Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Not a lot to get excited about

By Paul   Traill  ::  24/07/2011   32 Comments (»Last) We had a busy day planned with a mate?s 30th birthday in Liverpool. I probably wouldn?t have bothered with the Reserves match in Southport on Saturday if another mate wasn?t able to organise some free tickets, so it nicely coincided with the whole day ? a free match then a big night out? It was quite special for Southport ? the FInal of the Liverpool Senior Cup. The only problem being that we had to wear a suit for the occasion and then consequently ended up wearing suits for the night in town also? hence looking like complete pillocks for the evening.

We stayed down in the bar just a little too long; not only had the game started by the time we sat down ? we?d also missed the first goal so I?ve no idea how that one was scored but it was Karl Ledsham who scored it apparently? my mate Tim?s mother describing it was ?woeful? later on. I took my seat to see Alan Irvine sat just a row forward to the right of me. Alan Stubbs standing at the edge of his technical area, arms folded, head shaking? this was to be quite an ongoing trend.

It wasn?t long before Southport doubled their money, the busy John Paul Kissock smashing home a free-kick from about 20 yards out. I did see that one?shame our goalkeeper Taudul didn?t. 2-0 but I hoped this would bring the best out of us and get us to attack a bit more; not so. Kissock certainly played as if he had a point to prove.

I don?t think there was an attack of note from Everton throughout the first half. Balls in were always either under-hit or too comfortable for the keeper whilst Silva toiled painstakingly in attack. Come the second half and Kissock had surprisingly been taken off as Everton needed to go for it in what is, historically at least, quite an important competition locally. It wasn?t until we got around mid-way through the second half that we were able to put anything together at all really and that was enforced by the introduction of Hallam Hope who got on the end of a few things though with no reward. As it transpired, Southport really oughta have made it 3-0, missing a very presentable headed opportunity whilst Everton struggled to cope defensively.

So? any stand out players? I thought Baxter was the only one that stood out. Although he?s played a few senior games it?s the first time I?ve really had a good look at Baxter. He seems an intelligent player and was a step above most if not all around him. I think he could be our next Leon Osman in that he?s technically clever and can slot into a few different positions.

Other than that, I?m really struggling. Browning the right back looked quite good though did nearly tee up another ex-blue Scott Spencer who never made the grade at Everton with an under-hit backpass which thankfully wasn?t capitalized upon. At centre back, Duffy and Mustafi were particularly poor which was strange given that these are probably two of the more senior players in the squad. Bidwell didn?t look out of place at left back I suppose though offered nothing special. Garbutt (also a left back) was playing ahead of him on the left wing so was difficult to judge.

Forshaw, who I think got on the pitch away at Wolves last season, got into the game a little more as it went on but didn?t offer much, nor did any of the other midfielders other than Baxter. Joao Silva toiled up top but had a truly awful game? looking totally unable to get going whatsoever. We did look more of a threat when the lively substitute Hope got going but in truth we were never really in this game and, Baxter aside, I struggled to see much on the field who was going to make a positive impact on either the current or future team. I know they?re young lads and you don?t want to be too critical but I think they?ll all know it was a seriously poor display today? though I was quite impressed with Southport.

After the match, it was a decent night in town, all suited and booted? home late after a long, long day. A taste of football at least.

The first team squad are back today? hopefully we can really kick on now in the next few friendlies before the real work starts at White Hart Lane.

No player ratings for this one. Man of the match: Jose Baxter.

Reader Comments (32)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

About these ads