The Beard

Preston and Barcalona, complete guesses.

Surely will be a better read than the many churned out dull efforts. In regard to Dal's point about timing. I would rather a person writing an autobiography/ biography be at a later stage in life when they have experienced many things. People who bring out their books in their 20's is, to me, ridiculous and not to mention a quick money grabbing excercise, when they have so much of their life to live. One that I recently read was Mick Rathbones autobiography, very funny and honest, especially regarding his playing days.

It had something to do with the ontroduction of compulsory floodlights at all grounds, as it was the first competition to be held solely as night games including the final which was played over two legs.

The answer is Brighton and Hove Albion. Between 1910 and 1915 it was played between League winners and winners of the, amateur, Southern League. Brighton beat Aston Villa on the only occasion the League winners lost.

Just thought I would throw this one in. Which current league side's only domestic honour is the Charity Shield?

Swindon or Bradford, pure guess on the fact they may not have had the biggest squads when they came into the prem for their short lived spells.

I think Peter Bonetti only played against West Germany in Mexico 1970 when England lost 3-2 after being up 2-0. I think he played 'cos Banks had food poisoning.

A similar performance to the City victory a couple of weeks back, where have these performances been all season. Anyway like the City game the defence where superb, Distin won every header while Heittinga was his composed self, Fellaini was awesome in midfield, Cahill pressed and won some good headers, in fact it was a 9 and 8's/10 for everyone. However due to his sheer endeavour, fight, spirit and a welcome improved first touch Denis gets my vote. He didn't let the Chelsea defence settle, won some good headers, some good chest control and even a couple of decent runs, oh! and he capped it off with a goal, a big well done from me.

Just a couple of quick thoughts/ comments on that situation. Even if the concourse, toilet area is not sufficient what really gets me is the selfish smokers who gather in the toilets and stay there all through half time denying people the chance to get to the toilets and causing crowd congestion. Maybe not all the fault of stewards/ police etc but definately at away games quite self instigated. Also all toilets have an entrance and an exit and I saw an argument brewing with lads trying to get into the toilets through the exit, when the stewards and a couple of Evertonians pointed this out and asked them to use the entrance for safety an argument and fight started, ridiculous.

I gave it to Pienaar, only one looking to get forward and offer some positivity. Another case of 'after the Lord Mayors show'. Disappointing all round without looking like being in trouble at the back yet we still couldn't impose ourselves on the game.

Heittinga for me. Marshalled the defence superbly and brought the best out of Hibbert and calmed everyone down when needed. Straq deserves all the plaudits for a real gutsy, ballbreaking display. Cahill was back to his terrorising best while Fellaini battled gallantly throughout.

I have to agree with all what Craig says. I thought he was our weak link throughout the game. I don't have any vendetta against the lad I just think his performances have disapppointed me but after last nights team showing, and new faces introduced, hopefully this will breed new found confidence for all and he in turn will benefit. Until then my jury has a thumbs down at the moment.

I enjoyed the whole game last night. Back to the traditions of Goddison night games, albeit with a disappointing attendance. However small gripes apart, a stirring peformance that should galvanise the whole club. Watching the team news in the pub the groan when sky announced Hibbert was playing centre half and Neville was still in the team where only drowned out by the Sky Blues tittering in the corner of the pub. Alas he who laughs last........On the pitch, it is fair to see it was backs to the wall for the main, however, similar to what City did to Liverpool last week, they had plenty of ball 25-40 yards out without penetrating the superbly marshalled defence too many times. Most of their attempts on goal where straight forward for Howard, apart from the Nasri blockbuster and Richards early chance. The immense effort shown by all was a credit but beggars the question, where has that been all season. I am not getting carried away, a great New Years Day win at Albion was puntured by a home defeat by Bolton a couple of days later. As mentioned this should galvanise the club and let's hope this performance can be used as a measure of what endeavour, spirit and resolve can produce if lacking in style, flair and skill. Often enough we hear that you should use what you have to your advantage, if our's is endeavour, spirit and resolve then last night we used it from corner flag to corner flag from goal line to goal line. It may not be pretty but last night it was effective, if that annoys the 'big boys' then so be it, maybe that is a reminder that you can't buy everything, somethings have to be earned.

0-1, if ever there was one.....................I am usually wrong on our predictions though.

Apologies if this is posted elsewhere BUT according to Sky, louis Saha is in talks with Spurs, the mind boggles. Guess he won't be playing tonight then?

I have to agree with Prisoner, Romey and Mike. This guy frustrates the hell out of me, he obviously has some talent but it just isn't coming through. If he stays then I cannot see him progressing with our style, maybe that's what the problem is, but Moyes isn't going to change his whole ethos for Drenthe. Disappointing showing all round in my eyes, a liabilty waiting to happen with his fancy dan stuff, fine if you can actually do it, if not stop it and concentrate on beating the man. And for Rubes I do support everyone who pulls on a shirt, I keep my opinions to the pub and on forums such as this, I never boo the team or single out a player at the game because that portrays negativity but each to their own I suppose.

Everton V Blackburn, one word description of the performance, it doesn't merit anymore- Shite

Defo taking the piss Mr Blue Sky. Z Cars has had it's day and questioning who knew about Johnny Todd and surprised we knew.

Peter Osgood, Frank Lampard (defo's), Bobby Tambling, Kerry Dixon (educated guesses). Zola and Drogba (wild guesses). As Chelsea where crap before the 90's, apart from Tambling, who's name I remember from the dulcet tones of Bobby Moore in the 70's I don't know any older Chelsea strikers, apart from Osgood who we have all heard of.

Ditto, unless I have missed the Man of the Match performances, the dazzling skills, the wonderful goals in the last three months or so!!!

My view from the Upper Doug Ellis Stand yesterday. A half decent performance which was still half better than the last two showings. Defence while solid enough was still prone to panicking when the ball is in the box. Neville and Baines often dragged into the middle leaving plenty of space between the six yard box and edge of area. Duffy and, particularly, Gibson had solid games, while Duffy looked composed enough Gibson had plenty of skill, fight and vision with his forward passing. Donovan had his best of his four games so far while, sorry Bailey, Drenthe added nothing fo me and I feel he doesn't even flatter to deceive. Cahill had one one his better games so far this season, which isn't saying much, while Saha was.........well Saha. A point deserved but a bit more 'knowhow' and belief would have yielded three.

Matt, I clicked on quote but nowt happened then when I clicked it again the 'quoted post' appeared twice in my response. I think it was just slow rather than a glitch but as I am a technophobe I shall leave the reasoning to you.

How good is Leighton baines?(qualities, weaknesses etc) If he played in London he would have had more England caps than he has. Week in week out we can all see he is better than Cole and that isn't being biased. How important is he to everton? At the moment probably our most creative player and even he has had his blips. His attacking play is so pivotal to our all round attacking play. The problem being teams will suss that out and counteract it. Would you sell him for £10 million? He is worth three times that for his attacking qualities alone. If he was going anywhere I am sure it would only be to Man Utd or Arsenal or Abroad Finally, is there any chance of this being true? Heard nothing about it up here BUT rumours have to start somewhere. Cheers

I agree so much with Haf I posted it twice.

I have to agree with what Haf has said. It was though he played the 4-4-2 to prove a point. The point being that the 4-4-2 set up, with out of form players in out of position roles, he sent out was worse than the 4-5-1 set up he normally puts out. It was cringeworthy to see the bottom side play us off the park by players adapting to the gale force winds, i.e passing the ball on the floor. The number of times we hoofed it to Stracquilursi was embarassing, Nothing to take from that game apart from Moyes realising that we probably play the worst football right now in the Premiership.