Cottonwool factor
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I am really afraid that in the remaining league games, the 'cottonwool factor' is going affect our final league position.
Every Everton player wants to play in the Cup Final, and what ever Moyes tells them, they are going wrap themselves in cottonwool for the remaining league games.
They are going hold back on 50/50 challenges, avoid stretching and flat out sprinting, all subconciously to avoid a Cup Final threatening injury.
How many more points do we need to gaurantee finishing 6th or 7th?? Where are those points most likely to some from? Our form up to the Chelsea game, would have made all of our remaining league games very winnable.
But with the 'cottonwool factor' every point will be difficult IMHO.
Am I being paranoid after losing to Man City?
Brian Baker,
Aldershot Posted 30/04/2009 at 13:39:14
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Totally agree, aithough it could be called risky, I dont think we can afford to wrap Yobo up in cotton wool as he needs to get some match sharpness for the final.
If Villa win and we don't, plus Fulham fail to sneak up, then I think we should start putting the fringe players in then, I would certainly give Baxter a go too.
If there’s a sure fire way to get injured it’s by not comitting. I badly sprained my aknle by challenging half-hearted so pulling out of 50-50 challenges is a good way to hurt yourself.
They need to play to keep match sharp and I can’t see any of them asking to be left out.
Then again, some of them might be playing for their place in the final. I’m thinking of Lars, Dan, and Jack...
I agree Brian, and the way to combat that is to involve the fringe players in the remaining games. As Jip says, they?ll be fighting for the cup final places and this then keeps the 1st teamers on their toes. I?d be gutted if we didn?t win any of our remaining league games and slipped out of the top 6. TBH, I still want to finish above the media?s new darlings Villa!
The worse thing will be not winning any remaining league games and having no confidence going into the cup final. The reason we beat the RS, Villa, Boro and Utd was the team was playing with full confidence and belief they could win those games.
It’s almost impossible for a team to turn form on and off for specific games. If we let our standards slip now we’ve got no chance in the cup final.
Beth Louise Carter
Posted 01/05/2009 at 10:06:55
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I can’t see Everton finishing outside of 5th or 6th place by the seasons end. West Ham or whoever is on our coat tails are too far behind with games remaining to justify a cause for concern.
Either Villa will hold on for 5th place or we can overcome the Midlanders and get that place for ourselves. It looks like being 6th place at the end of the season, and with it,an FA cup final, not bad at all :)
Anthony Millington
Posted 01/05/2009 at 11:17:15
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If we beat Sunderland on Saturday and Chelsea beat Fulham we’re more or less guaranteed 6th place aren’t we? We just need to do the business on Saturday and every player give it their best shot, because if we can get 6th boxed off in the next 2 games then we can give some players a breather and take the foot off the gas a bit for the final couple of games. The last thing we want is to get beat and the likes of Tottenham and West Ham coming to Goodison flying with the opportunity to catch up with us.
I’m hoping for no injuries but five more points will surely be achievable ? It’s very important to retain 5th . It will clearly indicate we’re the best of the rest and pyschologically stand us in good stead leading up to the final. I bet there’ll be no let up by Moyes on this issue either. I’d make one or two changes per game including giving the cruelly berated Osman the rest he needs before taking his place back in the team for the final.
I?m hoping for no injuries but five more points will surely be achievable? It?s very important to retain 5th. It will clearly indicate we?re the best of the rest and pyschologically stand us in good stead leading up to the final. I bet there?ll be no let up by Moyes on this issue either. I?d make one or two changes per game including giving the cruelly berated Osman the rest he needs before taking his place back in the team for the final.
I don?t think resting players helps. Look what happened to Villa when MON played an under strength side ? don?t think they?ve won since. The players need to stay sharp and keep their and our fingers crossed.
OK ? rotate to a certain degree, just to give some of the fringe players to stake a claim for a place. Could also work in our favour, as they will be keen to do their best
The league games should be approached "business as usual". hopefully we can win the next 2 games then put in our fringe players in for the remainder. The last thing to do is to have our players put in half performances which can only do them harm either with confidence or injury. They have battled all year and I feel that they would not want to end the year on a "soft" note.
Steve Linden makes the important point. I?m not sure how it will affect the players subconsciously but you are MORE likely to get injured by not committing. Being strong and winning challenges doesn?t hurt.
Another point, following the Sunderland game, is that it's end of season stuff at the moment and our players actually seem quite relaxed rather than tense or nervous.
We need to maintain form and carry it into the final. That and also hope Chelsea win the Champions League on penalties and party late into the night on Wed 27th.
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1 Posted 01/05/2009 at 07:43:28
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If Villa win and we don't, plus Fulham fail to sneak up, then I think we should start putting the fringe players in then, I would certainly give Baxter a go too.