This is a nice piece by David Prentice about Ian Snodin.
Snodin was a favourite of mine from his time at Everton. Like so many others, his career was blighted somewhat by injuries. In my opinion if Ian had been fit for the bulk of his time at Goodison (87 to 95), he probably would have become captain and a central part of the side either playing in the middle or at the back. Loved a tackle.
Liverpool Echo piece here
Thursday 29 January 2009
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Gravesen
So farewell Tommy Gravesen. Opted to retire at 32 having failed to find a new home following his release from Celtic in the Summer of 2008.
I'm pretty ambivalent when it comes to Gravesen. To be honest, the fist-pumping, mad-eyed stuff was always a bit over the top for me; at times that appeared to disguise inadequacies on the pitch. That said, Gravesen was a fixture in the Everton midfield during one of the most unmoving periods in the history of the club, a time cluttered with 'bitty' players that suited Walter Smith's squad in the late 90s, early 2000s. Alongside the likes of Scott Gemmill, Tobias Linderoth, Alexandersson, Gazza and the disasterous Nyarko, he was the best of an average bunch. Compared to what we have now, it seems a lifetime ago. But there is no doubt Gravesen had his moments and on occasion his passing could be outstanding. My final memory of Gravesen is a good one. Having played no part in the previous 120 minutes of the UEFA Cup match at home to Fiorentina, Gravesen marched on for the penalty shoot-out, was brave enough to take the opening shot and smashed it past the excellent Frey. I wish he could have taken all 4.
Gravesen does join the list of players who had a couple of spells at the club and I can't think off the top of my head of another Everton player who also called Real Madrid home. Whatever anyone says about his short time in the Spanish capital, it's not a bad club to have on a footballers CV.
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Monday
Right, well, that's one-nil to Everton then.
The match reports said it all as have all the post-match comments. Despite my pre-match concerns, we were boss, at no point outclassed by a side trying to win the title for the first time in a lifetime. I think all but one of our bench, plus Victor Anichebe, were not even born the last time Liverpool won the title. And I think one of the commentator types told us at some point that our entire squad cost the equivalent of Torres plus a couple of boxes of San Miguel. Says it all. I don't understand the attitude Benitez takes in the Premier League. He seems to think he can put out reserves or rest players against teams he feels are beneath Liverpool's standing. Bizarre stuff. Works in the Not-Many-Champions League where over 50 per cent of the teams in it are mince, but not in the weekly grind of the Premier League. They've blown it. Again.
Anyway, I'm delighted. More of the same on Sunday would be marvellous. But then so would a date with Duffy and we can't have it all.
The match reports said it all as have all the post-match comments. Despite my pre-match concerns, we were boss, at no point outclassed by a side trying to win the title for the first time in a lifetime. I think all but one of our bench, plus Victor Anichebe, were not even born the last time Liverpool won the title. And I think one of the commentator types told us at some point that our entire squad cost the equivalent of Torres plus a couple of boxes of San Miguel. Says it all. I don't understand the attitude Benitez takes in the Premier League. He seems to think he can put out reserves or rest players against teams he feels are beneath Liverpool's standing. Bizarre stuff. Works in the Not-Many-Champions League where over 50 per cent of the teams in it are mince, but not in the weekly grind of the Premier League. They've blown it. Again.
Anyway, I'm delighted. More of the same on Sunday would be marvellous. But then so would a date with Duffy and we can't have it all.
Monday 19 January 2009
Red Cards
I don't care for the Derby to be honest. It's hard enough watching it once a year at Goodison, let alone the annual stroll in the park at Anfield for Liverpool. The fact that satellite TV insist on showing it has been made more probable in recent years with the arrival of Setanta and another TV operation willing to expose us to the nation live on telly. Is it me or do Everton rarely set the pulses racing when the nation has the opportunity to tune in?
So tonight I expect either a gritty display and keep things tight to end with a 1-0 defeat or a draw. What I don't think any of us could cope with is a repeat of the Goodison debacle where we were spared a right doing.
Good mini column in the Observer at the weekend. In the results / digest page in the Sport section was a little league titled 'Fight Clubs', a list of the Premier League fixtures to have seen the most red cards since the league's inception in 1993. Unsurprisingly the Merseyside Derby was top of the pile with 17 red cards in 15 seasons! Second on the list was Everton vs Newcastle with (just) 11. We featured again in joint 3rd with 10 in our fixtures against Chelsea.
I think it's fair to say most fans would be aware of Everton's disciplinary problems in the last 15 years - we've been combative since Joe Royle's Dogs Days, and if you've got Big Ferg on the books, things are going to be, well, spicy I guess. Still, I was a bit surprised at so many mentions in the Top 5.
For the record, my favourite Merseyside off is the legendary Jeffers / Westerveld handbags from '99, highlighted here in the Daily Mail.
So tonight I expect either a gritty display and keep things tight to end with a 1-0 defeat or a draw. What I don't think any of us could cope with is a repeat of the Goodison debacle where we were spared a right doing.
Good mini column in the Observer at the weekend. In the results / digest page in the Sport section was a little league titled 'Fight Clubs', a list of the Premier League fixtures to have seen the most red cards since the league's inception in 1993. Unsurprisingly the Merseyside Derby was top of the pile with 17 red cards in 15 seasons! Second on the list was Everton vs Newcastle with (just) 11. We featured again in joint 3rd with 10 in our fixtures against Chelsea.
I think it's fair to say most fans would be aware of Everton's disciplinary problems in the last 15 years - we've been combative since Joe Royle's Dogs Days, and if you've got Big Ferg on the books, things are going to be, well, spicy I guess. Still, I was a bit surprised at so many mentions in the Top 5.
For the record, my favourite Merseyside off is the legendary Jeffers / Westerveld handbags from '99, highlighted here in the Daily Mail.
Sunday 18 January 2009
Sunday on Sky
I don't know why I do it because I just get increasingly would up. I'm talking about Sky's coverage of football. Not the camera work, the technical side, not even the commentary, all of which is excellent. It's just the Richard Keys, Andy Gray hyperbole and the pointless ex-pros who sit there every game, pontificating about nothing whilst having their egos fluffed up by Dickie et al.
15 minutes of the Tottenham game and I had to switch off. David Nugent was bearing down on goal and Andy Gray chimed in with "go on son - see what its like to score in the big time". Priceless. The Big Time everyone. Top flight football is now The Big Time. Baseball forever in the States has been referred to as 'The Show', if you're not in The Show, you're nobody.
I was relieved to find out that I'm not the only one who thinks that Harry Redknapp is somewhat of an irritation. Paul Wilson in the Observer makes some good points about 'Arry.
15 minutes of the Tottenham game and I had to switch off. David Nugent was bearing down on goal and Andy Gray chimed in with "go on son - see what its like to score in the big time". Priceless. The Big Time everyone. Top flight football is now The Big Time. Baseball forever in the States has been referred to as 'The Show', if you're not in The Show, you're nobody.
I was relieved to find out that I'm not the only one who thinks that Harry Redknapp is somewhat of an irritation. Paul Wilson in the Observer makes some good points about 'Arry.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Nugent
David Nugent is turning out for Portsmouth tonight in the FA Cup replay against Bristol City.
That would rather reduce his appeal to any prospective buyer or renter in the North West I'd say.
Same applies to Peter Crouch. Ahem.
That would rather reduce his appeal to any prospective buyer or renter in the North West I'd say.
Same applies to Peter Crouch. Ahem.
Monday 12 January 2009
How very annoying
I didn't got on Saturday, due a birthday party taking place in Scotland. So I was kept updated whilst in Edinburgh via text. Three texts in all came through:
Moyes' reasoning behind his decision to allow Fellaini back on for the second 45 minutes have subsequently been given. He points out (rightly) that Everton looked pretty secure when 2-0 up against Newcastle earlier in the season and his preference was to ensure 3 points rather than risk allowing Hull back into the game. No doubting an element of the logic there. However I would argue that Everton are a much different team from the one who couldn't put the Magpies to bed back in early October. Then we were a side bereft of confidence and struggling to find our form and having just come off the humiliating defeats by Liverpool and Standard Liege. Scroll forward to early January 2009 and we're in sixth spot in the table, possessing a settled line-up and playing with a fair degree of authority. In addition, we haven't conceded a goal in 5 matches, unbeaten since the Villa affair.
Secondly, what message does it send to those players on the bench for Hull? With Anichebe getting back to fitness, Castillo and Rodwell available, there were options to either further secure the midfield or create problems up front. Dan Gosling, who impressed me in his brief appearance against Sunderland, was another who would benefit from 45 minutes experience. Obviously there may be issues with the players on the bench outsiders are not aware of, and it isn't the strongest squad, but for 45 minutes against a team who appear to have already peaked in their first season of top-flight football, Everton surely could have coped? It wasn't Manchester United.
It took me back briefly on reading the match reports to the Arsenal match at the Emirates this season when we'd done well in the first half, ridden our luck and were 1-0 up at the break. Arsenal were not their fluid selves but you knew they'd come out of the blocks with pace and power in the second half. For me, the difference between the very best managers and the rest is their ability to influence a game with substitutes, usually to get to a winning position or back in the match. Ferguson is a master and Mourinho's brave use of subs at Chelsea won them a host of points and that in turn got into the minds of the opposition. Moyes is very much a late reactor to such situations and vastly conservative in his approach. Against Arsenal, throwing on another forward could have changed things for us and it would certainly have registered with Wenger and affected his plans. Instead, Arsenal tore into us, scored quickly and I think we were 3-1 down and out before Moyes belated introduction of Saha.
My final issue with the decision on Saturday is the implied notion that we needed to ensure 3 points in this match because we're not seriously expecting to get anything from the next 3 matches. Whilst acknowledging the club faces a tough run of fixtures, we should be in a position now after a series of strong performances not to be making that assumption.
For me, leaving on a very young player with a record for collecting yellow cards, already warned by the referee and one card away from missing two of the most crucial games Everton will play this season was a poor judgement call. I'm sure Everton can manage without Fellaini for both Anfield trips and even with the Belgian in the side, we may still get beat, but you know what? I'd have preferred to have him out there than watching from the stands.
- Get in Screech!
- Arteta. 2-0
- Screech booked: out of both derbies
Moyes' reasoning behind his decision to allow Fellaini back on for the second 45 minutes have subsequently been given. He points out (rightly) that Everton looked pretty secure when 2-0 up against Newcastle earlier in the season and his preference was to ensure 3 points rather than risk allowing Hull back into the game. No doubting an element of the logic there. However I would argue that Everton are a much different team from the one who couldn't put the Magpies to bed back in early October. Then we were a side bereft of confidence and struggling to find our form and having just come off the humiliating defeats by Liverpool and Standard Liege. Scroll forward to early January 2009 and we're in sixth spot in the table, possessing a settled line-up and playing with a fair degree of authority. In addition, we haven't conceded a goal in 5 matches, unbeaten since the Villa affair.
Secondly, what message does it send to those players on the bench for Hull? With Anichebe getting back to fitness, Castillo and Rodwell available, there were options to either further secure the midfield or create problems up front. Dan Gosling, who impressed me in his brief appearance against Sunderland, was another who would benefit from 45 minutes experience. Obviously there may be issues with the players on the bench outsiders are not aware of, and it isn't the strongest squad, but for 45 minutes against a team who appear to have already peaked in their first season of top-flight football, Everton surely could have coped? It wasn't Manchester United.
It took me back briefly on reading the match reports to the Arsenal match at the Emirates this season when we'd done well in the first half, ridden our luck and were 1-0 up at the break. Arsenal were not their fluid selves but you knew they'd come out of the blocks with pace and power in the second half. For me, the difference between the very best managers and the rest is their ability to influence a game with substitutes, usually to get to a winning position or back in the match. Ferguson is a master and Mourinho's brave use of subs at Chelsea won them a host of points and that in turn got into the minds of the opposition. Moyes is very much a late reactor to such situations and vastly conservative in his approach. Against Arsenal, throwing on another forward could have changed things for us and it would certainly have registered with Wenger and affected his plans. Instead, Arsenal tore into us, scored quickly and I think we were 3-1 down and out before Moyes belated introduction of Saha.
My final issue with the decision on Saturday is the implied notion that we needed to ensure 3 points in this match because we're not seriously expecting to get anything from the next 3 matches. Whilst acknowledging the club faces a tough run of fixtures, we should be in a position now after a series of strong performances not to be making that assumption.
For me, leaving on a very young player with a record for collecting yellow cards, already warned by the referee and one card away from missing two of the most crucial games Everton will play this season was a poor judgement call. I'm sure Everton can manage without Fellaini for both Anfield trips and even with the Belgian in the side, we may still get beat, but you know what? I'd have preferred to have him out there than watching from the stands.
Friday 9 January 2009
Filbert Street, December 2008
Further to my Leicester expedition, here is a bit of what was Filbert Street
The tatty blue fence is the edge of what would have been the entrance to the South Stand, home of the infamous 'Baby Faced Crew' or something similar. The road it sits on is Lineker Road.
http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/filbert_street_leicester.htm - provides some better pictures.
The tatty blue fence is the edge of what would have been the entrance to the South Stand, home of the infamous 'Baby Faced Crew' or something similar. The road it sits on is Lineker Road.
http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/filbert_street_leicester.htm - provides some better pictures.
Thursday 8 January 2009
The Walkers Stadium, Leicester
It's not my fault right, but I was born in Leicester. I went back there for a year when I was about 21 and lived a short walk - 300 yards - from Filbert Street. It was a good location because the (more) famous Welford Road, home to the Leicester Tigers RUFC, was even closer so we were able to take our pick of sporting entertainment in the event that EFC were not playing that weekend, or more likely I was short of cash.
Anyway, I recently went back for a day, mainly to watch the Tigers play Perpignan, but also to do some Christmas shopping on the cheap at Leicester Market and poke through the door of some old haunts. The new football ground in Leicester is the Walker Stadium. City were playing at home so I couldn't get inside but took some quick snaps in the growing gloom of a winter evening. As with other new stadiums, it looks functional and there is the ubiquitous car dealership, hotel and road to nowhere. And an interesting electricity power station across the street. That's a nice touch.
It's better than Wigan and at least the retail area around it is low key. Critically I would imagine for most Leicester City fans, it is not too far from the original Filbert Street so club officials and local planners will not have alienated tens of thousands of local supporters by moving the ground, oh I don't know, let's say 5 miles outside the city outskirts? I mean, who does that these days?
Wednesday 7 January 2009
January 7th 1994
Every now and again I take a look at the official Everton website, mainly to find out ticket news for forthcoming away matches. Like all official sites, it's safe and bland, but fortunately not as unpleasant as some the can read like Pravda in colour with an interactive shopping experience tagged on the side. Some of people's comments to the news stories are blindingly funny.
Anyway, my favourite bit is the section dedicated to 'on this day in' theme. Useful for getting the memory cogs turning and reminding ourselves of great, and not-so-great, times in our history.
So, on this day in 1994, Everton finally got their man in the shape of Mike Walker. Walker had no real resume aside from a short, but relatively highly successful period with Norwich that saw a team including Chris Sutton, Ruel Fox, Jeremy Goss et al compete in the fledgling Premier League and reach the latter stages of the UEFA Cup, beating Bayern Munich at some point.
Walker couldn't cope at Everton. His reign peaked with a battering of Swindon at home, culminating in the infamous Wimbledon match to ensure our survival on the last day of the season (thanks Hans Segers). A hapless summer was spent trying to sign anyone who'd stepped foot on a field in the US World Cup '94, including Martin Dahlin and the abortive pursuit of 'Muller', we ended up with Amokachi and Vinny Samways. The start of the 94/95 season was hideous. My recollection is not picking up our first win until about the 9th game at home to West Ham. Walker was out of his depth, the team had no spine and he had no answers. A few days after the West Ham win (another turning point, Mike), the silver fox was sacked and Joe Royle stepped through the door looking like he was meant for the job for life.
Ironically, it was Walker who bought Everton's most celebrated player of recent times, Duncan Ferguson, down from Rangers, initially on load along with Ian Durrant. I watched them at Portsmouth in a cup tie; the club had mispelled Durrant's surname on his shirt. Ferguson looked mean and moody and was unplayable. It rained, there was no roof on the stand and we got beat. Maybe 3-2.
Hated Mike Walker. Loved Joe Royle.
http://www.evertonfc.com/history/on-this-day.html
Anyway, my favourite bit is the section dedicated to 'on this day in' theme. Useful for getting the memory cogs turning and reminding ourselves of great, and not-so-great, times in our history.
So, on this day in 1994, Everton finally got their man in the shape of Mike Walker. Walker had no real resume aside from a short, but relatively highly successful period with Norwich that saw a team including Chris Sutton, Ruel Fox, Jeremy Goss et al compete in the fledgling Premier League and reach the latter stages of the UEFA Cup, beating Bayern Munich at some point.
Walker couldn't cope at Everton. His reign peaked with a battering of Swindon at home, culminating in the infamous Wimbledon match to ensure our survival on the last day of the season (thanks Hans Segers). A hapless summer was spent trying to sign anyone who'd stepped foot on a field in the US World Cup '94, including Martin Dahlin and the abortive pursuit of 'Muller', we ended up with Amokachi and Vinny Samways. The start of the 94/95 season was hideous. My recollection is not picking up our first win until about the 9th game at home to West Ham. Walker was out of his depth, the team had no spine and he had no answers. A few days after the West Ham win (another turning point, Mike), the silver fox was sacked and Joe Royle stepped through the door looking like he was meant for the job for life.
Ironically, it was Walker who bought Everton's most celebrated player of recent times, Duncan Ferguson, down from Rangers, initially on load along with Ian Durrant. I watched them at Portsmouth in a cup tie; the club had mispelled Durrant's surname on his shirt. Ferguson looked mean and moody and was unplayable. It rained, there was no roof on the stand and we got beat. Maybe 3-2.
Hated Mike Walker. Loved Joe Royle.
http://www.evertonfc.com/history/on-this-day.html
Sunday 4 January 2009
January looks good
So our win at Moss Rose yesterday has been rewarded with a plum home draw in the next round against non-league Kettering.
Sorry, my mistake, we're going to Anfield to give it a go against current league leaders and all-round media folk heroes, Liverpool FC. In the space of two weeks we go to Anfield twice, entertain Arsenal a few days after the cup tie, and then go to Old Trafford on February 2nd. A testing period. Having just discussed it with a mate who also turns 30 in January, he's opting to get solid drunk for about 3 weeks and sober up for Feb 3rd. Numbs the pain etc.
History tells me we haven't played Liverpool in any cup competition since the infamous three-match series from 1991, including the classic Goodison 4-4 game. The eventual home win for Everton a week later meant nothing as we capitulated in the next round under the lights at Upton Park which turned one Stuart Slater into a football legend for a short-time as he turned our back line that night, especially Neil McDonald, around time and again. It was horrible.
Still, we may well have Leroy Lita on board in time to become an Everton legend. Lita is currently tearing it up in the Championship with, er Norwich.
Sorry, my mistake, we're going to Anfield to give it a go against current league leaders and all-round media folk heroes, Liverpool FC. In the space of two weeks we go to Anfield twice, entertain Arsenal a few days after the cup tie, and then go to Old Trafford on February 2nd. A testing period. Having just discussed it with a mate who also turns 30 in January, he's opting to get solid drunk for about 3 weeks and sober up for Feb 3rd. Numbs the pain etc.
History tells me we haven't played Liverpool in any cup competition since the infamous three-match series from 1991, including the classic Goodison 4-4 game. The eventual home win for Everton a week later meant nothing as we capitulated in the next round under the lights at Upton Park which turned one Stuart Slater into a football legend for a short-time as he turned our back line that night, especially Neil McDonald, around time and again. It was horrible.
Still, we may well have Leroy Lita on board in time to become an Everton legend. Lita is currently tearing it up in the Championship with, er Norwich.
Friday 2 January 2009
Told you so
So Louis Saha is officially gone for (another) five weeks. The hamstring he tweaked at White Hart Lane appears more serious than the medics first thought. Or maybe it's just a case that Saha's injury history that has blighted his entire career, is making itself known to the backroom staff, medical people and management at Goodison Park. Let's hope he's still on a pay-as-you-play basis eh? It's probably too early to say, but all things point to Saha's Everton career being a short and frustrating one.
Five weeks is a nice prognosis tho, because it falls nicely in calendar terms ending around the first week of February, just days after the now legendary transfer window is closed shut by Mrs F.A down in London. With Yak and James Vaughan gone for the season and Saha out til February at the earliest, we've got Victor Anichebe plus a collection of youngsters from the reserves and Cahill / Fellaini to spearhead Everton's front line. Not something likely to reap dividends in our push for a Top 6 finish. Cahill and Fellaini are doing great, but they cannot be expected to play with such commitment and effort until May. The kids don't look to be much in favour with Moyes and Victor isn't exactly prolific. All of which means we need a striker with experience, preferably at the top level in January.
It's alright to say we've managed in the last month, and Moyes' beloved 4-5-1 got us to the Champions League qualifiers in 2004 with Marcus Bent leading the line, but football moves on quickly and defences at the top table find this strategy out.
Hang on, Marcus Bent...
Five weeks is a nice prognosis tho, because it falls nicely in calendar terms ending around the first week of February, just days after the now legendary transfer window is closed shut by Mrs F.A down in London. With Yak and James Vaughan gone for the season and Saha out til February at the earliest, we've got Victor Anichebe plus a collection of youngsters from the reserves and Cahill / Fellaini to spearhead Everton's front line. Not something likely to reap dividends in our push for a Top 6 finish. Cahill and Fellaini are doing great, but they cannot be expected to play with such commitment and effort until May. The kids don't look to be much in favour with Moyes and Victor isn't exactly prolific. All of which means we need a striker with experience, preferably at the top level in January.
It's alright to say we've managed in the last month, and Moyes' beloved 4-5-1 got us to the Champions League qualifiers in 2004 with Marcus Bent leading the line, but football moves on quickly and defences at the top table find this strategy out.
Hang on, Marcus Bent...
Thursday 1 January 2009
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