Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Team against Spurs
50 Comments: Well guys it's time to get serious and concentrate on the important games now. The usual unimpressive meaningless friendly results are behind us and all we really know is that we still have fitness problems. We knew Coleman would be out for the Spurs game along with Bily and now possibly Arteta and Fellaini? Do we have any thoughts on Moyes's selection for this game?
Will he play the usual 4-4-1-1 thereby ensuring Spurs will dominate and hoping that Cahill (or Beckford) will do the smash and grab? In this set-up, Beckford is a better option than Saha.
However, Moyes may finally realise that it's time to be positive as Spurs do play open football and Everton have had some good games against the higher class opposition in recent seasons.
My team is:?
Howard;
Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines;
Neville, Hietinga, Rodwell, Osman;
Cahill;
Saha.
This is pretty predictable as I don't think Moyes is ready to pitch in the fringe players from the off just yet...
Tom Bowers, Posted 08/08/2011 at 14:12:04
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Moyes won't do anything other than pick the usual suspects.
Personally I'm losing interest before the season has started; I just hope they prove me wrong?
Personally I'm losing interest before the season has started; I just hope they prove me wrong?
Following the disturbances in Tottenham over the weekend, the Club has been in ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities regarding this coming weekend's Premier League fixture against Everton.Hopefully no more problems down there
We can advise fans that at this stage the game is going ahead and the Club is doing everything it can to ensure that this remains the position.
Fans are advised to please check the website for further updates and in particular travel details as we shall look to advise fans on best available travel options.
The team you have picked is very uninspiring.
I predict no goals and a loss for the first game of the season. If we do score it will be from a set piece; the last two pre-season games are very worrying with no goals coming in either.
I predict no goals and a loss for the first game of the season. If we do score it will be from a set piece; the last two pre-season games are very worrying with no goals coming in either.
"Will he play the usual 4-4-1-1 thereby ensuring Spurs will dominate and hoping that Cahill will do the smash and grab?"
Is that one of them rhetorical questions I've heard so much about?
Oh, and no Anichebe in your starting line up? I'm OUTRAGED.
Is that one of them rhetorical questions I've heard so much about?
Oh, and no Anichebe in your starting line up? I'm OUTRAGED.
That midield you picked is shocking and would not create a panic against a pub team.
The bad news is he will play Anichebe wide.
The bad news is he will play Anichebe wide.
Personally, I would be fuming if that were the team Moyes picked ? 7 defenders out of 10 outfield players (I know that is including Rodwell as a defender but why let that stop a good moan!).
I think it is inevitable he will play 4-5-1 and, accepting that, I would hope the team is at least the following:-
Howard
Neville
Jagielka
Distin
Baines
Anichebe
Fellaini
Osman
Rodwell
Barkley
Saha
I really hope he plays Osman in a central role and not stuck out on the wing where he is crap and gets unjustified stick, particularly off me!
Beckford, Gueye and Cahill could all make useful contributions off the bench so I would be reasonably happy wth this starting 11.
I think it is inevitable he will play 4-5-1 and, accepting that, I would hope the team is at least the following:-
Howard
Neville
Jagielka
Distin
Baines
Anichebe
Fellaini
Osman
Rodwell
Barkley
Saha
I really hope he plays Osman in a central role and not stuck out on the wing where he is crap and gets unjustified stick, particularly off me!
Beckford, Gueye and Cahill could all make useful contributions off the bench so I would be reasonably happy wth this starting 11.
I haven't commented on our pre-season. Next Saturday is what counts. We should approach the game with confidence and imagination. Would Moyes take a draw now? I sincerely hope not.
What are you talking about Tom? Moyes went toe to toe with Spurs at Goodison and we came away with 3 points, stop talking shit.
It's gonna be:?
Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Fellaini, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Saaha.
I know this cuz, apart from Anichebe for Pienaar, it's the same team we have put out for the last 3 years. (Arteta and Coleman injured of course.)
I would like to see Beckford get games at the start of the season. I think a couple of goals at the start of the season could see his confidence soar. He does get himself into good scoring situations and if he gets a good start, he could make the difference for us this season.
I think it will be:
Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Fellaini, Arteta, Osman, Cahill, Saha.
If it is and I am pro Moyes could I claim Neville is actually a midfielder and Baines is a wing back?
If so I am sick of this cavalier attitude of Moyes.
Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Fellaini, Arteta, Osman, Cahill, Saha.
If it is and I am pro Moyes could I claim Neville is actually a midfielder and Baines is a wing back?
If so I am sick of this cavalier attitude of Moyes.
FFS - whilst it has been a pre-season of bone-numbing tedium, I'm still disappointed that all some of you want to do is moan.
Howard;
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines;
Heitinga;
Osman, Fellaini / Arteta (whichever is fittest), Rodwell;
Cahill,
Saha
Subs: Arteta/Fellaini, Anichebe/Yakubu, Beckford, Barkley, Mucha, Gueye, Hibbert.
Not a bad team.
Like the rest of you, I wish there were a couple of new faces and I am mystified why he has frozen out Yobo, but we are where we are so, on Saturday at least, us supporters should support.
Howard;
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines;
Heitinga;
Osman, Fellaini / Arteta (whichever is fittest), Rodwell;
Cahill,
Saha
Subs: Arteta/Fellaini, Anichebe/Yakubu, Beckford, Barkley, Mucha, Gueye, Hibbert.
Not a bad team.
Like the rest of you, I wish there were a couple of new faces and I am mystified why he has frozen out Yobo, but we are where we are so, on Saturday at least, us supporters should support.
Howard,
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines
Heitinga; Fellaini, Rodwell;
Osman Anichebe
Cahill,
Saha
Subs: Arteta, Yakubu, Beckford, Barkley, Mucha, Gueye, Hibbert.
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines
Heitinga; Fellaini, Rodwell;
Osman Anichebe
Cahill,
Saha
Subs: Arteta, Yakubu, Beckford, Barkley, Mucha, Gueye, Hibbert.
Team I would pick:
Howard
Hibbert
Jagielka
Distin
Baines
Neville
Fellaini
Barkley
Gueye
Saha
Beckford
The team actually will be the same defence as above plus one marooned forward and 5 central midfielders two of whom will be expected to provide width {unsuccessfully}.
Howard
Hibbert
Jagielka
Distin
Baines
Neville
Fellaini
Barkley
Gueye
Saha
Beckford
The team actually will be the same defence as above plus one marooned forward and 5 central midfielders two of whom will be expected to provide width {unsuccessfully}.
If its such 'predictable shite' why were the only teams to finish above us last time those with shit loads of cash?
If Moyes tactics against Spurs are so poor, why have we got more points from this fixture than them in the past four/five seasons?
Fuck me, give it a rest.
If Moyes tactics against Spurs are so poor, why have we got more points from this fixture than them in the past four/five seasons?
Fuck me, give it a rest.
I used to doodle on my notepad at work, and try to come up with the best line ups... and then try to work out the actual line up Moyes would opt for.
I just can't be bothered now... it doesn't seem as if there's any one player that can lift the team and get us playing good footy. Not even Arteta.
Bainsey and Jags are the only players that have looked good enough in pre-season. I don't know what's going on with our pre-season preps, but they all look fucking knackered after 5 mins of aimless shite football.
The rest of the squad need one hell of a big kick up the arse.... let alone the manager and chairman!
I just can't be bothered now... it doesn't seem as if there's any one player that can lift the team and get us playing good footy. Not even Arteta.
Bainsey and Jags are the only players that have looked good enough in pre-season. I don't know what's going on with our pre-season preps, but they all look fucking knackered after 5 mins of aimless shite football.
The rest of the squad need one hell of a big kick up the arse.... let alone the manager and chairman!
I would play:
Howard
Hibbert Jagielka Heitinga Baines
Fellaini
Gueye Barkley Osman Arteta
Saha
Sadly the reality will be Anichebe though.
Before we get ahead of ourselves in team selection our key creationists Arteta, Gueye and Fellani are doubtful; Bily and Coleman will not play... and half the others have meaningless mid week international games to get through unscathed.
Others who could figure are Saha if he can get out of his oxygen tent withoutaggravating anything, Beckford who cannot trap a bag of cement... plus 'bash through or most likely crash,' Victor.
I just hope we can make a game of it and it does not end up as a slaughterhouse.
Howard
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Arteta Fellaini Cahill Gueye
Billy
Saha / Beckford
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Arteta Fellaini Cahill Gueye
Billy
Saha / Beckford
or
Howard
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Arteta Fellaini Rodwell Gueye
Billy
Saha / Beckford
Howard
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Arteta Fellaini Rodwell Gueye
Billy
Saha / Beckford
It will be the same line up as usual, because we haven't bought anyone new and no one else has proved they are ready to play yet.
I can see that but apparently Moyes should go gung ho and lessen our already shite midfield and put on another forward against a team that easily finished ahead of us for the last two seasons.
Yeah go for it and lets lose 5-0 but look good bollocks, I love it etc etc.
First game of the season will be a shite, tight affair with both sides not wanting to lose their opening game: 0-0 or 1-0 probably.
I can see that but apparently Moyes should go gung ho and lessen our already shite midfield and put on another forward against a team that easily finished ahead of us for the last two seasons.
Yeah go for it and lets lose 5-0 but look good bollocks, I love it etc etc.
First game of the season will be a shite, tight affair with both sides not wanting to lose their opening game: 0-0 or 1-0 probably.
The one thing we desparately need is width and without Coleman I think all we have got would be Gueye or Bily on the left and Neville on the right.
Playing Arteta or Anichebe or even Rodwell on the right will be a disaster.
Playing Arteta or Anichebe or even Rodwell on the right will be a disaster.
Mick
5 demerits ? you should know that Bily is suspended.
In fact, you did it twice. So 10 demerits! And putting "Saha/Beckford" up front is hardly in the spirit, is it? Pick one or the other!
5 demerits ? you should know that Bily is suspended.
In fact, you did it twice. So 10 demerits! And putting "Saha/Beckford" up front is hardly in the spirit, is it? Pick one or the other!
And where are your bloody subs??? Dear me... the season hasn't even started yet and standards are dropping!!!
Got a feeling the game will be cancelled due to the riots. Cant see them offering 150 cops for a PL game at the moment.
But think DM will pick:;
Howard
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines,
Ossie, Felli, Rodwell, Hetinga, Anichebe.
Saha.
Subs. Barkley, Bily, Becks, Baxter, Yak, Gueye, Hibbo
But think DM will pick:;
Howard
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines,
Ossie, Felli, Rodwell, Hetinga, Anichebe.
Saha.
Subs. Barkley, Bily, Becks, Baxter, Yak, Gueye, Hibbo
With Arteta, Fellaini, Bily & Coleman not playing, I'd choose:
Howard
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Barkley Osman Rodwell Gueye
Saha Beckford
Howard
Neville Jags Distin Baines
Barkley Osman Rodwell Gueye
Saha Beckford
I don't have a clue.
But I'd like to put fear in it's place, rid ourselves of the 5-0 drubbing illusions, and go for it and take it down 4-3 in a wide open entertaining game.
I just saw a pig fly by my window... weird.
But I'd like to put fear in it's place, rid ourselves of the 5-0 drubbing illusions, and go for it and take it down 4-3 in a wide open entertaining game.
I just saw a pig fly by my window... weird.
Gueye is injured. How does no-one know that?
lets hope its called off then..
at least we wont be bottom of the league on sunday or last on motd on saturday !
Im sure a few of our younger fans quite liked the look of doing JD Sports in Tottenham though....
at least we wont be bottom of the league on sunday or last on motd on saturday !
Im sure a few of our younger fans quite liked the look of doing JD Sports in Tottenham though....
As a word of advice if the game goes ahead on Saturday; I work in the centre of Tottenham and the local police are even less 'patient' than usual. So try to get to the ground in good time for kick off, don't get shit-faced beforehand and keep it mellow until you're into the ground. We are easier targets than the local bad boyz.....
Richard are you questioning the professionalism and integrity of the police? :)
Would I doubt their honesty and motives ? For ongoing legal reasons I can't comment... but I will be a paragon of virtue on Saturday :0)
Neville on the right flank? You'd be my court jester.
I know Moyes won't do it, but I would rather partner Heitinga with Distin, and leave jags on the bench.
Howard
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Barkley, Fellaini, Rodwell,
Osman
Saha Beckford
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Barkley, Fellaini, Rodwell,
Osman
Saha Beckford
Howard
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines
Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Anichebe
Cahill
Saha
We probably wont see Barkley again all season. Gueye got his couple of pre season games so its now time to put the 'secret weapon' back in its box. On the plus side, we have won 3, drawn 1 of the last 4 at spurs so hopefully we can carry that on. I would still take a point right now though.
Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines
Osman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Anichebe
Cahill
Saha
We probably wont see Barkley again all season. Gueye got his couple of pre season games so its now time to put the 'secret weapon' back in its box. On the plus side, we have won 3, drawn 1 of the last 4 at spurs so hopefully we can carry that on. I would still take a point right now though.
Sorry Dan but we got beat there in Feb '10. The game where Donavan missed an empty net.
Let's not be too downhearted until we actually get beat. We might pull off a bit of shock.
I just got 40/1 on Spurs to be winning at half time and us to win at full time. Stuck a fiver on it.
It's the same bet I put on the Charity Shield so hopefully I am on a bit of a roll. COYB.
Let's not be too downhearted until we actually get beat. We might pull off a bit of shock.
I just got 40/1 on Spurs to be winning at half time and us to win at full time. Stuck a fiver on it.
It's the same bet I put on the Charity Shield so hopefully I am on a bit of a roll. COYB.
That line up in awful. Considering how everyone bangs on about how Moyes has created the best team in years and we still go into the first game of the season with Osman out wide AGAIN every season because Moyes still hasn't signed a winger! And Heitinga in midfield?! AGAIN? He's a centre back?! And Anichebe/ Neville on the other flank? I think Tranmere have better options than that!
We seem to come up with the same solid problems year on year of playing players in their wrong positions and it's happening again this year. What is our motto, Nothing but the best is good enough?! Moyes and Kenwright should be reminded of this when we start the season with a midfield including Heitinga, Anichebe and poor Leon stuck on the wing!
We seem to come up with the same solid problems year on year of playing players in their wrong positions and it's happening again this year. What is our motto, Nothing but the best is good enough?! Moyes and Kenwright should be reminded of this when we start the season with a midfield including Heitinga, Anichebe and poor Leon stuck on the wing!
Oh...wait there Osman is injured according to the official site!
The following text from my brother in London....
"Following the riots and looting in Tottenham the number of away supporters expected to attend the match against Everton this Saturday is expected to be considerably less than previously anticipated due to Everton fans' fears that all the best stuff has already been stolen."
"Following the riots and looting in Tottenham the number of away supporters expected to attend the match against Everton this Saturday is expected to be considerably less than previously anticipated due to Everton fans' fears that all the best stuff has already been stolen."
?the best stuff has already been stolen?? Yeah right. They robbed an Aldi and a Carpet Right! Scruffy pricks!!
And I hear Spurs have signed a new Italian striker?.. Robatelli.
And I hear Spurs have signed a new Italian striker?.. Robatelli.
Adam@41 - its way worse than that down here mate, London is a state from North to South and East to West - the last 3 nights have been appalling down here, and no news bulletin can really comprehend how dreadful it's been for a lot of people.
I live in London, and I can tell you that last night in particular wasn't very comfortable for the city and I'd be really surprised if the Spurs game even goes ahead if the violence carries on this week.
Tottenham is a deprived area, and funny though it may seem to people outside of London, living here and being surrounded by violence, fires, people losing their homes, businesses, cars and property isn't funny in the slightest.
These scumbags have ruined their own communities for no good or rational reason - bandwagon jumpers the lot of them, and ill bet half of them have never even heard of Mark Duggan.
If the game is on, on Saturday, I would suggest getting to the ground quietly, don't go getting shitfaced in the pub beforehand, and leave quietly as well without pissing about. The old bill are out in force like you wouldn't believe, and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Everton fans could well be considered a target on the weekend, so just be sensible people and go for the game, not the row.
I'm suggesting you or anyone else would by the way, but just be mindful that its a really volatile area at the moment, and thousands of away supporters could become a target.
I live in London, and I can tell you that last night in particular wasn't very comfortable for the city and I'd be really surprised if the Spurs game even goes ahead if the violence carries on this week.
Tottenham is a deprived area, and funny though it may seem to people outside of London, living here and being surrounded by violence, fires, people losing their homes, businesses, cars and property isn't funny in the slightest.
These scumbags have ruined their own communities for no good or rational reason - bandwagon jumpers the lot of them, and ill bet half of them have never even heard of Mark Duggan.
If the game is on, on Saturday, I would suggest getting to the ground quietly, don't go getting shitfaced in the pub beforehand, and leave quietly as well without pissing about. The old bill are out in force like you wouldn't believe, and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Everton fans could well be considered a target on the weekend, so just be sensible people and go for the game, not the row.
I'm suggesting you or anyone else would by the way, but just be mindful that its a really volatile area at the moment, and thousands of away supporters could become a target.
**I'm NOT suggesting you or anyone else would by the way, but just be mindful that its a really volatile area at the moment, and thousands of away supporters could become a target.
I will not even try and select a team for Saturday. One good thing is no England game, due to the riot problem, plaguing the country at the minute, so we will get Baines and Jags back fit hopefully, and it's just been announced that Pienaar will miss the first six weeks of the season, for Harry's lot due to groin injury.
I'm not asking for a gung ho approach but a positive team selection and go at Spurs early on in the game and put them under pressure could be the order of the day. Spurs haven't had a good summer break themselves, with all the unrest with Modric and their lack of transfer activity. They wiil be favourites to win the game in front of their own fans so lets get that early goal and see if we can pile some pressure on them.
Ok, I think Moyes just wanted to give some match practice to Neville and Hibbert, along with all the others that played against Villarreal.
Now the team that will be picked is obvious in Moyes's mind: 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 Howard; Neville, Jags, Distin, Baines; Barkley, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman; Cahill and Saha. He will start with this formation, that is a given. I only hope that he leaves Anichebe out of the first eleven, but I feel he will put him on the right side of midfield.
Anichebe is not quite ready as far as match fitness goes, neither is the rest of the team but he would be wise to leave him out. I hope and cross my fingers Gueye and Barkley get a start and Saha plus beckford upfront, if they play as 4-4-2 or just behind in 4-4-1-1 it is all the same as Moyes WILL demand them back doing defensive work.
I understand Moyes formation in theory, but in real life Anichebe and Heitinga has no place in midfield.
I certainly hope Moyes does not continue with his protest team picking to show kenwright what a poor side he has to deal with. I firmly belive that we do have a good team if you exclude Anichebe and Heitinga. Also Rodwell to me is a poor footballer and should be with reserves at this moment in time just because of his poor form.
I hope we win against Spurs but I think the best we can hope for is a draw.
If the game doesn't go ahead this weekend, does anyone else think it might still be worthwhile Moyes taking the lads down to Tottenham anyway?
Moyes is quite good at shutting up shop and protecting what he's got. We can get Hibbo and Neville to launch a few high ones and Anichebe can look menacing without actually attacking.
Moyes might be able to pick up a few bargains whilst he's down there.
Moyes is quite good at shutting up shop and protecting what he's got. We can get Hibbo and Neville to launch a few high ones and Anichebe can look menacing without actually attacking.
Moyes might be able to pick up a few bargains whilst he's down there.
Your squad will probably be about right Tom. You have 7 defenders in your outfield 10 if you count Rodwell who is meant to be a future centre back. I can certainly believe that DM will start with that at WHL and the remaining 37 games given half a chance.
Wouldn't put it past that team to park the bus and grab a goal, but either way we're likely to be playing most of the match in our own half with the occasional hoof to beckford or saha.
On a positive note, I'd really like to see DM switch the formation around and play:
Hibbo Jags Distin Baines
Fellaini
Rodwell Barkley
Arteta Bily
Saha
With arteta, bily and saha given licence to cause havoc and move where they like, rodwell and barkley able to move forward when able, and felli protecting a standard back 4. Not as much width as DM's usual formations, but I think it suits our players better since we lack pace and wingers.
Wouldn't put it past that team to park the bus and grab a goal, but either way we're likely to be playing most of the match in our own half with the occasional hoof to beckford or saha.
On a positive note, I'd really like to see DM switch the formation around and play:
Hibbo Jags Distin Baines
Fellaini
Rodwell Barkley
Arteta Bily
Saha
With arteta, bily and saha given licence to cause havoc and move where they like, rodwell and barkley able to move forward when able, and felli protecting a standard back 4. Not as much width as DM's usual formations, but I think it suits our players better since we lack pace and wingers.
The game is now off as Tottenham High Road will not be given back to LA control till Friday night, so no safety certificate.
So by the time the game is re-arranged, there'll be all the new last minute signings to include, and the returning Coleman, Arteta (like new signings) etc.
Typical Everton, no points from first game etc.
So by the time the game is re-arranged, there'll be all the new last minute signings to include, and the returning Coleman, Arteta (like new signings) etc.
Typical Everton, no points from first game etc.
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1 Posted 08/08/2011 at 17:01:55
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Oh and you missed Anichebe off the list, he is Moyes's new golden boy who can play as shit as he likes and still get picked. Turns out Dirk Shite has scored more at Goodison than this excuse of a footballer.