Gunfight at the OK Villa Park.

[Les D]

"In terms of qualifying for the Champions League, then this is a must-win game."

That quote, is David Moyes' slant regarding Sunday's encounter with Aston Villa.

"But I think for the Europa Cup we are both in a very strong position to be in that next season. But it has all completely changed for Villa because a few months ago I actually thought they would finish in the top four. But it just shows that in football if you have a drop in form then it can all change very quickly."

Three buts' !

Stating the obvious, this season has had a plethora of ifs', maybes', and buts'. What Everton don't want this Sunday is to be soundly beaten. I'll be astounded if we are, but there is no room whatesoever for complacency or having half-an-eye on the FA Cup semi-final.

We're the good guys, most people root for the good guys -- so let's give the Villains both barrels -- in readiness for the Devils to come.



Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

 

[bluebloodinmyveins]

Its definitely a game we mustn't lose.....3 points would be a bonus, but a draw would still see us in good shape.
Arsenal will still drop a lot of points, so hopefully we will be there to catch them when that happens.

 

[Les D]

I tell yer' what concerns me bluebloodv', it's Jo. Yes, at home, he can look the mutznutz yet away, it's a different, lower pedigree, we get out of him.

Some blues suggest that the service to Jo (when we play away), has been pretty close to pathetic -- I'm still pondering that one.

If Jo wants to convince David Moyes he's worth having, Jo has to prove his worth, not just at home. It ain't rocket science, Everton can't afford a 50% player and to be honest, I think David Moyes knows this.
So, as they say -- the ball is firmly in Jo's court.

Tbh, regarding this Sunday -- If I were David Moyes, I'd be tempted to play our 'no-striker' formation. It's a very difficult plan for the opposition to get to grips with.


Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

 

[Cal]

Welcome mate.

I think Jo at times is out of his depth away from home. He's not used to the counter attack basically or the fast paced tempo that Everton like to play away from home. It's back to the walls job and hit them on the counter at times really. Saha is boss away from home, he can play on the last man and he's a great link up striker too. I ******* love Louis.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I tell yer' what concerns me bluebloodv', it's Jo. Yes, at home, he can look the mutznutz yet away, it's a different, lower pedigree, we get out of him.

Some blues suggest that the service to Jo (when we play away), has been pretty close to pathetic -- I'm still pondering that one.

If Jo wants to convince David Moyes he's worth having, Jo has to prove his worth, not just at home. It ain't rocket science, Everton can't afford a 50% player and to be honest, I think David Moyes knows this.
So, as they say -- the ball is firmly in Jo's court.

Tbh, regarding this Sunday -- If I were David Moyes, I'd be tempted to play our 'no-striker' formation. It's a very difficult plan for the opposition to get to grips with.


Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

To be fair Les that has been the case away from home, the service has been shocking in the games Jo has been involved in. The team has lacked balance, we’ve had injury problems in midfield and there has been no cohesion in our play.

Even Louis Saha, a player I rate very highly struggled big time against Portsmouth away from home. A striker can only work with what he’s got.

Now I’m not saying your wrong, he may well be a “homer” but I think It’d be unfair to judge him until we have a decent team performance away from home. If we play well and he still doesn’t have an impact on the game then I’d agree with you. We’ll have to wait and see really.

Hopefully with a balanced team against Villa we’ll be able to see what Jo is really about away from home, it’ll be interesting.

 

[Les D]

Welcome mate.

I think Jo at times is out of his depth away from home. He's not used to the counter attack basically or the fast paced tempo that Everton like to play away from home. It's back to the walls job and hit them on the counter at times really. Saha is boss away from home, he can play on the last man and he's a great link up striker too. I ******* love Louis.

I like that post, Cal.

Cheers for the welcome, appreciated.

We really have been given the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to strikers.

Beattie, couldn't cut the mustard.
Bent, champions league standard, I'm afraid.
Johnson, a very strange cookie.
Vaughan, blighted with injury after injury.
Anichebe, I'm sorry -- but the fella' has to up his finishing.
Yakubu, rupturing his banjo-string.
Jo, a 50% striker.
Saha, what a shame we could only get him when he's covered in war-wounds.

Your assessment of Jo & Saha, I would say, is spot-on. I could weep for Vaughan and his catalogue of injuries -- I think, if he could totally banish his injuries, he could be as good as Saha was, when he was in his pomp.

Good to speak to you, fella'.

Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

 

[Les D]

To be fair Les that has been the case away from home, the service has been shocking in the games Jo has been involved in. The team has lacked balance, we’ve had injury problems in midfield and there has been no cohesion in our play.

Even Louis Saha, a player I rate very highly struggled big time against Portsmouth away from home. A striker can only work with what he’s got.

Now I’m not saying your wrong, he may well be a “homer” but I think It’d be unfair to judge him until we have a decent team performance away from home. If we play well and he still doesn’t have an impact on the game then I’d agree with you. We’ll have to wait and see really.

Hopefully with a balanced team against Villa we’ll be able to see what Jo is really about away from home, it’ll be interesting.

Alright Tocky' lad.

I look at what you suggest as a double edged sword, good-buddy.

As Cal has pointed out, you can see a difference when Saha hangs on the last man, and when Jo hangs on to the last man.
You can see that Saha has that extra spark whereas Jo seems to have only half the cylinders that Louis can fire on.

Consequently, when Jo partnered Saha at Portsmouth it was an abortion. Who's fault ? It was everyone's fault, including Moyes'.
Our midfield creativity was woeful and allied to this, Jo & Saha played like complete strangers to each other.

Now, to make Jo work is as much Moyes' problem as is what's going on in Jo's own head -- that's what good training & coaching is all about.

Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

 

[fozzy]

Welcome mate.

I think Jo at times is out of his depth away from home. He's not used to the counter attack basically or the fast paced tempo that Everton like to play away from home. It's back to the walls job and hit them on the counter at times really. Saha is boss away from home, he can play on the last man and he's a great link up striker too. I ******* love Louis.

ive given jo laods of ****e on here!

but i read in the paper this week that his wife/girlfriend and daughter came over last week! his daughter is 8 months old and its only the 2nd time he has seen her!! so ive decided to give the bloke a bit of slack! as now hes at a decent club which looks after people i.e lets them see there famley name no names(citah) and he is looking a LITTLE better with each game!

 

[Cal]

He's good at home but like most Brazilians, they go missing when they're not able to play freely.

I like him though. Undecided whether i'd want to spend a decent fee on him at the moment. Hopefully he sorts it out on Sunday though but i can't see it, it's gonna be a tough game.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

ive given jo laods of ****e on here!

but i read in the paper this week that his wife/girlfriend and daughter came over last week! his daughter is 8 months old and its only the 2nd time he has seen her!! so ive decided to give the bloke a bit of slack! as now hes at a decent club which looks after people i.e lets them see there famley name no names(citah) and he is looking a LITTLE better with each game!

:huh:

Really?

Madness.

 

[Les D]

his wife/girlfriend and daughter came over last week! his daughter is 8 months old and its only the 2nd time he has seen her!!

That's an interesting find, Fozz' -- I didn't know that.

We all know that the brain can sometimes think in mysterious ways -- you never know, with his closest family with him -- he may become even more content than he's already stated (at Goodison) -- it may turn out the more love he gets (and I don't mean Wagner ), he never feels like he's playing away from home.


Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

his wife/girlfriend and daughter came over last week! his daughter is 8 months old and its only the 2nd time he has seen her!!

That's an interesting find, Fozz' -- I didn't know that.

We all know that the brain can sometimes think in mysterious ways -- you never know, with his closest family with him -- he may become even more content than he's already stated (at Goodison) -- it may turn out the more love he gets (and I don't mean Wagner ), he never feels like he's playing away from home.


Nil Satis Nisi Opium -- Heroin for the people.

He's right too mate, read this

Jo Dedicates Everton Goals To Baby Daughter - Goal.com

"My daughter is here in England and that is why I was celebrating – it is the first time I have seen her with my wife and I am so happy," he explained to The Liverpool Echo.

As you said, it can only be a good thing.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

How many away games has Jo played for us?

 

[Cal]

3. Newcastle, Blackburn and Pompey.

 

[Neiler]

When i read the article i thought it was the first time shes seen him in England!

Probably wrong like!