Column

From my seat: Sunderland (A)

After our long journey to The Emirates on Tuesday, we set off in the opposite direction for the delights of the North East with a spring in our step, facing a poor Sunderland side whom we hadn't lost to for some eleven years — surely could not prevent Champions League aspirants the three points — or could they?

After our long journey to The Emirates on Tuesday, we set off in the opposite direction for the delights of the North East with a spring in our step, facing a poor Sunderland side whom we hadn't lost to for some eleven years — surely could not prevent Champions League aspirants the three points — or could they?

A big crowd of just under 45.000 were up for it. 5 or 6 thousand Blues were drowned out by the ebullient Mackems high on the away derby success and the novelty of Di Canio as manager for his first home game. T-Shirts with Di Canio on were certainly popular.

Teams announced and Osman in for Barkley and captain to boot as Jagielka's ankle ensured he missed out with Heitinga taking over. That looked plenty good enough to gain the three points on offer but that of course was on the assumption that they played to their potential. The travelling hoards were confident and saw no reason for doubt as the game started with Sunderland obviously pumped up but nothing special as we diffused anything in the final third that they attempted.

The best they offered was a Graham shot saved by Howard and a Larsson free kick that went just over.

We played some pretty build-up stuff from back, through midfield but always ended up being bereft of ideas in the business area which gave this fan his first few flutters and doubts. We didn't seem quite at it and, no matter where you looked, a spark of inspiration was not remotely forthcoming. In fact, of the whole first half, I scribbled a quick note to denote a Mirallas in-and-out run that actually ended in a shot that was deflected wide.

The best I could record after that was a succession of corners where we threatened but flattered to deceive. Heitinga got booked for an obvious block and Fellaini was the one player trying to knit front to back but far too often he was left with trying to do both jobs himself, such was our lack of movement... not to mention 'verve'.

That was the nature of the half as the clock ticked toward the break and both sets of players seemed to have settled for 0-0 but, almost at the end of about 4 mins of time added, Howard bowled the ball out to Baines, for some inexplicable reason the England full-back switched off completely and laid a ball directly to the feet of Sessegnon, completely missing out Gibson. This had the effect of leaving our rear-guard out of defensive position and the lad strode forth and planted a daisy cutter past Howard and into the corner of the net. The faithful were very quiet as they reflected on that error and many were of the opinion Howard should have done much better.

From the kick-off, the whistle to end the half was soon sounded, leaving us to spend the break bemused by our lack of just about everything. Were these the same players that have got us into such a lofty position? We expected the 'Hair Dryer' to be plugged in during the break.

As the teams took to the field, something had gone on as Jelavic replaced Gibson who had been anonymous first half — along with quite a few others.

This half turned out to be more frustrating than the first as basic errors from top players such as Baines, Pienaar, and Osman along with lesser lights such as Heitinga, Anichebe and Jelavic saw moves break down in a fashion that belied their talent and left the faithful nursing an undercurrent of anger. To be fair, we did try to lift them from time to time but we were fighting a losing battle as, time after time, they lost the ball through either sloppiness of thought or just sheer lack of determination in tackles, 'Weak as wet lettuce' came to mind.

Again we forced a few corners but no direct threat on goal. Coming up to 80 mins the shouts of 'Change something Moyes' rang out and he did. Barkley and Naismith came on for Osman and Anichebe. The latter two had been poor and it was all the more disappointing in Vic's case as he had shown enough to suggest he may yet make it big for a few games previously but today.... Hmmm.

Barkley and Naismith made little if any difference and any semblance of a grandstand finish was not forthcoming. We did have a moment of comedy when a Sunderland player attempted a pass back to his keeper but almost chipped him thus forcing him to handle . We got an indirect free kick about 8 yards out. Everybody back for them and almost everybody up for us. The area in front of goal was packed shall we say. The ball was tapped to Baines, he blasted with ferocious power — guess what? It hit the bodies in front of him — Surprise! Surprise!!!

It did cause a right old scramble though but without any threat on the Mackems' goal. I do wonder why almost all teams blast the ball in those situations when a bit of finesse in say a delicate chip toward a top corner away from the keeper seems to me to have a hell of a lot more chance of success.

As the clock ticked, we did get a lot of ball into the box but end product was not on our agenda today and it almost got worse on one Sunderland break when Johnson was allowed access down the right without challenge and he cut in and powered a shot which luckily hit Howard and bounced away.

Final whistle and not a lot of empathy between players and fans today as the realisation that a top five finish to ensure European involvement seems as distant as an Everton goal.

MotM — Fellaini

Overall a poor matchday experience when, for whatever reason, I was astounded when reflecting on the game that only Fellaini, Coleman and Distin had performed anywhere near the level necessary to continue the challenge for the high finish. Three worthwhile players out of fourteen on view is staggering. Is it that we just cant handle the Saturday-Midweek-Saturday scenario? Or is it just simply that we have such a small squad of players of the required standard to compete for Europe that we remain 'Nearly Men' of all competitions entered?

I think many a fan may be relatively happy with getting high finishes season on season, and indeed that is a credit to both manager and players considering the monetary straight-jacket that thwarts us... but, for me, the frustration of knowing that we are so near to achieving something and putting Everton on the world stage via a Champions League campaign is thwarted by a board who are unable to finance such a push or find suitable buyers who can.

This is then compounded by their refusal to explain things to their own shareholders and indeed the legion of fans whom they exhort to buy season tickets early without us knowing if we will have a manager — let alone money for a player or two.

It's all very sad and a shame to witness our club so near yet so far... and that's where the frustration kicks in.

Four games to go. Can we win them all and others implode? Unlikely... but many of us will be there to find out. And you know what: just to prove we must be mad, our gang have all renewed our tickets for next season.

UP THE BLUES

Reader Comments (26)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

About these ads

---

, placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });