Tuesday 31 March 2009
Sunday 29 March 2009
England 4, someone else 0
England's showing yesterday against Slovakia was exactly what you should be expecting of a team that thinks once again it is in with a shout of winning the World Cup in 2010. A comfortable victory over a side who have a qualifier to play on Wednesday, and needed a 4-0 pounding like a hole in the head, should be expected and should be delivered. Becks got 109, the core players all performed well and Everton had three on the bench. Three-quarters of our best back four in ages.
Whether any of the trio makes it to South Africa next Summer remains to be seen. I think there's a fair shout that either Jags or Lescott will make it as the 4th choice centre-back, particular as both can fill in at full-back. Fabio seems to favour Upson over both and he may also end up taking the lame Ledley King with him just to spite the increasing annoying 'Arry Redknapp. I would.
Whether any of the trio makes it to South Africa next Summer remains to be seen. I think there's a fair shout that either Jags or Lescott will make it as the 4th choice centre-back, particular as both can fill in at full-back. Fabio seems to favour Upson over both and he may also end up taking the lame Ledley King with him just to spite the increasing annoying 'Arry Redknapp. I would.
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Block 127
So that is Wembley sorted. 45 minutes on hold from 0800 this morning and I have been rewarded with two tickets in Block 127 at the West End of Wembley Stadium.
Having experienced the booking system through the club and heard the complaints on radio, read about them on the internet, I can understand people's irritation. However you can't satisfy everyone and some people are not going to get their preferred seating option, including me. The main thing is that I'll be there for the match. Supply and demand et cetera. Some folk are not going to get there so I should be grateful I will.
Ticketing for any event these days is a time-consuming, expensive and unfulfilling experience. The punter is robbed blind with unjustifiable charges (in addition to the price of the ticketed event) coming at you from all sides. There's always a totally inappropriate delivery charge which seems to be a random number plucked from thin air and then 20 per cent added, and the ubiquitous 'booking fee' even when you only interacted with Mr Internet for 10 minutes. The mystery charge for the Semi-Final ticket is the cost of postage. Recorded mail. The same mail that is delivered by the same postman each morning, who frequently doesn't actually get the signature requested, and charged for.
Still, given Everton's sparse visits to Wembley in the modern era, I'll cope. I remain of the opinion playing the match on Sunday is ludicrous.
Having experienced the booking system through the club and heard the complaints on radio, read about them on the internet, I can understand people's irritation. However you can't satisfy everyone and some people are not going to get their preferred seating option, including me. The main thing is that I'll be there for the match. Supply and demand et cetera. Some folk are not going to get there so I should be grateful I will.
Ticketing for any event these days is a time-consuming, expensive and unfulfilling experience. The punter is robbed blind with unjustifiable charges (in addition to the price of the ticketed event) coming at you from all sides. There's always a totally inappropriate delivery charge which seems to be a random number plucked from thin air and then 20 per cent added, and the ubiquitous 'booking fee' even when you only interacted with Mr Internet for 10 minutes. The mystery charge for the Semi-Final ticket is the cost of postage. Recorded mail. The same mail that is delivered by the same postman each morning, who frequently doesn't actually get the signature requested, and charged for.
Still, given Everton's sparse visits to Wembley in the modern era, I'll cope. I remain of the opinion playing the match on Sunday is ludicrous.
Sunday 22 March 2009
End of the run
The lad behind me said "this is the worst view in the worst ground in the Premiership. It's the hardest to get to - and I live here". Turns out he's in the armed forces, exiled from Liverpool and currently residing in the Southsea area. But his comment just about sums up Fratton Park and, due in part to Fratton being certainly one of the hardest grounds to get to (one road in, one road out), I missed the Everton highlight stood along with about 500 others waiting to squeeze through the turnstiles.
Once I did take my position things looked good. Although the two lads down Portsmouth's right flank were making decent inroads into the Everton half, most of Pompey's attacking play was disjointed. Then, from a corner that shouldn't have been given, Everton failed to clear the first ball properly, a second one was dropped into the area from where Glenn Johnson nodded across the box and Crouch piled in over the top of Lescott for the equalizer.
From that moment on, I wasn't overly confident Everton had the wit to break down the Portsmouth back line. I agree with some witnesses that Everton didn't really test Portsmouth, but that said, I thought Sol Campbell managed the threat of Saha and Jo comfortably even if he does look like he just feasts on growth hormones for breakfast. We didn't turn him once or exploit his obvious weakness in his lack of pace.
As the game was running down for what I expected to be a draw, Pompey threw on Kanu whilst Moyes' pondered introducing Gosling. For some reason, Gosling got his kit off but was then told to sit tight, presumably whilst we defended a corner? From that corner, Kanu did enough to put off Howard and Crouch did the rest leaping over Fellaini who didn't appear to jump. Game over.
Driving home I was struggling to remember the last time Everton got beaten by a team not competing for a top six finish. It looks like the aberrational trip to Wigan in November. Which is an indication of how well the side has done in the last 3 months. The fixture list gets harder now but we're still in decent shape for finishing sixth.
No sign of the loon with the bells this year. Disappointing.
Once I did take my position things looked good. Although the two lads down Portsmouth's right flank were making decent inroads into the Everton half, most of Pompey's attacking play was disjointed. Then, from a corner that shouldn't have been given, Everton failed to clear the first ball properly, a second one was dropped into the area from where Glenn Johnson nodded across the box and Crouch piled in over the top of Lescott for the equalizer.
From that moment on, I wasn't overly confident Everton had the wit to break down the Portsmouth back line. I agree with some witnesses that Everton didn't really test Portsmouth, but that said, I thought Sol Campbell managed the threat of Saha and Jo comfortably even if he does look like he just feasts on growth hormones for breakfast. We didn't turn him once or exploit his obvious weakness in his lack of pace.
As the game was running down for what I expected to be a draw, Pompey threw on Kanu whilst Moyes' pondered introducing Gosling. For some reason, Gosling got his kit off but was then told to sit tight, presumably whilst we defended a corner? From that corner, Kanu did enough to put off Howard and Crouch did the rest leaping over Fellaini who didn't appear to jump. Game over.
Driving home I was struggling to remember the last time Everton got beaten by a team not competing for a top six finish. It looks like the aberrational trip to Wigan in November. Which is an indication of how well the side has done in the last 3 months. The fixture list gets harder now but we're still in decent shape for finishing sixth.
No sign of the loon with the bells this year. Disappointing.
Thursday 19 March 2009
Hall of Fame
A friend of mine told me earlier he's on his way to the Hall of Fame induction of one Duncan Ferguson, late of the Parish of Mallorca I believe. He got into the recent Times Online Top 50 Everton players at a lofty 49 (at least he was ahead of Gravesen). There are many words you could use to describe Ferguson, but the one I'll settle for is enigmatic. It probably best befits Ferguson's on and off-field persona and behaviour. From his arrival on loan from Glasgow Rangers, right through to the 90th minute final match penalty - on the rebound - against West Brom, the man basically transcended the football arena, possibly more so given how rank poor Everton were as a team for most of Ferguson's career at the club.
Even his decision to relocate his family to a Balearic Island post-career is different. It kind of sums the man up. Nothing he ever did was conventional.
For me Duncan Ferguson is a legend for two main reasons. Firstly, he frequently delivered in key matches against the better sides, consequently leading to accusations that he simply 'couldn't be arsed' for the mendacity of Coventry away. Secondly, he played in an era of dross. Outside of the magnificent run to Wembley in 1995, for a chunk of '94 to 2006, we were poor, and I amongst many others often went along to the game waiting to see something of quality from Ferguson. Often we left disappointed, but the odd gem stood out and are remembered far more than the barren periods.
Years from now, it will be Ferguson who is recalled from that period. Obviously Moyes' transformation of the club means we're no longer a 12th place scrapping operation, and we had a brief glimpse of what Wayne Rooney would become, but that aside I can't think of a single player so closely identified with our club during such an underachieving period in the club's history.
Even his decision to relocate his family to a Balearic Island post-career is different. It kind of sums the man up. Nothing he ever did was conventional.
For me Duncan Ferguson is a legend for two main reasons. Firstly, he frequently delivered in key matches against the better sides, consequently leading to accusations that he simply 'couldn't be arsed' for the mendacity of Coventry away. Secondly, he played in an era of dross. Outside of the magnificent run to Wembley in 1995, for a chunk of '94 to 2006, we were poor, and I amongst many others often went along to the game waiting to see something of quality from Ferguson. Often we left disappointed, but the odd gem stood out and are remembered far more than the barren periods.
Years from now, it will be Ferguson who is recalled from that period. Obviously Moyes' transformation of the club means we're no longer a 12th place scrapping operation, and we had a brief glimpse of what Wayne Rooney would become, but that aside I can't think of a single player so closely identified with our club during such an underachieving period in the club's history.
Sunday 15 March 2009
Delilah
Everton took care of a fairly stern challenge from Stoke on Saturday, but I think the 3-1 scoreline is misleading. Once Stoke pegged us back to 2-1 early in the second half, they put together 20 minutes of old-school English football, making a very uncomfortable period until the braided Fellaini finished it minutes from the end.
The game was largely forgettable, but the 3000 Stoke fans deserve massive credit for selling out their section, all showing up and putting together 90 minutes of 'back in the day' chants, sing-songs and behaviour that turned the clock back. I appreciate Stoke have been out of the top flight since the mid-80s, and that could go somewhere to explaining the style of football they play, but there must be more to it. I can't recall a larger police presence than the one surrounding that corner of the Bullens Road Stand, inside or out, nor the systematic piling in of the coppers to eject Stoke fans at regular intervals until they finally became becalmed once Lescott tapped us 2-0 up after 25 or so minutes.
Up until then, the Goodison faithful had been treated to a cacophony of noise and some decent banter with the Park End Blues. Although slightly quieter between Everton's second and the Stoke goal from Shawcross, things livened up for the remainder of the game. The excitement that greeted every Delap throw-in was priceless.
Outside of the visits of the 'big four' sides, Sunderland's travelling support usually provide the best show at Goodison, but for me in 08/09 campaign, the boys from the Potteries take the award for Best Travelling Fans.
The game was largely forgettable, but the 3000 Stoke fans deserve massive credit for selling out their section, all showing up and putting together 90 minutes of 'back in the day' chants, sing-songs and behaviour that turned the clock back. I appreciate Stoke have been out of the top flight since the mid-80s, and that could go somewhere to explaining the style of football they play, but there must be more to it. I can't recall a larger police presence than the one surrounding that corner of the Bullens Road Stand, inside or out, nor the systematic piling in of the coppers to eject Stoke fans at regular intervals until they finally became becalmed once Lescott tapped us 2-0 up after 25 or so minutes.
Up until then, the Goodison faithful had been treated to a cacophony of noise and some decent banter with the Park End Blues. Although slightly quieter between Everton's second and the Stoke goal from Shawcross, things livened up for the remainder of the game. The excitement that greeted every Delap throw-in was priceless.
Outside of the visits of the 'big four' sides, Sunderland's travelling support usually provide the best show at Goodison, but for me in 08/09 campaign, the boys from the Potteries take the award for Best Travelling Fans.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Semi-Final dates
Whether it is the FA, ITV, Setanta or the Met Police, who made the decision on scheduling the forthcoming FA Cup Semi-Finals at Wembley, take a bow. Take a very big bow.
With respect to Hull, in all likelihood, Arsenal will be playing Chelsea in one match, Everton up against Manchester United in the other. Two northern clubs, two London clubs. Acknowledging that the FA has to fund Wembley and television's input in wanting both matches to be broadcast on different days, I've no issue with splitting the games across the weekend. But to then decide that you'll play the 'local' London derby on the Saturday, and the North-West version on the Sunday evening at 4pm, is plain crackers. Whatever those witty opposition fans say, the bulk of United's travelling support will be from the North-West and not Devon or South Wales. Even more of Everton's support will be drawn from that corner of England. So given the appalling state of our network rail infrastructure, you're looking at potentially some 60,000 people travelling back north via the M40, M1 and M6 on a Sunday night. And you just know the Highways Agency will have some major roadworks scheduled on the M6 that night don't you?
So, all-in-all, a very good call. The television directors have long since shown their lack of respect for the football fan who actually goes to watch a match live, but I would have thought that the police of all those involved would have preferred being able to get the Northern half of the draw out of the way on Saturday. Playing on the Saturday would have seen people stagger their journeys to the capital across the weekend for example.
Roll on extra-time and penalties.
With respect to Hull, in all likelihood, Arsenal will be playing Chelsea in one match, Everton up against Manchester United in the other. Two northern clubs, two London clubs. Acknowledging that the FA has to fund Wembley and television's input in wanting both matches to be broadcast on different days, I've no issue with splitting the games across the weekend. But to then decide that you'll play the 'local' London derby on the Saturday, and the North-West version on the Sunday evening at 4pm, is plain crackers. Whatever those witty opposition fans say, the bulk of United's travelling support will be from the North-West and not Devon or South Wales. Even more of Everton's support will be drawn from that corner of England. So given the appalling state of our network rail infrastructure, you're looking at potentially some 60,000 people travelling back north via the M40, M1 and M6 on a Sunday night. And you just know the Highways Agency will have some major roadworks scheduled on the M6 that night don't you?
So, all-in-all, a very good call. The television directors have long since shown their lack of respect for the football fan who actually goes to watch a match live, but I would have thought that the police of all those involved would have preferred being able to get the Northern half of the draw out of the way on Saturday. Playing on the Saturday would have seen people stagger their journeys to the capital across the weekend for example.
Roll on extra-time and penalties.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Top 50 Everton players
Everyone seems to be onto this one from The Times online, but just in case...
Top 50 Everton players
I selected my top 5 before reading the article. Setting aside my irrational need to put Gary Stanley in every 'Greatest Everton Side Of All Time Ever. Fact', I went for Dean, Ball, Labone, Nev and Lawton. Close enough.Wembley bound
Standing on the concourse of the Top Balcony at Goodison Park on Sunday watching people's faces illustrating varying degrees of anger, disbelief, resignation ('only Everton could manage to mess this one up'), I sensed we'd hit the buffers for the first time this season. The team had been collectively awful for 45 minutes, culminating in a goal for Boro, something you cannot say they didn't deserve. Without our creative talisman Arteta, Tiny and Fellaini once again filling in up front, we looked bereft of ideas, slovenly in possession. Plain lost.
Retaking my seat for the second half I was relieved to see Louis Saha on from the off. Boro had played well and were leading but you don't find yourself at the bottom of the Premier League, short on confidence and leaking goals for nowt. We'd put their back line under no pressure in the first 45. Minutes into the 2nd period and with Saha and Fellaini now leading the line, Everton were a changed team. The ball went back-to-front quickly, putting the only moderately mobile Wheater and Co on the back foot. Fortunately, Boro's keeper Jones decided to help out and we were back in the game in no time. The second goal was an example of Saha's class; quick and powerful, he buried a header for 2-1. Had Baines' free-kick dipped a bit more, the 3-1 lead we craved would have finished the tie. In the end Boro upped their game and both sides went toe-to-toe to the end with Everton hanging on to claim a place in the Semi Final at Wembley in a few weeks.
And I'm delighted about that. The subsequent draw against United slightly spoiled things, but I said before Sunday I'd take a semi-final and a sixth place finish, and that still stands. Should Arsenal make it through, the FA have got their wish not to endure a repeat of the 2008 line-up.
Couple of things I notice about Sunday. The atmosphere in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half on Sunday was immense, duly noted in one of the papers on Monday, and Louis Saha demonstrated the kind of extra class you get from a top striker. If only he could stay... Yawn.
Retaking my seat for the second half I was relieved to see Louis Saha on from the off. Boro had played well and were leading but you don't find yourself at the bottom of the Premier League, short on confidence and leaking goals for nowt. We'd put their back line under no pressure in the first 45. Minutes into the 2nd period and with Saha and Fellaini now leading the line, Everton were a changed team. The ball went back-to-front quickly, putting the only moderately mobile Wheater and Co on the back foot. Fortunately, Boro's keeper Jones decided to help out and we were back in the game in no time. The second goal was an example of Saha's class; quick and powerful, he buried a header for 2-1. Had Baines' free-kick dipped a bit more, the 3-1 lead we craved would have finished the tie. In the end Boro upped their game and both sides went toe-to-toe to the end with Everton hanging on to claim a place in the Semi Final at Wembley in a few weeks.
And I'm delighted about that. The subsequent draw against United slightly spoiled things, but I said before Sunday I'd take a semi-final and a sixth place finish, and that still stands. Should Arsenal make it through, the FA have got their wish not to endure a repeat of the 2008 line-up.
Couple of things I notice about Sunday. The atmosphere in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half on Sunday was immense, duly noted in one of the papers on Monday, and Louis Saha demonstrated the kind of extra class you get from a top striker. If only he could stay... Yawn.
Thursday 5 March 2009
Blackburn Nil
Now wasn't that terrible? So bad that even Sky couldn't put their usual glossy sheen onto a truly turgid nil-nil draw with little goalmouth action, a dearth of skill and creativity, dominated by defensive solidity. I think I heard the Rover's faithful give MOTM to Ryan Nelsen, Sky opting for Joleon 'Too Smooth' Lescott. Sums it all up. One conclusion not lost on many was that we're better with Saha up front than Jo and it has to be a fair bet Saha will start against Boro on Sunday. He'd better. And then there was the Blackburn fans asking 'what the f@cking hell is that' at Fellaini on the touchline with the hair and a natty pair of skater-boy gloves on in that shocking rave-yellow shirt.
Pienaar plugged away a bit, but the Blackburn team closed down quick all over the park all night. Once possession was won, they battered it left to right, right to left putting pressure on the Everton back line which, once again, was imperious. Even Tugay couldn't change it for them. Sadly, we couldn't change it either so we biffed it about like a clock pendulum for 90 painful minutes.
What else? Well, what are we to assume about the ability of Lars Jacobsen if, with Hibbert out, Moyes opts for Jagielka (or Yag-yell-ka if we are to follow Sky's commentator) to shift sideways to right-back with Lars on the bench. Nothing I guess.
Fat Sam made some daft comments before the game about Cahill in an attempt to influence the ref. Overall I think Wylie managed well, ignoring Sam's imploring, except when he got it totally wrong as Samba clattered into Sir Tim in the 2nd half. The smug berk who thinks he should manage England was caught nicely on camera bragging to fans in the vicinity seconds later giving it 'I told you so' nods. Yeah, Big Sam. Big Time Manager.
I've just seen Michael Jackson announcing 'This Is It' on the news. Now there's a real tool.
Pienaar plugged away a bit, but the Blackburn team closed down quick all over the park all night. Once possession was won, they battered it left to right, right to left putting pressure on the Everton back line which, once again, was imperious. Even Tugay couldn't change it for them. Sadly, we couldn't change it either so we biffed it about like a clock pendulum for 90 painful minutes.
What else? Well, what are we to assume about the ability of Lars Jacobsen if, with Hibbert out, Moyes opts for Jagielka (or Yag-yell-ka if we are to follow Sky's commentator) to shift sideways to right-back with Lars on the bench. Nothing I guess.
Fat Sam made some daft comments before the game about Cahill in an attempt to influence the ref. Overall I think Wylie managed well, ignoring Sam's imploring, except when he got it totally wrong as Samba clattered into Sir Tim in the 2nd half. The smug berk who thinks he should manage England was caught nicely on camera bragging to fans in the vicinity seconds later giving it 'I told you so' nods. Yeah, Big Sam. Big Time Manager.
I've just seen Michael Jackson announcing 'This Is It' on the news. Now there's a real tool.
Sunday 1 March 2009
Europa League
As Everton push for a sixth or fifth place finish and qualification for Europe next season, I came across this article by Paul Wilson in the Observer today - his view on the UEFA Cup.
I like what Paul Wilson writes about, primarily because he's a very good writer, but he always gives a decent level of coverage to Everton and is always fair. With his piece about the UEFA Cup, he talks about the attitude taken by Spurs and Villa last week in their approach to their cup ties and highlights the problems facing the UEFA Cup as once again it is to be revamped for the 09/10 season as the Europa League. Again the competition will be based initially on mini-leagues, before moving to a 32-team knock-out including (still) the fall out boys of the Champions' League, which, as usual, will be full of lots of non-Champions. Paul Wilson basically thinks it is a failing competition and this will not improve things. He also suggests it be turned into a straightforward knock-out cup with possibly some seeding making it a completely different competition to the CL.
For me, he's spot on in highlighting the weakness of the UEFA Cup. As Europe is so utterly dominated by the Champions League, anything else is always going to play second fiddle. In that respect, why compete? Why not try something radical and reintroduce a 64 or more team knock-out to rev it up? One of the best supported and most avidly followed competitions in the USA is something called March Madness, an annual basketball tournament for college teams where 64 teams play winner takes all over a period of weeks in, well, March. Its popularity is partly based on the uniqueness of the knock-out system from the first day of the competition; this is not the case in any other sport in the US.
Ultimately for me, Everton qualifying for Europe remains a big deal. I'm completely bored of the Premiership. I'm bored with the predictability of it, with the constant weekly droning noise of the same sides and players. Today, some poor sap is going to sit down and watch Bolton vs Newcastle on TV (nil nil at half time by the way) but outside from fans of those respective teams, who else is really interested? Same with Everton vs West Brom yesterday. The novelty of witnessing sides from across Europe playing at Goodison in the winter is great. Playing Zenit, we got to see Arshavin months before everyone jumped on the bandwagon in December 2007. I thought that night Pogrebniak and Tymoschuk even better. Everton's trip to Nurnberg is now part of club folklore and I got to sit in front of Berti Vogts. Is that happening for me at Fratton Park in a few weeks? From a practical perspective, only by entertaining these European teams on a regular basis do our players become better at performing in Europe in future. I'd hope that regular exposure to European players for Everton's squad would mean that at some point a return to the Champions League - pipe dream though it is - will mean we're better equipped to compete, and it has to help David Moyes become a better manager.
I completely understand Redknapp's decision on Thursday. Spurs have the Carling Cup Final today and are in the soap down the bottom of the Premiership. O'Neill's decision is harder to square. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if I bump into my Spurs supporting work colleagues tomorrow morning and they are no longer holders of the Carling Cup, still 3 points above the drop in the Premier League and not in Europe since Thursday, I can't imagine many rushing to buy match tickets between now and May.
I like what Paul Wilson writes about, primarily because he's a very good writer, but he always gives a decent level of coverage to Everton and is always fair. With his piece about the UEFA Cup, he talks about the attitude taken by Spurs and Villa last week in their approach to their cup ties and highlights the problems facing the UEFA Cup as once again it is to be revamped for the 09/10 season as the Europa League. Again the competition will be based initially on mini-leagues, before moving to a 32-team knock-out including (still) the fall out boys of the Champions' League, which, as usual, will be full of lots of non-Champions. Paul Wilson basically thinks it is a failing competition and this will not improve things. He also suggests it be turned into a straightforward knock-out cup with possibly some seeding making it a completely different competition to the CL.
For me, he's spot on in highlighting the weakness of the UEFA Cup. As Europe is so utterly dominated by the Champions League, anything else is always going to play second fiddle. In that respect, why compete? Why not try something radical and reintroduce a 64 or more team knock-out to rev it up? One of the best supported and most avidly followed competitions in the USA is something called March Madness, an annual basketball tournament for college teams where 64 teams play winner takes all over a period of weeks in, well, March. Its popularity is partly based on the uniqueness of the knock-out system from the first day of the competition; this is not the case in any other sport in the US.
Ultimately for me, Everton qualifying for Europe remains a big deal. I'm completely bored of the Premiership. I'm bored with the predictability of it, with the constant weekly droning noise of the same sides and players. Today, some poor sap is going to sit down and watch Bolton vs Newcastle on TV (nil nil at half time by the way) but outside from fans of those respective teams, who else is really interested? Same with Everton vs West Brom yesterday. The novelty of witnessing sides from across Europe playing at Goodison in the winter is great. Playing Zenit, we got to see Arshavin months before everyone jumped on the bandwagon in December 2007. I thought that night Pogrebniak and Tymoschuk even better. Everton's trip to Nurnberg is now part of club folklore and I got to sit in front of Berti Vogts. Is that happening for me at Fratton Park in a few weeks? From a practical perspective, only by entertaining these European teams on a regular basis do our players become better at performing in Europe in future. I'd hope that regular exposure to European players for Everton's squad would mean that at some point a return to the Champions League - pipe dream though it is - will mean we're better equipped to compete, and it has to help David Moyes become a better manager.
I completely understand Redknapp's decision on Thursday. Spurs have the Carling Cup Final today and are in the soap down the bottom of the Premiership. O'Neill's decision is harder to square. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if I bump into my Spurs supporting work colleagues tomorrow morning and they are no longer holders of the Carling Cup, still 3 points above the drop in the Premier League and not in Europe since Thursday, I can't imagine many rushing to buy match tickets between now and May.
West Brom win: job done
Job done. Must have heard that expression about 20 times since the ref blew his whistle , mid-afternoon yesterday. A 2-0 home win against the league's bottom side, just about deserved because we converted our chances and West Brom did not. They outplayed Everton until Cahill scored after about 35 minutes with some slick passing and quick movement but WBA's central defence has looked poor all season when I've caught them on TV and yesterday was no different. Throw in the mix a midfield that looks as though it is designed NOT to compete when they don't have the ball and you've got a team that will leak goals.
It was Everton's first match post-Arteta and a sign of what we're going to get for the rest of this season. Creativity will be a scarce commodity. That said, I thought Pienaar was outstanding yesterday, genuinely using trickery and application to constantly provide a threat from out wide. I also thought that we looked better once Osman came on into the middle and he made a decent fist of pulling the strings, especially as Fellaini provided another frustrating show. Fella's role is was clearly different from his pre-Xmas one as a front line support striker; he played some neat passes across the park, but his tackling remains woeful.
One major positive was the re-appearance of Louis Saha just as we need a proper centre forward. When he came on he provided direction and put further pressure on the Baggies' centre-halves. His goal was an excellent turn and first-time shot, made by the efforts of Pienaar in closing down the West Brom full-back. Given that Anichebe looks done for the season too, we desperately need Saha to avoid injury, particularly for the Quarter-Final cup tie next Sunday.
Otherwise, the defence was solid once more (Jag's goal-line clearance was outrageous) with Yobo in for Lescott. Neville dropping back for the early departure of Hibbert didn't adversely affect things. Crucially, Everton won and Wigan lost which gives us a comfortable cushion between us and 7th spot helping our European aspirations for next season. In theory, we should be looking at Arsenal in fifth spot now, but if we get sixth and a day out at Wembley - even if it is a semi final, I'll see that as another successful campaign.
Castillo's pants and socks combination continue to baffle me.
It was Everton's first match post-Arteta and a sign of what we're going to get for the rest of this season. Creativity will be a scarce commodity. That said, I thought Pienaar was outstanding yesterday, genuinely using trickery and application to constantly provide a threat from out wide. I also thought that we looked better once Osman came on into the middle and he made a decent fist of pulling the strings, especially as Fellaini provided another frustrating show. Fella's role is was clearly different from his pre-Xmas one as a front line support striker; he played some neat passes across the park, but his tackling remains woeful.
One major positive was the re-appearance of Louis Saha just as we need a proper centre forward. When he came on he provided direction and put further pressure on the Baggies' centre-halves. His goal was an excellent turn and first-time shot, made by the efforts of Pienaar in closing down the West Brom full-back. Given that Anichebe looks done for the season too, we desperately need Saha to avoid injury, particularly for the Quarter-Final cup tie next Sunday.
Otherwise, the defence was solid once more (Jag's goal-line clearance was outrageous) with Yobo in for Lescott. Neville dropping back for the early departure of Hibbert didn't adversely affect things. Crucially, Everton won and Wigan lost which gives us a comfortable cushion between us and 7th spot helping our European aspirations for next season. In theory, we should be looking at Arsenal in fifth spot now, but if we get sixth and a day out at Wembley - even if it is a semi final, I'll see that as another successful campaign.
Castillo's pants and socks combination continue to baffle me.
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