The Mail Bag
Hanging on by our finger nails
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Watching Sunday’s game, it seemed to represent our season so far… we are just hanging on by our finger nails.
After the Hammers got their goal, I kept looking at the clock, which took forever to move, and wondering when they were going to equalize; however, some good goalkeeping, stubborn if unspectacular defending, West Ham’s inability to put the ball in the net, and lady luck kept us in front.
One of the current Blues debates seems to be “performance v results”. Today’s match certainly falls neatly into that discussion. A classic away performance… two well taken goals and “backs to the wall” defending by a team short on quality but full on all the things we like mentioning… resilience, heart, determination, grit….I could go on and empty the dictionary.
Was it pretty to watch? Hell, no…
Was it exciting? Yes…
Did I feel proud to be a long-suffering Evertonian at the end? …YES!!!
I’m lucky that I only pay a pittance to watch the game here in Canada, courtesy of Setanta. I’m not sure how I would feel if I was shelling out lots of English pounds each week to feed my “habit” which we all know is impossible to break. I think I have been able to watch all the Blues’ games this season either on TV or the computer but can only count on one hand the performances that have outshone the result. I can certainly sympathise with the Blues faithful who attend every game and have rarely seen any quality football — ie, 4 or 5 passes strung together that create an opening for someone — but instead have to settle for what passes for skilful football.
We have the worst injury record in the Premier League. Is this just bad luck… bad preparation… or the style that DM demands? — which is based on full-out effort for 90 minutes. I don’t know but it would make an interesting research study for someone in the medical field.
This two-week break could not have come at a better time. If we had to play another midweek game this week, I’m not sure where DM would find a team from except that he would continue to play the same players who were still walking.
So I’m hoping that the next two weeks will see the return of Steven Pienaar who I think has been the most missed (after Arteta… but it's been such a long time since we last saw the little Spaniard, I have almost forgotten that he is still a Blue).
It is a terrible indictment of the state of the Everton football professional that no one else has the slightest creative fibre in their body (King Louis excepted). If the other willing workers….Osman and Neville also return then I hope that we can give our “finger nails a break”…no pun intended!!! COYBs
David Cooper, Posted 10/11/2009 at 11:29:08
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(Unrelated to your post) There is a decent-sized group of Evertonians meet in Toronto at Scallywags, on St. Clair at Yonge (www.scallywags,net - see schedule), for all games shown on TV. The web page for the group is www.torontotoffees.net
Some of the youngsters are going to take time to mature and perhaps next season we may see the best of Rodwell, Gosling and one or two others. Some members of the current squad have nothing new to show although they keep getting picked by Moyes and that is where he has to be criticised. Generally we are outclassed in midfield in many games and until that area is improved then every game will be backs against the wall for the most part.
You’ve obviously never seen Ball, Wilson, Kay etc, never mind Sheedy, Bracewell and Bernie Wright
The gurning from supporters must eventually result in our board giving DM some support, adding the players we obviously need (EARLY)... and getting some decent pre-season training under our belts...
Unfortunately this season — which we all thought would be a cracker (off the back of our reasonable achievements last season an an expectation of adding quality during teh summer) is a no-show...
But, it’s quite possible it could be the kick up the arse we need to make next season our best in years.
Either that, or I’ve lost it.
What were you doing at 11:00 am this morning, then?
I think Dick is right; it's unfair to say we have zero creativity. It might be the case that it leaves a lot to be desired, but we are still creating chances and King Louis is still putting them away. We just need some others to step up to the plate in the absence of our better players.
Let's hope the win has generated some confidence and desire which has been lacking of late. Getting something at Old Trafford would be another huge boost, which would be so well timed with some players coming back from injury...
But you never know, with players coming back, some consistency could return and we could go on a run like we did last year. We’re on the same points as we were this time last year and yes I know we face Man Utd and Liverpool in 2 out of the next 3 games but the corresponding games last year were Wigan, Spurs and Aston Villa and we lost them all!
It was only after that late winner from Ashley Young in December that we started to turn the season around.
Is Sheedy, Sharpe and Reid coming back?
Let's face it... the seasons a write off... as far as the leagues concerned anyway.
Ciaran, depends on what our ambitions are. If it’s winning the league, then yes, if it’s challenging for 4th, I think we’re still in with an outside chance.
I fail to see how or when we are going to turn the corner.
I admire your optimism though. I’d be happy with mid-table at this stage.
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1 Posted 10/11/2009 at 20:51:19
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Bilyaletdinov doesn’t have the ’slightest creative fibre in his body’?
Baines doesn’t have the ’slightest creative fibre in his body’?
I’m sorry but its a little harsh to suggest that none of the other players have creativity.
I’ve watched Rodwell pull incredible cross-field passes out of the hat. The kid has a knack of usually finding a blue shirt.
Bilyaletdinov may struggle with the pace of physicallity of the Premiership but he’s got plenty of creativity. He’s got a cultured left foot.
I doubt there are many defenders with a left foot as sweet as Baines. Freekicks, corners and at times great crossing. Ok he’s no Arteta but creatively he’s a gem in the Everton defence.
Even Cahill and Fellaini are capable of the odd defence splitting pass.