SteeleRED

The thing is, no one has played consistently well since 01-01 (well, arguably Reading has been) Bolton has been L-D-L-D-W-W-L-L (that's 8 points of 24) You've been L-D-W-D-W-L-W-D (that's 12 points of 24) Reading has been W-D-W-W-W-W-L-L (that's 16 points of 24) Spurs have been D-L-D-L-L-W-W-W (that's 11 points of 24) Pompey has been D-D-L-D-L-W-L-L (that's 6 points of 24) Rovers have been W-L-W-L-L-W-L-W-W (that's 15 points of 27) If recent form means anything, then Rovers, Reading and you have the best chance of finishing in the top 6. But without Cahill, you've got some big midfield problems. I'll go out on a limb and predict that you'll pip Spurs for 5th, with Reading and Rovers just behind.

First, congrats on moving into the top 6. Second, sorry to hear about Cahill's injury. His goal celebrations may drive me crazy , but he's a quality player whose loss will not be easily remedied. But this is where teams (and players who replace stars like Cahill) get to learn just "what they are made of". P.S. Rumors of Cahill leaving should be taken with a large grain of salt. If even half the rumored deals ever actually went through, each team would be made up of entirely new players every year. I'd wait on a reliable source before thinking "uh oh, he may really be leaving."

On a side note: you know, honest to God, as an American I have to laugh at Englishmen's unwillingness to have your stadiums carry corporate names on them, but you think nothing of pimping out your players as shills for corporations. I mean, shouldn't the CLUB name be the most prominent name on the front of the jersey, not some over-eager corporate whoremongers? Who really cares about the name on the stadium? When Americans think of their team, they think of the city represented, the players and management. Stadiums are further down the list. Please, someone help me explain this reluctance to have any stadium sponsored. The "naming rights" would bring additional revenue to the club, so it can't be that. Tradition, perhaps? Well, not all traditions are good ones, are they?

Decided to check in on this thread, and bring in an outsider's (LFC fan, American) perspective. From what I've seen, I think David Moyes has done an admirable job with the club, given the financial restraints. I know MANY (outside of LFC fans) who think that Everton's talent is not top 8, but they are right there because Moyes gets the most of the talent that he has, and your side plays as a TEAM, rather than as a collection of individual talent. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. And I think Moyes deserves much credit for that. You look at a side like Chelsea, greatly talented, yet the opposite is true: the "role players" have been sacrificed for "superstars" in every field position, but they don't meld well together. Thus, a team that has breezed to the last two league titles looks like it won't get to take three in a row. Some of that, I think, is on Mourinho, who "got what he wanted", yet hasn't found a way to mesh the talent. Moyes deserves to be backed, by Toffee fans and more importantly, by the upper echelon of the club. He's a damn good manager. But, that's just me...

Just heard this. I guess it was decided not to risk further injury after his recent return to form. Good decision, I think, though I'm disappointed. I'd hoped to see him get a run-out vs. Spain. He's a talent, you know?

Stubbs and Yobo were rock-solid in the back today, though it sure helps to have talent like Lescott, Neville and Cahill nearby to clean up after even the littlest messes. Well played!

Here are the comments I posted on the afore-mentioned RAWK about the contest today: "Jaysus, the way folks are going on in here, you'd think we actually had a chance to win the league until today's result. Face it, it wasn't going to happen. Many are disappointed with Everton's tactics, yet they created several chances, including one of the most dangerous, and admit it: they played well defensively (and FWIW, 4-5-1 is their regular formation). It wasn't all our failures in the attack; they DO have talent in back. Yobo and Stubbs were immense, Cahill won more headers (at least according to the commentator on the broadcast I saw on-line) than anyone else, Arteta disrupted our flow time and again and did well to neutralize Xabi. Not the most aggressive game plan overall, but isn't that how teams usually play on the road? Sit back to defend, then hope to catch the other side in counter-attack. It's a credit to our team that their counter-attacks were limited, and usually amounted to nothing. I thought our biggest problems were in the middle: Stevie and Xabi looked uncertain, and I think our attackers (especially Kuyt and Crouch) lost their confidence in the second half as their back line held up after the waves of attacks. Their final touch lacked conviction when they did get a chance to play the ball towards goal. Pepe and the back four were formidable, coming forward with conviction often enough, and Jermaine was our best attacking player today. Bottom line... they played well enough to get the draw. I mean, geez, the passion with which you support our team is fine, but completely discrediting the other team's effort and talent makes it appear that you don't know what you're talking about. Roll Eyes Of course, that's just me..." Not sure what Rafa meant by "small club". I thought he was referring to a team with somewhat limited resources, as many on here admit. But you shouldn't take too much offense. I mean, it's as harmless a comment as Moyes and Arteta's assertions that Merseyside is "mostly Blue". It's largely meaningless, and meant to get under your skin. If it did, then it worked. Congrats on getting the draw, and keeping in European contention.

Strange reading this and seeing the "doesn't either one lead to Europe" viewpoint. Aren't you confident you can land a spot there "on your own", through league placement this year? As an American, I'll have to say this: before we received Fox Soccer Channel a few years ago, I'd never heard of the Carling/Worthington/Coca-Cola/etc. Cup. But I had heard of the F.A. Cup. To suggest prestige exists in a competition that few Prem league teams put out a "full first-team squad" until the round of 16 is sheer folly. The F.A. Cup would bring a much brighter sheen to your trophy room. Of course, that's why it will be enjoyable when we take it home for the 8th time.

Besides, at least Rafa HAS a number of options to choose from. He tries to make his choices based on the opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and of course, he has to have all the cup ties, including Europe, to keep in mind. I rather like having that kind of choice to have to make, rather than throwing out players hoping they'll get the job done, but not really knowing. Tell me you wouldn't rather have that kind of talent to choose from.

Well, I mentioned watch out for Luton because of their memorable play vs. LFC in the cup tie last year. You may remember, it was the last time Xabi scored from inside his own half before Wednesday night.

Have to admit: have only seen a few of your matches, but from what I've seen, Tim looks to have performed quite solidly for you so far. As an American, I'm intrigued by his loan spell there, and hope that good things continue to happen for him. (Well, except against LFC, of course ) At age 27, he looks to be the future of America in goal for international matches. Hahnemann (Reading's GK) is 34, but Keller's 37 and Friedel's retired. What do all of you think of him? And do you think he'll stay permanently, or go back to Man U?

Nice draw today, Toffee fans! Thought you were hard done by the missed offsides call, but a draw away is never a result to frown at. With City, Boro and Sheff U on the horizon, the glowing start looks to continue. ... But we're breathing right down your necks, again. And one final thing: watch out for Luton in the Carling Cup tie.

Occasionally, I get carried away! In this, I will say: whether you won 1-0, or 7-0, you still only get one W for it. No more, no less. Ultimately, that is the only thing that matters. You came away with 3 points, we came up empty. No bonus points for the arse kicking you gave us. If you're looking for more meaning in your win than that, then you're getting carried away. Far too often have seen my teams (American football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and football) come away with an impressive win, then go out and get their arses kicked the next time out. And vice versa. Lost no sleep over 3-0. In fact, 1-0 would've been more agonizing: woulda, coulda, shoulda would've raced around in my head all day and the next. None of that here. Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. And I predict by season's end, it'll be you looking up at us. Again.

Watched the game twice here in the States, courtesy of Gol TV and Liverpoolfc.tv overseas broadcast. Wonder if you saw the same match I did? How many of our shots were way off target? The commentators for the match pointed out several times the multiple near-misses: from Garcia, Crouch, Gerrard a couple of times as well as a few crosses that were agonizingly inches from reach and a sure-fire goal. I have two matches in mind from last season that show that "the score doesn't always reflect the closeness of the game": LFC 5, Fulham 1 (15/03/06) and LFC 1, Sunderland 0 (20/08/05). The latter match was a more tightly contested match, with Fulham pressuring LFC all over the pitch. They conceded 3 in the last 20 minutes to make a close match seem like an arse-kicking. In the other afore-mentioned match, even though LFC only managed one goal in that game, at no point did Sunderland appear to have the capability of breaking through to get a shot on goal, let alone score. IIRC, LFC outshot Sunderland 20-2 in that one. You beat us, but not until the closing moments did I think you would prevail by two goals. And then Pepe made that Sunday-league play on the ball to gift you goal #3 (acutally, didn't Carragher make a similar play to free Andy Johnson for goal #2)? We lost, I know, but only in your dreams did you "crush/embarass/annihilate/ slaughter/pick your adjective" us.

1) Not such a youngun here. If I can remember watching the original broadcast episodes of "Remington Steele" here in the States in the 1980s, that qualifies me as anything but a "youngun". 2) Dapper? About the furthest thing from dapper, am I. In my dreams, perhaps, and certainly to my wife of 23 years, but that's about it.

Read this one with a laugh. Couldn't imagine a more unlikely outcome (well, yes I could), but this one rates up there among the outlandish rumours of the year. I couldn't even imagine the uproar that the loss of Arteta and Cahill would cause among Blues fans, especially if they went to Man U. Would management even be able to show up to home matches any more? Rubbish, this one.

The first point you raised relates directly to the 2nd. The reason, I think, that teams seemed "inevitble" champions in September is that clubs were intimidated by the usual suspects. But if that air of invincibility truly no longer exists, then the "usual suspects" are going to find away fixtures more and more difficult to come away from having secured 3 points. Thus, deficits in the standings like the one Arsenal (or for that matter Blackburn) currently face should no longer be as difficult to make up as in the past. That said, I think it's too early to tell if that "changing of the guard" has taken place. I hope you're right: it's makes for more entertaining football overall, and that's always a good thing. But the surprise early season starts of Pompey, Villa and yourselves are reason to hope. Of course, as a Reds fan, I would hope that the "changing of the guard" would by-pass our team!

Don't worry. My reply was meant to be humorous: an American born-and-bred and raised on American sports shouldn't ever be mistaken for an English football fan, no matter how much I may know about "the beautiful game". And having played/coached the game, I do know some. If I come across as a "smart aleck" (or gobshite, take your pick) sometimes, it's just that I can't help it!

Oh and FWIW: you may think I'm a gobshite (opinion), but let's clear up one thing: I sure as hell don't know it all. I'm the first one to admit that, especially when it comes to English football.

Yeah, but not a "lifelong" Red, and since the only two Everton fans I know here in the States (and one overseas, in Scotland) are all actually quite decent, likeable folks, I haven't "lived" the animosity of a lifetime in Liverpool to actually have that same ferocity of hatred that doesn't allow for any objective assessment of Everton. I DO possess that level of animosity towards a few American sports teams, but not to the level that I can't be objective about their talents. And your team has talent. Anyone who would suggest otherwise is only kidding themselves (or assesses all talented teams through a Chelsea/Barcelona mindset, which is largely unrealistic, given the talent and resources they have in their respective leagues that no one else does).

OK, out of character sounds more like it. I'll accept that assessment. MY point wasn't to suggest that you WILL falter, only that 4 games in is WAY too soon to be boasting about your performance overall. So I brought up the Charlton comparison. Could have brought up LFC's (late September, we were 11th, and finished 3rd, one point out of 2nd). As for flukes: in that one game, OK, can't take that away. No "fluke" there, either (though some, not me, might see it that way. Same as our FIFTH European championship was no fluke, referenced here earlier). You deserved the win. But will you keep it up? Only time will tell. Actually, kind of hoping you do. What makes a rivalry meaningful is when both teams are playing well (in this context, contending for European spots). Makes it that much more satisfying when we do win. This one will always be special, but meaningful as well? Not in recent years. But your side may be onto something good. Andy Johnson, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Leon Osman, David Weir, Phil Neville? Top shelf talent, all. And if Lescott continues to develop, Yobo ever finds some consistency and Tim Howard ever regains his lost form, you will be trouble for sure. FWIW: young Mr. Anichebe, the little I've seen of him, is going to be quite a talent, too, as he matures and gets consistent first-team minutes.

Hmmm... this century you've finished 16th, 15th, 7th, 17th, 4th, 11th. I see a pattern, and the "fluke" finish seems to be the 4th. I stand by my original assessment.

OK, here's an LFC fan, not wanting to defend the remarks. I hate excuses more than anything else. And if Rafa wants to figure out what went wrong, playing the "experienced derby players" wasn't a good call, IMO. Daniel Agger has shown he's more than capable at the center back position, and frankly, Sami's lack of pace is going to become an increasing irritant against pacy teams like your own. And he should've had Pennant on (for Garcia) and Bellamy instead of Fowler. And Kuyt should have started, too. You beat us, fair and square. Score one for the Blues this time. Whether you can keep it up remains to be seen (wasn't Charlton near the top of the table through September last season? Where'd they end up?), but so far, so good from your perspective. (Waits for the fireworks to begin!)

Hmmm... Expected the abuse, but nothing too bad... yet! We'll see, I will be respectful, because I know I'm a "stranger in a strange land", as it were. Incidently, FWIW, I quoted Branch Rickey to point out that luck has less to do with success than most people think. I hear grousing and complaining about a "lucky shot", or a "lucky bounce", etc., and frankly, it's wearisome. So I include the full quote to show that, while luck (or whatever you want to call it) can be a factor in a positive outcome for your side many times, more often than not it's been the result of something positive you've done to put yourself in the position to take advantage of the luck. For instance: some might say "Andy Johnson was lucky to score that first goal in the derby". But that would ignore the build-up to the play that led to the shot on goal: the ball from Howard's goal kick to Cahill, the perfectly placed chip (I've seen the replay several times and still can't figure out who made that pass) that Johnson ran onto. Yes, Carragher made a meal of a ball he normally clears, but Johnson still had to finish, which he did. So luck was part of it, but in the greater context Everton's build up play had more to do with the opportunity that came Johnson's way.

Saw that this is the proper place for introductions, so I'm going to make my début here. Followed a link on an LFC site to here, and thought I'd join for the occasional banter. Let the fireworks begin.