The Mail Bag
Last-Minute Penalty Salvation
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With end-of-seasonitis taking a firm grip on Goodison Park, the Fulham game seemed to took an age to get going after Bily surprisingly shook the post with an early volley inside 3 mins.
But the main action of the first half was Fulham being gifted a goal off a dreadful backpass by Baines.
Bily it was who was yanked off at half-time, and his substitution by Anichebe paid dividends when he forced home a weak header 5 mins after the restart.
But Everton would labour at times through the second half, giving Fulham a couple of opportunities to wrap things up that they failed to take, and it looked like yet another dreary draw until the 3rd minute of added time, when Arteta was illegally kicked and calmly smacked home the spot kick. Phew!
But this is not the level of performance we need to be taking into the start of next season... is it? What are the excuses this time? No Heitinga, No Rodwell???
Michael Kenrick, Posted 25/04/2010 at 17:27:59
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Arsenal pass it around like that every week. I don't think it was a bad performance, it was a bad mistake in a game we had complete control for the main part. We deserved the win.
Typical poor end-of-season affair and it's almost as if the players had given up on 7th before the game had started. Bar Heitinga and Fellaini, that's our strongest 11 as Rodwell wouldn't be in our strongest 11 yet in my eyes.
Even keeping everyone for next season, how much higher than 7th can we finish when our summer transfer budget will probably be the smallest of any team in the top 10?
Even keeping everyone for next season, how much higher than 7th can we finish when our summer transfer budget will probably be the smallest of any team in the top 10?
Its called Football, Michael. Do you know that sometimes Barcelona don't play very well.
Two losses since November 29th? I'm not sure any excuses are needed.
When United/Chelsea play averagely and win they're praised for it. Why should we be any different?
When United/Chelsea play averagely and win they're praised for it. Why should we be any different?
Do we need an 'excuse' for coming from behind and winning now???
"from Guatemala"? Is somebody on holiday?
Not sure where the doom and gloom is coming from. This was a decent performance in which we clearly dominated. The Fulham goal resulted from an error by arguably our most consistent player of the season. Shit happens. We were in control prior to that and reasserted ourselves in the 2nd half. The only things to bemoan today in my view were the Villa and redshite results.
It wasn't a great performance admittedly, especially first half, and though we are passing nicely it does point to the need of some extra bite up front - in the absence of an amazing Moyes loan deal, let's hope the returning Felliani and Heitinga will add even more craft and the rested Yak and King Louis can be refreshed and sharper to take advantage in 2010-11.
To be honest I think we should be more annoyed about the last few minutes of composure against West Ham and Villa, not to mention the majority of the Wolves game — in all honesty, our Europa chance was shot down there not on this end of season kickabout.
To be honest I think we should be more annoyed about the last few minutes of composure against West Ham and Villa, not to mention the majority of the Wolves game — in all honesty, our Europa chance was shot down there not on this end of season kickabout.
Two last minute winners in the last two games - credit the perserverance of the team. Fulham came to frustrate and hit on the break. Hodgson is no mug, he set out his team to make our life difficult. Bitty performance from the Blues, but an important win.
Chris James - nail on head.
Recent draws have cost us possibly even 4th. But many Toffeewebbers have been crying out for the brand of football we have played since the first derby, so how can you moan?
My only 'moan' is that we've lost a bit of the backbone that used to get us 3 points in very tight games. Not sure why, but probably Howard's shaky performances and Felli being absent are the main factors.
I would hope we'll get in Donovan and sign a striker. I hope Mucha really pushes Tim for his place too.
Recent draws have cost us possibly even 4th. But many Toffeewebbers have been crying out for the brand of football we have played since the first derby, so how can you moan?
My only 'moan' is that we've lost a bit of the backbone that used to get us 3 points in very tight games. Not sure why, but probably Howard's shaky performances and Felli being absent are the main factors.
I would hope we'll get in Donovan and sign a striker. I hope Mucha really pushes Tim for his place too.
Soccerbase are listing Everton's first goal as a Smalling own goal.
Gutted for Victor. After coming back from that awful injury, he deserves a goal.
Gutted for Victor. After coming back from that awful injury, he deserves a goal.
Does anyone know why Rodwell wasn't available today???
Did anyone else notice that, despite it being Baines's dreadful backpass, Bily had to take a share of the blame for it too? Baines turned to pass it out to him and away from goal but Bily made no effort to call for it or create a yard of space hence Leighton's shit pass back to Howard.
Anyway, I agree with Michael Kenrick this winning all the time is dreadful and scoring to win so late on clearly shows what a shit team we are.
Anyway, I agree with Michael Kenrick this winning all the time is dreadful and scoring to win so late on clearly shows what a shit team we are.
Michael, Fulham have been getting results all season against some of Europe's names from Italy and Germany. Roy Hodgeson is proving to be a top manager. We did well to get the 3 points. I think the team deserve credit. We will not dominate for 90 mins of every game for every game of the season, it's just not possible or realistic. Only 7 points behind 4th after the injury nightmare we've had is miraculous.
Accept and kinda agree with what you`re saying Michael lad, but having witnessed events at Villa Park and West Ham at GP recently, I'm having poxy luck over bad luck all night long.
Yep, agree with the 2 Chris's (9 & 11). Simple maths says that if we hadn't blown 8 points on the 4 draws with Villa, Brum, WHU & Arsenal we would be in the box seat for fourth with 65 points. Forget Wolves at home and anything else, even write off any reversal in either derby and the above 4 games, which we managed to get into a winning position on each occasion only to throw it away has cost us severely.
I'm not lying but on the 80th minute I said don't worry lads Arteta will score a penalty in the 92nd minute! Ask my brother-in-law...
Unfortunately it was the 93rd. Gutted.
Unfortunately it was the 93rd. Gutted.
We didn't play particularly well today but at least we are trying to play some proper football. If anything, the frustration today was that we over passed it at times.
We tried to create space and have to give credit to Fulham who stayed organised and disciplined in defence. Let's not forget, Fulham have become quite astute at keeping it tight away from home — they recently kept a clean sheet at Anfield.
In summary, we didn't play great but we tried and we won so let's give some credit for that.
I also agree with Chris — it's incredibly frustrating that even allowing for our atrocious start, we would still be in the box seat for 4th if we hadn't thrown away 8 points from those 4 draws — there was only probably the West Ham game that we didn't deserve to win — how annoying....
We tried to create space and have to give credit to Fulham who stayed organised and disciplined in defence. Let's not forget, Fulham have become quite astute at keeping it tight away from home — they recently kept a clean sheet at Anfield.
In summary, we didn't play great but we tried and we won so let's give some credit for that.
I also agree with Chris — it's incredibly frustrating that even allowing for our atrocious start, we would still be in the box seat for 4th if we hadn't thrown away 8 points from those 4 draws — there was only probably the West Ham game that we didn't deserve to win — how annoying....
A late winner two weeks in a row. It really does all balance out. Our league position reflects pretty accurately where we should be. If, by the end of July, no changes have been made then I would suggest that this is as good as it gets.
I think the big decision to be made this Summer is around the centre forwards. Can Yak get back to his sharpest? Can Saha do it over a season?
I think we should buy a good young forward.
I think we should buy a good young forward.
That was utter shite today. Yakubu is utter shit as well, I'll be happy to see the back of him and his fat arse this summer if any sucker is willing to take him off our hands. I'd even let him go for free just to free up a spot on the wage bill.
Baines's back pass showed the complete lack of intensity in Everton's game today. A total loss of concentration showing he wasn't too arsed about today's game. I imagine they've been taking it easy in training to come out and perform like that today.
Also SImon Thorn, have you ever watched Arsenal play? Or is your post a wind up?
Baines's back pass showed the complete lack of intensity in Everton's game today. A total loss of concentration showing he wasn't too arsed about today's game. I imagine they've been taking it easy in training to come out and perform like that today.
Also SImon Thorn, have you ever watched Arsenal play? Or is your post a wind up?
I think when you consider how limp the crowd were for much of the game and Fulham's recent form, a number of 0-0s against top sides and the RS, for us to score 2 against them is no mean achievement.
The game plan from them was to keep it tight and hit us on the break and they do it well which produced a very frustrating game but as another poster said even Barcelona can't play like world beater's every game.
I'll settle for winning the last 2 games and watching the RS get squeaky bum syndrome in their last game after getting thrashed by Chelsea next weekend.
NSNO.
The game plan from them was to keep it tight and hit us on the break and they do it well which produced a very frustrating game but as another poster said even Barcelona can't play like world beater's every game.
I'll settle for winning the last 2 games and watching the RS get squeaky bum syndrome in their last game after getting thrashed by Chelsea next weekend.
NSNO.
Andy Crooks (20), that pretty much sums it up
Unless the 24-year rule comes into play.
Holding my breath I am not.
Unless the 24-year rule comes into play.
Holding my breath I am not.
Think some just need to relax a little — end-of-season game, not a lot to play for, but it's the result that counts at this stage of the season. I don't think any team is too fussed about the level of play at this stage.
We're saying 8 points lost from leads on 4 draws, but last 2 games you could say 4 points gained at the same time, and I'm sure a few other times over the season. I think over the last few years our record scoring late goals would exceed conceding late goals.
Agree that we need to sort out the striker position over the summer. Still not convinced by the Yak injury comeback or not, Saha great on his day, often erratic though.
We're saying 8 points lost from leads on 4 draws, but last 2 games you could say 4 points gained at the same time, and I'm sure a few other times over the season. I think over the last few years our record scoring late goals would exceed conceding late goals.
Agree that we need to sort out the striker position over the summer. Still not convinced by the Yak injury comeback or not, Saha great on his day, often erratic though.
'But this is not the level of performance we need to be taking into the start of next season... is it? What are the excuses this time? No Heitinga, No Rodwell???'
Seriously?!!
God forbid we should dominate possession and chances, lose an unlucky goal but come back strongly to win 3 points with the final kick of the game.
I'm pretty sure our form since 2010 sees us in the top 4....for me that is plenty good enough to take into next season.
Seriously?!!
God forbid we should dominate possession and chances, lose an unlucky goal but come back strongly to win 3 points with the final kick of the game.
I'm pretty sure our form since 2010 sees us in the top 4....for me that is plenty good enough to take into next season.
My man of the match today — step forward my Anthony Hibbert. Great defending when he had to and good distribution. Always an outlet ball and some good crosses.
Maybe Rodwell was placed to the side as a message to his agent to go fuck himself.
Absolute dire end of the season nothing game, however if we keep winning 2-1 against a team that looks like they may be in the final of a European Cup, I'll take that level of footy anytime.
Why do we need an excuse for a win?
Why do we need an excuse for a win?
Uh.. I think it was Cahill who got kicked illegally.. not Arteta?
I blame Hibbert for the mediocre performance. If he hadn't gifted them their goal we would never have got started. Oh my mistake it wasn't Hibbert I'm on the wrong post!!
Typical end-of-season game but lighten up... Play average and win — isn't that how titles are won?
For my money, Hibbert's the best right back we have, more composed than Neville and more likely to use the ball well. With Coleman ahead of him, who knows what might happen...
All the fickles in the Lower Gwladys were singing his name yesterday. He had a stormer and only gave a couple of poor passes all afternoon. The difference it makes when someone actually shows for the ball you see, less hopeful punts, more short sharp passes.
I am still actually reeling though that he took off Neville and never did the usual take off Hibbert, push Pip to right back and bring on a forward/attacking midfielder. He must have realised how well Tony was playing.
I am still actually reeling though that he took off Neville and never did the usual take off Hibbert, push Pip to right back and bring on a forward/attacking midfielder. He must have realised how well Tony was playing.
How good was the link up play between Pienaar and Arteta!!! Loved it!
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1 Posted 25/04/2010 at 17:34:37
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I thought it was more wasteful than dreary, we forced the pace in the 2nd half, and deserved to win. Vic is starting to look like a genuine option on the right, we still need to recruit in that area, but the lad maybe has a future at the club.