ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Wednesday was great, but there must be more

While Wednesday night was a truly great result, I hope that this doesn't end up as the only highlight of the season.

Stating the obvious I know, but we only won the right to play in the next round of the cup. Yes, it was against Liverpool and the manner in which we won was a joy to watch, but let's not get carried away ? if anything it gives them too much credit! We should be thinking 'Yeah, we beat you, we deserved it, but we've got other things to worry about now, off you go and try and salvage your season'.

A red colleague of mine sulkily pointed out to me how amusing/pathetic he found our reaction, as if we'd won the cup, league and CL all in one. As typically churlish a kopite response as you're ever likely to hear after getting beat, but a tiny bit of it did nag me. He's right, in a strange way ? even though he'll never understand what we feel about the game and the club.

We had our moment on Wednesday, we lifted the Goodison roof off, we greeted a new hero, but let's now move on to the next moment, and let's not give them the satisfaction of thinking that beating them is the only thing that we care about. It's about beating Villa and trying to win the cup, and before that getting three points against Bolton, and the next three after that.

As good as this week has been, I want more, and I don't want this to to be 'it' for this season ? so let's make sure this is only one of many good things to look back on.

COYB
Chris Bailey, Liverpool Posted 06/02/2009 at 12:15:35

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Michael Kenrick

It was losing a game like that on penalties last season that did us in for months... let's hope that winning this one has the complete opposite effect and only takes us on to better things.

Paul Gladwell
1 Posted 06/02/2009 at 16:32:44

Load of shite, we celebrated no differently to how they would of, (although we are noisier) did you not see the cup final win reaction to their equaliser at their shithole? dont be fooled and certainly dont bite, they are more bitter than us these days, we have got right under there skin from the manager to the fans.

Ray Robinson
2 Posted 06/02/2009 at 16:36:18

I take your point entirely Chris and the defeat against West Ham in the Cup many years ago immediately after defeating Liverpool after the 4-4 draw amply illustrates your concern. However, even if we did underachieve during the rest of the season - which I don’t believe that we will do with this set of spirited players - no-one can ever take last Wednesday night’s result away from us. Like you though I want many more of those moments to remember.

marcus dawson
3 Posted 06/02/2009 at 16:48:17

I’m with Paul, we haven’t overblown it all, there’s a good feeling around our club at the moment and we’re entitled to celebrate, beating them hasn’t made our season, but it was a great night full of positives. I don’t care what they think or say, their ’proper’ fans know the score, it’s just they’re outnumbered by pot hunters and cockenywegians.

John House
4 Posted 06/02/2009 at 17:11:29

Change of subject I know, but has anyone seen DM’s interview on sky sports? When he was asked about big Vic he said absolutely nothing and then walked out!

Keith Glazzard
5 Posted 06/02/2009 at 17:17:18

While the psychology is vitally important (and should almost take care of itself) Wednesday was a bruising encounter and we can expect Bolton to be ’robust’ tomorrow. Pienaar is almost certainly out and the Big Fella gets a fitness test in the morning due to a back injury, which sounds worrying.

The OS, by the way, has Anichebe out injured with cause and return date both unknown.

Moyes has more or less said that Jo won’t start but may be brought on. So two of Gosling, Rodwell, Castillo and AvdM could be in the starting 11. Its vaguely possible that Yobo or Jacobsen could be involved in some way, but surely DM won’t tinker withe perhaps the best back 4 in the league.

Dave Roberts
6 Posted 06/02/2009 at 17:22:41

I have now watched the goal 217 times on the Official Website and I can now confirm it is the most boring goal in history. I can replay it touch for touch in my mind!

Roll on Saturday and Bolton. We have to stay focussed and not trot out still celebrating. I think we now need another great effort and another victory to talk about! There are 3 points to be won here and we have got to get them in the bag.

I love the the FA Cup but the league is our bread and butter and we have to finish as high as we can....hopefully in the top four.

Jason Broome
7 Posted 06/02/2009 at 18:13:39

Why are we so surprised?

Man United aside, is there a better defence in the country? All we need now is a midfield to match our ambitions.

We are not Yeovil and Wednesday wasn?t a giant killing. Enjoy the night, celebrate like those bastards did last year, but let?s not forget how good we?ve become!

We are not that far behind them when it comes to quality and it showed. The pieces are coming together albeit slowly and all we need is regular Champions League football and we’re a major threat again.

To be honest Liverpool, Man U and Arsenal are in more debt than we are and Arsenal face a ?Financial Armageddon? if they miss 4th.

The players, the club and the fans are on the same page, we are improving as a unit and now is the time to verbally (and financially) back the most sensible manager we?ve had since Kendall (phase 1).

Been waiting for an article like this. Nice!

John Burq
8 Posted 06/02/2009 at 18:09:21

@ John House

Do you have a link for that interview?

Chris Bailey
9 Posted 06/02/2009 at 18:32:16

Paul, Marcus - sorry lads, but I didn’t say we’ve overblown it at all, i’m not unhappy about the way we’ve celebrated - on the contrary i’m ecstatic and wouldn’t have it any other way!

Just saying that, having got under their skin, let’s just leave them to it. I will have fond memories of the game (and the aftermath) for a long time...but I don’t want it to be the defining moment of the season, that’s all i’m saying.

Tom Freestone
10 Posted 06/02/2009 at 18:41:11

I agree - Wednesday night was great, and we celebrated in style and with a passion that warmed the heart (something that many fans of may other clubs will not understand) but we’re big enough and good enough to chalk it up as a good result that we deserved but then move on to the next one.

I see this is as a positive article

Adam Wightman
11 Posted 06/02/2009 at 18:51:50

Great article. Just slightly off topic but i was just reading the break down of the fa cup finances

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/06/FACupPrizeFund

I didn?t realise we got quite so much for getting through each round or the games being on tv. Sorry, like i said a little off topic.

Paul Dennis
12 Posted 06/02/2009 at 19:08:04

Remember the way they celebrated at our place last season. That tosser at the back was jumping all over the place.

Kase Chow
13 Posted 06/02/2009 at 19:19:09

Agree with the overall sentiment I.e. Let?s push on from here.

I disagree with the analysis of the goal though: yes I?m biased but it has to be goal of the season contender... Ha ha! Am STILL buzzing!

Michael Hunt
14 Posted 06/02/2009 at 16:34:49

The cliche is right, the most important game is always the next one.
Beating Bolton after such exertions with short recovery time is a challenge the lads must rise to, Davey Moyes needs to pick the right team, as fresh legs are needed.
Beat Bolton and the momentum will build rapidly, as the lads will have a run of games against teams we should win. I’d go with:

----------------Howard--------------
Hibbo--Jags--Lescott-Baines
Gosling-Rodwell-Neville-Arteta
-----------------Cahill----------------
-------------------Jo-------------------

Subs: AVdM, Osman, Castillo, Anichebe, Yobo, Jacobsen, Nash.

Dan Adams
15 Posted 06/02/2009 at 20:25:52

@ Michael Hunt

Does Fellaini not even make the bench!!

Dave Roberts
16 Posted 06/02/2009 at 20:38:11

Arteta on the left? No way. He stays in the middle!

Neil Farrell
17 Posted 06/02/2009 at 21:33:16

I was thinking the other day about the signing of Jo. Where will he fit in? Who do we drop? What formation? What happens if (I know he?s not fit but next year) Yak plays?

4-4-2 Cahill can not play in this formation, as has been proved. 4-4-1-1 and which two play in center? Artetta and Neville or Screech?

I think as a side we are ready with such a solid back four to take the game to whoever a 4-3-1-2. With Arteta flanked by Neville and screech. Cahill behind Yak and Jo. Yes, no Osman or Pienaar but we keep solid defence, solid cent mid with Arteta pulling strings, Cahill backing up the front 2 which no one does better and playing the ball to feet feed the Yak and Jo.
Just a thought. What do you think? Who would you drop?

Gary Creaney
18 Posted 06/02/2009 at 22:23:32

Chris Bailey don’t be worrying about what your rs colleague said about celebrating. Fuck the lot of them. If they’d have scored in the 118th minute they’d have went nuts too. Its just the wankers trying to put a dampener on it fantastic and memorable win.

Also, the statement of 1 blue is worth 20 reds is so very true.
I live in Ireland and like 100% of Irish blues we are totally fanatical. However as everyone knows Ireland has a massive following of the rs and utd but the thing is a lot of these "fans" simply want to be associated with those clubs.
For example, I went in to work on Thursday and started talking to an rs colleague about the match. Jis first question to me was " what match was that". At first i thought he was being smug but it soon unravelled that he actually didn’t even know it was on. WHAT THE FUCK!! He also asked "were the playing again?" I also know another guy who started supporting the rs in the final of the 2005 champions league and he’s 24.

For all you scouse Evertonians, take no notice of a kopite gobshite trying to tell you about the massive support they have outside the region. I can categorically state that all blues are true blues but many reds are fraud supporters.

COYB!!
Lets get Jo onto the scoresheet tomorrow and further progress the bright futures of Rodwell and Danny Boy.

Sean Patton
19 Posted 06/02/2009 at 23:53:13

All on the Jo express versus the Trotters as he will come of the bench to grab the winner.

Ajay Gopal
20 Posted 07/02/2009 at 04:22:28

RE: Michael Hunt

No way Moyes is going to throw Jo in straight away. Jo?s got to earn his place. Osman will start behind Cahill; Jo may come in around the 75th minute (depending on the game situation).

Also Pienaar will start instead of Rodwell if he is not injured.

I think Fellaini and Anichebe don?t make the bench due to injury and pissing off the manager respectively.

AvdM, Jo, Rodwell, Castillo, Nash, Yobo, Jacobsen on the bench.

Thom Mo
21 Posted 08/02/2009 at 10:44:53

Its called "Sour grapes", if they can’t have it they say its not worth having. Just love every moment.