Where are we...

[micknick]

I dont know about anyone else but Im feeling a bit strange about our season thus far. Its a strange situation of feeling not quite here or there. The early promise has died off slightly and it feels very much like we are stuck between up there amongst them and down there scrapping with them.

All things were pointing to a glorious season- In Europe, signed some of the best young talent in the premiership and tied our two biggest stars for 5 years. So what is happening at the moment??!!

One thing I think needs to definitelt happen is for Moyes to find his best eleven and stick with it. I mean the rotation of Neville/Jagielka/Hibbert and Baines/Lescott/Stubbs is doing nobody any good- pick your best 11 and stick with it. Players will get their chance when injuries and loss of form occur.

Two players currently need to be dropped:

1) Yobo this has been the worst I have seen him play. He may have one eye on the African nations already but he is not at the races at the moment.
2) Hibbert, yes he is a tough tackler, but if every time he gets the ball he gives it away he bloody well needs to be a tough tackler.

Then we could have a back four of:

Jagielka---Stubbs---Lescott---Baines

Jagielka is a bright talent that needs to play regularly, he hasnt played great in the midfield so lets get him into the position where he earned an international call up- right back.

Baines has got lots of energy and can get up and down the pitch all day long. With Lescott into his preffered centre back position alongside Stubbs I feel he will only get better learning from big Al at the back. If we play that back four it will only benefit from playing regularly together.

The midfield of Arteta--Gravesen--Carsley/Neville--Pienaar looks pretty solid with Cahill to come back in as well as a new signing in January.

Forward line of AJ and the Yak will get goals.

SO what am I getting at?! That bascically all the elements are in place and I truly believe that this team is going to click any time soon. Moyes needs to be brave and drop his big names if form dictates.

So lets get behind the team and really give the [Poor language removed] a game on Saturday- COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sim]

I think one word sums up our season so far: injuries. OK and two more: european distraction.

OK, 2 more again: crappy midfield.

 

[Latch]

I think one word sums up our season so far: injuries. OK and two more: european distraction.

OK, 2 more again: crappy midfield.

One more, Rollercoaster.................... but then, we are Everton after all.

COYB

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I think we've had a pretty poor season thus far. The first month we managed to paper over our poor form by getting results despite ourselves but in recent weeks the results have started to match our form a lot more.

As has been mentioned, we have had some injuries and a number of new players to come into the side so I like to think that once we get a settled side and some unity then our play, and subsequently our results will improve.

With the players we have in the squad I think top 10 is pretty safe, although with other teams signing well such as Man City, Spurs and Newcastle the fight for a European spot will be difficult.

 

[monty]

I agree with Bruce, thus far, this season has been a disappointment. We all know about injuries, new players and the increased pressure with European football but it is the actual football we've played that has been the biggest worry. At times we have been bereft of ideas, a defence that is to say the least been jittery along with signings that have failed abysmally to inspire

We can but hope that things will turn round when the better players are back! I have great reservations about Saturday, the cat has moved out as a precaution:blink:

 

[Sim]

We'll be alright Monty, bring the cat back in.

Its just injuries and the new player have unsettled the team, it was the same the first year Moyes took us to europe, too many new players coming in, the added pressure or europe etc etc

We're still a bloody good team and when things settle down the football will improve with it.

 

[Robert Jarvis]

Current report reads "Could do better". That about sums it up. Although we have had injuries, we should not be resorting to that old chestnut to explain poor performance and results. The team/squad/manager surely should be capable of rectifying that and get us back to winning ways.

We need to get back into good defending and to that read, the midfield needs sorting.

 

[Latch]

It's obvious to everybody that the trouble is in midfield, a good midfield feeds the strikers and takes some pressure off the defence, our's just ain't creative enough at the moment.

 

[Robert Jarvis]

That is being generous Latch, the only thing lacking is creativity? And the rest old son.

 

[micknick]

I think its unfair to say none of the new signings have failed to inspire- Pienaar for me looks a very decent player and Baines has shown glimpses of what he is about. On paper our side looks fantastic, it just needs to start replicating it on the pitch.

 

[SuitsBlue]

a side in transition, trying to play a higher level of football, it has meant the tenacious fight or die football of old has become tertiary as teething problems with settling on a more fluid and passing style are worked on.

im concerned.

 

[FCConnecticut]

...and McFadden up front until he stops scoring. But I agree, the midfield has been disapointing. We had a decent start offensively with Arteta running the show but then fatigue set in (I think) and his form went. Which segue's nicely, any talk of best 11 and stick with it is bollocks. In the off seasoned we whined that we needed more bodies to play all these matches, and we were right. If you want even more injuries, stick with your 11, for me, I need to pick m spots and make sure my guys are getting a breather.

 

[chicoazul]

My summary is this: mostly gash with spells of aceness.

 

[monty]

I think its unfair to say none of the new signings have failed to inspire- Pienaar for me looks a very decent player and Baines has shown glimpses of what he is about. On paper our side looks fantastic, it just needs to start replicating it on the pitch.

I remain uninspired as proven by our league position

 

[McBain]

Early days yet.

Let the top three take off like they always do, and its scrapping for the next seven teams. Were in that scrap, and a couple of games will change how it the table looks again. Theres two wins between 4th and 12th.

Its always the form after Christams that counts. If we can scrap and scrape till then, its usually teams (like City) that have done well in the beginning of the year that fall off the pace.

Wake me up on Boxing day.