The Mail Bag
Nice finish, Bily!
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I'm really pleased that it was Bily who rescued what looked to be a drab and boring end to a season that has seen us progress / stand still / slip backwards [delete as appropriate]. Sounds like a great goal and I really want to believe Bily is going to be a key player for us in a very important campaign next season.
11 games undefeated at the end... Getting us into a frame of mind that does not see us losing is a vital step forward. I don't see us yet getting to the point where our superiority is translated into the confidence and swagger that we will win through sheer application, but hopefully three last-minute wins in the last few games will strengthen that conviction.
Great to finish on a high note, and this is by far the best finish to a season we have ever seen during the Moyes era. Carrying it through to the start of the next season is vital; getting off to a good start is vital; not only not losing... but scoring goals and winning games is of course what it's really all about.
We still need to step up another level to really compete with those above us... can we do it? I believe we do now have the ingredients and the ability to do it. I'd be happy with few comings and goings over the summer, and starting the season as we should really mean to continue.
Michael Kenrick, Posted 09/05/2010 at 19:10:53
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When you consider that we've dropped some silly points recently — those four draws against Wolves, West Ham, Villa and Stoke could easily have resulted in us finishing with eight more points — we could have been comfortably in the lead in terms of 2010 points and agonisingly close to a top four finish. All this after a first half that saw us gain just 22 points out of a possible 57.
And let's not forget that we were genuinely short of players at the start of the season. I seem to remember one game in October/November where we had 15 players unavailable — there is no team in the Premier League who could survive that.
Of course finishing eighth is disappointing but let's keep it all in perspective. The important thing now is not so much to add new players (yes, a 20-goal a season striker would be nice) but to keep this squad together. Keeping Pienaar is absolutely crucial.
Now he's been at Everton for almost a year, and I guess his English is getting better, and so will his communication with the rest of the player be.
I'm most positive about Bily's future at Everton.
Everton now promise better things for next season and a lot depends of course on staying clear of injuries at least at the beginning of the season.Hopefully some players will finally cement into a stronger team ala Fellaini, Rodwell and Bily together with a fit Big Vic who we need to see more goals from – especially with Saha being only part-time.
We were so close to Europe we could smell it but some strangely lethargic performances of late cost us dearly. We have a right to feel disappointed but on the other hand after the disastrous start the manager did great in turning it around.
1/ Foreign
2/ Knackered after almost two seasons without a break
3/ 22 years old, I believe
I am positive that he will come back next season as a belting player. If you check his stats for this season, ie starts, goals, assists he will be one of our best / most productive players, in his first full season for us.
As for next season, I am full of hope; we have always needed at least 4 or 5 new 1st team regulars but I think we only need 1 this time around. Scoff you might but if we can get Landon back (or similar) we look pretty strong.
Coleman is pulling up trees at Blackpool, and I know cover is needed at left-back and the squad needs more depth but across the board we are stronger than I can remember since the mid-80s.
Final note: Well done Chelski — deservedly Champions this season, but only because the Sky 4 are all weaker this time around , and that gives me hope for 2010-11.
Villa, City and Spurs have all upped their game, so it will take a mighty challenge next season to even improve on this year. Bear in mind the many dropped points in recent games against Birmingham, West Ham, Villa and Wolves, it still wouldn't have been enough to break the top 4. We simply cannot afford to waste points like this next season.
I watched the game live in Thailand tonight, great finish by Bily, even better than the goal against Utd. Amazing how many late goals we do seem to score... and — bar the goal in Athens — Bily seems reluctant to score outside Goodison. But fair play to the lad, he deserves a well earned break this summer and look forward to seeing even more from him next season.
Thanks TW for keeping me entertained throughout the season — better the the OS and any other sites.
COYB.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/5600587/
Also, on BBC I thought I saw Gerrard retaliate at a fan after the whistle, and this website brings it up too... though the link is broke.
Agree (for once) with Kenrick about the need to hit the ground running next term, and credit to the Pompey fans who do not deserve the criminal boardroom behaviour inflicted upon their proud,f antastically supported club.
Although I won't miss that twat with the hat and tats!!
Let's hope Moyes is willing to take some risks next season. For years we've been saying "Next season"... Well this is it. Most of the pieces are in place and ready for an all-out assault on the top 4!
Good job TW-ers. lets enjoy the WC and add the right ingredients in the summer to boost us forward next year!
Why on earth was Rodwell playing behind the front man and Ozzie playing the holding role? It deffo did not suit Rodwell with his crab-like passing, I expected him to be more forceful and having a couple of digs at goal.
Peter Anthony - Next May, drinks all-round (first round on me for any of you at Goodison with me for the Trophy lifting), but no humble pie served. We're here amongst ourselves, so none of that. I haven't posted anything contrary to what we all want and think within our reach.
All of us: Top 4 = EFC and 3 other teams.
Top 4 (Flynn Variant) = EFC and wondering who'll finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th behind us.
No great difference and so no great leap. We know our team has the talent.
We have to finish teams off. That's the key. That will get us the League Trophy. Which will get EFC exposure, generate finance, attract more players, etc, etc.
You're a great bunch.
This is James Flynn from New Everton
COYB
Should we get Peter 'The Dark Lord' Mandelson as our next CEO?
No excuses now. This team is good enough to compete right at the top end. Liverpool are on their knees and Utd will be worse next year. There's a real prospect that we can crack the top sides — if we don't then we can be sure that the teams around us will continue to develop.
Best position is that free role off the forward. I like him as a slow Ronaldo! Think of the home game against Utd.
I do rate him — we just need to get used to the idea that you can't set him off on a race against the fullback. Give him the ball to feet in more central positions and we'll see the best of him.
COYB!!!
Just not in a fun but real sense. EFC signed Landon and he wants to come back. The reason you've read ToffeeWebers around the world mentioning Yanks now knowing Everton is DM signing Donovan and giving him a chance.
So the instant Donovan is back in Blue, I declare Moyes the discoverer of New Everton, formally called the United States of America. Soccer fans here know all the big clubs. Yet, not one of them have tried to plant their flag in the States. Not one.
EFC can and real soon. Re-sign Landon. Adding him to the talent DM amassed will put us right there for lifting the Trophy this time next year.
He had an outstanding game yesterday — apart from a few dodgy cross. Baby steps, people, baby steps...
And the Hibbert goal quest — the lad next to me said he'd got the t-shirts on order already — "I Was There When Hibbo Scored"
Also, funny to hear some of the comments in the Lower Gwladys: "We're not fuckin Arsenal — twat the fuckin thing!" This throwback to the School of Science clearly doesn't please everybody!
What's so frustrating is our team doesn't need massive amounts spending on it - a modest amount would really see us push on yet we'll still be scratching round the bargain basement for reinforcements this summer. Success, however, will taste so much sweeter if this team can achieve something.
I am not as confident as some posters but love the optimism evident in most of the comments.
Lastly, thanks to MK for reasoned and informed comment in both good/bad times.
In my opinion we should be selling to buy and the Yak would be on the top of my departure list now. I can see his stock falling season on season and we should cash in while we can and use the money to buy another Moyes find ala Jags, Timmy etc.
Our team for next season is technically the best I have seen in my 30-odd years and this makes me a very happy Bluenose!
But recently, every time I google it, I get a warning from my security telling me it is an unsafe site and it passes on personal info about you to others.
As I say, I don't know exactly what that means (perhaps someone could enlighten me?) but beware.
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1 Posted 09/05/2010 at 19:28:15
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ps: Massive thanks to all at TW Towers (and all the great contributors, especially Ken's (and Paul's) great reports etc.) Here's hoping this time next year we're euphorically choking on humble pie served by one James Flynn! Maybe if the players believe as much as Mr Flynn we'll be stuffing inferior sides like the RedShite home and away with conviction... bring it on, COYB!