Tomorrow at 10 a.m. on ESPN2, Everton get a chance to take on the defending champions Chelsea for the first time this season. Last years meetings between the two clubs were thrillers as Everton and Chelsea tied 3-3 at Stamford Bridge in December, and followed that up with a 2-1 win against Chelsea in which America's Balding Eagle had an assist to Louis Saha for the first goal, and followed that up with getting taken down in the box for a penalty that led to the winning goal. Although Everton last one at Stamford Bridge in 1994, the team has to look favorably on its chances to at least snatch a point in this game as Chelsea has been faltering going winless in their last 5 matches including three defeats along the way. Of course Everton's form has been less than stellar since an October that saw them go undefeated, the first of November brought fewer sights of cheer as Everton went winless, hopefully the turn of the month will allow Everton to return back to their October form which will surely be needed this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
On the player front, Everton will be without Tony Hibbert who has a deep cut on his ankle from the West Brom game last weekend, while skipper Phil Neville is a doubt with fluid in his knee. Additionally Mikel Arteta is set to begin his 3 game suspension from a sending off against West Brom. Thankfully defensive midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to return from his suspension to bring better stability on the defensive front.
As for Chelsea, It appears that both Michael Essien and John Terry are set to return to action while Frank Lampard appears set to miss the game as he is still recovering from injury.
As always Didier Droga is one who the Everton backline will need to keep an eye. Although Drogba has not hit the back of the net in 7 games for the champions, he is always a threat to score and any chance Everton have of securing points in this game will require them to watch the Ivory Coast international very closely. Going the other way the link up of Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill will be crucial in order for Everton to get on the scoresheet, unless any of Everton's out of form strikers can manage to find the back of the net.
In the end this game will probably be close regardless, but I feel this may very well be the moment that turns Everton's season around, so I look for them to claim 3 points from this match against the champions with a 2-1 score and goals coming from Essien for Chelsea, and Cahill and Fellaini getting their names on the score sheet. Until next time COYB
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
15 Games In: A Defensive Look
Ok so now that I am done throwing things and burning my picture of Fat Sepp in effigy, I decided I may as well talk a little about the Everton defense so far this season, followed by a look at what is ahead for the Blues
Everton's defense has been fairly stout giving up 19 goals in 15 matches which is good for being tied for 8th fewest goals allowed in the league which is not particularly bad, and have had 4 clean sheets which for them is about average. Although the stats show an average defense, most observers of Everton in action will agree that the defense has looked fairly shaky this season. In goal TIMMAY! Howard has looked uncharacteristically shaky allowing an opening day goal to Blackburn where he just flat out dropped the ball after grabbing it, and an excellent Flappyhandski-esque wave at a cross against Spurs which led to an easy tap in. Although Howard hasn't lost it to the point where newly arrived backup Jan Mucha should be mentioned as a possible replacement, Howard is certainly not playing at the level most Evertonians are accustomed to seeing him at, which certainly does not help a shaky backline.
As for the backline, Leighton Baines has been in great form offensively and his defensive performances have been solid if unspectacular. On the opposite side Phil Neville has been his usual stalwart self with a particularly amazing performance against good ole Gareth Bale that caused even 'Arry to comment on Neville's excellent defensive abilities. In the center Phil Jagielka continues to do well although he and partner Sylvain Distin have had some communication issues. Distin as always continues to be an enigma. While he rivals Peter Crouch in foot skills, Distin has definitely had a small dip in form from last year, but at this point still remains a better option than John Heitinga who still appears to be suffering some type of lapse after his long World Cup campaign culminated in a sending off by none other than Howard Webb in the final.
The biggest problem for Everton on the defensive side really seems to be the midfield. In most games where Everton concede goals, for example against Manchester United or West Brom, the midfield fails to truly tack back and help out on defense. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that both Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini, both of whom have done excellent jobs in a defensive midfielder role, are just returning from injury and suspension. Recently David Moyes has tried to deploy Heitinga in the defensive midfield role, but it is an experiment that has seemed ill suited for the team right now. One bright spot from the midfield on the defensive side is Steven Pienaar who continues to motor around on the field both offensively and defensively although lately he has been doing a much better job with the latter.
In the end, the Everton defense does need a small amount of work, but there is not a huge amount of concern for it, especially compared to the offense.
Now looking at the upcoming fixtures in December, Everton first visit Stamford Bridge this weekend before hosting Wigan, and then travelling to Manchester Arabia, followed by a Boxing Day visit from Birmingham, and finally a visit to Upton Park against relegation contenders West Hame. Looking at the impending visit to Chelsea, the champions are currently sitting in second, but a drop in form has rendered this a chance for Everton to snag a potential point, although it is likely that Chelsea secure the victory. Following this Everton should snag 3 points from both Wigan and West Ham, and have to be favored to win against Birmingham after their convincing victory against them at St. Andrews, the only loss Birmingham have suffered at home this season. The one game that could certainly change the fortunes of Everton for the better comes a week before Christmas in Manchester against the Citizens. If Everton can take 3 points from this game, it could certainly lead to another stellar run of form that Everton usually have come the end of the year. Last year at this time a 2-2 tie against Spurs after being down 2-0 at halftime led to an unprecedented run of form leading to them only 2 times after the beginning of the December.
Regardless of what happens this should be an exciting month for Evertonians. Until next time COYB
Everton's defense has been fairly stout giving up 19 goals in 15 matches which is good for being tied for 8th fewest goals allowed in the league which is not particularly bad, and have had 4 clean sheets which for them is about average. Although the stats show an average defense, most observers of Everton in action will agree that the defense has looked fairly shaky this season. In goal TIMMAY! Howard has looked uncharacteristically shaky allowing an opening day goal to Blackburn where he just flat out dropped the ball after grabbing it, and an excellent Flappyhandski-esque wave at a cross against Spurs which led to an easy tap in. Although Howard hasn't lost it to the point where newly arrived backup Jan Mucha should be mentioned as a possible replacement, Howard is certainly not playing at the level most Evertonians are accustomed to seeing him at, which certainly does not help a shaky backline.
As for the backline, Leighton Baines has been in great form offensively and his defensive performances have been solid if unspectacular. On the opposite side Phil Neville has been his usual stalwart self with a particularly amazing performance against good ole Gareth Bale that caused even 'Arry to comment on Neville's excellent defensive abilities. In the center Phil Jagielka continues to do well although he and partner Sylvain Distin have had some communication issues. Distin as always continues to be an enigma. While he rivals Peter Crouch in foot skills, Distin has definitely had a small dip in form from last year, but at this point still remains a better option than John Heitinga who still appears to be suffering some type of lapse after his long World Cup campaign culminated in a sending off by none other than Howard Webb in the final.
The biggest problem for Everton on the defensive side really seems to be the midfield. In most games where Everton concede goals, for example against Manchester United or West Brom, the midfield fails to truly tack back and help out on defense. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that both Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini, both of whom have done excellent jobs in a defensive midfielder role, are just returning from injury and suspension. Recently David Moyes has tried to deploy Heitinga in the defensive midfield role, but it is an experiment that has seemed ill suited for the team right now. One bright spot from the midfield on the defensive side is Steven Pienaar who continues to motor around on the field both offensively and defensively although lately he has been doing a much better job with the latter.
In the end, the Everton defense does need a small amount of work, but there is not a huge amount of concern for it, especially compared to the offense.
Now looking at the upcoming fixtures in December, Everton first visit Stamford Bridge this weekend before hosting Wigan, and then travelling to Manchester Arabia, followed by a Boxing Day visit from Birmingham, and finally a visit to Upton Park against relegation contenders West Hame. Looking at the impending visit to Chelsea, the champions are currently sitting in second, but a drop in form has rendered this a chance for Everton to snag a potential point, although it is likely that Chelsea secure the victory. Following this Everton should snag 3 points from both Wigan and West Ham, and have to be favored to win against Birmingham after their convincing victory against them at St. Andrews, the only loss Birmingham have suffered at home this season. The one game that could certainly change the fortunes of Everton for the better comes a week before Christmas in Manchester against the Citizens. If Everton can take 3 points from this game, it could certainly lead to another stellar run of form that Everton usually have come the end of the year. Last year at this time a 2-2 tie against Spurs after being down 2-0 at halftime led to an unprecedented run of form leading to them only 2 times after the beginning of the December.
Regardless of what happens this should be an exciting month for Evertonians. Until next time COYB
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
15 Games In: An offensive look
As we enter the cold blustery month of December, Everton ,as has been the case in many past seasons, is once again poised just above the relegation spots in 16th place with 16 points. While Everton are certainly not in any immediate danger of relegation considering they sit only 4 points out of 7th place. The problem is as always, the lack of proven goalscorers in this years squad. Of Everton's 17 goals during this campaign, 8 of them have been scored by Tim Cahill, and 3 by Mikel Arteta. Only 2 goals have been scored by actual forwards this season, 1 by Jermaine Beckford, and 1 by Yakubu. Last years leading goalscorer Louis Saha of 14 goals has yet to find the back of the net, while so far Beckford has wasted numerous opportunities and Yakubu has been an enigma for the past few years totaling only 9 goals in the past 2 seasons. Even the return of Victor Anichebe will not quell Evertonian fears as despite Anichebe's promise he has only scored 7 goals in his 76 first team appearances. As always Blues fans must place their trust in David Moyes ability to secure a youngster at a low price, or that the funds can be procured to buy a quality striker.
A lesser known, but equally disturbing trend for Everton is just how dependent Everton are on Leighton Baines to supply them with the ball when they do score. So far Baines has been responsible for 6 of the teams 10 assists in the EPL (SIB!). While Baines has certainly been a force on this team, it is extremely unsettling that creative men Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar have been more quiet than usual. Many people including David Moyes had been hopeful that because Piennar was in the final year of his contract that his play would be spectacular in hopes of securing a free transfer to a prestigious European club in either Germany or Italy with teams such as Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich rumored to be interested in his services. As for Arteta, while his play has been exceptional at times, it has also been lacking in some games, none more so than the weekends fixture against West Brom where he received a red card and subsequent 3 match suspension for stomping on a player. Granted it wasn't a particularly nasty stomp, but Arteta should know better than to do that, especially in front of the benches. Needless to say that if Everton plans to make their traditional run up the table then they will need the creative qualities of Piennar and Arteta in order to do it.
One topic that always gets Everton fans excited is talk of the youngsters who can come in and help out the first team. As always this list is topped by Jack Rodwell, who although only 19 has made 48 appearances for Everton, and is now returning from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since September. Although mainly a defensive midfielder he was deployed in more of an attacking role last season to great effect and looks to make the jump to regular first team starter, and possibly a full English international soon. Followed up by Rodwell is defender Seamus Coleman who is being described by many as a slower version of Gareth Bale, but he is still very raw, with only 10 appearances in the EPL as of this season, although he did spend the second half of the last campaign playing for Blackpool on loan, and helped them achieve promotion. Many people are very keen on Coleman, but as he has shown in several recent appearances he is not quite ready to become a regular first team player and can use some seasoning, possibly on loan to a lower EPL team, or maybe back in the Championship. The final youngster that has Evertonians talking is Shane Duffy. Many people will remember Duffy as the kid who almost died playing football when he lacerated an artery near his liver in a collision with the keeper during a practice match with the Republic of Ireland. Duffy is a stout central defender at 6 foot 4 inches, and could become a natural partner to England international Phil Jagielka in a year or two. Currently Duffy has resumed playing in reserve team matches and looks set to go out on loan to a Championship side come January 1 with Barnsley, Leeds, and Southampton all said to be interested. Although it may be a while before we see Duffy playing regularly for the first team, he is one of those players that David Moyes rates highly, and in the end In Moyes We Trust.
For all of you that managed to read all of this congratulations, you earn nothing except an imaginary cookie, and some knowledge about the Everton attack. Hopefully before Saturday I will be able to round up the Everton defense 15 games in, and look at the upcoming fixture list for Everton and just who may be coming to join the Blues. In the meantime COYB!
A lesser known, but equally disturbing trend for Everton is just how dependent Everton are on Leighton Baines to supply them with the ball when they do score. So far Baines has been responsible for 6 of the teams 10 assists in the EPL (SIB!). While Baines has certainly been a force on this team, it is extremely unsettling that creative men Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar have been more quiet than usual. Many people including David Moyes had been hopeful that because Piennar was in the final year of his contract that his play would be spectacular in hopes of securing a free transfer to a prestigious European club in either Germany or Italy with teams such as Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich rumored to be interested in his services. As for Arteta, while his play has been exceptional at times, it has also been lacking in some games, none more so than the weekends fixture against West Brom where he received a red card and subsequent 3 match suspension for stomping on a player. Granted it wasn't a particularly nasty stomp, but Arteta should know better than to do that, especially in front of the benches. Needless to say that if Everton plans to make their traditional run up the table then they will need the creative qualities of Piennar and Arteta in order to do it.
One topic that always gets Everton fans excited is talk of the youngsters who can come in and help out the first team. As always this list is topped by Jack Rodwell, who although only 19 has made 48 appearances for Everton, and is now returning from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since September. Although mainly a defensive midfielder he was deployed in more of an attacking role last season to great effect and looks to make the jump to regular first team starter, and possibly a full English international soon. Followed up by Rodwell is defender Seamus Coleman who is being described by many as a slower version of Gareth Bale, but he is still very raw, with only 10 appearances in the EPL as of this season, although he did spend the second half of the last campaign playing for Blackpool on loan, and helped them achieve promotion. Many people are very keen on Coleman, but as he has shown in several recent appearances he is not quite ready to become a regular first team player and can use some seasoning, possibly on loan to a lower EPL team, or maybe back in the Championship. The final youngster that has Evertonians talking is Shane Duffy. Many people will remember Duffy as the kid who almost died playing football when he lacerated an artery near his liver in a collision with the keeper during a practice match with the Republic of Ireland. Duffy is a stout central defender at 6 foot 4 inches, and could become a natural partner to England international Phil Jagielka in a year or two. Currently Duffy has resumed playing in reserve team matches and looks set to go out on loan to a Championship side come January 1 with Barnsley, Leeds, and Southampton all said to be interested. Although it may be a while before we see Duffy playing regularly for the first team, he is one of those players that David Moyes rates highly, and in the end In Moyes We Trust.
For all of you that managed to read all of this congratulations, you earn nothing except an imaginary cookie, and some knowledge about the Everton attack. Hopefully before Saturday I will be able to round up the Everton defense 15 games in, and look at the upcoming fixture list for Everton and just who may be coming to join the Blues. In the meantime COYB!
Monday, November 29, 2010
A Beginning
So I decided to kick off this little blog to give my take on the sometimes wonderful, always entertaining, and often frustrating Everton FC. One of the most historic sides in the English Premier League, (suck it Barclays!) Everton always makes Saturdays worthwhile. As you may have guessed this will be a little account of my thoughts on Everton ranging from TACTICS!, to transfer rumours, to any shenanigans various UK papers can feel qualify as news about the Blues from the perspective of the dreaded American footy fan. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be suitably wowed, or at least entertained.
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