Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
The Lack of Sense
By Daniel Hutchinson :: 05/08/2011
73 Comments (»Last)
Forget for a second the lack of money, the lack of transfer activity, the lack of investment and the lack of a stadium answer. Put that out of your mind and let?s just think about Moyes and his squad, where the players fit into a system and how you would like us to play?
Tonight?s game was a shambles. When eagerly awaiting the ITV4 coverage to start, I sat and pondered who I would choose in my starting eleven. The team was announced and in the most part I was happy. Happy because Moyes had (at this point oft he might anyway) seen sense in placing Barkley into central midfield (his rightful position!). However, the one glaring mistake on his team sheet was yet again the inclusion of Victor in a wide left position. I took positives out of this selection as, to Moyes?s credit, he had only made one substantial mistake in his selection, unusually.
The first half I thought was decent, Villarreal had a lot of the ball but rarely threatened and I felt that we were playing to a suitable standard. Barkley and Coleman looked good in midfield and Baines as always was controlling the left. However (and I feel rather sorry now for Victor), Anichebe was left in a position where he cannot effectively influence the game.
After watching the other pre-season friendlies, I have been pleased with some of Victor?s performances... yet, if we are going to play him, he needs to be playing up front; if not, he has to be on the subs bench. This is especially the case when we have Gueye, who has shone when played, left as an unused substitute.
Moyes really proved in his next decision to be simply the biggest idiot. Coleman gets injured from a disgusting challenge and we need to bring someone on to replace him. Currently on the pitch in midfield we have: Victor playing out of position on the left, and Fellaini, Rodwell and Barkley in central midfield. Fellaini working hard as always, Barkley shining in the middle and Rodwell quiet as a mouse (yet again). So can someone explain to me the sense of bringing on a central midfielder?
Tim Cahill comes on and the man who has controlled the attacking play gets pushed out wide and is yet to be seen for the rest of the game. Barkley must be wondering what he did wrong!
So now we have two central players out wide, Rodwell who might as well not be on the pitch and Cahill who offers nothing to our system. (I have left out Fellaini as he is in fact worthy of being on the pitch and in the middle). Gueye, Baxter and Bily all on the bench who could have suitably done a job out wide (at least better than Barkley!).
I felt sorry for Ross and this decision sparked a catalogue of second-half mishaps from Moyes. The second half comes and Barkley goes quiet after being shifted out wide: Victor is still offering nothing out on the left, and Cahill and Rodwell are non-existent in the middle (and this isn?t even the worse bit).
We start the second half brightly, but that is where it ended. The players were out of position in a system that just was not working, and so Villarreal dominated us from start to finish in this half.
Moyes looked at the bench and decided to make two more changes. I pray to myself that he has seen sense and brings on Gueye; my prayers were not answered. Moyes decided to take off Saha and bring on Beckford. How many times does he need to see Becks playing up front on his own to realise he needs someone to support him, so he can run on? Especially with Cahill behind him who doesn?t have a creative bone in his body!
Becks is quiet for the whole game not because he is crap, but because he has no service and he has no service because Moyes has messed around sticking players here, there and everywhere in midfield. He also brings on Heitinga for Fellaini. Now our midfield is completely torn apart.
I like Heitinga and I think he makes a great central defender... so why does Moyes continue to play him in this central midfield role?! Especially when we have Barkley already on the pitch, who to be fair to him, was the best player on the pitch in central midfield. However, Moyes knows best and keeps the young, talented, exciting central midfielder, out wide?
The most laughable of all of Moyes?s decisions tonight? Hibbert on for Victor. We now have SIX defenders on (Baines, Jags, Distin, Nev, Heitinga, Hibbert) ? including two right backs! We also have 3 central midfielders (Rodwell, Barkley and Cahill). So Moyes, the tactical maestro ,after clearly watching too many videos of Neville?s goal at the end of last season, opts to make him our new wide right player. The man to move about the midfield again: Ross Barkley.
Our midfield now comprises of a central midfielder at left mid, a defender, and two non-existent players in central midfield, and a right back (a very defensive right back) as a right midfielder. This to me was an absolute joke. No wonder the opposition tore us apart. Moyes was lacking sense!
And finally, Moyes decides to take off Barkley. I will take this moment to congratulate the young man in his first-half performance and will sympathise with his mistreating of placing him in odd positions in the second half.
The Yak comes on, so now who is going to play out on the left? Beckford. I thought with Yak?s appearance we would see Beckford have a striking partner and would have a chance to see how they could work together. However, Beckford was moved to an unfamiliar position and our midfield had been well and truly messed with by a man that doesn?t seem to have a tactical bone in his body!!!
You can say it is only pre-season, that it is only a run-out for fitness... But it isn?t. This was our final game before a long, hard season. This was our chance to focus on how we will play for the upcoming season. And we all know that these are exactly the type of decisions Moyes makes in competitive games.
Why does he insist on playing players out of position when there are more than worthy players on the bench that can step up? Cahill, Rodwell, Neville etc. When will Moyes realise these players are not always the answer? I am a fan of Moyes but it is these glaring tactical errors that make the crisis at the club even worse!
So look beyond our financial and background trouble and think about how much better we could be if Moyes didn?t lack sense. Maybe then we would be attractive to investors?
Reader Comments (73)
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2 Posted 06/08/2011 at 05:49:56
We need players who can pass and move and at the moment we only have 5 or 6 players who look good with a ball at their feet. Baines, Felli, Arteta, Bily (on a good day) and maybe Osman (aka end of last season). The rest do just not look like they like having possession. Saha should be there but 9 times out of ten he has too many touches and loses the ball, and Rodwell just does not want to do anything positive. But completely agree that it was Moyes and his wonderful tactics that messed it all up tonight.
I think the school of science should seriously review its education plan.
A couple of questions: Is Osman injured and why was Coleman playing when he is banned for the first game?
3 Posted 06/08/2011 at 06:23:16
To know -even before a ball is kicked - that you will have to live with this handicap for the entire season.
But it must be absolutely soul destroying, but to know that a large section of your own fanbase is just waiting for their chance to put the boot in . . .
Every manager in the country will play players in 2-3 positions - even when they have specialist within their ranks.
Moyes will be forced to do this from Day one. GET USED TO IT ! Stop acting all astounded when it happens.
As for the tactical criticism. Ask the Managers of Chelsea, Man U, City, Liverpool or Spurs if Moyes is tactically Naive ? I bet every one of them will tell you that they expect one of their most difficult afternoons of the season against Davey Moyes`s team - no matter who is available to him or how he chooses to use them.
Sorry Daniel I cant see anything I would consider constructive criticism in your entire article .
"You can say its only pre-season . .but it isnt" - absolutely priceless.
4 Posted 06/08/2011 at 08:18:13
What is the point of playing players in a position they can't play in? It doesn't make any sense. Especially a young player like Barkley who should be concentrating on making central midfield his own, not messing around out wide. The same with Victor, he is 23 now, when is Moyes going to realise he can't play out wide.
I am saying we had players that could have played in those positions that were just sitting on the bench. What about Gueye? I feel sorry for this young lad, as he has shown he has some talent.
My constructive criticism is that maybe we would fair better if our best players were playing in their best positions and if Moyes took his head out of Cahill, Rodwell and Neville's arse for a second.
5 Posted 06/08/2011 at 08:36:00
You can say it is only pre-season, that it is only a run-out for fitness...
The repetition of the word "only" signals this is the important point. It isn't ONLY pre-season or ONLY a run-out for fitness, it is also what I then go on to state.
I clearly know that it IS pre-season. I am saying that it isn't an excuse for the piss poor tactics and team sheet Moyes employs in competitive games. I wouldn't mind if I knew that it was just him giving players the run out. He genuinely believes that is how to treat the team!
6 Posted 06/08/2011 at 09:02:44
"The same with Victor, he is 23 now, when is Moyes going to realise he can't play out wide."
7 Posted 06/08/2011 at 09:07:57
I can understand this when we have many injured or suspended but this seems to happen also when we have players on the bench who can play there.
Gueye is supposed to be a left midfielder so why is Anichebe starting there? How long with the manager insist on playing JH at CM when pretty much every man and his dog can see he's clearly a CB! etc etc etc.
Really hope this was just experimenting by the manager and we will see some sense when the season starts.
8 Posted 06/08/2011 at 09:25:19
On countless occasions I have been flabbergasted at Moyes's team selection, his tactics, plus his substitutions and the timing of them. I did not see any of our pre-season games but, going by reports, I will again be screaming at the box in sheer bloody frustration.
Crowd reaction in a Spurs game at Goodison shocked Moyes into making changes to his tactics. Perhaps the time has come for the crowd to again demonstrate their disgust.
9 Posted 06/08/2011 at 10:35:12
So Dave, should we look forward to seeing more of Neville playing as a right winger, even though we had a more natural wide player on the bench in Gueye? Or was it more down to Moyes using some of that tactical ability he has?
10 Posted 06/08/2011 at 10:58:25
Gueye was NOT on the bench. He had a slight injury and was sat watching the game in the middle of the Park End stand.
11 Posted 06/08/2011 at 11:20:33
I wouldn't have the useless bellend in my 5-a-side team. Never before have I seen a Premier League player have such little effect upon games over such a sustained period.
In all of last season, he didn't have a SINGLE FUCKING SHOT ON TARGET UNTIL THE LAST TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON. I would rather have Hibbert up front, at least he would have a go.
12 Posted 06/08/2011 at 11:34:40
What makes you believe you have the right to dictate what managers decide to do with pre-season matches? I find your above statement amazing. Pre-season IS all about fitness. Believe it or not, the majority of our players have already played competitive football matches before. They don't need to practise for it....
13 Posted 06/08/2011 at 11:41:11
Apologies Dave.
Still, Neville as a right winger ?
14 Posted 06/08/2011 at 11:42:58
Hmmmm.......
15 Posted 06/08/2011 at 10:39:13
Johnny Heitinga has played in several positions for some of Europe's top teams ? including one of the worlds top international teams. But if Moyes does it...
We dont have any wingers, which bit of that dont you guys get?
Kenwright has not only failed in his task to raise the funds to buy one ? let alone two ? he allowed the only decent wide man we've had in years to leave because he would not pay him the going rate.
WE WILL PLAY TWO NON-WINGERS OUT WIDE AT SPURS ? AND PROBABLY EVERY OTHER GAME THIS SEASON! There, I`ve told you in advance, you don't need to be astonished and shocked when it happens. We don't have any wingers, the winger cupboard is bare, we are wingerless.
Grasp at straws all you want by claiming Gueye "shone" when he played, but I can assure you he didn't. I have high hopes of the boy, he showed a couple of promising touches... but, for most of the time he has played, he has looked completely out of his depth.
Victor will play on the right next week, of that I`m certain, but I`m also certain that no matter who plays on the other side ,the same people will be shouting the same old complaints, just as they do when Ossie, Arteta, Bily, Cahill Rodwell or Coleman or anybody else is asked to do a job there.
What system do you guys want us to play? 4-2-2-2? So everyone can play everyone in their preferred position?
Rather than whine and point out the blindingly obvious, you should be storming the walls of Goodison demanding to know why this board hasn't managed to come up with a single penny to rectify the situation.
Two things Dick.
1) we lost the game you talk about... but amazingly won three on the spin at WHL when Moyes was left to get on with it.
2) The knowlegeable Goodison crowd are about to demonstrate their disgust. Would you like a little wager as to which direction they will be aiming it?
16 Posted 06/08/2011 at 11:47:01
says just about everything really.
Little challenge for the FM managers who think they can name a team for next week by using players only in their preferred positions.
I`ll log back on tonight see if we had any takers...
17 Posted 06/08/2011 at 12:22:48
18 Posted 06/08/2011 at 12:36:45
Dave, I think some of the games where we have beaten the top teams is solely down to the players, whereas others is down to Moyes. For example, beating United 3-1 in 2010 was down to the players for me, yet beating Spurs and Chelsea last season were more or less Moyes getting it right on the day (Moyes is especially good at setting a side up against the current Chelsea regime).
Beating Man City twice. Well, let's say it was a concerted effort from both, yet I stick to my opinion that Moyes nearly fucked it up the first win against them last season.
I think the John Heitinga call is correct, but a little off in that the Dutch national side is known to play well as a team in fluid positions.
19 Posted 06/08/2011 at 13:21:10
Square pegs in round holes again, again, again. Sorry, that's the sign of bad coaching. Seen it so, so many times.
Ossie is not a winger, as has been put on this site so many times. Then he is put in the center, only because of injuries and he shines.
Felli, put behind the front man, then only through an injury, he is put in the holding role: He shines.
Jags, put in the midfield. Again, only through an injury to Yobo, Jags is put in defence: he shines.
Look what's happening to Rodwell, the lad looks totally lost.
Will Barkley have to move on to improve?
20 Posted 06/08/2011 at 13:54:31
21 Posted 06/08/2011 at 15:05:00
22 Posted 06/08/2011 at 15:31:41
First was 'fuckin 'ell!" when Johnny slide in rashly in midfield to try to win back possession.
Second was when Moyesie said "Hibbo stay up" when Villarreal were after regaining the ball on their own 18 yard line (that's where Hibbo was after the breakdown).
And lastly was in the 91st minute when Villarreal had possession on their right wing "Bainsey Bainsey if ya get it try and dink it over the top to 'Madgie' to try to get a goal".
Any other match day Moyesisms from tonight or before to report??!
23 Posted 06/08/2011 at 15:46:46
It's hard work defending Moyes but you do it with all your heart.
Moyes knows what he has available and lets be real, it aint much. To me you are right with a lot your points; spot on regarding Gueye, he is poor and gives no indication of being a winger or a forward. Additionally you are correct regarding the fact we have no wingers, unless you want to bracket Coleman - the problem here however is that Coleman has little idea of when, how, where and to whom he should cross the ball. Fuck the boy can run with the ball, but that's it.
Now the issue that comes up on TW in abundance and raises it's head a lot at Goodison is that Moyes is tactically defensive. For me the guy would not play two wingers even if he had them, Moyes will defend the point he earned at kickoff like a demented nutter.
For me though, playing a friendly at GP allowed Moyes the opportunity to try two strikers. Nope, fuck that - his line up starts with 4 defenders then 2 defensive mid field players, one defensive winger and Saha. Barkley is what, 17 and was given all the time in world to play his passes, which for me, were beyond the thinking of our defensive players. Oh, lets totally forget Anichebe as he is totally wank and most EPL teams must laugh with joy when he's in our first 11.
24 Posted 06/08/2011 at 17:17:05
'Not seeing the woods for the trees' springs to mind with all this Moyes bashing. We're poor for one reason - no investment - end of story end of chat.
25 Posted 06/08/2011 at 17:43:15
I was also intrigued by the response that i saw from the leaflets that were being distributed last night. As i left the pub at 7:35 last night there was about 100 plus leaflets sat in the same place on the bar as when they were brought in which lead to the barmaid asking me and a few friends "Will you take these with you they have been sat at the end of the bar all night and no one has gone near them". I would be interested what the response was in other pubs were the leaflets got distributed.
26 Posted 06/08/2011 at 18:26:58
One of the reasons I won't answer the Wilson question is:
IT'S FUCKIN' POINTLESS!
Whatever issues Moyes has with the squad after 10 years is his OWN FUCKIN' WORK - if he hasn't developed or sourced the requisite players in that time he ain't gonna.
27 Posted 06/08/2011 at 18:58:41
Ah i see, there was me thinking it was because you could not answer the question.
But i'm sure you will be on this site at 4:45pm on Saturday criticising Moyes for playing people out of position.
28 Posted 06/08/2011 at 19:31:04
Hetinga is on record as having said he's not sure what his best position is as he's equally comfortable playing midfield as he is at the at the back. I'll leave you and the other FM's to ponder that if I may.
29 Posted 06/08/2011 at 19:33:06
For far too long now, I've watched Moyes's games develop and I've fumed with increasing frustration and maddening anger at his brand of anti-football ? Zombie Football (another thread!) may well be the best descriptor... it kills any excitement and enthusiasm that is supposed to accompany this so-called "entertainment".
What I've lacked before is such a scathing and accurate analysis to support the feeling I get watching these games: you have now provided that in spades. Thanks for taking the time to share it.
We have seen the players that Moyes has at his disposal put together decent performances. I'm sure we've had the discussion before that playing players in the right positions obviously contributes to such improved performances, and to more positive results.
30 Posted 06/08/2011 at 19:27:57
I would defend any manager working for this current board.
The complaints are the same old complaints and they are made by the same old people. These people dont even agree with each other ffs. while one lot are saying we are too slow in our build up others are saying we are a route one team . .its bollocks, but they seem hell bent on absolving The chairman of all blame
Moyes`s record with wingers is terrific.
Spending a pittence Moyes has somehow managed to get three brilliant years out of Arteta, - two POY awards - He got two brilliant years out of Pienaar - also POY - we are talking about a man who got us to CL qualifiers with Kevin Kilbane FFS.
times moved on, Arteta made playing central midfield a condition when he re-signed, Kenwright sold Pienaar, no money was made available for a replacement
Then you get people whining that our lack of wingers is Moyes`s fault. . .you couldnt make it up.
I hate the use of names, but to pretend the pittence Kenwright has given Moyes down the years is sufficient enough to blame the manager is an absolute insult to every Evertonian. Its also the reason we are where we are
I think we can have a decent season, this season, but our club is dying, we have major major problems, yet some people cant see beyond a friendly, they seem to believe we are the first English team to get a footballing lesson from Spanish opposition !
Fucken unreal
31 Posted 06/08/2011 at 20:12:36
Didnt you know ?
Coming up with a solution is "POINTLESS"... but bitching like fuck that the manager cant magic up a couple of ready made wingers is really worthwhile
You`re right of course, if any of those who have moaned about players out of position, could come up with an alternative team where everyone was in his preferred position they would have done.
They haven't. They won't. They can't.
32 Posted 06/08/2011 at 20:41:54
35 Posted 07/08/2011 at 10:55:53
36 Posted 07/08/2011 at 13:24:55
Every manager in the country plays people out of position. I mean the most successfull manager of all time does it on a regular basis and he has had miliions to spend.
37 Posted 07/08/2011 at 13:38:41
That is followed with the other excuse
' He's got no choice because he has no money '
38 Posted 07/08/2011 at 15:23:29
When we beat the top teams it is more to do with the players than anything Moyes has done. Yet when we lose to these teams Moyes has to take the blame.
And
When other managers play people out of position it is not a big issue, but when Moyes does it is another issue.
And
When someone asks well okay here is your opportunity to say what you would do, that is considered "pointless".
39 Posted 07/08/2011 at 15:47:48
We win, Moyes is a genius because he has done it without money, we lose, its not down to Moyes. You lads can't have it all ways.
Also, Its not a big issue for me when other managers do, because I couldn't give a fuck what they do, I support Everton.
40 Posted 07/08/2011 at 16:13:01
The problem is that there are fans out there who won't have a bad word said against him, looks like your in that camp.
41 Posted 07/08/2011 at 17:08:51
At least have the courage of your convictions.
Stop talking bollocks about praising Moyes, You want him out, so at least say so
I cant remember how many managers you predicted would finish above him last season - think it was 6-7 - you were wrong on evey single count. he scuppered the lot of them.
I dont think Moyes can do no wrong. Try to understand the difference between seeing Moyes`s faults and not subscribing to every half baked criticism levelled against him.
Its called making your own mind up.
The entire thread is based on Friday nights game not being a friendly- it was and Moyes not playing a player . . . who wasnt even available.
I`m up for a bit of constructive criticism . .but if you dont mind I wont go along with any of this.
Back Kenwright all you want. If you think he has supplied enough funds for Moyes to have filled every position. then I wont bother to try and convince you otherwise.
BTW ; I notice there are still no takers - see post #16
42 Posted 07/08/2011 at 18:14:13
Also, you may see his faults, Dave, but there is a fair few out there who won't have a bad word said against him.
He is paid a fortune, but the way some go on, you would think we owe him some huge debt of gratitude.
I think you need to stand back now and again, Dave, because lately you've been coming across like a know-it-all, like the only opinion that counts is yours.
43 Posted 07/08/2011 at 18:40:43
44 Posted 07/08/2011 at 18:36:07
Who won't have a bad word siad against him? I have never personally come across an everton fan who thinks he is faultless. Of course he has faults; of course I have not agreed with some decisions he has made over the years; of course in some games I have thought he has been over-cautious. However, some of the criticism he gets on this site is just plain stupid.
For example,
Show me a manager in the Premier League who does not play players out of position?
You say "you can't have it both ways". Well surely the same applies for the people telling us when we beat the top teams its because of the players and when we lose its because of Moyes. Surely it's somewhere in the middle?
Without looking back on previous posts, I would love to see were you have given Moyes credit. All I can ever remember reading off yourself is criticsm for the man.
45 Posted 07/08/2011 at 19:47:32
46 Posted 07/08/2011 at 21:33:47
So is your daft question. No one has suggested that Moyes has a player for every position. Just because there's no answer to your question, doesn't mean your increasingly unfettered defence of Moyes is warranted.
Neither does it mean that criticism of Moyes tactics are not valid. They are valid, whether you agree or not.
47 Posted 07/08/2011 at 21:21:33
Our team is useless ? devoid of attacking intent. We don't have a decent left winger or even a decent right winger either. Our central midfield has no creative spark. We rely on Cahill to get most of our goals every year from set pieces and the like. Every attacking player than seems to come to the club, Moyes turns them into negative players.
Why does Saha think he's a midfielder? Why is it Moyes's intention to use Coleman as a right back in the future? The simple reality is support for Moyes is declining. Most supporters like me will support the team no matter how shit they are, but won't simply accept the ineptitude of our manager.
He has a pathetic record against some of the worst Liverpool sides in 30 years only managing 4 victories. His suicidal tactics in the Cup Final robbed us of our best chance of winning a trophy in 14 years.
Fans like you remind of a women with kids who find a fella who beats her up all the time, yet when people ask why she's still with him, she says because who else can I get? I'd have Peter Reid or Joe Royle as manager, at least you know they'd do the best for the club, and were not using Everton FC as a waiting room for the Man Utd job.
48 Posted 07/08/2011 at 22:20:25
Ciaran,
If that is the case how can he be criticeised for playing people out of position? If as you say he has not got a player for every position than surely he has got no choice but to play people out of position?
49 Posted 07/08/2011 at 22:50:59
Chalk and cheese.
50 Posted 07/08/2011 at 23:53:02
Colin the reason Ossie was played out of position is because we haven?t had a proper winger on the right for some time because we cant afford one and had to get rid of VDM. Ossie is hardly going to get in the side a head of Felli and Arteta so he gets put out wide.
As for Fellaini he looked a bit out of his depth early on and was a huge liability with all his fouling to be played too deep, so it was a stroke of genius by Moyes to throw him up top to give him time to settle and adapt to the pace of the prem. He was also our joint top scorer, so it worked out well.
As for Jaggs, he can?t expect to walk straight in at CB if Yobo is playing well so he was given a run out in midfield, ok it didn?t work but it was worth a try as we were looking for a replacement for Carsley. Eventually Moyes put Jaggs at CB and it was left up to him to play well and keep Yobo out the side. That is football. How can Moyes be criticised?
As for Rodwell, what do you expect? He was tested at CB and looked completely out of his depth and there is no way he could take the place of Distin or Jaggs, so it makes perfect sense to give him ago in midfield.
It?s not Moyes fault Rodwell has been over-rated by the fans and he hasn?t turned into the next Rooney or Beckenbauer as so delusional people said on here.
Barkley is at least getting a game even if he was played out of position for 10 mins. He will learn far more in those 10 mins than he would being sat on the bench.
Eventually players get injured and Moyes takes the opportunity to put the players in their preferred positions. That is football, every manager does it!
51 Posted 08/08/2011 at 01:25:45
Brian, 37, fuckin well said. Good to point out the double standards that the IMWT brigade always throw at us.
I think both the Moyes defenders and us bashers are all coming up with good excuses for the particular stand they're taking. Yes, Moyes has done well for us in the past, but as has been said time and time again, if after nearly ten years in the job he still hasn't built a team to win with his preferred approach, then perhaps he isn't the right man for the job.
Dave Wilson, I'm not speaking for every Moyes Out poster here, but in no way would I defend Kenwright just because I don't want Moyes in the job. He's a twat too, I know. I only focus on Moyes though because I support Everton because I love football. For me, talking/reading/listening to anything to do board room business bores the absolute shite out of me.
52 Posted 08/08/2011 at 08:12:00
Give me strength
53 Posted 08/08/2011 at 09:10:26
I can't say i'm surprised when reading some of these posts:-
Moyes has been criticised for not bringing on a player on Friday night. Would have been hard for him to do as the player in question was not actually on the bench. We have been told when we beat the top teams its because of the players and when we lose its because of Moyes. Now we have Moyes being criticised for playing people out of position whilst openly admitting that we have not got players for every position.
Priceless. With straw man arguments like this no wonder Moyes is still in charge at Everton.
54 Posted 08/08/2011 at 09:57:27
Based on what? It did not seem to have last game of the season, at Bury, in Bremen or at Goodison on Friday night when the crowds were singing his name more than any player and cheering and clapping etc when he came over to thank the fans at Bremen.
Then again if some keyboard warriors are saying the support for Moyes is declining it must be true.
55 Posted 08/08/2011 at 09:03:35
There is a section of our fanbase - of which you are clearly part - that wants to make this a black and white issue - it isnt
Do you really believe that anybody who fails to to nod in agreement with an article that, ignores the fact that Moyes gave Barkley a completely free roll for the entire first half, argues that Moyes should have played a player who wasnt even available and ends by asking us to believe this was something more than a pre-season warm up. Thinks Moyes can do no wrong ?
Sorry, but that is a brainless assumption.
Its also brainless to suggest Moyes put the squad together so therfore he is to blame for us not having enough players - breaking news . . somebody has pulled the plug on the transfer kitty. If you cant replace the players you lose you will always find yourself short.
If we dont have Goalie because the Goalies we had have moved on over time and the board cant/wont replace him - we either play without one or we put somebody between the sticks who isnt a goalkeeper. WTF is there to understand ?
There are no people who think Moyes can do no wrong - funnily enough when I asked for examples of post claiming he was "pound for pound" the best, the silence was deafening then too
Chris Butler
Your battered wife analogy is an interesting one : if a woman is constantly making allegations against her husband that people KNOW to be untrue, what chance has she got if one day he actually does beat her ?
I`ve criticised Moyes heavily in the past, that doesnt mean I will be nodding mindlessly every time somebody wants to take a few cheap shots.
The claim that if you dont subscribe to EVERY criticism levelled at him, you are some kind of appologist - insert your own childish name - is a pathetic attempt to pressurise free thinkers into jumping on the bandwaggon.
It wont work.
Roman
The cause "bores the shit out of you" so you`ll content yourself by complainig about the symptoms ?
56 Posted 08/08/2011 at 21:00:06
57 Posted 09/08/2011 at 03:35:36
We have no wingers, so bitching about playing ppl out of position is pointless.
I'm curious, and I ask this in a COMPLETELY non-confrontational way:
If you're David Moyes, which 2 players do you start on the wings?
Which 2 non-wingers play / start out wide?
58 Posted 09/08/2011 at 04:11:22
wingers pls. Who'd ya start?
59 Posted 09/08/2011 at 05:02:54
If Moyes had any tactical nous, he would have played 4-3-3. Rely on the wingbacks (Baines and Coleman) to supply the width and crosses, with the midfielders and strikers supporting/covering for them as the play dictates. It is definitely a more fluid formation than the same old boring Moyes-style pack the midfield 4-5-1 BS! But knowing Moyes....
60 Posted 09/08/2011 at 10:19:37
61 Posted 09/08/2011 at 10:46:48
4-3-3 is about the worst idea I have heard, who would play up front? More to the point, who would provide their service? Especially when every manager plays 5 across the middle knowing they will overun us. Still, I`d be interested in your line-up.
Nobody else has come up with one.
Ciaran
There are 40,000 dogs chasing their tails ... if only they would listen to you.
62 Posted 09/08/2011 at 12:17:09
Care to share your line-up for this 4-3-3 formation?
63 Posted 09/08/2011 at 13:09:28
Moyes needs the finances to add some much needed creativity to the team. Over to you Bill...
64 Posted 09/08/2011 at 20:39:35
65 Posted 10/08/2011 at 03:08:59
Coleman, Jags, Distin, Baines.
Arteta, Heitinga, Osman.
Cahill, Saha, Gueye.
It's not an easy formation to make with our squad, which is why I said it is the best idea for Everton. I've said time and time again, that for the squad that we have, 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 (they're both almost the same anyway) could work well for us.
66 Posted 10/08/2011 at 08:32:36
A common theme of yours seems to be that you think you can guage the mood of the Evertonian when you never go near the place.
I didnt speak for those 40,000 I was telling you about something every match goer witnessed. merely relaying a fact.
Goodison rose and applauded Davey Moyes for his efforts last season that is a fact.
There is only one way to find out how much support Moyes enjoys from the matchgoers and that is by getting your arse to the occasional game.
67 Posted 10/08/2011 at 15:54:45
I presume you realise that in the team you have listed you have players playing out of position? Bit ironic that isnt it?
68 Posted 10/08/2011 at 15:59:38
Did I say down by Chrimbo ? . .we would`nt get that far.
You`d think after all those complaints about playing people out of position SOMEBODY would have accepted the challenge
After four days . . .ANY TAKERS ? ? ?
69 Posted 10/08/2011 at 21:30:44
Perhaps you could answer a question yourself, Dave. What was the tactical benefit of putting Neville and Heitinga into midfield and moving a central player out to the wing?
When I do get to Goodison, Dave, I applaud at the end of the match no matter what. Does it mean I agree with the tactics employed? Certainly not. But you think that's an indication that Moyes has unqualified support? Ludicrous.
Ss for your using the number of games I attend against me, that's fucking pathetic mate.
70 Posted 11/08/2011 at 10:48:42
This was not a ripple of applause for Moyes. people waited long after the whistle, it was a genuine prolonged display of appreciation, much greater than anytghing the players recieved.
Dont take my word - you obviously cant - ask someone else who was there.
71 Posted 11/08/2011 at 23:36:33
72 Posted 12/08/2011 at 02:22:03
I hope you get my point!
Now I am not a supporter of Moyes using too many players out of pos. as that destroys the balance of quality in the team.
He does tend do play too many out of pos. at the same time, as he did in the second half of the Villareal game.
You all saw the results, ecxept Moyes himself.
I just hope it was experimenting from Moyes, and not something he plans to do in the future.
73 Posted 12/08/2011 at 22:40:50
As Jimmy said, Arteta is very capable of playing on the right, and, in my opinion, this is where he played his best football for us.
Dave, I just don't understand what I mean when you said when I said I'm leaving Jags and Distin to be pulled all over the shop.
Plus, I disclosed before I set it that I don't think it's a good formation for us, yet you guys read past that and take what you want from what is written.
74 Posted 13/08/2011 at 14:39:23
75 Posted 14/08/2011 at 18:46:11
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1 Posted 06/08/2011 at 04:29:18
Taking into account this is the first and only pre-season game at Goodison, and that there has been an entire summer since the end of the last season... why, oh why, did the club decide to paint, so when we have a big crowd pleasing club play us at £10 a ticket, we close 90% of the main stand and by the looks of it the Upper Gwladys!
I told my girlfriend this and she just shrugged and said "That's Everton". And that says it all! Surely this could have been done 1-2 weeks earlier ? it's not like we didn't know this friendly was happening!
And we wonder why we're skint. With these clowns in charge!
As for on the pitch, first half we looked good. Barkley looks great in the centre but, when Coleman went off and he moved to the wing, he looked out of it... So next season, expect to see Barkley on the wing... in the same way Moyes insists Coleman is a right back... did you see that run at the keeper and the attempted lob? ? That's a winger if I ever saw one.
Second half, we were dire. We looked tired and out of ideas and ? despite the money we pay these guys ? they still can't pass!
We all know the diagnosis: one man up front doesn't work. Saha was lost up there tonight with Victor out left (I think he may be improving). We have no imagination going forward... if we ever go forward. Moyes, you're a good manager, just see what we see, please!!!!