The Mail Bag
The Penny Drops?
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For the first time in as long as I can remember, both Hibbert and Osman are left out of the side and the transformation is immediate. Last night, the lads got the ball down and started playing the way we know they can. Proper footy happened like it was natural to us.
Without Hibbert and Osman pulling the other players out of shape, we looked a proper unit and Bily looked light years ahead of Leon Osman. As soon as they swapped, we went a bit flat... but by then the game was over. It must be all the proof the doubters now need that Hibbo and Ozzie dont cut it any more.
On a cautious note AEK Athens looked as though they didn't want to be there. Like a lot of sides in the Europa Cup, they are used to playing CL footy and simply didn't turn up. NFI perhaps?
Anyway, more of Bily and Danny and goodbye, Tony and Leon, and we just might turn the corner sooner rather than later.
All-in-all, a great night and one to put a smile back on our faces for a few days at least... Steven Pienaar — goal of the season or what?? If Rooney or Gerrard had of scored that scorcher, it would've been all over the telly for days.
Tony Marsh, Posted 18/09/2009 at 07:59:13
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Hibbo and Osman have been singled out quite a lot and I don’t think for one second they have given less than their all for the club, but when we have better options available we should use them.
More of the same against Blackburn on Sunday.
Everton played better last night because AEK are rubbish. It's that simple.
Back to the Premier League on Sunday. That's the real test.
Likewise Bily looked promising with a cultured left foot but let's see how he handles the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
AEK gave Gosling & Bily an easy ride. It won't be like that in the Premier League.
Personally I’d rather see Hibbert or even Neill up against the likes of Dunn, Pedersen & Diouf on Sunday.
Your non stop whining is becoming a joke,.
Anyone and I mean anyone could have played right back for us last night
And ditch the Mystic Meg act, you waited for nine months to say I told you so last year . . . . remember ?
No its not.
Hibbert is an agricultural defender, but defend he does. As for Neville. Well I’m sorry boys, but I have all the time in the world for him. I think he is the type of player every team needs. Last season he was immense, the lad gets played out of position a lot, but never moans.
Right back is his best position and that’s where he should be played. I get the feeling that because he is a Manc he gets a lot of stick. But no-one works harder for the team than him.
ps: Does anybody else think that Yossi Beniyhoun looks like a melted Gary Neville.
Everton the team played better - whether because Hibbo and Ossie were out is a point to be debated, but I don’t think it appropriate to lump all the blame/ credit at AEK!
Last night shows our capabilites with proper players in there...
Still the side looked as well balanced as I've seen it under Moyes with options on both sides of the park. It was nice to see Rodwell and Fellaini taking the ball off the back four and linking up the play and Cahill played well up to half-time. The Russian lad looked decent and it was nice to see some decent crosses and corners, also Jo worked very hard and deserved his goal.
On the down side, I thought we still had lapses in concentration at the back, allowing their players to come inside and get off some dangerous shots and let's face it the second half was shite with enemy No:1 Osman offering nothing as usual.
As for the absence of Tony Hibbert, I still think he has something to offer at right back; with Pienaar playing in front of him he wont be as isolated in attack or defence as he has been with Osman. Let's hope DM sticks to this new ’footballing’ formation!
So a few days ago we were abject shite, Moyes was shite, everything was shite and our season was fucked & over. Now it’s goal of the season already, smiles are everywhere, there’s honey for tea, and all apparently because the manager did what you demanded and left out two players.
Yeah, right. And this in a competition that, in your opinion, is for losers and should be scrapped.
I know fans can be fickle, but this is ridiculous. Some of us share the disappointment of early season league form, but are more realistic about how it will likely fan out over the next 8 months. Last season showed what we can do, and now we have a significantly enhanced squad. It was never going to remain doom & gloom.
I have news. We won’t win 4-0 and play like that and against that too many times this season. So prepare the next complaints (if indeed you haven’t already).
Will the real Everton, and the real Tony Marsh, please stand up.
Ciaran - don’t know if you live locally and read the Echo but Dave Prentice writes an interesting piece about how the player who contributes to most Everton goals is none other than one Philip Neville. I had to pinch myself when I read it.
Have a long hard think about it.
As I have said before, Moyes stumbles on successful formations rather than ever showing any spark of tactical acumen but he’s never comfortable with any sign of flamboyance for long. Sorry lads and lassies but expect normal service to be resumed on Sunday!
OK,OK, I know I’m a pessimistic bugger!
I just hope that Billy’s groin was just caution. I will continue to pray to God that Osman never starts another game for us again. But I won’t hold my breath.
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1 Posted 18/09/2009 at 14:28:44
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