The Mail Bag
Belief is still The Key
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I felt compelled today to submit my first ever cotribution to ToffeeWeb. Ever since Jags went down clutching that knee, my phone has been ringing off the hook, with messages like ?Well that's it, season over? and ?thats the final lost then?. In the face of such negativity, often seen on these pages, I just wanted to say, belief is still the key.
Moyes's team over the years has been built on a fantastic team spirit. No doubt, over the next few days, that will take quite a whack, and require some rebuilding. It's up to us as fans from now until the end of the season, over these next few games, to show unequivocal support for those players who do take the pitch.
Let me take you back to January ? Everton vs Liverpool, twice in a few days, and Arteta, our best player at the time, gets injured. The phone rings to a similar beat ?Game Over?, or ?We're Out?. I've never been one to say the old line 'this is our year', but something encouraged me this year ? our progress in cup competitions the season before. The thought of the team I love running out to 6,000 blue supporters at Anfield, all I needed was belief. That was all I could preach to the doubters, that if we believed, so would the players.
Its my opinion that we as fans played a big part at Anfield that day. Don't get me wrong, I'm hurting right now, the loss of Jags is massive, and I hate to think what the player is going through. But it's up to us right now to pick the rest of the team up, back whoever pulls on that Blue Shirt, show our support irrespective and head to Wembley at the end of May with all we need ? Belief. COYB.
Martin Graves, Posted 26/04/2009 at 16:55:49
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Injured players don't always come back so well and we have Yakubu, Arteta, Jags and Anichebe all badly hurt and I just hope they come back and play as well as they have been doing. We also need a Moutinho (how I wish we had bought Arshavin before the European Championship) and a top striker... PLUS at least four decent squad members who can fill in for injuries, fatigue and suspensions without losing quality. If we cannot do that, then I cannot see us sustaining a real challenge. Being in Europe means more games to play and rotation is a must!!!
His injury is devastating for him, and for the sense of natural justice that tells us he deserves to play in the cup final, but on the pitch it doesn’t really weaken us by much, if at all, as long as Yobo can play himself into form in the next four games.
We cannot afford Jo and Saha has much to prove, as has Vaughan. I?d like our big signing to be Ireland, who doesn?t seem to fit at Man City. In addition, Chris Eagles to give a bit of width (if Burnley don?t get promotion) and a utility defender. This would be reasonably low budget and would keep things going 'til we are at full strength again. Jo on loan for another season would be a big bonus.
Finally, Yobo, match-fit is a quality player and we we can and will win the cup.
Come to think of it, if TW posters over the past year had their way, all our players would have been sold. I would not deny those would-be sellers of their opinion but events have shown they know Sweet Fanny Adams about football or the inner workings of our club.
It might be wiser of them to keep their traps shut about such matters and let those who deal with the players on a daily basis decide team selection and who to trade.
Centre half is the one position where we have adequate cover and Yobo proved last Wednesday how easy it is to deal with Drogba.
I expect similarly to Yak and Arteta, the team will want to win the cup and tribute it to these injured comrades.
A clear idea of what you want - we know this, the FA Cup
Desire to get it - well, we?ve got this in spades haven?t we!
Belief you can do it - just like you say.
So - providing we can really, really, really instill that belief that it?s ours it?ll drop in nicely on 30 May. Trust me. COYB!!! You want to believe...
I have watched all Lisbon's CL matches since we were linked with Mouty and I just don't rate him. Can you imagine a midfield line up of Osman, Pienaar, Mouhtino and Arteta? We would be a laughing stock and get steam-rolled out of games.
The physical side of the EPL is hard enough for big lads but these small guys just can't cut it unless they are exceptional players like Tevez or Zola. We need more steel and pace and less short arses to progress. Please, no more Mouhtino nonsense.
So what will Moyes do in the next four games? Players have to play and PL points demand it, but we are on very thin ice. So who will we be seeing more of in the next few games while the Cup Final starters are given a bit of shelter?
Gosling and Rodwell are obviously a good bet. Baxter possibly? Andy van der Shandy perhaps?
Let?s get real here and sign a couple of bargains rather than blow the lot on one player who may not cut it. Also, if he was really as good as some of you claim, someone good would surely have signed him by now.
I agree with Tony Marsh. I never thought I’d say that.
It is about something external to the club though. Tony, I’ve also paid attention to Sporting’s CL games since the Moutinho link and, well, agree with you. :-)
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1 Posted 26/04/2009 at 21:15:03
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