Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
What if we lose to Tamworth?
57 Comments: Amongst all the discontent, I have at the back of my mind a real "What if" question that nobody seems to be considering. It stems from a real fear at the back of my mind.
I really do think our current crisis could come to a peak this weekend. I really believe we could be on the brink of an FA Cup Third Round cup to Tamworth. If not on Saturday, maybe after a replay.
I can just see a number of fringe players getting a run-out. Tamworth are up for this. They will make more noise than us off the pitch and will look to play the game of their lives on it. That momentum may mean a Championship quality performance by them. I fear that we may find it tough to match considering our current predicament.
If we go out, it will be the biggest FA Cup shock in 40 years. It will be our worst cup exit ever.
If it comes to past. What then for Moyes? What then for Everton? I may be totally wrong and we may get through in a battle or at a canter... But I have a bad feeling about this.
Neil Smith, Posted 06/01/2012 at 09:29:44
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In common with all true Evertonians, I wish (and unrealistically expect) us to win every game. There`s no way we can do other than that on Saturday and the bookies accept that by offering up to 20/1 against a Tamworth victory.
But just for one moment, let's think the unthinkable ?although the furthest I'm prepared to go is that we need a replay to make progress to Round 4!
Would that mean the end for David Moyes? Would this 'very proud man' fall on his sword or would 'the greatest Evertonian' finally awaken from his slumber of self-delusion and say 'enough is enough'?
The answer is probably that neither would happen and we should again be treated to the sick-making spin put on similar failures to beat lower level teams.
But ? and this is the big one ? would it finally wake up the apologists, the local press, and the secret stakeholders to the reality that `our man` is out of time and should therefore be out of a job?
And please, oh please, don`t tell me "Who could possibly do better?"
But just for one moment, let's think the unthinkable ?although the furthest I'm prepared to go is that we need a replay to make progress to Round 4!
Would that mean the end for David Moyes? Would this 'very proud man' fall on his sword or would 'the greatest Evertonian' finally awaken from his slumber of self-delusion and say 'enough is enough'?
The answer is probably that neither would happen and we should again be treated to the sick-making spin put on similar failures to beat lower level teams.
But ? and this is the big one ? would it finally wake up the apologists, the local press, and the secret stakeholders to the reality that `our man` is out of time and should therefore be out of a job?
And please, oh please, don`t tell me "Who could possibly do better?"
Kevin Brock-style backpass, 2-1 Everton, Everton go on to win the cup.
You heard it here first.
You heard it here first.
Are we really in a 'crisis'? I think it really could be a whole lot worse.
Lets hope he uses this as a chance to see some fringe players in action, though it looks like Barkley is injured. And please drop Cahill Saha and Neville!!!!!!!!!
I hope they completely out-play us and cause the biggest upset of all time, for obvious reasons... cos SOMETHING big needs to change!!
After the West Brom game there was no fear attached to the vist of Tamworth,a team of part timers half way down the Blue Square.However,defeat by Bolton and a few injuries and we seem to be quaking in our boots.If the unthinkable does happen,let us not blame Moyes or Kenwright(for a change!) but the guys who wear the Blue shirts on the pitch.There has to be enough quality,exprience and commitment(at home!) to beat the men from Tamworth.
I can't see even us losing to tamworth. We might not be able to score in the premiership at the moment, but against a team ranked so low I would expect us to put 4+ past them.
If you're looking for a cup upset, then I'd be looking at swindon turning over wigan, blackburn doing newcastle, and cardiff putting up a good fist of it at WBA.
If you're looking for a cup upset, then I'd be looking at swindon turning over wigan, blackburn doing newcastle, and cardiff putting up a good fist of it at WBA.
No Cahill, Rodwell, Osman, Jagielka or Hibbert. Heitinga should surely be moved to the back meaning Moyes has to either plug his midfield with Neville or shift him to right back. Barring the return of one of the aforementioned players or Fellaini, this means someone different has to get a run out either at right back or in midfield. The fact that a 22 year old international player with top flight football is considered a gamble at RB by Moyes is a joke in itself but perhaps Seamus will get a run out at RB. Although I never want to see players injured I am half hoping that Fellaini doesn't make it back for this game just to see what Moyes will actually do. Bilyaletdinov might actually have to play in the middle alongside Neville - we will probably have to go 2 up top due to the lack of midfielders.
I have always been an ardent Moyes supporter on this site but that doesn't mean that any of the recent team line ups have been acceptable. I'm sick of seeing this ridculous sfatey first approach to team selection. Like when our centrebacks are injured Hibbert and Neville always slot in, Cahill slots in upfront when there aren't any strikers, its absolutely ridiculous. If Shane Duffy or whoever is the best reserve centre back is not better than Hibbert in that CB slot then they may as well hang up their boots now. Same for the reserve strikers, surely after playing that position all their lives they would carry more threat than a converted midfielder. Similarly in the last few games before Barkley got injured, if Neville and Heitinga are getting in ahead of you then what message does that send ot him? If he's not better than them he needs to quit now, if he is then he needs to play!
It is a real shame he's not fit for tomorrow because I think Moyes under unbearable pressure would have had to play him, there are simply no more slow yarddog defensive (or rather not even very good defensive) experienced pros left to chuck in. So here's hoping for a chance to see if Bily could ever make it in the middle, a wing combo of Drenthe and Donovan and two upfront with a load of young fast players out there who are tactically unsound, are selfish, attempt ridiculous shots and know nothing about defending!
If I get to Goodison and see Fellaini and Neville in midifield with Anichebe and McFadden out wide and Saha up top, I might just leave.
I have always been an ardent Moyes supporter on this site but that doesn't mean that any of the recent team line ups have been acceptable. I'm sick of seeing this ridculous sfatey first approach to team selection. Like when our centrebacks are injured Hibbert and Neville always slot in, Cahill slots in upfront when there aren't any strikers, its absolutely ridiculous. If Shane Duffy or whoever is the best reserve centre back is not better than Hibbert in that CB slot then they may as well hang up their boots now. Same for the reserve strikers, surely after playing that position all their lives they would carry more threat than a converted midfielder. Similarly in the last few games before Barkley got injured, if Neville and Heitinga are getting in ahead of you then what message does that send ot him? If he's not better than them he needs to quit now, if he is then he needs to play!
It is a real shame he's not fit for tomorrow because I think Moyes under unbearable pressure would have had to play him, there are simply no more slow yarddog defensive (or rather not even very good defensive) experienced pros left to chuck in. So here's hoping for a chance to see if Bily could ever make it in the middle, a wing combo of Drenthe and Donovan and two upfront with a load of young fast players out there who are tactically unsound, are selfish, attempt ridiculous shots and know nothing about defending!
If I get to Goodison and see Fellaini and Neville in midifield with Anichebe and McFadden out wide and Saha up top, I might just leave.
I can't see us losing, nothing less than a good hold fashioned walloping of five or more goals, some entertainment and abit of a confidence boost for the team should be the order of the day.
Then again we all know what we're like, so i'll take a scrappy 1-0 to get us through. (Fuck me i'm starting to sound as depressing as Moyesy).
Then again we all know what we're like, so i'll take a scrappy 1-0 to get us through. (Fuck me i'm starting to sound as depressing as Moyesy).
I would like to see Strac or McAleny and Velios up front, Coleman right back and maybe a youngster at left back to give our only creative player a well earned rest and save him for Spurs. Put Felli in with Bily in the middle, Drenthe one wing, and MAYBE Anichebe on the other 1. To keep Neville out the team and 2. To build up his match fitness. Give Cahill and Saha the rest of the seaon off.
Wow, 11th in the Premiership and we're asking, with one defeat in five, what if we lose to Tamworth. Its akin to Alan Partridge asking 'what if my arm bursts?'
I'll go against the grain and say that I'd like to see a fairly strong line-up and saha MUST start.
He is in desperate need of a couple of goals, and this is the perfect opportunity against poor opposition to get his shooting boots back. I don't really care who partners him; there'd be merit in starting cahill up top with him for the same reason, although I'd prefer velios if fit.
We are so reliant on baines that he must not play, we can't risk him.
Rodwell and drenthe both need match fitness, so I'd start them, and I'm sure landon will start (he's only here for a short while, use him to the maximum).
He is in desperate need of a couple of goals, and this is the perfect opportunity against poor opposition to get his shooting boots back. I don't really care who partners him; there'd be merit in starting cahill up top with him for the same reason, although I'd prefer velios if fit.
We are so reliant on baines that he must not play, we can't risk him.
Rodwell and drenthe both need match fitness, so I'd start them, and I'm sure landon will start (he's only here for a short while, use him to the maximum).
Forget my Anichebe on the right comment.........I forgot we have Landon!
James, Coleman is injured.
Jeremy, Rodwell and Drenthe are injured/unwell
I would love to see Baines rested, as he has been pulling at his groin recently (oh err missus) and hasn't been taking the corners so is probably slightly injured.
Give Bily a game and Cahill to see if he can break his duck
Jeremy, Rodwell and Drenthe are injured/unwell
I would love to see Baines rested, as he has been pulling at his groin recently (oh err missus) and hasn't been taking the corners so is probably slightly injured.
Give Bily a game and Cahill to see if he can break his duck
If rodwell isn't fit, then neville is stick-on for playing the center, with who is anyone's guess...maybe with bily and gueye starting out on the left.
Regardless of how shite we have been and the injuries this season, even I cannot imagine us losing to a non-league side at home.
Even with our injuries, I would have thought a premiership club's youth or reserve team would be good enough to beat a non-league side.
Am not going to entertain the thought but fuck me would it put the cat amongst the pigeons for the board and manager! Lose at home to the bottom club and then get knocked out of the cup immediately after by a non-league side! Followed dare I say by a tonking at WHL - mmm, think the R word would start to rear its head......
simply will not happen, simply will not happen, (if you say it enough times it will come true)...
Even with our injuries, I would have thought a premiership club's youth or reserve team would be good enough to beat a non-league side.
Am not going to entertain the thought but fuck me would it put the cat amongst the pigeons for the board and manager! Lose at home to the bottom club and then get knocked out of the cup immediately after by a non-league side! Followed dare I say by a tonking at WHL - mmm, think the R word would start to rear its head......
simply will not happen, simply will not happen, (if you say it enough times it will come true)...
It's probably too late...but wouldn't it be nice (even if for a swansong) to finally see bily in his normal position in the hole behind a striker?
Then again, how gutted would we be if we win 8-0, he assists 4, scores twice, and then disappears off to a russian side in a weeks time...
Then again, how gutted would we be if we win 8-0, he assists 4, scores twice, and then disappears off to a russian side in a weeks time...
Going to this and taking my girls for their first ever game. What could possibly go wrong? Although I am also taking the red-supporting missus too.
#2 Phil, I backed Blackburn the other day @25/1 to beat Utd and also I had a bit of 14/1 for Villa to do Chelsea ( not in a double unfortunately ) so the fact that you can get 20/1 Tamworth shows what the bookies think can happen. If we were at full strength, then its a straightforward comfortable win.. but as Neil says in his original post, I too have a funny feeling about this game, as its coming along at completely the wrong time for the club.
For the record, Tamworth shipped 5 the other day, and they are poor..
Oldham are 16/1 tonight at Anfield by the way !!
For the record, Tamworth shipped 5 the other day, and they are poor..
Oldham are 16/1 tonight at Anfield by the way !!
#18 Stu... have your girls been bad at school then ??
Seriously, I hope they enjoy the game...
Seriously, I hope they enjoy the game...
Tony #6, what sort of supporter wants the Blues to be knocked out of the cup in humiliating fashion? I hope that your comment is merely an expression of frustration because if it isn't I wouldn't want you at Goodison tomorrow.
Oldham knocked us out one year at home.
Shrewsbury dumped us out when we had Rooney. I think if memory serves, Shrewsbury got relegated from the Football League that year.
Let's face it, Moyes' cup pedigree against "lesser teams" isn't superb is it?
Shrewsbury dumped us out when we had Rooney. I think if memory serves, Shrewsbury got relegated from the Football League that year.
Let's face it, Moyes' cup pedigree against "lesser teams" isn't superb is it?
Couldnt be arsed what price Tamworth are no offence to any Tamworth fans on here but this is your cup final enjoy the day. You will beating by at least 4 goals I know we are shite but for fuck sake we are playing a non league team.
I think it simportant to shit or bust in this one and although it goes against Moyes philosophy I would advocate all out attack and forget safety first.
Very few of the tamworth tean will have played on a premiership pitch and if we can get the Goodison crowd warmed up we could be in for a rare goal fest.
Anything else does not bear thinking about and injuries should be no excuse.
I would play
Howard
Neville Duffy Distin Baines
Donovan Cahill Felli (if fit) Drenthe (if fit)
Velios Anichebe
If Felli and or Drenthe are not fit I would play Billy and Gueye
I am assuming that Coleman,Ossie,Jags,Barclay etc are not fit
Very few of the tamworth tean will have played on a premiership pitch and if we can get the Goodison crowd warmed up we could be in for a rare goal fest.
Anything else does not bear thinking about and injuries should be no excuse.
I would play
Howard
Neville Duffy Distin Baines
Donovan Cahill Felli (if fit) Drenthe (if fit)
Velios Anichebe
If Felli and or Drenthe are not fit I would play Billy and Gueye
I am assuming that Coleman,Ossie,Jags,Barclay etc are not fit
We will probably batter them because I have decided not to go.
I'd play Cahill in his rightful position in midfield. Leave Baines, Distin, Neville and Saha on the bench.
Mucha
Hibbert Heitinga Duffy Drenthe
Donovan Cahill Billy Magaye
Stracqualursi Vellios
Bench: Howard, Neville, Distin, Baines, Rodwell, McAleny, Anichebe
This team would get turned over in the league but against lowly opposition we should completely dominate. It's crucial that Moyes allows them to attack though. A holding game without the right players is a recipe for disaster and vice versa.
Mucha
Hibbert Heitinga Duffy Drenthe
Donovan Cahill Billy Magaye
Stracqualursi Vellios
Bench: Howard, Neville, Distin, Baines, Rodwell, McAleny, Anichebe
This team would get turned over in the league but against lowly opposition we should completely dominate. It's crucial that Moyes allows them to attack though. A holding game without the right players is a recipe for disaster and vice versa.
I tend to agree with Jay@24.
The worst thing we could do is pay them too much respect and find ourselves at halftime at 0-0.
High tempo first 30 to make sure we have a comfortable 2 goal lead, then don't take our foot off the throats.
The worst thing we could do is pay them too much respect and find ourselves at halftime at 0-0.
High tempo first 30 to make sure we have a comfortable 2 goal lead, then don't take our foot off the throats.
5-0 to Everton
then next day we will all be getting told that moyes is once again the worlds best manager by the usual crowd.
then next day we will all be getting told that moyes is once again the worlds best manager by the usual crowd.
That doesn't happen even with me Doddy and Tunstead Colin.
Just watched Moyes get interviewed and he suggested that Felli and Drenthe will play and that he has "options" for the game. He also said that he is in the "loan" market
Ben 26, Hibbo's injured. I'd also use this game to give Distin & JH some time together so that they can get positional sense within the partnership without too much pressure.
If we lost tommorow I could see even the 'Moyes is our Moyesiah' and 'he's a True Blue is Bill' wimps amongst our support to be finally woken from their slumber and joining a mass Moyes/Kenwright Out demo on Goodison Road.
Ben Howard #26.
Drenthe at LEFT BACK???????????
Are you David Moyes in disguise??????
Drenthe at LEFT BACK???????????
Are you David Moyes in disguise??????
Stu 18. You must really hate your missus!!
I secretly wanted Croatia to beat England at Wembley and stop us going to Euro 2008 because I knew that McClaren was not a manager I could ever enjoy watching England under.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Ste, Moyes would play a defender in an advanced position - I'm saying play an attacker as a wing back. Surely that makes me the antithisis of Moyes? And I'd actually play Saha in goal to give him some shooting practice.
Mark Riding#19, you don't work for a far east betting syndicate do you?
It will be like taking a knife to a gunfight for Tamworth.
Moyes to set up defensively, and then hope to nick one!
Moyes to set up defensively, and then hope to nick one!
David, I wish I did... I wouldn't have lost a fair bit stupidly backing us the other night, and for the 4th game running... Don't laugh now. backing Saha & Cahill to score in the 90 minute markets! (Although Bolton were 8/1 to win... hindsight eh!)
We won't lose to Tamworth.
Incidentally, Mark, where are you getting these huge odds? 25s Blackburn? That's nine points better than the high street and better than anything I could see on Betfair. Good luck to you. 8s Bolton, likewise.
Incidentally, Mark, where are you getting these huge odds? 25s Blackburn? That's nine points better than the high street and better than anything I could see on Betfair. Good luck to you. 8s Bolton, likewise.
Just back from the Freshy with `five under` after work. This thread is so ridiculous that, if Everton don`t win tomorrow, I hereby promise NEVER to post in support of Moyes again!
Bloody hell,Doddy,you must be well pissed! I`d hate Everton to lose but on the other hand........
What happens if we lose to Tamworth?
Toffeeweb's server crashes.
Toffeeweb's server crashes.
You simply can't guarantee a win with this team against anyone and that would including a bloody sunday league pub team. The balance is all wrong, the formation is bloated with defenders, no creativity and the most useless strikeforce I've seen in many years, its pretty shit when your keeper has more goals than your manager's favourite strike force of Cahill and Saha this season.
I've not bothered to buy a ticket for any cup games this season after years of the auto cup enrollment on my season ticket and I've not missed it a bit. A banana peel with our name written all over it. It hurts me to think of Everton lose any game but this is one utterly abysmal team that looks petrified and devoid of ideas or ability the way its playing this season.
I've not bothered to buy a ticket for any cup games this season after years of the auto cup enrollment on my season ticket and I've not missed it a bit. A banana peel with our name written all over it. It hurts me to think of Everton lose any game but this is one utterly abysmal team that looks petrified and devoid of ideas or ability the way its playing this season.
Andy, don't want to keep talking odds, as the Tamworth game is the thread.
8/1 was available on Betfair before kick off for Bolton... when us daft Evertonians saw that, we were going 4-4-2 and must have all got stuck into the Blues at 1/2... Blackburn were Coral's biggest ever price for a Premier League team and they went 22/1 on their coupon, and Betfair then went 25/1.
If you scroll through the other links on Toffeeweb below, it was reported in the press that an Everton fan had an acca up that paid loads (not me!)
8/1 was available on Betfair before kick off for Bolton... when us daft Evertonians saw that, we were going 4-4-2 and must have all got stuck into the Blues at 1/2... Blackburn were Coral's biggest ever price for a Premier League team and they went 22/1 on their coupon, and Betfair then went 25/1.
If you scroll through the other links on Toffeeweb below, it was reported in the press that an Everton fan had an acca up that paid loads (not me!)
Mark, not doubting you... in fact envying you. I enjoyed the Blackburn win immensely and can only imagine how much sweeter it would have been to be on at 25s. By the way, feel free to share any similar notions you might have.
Andy, Blackburn went 2-0 up at Old Trafford, and it then went 2-2... envy that ?? Wrote it off as a loser.
#6 Tony Graham- You are no Everton fan. No matter what a proper Everton fan never wants us too lose. Get a life. You may disagree with the regime but that's irrelevant as we support ONE team.
The original question was,'what if we lose to Tamworth'.
The answer is 'TAXI !!
The answer is 'TAXI !!
Chris #4, look at the accounts lad, a £14 million loss in 1 year if we had not sold Bellefield.
And on top of the debt, £35 million in net liabilities, meaning if we sell everything we own (which is now only players) we'd still owe £35 million.
Could be worse you say?
And on top of the debt, £35 million in net liabilities, meaning if we sell everything we own (which is now only players) we'd still owe £35 million.
Could be worse you say?
Eric, your "we'd still owe £35m" is not really true, though, as the acoounts only carry the players' values as their original cost less subsequent amortisation.
The accounts don't reflect their current valuation.
To be fair, though, I'm not sure we'd even get the accounts value for some of them! And yes, that includes players we got on a free!
The accounts don't reflect their current valuation.
To be fair, though, I'm not sure we'd even get the accounts value for some of them! And yes, that includes players we got on a free!
A word to Davy, this is no time to try any of your new fangled entertainment stuff. No need to confuse the lads with something they are not used to.
One of your usual low scoring ordinary kind of games should do the job.
One of your usual low scoring ordinary kind of games should do the job.
I make it Hibbert, Jagielka, Rodwell, Osman, Barkley & Cahill definitely out, with Coleman, Fellaini & Drenthe perhaps back and available. So for me, I think Moyes should play:
Mucha
Coleman Heitinga Distin Neville
Drenthe Fellaini Bilyaletdinov Gueye
Saha Donovan
Subs: Hannehmann, Baines, Duffy, McFaden, Anichebe, Stracqualursi, Vellios
Unless I've missed anyone, I can't see many other options, and I agree with a poster above about Baines - he felt his left groin 2 or 3 times in the latter stages of Weds game and we really can't afford to lose him!
Mucha
Coleman Heitinga Distin Neville
Drenthe Fellaini Bilyaletdinov Gueye
Saha Donovan
Subs: Hannehmann, Baines, Duffy, McFaden, Anichebe, Stracqualursi, Vellios
Unless I've missed anyone, I can't see many other options, and I agree with a poster above about Baines - he felt his left groin 2 or 3 times in the latter stages of Weds game and we really can't afford to lose him!
Ste, Moyes would play a defender in an advanced position - I'm saying play an attacker as a wing back. Surely that makes me the antithisis of Moyes? And I'd actually play Saha in goal to give him some shooting practice.
I'm worried, confidence is so low and we don't score enough, the longer it stays 0-0 the more chance they can nick it 1-0.
Ste, Moyes would play a defender in an advanced position - I'm saying play an attacker as a wing back. Surely that makes me the antithisis of Moyes? And I'd actually play Saha in goal to give him some shooting practice.
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1 Posted 06/01/2012 at 15:03:38
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