Fans Comment
Dutch Schaeffer

Full Term Report!
09/05/06

Nigel Martyn
Hasn't put a foot wrong since joining Everton but the 39-year-old has struggled with injuries and if we are honest is starting to show signs of his age. A couple of games in particular highlighted the fact that Martyn's starting to struggle (Aston Villa and West Brom put 4 goals past him). Deserves a new contract though and will provide good cover to new keeper Tim Howard.
SEASON GRADE: C

Dickie Wright
After two seasons on the bench it was make-or-break for Dickie. This season he made 16 appearances and in truth never really inspired confidence in his defence or the fans. Has the ability to make great saves but his reliability is very suspect and the less said about the 'sign' incident the better. I suspect David Moyes will soon be rid of Dickie.
SEASON GRADE: D

Iain Turner
The young Scot made a break though into the team this season thanks to a 'sign' and Dickie's Mr Bean tendencies. Unfortunately he conceded four goals on his debut against Chelsea and then got stupidly sent off after only 9 minutes against Blackburn. In fairness against Boro and West Brom he did show signs that he could mature into a decent goalkeeper and should be Martyn's main rival for back-up keeper next season.
SEASON GRADE: D-

John Ruddy
When Turner blew it and got sent off against Blackburn it was 19-year-old Ruddy who got thrown in the deep end. It was his only appearance of the season but he did keep a clean sheet. Has potential, should spend next season on-loan somewhere.
SEASON GRADE: N/A Too few appearances.

Sander Westerveld
Why oh why did Moyes see fit to bring in Liverpool's ex-stopper on-loan? Only played the two games but managed to concede four goals. A mistake by Moyes not to have more faith in Ruddy.
SEASON GRADE: N/A Too few appearances.

Gary Naysmith
Spent most of the season out injured only made 8 appearances. Nace simply doesn't look good enough for the Premiership. A weak link in the Everton defence.
SEASON GRADE: D-

Joseph Yobo
Made some really awful mistakes during the poor start Everton made to the season. His pass to Rooney in particular was unforgivable. Despite the mistakes Yobo was our best player during those dark days a defender with pace. Oddly it wasn't until Yobo left for the African Cup that Everton started to improve, coincedence? Struggled to get back into the side when he returned but Yobo remains one of Everton's crown jewels.
SEASON GRADE: C

Per Krøldrup
Big mistake by Moyes. Only started one game, a 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Could not head a ball apparently. Looked very poor better suited to Italian game.
SEASON GRADE: N/A Too few appearances.

David Weir
Mr reliable. What he lacks in pace he makes up with experience. Looked far more comfortable when reunited with old pal Alan Stubbs. The Stubbs/Weir partnership had the highest win ratio this season and both have earned new contracts. Bloody useless Captain though. I fear next season will be a struggle for Weir's old legs but still has the ability to be a squad player.
SEASON GRADE: C-

Alan Stubbs
Made a surprise return to Everton in January. Returned to the starting line up just as Everton started to win games again, coincidence? Lacks pace but like Weir has experience. I watched him bollock Valente last weekend when West Brom scored, good leadership. Has earned another season.
SEASON GRADE: C

Phil Neville
Poor old Phil must have wondered what he let himself in for when he found himself in an Everton side bottom of the league. His International career may be over but Neville has been pretty consistent for Everton. Has a touch of class and always gives 100%. Should be made Everton Captain full-time. His own goal against Liverpool and his two sending offs blighted an otherwise good first season.
SEASON GRADE: C+

Nuno Valente
Started off looking out of his depth and then slowly got more and more comfortable. Grew in stature and was just looking very good when he got injured. Showed enough to suggest he could be a regular left-back in the future.
SEASON GRADE: C-

Tony Hibbert
Another player who looked poor at the start of the season but soon got back to his best. His distribution has always been his weak spot but his tackling and passion cannot be questioned. Was linked with a late International call-up before injury ended his season. Big Everton future and England caps will surely follow.
SEASON GRADE: B-

Alessandro Pistone
No idea why Moyes decided to retain the services of Pistone. Has ability but lack passion. This season only made 3 appearances. Surely Moyes will look to off-load him during the summer.
SEASON GRADE: E

Matteo Ferrari
Injury-prone on-loan Italian only made a handful of appearances due to injury. In fairness he did show glimpses of class and seemed to have some pace but his face never seemed to fit and Moyes had seen enough to show him the door.
SEASON GRADE: D

Mikel Arteta
Everton's player of the season. Showed real class and reminded us all what the school of science use to be about. Not afraid to put his foot in and work hard either. His crosses from the right are very dangerous as are his freekicks. Excellent first full season in the Premiership, only hope Everton can hold onto him.
SEASON GRADE: B+

Simon Davies
Very disappointing. Has shown occasional touches that suggest he could be good enough given time but hasn't found his place yet at Everton. Must do better next season of find himself looking for another club.
SEASON GRADE: D-

Kevin Kilbane
Not one of Kilbane's best seasons. Has been worth the money Moyes paid for him but a confidence player who needs a kick up the back side. He also needs a goal.
SEASON GRADE: D

Lee Carsley
Sustained major injured limited to only half a dozen games. Everton did seem to miss his steel. Next season is make-or-break.
SEASON GRADE: D-

Tim Cahill
Took a long time to get going but still managed to score 8 goals. His clumsy challenges are sometimes cringe worthy but he continues to work hard and provide goal threat. Linked with Man Utd (surely not) but hopefully will have a good world cup and return to Everton full of confidence.
SEASON GRADE: C+

Leon Osman
Looked totally out of his depth during the first half of the season and then was arguably our player of the season during the second half. Quick feet and superb football brain. Chipped in with four goals and amazingly even got linked with England. Continues to suggest he has a future at Everton.
SEASON GRADE: B-

Andy van der Meyde
Dubbed the great hope for Everton, a player of flair and pace but injuries limited him to only a handful of appearances and he's yet to score his debut goal. Somehow managed to get sent-off after only 5 minutes against Liverpool. Clearly needs to improve next season.
SEASON GRADE: D-

James Beattie
Finally looked a player worthy of his price tag. Managed to put his injuries behind him and finished Everton's leading scorer with 11 goals. At one point there was a big campaign for an England call-up but seemed to lose momentum at just the wrong time. Works very hard and on-his day has Big Dunc unplayable qualities. Still has more to prove.
SEASON GRADE: C+

Marcus Bent
Only scored 1 goal before Moyes shipped him off to Charlton in January. In fairness Marcus was a decent signing last season and well worth his £450, 000 especially considering Charlton paid £2.5 million for his services. Just not the top-class striker Everton are crying out for.
SEASON GRADE: D-

James McFadden
When Bent was transferred and Moyes decided not to spend his money on a replacement it handed McFadden the chance he's been waiting for. Seems to have cut back on doing stupid things and even chipped in with some goals (7 in total). Won the young player of the year (at 23??) but still has something to prove if he's going to suceed at Everton.
SEASON GRADE: C

Victor Anichebe
19-year-old made three cameo appearnces but did enough to suggest he has a future at Everton. Scored a good goal against West Brom.
SEASON GRADE: N/A Too few appearances.

Duncan Ferguson
Was so important last season but really didn't get chance this term. Pierluigi Collina amazingly disallowed his perfect goal against Villarreal. Dunc got sent off against Wigan and the FA threw the book at him. Would have been an awful season for the big man but it ended on a high. On his last game, in the last few minutes, the Captain for the day, Everton's No 9, stepped up and rescued a point against West Brom. A fitting end for an Everton legend. I would have loved to see him given an extension but Moyes is right in letting him go.
SEASON GRADE: D

David Moyes
Our manager has come in for alot of stick this season. It could have been so different if Scott Parker and Mohamed Sissoko had the courage to ignore the money and sign for Everton. Moyes has his faults, the football played at Everton lacks quality and the goals scored total is laughable but the manager continues to work hard and it must have taken an amazing effort to raise the spirit of the side and move away from the relegation scraps. 11th is pretty good but considering the high standards Moyes has set maybe not good enough.
SEASON GRADE: C-

Dutch Schaeffer


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