ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
1 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:00:01

That turned out to be quite a disappointing game for me. Not that I was really expecting much better... I don't feel the team has been anywhere near sufficiently motivated for the run-in.

BTW, the Live Forum is still up, for anyone who wishes to review the comments... although they are not particularly edifying.

And Tom Campbell: not impressed with your little prank near the end there. Don't do that again, please.

John Audsley
2 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:00:39

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No comment indeed!!

A very poor game where a lot of the lads looked shattered.

The Pienaar one is odd, no-one seemed to know what's going on. If he does want out then let's hope it's done and dusted asap.

£15M to spend on a striker and a Pienaar replacement would numb the pain but I'd much rather keep him. Let's hope that's what he wants as well.

Ray Robinson
3 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:05:29

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God what pessimism — has it been considered that Pienaar might actually be injured?

And Michael, another dig at Moyes, I see. If the team hadn't been sufficiently motivated, do you think that they'd have gone on such a long unbeaten run?

Keith Glazzard
4 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:00:27

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Unless you have a deeply mystical approach to your religion, I guess that Christian and Judas aren't two names that sit too well together.

I noticed that some hack called him the 'Ajax star' today. Not when he came to us, he wasn't.

No doubt all that extra money, should he choose to take it, will go to charitable works in the cape. Or maybe work to the glory of your god is better done in the theatre of dreams (TM SAF), ratherthan Goodison.

I sincerely hope he is a man of conviction.

Ian McDowell
5 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:30:41

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I don't understand... surely if Pienaar was injured, the official site would've stated he was ruled out due to an injury?

Personally, I think it could be the last we have seen of Pienaar in an Everton shirt. Hopefully I'm wrong, but a top player like Pienaar would be looking at £60k a week and I'm not sure we can afford that.

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:25:50

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Glad you caught that, Ray. Yes, lacking in motivation. For me, that is absolutely the manager's job. And for me, Moyes has fallen well short through the run-in.

Where we have fallen short in this unbeaten run, as Barry Horne said on the commentary, is drawing games we should have won. In case you are perhaps unaware, each results in two points lost, wheras games lost instead of drawn cost only one more point lost... so which outcome actually counts for more? As they say... Do the Maths!

So, while you may be happy crowing about an unbeaten run, for me it's another disappointing end to yet another disappointing season under David Moyes.

Wrap it up however you want but slipping from 5th to 8th, failing in ALL cup competitions, and dropping out of Europe are not good outcomes for the season.

But to give him credit — at least we should finish with a positive goal difference... What's that now? ... 2 out of 8? A tremendous achievement since being -5 after Game 1!!!

Ian Kearney
7 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:41:22

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Poor game, Saha could rob banks if he wanted, all he would have to do is break into a sweat and no-one would ever know it was him.

Anichebe was the only one to emerge with credit today, put in a shift, and his technique clearly gets better with confidence.

Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
8 Posted 01/05/2010 at 18:41:12

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Oh, sorry, one more thing I meant to ask about the Live Forum:

Think I might have a word with Lyndon about this rather annoying adoption of the Twitter model by curtailing responses to 160 characters (or whatever).

Yes, there's something to be said for keeping the Live Forum snappy, and ensuring short messages does that... but when people's efforts are truncated mid-thought, that just spoils the experience — even defeats the purpose for me. And I don't think there is any warming or indication that you have gone past the limit, is there?

Feedback. please.

James Stewart
9 Posted 01/05/2010 at 19:03:18

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No, Michael, there is no indication as you type how many characters remain. I'm not a fan of the twitter style dumbing down to be honest so it would be nice if it didn't appear on TW. Too Orwellian for me! I think people tend to keep it snappy of their own accord on the live forum anyway.

I also found today's performance dire. What was more irritating however was the lack of spirit. Pathetic considering there was still something to play for. If Liverpool do indeed slip up now, how embarrassing it will look then.

Andrew Gilbert
10 Posted 01/05/2010 at 19:21:15

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M Kenrick....'another disappointing end to yet another disappointing season under David Moyes'

Are you on cloud cuckoo land?

What more can he do without money?

Do you want Merlin as the next manager?

David Hallwood
11 Posted 01/05/2010 at 19:37:26

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Regarding whether Pienaar is going or staying: — there's an interesting interview in today's Guardian with Spurs' Assou-Ekotto, who makes no bones about the fact that he's doing a job and that if employer 'A' wants to pay him more than employer 'B' then that's were he'll play. He was also scornful of players who come out with the 'I love the shirt' nonsense. Footballers are just like you & me and if a rival company offers me improved wages, I'm off — and I suspect the rest of the posters would be as well.

Ray Robinson
12 Posted 01/05/2010 at 19:37:32

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Michael; I shouldn't rise to the bait particularly as you seem fit to question my intelligence. I am well aware of the fact that a draw results in only one point but the reason we have dropped so many points in drawn matches recently is, in my opinion, more down to lack of clinical finish rather than poor motivation. The players look motivated to me — albeit knackered — and that includes Pienaar.

You have a nice style in condescension though — still think you're looking for an excuse to have a go at Moyes.

Joe McMahon
13 Posted 01/05/2010 at 20:24:57

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Ray Robinson - I think you make a very valid point. Saha hasn't scored since the Chelsea game, that must be some 10 games ago. Yakubu was in shite form BEFORE his injury, Vic & Vaughan ain't good enough for a Premier League top 10 side. Apart from the usual problem of a pacy winger down the right (8 years Moyes has had to address this and get this right).

I think Michael also has some valid points. We have finished 8th, embarrassed in Europe (again), no cups runs. This season we haven't beaten Stoke, Wolves, Birmingham, lost to the shite twice, we have also lost to Bolton, Burnley and Hull. All things considered, after 8 years and not that convinced, we are defo behindf, Villa, Spurs, there is nowt we can do about City, but as I said after 8 years.... mmmm from me it's not good. Before I get slated, this is my opinion.

Dave Wilson
14 Posted 01/05/2010 at 20:30:53

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Didn't get to the game today, so I`ll have to wait for football first, but I`ve heard THREE different radio stations call it a drab end-of-season affair.

I wouldn't read too much into Pienaar not playing, he is the host nation's main hope in the World Cup; nobody in their right mind would risk further damage to play in a comparatively meaningless game at Stoke.

Give him a break!

Mick Wrende
15 Posted 01/05/2010 at 20:50:04

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No-one could possibly claim this has been a good season. We are the 8th biggest spenders in the league and that is where we have finished. And the rest has been an absolute disaster. Why shouldn't we have a go at Moyes? — I for one am not happy with mid-table mediocrity and nothing in the cups. Just like Gordon Brown, the time has come to give someone else a go.

Ray Kelly
16 Posted 01/05/2010 at 20:49:25

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Dire end to the season, Saha has done nothing since getting his 2-year deal... and as for Pienaar, the inside word is that he's apparently the biggest mercenary in the squad and he'll be playing his football elsewhere next season.

Unless we get some quality in to compliment our best players, expect another shit season and the gap to get even bigger. Best league in the world, my arse!

Michael Kenrick
17 Posted 01/05/2010 at 20:54:29

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Ray, sorry if you took my derison at celebrating an unbeaten run of 10 that includes FIVE drawn games personally when we were (supposedly) keen to secure points and qualify for Europe.

If our players are truly knackered (surely not!) then that again would be down to Moyes and his emphasis on working them to death in training! [Well... you asked for that one!]

Point is, I don't ever need to look for an excuse to have a go at Moyes for his continual failings — they're right there in front of me, you and any Evertonian with a pair of eyes! [Ooops... there I go again. But since you raised the topic...]

Mark Jones
18 Posted 01/05/2010 at 21:01:48

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I went to the game today and Moyes put a team out to stop Stoke rather than play to our strengths and beat them at our own game. Anichebe played well and I thought Distin had his best game in a blue shirt. Yet again, the officials cost us a game and I look forward to watch our two minutes at the end of Match of the Day.

Michael Kenrick
19 Posted 01/05/2010 at 21:10:13

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Picking up on your last point, Mark (18), about presumably the disallowed goal.

My take (and that of the commentators after they ruled out the idea that Arteta's ball had curved out of play) was that Anichebe had been penalised for being offside. He was standing just in front of the keeper and ahead of the last man throughout the move.

In this position, I think he was definitely "interfering with play", under the old interpretation of the rule... but I have this possibly false idea that the offside player must now actually touch the ball in order to be called offside... In which case, this would not be.

Right or wrong?

Other than that, I thought Howard Webb and his World Cup team of assistants did reasonably well today (but then I'm someone who always looks to blame the ref). He certainly didn't draw us the game... did he? That was well down to us. And to be consistent, you should request that our winner against Fulham last week be ruled out because of a clearly wrong call on a throw-in that led immediately to the penalty which enabled us to win the game with the final kick.

Alan Clarke
20 Posted 01/05/2010 at 21:50:08

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I don't think we've really looked arsed since before the West Ham game. Today didn't surprise me one bit. We've been conceding sloppy goals like the own goal against Villa and that awful back pass from Baines last week. The way we've played in games has lacked any intensity, almost like the players have been winding down and dicking about in training waiting for their summer holidays or not wanting to get injured before the World Cup.

This season has been a fucking disaster but there is some cause for optimism. I really will get worn down if we face another summer like last and we have a shit start to next season. If Pienaar wants to go, sell him quick and get the replacement in quick. Moyes should then try and get his players ready to start the season in August rather than November.

Ray Robinson
21 Posted 01/05/2010 at 22:15:11

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We've been so "demotivated" in the last few games that we've scored last minute winners against Blackburn and Fulham.

I'm as disappointed as anybody about the dropped points in the run in but I don't see Moyes's motivating powers or the players attitude as being the main reason for the situation.

And of course you can be interfering with play even without touching the ball. Just about to watch MotD to see if this was the case this afternoon.

Nick Entwistle
22 Posted 01/05/2010 at 23:03:46

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Suely it was obvious Anichebe was off-side for the goal, based on interfering with play, what with him standing directly infront of the 'keeper. Saing that, I'm now watching it on MotD, the Ref has confirmed it, though the 'keeper did get a free look and dove unhindered.

And to go way off topic, why doesn't a striker play permanently in an off-side position, looking for the advantage one would gain in the 'second phase' of those supposedly contentious off-side decisions??? It would make him virtually unplayable/markable.

Steve Pugh
23 Posted 01/05/2010 at 23:18:24

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The problem with the goal isn't the question of offside, which according to the law he was, it's the simple fact that so many goals have been awarded despite offside players interfering with the goalkeeper's ability to save the shot. In fact, I have a feeling that this was the first time this season that the rule has been correctly applied.

Dick Fearon
24 Posted 01/05/2010 at 22:51:31

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I am equally divided between Michael K and Ray R on this motivation issue. I agree that some of these highly paid professionals players appeared to lack motivation yet if 30+ thousand quid per week does not provide enough motivation I doubt anything Moyes could say would make the slightest difference. It should not be necessary for Moyes to 'pump up' professional players for them to earn those obscene wages.

What I do expect from Moyes as one of the league's highest paid managers is an ability to ‘read’ the game and when required to make quick and positive changes. His failure to do that is and always has been his biggest weakness.

What was patently clear to everyone at the ground and millions around the world was that Osman and Saha were from whoa to go absolute shite. Did Moyes not think that was the case or could not believe the evidence of his own eyes? In either case, his far too late reaction was inexcusable.

Who was the idiot who thought Jags would be better than Hibbert at fullback. That kind of thing should have been sorted on the training ground and not at the Brittania stadium. That gaffe was another example of Moyes's refusal to accept the bleeding obvious. While Hibbo was bench warming, Jags was being ripped apart.

Everyone except Moyes could see that with 30 minutes left Jags was completely knackered and running on empty. That alone should have seen the entry of Hibbo but once again there was some kind of disconnection between Moyes's eyes and his brain.

Andy Crooks
25 Posted 02/05/2010 at 00:37:57

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The game today just about epitomized our season. Not good enough.

On paper, we have a good squad but today was woeful. No passion, no fire, no motivation and poor, really poor football.

So what next? I believe that not being in Europe will be detrimental to the club and I fear a repeat of previous summers.

Unlike many Evertonians I don't feel optimistic about next season, what will change?

Wouldn't it be good for the club to make a couple of early signings (however cheap) and show the supporters that things will be different?

I have strong views on what could and should happen but, frankly, I feel demotivated by today's performance and can't be bothered with the inevitable flak that would follow..

Alan Clarke
26 Posted 02/05/2010 at 08:14:53

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Ray, our play has still looked lacklustre even though we've scored those last-minute winners. If we'd been on our game and playing at the intensity we expect from Moyes's Everton team, we'd have been out of sight against Wolves, West Ham, Villa, Birmingham and Stoke. That's 10 extra points there and perhaps we'd actually be looking at a top 4 finish. I know we can't win every game but we'd certainly be playing in Europe next year.

All we've heard for the past few weeks is how important Europe is to the club from Moyes and the players then they turn in a performance like that yesterday. That to me means they weren't really arsed.

Tony J Williams
27 Posted 02/05/2010 at 10:31:16

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What is more confusing about this season is how bad we all think it was, yet if we had won yesterday and beaten Portsmouth next Sunday, we would have had the exact same points total as last year. So it now seems our "bad" seasons are getting better.

Eugene Ruane
28 Posted 02/05/2010 at 10:58:41

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Tony - and IF the Queen had balls, she'd be the King.

Mike Allison
29 Posted 02/05/2010 at 15:53:58

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Disappointing indeed, but unnecessary to trot out every negative thought you can think of. I also worry about the embarrassment threshold of some of you, if you thought we were embarrassed in Europe this season.

Maybe its because I've left it a day but I feel like I'm coming at this with far more perspective than some of you on here. A 0-0 draw away at Stoke in a game overwhelmingly likely to meaningless is not a reason for mass depression.

It highlights a need for more creative, skilfull players to support the striker. When we have Arteta and Pienaar, we can beat anyone; when we miss one, we don't really have a replacement, and if the usual back-up 'work hard and score off a set piece' game plan fails, we end up with a draw.