EDITORS BLOG
Superstars in Seattle
Temperatures had cooled off considerably for Everton's last day of training at the Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila, just south of Seattle, where they were greeted by a boisterous group of fanatical Evertonians... including ace photographer Dermot Reilly (Click pictures to view larger versions of Dermot's brilliant handiwork)
The Heroes arrive
The lads looked a little jaded as they strolled along the access path and into the fenced area where training was set to take place. No wonder — they had been out on an impromptu meet & greet with a few lucky fans in an Irish pub down in Seattle's famous Pioneer Square district the night before... But today was all about conditioning and some ball work, so, after some sutably mild warm-up routines, it was pleasing to see David Moyes right in there, setting the tone as he paired off the players for a spell of "nogginball":
Tim & Pip play Nogginball
There was plenty of standing around but thankfully no arguing, and you could tell Moyesy kept a tight ship, with discipline and teamwork... my question is: What's with the bras!?!?!
Why is Tim wearing a bra?!?
Tim Cahill was obviously too embarrassed to show his face... but not to worry, the kick & run stuff soon started in earnest, with a complex routine that involved two strikers bearing in on a lone defender — Moyesey himself — while superb pinpoint crosses were belted in from the left wing by Stevie P and Leighton Baines. Fellaini and the others sharpened their shooting skills while Hibbo just kinda stood around in the background.
David Moyes explains the importance of staying onside
Moyes proved to be such an effective defender that Tim Howard and Carlo Nash, who were supposed to be getting shot-stopping practise, also just stood around, ball-watching and holding up the goalposts.
Tim & Carl admire the Manager's defensive prowess
All in all, it was a good session for the lads, with Moyes *& Round putting them thorough their paces while the fans looked on in awe. They looked well primed for Saturday's massive challenge in the Edmonton CUp against River Plate.
Photographer Dermot Reilly with ... who is that ugly guy with the false beard & dark glasses?
Photograhs by Dermot Reilly
Michael Kenrick Posted 25/07/2009 at 00:19:32
Reader Comments
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2 Posted 25/07/2009 at 08:15:02
3 Posted 25/07/2009 at 08:20:25
They do look like Heart Rate Monitors ... Using these it is possible to ascertain if the player is working within the training zone EG not putting too much or too little effort into training... it’s also possible to pick up the signs of a virus a few days before they become symptomatic... very important in these Swine Flu days.
4 Posted 25/07/2009 at 08:55:06
5 Posted 25/07/2009 at 10:46:46
6 Posted 25/07/2009 at 13:28:11
7 Posted 25/07/2009 at 14:37:32
8 Posted 25/07/2009 at 17:00:40
Michael, after spending much of your life slagging of Moyes and his tactics, am I correct in presuming you took the opportunity to give him a few pointers?
I doubt it, much easier from the safety of a keyboard isnt it?
9 Posted 26/07/2009 at 12:53:37
10 Posted 26/07/2009 at 14:39:33
11 Posted 26/07/2009 at 18:04:21
Editorial Team
12 Posted 26/07/2009 at 18:22:27
I had to leave and so got no opportunity to meet the man himself; I doubt the conversation would have gone in that direction though.
Meanwhile, back on this website, most people retain an element of civility discussing things Everton... and then there’s arsey prats like Franny Porter, who just can’t tolerate other people’s firmly held opinions without getting nasty about them.
Moyes is a defender; even as a manager, Moyes clearly thinks like a defender; Moyes’s primary tactical concern is defence — Job One; Moyes makes the team play defensively, with a perennial defensive mindset. Call it blighted all you want. Am I wrong? I don't think so.
Of course there are reasons for this; to me, Moyes's inability to get past them (except on rare occasions), when he has gotten past almost every other barrier thrown in his way, only reinforces the degree to which his conservative approach to the game represents a self-imposed limitation to our progress.
13 Posted 26/07/2009 at 19:06:57
The fact you go on to call me ’an arsey prat’ merely strengthens my point that you are nothing more than a ’keyboard assasin’.
One last point, I have seen on here, on more than one occasion, posts from yourself where you berate other people's views. So do us a favour, and get down of you high horse, you arsey prat.
Editorial Team
14 Posted 26/07/2009 at 22:42:27
What was that about "keyboard assassin"? Since all you seem to be able to do on here is gripe and snipe, you must be feeling just a little intimidated perhaps.
15 Posted 28/07/2009 at 23:21:58
Re Big Bird: I thought he was getting a haircut at the end of the season. Or does it grow that fast?
Re mindsets: the only side I’ve ever known who truly seemed to believe the "If They Score Three, We’ll Just Score Four" philosophy were Brazil 1970, who could, and had to; their defence was middling at best , they were just rarely tested. (I’m too young to remember Real Madrid in the early 60s).
Pretty much every manager since - who’s had to build - has built from the back, and then through the spine. Which I think is why if defensive players (qv Kroldrup) don’t measure up, they’re swiftly shipped out (leaving aside for the moment why he was purchased in the first place).
There’s a book - or maybe a pamphlet; OK, an article - to be written on whether managers (especially the great ones) create teams in their own (playing) images. Busby and Kendall were cultured midfielders; Shankly (arguably) less so. Catterick and Ferguson were workaday centre-forwards; Clough a brilliant, individualistic one (who won the European Cup twice with a collection of crocks, has-beens and promising youngsters. And a good goalie). I haven’t a clue where the Specious One fits in here. Go figure.
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1 Posted 25/07/2009 at 07:59:33
Is anyone out there close to the action who can give us a quick report on the mood of the camp etc ?
perhaps that ugly fella ???