Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Damage limitation? No thanks!
17 Comments: Before getting onto the main topic of this post, i'd like to state that I am still in favour of Moyes remaining in charge of the club, but only just. If he were to go now, I think that we could spiral into a far worse position than we already are. However, his recent tactics and decision making have been nothing short of depressing.
After the City game and his policy of playing with no strikers on the pitch I could sympathise with him a little despite the fact that we have beaten them the past few seasons. The derby was a write off because of an appalling refereeing decision, the game on Saturday at Chelsea was just sheer negativity though and really pissed me off.
Okay, lining up 4-5-1 was relatively attacking for Moyes and understandable going away to Chelsea, but at the same time the whole thing is just beyond predictable now and hasn't really worked for some time. If the majority of the fans can see it, I just don't understand why Moyes is persisting with it? He's got players sitting kicking their heels, most notably, Drenthe, Vellios and Barkley, who can all offer us something different and unpredictable to other teams but won't seem to use them!
For me, apart from Baines and Distin, no one in the current starting 11 could have any complaints if they were to be dropped. For Moyes to come out today and bascially imply that Barkley isn't in contention because of possible mistakes he may make is unbelievable. It's got to a point now where I would be much more content seeing us get beat by 5 if we have had a go and attacked the opposition, rather than trying to nick a one nil and ultimately getting beat fairly easily.
Things need to change and soon. Sometimes it's almost as if Moyes is still relying on the once secret 4-5-1 weapon which he used so successfully in 04/05 when we came 4th. The reality is though, this tactic was found out a couple of seasons ago and has gone stale. It's sad to see the crowds drop at Goodison this season but I don't think the club can expect people to keep turning up and paying good, hard earned money to watch football which they cannot get excited about. Moyes needs to change his negative, damage-limitation tactics before the fans really start to turn on him.
Coyb
Matt Roache, Posted 18/10/2011 at 18:57:06
Comments
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Its not that 4-5-1 has gone stale, for me its more that we don't have the players to do it any more. We've had a fluid, active midfield which has also proved strong in defence. Unfortunately we don't have the same quality. Rodwell provides very little and sadly Cahill who was once a wrecking ball is now seemingly finished. Add to this the failure to replace Pienaar, Donovan and Arteta and you're left with not very much.
What we do have is some young talent and new signings. Having two up doesn't necessarily mean you score more goals, but for us Moyes preferred 4-5-1 is no longer an option.
The lack of money is the fundamental cause of our problems. It has prevented Moyes from getting players in to continue his favoured style. What he needs to do now is change. His approach isn't wrong, he just hasn't got the tools for the job anymore. Give your players another option, Davey.
I am of the view, and have said it before, that the persistent lack of new faces is like a disease that eats away at all that Moyes has built. The players that are currently at the club become complacent (see recent defending for evidence), those players also get older and generally start going downhill (Cahill, Neville, Saha, Osman etc) and there is then no way to address the slide without new faces but they cost money!
I have always been pro-Moyes but I am slowly turning given the negative tactics and the fact that there really isnt anything to get excited about concerning Everrton Football Club.
Just to deal with one final point: I fully trust Moyes in relation to his assessment of a players quality. Coleman clearly doesnt have the defensive ability to be trusted at full back (see Chelsea goal) and Barkley doesn't yet have the football brain he should have... maybe linked to his two years out of the game through injuries.
After a while I became tired of visiting old kitty, upon realising my reluctance my Mother asked me why I didnt want to visit, my answer went something like " I dont mind visiting Kitty, Ma its the biscuits". I get the same feeling nowadays when I visit Goodison Park, I still love the old place dearly but the same sense of staleness with the product on offer resonates.
Howard (GK)
Coleman (DR) Heitinga (DC) Distin (DC) Baines (DL)
Neville (DMC)
Fellaini (BOX TO BOX) Rodwell (BOX TO BOX)
Barkley/Gueye Drenthe
(WIDE FORWARD/AMC/FREE ROLE)
Saha
(LONE STRIKER)
that system looks flexable and solid enough, sure both full backs arn't the best defensively but with Neville playing the holding role it gives them the license to go forward
Barkley/Drenthe/Gueye, 2 of those can play wide or through the middle and basically they can have the license to roam and support Saha
We'd have pace and more directness in that team with players who are capapble at running at defences and commiting them
We have Timmie who hasn't really achieved anything since January when he was injured playing for Oz. That's a long time to be ineffective.
Jags has also been sub-par since last season's injury. Distin has been pretty consistant although getting long in the tooth. We don't have a really good right back despite a few players appearing there.
Midfield is our biggest problem because of the system Moyes employs constantly match after match.
Now that Arteta has gone the midfield is like a ship without a rudder. When Arteta was on song we could match strides with most teams but not any more.
It doesn't help that Moyes doesn't seem to have much faith yet in Drenthe or Barkley or persists with weak-kneed Osman. Others such as Neville,Biley and Heitinga seem to be out of favour.
I am still waiting for Rodwell to really have a big impact as a midfielder this season and the same goes for Coleman.
The offence sputters because of the problems elsewhere notwithstanding the fact Moyes sent 3 forwards packing.
Fellaini,Howard and Baines are playing well.
All this adds up to a team that will compete but have difficulty getting points.
Although Kenright is crying poverty we have wonder why and also why Everton of all clubs cannot get an investor.
Having said that ,the product on the field is underachieving and appears at times unmotivated which and this must lie on Moye's shoulders despite what some of his supporters are saying some of which are players.
There needs to be some big changes but Moyes seems unwilling to give a kick up the backside to some of these players by dropping them for a few games.
Things won't get any easier this month with a visit to Fulham (another unhappy hunting ground) and games against Chelsea and Manure.
Also, how is reserve team football good for these lads anyway? And what is it doing to their confidence not being involved regularly? If i was them i wouldnt feel like i was being taken seriously at all.
Again of course without being too basic this all comes down to money or lack thereof. How the hell do you solve glaring problems such as we need a decent RB or a 20 goals a season man without a pot to piss in?
Neil, It is indeed the right time for a change round, but only because there really isnt a choice. What i find difficult about Moyes detractors is the failure to recognise just how well Moyes has done with his approach. Theres a constant denial and a failure to recognise the context for Moyes achievements. No one anywhere has come as close as use in breaking the mopnopoly of the money clubs. I want to win things, and do better but the whole thing is stitched up!
Whichever view you have I now believe Moyes has had his options reduced. The problem is he knows that clubs who prioritise the attack so often are left to regret it come the end of the season. Bolton West Ham Blackpol and Sunderland all did it last year and finished below us or relegated. These teams were praise for their approach. Moyes knows theres a good chance it wont work.
Everyone, including a load of Championship sides has spent more that us. Does that mean we might as well pack up now as Moyes thinks ONLY money matters???
This is the man who has bucked the trend in recent years apparently throwing in the towel. MY biggest gripe is that Moyes NOW believes he CAN'T do anything without money ... YET he still supports the board.
Priceless!
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1 Posted 18/10/2011 at 23:17:42
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