The Mail Bag
Pip
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After that superb night on Wednesday, it was great to see the club as one; no slating, just a club wrapped together ? players, manager and fans behaving as a club should. No bottle throwing, no moaning about decisions ? just being a credit to the name despite the fact we got limited credit for it. All in a game that Talk Sport southern idiots focused on two bad teams, not a team crippled with injuries and full of British players. The Daily Star seeing fit to have Derby's victory over Forest as their back page headlines just summed it all up for me.
Gosling and Rodwell in particular were superb and deserve all the plaudits but how about a big hand for our captain? The man has been knocked from pillar to post on this site and whilst some stick was justified a lot of it was not.
I have always had him down as a good full back and garbage in the middle, but how strange since he has been paired with a technically gifted partner that he is having IMHO his best spell in a blue shirt. His distribution has improved, he is breaking attacks up and is not giving a toss what big name player he is kicking into the stand. The man's attitude is first class, he has been spat at and punched by the "world's best fans", and has never moaned once. Just a nice rub of the badge in front of the horrible bastards was enough for him and in keeping with all things blue was a nice little touch of class ? something them across the park are seriously short of.
Paul Gladwell, Posted 06/02/2009 at 05:14:12
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Pip has been good for Everton since he’s arrived. I’m sure he’s taught a lot of proffesionalism to the other players, regardless of how well or how badly he has played.
I’m the first to point out the media bias against the blues to anyone who’ll listen but it may not be a conspiracy this time - our result was unknown at the print deadline time (later kick off, plus extra time, late goal etc) - every Thursday morning paper inc broadsheets had 0-0 (AET). So fair play, the Derby (Clough) result won through.
Plenty of examples of more subtle media bias out there, unfortunately. Jim Beglin describing Gwladys St as our equivalent of the Spion Kop! Liverpool force ’corners’ under attacking pressure, we do the same and they’re called ’set pieces’ (you know, the things lesser teams rely on to score). Mild, reluctant commentary on missile-throwing (imagine it was the other way round). Camera fixed on scarves-aloft Kopites for 5 mins before KO at Anfield, at Goodison - pans on Gerrard and Torres warming up and Kenny Dalgleish in the stands!
The truth most real fans of other clubs have grown to hate the RS as much as us. The singing of that song, the scarf holding, the hyping of average players and overlooking the shite ones all wind up fans from Wigan, to Newcastle, to Villa.
One thing we have to thank Moyes for is restoring dignity and class to the club ? something that is recognised by other clubs. For that we should salute him and ignore the crap we hear and see in the media.
But also I think the full-blooded aggression of his play really seems to have gone up a few notches. The famous tackle on Ronaldo was the first of many. On Wednesday, it was also great to see him showing real leadership with the ref and Fellaini, and being substituted with dignity and then continuing to be completely engaged from the bench.
Well done Phil!
Anyway, there is a TV shot of Moyes standing in the technical area, and STANDING ten feet behind him is our Captain. Not sitting down, not down the tunnel, but standing there with a determined look on his face. I say he organizes our defense like no other with that distinctive voice heard all over the park. He is fantastic. Gives it all for us, and is a credit to the Blue Shirt.
It's a testiment to his strength of character that he has come through it. I love the fact that he walks all the way up to thank the fans after away matches. He's playing better than I ever believed he was capable of... it's fucking great to be proved wrong sometimes.
I thought he was a poor centre midfielder but I?m starting to change my mind.
I still see him primarly as the best full back but hats off to hime, wherever in midfield,full back or centre half, he has always done his job, not fashionble but reliable
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1 Posted 19/01/2009 at 20:01:27
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Like players, dislike them... but after tonight each and every one deserves respect. They have battled with one of the Sky 4, away, and at no time except the miss by Torres looked anything other than at least equals. Their goal was a cracker.
But our heroes battled on and though some players get "loads" for tonight iI hope that each and every true Evertonian gets behind each and every player because unless you have seen something better then I believe we have just seen a great TEAM performance.
At the end it was just joy, a point at the tin mine, spoiling their chances, Rafa looking at his watch imploring more time, our players and the fans. The noise and to think that next week it will be a lot more of ours.
Tonight, let's enjoy!