ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

That's the way to do it!

David Moyes seems to have cracked this management lark now. To out mind-game the purple-faced one before a major Cup-tie was genius.

Done in such a subtle way to have Ferguson not respond and strangely point all his bile at Benitez on the eve of the Semi ? whereas Mike Riley was having sleepless nights with the eyes of the nation doubting his integrity ? was one of the best tactics employed before a ball was kicked.

Like it or not, psychology plays a major part in today's game ? welcome to the table Everton. Welcome to the elite Mr Moyes.

I thought the pitch yesterday reminded me of Aintree ? after the National. There was no wonder Hibbert and Baines could not lift the ball over the first defender being so soft under foot. Considering the pitch, I think in retrospect, it was a good idea to have the Semi at Wembley ? as our players will benefit greatly from this experience of playing on this dreadful pitch. Our fans were incredible ? it was like rewinding back to the mid 80s once again ? the passion and colours were a joy to behold.

I thought Ferguson?s team selection threw us? our players were drilled to look after Rooney, Ronaldo and Carrick ? when they were faced with none of these they found it difficult to suss out their system ? and found it quite difficult to deal with Tevez and particularly Andersson.

We have over a month now to prepare for the final. It gives us time to try to get Saha up to speed and Vaughany some games under his belt. Just a word on Vaughn if I may ? five months out and with the balls to take a pen yesterday ? outstanding contribution from the young fella. Delighted for Tim Howard ? hopefully that will get his confidence flowing again ? going back to the psychology point not many players will want to face him now with a pen in the coming weeks?

Certainly we will have to raise our game for the final. We did not once show the superb passing that we witnessed at Villa and can, of course, play much better and will indeed benefit from yesterday?s experience.

With Europe now guaranteed, it gives Moyesy much needed room for allowing a few of his charges a much needed rest?Leon, Steven, Tim, Jags and Joleon would benefit most ? but not for too long I hope as the momentum we have now needs to stay intact. No marketeer could ever generate the interest and positive spin on Everton FC better than Moyes, the team and the fans are doing themselves at the moment. Long may it continue.
Steve Callaghan, Liverpool Posted 20/04/2009 at 07:15:36

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Jimmy Crack
1 Posted 20/04/2009 at 15:54:26

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Mind games...

I really do not understand the fuss over all this. What did Moyes say exactly? The way I thought it went down was that a reporter implied that Riley was a Man United fan and Moyes said that if that was true then the FA should look into it, end of story. I didn?t think he proactively went out to cause "doubt about Riley?s integrity"; that?s not Moyes?s way.

Let me know if I?m wrong please.

Ian Tunny
2 Posted 20/04/2009 at 16:29:23

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Moyes knew exactly what he was doing with his comment about the reff, he did something similar before the Liverpool game which paid off so he tried it again.

I dont like to see this sort of thing, but the media and their influence to bias refs has gone against us in the past with key decisions but Moyes completly turned it on its head and out Fergied Fergie, he just gave him a taste of his own medicine.

I think the way the BBC tried to put ideas into the refs head about fellaini also justifies Moyes’s approach. If Moyes hadnt said anything i have no doubt Man U would have got the pen.

Moyes was protecting his team from what would have been a heartbreakingly harsh penalty which would have cost us the game and would have completly knocked the wind out of our sails for the rest of the season.

Jaggs wouldnt have deserved it either considering his performances this season now instead he’s the hero he deserves to be.

I was also delighted to see Aladyce and Benitez at each others throats. Big sam also tried his dirty tricks recently putting ideas into the refs head about Cahill and seemed very happy when Cahill got injured.

These dirty tricks have gone on for a long time and its about time Moyes played them at their own game.

Neil McKinney
3 Posted 20/04/2009 at 18:21:31

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I tend to agree more with Jimmy. I saw the interview on Skysports News and the Sky reporter asked a direct question to Moyes about what he thought of Mike Riley being a Manure fan. Moyes in true evasive "I’m not being drawn into that" style, said maybe you should ask the FA that as they decide who refs the game.

The media then ran wild with it and it was everywhere. I know that’s what SAF does deliberately a lot, but I really don’t see, mind games or not, how else Moyes could’ve dealt with it.

Did he actually raise a direct complaint with the FA? If he did then credit where it’s due, but I thought it was all a bit of hype to be honest even if it maybe did end up working in our favour. If there had been no penalty shout, then we would have heard no more of it.

In the end we’re through and the superb Everton fans will get another chance to blow Wembley away with the fantastic support that was shown yesterday.

COYB!!

Andy Crooks
4 Posted 20/04/2009 at 19:43:15

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I?d be thoroughly embarassed if I thought that David Moyes had indulged in any sort of pathetic, press-induced mind-games. We won because of the commitment of the players and the supporters.