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Best 11 to see us through

By Stephen Leary :  04/03/2011 :  Comments (48) :
We all have read over the past few days and months that a change of manager, owner is needed come the summer for the progression of the club. I feel Moyes's time is up and he should go in the summer and hopfully we get the takeover we all want as well. But for now and the next 11 games, I'm thinking of what would be the best system and team selection to see us through to safety or a top-ten finish come may.

Hopefully Mr Moyes reads this... highly unlikely though but I for one would like to see us go gung-ho for the last 11 games instead of being the cautious normal side we are and have become under Moyes. He should take the attitude of fuck it, let's go for it -- 11 cup finals and all that, and be positve for a change.

A 4-3-3 formation with Jags as skipper until the end of the season would be my choice as I feel Pip's head is gone after the transfer bid from that bastard Redknapp. A line-up of:

Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Arteta, Rodwell, Cahill, Saha, Baxter, Beckford

In my opinion, this would see us through safely and possibly into a top 10 or 8 finish. With Bainsey and Coleman bombing forward from full-back and Arteta pulling the strings in midfield and with Rodwell playing the holding role that is his aparent best position. Cahill could still get forward and Beckford and Baxter would give us could pace and variety upfront.

I think we could score goals and scare a lot of teams with that system and side and Bily could play for Cahill until he returns from injury. For me in the summer, Bill, Moyes and Neville need to go and a serious shake-up needs to take place. That's for then... so, for now, attack Moyes and maybe, just maybe, end this awful miserable season with a bit of pride before you move on.

COYB!!!

Reader Comments (48)

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Guy Hastings
1 Posted 04/03/2011 at 21:08:19
Coleman can't defend; Rodwell doesn't have the authority to play in any position which requires physical and mental discipline; Jags is prone to hoofititus; Baxter doesn't look strong enough; Saha's fitness (yeah, right).

My concern is that we lack any real intimidating physical presence. Cahill's out for another two weeks. I don't think Moyes trusts Rodwell against the likes of Brum. Expect Heitinga or P Neville as holding mid.

Jay Harris
2 Posted 04/03/2011 at 21:49:26
Where is Tony Hibbert?
Michael Parkes
3 Posted 04/03/2011 at 21:52:37
What strings are you expecting Arteta to pull... have you been watching him this season? Where does your faith in Baxter come from as well?
Chris James
4 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:07:36
Hamstrings perhaps, Michael?
Ian McDowell
5 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:09:50
Tomorrow i would go with:

Howard
Hibbert Jags Distin Baines
Coleman Arteta Neville Osman
Rodwell
Saha

Beckford being left out for being late in midweek.

Neville in center mid because teams slice through there every game this season. I know its not everyone's cup of tea but at least he can put a foot in and hold position.

Bily left out because he is plain lazy.

Anichebe left out because he is garbage... how we let Vaughan and the Yak go on loan I'll never know.
Ryan Holroyd
6 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:08:24
My team for tomorrow:

Howard
Hibbert Jags Distin Baines
Coleman Arteta Neville Osman
Saha Beckford

Subs:
Mucha
Heitinga
Duffy
Baxter
Anichebe
Rodwell
Bilyaletdinov.
Neil Humphreys
7 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:19:37
Recipie for disaster. 4-3-3 flourishes with flexible, talented players: we have one ? and this year he's been shit.

4-5-1 and grind out 11 draws to see us through. There really is fuck all to play for.

I'm utterly disinterested in the whole shower.... Without a serious change at the top, we will continue to yo-yo between average and poor.

Stephen Leary
8 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:11:18
My faith in Baxter, Michael, is that Anichebe is piss-poor and Baxter needs to be given a run of games to see if he has got what it takes. As for Saha, yes I agree he is too injury-prone but, when fit, he is the best we have got. Cahill could possibly lead the line with Beckford and Baxter alongside when Saha is injured. Coleman needs to learn to defend and the best way of doing that is playing him there. Rodwell I feel has to play this role; I think his passing range is also good and he is athletic enough to press and harry the opposition.

I also agree, Michael, that Arteta hasn't been his usual quality self but I think this formation and fresh attacking approach, instead of the usual cautious tactics, would give every player a bit more confidence and belief. I just feel, with 11 games to go, we have got to go into them to try and win, not play for the draw. Cautious has got us nowhere this season; I agree with a post on another article I read, that if we don't change the mentality these last 11 games, I can't see us winning more than 3 games. Attack please, Moyes.

COYB!!

Dick Fearon
9 Posted 04/03/2011 at 22:28:04
Anichebe's petulant vacuousness as beautifully described by Lyndon in his match report was an excellent description of that player's main drawback. Regardless of his technical skill, as 'one of our own', he comes with a swag of goodwill and support from the fans. We did not expect him to be a world beater, just a good whole hearted trier while he learned the ropes would have been enough to continue earning the fans' backing.

What turned the fans off is his cry baby pained facial expression whenever he is tackled. Instead of looking for sympathy, if he was to show a glint of fire and revenge in his eyes, the fans would get right behind him.

Davy Hickson is one of Everton's all time idols yet far more than his skill or lack of it was his never-say-die fearlessness that made him a favourite of the Goodison crowd. Many of our past great goalscorers had little more to offer than did Davy.

All it would take to start regaining the crowds support would be a change of attitude. He could start on that road to redemption in his next game. Is there no one who can take Victor to one side to explain these kinds of thing?

Kieran Kinsella
10 Posted 04/03/2011 at 23:14:19
I have no faith in any of them so we may as well play some kids for a laugh cause they can't be any worse.
Dick Fearon
11 Posted 04/03/2011 at 23:21:20
Kieran (#9), I would be most reluctant to let any of our 'kids' share the same piece of turf with the likes of Nolan and Barton. It would be akin to infanticide.
Ian Smitham
12 Posted 04/03/2011 at 23:20:52
This has to be one of the worst articles i have ever seen. Its like some internet or PC based game in writing, CM is the usual comment.

Kieran, FFS Mr Moyes is a professional Manager and BK a business man ? Do you not understand that "kids for a laugh" is not the real world we live in. Each and every point is money toward the future.

Dick, I have met the "Cannonball Kid" what a lovely man who deserves respect. He was before my time but near enough everyone holds your well articulated view and truly, VA would be better off for some guidance in this respect.
Stephen Leary
13 Posted 05/03/2011 at 01:17:41
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, Ian; it's my opinion that that's the side and formation we should play. It has nothing to do with playing a fantasy football game. When you're at the game and people around you are discussing the side and saying what they thought the side should be or system etc, do you come out with that? What's the point in these forms then basicaly if nobody can say what side they thinks best or what Moyes should do?

And on "Anichebe, he's shite" it's simple: look at the guys scoring record. Yes, I know he's been injured, etc but, for me, a player that falls over when a bit of wind blows his way isn't fit to wear our shirt. He should be at Palace or Leicester, not Vaughan or Yakubu. COYB!!

Andy Peers
14 Posted 05/03/2011 at 02:39:53
I have picked a team in my head every Everton game this season and it has never matched once. It came close a few times but then came that Osman inclusion by Moyes that always threw me off.

I am fortunate enough to own a business for myself here in California and always seem to find a channel that is showing Everton. I can rearrange my schedule to watch them play but tomorrow I am going to work and not even considering watching them... I am just tired of all the shit they produce and lack of consideration for lifelong Blues fans all over the world.

The Reading game did it for me. I am sure I am not the only fan that rearranges his schedule to support our club and Beckford can't even make it to the game on time!!!

Garry Martin
15 Posted 05/03/2011 at 03:24:49
11 games left & David Moyes will go simply for 11 points, each game being a draw... the predictable Dithering Dave's safety factor kicking in. Watch this space.
Thomas Williams
16 Posted 05/03/2011 at 03:49:23
I have said for a while we should go 3-5-2 with Johnny as sweeper behind Jags and Distin, Baines left, Coleman or Neville right, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman in the middle, Saha up front with either Cahill or Beckford depending on who we play.

Gives us more flexibility, and defensively a lot more cover than recent. Once someone goes past Fellaini, we are in trouble every time, because Baines is effectively playing as a winger anyway. Although he bombs forward with pace, he does not bust a gut to get back; we miss Pienaar badly for defensive cover.

Joe McMahon
17 Posted 05/03/2011 at 05:15:00
Sadly I fear we will get floored in another classic 5-0 thrashing, while Moyes sits there arms folded with a face like thunder.

With such a weak attack (the entire Moyes years) and lack of pace from anywhere execpt Beckford and Coleman. Wouldn't it be nice to have Steven Pienaar back for a few games instead of the £10 million excuse known as Bilyaletdinov.
Paul Maguire
18 Posted 05/03/2011 at 05:45:26
Bily plays well and many post that he needs a run in the side in his proper position, acknowledging he has a talent. A loss to Reading and he's back to being shit again and let's get rid...

Pienaar back? No thanks. I do agree we have a weak attack, however, that much has been painfully obvious all season.

John Barnes
19 Posted 05/03/2011 at 04:37:26
Anyone could reasonably expect wholesale changes after any of the rubbish performances this season, Reading just being the most recent. But will there be? No, not now, thanks to the back-ups being out on loan and the fringe players not getting a look-in even for a few minutes, as Baxter is at last recently.

It's obvious that too many players are all too comfortable in the knowledge that they'll get their share of games, no matter how shite they are playing. It's lack of numbers now. Before that, blatant favouritism.

The comments from Moyes about Osman and Hibbert had me shaking my head in disbelief. Don't tell me Osman has looked good in the last two games because that is his level.

Baxter for Coleman can't be any more of a risk than Coleman was in the first place. Our two centre-backs were run ragged by a couple of Irish navvies the other night but expect both to play again, and again, cos Moyes doesn't fancy Heitinga (can't blame him at times, but who bought him?) and Duffy hasn't had a feel of PL action.

Arteta might benefit with fewer players cluttering up the midfield. Beckford has to play cos Saha needs a partner and he at least makes runs and turns defenders around. But we are really short of options and that is down to the manager not being properly ready for when the chairman told him to let some go to cut the wage bill. Just poor management all round.

Marco Conficoni
20 Posted 05/03/2011 at 06:43:12
My team for Newcastle match:

Howard
Neville Jagielka Distin Baines
Osman Rodwell Arteta Bilyaletdinov
Saha Beckford

Tony Cheek
21 Posted 05/03/2011 at 06:53:22
Neil #7.....Sorry, but I do not agree that there is nothing to play for this season. No trophies to chase, but we can still get in front of the RS.
If we cannot finish in front of the worst Liverpool team for 40 years, then this crappy season will get even worse. There must be a bit of pride in that FFS.

Plus, I will win 100 quid from my Liverpool loving son.

Dave Wilson
22 Posted 05/03/2011 at 06:43:30
Christine was on recently talking about the need for a leader, somebody to take control and drive the troops on; James Flynn wrote something similar, he called him "that guy". They were both bang on the money.

Unfortunately, we don't have a Peter Reid or an Andy Gray within in our ranks today, Captain Pip is as close as we get. Moyes is always accused of being "negative", well, he may as well be hung as a sheep than a lamb, let's start using as many defensive-minded players as every other team, I`m getting sick of seeing journeymen midfielders gallop beyond pretty little ball players.

Get Pip in front of the defence and bring Hibbo back, instruct Jags and Distin to take no prisoners, fuck Bily off ? for today at least ? make sure when Seamus and Baines get their breakfasts, the blood is still dripping from it, tell Rodwell it's time he grew up and became the bully... and pray like fuck Louis turns up.

Of course it`ll be ugly, but these are dirty bastards, they haven't accumulated more cards than everyone else by accident.

Last time we played here, 50,000 Geordie`s rose as one to cheer as two of our guys were carried off, neither has been the same player since, I don't feel we are under any obligation to entertain the fuckers today. I only want three points.
I wont mind ugly. but I want to see players who are hurting like we are.

I want to see some anger and pride.
Chris Jones [Staffs]
23 Posted 05/03/2011 at 07:29:57
This whole article just shows how paper-thin the squad is now that we've got two significant injuries and three senior players out on loan. All the media hyperbole about Everton being a well-managed club off the pitch is a joke. Kenwright out.
Iain Love
24 Posted 05/03/2011 at 08:15:56
The team mentioned at the start would send us down, honestly I thought this was a football forum.
Stephen Kenny
25 Posted 05/03/2011 at 08:20:40
Here's my teamtalk:

"Go out and ruin their season. Kick them, foul them, take their legs off and get revenge for our fans after what they done to us last time we were here."
Neale Manley
26 Posted 05/03/2011 at 08:37:44
I would put Ozzy in everytime rather than Rodwell, who seems to disappear during a game. Anichebe should be sold asap and is a total waste of time, totally ineffective and looks like a baby with a slapped arse most of the time. If he was banging goals in all over the place, then he can afford to be petulant and upset at the poor service he is getting.

Bily is dong nothing and also needs to go.

I think the real problem with the team is that they seem to think they are better than most of the teams in and below the EPL, which is why we have lost to Wolves, Blackpool, Birmingham, Reading etc but raised their game against the top 6 teams. Break that mindset and we might get somewhere next season or we will struggle again.

Derek Thomas
27 Posted 05/03/2011 at 08:44:36
Dave Wilson (#22) spot fucking on for the next 11 games. When the going gets tough.. the game starts 0-0, that's a point each, they give you a point to start with ffs. The trick is to not let the other guy take the other 2 they DON'T give you. But take his 2 off him.

Now is not the time for School of Science, it's Dogs of War time. A bit of fight, anything must be better than the Reading fiasco. But are we man for man up for it?? I have my doubts...
Laurie Hartley
28 Posted 05/03/2011 at 08:59:44
Hibbert is the new Carsley (you never know what you've got till you loose it):

Howard,
Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin
Hibbert
Coleman, Rodwell, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov, Baines
Saha

Andrew Rimmer
29 Posted 05/03/2011 at 10:22:30
We need to be quicker with the ball so drop Pip and Howard! My Team:?

Mucha
Jags, Distin, Heitinga
Baines, Coleman, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman
Saha, Beckford
Stewart Littler
30 Posted 05/03/2011 at 10:30:14
Howard
Jags Heitinga Distin
Coleman Baines
Arteta Osman
Anichebe Saha Bilyaletdinov

Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Neville, Rodwell, Beckford, Baxter, Duffy

FFS, it took that prick Kenny just a month to play a different style to combat the other team, yet I can count on one hand the number of times Moyes has adjusted his 'tactics'. Newcastle tend to play with a striker plus 2 forwards so this would counter that and at least be something different.
Mike Oates
31 Posted 05/03/2011 at 10:58:21
Moyes's team today is a no-brainer:?

Howard
Hibbert Jags Distin Baines
Neville
Coleman Arteta Rodwell Osman
Saha

Dennis Stevens
32 Posted 05/03/2011 at 11:08:34
I don't think that formation, tactics or personnel changes will make any difference if our players take the field with the wrong attitude, as has so often been the case this season. The odd thing is that 'attitude' was once one of the bedrock strengths of Moyes's teams ? where has he lost the ability to motivate his players that he once possessed?
Mike Gwyer
33 Posted 05/03/2011 at 11:08:39
After reading the above, CM is obviously still doing quite well!

Anyone who is picking Bily needs to go to more games and see how useless that prick is. Reading ONLY attacked down our left hand side, they obviously saw Bily as the no-mark that he is; additionally, this pattern of play blocked Baines from delivering any final balls to our front guys (that's a giggle - EFC having front guys).

Now if Reading can fuck us up as easy as you like, do you not think that Newcastle et al will quite like the idea of pumping the ball down our left had side ? it sort of kills two birds with one stone.

We need some steel along the middle and personally I don't fucking care who it is that puts the boot in but I'm confident it's not Osman, Arteta or Coleman (Fella will be sorely missed). Until we shut the Barcodes up, we will get fuck all from this game and, with them having Nolan and bully boy Barton, I'm confident we will come back with fuck all except more injured players.
Dick Fearon
34 Posted 05/03/2011 at 11:35:44
Moyes team for today:? Osman and another 10.
Martin Handley
35 Posted 05/03/2011 at 12:25:31
I think IMHO that this will be near enough the team from now till end of season, injuries permitting?

Howard
Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Coleman, Neville, Arteta, Osman
Beckford, Saha

Subs:
Mucha
Duffy
Heitinga
Baxter
Bilyaletdinov
Anichebe
Gueye

I know Cahill is out for a month so he would come in with (knowing Moyes) Beckford dropping to the bench and either Baxter or Gueye dropping off the bench.

Stephen Kenny
36 Posted 05/03/2011 at 12:42:28
He can change the team till the cows come home, it's a change of attitude that we need and I don't believe Moyes is the man to change it any longer.
David Hallwood
37 Posted 05/03/2011 at 12:54:04
As Lyndon points out, this season do we Jekyll or do we get Hyde? If we get the latter, we could be due a-hyding ? jeez, that was an awful pun.
Martin Handley
38 Posted 05/03/2011 at 13:17:57
Sorry, forgetting about Rodwell, so maybe drop Osman, Arteta out left and Rodwell in the middle.
Neil Humphreys
39 Posted 05/03/2011 at 13:21:34
Tony #21 ? I admire your optimism. However, if the sum total of our season is to try and overtake the RS, doesn't that tell you something? Besides, I think the devil's own will come good... Bastards.
Martin Handley
40 Posted 05/03/2011 at 13:26:41
Looking at our remaining home fixtures, I would expect to pick up a fair few points there. Away we have some tricky ones, but Everton being Everton, you just never know!

Final position:? probably 8-10th.

Drew O'Neall
42 Posted 06/03/2011 at 00:45:55
Very "Jnr" I suspect based on your line-up but I wouldn't mind seeing Moyesie experiment with a 3-5-2 accommodating Rodwell, Arteta and Cahill between Baines and Coleman... but it won't happen in a million years.
Roman Sidey
44 Posted 06/03/2011 at 14:47:22
Three at the back is the way to go with our squad the way it is. It would fix the "square pegs" problem we've had for the whole season. Expecting Moyes to go from the standard four at the back to changes like that though? Not going to happen.
Roberto Birquet
45 Posted 06/03/2011 at 20:02:23
Maybe Martin was close ? got Arteta out left, well done! ? hardly anyone else. Let's face it, we're sometimes good, sometimes bad.

There's a good team in the squad, but boy do we need strikers. We need two to add to Saha and Beckford, really the only strikers we have.

I expect 50-53 points, slightly on the optimistic side, but they should bloody go for it from here on. Nothing to lose, unless we lose nine games from ten.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
46 Posted 06/03/2011 at 22:10:34
So... marks out of 10: Well, I don't think anyone saw Coleman AND Bily being dropped. Although a couple of brave souls had Hibbert coming in.

Not bad... better luck on Wednesday's edition of Name that Team...
Roman Sidey
47 Posted 06/03/2011 at 22:55:55
Michael, maybe for a gimmick, it'd be good to know who supporters (or managers if we could get that kind of reach) of other sides would pick as our best 11. My mates always give me shit that we have blokes like Hibbo on the books, so there are people out there that know a little about our side.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
48 Posted 06/03/2011 at 23:32:49
Err... not to me, I'm afraid, Roman. This is exclusively a website for Evertonians. Gawd knows we have enough internecine bloodletting as it is... just imagine. Well, actually, you don't need to imagine ? go look at the general quality of comments on sites that allow multiple fans.

It may be an overly zealous and aggressive isolation policy but it is a position that I believe has served us well, and one I am convinced we need to retain. I'm sorry but I have no interest in the views of other fans, I'm afraid. As for managers... don't be silly!

Brian Doran
49 Posted 07/03/2011 at 13:13:10
After watching yesterdays game beween Wolves and Spurs, the signing of Kevin Doyle is a must. He can play the lone man role up front on and would be a perfect foil for Saha or Beckford. He works his socks off, retains possession and wins so many headers and flick on's. He would be in our price range as well and would solve our striker problem. Any thoughts?
Roman Sidey
50 Posted 08/03/2011 at 00:09:03
Michael, I didn't mean for the site, but just a general question to others. I have some very good convos with people from other clubs about Everton, and they obviously don't have emotion ruling most of their ideas.

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