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News Headlines & Features
Smith & Jones reject rumours
28 Feb - Wolves boss Dave Jones has moved to quell suggestions that he is about to become the new Everton manager at the expense of Walter Smith, whose tenure is becoming increasingly shaky, in the minds of the media at least. Jones, a former Everton player, insists he is staying at Molineux for the foreseeable future
Letter from Guy Buzzard
28 Feb - A letter from Everton's Commercial Manager, Guy Buzzard, to an Everton fan on the ToffeeWeb Discussion Forum provides some indication of his plans for improving the fare offered at the Megastore, and addresses a specific question about getting an Everton mechandise outlet established in Liverpool City Centre.
Onward and Upward!
26 Feb - The Clinical Brothers fired Everton into the FA Cup Quarter Finals as the Blues came from behind to finally dispose of plucky Crewe at Gresty Road. Tomasz Radzinski cancelled out Dean Ashton's 24th min strike with a headed goal on the stroke of half time and Kevin Campbell struck the winner with 20 mins to go to set up a trip to Middlesbrough in the Sixth Round.
The Key to Salvation?
24 Feb - With Everton struggling for goals in recent weeks, the fit-again Tomasz Radzinski has emerged as the potential key to the Blues's hopes of pulling away from the relegation trapdoor. If the explosive striker can stay healthy until season's end, his attacking strengths and the dimension of speed he adds to the attack could lead the way to Premiership safety.
A result to savour
23 Feb - While the normally optimistic and positive Lyndon Lloyd offers a somewhat critical match summary, we balance that with a rare excursion into the realm of positivity by our resident Irish columnist, Colm Kavanagh who offers Walter Smith credit where it is due.
Honours even at Anfield
23 Feb - Tomasz Radzinski fired his first away goal for Everton as the Blues again drew first blood in the Merseyside derby after Walter Smith made a rare but decisive half-time switch. The Canadian scored within 6 minutes of coming in place of David Ginola. However, despite resolute defending, the Blues couldn't hold on for the win and Nicolas Anelka nipped in for the equalizer with 19 minutes to go.
Now Idan Tal is unhappy
21 Feb - You have to wonder about Walter Smith's ability to bring good players into Everton, only for them to become disillusioned and eventually leave. The next in that long list who have rotated through over the past four years appears to be Idan Tal, who complains about not being played and has even seen Kevin Campbell played in midfield ahead of him. Or is he also being "misquoted", with his comments "taken out of context"?
Small Public Meeting
21 Feb - Proponents and opponents of the Kings Dock scheme held a small meeting attended by less than 100 people in St George's Hall last night. The perceived benefits and drawbacks of the project were hotly debated by both sides. And this article by Mikey Blue Eyes blows the whole EUO1 argument away.
Fate forging our Destiny
20 Feb - Everton Fan Tony Wooly turns his attention away from the Kings Dock to assess the parlous state of Everton FC and cycle of decline that seems to have taken hold like never before. There is no criticsm of Walter Smith; only a deep and abiding sadness at the chasm gapping before us as Everton slip to 16th place in the Premiership.
Kilfoyle weilds the knife
19 Feb - Peter Kilfoyle, Labour MP for Walton, takes another opportunity to show his steadfast opposition to Everton's Kings Dock project on the basis of what it will do to his Walton constituency. In this article, he questions the Objective 1 European funding Everton are relying on to get the project off the ground.
Pitch in a state
19 Feb - The poor state of the pitch at Goodison Park is put down to a combination of factors including a very wet winter, a run of four home games, and the addition of two Youth Cup games, which must be played at the senior club stadium. And not much can be done to fix it.
Blomqvist's calming words
19 Feb - Jesper Blomqvist thinks Evertonians have nothing to worry about and that it is only a matter of time before Everton start scoring goals again… Perhaps the players should try to keep their mouths shut and produce the goods where it matters — on the field?
Replay Ticket Details
18 Feb - Everton will travel to Crewe's Gresty Road stadium on Tuesday of next week to replay their FA Cup 5th Round tie. Kick-off time is 7:45pm,and thegame will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as well as Fox Sports World in the US, and a number of usual live TV carriers around the world.
Player of the Month: January
18 Feb - ToffeeWeb's readers have selected goal machine David Weir as Player of the Month for January. No doubt swayed by his cracking volley at White Hart Lane, voters chose the defender ahead of Paul Gascoigne.
Toothless Wonders
17 Feb - Walter Smith persisted with the totally ineffective 4-5-1 formation that had Campbell ploughing a very lone furrow up front. Everton struggled throughout, totally unable to score. Typicallly late substitutions were insufficient to gain any advantage over a plucky Crewe side who were doing their best to frustrate Everton, and deservedly earn a replay at Gresty Road
Gravesen apologizes
15 Feb - In a strange U-turn, all the inuedo and recriminations are forgotten, and the man who was/wasn't injured is rehabilitated back into the fold as if not a bad was ever spoke, bringing to an end another strange chapter in the evolving saga of Everton FC...
Carsely; understated debut
14 Feb - In the Liverpool Echo, Claire Gray registers her appreciation for the subtle and little-noticed ball-winning skills of one Lee Carsley… and that "delectable and perfectly timed sliding tackle" on Matthew Upson — does she not know it happened to break his leg?
We can but dream
13 Feb - Everton trying to get into the InterToto Cup? Somehow it just doesn't sit right. An ill-concieved set-up with not one but three finals! The three winners of the final matches receive a scaled-down replica of the trophy. This benighted competition kept us out of Europe in 1996-97. And does Walter know how many more injury opportunities it will create?
The state of the store
12 Feb - Many people have expressed concern about Everton's Club store — we won't call it the Megastore until it is worthy of that title. Here is what Evertonian Geoff Stevens thinks in a letter sent to Graeme Sharp.
More to come
11 Feb - Bill Kenwright hints to the Daily Post that there is more spending to come as he suggests that Walter Smith will have some more funds for squad improvements. "Whatever Walter wants it is my intention to give it to him." Uh-oh… Soundbyte alert!
Close… but no cigar
10 Feb - Ginola' s magic came oh so close to giving Everton the lead in a what was a very good first half by current standards. But Walter Smith's customary reluctance to make key substitutions until way too late in the second half gave Everton's limited players no chance after a soft, flukey lob by Wiltord drifted over a confused Steve Simonsen, who really should have saved it. Reports by The Squire and Richard Marland.
Juggling Walter's Balls
10 Feb - The surprise acquisition of David Ginola, on top of Linderoth, Blomqvist and Carsley, means that Walter Smith suddenly has plenty of options in midfield. Could the master of conservative football be about to employ two wide players at the same time? Lyndon Lloyd takes a look at the balls Walter has to juggle for the relegation run-in.
Smith's strongest suit
10 Feb - With the arrival of three new faces at Goodison in the last 10 days — and hints of at least one more next week — in the second of two comment articles, Lyndon Lloyd takes up the defence of Walter Smith's transfer dealings during his time at Goodison and argues that if Wally's only good at one thing, it's dealing in the transfer market. And let's face it, he has to be!
And Ginola is Next!
8 Feb - After the pain of Carsley comes the pleasure of Ginola, and a transfer completed in the old Everton style without anyone getting a sniff! David Ginola will hopefully bring some much-needed flair to the Smith's moribund squad, despite his recognized problems with attitude, size and temperament...
Carsley finally signs
8 Feb - The drawn-out transfer of journeyman defensive midfielder Lee Carsley was finally concluded today, with Everton eventually coughing up almost the full £2M valuation demanded by Coventry City. Carsley can be fully expected to appear in the squad v Arsenal on Sunday.
An unpalettable choice
7 Feb - Another fan expresses his frustrations all too eloquently and ends with an unpalettable choice. But a few of our other readers disagree with Paul Fearon's radical analysis. Read their comments here.
Rooney makes his mark
6 Feb - An excellent performance by young Wayne Rooney gave Everton's youngsters the edge over Manchester City in the 5th Round of the FA Youth Cup, with Rooney scoring two and making two in a great 4-2 victory.
Mortgaging the future?
5 Feb - Everton are about to follow in the steps of other teams like Leeds Utd and conclude a substantial loan deal that is secured against future season-ticket sales over the next 25 years. This EuroWeek article published last week provides some financial details, to which we have added analytical comments from Neil Wolstenholme.
Smith is just not good enough
5 Feb - Strong words from an exasperated Everton fan and season-ticket holder, Neil Armitage. But understandable given the unchanging litany of ineptitude that has bedeviled far too many of Everton's on-field performances over the last four seasons under the dubious guidance of Mr Walter Smith.
Gravesen ostracized by Smith
4 Feb - Against Ipswich, the Everton midfield was crying out for someone like Tommy Gravesen. This report indicates the homesick midfielder was fully fit but was not even considered for selection on Saturday. Are such decisions really in Everton's best interest?
Say it isn't so!
3 Feb - Colm Kavanagh has been very quiet for the best part of a month; but even he cannot maintain his silence through the latest Everton débâcle to be overseen by Mr Walter Smith.
Dismal Everton sink to another home defeat
2 Feb - Tobias Linderoth was treated to capitulation Everton-style on his first appearance for the club as Walter Smith's idea-less side succumbed to resurgent Ipswich at Goodison Park. In a must-win game, the Blues found themselves 1-0 down to Peralta's goal after just 11 minutes and, although David Unsworth levelled the score from the penalty spot 17 mins later, Matt Holland fired home the winner from a free kick just before half time. Reports from Garry Sheils and Julian Cashen
Could Carsley be next?
1 Feb - With Walter Smith promising new more new signings within the next week or so, rumours emanating from Merseyside suggest that Coventry City's Lee Carsley could be the next midfield player to arrive at Goodison Park in a £2M deal. Carsley has been linked with a move to Everton before but he joined Blackburn Rovers instead.
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Snippets & Rumours
Traffic consultants on the job
28 Feb - Unnamed Traffic Consultants have started work related to the transport and access issues surrounding the proposded Kings Dock project. Ken Rogers also offers some comments on Kings Dock in this Echo editorial.
Naysmith doubtful for Sunday
28 Feb - Gary Naysmith picked up an ankle injury at Crewe and is rated doubtful for the visit of Leeds this weekend. Niclas Alexandersson and Kevin Campbell are both expected to shake off calf complaints also sustained in Tuesday's win.
Youth Cup match date
27 Feb - Everton's youth team will play Nottingham Forest in the 6th Round of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday March 12th at Goodison Park: Kick off is at 7pm.
In defence of Kevin Campbell
27 Feb - Everton fan Mik Unadkat gives some good reasons why we should get behind Kevin Campbell, now that his partnership with Radzinski is on again.
Gravesen suspension
27 Feb - Tommy Gravesen picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Liverpool and will now miss the quarter final at Middlesbrough; KO 1pm on Sunday March 10th.
Gazza to play v Crewe?
26 Feb - More, er, untruths exposed in the Echo… no doubt they were fed a story from the Club that Paul Gascoigne would be involved against Crewe… helping the kit-man?
FootballLinks.net
26 Feb - If you want links to other football clubs, with an emphasis on British and European football, this new website is reasonably comprehensive.
Two sides to every issue
25 Feb - In the continuing debate over the critical tone of our support of Everton here on ToffeeWeb, long-time fan Richard O'Malley provides a strong rebuke to those who complain of 'negativity'.
Gazza may play tomorrow
25 Feb - Walter Smith has suggetsed that Paul Gascoigne will be involved in the cup replay at Crewe tomorrow night.
Divided we fall
24 Feb - In a letter to the ToffeeWeb editor, Terrence Leong expresses concern at the recent spate of negative Fans Comment articles.
Danny scores on debut
23 Feb - Dannny Cadamarteri scored the fourth and final goal in his debut for the Bantams — a big win at Gillingham.
Gazza thinks of retirement
23 Feb - With his swansong probably being that classic display against Leyton Orient, Paul Gascoigne is talking about retiring, perhaps at the end of this season.
It started with Heysel
23 Feb - Kevin Ratcliffe provides a recent history lesson for Sun readers curious about the continuing decline of Everton.
Duncan out again
23 Feb - It should come as little surprise that Duncan Ferguson has been ruled out of today's derby game
Hope against Hope
22 Feb - More from Everton fan Tony Wooly on the perceived inadequacies and failings of the internal club structure at Everton.
Danny finally moves on
22 Feb - While Everton search in vain for a new striker, Danny Cadamarteri has completed a free transfer to Bradford City, on a short-term contract that will last until the end of the season.
Danny in court next month
21 Feb - The next stage of Danny Cadamarteri's run-in with the law is set to take place when he appears before the City's Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on 20th March.
When will it happen?
21 Feb - More concerned comment from Everton fans as Stephen Stobie wonders when we will actually realize our potential as a team.
Bradford in for Danny
21 Feb - Danny Cadamarteri's hometown club of Bradford are looking to sign the soon-to-be free-agent striker if their move for Leicester's Arnar Gunlaugsson falls through.
Team speculation for the derby
20 Feb - An update of sorts on the players available for the upcoming derby clash at Anfield, and the chances for any of the walking wounded to be fit enough to make an appearance in what is fast becoming one of those 'watershed' games…
Reserves match postponed
19 Feb - Tommy Gravesen was expected to make an appearance for the Reserves tonight alongside Alessandro Pistone, who is also on the mend, but their visit to Blackburn Rovers has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Watson has minor operation
19 Feb - Despite Walter Smith's adamant rebuttal of rumours that Steve Watson would need an operation on his ankle, guess what? Yes, he will now be missing for a further three weeks (at least).
Financial Guidance from the best
18 Feb - EFC's Financial Controller, Mike Cheston, is to address a conference on European Football Finance next month in Madrid. The topic? The financial costs and risks(!) of qualifying for Europe!!!
Post-Match Indictment
18 Feb - The fact that Everton were simply woeful against the mighty minnows from Crewe has not escaped Soccernet's Ian Ladyman.
FA Cup 6th Round Draw
17 Feb - Another favourable tie awaits Everton in the 6th Round of the FA Cup — provided they can actually overcome the annoying resilience of Crewe Alexandra: a trip to Middlesbrough.
Morrison & Wright?
17 Feb - When the newspapers believe Everton have money, the links start flowing thick and fast… £5M for Clinton Morrison from Crystal Palace? Steve Wright from Liverpool? Place your bets now.
Danny in the dock again
15 Feb - In a strange development following Danny Cadamarteri's run-in with Joeline Joel last year, he has now been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice! He will appear before the magistrate's court on Wednesday.
Watson may need surgery
15 Feb - An operation may be the only answer to Steve Watson's nagging ankle problem that has kept him sidelined for more than a month.
Same old striker problems
14 Feb - With Ferguson injured and suspended, Cadamarteri injured, Radzinski still recovering from injury, Moore considered too light-weight, and no new signings, Walter Smith is likely to opt for Campbell playing alone up front against Crewe, despite the failure of this 'tactic' against Arsenal.
Luke Ashton has Hope
14 Feb - We've fixed the bad link to young Luke Ashton's commentary on where we are and where we might be going… sounds more like "fear" than 'hope"...
Idan Tal scores for Israel
13 Feb - Idan Tal put Israel into a surpise 1-0 lead against Germany only for the Germans to finally run out 7-1 winners. Other Everton players in action for their countries include Joe-Max Moore, Mark Pembridge, Lee Carsley, and the 'injured' Tommy Gravesen, who played 45 mins for Denmark in Saudi Arabia, and got himself booked!
Tickets for Crewe
13 Feb - There are still 15,000 tickets left for Sunday's 5th Round FA Cup tie with Crewe Alexandra, that will be televised live on BBC1. KO: 1:30pm. Everton say buy now to avoid that last-minute rush...
Liverpool Senior Cup
12 Feb - Everton's 3rd Round tie in the Liverpool Senior Cup at Southport was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Doubly hamstrung
12 Feb - Duncan Ferguson is to see a specialist about the problem he as with the hamstrings of both legs as he continues his marathon struggle to regain match fitness.
Gravesen to Apologize?
12 Feb - In the Daily Post, Andy Hunter believes that homesick defender Thomas Gravesen will proffer an apology for the problems he has cited regarding life at Everton, with the sudden illness of his father having upset him.
Give Rooney a chance
11 Feb - With Everton scoring a pathetic 3 goals in the last NINE league games, Austin Rathe at the Everton-Mad website thinks it is time Wayne Rooney was given a chance to show his goalscoing prowess in the big league.
Ginola blasts Gregory
10 Feb - David Ginola tells how his relationship with the Villa management cratered and almost destroyed his footballing career.
Premiership Roundup
9 Feb - Everton slip a place as Sunderland win at Derby; Bolton climb out of the bottom three with a win over West Ham; and Abel Xavier claims the first goal in Liverpool's 6-0 rout at Ipswich.
A new beginning
9 Feb - David Ginola talks of securing his release from a nightmare at Aston Villa, and looks forward to helping Everton both in the Premiership and the FA Cup.
Splendid Isolation?
9 Feb - Andy McNabb writes in as a fan who has recently emigrated to Australia, but succumbs each week to a preoccupation with things Everton.
Gazza'z Golden Locks
8 Feb - Gazza provides a unique and comical welcome to David Ginola, doning a nice platinum blonde wig in his honour during training.
Derby on Jumbotron
8 Feb - The derby match at Anfield on 23 February will be screened live at Goodison Park on the Jumbotron big screen. Tickets from the Park End box office.
Oh no... It's back on again!
8 Feb - Everton officials claim that Coventry have accepted their final, final, final, revised offer for Lee Carsley, who they will try to get registered before 12 noon so he can play against Arsenal.
They think it's all over…
7 Feb - Many Evertonians are breathing a sigh of relief at the prospect that Coventry have blown off Everton's £1.7M offer for their journeyman defender and Gravesen lookalike, Lee Carsley.
"Tedious and intolerable"
7 Feb - That's how Danish coach Morton Olsen describes the ridiculous situation Everton have created with one of their few remaining international "stars", Tommy Gravesen, who is no longer allowed to train with the Everton first team.
Jeffers looking for nice welcome
7 Feb - Despite making only two starts for Arsenal since his massive transfer last May, our very own scally Franny Jeffers thinks he will be in the somewhat depleted squad to play Everton on Sunday as the Gunners are hit by suspensions and injuries.
The reason Sir Alex is staying
6 Feb - … is because Mancheater United actually had their beady eyes on our very own Walter Smith to replace him. Yeah, right!
Carsley signing iminent?
6 Feb - Lee Carsley, who has been relegated with the last two teams he has played for, is expected to complete a £1.7m transfer from Coventry to Everton tomorrow. But in Coventry they say No Way! Who is telling the truth?
FA Youth Cup tie tonight!
6 Feb - Manchester City are Everton's opponents in the FA Youth Cup 5th Round tie tonight at Goodison Park (KO: 7pm).
Reserves beat the Mancs
5 Feb - Everton Reserves beat Manchester City 3 - 1, with goals from Kevin McLeod and Danny Cadamarteri (2). Recovering injury victims Mark Pembridge and Leon Osman also came through in this excellent win against a strong Man City side.
Wilson auctions World Cup medal
5 Feb - Everton full-back Ray Wilson, who was part of the victorious 1966 England team, is selling off his winner's medal.
Osman back in training
4 Feb - Young Everton reserves prospect Leon Osman is finally back in training after missing all of the season so far with damaged knee ligaments.
More needed for Carsley
4 Feb - There are suggestions in this story that the Lee Carsely transfer may not go through quite so easily… a gratifying thought for those who see him as a journeyman unsuited to wearing the Royal Blue of Everton.
"Get behind your team"
4 Feb - After scoring the winning goal for Ipswich, that's what Matt Holland has to say to the Everton fans who may be feeling bruised and battered this morning as they reel from Saturday's dreadful result.
Everton in for Steve Wright?
3 Feb - Koptalk is carrying the rumour that Everton might be thinking about making a move for Liverpool's young Steve Wright, who has not yet had his contract renewed.
Fickle, us? Never!
2 Feb - As long as Walter's Everton aren't losing, the fans won't be turning on him if the January Poll is any indication.
Poll Result
Quartet to return
1 Feb - Teamtalk reckon that Everton will be able to welcome back four key first-teamers who were mssing v Aston Villa: Weir, Blomqvist, Gascoigne, and Radzinski.
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