ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Choose any Two from Three

The Jag and Lescott have been absolutely immense for us this season, taming some of the finest forwards in the world... so when David Moyes decided to bring Joseph Yobo in for the Chelsea game, my first reaction was to just accept and welcome him giving the Jag a well earned rest.

But is that all there is to it?

Only two forwards have given Jagielka and Lescott any problems at all this year: John Carew and Peter Crouch. Could the aerial threat of a big centre-forward be their Achilles heel?

Did David Moyes rest the Jag in order to see if big Joey's more muscular approach to the game would be a better way of dealing with the Drogba threat? Drogba is a big Tart, his ridiculous reactions to the slightest contact are shameful... but he can be awesome, sometimes almost unplayable. Chelsea are a very different proposition when he's firing; shut him and Lampard out... and the cup will be ours.

Joey was more than a match for an in-form Drogba on Wednesday, but he still has the odd mistake in him. Jagielka and Lescott have been brilliant this season... except against Villa and Pompey, I wonder who you guys think will get the nod and would it be your choice?
Dave Wilson, Liverpool Posted 24/04/2009 at 16:36:09

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james stewart
1 Posted 25/04/2009 at 05:05:16

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i think moyes will go jags and lescott unless there is an injury of course.

i personally would put yobo on drogba again but its a nice position to be in having the choice

Neil Humphreys
2 Posted 25/04/2009 at 08:59:35

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I still think that we could play a more fluid team of 3-5-2. Yobo right, Jags in the middle and Lescott left. We could use wing backs in Baines and Gosling and it could easily switch between 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 where the game needed it. We have the flexibility for this sort of system in the squad - I know its out of favour but if we are serious about improving the midfield and attack, I think it gives us an interesting option...

mick wrende
3 Posted 25/04/2009 at 09:51:01

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This is a silly thread. Why on earth would Moyes leave out Jagielka who has been a revelation this season and by a country mile our best central defender.

Matthew Lovekin
4 Posted 25/04/2009 at 10:45:01

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I think that the main thing we learnt from the Chelsea game was that our best defensive partnership was Jags and Lescott. Yobo had his chance and despite some good pieces of play also looked vulnerable on some other plays. Jags and Lescott simply don’t look vulnerable at all.

To be a top 4 side you need a decent squad, not just 2 quality centre-backs but 3 or even 4. Yobo is going to have to accept he is now 3rd choice. Joey is quality and I’d love to have him in the squad to cover injuries, suspensions and to rest Jags and Lescott, but if he is not willing to accept being 3rd choice then you can’t keep a player who is not happy.

Alan Clarke
5 Posted 25/04/2009 at 10:49:34

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I would rest Cahill too against Chelsea and give Nash a run out in the final. And Neville will probably be tired by then so just play Castillo.

James Tunstead
6 Posted 25/04/2009 at 11:22:31

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I thought Yobo was superb against Chelsea. My hunch is Moyes will play both Yobo and Jagielka who will replace Hibbert at right back.
Chelsea only looked dangerous from corners and free kicks around our box and they have so many big men we will need all of our strongest headers of the ball. Chelsea dont play with width so playing Hibbo would be pointless, plus he would be prone to giving away vital possession.
I also feel (although his aerial ability would help) that Fellaini wont start as he will give away too many free kicks allowing them to pump long balls and crosses into our box.
After his display on Wednesday Castillo might get the nod.

Ian Kearney
7 Posted 25/04/2009 at 11:43:13

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Glad you brought this up Dave, because while I cant see Moyes changing his two centre halves who have been superb this season, I also dont think Joey got enough credit for the way he slotted in against one of the best teams in europe.

But ultimately I think Joey will just have to wait his turn like Jags did. On another note I think it would be madness to start without Fellaini, but the weak link at the back if there is one is Hibbert, I’d like to see Lars play a couple more games.

Andy Morden
8 Posted 25/04/2009 at 12:37:54

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@ James Tunstead - 1) your assertion that Chelsea don’t play with width - nonsense. Malouda is an out and out winger. They shift and change their formation as necessary. Hiddink is a shrewd tactition and he’ll alter his gameplan as the game goes on. They may start out narrow, but he’s likley to change. 2) Your assertion that Jags should play at right back ahead of Hibebrt appears to be based upon your belief that HIbbert gives the ball away a lot. Erm, what exactly did Jags do at right back this season? Looked distinctly uncomfortable and gave the ball away.

Hibbo has done well this season, we know his limitations, but unless Jacobsen proves to be top drawer and reliable over the next few games then he deserves his slot. Plus I’d rather have Jags in the middle. His focus is amazing.

Lee Watters
9 Posted 25/04/2009 at 14:35:26

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any links for the game???

Seamus Murphy
10 Posted 25/04/2009 at 14:38:06

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LOL Alan Clarke you are a wind up merchant!

vasco teixeira
11 Posted 25/04/2009 at 14:56:04

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no links to the game?

Chris Banasko
12 Posted 25/04/2009 at 14:54:53

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http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch2.html

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=36788&part=sports