EDITORS BLOG
Everton v Malaga
Lyndon is away on his jollies so I'm afraid you have one of my rare glowing match previews to digest instead....
The final match of what has been a rather uninspiring... no, let's call it utterly frustrating pre-season campaign, overshadowed by the constant uncertainty regarding Joleon Lescott and the tempting forces form Eastlands. How much of a role, I wonder, has all that nonsense played in unsettling the team and contributing to the poor attitude David Moyes cited in critiquing his players' performance at Blackpool? How well is the famous team spirit standing up?
It's unlikely we'll get an answer to that question tonight, but it is the final chance for what passes as match practice before we finally get serious in just eight days time, with the visit of Arsenal in the first real game of the season. Everton have been resolute regarding Lescott, and he is expected to turn out for the Blues tonight, having missed the last two games with a hip injury.
While it may be reassuring to still see Lescott in a Royal Blue shirt, the player we have perhaps missed the most (at least of those not chronically crocked) is Steven Pienaar. What little scope remains in the rump of Moyes's squad tends to lie at the feet of the tricky South African, but he too has been nursing injury.
Then there's Marouane Fellaini, who's problems last season were put down to joining the team so late and missing out on pre-season. Well, he's had a pretty tough summer it turns out, with some sort of viral Wire in the Blood that has seen him lose far too much weight, probably negating any perceived benefit pre-season training may have provided him.
Then there's Louis Saha, perhaps the only player we have who can strike the ball properly, but he's suffering from asthma attacks...
As for Hibbert and Osman... are they STILL carrying injuries? And are these STILL trotted out as valid excuses for their continually limited performances? Shouldn't Leon have had some sort of operation this summer to fix whatever is wrong with him?
Deary me... it all sounds so bleak. But unfortunately there is very little to shout about as we head for the big kick-off. And Goodison is supposedly sold out for tonght's pre-season friendly?!? That'll be the day!
Michael Kenrick Posted 07/08/2009 at 14:08:40
Reader Comments
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2 Posted 07/08/2009 at 11:59:33
Then, when he's signed for City, you can boo him all you like. In the meantime, you can't have your cake and eat it.
3 Posted 07/08/2009 at 18:24:50
4 Posted 07/08/2009 at 19:18:07
5 Posted 07/08/2009 at 19:26:11
6 Posted 07/08/2009 at 19:49:22
7 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:07:04
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch4.html -
8 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:16:20
Nice goal too by Saha, again after good work down the left.
A minute or two earlier Osman placed one neatly.....two yards wide of the post when easier to score !!
9 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:20:55
Number two from Osman,a similar chance to the one he missed five minutes ago, after strong running down the left again from Pienaar. For all the stick he gets, at least Ossie gets in there to miss ’em !!
Rodwell is oozing class in the middle - breaking up their attacks, and keeping things simple with right AND left foot.
10 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:24:47
11 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:52:56
12 Posted 07/08/2009 at 20:49:31
As mentioned, the left side is working well, which always brings into focus the fact that our right side never matches up (sigh.....)
Cap’n Pip is doing well at CB for my money - good positional sense, and better distribution than the absent Yobo usually provides.
Nice also to hear that Lescott is getting the clap from the crowd......in the nicest possible sense !
13 Posted 07/08/2009 at 21:55:01
A good defensive performance, notwithstanding a few iffy moments when Hibbert seemed isolated against a tricky left winger. I was impressed with the Lescott-Neville partnership, but whether this has a future only time will tell. From the pictures, I couldn’t pick up on Lescott’s demeanour, but he was solid enough, and seemed bothered.
Switching Nevile to centre back also allowed Rodwell to play the holding roll, and both players seemedcomfortable with this arrangement, and played well. Something to bear in mind for Mr Moyes, methinks. He may have his limitations at CB, but Neville is an intelligent player, and an organiser, so it could be a shrewd move.
The midfield went well - high energy, switching poistions, making life difficult for Malaga, and looking to spring forward in numbers. I would like to think we’ve got more goals in the midfield this season. Likewise, there must be more goals in Saha, Jo, and Yakubu this term than last. Throw in a sprinkling of enthusiastic youngsters who got a run out tonight (Vaughan, Baxter, Gosling and Wallace), and maybe things aren’t quite as bleak as Michael’s introductory piece forecast !
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1 Posted 07/08/2009 at 13:02:31
Everything from public transport to people's shift patterns are reason why it should be a Saturday plus a couple of jars afterwards. WHY?