ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Squad Rotation versus Sigma

Before you all burst out laughing i'm serious with this post! I'm just putting it out there without being sure myself on what I'd do!

With the tie being 4-0 in our favour what are fellow ToffeeWebers' thoughts on giving some reserves and kids a runout in Europe on thursday night and thus preserving the energy levels and fitness of our already thin injury-prone squad? This is by no means a slant on any of our players in our squad.

Personally would certainly drop/rest Saha and Pienaar for Vaughan and Baxter as we can win the game (or not lose by four) without Saha and Pienaar. These two are vital for the must-win game against Wigan on Sunday so I wouldn't want to see them risked. This would also give valuable game time to two young players with potential (plus a long season may require us to call on these two more often!)

These are the other swaps that have run through my mind: Part of me would like to see all or at least some of these changes. Hibbert - Coleman (RB) Neville - Mustafi (CB) Rodwell - Peterlin (DM) Osman - Gosling (RM) Cahill - Wallace (CM) and finally take Fellaini out and put Jo in and go 4-4-2.

Alternatively should we play the team that beat Sigma at home (with no signings and injuries, this is our best team) and try and raise morale and confidence for the must win game on Sunday???
Michael Jennings, Merseyside Posted 26/08/2009 at 17:00:53

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Moyes has to take the game seriously, and I feel sure he will. Going by past patterns, there is a zero likelihood that he would start the match with any untried players, which rules out Coleman, Mustafi and Peterlin — who aren't even in the travelling squad anyway! Gosling and Wallace could appear, but I think only as subs. 4-4-2 sounds altogether too adventurous... and dropping Fellaini? Can't see that happening.

Si Harwood
1 Posted 26/08/2009 at 14:14:27

Just seen the squad that has flow over for the 2nd leg.....4 strikers!! But what are the chances Moyes willl play 1 up on his own!?!?

Mark Stone
2 Posted 26/08/2009 at 21:20:53

Michael

I think a few of those names might have played 90 mins for the Ressies last night so may not be fresh enough to start tomorrow.

Sam Higgins
3 Posted 26/08/2009 at 22:17:03

Mmmm, agree with MK to be honest.

I've just watched the full 15 min press conference held today with Lescott and Hughes. Lescott really didn't seem to give a shit about Everton... and Hughes is fast becoming the peron I hate most in the world!

Gavin Ramejkis
4 Posted 26/08/2009 at 22:21:08

Our "squad" players are just kids...

Paul Kersha
5 Posted 27/08/2009 at 01:19:08

I'd play our stronger side, coz you know what we're like — it will probably go to pens.

Nick Veitch
6 Posted 27/08/2009 at 03:21:11

Definitely no squad rotation!!!
We need these games to build the 1st team’s confidence and combinations. Last thing we need is a 2nd string team out there and lose 2-0. You’d think that the tie is safe, but I wouldn’t be taking any risks at all. They did have about 3 penalty claims dismissed afterall.

Mike Coates
7 Posted 27/08/2009 at 04:30:44

I think starting the first half with Vaughan, Jo and Baxter would be nice to see. Perhaps bring on Peanuts and Yak and Saha after half time.

Vaughan needs some confidence and to put a goal in.. Jo also.

If Baxter was to get on song and confidence also, would be brill!

Make sure the defence is solid, then can start playing around with the front half.

Scott Milne
8 Posted 27/08/2009 at 06:41:51

We should go out and try and smash them again.

Good for the players, good for Moyes, good for us and might just help the prospective players that we’re (surely) in negotiations with to opt for Everton.

Want another clean-sheet as well.

Jason Lam
9 Posted 27/08/2009 at 07:16:12

Smashing them did us fuck off use against Burley. Just adds a false sense of achievement.

I would play the rezzies (do we have any??) and save the seniors for the 6 pointer this weekend.

Gareth Humphreys
10 Posted 27/08/2009 at 07:51:36

As we don’t have a squad to rotate as such it is a bit of a moot point. There is nothing stopping us playing Gosling, ROdwell, Vaughan & Jo though.

Ciarán McGlone
11 Posted 27/08/2009 at 08:30:54

Has mustafi even played in centre half for us yet?

And swapping Rodwell for a player with very little experience outside college football is just daft..nevermind the fact that Rodwell needs the experience..

I’d defintely drop Fellaini and Osman on merit though...Because lets face it- anyone coming in for them couldn’t be any worse than they’re playing at the minute.

Peter Griffin
12 Posted 27/08/2009 at 08:31:12

In recent games it looks like Jo is ahead of Vaughan in DM’s eyes as he gets on before him, and Gosling seems to be ahead of Baxter and Wallace in coming on. I doubt DM will make many changes but if he does these two seem the more likely to get a game.

Personally I would like to see Vaughan, Baxter and Wallace get at least 25-30 minutes. Being on the bench every week is one thing but the lads need minutes on the pitch to show what they can do.

Howard Don
13 Posted 27/08/2009 at 11:02:47

It’s not that long since we got 5 stuffed past us in Eastern Europe, so please no wholesale changes until it’s safe then maybe bring a few on.

David Oliver
14 Posted 27/08/2009 at 14:29:32

I wouldn’t be suprised to see the Yak get twenty minutes at the end, providing the tie is secured but as for throwing on a young American lad who has only ever played collegiate football....what planet are you on?

The first team need games, all of them should play and then hopefully a good result, achieved now the shadow of the Lescott saga is receeding will stand us in good stead for the weekend.

The season starts here.

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