Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Toffees are Stuck
By Graham Brown :: 15/10/2011
20 Comments (»Last)
So... another match down, another defeat, and still no change in gameplan. This season, the weaknesses of the squad and the manager are being laid bare and it is killing me to watch it happen.
Irrespective of the finances of the club at this current time, this situation has been long in the making. To highlight issues that Toffees across the UK have been complaining about for years ? not weeks:
1) Right back ? we have been screaming for a right back pretty much since Hibbert came through the ranks yet we have not addressed this season after season and if I have to see Hibbert get stripped down the right or give away a needless free-kick, I think I am going to lose it.
2) Striker ? I know Moyes hates to see us score more than once in a game but we have been missing a true goal scorer since Kevin Campbell and as above each season Moyes seems to ignore this fact perhaps he is confident one day he will find a defensive midfielder who can score 10 goals in a season playing up front but that will likely happen in the Championship. Oh and any chance we can play with two up front perhaps once? Maybe against QPR... oh I forget: we already lost that one.
3) Wingers ? why do we continue to play central midfielders and full backs on the wing? It doesn't work and as contraversial as this may be Seamus Coleman isnt a winger and although we will clear a tidy profit on him he is not going to be the answer neither is Osman. We have Drenthe and Bily who, although they are perhaps not what we hoped they would be are wingers and could make a difference, I hear you shout... but they don't play with any conviction but not bloody surprising when they are left out for players playing out of position and with little or no hope of beating a player or getting a cross in!!!
4) Youth ? if you are good enough you are old enough we have some good young prospects but if we dont play them they will never fulfill their potential. Jack and Ross will soon get fed up and leave and our Portugeese, French and Greek secret weapons will remain exactly that ? secret!
It is easy to blame the financial situation and by default the board, although I would happily see all of the board ousted to be replace by a group of well trained zoo animals, but actually this situation has been around a long time and for that you can't blame the banks.
Reader Comments (20)
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Trevor Lynes
2 Posted 15/10/2011 at 22:35:31
2 Posted 15/10/2011 at 22:35:31
Ian, I cannot agree with you blaming the defence... they have carried us for a couple of seasons now and the TEAM should be able to defend and not just the back four. Our best players have been in defence and it's not just a coincidence that the only players who could command interest in the transfer market are Jags and Baines. Our last purchases have been poor ? Bily and Heitinga ? no other club have showed the slightest interest in either of them!!
Moyes has no backing at all and this season I am afraid that the birds have come home to roost... We have struggled with no money compared to almost every other club in the league and I reckon survival will be an achievement with the current squad unless money is made available.
Everton will only be able to 'get a grip' when they can compete 'moneywise'.
Moyes has no backing at all and this season I am afraid that the birds have come home to roost... We have struggled with no money compared to almost every other club in the league and I reckon survival will be an achievement with the current squad unless money is made available.
Everton will only be able to 'get a grip' when they can compete 'moneywise'.
Alan Clarke
3 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:34:40
3 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:34:40
The point is the tactics on the pitch clearly aren't working. You can't just persist with a losing team and not at least try and change things. Money or no money, a decent coach would send a team out to try and win.
Susong Hermawan
4 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:49:12
4 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:49:12
Good point Alan... I 100% agree.
Andrew Clare
5 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:48:09
5 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:48:09
Everyday I look at Newsnow/Everton and then Toffeeweb.
Today if you look at Newsnow the first headline that stands out is 'Moyes bemoans £400m difference between his side and Chelsea', and therein lies the problem!
We know we haven't got any money and it doesn't look like any money is 'around the corner', so in that case we need a man who disregards that problem, a man who is positive, a man who believes we can win anyway. Moyes is not that man! The players hear Moyes's sentiments and they rub off on them. We have lost the game before we start!
Moyes be positive, play to win, can anyone tell me why a manager would bring on an old defender when his side are losing 3-0? The answer is easy ? our manager does not think positively.Everyone knows without a positive approach to life you go nowhere.
Someone do something pleeeease!
Today if you look at Newsnow the first headline that stands out is 'Moyes bemoans £400m difference between his side and Chelsea', and therein lies the problem!
We know we haven't got any money and it doesn't look like any money is 'around the corner', so in that case we need a man who disregards that problem, a man who is positive, a man who believes we can win anyway. Moyes is not that man! The players hear Moyes's sentiments and they rub off on them. We have lost the game before we start!
Moyes be positive, play to win, can anyone tell me why a manager would bring on an old defender when his side are losing 3-0? The answer is easy ? our manager does not think positively.Everyone knows without a positive approach to life you go nowhere.
Someone do something pleeeease!
Ian Bennett
6 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:56:07
6 Posted 16/10/2011 at 08:56:07
Alan, I'd agree with that. Cahill should be making a difference as an impact sub, as he is offering not a huge amount at the moment.
I have no confidence in Hibbo or Distin being involved in a defence that keeps a clean sheet. It's sad... but we miss Phil Neville when he is not in the team.
We lack pace and need Drenthe starting the game with Osman playing playmaker.
Howard;
Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines;
Osman, Fellaini, Drenthe, Coleman;
Vellios (or Barkley), Saha.
I have no confidence in Hibbo or Distin being involved in a defence that keeps a clean sheet. It's sad... but we miss Phil Neville when he is not in the team.
We lack pace and need Drenthe starting the game with Osman playing playmaker.
Howard;
Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines;
Osman, Fellaini, Drenthe, Coleman;
Vellios (or Barkley), Saha.
Trevor Lynes
7 Posted 16/10/2011 at 11:21:11
7 Posted 16/10/2011 at 11:21:11
No decent manager will be willing to come to EFC without a chance of competing in the transfer market. It's an Old Mother Hubbard situation and I cannot for the life of me see WHY this has been allowed to happen by so-called businessmen.
We consistently get bigger gates and finish higher than other clubs who are now in a better financial position than we are... it's a fucking disgrace and we are in dire straits.
We consistently get bigger gates and finish higher than other clubs who are now in a better financial position than we are... it's a fucking disgrace and we are in dire straits.
Andy Corrie
8 Posted 16/10/2011 at 12:32:25
8 Posted 16/10/2011 at 12:32:25
You've hit the nail on the head, Andrew.
I was at Stamford Bridge yesterday and completely ashamed of the entire team approach and lacklustre display, as well as Moyes's usual dreary ineffective defensive tactics ? why didn't we start Neville, Vellios & Drenthe, and drop Hibbert & Saha permanently?
I'm sick and tired of hearing that Moyes has been the saviour of EFC and "without him we would have been relegated years ago!" ? How can anyone possibly know this?? There's a variety of half-decent managers out there that could have 'kept us up' and consistently competing mid-table as Moyes has, with the funds he's had.
Yes, he took us to Europe and we 'almost' made it to the upper echelons a few times. However, he has definitely and without doubt had his day at EFC now, and his blatant vocal media negativity is now frankly pissing me off, to the point that I would have no qualms in telling him to his face if I ever met him in person, as I'm sure many fans would.
Let's not forget BK of course, who has allegedly had reasonable offers for EFC from the owners of Man City no less! Fuck me, why didn't we even hear about this until much later?
Either Moyes comprehensively changes his shit attitude and conveys that to the players or BK should sack him! But then who sacks BK for his greed and short-sightedness?...
I was at Stamford Bridge yesterday and completely ashamed of the entire team approach and lacklustre display, as well as Moyes's usual dreary ineffective defensive tactics ? why didn't we start Neville, Vellios & Drenthe, and drop Hibbert & Saha permanently?
I'm sick and tired of hearing that Moyes has been the saviour of EFC and "without him we would have been relegated years ago!" ? How can anyone possibly know this?? There's a variety of half-decent managers out there that could have 'kept us up' and consistently competing mid-table as Moyes has, with the funds he's had.
Yes, he took us to Europe and we 'almost' made it to the upper echelons a few times. However, he has definitely and without doubt had his day at EFC now, and his blatant vocal media negativity is now frankly pissing me off, to the point that I would have no qualms in telling him to his face if I ever met him in person, as I'm sure many fans would.
Let's not forget BK of course, who has allegedly had reasonable offers for EFC from the owners of Man City no less! Fuck me, why didn't we even hear about this until much later?
Either Moyes comprehensively changes his shit attitude and conveys that to the players or BK should sack him! But then who sacks BK for his greed and short-sightedness?...
Nicholas Randall
9 Posted 16/10/2011 at 14:23:02
9 Posted 16/10/2011 at 14:23:02
Everton did have a true goalscorer in Yakubu but he in recent seasons went off the boil. Also, Andy Johnson was a goalscorer but to a lesser extent than Yakubu but they are different type of players.
Scott Robinson
10 Posted 16/10/2011 at 17:09:04
10 Posted 16/10/2011 at 17:09:04
Great post, Andrew Clare ? who cares if there is a gulf in finances... the team out there are good enough to beat any body!
I can understand Moyes's frustration, but it's another thing to admit defeat before a single ball is kicked and hope for the best. Hopefully three defeats on the trot will stir the blood in the fiery Scot to try something different.
I can understand Moyes's frustration, but it's another thing to admit defeat before a single ball is kicked and hope for the best. Hopefully three defeats on the trot will stir the blood in the fiery Scot to try something different.
Kevin Elliott
11 Posted 16/10/2011 at 18:23:24
11 Posted 16/10/2011 at 18:23:24
I don't think Moyes will ever try anything different. He is just so stuck in his ways.
It seems to me that he wants to take us down, and I for one believe he will. He has got to go.
It seems to me that he wants to take us down, and I for one believe he will. He has got to go.
Bob Parrington
12 Posted 16/10/2011 at 22:52:38
12 Posted 16/10/2011 at 22:52:38
Graham. True. It's not just a case of one position on the team. We've had strikers (as per Nicholas #9) but they haven't scored enough. Why? Other aspects of the team selection and manager/coach tactics, such as no wingers. Yeah! That right back position is a worry, too!
The manager has to allow some "personality" in the side. Character is one thing but personality is needed to create variation ? otherwise, the team becomes totally predictable and... thoroughly boring. At least two things happen: team loses or perhaps has a low scoring draw (if that right back position doesn't let us down; and the support base becomes so bored and frustrated that, gradually, the fans find other things to spend their hard-earned cash on. The reality of professional team sport is "it's entertainment" that brings in the crowds.
COYB
The manager has to allow some "personality" in the side. Character is one thing but personality is needed to create variation ? otherwise, the team becomes totally predictable and... thoroughly boring. At least two things happen: team loses or perhaps has a low scoring draw (if that right back position doesn't let us down; and the support base becomes so bored and frustrated that, gradually, the fans find other things to spend their hard-earned cash on. The reality of professional team sport is "it's entertainment" that brings in the crowds.
COYB
Steve Jones
13 Posted 16/10/2011 at 22:38:15
13 Posted 16/10/2011 at 22:38:15
No, Moyes doesn't want to take us down, but, he has lost confidence in the squad he has ? that much is clear. He's openly said that he had the squad that could challenge for something last season ? the inference being that he doesn't now.
Moyes is a chess player ? it took him 6 years to build the core of the squad he wanted and graft on the skill and flair players to get a Champions League challenging side on the pitch. He brought the team to its pinnacle for the 2008-09 season; injuries and the later loss of Lescott wrecked it all and he's not been able to put much back together from the wreckage.
Now, with Arteta, Pienaar, Lescott, Yakubu etc all gone and the likes of Cahill and Saha fading, he's got to start again from scratch. He knows this. At least he's got a few more promising youth players coming through this time.
Welcome to 2002 boys and girls ? please set your expectations accordingly.
Moyes is a chess player ? it took him 6 years to build the core of the squad he wanted and graft on the skill and flair players to get a Champions League challenging side on the pitch. He brought the team to its pinnacle for the 2008-09 season; injuries and the later loss of Lescott wrecked it all and he's not been able to put much back together from the wreckage.
Now, with Arteta, Pienaar, Lescott, Yakubu etc all gone and the likes of Cahill and Saha fading, he's got to start again from scratch. He knows this. At least he's got a few more promising youth players coming through this time.
Welcome to 2002 boys and girls ? please set your expectations accordingly.
Kev Jones
14 Posted 17/10/2011 at 01:02:12
14 Posted 17/10/2011 at 01:02:12
Harking back to Moyes's comments of bringing a knife to a gun fight, it seems he's left the knife and picked up a box of tissues to console himself with before Jags has hoofed a ball up field in anger.
It's time someone took him out for a haggis supper, a few nips of Islay's finest, and a good talking to, to remind him of the fighting spirit he once instilled in the side that had them 'punching above their weight', and not rolling over and dying. Hell, kidnap him and make him watch bloody Braveheart continuously 'til he showed some bleedin fight.
Show some balls, Davey... play the likes of Barkley and Drenthe, play a couple strikers. If we're going to stuff up 'cause of poverty, then at least try to stick it to the man instead of sticking the proverbial tail between the legs before the bent ref has blown the first whistle.
It's time someone took him out for a haggis supper, a few nips of Islay's finest, and a good talking to, to remind him of the fighting spirit he once instilled in the side that had them 'punching above their weight', and not rolling over and dying. Hell, kidnap him and make him watch bloody Braveheart continuously 'til he showed some bleedin fight.
Show some balls, Davey... play the likes of Barkley and Drenthe, play a couple strikers. If we're going to stuff up 'cause of poverty, then at least try to stick it to the man instead of sticking the proverbial tail between the legs before the bent ref has blown the first whistle.
Ciaran Duff
15 Posted 17/10/2011 at 05:46:43
15 Posted 17/10/2011 at 05:46:43
Trevor (#2) - Heitinga is good enough to play every game for Netherlands (second ranked team in the world) but not Everton!
Russell Buckley
16 Posted 17/10/2011 at 07:39:59
16 Posted 17/10/2011 at 07:39:59
Heitinga isn't the most powerful centre back, or the quickest but he is a mean bastard in defence.
He was amazing in his first season (leading into the World Cup). He came close to getting player of the season.
He has a winning attitude and I would love to see him given a chance. He can control play and pass it around from the back, as seen in his national team.
The only concern I have is if Everton's play would allow Heitinga the time and space to control from the back. At the moment I bloody doubt it.
He was amazing in his first season (leading into the World Cup). He came close to getting player of the season.
He has a winning attitude and I would love to see him given a chance. He can control play and pass it around from the back, as seen in his national team.
The only concern I have is if Everton's play would allow Heitinga the time and space to control from the back. At the moment I bloody doubt it.
David Duffy
17 Posted 17/10/2011 at 07:53:34
17 Posted 17/10/2011 at 07:53:34
It's still pre-season right? And there's always next season... That's why the younger players are still on the bench... for next season. That's why the loan secret weapons are still on the bench... for next season.
I am looking forward to another US pre-season.
I am looking forward to another US pre-season.
Chad Schofield
18 Posted 17/10/2011 at 08:09:33
18 Posted 17/10/2011 at 08:09:33
I bet it must be incredibly frustrating for those players left on the bench or passed over. It's always been the biggest frustration with Moyes that he pig-headedly sticks to the same turgid shit until he's absolutely forced into doing something else through injuries or suspensions.
The thing with that is that it normally feels like he has his hard core who he trusts in... But he is publically slating them now. Who the fuck would want to stay in a team where the manager doesn't believe that the team can get anywhere but won't give anyone else a chance???
The thing with that is that it normally feels like he has his hard core who he trusts in... But he is publically slating them now. Who the fuck would want to stay in a team where the manager doesn't believe that the team can get anywhere but won't give anyone else a chance???
Andrew Clare
19 Posted 17/10/2011 at 10:30:27
19 Posted 17/10/2011 at 10:30:27
Thanks, Scott. Every week we know what Moyes will do and we are the fans, not the managers of the teams we are playing! All of the managers in the Premier League know exactly what to expect when the play us. We are definitely stuck! To all and sundry it looks as if we are going to play this way with this manager until doomsday!
Ten years and not a lot to cheer about; actually, as far as I am concerned, nothing to cheer about. If we put up with this for much longer, we are just going to fade away, in fact, as a big club, we have just faded away. Once there was a time when, if we didn't challenge for trophies, the manager would be replaced. Now we are happy with 6th place ? bloody awful!
Forget the money ? get a positive manager with fighting spirit and tactical nous (I know the question is 'Who is that?') but the man is out there. Look at German clubs, Italian clubs and Spanish clubs most of them would play us off the park. Why? Because they have the kind of managers that I want at Everton.
Look at Napoli, the way they are playing, Their first team squad cost ?28M. Their wage bill is only ?39M! It can be done without a fortune if you have the right man at the helm.
Ten years and not a lot to cheer about; actually, as far as I am concerned, nothing to cheer about. If we put up with this for much longer, we are just going to fade away, in fact, as a big club, we have just faded away. Once there was a time when, if we didn't challenge for trophies, the manager would be replaced. Now we are happy with 6th place ? bloody awful!
Forget the money ? get a positive manager with fighting spirit and tactical nous (I know the question is 'Who is that?') but the man is out there. Look at German clubs, Italian clubs and Spanish clubs most of them would play us off the park. Why? Because they have the kind of managers that I want at Everton.
Look at Napoli, the way they are playing, Their first team squad cost ?28M. Their wage bill is only ?39M! It can be done without a fortune if you have the right man at the helm.
Trevor Lynes
20 Posted 17/10/2011 at 11:56:17
20 Posted 17/10/2011 at 11:56:17
The manager can only use what he is given and the BOARD have allowed all these players to go without replacements.
The squad is not good enough to maintain its position without bringing in GOOD players. We are sliding into an abyss of this boards making !!
Its not tactics that have brought about this situation... it's total mismanagement from the top.
DM desperately wants to retain Premier League status and that's why he tries to keep things tight against the better sides. We need 40 points to stay up (or thereabouts) and that's his ultimate goal with the shambles of a squad he has at his disposal. The players are trying their best but we are a poor side at present with an ageing few Premier League proven players, a few green youngsters and two foreign international players who have been very disappointing.
Although Heitinga plays for Holland no other club has tried to buy him and I have said many times that he is without doubt one of the worst Dutch internationals I have ever seen, maybe that's why no other club wants him.
We have bought a lot of cheap players that have done well but we have never had full value from any player we paid a lot of money for.
The squad is not good enough to maintain its position without bringing in GOOD players. We are sliding into an abyss of this boards making !!
Its not tactics that have brought about this situation... it's total mismanagement from the top.
DM desperately wants to retain Premier League status and that's why he tries to keep things tight against the better sides. We need 40 points to stay up (or thereabouts) and that's his ultimate goal with the shambles of a squad he has at his disposal. The players are trying their best but we are a poor side at present with an ageing few Premier League proven players, a few green youngsters and two foreign international players who have been very disappointing.
Although Heitinga plays for Holland no other club has tried to buy him and I have said many times that he is without doubt one of the worst Dutch internationals I have ever seen, maybe that's why no other club wants him.
We have bought a lot of cheap players that have done well but we have never had full value from any player we paid a lot of money for.
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1 Posted 15/10/2011 at 21:48:44
It is also no coincidence that we are struggling on the pitch without a leader, the difference when Phil Neville is on the pitch is clear in results. Phil Neville may not be a fans' favourite and may not be the most skillfull but he keeps Everton working.
Come on Everton, get a grip!