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Well another
one bites the dust, season that is. And I don't think
a lot of blues worldwide will look back on this past one with a ton of
happy memories either. A humiliating derby defeat on our own soil, being
dumped out of the FA Cup in a shameful manner, and another Worthington cup
loss to a lower-league side to name a few. While the season may have
had us drowning our sorrows in our pint glasses, there have, as always,
been some positives to take from this season. David Moyes being appointed
to replace Walter Smith being one, as well as the end of season form of
Duncan Ferguson, David Unsworth and Alessandro Pistone... not to mention the
birth of another youth player in Nick Chadwick who has quickly become a
fan favourite, plus wonderkid Rooney set to make his first-team bow when
we resume to the world of The Premiership. I think Moyes has
the right idea in that we need to bring in a new goalkeeper. Paul Gerrard
(in my opinion) is not good enough to play for Everton, full stop and while
Simo has his good games, he has been caught out a few times this season
especially against the bigger clubs. Ian Walker sounds like a good buy to
me, he has always been a good keeper and was unfortunate at Tottenham, he
has had a decent season at Leicester and for 1.5m, I think we could do
good business their. Lee Carsley and Tobias Linderoth looked to
have had their best games in blue shirts on Saturday at Arsenal. I hope Toby
stays; I
like the way he sits in front of the defence, something we have lacked
since Dacourt. We could do a lot worse than sell Kevin
Campbell. I think he's past his best and around £2.5M plus saving £35 grand
a week would be a worthy deal with the kids Rooney and Chadwick itching
for starting places next season. Has Ginola been
eating some baguettes or what? :) Good luck to him, I think he could have
lit Goodison up had he been signed in different circumstances; he was
simply the wrong man at the wrong time. The
Season Player of the season - David Weir -
Never seems to have a bad game; admitted to being "not the greatest
talker on the pitch" when he was handed the armband last year but,
in his spell as captain this year, I think he did us proud. Add to the
fact that not only did he join us ahead of the kopites, but he says he's
not interested in leaving Everton, not even for Manchester United. A
dedicated player who wears his heart on his sleeve
Young Player
of the season - Nick Chadwick - Chaddy has taken his chance well this
season. A boyhood Evertonian who works his socks off on the park. Has
always been a natural goal scorer in the reserves and youth team and looks
to be carrying that into the first team. Tony Hibbert comes close behind
him after some fine performances at right back. Goal of the
season - Alessandro Pistone v Bolton - Beats Gravesen's against West
Ham and Stubbs' v Bolton in my opinion. A powerful right foot drive from
30 yards straight into the back of the net. A crucial goal also.
Game of the season - The Fulham
game at home - From the moment Z Cars hit and the lads ran out to a packed
Goodison that never stopped signing, to the final whistle filled with joy
and relief. That is the best atmosphere I have ever witnessed; we (the
fans) made a difference that day in what was a crucial win in Moyes's first
game in charge. Worst game of the season - I was
tempted to put the Derby at home were we outclasses by the red shite, but
Boro away in the FA cup was ridiculous. From the tactics (Clarke left
back, Pistone right back and Linderoth right wing) to the moment that
gobshite Ince cart wheeled infront of us. No player seemed to care that
day, and 8,000 Evertonians spent the 4-hour journey home wondering
why they forked out so much money yet again. Moment of the
season - David Moyes being introduced - A Thunderous roar from a
packed Goodison welcoming one of the brightest young managers in the
English game to our club. You could see he was touched and he has had
nothing but praise for the fans since he came. Flop of the
season - Walter Smith - After saving the club from relegation 3 years
running, this season was being hyped as a sound all-round season with the
second most successful British manager in charge. His tactics were awful at
times and didn't show any emotion during games not to mention his usual
"well we're disappointed with that, but injuries have cost us
today" line after every game, as well as taking too many gambles:
Duncan, Gazza and Ginola. The
Players GOALKEEPERS Paul
Gerrard - Mistake after mistake saw him finally dropped in November. Cost us too many points last season as well as
this. Once he returned to
the team in April, another howler against Leicester straight away did him
no favours before a nightmare game against Blackburn hopefully sealed his
status as "Transfer Listed". - 4/10
Steve Simonsen - Came into the
picture like a breath of fresh air, keeping a number of clean sheets
before his "nightmare" game at Boro away in the cup. A few more
mistakes have had some people asking questions about the ex-England U-21
keeper. Commands his area and a good shot stopper. Should continue to
improve and become a great keeper. - 7½/10
DEFENDERS
Steve Watson - More of an attacking
player than out-and-out right back, was solid at the start of the season
and only seemed to have one bad game (Liverpool at home) before being
injured in January. Returned in April looking a little unfit; often
leaves "his" right back spot unguarded allowing the opposition
to take advantage, but an honest professional who'll give you 100% every
game. - 7/10 Tony Hibbert - Having played
central midfield as a youngster, he has found himself occupying the right
back spot this season in Steve Watson's absence. An Evertonian who plays
for the crest every game. Sometimes looks to get rid of the ball too early
which is probably down to nerves. A good prospect for the future who has
had some great games this season. - 7/10 Alec
Cleland - Featured just three times this season as a substitute; once again
he had a ridiculous amount of injuries, and has just been released. Brought nothing new to the team when he did feature.
He joins the Stephen Hughes's and the Danny Williamson's of this world as another talented
player who's career took a dive at our club. - Not played enough to be
judged Alan Stubbs - A boyhood blue who
was an instant favourite with the fans from the moment he held up the
"Once an Evertonian Always An Evertonian" shirt, the day he
signed. A strong player who has been a valuable asset to us this year.
There were shouts for an England call around Easter time which never came.
Has formed
a good partnership with Weir but his form dropped towards the end of the
season with poor performances against Leicester, Blackburn and Arsenal.
- 7½/10 David Weir - Player of the season. Leads by example - Read player of the season section above.
-9/10 Peter Clarke - Never played in his
natural position which is in a back 4. Played as a right back under Smith
and worked hard every game. Made some mistakes and his confidence seemed
to drop. Is captain of England U-20's and our reserve team. Iif played at
center back, then we might see the best of Clarkey.
-6/10 David Unsworth - Started well
enough but a couple of bad performances against Man Utd, Palace and
Liverpool resulted in him being dropped. In and out of the team until
Moyes's arrival in which he ended the season as our best player. In that
kind of form he is one of the best players to have around. Hard working,
strong tackler, supports the midfield and likes to attack down the left. Plays well on the left or the center but as we all know, can have his fair
share of bad games. - 7½/10 Alessandro Pistone - A calm player
who never seems to worry. Had his worst games when played as a right back
under Smith, looked comfortable in a back three or four. Tackles and
passes well and works hard. An all round good player who we would miss if
the rumors about him wanting to return to Italy are true. -
7½/10 Gary Naysmith - Plays like an
Evertonian in that he will play for the badge for 90 minutes. Runs up and
down tirelessly and works very hard. Likes to attack and is a good
tackler; still only 21. One wonders where he will fit into the team when
he returns from injury after good seasons from Rhino and Pistone, but a
player we must keep. - 8/10 MIDFIELDERS Niclas Alexandersson - After three
good performances against Charlton, Spurs and Boro, Nic's form dropped and
he found himself left out of the squad completely at times. First touch
isn't the best and often runs towards the corner flag too much instead of
to the touchline, has improved under Moyes and is still our only option on
the right side. A good world cup should help him produce his international
form at Goodison. - 6/10 Lee Carsley - Hasn't put a foot
wrong since joining. Makes life un-comfortable for the opposition and
likes a crunching tackle, much like the Parkinson and Horne days. Also
likes to support the forwards. Looking like a good buy at £1.6M. - 7½/10 Scot Gemmill - Works hard and makes up for lack of skill
with some neat passing and control. Hasn't been at his best this season
but still a hard worker who is always busy. - 6½/10 Tobias
Linderoth - Protected the back four in the Ipswich, Liverpool, Crewe,
Arsenal and Leeds games before being moved to the right wing (!) by Walter
where he failed to impress. Didn't feature under Moyes until the final
league game at Arsenal where he once again looked good in the holding
midfield role. Still only 23 and capped numerous times by Sweden for whom
he will play the holding midfield role in this summer's World Cup. -
7/10 Mark Pembridge - Season blighted by injuries, played as a
left winger by Smith earlier in the season, he always worked hard and made
life difficult for the opposition. Some say he will win you the ball and
then give it away again. If injury free next season, could be a valuable
asset to the squad. - 6/10 Thomas Gravesen - Started the
season in fine form after recovering from an ankle injury. Scored a wonder
goal against West Ham followed by a fine free kick against Villa which
brought out the confidence in "Mad Dog". Works hard, loves a
crunching tackle and passes well. Currently our best midfielder who was
nearly forced out the club after a bust up with Smith. -
8/10 Idan Tal - Only started one game,
against Sunderland away, where he was ineffective. Likes to take people
on. If given a run in the side, could prove to be a great player. - Not
played enough to be judged Jesper Blomqvist - Brought
something new to the team in that he liked to run at players and take
people on. Not consistent enough this season but showed flashes of being a
top-class player. Hopefully he will be offered a new contract and, with a
pre-season under his belt, we could have one of the coups of the decade.
7/10 David Ginola - Wrong man, wrong
place, wrong time. Could have lit Goodison up if he had arrived in
different circumstances. Played as a striker by Smith where he impressed
against Crewe and Arsenal. Dropped by Smith after a bust up and then
injured until the final game of the season where he returned out of shape.
Released in May. - 6/10 Kevin McLeod -
Only figured once in the Worthington Cup against Palace. A boyhood Blue who can
play anywhere on the left; next season will be make or break. - Not
played enough to be judged. STRIKERS Duncan
Ferguson - Started well before picking up a series of injuries which
saw him sit on the sidelines until January before getting injured again. After a visit to a specialist, a blood disorder was found to be the key to
his injury problems. Now under control, he has produced some wonderful
form and resumed the roll of captain. An injury free Duncan next season
would be a handful for any team. - 7½/10 Kevin Campbell
- Last league goal for the blues came against West Ham in September
and he only scored 3 when he returned against Orient and Crewe. Looks to be
past his best and rumors are flying around that he will be sold in the
summer. Works hard for the team and is willing to take bumps for the likes
of Radz and Chadwick. Next season will be make or break for Kev as far as
his Goodison future goes. - 6/10 Tomasz
Radzinski - Offers something to the team that no other striker did
apart from Danny Cadamarteri in that he will run into space and drag
defenders across the park. Very fast but has missed some golden chances
this season. There are rumors he may leave in the summer but in my opinion
we should keep him, next season should see Tomasz improve into a 15-goal-a-season man if injury free.
- 7/10 Joe-Max Moore
- Never really got a fair chance this season, when he did he didn't
look much better than what we had. Scored 2 goals in December and we never
heard much since. Works hard and will play for the badge in that he will
run tirelessly all game. Doesn't score enough to be a striker and doesn't
look comfortable in midfield.- 5/10 Nick Chadwick
- Natural finisher in the youth team and reserves, got his chance
around Easter and never looked back. 3 goals in 2 starts and 4 sub apps is
a good record for a 18-year-old kid. Looks like a fine striker who works
hard and knows where the goal is. Should see more of him next season. -
7/10 The players who have left
Abel Xavier
- Showed his true colours when he crossed Stanley Park and then
branded the club stupid for sacking Walter Smith. Famously refused to play
against Sunderland at home after complaining of a boil on his bottom. Played better in a back 4 that in midfield or a back
5; played well during
December when he was playing for a move. My red shite mates are already
complaining that he's not good enough, but he's their problem, no longer
ours. - 6/10 Paul Gascoigne - One of the finest
players ever was given the chance to possibly end his career at Everton by
Walter Smith and he re-payed him by putting in some fine displays in key
games such as Stoke, Sunderland and Bolton. Small cries for an England
re-call were dashed when he was dropped by Walter Smith in March and then
asked for a transfer just before Smith was sacked. Opened defences up, worked
tirelessly and passed well. - 7¼/10 Danny
Cadamarteri - What proved to be his final performance against Villa
away resulted in sarcastic cheers from the Everton faithful when he was
brought off in the 2nd half. Suffered from a lack of confidence and his
shooting was never anything special. - Didn't play enough to be
judged ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ Well, there you have it, the final column
of the season. Final thoughts? Some of the names we are being linked with
aren't great but if its what we have to do, then we must stick by the board
and management. Robbie Savage and Division 1 players aren't the ideal
solution to the problems of our once-great club, but that's what it is, our
club, the People's Club. With Moyes in charge, and some great youngsters
coming through, the future doesn't have to be grey, it will always be,
blue. Take Care Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Ian Mills
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