players could kill us? What rotations, formations and swaps would fellow blues do as are season reaches the autumn stage to ensure freshness, quality and cover for inevitable suspensions/injuries.

ps: Will Ashley Young still be suspended for the cup game or have those jammy Villains got him back for it?
Mike Jennings, L4 Posted 05/02/2009 at 10:51:10

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Andy Crooks
1 Posted 05/02/2009 at 23:53:52

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Pienaar has played well and tried hard this season. Last night he was poor. Also, take those fucking stupid gloves off.

Alan Kirwin
2 Posted 06/02/2009 at 00:13:12

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Mike, I think in all likelihood Pienaar would have been missing or doubtful anyway. Looked to me as though he jarred his standing knee when accidentally colliding with Lucas.

Pienaar is great for us, but we have got so used to making do without key players that I think we’ll cope. The two kids both look more than capable and I for one would not balk at bringing AVDM in. Also if Jo shapes up in training then we’ll have other options.

Villa are the sperm of the devil and it can’t last for ever. They are due for a comeuppance and we deserve to give it to them.

Jason Broome
3 Posted 06/02/2009 at 00:42:02

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Well said, Alan.

Stuart Duncan
4 Posted 06/02/2009 at 03:31:22

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Jo is cup-tied for the Villa game.

We do as we always do. Use what we have.

Matthew Salem
5 Posted 06/02/2009 at 05:15:36

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I too think Shandy Andy may be an interesting replacement for Peanuts (for the Villa game). Like the latter he is fast as fuck, has a good touch and as we can see crosses sweetly. If Moysey is willing to forgive him and give him another chance, I can do the same. Gosling deserves to start a game. I have been saying this for weeks and I think many of us agree now after his goal against the shite.

Ah, managing my beloved toffees from the armchair, fun is it not?

Dave Wilson
6 Posted 06/02/2009 at 06:24:30

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You raise an interesting point Mike, been worrying about this myself.
I agree we have been wonderfully resourceful when it comes to copping without key personnel, but we were literally down to the bare bones on Wednesday, we may cope with a suspension, but what if more than one man is suspended at the same time?

David Beckham once deliberately got himself booked, he looked at the options and decided which game he would be banned for, he simply kicked the ball away at the appropriate moment, got his yellow and guaranteed he was available for the games he felt he needed to play in

I know Moyes and the boys are making a concerted effort to do the right thing and this sort of "tactic" isn't the Everton way, but . . . .

Alan Clarke
7 Posted 06/02/2009 at 08:38:41

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Cahill is now one booking away from suspension. The card amnesty is the end of February. He could probably do with the rest anyway.

Matt Bone
8 Posted 06/02/2009 at 08:51:23

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Think Arteta, Cahill and Lescott are all on 4 bookings and Pienaar now on 5. With a game against a physical Botlon team this weekend we are bound to pick up more bookings. I agree Pienaar looked injured and would probably miss a week or two anyway. Fellaini is also doubtful for this weekend and not sure the extent of his injury. Looks like Gosling will start.

Also, Young has served his ban now and will be available for the 5th round.

Gavin Ramejkis
9 Posted 06/02/2009 at 09:47:14

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Matthew - AVDM is not fast as fuck, not sure what you saw the other night but apart from the cross he didn’t manage to race past anyone or win a ball back from them either.

Either way Gosling or Rodwell are available in a midfield berth either from the kickoff or bench, would say Gosling has better pace than ADVM and don’t forget AVDM has yet to play a full 90 mins for the first team after how many years?

Duncan McDine
10 Posted 06/02/2009 at 14:30:06

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You obviously don’t fuck as fast as you should do Matthew!!! If Shandy Andy is our answer to Ashley Young’s pace, then God help us. Great cross, but looked well off the pace in every other aspect.

One of the most positive things that came out of Wednesday’s performance was the sheer class shown by Rodwell. I’ve given him stick in the past for his lack of determination and positioning... but he was so controlled on and off the ball and showed what a talent he is. I think both he and Gosling will fill in nicely when suspensions and injuries cause problems in the midfield.