Got in on Corporate Hospitality today

[NickEFC]

These are my observations.

1. We were in the box right behind our dugout and the spec was perfect.
2. Food was really good.
3. Felli limped in across the pitch before the game, so we knew he was carrying a knock.
4. Backed up by Moyes telling Rodwell to keep warming up every few minutes right from the start.
5. After half time, you can still have a drink in your box, but only with the blinds down???? Presumably because they think the normal every day kind of person fan will go mental if he sees people in a box drinking beer? I mean, I get the bit where you can't drink at your seat, but drinking with the blinds down? Someone needs to updat me on the law/ruling behind that one. Seems pointless.
6. When Beckford pulled up, Moyes turned instantly and shouted "Tim get warmed up", Cahill goes to warm up. A minute later Moyes screams at him to hurry up and come and get stripped off. As Cahill runs past him back to his seat on the bench Moyes says - no word of a lie - "Tim, are you fit to go on? Tim? Are you fit to go on" To which Round says "He said yes gaffer". How the [Poor language removed] does Moyes put a fella on the bench if he doesn't know - even after the lad has been warming up - whether or not he's fit to go on? I'm a million miles away from being a Moyes hater, but that was a reality check for me.
7. When he called Billy to come on, the poor lad looked like he'd just **** himself.
8. Baines coming in and leaving had a face like a slapped @rse just like every other time I've ever seen/met him. Seriously, what would he be like if he was skint?
9. Beckford got Man of the Match
10. Felli limped out in no worse way than he limped in, so fingers crossed.

These were a few observations from my day of privilage. If I think of any more as this Free Ale Haze wears off, I'll post again.

 

[Muggins]

Great post mate.

 

[Matt Damon]

These are my observations.

1. We were in the box right behind our dugout and the spec was perfect.
2. Food was really good.
3. Felli limped in across the pitch before the game, so we knew he was carrying a knock.
4. Backed up by Moyes telling Rodwell to keep warming up every few minutes right from the start.
5. After half time, you can still have a drink in your box, but only with the blinds down???? Presumably because they think the normal every day kind of person fan will go mental if he sees people in a box drinking beer? I mean, I get the bit where you can't drink at your seat, but drinking with the blinds down? Someone needs to updat me on the law/ruling behind that one. Seems pointless.
6. When Beckford pulled up, Moyes turned instantly and shouted "Tim get warmed up", Cahill goes to warm up. A minute later Moyes screams at him to hurry up and come and get stripped off. As Cahill runs past him back to his seat on the bench Moyes says - no word of a lie - "Tim, are you fit to go on? Tim? Are you fit to go on" To which Round says "He said yes gaffer". How the [Poor language removed] does Moyes put a fella on the bench if he doesn't know - even after the lad has been warming up - whether or not he's fit to go on? I'm a million miles away from being a Moyes hater, but that was a reality check for me.
7. When he called Billy to come on, the poor lad looked like he'd just **** himself.
8. Baines coming in and leaving had a face like a slapped @rse just like every other time I've ever seen/met him. Seriously, what would he be like if he was skint?
9. Beckford got Man of the Match
10. Felli limped out in no worse way than he limped in, so fingers crossed.

These were a few observations from my day of privilage. If I think of any more as this Free Ale Haze wears off, I'll post again.

Fit to go on means - warmed up. "are you warmed up?" "are you fit and ready to go?" ... you're taking the words out of context.

Oh and Baines is boss. He can have smacked arse face if he wants. It might be coz he saw you.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

#5. not allowed to drink within sight of the pitch, same as at your seat in the stands.

 

[Newslang]

#7 Haha poor Billy. He's so flippin vulnerable.

 

[ricardobee]

Fit to go on means - warmed up. "are you warmed up?" "are you fit and ready to go?"

bingo

 

[NickEFC]

Fit to go on means - warmed up. "are you warmed up?" "are you fit and ready to go?" ... you're taking the words out of context.

Oh and Baines is boss. He can have smacked arse face if he wants. It might be coz he saw you.

In the cold light of sobriety, that certainly seems logical. But given that he was playing Fellaini with a knock, and brought on a heavily taped up Rodwell ahead of Cahill (granted Rodwell is more of the Fellaini ilk than Cahill, but Cahill is certainly good enough to do that job ) my initial take might not be that far off the mark. What I will say is Cahill looked seriously peeved about the whole thing, but, a testament to the lads professionalism, the gaffer said jump and that he did. Gotta love TC

Either way, whether I'm right or wrong, the whole thing was indicative of the fact that Moyes' hand is forced because he can't build a squad due to lack of funds. So Felli & Rodwell(& possibly Cahill), despite not being fully fit, have to be chanced because there is no one else of sufficient calibre

As for Baines, I agree with you on all counts, he certainly is boss, he can have whatever face he chooses and it could indeed have been my face that upset him. I'm sure he'd be very pleased to have Matt Damon defending his honour on the matter too!

#5. not allowed to drink within sight of the pitch, same as at your seat in the stands.

Still seems pointless INSIDE the box. I get the priniciple of it, but in practice, I can't get my head round the reason for it. At your seat - fair enough. Inside the box? Ok, there's a glass window, so it's not exactly like being under the stands, but the reason we were given (apparently), is so no one else saw us having a drink. Personally, I couldn't give two hoots that people are having a drink in their box? And I'm pretty sure most other people aren't bothered. What you gain in having a drink, you lose in being out in the atmosphere watching the game properly in my opinion.
Anyway, it's a moot point now, I'll be back amongst the skint folk as usual tomorrow and for the forseeable future, coz my numbers didn't come in on the lottery.

#7 Haha poor Billy. He's so flippin vulnerable.

I know, he really looked like he wasn't up for it. He's like a little boy. Some of the lads were shouting some encouragement "Come on Billy", "you can do it Billy" etc I was worried it might startle him.
I don't know if I've ever wanted someone we've signed to come good more than I do him, poor lad. He's like a technically gifted Simon Davies? You can see there's technical quality there(more so with Billy), but you just don't know if it will ever shine through on a regular basis.

I always thought Davies was a decent guy and a good pro, just couldn't ever get going for Everton and the crowd were on his case a lot.

 

[ToffeeDan]

The Siege Mentality bit hasn't got to Billy (after all it's not Leningrad we're talking about) - and his part in the Great Escape to Wembley Victory is a bit limited - rather like Mike Summerbee's acting ability!!

 

[Matt Damon]

In the cold light of sobriety, that certainly seems logical. But given that he was playing Fellaini with a knock, and brought on a heavily taped up Rodwell ahead of Cahill (granted Rodwell is more of the Fellaini ilk than Cahill, but Cahill is certainly good enough to do that job ) my initial take might not be that far off the mark. What I will say is Cahill looked seriously peeved about the whole thing, but, a testament to the lads professionalism, the gaffer said jump and that he did. Gotta love TC

Either way, whether I'm right or wrong, the whole thing was indicative of the fact that Moyes' hand is forced because he can't build a squad due to lack of funds. So Felli & Rodwell(& possibly Cahill), despite not being fully fit, have to be chanced because there is no one else of sufficient calibre

As for Baines, I agree with you on all counts, he certainly is boss, he can have whatever face he chooses and it could indeed have been my face that upset him. I'm sure he'd be very pleased to have Matt Damon defending his honour on the matter too!



Still seems pointless INSIDE the box. I get the priniciple of it, but in practice, I can't get my head round the reason for it. At your seat - fair enough. Inside the box? Ok, there's a glass window, so it's not exactly like being under the stands, but the reason we were given (apparently), is so no one else saw us having a drink. Personally, I couldn't give two hoots that people are having a drink in their box? And I'm pretty sure most other people aren't bothered. What you gain in having a drink, you lose in being out in the atmosphere watching the game properly in my opinion.
Anyway, it's a moot point now, I'll be back amongst the skint folk as usual tomorrow and for the forseeable future, coz my numbers didn't come in on the lottery.



I know, he really looked like he wasn't up for it. He's like a little boy. Some of the lads were shouting some encouragement "Come on Billy", "you can do it Billy" etc I was worried it might startle him.
I don't know if I've ever wanted someone we've signed to come good more than I do him, poor lad. He's like a technically gifted Simon Davies? You can see there's technical quality there(more so with Billy), but you just don't know if it will ever shine through on a regular basis.

I always thought Davies was a decent guy and a good pro, just couldn't ever get going for Everton and the crowd were on his case a lot.

Playing any player any time is a risk. Its a calculated risk versus reward.

I doubt thats the case what you're saying. Moyes would have been told by the medical staff that he could play Cahill for X minutes, or that he couldn't play at all.

I think it may of been a case that Moyes didn't want to play him sure, but isn't every squad forced to do this at times when points mean league placings?


Its regardless of what Moyes or the tone he used. We're playing a game, and an important game for Everton.

Moyes that often gets accused on here of not getting subs on quick enough.

Are we saying he's now getting the blame when he's hurrying the player and the assistant to get the player on now?

 

[NickEFC]

Playing any player any time is a risk. Its a calculated risk versus reward.

I doubt thats the case what you're saying. Moyes would have been told by the medical staff that he could play Cahill for X minutes, or that he couldn't play at all.

I think it may of been a case that Moyes didn't want to play him sure, but isn't every squad forced to do this at times when points mean league placings?


Its regardless of what Moyes or the tone he used. We're playing a game, and an important game for Everton.

Moyes that often gets accused on here of not getting subs on quick enough.

Are we saying he's now getting the blame when he's hurrying the player and the assistant to get the player on now?

Yes, that is often the case. But what we had was 3 central midfielders who were carrying injuries, whether or not minor and the risks are certainly greater in playing an injured player over a fit one. Moyes clearly felt the benefits would outweight the risk - that's his perogative, he's the gaffer - but there were no options to drastically change it round in the event of disaster ie Fellaini pulling up. And that, in my opinion, is not Moyes' fault, as I'm sure we would have a much different bench if he had the money with which to fill it.

What's regardless of the tone Moyes used? Cahill's professionalism? I don't see how the two are mutually exclusive in this day and age and I think you're picking hairs here. In fact, i think you suspect me as being one of the anti-moyes brigade, which I'm most certainly not.
Going back to my point, Gary Speed was a good professional, but fell out with Kendall and acted like a tw*t before a hugely important game. Yet every manager he played under before and since raved about what a good pro he was. But he fell out with the manager and behaved like a petulant child, turning his back on the club he still loves to this day.
So I'm just commending Tim on his professionalism. He was clearly pissed off at being barked at in that fashion, but just got on with it. That sort of quality is severely lacking in modern day footballers. In this time of multi-millionaire footballers, how many players have a bad attitude? He respects the club, he respects the manager, he takes care of business - Cahill is a top top pro and that re-inforced it for me.

As regards criticism of Moyes' subsitutions, my point is quite the opposite I suppose, my observation is that - even with Rodwell keeping warm literally from the beginning of the match - that our subs were not remotely prepared to come on and that is their own fault.
There was an age between Moyes telling the player he was coming on and for him then to be ready to go on. I now feel that the players are partly to blame for Moyes taking so long to get someone on.

For example, prior to Beckford pulling up and Cahill getting brought on, Moyes told Billy to warm up because he was coming on, yet when he finally did get the chance to bring him on , Billy still took an age to get ready, then needed to speak to Round, then Moyes can get him on.
Now, for me, he should be ready bloody quick. His gear should be on under his trackies. He whips them off and he's down to Round quickly.
Alternatively, if the reason behind the kit not being on is a scientific one and necessary to give us an edge, then Round can save time by sitting with the player while he's getting ready.
Granted Billy may have thought he wasn't getting on, but the lack of anticipation from the players has lead to many people moaning that Moyes dithers over changing it. I now suspect his mind is made up pretty quickly, but the players need to be ready regardless of whether or not they think it's unlikely they're coming on.
I can think of a few times when I've said "Moyes should have got him on five or ten minutes ago" now I know he made his mind up, told the player to get ready, and said player then took an age to lace his effing boots and put his shinnies on!

 

[Summerskin]

I just want to hug Billy and tell him everything will be okay, he's ace.

 

[Newslang]

I know, he really looked like he wasn't up for it. He's like a little boy. Some of the lads were shouting some encouragement "Come on Billy", "you can do it Billy" etc I was worried it might startle him.
I don't know if I've ever wanted someone we've signed to come good more than I do him, poor lad. He's like a technically gifted Simon Davies? You can see there's technical quality there(more so with Billy), but you just don't know if it will ever shine through on a regular basis.

I always thought Davies was a decent guy and a good pro, just couldn't ever get going for Everton and the crowd were on his case a lot.

I totally agree with you, never wished for a player to come good more than Billy. He's shown some moments of magic this season and last but just not enough, and his time's running out. It's obvious he's got the talent and a great attitude he just needs the confidence. I want us to keep him on at least one more season and just hope there comes a pivotal game were he shines for the whole 90 minutes, he could be great, but he has the vulnerability of a 12 year old lad. Here's hoping.

 

[chicoazul]

I done the hospitality thing for the Everton Chile game, it was really impressive.

 

[Matt Damon]

Yes, that is often the case. But what we had was 3 central midfielders who were carrying injuries, whether or not minor and the risks are certainly greater in playing an injured player over a fit one. Moyes clearly felt the benefits would outweight the risk - that's his perogative, he's the gaffer - but there were no options to drastically change it round in the event of disaster ie Fellaini pulling up. And that, in my opinion, is not Moyes' fault, as I'm sure we would have a much different bench if he had the money with which to fill it.

What's regardless of the tone Moyes used? Cahill's professionalism? I don't see how the two are mutually exclusive in this day and age and I think you're picking hairs here. In fact, i think you suspect me as being one of the anti-moyes brigade, which I'm most certainly not.
Going back to my point, Gary Speed was a good professional, but fell out with Kendall and acted like a tw*t before a hugely important game. Yet every manager he played under before and since raved about what a good pro he was. But he fell out with the manager and behaved like a petulant child, turning his back on the club he still loves to this day.
So I'm just commending Tim on his professionalism. He was clearly pissed off at being barked at in that fashion, but just got on with it. That sort of quality is severely lacking in modern day footballers. In this time of multi-millionaire footballers, how many players have a bad attitude? He respects the club, he respects the manager, he takes care of business - Cahill is a top top pro and that re-inforced it for me.

As regards criticism of Moyes' subsitutions, my point is quite the opposite I suppose, my observation is that - even with Rodwell keeping warm literally from the beginning of the match - that our subs were not remotely prepared to come on and that is their own fault.
There was an age between Moyes telling the player he was coming on and for him then to be ready to go on. I now feel that the players are partly to blame for Moyes taking so long to get someone on.

For example, prior to Beckford pulling up and Cahill getting brought on, Moyes told Billy to warm up because he was coming on, yet when he finally did get the chance to bring him on , Billy still took an age to get ready, then needed to speak to Round, then Moyes can get him on.
Now, for me, he should be ready bloody quick. His gear should be on under his trackies. He whips them off and he's down to Round quickly.
Alternatively, if the reason behind the kit not being on is a scientific one and necessary to give us an edge, then Round can save time by sitting with the player while he's getting ready.
Granted Billy may have thought he wasn't getting on, but the lack of anticipation from the players has lead to many people moaning that Moyes dithers over changing it. I now suspect his mind is made up pretty quickly, but the players need to be ready regardless of whether or not they think it's unlikely they're coming on.
I can think of a few times when I've said "Moyes should have got him on five or ten minutes ago" now I know he made his mind up, told the player to get ready, and said player then took an age to lace his effing boots and put his shinnies on!

Actually Speed objected to Kendall turning up obviously having spent the night before drinking. That is pretty well known.


But agree on the fact it's Round's fault for not ensuring players are getting ready appropriately or quickly enough.

Players can warm up for 20 minutes plus. There is no chance of fatigue. Stretching actually prevents injury.

If I were Moyes next game I would INSIST that all players warm up from 20minutes to 40minutes.

Then 45minutes to 60minutes.

Any player should be doing 20minutes stretching and 25minutes cardio before playing anyway.

That's Round's fault.

He should get off Prozone and get on assisting the manager more.


I don't rate him having watched him for 2 years as assistant. He's no where near proactive enough as an assistant.

 

[Del]

I done the hospitality thing for the Everton Chile game, it was really impressive.

Where you serving the food lad