The Mail Bag
Big, Big Game...
Comments (123)
Given Villa's result today, as well as Arsenal's draw at home, the Newcastle game tomorrow has turned into a game just a little bigger than it already was.
There is an opportunity here to make up some ground on both of them and, while we have some very important players missing, most notably Cahill, we do have Jo available.
Are Everton good enough to take advantage of the bad results of those immediately above us and make the top four more of a possibility? I think so, but it will be a nevous day tomorrow!
Come on Blues... make them all sit up and take note of a side most definitely on the up!
COME ON YOU BLUE BOYS!!
Dave Roberts, Posted 21/02/2009 at 17:55:17
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Villa not won in three. If they are to have the bad patch which apparently, and its not a cliche, all teams go through, this will be it.
A win tomorrow and we’re 8 points behind 4th.. exciting times folks
A win tomorrow and we’re 8 points behind 4th.. exciting times folks
I think we’ll get the win tomorrow, even with the injuries and suspensions we’ve got! im a bit mythed Dave to why you think it’ll be a nervous day tomorrow, i think the team will be looking forward to the up and coming games with the form we’ve been in in the last couple of months and will fancy are chances where ever we play at the moment, even with a depleted squad we still kick on and get results!
I don’t think the other results make any difference to us...I think the way we are playing of late changes everything. One result doesn’t make a season so regardless of what the other teams did today (or yesterday or tomorrow) I think everybody (from DM on down, including ALL blue supporters) will expect this to be a 3-pointer.
Normally I’d be nervous playing Newcastle away but I’m full of confidence tomorrow AND it’s on the tele too!!!!
Of course the results today help, no question about that but I don’t think it affects us in any kind of pressure/nervy/bad kind of way......and I think Steve is right, 3-1 sounds about right!
Just think of it....top four and FA Cup Winners!!
First of all, Newcastle 1 Everton 3
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Normally I’d be nervous playing Newcastle away but I’m full of confidence tomorrow AND it’s on the tele too!!!!
Of course the results today help, no question about that but I don’t think it affects us in any kind of pressure/nervy/bad kind of way......and I think Steve is right, 3-1 sounds about right!
Just think of it....top four and FA Cup Winners!!
First of all, Newcastle 1 Everton 3
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m relaxed about tomorrow. The redshite games and the Villa game were the ones when I as shitting myself, but tomorrow is one of the better (not saying easier) ones.
Unbelievable how you boys tempt fate in this way. Despite great form, any game can be a potential slip up, especially with so many injuries.
I?ll take any win, but take nothing for granted. The door has been left open (to 4th). If we do end up walking through it then great. But no predictions, please.
I?ll take any win, but take nothing for granted. The door has been left open (to 4th). If we do end up walking through it then great. But no predictions, please.
Unbelievable how you boys tempt fate in this way. Despite great form, any game can be a potential slip up, especially with so many injuries.
I’ll take any win, but take nothing for granted. The door has been left open (to 4th). If we do end up walking through it then great. But no predictions, please.
I’ll take any win, but take nothing for granted. The door has been left open (to 4th). If we do end up walking through it then great. But no predictions, please.
Steve Callaghan - I hope Andy vd Meyde starts the game. He has a point to prove and could supply Jo and (hopefully) Saha.
I would rather play Neville at RB with Castillo filling his midfield role.
We have cover, we have bottle, just hope Jo maintains the desire he showed us last week!
I would rather play Neville at RB with Castillo filling his midfield role.
We have cover, we have bottle, just hope Jo maintains the desire he showed us last week!
I think that tomorrow will be a very difficult game. I’m definitely nervous; things haven’t gone well for us at St. James in the last several years.
COYB!
COYB!
Van Der Meyde definitely to start in absence of Pienaar. We need a winger who has the class and ability to provide the right crosses into the box that I know he can do.
But if Yobo is good enough to play I foresee Moyes putting him back in, Lescott left back and Baines left midfield. Ah well..
Also prefer to see Castillo getting a game in!
But if Yobo is good enough to play I foresee Moyes putting him back in, Lescott left back and Baines left midfield. Ah well..
Also prefer to see Castillo getting a game in!
Jason, you’ve got to be having a laugh with AVDM. I really don’t get what anybody sees in this guy, he’s got an arse the size of Gerrads head and looks miles off the pace. Sure, bring him on with 5 mins left to provide a killer ball, but start him.! I don’t think so - he needs to fuck off back to Holland asap imo.
I know this was mentioned on an earlier thread but I have received this link from a mate in Oz.
Seems we could be off to China and Australia.
Bit of hike though!
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25079573-5003460,00.html
Seems we could be off to China and Australia.
Bit of hike though!
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25079573-5003460,00.html
Guys
The defence on which our recent good run has based, has been disrupted.
We face a team fighting for their lives at a stadium we never seem to play well in.
We will go without our Talisman, Screech and Pienaar.
Moyes would almost certainly have let the kids sit this one out, but he’s forced to send them into a white hot situation in front of one of the most hostile crowds in the country.
Make no mistake, this game represents a very, very, big ask.
I’m hopeful that we will still have enough spirit and skill in the team to prevail, but some of you people are acting like its a forgone conclusion ! Whats all that about ?
Jammy, Undeserved, Unfair, Ugly, Poxy, I dont care.
I would take any sort of a win, right now
The defence on which our recent good run has based, has been disrupted.
We face a team fighting for their lives at a stadium we never seem to play well in.
We will go without our Talisman, Screech and Pienaar.
Moyes would almost certainly have let the kids sit this one out, but he’s forced to send them into a white hot situation in front of one of the most hostile crowds in the country.
Make no mistake, this game represents a very, very, big ask.
I’m hopeful that we will still have enough spirit and skill in the team to prevail, but some of you people are acting like its a forgone conclusion ! Whats all that about ?
Jammy, Undeserved, Unfair, Ugly, Poxy, I dont care.
I would take any sort of a win, right now
HUGE problems with injury/suspension this week. A point would do me ... three would reinforce us as the greatest backs to the wall battlers in the league.
One game at a time, treat every game with the same respect as any other and play it as if you deserve to win. Never rely on other team’s results as that is a folly headed for failure as you have no control over them. Yes it’s nice to see the luck of Villa seeming to fail at last but as quickly as they fail so can we, we need to forget about what other teams do or don’t do and concentrate on that which we can effect, our own remaining games.
Aide Dews,
I didn’t mean the team will be nervous...I mean’t I’LL be nervous!
But then I always am. It comes with the territory...being an Evertonian.
I didn’t mean the team will be nervous...I mean’t I’LL be nervous!
But then I always am. It comes with the territory...being an Evertonian.
Gavin et al
It makes me laugh people constantly reminding us that we should only be concentrating on our next game and that we shouldn’t be paying attention to the other scores. One game at a time ...
Guys were the fans not the team, as though complacency on our behalf will affect the performance of the boys on the field.
I was delighted that we have the chance to make up ground on the Arse and Villa. It’s as simple as this our early season form dictates that we are waiting for those above us to slip up. We are making up ground slowly and a win today will take us within striking distance of one of those sides.
I think its only natural that some will point out this fact. I’m both excited and nervous but will be watching and expectantly. COYB!
It makes me laugh people constantly reminding us that we should only be concentrating on our next game and that we shouldn’t be paying attention to the other scores. One game at a time ...
Guys were the fans not the team, as though complacency on our behalf will affect the performance of the boys on the field.
I was delighted that we have the chance to make up ground on the Arse and Villa. It’s as simple as this our early season form dictates that we are waiting for those above us to slip up. We are making up ground slowly and a win today will take us within striking distance of one of those sides.
I think its only natural that some will point out this fact. I’m both excited and nervous but will be watching and expectantly. COYB!
I’d take the win right now but truth be told, Newcastle for all their circus act is still a very tough place to go. We haven’t won there in 9 years (Kevin Campbell if memory serves scored the winner back in 2000) so we are not exactly renowned for going up there and getting a result.
Having said that, with the run we’re on I’m hopeful of a win. And in the meantime I’m off to watch McClaren’s lot hopefully get royally stuffed and make it a good start to Sunday!
Having said that, with the run we’re on I’m hopeful of a win. And in the meantime I’m off to watch McClaren’s lot hopefully get royally stuffed and make it a good start to Sunday!
Whilst I’d gladly welcome 3 points today it’s far from a foregone conclusion. Cahill will be a huge miss not just for his goals but for his overall contribution There are so many other facets to his game and these are often underestimated. He shows great tenacity and will fight to the very end to get something from a game. He more than anyone is the heartbeat of the team and it is exactly these qualities which you need when away to relegation threatened teams. He also holds the play up fantastically well and creates for the strikers I’m not entirely sure who will fulfill that role today. Our results tend to suffer in his absence. That said, there is a great belief running through the side at the moment and winning breeds confidence but I believe this one will be very close to call. I do hope we achieve a result but I wouldn’t go counting chickens.
Paul Johnson - I respect your views and have often shared them, but common sense must suffice. Against Liverpool he was hungry, fit and desperate to play and that is all we ask of any player in an Everton shirt.
Come the summer he is gone, but as of right now he is an Everton player. Utilizing his desire might introduce an unknown element of quality which could work to our advantage.
Regardless of his shape he still has the mind of a playmaker forward. His crosses are whipped, deliberate and accurate which (in the absence of Felliani and Cahill) will need to be.
We lack both mobility and width to exploit Newcastle?s insecure backline and without him it could be a long-ball afternoon!
In his head he has a point to prove. And we are paying this guy huge amounts to sit on the bench like an OAP.
Make no mistake? Today will be a hard game. And we are placing too much enfaces and hype around our youth.
Vd Meyde stated his desire recently to remove the leash. I say get as much value out of him before his departure, while utilizing his maturity, desire and experience.
Come the summer he is gone, but as of right now he is an Everton player. Utilizing his desire might introduce an unknown element of quality which could work to our advantage.
Regardless of his shape he still has the mind of a playmaker forward. His crosses are whipped, deliberate and accurate which (in the absence of Felliani and Cahill) will need to be.
We lack both mobility and width to exploit Newcastle?s insecure backline and without him it could be a long-ball afternoon!
In his head he has a point to prove. And we are paying this guy huge amounts to sit on the bench like an OAP.
Make no mistake? Today will be a hard game. And we are placing too much enfaces and hype around our youth.
Vd Meyde stated his desire recently to remove the leash. I say get as much value out of him before his departure, while utilizing his maturity, desire and experience.
I’d rather not play Castillo at all. I don’t rate him & i don’t think Andy Van der meyde is ready for a start (and probably won’t be). Bringing him on in the last 20 minutes to try & influence the game is a different matter. I think Jacobsen should come in for Hibbert & Jo for Cahill.
Aye Dave, why be nervous going into games after the run we’ve been on of late? with the way we’ve been playing at the moment and with key injuries and suspensions i still feel confident of getting a result whoever the opposition we face in the up and coming weeks! dont forget the run in of fixtures we’ve got from now until the end of the season looks very favourable for us in my opinion as the majority of them are against teams below us in the league that are struggling for form!! COYB!!!!
Today’s teams, courtesy of Newcastle’s website:
NUFC: Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Sebastien Bassong, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Nicky Butt (c), Kevin Nolan, Damien Duff, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Tim Krul, Claudio Cacapa, Jonas Gutierrez, Alan Smith, Mark Viduka, Oba Martins, Geremi
EFC: Tim Howard, Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Jo, Phil Neville (c), Jack Rodwell, Victor Anichebe, Dan Gosling
Subs: Carlo Nash, Andy Van Der Meyde, Segundo Castillo, Louis Saha, Lars Jacobsen, Marouane Fellaini, James Wallace
NUFC: Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Sebastien Bassong, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Nicky Butt (c), Kevin Nolan, Damien Duff, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Tim Krul, Claudio Cacapa, Jonas Gutierrez, Alan Smith, Mark Viduka, Oba Martins, Geremi
EFC: Tim Howard, Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Jo, Phil Neville (c), Jack Rodwell, Victor Anichebe, Dan Gosling
Subs: Carlo Nash, Andy Van Der Meyde, Segundo Castillo, Louis Saha, Lars Jacobsen, Marouane Fellaini, James Wallace
Yobo at right back? Surely, Mr Moyes isn’t "rocking" a stable pairing of the center backs?
Could possibly be a 352 with Gosling and Baines as the wing backs, though I imagine Yobo will be at right back. A very difficult game this with a decimated squad.
Any links to the game would be appreciated thanks lads! COYB!!!
ESPN showing a 4 5 1 with Jagielka as right back....
Links, lads? Cheers
iraqgoals.com channel 3
disaster....?
SHIT! Mikky injured!!!
SHIT! First thing I see is Arteta being stretchered off. That is terrible news!
Shit, that looks like a fucking nasty injury. SHIT.
It is now... Arteta injured and substituted already... Deary me...
In better news, the Shite are losing.
Arteta strechered off with what looks like a nasty kneww injury.
Went in for challenge and seemed to twist his knee as his boot stayed lodged in the ground.
He dropped to the ground and immediately indicated that he was unable to carry on.
Looked in a lot of pain.
Castillo on in his place.
A changing point in our season? I hope not.
Lets see what we can do.
Come on you blues!
(a blue in south africa)
Went in for challenge and seemed to twist his knee as his boot stayed lodged in the ground.
He dropped to the ground and immediately indicated that he was unable to carry on.
Looked in a lot of pain.
Castillo on in his place.
A changing point in our season? I hope not.
Lets see what we can do.
Come on you blues!
(a blue in south africa)
logged in too late. What caused the injury?
Any other links than iraqgoals?
iraq goals channel 3 doesn’t seem to be working very well, anyone no any other sites to watch it?
COYB!
x
COYB!
x
Tony - he tried to sheild the ball with hip/leg and extended his knee.
Iraq goals crap today. Cant find another link.. anyone?
Iraq goals crap today. Cant find another link.. anyone?
iraqgoals working now, third preview window down.
http://www.atdhe.net/live-tv-3871.html
Try this one... Not always reliable, but ok so far. You can all buy me a pint if it works! In fact fuck it, I need a drink now to drown my sorry about Micky!!!
Try this one... Not always reliable, but ok so far. You can all buy me a pint if it works! In fact fuck it, I need a drink now to drown my sorry about Micky!!!
Here you go fellas:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/527019
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/527019
still reckon we’re playing alright at the mo... not a lot happening in the game overall though
Good link here guys.........
http://www.plstreams.com/channel1.php
http://www.plstreams.com/channel1.php
I am curently in the middle of the Gulf of Aden but i do have internet access, does anyone have any links for todays game please?
Cheers all!
Anyone have a good link for todays game? I don't want to watch it on tape delay!!
Straight Red... this shall make it interesting... It was a good chase down by Anichebe, i hope the big lad is ok.
JESUS CHRIST. What a fucking horrible challenge.
Dirty fucking scumbag Nolan sent off for a terrible challenge - could have broken Vics leg!!! Dirty bastard!!!
Bloody hell. That was horrendous. Will be surprised if Vic can play on.
nolan is a wanker
i hope that he comes off so we can put saha on up top, big vic is crap!!
Lets fuckin turn these dirty fuckers and bring back the 3 points. Hope Mickey isnt gone for too long, season ended at worst. Hope we come away without any more injuries. Yobo and Castillo look nervous. Felliaini on now. Come on Screech
Cheers all!
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=31173&part=sports
the sopcast works great
the sopcast works great
I think they may have been instructed to play "dirty" to compete with our combative style, and this is fucking horrible.
First Arteta, second Rodwell and now Anichebe.
First Arteta, second Rodwell and now Anichebe.
NUFC scum bag club from top to bottom, the owner, the cockney rat, the shit house players, lets help get these horrible bastards sent down by taking 3 points today, they are the mirror opposite of the blues and are not needed in football they full deserve to go down
Kevin Nolan has just apologised to Anichebe, according to Geoff Shreeves. Waited in the tunnel to apologise. Still a very bad tackle. Arteta has damaged ligaments in his knee. End of season possibly. Hopefully get 3 points today now. Little consilation
A knee ligament is at least 10 -12 weeks so bang goes his season and hopefully not ours !! .
Yobo seems to create panic in our own defence, I dont know why but he just does !
Yobo seems to create panic in our own defence, I dont know why but he just does !
Totally gutted about Arteta. If we were going to have a pop at the top 4 and a trip to Wembley, surely he was the man to drive us there. Just not sure where the inspiration is going to come from now.
If we don’t come away with three points today, this will go down as one of the worst days at the office in a long time. They’re definately there for the taking, and they deserve to get nothing from today the dirty bastards! COYB!!!
If we don’t come away with three points today, this will go down as one of the worst days at the office in a long time. They’re definately there for the taking, and they deserve to get nothing from today the dirty bastards! COYB!!!
Need to be bold to win this - get VDM or Saha on ASAP. Three points there for the taking now Moyes
Fellaini looks poor. Haven’t got a good feeling about this game
We should be all over them like a cheap suit, what’s going on?
Castillo never wants the ball, he always gets it and passes it 3 yards straight away, never looks for the ball. Waste of space, get him off and AvdM or Saha on now!! Go for the jugular!!!
All set up now Martins to notch.
Come on Dave, adapt the bloody tactics and go bold FFS
Come on Dave, adapt the bloody tactics and go bold FFS
Anthony-we have 30 minutes to play with 1 sub left, i suspect Davey will save it until somewhere closer to 10 minutes left.
Your damn right there, always subs when it’s too late
Why are they bypassing Castillo around the area? We know he can hit them from there? Come on blues, let’s get either Andy or Louis on.
Nothing is happening for us as we have no players with impetous... we need the fat Dutchman on now!
not sure i agree with that. We need width so we take off the one vaguely wide man we have. surely better to take a defender off (Yobo)?
castillo is very poor, no creativity, would have left gosling on and taken castillo off he has done nothing again
we have to accept here that we have jags out of position, no arteta, cahill, ossie, peanuts, hibbo in the side. We are not at full strength at all so look disjointed.
we should still beat 10 men, not good enough today so far!!!
we should still beat 10 men, not good enough today so far!!!
Extra time goal for us......watch
Can anyone please tell me how we paid £15 million for Felliani?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that free-kick summed it up today.
nice, how is Felliani the only one in the book for that?
we have been very poor today, i know we have a lot of players out but we should haveplayed better, castillo is a pedestrian
Today just shows how valuable Cahill and Arteta both are to the team performance
simar!!! you are so fickle it does my head in, he is worth 15 mil in this day and market, he is back from injury and has been brilliant in the last 10 games...
so real comments or jog on!!!
so real comments or jog on!!!
Well, one more point closer to Villa...
Shit performance...6th place looks likely, oh well lets win the FA Cup.
If someone comes on moaning about performance today, think about it.
We have half the team either injured or not match fit.
Point well won without our two key players....Arteta and Cahill..
Watch other big teams.......they miss their best too.
COYB
We have half the team either injured or not match fit.
Point well won without our two key players....Arteta and Cahill..
Watch other big teams.......they miss their best too.
COYB
Well that was seriously bad. Yes we have a shed load of injuries and suspensions but that was dreadful. I have loved watching us play recently but today was back to the old days. I am just hoping its a bad day at the office and when we get basically our hold midfield back we will be better.
If Arteta is out for a long time which sounds likely i really fear our season could fizzle out. We lack creativity without him which was shown again today.
I hope i am wrong and to be fair this lot have proved me wrong a few times this season!!
If Arteta is out for a long time which sounds likely i really fear our season could fizzle out. We lack creativity without him which was shown again today.
I hope i am wrong and to be fair this lot have proved me wrong a few times this season!!
Boy, that was a game to forget. We were okay 1st half, but we were shite 2nd half. Newcastle with 10 men, won’t have a more comfortable game all season.
Rob, Fellaini may have been looking decent when he has played, but he is way off looking a £15m player. I know he has been injured, he can’t speak english, he is still a young lad etc, but I have yet to see why we paid all that cash for him. His first touch isen’t the best, and he looks so slow and clumsy.
I’m not having a dig at the lad (it’s not his fault we paid all that cash ) it’s just an observation as to why he hasn’t convinced me yet that he will turn out to be top quality.
Rob, Fellaini may have been looking decent when he has played, but he is way off looking a £15m player. I know he has been injured, he can’t speak english, he is still a young lad etc, but I have yet to see why we paid all that cash for him. His first touch isen’t the best, and he looks so slow and clumsy.
I’m not having a dig at the lad (it’s not his fault we paid all that cash ) it’s just an observation as to why he hasn’t convinced me yet that he will turn out to be top quality.
Whilst we were mssing half a team the performance was poor - no urgency,no pace, no desire. Cahill would have let the Newcastle centre halves know they were in a game but Jo, then Saha, just wanted to claim the ball without hassel , it wont happen.
Ive always supported Fellaini but today I started to have some mis-givings - I dont believe they know where to play him , he’s too pedestrian up front and his confrontational style will meen we will undoubtedly loose him for long periods. I dont think the lad himself is enjoying it at the moment .
Can someone explain why we continually take so much time to get forward, we pass it twice across the pitch full back to full back before we push it into the front 2 then loose it !!!.
Loosing 2 points was poor but loosing Arteta is a massive blow.
Ive always supported Fellaini but today I started to have some mis-givings - I dont believe they know where to play him , he’s too pedestrian up front and his confrontational style will meen we will undoubtedly loose him for long periods. I dont think the lad himself is enjoying it at the moment .
Can someone explain why we continually take so much time to get forward, we pass it twice across the pitch full back to full back before we push it into the front 2 then loose it !!!.
Loosing 2 points was poor but loosing Arteta is a massive blow.
Jog on eh Rob?!!! What the fuck does that mean?!!!!!
If you can look at Felliani and tell me what he contributes then Im man enough to accept your opinion and offer an apology. To me he jogs round at a leisurely pace and gives away stupid free kicks and picks up ridiculous bookings he looks so far off the pace of the game its unreal!!
Fickle? I wouldnt deny that Im frustrated with that result because Im a passionate evertonian. Im sure the majority of fans on this site would agree that Newcastle are woeful and that should of been quite an easy 3 points.
I suppose we cant complain too much after the past couple of months but that was awful!!
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you can look at Felliani and tell me what he contributes then Im man enough to accept your opinion and offer an apology. To me he jogs round at a leisurely pace and gives away stupid free kicks and picks up ridiculous bookings he looks so far off the pace of the game its unreal!!
Fickle? I wouldnt deny that Im frustrated with that result because Im a passionate evertonian. Im sure the majority of fans on this site would agree that Newcastle are woeful and that should of been quite an easy 3 points.
I suppose we cant complain too much after the past couple of months but that was awful!!
COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were lacking in ideas today however Davey’s hand was played for him by Mickey’s injury and Nolan’s shocking tackle, but why were the two Taylors not both booked for pesistent fouls??
Well, that game seriously frustrated me and can only be described as two points lost.
Newcastle missed an absolute sitter but other than that caused no trouble.
They was sitting there like lame ducks, all we needed to do was put them under pressure but failed to play at a high tempo with predictable attacks being easily dealt with by the barcodes.
For me Fellaini was shite. We might as well have had 10 men once he came on because he did nothing at all other than give away possession, and wonder round looking lost.
Massive blow about Arteta, but on the plus another good shift from Gosling and another cool composed and classy 90 mins from Rodwell.
Newcastle missed an absolute sitter but other than that caused no trouble.
They was sitting there like lame ducks, all we needed to do was put them under pressure but failed to play at a high tempo with predictable attacks being easily dealt with by the barcodes.
For me Fellaini was shite. We might as well have had 10 men once he came on because he did nothing at all other than give away possession, and wonder round looking lost.
Massive blow about Arteta, but on the plus another good shift from Gosling and another cool composed and classy 90 mins from Rodwell.
With Arteta out (if he is) our season will not reach the heights I hoped for. No doubt Moyes will persist with Neville in midfield, along with as many other holding midfielders as he can fit in and the chance of silverware and catching Villa will vanish
We were rubbish in the 2nd half and didnt deserve to beat a poor Newcastle team down to 10 men. We had no creativity at all and we did nothing about it. We will pay again for having a small squad and not trying to bring a midfielder in in January
Seriuosly bad - what ?
Possibly the best creative midfielder in the Premiership at the moment, off after 5 mins.
It takes us about 20 mins to reorganise, as they throw their best at us, as they are at home, being urged on by the crowd. They know how important Arteta is for us.
Rode the mini storm and started to get back into it and created 3 very good chances.
Big Vic doing well then whack !
We then try to see through to half time with Vic hobbling.
2nd half showed why we miss Cahill and Arteta so much but also the lack of match fitness of Castillo, Fellaini (bone still healing in his back), Saha (easing in after hamstring), Jo plus tiring youngsters.
Hard won point against a hard tacking possibly dirty team fighting off relegation.
My only concern was why Lars did not start at right back ?
Moyes has come out recently praising Jags to Vidic levels yet moves him out wide ?
A Full Danish international must have more awareness in that position and a better crossing foot.
Gosling went off limping so another enforced substitution or we may well have seen Shandy Andy.
It seems we are cursed everytime we play up there.
COYB.
Possibly the best creative midfielder in the Premiership at the moment, off after 5 mins.
It takes us about 20 mins to reorganise, as they throw their best at us, as they are at home, being urged on by the crowd. They know how important Arteta is for us.
Rode the mini storm and started to get back into it and created 3 very good chances.
Big Vic doing well then whack !
We then try to see through to half time with Vic hobbling.
2nd half showed why we miss Cahill and Arteta so much but also the lack of match fitness of Castillo, Fellaini (bone still healing in his back), Saha (easing in after hamstring), Jo plus tiring youngsters.
Hard won point against a hard tacking possibly dirty team fighting off relegation.
My only concern was why Lars did not start at right back ?
Moyes has come out recently praising Jags to Vidic levels yet moves him out wide ?
A Full Danish international must have more awareness in that position and a better crossing foot.
Gosling went off limping so another enforced substitution or we may well have seen Shandy Andy.
It seems we are cursed everytime we play up there.
COYB.
I barely give a fuck about the score. Having lost Arteta- the way it looks now for the rest if the season- makes me sick to the stomach. Totally gutted.
That was one of the worst ’tackles’ I have ever seen by Nolan. How come teams think that they can do this kind of thing against the Blues? There was always going to be a flat game after all the excitement of the past few months. However, losing Arteta so early in the match would have been a big Psychological blow as well as tearing up any pre-match gameplan.
If as seems likely Arteta doesn’t play again this season we can forget higher than sixth place as there is nobody left in the squad to play like he does. So it’s the FA Cup or bust I’m afraid.
I used to quite like the Barcodes up until Dalglish , Souness et al went up there. Now they just seem like RS without the trophies. I don’t think they will be relegated but oh how happy I would be if they did.
If as seems likely Arteta doesn’t play again this season we can forget higher than sixth place as there is nobody left in the squad to play like he does. So it’s the FA Cup or bust I’m afraid.
I used to quite like the Barcodes up until Dalglish , Souness et al went up there. Now they just seem like RS without the trophies. I don’t think they will be relegated but oh how happy I would be if they did.
Fellaini’s clearly not fit, so I wouldn’t be too hard on him.
Today was very difficult. With the players we had out (almost all our creative and attacking players), trying to break ten-men down was always going to be very difficult.
For me, I’d be Castillo isn’t good enough and Jo didn’t look much kop either.
If Arteta’s out of the season, which it looks like he is, our season’s pretty much done.
Very, very disappointing day.
Today was very difficult. With the players we had out (almost all our creative and attacking players), trying to break ten-men down was always going to be very difficult.
For me, I’d be Castillo isn’t good enough and Jo didn’t look much kop either.
If Arteta’s out of the season, which it looks like he is, our season’s pretty much done.
Very, very disappointing day.
I’ll second that Matthew, if I could of asked for one thing after the villa game it would of been Arteta staying fit, our two most flat midfield displays in recent weeks were today and the 2nd Anfield derby, Arteta missed both
Just a couple of points. Too many lateral passes and not enough drive. When we did get into good positions, the delivery was poor. Gosling looked like our only player with a bit of adventure and spark about him. Surprised when he got taken off. Castillo looked poor and Fellaini pedestrian. I’m amazed how the latter was booked for nothing when their two Taylors’ were going in like murderers. Defo targeted by the refs and reminds of the situation with Dacourt a few years ago. Despite two points dropped, the biggest dissapointment by far is ofcoarse Arteta’s injury.
For what it’s worth - this is how I saw it. Some terrible live streams on the internet today meant I may have missed a thing or two. I think the bad reception must be all the static in the air from having Felliani’s and Jo’s hair on the pitch together!
Howard - Newcastle did not have a shot on target, wasn’t tested at all. 6
Jagielka - Make-shift right back and looked solid enough there. Needed to attack more down the right, but that’s not really his game - 6
Yobo - Don’t feel as relaxed with Joey as I do when it’s Jags and Lescott in the middle. He slotted back in with very little drama though - 6
Lescott - My man of the match. He just oozed class with everything he did - 8
Baines - Got in some good positions going forward but his final ball wasn’t good enough. Missing his partner Peanuts I think - 6
Neville - Another good solid performance from the Captain. Played wide right for much of the game but kept coming inside to help collect Castillo’s three yard passes - 6
Arteta - Don’t want to think about it... I may cry.
Rodwell - Another performance to enhance his building reputation. Looked strong in the challenge and composed on the ball. He could be frighteningly good! - 8
Gosling - Some lively and intelligent runs at times. Playing out of position on the left and doesn’t offer as much width out there as we need. Will only get better - 6
Anichebe - Came off on 45 after the horror tackle. Hadn’t been involved much prior to that, and it was his best bit of play - chasing back 50 yards to disposess a player, turn and run at the defence - which lead to the disgusting challenge - 5
Jo - A few nice touches mixed in with some pretty poor play overall. Still looks like he needs a good run in the side and could be good for us, but not really good enough today - 5
Castillo - On for Arteta after 7 minutes. Ideal chance to shine, but failed miserably. Doesn’t look like he likes playing football. Never looks comfortable in posession. Simply not good enough - 3
Felliani - On for Anichebe after 45. Looked well off the pace but understandable after his injury. Won’t judge him too much on this display - 4
Saha - On for Gosling after 70. Looked lively and pretty hungry when he came on. Would pick a fit Saha over Jo on today’s showing - 6
Overall - a shocking day at the office but mainly down to the injury to Arteta. It could be a very long and frustrating run in without him.
Given the injuries / suspensions, a point at St James’ would usually be considered a good result but playing against 10 men for 45 minutes left us expecting more.
Sadly - against ten men with Arteta in I think we would have rolled them over. Without him, we were lacking that touch of class in the middle of the park.
To leave Newcastle with zero shots on target for 90 minutes speaks volumes for our defensive unit. Just worried where the goals are going to come from. Bring back Tiny Tm!!!
Howard - Newcastle did not have a shot on target, wasn’t tested at all. 6
Jagielka - Make-shift right back and looked solid enough there. Needed to attack more down the right, but that’s not really his game - 6
Yobo - Don’t feel as relaxed with Joey as I do when it’s Jags and Lescott in the middle. He slotted back in with very little drama though - 6
Lescott - My man of the match. He just oozed class with everything he did - 8
Baines - Got in some good positions going forward but his final ball wasn’t good enough. Missing his partner Peanuts I think - 6
Neville - Another good solid performance from the Captain. Played wide right for much of the game but kept coming inside to help collect Castillo’s three yard passes - 6
Arteta - Don’t want to think about it... I may cry.
Rodwell - Another performance to enhance his building reputation. Looked strong in the challenge and composed on the ball. He could be frighteningly good! - 8
Gosling - Some lively and intelligent runs at times. Playing out of position on the left and doesn’t offer as much width out there as we need. Will only get better - 6
Anichebe - Came off on 45 after the horror tackle. Hadn’t been involved much prior to that, and it was his best bit of play - chasing back 50 yards to disposess a player, turn and run at the defence - which lead to the disgusting challenge - 5
Jo - A few nice touches mixed in with some pretty poor play overall. Still looks like he needs a good run in the side and could be good for us, but not really good enough today - 5
Castillo - On for Arteta after 7 minutes. Ideal chance to shine, but failed miserably. Doesn’t look like he likes playing football. Never looks comfortable in posession. Simply not good enough - 3
Felliani - On for Anichebe after 45. Looked well off the pace but understandable after his injury. Won’t judge him too much on this display - 4
Saha - On for Gosling after 70. Looked lively and pretty hungry when he came on. Would pick a fit Saha over Jo on today’s showing - 6
Overall - a shocking day at the office but mainly down to the injury to Arteta. It could be a very long and frustrating run in without him.
Given the injuries / suspensions, a point at St James’ would usually be considered a good result but playing against 10 men for 45 minutes left us expecting more.
Sadly - against ten men with Arteta in I think we would have rolled them over. Without him, we were lacking that touch of class in the middle of the park.
To leave Newcastle with zero shots on target for 90 minutes speaks volumes for our defensive unit. Just worried where the goals are going to come from. Bring back Tiny Tm!!!
Exactly Ian, the 2nd Analfield game and today were without Arteta and we were as flat as a fucking postage stamp. After the initial shock of losing Arteta I tried put on a brave face and stay optimistic, but deep inside I felt sicker and sicker. Did you lads see the look at Moysey’s face when Arteta got injured? No comment.
Regarding the performance, technically a team of professionals should rally against 10 barcodes and win it, but somehow I can forgive this performance easily. I bet everyone of them were as shocked as fuck and thinking that the whole reason may be lost.
Regarding the performance, technically a team of professionals should rally against 10 barcodes and win it, but somehow I can forgive this performance easily. I bet everyone of them were as shocked as fuck and thinking that the whole reason may be lost.
Yes agree about Mikel.
Watched his and Cahills interview on Everton Tv plus Mikel on Football Focus today.
I was absolutely buzzing for them both.
It is only slowly sinking in that Mikel may be out for the season and it too is making me feel sick for him and us.
We all need to pray to the God of Football that the scan is okay and he will be back for the quarters.
Get well soon hermano.
COYB
Watched his and Cahills interview on Everton Tv plus Mikel on Football Focus today.
I was absolutely buzzing for them both.
It is only slowly sinking in that Mikel may be out for the season and it too is making me feel sick for him and us.
We all need to pray to the God of Football that the scan is okay and he will be back for the quarters.
Get well soon hermano.
COYB
David Moyes has just been on Radio 5 sounding pretty despondant. Says he’s fearing the worst about Mikel’s injury. Victor bad too but you could tell it’s the spanish wizard he’s gutted about.
Don’t know what our midfield can do. Rodwell in creative role? Osman? I think it’s asking too much of both of them. Castillo doesn’t look up to the job.
Don’t know what our midfield can do. Rodwell in creative role? Osman? I think it’s asking too much of both of them. Castillo doesn’t look up to the job.
As my wife has just sadly said - ’It is heatrbreaking.’
Sorry - heartbreaking.
Fuckin heartbreaking.
Fuckin heartbreaking.
Sorry - heartbreaking.
Fuckin heartbreaking.
Fuckin heartbreaking.
No one can fill Arteta’s boots when we have a FIT squad!! What chance have we got now?
Rodwell is class but defensive. Gosling is good in patches but can’t see him doing it for 90 and too young. Fellaini is defensive mid. Same as Castillo, Neville.. Are we really now relying on Osman.. come on lad your time has come!!
What about peanuts in a central role??
Rodwell is class but defensive. Gosling is good in patches but can’t see him doing it for 90 and too young. Fellaini is defensive mid. Same as Castillo, Neville.. Are we really now relying on Osman.. come on lad your time has come!!
What about peanuts in a central role??
Well, how sentiments can change in a few hours earlier we had people suggesting we were going to cruise this one. The barcodes were always going to turn this into a physical battle so no surprises there. I said in an earlier post that Cahill would prove to be a huge loss for all sorts of reasons and so it proved. Yes Arteta was a massive blow, however we did have the extra man. Where we failed miserably was in the final third without Cahill there was no link up play to Jo and we had no width to our play. Worst still, Fellaini created two golden opportunities which Cahill would have gobbled up but on this occasion there was no one arriving even though we had an extra man. As for the criticism of Fellaini on here. The guys been out for weeks with quite a nasty injury and is clearly not match fit nor fully mended some of these comments beggar belief. I suspect Moyes had very little intention of playing him but had little choice in the end. I’ve seen similar comments aimed at Arteta last year when he played for much of the season with a groin injury get real for heavens sake.
I reckon its time for peanuts to take up the baton of playmaker. I’ve always thought he’s more of a central midfielder doing a job on the wings rather than a left midfielder.
He is the one true creative spark we have. Put him in the middle with Rodwell and Neville, Cahill up top with Jo and Gosling on the right (not the left - he doesn’t look comfortable there). As we now ask Neville to drift right, ask him now to left left instead...
He is the one true creative spark we have. Put him in the middle with Rodwell and Neville, Cahill up top with Jo and Gosling on the right (not the left - he doesn’t look comfortable there). As we now ask Neville to drift right, ask him now to left left instead...
I’ve just noticed that a couple of the tit heads on here who are slagging off ’Screech’ are the same tit heads who were slagging off Moyes for playing him the match before the Derby when he got booked and ’Cost us the cup’.
Amazing!
Amazing!
I can forgive Fellaini to a certain extent being booked after only a few minutes on the pitch would have curtailed his game. However, I do not see any improvement in his game since he arrived and that is certainly a worry. Castillo is the same , basic skills seem to be lacking. So with the injury to Arteta it is up to these two players to step up to the plate and produce the goods. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fellaini returned to Belgium in the summer as I honestly don’t think he is suited to the English game.
Maybe the rest of the season - FA Cup aside - can be used by DM to evaluate those who seem unable to play at this level. After all DM has never had the time or space to experiment with his squad during his seven years at the club. Perhaps the current circumstances will afford him that opportunity.
Maybe the rest of the season - FA Cup aside - can be used by DM to evaluate those who seem unable to play at this level. After all DM has never had the time or space to experiment with his squad during his seven years at the club. Perhaps the current circumstances will afford him that opportunity.
Peanuts playmaker? You must be joking, no other player loses possession more than him.
He’s a poor passer, but a nice little terrier. Replace Arteta? Not even close.
He’s a poor passer, but a nice little terrier. Replace Arteta? Not even close.
No first choice midfield to speak of after the first 5 mins - Arteta, Piennarr, Cahill and Osman all out. I’d have to accept Moyes’ argument about us running on empty in terms of positional choices.
Simar, if you look at a lot of the comments you will see the "real everton fans" dont judge a player on one performance, he has been booked a lot this season of the 11 i think 5 are his fault the others are poor calls.
He has got better over the months, his first touch is excellent he has come up with some important goals, his only 21 barely speaks english and you will see once he is played in his normal position that he is and will be a great player.
He has got better over the months, his first touch is excellent he has come up with some important goals, his only 21 barely speaks english and you will see once he is played in his normal position that he is and will be a great player.
Newcastle - kick the kids off the park.
Ref - oh dear, can’t give a red card to the home team after 10 minutes.
Ref - oh dear, if I don’t red card this will I ever ref at Wembley? Better had.
Ref - the one with the big hair, what is it? - oh yes, a yellow card.
A Fucking disgrace to park football, let alone the professional game.
Nolan should be banned for the season and Taylor for 3 games.
And Moyes said at half time - we’ll take a point and no more injuries. Or at least that’s what I would have said.
Ref - oh dear, can’t give a red card to the home team after 10 minutes.
Ref - oh dear, if I don’t red card this will I ever ref at Wembley? Better had.
Ref - the one with the big hair, what is it? - oh yes, a yellow card.
A Fucking disgrace to park football, let alone the professional game.
Nolan should be banned for the season and Taylor for 3 games.
And Moyes said at half time - we’ll take a point and no more injuries. Or at least that’s what I would have said.
To the fellaini critics:
when was the last time he actually played in his own position instead of just playing off the front man to get on the end of stuff?! he’s 21, can’t speak the language, playing with an injury and didn’t rate himself as worth the £15M we paid for him. give him a fucking break! i’m sure you’ll all be sporting your fellaini wigs if he gets us a couple of crucial goals!
when was the last time he actually played in his own position instead of just playing off the front man to get on the end of stuff?! he’s 21, can’t speak the language, playing with an injury and didn’t rate himself as worth the £15M we paid for him. give him a fucking break! i’m sure you’ll all be sporting your fellaini wigs if he gets us a couple of crucial goals!
I think its tim a certain Dutchman stepped up and showed his ability
We’ve done well this season when it seems we’ve been missing key players. Lets hope Mikky’s injury spurs the team on similar to when we had no strikers. I feel sick too about his injury but I don’t want to give up on our season yet.
Cant be too hard on the lads today, we had no first choice midfield, we lost our best player after 5 mins and ended up having to throw players on when normally Moyes would have kept them on the bench. Time to regroup and hopefully get a few players back for next weeks game against west brom. Nothing went right for Everton today but we still took an ok point away from home! My 1 criticism of Moyes would be why he chose not to give Jacobsen a chance? He is willing to throw on a 17 and 19 year old in a derby game so why not an experienced 28 year old international? I just think it would have balanced us out a bit better attacking wise, but hey! COYB!!
’Real Everton Fans’!! So I cannot be classed as a ’real Everton fan’ because I question the ability of a player who cost £15 million, even though Ive have hardly missed a home game since the late 70s. Get fucking real!
If not speaking the language is having such an effect on the lads performance then why play him?!!! Believe me I want him to be a success I really do, I want every person who crosses the white line in a blue shirt to do the business for us.
My original comment was that I cant believe we paid all that money for him , thats hardly the most controversial thing Ive ever read on here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If not speaking the language is having such an effect on the lads performance then why play him?!!! Believe me I want him to be a success I really do, I want every person who crosses the white line in a blue shirt to do the business for us.
My original comment was that I cant believe we paid all that money for him , thats hardly the most controversial thing Ive ever read on here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if you don’t want pienaar to play then who do you want to play in the middle? He’s the next skilful player in the squad and that’s where he grew up playing (http://toffeeweb.com/players/current/Pienaar.asp). Arteta was hot and cold when stuck out on the wing: why not the same for ol’ peanuts?
A midfield of Castillo Osman Neville Fellaini... stuff of nightmares.
It’s a tough one to call, I suppose he can move Lescott back to left back and push Baines into left midfield, get Piennar in the middle (although agree with Paul Olsen in that Peanuts of late is out main ball loser)
Gosling is probably injured but if not get him out on the right, where he is supposed to play.
Fuck it, I have no idea what we can do, as we have no more creativity in the team
Gosling is probably injured but if not get him out on the right, where he is supposed to play.
Fuck it, I have no idea what we can do, as we have no more creativity in the team
I think Moyes should leave the defence as is with Baines, Lescott, Jagz, and Hibbo across the back cause they have been great. Osman is going to need to step up and fill the creative void left by Arteta. If we begin chopping and changing the whole team, ie. taking Baines out of his favourable position to accomodate left mid and break the great centre half partnership and move Lescott to left back, then we’re creating more problems for ourselves.
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Opportunities don’t always come along like this one and if we profess to be ambitious then nothing less than 3 points will do.
We need to treat tomorrow like a cup final as I believe Aston Villa are beginning to lose their nerve.