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Room for Optimism

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After a dull first half of the season, it's back to roaring good times, something of a familiar pattern portrayed during past couple of seasons.

The room for optimism is not only for the stats of nine unbeaten matches, but also for individual and team performances. Reason?

1) Jelavic. Not seen much of his playing techniques till today, but once he has settled down, damn... we've got our very own Goodison Lord Messi!

2) Stracq and Cahill partnership. Ok, I know that Cahill has been anonymous for a few games and has not been on form. But I can see that he has put in a great shift for the past couple of games and as for Stracq, he's turning out to be the next Duncan Ferguson in the making. Somehow I have hope that this partnership would flourish during the run in.

3) Heitinga. Time and again, he's proving that his best position is CB. And judging from today's performance, he should be starting as CB every game.

4) Depth on the flanks. Finally! Drenthe, Coleman, Pienaar, Gueye, Baxter and McFadden. Pick your choice!

5) Fellaini. Another MotM performance. He's becoming the thick-of-the-action king in central midfield. We still got Gibson right? Guess the master blaster and big fella would be a very good combination.

6) The return of the injured. Osman, Rodwell, Jagielka and Anichebe all returning back to first team action. Bodes well for squad rotation during the run in.

7) Howard. Once again the No 1 custodian was a pillar of strength between the posts against a Tottenham onslaught. Couldn't be happier that he has extended his contract.

8) Glimpse of passing football. Something I saw in the first half today. Now am I daring to believe a replica of 2007-08 or 2008-09 season?

Vinod Kumar, Singapore Posted 11/03/2012 at 01:15:27

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Ryan Rosenberg
721 Posted 11/03/2012 at 08:09:38

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I think you are overestimating our quality on the flanks. Only Drenthe/Pienaar look the real deal, and they are both on loan. Gueye, Baxter and McFadden have all looked out of depth when they have played. I like Jelavic. He isn't one of takes on players, but technically he is very good - he's a poacher.

Martin Mason
724 Posted 11/03/2012 at 08:15:20

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I like it Vinod and I also feel a flow of optimism where none existed. Usually when I see our squad as real strength and the optimism is flowing fast I get brought down to earth with a performance out of the depths of despair. Tuesday's game will tell a lot about where we really are though; we've been diabolical against Liverpool recently and we need that to change.

Brian Waring
729 Posted 11/03/2012 at 08:46:06

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Fellaini played well, but Osman was MOM for me. Not going to say too much about Jelavic, because I don't want to put the mockers on him, but maybe, just maybe......

Phil Brown
735 Posted 11/03/2012 at 08:52:41

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Not too sure yet about Jelavioc (only one game): he's overly one-footed and takes too many touches meaning that he gets the ball taken off him alot. Took his goal well though and hopefully he will adjust his play to what's required in the Premier league.

Paul Gladwell
744 Posted 11/03/2012 at 09:19:29

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I heard Fellaini is a booking away fr a ban?if true I would rest him on Tuesday,Saturday is the one now.

Jon Ferguson
747 Posted 11/03/2012 at 09:32:13

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Tough call that Paul. I can't imagine Felli not getting a booking in the derby, and the FA Cup is more of a priority than the league right now BUT it's them, they don't look good right now and we go ahead of them if we win. See how much support Dalgleish has if that was to happen.
COYB

Dave Roberts
789 Posted 11/03/2012 at 11:09:11

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Jelavic only needed one touch for his goal!

He reminded me of Alan Clarke (Wayne's older brother) at Leeds. Same build, looks similar, moves like him and the goal was reminiscent of Clarke too.

Praise indeed....hope it's justified.

Simon Atkins
812 Posted 11/03/2012 at 11:54:45

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The good times are back! Well, sort of. Yes, we have had a good run but I think we need to be cautiously optimistic rather than going OTT like some of this post.

Osman was superb first half and then (understandably) faded in the second. I would sign up Drenthe in a heart beat, infuriating one minute, capable of winning a game on his own the next. We haven't had that for far too long and Moyes needs to embrace that, not alienate him.

Overall though some real positives which has improved my mood.

What would really top it off would be a win at that place on Tuesday to go above them! Long live 'King' Kenny!!?!?!

Carl Sanderson
816 Posted 11/03/2012 at 12:10:45

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Paul,

Alas, it's nailed on that Felli will pick up a booking on Tuesday. Nothing is more certain, in my opinion.

Brian Lawlor
823 Posted 11/03/2012 at 12:20:56

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Fellaini is not a booking away from suspension. He's had 5 bookings this season and there was an amnesty on bookings at the start of the year and he's had 2 since then meaning he's 3 bookings away from a ban.

Mick MacManus
829 Posted 11/03/2012 at 12:47:30

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Great team performance yesterday. Noticed Cahill has lost a vital half yard of pace though. I think he can no longer be first choice, better suited as am impact player.

Felliani continues to impress. What a top top player he has become.

Richard Reeves
884 Posted 11/03/2012 at 17:44:28

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Jelavic looks like he could be a class act and I like Stracq, he gives everything for the cause like the old fashioned centre-forward. Fellaini is playing well and things are looking fairly positive for the remainder of the season... but optimistic? My optimism almost disappeared when Kenright was applauded at Goodison when he should have been booed.

The worst case scenario has just played out in front of my eyes with talk of another five-year contract on the table for Moyes so the only optimism I have these days is with the Blue Union and the hope that one day Moyes will receive an offer from another club and actually have the guts to take it.

Jimmy Sørheim
921 Posted 11/03/2012 at 22:09:08

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Point number 2. Cahill is out of form, his worst season by miles. I just can not see Cahill doing anything good anymore, he looks finished!!

And for Straq, I really have to object to your trying to put Sraq up there with Duncan Ferguson, that is just insulting as Straq is nowhere near him, and his lack of skills and pace show that.
His strength is a lot weaker then Duncan`s too.
SO no, the only player up front including Jelavic who I think have a bright future is Vellios, I would play Vellios before Straq anytime of the year!!!

Seamus Murphy
936 Posted 11/03/2012 at 23:25:22

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Vellios has had a very raw deal Jimmy. Scored 3 goals in his handful of substitute appearances, started 1 game in December and pretty much hasn't been seen since. Yet all the while Cahill gets unlimited time regardless of form.

I really would love to see him or Straq given a run of games up top with Jelavic.

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