The Mail Bag
The EFC Lads (Part I)
Comments (34)
How have our boys done so far at the World Cup?
Howard - A MotM for me. Several big saves boosted US confidence. Put the team in a position to win without a doubt.
Donovan - B+ Back to being targeted by opponents, but kept his composure. All over the pitch and made some neat passes. I saw the maturity lacking in 2006 WC.
Yak & Yobo - C (B- maybe?) The pitch was tilted down towards Nigeria's goal almost the entire game. Nigeria was way too timid. You have Yak and Yobo FFS. Attack.
Pienaar - Solid B Good job all-round. SA will look even better next game and expect him to shine.
Moyes - ???? Anyone catching his commentary? How's he doing?
James Flynn, Posted 13/06/2010 at 02:41:00
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I think Howard and Donovan both did very well yesterday, Yak and Yobo both performed quite decant as well and the only one who hasn't performed so far is Pienaar.
Donovan is not "ours" and I would imagine, after yesterday's game, several other EPL clubs would also be keen to have his services. So if there is a bidding war, BK will not get far with free theatre tickets and interim payments covering the next 15 years.
The Yak looked fit and keen, if he brings that form back next season he will be the number one choice up front.
Pienaar is central to all South African attacking football, add this to fact that the guy seems to cover the whole pitch — makes you realise how fit the guy is. On the plus side he is playing in a poor team, so with a bit of luck he will hopefully finish the group games going un-noticed.
Howard — brilliant.
The Yak looked fit and keen, if he brings that form back next season he will be the number one choice up front.
Pienaar is central to all South African attacking football, add this to fact that the guy seems to cover the whole pitch — makes you realise how fit the guy is. On the plus side he is playing in a poor team, so with a bit of luck he will hopefully finish the group games going un-noticed.
Howard — brilliant.
The Yak looked a million miles fitter and better than he did at the Afcon six months ago. Considering the quality of the opposition yesterday he did well. More to come. Yobo was Yobo — from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Tim Howard has undoubtedly put in the best performance from an Everton player up to now, and even came through a collision with that cave troll Heskey unscathed. Got a feeling Tim Cahill may be the first Everton player to score in this tournament tonight although, according to Philip Lahm, the Germans have singled him out for 'special treatment'.
Yobo looked great defensively, awful in his passing. Yak looked good but isolated. Howard solid as ever - my mates who scoffed when I said he would walk into the England team are silent now - Pienaar was shut out of the game.
"The pitch was tilted down towards Nigeria's goal almost the entire game."
You know they swap ends at half-time don't you?!
You know they swap ends at half-time don't you?!
Just watched Jurgen Klinnsman on ESPN praise Howard to the heavens, then state he had to leave Everton for a Big Club!!
What is impressive is that we currently have the most influential players in South Africa, Nigeria, Australia and America in our team. What is frustrating is that the worldwide marketing of our team is so poor that we are not raking in millions from overseas merchandise sales and capitalising on this probably unique position . We failed to do the same when we had Lie Tie (the Chinese David Bekham!?!) in the team.
Looks like Tim's tournament is over before it's started...Badly timed challenge but a harsh red..
On a side note Ze germans look like champions elect...Was a bit sceptical about Schweinsteigers conversion to the centre - but he's certainly pulling the strings very effectively..
The Germans would tear England apart. I hope they get the chance.
On a side note Ze germans look like champions elect...Was a bit sceptical about Schweinsteigers conversion to the centre - but he's certainly pulling the strings very effectively..
The Germans would tear England apart. I hope they get the chance.
Donovan - who is not "ours" and no chance of being, has been best player out of those you mention so far.
Yeah, he was working hard too. Does Germany have a factory they produce these guys in? Every 4 years, big, strong, fast, and skilled. No wonder they're always in the hunt.
Apparently Mezut ozil is 'ours' too. Moyes has tapped him up and pulled off a swap deal with Phil Neville.
One can dream....
One can dream....
Just seen Cahill red carded in his first game. Does this mean it's his last too?
James Flynn: "Just watched Jurgen Klinsmann on ESPN praise Howard to the heavens, then state he had to leave Everton for a Big Club!!"
Wtf! If Everton aren't a big club, then there aren't many big clubs around. Very disappointing comment from Klinsmann.
Wtf! If Everton aren't a big club, then there aren't many big clubs around. Very disappointing comment from Klinsmann.
Thor - Yeah. Shocked me. Klinsmann, like basically everyone else, heaped praise on Tim, then made some condescending noises about Tim playing for EFC. But how Tim's talent was too big for Everton. He had to move to a Big Team; mentioning Sky 4, Top 2 in Spain, or a Serie A side.
I thought, "He'll be playing for a Big Club next season, sausage-eater. Everton".
Someone in here, in one of the "rumor" discussions was pissed off and mentioned, "We're going to roll some fuckin heads" next season. Klinsmann's is one for that smart-ass remark.
I thought, "He'll be playing for a Big Club next season, sausage-eater. Everton".
Someone in here, in one of the "rumor" discussions was pissed off and mentioned, "We're going to roll some fuckin heads" next season. Klinsmann's is one for that smart-ass remark.
When is 'Part 2' James? They will all be out soon.
Howard, Jags, Arteta, Pienaar, Heitinga, Fellaini. So basically the spine and creativity of our team are all too good for us and should be at a 'top' club. Imagine if a top club could get all those 6 players together, they'd have a great side. Oh, wait...
It sounds as though Klinsmann has never forgiven Everton for spoiling his Wembley FA Cup Final dream end to the 94/95 season with Spurs!
Very Impressed with the Germans, so much so I have lashed out a tenner at 9-1 while they were still giving it away. Did ponder Italy at 18-1 as well, but no.
In the American ESPN coverage, Jurgen Klinsmann rated Tim Howard a world-class goalie and then said that he now needed to move on to a world-class team. And something like "Everton are a fine team but are simply not big enough for a goalie as great as Howard." I'm thrilled for Tim, but Christ (!!) does my team always have to be dissed by the mainstream media--English and American. Fucking annoying.
On a side note: Germany were fucking amazing today. Brilliant performance with goals that the tournament really needed. Too bad for Tim (sending off undeserved).
On a side note: Germany were fucking amazing today. Brilliant performance with goals that the tournament really needed. Too bad for Tim (sending off undeserved).
Oops. James Flynn had already noted this. I usually do read all the posts...
Adolf Klingfilm is probably still bitter about 1995, when his Tottenham team were favourites to beat us in the semi and give the media the "dream final" of Man U v Spurs. Sadly, we didn't read the script and twatted them 4-1 - their penalty scored by him, courtesy of a blatant dive by Sheringham.
He's another Shearer. Great player, neither the intelligence or personality to make it as a manager, so spouts shit on TV.
He's another Shearer. Great player, neither the intelligence or personality to make it as a manager, so spouts shit on TV.
Well, here's how I rank them and why:
Pienaar, South Africa – 4
Where was the Pocket Rocket? He had no discernible impact on the game, either with South Africa defending in the first half or when they began unleashing their counterattacks in the second. He didn’t make any mistakes that I saw, but the electricity we’re accustomed to was missing completely.
Yobo, Nigeria – 8
The Yobo of two years ago has returned with a bang. Except for one unaccountable brain cramp that allowed Samuel a free header, our forgotten center back was superb against mighty Argentina. He looked fast, positioned well, kept his defense organized, shut down Higuin completely and made a couple of outstanding last-ditch tackles. Some of us have been writing Yobo off as a permanent reserve for Everton. Maybe we spoke too soon.
Yakubu, Nigeria – 5
The Yak looked better against Argentina than at any time since the injury. He’s lost weight, looked fit for 90 minutes and had a bunch of nice, confident touches... but no sign of the old explosive burst, and he never looked a threat to score.
Howard, USA – 8
His positioning and hands were flawless – no bad rebounds – and Howard inspired, harangued and directed his defense superbly. And he took Heskey’s best shot and got up. The only reason he doesn’t rate a 9 is that none of his saves qualified as spectacular. Jurgen Klinsmann says the top teams in Europe will be after him. I hope he’s wrong.
Donovan, USA – 5
Donovan didn’t do anything dazzling, and his completion percentage on his passes was unusually low, but he did what was most required of him, which was to stay calm on the ball and keep the US midfield organized. He looked in command, but he never looked dangerous.
Cahill, Australia – 2
Between the cracking header in the fourth minute and the cracking tackle in the 56th, my favorite Blue completely vanished as the game bypassed him in both directions. He gets one sympathy point for having a bunch of lost gooney birds to support him, and one sympathy point for the red card being far too harsh. But that’s it. I’m saddened for him.
Heitinga, Netherlands - see you in the morning!
Pienaar, South Africa – 4
Where was the Pocket Rocket? He had no discernible impact on the game, either with South Africa defending in the first half or when they began unleashing their counterattacks in the second. He didn’t make any mistakes that I saw, but the electricity we’re accustomed to was missing completely.
Yobo, Nigeria – 8
The Yobo of two years ago has returned with a bang. Except for one unaccountable brain cramp that allowed Samuel a free header, our forgotten center back was superb against mighty Argentina. He looked fast, positioned well, kept his defense organized, shut down Higuin completely and made a couple of outstanding last-ditch tackles. Some of us have been writing Yobo off as a permanent reserve for Everton. Maybe we spoke too soon.
Yakubu, Nigeria – 5
The Yak looked better against Argentina than at any time since the injury. He’s lost weight, looked fit for 90 minutes and had a bunch of nice, confident touches... but no sign of the old explosive burst, and he never looked a threat to score.
Howard, USA – 8
His positioning and hands were flawless – no bad rebounds – and Howard inspired, harangued and directed his defense superbly. And he took Heskey’s best shot and got up. The only reason he doesn’t rate a 9 is that none of his saves qualified as spectacular. Jurgen Klinsmann says the top teams in Europe will be after him. I hope he’s wrong.
Donovan, USA – 5
Donovan didn’t do anything dazzling, and his completion percentage on his passes was unusually low, but he did what was most required of him, which was to stay calm on the ball and keep the US midfield organized. He looked in command, but he never looked dangerous.
Cahill, Australia – 2
Between the cracking header in the fourth minute and the cracking tackle in the 56th, my favorite Blue completely vanished as the game bypassed him in both directions. He gets one sympathy point for having a bunch of lost gooney birds to support him, and one sympathy point for the red card being far too harsh. But that’s it. I’m saddened for him.
Heitinga, Netherlands - see you in the morning!
Jurgen has obviously forgotten '95 when despite having thousands of fans locked outside Elland Rd, "little Everton" supporters still managed to outnumber their "big club" opponents by three to one inside the ground.
We wiped wiped the floor with them too and considering that's where the German spent most of the game, you`d think he`d remember.
It`ll be interesting to see how the "Champions elect" do when they come up against a team who will offer some resistance.
I'd go with Mike [24]; also, Klinsmann's a prick.
England`s 1950 World Cup goalie, Bert Williams was moved to say on Saturday that Howard would waltz into the England team and was in a different class to the three stooges (my phrase, not his) we have in SA.
Jurgen Klinsmann is a Cunt. Pardon my french but the man is pathetic. Sad because I actually quite liked him as a player but he clearly holds a grudge against EFC due to us giving his beloved Spurs a good hiding in that semi-final. He also seems to have developed a highly irritating LA drawl. No matter he's just one more annoying pundit to put on mute.
As for our players, all except Cahill have performed solidly I would say but no standout performances yet.
As for our players, all except Cahill have performed solidly I would say but no standout performances yet.
Thanks for bringing back one of my favourite memories: Klinsmann scoring the penalty to make it 2-1 and running into the net to get the ball to get the game started as quickly as possible, only for us to score two more and permanently end his chance of ever playing in an FA Cup final. Of course he's bitter, and what James said in post 28 for that matter.
I wonder if Klinsmann remembers where we got Tim Howard from???
Oh how England would love to have a keeper like Tim Howard. Everything that Robert Green isn't.
Personally, I would like all our players to have nightmare games and all the teams they play for to be knocked out in the group stages so they:
1. Don`t catch the eye of any manager looking for good players.
2. So we can start our season with a fully fit squad and go on to get a Champions League spot.
And based on England's first game, I would be surprised if we get passed the last 16.
1. Don`t catch the eye of any manager looking for good players.
2. So we can start our season with a fully fit squad and go on to get a Champions League spot.
And based on England's first game, I would be surprised if we get passed the last 16.
To continue the debate and rating of our players on show at the World Cup.... Mucha was very uncertain I thought with the little he had to do and he just stood rooted to the line when the header beat him at the end of the game.
He did not look good enough generally and if Turner and Ruddy are not better than him then they should plan a career change!!!
The New Yorker Magazine has a nice video about Tim Howard's background. Oh, and they even mention that he plays for a 'smaller' English team now:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2010/05/video-world-cup.html
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1 Posted 13/06/2010 at 14:53:02
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