Season 2011-12
Editors Blog
No shortage of 'big game' experience
I'm still not sure how to explain Saturday's disappointment at Wembley ? was it managerial instruction to sit back after taking the lead; a consequence of years of David Moyes's conservative footballing philosophy; the players just lacking self-belief...? ? but Phil Neville's assertion that the Blues "lacked big-game experience" doesn't wash with me.
Neville himself has played at the highest level for Manchester United, represented England and played for Everton in three cup semi-finals and the FA Cup Final.
Leighton Baines, Tim Howard, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Tim Cahill and Sylvain Distin ? the latter two were both FA Cup Finalists for other teams before joining Everton ? have all had similar domestic experience, including playing for Everton in Europe.
Cahill has been at the centre of some of recent World Cup Finals' most dramatic moments, Howard too is no stranger to the Champions League or international football's biggest stage.
Granted, he hasn't played in a final but Darron Gibson has played in the Champions League and scored against German giants, Bayern Munich.
John Heitinga played almost impeccably for all of Holland's 2010 World Cup Finals campaign, including the Final itself. It doesn't get bigger than that.
Yes, it's true that as a unit they have not played together in a showpiece game but there was more than enough experience on that Wembley pitch to have risen above a Liverpool side that was as jittery at the back as they were against Cardiff City, a team with almost no top-level experience, in the Carling Cup Final a couple of months ago.
The difference on that day was that the Championship side gave as good as they got, scored a dramatic equaliser after going behind and, with more composure from the penalty spot, would have won the trophy.
Everton retreated within themselves and got punished.
I'm fully behind the skipper's assertion that the team needs to respond with a strong performance at Old Trafford, though. Everton haven't won there in 20 years so there's nothing to lose from going out there and trying to give United something to think about from the first whistle.
I, for one, would not hold defeat against them if they just gave it a damned good go.
Lyndon Lloyd
Posted
16/04/2012
Reader Comments
No shortage of 'big game' experience
I'm still not sure how to explain Saturday's disappointment at Wembley ? was it managerial instruction to sit back after taking the lead; a consequence of years of David Moyes's conservative footballing philosophy; the players just lacking self-belief...? ? but Phil Neville's assertion that the Blues "lacked big-game experience" doesn't wash with me.
Neville himself has played at the highest level for Manchester United, represented England and played for Everton in three cup semi-finals and the FA Cup Final.
Leighton Baines, Tim Howard, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Tim Cahill and Sylvain Distin ? the latter two were both FA Cup Finalists for other teams before joining Everton ? have all had similar domestic experience, including playing for Everton in Europe.
Cahill has been at the centre of some of recent World Cup Finals' most dramatic moments, Howard too is no stranger to the Champions League or international football's biggest stage.
Granted, he hasn't played in a final but Darron Gibson has played in the Champions League and scored against German giants, Bayern Munich.
John Heitinga played almost impeccably for all of Holland's 2010 World Cup Finals campaign, including the Final itself. It doesn't get bigger than that.
Yes, it's true that as a unit they have not played together in a showpiece game but there was more than enough experience on that Wembley pitch to have risen above a Liverpool side that was as jittery at the back as they were against Cardiff City, a team with almost no top-level experience, in the Carling Cup Final a couple of months ago.
The difference on that day was that the Championship side gave as good as they got, scored a dramatic equaliser after going behind and, with more composure from the penalty spot, would have won the trophy.
Everton retreated within themselves and got punished.
I'm fully behind the skipper's assertion that the team needs to respond with a strong performance at Old Trafford, though. Everton haven't won there in 20 years so there's nothing to lose from going out there and trying to give United something to think about from the first whistle.
I, for one, would not hold defeat against them if they just gave it a damned good go.
Lyndon Lloyd
Posted
16/04/2012
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Alan Beesley
391 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:02:39
391 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:02:39
What about Cardiff in the Carling Cup? Not much big-game experience there.
Kevin Sparke
402 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:15:42
402 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:15:42
It's difficult to explain - but I had doubts last week and expressed them on here.
I had a mate who was a keen golfer and had a 2 handicap against his brother's 12. This lad had won a few amateur tournaments and had a well-stocked trophy cabinet... but whenever he came up against his brother he always folded somewhere on the 18 and put in a triple bogey or something. His brother knew what buttons to press and he'd bottle it every time
I guess it's a similar situation with us and that lot - on form we were far better going into that game - but we bottled it. For whatever reason - Moyes, big name players not turning up, nerves etc - Liverpool know which buttons to press and we fold like a deckchair whenever we play them.
I had a mate who was a keen golfer and had a 2 handicap against his brother's 12. This lad had won a few amateur tournaments and had a well-stocked trophy cabinet... but whenever he came up against his brother he always folded somewhere on the 18 and put in a triple bogey or something. His brother knew what buttons to press and he'd bottle it every time
I guess it's a similar situation with us and that lot - on form we were far better going into that game - but we bottled it. For whatever reason - Moyes, big name players not turning up, nerves etc - Liverpool know which buttons to press and we fold like a deckchair whenever we play them.
Gerard May
403 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:29:11
403 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:29:11
I'm sorry, but it's just another excuse from Captain Soundbyte, I think it's an utter disgrace that he would choose to try and blame something as "big game experience" (or a lack of) to explain Saturday's capitulation. The man is a disgrace to the shirt, and the armband.
Mark Riding
406 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:36:31
406 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:36:31
Lyndon, you hear Roy Keane on tv and when asked 'whats being said in the dressing room ?' during a United game when they are leading.. he has answered ' goal difference.' SAF will not sit back on a 1-0, he wants goals.. listen to some of his more recent interviews.
Neville must have seen this first hand, as must Howard and Gibson.
Why the total negative mentality then ?
Big name nerves - my arse.
Neville must have seen this first hand, as must Howard and Gibson.
Why the total negative mentality then ?
Big name nerves - my arse.
Brian Harrison
410 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:32:46
410 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:32:46
I cant believe Phil Neville would utter such rubbish. So Phil just run past me the experience that Spearing,Henderson,Downing and Jones had prior to the game.
Stop treating us fans as fools, better admit that the players together with the manager bottled it. We always do the same thing in matches were we are the supposed underdog, if we get a lead hang on for dear life.
After we scored I never felt that we would push for a second, which would have killed the game. By coming out for the second half and show no intent of going for another goal gave them the green light to come at us. I dont think there was an Evertonian in the ground who didnt think game over when they equalised. By then we seemed to have given up any hope of adding to our score.
Stop treating us fans as fools, better admit that the players together with the manager bottled it. We always do the same thing in matches were we are the supposed underdog, if we get a lead hang on for dear life.
After we scored I never felt that we would push for a second, which would have killed the game. By coming out for the second half and show no intent of going for another goal gave them the green light to come at us. I dont think there was an Evertonian in the ground who didnt think game over when they equalised. By then we seemed to have given up any hope of adding to our score.
Peter Laing
420 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:51:15
420 Posted 16/04/2012 at 19:51:15
The lack of big game experience is very poor, I would argue that the senior players in the squad once again let themselves, their teammates and most importantly the fans down. One too many lame excuse in my opinion and it's time that Neville, Cahill, Osman et al acknowledge that they cannot cut the mustard when it counts.
My philosophy post semi-final is to thank the aforementioned for their service but we should be looking to rebuild for the future, something which really should have happened following the Cup Final in 2009.
If Kenwright cannot support the manager to effect change then either Moyes should walk or begin to phase out the older pro's in favour of developing the likes of Barkley, Garbutt and any other youth team player that has promise.
My philosophy post semi-final is to thank the aforementioned for their service but we should be looking to rebuild for the future, something which really should have happened following the Cup Final in 2009.
If Kenwright cannot support the manager to effect change then either Moyes should walk or begin to phase out the older pro's in favour of developing the likes of Barkley, Garbutt and any other youth team player that has promise.
Steve Bryant
530 Posted 16/04/2012 at 23:22:46
530 Posted 16/04/2012 at 23:22:46
I like Phil Neville and I'm glad he joined Everton. I think he bought a winning mentality to Goodison when he arrived.
However, in reference to the article above, he's talking absolute bollocks. I remember reading an article somewhere recently where I'm sure it was Phil that was saying we have lots of big game experience. We have seasoned internationals, world cup finalists, players that have played in cup finals.
So, how exactly do we lack big game experience. Internationals are big games, world cup finals and domestic cup finals are big games. Sorry but Phil is deluded if he thinks that this is the reason we lost.
Phil, take a look at the tactics employed during the game and the substitutions - or lack thereof. Look at the absence of Drenthe which actually did more harm than good. Look at the lack of belief in the players after half time. Sorry, Phil, but these are the reasons we lost.
However, in reference to the article above, he's talking absolute bollocks. I remember reading an article somewhere recently where I'm sure it was Phil that was saying we have lots of big game experience. We have seasoned internationals, world cup finalists, players that have played in cup finals.
So, how exactly do we lack big game experience. Internationals are big games, world cup finals and domestic cup finals are big games. Sorry but Phil is deluded if he thinks that this is the reason we lost.
Phil, take a look at the tactics employed during the game and the substitutions - or lack thereof. Look at the absence of Drenthe which actually did more harm than good. Look at the lack of belief in the players after half time. Sorry, Phil, but these are the reasons we lost.
Nick Armitage
533 Posted 16/04/2012 at 23:31:55
533 Posted 16/04/2012 at 23:31:55
The trophy cabinet is bare and so is the transfer war chest. There is a sickening love in between the board, management and senior players whereby none are culpable for the mess we are in.
We criticise the redshite for reeling off excuse after excuse, but the board, management and players are as cunning as politicians at playing the media.
The reason we haven't won a trophy in 17 years and 10 under Moyes is simple, it is because the club has been mismanaged. Playing hoofball alongside moronic tactics and baffling substitutions are not a consequence of being skint. They are a consequence of a repeatedly shit, uninspired and unimagintive game plan from a control freaks who plays football like a computer programme.
This is the continuation of a long decline for Everton. I see no way back now.
Being positive for five insignificant games is too late. The fucking nuggets should have shown some positivity on Saturday and also in every other big game the overpaid twats have disgraced themselves in over the last decade.
Fuck off Everton. Go back to your mansions and think about the people who you shit in 50% of the games you don't bother turning up to.
We criticise the redshite for reeling off excuse after excuse, but the board, management and players are as cunning as politicians at playing the media.
The reason we haven't won a trophy in 17 years and 10 under Moyes is simple, it is because the club has been mismanaged. Playing hoofball alongside moronic tactics and baffling substitutions are not a consequence of being skint. They are a consequence of a repeatedly shit, uninspired and unimagintive game plan from a control freaks who plays football like a computer programme.
This is the continuation of a long decline for Everton. I see no way back now.
Being positive for five insignificant games is too late. The fucking nuggets should have shown some positivity on Saturday and also in every other big game the overpaid twats have disgraced themselves in over the last decade.
Fuck off Everton. Go back to your mansions and think about the people who you shit in 50% of the games you don't bother turning up to.
Roberto Birquet
546 Posted 17/04/2012 at 01:15:17
546 Posted 17/04/2012 at 01:15:17
I am past caring for the rest of this season. Neville has made me wonder maybe it was the players who froze. But what a fceking wasted opportunity; and for what? A lacks of balls, a lack of intelligence to think if we attack and take the game to them at 1-0 up, they will kack it. And even if we go 1-1, we'll retain belief.
Just have some courage! But no.
Just have some courage! But no.
Richard Harris
551 Posted 17/04/2012 at 01:38:39
551 Posted 17/04/2012 at 01:38:39
How many Cardiff players had big game experience, yet they gave Liverpool a scare at Wembley. Where was our will to win, to go for a second goal, or the fight when we needed to equalise to stay in the game? When we conceded the first goal, confidence dropped and how many players were thinking about two derby defeats this season? Still when you only have a knife in a gunfight.....
Derek Thomas
557 Posted 17/04/2012 at 02:46:37
557 Posted 17/04/2012 at 02:46:37
The standard ploy after a bad defeat SHOULD BE go for a win. Ours will be, try not to have another bad defeat aka 2-0 or worse. The chances of giving it a go and seeing what happens range from slim, to dogs, to you cannot be serious.
Jason Lam
598 Posted 17/04/2012 at 08:00:23
598 Posted 17/04/2012 at 08:00:23
With all due respect to Lyndon and TW, that's enough.
The semi has brought about too many home truths about this Everton side. It is so fundamentally flawed and cannot be trusted (at the very least in placing your trust, emotion and faith into this side of all things Everton). This Everton is a paper thin masquerade, a castle made of sand, a fraud. It will happily accept the plaudits for beating the likes of spurs whereas in fact we were clinging to our dear lives in the second half by managing to escape by the post, amongst the magnitude waves of attacks. And the masses feed on this mana as it's the best thing we can ever hope to have as there are no more finances in the game. Oh we should be so fortunate Moyes is keeping us in the prem! Is this how you wish to support Everton season upon season for the next 10, 20 years until Moyes retires? Because that is exactly what's on the menu.
No more until Moyes is gone. What does the Man Utd game matter to you? Redemption? Another comfy day out? Another opportunity to watch the players bask in the limelight, accept defeat, and drive home in their bentleys?
C'mon Lyndon.
The semi has brought about too many home truths about this Everton side. It is so fundamentally flawed and cannot be trusted (at the very least in placing your trust, emotion and faith into this side of all things Everton). This Everton is a paper thin masquerade, a castle made of sand, a fraud. It will happily accept the plaudits for beating the likes of spurs whereas in fact we were clinging to our dear lives in the second half by managing to escape by the post, amongst the magnitude waves of attacks. And the masses feed on this mana as it's the best thing we can ever hope to have as there are no more finances in the game. Oh we should be so fortunate Moyes is keeping us in the prem! Is this how you wish to support Everton season upon season for the next 10, 20 years until Moyes retires? Because that is exactly what's on the menu.
No more until Moyes is gone. What does the Man Utd game matter to you? Redemption? Another comfy day out? Another opportunity to watch the players bask in the limelight, accept defeat, and drive home in their bentleys?
C'mon Lyndon.
Dick Fearon
671 Posted 17/04/2012 at 10:37:35
671 Posted 17/04/2012 at 10:37:35
Last week on these pages I listed weird and wonderful excuses that Moyes and others have rolled out.
From the knife in a gun fight to an unlucky bounce blamed on divine intervention and everything in between.
I thought surely we must have run excuses but now we have Nevs latest.
I shudder to think what self inflicted pre-emptive strike at our teams self confidence will Moyes make before the United game.
If he reckoned we were underdogs against the worst RS side since Shankly he will be plumbing the depths of spineless negativity for this one.
From the knife in a gun fight to an unlucky bounce blamed on divine intervention and everything in between.
I thought surely we must have run excuses but now we have Nevs latest.
I shudder to think what self inflicted pre-emptive strike at our teams self confidence will Moyes make before the United game.
If he reckoned we were underdogs against the worst RS side since Shankly he will be plumbing the depths of spineless negativity for this one.
Paul David
680 Posted 17/04/2012 at 11:41:06
680 Posted 17/04/2012 at 11:41:06
Jason 598
Well said,I really have had enough of people suggesting that without Moyes we would be in the championship.
There is just as much logic in me saying without Moyes we would be champions by now.
For people to slag off potential replacements for Moyes as one season wonders is'nt enough of an argument to keep Moyes.
Martinez,Lambert,Rodgers etc might not be the answer but they have all achieved more than Moyes did before we made him manager.
Well said,I really have had enough of people suggesting that without Moyes we would be in the championship.
There is just as much logic in me saying without Moyes we would be champions by now.
For people to slag off potential replacements for Moyes as one season wonders is'nt enough of an argument to keep Moyes.
Martinez,Lambert,Rodgers etc might not be the answer but they have all achieved more than Moyes did before we made him manager.
Colin Bates
689 Posted 17/04/2012 at 11:54:01
689 Posted 17/04/2012 at 11:54:01
Maybe Neville was talking about a few specifics rather than about the whole team e.g.
the ridiculous & totally naïve tackle by Coleman on Gerard with 3 mins left
the total lack of anything from Gueye
Baines totally shit scared to get forward (or maybe that was Moyes being shit scared)
Unfortunately with a team like ours we need 100% from every single player to win through , otherwise we struggle?.Liverpool most of the time only need Gerard & Suarez to scrape through most of their games
Agree with the majority though , Neville is talking bollocks , instead of going for the second goal , we were content with holding the lead and that was the team mentality as a whole, probably instigated by Davy at half time.
the ridiculous & totally naïve tackle by Coleman on Gerard with 3 mins left
the total lack of anything from Gueye
Baines totally shit scared to get forward (or maybe that was Moyes being shit scared)
Unfortunately with a team like ours we need 100% from every single player to win through , otherwise we struggle?.Liverpool most of the time only need Gerard & Suarez to scrape through most of their games
Agree with the majority though , Neville is talking bollocks , instead of going for the second goal , we were content with holding the lead and that was the team mentality as a whole, probably instigated by Davy at half time.
Colin Prendergast
728 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:11:35
728 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:11:35
Responding on this one as it's something I used before the game, namely that in my view, for the first time in a very long time, we had players with more big-game experience than them. Looking at individuals before subs...
/>Bradley Jones - Tim Howard
Glen Johnson - Phil Neville
Daniel Agger - Leighton Baines
Jamie Carragher - John Heitinga
Martin Skrtel - Sylvain Distin
Jordan Henderson - Marouane Fellaini
Steven Gerrard - Darron Gibson
Stewart Downing - Magaye Gueye
Jay Spearing - Leon Osman
Andy Carroll - Tim Cahill
Luis Suárez - Jelavic
Out of all above match-ups, only Downing, Gerrad, Suarez could be said to have more big game experience than our players. Yet we still fucking bottled it. Proving it's doesn't necessarily matter if you're playing a team with significantly stronger mentality than you...
/>Bradley Jones - Tim Howard
Glen Johnson - Phil Neville
Daniel Agger - Leighton Baines
Jamie Carragher - John Heitinga
Martin Skrtel - Sylvain Distin
Jordan Henderson - Marouane Fellaini
Steven Gerrard - Darron Gibson
Stewart Downing - Magaye Gueye
Jay Spearing - Leon Osman
Andy Carroll - Tim Cahill
Luis Suárez - Jelavic
Out of all above match-ups, only Downing, Gerrad, Suarez could be said to have more big game experience than our players. Yet we still fucking bottled it. Proving it's doesn't necessarily matter if you're playing a team with significantly stronger mentality than you...
Anthony Hawkins
732 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:17:40
732 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:17:40
I actually agree with Neville on this one. The team, on the whole, doesn't have big game experience.
Some have played for international teams but that doesn't mean they have played in BIG games.
Take the England team for example. They always play well in the qualification stages because they are playing poor teams. When it comes to the proper and important stages, they bottle it and perform badly.
Experience doesn't make it a positive or beneficial experience.
pointing to Heitinga - he's been in finals and done well, plus he was one of the players who DIDN'T bottle it on Saturday.
Some have played for international teams but that doesn't mean they have played in BIG games.
Take the England team for example. They always play well in the qualification stages because they are playing poor teams. When it comes to the proper and important stages, they bottle it and perform badly.
Experience doesn't make it a positive or beneficial experience.
pointing to Heitinga - he's been in finals and done well, plus he was one of the players who DIDN'T bottle it on Saturday.
Roger Sunde
737 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:25:24
737 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:25:24
"lacked big-game experience" is just a nice way to say we really dont have good enough players for this, nor mentaly or skill wise.
John Daley
748 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:30:20
748 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:30:20
Tim Cahill:
"They just seem to have luck on their side when they play Everton. A few decisions didn't go our way but we win together, we lose together. We're proud just to have got this far".
The last line shows up the lack of a winning mentality for me and the rest of it just reeks of making excuses. There's no pride to be taken from choking on the big occasion Tim.
"They just seem to have luck on their side when they play Everton. A few decisions didn't go our way but we win together, we lose together. We're proud just to have got this far".
The last line shows up the lack of a winning mentality for me and the rest of it just reeks of making excuses. There's no pride to be taken from choking on the big occasion Tim.
Scott Robinson
752 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:43:33
752 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:43:33
Does anyone feel after watching Wigan beat United and Arsenal in consecutive weeks feel what Everton could be? We NEVER take the game to the BIG teams and always sit back and hope for the best. Wigan are not a team with BIG players compared to Everton yet they took the game to their superior opponents and won.
Its time for the players and management at Everton to be counted please!
Its time for the players and management at Everton to be counted please!
Dan McKie
754 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:49:18
754 Posted 17/04/2012 at 13:49:18
Drenthe must have played in some pretty big games......sigh!
Andrew Rimmer
811 Posted 17/04/2012 at 15:19:19
811 Posted 17/04/2012 at 15:19:19
Does anybody know why David Moyes and his dad were at the Man U v Aston Villa game on Sunday? Is that where they sell white flags these days?
Lyndon Lloyd
828 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:09:22
828 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:09:22
Does anybody know why David Moyes and his dad were at the Man U v Aston Villa game on Sunday?
Because our next opponents are Manchester United, perhaps?
Because our next opponents are Manchester United, perhaps?
Paul David
830 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:14:30
830 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:14:30
We might be playing Utd next but why is Moyes going to watch them.
Unless he is looking for weaknesses for us to exploit so we can take the game to them.... hmmm.
Unless he is looking for weaknesses for us to exploit so we can take the game to them.... hmmm.
John Crossley
838 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:31:02
838 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:31:02
Type or paste your comment here. No txt-speak, please try to use proper grammar, all-lowercase posts are likely to be deleted
John Crossley
845 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:40:06
845 Posted 17/04/2012 at 16:40:06
He is good with diplomatic words is our Phil
Al Reddish
874 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:31:01
874 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:31:01
It was only a few days ago the likes of Cahill and Distin were telling us Evertons big game experience would pull us through and even quoted the fact Johnny Heitinga keeps telling everyone about his world cup final experience. Cant have it both ways Phil. Time to get rid of the old guard and in with the new.
Wayne Smyth
875 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:29:41
875 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:29:41
Comes down to lack of belief and confidence that you're good enough to win and deserve to win.
Moyes has spent the last few seasons covering his own arse by talking the team down and "managing our expectations"...is it any wonder the players fold when put under the remotest of pressure? Its not rocket science, is it?
Moyes behaviour is in stark contrast when he came to the club. He's never had vast amounts of money to spend, and always had to get by with selling players to fund purchases. Yet at every opportunity he seeks to talk down their chances of achieving anything. Mission accomplished.
Moyes has spent the last few seasons covering his own arse by talking the team down and "managing our expectations"...is it any wonder the players fold when put under the remotest of pressure? Its not rocket science, is it?
Moyes behaviour is in stark contrast when he came to the club. He's never had vast amounts of money to spend, and always had to get by with selling players to fund purchases. Yet at every opportunity he seeks to talk down their chances of achieving anything. Mission accomplished.
Wayne Smyth
878 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:37:56
878 Posted 17/04/2012 at 17:37:56
As for Neville, do you really expect that sycophant to blurt out anything that would rock the boat? The sooner he, moyes and kenwright are out of our club, the sooner we can move on, for better or worse.
Colin Prendergast
921 Posted 17/04/2012 at 19:05:19
921 Posted 17/04/2012 at 19:05:19
Anthony #732 but other than Gerrard and Carragher (who made a f*ck up) what great experience did they have?
Dick Fearon
014 Posted 17/04/2012 at 22:41:44
014 Posted 17/04/2012 at 22:41:44
Mushrooms lads, that's what they take us for and you know what they do to mushrooms.
Tommy Coleman
157 Posted 18/04/2012 at 13:07:04
157 Posted 18/04/2012 at 13:07:04
Another poor excuse. I'm just waiting for the ultimate one from Moyes that if he'd rested even more players at the 3-0 hammering our players might have been fresher for the semi.
It all deflects from the truth that Moyes just isn't a winner.
It all deflects from the truth that Moyes just isn't a winner.
Scott Robinson
165 Posted 18/04/2012 at 13:20:04
165 Posted 18/04/2012 at 13:20:04
I would dispute the assertion that Moyes isn't a winner. The grim determination and dedication to the Everton cause suggests otherwise. However, he just doesn't know how to be a winner, that's the key. It probably comes from being a dour faced Scottish centre-half (but then again, SAF is another Scot and he knows what it is all about). Watching the Wigan game, Gary Neville was banging on about 3-4-3 and the depth in attacking and defending options it gives a team. Moyes philosophy is the opposite, to knick and goal and consolidate against the bigger teams. This mentality has got to stop.
I think Moyes has lost a lot of Everton supporters after the debacle of this weekend - maybe this will truly inspire the second coming of the Moyesiah?
I think Moyes has lost a lot of Everton supporters after the debacle of this weekend - maybe this will truly inspire the second coming of the Moyesiah?
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375 Posted 16/04/2012 at 18:21:36