ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

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Carved in stone

After yesterday, all those who tucked away their penalties, should have their names written, or maybe their faces carved in stone. And if we end up with our very own Mount Rushmore, which face will we look upon with the most reverence?

I know whose my own devotion will fall upon ? Pip's! The last pen he took, by his own omission, was when he was eleven. He missed it, and apparently his da told him to never take one again.

I don't know whether Phil's dad is still ailve (and I sincereley hope he is) but Christ, what pride he might or does feel today!

And what a man Phil Neville has been since he came to us! Never previously, I must admit, a player I had much time for, his most poignant moment, from my memory, being a catastrophic challenge that led to England being knocked out of the European Championship finals.

But ever since he left the 'Theatre of Wet Dreams' for the celibate 'Life of Moyes', he has steadily gained my admiration. A footballer with limitations, but in this awful age of greed, a player who plays, albeit for a decent wage, for pride and loyalty first.

Even before the shoot out, he stood alongside a 'probably should have been sent off' Fellaini with the ref, like a loving mother who knows her sprog is bang to rights, but is still rigidly aligned to his defence. And again, before the shoot out, stood by the ref telling him who was going to take our kicks.

And you just knew he was going to be one of them. Stepping up to the plate, taking responsibility, showing all his teammates that the 'Promised Land' he has consistently argued was just around the corner, was not just a piece of platitude.

Fuck, I love the guy!

I trust all Evertonians feel the same way about him. I know we haven't won anything shiny yet. It just feels like it!!!

And Pip was 'The Man.'
Martin Downey, Belfast Posted 19/04/2009 at 23:35:05

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Dave Whitwell
1 Posted 20/04/2009 at 04:25:48

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Whole-heartedly agree, I can?t say enough about the guy, a true leader and will hopefully one day also make a great coach for Everton.

I know we haven?t won anything yet but being at Wembley yesterday and at Goodison in recent months it just feels like this giant is awakening.

I think Moyes stated in the match build-up that even if not this time then this squad will so be winning something and I think that is true, he has taken some time to build this but it is gradually coming together.

A capable squad of young talent with further potential gaining experience in such situations can only be a good thing. Dare I say as well the Moyes has come of age and out-fergied the man himself, with his comments about Riley. He won the mind games against the master.

I was so proud to be a blue today, one of my colleagues owns a Wembley seat and has been to all of these matches, he said that the noise from the Toffees was the best that he had seen.

Jason Broome
2 Posted 20/04/2009 at 04:26:46

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I honestly believe that he is a better captain than his brother and I believe he would make a better manager as well. He has presence during interviews and commands respect throughout the team.

Days like these you appreciate certain players' net worth. For us, Phillip Neville is invaluable.

Jason Broome
3 Posted 20/04/2009 at 04:34:11

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Changing the point ever so slightly... Congratulations to Tim Howard. Those two penalty saves were immense!

Jimmy Hoffa
4 Posted 20/04/2009 at 04:35:40

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I think changing Saha with Rodwell really turned the game on the dime. Saha was brilliant at times, but his niggling injury just got the better of him.

He should?ve been substituted at the half.

John Hill
5 Posted 20/04/2009 at 05:32:37

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Martin

I totally agree.
Some things you didn?t mention about the man:
- Brutally honest
- Hates losing
- Is a born winner
- doesn?t take a step backwards
- and changed our season with a single tackle.

And this is spreading through the team.

Gavin Ramejkis
6 Posted 20/04/2009 at 07:12:10

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Martin not sure if you went to Wembley or not but got to pick you up on "probably should have been sent off", utter bollocks, Old Mother Riley was getting more and more arsey with Fellaini for fuck all and the reason he was subbed was to save the ref sending him off for yet another fair fifty-fifty challenge.

Got to agree with the sentiments on Pip, he led the team well yesterday and didn?t shirk his responsibility even standing up for a pen which I was dreading but don?t forget Tim was devestated missing his and must have thought he had let the fans and players down but Everton are a team where they all play for each other no matter what.

Rory Slingo
7 Posted 20/04/2009 at 08:00:04

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I agree with every word, Martin. And, as Gavin says, Everton play for each other. When we had no strikers, Timmy stepped up to the plate. And up and converted all theirs!

I admit, after Cahill missed and seeing Baines and Neville walk to the spot, I thought we were out for sure! Boy, was I ever glad to be proved wrong!! Shame on me!

And thank fuck James Vaughan is back! God, I miss that lad. All he needs to do is stay injury-free, get his sharpness back, and we?re gonna have a brilliant strikeforce next season, with the Yak back, Saha, Victor fighting for his place (hopefully, if not, jog on) and maybe Jo on another season-long loan.

Phil Ashton
8 Posted 20/04/2009 at 08:11:56

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To all those Phil Neville haters out there, next time you are itching to slag him off in a game, remember who stepped up to the plate when it came to the penalties. He had never previously taken a penalty in a competitive game. I?m sure you would have loved him to miss as well.
COYB!!

Ste Lewis
9 Posted 20/04/2009 at 10:41:47

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Neville Neville must be proud.

Danny Broderick
10 Posted 20/04/2009 at 12:20:08

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If it wasn?t for Jagielka, Neville would be our player of the season in my opinion. He has played a massive role these last few seasons. He is widely respected behind the scenes and he has won the fans over because initially there were a lot of people who didn?t want him to succeed at Everton.

I liked the fact that he didn?t celebrate his penalty and rub his old club?s noses in it. But when he got back to the halfway line he clenched his fists to the Everton fans. You could see how much it meant to him, I?m made up for him and all of us! COYB!

Steve Guy
11 Posted 20/04/2009 at 13:21:23

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One other point in addition to all those above. PN also showed a certain Granny lover how best to react in front of fans whose team you once played for. Score your penalty (with aplomb) in front of said fans, no fist pumping, no badge kissing, no bile. Class and professionalism personified.

Rich Williams
12 Posted 20/04/2009 at 15:02:05

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Neville Neville is alive!

Mark Stone
13 Posted 20/04/2009 at 16:13:13

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Let me put your mind at rest, for neville neville is alive and kicking.