ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

Mark Pendleton
1 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:45:03

I know it’s due to injuries, extended lay-offs and awaiting some additions to the squad but you could argue there are 6 defenders playing tonight - is Walter back?

As for AJ i can’t see any explanation on the official site. No smoke without fire or is he carrying a knock?

Mike Coates
2 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:50:30

Always fearful when AJ left out with all the speculation going around.

Hope its just to give him a little more time to recover from knocks.. and testing the young lads up front!

Newayz, watching game. Will update later :)

Mike Coates
3 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:51:44

Wow..

A Jose Baxter set kick ROCKET!! :)

Pity hit the post.. Woulda bin mad!

Mike Coates
4 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:54:51

Jose Baxter again.. from the corner flag.

Onto Jags head.. GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!

Great start :)

James Stewart
5 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:52:20

Love to be proved wrong but I think the site would have mentioned had he been carrying a knock.

It looks as if the writing is on the wall a bit with Johnson. A shame because I rewatched the Brann game when it was replayed on Channel 5 the other night and he looked damn good! Probably our best player on the night! Albeit against a very poor team though but still...

Interesting to see Moyes admit to needing at least 5 new players though : )

Mike Coates
6 Posted 22/07/2008 at 19:58:27

Preston had a great chance just there, centre of penalty box.

Iain Turner makes a great save :) whew!

Mike Coates
7 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:04:14

Long range strike from Keiran.

Just slighty off to the right of the post.

Lot of power in it tho. Nice to see :)
Assisted by a stumbling Neville who recovered..

Mike Coates
8 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:06:03

Dangerous cross in from Preston.

Neville puts the player off a bit, as it comes in.

Header just off target.. lucky.

Still 1-0 Everton :)

Adrian Arnold
9 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:02:51

I'm hoping Johnson won't be sold, on his day he is top quality. I am concerned there is still no new signings, but if I'm honest none of the players we have been linked with would make much difference to the side. A replacement for Carsley is a must, especially with the system Moyes likes to play. I would love to see Jimmy Bullard in a blue shirt, wasted at Fulham. But I do trust Moyes completly, he has been very shrewd over the years. Maybe the best signing of the summer would be Moyes himself.

Ant Gird
10 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:23:49

Thanks Mike! Keep it coming!

Joe McMahon
11 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:22:29

Adrian Arnold - I pressume the actual day you are talking about was against Liverpool nearly 2 years ago?

Mike Coates
12 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:25:10

Oh ok, I went silent as I figured everyone else watching :)

Jose Baxter had another strike from fair distance..

Lot of power but over the bar.

Ball was back in defence, looked like a chance for Preston.

But in came ANDY VDM to do defensive work and save the day..

Yes, you heard right :)

Even the commentators joked about it.

Actually right now he’s doing some left back defensive work.. and they are still are talking about him doing defensive work :) and having a laugh. He’s looking good!

Mike Coates
13 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:27:21

Andy VDM is looking our playmaker at the moment.

Everyone passing to him and he plays it up field.

Mike Coates
14 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:30:12

Mellor just came on for Preston, with a rousing reception from the crowd.

Michael Jones
15 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:32:07

Thanks Mike

Mike Coates
16 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:32:48

LOL..

Just got my comment read out.

I really should have made myself clearer..

Not half asleep coz of coverage, but coz I aint been to bed yet (lol)

Damn 5.30 here in Australia :)

Josh Shaw
17 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:38:52

Gosling looking very poor so far, VDM looking a changed man! Like a new signing!

Gareth Price
18 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:40:44

Everton would have said AJ was injured if that is why he was missing - to try and dampen the he is leaving story. No expalanation does suggest that he is elsewhere at the moment, persumably down by the Thames.

Matty Thomas
19 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:42:30

Heard a rumour on Capitol Radio tonight he?s travelling to Fulham for talks £11 million pound deal

Mike Coates
20 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:44:30

I refuse to believe AJ is going but it isn’t a good sight :(

True Gosling isn’t managing well.

Whenever VDM on the ball looks like he’s controlling the whole game.

Need to see him against top competition before make a real assessment though.

Nick Marsh
21 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:46:52

If AJ is going then surely someone is coming in? Thanks for the updates Mike Coates. It sounds like VDM will be our fittest and most important first team player this year!!!

Connor Rohrer
22 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:48:10

Van der Meyde needs to play on the right so he can run at people. On the left he’s just cutting inside and passing. He’s doing okay though, actually covering his fullback for once!!!

Bring Arteta on for 45 minutes, play him in the centre and watch him run the game.

Adrian Arnold
23 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:47:53

What position is Gosling playing?
Joe - take it you would be happy to see Johnson go? Who would you want in to replace him?

Mike Coates
24 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:51:38

Not sure, he’s right in the centre I believe.

Jags just stopped a real possible goal for Preston.

Brought down the player in the penalty box but played the ball and no penalty given against us!

Great going Jags! :)

Just headed another out of the penalty box!

Mike Coates
25 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:53:45

VDM just had a shot from the left, bit too far out and it went a mile over the bar and to the right!

The crowd cheered (or jeered?)

Mike Coates
26 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:54:47

Gosling just broke into the penalty box, brought it down and ran in, but missed to the left.

James Stewart
27 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:53:21

Hard to beleive what I?m hearing about VDM!

What's the odds on him starting against Blackburn now!?

I don't think anyone of us would have bet on that last season!

How good does he actually look?

Mike Coates
28 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:58:12

Who was saying he wasn’t defending enough?

He must have read the comments on here as he’s running his lil legs all the way back to support Valente constantly.

James Stewart
29 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:56:37

I for one would be reluctant to seeJjohnson go without a replacement in first.
Gives out the wrong signals PR-wise as it will look like we are selling to buy. Even if this is the case not great way to conduct business!

I really am struggling to think of a quality replacement as well.

Podolski would be a coup though : )

Mike Coates
30 Posted 22/07/2008 at 20:59:35

Finally he made a bad pass..

I must admit he’s faster than Pienaar up the left.

Like watching Baines running up there but more confidence.

But where Pienaar no has the same pace, he has more grace than VDM.

If VDM does end up in contention, and not just flair’ing the pre season. Will be interesting to see how the Pienaar Vs VDM situation goes.

I think myself he’ll be good back up for Peanuts! But I REALLY need to see him against better opposition!

James Stewart
31 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:02:26

Interesting...

I guess it would be better to see him on the right wing though?

Also got to remember Pienaar is not naturally a winger and probably has never played left midfield before being at Everton!

I still would like to see someone brought in to play on the left personally. But it's nice to have options isnt it!

Mike Coates
32 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:02:21

Arteta coming on!! :)

Yay.

Jags and him with their new numbers.

Arteta first touch already..

Chris Smith
33 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:03:23

Hard to believe VDM will start many games if everyone is fully fit (Cahill, Pienaar, Arteta, Osman)... but, the way things are looking with injuries, lack of signings etc it may well be that we will have to play him out of necessity. In which case, it seems like he’s doing his chances no harm at all judging by the positive feedback on his attitude and performances so far in pre-season.

As for AJ, it seems wrong to sell him without a replacement lined up, though you never know what Moyes may have up his sleeve. There just seems to be a lack of potential candidates out there who would be available for the right money.

Mike Coates
34 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:08:08

Preston seem to be closer to scoring at the moment.

But Jags is constantly in there to stop them in their tracks! :)

Peter Laing
35 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:05:23

As much as I like AJ ? and who could forget the glorious three-nil salute to the kopites in the Lower Bullens! ? but I have to admit that last season he struggled with both injuries and form, compounded by the loss in confidence following the double penalty miss in front of the Street end.

I honestly think its the right time to cash our chips in on Andy, £2-3 million pound profit for a player now seemingly destined to depart. Moyes very rarely sells a player at a loss, Davies and Krøldrup apart, but even the likes of Ferguson and Wenger have made such mistakes.

I feel that with the Yak, Vaughan returning, Cahill still a goal threat and a good blend coming through in the shape of Anichebe, Agard and Baxter then he will be no great loss. Milito however would be a good replacement in the interim period as the kids continue to develop.

Trevor Tannenbaum
36 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:14:54

Van Der Meyde, jinks past one and shot from outside the box saved. He could just be a useful sub next year.

Baxter looks the real deal.

Mike Coates
37 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:10:33

I was about to make a comment, that VDM is setting up play, where he could possibly move in and score himself.

Well he just lost his man on the far left, ran around, down through the centre, around other players and struck at the goal, to only be punched over by the keeper.

Awesome strike. I can’t believe I’m typing this.. lol

Mike Coates
38 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:18:16

Valente off.. Lee Molyneux on.

Mike Coates
39 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:19:29

Another scare for us as a player came down in penalty box.

Jags dealt with it and got rid of it, although replay may show it to have been a penalty according to commentators.

I missed it as I was typing here (lol)

Mike Coates
40 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:20:45

Commentators are not touching the Andy Johnson absence.

Referring us to the website for more news on what is happening.

:(

Mike Coates
41 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:25:13

VDM juggling the ball and crossing it up into centre.

Another shot on goal from, I think was Gosling..

Fair strike from distance.

Baxter off, and cheered.
I’m unsure who came on.. Cory?

Mike Coates
42 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:27:04

VDM now attacking down the right.

Someone must be reading this forum (lol)

James Kinsella
43 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:22:57

My mate texted me 40 mins before the game. He got out of a taxi outside the ground by where the players enter the stadium and he saw Johnson LEAVING the ground in a car. No ideas where he?s going or the reason for it. A fan shouted asking Johnson why he was leaving but he didn't look up. So let the speculation begin, but looks like he's definitely on his way. Hope we have replacements lined up.

Adrian Arnold
44 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:28:43

Mike - your doing a great job, keep going

Michael Jones
45 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:29:03

Grateful for the updates. How is Rodwell playing?

Mike Coates
46 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:30:14

I’m not hearing from him much at all (or seeing)

VDM looks so damn confident. Preston players scared off him.

He’s able to get out of any sign of trouble.

I’m really waiting for him to screw up since he’s so bad!

James Marshall
47 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:30:48

Gents you can watch the game live on the OS.

VDM has played pretty well, but then the opposition isnt great. Still, he looks pretty sharp and up for it, and has showed some good touches, good runs, good passes and a few shots (one good effort saved).

Gosling looks ok and Baxter looks a good player. We’ve basically defended for 90 minutes, but when we’ve gone forward we’ve been half decent.

Mike Coates
48 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:31:26

Must be near the end of the game.

Moyes never looking happy..

Preston fans trying to cheer on their team in final moments.

They have a set kick now from the far right side for them..

Chris Sedgwick had a shot.. No danger.

Commentators saying farewell.

Mike Coates
49 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:33:38

Preston has ANOTHER shot.

Over the bar.

Mike Coates
50 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:34:25

Jutkiewicz off.. he’s totally buggered.

Replaced by Irving.. lol

Arteta just made a nice run up, but nothing he could do with it once in on the right side of the penalty box.

Collected by keeper.

Mike Coates
51 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:35:44

Boo hoo.

End of game.

Put my 2nd beer away. Only one goal in this one.

Least its a win for us! :)

Man, gotta get sum shut eye now, 6.30 and gotta wake at 9am to work the farm.

Gnite fellas.

Hope to wake to no dreaded news bout Andy J :(

Frank Duffy
52 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:37:48

Well done Mike. You should apply for a job on MOTD - about time we had a Blue on the programme.

Cheers

Jay Campbell
53 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:44:33

Looks like some of the kids are worth a go.

Mark Griffiths
54 Posted 22/07/2008 at 21:52:25

Just read this on the OS, seems very vague and undefensive of the AJ stuation?

"The biggest talking point ahead of this fixture was the absence in the squad of Andrew Johnson.

But the appearance of a number of Everton?s rising young stars and a competent victory over Preston - the first of pre-season - diverted attention to the speculation sweeping the press box once the game got underway".

I think something is defo cooking!

Aide Dews
55 Posted 22/07/2008 at 22:35:54

Back to winning ways even if it is only pre-season. I'm guessing the writing's on the wall for AJ, a no show for tonight's game presumably because they didn't want to risk him getting an injury and putting off potential buyers because I havn't heard anything about him being out of tonight's game through injury. If you remember last pre-season he did exactly the same with Beats, kept him on the bench the whole game vs. Werder Bremen and then the following week he was sold to Sheff Utd! If we're selling AJ to bring in cash to sign Moutinho plus others as well then I'm all for it, In Moyes I Trust!!

Jason Broome
56 Posted 22/07/2008 at 23:09:54

The Sun is claiming that AJ is on his way to Fulham for £11 Million.... Shit, why can’t I stop laughing!?

Steve Carter
57 Posted 23/07/2008 at 01:10:44

Exactly, Jason. If we can get £11M for him the EPL world’s gone mad. Like Marcus Bent before him, he’s a trier, no doubt. But Marcus and him playing 1 in 4-5-1 didn’t work/hasn’t worked and, in Andy’s case, just ain’t gonna happen.

Anj Stam
58 Posted 23/07/2008 at 01:48:20

Van Der Meyde controlling the game?
Van Der Meyde helping in defense?
Van Der Meyde terrorising the left side?
Van Der Meyde looking lively?
Van Der Meyde looks quality?
Van Der Meydes 3rd game straight?
Van Der Meyde,Van Der Meyde,Van der Meyde !?!?!?!?
What year is this?!?!?
Where am I ?!?!?
How long have I been asleep?!?!?

Danny Broderick
59 Posted 22/07/2008 at 22:57:03

How did the young lads do? I wasn't there so I would obviously be interested to know if there is any chance of any of these kids being promoted to the fist team squad this year - particularly in light of our lack of transfer activity! Certainly on Champ Manager, Jose Baxter and Gosling have excellent reputations...

Jimmy Crack
60 Posted 23/07/2008 at 02:49:25

VDM = the new Pele!!!

Mike Coates
61 Posted 23/07/2008 at 07:08:07

Who needs to buy new players when we can sit old players on the bench for 2+ years and bring them back as quality (but time will tell.. patience)

Chris Fisher
62 Posted 23/07/2008 at 09:12:43

I?ll tell you what, I'm going to be absolutely fuming if we have sold AJ and we have not got a guaranteed replacement. And if we have, he'd better be a damn sight better than AJ or the people who sold him can fuck off and stick there season ticket up their ass. Our squad is already paper thin.

Jason Lam
63 Posted 23/07/2008 at 09:36:31

How come Jose Baxter is not issued a squad number, according to the official site? Or we just putting him in the shopping window for other clubs?

Steve Ferns
64 Posted 23/07/2008 at 10:42:51

Jason, let?s remember that Jose only turned 16 in February. He?s still a baby and issuing him with a squad number in the official list may be putting too much pressure or raise too many expectations. Like Rodwell last year, he will have been given a squad number and should make his debut before the season finishes.

He really does look the real deal and is the kind of player that Everton have been missing.

Also Rodwell = the new Carsley? He?s a bit young I think, but he?s got the potential to be a Carsley type player who can actually put his foot on the ball and pass.

The future looks good, let?s just hope we can get at least a couple in to ensure we don?t fall away whilst waiting on the kids to mature.

Ben Jones
65 Posted 24/07/2008 at 16:44:35

Gotta admit... looking at the team sheet, we did pretty well beating Preston, granted they are not the best opposition. The future looks good with our youngsters, and great feedback for Van der Meyde. Really hope he can make it this year... it looks good... granted it is pre-season, but he hadn?t played 90 mins since he moved to us... and he?s done it 3 times!!

Really hope Moyes makes some signings in the next couple of weeks... As I am in France, it would sure as hell make the holiday a bit more exciting!!