The Mail Bag
Our time has come
Comments (28)
No doubt the loss of Mikel Arteta is a serious blow. However,, no matter what happens this season, and I'm still optimistic, next season will be our year. Let's have a look at our team. Tim Howard still has his detractors but I believe he is improving and can be our goalkeeper for the next ten years. Tony Hibbert is playing better than ever and could yet be an England full back.
Baines has been a revelation now that he's getting a run in the side. We have three quality centre backs who I believe are just behind Ferdinand as the best in the league. In midfield, Mikel will return, hopefully as good as ever. Phil Neville was never my idea as a holding midfielder but, like the great Mike Brierly, his captaincy makes up for many short-comings. Fellaini has been, overall, disappointing but, with a pre-season behind him, will be a different player next season.
Cahill needs no comment. Rodwell and Gosling can only get even better. Osman is a good squad player and will, in my view, have to take on Arteta's role for the rest of the season. (We've little choice other than to take a chance on AVDM). Pienaar has a bit of quality about him and Baxter has still time to come good.
Up front the Yak will be back with something to prove. Jo, after a few more games, might just be a revelation. James Vaughan surely deserves a change of luck as does Saha. Vic, whom I have been critical of, was beginning to show that he might just have what it takes when he was a victim of an assault by Nolan. He'll be back... Add Moutinho to the squad and I think we are just about there. Ok maybe a pacy wide player.
How about our coach? Well,in the autumn I'd gladly have seen him go. In fact, and this is pretty embarrassing, I suggested Keegan, or, my God, Hoddle, as an alternative (I was anxious). But I think he's now overtaken even Wenger as one of the most secure managers in the Premier League.
So, on the pitch I feel that we are in the best position for more than 20 years. Unfortunately, I am a half empty glass sort of guy and I fear that it is off the pitch where the danger lies. Yes... Kirkby.
Andy Crooks, Posted 24/02/2009 at 21:24:16
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Michael Kenrick
With all the injuries to key players, how can you say we are in "the best position for more than 20 years"??? I know we seem to do our best when we are backs to the wall and down to the bare bones... but surely, we're now fucked. Well and truly. Anything we rescue from this season will be a bonus.
IMWT
Don’t be shocked if we pick up the FA cup this season and finish fifth.
I love the guy.
Don’t be shocked if we pick up the FA cup this season and finish fifth.
I love the guy.
I really feel for Moyes. Not for any reason other than if he had to lose one player right now. Arteta would have been the last he’d have wanted. This has been a fascinating season, one in which we’ve gone from the ridiculous to the sublime. Countered every adversity. Established ourselves as a genuine top six team and engaged in this epic cup run.
Then this.. my heart says yes but my head says no. Surely we can’t overcome this? Arteta’s been freakin’ brilliant lately. Very much justifying his tag of Everton Playmaker. Really filling that number ten jersey. He’s our only true source of spontaneous creativity. The architect of the unknown. I fear we’ll be too predictable without him. That will eventually do for us
I don’t know. Ossie and or Fellaini will have to take up the mantle. Watching that Boro’ vs Hammers replay with a bit more interest now. Err... Come on the Smoggies.
Then this.. my heart says yes but my head says no. Surely we can’t overcome this? Arteta’s been freakin’ brilliant lately. Very much justifying his tag of Everton Playmaker. Really filling that number ten jersey. He’s our only true source of spontaneous creativity. The architect of the unknown. I fear we’ll be too predictable without him. That will eventually do for us
I don’t know. Ossie and or Fellaini will have to take up the mantle. Watching that Boro’ vs Hammers replay with a bit more interest now. Err... Come on the Smoggies.
Our time has come for what exactly. Are you talking about getting our hands on any kind of sliverwear or winning the league.
If its FA Cups etc then yes we stand a very good chance.
I agree our squad has quality but injuries will happen every season. The major issue we have is again linked to our lack of financial power. We simply don’t have the squad numbers to compete in both the EPL and Europe and hope to beat Man Utd and the like over a full season.
We need at least another 3 quality players and a few solid squad members to be able to pull that off.
If its FA Cups etc then yes we stand a very good chance.
I agree our squad has quality but injuries will happen every season. The major issue we have is again linked to our lack of financial power. We simply don’t have the squad numbers to compete in both the EPL and Europe and hope to beat Man Utd and the like over a full season.
We need at least another 3 quality players and a few solid squad members to be able to pull that off.
Well, let’s hope Kenwrick isn’t our next on-field cheerleader...nobody would turn up!
To be fair, losing Arteta is as big a blow as we could NOT have wished for. However, it is fair to say the team have done okay when the very same player played like shit....this is an opportunity for some players to step their game up a notch or two rather than saying we can’t do fuck all without Arteta....as good as he is (and of late he has been very good) he did not run the show on his own!
AvM needs to be played (not necessarily start but he needs time out on the field....we’re paying his fucking wages so why the hell not), Osman needs to be at his best more often, Pienaar could have more of an influence, play Rodwell and Gosling more - they both bloody good players. - give ’em both the chance to prove themselves NOW instead of when they’re 22, or 25 etc!
Cahill is a genius - we still have him! We have Jo (albeit in the league only), we have Fellaini who will improve, the youngsters I mentioned above.....the best defense in the Prem (okay, maybe ManUtd’s is slightly better but only just)....so it’s not totally the end of the world even though I admit it does feel like that right now.
Having a relatively easy run in the next few games will help DM adjust the team accordingly.....I do seriously think we have a chance, a good chance, of at least getting to the final....and then if there - who knows?
AvM can score the winner for all I care as long as were there!
And, as somebody else said, one does have to feel sorry for DM....I’ve only coached U14 and HS myself but losing my best player was bad enough at that level so heaven knows what’s going through DM’s mind right now.
However, in all seriousness, in DM I trust.
COYB!!!
To be fair, losing Arteta is as big a blow as we could NOT have wished for. However, it is fair to say the team have done okay when the very same player played like shit....this is an opportunity for some players to step their game up a notch or two rather than saying we can’t do fuck all without Arteta....as good as he is (and of late he has been very good) he did not run the show on his own!
AvM needs to be played (not necessarily start but he needs time out on the field....we’re paying his fucking wages so why the hell not), Osman needs to be at his best more often, Pienaar could have more of an influence, play Rodwell and Gosling more - they both bloody good players. - give ’em both the chance to prove themselves NOW instead of when they’re 22, or 25 etc!
Cahill is a genius - we still have him! We have Jo (albeit in the league only), we have Fellaini who will improve, the youngsters I mentioned above.....the best defense in the Prem (okay, maybe ManUtd’s is slightly better but only just)....so it’s not totally the end of the world even though I admit it does feel like that right now.
Having a relatively easy run in the next few games will help DM adjust the team accordingly.....I do seriously think we have a chance, a good chance, of at least getting to the final....and then if there - who knows?
AvM can score the winner for all I care as long as were there!
And, as somebody else said, one does have to feel sorry for DM....I’ve only coached U14 and HS myself but losing my best player was bad enough at that level so heaven knows what’s going through DM’s mind right now.
However, in all seriousness, in DM I trust.
COYB!!!
I believe that the outcome of next season and subsequent seasons hinges on the Kirkby decision. Quite a number of blues in the know on the various Everton websites have stated that the Government’s decision whether it be a yes or a no will trigger off a bid for the club, probably from the middle east. If this doesn’t come to fruition, we will inevitably have the usual close season scenario of Kenwright’s bullshitting and lies and last minute bargain hunting.
This may be getting off the thread topic but if approval for Kirkby triggered investment from a man city type investor I would have several concerns.
We have waited patiently over the years watching this team develop and progress. I would be gutted to see that go to waste and have to watch us to turn into the shambles that is Man City and Newcastle. No doubt we need more financial resources but I want someone with an understanding of football. Thats not easy to find
We have waited patiently over the years watching this team develop and progress. I would be gutted to see that go to waste and have to watch us to turn into the shambles that is Man City and Newcastle. No doubt we need more financial resources but I want someone with an understanding of football. Thats not easy to find
the incredulity of this article prevents me from saying anything, I can’t stop laughing.
why is it that EFC have to have their backs to the wall in order to produce anything remotely like a reasonable performance? how much longer has this farce to continue?
in what way are Everton assured of an easy ride to the end of the season?
talk about next season when this one isn’t finished yet????The mind boggles!
why is it that EFC have to have their backs to the wall in order to produce anything remotely like a reasonable performance? how much longer has this farce to continue?
in what way are Everton assured of an easy ride to the end of the season?
talk about next season when this one isn’t finished yet????The mind boggles!
I think how the team going to perform boils down to the manager. I admit Moyes is a top notch coach. But he does not have that abilities to adapt instantly to changing environment and situation. He changed the team when injuries and suspension forced him to do so abeit over a period. He need time to decide what to do. However, if players are injured on the pitch or the play is falling apart he do not know how to react. Just looked at the Newcastle game. He replaced an injured player with another injured player. Or the way he looked dumbfounded by the press asking a surprised question. The point is he need to break that fine barrier to differentiate himeself as a master in the trade, like Ferguson.
A good positive article Andy.
But your a bit too honest for your own good, pointing out the things you’ve got wrong in the past wont help when you put forward your current views.
Do what the rest of us do . . .conveniently forget.
I disagree with your thoughts on Gosling though, I suspect there’s an "Emperors new clothes" situation developing here
Your right about the squad though, I know the current injury crisis threathens to derail our season, but this is the most promising group of players we’ve had for 20 years.
Your also right about Kirkby
But your a bit too honest for your own good, pointing out the things you’ve got wrong in the past wont help when you put forward your current views.
Do what the rest of us do . . .conveniently forget.
I disagree with your thoughts on Gosling though, I suspect there’s an "Emperors new clothes" situation developing here
Your right about the squad though, I know the current injury crisis threathens to derail our season, but this is the most promising group of players we’ve had for 20 years.
Your also right about Kirkby
I agree with the point that Osman should fill the role of Arteta for rest of the season in a central midfield role. However i will be surprised if Moyes buys Jo in the summer ,I think Darren Bent will be a better option.
Yes Michael, you are right. We’ve lost one player so we might as well throw in the towel. I’m not even interested in the Boro/ West Ham game tonight as whoever gets through will undoubtedly beat us 6-0 in the quarters.
We obviously have no talent in the squad whatsoever and Mikel Arteta is the only player who can kick a football. The rest should be playing in the local blind school team.
Nope, I’m not interested in a top 6 finish, it just won’t happen. No more European adventures - they only last a few games anyway.
I give up. Our manager is useless, he could not spot a player if one bit him on the backside. You name me one player he has plucked from the lower leagues or International obscurity. Not to mention any local talent nurtured since they were kids. No, I can’t do it either.
We’ve lost one player - I say lets stop supporting the lads, stop going the pub, stop giving it our all and support Liverpool instead.
We obviously have no talent in the squad whatsoever and Mikel Arteta is the only player who can kick a football. The rest should be playing in the local blind school team.
Nope, I’m not interested in a top 6 finish, it just won’t happen. No more European adventures - they only last a few games anyway.
I give up. Our manager is useless, he could not spot a player if one bit him on the backside. You name me one player he has plucked from the lower leagues or International obscurity. Not to mention any local talent nurtured since they were kids. No, I can’t do it either.
We’ve lost one player - I say lets stop supporting the lads, stop going the pub, stop giving it our all and support Liverpool instead.
Wow, now that’s optimism! Another glass of happy juice for the man in Belfast!
OK - Tim Howard, for me is on the 2nd rung of keepers in the PL - I’d only really consider Cech and Van der Sar as better. I’d put him in the same bracket as Given, Friedel and Reina. I’d be surprised if we could get better....
Hibbert for England?! Hmm.
Vaughan and Saha are due a change of luck, but it’s very unlikely to happen. Vaughan is running out of time to make it as a top player... without a full season very soon, he’s most like fooked it.
It sounds very likely that Mikel won’t make pre-season, so very unlikely that he’ll be back on form until xmas at best.
Jo will likely be back at Man City, unless we can stump up a fair proportion of the £12M or whatever they paid for him.
Everything depends on cash. We have the basis of a very good side. A (largely) good, solid defense and Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill is a good midfield. Hopefully Rodwell can continue to play a big part - very impressed with him. Yak up front is up there with most prem strikers.
If we can get some width and pace to stretch teams, plus a defensive midfielder, a Carsley who can play and a good, quick striker, plus a couple of good squad players.... we can challenge the top-4.
In all likelihood, we’ll see a departure (Yobo?) and bring in a couple of frees plus a big young signing in the Fellaini category and be battling for the top-6 again, steadily building for the future..... whilst Man City and Villa, plus Spurs bring in millions-worth of talent....
OK - Tim Howard, for me is on the 2nd rung of keepers in the PL - I’d only really consider Cech and Van der Sar as better. I’d put him in the same bracket as Given, Friedel and Reina. I’d be surprised if we could get better....
Hibbert for England?! Hmm.
Vaughan and Saha are due a change of luck, but it’s very unlikely to happen. Vaughan is running out of time to make it as a top player... without a full season very soon, he’s most like fooked it.
It sounds very likely that Mikel won’t make pre-season, so very unlikely that he’ll be back on form until xmas at best.
Jo will likely be back at Man City, unless we can stump up a fair proportion of the £12M or whatever they paid for him.
Everything depends on cash. We have the basis of a very good side. A (largely) good, solid defense and Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill is a good midfield. Hopefully Rodwell can continue to play a big part - very impressed with him. Yak up front is up there with most prem strikers.
If we can get some width and pace to stretch teams, plus a defensive midfielder, a Carsley who can play and a good, quick striker, plus a couple of good squad players.... we can challenge the top-4.
In all likelihood, we’ll see a departure (Yobo?) and bring in a couple of frees plus a big young signing in the Fellaini category and be battling for the top-6 again, steadily building for the future..... whilst Man City and Villa, plus Spurs bring in millions-worth of talent....
I have to admit I am more of the same view as Michael on this one. My first thought after the game ended was that Newcastle have screwqed our season. No creativity and lots of fouls giving daft niggly injuries to Gosling and Victor. They booted us all over the field and Fellaini gets booked for pushing Butt over.
Not feeling too optimistic
Not feeling too optimistic
I see today that we are linked to Krancjar of Portsmouth. he could be the ideal stand-in for Arteta till he comes back.
A pacy winger - possibly a bright star from the lower leagues - would complete the team IMO.
For sure, Castillo & AVDM will leave in the summer.
A pacy winger - possibly a bright star from the lower leagues - would complete the team IMO.
For sure, Castillo & AVDM will leave in the summer.
Does anybody have any stats on our results with and without Arteta in the last year or so? Would be interesting to see those, especially against different levels of opposition.
Yeah Ajay, I agree, Krancjar will be ideal to fill in for Arteta until he is back.
There?s a problem with him coming though... it?ll come back to me... give me a minute.................. oh yeah, that?s it, THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There?s a problem with him coming though... it?ll come back to me... give me a minute.................. oh yeah, that?s it, THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a load of absolute rubbish.
i stopped taking this post seriously at hibbert a future england fullback lol
HELL!
i stopped taking this post seriously at hibbert a future england fullback lol
HELL!
James
I’m not saying Hibberts’s international class, but I dont see an abundance of English right backs do you ?
Laugh as loud as you want, but Andy’s right.
Hibbert will play for England
I’m not saying Hibberts’s international class, but I dont see an abundance of English right backs do you ?
Laugh as loud as you want, but Andy’s right.
Hibbert will play for England
You know what you can argue this and that, you can predict what ever you like.... All I do know is one thing and one thing only after the season we’ve had..... I?m proud to be a blue nose..FACT. From the days when I sat on my fathers shoulders to over 40 years onwards, I?ll be proudly shouting the blues on this coming weekend now more than most...I hope we all are... I?m so proud of the boys in blue for showing the rest of the clubs in the PL what true team spirit is, with what little resources we have, with no millions to spend, we dont have the best staduim but we do have a staduim that has seen many glory days and tears shed in it?s history, a staduim that still has heart and a soul.
We?ve not had luck on our side, infact we?ve had no luck all season and yet we still continue to fight. So if the team shows this spirit then so should our blue fans, were not like the souless RS from across the park, we look after each other when times are hard. Remember Everton is a Traditional local peoples club of which there are very few left in this money making world and I FOR ONE AM VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF.
With no luck on our side, with our back against the wall and against all odds lets show the rest in the PL how this Everton Family fight!!!
We?ve not had luck on our side, infact we?ve had no luck all season and yet we still continue to fight. So if the team shows this spirit then so should our blue fans, were not like the souless RS from across the park, we look after each other when times are hard. Remember Everton is a Traditional local peoples club of which there are very few left in this money making world and I FOR ONE AM VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF.
With no luck on our side, with our back against the wall and against all odds lets show the rest in the PL how this Everton Family fight!!!
Richard Parker - "Vaughan is running out of time to make it as a top player... without a full season very soon, he?s most like fooked it."
Are you for real!!?? He’s 20 FFS!!!
Are you for real!!?? He’s 20 FFS!!!
During our better moments of last season, I don?t think it?s unfair to say that Arteta was anonymous for the most part, carrying an injury and playing in a position that didn?t suit him. I thought he?d given up on Everton, to be honest. Even then, we still managed to pay what most of us on here recognised to be the best stuff we?d seen in years.
Whether we can survive him being out now, I don?t know. Things have changed. Fellaini, after seeming to turn the corner, has hit a run of poor form, and Osman might as well have not been playing in the recent derbies. I can?t see AvdM getting more than the odd cameo, and Pienaar has been nothing but a frustration this season ? the guy is clearly gifted, but his final pass/ decision is so often the wrong one, which has made my bollocks vibrate with frustration.
I?d like to think the nice passing footie we?ve been seeing won?t just totally disappear, but we?ll probably ? and understandably ? revert to a more cautious approach. But we can do this stuff in our sleep. It?s how Moyes plays his tactical hand now that counts, and disrupting the back four as he did on Sunday to accomodate Yobo didn?t fill me with hope.
Stay focused, Davie, stay focued.....
Whether we can survive him being out now, I don?t know. Things have changed. Fellaini, after seeming to turn the corner, has hit a run of poor form, and Osman might as well have not been playing in the recent derbies. I can?t see AvdM getting more than the odd cameo, and Pienaar has been nothing but a frustration this season ? the guy is clearly gifted, but his final pass/ decision is so often the wrong one, which has made my bollocks vibrate with frustration.
I?d like to think the nice passing footie we?ve been seeing won?t just totally disappear, but we?ll probably ? and understandably ? revert to a more cautious approach. But we can do this stuff in our sleep. It?s how Moyes plays his tactical hand now that counts, and disrupting the back four as he did on Sunday to accomodate Yobo didn?t fill me with hope.
Stay focused, Davie, stay focued.....
Andrew, why has Fellaini hit a bad spell? He has been injured and suspended and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to see it; once he is fit you will see him back to how he was. I cannot believe the stick this lad is getting lately, everyone was distraught when he got suspended, we then had three good games without him, he came back and got injured straight away and was not fit enough on Sunday either and all of a sudden he is a whipping boy for some!
What I can't understand is when Fellaini was initially out injured it was supposed to be with a bad back. Today, it?s being reported he has a fractured rib.
Either way, you are spot on Paul, we should be encouraging players who are clearly carrying injuries ? not getting on their backs.
Either way, you are spot on Paul, we should be encouraging players who are clearly carrying injuries ? not getting on their backs.
Unfortunately, a change in luck for Vaughan and Saha is not how it works. They are and always will be injury prone. I’d be tempted to get rid of these two at the end of the season and free up some places on the wage bill for more reliable players. As harsh at it seems, our small squad can’t accommodate players who we know will spend most of each season in the physio room.
Frankly, James, I really don?t want to join the ranks of "True Evertonians" I have criticised ? David Moyes and Bill Kenwright in the past and I?m sure I will again. Being a supporter does not, in my view, require blind loyalty.
If we have been playing Fellaini even if he is so badly injured (reported broken ribs, playing through the pain barrier), then we might as well throw in Mikel or Yakubu or the rest of the squad. I think we should be asking why played him and affect the performance of the team. Are we so short of players?
I agree with the post, the future is looking good.
I expect a class midfield playmaker to be brought in during the summer to give us more creative options, to take some pressure of Mikel, and a right winger.
The defence is great, and the forward line is unlikely to be bolstered when everyone is fit, as for sure Davy will play with the one striker.
I feel for Moyes, he has had little luck the season but has conducted himself with great credit, as have the players during a difficult period.
The futures bright, the futures blue
I expect a class midfield playmaker to be brought in during the summer to give us more creative options, to take some pressure of Mikel, and a right winger.
The defence is great, and the forward line is unlikely to be bolstered when everyone is fit, as for sure Davy will play with the one striker.
I feel for Moyes, he has had little luck the season but has conducted himself with great credit, as have the players during a difficult period.
The futures bright, the futures blue
Mikel brings something special to the team however stats given by Skysports show that the record without him over the years is not much worse than with him and some of the games that were won where on some of his off days.We do have options that will help finish the season creditably as long as we have no more injuries.
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