ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

We can win it

Most of us remember the glory days of the 80's when the likes of Peter Reid, Kevin Sheedy and Graeme Sharp lead us to 2 championships in 3 years. With our (on paper) 2 best players (Yakubu and Arteta) out for the season most folks have written off our chances of any silverware this year. However if you actually think back to the 1987 title winning team our success had very little to do with the household names we all remember because they were all injured.

The 1987 team won the title thanks in large part to contributions of little known youngsters and journeymen like Warren Aspinall, Kevin Langley, Stuart Rimmer, Bobby Mimms and Paul Power. I still have an old poster from shoot which shows our team with their medals and all of the recognizeable faces were on crutches. I know it won't be easy but I really think our makeshift team could have success again this year in the cup. When we win trophies it is often thanks to contributions from unlikely heroes like Amokachi and Matt Jackson for example.

My only concern this year is that we may resort to hoofball now that Arteta's gone and that may damage the confidence of young players like Rodwell and Gosling who have much more composure than older pro's like Hibbert and Osman. If however we retain our same game plan albeit it with bigger contributions from guys like Pienaar and Saha then I think we can go on to win.

Let's not forget that when Fergie finally won the cup at Utd it was thanks to Lee Martin of all people and not one of his expensively bought stars. It is a funny old game and I think this might be our year to be the upset kings.
Kieran Kinsella, Gainesville fl Posted 23/02/2009 at 19:56:36

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Matthew K. Salem
1 Posted 24/02/2009 at 02:15:13

Report abuse

Kieran, good post. I too believe it’s possible, and posted a 10 reason’s list (hopefully they’ll publsih it).

Derek Thomas
2 Posted 24/02/2009 at 05:15:25

Report abuse

Spot on, In 1970 the unsung hero was Tommy Jackson and of course Trebicock in ’66.

1963 is the exception that proves the rule.

But yes, sometimes, cometh the hour, cometh the man, and I will have a virtual tenner at what will be astronomical odds if it is Shandy Andy.

Richard Parker
3 Posted 24/02/2009 at 06:00:21

Report abuse

Ossie can be accused of many things, but a lack of composure isn’t one of them.

Apart from that good post and I hope you’re right.

guy hastings
4 Posted 24/02/2009 at 07:24:43

Report abuse

Kieran, Stuart Rimmer had left Everton by the time of the 2nd title. Unless you’re thinking of Shane Rimmer,the voice of Thunderbirds’ Scott Tracey who sadly failed to make the team photo due to an incident involving the Hood, whose evil was matched only by Graeme Souness. And mentioning unsung heroes, what about the great Alan Harper? Full backor midfield, always did the job when asked.

Nick Wall
5 Posted 24/02/2009 at 11:10:44

Report abuse

We’ve had some unlikely heroes already in the Cup in the form of Jack Rodwell and the Goose.

Tom Bowers
6 Posted 24/02/2009 at 11:02:56

Report abuse

Everton have learnt to cope with injuries to key players over the years and will do so again.Sure Mikel is our best midfielder and the dead ball gifts he has will be missed but let?s face it we were resigned to being out of the top 4 some time ago and although we have a remote chance of overtaking Arsenal it?s likely we will progress only to the FA Cup semi-finals where it is likely we would face the big guns again and although the defence has been our mainstay for the last 2 months the constant injuries to forwards will not help the cause. Having said that, the cup is has alaways produced upsets and maybe it is our time again to upset the apple cart. If so,it would be a great shame that Mikel has to miss out.

Brett Bradshaw
7 Posted 24/02/2009 at 12:16:02

Report abuse

If we get to the cup final, I say we bring Arteta on in 90th minute injury time. Regardless, no questions asked, even if he cant kick a ball!

Or better still, let him take a pen!! (If it came to that)

James Marshall
8 Posted 24/02/2009 at 14:03:33

Report abuse

We won't win the cup.

End of.

Karl Masters
9 Posted 24/02/2009 at 14:10:37

Report abuse

James Marshall.

Miserable twat.

What is the point of supporting a Team if you really think that way? Of course the odds are against it, but nobody gave Pompey a chance at Old Trafford last season and not only did they win there they went on to win it.

With what Moyes has been given financially, this (in 6th comfortably with a Home Cup quarter final against a weaker team coming up) is about as good as it can get for now.

Don?t be so negative.

Gareth Edwards
10 Posted 24/02/2009 at 16:37:36

Report abuse

I hate to be a bit of a killjoy on this but it’s all a bit rose tinted glasses

Warren Aspinall played once i think - and that was only as a sub when we got beat at either Charlton of West Ham. Kevin Langley played about 6 games before going on loan to City (where he had a stormer in the game at Goodison - 0-0 draw). Of those named Paul Power was a masterstroke of a signing by Kendall who slotted in really well.
The players who were out injured were Reid, Bracewell, Southall, with the exception of Bracewell they were back before Xmas 86. If anything we should be looking at the likes of Wayne Clarke & Ian Snodin who were brought in at the end of that season who gave us a bit of a push.
It was also a team that knew how to win things (it does make a difference) and were bang on form.
Nice idea, just doesn’t really stand up to comparison

Brendan George
11 Posted 24/02/2009 at 21:09:47

Report abuse

Of course we can win! Our season?s most certainly not over because we?ve lost our most creative spark. I?ve been like a damp mob since the Newcastle game because of Arteta?s injury but we are certainly not a one-man team. We can still finish in the top 5 & we can still win the FA Cup.

We?ll fight them on the pitches, we fight until the 94th minute and beyond. We will fight for every point. We will never surrender. And should this football club live for a thousand years, Evertonians will look back and say, "This was their finest hour!"

Mark Stone
12 Posted 24/02/2009 at 22:30:34

Report abuse

How come people are still posting despite ’Lord of the Forum’ James Marshall clearly putting an end to this thread?

Mutiny in the ranks

:-0

Kieran Kinsella
13 Posted 25/02/2009 at 01:41:29

Report abuse

Langley played 16 games which is more tha AVDM in 5 years

Brian Noble
14 Posted 25/02/2009 at 16:21:17

Report abuse

But Moyes has said today that the Cup is of secondary importance to where we finish in the Prem. In doing so, he is following the common line amongst managers as Happy Harry and Big Sam have both spoken the same words this week.

They seem to take a similar line over the Uefa Trophy ? struggling all one season to qualify and then often fielding weakened teams in the actual competition. I guess it?s all down to the bonus structure of their ridiculous contracts.

Prem survival pays big money and no doubt ?tenth is good? when another landmark payment kicks in. Whatever happenned to the glamour of actually winning a bloody trophy? Although you have to have to have a long memory for that if you are an Evertonian!