Fans Comment
Paul Coleman

What Happens Now?
23 March 2005

So the Derby game came and went, and to me it feels like a matter of time before we get overtaken in 4th spot.  Our form has now reverted back to that of the back end of last season, as we watch the cushion of points disappear.  What worries me even more is that, after Liverpool, it is still really tight and we might miss out on Europe all together.  I feel sick as a dog and my blood pressure has gone through the roof watching the last few games.  I want to talk, not moan about a few players who just aren't up for it any more, and look at how we can improve the team.

Well without a transfer window the only way we can improve is get a few players' form back and get Arteta fit for the remainder of the season.  I'm going to start at the back and work my way forward:

• Martyn has been a great keeper for us and very rarely makes the mistakes of Wright (who reminds me of Calamity James).  Sunday was a one-off and we should give him a break.
   
• Pistone - This guy winds me up so much.  If I could have got to him on Sunday, I would have killed him.  While we are missing a playmaker, it is essential that when the wingbacks push forward, they put a good ball into the box.  I think we can all recall his hospital pass which went right out of play.  He has done this for the past few games.  His defending is ok but we must buy a left-back who can pass, because Pistone has the passing ability of a Sunday League player.
   
• Stubbs - He is old but reliable but he was badly exposed by Baros; he just doesn't have the pace.  I feel we should have played Yobo at the back for either Stubbs or Weir.
   
• Weir - Great with Stubbs but again too slow; any team with pace will split these two. Opposition players have cottoned on to them sitting a few yards off and I think are deliberately trying to run them down the flanks to split them.
   
• Hibbert - He is the best tackler I have seen in this leauge.  If he could pass, what a full-back he would be! Keep him, but get someone on the left who can put a ball in.
   
• Kilbane - What going on here?  Loss of form is what.  He needs to get it back quickly if we are to stay 4th.  I like Kilbane but he is just not putting the effort in.  We all know he is a form player as is the other lad who can play in his position McFadden.  I think we need to look for a consistent left WING player.
   
• Carsley - Great with Tommy G; average without.  Carsley does a job, but unless he is playing the holding roll then he is no use to us.  He is sadly plain and boring with nothing you can really say he is really good at.
   
• Osman - After Cahill, he was my man of the match.  The little man threw himself about the pitch and got some tenacious tackles in for a small bloke.  Yes he is little and knocked off the ball easily, but there is an answer.  Don't let a player get close enough to you to knock you off the ball.
   
• Yobo - Moysey, please stop playing him in midfield!  We have seen in all the games that this just does not work.  I was furious that you put him in midfield again in the derby.  We always LOSE when he is in midfield.  Yobo is a good centre-back and needs experience there.  Put him back now; the Stubbs-Weir era is over, they are sussed out.  Yes he does make the odd BIG mistake but this will diminish with experience.
   
• Cahill - Our best player.  Can't be critical of him at all.  We need more like him.  My player of the Year.
   
• Bent - My one image of Marcus Bent is when the long ball comes in to him and he does that cripple style jump to control it but actually always misses it and it runs through to the keeper.  He always seems to hope that the ball will come through to him instead of actually attacking it when needed to beat the defender to it.  I do like the way he runs his heart out, but I could do that.  The fact is he is not the quality we need up front.  We need someone who can finish the ball and not be so bloody frustrating.
   
• Beattie - Jury is out on you, James.  You were neither use nor ornament again on Sunday.
   
• Ferguson - I like big Dunc on the bench. Again he got another assist. We have to offer him an extension to his contract...

Although we missed Arteta, he looks like our best passer of the ball, but I wouldn't sign him because he looks injury prone.  What has gone wrong is the loss of Gravesen.  I would bet my house that if Tommy was still here then we would probably almost be guaranteed Champions League by now.  I accept that there was nothing anyone could do to keep him, yet I fear losing him will cost us 4th spot.

Where to now?  Put Yobo at centre-back and get Arteta back ASAP.  In the summer, we need to bring a few players in and get a proper replacement for the departed Gravesen.  So come on boys, prove me wrong: take us to Europe and make sure your futures lie at Everton.
 

Paul Coleman