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Everton give it up for Wigan

2013-03-09T16:11:39Z

Today saw the worst Everton performance in the FA Cup ever. Worse than last year's debacle to Liverpool. Worse than Shrewsbury. Worse than the 1977 replay. Just awful. There was no passion, no commitment, no joy.

]]> All credit to Wigan, who played like a side that demonstrated a will to win and to win well. They came, they played, they conquered. They chased every ball with purpose in the first half, and smothered well in the second. So let us congratulate them on a deserved win and wish them well for the rest of the competition.

But there are many questions to be asked of Everton. The first is why was Gibson not playing from the start? The decision to play Neville instead could have been justified if he had provided inspiration. Instead he gifted the opposition the second goal in a moment of Yoboesque idiocy. Another question has to be asked of Fellaini; that being: 'do you give a damn anymore?' His apparently imminent departure cannot be facilitated soon enough. His form has not so much dipped, but stumbled into an abyss where he is little more than a passenger. I wonder if he is an Iggy Pop fan. It appears he feels he has done enough to guarantee a transfer to a more successful club and is coasting until that time. It is notable that Everton played much better without him in the replay against Oldham. Some may believe that he is the best player in the team, but the last time Everton had a player of such vaunted calibre they finished 17th in the league. A team's best player is not always the best for the team. Fellaini's form is perhaps an indication of why the transfer window is not a good thing. If he wants to go he should go. Waiting does nobody any good.

There are so many other questions and complaints - Jelavic's sweaty pointlessness for one. His nadir was perhaps his laughable handball employing the use of two arms to control a ball dropping from above. Perhaps I am naive, but if a premier league player cannot control such a ball perhaps he needs to be in the Zenith Data League, if it still exists. A little less whinging at the referee and more purpose to your play, please.
The old guard of Neville, Distin and Heitinga employed all their years of collective experience to give Everton organisation at the back that would befit a schoolboy team. The misjudged inclusion of Neville against a swift, strong attacking line has already been mentioned. As for the first goal: it was left to Osman to pick up Kobe. Not Distin or Fellaini, the latter not even deigning to enter the six yard box for the corner.
Barkley was given all of twelve minutes of normal time to aid in turning round a three goal deficit. He demonstrated some deftness and determination before blasting wide a chance. Still, he did not have much time to even warm up.

Some of these questions can be asked of the players themselves, but ultimately they have to be asked of the manager David Moyes. He has been called a great man manager and motivator, but there are some glaringly obvious deficits to his skills. The first is that he appears unable to get more than one good season from any striker. Johnson, Yakubu, Jelavic all played well in season one, as did Marcus Bent, who was mystified as to the reason for his sale. However, the first three mentioned all dipped in form in subsequent seasons. Why is it that Moyes seems unable to enervate the team for the big games that matter? Never mind beating Spurs or City in the autumn. How about winning some games that take us to glory? He has used the excuse that his players are tired. The team that last won the league used 25 players. Last season Everton used 31 players. This season there have been 22 players used so far, unless the official stats are wrong. There is a squad there. There are players there. If they are not good enough then why are they being paid a weekly wage that is equivalent to the average annual salary?

Which brings us to the contract negotiations. Either sign or go. We saw a notable dreadful spell the last time Moyes procrastinated over signing the contract. Miraculously, form improved afterwards. It is obvious that the media love Moyes. They churn out the usual stuff about Everton working on a shoestring. But Everton pay their players well. The seventh best in the league. Moyes is in the top 20 of best-paid managers in the world. He may be the best-paid manager who has won nothing. His relationship with Bill Kenwright is cosy to the point of symbiosis. Both have benefitted from Moyes' disingenuous annunciation as Everton being the People's Club. Everton is the People's Club in the same way as a certain allegedly communist nation is the People's Republic.
As for Bill Kenwright. Well, he was better than Agent Johnson. That has to be said. But this People's Club stuff must stop. There are no more AGM's. Chairman Bill - who has nurtured a personality cult worthy of a dictator - has sold off all the club's assets, made a hash of an excellent relocation to the King's Dock, and effectively silenced dissent. The club is up for sale allegedly, yet a price is as elusive as a buyer. That is not to say that I wish for a Romanesque buyer. Rather, I would like to see the club owned by the fans, which is the system with just about all of the most successful clubs in Europe. But there you go.

Today's debacle revealed the sores underneath Everton's skin. They became as apparent as the empty seats before full time - a sight noted by one commentator never to have been seen at the club. All that can be done is for the team to try top pick itself up. But it is time for the youth to be tested. It is an aging overpaid squad that needs literal rejuvenation. Lay the youngsters. And please stop believing in the hype, Mr Moyes. Take a chance. Excite the fans once more. Or at least get some effort out of your so-called big players.

Footnote.
Have just read the comment from David Moyes - 'It just wasn't our day.' Arrogance or idiocy? You tell me.

Everton FC 0 Swansea 0: All square at Goodison Park (vote for your man of the match)

2013-01-12T17:09:18Z

by Greg O'Keeffe

EVERTON had to be content with a point at Goodison after wasting a string of chances to continue their winning streak against Swansea.

The Blues have still never been beaten by the Welsh club but missed the opportunity to claw back ground on fourth-placed Tottenham, as they were left to rue off-target headers from Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin which ultimately resulted in goal-less stale-mate on Merseyside.

David Moyes made just one change from the side which had brushed past Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Monday night, but his men were left frustrated despite dominating possession.

]]> The impressive visitors had chances of their own however, with Tim Howard pushing Michu's first half effort onto the bar and their slick counter attacking a menace whenever the Blues lost the ball.

It was the first goal-less draw at Goodison in more than two years, and with Nikica Jelavic again failing to convert the opportunities he once routinely dispatched it added further impetus to Moyes' search for another goal-scorer on loan this month.

Swansea's excellent defending must also be acknowledged with Chico Flores in particular constantly thwarting the Toffees, under the watchful eye of Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque. And opposition goalkeeper Miche Vorm was in outstanding form, denying Victor Anichebe from another headed chance in the first half.

The late introduction of Apostolos Vellios was not enough to conjure up something special, and Michael Laudrup's outfit resorted to time-wasting as Everton were unable to find a way past them.

They remain fifth in the Premier League.

EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Neville (Capt) (Naismith, 49) Pienaar, Anichebe (Vellios, 83) Fellaini, Jelavic.

Subs not used: Mucha, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Kennnedy, Duffy.

Bookings: Baines

SWANSEA CITY: (4-4-2) Vorm, Flores, Davies, Williams (Capt), Dyer (De Guzman,58) Tiendalli, Rangel, Ki, Agustien, Hernandez (Routledge, 73), Michu (Graham, 82).

Susb not used: Tremmel, Bartley, Brittin, Monk.

Bookings: Hernandez, Michu, Worm, Tiendalli.

Ref: Phil Dowd.

Attendance: 35,782.

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Greg O'Keeffe: Man City fans' show of ticket defiance is comforting

2013-01-12T11:17:45Z

THERE cannot be a football fan in the land who didn't read about Manchester City supporters' boycott of Arsenal's exorbitant £62 ticket price for the game at the Emirates on Sunday without a sense of quiet satisfaction.

It is a sense that amid the ever-spiralling financial juggernaut which is the Premier League, finally the ordinary supporter has put his foot down and said enough is enough.

For those who haven't seen the story, City fans returned almost a third of their allocation for Sunday's game which sees Roberto Mancini's champions face a huge game in north London as they try to claw back ground on leaders Manchester United.

]]> Around 900 of the 3,000 away seats will be empty after City fans showed their disgust at being charged £62 for a ticket.

"Some fans are saying, 'I'm not paying £62 whether I can afford it or not because I've got to draw a line somewhere'", said Kevin Parker of the City Supporters' Group.

Fans of the noisy neighbours in Manchester may well have had their football-supporting lives transformed dramatically over the last four years thanks to the Abu Dhabi United group, but they remain at their core a supporter base rooted in working class roots, common sense and a healthy degree of scepticism having lived for so long in the shadow of the world's biggest football club.

That's why their show of defiance is comforting, and also why Evertonians - once perhaps the spiritual cousins of City fans - can perhaps reflect on the better deal they get at Goodison.

While it's true they can only dream of a club with the finances of City, or the gleaming stadium of Arsenal, Bluenoses at least know they are treated with consideration when it comes to ticket prices.

The average cost of a seat at the Old Lady is around £38, which remains competitive and fair to watch a team which has consistently finished in or around the European places over the last six years.

Even the most expensive seat for the Merseyside derby (£43 in the Park End) is almost £20 cheaper than those tickets at the Emirates tomorrow - while a standard game costs £31.

At a time when the Premier League and Sky show almost zero regard for fans (see next Monday's 8pm KO at Southampton) it's reassuring to know that there is still respect for hard-working supporters.

From survivor to super star - how Everton FC's Leon Osman embodies evolution of modern footballer

2013-01-12T10:38:57Z

by Greg O'Keeffe

THOSE who study the evolution of modern top flight footballers can find no more apt a case study than Leon Osman.

The midfielder who today celebrates 10 years since he made his Everton debut has gone from un-sung utility man to acclaimed international maestro, and David Moyes believes that transition reflects how the game has changed.

Osman - who is close to agreeing a new contract to keep him at Goodison for the rest of his career - will start against Swansea at Goodison today with the glowing praise of his manager ringing in his ears.

And he too will know that there has never been a better time to be himself.

]]> "I think Ossie is perhaps the example of how there has been a big style change in the Premier League over the past 10 years," says Moyes.

"I think that has probably suited the Osmans of this world and helped him to become a top player - it has been a good time for Leon Osman, and a good period for him to be a professional.

"Barcelona perhaps have changed things with how they've done so well with small, talented footballers, and that has paved the way for smaller guys to thrive in this league.

"When he first came in 10 years ago the Premier League was a more physical place and there was more emphasis on physique.

"You even look at the Champions at that time, Arsenal, and yeah they had Bergkamp and Henry, but their midfield was Vieira and Petit, and they had Sol Campbell and Toure at the back.

"They were a physically strong unit and they were the best at the time.

"I think football has evolved over the time Ossie has been around, and that has undoubtedly helped him."

Moyes believes the pace of the game and the extra protection afforded to skilful playmakers by referees has also helped Osman's ascendance.

"Some of the laws have changed, there is less tackling and no tackling from behind," he says.

"It is more about covering now and positional play.

"The back-pass law has changed things too.

"Referees giving regular free-kicks has taken out quite a large element of the physical side of the game and allowed smaller, more technical players to flourish.

"We sent Ossie out on loan when he was a kid to try and develop the physical side, and it is testimony to him that he managed to get himself a career at that time when it was more physical.

"I think he went unnoticed a lot, because maybe he was overshadowed by more physical players, but what he did was make himself a career by being very combative and tough.

"In that period he worked hard to do what he had to do to get a game.

"He had the skills, but if he had to he was good in the air and he could be competitive."

Full of admiration, Moyes insists that Osman's experience of both the age of brawn and power, and the beginning of this more refined era has left the adaptable 31-year-old in a position to build a reputation as an exceptional performer.

"If he had to mix it, he wouldn't shy away from that. He's always had that and can't be underestimated," he says.

"We looked after him, played him off the side and also further forward at times, but for me, now in this climate he is as good a central midfield player as anybody in the country right now.

"We had to use his creativity at the sides at times, but he has developed and grown and kept growing, and honestly, I think this has been his best season so far - and he has fully deserved his England call up.

"I have always been asked if he could play for England, and in the past thought maybe he was just below that level in the next group down, but now he is there by right.

"We are giving him a new contract because he is such a valuable player who can play two or three roles, and if he stays free of injury he can go on for some years yet.

"Now there are different types of players coming into football, and that helps.

"He could survive in the other style of football and have a career, but now he is thriving."

Osman will take his place in the side today along with another player who gets better with age, Sylvain Distin, and talks contract are nearing a successful conclusion with both.

"We are hopeful there will be a deal (new contracts) with Osman and Distin," says Moyes.

"You have to make sure you have within your group players you can rely on, and with those two, we have got that.

"We have done well in ensuring we have a group of players here we can rely on."

Everton FC must cope without Kevin Mirallas again today as they bid to stay in mix for Champions League

2013-01-12T08:35:39Z

by Greg O'Keeffe

EVERTON must cope without the attacking prowess of Kevin Mirallas again today, as they bid to stay in the mix for Champions League qualification.

The exciting Belgian forward scored his only goal in the Premier League so far against this afternoon's opponents, Swansea, at the Liberty Stadium in September, but has been unable to recover from a hamstring problem in time to face Michael Laudrup's side in the return fixture at Goodison.

]]> David Moyes knows the 25-year-old will be vital to his chances of overtaking Chelsea, who are currently in fourth place and two points ahead of the Blues, but is prepared to remain patient as he bids to coax his £5.5m summer signing from Olympiacos back to full fitness.

While Mirallas has missed Everton's last six games, he is showing signs of progress in treatment, and the Blues will at least be able to call upon Leighton Baines against Swansea, with the England left-back likely to shake off an ankle injury he has carried in recent weeks.

Moyes is also quietly confident that Marouane Fellaini, who hit headlines in the week after it emerged that he has a buy-out clause in his contract, will stay at Goodison in January.

The Everton boss responded to speculation about Fellaini by reiterating he is not looking to sell players in the current transfer window.

Everton are understood to have had no inquiries about their inspirational midfielder from other clubs so far, and Moyes said: "The plan is to keep all of our players.

"I wouldn't be talking about anyone's contracts if I can help it, and I won't do it now."

Regarding potential incoming personnel, Moyes added: "We are trying - we will look around and see what we will get."

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's ECHO, one midfielder who is certainly remaining with Everton for the time being is Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Hitzlsperger, 30, having been a free agent since leaving Wolfsburg last summer, signed a short-term contract with the Toffees in October that saw him through to this month.

The former Aston Villa, West Ham and Germany player has made seven appearances for Everton so far and Moyes added: "We have decided Thomas is going to stay until the end of the season.

"He has played a few games for us now, and he has been around the block a few times.

"He knows what is required."

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO: Donovan delight at Blues return, OBE honour for Dr Everton

2011-12-31T08:05:51Z

Everton FC comeback kid Landon Donovan pays tribute to online Blues who persuaded him to return

LANDON DONOVAN today paid tribute to the internet army of Everton FC fans who persuaded him to make his Goodison come-back - as he insisted he is returning a better player.

Everton FC's L.A. ranger Landon Donovan hopes to make Goodison return a sequel worth watching

HE'S a Los Angeles boy who usually plies his trade not far from Hollywood, and Landon Donovan admits his Everton return carries the same risks of a classic movie sequel.

Royal Blue: Dr Everton, David France, a worthy OBE in New Year's Honours List

IT SHOULD be refreshing for fans of Everton FC and football in general to see the name of David France on the New Year's Honours List.

Barry Horne: Looking forward to a happy Blue year for Everton FC

WITH the turn of the year looming and the halfway mark of the league fixture programme approaching, for all of the doom and gloom which has been around Goodison for much of the season Everton find themselves in a reasonable position.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Moyes: My faith in Cahill, WSAG legend remembered, Barry Horne column

2011-11-26T08:11:03Z

Everton FC boss David Moyes backs Tim Cahill to end goal drought

DAVID Moyes admits he has been concerned about Tim Cahill's goal drought - but is confident the Aussie can still recapture top form for Everton this season.

Bolton Wanderers v Everton FC preview: Realist David Moyes taking nothing for granted ahead of Reebok visit

A WILD optimist could study the form of Bolton Wanderers this season and label them ideal opponents for an Everton side in search of further consolidation after finally ending their losing run last weekend.

Barry Horne: Bolton is the perfect start to a favourable run of fixtures for Everton FC

EVERTON started their block of fixtures which I believe will see them comfortably in the top half of the table. Hopefully positive results in this run will see them once again occupy their position as 'best of the rest'.

Royal Blue: Poignant letter from snap-shot in ardent Everton fan Frank McConville's life

AS EVER, the wonderful When Skies Are Grey provides many laughs, lists and talking points in its latest edition.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Baines: Win will pick us up, Wolves in perfect end to 'one of those weeks'

2011-11-21T14:25:18Z

Everton FC will turn on style again after ending losing streak, says Leighton Baines

LEIGHTON Baines is confident Everton FC can turn on the style again after ending their losing streak against Wolves.

Everton FC 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1: Greg O'Keeffe's verdict on a vital win for EFC

FOR three inexorably long minutes it felt like it was going to be 'one of those games' to sign off 'one of those weeks' for Everton FC.

David Prentice: Attritional win over Wolves shows the way forward for Everton

IT may not feel like it yet, but Everton might just be a month ahead of schedule. The Blues have started each of the last three seasons badly, then recovered for a top eight finish.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Rodwell set for full England bow tonight, Bily in quit threat, Ian Snodin column

2011-11-15T08:26:10Z

Everton FC midfielder Jack Rodwell set for full England bow against Sweden at Wembley tonight

JACK RODWELL will make his full England debut against Sweden at Wembley tonight after receiving another glowing endorsement from Fabio Capello.

Pick me or I'm going to leave - Everton FC's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov

DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV could be set for a January Goodison exit after reports emerged that he is unhappy with life on the bench at Everton FC.

Ian Snodin: Jack Rodwell is on the bring of great things for England, now he must fulfil his potential for Everton FC

JACK RODWELL could be forgiven for pinching himself on Saturday night after what must have felt like the perfect week.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Blues bid to bring Donovan back, Hibbert still the EFC go-to guy, could Football Quarter vision happen?

2011-11-05T09:41:22Z

Everton FC boss David Moyes confirms Blues will bid to take Landon Donovan on loan again in January

LANDON Donovan will once again become a loan target for Everton FC in January, according to David Moyes.

Newcastle United v Everton FC preview: Tony Hibbert still the Blues' go-to guy after all these years

DAVID Moyes will turn to a familiar face today as he bids to thwart a potent Newcastle attack.

Royal Blue: Jair interest in Everton FC shows it could be time to start making the Football Quarter vision more than just a dream

FROM Famine to...well, bite-sized snack. Credible talk of new suitors to take over Everton has been painfully thin on the ground for some time, so while the latest news of interest from India's Jain Group should not yet herald a torrent of excitement, many supporters will at least take consolation from a healthy degree of fresh interest.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Rodwell: I'm getting back to my best, plastic bottles banned at Goodison Park

2011-10-25T09:27:03Z

Everton FC star Jack Rodwell says he is approaching top form after a frustrating twelve months

JACK RODWELL says he is ready to hit top form for Everton and put the frustrations of the past twelve months firmly behind him.

Plastic bottles banned from Goodison Park after Merseyside derby disorder

EVERTON fans will be banned from drinking out of plastic bottles after LFC players were pelted during the Merseyside derby.

Everton FC boss David Moyes: It is becoming increasingly frustrating trying to stay in touch with the Premier League big boys

DAVID MOYES admits it is getting harder each year to keep Everton FC challenging at the top end of the Premier League table.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Drenthe promises more goals after Fulham cracker, Greg O'Keeffe's verdict on EFC v Fulham

2011-10-24T07:49:39Z

Royston Drenthe promises more goals for EFC after cracker against Fulham

ROYSTON Drenthe has promised Everton FC fans there is more to come from him - after he staked his claim for a regular first team spot with a memorable goal in the win over Fulham.

Fulham 1 Everton FC 3: Greg O'Keeffe sees Royston Drenthe help EFC take flight

HE swigged a can of Red Bull before the game, and fittingly it was Royston Drenthe who gave Everton FC wings.

Everton FC's Louis Saha to return to Twitter after breaking drought

LOUIS SAHA said he is so happy to have scored for Everton FC again he will even risk a return to using Twitter.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Jags targets clean sheet against Chelsea, Snods: EFC can keep good run going at Stamford Bridge

2011-10-12T07:32:11Z

Phil Jagielka targets Everton FC clean sheet at Chelsea

PHIL JAGIELKA is aiming to keep it clean for Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Ian Snodin: Everton FC can keep their recent good run against Chelsea going

IT is not often that a team can head to Stamford Bridge looking to defend a strong record, but that is exactly the position Everton find themselves in ahead of this weekend's trip to face Chelsea.

Everton FC hero Tim Cahill eager for Blues to keep Chelsea record alive

TIM CAHILL wants Everton to show their trademark grit and maintain their proud Premier League record at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Latest Everton FC news from the Liverpool ECHO - Bily: I'll battle for my place, Blues fans on Merseyside derby and Martin Atkinson

2011-10-06T06:17:54Z

Everton FC midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov vows to stay and fight for his EFC place

DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV insists he will shun interest from his native Russia in January to stay and fight for his place at Everton FC.

Everton FC fans Jury on Martin Atkinson and the Merseyside derby

"A TOUGH game last week was made almost impossible as numerical disadvantage proved too much for the Blues to overcome. Martin Atkinson now joins the ranks of Thomas/Collina/Poll who have all deprived Everton fairness in high profile situations."

Everton U-18 thrash West Brom 4-0

EVERTON'S under-18s recorded their best result of the season so far with a slick 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands.

Rodwell sending off rescinded. What happens to the referee?

2011-10-04T13:11:04Z

The FA have accounted Jack Rodwell wrongfully dismissed in the Merseyside derby last weekend. He will not serve the 3-match ban that usually follows a dismissal.

]]> Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE

However, there is no mention made of any measures to be taken against the said referee, Martin Atkinson. His error caused the balance of the contest to be in the favour of Liverpool.

Before any Liverpool fans start to fume, Kenny Dalglish himself said that before the sending off it was a close match. This is not a demand for the three points, or a replay, or any other unrealistic aim.

There does, though, remain the question of what happens to Martin Atkinson. In employment cases of wrongful dismissal, the employee has the right to claim damages against the former employer. Granted that Rodwell was not the referee's employee, but he was subject to the ref's (apparently wrongful) perceptions.

Two issues arise here:

The first is that football, as a multi-billion dollar business, is utilising technology from over a hundred years ago. The most notable technological advance in the last century has been the addition of nets to the goals. That is if we exclude the Star Trek earpieces sometimes worn - please could we stop this? If the (lack of) technology was working well, it would be an acceptable situation. However, the technology is not working. Mistakes are being made too often. Prior to the derby, Liverpool's manager had complained quite publicly about poor refereeing decisions this season. Discontent at the current rate of refereeing faux pas is notable. The time has come for video technology to assist referees with their decisions. It is not replacing referees' discretion (though some might applaud such an action), but instead it is permitting the referees to use all the aids available. To be brutal, footballers generally cheat anyway. This would be a way of reducing unfair advantages gained from such behaviour.

The second point is what will happen to Atkinson? Why did the FA make no comment about the consequences to him of his error? Is there a policy for such instances? Apparently we have another year of the Respect campaign. However, the public is not given the respect of knowing what will happen to an official who has made such a thunderous blunder. I'm afraid that to be told that referees are human and make mistakes does not really carry weight. It may be factually correct, but is an invalid excuse. It is an after-the-event shrug. It is not respectful. It may be that there is already a process that has begun, whereby the referee in question is to face certain consequences, but we have been told nothing.

This need not be about one specific game. There is a general arrogance by football authorities shown towards those of us who finance the game by attending or paying to view. We are offered a game that is ever more fast moving, but with no technology to cope with that new pace. And when things go wrong, tough cheese. If football fans acted with the same intelligence as shoppers, we'd go elsewhere. Bit difficult to do that with a monopoly, though.