Blue Monday – Everton v Newcastle United preview

Posted on September 16th, 2012 | 77 Comments |

Everton fans.
Toffee trip.
Venue: Goodison Park, Meerseyside.
Date: Monday, 17th September.
Kick off: 8:00pm
Referee: Mike Jones.
UK TV: Sky Sports 1.

With the international break finally over, we can get back to the nitty gritty of the Premier League when Everton take on Newcastle United at Goodison Park on Monday night.

Both sides have aspirations of finishing in the top 6 yet they both went into the international break on the back of poor performances so no doubt they’ll be looking to bounce back with a win. Its just possible, even at this early stage in the season. We could be in for a classic.

After a good start, Everton came back to reality with a disappointing 0-2 reverse against the Baggies at The Hawthorns having won their two opening games against Man USA and the Villa. Whereas the Toon’s previous showings have been somewhat underwhelming after their initial opening day win against Spuds. Subsequently we lost comprehensively at Chelsea, only 0-2 in terms of result but 3/10 in terms of performance which was followed by a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa. With a less than full capacity at SJP, Toon lost the first half with a typically uninspiring performance but somehow clawed their way back into the game with yet another outstanding individual strike from Hatem Ben Arfa.

So not only have we dropped points but we’ve also managed to top the “Physio Room” charts with the following key players out for a period of time.

Newcastle United injuries

Newcastle United injuries
T.Krul Arm/Elbow 29th Sep, 12
F.Coloccini Hamstring 17th Sep, 12
H.Vuckic Groin TBC
D.Simpson Hamstring 29th Sep, 12
J.Perch Neck 17th Sep, 12
R.Taylor ACL Knee Mar, 2013
C.Tiote Calf/Shin 23rd Sep, 12
S.Ameobi Hamstring 17th Sep 12

To confirm what Pardew has said:

“We have had problems Colo is struggling. Krul is out for two or three games. In some respects he can take an enforced break. Cheick, I would say, is touch and go for next week too, so we are down on what you would like to select from. We have lost three of our back five that started the season – that’s a significant blow for us because we are not a Chelsea or a Manchester United, who can bring in international players to replace them. Having said that, I think our replacements are strong. We are not that much down on going there with those guys.”

So we know there will be at least five first teamers missing from the side that starts on Monday but fortunately we have a massive squad from which to choose alternatives??? From that list it is assumed that James Perch is expected to be available, whilst Pardew can at least be thankful that both Sammy and Shola Ameobi and Shane Ferguson along with Haris Vuckic are all back in training.

The two major concerns for the home side are the fitness of Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson, who have both struggled with thigh strains. They were both missing from international duty during the break but Steven Pienaar is more likely to feature against us while Darron Gibson, who has had a dream start to his Everton career, is likely to be out for at least four weeks.

It’s possible that new signing Bryan Oviedo, former FC Copenhagen midfielder, could make his home debut if his clearance comes through, although it would most likely be from the bench.

Everton v Newcastle United History

During the past 100 years or so of top flight football both sides have won 64 times and there have also been 34 draws. More recently our record at Goodison in the Premier League has not been so good winning on only six occasions since we first achieved Premier League status in 1993.

2011/12 Lost 1-3 og (Hibbert)
2010/11 Won 1-0 Ben Arfa
2008/09 Drew 2-2 Taylor, Duff
2007/08 Lost 1-3 Owen (pen)
2006/07 Lost 0-3
2005/06 Lost 0-1
2004/05 Lost 0-2
2003/04 Drew 2-2 Shearer 2 pens
2002/03 Lost 1-2 Robert
2001/02 Won 3-1 Bellamy, Solano, Acuna
2000/01 Drew 1-1 og (Unsworth)
1999/00 Won 2-0 Hughes, Dyer
1998/99 Lost 0-1
1997/98 Drew 0-0
1997/98 Won 1-0 Rush (FAC)
1996/97 Lost 0-2
1995/96 Won 3-1 Ferdinand, Lee, Kitson
1994/95 Lost 0-1 (FAC)
1994/95 Lost 0-2
1993/94 Won 2-0 Cole, Beardsley

Bringing the stats right up to date, Everton have scored 20 goals in their last 6 home league games (last season and this) including all four in last season’s final day fixture which saw them finish 3-1 winners over us. The last opponent to score against the Blues at Goodison Park was Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen back in March 2012. Striker in form is Nikica Jelavic who has 8 in 9 league games whereas our top two have between them only once hit the net this season.

In a managerial head to head, Moyes leads Pardew 4-2 with 1 draw. However, Pardew will be missing from the touchline as he begins his two match ban following his push on the linesman at the Spuds game.

Squad sheets

Everton (from): Tim Howard(G), Ján Mucha (G), Leighton Baines, Phil Jageilka, Sylvain Distin, Phil Neville, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Steven Naismith, Kevin Mirallas, Nikica Jelavic, Tony Hibbert, John Heitinga, Francisco Junior, Magaye Gueye, Apostolos Vellios, Victor Anichebe, Shane Duffy, Conor McAleny, Séamus Coleman, Luke Garbutt.

Newcastle (from): Steve Harper (G), Rob Elliot (G), Davide Santon, James Tavernier, James Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Yohan Cabaye, Jonás Gutiérrez, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux, Dan Gosling, Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana, Hatem Ben Arfa, Romain Amalfitano, Papiss Cissé, Demba Ba, Adam Campbell.

Whatever the line ups will be on Monday there is no doubt that Everton are the team in form at home. Defeat at West Brom last time out ended a run of 11 Premier League games without defeat for the Toffees (W7, D4) and Moyes’ side have won eight and lost just one of their last ten Premier League home matches. The only good news going into this game for us is that Gibson, who has played a remarkable 29 games for Everton without finishing on the losing side, is ruled out for a month with a thigh strain having come off in the first 20 minutes of their defeat at West Brom.

Bearing in mind we have a game on Thursday night in the sunny climes of the Atlantic, we will be looking at two tough games within the space of four days. There will be a new Number 1 between the sticks and hopefully, if it’s Harper, he’ll stay on the pitch longer than he did last time out at Goodison Park. The back four will also need “re arranging” as both Colo and Simmo are ruled out. So it looks like Anita will deputise for Simmo and Perch will partner Saylor in the middle, leaving Williamson as our sole surviving central defender with BPL experience, on the bench.

Looking for points first and foremost, I’d like to see Cabaye in an advanced midfield position with both Jonas and Bigi shoring up the middle leaving HBA free to roam with Ba and Cisse in a front three. However knowing Mr “4-4-2” Pardew, I’m afraid we’ll succumb to the usual unimaginative solution of 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 with Ba allegedly playing off Cisse?

Possible Line ups

Everton v Newcastle possible line ups.
My possible line ups / formations for the game.

Conclusion

This is a crunch game for Pardew so early in the season. After two lacklustre performances he must get the team firing on all cylinders with a solid display against an Everton side brimming with confidence despite losing last time out. Despite the run of injuries he still has a side to equal that of our opponents on Monday night if only he has the cahones to deliver the right solution.

Assuming we have all players fit, Toon have three match winners in Ba, Cisse and HBA who will relish the the chance to put on another magical display to rival the last one at Goodison all those months ago. So it’s up to Pardew to work out whether he can live with another turgid display, leaving forwards isolated with little service, or take the game to an Everton side who will undoubtedly miss the ball winning and distribution of Darron Gibson.

If he gets it right we could win this 2-1 even allowing for a Jelavic goal!

Poll

NUFCBlog Author: AndyMac AndyMac has written 13 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

77 Responses

  3. DRINGO says:
    September 16, 2012 at 9:07 am

    “I really cant see Felli playing left wing !”

    That could be my fault Dringo as I did the image for Andy from what he wrote down. He may have meant on the other flank, though I would have thought he’d go in the middle personally, or just behind Jelavic at the front.

    Which side was it Andy? And why isn’t he in the middle, or in Jelavic’s hole?

  4. He may very well be in Jelavic’s hole but what consenting adults do in the privacy of the dressing room…….

    Actually I had Fellaini deputising for Gibson in the middle with Osman and Naismith left and Pienaar right.

    Moyes has played 4-4-1-1 so far this season but with Fellaini sitting deeper we may have a better chance of nicking the points ?

  5. My team for Everton (if fit?)

    Harper

    Anita Taylor Williamson Santon

    Perch
    Cabaye Jonas

    Ben Arfa Cisse Ba

    I think everton away will be too tough a test for bigi at this stage but a solid option from the bench if needed. Anita at right back instead of perch due to his pace and in this system our full backs need to provide the width going forward, something perch struggles with at right back. in the middle perchie can just sit and play his tough tackling game and play it simple and let others do the complicated stuff. Willo in at CB will hopefully help against the arial threat of everton (esp fellani) what do u think?

  6. “Actually I had Fellaini deputising for Gibson in the middle with Osman and Naismith left and Pienaar right”

    Just got up. Read that again but it should say…

    “Fellaini deputising for Gibson in the middle alongside Osman. With Naismith left and Pienaar on the right. Now where’s my coffee ?

  7. Yup Matty I agree with Anita at RB. All the signs coming from Pardwho seem to suggest that but I just have a “bad feeling” about Williamson :(

  8. toontony says:

    “Another goodun Andy! It helped me forget my hangover for a few minutes”

    Feelin’ that fella :lol:

  9. Who knows what Pardew will do, and as we are unaware of who is suffering strains and knocks, other than those with more serious injuries, could effect the lineup.
    With those supposedly available, here’s my pick , for what it’s worth.

    *************Harper************
    *******Taylor*****Perch********
    Santon********************Anita
    *******Cabaye*******Jonas******
    HBA*********Cisse******Marveaux
    ************Ba*****************

    Ferguson
    Gosling
    Bigrimana
    Amalfitano
    Elliot.

    Picked super sub Perch over Williamson (dont ask), put Santon on the right as Taylor can cover him when he go’s forward.
    Plus Anita is comfortable on the left, with Jonas covering if he decides to bring the ball upfield.
    Hopefully Marveaux can finally show why we got him, if not we can put Ferguson in, who can also fill in at LB if required.
    Like to see Amalfitano get some minutes, he is supposed to be ready, right?
    Same for Bigirimana, though still a bit raw, a future Tiote
    Gosling can possibly fil in for either Jonas or Cabaye.
    Would have preferred Cabaye at the back of a triangle with HBA and Marveaux on the wings and either Cisse or Ba at the front, but as Tiote is out, gotta play him in the defensive role.
    Plus we are doomed to play a 4-4-2 if we are to keep both Ba and Cisse happy, just wish they would work it out how they can play to-gether.

  10. Folowing AP’s speech defending the clubs transfer dealings (a stun….woops a “cunning stunt”)
    There are murmors of discontent among the Geordie faithfull, who understand like everyone else, when they are being fed a load of crap.
    And though there are no signs(yet) he is loosing the dressing room, which would set the skids for his exit.
    Who actually knows, there are ony the feelgood stories emenating from the players, we all love it here stuff.
    Seems some fans are already speculating as to who might replace AP, with both our own ex player and somewhat successful manager Clarkie and the well travelled Gus Poyette.
    Both decent footballing guys, but the real requirement is for someone who can deal with the top brass as well as continue their education about the game.
    Selling shirts or setting odds it aint!
    Was thinking about Martin Jol, who has learned to deal with a tough Spurs and Fulham ownership crowd and who is doing well with a limited budget at Craven Cottage.
    Yeah i know, why would he leave Fulham for NUFC, hey! i have no idea.
    Even if Pardew were to get the push, who in their right mind would want to take on the role here, would take a tough individual.
    The only hope is somehow Ashley will either sell the club or see the light.
    Dont hold your breath!

  11. Whichever formation Pardwho selects he surely has to address the key issue of the lack of service to the forwards.

    Last season 35 of our 53 goals were scored by Cisse or Ba, thats almost 63% of our league total and the highest percentage in the BPL. So if we rely on these two to get the majority of our goals we’ve surely got to give them something to feed upon ?

    So the “suppliers” have either got to get closer to Ba/Cisse or we create more strike threats from other areas i.e. HBA or Marveaux cutting in from out wide. However you slice it Pardwho you’ve got to get more players involved in and around Zone 14.

    “Effective use of Zone 14 will sometimes end in a goal but often in a set piece. In a way that doesn’t matter as the majority of goals come from set pieces anyway.”

  12. well this could be a very bad week for the “silver supremo”.
    come 10 o’clock tomorrow night, he will be exactly that,silver, as he will come in second place against everton.
    the “gold supremo” moyesy, will kick his silver jacksy, all the way back, to tyneside.
    going there with a full strength squad, is hard enough, but with a patched up squad, nigh on no chance, for me.

    then come thursday, if he thinks a team of waifs and strays, are going to find it easy against a team, who will be technically very good, he may receive another rude awakening.

    which will leave him trying to get a result against the “silver streaked supremo” of norwich, chrissy hughton.

    i heard his latest guff, “too much time on their hands”, “they should be thankful to mike ashley, for the state the clubs in” etc, blaa, blaa, blaa.
    is alan pardew even alive?, or is he stuffed and mounted, with a battery and a tape recorder, stuck up his rectum?

  13. is alan pardew even alive?, or is he stuffed and mounted, with a battery and a tape recorder, stuck up his rectum?

    :lol:
    Great analogy!

  14. AndyMac says:
    September 16, 2012 at 11:46 am

    “Actually I had Fellaini deputising for Gibson in the middle with Osman and Naismith left and Pienaar right”

    Andy Fellaini was definitely on the flank in your little diagram. Could you please do another one on here, facing the same way as the images above and I’ll change them around on the image.

  15. TROJAN RECORDS 73 says:
    September 16, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    “which will leave him trying to get a result against the “silver streaked supremo” of norwich, chrissy hughton.”

    Trojan, if you were a “silver streaked supremo” who would you rather work for, Ashley and Llambias, or Delia Smith, Michael Wynn-Jones and Stephen Fry?

  17. Chuck: I’ll bet you two dozen Oysters at Grand Central Station that Pardiola doesn’t pick your formation.

    He will not switch sides with the fullbacks and will play Williamson. Perch might play midfield and Jonas will not play in the centre and Marveaux will not start.

  18. WT says:

    “Andy Fellaini was definitely on the flank in your little diagram. Could you please do another one on here, facing the same way as the images above and I’ll change them around on the image”

    Didnt do a diagram WT. All I did was cut and paste the four midfielders from the squad list above it, likewise the four defenders.

    However I’ll swap the names around if that helps ?

    EVERTON (4-4-1-1)

    Jelavic
    Mirallas
    Pienaar, Osman, Fellaini, Naismith
    Baines, Jageilka, Distin, Neville
    Howard

    I’m not sure Mirallas will get the nod but they’re at home so Moyes has a responsibility to take the offensive line and when you look at their team (from 1 to 11) it looks solid but there isnt a lot to choose from after that.

  19. GS says:

    “you are right AndyMac, he did get his ears done”

    He’s more aerodynamically styled now :)

    “Chuck: I’ll bet you two dozen Oysters at Grand Central Station that Pardiola doesn’t pick your formation”

    You suggesting Chuck needs a little pepping up in the “lerve” department :)

  22. The player on the Totteringham team who looked like a monkey and now looks like a monkey with his ears pinned back.

  24. Worky @20: I think you were joking. But if you weren’t. You would have to ask yourself, who on the Totterinham team had the giant sticky out ears?

  25. Extracted from that same paper………….

    “Most of Michael Owen’s goals have come in the past” – DAN WALKER

    “I’d love to get to the final of Masterchef. I’d feel almost as if I’ve failed if I didn’t” – DANNY MILLS

    “The area you’re trying to protect at corners is the goal” – CHRIS KAMARA

    “Luis Suarez is a victim of his own makeup” – MICK QUINN

    “They played Arsenal and got their backsides felt” – CRAIG BURLEY

    “Steven Fletcher cost a lot of money, Jeff, but it weren’t a lot of money, if you know what I mean” – PAUL MERSON

    “Steven Fletcher cost a very lot of money” – CHRIS WADDLE

  26. AndyMac: you are reading too much into Chuck and my relationship. I was simply saying they have a world class oyster bar at Grand Central Station and that Chuckerihno is wrong.

  27. How long’s the train journey from Chicago to NYC ? Could you make it in time for supper after the game :)

  29. I am going to record the “Being Liverpool” show tonight so I can fast forward through the bits when $teven Gerrard Gerrard talks.

  30. I hope Moyes is a damn fool and plays Fellaini on the wing or at CM. I’d tuck him right in behind Jelavic. I doubt Perch can handle either of those two physically.

    We need a win and a good performance to get some form. We were lackluster even against Spurs. That result was down to Ba & HBA making goals virtually out of nothing while Spurs hit the post & crossbar. I don’t think we’ve had a really good performance yet. HBA has, but he’s just one man.

    Our defenders get injured and we can’t replace with anyone because we can’t compete in the market with the likes of Fulham, Norwich or Sunderland. What’ll it be? Mike “Oh s#!t the ball’s at my feet, what the hell do I do?” Williamson at CB with Perch at CDM? Or Perch at CB and throw an 18 year old kid in at the deep end at Goodison?

    Chuck-if Fulham have a limited budget I don’t know what you’d call ours!

    Vertonghen looked great for Spurs again today.

  33. So here’s my team in true Ed-blog style:

    *****************Harper

    Anita***Williamson***Taylor***Santon

    ******Cabaye****Perch****Jonas

    *******Ben Arfa**Cisse**Ba

  34. GS says:

    “AndyMac: I think $teven Gerrard Gerrard annoys me almost as much as Pardwho annoys you :)”

    Impossible GS :)

    If Pardwho just came out and said “I know my limits and I’ll do the best I can and I’ll bring in others to do what i cant” then I might just give him the benefit of the doubt ! However his selction’s are often baffling and his inability to change a game is almost embarrassing.

  38. Worky, what does “sandboy sensation” mean? That one went way over my head, although Remi Streete would be a good x-factor name.

  40. GS says:
    September 16, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    “Sorry, “sand dancing”. I still don’t understand.”

    Remie Streete is from South Shields, GS. People from South Shields are known as “Sand Dancers”.

    And NO it is NOT racist Chuck so f off before you start!

    ps Andy, the formation picture is corrected now.

  41. And, why are people so f@cking stupid.

    I was out with a friend last night and he said my ex-wife is a bitch. What gives him the right to comment to me about someone who I loved for 10 years (I was married for 17). She’s not a bitch by the way.

    His wife is 18 stone and I never mention that.

  43. Is it me, or does Moyes have that scowl permanently etched on his forehead? He always comes across as level headed in interviews but he has that angry look on the lines on his head.

  49. GS says:
    September 16, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    “Oh: Liverpool play the Mancs next, you couldn’t script it any better.”

    They’re playing with Young Boys at the Wankdorf next GS.

  50. They bloody well are as well, you know :) Let’s see how that “famous” scouse humour deals with that.

    Thanks Worky, that made me laugh.

  52. Matty @5: I just read this thread again. Good guess at Pardew’s team you have there, maybe I will repeat it later @33 :)

  53. I have a theory as to why Malcolm McMiserable is so miserable.

    He didn’t invent time travel!

    No, that’s not it.

    Yes, I have it now, he is just a miserable c*nt. That’s it, a simple explanation.

  54. The most well paid sportsman ever was Roman chariot racer, Gaius Appuleius Diocles. Chariot racing in general was run in much the same way as Formula One today with drivers racing in teams which were named after colours, and Diocles rode with the White, Red and Green teams before his retirement at the age of 42.

    According to Roman records, he won and estimated 36 million sesterces, which in modern money would be around $15 BILLION or £9.3 billion, which wasn’t bad for an illiterate ex-slave.

  55. Worky @54: I bet he was happy though.

    What I don’t get about Malcolm McMiserable, “Lawro” and Phil Thompson types is that they were lucky enough to have the talent to kick a ball around for a living and get really well paid for it. And now they talk about it and get well paid for that. They really couldn’t have had an easier life and all they do is moan.

    Lawro and Thommo are really ugly though, so that might explain their unhappiness.

  56. Watching back the season review today, which i won in an excellently run comp on THIS site, i conclude that when HBA/BA/CISSE were on form – they were an unstoppable front 3.

    I say play them tonight as a 3, and hope that form returns.

    Besides, lacking any true wingers for a 4-4-2 (i’m discarding Jonas who plays deeper and more defensive these days, and believe Oberatn is injured [?], and Sammy out…maybe u could include Marv)…

    I say 4-3-3 is our best bet = take the game to them!

  57. ——————Harper——————

    Anita—-Saylor———-Willo—-Santon

    ———Biri———–Jonas————
    —————-Cabaye——————-

    HBA————————————BA
    —————–CISSE——————-

  58. But who knows, people may rightly claim that Cisse has yet to hit form, so maybe he needs to sit on the bench and find that appetite:

    Play a safer midfield packed out, with Ba the lone in form striker, and HBA just behind. Plus our defensive might need extra help:

    4-4-1-1

    harper
    anita/saylor/perch or willo/santon

    amalfantano or Marv/biri/cabaye/jonas

    HBA
    BA

  59. i know these relentless formation suggestions can get a bit tiring, but i think given our injuries, our tough opposition, the upcoming fixtures etc etc….tonight’s gonna be a real tactical test!

  60. Milner says:

    “Watching back the season review today, which i won in an excellently run comp on THIS site, i conclude that when HBA/BA/CISSE were on form – they were an unstoppable front 3.

    I say play them tonight as a 3, and hope that form returns”

    Funnily enough Milner a certain “Statto” came up with more or less the same conclusion

    “2 things stand out like a sore thumb here – assists and goals conceded. Newcastle have produced 50% more assists since reverting to 4-3-3 and only conceded 1 goal in 540 minutes of Premier League football using that system”

  61. Workie

    In my day there were no whites, only reds and greens.
    Talking bout the Eastern Empire of course.
    In to-days Instanbul, in the old city, the Sultanahmet section.
    There are the remains of the old hippodrome, surrounded by the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
    Of course there’s nothing to remind one of the original race area.
    But there is the ruin of the old stone (something quite like the Cleopatra’s needle’s in London) which merked the center of the Empire, from where all distaces were measured.
    Anyone going there should try to co-incide there visit with Ramadan, as it becomes quite a spectacle, after sunset.
    If one wants to learn how things were during the Chariot races, they should attend a home game at Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen stadium.
    Can only be described as total anarchy, with the well known hospitable chant to opposition fans, “Welcome to hell”

  63. Why is it, that most have chosen to play Anita on the right and Santon on the left, when Anita is a left footed player and Santon a rightie.
    Not unlike Jonas, Santon is so predictable, when attacking, both cut in to-wards center field to get the ball on their good foot, hell if i ‘m aware of that, how many PL defenders are ?
    Could we have both playing where they would be most effective in regards to crossing, would that be too much to ask ?
    C’mon folks !

  65. GS
    of course you are right, therefor no need to take that train journey to New York’s Grand Central.
    What do these Limeys thing this is the 1930’s, no one uses trains for long distant travel anymore, unless they are RR buffs, or have flying phobias.
    And as i will still be this side of the pond until, later this month, would be unable to gorge myself on oysters and Striped Bass.
    Nah ! AP will probably do it his way, 4-4-2, but then what the hell do i know about anything?

  66. AndyMac says:
    September 17, 2012 at 11:28 am

    “2 things stand out like a sore thumb here – assists and goals conceded. Newcastle have produced 50% more assists since reverting to 4-3-3 and only conceded 1 goal in 540 minutes of Premier League football using that system”

    We would only play like that until we were two or three goals ahead though, then Pardew would usually send on some more defensive substiutions. That’s why we never scored more than three goals.

    toontony says:
    September 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    “Even big Sam is using a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 nowadays”

    Correct toontony.

    chuck says:
    September 17, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    “Why is it, that most have chosen to play Anita on the right and Santon on the left, when Anita is a left footed player and Santon a rightie.”

    Being on the right definitely works for the primarily left footed Benny though. As I’ve written before, it seems to open up the pitch for him somewhat, though he would still be great on the left too.

  67. What bothers me is seeing our two Senegalese Strikers, awaiting some kind of support.
    From gaining possession, the side seem unable to string more than three passes to-gether and are usually stymied somewher around midfield.
    The ball seldom arriving at the feet of our two strikers, other than as the result of the goalie or FB hoofing it to them when all else fails.
    We have become more predictable, due to the fact we seldom change the plan, other than trying to Park the bus, if leading.
    When Pardew stated he spent most practices working on defence and left little time for the coaches to work on the attacking side, i guess he was’nt kidding.
    Someone should let him know we have the attacking talent to score plenty of goals, if we applied the right tactical approach.
    Why waste two prolific scorers, with HBA, Cabay, Anita and others more than capeable to provide the support needed.
    hey ! i just dont get it, we got the talent , but…..

  68. chuck says:
    September 17, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    “Why is it, that most have chosen to play Anita on the right and Santon on the left, when Anita is a left footed player and Santon a rightie.”

    Anita is primarily right footed, Chuck. Though I suspect the reason is that they have seen Anita play on the right for a few minutes and have already decided that he is far better than Simpson, who, as you know, is the worst player in the history of humanity and the reason for everything that goes wrong.

  69. On the subject of the Anita signing, he’s an excellent little player, though I wonder if we were looking at Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie too. He’s another tough little (5’7″) defensive midfield terrier who can also dribble like a bastard and spray the ball all over the pitch like a true playmaker. A complete midfielder and one of the best players I have seen in the current Eredivisie.

  70. Workie
    Yeah, i dont get that either, thought he was injured ?(Simpson).
    It has probably got something to do with not signing a lowball contract.
    Which some fans take as something personal and as his style is not that spectacular, most miss the subtlety of his game, ah well !

    Was wondering if Enrique is out of favor at Pool. or has an injury.
    Hopefully he’s on Rodgers shit list also, as i would’nt mind him back.

    Just reading the “news now” stuff, full of us loosing our best players, Krul to Barca, Tiote to Arsenal and Cabaye to Man. U.
    Oh Mr. Ashley, we will never complain again, honest, just dont sell off our stars and thanks for refusing those (derisory/ big?)offers (make your mind up ?)during the recent window.

  71. Hey i’m in favor of improving the side and we still have some mediocre players to dump.
    But as you and i and everyone else is aware, we need first and foremost defensive help.
    I still find it difficut to believe we went through the whole window without picking up a CD, when everyone is aware there’s no decent sub for either of our CD’s.
    Not only that, but Abeid is supposedly being sent out on loan, guess they have already written of this season and expect an early exit from europe.
    Gives you an idea of Ashleys ambitions for this club, we are obviously an advertising board, a club unwilling to spend the money for some success.
    Whadda ya gonna do?

  72. chuck says:
    September 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    “Was wondering if Enrique is out of favor at Pool. or has an injury.”

    Knee Chuck, and and if we wanted to buy him it would cost us over twice what we sold him for. Though it would be funny imagining Owlheed picking up the phone to Liverpool after the Llambiasgate tapes, and Liverpool selling to him when they could sell him to some other team anyway.

  73. Chuck,

    maybe Anita at LB and Santon RB as a future switch, but not tonight when there’s so much else going on…and i think Santon’s best attribute is cutting in on his right foot and dribbling into 18 yrd box.

  74. The cognoscenti within the Everton ranks seem to think Moyes will plug the gap, left by Gibson’s absence, with Neville and bring Hibbert in on the right.

    So good news is we should score one at least :)

  75. Pardew admitted:

    “You ask about some of my players not in form, Cisse and Cabaye have been playing almost 11 months. That is a lot of football. We have to rest them and get them back to form.”

    So fecking rest them you pillock. One starts, the other’s on the bench. :roll:

  77. Andy, that piece seems to be falling for the Demba Ba scapegoat thing, since Pardew went out of his way to make fans beleive that the only reason he was playing this way is to accommodate Demba Ba in the middle. It will all be Demba Ba’s fault if we don’t make the Champion’s League this year.

    The match banter post is up now BTW.