To my point: we are playing badly and for me it is down to in the main certain players performing well below par and the manager not understanding the importance of a full-strength team at all times.
On my second point: Moyes was complacent yesterday, he though West Brom was a shoe-in. My point is supported by the starting line-up: Anichebe should not have started that game, he was not fit, and Coleman should have been in there, yes, with Hibbert behind him, who in my opinion was not far off our best player yesterday. Heitinga cannot play the position in midfield and, on the basis that Rodwell is meant to be able to play there and is fit, then he should have started (albeit, I am yet to be convinced if he is as good as people make out).
Whether we dress it up as Everton playing 4-4-2 yesterday, in my opinion, it was still 4-5-1 and again extremely negative against a side that were there to be beaten. It is not that Moyes was being defensive in adopting this tactic, it is down to the fact that Everton's team is picked on the basis of accommodating certain players ? no matter if they are on form or not. I mention this as it takes me on to the point of players who are simply playing badly and can be replaced by players who need to be tried out, can play the position better, and for the team's sake, give a better balance to allow us to play 4-4-2 ? particularly at home.
Firstly, Jagielka is appalling at the moment, indecisive and possibly the worst distributor of a ball I have ever seen. His first six passes yesterday went straight to an opposing player. He is a defensive stopper and needs to realise he is not a cultured enough player to play from the back; however, Heitinga is... and he needs to be given the chance to play there. Arteta has been poor since the contract ink dried and it is a blessing in disguise he will now be banned; put Pienaar in midfield with Fellaini next game, but before that, give him Arteta's contract and sign him up for the next five years.
We need to give Beckford a chance, he is getting into the positions to score ? it is only a matter of time that one will go in and that will do him the world of good. He has to play up-front with Cahill as two strikers and when needed, particularly after getting in front by at least two goals, we can revert if needed. Saha, Yakubu are finished; give it up and let's look to replace.
This team needs Phil Nevile back in it as soon as possible and all Everton fans need to realise how much of a difference he makes with his presence alone; yes, he has faults similar to Jagielka, but he has respect and this makes a difference.
My team to start against Chelsea (not that I want to start a thread on team choice, but to make my point about balance and form) would be:
Mucha; Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Bilyaletdinov; Cahil, Beckford.
Subs: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Rodwell, Saha, Yakubu
This team needs a wake-up call and the ones on the bench more so. To be frank, I would not have them on the bench but we do not have that luxury... although I would applaud Moyes if he did it.
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We have no decent second-string players pushing for places and therefor we trot out the same faces every week whether they are out of form or not... We do not have the funds to have the benefit of top class understudies in the wings and Spurs today showed the vast gulf at the top of the Premier League with the tremendous squad they have ? players that would walk into most other Premier League teams are having to fight for starts and they also play terrific football. I'm no fan of Redknap but he seems to have a bottomless pit of money everywhere he goes and players want to play for him.
What we have is average standard players who sometimes perform above their level but have no consistency. We will get better results away from Goodison with the tactics we use than we will at home, where we are expected to attack.
Every side in the Premier League has improved and we have stood still so I can only see a mid-table finish at best and a relegation struggle at worst.
I just hope we can stay relatively injury free and lets hope that Baines does not get injured as I dread to think where Cahill is going to get ammunition from for his headers.
Jagielka was poor yesterday and hoofs often. Put Heitinga in there as he can pass. Felli is the holding player. Rodders in the centre, Pienaar right mid - I'd prefer him left with Baines but we don't have a proper right mid on the books ? why not????
I'd play Bily on the left with corner-taking responsibilities. Cahill supporting Becks up top who will give Chelsea something to think about. Anichebe isn't a right-mid... in fact I don't rate him at all, the Yak doesn't look like scoring and it might be a blessing for Arteta to have a blow.
BUT... he has been poor. I say we start Beckford. I said to a friend a few weeks ago that I wasn't surprised Elmander has scored quite a few this season because last season he was getting slated for missing so many sitters. That means he was getting in the right positions almost all the time. Same with our lad, tell him he is in for the next X amount of games (say 5). Tell him we believe in him and lets give him the same chances we have given FucKing Louis and the Yak.
Also, I agree that we should drop Jags to play Johnny at the back with Distin (who I think has had only one bad game this season, against Man Utd). Play Fellaini and Pienaar in the middle and Bily on the left. Seamus right mid, Cahill with Beckford and I would drop Howard for Mucha. I've ever been TH's biggest fan, he gets beaten from distance far too often. Obviously Baines and Neville full backs, if fit.
I know my opinion doesn't mean anything but I think dropping players like TH and Jags might just send a message to everyone. I admit Bily has been poor but I think there is a LOT of quality in this lad and we should persist with him. Let's face it, we cannot get any worse, can we? COME ON BLUES, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!!
What he should've done a long time ago is to adjust the team more according to the individual strength of the players. All of our players have their specialities. But Moyes has been too faithful playing the system he's always been playing. He seems to be in his own little world, not being able to see what mostly everyone sees. Misuse of a reasonably strong potential... over a long period of time.Who's gonna replace him? I don't know. Hopefully someone who sees offensive playing as a good start towards team success. And someone who's able to get the best out of our players.
Heitinga should be played alongside Distin, Pienaar should be brought into the middle, Beckford should be in alongside Tim up top. Moyes has to start earning his (very big by the way) wages.... now.
Having said all of that, what is the chance of Moyes growing some balls and making the necessary changes?
I wonder what we did last season when Arteta was injured and missing for a long time? Oh I remember, we played our Player of the Season in his place.
We have the same team as last year who coped admirably well in the second half of the season so we have the players available to fill in.
Yes, he missed chances, but as has been stated, I couldn't see Louis getting in any positions to even look like scoring...
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