Match Preview

Well, I suppose we gave it a go in the 2nd half didn't we?  Actually, with a bit of luck and a degree of calm in front of goal, we really could have pinched something at Stamford Bridge.  Personally, I always thought that Chelsea could step it up and the difference in the quality of the strikers was there for all to see.

As I bask in the strange feeling of delight over a German victory, it's hard to get too worked up over this Saturday's game.  That is a mistake that I hope Moyes does not let the players make.

A new manager, well sort of new manager, in Mikey Adams is now at the helm at Leicester and — with relegation mathematically confirmed after their defeat against Man U — there is no pressure but plenty of reason to try for the Leicester players.

A loss to them is pretty unthinkable.

Barring Ipswich beginning to play like Arsenal, we are safe — but let's not run that risk.

Leicester are obviously awful.  Their one quality player — Muzzy Izzet — is out injured and they are left with Savage as the only player of any real note in their midfield.  Upfront, they rely on Brian Deane and Paul Dikov — Do me a favour!!  If Weir and Stubbs let those two score, then we have bigger problems than the most pessimistic BlueNose imagines!

Their defence actually isn't that bad and Rads and Dunc could do with remembering how to finish.  If they do, then a romp is a possibility.

A win by 3 or even 4 nil is a distinct possibility if we can get an early goal.

A win could see us go 11th and dreams of a top-half finish have not yet gone.  Do we want to do the InterToto?  Personally, yes — it would be a much better pre-season than Tranmere, Wigan and Burnley.

Keep up it up, Moyes — here's to 3 consecutive home wins and Chadwick to pinch another one.

BlueForEver

Funny Old Game

There was much speculation pre-game about the likely starting line-up with Gerrard widely tipped to take over in goal from Simonsen following the defeat at Chelsea.  In general, the mood was buoyant, with three points confidently expected against the first club to be relegated from the Premier League this year.  

But football's a funny old game (© J Greaves) and, with Micky Adams taking over at the helm at Filbert Street for the dying throes of Leicester's season, there was always the potential for something of a honeymoon feeling settling over the club, with David Moyes's boys proving to the fall guys for a resurgent Foxes outfit.

A balmy spring day started with a seemingly clandestine meeting of a group of Evertonians, talking about the fortunes of the Chilean club sporting the same name as our beloved blues.  There will be more of this towards season's end, much of which will be reported here, so look out for reports as they are available.  At 2:30 the group dropped the talk of Chile and marched off to Goodison Park. 

It was nearly seven minutes before we had any meaningful possession and that didn't last too long as Gravesen fired a shot wide.  Leicester played neat if uninspiring football and we just weren't there at all.  In truth, it looked as though the Board's insistence that the players book their holidays to take account of a possible InterToto Cup qualification had been taken so much to heart that they'd gone already. 

It was almost Leicester against 11 deck chairs, such was the paucity of our contribution.  In fact, a slack piece of play from Gemmill in the centre of the field would have been at home during a beach front knock about.  But this was the Premiership and, despite their relegation, Leicester don't miss chances (at least not many) that are presented on a silver salver. 

Such was Gemmill's contribution to Leicester's cause and the visitors went one-up through Brian Deane, without really breaking sweat.  This was on 17 minutes and by this time it was apparent why Simonsen had held his place in the first team for so long.  Gerrard had kicked poorly, was regularly out of position and flapped unconvincingly at an early Leicester corner. 

The only player who seemed to be trying in the early stages was Gravesen, who saw a second effort come to nothing.  Unsworth stepped up the pace and started to look more convincing but the was an air of insecurity about the blues performance which I could only put down to the presence of Paul Gerrard. 

This indecision had almost lead to a Leicester goal when Stubbs left the ball, fully expecting Gerrard to move off his line, but the keeper didn't and only for Stubbs's recovery Dickov might well have been through on goal.  In the event, only a corner ensued. 

The defending, however, remained lamentable, with Gerrard at fault for Leicester's second goal, though some dubious refereeing was a contributory factor.  A nothing ball was played into the Everton box and a Leicester forward bundled his way into the fray.  The referee went to blow his whistle but Stubbs looked as though he was successfully shepherding the ball to Gerrard, so he didn't blow for an offence, despite putting the whistle to his lips. 

The keeper came to gather, but somehow, inexplicably, collided with the defender (as he did with Xavier last time he played) and lost the ball.  Brian Deane doesn't miss that sort of gift and it was 0-2 with only 25 or so minutes gone.

After that it could have been four or five to the visitors as the defence just seemed to fall apart.  Yet still there was a chance to get one back as Radzinski was again bundled over in the box, only to see the referee ignore his claims for a penalty.  Nevertheless the ball fell kindly to Ferguson, who buried it in the keeper's midriff when scoring would surely have been easier.  The ensuing arguments with the referee saw Gravesen booked for dissent.

In the end we hung on for 0-2 at half-time.  It couldn't get any worse... could it?

Surprisingly, there were no changes at half-time.  My own view was that at the very least an ineffectual Gemmill should have been replaced by either of Linderoth (a straight swap) or Blomqvist (Unsworth to move into the centre), but it didn't happen.  Instead it was more of the same, but with a little more urgency. 

We began to get on top — only as a result of that urgency, rather than quality — but that only went to emphasise how poor Leicester really were.  In the end it was a substitution that turned the game. 

Radzinski had achieved nothing all game — not for the want of trying, it has to be said — but he just hadn't had any really good service.  He was replaced by Chadwick.  It was probably more, but it seemed as though he'd only been on the field for a minute, when he was stooping to head in a Gravesen cross and get the score back to 1-2. 

After that he could have completed a hat-trick as Walker stopped him first with an excellent triple save, pushed a neat back header over the bar, and deflected another effort wide of the post as it clipped the inside of his ankles.

Steve Watson had a torrid time at right back throughout the game and he was eventually replaced by Kevin Campbell but, in the end, it was more appalling defending by Leicester than anything that Everton really carved for themselves which led to Ferguson's equaliser. 

The big man was left in space beyond the defence, from an Unsworth free kick and had only to put a reasonably simple effort wide of Walker into the net, with about five minutes left.  Thereafter, we could have had a couple more, but had to be happy with a draw, coming back from two down, with a performance that was only slightly better than dire.

Man of the Match:  Was there one?  Nick Chadwick nearly stole it for lighting up the game, but again I'll give it to David Unsworth for another committed performance.

Young and win-hungry?

There is a school of thought which has suggested that perhaps the departure of Walter Smith was triggered in part by the poor attitude of his players in the face of adversity.  Many would argue that Walter's lack of motivational skills and wayward tactics were the sole cause of his troubles but, on the evidence of today's performance, there may certainly be some credence to the theory. 

David Moyes has stated publicly that he favours 'young, win-hungry' players in his teams and — as he continued to assess the quality of his squad against Leicester this afternoon — it may be this approach, not tactics or training methods, that will be the saviour of Everton Football Club. 

Today's match provided the manager with a perfect insight into Everton's season; in fact, it was a perfect summary of all things Everton from the past four seasons and before.  Their lacklustre first half performance typified a side who clearly thought that, after victories over Bolton and Fulham, their jobs were done; a side who would rather be playing golf than repaying the supporters for serving up another disappointing season. 

For Moyes it was an indication that, despite his apparent rejuvenating influence since his arrival, taking even one eye off the ball would be certain suicide with the current playing staff. 

Paul Gerrard returned to the side to give his manager a chance to see why he was dropped by Walter, and duly obliged.  He showed all of the composure of a rabbit crossing the M6.  Hesitant, indecisive, and involved in a first-half crash with Alan Stubbs that led to the visitors' second goal.  It was a relief to see that he showed all of traits that had led to his downfall in a single game — leaving the new boss under no illusions as to a potential future at Goodison. 

Steve Watson, now in his third game after a long injury lay-off, likewise gave a very real-life account of why he is somewhat short of ever being a Premier League player.  His overweight appearance went well with his bumbling style.  For too long, Watson has gotten away with a style of wing play that relies on weight and toil for success.  His presence on the right of defence served only to pin back Alexandersson — who worked tirelessly to provide cover for the shaky Geordie.  

His runs are more good fortune than ability and his looping crosses allow even the most amateur defenders to regroup in preparation.  Similarly, Scott Gemmill demonstrated his shortcomings as best he could offering little in the centre of midfield alongside Gravesen.  An uninspiring display was capped by a second-half chance which he drove from the left-hand corner of the box in front of the Gwladys St — far from an easy chance but deserving of more than the gentle roll into the arms of 'keeper Walker that transpired. 

Gemmill has been consistently average since his arrival; has failed to stamp any authority on the midfield; and — considering what a Gerrard, Scholes or Butt would have made of this opportunity — he should not even be considered a squad player if the club is true to its ambitions. 

There were positives to be taken from today in other areas of the field: Unsworth was again inspirational — not least for his incessant workrate and enthusiasm and the massive improvement in his crossing quality — whilst Stubbs and Weir were generally solid despite justifiably showing little faith in the last man, electing to take risks and work out of defence avoiding the back pass.

Pistone showed his class and made a number of runs beyond Unsworth on the left although (along with his colleagues) he was guilty of first-half sloppiness.  Alexandersson was a victim of Watson's presence; however, his battling contribution during the second half was commendable — winning 50/50 challenges, headers and playing some crosses from difficult situations on the right. 

But perhaps the biggest hope for Everton fans is that Moyes saw today why Duncan Ferguson is the biggest threat to his success.  If ever the side was in need of leadership, it was during the sleepy minutes of the first half.  Ferguson failed to break sweat and did nothing to lead by example.  

Duncan's ability is no match for his arrogance — instead of the 'bang' that the Ferguson hype machine had suggested for his last game of the season, it was more of a dull thud as the Scotsman's well-publicised revival came to a grinding halt.  Static and sluggish, he was a spectator for much of the game, allowing Radzinski, who did appear as desperate to impress as ever, to run from one flank to the other in an effort to pin the visitors back. 

The captain's contribution was a betrayal of the often naïve Evertonians: they can hero-worship a man who has given little to the club whilst barracking the likes of Campbell who can say proudly that he once made a difference.  Too many times, he hides behind the opposing defenders who constantly buffet him.  

A cynic may say that his generally poor link-up play with the strikers alongside him stems from his desire to be the sole occupant of the limelight.  To many, he is a working class – even a criminal – hero.  Often referred to as a cult figure — to be remembered in history with Vinnie Jones, Stan Collymore and others whose fame owes little to their achievements? 

Moyes has said much of Fergie's new found fitness; his ability to train and to last a full 90 minutes — at his sort of pace, your average OAP could last the full match.  

His superbly taken goal — a left foot shot from the right into the far corner — satisfied the throng and provided the necessary point.   But it was an uncharacteristic highlight in an otherwise typically moribund performance.  Kidology, the armband and paper talk can only work for so long.  For me, Duncan's time is up. 

Contrast this with the performance of Chadwick, whose introduction for Radzinski was the turning point in the game.  Strong and pacey, the youngster showed positional sense, bags of movement, and a great awareness in front of goal.  With a superb glancing header from Gravesen's cross, he provided the goal that made it 2-1, and caused sufficient chaos in the box that, on another day, may have given him a hat-trick.  

Chadwick must surely have booked himself a place in the side for Southampton with today's display, ahead of Kevin Campbell — who made a brief appearance today as part of a three-man strikeforce as Everton looked for late goals.  SuperKev's position to me looks untenable, as he was jeered and booed on his first mistake — the sad demise of a man who was once a hero.

Moyes has the task of rebuilding the team in the close season.  He does have class players at his disposal; he also has hunger and enthusiasm available in abundance.  Today's game was a clear illustration of Everton's season — showing the potential to pull Leicester apart but, in reality, looking jaded, disinterested and uncomfortable. 

The threat of relegation gone, there is now only the manager and the fans to play for.  Some of the players rose to the occasion; others did not.  This has to be his best chance yet to see who will play for the club as well as for themselves, and the clearest indication of who deserves to remain at Everton come the new season. 

For young players like Chadwick, it is still a privilege to pull on the blue shirt regardless of the status of the game, and it is these players — not the former stars, foreign has-beens and 'cult figures' — who hold the key to Everton's progress.