FAN ARTICLES
Derby lessons learnt?

For arguments sake, let?s suppose it?s the same side that won at Birmingham that feature next. Let's start with the defence and whom they may face.
Phil Neville: his personal dual could be Jovanovic, not a player that Phil should have a problem with.
Leighton Baines: nailed on to be Kuyt, an absolute thorn in our sides with an uncanny knack of playing shite but then scoring against us. Can Leighton keep him quiet? Hopefully, by being the attacking threat himself and restricting Kuyt to a defensive game.
Jagielka and Distin: it looks like Ngog will be the centre forward, surely we can stop this undercooked excuse for a Premier League player making any sort of impact?
Coleman: on the right of midfield, he should offer a threat to Konchesky going forward but may have to watch Cole and not allow him any time on the ball.
Fellaini, possibly the key confrontation of the match against Gerrard for when he breaks forward to join the attack.
Arteta: whose remit will possibly be to find a way past Poulson without having to track back against this very defensive holding midfielder.
Osman: to offset the threat of Johnson as an attacking full back, whilst joining the front two in the positive way he played last week and giving space for Baines to expose the defensive frailties of Johnson.
Yakubu and Cahill: in attack to provide direct central threat to Carraghar and Skirtel. The Yak needs to see how Cahill got at Vidic to learn how to take the fight to a centre half.
So, player for player, this is a game we can win. It isn?t that simple of course; it?s a Derby, it is man for man, it is attitude and aggression, it is to win at all costs and tread over any Red-shirted body that gets in the way. For 90 minutes it is the time we step on the snakes? throat and don?t remove the boot until it?s breathed it?s last.
Juices flowing now Guys? Bring it on.
Reader Comments (41)
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2 Posted 06/10/2010 at 14:47:56
All that said though I feel we have the edge. And the fans are owed one.
3 Posted 06/10/2010 at 14:52:44
Already very excited... just wish we didn't have to wait for shitty international breaks. COYB
4 Posted 06/10/2010 at 15:31:42
5 Posted 06/10/2010 at 15:36:12
6 Posted 06/10/2010 at 15:56:05
I can see a few loose elbows from Fellani and his marching orders being given. Does this guy actually learn?
Looking forward to it, usually I dislike them. But with the chance to put a nail in their coffin I sure hope the players are up for it.
Nice little Anaylsis David.
7 Posted 06/10/2010 at 16:06:59
I know it will not be Mr Clattenberg, as he has not officiated in an Everton game since (or a Liverpool game - tho I am not 100% sure on that one) the "fixed Derby"
I heared somewhere that a referee should officiate 8 times in a season for each particular PL club, so it makes you wonder just what the hell happened that day.
8 Posted 06/10/2010 at 17:25:45
Howard
Neville
Jagielka
Heitinga
Baines
Arteta
Fellaini
Bily
Saha (if fit; if not, Gueye)
Cahill
Yakubu
Subs
Coleman
Distin
Silva
Mucha
Barkley
No Osman or Hibbert, Moyes take note!
We could get a bigger win that the Johnson Derby!
9 Posted 06/10/2010 at 17:55:27
If we can't beat them this time, with all that's going on on and off the pitch - and after outplaying them twice last season for no reward - the players want shooting.
COYB.
10 Posted 06/10/2010 at 17:54:12
Gerrard will be the obvious threat as he always is in derby games. Personally I don't like the thought of him running at either Jagielka or Distin as he will outpace either! Heitinga must be recalled for me but again I very much doubt he will. Moyes seems to have a fixation with playing an old centre back way past his sell by date.
No Pienaar or Rodwell and totally toothless upfront with a leaky defense and disaster waiting to happen in Distin
I can only see one outcome from this game and it isn't good!
11 Posted 06/10/2010 at 18:07:49
12 Posted 06/10/2010 at 18:14:13
Or a 4-4-1-1 with the Yak up top and a split between Cahill and Billy. This gives us two options: We know about Cahill's late runs etc but with Billy we also have the threat of a goal comming from knowhere with his shooting ability. I'd go for a half each. That way both are fresh when starting.
At the back, I would have gone for Heitinga only because we'll need that little bit extra aggression and speed.
Neville is a bolt on certainty. Man U, no other comment needed.
But besides all that, it's how Moyes prepares the team mentally. Also he has in this one game with our season so far, to throw conservatism in the Distin.
With all that has transpired up to this point on and off the pitch, this I believe will be the mother of all Derbies.
After this particular game, Moyes, and more to the point we, will know who is worth keeping and and who should get the boot come January.
Don't you just wish it was this weekend that WW3 was about to commence.
COYB FTRS
13 Posted 06/10/2010 at 18:09:35
I'm critical because his style means we're on the back foot like frightened rabbits in games like this, big game bottlers.
About time he packed that shit in, if he hasn't learned by now, he never will and can call a taxi.
No more learning time........ time to deliver.
14 Posted 06/10/2010 at 18:37:47
I hate these games, if they're on TV, radio i'll be an agitated and disturbed viewer / listener, because nothing drives me up the wall like a Merseyside Derby, it means so much.
Under Kendall and Royle our sides were up for the physical battle but under Moyes we capsize under any slight physical pressure and it drives me mad with frustration.
This year, for the first time in 20+ years i will miss the Derby (won't watch or listen to it but i will sky+ it so i can watch it afterwards without the heightened frustration / anger), i shall be in work (haven't made the effort to get time off such is my despondency for Derby's under Moyes) going mad in there instead.
Will be a long day, but again due to frustration at Moyes' tactics / record in these games, my TV won't be going out the window in a fit of rage, i'll probably get sacked instead though...
Will be praying for us in work though...let us pray fellow brothers...
15 Posted 06/10/2010 at 18:50:49
Moyes has got to do it this time or else I'll go for my taxi license.
16 Posted 06/10/2010 at 19:33:38
Would you say that the Everton team (including the 2nd goalscorer that day,Cadamateri) of the 97/98 2-0 win was better than theirs?Or the team of the Lee Carsley derby in 2004? You should know that it's very often the case in these games that the best team does not necessarily win.
17 Posted 06/10/2010 at 19:33:02
Blackpool had a go, and beat them.
The fans, and everything to do with the shite, are at an all time low.
We should just go for the jugular, but you just know that that will not be the case.
18 Posted 06/10/2010 at 19:54:05
19 Posted 06/10/2010 at 19:50:08
Thing is, if he can't see what an opportunity this is on a personal basis then he's a complete prick.
If he gets the team at it, the fans at it and we beat the living crap outta the shite he'll move to a completely higher level in Evertonians eyes.
The shambles of this season will drift into the ether and he'll be invited to star in porn films because his gonads will have quadrupled in size.
20 Posted 06/10/2010 at 20:02:53
22 Posted 06/10/2010 at 20:47:42
23 Posted 06/10/2010 at 21:09:42
Last season we lost to the worst L'pool side I'd seen in 30 years.
This season they are even worse & as Blackpool showed are vulnerable if pressured.
Moyes needs to grow some balls & 'Go for it', or just piss off.
24 Posted 06/10/2010 at 21:14:06
Agree with 18 - take Gerrard out of the game and Liverpool have got nothing in reserve. Unfortunately he will be up for it a much as anyone else.
Would love to see us go 442 but that will definitely not happen if Cahill is fit. Still, get the team pumped up and I still fancy us to win.
10 long days to go...........
25 Posted 06/10/2010 at 22:10:55
James (post 8).
Have you got anything positive to say?
I mean the RS are definately on top of their game at the moment, so we are in for a right fucking tonking!!! Are we fuck. I have seen most of our games and other than Newcastle and United 2nd half, we have dominated most of our games. From what I've seen on TV regarding the RS, what can I add to all the media shite already? They are off the boil with shite players and a manager who has yet to be involved in a derby match, which will probably mean him playing a single striker (Ngog??).
For fucksake give us some sort of chance.
26 Posted 06/10/2010 at 23:12:53
For most of that game we ignored the wide open wings in a futile attempt to batter a path through their concentrated central defence.
Everton's tactics were exactly what Benetez would have hoped for.
Since then I have lost a lot of faith in Moyes tactical nous. He never has a plan B.
27 Posted 06/10/2010 at 23:11:27
I agree Mike. I have watched all games this year and we haven't been as bad as everyone has been saying. Sure we haven't been getting the results and we are capable of playing much better, but from what I have seen from the RS, they have definately been no better than us, that's for sure, so we obviously have a great chance.
28 Posted 06/10/2010 at 23:30:24
Time the players stood up and were counted in this particular fixture.
They proved twice last season, that when that whistle blows, they ARE a better team than Liverpool.
On paper they certainly will be again this time too.
So stop this relentless Moyes baiting. If we don't beat Liverpool, it'll be the players' fault for not doing THEIR job properly.
But will beat them... won't we?
29 Posted 07/10/2010 at 03:11:22
We all know we're coming out 4-5-1. If it works and we attack primarily all's well. But if we kick around the perimeter or play it defensively hoping to knick one.... it won't bode well.
And there's the frustration. This game is screaming for all out attack. Caragher is slow as the proverbial tortise and Johnson couldn't defend by 65-year-old Mom. It's ripe for a balls to the wall, full on attack in a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 with Osman, Arteta and Coleman just bombin forward. Their defense is so weak.
I have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach we'll play very cautious - and hence may lose this utterly Golden opportunity.
It's there for the taking - no question.
I'm with Declan - pray. After all, aren't we up against the club that's signed a pact with the Evil One? Light, with a royal blue tint, has to prevail.
FTRS!!!
I can't remember ever being so fired up for a sporting event. For all those out there with a much longer history with Everton than I - can any of you remember such an important derby? If so, when?
30 Posted 07/10/2010 at 05:12:42
I have no doubt that Carragher and Gerrard will be winding them all up in the dressing room before the game. I can almost hear them now... "They don't like it up 'em lads"
I still believe that the derby at Goodison last year was the best we played all season (yes, I know we lost). Never been so pissed off as when Bily unbelievably sliced it wide from 2 yds out. If that had gone in...
The same quality play, plus a goal or two and we are home and dry.... COYB.
31 Posted 07/10/2010 at 07:50:26
32 Posted 07/10/2010 at 09:50:47
David.
Moyes sends the players out with tactical orders and a set way of playing the game.
It is negative and frustrating to watch as well as being predictable.
I think this will be a close game and a blood bath to be honest, they will make sure of that.
If we go 4-4-2 and get at them early we will score, of that i have no doubt as they are shite in defence and have no confidence.
Moyes can the revert to his favoured formation and we can hit them on the break at will, and hopefully humiliate them.
33 Posted 07/10/2010 at 13:43:00
Cue our part, it's the these type of games we fuck up in.
Last seasons home derby anyone?
34 Posted 08/10/2010 at 09:53:45
However, IMO there are some absolute "musts" for this game and they are;-
1) Heitinga must play - weather it be midfield or centre back.
2) Coleman must play - he was exceptional at Birmingham last week and he provides a wide attacking option that I really do think could cause them problems. (another "spurs" performance please Shamus)
3) Beckford should NOT play. I don't think he is ready for such an intensive game as this. The best he should hope for is a subs role after 80 mins if we're 4-0 up !
My only other point is this. Many of these Darby games are not won or lost by silky, skilful football but by concentration (or the lack of). As much as I dislike that blonde dutch git who plays for them, look at how he scored their winner at Anfield last time out. he clearly unsettled Howard and Neville at a set piece (corner) and we paid the price so dearly. So concentration and ones ability to stick to ones task is just as important as all the other things that Moyes will tell the lads before they go to war.
35 Posted 08/10/2010 at 12:34:33
Benitez always had Moyes worked out from the get-go. He was always 3 steps ahead of darling Davey and his 'one size fits all' football template. Oh how Benitez must have had sleepness nights with his Subbuteo trying to figure out Moyes's enigmatic tactics and team selection. The record of Moyes vs Benitez sums this up perfectly.
It will be another frustrating white flag waving performance from the toffees. I hope I'm wrong but I think Hodgson's the better tactician.
36 Posted 08/10/2010 at 13:26:38
Last season's Derby at Goodison we battered them but could not score, that's not tactics that's poor finishing. The same the year before at Goodison when we were shafted by Clattenberg. Great tactics that, cheat and hope the ref doesn't notice it.
Is this the same manager that consistently played 4-5-1 against us? Hang on, didn't Moyes use that formation too.....obviously it's different if the Spanish Waiter does it though!!
37 Posted 08/10/2010 at 13:58:02
38 Posted 08/10/2010 at 16:57:28
Fingers crossed
39 Posted 08/10/2010 at 18:05:06
Luckily he's one of the few in our side who are up for kicking back!
40 Posted 11/10/2010 at 20:41:41
41 Posted 12/10/2010 at 21:01:17
42 Posted 15/10/2010 at 15:20:02
they've got new owners, almost sorted, Torres is fit and we lose Jags and Fella. How come our feel good factor lasts about 2 days at best until the devils pact kcks in once again
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1 Posted 06/10/2010 at 14:46:51
Can't really see why we haven't won the league yet.