COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Birmingham (H)

Weary Wednesday dampens enthusiasm

Almost 35,000 in attendance, yet neither players nor fans were able to enthuse each other in a drab game that never really seemed to settle into any pattern from start to finish. Same line-up as Saturday with the exception of Heitinga in for the injured Neville but the same level of performance was never reached.

We started well and within minutes Arteta was in with a shout but decided not to shoot and instead passed to Saha who fluffed his lines and lost control of the ball. Somehow this set the tone for the night as, time and time again, we were to get to the box and either run out of ideas or fluff shots.

Birmingham then had a good chance from a free kick and Jerome got in a good header which Howard did well to divert it away. Everton broke again at pace with Arteta in full flight but he pulled up as though shot and after treatment was helped off. I haven?t seen anyone afflicted like that in full flight since Snodin many years ago. It does not look good for the Spaniard or indeed the team for the rest of the season. Coleman replaced him with Osman going left and it was indeed he who took on the mantle of playmaker/creator. At the same time, Bentley had to be replaced for Birmingham.

With Arteta gone, both players and fans were subdued for a while but we did have one spell of pressure that saw Osman head a great cross from Hibbert into the deck and on into the keeper's arms and Beckford have a shot but straight at the keeper. Everton attacked again and that man Osman had a drive well dealt with by the keeper.

Then, from nowhere, just before the 20-minute mark, a diagonal ball lofted forward found striker Beausejour with no central defender near him, Hibbert got across to him but was out-headed and Howard, who had remained rooted to his line in what looked like indecision, could only help the ball into the net at a trickle. 1-0 down at home again... and Howard rushing to berate both centre-backs as the fans remained mute except one near me who announced to all that he?d had enough and left.

We did attempt to regroup and attack and, from one sortie, Rodwell found Beckford but his shot on the turn was high. Coleman got down the right and put in a good cross that found the unmarked Beckford in the six-yard box for a tap-in but he somehow contrived to miss the ball altogether which bounced off the startled Carr toward goal but the keeper was alert and saved.

With 10 mins to go until the break, Osman, who had taken some excellent corners from the left, put in another curver which was headed away and out of the box but straight to Heitinga who hit a rasper into the top corner of the net, surely a contender for goal of the month.

From then until the break, which included four minutes of extra time, we attacked and Rodwell drilled one in low but the keeper gathered as he did moments later from a Coleman diving header.

Half-time and the chat centred on Johnny?s goal plus the Arteta injury and the plight his and others? injuries might have on the rest of the season. Not a pretty thought...

The second half saw the Blues again on top but with only Osman seeming capable of creative thinking and only our fullbacks Baines and Hibbert giving him movement, we produced a hotchpotch of misplaced passes, poor judgement and too many over-hit wishful balls. No real clear-cut chances to get excited about but sort of half-chances and one penalty appeal as Foster seemed to flatten Coleman as he cleared a cross then another when Saha claimed he was being held as he headed over the bar. The Ref, Mr Walton, was having none of it.

Coleman cut in dangerously but then sent a left foot screamer more toward Goodison Road than the goal. Saha then profited from a slip by his marker but, instead of getting a first-time shot off, decided to turn and was crowded out. Beckford was put through but chose to shoot straight at the keeper when toward either post was the better option.

Birmingham sent on the giant Zigic but he may as well have stayed on the bench as we continued to attack but with no cutting edge, despite some good work from Osman and, on occasion, Baines and Hibbert.

Around 80 mins, our manager sends on Anichebe for Beckford but no real advantage there. One thing caught my eye though: Victor seems either unwilling or unable to jump, which I find strange for a frontline striker. In those last minutes, Osman hit a beaut which the keeper just tipped over. Anichebe had a powder puff effort as he was falling over that did not trouble the keeper. Final whistle and the odd muted boos were heard but players and fans dejectedly wandered away.

MotM - Osman with Baines and Hibbert worthy of mention.

Overall, a strange game to witness, one where not a lot happened and never came close to catching fire. Our big worry now must be the rising injury list but, with only one game between now and 2 April, we may get some back... although, with Fellaini and Arteta looking like long-term casualties, there will be much for the manager to ponder.

One thing staring the club in the face is that this squad lacks quality in depth, as well as a few players regarded as first teamers not showing the progress necessary... so, considering the well publicised lack of funds, it will be quite a challenge for board and manager to resolve this come the close season. Still, plenty of points to play for... so all will have to grit their teeth and battle for them and see where we eventually end up. No good crying over spilt milk, go at it lads.

19 March and Fulham at home; after 10 days R&R, I wonder which Everton will turn up and in what form?

Ever hopeful, I will see you there.
UP THE BLUES
 

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