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Everton's Massive Squad

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When I read that Yobo was now included in our growing injury list, my head fell into my hands in despair so I listed down our options for tomorrow's crucial game at Pompey and was pleasantly surprised with the options still available to us:

  1. Howard (most improved goalkeeper this season).
  2. Neville (most inspirational leader and captain this season).
  3. Baines (most improved player of the season).
  4. Jagielka (best player of the season).
  5. Lescott (best player of last two seasons).
  6. Rodwell (best young player of the season).
  7. Cahill (most feared goalscoring midfielder of the season).
  8. Osman (best player at nicking the ball off the oppositions toes!).
  9. Jo (best loan signing of the season).
  10. Fellaini (daftest haircut of the season!).
  11. Pienaar (hardest working player and most improved player of the last couple of games).
This still leaves Jacobsen as cover at right back, Gosling and AvDM as midfield cover, Saha as a second half replacement up front if goals are still needed. Rodwell to centre half, Lescott to left back Neville to centre midfield all provide flexibility with any of the above substitutions. Add to all the above one of the most respected Managers in the business and we have every reason to be confident.

Isn't it time we stopped depressng ourselves that we have a small squad and long term injuries to Yakubu, Arteta Anichebe, Valente and Vaughan, and recent additions of Hibbert and Yobo, could halt our pursuit of a 4th place finish and FA Cup glory and start believing that Villa and Arsenal are more worried about us than we need be about them? How many other Premier Leagur teams could cope with our injury list and still be in our position?

Three points tomorrow and the rest of the league will start to believe as well!
Gary Joyce, Hertfordshire     Posted 20/03/2009 at 10:56:30

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Craig Taylor
1   Posted 20/03/2009 at 11:03:58

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I bet I am not the first to post this thought, however Yobo is out for about a month and I can't help feeling that this is a good thing.

Ok, we could do without any more injuries, but this will force Moyes to put Jags back in the middle along side Lescott. I only hope he doesn't move Captain Pip to right back.

It has to be Jacobsen, or if Moyes does think he is shit then Gosling can play in his natural position.

Steve Hopkins
2   Posted 20/03/2009 at 16:19:57

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I must admit I find it hard to smile about an injury but Yobo?s passing has been atrocius since his (unwarranted) return to the side and, let's face it, with Arteta out we need as much composure in the side as possible.
Robert Jones
3   Posted 20/03/2009 at 16:45:12

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I like Yobo but this injury feels like a blessing from the Blue Gods.
Keith Glazzard
4   Posted 20/03/2009 at 16:58:12

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Its almost like the hundreds of comments about the back4 on here over the last couple of weeks have brought this about. Tomorrow our speculation will be over and we will know what Moyes will do now that Yobo is unavailable.

Personally, I can’t believe he won’t play his strongest pair at CB, and if I gambled I would go for the long-shot of Jacobsen in at RB. This isn’t what Moyes would like but given Tim’s fitness, the rest of the line-up would pick itself - something that Moyes would like.
Gary Creaney
5   Posted 20/03/2009 at 17:11:42

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I’ll third all that.

In years gone by I’ve been prepared to accept Yobo as we had little else but given how inpenetrable Jags and Lescott have proven to be it only makes sense for us to be happy that Yobo isn’t in the team. The downside is that it came leaving no real cover for centre half, but I wouldn’t worry about right back. Surely now Jacobsen deserves some playing time.
Alan Clarke
6   Posted 20/03/2009 at 17:18:01

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Isn’t VDM also injured?
Sam Myers
7   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:05:47

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I’d be surprised if he wasn’t!
Gavin Ramejkis
8   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:06:17

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You mention dropping Rodwell to Centre Back and Lescott to Left Back then where do you play Baines????? No news on when Hibbert is back so who at Right Back?
Paul Niklas
9   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:18:58

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Rodwell - young player, in the games he has played I bet you can add add up on two hands how many times he has touched the ball. The games he has started he has been woeful, and one game as sub namely the derby and I counted by the way he touched the ball 6 times.

If he is the best young player then we're fucked. What are you or who are you watching? Rodwell will never be a midfielder for me.
Paul Lally
10   Posted 20/03/2009 at 17:57:20

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Tuesday, Moyes is interviewed and states that Jacobsen needs to be ready, as he may have an important role to play, until the end of the season. Today, it is realeased that Yobo is out for a month (minimum). Defo not a coincidence, especially, as Moyes made no comment when Jacobsen expressed his frustration a few weeks ago.

I expect Jacobsen to play and Jags to move back to his rightful position. This leaves Phil sitting in front of Jags and Lescott where he should be. As Steve Round said recently, having Phil in the middle as captain is very, very important to how the whole team gels.

Good luck to Lars. What a chance he has and hopefully grabs it with both hands. Portsmouth, Wigan then the Villa to make the place his own for the semi. I hope he plays so well that Moyes has a very difficuly decision to make, once Yobo and especially Hibbo, are fit.

Like a lot on TW, I have been baffled by the decision to move Jags to right back.The next couple of games will show whether Moyes was being overly loyal to Yobo or that Lars is in fact shite. Come on Lars. I hope you have a stormer tomorrow.
COYB

Alasdair Mackay
11   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:37:01

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I would imagine the team will be Howard; Neville (RB), Jags anmd Joleon, Baines; Osman, Rodwell, Cahill, Piennar; Fellainin, Jo.
He will then bring Saha on for Cahill or Felli; Gosling on for Ossie or Peanuts and he may try Jacobsen on for Rodwell with Neville switching to midfield.

Still a good side in my opinion, but it does leave us very predictable. It will be a tight one tomorrow but we have it in us to take all three points and a draw would not leave us out of it entirely in my opinion.
Joeynkoo Ludden
12   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:51:35

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I agree - this is a blessing in disguise. Jacobsen to replace Hibbert, back 4 otherwise at is should be. Our season has been built on the Lescott Jags partnership.
Rich Garside
13   Posted 20/03/2009 at 18:59:52

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Paul Niklas... to be honest mate, you must be watching a different game to me. Rodwell has gone about his business quietly I agree, but against Villa in the cup for example he was quality wasn't he???

You say he will never be a midfielder, fair enough, but I don't think we have seen enough of him there to make a decision just yet... I know moyes thinks he will move back to CB after a few years, but he might be moulded into a decent defensive midfielder that we havn't got. Time will tell hey...

stephen stuart
14   Posted 20/03/2009 at 19:23:53

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Surely the time is coming when Moyes will have a squad of no more than 13 players, making team selection that much easier. If any injuries do occur, which is very rare for this team, then he can go and find players on loan. Helps with the team budget too, especially with the prospect of having to pay for the KirkbyDrone
colin smith
15   Posted 20/03/2009 at 19:28:48

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From yesterday’s Echo...I think that bit about not having complete movement in his shoulder explains the reluctance to start Jacobsen... â??Lars started brightly but then he had the problem with his dislocated shoulder and it has taken some time for him to get back,â? said Moyes. â??Part of the reason it has taken so long for him to be involved was down to the fact he was having trouble taking throw-ins; he could not get full range of movement. â??But now that he has got himself fully fit and seen the standard that is required, he has seen the lads who have been playing in his position do really well. â??Lars is a good lad and it has been a case of him having to bide his time but there may come a point when we need him during the rest of the season.â? I reckon he’ll start & assuming Cahill is fit Everton will start with same line up as last week.
Joe McMahon
16   Posted 20/03/2009 at 19:59:59

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All those claiming injury to Yobo is a good thing, what do we do when Lescott or Jaqs get injured?
Brian Richardson
17   Posted 20/03/2009 at 20:09:42

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Paul Niklas, you are so far out it’s almost unbelievable. Everybody who knows football knows that Rodwell is an incredibly special footballer. Including Arteta, who rates him as the most naturally talented player he’s seen at that age.

Against Villa, he was phenomonal. Against Liverpool, his composure and maturity enabled us to step up the pressure. Against Newcastle, he was the best player on the pitch. Against Boro, he was taken off because he barely touched the ball. He barely touched the ball because we were playing shite and hoofing it over his head.

I’m amazed at the way you spoke about Rodwell. Fortunately, I’m confident that you’ll be eating your words - probably before the season is over.
Nick Xenos
18   Posted 20/03/2009 at 20:39:45

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I agree with the positive comments about Rodwell, he’s hardly put a foot wrong! He has shown great composure on the ball, good positioning, and his distribution has been neat and tidy on most occasions. I am amazed that people are jumping on someone so young when infact he has done brilliantly.
Howard Kendall
19   Posted 20/03/2009 at 21:04:07

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Has no one else picked up on Lescotts best player of the last 2 seasons award?

Wasn’t he (deliberately) playing rottern at the start of the year (let back) so he was picked as centre back?

Perry Umbown
20   Posted 20/03/2009 at 21:02:35

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Cmon why would you wanna slag off our Joey, he’s come back in after an injury and done a good job where he was asked to play and you cant say we’ve let that many goals in

Injuries to any player are bad anytime, you might argue that the yak’s injury turned our season round, but i think imagine where we might be if he’d have been playing like he was last season.

Like someone said we need all the players we can get right now and I cant see any positive in Moyes having less players to pick a team out of.

Anyway - tomorrow we’ll see eh

Right. Booze time.
Matthew Douglas
21   Posted 20/03/2009 at 21:39:33

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Have to agree with Perry on Yobo (and the booze time). The lad has just come back from injury and has been improving in every game since he’s been back. I do agree that the best central partnership is Jags and Lescott however I don’t think Yobo getting injured is a "good thing" as it further limits our already stretched options. Personally, i think we’ll finally see Jacobsen tomorrow as Moyesie will be loathe to lose Pip’s influence in midfield. However, I wouldn’t be upset if Pip was thrown in at RB and Rodwell stepped into the defensive midfielder role.

Can’t understand how anyone can slag off Rodwell either.....just beyond me. The lad has oozed class and is more composed on the ball than anyone that age should be.
Andrew Edwards
22   Posted 20/03/2009 at 22:08:25

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Paul Niklas, you are beyond any doubt a prize idiot: "Rodwell will never be a midfielder for me" ? you are obviously not much of a football man when you can't appreciate a boy playing with the calmness, composure and class of a seasoned professional.

Anyway, ahead of tomorrow's match I think it's quite predictable what Moyes will do and it's Jacobsen for Yobo and the same as last week. After that, as long as Cahill makes it... if not, it will be Rodwell in with Fellaini pushed futher forward. Let's hope for an early goal and a comfortable 0-2 win.

Dick Fearon
23   Posted 20/03/2009 at 22:19:31

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Those who suggest Yobo’s injury is a good thing are poor examples of what makes a good supporter.
If you said the same thing about Osman I might agree.
At this time of year against many relegation battlers a la Blackburn Stoke and Hull,a little more muscle and a bit less fancy stuff is needed.
When we play a good team a la United Osman goes missing. The same cannot be said of Yobo.
Steve Green
24   Posted 20/03/2009 at 23:02:39

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So Dick, by your reckoning, it?s a poor example of a supporter if you criticise criteria surrounding player A, but considered ok if you criticise player B! I?d suggest it?s a poor supporter who publicly voices that type of hypocritical shite.
Michael Darragh
25   Posted 20/03/2009 at 22:57:24

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Our outstanding team spirit and effort (coupled I think with a fair bit of ability and some really good football when we get it right) is widely recognised as what has got us this far in this injury hit season.

It is apparent that DM engenders and demands that work ethic and togetherness and I think the right back selection for the last couple of games has given a little insight into that. I?m sure Jo Yobo being given the nod, and moving Jags to right back so our captain can stay in the middle is not a lack of confidence in Lars Jacobsen as such... but a reflection of the trust and loyalty that DM and his players share. DM can see what we can see that this isn't ideal but he has still stood by the guy who has been a good servant for us plenty of times before.

No-one would want Yobo to be injured I?m sure, but we are all just a little intrigued to see how Lars will go at right back if given a chance eh? I know I was fairly keen to see him get a run out just before his injury. If he plays and plays as well as hibbo has these past few weeks that would be pretty good! COYB
Jay Harris
26   Posted 20/03/2009 at 23:15:53

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I think most of us agree, looking forward to Jags NOT playing RB irrespective of how it has come about.

I feel sorry for Joey; poor start to the season due to his brother?s kidnapping, then injury, then being expected to drop into Jags's shoes, then injured again.

I expect we?ll start with Lars ar RB Jags back in the middle and PN remaining in MF. If Lars doesnt last the whole game PN or Gosling can drop in leaving a hole for Castillo or Saha to come on to finish them off.
Iain Love
27   Posted 20/03/2009 at 23:27:15

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For the past few weeks on here, a lot of people have wanted Jags back in the middle; with Joey's injury that will happen. Now we will see if Lars will get his chance ? he can?t be worse than Castillo.
Iain Love
28   Posted 20/03/2009 at 23:40:43

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Sorry... Osman ? best at, errrr, what? I know as you were going through the list you got to Ossie and thought, "What the fuck can I say about him?"

Jo ? not convinced yet... Fellaini ? surely you can come up with something else, like nearly as ungainly as Crouch, fouls more than Nolan!!!! Moans more than Fergie/ Wenger... or potentially as good as Viera.

John Brennan
29   Posted 21/03/2009 at 08:15:23

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We must surely see Jacobsen today, perhaps not for 90 minutes, but circumstances now dictate there is little alternative, at least until Hibbert returns.

I find myself frequently forgetting that Castillo is still with us! Is he too slow for Premier League football but nevertheless talented? I only ask because I haven't seen the lads live this season, I am marooned in the northeast, but will be going to the Stadium of Light for that game when we might be around 5th.

Prediction for today? A few scares and a bright start from Pompey. Final score 1-1 (Fellaini).

Peter Hall
30   Posted 21/03/2009 at 10:10:42

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I don’t think Rodwell is a midfielder either, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t promising. Remember what Jags was like in midfield and we wondered why Moyes had bought him?

The last couple of games Rodwell has played the game has gone past him and the oppo have been too clever and quick for him. I think some have exaggerated his impact against Villa as well. He doesn’t seem to me to have the 360 degree awareness that you need in the centre.

But he is neat and confident on the ball, is big and strong, good in the air, and looks a top prospect for centre back. When there is a vacancy.
Paul Olsen
31   Posted 21/03/2009 at 10:31:59

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Yobo injured - a blessing?

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid notion.

If you catch my drift...

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