The Other Side

[Bluerover]

4. Which players have impressed so far this season and which ones have been disappointing?

Impressed? FELLIANI. Disappointing? That would be FELLIANI again.

FELLAINI please!!

 

[Dom1878]

Burnden Aces - The Other Side - Everton

Theres the article...think its mostly right...maybe went a bit OTT with the Moyes bit...

Bolton will be looking to pull themselves out of the bottom three on Wednesday evening when they host Everton at the Reebok Stadium.

Ahead of the game, Dom1878 from Everton forum, GrandOldTeam, has spoken to our very own DannyW to give us his thoughts.

After the success of recent seasons, Dom believes the Toffee's have had a poor start to the new campaign but morale is high after the weekend draw against Manchester United.

"The start for Everton was fairly bad. Losses at home to Blackburn and Portsmouth, we're out of the Carling and UEFA Cup's, and a draw against (a poor) Newcastle team, it's not looking good," said Dom.

"The club haven't really said what's wrong, but I'm sure it was a combination of new signings settling in, injuries, but most of all David Moyes' contract troubles.

"However a draw against the champions will certainly boost morale and hopefully we can get our season back on track."

It would be fair to say that Everton were pretty quiet in the summer transfer window, but when all seemed lost, manager David Moyes broke the clubs transfer record with the signing of Marouane Fellaini.

"Well we had a terrible transfer window, bringing in Wigan's 3rd choice goalkeeper, getting a player on loan, and a player on a free," Dom continued.

"Then out of nowhere, breaking our club record on a player who not many had seen. Fellaini didn't look good at all at the start of the season, but now he has started to settle into the league.

"Apparently he is training better and getting among the 'inside jokes' to improve his English. He is passing better, heading better and has already scored 2 important goals."

Dom thinks Everton's poor start to the season can be blamed on the uncertainty surrounding Moyes' future and is hoping the side can start to push their way up the table now a deal has been signed.

"I think Moyes did affect the players. Now he has signed the players and fans are alot more settled. However, I started to think towards the start of the season that I wouldn't mind Moyes not signing.

"If the contract had been on the table since March, why didn't he sign? I think he was looking out for a better club - Celtic perhaps - and for me, not signing the contract as soon as he got it showed a lack of loyalty. I'm still not very impressed with him, however since signing we have looked better."

Dom has also blamed their poor start on some of the Everton players, believing they are not performing to the high standards they have set over the last couple of years.

"(Joleon) Lescott has been the most disappointing. He had a fantastic season last year and the season before that," Dom said.

"He scored some vital goals, and prevented many. This season though he has looked bad going forward, and even worse in defence. His marking isn't up to scratch and he looks like he has lost confidence. I think most Everton fans were surprised at his call-up to the England squad earlier this month."

Dom is hoping Yakubu can end his goal drought on Wednesday night and is predicting a 1-0 win for the visitors.

"Yakubu has been quiet recently, but I think our midfield will be able to feed him a killer pass, and Yakubu will inevitably score.

"His confidence has been low and the fans are starting to get sick of his work rate. I think he will go out to prove something tommorow.

"I rate Matthew Taylor highly, he scored against us when he was with Portsmouth and he also looks on form at Bolton. I think he will be a big threat with his long shots as Howard's positioning isn't the best.

"I think we have a good chance. We also welcome back (Tim) Cahill after his suspension. I think he will be desperate to get back on the pitch. So with all of them factors added together, I think Everton can win this game, most likely from a set piece!"

Burnden Aces would like to thank Dom1878 for his very detailed answers to our questions. You can see more from Dom1878 and the views of other Everton fans over at the GrandOldTeam Forum.

 

[BurndenAce]

Thanks again everyone for your help and hope you enjoy the game tonight (even if the result doesn't go your way)

 

[TsarDiniyar]

1. You seemed to have started the season off fairly slowly in comparison to the last couple of years, how it been from your point of view and how do you expect the rest of the season to go?

So far this season I personally have felt very down about the way we have been playing, lately its been an effort to watch the blues and that shouldn't be the case. We're going to struggle to reach the heights of last year, I think european qualification is near enough impossible. This season "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" is all I want and time will tell where that gets us.

2. There wasnt alot going on in the transfer window for you until late so how have the signings that were brought in settled?

Lars Jacobsen - Injured
Louis Saha - Injured, still looks off the pace, showed glimpses of what he's all about but I think he will do well here.
Marouane Fellaini - Much needed height and strength in the midfield, slow to settle but the last few games he has started to play really well and scored a couple of goals.
Carlo Nash - Pfft.

3. How much unrest do you think Moyes' contract was causing and how relieved were you when he signed a new one?

It got to the point where I no longer cared whether he stayed or went. If he went, good, we dont want a manager here who doesn't want to be here. Now he's signed its time to simply get behind him and the players.

4. Which players have impressed so far this season and which ones have been disappointing?

Pienaar since he has returned from injury has been great.
Jagielka has been solid barring the o.g. v stoke.
Fellaini has eventually settled and looks like a good player.

5. Which of your players do you expect to have an impact on tomorrow night's game?

The above three, Fellaini more so due to the physicality of the Bolton side, along with Yakubu, should he be given the right service.

6. And which Bolton players do you think may cause you some trouble?

Kevin Davies V Phil Jagielka will be an interesting battle Nolan can cause us problems and Smolarek should he play

7. Finally...you match predictions?

Buoyed by the draw with United I think everton will kick on and win 3-1

 

[Rook]

Thanks again everyone for your help and hope you enjoy the game tonight (even if the result doesn't go your way)

Didn't see the match but it doesn't sound like we were very deserving of the 3pts. The only difference was that we have Screech and you don't. Good luck for the rest of the season.

 

[BurndenAce]

Didn't see the match but it doesn't sound like we were very deserving of the 3pts. The only difference was that we have Screech and you don't. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Should have been a draw really, at a push id say we were the better team but we didnt create any clear cut chances and our defending for your goal was sunday league at best.

Good luck to you for rest of the season, look forward to meeting you again at Goodison.

 

[Dom1878]

Should have been a draw really, at a push id say we were the better team but we didnt create any clear cut chances and our defending for your goal was sunday league at best.

Good luck to you for rest of the season, look forward to meeting you again at Goodison.

Got it right 0-1 to Everton, One of the worst games ive listened too...terrible play by Everton, and we were lucky to win. Gutted for Bolton, same thing happened last season...