Plenty to Learn From Europa Experiment

Everton narrowly lost the game that ended the Blues' unbeaten run in the competition but the boss will hopefully have gleaned plenty from what he saw.

Lyndon Lloyd 12/12/2014 51comments  |  Jump to last

Everton 0 - 1 FK Krasnodar

It's rare that a manager gets an opportunity to run the rule over so many players pressing claims for the first team but Everton's impressive record over the first five games in the Europa League group phase afforded Roberto Martinez such a luxury in the dead rubber against Krasnodar. at Goodison this evening

The match may have been meaningless in the context of Group H – the Toffees had aleady qualified as group winners; Krasnodar were playing to avoid finishing with the wooden spoon – but it was a valuable exercise for Martinez who used the occasion to introduce four of his young players to the senior team, hand another first-team opportunity to Tyias Browning, Conor McAleny and Luke Garbutt, and provide both Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo the final stepping stone to rehabilitation from long-term injury.

Everton narrowly lost the game, a rain-soaked affair that ended the Blues' unbeaten run in the competition but the boss will hopefully have gleaned plenty from what he saw, not only about youngsters like Ryan Ledson and Kieran Dowell, but some of his more experienced players as well.

Christian Atsu was hoping to be among those players demonstrating that they have enough to be in the frame for the first team on a regular basis but the 22 year-old's evening was ruined after just six minutes when he pulled up with a hamstring injury chasing a loose ball over the touchline. It removed what might have been a valuable attacking outlet on the right flank but it offered 17 year-old Dowell 80 minutes' playing time against a decent Krasnodar side who had fielded nine of the 11 players who played in the reverse fixture in October.

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In the absence of his direct running, though, emerged Kone and Garbutt, the two standout performers of the evening. The Ivorian has spent 14 months out of action – more if you consider that he was barely fit for his first few outings as an Everton player last year – but he looked sharp, hungry and anything but a player who has been out so long. With better luck, or a less attentive display from Andrei Sinitsyn, he might have scored his first goal for the Blues but the Russian 'keeper was equal to the three shots he put on target.

Garbutt, meanwhile, did everything he could to enhance his reputation as the next Leighton Baines, going so far as to eclipse his mentor's set-piece delivery with a series of dangerous crosses from dead-ball situations, the first of which almost put Evertpon ahead but Anton Alcaraz's header dropped inches the wrong side of the post. The 21 year-old's willingness to run at the opposition defence, combined witn some tidy ball skills and an eye for a dangerous pass made him head and shoulders the pick of the younger players on show.

As Martinez noted after the game, the other youngsters didn't really settle until the second half against a Krasnodar team who were willing to knock the ball about nicely in midfield before looking to pick out a probing ball behind their hosts' defence. And it was from one such ball that Ricardo Laborde caught Pienaar flat-footed, stealing into the space vacated by Alcaraz and Gareth Barry – the two centre-halves who had been drawn over to the right flank – before advancing on Joel Robles in goal.

The Spaniard had done well to close the angle and deny Wanderson earlier in half when the Brazilian's fierce shot flew through his gloves and hit him full in the face and he initially looked to have forced Laborde into an impossible position on this occasion, too. Bizarrely, though, he wandered into no-man's land, presumably to cut off a cross, and left the goal gaping behind him, a gift that the Colombian grabbed by tucking the ball home.

Everton had their moments in trying to equalise before half time, Garbutt's exicting run winning a corner from which Alcaraz headed over under pressure from a defender, McAleny dragging an effort wide from 20 yards and Pienaar finishing another good move involving Garbutt with a powerful shot that Sinitsyn pushed away from goal.

Though initially penned into their own half by Krasnodar and saved from a wider deficit by Robles' save from Laborde in the early part of the second half, Everton's experimental side – Ledson, in particular – grew in stature as the match progressed and an excellent swivel and shot from Kone was batted away by the 'keeper. Ragnar Sigurdsson then effected a well-time sliding block in front of his goal to charge down Dowell's shot after the teenager had been threaded in beautifully by the lively Oviedo.

Apart from a scintiallating run by Kone and a low cross-cum-shot from Garbutt, however, Everton failed to test Sinitsyn unduly in the closing stages while more poor positional play by Robles should have paved the way for Marat Izmailov to make it 2-0 but he fired wide and Mauricio Pereyra also scuffed a shot passed the goal when well placed.

It's always disappointing to lose but the focus was all on the performance of some of the Blues' fringe players and, whether they performed well or not, the knowledge Martinez gained will have been important. In that sense, Robles, with two highly worrying lapses in judgement, will be the most disappointed because he did not give a good account of himself at a time when many supporters feel that competition is needed for Tim Howard.

McAleny, meanwhile, will also feel like he let himself down a bit, repeatedly hanging into the ball rather than picking out a promising run from a teammate or selecting the wrong option in foward positions. Dowell, operating behind Kone, largely struggled to get into a patchy game but was unfortunate not to open his account when foiled by that last-ditch Sigurdsson tackle. Long and Jones, in particular, weren't really on the field for long enough to make much of an impression, although the former's nifty move on the touchline to draw a late foul and yellow card for Sigurdsson set up a free-kick opportunity for Garbutt that Kone headed narrowly over.

On the plus side, while he looked more impressive in his cameos at Anfield and Old Trafford, Browning put in a decent shift at right back and Ledson recorded 100% pass accuracy in the second half as he settled into his customary defensive-midfield role in front of the back four. It was Garbutt, a fortnight on from his excellent outing in Wolfsburg, who stole the show, though, magnifying the question mark over whether Everton will be able to retain a player who is blossoming into regular first-team material but, just seven months from the end of his contract, is second in line behind Baines for the first-choice left-back slot.

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Denver Daniels
1 Posted 12/12/2014 at 02:10:27
Taxi for Lyndon. I think we lost this one :-)
Ant Ellis
2 Posted 12/12/2014 at 02:05:33
Unfortunately GarbuttÂ’s age will be the real concern when signing a new contract, heÂ’s not a kid anymore and had it not been for the fact he got Baines ahead of him would already be playing Premier League football.

HeÂ’s surely desperate for first team football and despite impressing when heÂ’s played is he going to boot a just-turned-30 Baines out the first XI? Tough call for Martinez.

Harold Matthews
3 Posted 12/12/2014 at 03:40:41
So Garbutt can go for free in the summer??? Good grief. What's going on?
Mark Tanton
4 Posted 12/12/2014 at 06:50:34
He might go when he realises that Baines will still start, even when he's forty with two broken legs.
Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
5 Posted 12/12/2014 at 07:14:16
Typo in the subhead, Daniel. Now fixed, cheers!
Nick West
6 Posted 12/12/2014 at 08:56:17
An interesting and worthwhile exercise – for both manager and fans.

I totally agree about McAleny. You can see he’s destined for a lower level. Probably one of those kids that looked a world beater when he was younger, beating everyone on the opposition team but now, when required to do the obvious thing, in the flow of the game – like play in a team member in a better position – he holds onto the ball and thus takes the wrong option. If you can’t suss that out at 21, you’re destined for the long haul at a lower level.

Phil Walling
7 Posted 12/12/2014 at 09:46:09
Ironic that Garbutt should be the one 'youngster' to shine on a night when we learned Arouna Kone may well be useful to us but Robles's and Atsu's time here is spent.

I say ironic because the 21-year-old was brought up primarily in Leeds Utd's academy and cost Everton £600,000 when signed 4 years ago. Finding his progress barred here, when Luke is free to move on in the summer, there will be no lack of admirers and he will make some other club (and England?) a fine full-back for many years.

As with the last time such a Euro situation occurred, I fear that Brentford beckons for most of the other kids on view but full credit to them for effort.

Please, Roberto, can we have a goalie for Xmas?

Craig Walker
8 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:09:36
Things I learned from last night:-

1. Luke Garbutt has a future at Everton
2. Kone could offer us something if he can stay fit
3. McAleny is too greedy and too eager to impress
4. Robles isn't good enough and should be moved on
5. Pienaar is well past it and should be moved on

Iain Love
9 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:05:17
As Phil has just pointed out, are we saying to other clubs here's a diamond you can get for free in the summer, madness.

Kone and Pienaar look ready for the subs bench. Oviedo is still not quite match fit. The rest (Garbutt aside) are still works in progress.

As Ratty or Les (not sure which) pointed out, it's difficult to assess players when there was such wholesale changes, I was always a better player when there was better players around me.

Brian Harrison
10 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:15:38
I think Garbutt was the stand-out performer last night and when you think that this lad is free to leave in the summer, considering we have extended Hibbert's contract and given Eto'o a 2-year contract and Barry a 3-year contract, it is madness.

The other worrying point is RM had watched Robles at Wigan for a couple of seasons but still signed him. I don't think I have ever seen a more inept keeper wear the Everton keepers jersey. I shudder to think what will happen if Howard gets injured and if we don't sign another keeper in January.

Tony J Williams
11 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:25:19
I doubt there is such a sense of urgency with Garbutt's new contract.

He isn't playing in the first team and to be fair not many other teams would even know he exists, as such.

There are 6 months left on his contract and we have no idea if a new one has been offered or if there is one waiting to be put together.

Before the Lance-Corporal Joneses amongst you start having palpitations... maybe we should wait to see how it pans out before hand wringing and crying how we lost him in the summer.

Adam Luszniak
12 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:31:41
Garbutt stole the show but I was mightily impressed with Kone after such a long lay off. Good strength, good control, decent shot and worked his socks off.
Sam Hoare
13 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:48:49
Surprised to hear Garbutt is out of contract this Summer. Hope we don't lose our one youngster who looks nailed on to make it as Premier league player.
Mat Smith
14 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:54:10
Maybe time for Martinez to move Baines into centre midfield, like he said at the start of the season, and give Garbutt a run at left back? Monday night could be a good opportunity if McCarthy is still out?

Or maybe do what Moyes did with Coleman and play Garbutt on the left wing to get him some game time? – either way, though, he needs to start playing.

Phil Walling
15 Posted 12/12/2014 at 10:49:20
Brian, word from Wigan at the time had Everton paying a lump sum of £25M for McCarthy, Kone, Alcaraz and Al Habsi plus the coaching team. At the last minute, Cup Final Dave changed his mind on the goalie and would only include Robles in the deal.

Thank you, Uncle Dave!

Trevor Lynes
16 Posted 12/12/2014 at 12:24:47
Kone had absolutely no support and the young players around him just did not have either the nous or physicality to compete. Of the supposed kids only Garbutt really showed first team potential. Kone, Garbutt and our other older players outshone the rest IMO.

Kone was head and shoulders above the others and was left to battle against three and sometimes four defenders. Browning is much too slow for full back and got a pasting in that position along with Gethin Jones against Sunderland Under-21s.

I was not in the least impressed with any of the others who all seem miles away from pushing for the first team. Old Osman is much better than any on show. I am disappointed with our youngsters; only Stones and Garbutt have shown real class. Other clubs are producing good youngsters but we still have players like McAleny who is actually older than Lukaku but still not anywhere near ready.

Ironically we are only producing defenders, eg, Garbutt and Stones in the present bunch. Barkley seems to be waiting for ever to realize his potential (whatever that is). I was hoping to see a midfielder or attacking player that had real potential but I was disappointed.

Steve Carse
17 Posted 12/12/2014 at 12:43:31
I'd have liked to have seen Long on for more than 10 minutes. And as for Jones coming on in the 89th minute.........
Mike Childs
18 Posted 12/12/2014 at 12:46:21
Here we have a perfect opportunity for RM to get tough with his players showing that performance matters most by either moving Baines up to midfield or the bench in favor of Garbutt. Yes, Baines has been great but he is obviously worn out and needs rest.
Brian Waring
19 Posted 12/12/2014 at 14:45:24
IsnÂ’t Oviedo ahead of Garbutt for the left back role when Baines doesnÂ’t play?
Anthony Hughes
20 Posted 12/12/2014 at 14:32:57
Put yourself in GarbuttÂ’s boots. Baines is the first choice Everton and possibly England left back for the next couple of years, he obviously has shown huge potential and at 21 years of age and must be thinking of regular first team action but he isnÂ’t going to oust Baines. With his contract running down would he even consider signing a new one if he knows his first team chances are going to be restricted?

IÂ’m pretty sure he will be looking for a team that can offer him regular first team football which he needs at his age for his continued development. In 3 to 4 years time he should be fighting with Luke Shaw for the England left back squad but that wonÂ’t happen if heÂ’s warming the bench at Everton. This may be one that slips away.

Brian Harrison
21 Posted 12/12/2014 at 14:49:44
I felt a little sorry for McAleny last night: every time this lad got near the first team, he suffered a couple of bad injuries. I suppose last night he looked around and saw lads a lot younger and thought he needed to really make an impression or wave the chance of ever getting into the first team.

I think he tried to do too much every time he got the ball, and alas didnÂ’t show his true potential. I think the bigger the club the harder it is for youngsters to get their break, mainly because the manager is under pressure to get results as well as the fans so neither are prepared to allow the youngsters to learn in the first team.

Anthony Hughes
22 Posted 12/12/2014 at 14:50:22
Looking at the other players, McAleny had the desire but didnÂ’t appear to have the football intelligence or speed of thought yet and at 22 years old needs regular first team football.

Ledson showed real flashes and has plenty of time to development and learn his game. Dowell was hard to assess because he wasnÂ’t played in his normal position but again needs more time in the first team over the next 18 months.

I think with young players unless they have exceptional pace or are built like a bull (eg, Stirling, Walcott or a young Rooney), then they can struggle to impress at a young age.

Richard Reeves
23 Posted 12/12/2014 at 15:01:42
Anthony #22,

Stirling and Walcott built like bulls?

Jay Harris
25 Posted 12/12/2014 at 14:57:57
I wouldnÂ’t worry too much about Luke Garbutt. He is obviously enjoying his football at Everton and is being helped by one of the best left backs in Europe. EFC should get his contract sorted out as a matter of urgency though.

I would also emphasise that some of the other kids are only 17 so this was a massive game for them and they still have some years to develop, unlike Robles who needs to spend some time watching videos of goalkeeping basics.

I'd also like to mention Pienaar who I thought put a lot of energy and endeavour in which has been missing from the first team since he has been out.

Steve Pugh
26 Posted 12/12/2014 at 15:07:57
Baines at left DM, Oviedo left mid and Garbutt left back. This could make our left side the best in the country. If anyone of them is sussed by a direct opponent, they could switch positions making it very difficult for opponents.

On the right, you could have Coleman, Macca and Mirallas. Not as fluid but just as scary.

Julian Wait
27 Posted 12/12/2014 at 15:16:53
What Steve Pugh said. He saved me some typing. Barry as a backup defensive midfield or central midfield, or even a backup centre-half with Jags if needed. We need all four of them to make a run of anything.
Dave Pritchard
28 Posted 12/12/2014 at 15:29:45
Garbutt very good going forward and really good delivery from corners. Baines has had a few poor matches recently but still has loads of assists over the season so far. The Garbutt LB and Baines LM is an interesting idea and the only way to find out is to try it in a match. Wonder if it would be suspect defensively.

Ledson showed some promise last night and Browning decent but McAleny disappointing for me.

Kone’s performance was encouraging and it didn’t look like he was pulling out of any challenges.

Dave Williams
29 Posted 12/12/2014 at 18:04:23
Brian (#10) – did you ever see Dai Davies or Dave Lawson? Either would run Robles close!

Last night's team was thrown together and any plan to win the game was less important than giving crocks and youngsters a run out and giving the first team a rest. Hence a lack of flowing football and a lack of penetration but it was clear to see that Garbutt is ready and in my view should play instead of the currently below par Baines.

Kone looked good and will hopefully show the people on this site how wrong they have been to poke fun at his absence. Ledson looks like he will make it especially when playing in the first team with decent players around him.

Priority has to be a decent keeper for the first team and probably a decent understudy as well.

Mike Childs
30 Posted 12/12/2014 at 18:07:19
Phil, that is without a doubt the best Christmas present any fan could wish for....
Iain Love
31 Posted 12/12/2014 at 19:06:09
Sorry but if you want to include Garbutt, play him in front of Baines, not behind him. As good as he was going forward, there where a few times he lost possession which would worry me.

Anyway, with Baines and Oviedo for LB we are well covered there. I wouldn't mind using him as a makeweight to address positions we need to address.

Gavin McGarvey
32 Posted 12/12/2014 at 19:19:14
It would be nice to include Garbutt, Oviedo and Baines on the left side of the team if possible. Maybe not the most defensive players, but quick, hard-working and full of pace and attacking intent.

Perhaps this could be the Bainnar Mk II? As a three, they would be tough to defend against, plus they can all pass and move. I'm sure Martinez must be thinking about how he can make it work.

Regarding Kone, well I was really surprised. I thought he'd come back all timid, trying to avoid an injury. To be honest, he looked better than before he was injured: a real man on a mission. I don't think he'll be happy just making up the numbers on the subs bench.

Pleased with Pienaar coming back from injury. Sloppy play for their goal, but he's on his way back and he's an important player for us. If he can get back to his top game, then he can be the difference in terms of us winning matches.

Mike Childs
33 Posted 12/12/2014 at 20:59:35
Totally disagree Garvin (#32), any minutes afforded to Pienaar are wasting minutes that a youngster could use. Pienaar shouldn't see the pitch again imo.
Steve Carse
34 Posted 12/12/2014 at 22:31:14
Mike (35), with our less than comfortable league position and our general poor level of performance, I think it would be a folly to dismiss out of hand any current member of the squad, and particularly someone like Pienaar who, lest we forget, forms one half of what has been, and is still potentially, our most productive attacking combination.
Eddie Dunn
35 Posted 13/12/2014 at 08:30:52
Barry was great at centre-back, and he can bring it out and pass.

Pienaar is getting some stick here but I thought that he really got stuck in for an hour, worked hard and helped the kids. He also hit a cracking shot which is something of a rarity these days!

Garbutt needs to start at left-back and Baines shuffled over to midfield. Perfect time with Barry out, and Macca injured.

Martin Nicholls
36 Posted 13/12/2014 at 12:01:30
As Garbutt is under 24 years old, he can't leave on a free in the Summer IF we've offered him a new contract – hopefully it won't come to that.

RM has talked of using Baines as defensive mid (he compared him to Lahm at the time) in the past – maybe this would be the way to accommodate both him and Garbutt in team.

I thought Kone was brilliant on Thursday in the circumstances; I'm looking forward to seeing this unfairly maligned player shut the (far too many) doubters up!!

Steavey Buckley
37 Posted 13/12/2014 at 16:09:37
There is one thing I learned from Thursday's match, how short-sighted it was to disband the the Reserves league that enabled younger players to play alongside and against more experienced first-team players. The Under-21 team has trapped many younger players from gaining much valuable experience, forcing many to leave their clubs and gain experience with lesser league sides.
Phil Walling
38 Posted 13/12/2014 at 17:52:16
Any suggestion that either Davies or Lawson was as bad a goalie as Robles is totally ridiculous. True they were hardly Southall, West or Martyn standard but they did a decent job generally whilst being prone to the odd clanger as most are.

The Garbutt situation is nothing about the club giving him a new contract but more the lack of opportunity of gaining a regular spot. I would be amazed if Baines will ever make a smooth transition to defensive mid as this is just another of this manager's daft ideas. To me, Leighton is nowhere near the player he was under Roberto's tutelage and the stats bear that out. But he's still our best left-back.

Of course, the same could be said of a number of our players where premature old age is the excuse. Whilst Moyes was hailed as the ruination of good strikers, this bloke shares the virus around as I can't think of a single player who is better since his appointment.

Patrick Murphy
39 Posted 13/12/2014 at 18:19:46
Which are those stats that bear out the demise of Baines under the stewardship of Roberto, Phil? I thought he was the most creative full-back in the PL not too long ago – I must have missed something in the last few weeks/months.

I do agree with you that Robles will never ever make the grade in the PL, he lacks positional sense and has next to no confidence. Whatever happens between now and the end of January on the pitch, we need a new keeper as a back-up for Howard. It would be very remiss of the manager and the club not to address this problem asap. I'm still backing Tim but only having only one decent keeper is a recipe for trouble.

Ray Said
40 Posted 13/12/2014 at 18:21:41
Since Baines became 'England's left back, Baines' his form has slumped. On current form, he doesn't deserve his place. He now runs past his opposition then turns and plays it backwards rather than crossing. When he does cross, he is lucky to get the ball in the box – never mind hit one of ours with the cross. His corners reek and never pass the first defender, his free kicks are just as bad as his corners.

On the positive side, his passing is excellent and I think his tackling has improved. Give him a try in midfield and let Garbutt have a run.

Colin Glassar
41 Posted 13/12/2014 at 18:21:09
I'm sorry, Phil, but Dai Davies was probably the worst Everton goalkeeper of all time. He couldn't catch, punch or even kick the ball. Robles might be bad but Davies was just completely shite.

As for David Lawson, the less said the better. I think third cousin removed, Nigella, would've performed better than that useless clown.

Phil Walling
43 Posted 13/12/2014 at 18:57:41
Colin, You and I don't agree on anything, so let's add the quality of our old goalkeepers to that list!

Thinking further afield than Everton, the worst I ever saw was Jim Herriott of Birmingham City whose 60s bloomers deserved a TV series of their own!

Bob Parrington
44 Posted 14/12/2014 at 04:07:33
Give Garbutt a new contract and move Bainesee to midfield, giving the youngster a good chance at LWB.
Wayne Smyth
45 Posted 14/12/2014 at 09:08:06
Bob, I would've said let Garbutt play LW and leave Baines at LB.

The Pienaar incident before the goal on Thursday was a good example of why. In that situation where Pienaar was incorrectly telling Garbutt where to position himself, Baines would've probably ignored it or not even been offered the advice in the first place.

It's essentially what Moyes did with Coleman in the early years. I think having played RW Coleman now appreciates what Mirallas or whoever is playing in front of him wants, which is one of the reasons he's such a quality full back.

Paul Tran
46 Posted 14/12/2014 at 15:50:02
Got to be Lawson for me. I still have nightmares about that Chris Nicholl strike that took about 5 minutes to go in that sorry night at Old Trafford. I swear I could have run across from my spec in the Stretford End and saved that one!

Howard is not good enough. Robles is clearly not good enough. Both need replacing in January.

Kone looked pretty sharp to me. With something to prove, he will come in handy for the rest of the season. I hope people judge him on what he does rather than who signed him from where.

As for the 'kids', they need more game time. If we're going to fart about mid-table, I'd rather see a young team build and grow rather than old men like Pienaar stagnate. Please, please please stop droning on about the Pienaar of old – he's gone.

Patrick Murphy
47 Posted 14/12/2014 at 16:00:22
Paul (46) It was a massive blunder by the club in the mid-70s not to have broken the bank for Shilton or Phil Parkes. I think a good keeper may have seen us win a couple of trophies during that period. I would hate to see us make the same mistake today – a good goalkeeper is worth as much as a good striker IMHO. We'll have to see if Roberto manages to get somebody to fulfil that role for the next five to ten years.
Paul Tran
48 Posted 14/12/2014 at 16:04:50
Dead right, Patrick, you've only got to look at De Gea at Man Utd. For his first two years, Count Dracula got most things right – except getting a goodkeeper. I'll say it again – Marshall or Cech in January please!
Dave Williams
49 Posted 14/12/2014 at 16:33:15
Patrick - couldn't agree more!

We had a really good and strong team with the best centre forward in the country but lacked a dominant keeper. Put Southall in that team and we would have won the league that season when Latch scored 30 league goals.

Phil – it's all about opinions but I had season tickets in the days of Dai Davies and Dave Lawson and they were equally as bad. Neither had a clue with crosses and Dai looked like he had a broom stuck to his back such was his inflexibility. Lawson had no shoulders and drooped – physically he just wasn't up to it. I have been amazed over the years at our inability to groom a young keeper and quite why Southall was never engaged to coach our keepers is beyond me.

Eric Holland
51 Posted 14/12/2014 at 22:54:55
Trevor Lynes (#16)
"Browning is much too slow" Not much down for the rest of our squad then!! Browning is the fastest player on our books.
Bill Watson
52 Posted 16/12/2014 at 16:10:51
From what I remember, Southall was offered a position as a goalkeeping coach, when he retired, but turned it down. Maybe like a lot of great players he was hoping some club would offer him a manager's job. Unfortunately, for Neville, he ended up managing Dover and from there went out of the game.

On the subject of bad goalkeepers; doesn't anyone remember Jim McDonagh? I think we signed him from Bolton and he was first choice for his only season here, somewhere around the mid 1970s.

Another useless goalie was the Scandinavian one whose name escapes me. He nearly got us relegated with his clanger, in the closing minutes, against Coventry in 1998.

Best goalie who never really established himself was Jim Arnold, who initially kept Southall out of the team. Jim was excellent but well into his 30s when we signed him.

Peter Bell
53 Posted 16/12/2014 at 16:50:02
Bill, Jim McDonagh replaced George Wood in 1979. That Scandanavian goallie was Thomas Myre.

Paul Tran @46.

I was the first supporter to get in the Stretford End that night and that buffoon Lawson ruined my night.

He did the same two weeks later at Maine Road when he came running off his line and got chipped by McDermott from the edge of the box. I was in the Kippax that day and could see what was going to happen from where I was stood.

As for big Nev being a coach, I think he could fall into the category of great players not necessarily being great managers. I think his communication skillls would need a bit of work.

Dave Abrahams
54 Posted 16/12/2014 at 16:56:35
Bill Watson,

His name was Thomas Myrhe, possibly wrong spelling, he wore contact lenses; he replaced Southall as goalkeeper.


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