COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Newcastle Utd (H)
Comments (29) : With Cahill unfit, Beckford led the line and in an underwhelming first half, his only contribution was to leave the Newcastle keeper needing to leave the field on a stretcher in a challenge that saw him booked.
We didn?t look right from the off and the half was at best poor. Early on, Newcastle had a header off target and a Barton free-kick palmed away by Howard. For the Blues, Jags headed wide and Osman, for the second week running, produced a powder puff ?back pass? when ? with a bit of foot through the ball venom ? may have produced something more tangible.
Newcastle had not been much of a threat either but their mid-field was at least working in tandem and on occasion getting new boy Ben Arfa on the ball and first he almost set up Carroll; then, on the cusp of half-time, he found himself space centrally and ,with no Blues player willing to close him down, delivered an exquisite drive that flew past Howard and into the net via the underside of the bar.
Half-time and the faithful were non-plussed such was our performance and most had ideas as to the changes that must be made.
The changes were duly announced and not greeted with glee by most. Yak for Beckford was fine but Coleman for Hibbert, leaving the weak and out of sorts Osman on, was none too popular...
We did start quicker though, with tempo up, but that?s all it was as quality and composure seemed to go out of the window, leading to passes going awry and decision-making redundant. The half went on in this way and, until 15 mins to go, nothing worth mentioning occurred.
Then Coleman, who many see as our right back saviour almost capped an average performance by bringing down Nolan in the box. From my seat, it looked nailed on, but Ref Mariner ruled he had got the ball... what a day to have a lenient Ref and we were unable to use him at the other end, where our efforts were woeful ? and that?s being generous. We did have a late, late flurry when Yak hit a post and at the death Fellaini missed a sitter but the whistle ensured the Manager will have lots to ponder upon...
Overall, a really bad day at the office ? which proves that the late-late show last week means zilch when the next game comes along, despite a few players going into print talking of ?kick-starts?. Many question Cahill but today I thought he was a big miss, maybe not in class but certainly in the sort of endeavour that rubs off and inspires others. Today not a semblance of a general ? just foot-soldiers.
A bit early to panic but I do think the manager needs to bring the players down to earth and for them to realise that all the talent in the world is useless unless it?s used as part of a rigid team strategy... because what we got today was disjointed hotch-potch. Sitting there, I couldn?t help musing on occasion that Heitinga made Carsley look world class as a back-four sitter ? and that is sure as hell not progress.
I am neither a Moyes lover nor hater; to me, he is just our present manager... and, as our present manager, I am looking to him to sort out both the plusses and ? maybe more importantly ? the minuses of our present squad... and come up with a strategy that brings out the best of what we have as so far this season, despite some domination and joined-up footy in all our matches, we are still waiting for a win in the league and that is just not good enough.
Win pretty; Win ugly... it?s his call and it?s his job to leave the players in no doubt that, whatever they think of themselves, he will pick a team to win ? no matter who has to be left out.
Picking a MotM today is no more than a matter of opinion but my offering would be Fellaini. He looked bemused and uncertain at times in his second-striker role but he never stopped giving his all and still found time to race back and make some timely headed clearances in our box, as well as probably being the most creative midfielder. A tall order for one man. Those around him should have a good look at themselves.
Two away games to come and, as ever, I will attend and hope against hope that a good dose of rehab down Finch Farm way will see the manager and players come down to earth and produce some goods that gives us a win and some smiles back on faces. Good luck Davey for it is at times like these top managers come to the fore and along with the players really earn those large salaries.
UP THE BLUES
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I'm really concerned how anonymous and ineffectual Heitinga's become. Remember folks on here were calling him a legend in the making and suggesting he should get the captain's armband.
I genuinely think that there are a host of our players who are underperforming because they are being played out of position (Heitinga, Fellaini, and Rodwell) or their role in the team strategy is entirely unclear to them and to the rest of the players ( Beckford and Bily). For instance, Beckford is an entirely different type of striker than Saha or Yak (and no, I don't mean he's crap), but we don't change our approach play to play to his strengths.
I think you have inadvertantly hit the nail on the head, you mention ' sticking to a rigid plan '...surely thats the whole of the problem, piss poor rigid plan A, the with all the same cock up decisions and selections and no plan B.
As for Johnny - I've played centreback in everygame in the world cup up to and including the final - H and I can't get a start or have to play in midfield when the 2 behind me couldn't stop a pig in a very narrow entry and can't make a pass less than 60yds.
I have a little bit of sympathy for him. You CAN play out of position but only for a short time, if you are on form, happy confident and well supported by those around you. When it all turns to shit, you have nothing to fall back on experience wise and downhill you go... So on looking back on those words maybe I have a bit of sympathy for Osman.
1 game 5 games 10 games and yet another Derby roll over.
Q) When is enough enough
All answers to B.Kenwright, cc to D. Moyes.
But to score you have to make goal chances and we don't. As usual our passing was too short and played to feet, not space, so we're too crowded and can't get through defences. As usual our main form of attack is to play the ball out then lump it high into the box. Useless.
We are so light up front with no striker of note. If the Yak can play a half or 60 mins he should start. Beckford should play the second half where there is more space. He looks lost.
I still believe Moyse doesn't know his best team and some difficult decisions must be made to the middle of the park and right hand side. Ossie is not the answer. Controversial I know but Arteta may have to play on the right with Felli and Johnny in the middle at least it will give us the balance we are currently lacking.
COYB
My changes would have been Yak from the start, I would have started Coleman at RM and Johnny H at the back where he played in a world cup final.
I feel sorry for beckford who must now wonder that he has made the right decision in joining a manager that has ruined the careers of Andy Johnson, James Beattie and the Yak, all prolific strikers before they joined the 1 up front brigade.
I am so angry I am going to stop now before I say somthing I regret.
For me Moyes, your tactics are awful, your formation is awful and you aint got a clue what you are doing! Capello was getting slaughtered in the summer for being too stubborn and not changing to a 4-4-2, well Moyesie, your being too stubborn and 1) not changing TO a 4-4-2 and 2) not playing players in their correct positions!
We have 2 fit striker, Yak and Becks and NEITHER of them are strikers that can play up top on their own, they both NEED to play alongside each other! Becks will do the work and take defenders away leaving space for Yak to do what he is so good at!
For me it is obvious, Howard, Hibbert/Neville (Hibbert has been our best defender this season, but Neville will give us the leadership we need), Jags, Hetinga, Baines, Coleman, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienarr, Yak, Becks.
Give that a run out Moyes, play players in their best positions and see the goals go in and the games being won!
If you dont wanna do that, then let someone in who does, becoz the way you are managing us, we aint gonna improve!
COYB
I can add to the general doom and gloom but was of course pre empted. I will ony brielfy say I was utterly shocked that after the team played so great against manure they could hardly get the ball against Newcastle. Iwonder though what gets me thinking is how well schooled Newcastle were it;s not only how bad Everton seemed but how effective and tight knit and fast they were. How well they passed and shielded the ball. They minded me almost of a Spanish team. We looked so predictable and slow by comparison it made me think really whether we are really going to struggle now. lack of pace,. predictability ,lack of bite in front of goal. I am sorry for Beckford but he doesn't look the biscuit. He doesn't seem to have pace or physical presence I prefer Anichibe. As for Bily, what was he doing? he looks like a schoolboy nonchalantly hoofing it over the bar! It's harsh to blame Coleman but look what he was up against a defence better than manure really tight and well marshalled no space no quarter given. The quality of the Prem has ratcheted up yet again adn we are left behind what happened to 'fortress Goodison' when you can't win at home you are relegation material simple! Damn sad. A WC finalist heitinga had to be pulled off because he couldn't tackle or get the ball! What a shambles.
I think Moyes likes to play catch up every season to make him look good. Don't be surprised if we get knocked out the League Cup. I feel gutted as I was really optimistic before the season started... even thinking we could challenge for the title. How wrong was I.
Mark my words, the team for next week will be Osman and er' 10 others.
It probably seems an odd thing to say but until such time that Leon plays a 'blinder' there is no chance the 'Moysiagh' will admit that everyone bar himself is wrong and only then will he drop him.
Just looking at the team yesterday, and wondering where the next result is going to come from. The one hope is that now it's back to the walls time, that usually makes us come out strongly
The lad is a liability and is in fact Moyes's worst signing since Andy Shandy. He is neither a CB and certainly not a DM . Playing him actually causes us to play Fellaini, and Arteta out of their best position.
Arrogant wankers ? ... from a team where the fans, ex players, and even current players, stated categorically that all they had to do was turn up to get 3 points.
I went to the game with my father-in-law and daughter (both Evertonians) and he was embarrassed not only with the performance on the pitch, but also, the arrogance of so many people in dismissing Newcastle as 3 easy points.
Trust me, we learned our lesson when we were relegated 2 years ago - we want a team we can be proud of, and funnily enough I think we are getting there, slowly but surely. Problem is, I used to think that we should follow the Everton model, but seeing where it seems to be going, not sure that's really what we want to do.
I think most Blues fans and players think they have a divine right to stay in the Premiership and perpetually challenge for top 6. Think back to the days of Everton narrowly avoiding relagation and believe that the breathtaking arrogance of the so-called "People's Club" (extraodinary arrogance in itself) could so easily lead you down the same path that NUFC trod so recently.
Part of me hopes that doesn't happen, but it could be a good lesson.
Dermot 2 & Derek 3 Spot on. In fact almost all [ Mike 17 excepted] make good observations, so why can't Moyes see this ? I hope he sorts things out quickly as if this current run goes another 3 games the fans [ myself included] will be calling for his head and that isn't something i or most of us want.
I think Rocky is calling.
It seems like you have taken one to may blows in the ring. The days when Everton where fighting relegation are just a small footnote. I would say 6 or 7 seasons out of 132 is a small portion to be basing judgements that period is about the same as the Geordies glory days for the last 60 odd years isnt it?
Anyone old enough to remember Mick Lyons playing at centre forward ? maybe Distin could have a run at CF, there are plenty of others playing out of position.
Adriaan (#18): You got it wrong there. No reasonable Evertonian expects opposing teams to come to Goodison Park and roll over like a bunch of cheese-eating surrender monkeys. What we expect however, is that professional players play like professional players and not hoof the ball so many times forward like a bunch of schoolboys having a kickabout in the playground, and our manager to start using his atrophied brains and stop doing stupid things (like playing players out of positions and use the same tactics and formation every damn time)!
And as to the glory days, I certainly don't remember those - the days of "The Entertainers" is the best I get, and we still didn't win anything.
The point of my response was to the "arrogant wankers" statement. Believe me when I say, that relegation was a HUGE wake-up call for us, and I honestly believe we are a much better team for it, and I think the majority of supporters are fully aware of that.
I do have a grudging respect for the Blues, and I will keep fingers crossed that whatever ails the club is sorted out soon.
Also, glad you got that off your chest, and for what it's woirth, I agree with you 100%.
Saturday was a big surprise for me (not least because Barton didn't get booked!!)
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1 Posted 19/09/2010 at 05:40:34
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I am not saying 4-4-2 is the answer to everything but yesterday, Osman and Pienaar on the flanks of a 4-5-1 were ineffective in supplying any sort of width. Fellaini had a poor game as he is not a player to play in the hole and it showed.
I am sure Moyes watches his players more than anyone and how he can play Osman in that role beggars belief. Next game, I hope to see some changes and also some kind of desire and energy from the players which was patently missing yesterday.