Drew O-O against Spurs. Based on chances created, we probably should have won. But we didn't because we don't really have one of those tap-in type goalscorers. At the back, Yobo and Lescott kept Defoe and Moanin' Keane out of harm's way. That was a highlight, particularly as the pairing is going to be critical against Chelsea in three weeks. Other highlights were Gomez's goalkeeping and the cameo by Pavlyuchenko for the last fifteen minutes. I could have sworn he was trying to end his season early by getting the ref (who was appalling - note for UEFA), to send him packing.
As nil-nil draws go, it was decent. Both sides attempted to win the game and there was actually some decent football played.
Pienaar was again superb but I'm getting concerned about the role Saha is supposed to be playing. He could be injured. Otherwise, why doesn't he start matches? Despite having Saha and now Vaughan available, we persist with Jo plus one other. Of late it's been Fellaini, who again frustrated the hell out of me, with Cahill dropping into the midfield. Why not put Saha up top with Jo and play Fellaini alongside Rodwell in the centre of the park? Rodwell was great too I thought.
So, it's three weeks til the big one. We now have to hope for no more injuries or moments of madness from silly little men in black that may result in red cards and suspensions.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Curses! If it hadn't been for those meddlesome kids...
Well, my Grand Plan for FA Cup glory is in tatters today following Chelsea's seizure at Stamford Bridge in injury time last night. Now it's all down to Everton and how they cope on the day. The only question left is how will that energy and emotion-sapping result against Barcelona last night affect Chelsea? Will it galvanise them into concentrating on the FA Cup as their final chance at silverware this season? Or will the side be a spent force, doomed to wander that lonely wilderness with empty hearts knowing that Rome will not need their glamorous presence come May 27th?
Who knows? Judging by the state on most of their supporters at work today, I'd say the latter; most looked ready to escape for two weeks in the sunny Caribbean and await the next set of exciting, world-famous players to arrive in July.
The one thing that stood out in the game last night, well aside from Barcelona's astonishing ability to play keep ball for about 80 per cent of the night and not have a shot at goal til the 92nd minute, was John Terry's look of total bewilderment just after Iniesta's strike. There was a man who captains England and alongside Lampard is the core of the Chelsea operation, stood staring blankly like a goldfish not comprehending events just past and not having a clue what to do next. Time was up. Chelsea were out and nobody could do anything about it.
Then Ballack and Drogba went mad. Fabulous.
Who knows? Judging by the state on most of their supporters at work today, I'd say the latter; most looked ready to escape for two weeks in the sunny Caribbean and await the next set of exciting, world-famous players to arrive in July.
The one thing that stood out in the game last night, well aside from Barcelona's astonishing ability to play keep ball for about 80 per cent of the night and not have a shot at goal til the 92nd minute, was John Terry's look of total bewilderment just after Iniesta's strike. There was a man who captains England and alongside Lampard is the core of the Chelsea operation, stood staring blankly like a goldfish not comprehending events just past and not having a clue what to do next. Time was up. Chelsea were out and nobody could do anything about it.
Then Ballack and Drogba went mad. Fabulous.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Paper Talk
We're a few weeks away from the end of the season. Lucky for Everton, we're in the FA Cup Final (still feels good), and there is still a decent battle going on at the top and bottom of the Premier League. However, the papers are getting itchy feet. They're bored of match reports and the feature pieces on certain players are a thing of the past because players don't talk to journalists anymore, except on the sly when they need something.
Anyway, the number of lines given to football gossip is increasing as teams apparently are starting to draw up their summer wish lists. Or is it more a case of agents contacting teams with their wish lists? I even saw the crew on Sky asking Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish about whether they'd started planning for next season since both manager's won promotion. One of them at least had the nous to tell Dicky Keys that the season wasn't over yet.
So it's good to see the nonsense returning. We've all seen the Michael Owen link, and yet again Joe Ledley is on the radar. But the link to Christian Poulsen at Juventus is a newby. Let's hope he responds better to the possibility of a move to Everton than his Portuguese colleague, Tiago, who allegedly locked himself in the toilets when told the news and refused to leave yelling (presumably in Portuguese) "I'm not going there".
Poulsen, for the record, is a defensive holding midfield player who did very well at Seville for a few years before signing on with Juve last summer. He isn't a regular as his place is more regularly filled by a certain Mo Sissoko...
Anyway, the number of lines given to football gossip is increasing as teams apparently are starting to draw up their summer wish lists. Or is it more a case of agents contacting teams with their wish lists? I even saw the crew on Sky asking Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish about whether they'd started planning for next season since both manager's won promotion. One of them at least had the nous to tell Dicky Keys that the season wasn't over yet.
So it's good to see the nonsense returning. We've all seen the Michael Owen link, and yet again Joe Ledley is on the radar. But the link to Christian Poulsen at Juventus is a newby. Let's hope he responds better to the possibility of a move to Everton than his Portuguese colleague, Tiago, who allegedly locked himself in the toilets when told the news and refused to leave yelling (presumably in Portuguese) "I'm not going there".
Poulsen, for the record, is a defensive holding midfield player who did very well at Seville for a few years before signing on with Juve last summer. He isn't a regular as his place is more regularly filled by a certain Mo Sissoko...
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Respect
Got the Arsenal vs United game on in the background. Watch the reaction by Alex Ferguson to the Korean scoring and then cast your mind back to his pompous (and staged) dig at Benitez over a perceived lack of respect shown to Allardyce last month.
If he was in the crowd it could be forgiven.
If he was in the crowd it could be forgiven.
Phil Likes Peanuts
Capt Phil wasn't exactly going out on a limb when he gave this interview to the official website at Everton now was he? Phil says that Stephen Pienaar is Everton's best player 'by a mile' at present.
The only noteworthy thing about the comment is that the captain singled out one player for particular praise, rather than a general 'everyone is going great at present'.
Pienaar is the club's second-most creative player after Arteta anyway. His polished skills, attractive footwork and willingness to take the opposition on make him standout from the crowd. It's a shame we don't have a few more.
Phil tells it how it is here
The only noteworthy thing about the comment is that the captain singled out one player for particular praise, rather than a general 'everyone is going great at present'.
Pienaar is the club's second-most creative player after Arteta anyway. His polished skills, attractive footwork and willingness to take the opposition on make him standout from the crowd. It's a shame we don't have a few more.
Phil tells it how it is here
Monday, 4 May 2009
Stadium of Light
Went to the Stadium of Light on Sunday. My first visit. Very impressed with the outside and even more with the view from inside. Obviously the whole experienced was made better by Everton's comfortable second-half performance and tidy win.
Few impressions.
1. First was the usual struggle we seem to have at the outset in breaking teams down, even those as poor as Sunderland. The second half saw Everton up the tempo and put some good football together. Does it need a regular half-time rocket from DM to gee the players up?
2. Jo was impressive. Probably the first time away from home. His application shows us just what we miss without a genuine forward during the cup games. I think he's scored 5 goals in his 9 games, albeit against pretty mediocre teams. It will be a tough decision in the summer if we get the option to buy. I fancy his price tag will be prohibitive for a bid.
3. Pienaar was magnificent.
4. What gives when the locals from a place as dreary and mundane as Sunderland start up the "you've knicked our stereos" chant? Lads, check out the state of the area and some of the quality mongs appearing from the confines of Seaburn who attended the match?
5. The mass walkout of the Sunderland fans seconds after Fellaini's tap in was quite pronounced. There is clearly some significant dissatisfaction with the team and manager judging by the conversation on the Metro back to Newcastle after the final whistle. Sbragia has to be the Premiership's most unlikely manager.
6. The weather was nice all weekend in the North East. Puts a nice gloss on things.
Few impressions.
1. First was the usual struggle we seem to have at the outset in breaking teams down, even those as poor as Sunderland. The second half saw Everton up the tempo and put some good football together. Does it need a regular half-time rocket from DM to gee the players up?
2. Jo was impressive. Probably the first time away from home. His application shows us just what we miss without a genuine forward during the cup games. I think he's scored 5 goals in his 9 games, albeit against pretty mediocre teams. It will be a tough decision in the summer if we get the option to buy. I fancy his price tag will be prohibitive for a bid.
3. Pienaar was magnificent.
4. What gives when the locals from a place as dreary and mundane as Sunderland start up the "you've knicked our stereos" chant? Lads, check out the state of the area and some of the quality mongs appearing from the confines of Seaburn who attended the match?
5. The mass walkout of the Sunderland fans seconds after Fellaini's tap in was quite pronounced. There is clearly some significant dissatisfaction with the team and manager judging by the conversation on the Metro back to Newcastle after the final whistle. Sbragia has to be the Premiership's most unlikely manager.
6. The weather was nice all weekend in the North East. Puts a nice gloss on things.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Everton finally get some Fanni
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2406331.ece
Silly season is on
Silly season is on
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