Season review so far

Ok here it goes, as a first time poster on ToffeeWeb ? although using it constantly for the last 2 years whilst travelling around Europe ? I thought I would try and write review of the players during the season so far: I know it is still early days but their have been some causes for concern and some highlights as well that I thought I could pick up upon.

Tim Howard: An excellent Premier League goalkeeper although doubts still creep into my mind whether he has what it takes to make it at the very top. However during his absence you could see the defence did not play as confidently, this credit to the way he has performed over the last 18 months or so. He is the best keeper I have seen at Goodison after Nev (and I only saw him after his prime being 21) and Nigel Martyn who for me was probably in Moyes top 3 buys. 7/10

Stefan Wessels: He appears to be a good stand in goalkeeper with some confident performances whilst standing in for Howard. However I think that although he appears to be a good choice for back up keeper this season, next season Iain Turner (who I think has the makings of a fantastic keeper) should be given a chance to challenge for the number one jersey. 6/10

Tony Hibbert: O Dear, where to start? I have been a staunch defender of Tony Hibbert for a number of years now claiming that he was a great defender and that as long as he worked on the possession side of his game he would soon become one of the top right backs in the Premiership. However as we all know, Tony has not made any strides in his passing ability in the last 5 years and simply remains a quickish fullback who can tackle well. Jagielka will push him all the way for the spot this season from the evidence at Derby and the praise he receives from Sheff Utd fans. 4/10

Phil Jagielka: You may wonder why I have placed Jagielka in the defenders section, but that is exactly what I and the majority of Everton fans see him as. I think unfortunately he has become a victim of his own versatility due to the injuries we have received. Phil appears to be an extremely average centre midfielder, however I believe that his real position is right back and I think the mark I am going to give him will probably increase a lot by the end of the season, if he holds down the spot. 5/10

Joseph Yobo: This man is an enigma. He plays one day like a top quality defender and then the next like a headless chicken. He has all the attributes to his game to be a fantastic defender, but unfortunately lapses of concentration continue to let him down. I believe he plays better when Stubbs is there to tell him what to do, however this then results in Lescott playing out of position. 6/10

Joleon Lescott: Fantastic. This man has surpassed everything I ever thought he was going to be at Everton, and I thought he was going to be good aswell. Has performed excellently this term and his elevation into the England side was richly deserved. Comfortable at either centre half or left back, he has now added goals to his game. A fantastic start to the season, let?s hope it continues. 9/10

Alan Stubbs: The old war horse just refuses to lie down. He clearly still has something to offer to the team and I am not worried when he is forced to come into the side as I feel he offers a calming influence and makes Yobo play better (see above) 6/10

Leighton Baines: Looks more and more like another steal by Moyes. Lad seems to be an excellent defender who seems to be at home attacking as well (Hinchcliffe anyone). Classy fullback who has just gone and got injured at Derby. Hope the injury will not keep him out for long as he has made the left back spot his own which leads me onto... 8/10

Nuno Valente: Can?t even remember him playing a game this season [article was penned prior to the Luton tie ? Ed], although stats prove that he has played one. I really used to like Valente, thought he was a tidy footballer, however a tendancy for niggling injuries and a combination of old age have thrust him down the pecking order beneath Lescott and Baines. 4/10

Lee Carsley: Lee is not the purist footballer however there is still no one at the football club who can do the job as well as Carsley can. He simply has helped Everton get back to winning ways in the last few games by breaking up the play and giving it to the more gifted players as he has done his whole career. I realise that he is getting on in years now but a long term replacement for him should be a top priority for Moyes in January. 6/10

Thomas Gravesen: When I first heard that we were linked with a more for the crazy Dane I have to admit I was scared, what is it that they say, Never go back? However when I found out it was on loan I started to think of the positives and I have to say I think there are many. How good did it feel against Larissa when you saw Tommy and Mikel playing one-two by the corner flag, two midfielders who are genuinely comfortable on the ball. Gravesen is still a good player although clearly he won?t be the same as he was 3 years ago (although who knows now that he is playing in a better team!). Gravesen for me offers one things that no one else in the squad has( not even Arteta) and that is to pick up the ball and pass it first time through the defence. I thnk he will be a quality signing by Moyes and again if it wasn?t for injuries I think he would have scored higher! 6/10

Phil Neville: Have you ever wanted to tear you eyes out when watching a footballer? Well that is how I feel when watching Neville, the best game I ever saw him have was his debut at home to Villareal where I thought he looked like he could be am excellent addition to the team. However his distribution is shocking and simply creates opportunities for the opposing side to attack us. Unfortunately he appears to be almost untouchable and I expect to see him back in the team after his ban. 4/10

Mikel Arteta: This lad is absolute class. I remember when we first got him on loan, I thought we had got a steal and it turned out I was right thank god! He has everything an attacking midfielder needs. I would give him and Lescott player of the season so far, he just needs to add more goals to his game because he is capable of doing that.
8/10

Tim Cahill: How obvious is it how much we missed him. The lad seems to have an incredible knack of scoring crucial goals for us. Although he is not the greatest passer of a ball, his workrate and scoring record mean that he is one of the most essential players we have. Hoepfully now he can just play enough games to get match fit quickly and stay fit for the rest of the season, because he will be a key figure for us. 6/10

Steven Pienaar: I trhink he has all the qualities of a class midfielder and looks like he is now settling into the pace of the premiership, he is a player I think that Moyes should be looking to sign permanently. Quick feet, a football brain and an eye for goal, could be a snip if we get in there quick enough. 7/10

Leon Osman: I am not the biggest Osman fan but I suppose he comes in and does a job. After having watched him against Liverpool he reminded me of the player that he cant be, direct and good with the ball at his feet. However I feel that he is too small for the prem, obviously there are players smaller than Osman who have done it but they are players like Zola etc, a completely diff class. He is took easily knocked off the ball and seems to fade out of games. Having said all this he is the type of player you need in your squad for a long season. 6/10

Andy Johnson: I think we all know what Johnson is. A pacy striker who will run all day for you and has a decent shot on him. However he has suffered a goal draught due to his lack of chances, he is constantly forced to run into corners to pick up the long ball smashed over the top. I think he could score a lot more goals if we just played it on the deck, him and Yak should be good together. 6/10

James McFadden: The eternal enigma. On fire for Scotland, On hold for us. He is such a confidence player and therefore he needs to play for us every week for us if he is scoring goals for Scotland. However would you like to be in Moyes position, Yak cost 11 and a half million, Anichebe scores a lot, Johnson works well in the system we have and Vaughan is back. I have a feeling that McFadden could be on his way in the summer, although I am not sure where. 7/10

Aiyegbeni Yakubu: I must say I have been really disappointed with the Yak, although his last few games have started to change my opinion of him. He looks a lazy player, but then I don?t really care as long as he scores goals. We can afford one lazy player in a team like ours as long as he does what he is meant to do, lets hope that he gets better than he has been. 6/10

Victor Anichebe: Ok, I am going to cause some controversy here but I don?t think he is really that good. His first touch is that of a rapist, and he is the luckiest footballer I have ever seen, and as we know at Everton luck don?t last long here so what will he have when this runs out. However on the flip side he does come on, shakes defenders up and scores goals so maybe I am being overly harsh. If he works on his first touch he could be a good player, but I think that?s a big maybe! 6/10

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