ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Marouane not well

A piece in today's Grauniad (sic) sets out that Marouane Fellaini picked up a virus over the summer and this has led to significant (for him) weight loss. Enough anyway to be a concern to Moysie. Consequently, the Belgian is far from his best at the 'mo and it will be some weeks before he might be so again.
Chris Jones, Burton upon Trent Posted 03/08/2009 at 08:04:56

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Dan McKie
1 Posted 03/08/2009 at 15:16:30

Why is he just about the only one playing every minute of every game then? Let the lad rest!

Sean Elliott
2 Posted 03/08/2009 at 15:18:06

We’re all, doomed, doomed...

Tony Williams
3 Posted 03/08/2009 at 15:36:09

I noticed this on another site and thought the poster was setting up a joke about his weight loss and a hair cut, lo and behold it’s on the official site and the photo with it is less than flattering.

It is like Groundhog day all over again

It is like Groundhog day all over again

It is like Groundhog day all over again

etc

Richard Murray
4 Posted 03/08/2009 at 16:30:02

This is starting to become a worry now. I see the first game against Arsenal as possibly a defining game of our season - if we can beat them, it will really be a signal of our intent to overhaul them. As we’ve seen in previous seasons bad starts have been as infectious for us as good starts.

The squad looks wafer thin with no signals that suggest we’ll be bringing anyone of note in. This, coupled with existing injuries - that we all know about - and the new injuries: Pienaar, Lescott, Fellaini (also I’m sure Saha will pick something up sooner rather than later and Vaughan will get his season ending injury either against Blackpool or Malaga) and we are looking ridiculously weak.

I don’t like to be overly critical of the board, or especially Moyes, as I genuinely believe they do their best, but surely after the debacle of the last preseason, precautions and preparations should have been in place to avoid anything similar in this one. Rather, it looks like we could be in an even worse position come the opening day.

As I say, quite worrying really.

Still, can’t wait for the first game!

Richie James
5 Posted 03/08/2009 at 16:41:33

He looked OK at Coventry yesterday.

By OK, I mean he looked his usual one-paced cumbersome self.

However, he got through 90 minutes and played some nice stuff around the box. Was a little surprised to say the least when I read this story

Saegaran Kanalanadan
6 Posted 03/08/2009 at 18:16:13

I remember that we had an even smaller squad at the beginning of last season. Practically had kids making up the 1st eleven for a few matches until the new players came in on the last day of transfer. At least we’re in a better situation this season except for the question mark over Lescott. Fella has played almost all of our pre-season matches and I believe he’ll be there for Arsenal. Cheers all.

Jimmy Saville
7 Posted 03/08/2009 at 18:24:10

What's the worry if we lose to Arsenal on the first day of the season? Last time it happened, we finished 4th.

Role on a Gunners victory!

John Martin
8 Posted 03/08/2009 at 19:33:39

How did we have a smaller squad last season? We have lost Castillo & Jacobsen and have Arteta, Anichibe & Jagielka still out with long-term injuries. Yakubu isn't ready to start a pre-season game. I don't count AvdM or Valente as losses as they had little impact on the squad. So, while the players we have lost are nothing special, it does weaken the squad.

We were told we wanted our signings in early we have not got anybody apart from Jo and players we are interested in are going elswhere for many reasons. Whilst it's not doom and gloom as the current squad are good enough to challenge for a Uefa Cup slot, I can't help but think once again we have missed a great chance to push on through lack of investment.

Tony Hale
9 Posted 03/08/2009 at 20:45:14

Fellaini was actually in my shop before. Poor lad looked like shit. When he was at the till, he picked up the Echo and started reading the story about himself on the back page.

Tom Bowers
10 Posted 03/08/2009 at 23:08:06

Fellaini looked slow against the MLS but then that was normal. Whether he was under the weather, only Everton know... but I hope DM is not making excuses before the season even begins where this lad is concerned? I only hope he starts to cut the mustard soon as, so far, except for a handful of goals and too many yellow cards, he has not impressed most discerning Blues fans.

Neil Vaughan
11 Posted 04/08/2009 at 09:46:06

Hear, hear, Tom... perhaps the Moyesiah may have realised he’s signed a white elephant (a la Krøldrup, Castillo, Beattie etc) and is creating a safety net. IMO, the lad’s game is just too slow for the Premier League... Yes, he has a decent touch and he may have scored a few goals but overall he’s definitely flattered to deceive so far.

On a totally different subject... Senderos — please, NO!!!

Anthony Doran
12 Posted 04/08/2009 at 13:28:54

Maybe its just me but he isnt going to be much of a loss now is he? not 15 mil worth of a loss, hope the chap gets better asap and starts repaying the clubs investment in him cus honestly I havent seen anything about this lad that makes me think we done good business here...

Tony Williams
13 Posted 04/08/2009 at 13:52:07

"Yes he has a decent touch and he may have scored a few goals"

That puts him ahead of about 80% of our current squad straight away

Tom Bowers
14 Posted 04/08/2009 at 20:02:31

Well guys, things are moving and we can only hope whatever new signings we make will keep us ahead of the game until Arteta, Jags and Yaks are fully fit. I am a little pessimistic about the continuing midfield problems, especially with the Fellaini fitness along with Pienaar and Arteta.

We seem to have a powderpuff attack and we are crying out for more goals from a midfielder, especially in the shooting department, where we have nobody who can really strike a ball except Arteta from free kicks. With Lescott now a certainty to move, we lose a big threat from corners etc.

Ian Kearney
15 Posted 05/08/2009 at 10:58:32

Tom Bowers, are you always this arrogant regards your own opinion of a player, a player who has had to play out of position in his first season in England.

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