BlueBri

I think this is due to the pace of the game in the Premiership. I have been keeping an eye and I have noticed he has just that little bit of extra space in internationals, as well as time. You are not talking much, but at his level, you don't need much. I think what also helps is his self confidence in the Scotland team. If you ever notice, he sees an awful lot of the ball for Scotland and when anyone Scottish talk about him, he is not far short of a national hero. They have been raving on about him in Scotland since before we bought him and I remember several scotish managers being extremely envious when we bought him. I think he is doing very well for us this year and has been one of our better players this year, without a doubt.

I know your right, and my head agrees with you, but my heart would bleed if he played for us, I just can't help hating him. Even the sight of him makes my skin crawl. Just as well that this could only ever be hyperthetical as we would never be able to afford his wagws, his fee or even the cost of his hair wax.

Pienaar is one of my favourite signings this year and we absolutely must buy him, if only for the business sense. I agree that he will not be as good in the Premiership as Arteta, due to a lack of physical presence, but I do think think he could be as good, or even better in European games or against lesser opposition in the cups. He is a very tricky customer and we are still way off seeing the best from him. I am sure The Prisoner will back me up, when he played for Ajax, he was very influential in games and has a nutural ability to unlock defenses. His quick pasiing game is awesome and he has a great football brain. The other thing is, how much would you have to pay for Arteta now???? If these rumours of Spanish interest are true, wouldn't Pienaar be a good replacement. I think so, particulalry if we buy some strength in midfield in January.

My view on this is that Moyes seems to be a bit of a chess player with the squad list. He has bought very wisely compared to others on , in premiership tersm, a shoestring budget. What we currently have is a squad of players who can be adapted to changes in availability and tactics. I agree that Moyes has not got the best track record for decision making recently, but if you look at the selection, they are generally consistent as to where players are used. Most players that have moved position, have played in 2-3 positions and also in various formations. Considering the amount of players that are first team regulars ( pretty much all with the squad size) and the time they have been at the club, Moyes is still trying to figure out where the best combinations lie. On the downside, Moyes has been guilty of poor fundamental errors recently and it begs the question, will he ever setle on a steady team. I hope he sees that this is why our defense last season was among the most miserly last year because they were all settled and knew what they were doing. This year, well Metalist!!!!

No, no, no, no no to all of the above. We are in the position that we should be looking for cheaper young talent than inflated prices in the premiership. Crouch does well because he gets good service which we could not give him without spending big bucks, which we wouldn't have if we bought him. As for Heskey, why would we want another lazy striker, we have Yak who has a much better record. And Cristiano Ronaldo, I am sorry, he could be named the world player of the year and everyone on the planet could think the sun shines out of his arse and I would still hate the twat. Would make me physically sick if he put on a Royal Blue shirt. Does not deserve to play for us, dirty, cheating, one trick, arrogant, spoiled, jumped up,, cocky, 'does my bum look big in this?' twat!!

APPIAH Has to be all the way. I think we are pretty decent in all positions except a strong midfielder. Need this type of player, Viera, dare I say Reid style. Grit and power with good vision and distribution. He is on e of the best that may be available to break up the oppositiion and initiate our own attacks. He is very capable on the ball and is able to hold it and for anyone who has seen him play, likes to play it on the deck. Would be brill for Arteta, Pienaar, AJ and Yak. Dig deep Moysey, this lad is a must. Was very disappointed we didn't make a positive move for him in the summer.

Arteta to Chelsea. Have a word someone!!! Has to be crap. If this was printed the journo and editor need shooting. IF Arteta was going to leave us, I can think of several Spanish clubs he would go to before them, not to mention the fact that he is getting regular 1st team football with us. What would be the point. Big fish, small pond to small fish Big pond.

Fernando Torres could be a doubt for Liverpool's upcoming derby match against Everton after tearing a muscle while on international duty with Spain. From BBC Sport but also reported on Sky Sports. Good news. Will take some pressure off, but not much. By far their biggest threat is now out though. Lets hope that will affect their squad morale further, as I am getting the growing impression that Liverpool are struggling since Paco sancho panza don quioxote, whatever his name was, left. This is now an opportunity we cannot squander, lets hope the bioys are up for it and DM gets his tactis spot on. Time to start a good run me thinks.

What do you expect from a walking Phallus. England managers are merely limp dicks who front up the FA's will. I have seen the England set up as a bit of a Boys club for years. You look at the squad selections and tell me that they are based on playing ability, consistency of performance or current form. World cup, Theo Walcott, who is he???? Haven't heard a peep from the lad that never played. That is only one expample. Been typing most of the day so I an too tired to go on with more, but you get the point. If the managers in recent years had picked their own squads with no influence, the majority would have faired much better in competition in recent years. We have the toughest and most respected league in the world. It may not be the prettiest or the technically superior, but you ask any footballer where the hardest country to play in is. England every time. An England side made up from on-form players would generally battle any team off the park and only individual brilliance would trouble. I just think that England continually under achieve and will continue to do so with the current set up.

At my lads football training tonight and speaking to a few of the parents (most of whom are reds) and they are none very confident about Liverpool getting a result. Most will settle for a draw. I hope this is honest observation and not just protecting their modesty if we win. I think the most determined players will win the game, but for us, our defense has to be on tip top as Torres only needs a small sniff to score. It's a derby, though, so midfield will win the game either way, or a draw it will be. Not expecting the beautiful game, more a good game of football. Anyone know who the ref is??? Might be the difference.

Best news for ages!!!! I like the quote aas well, sounds like he has really found his feet here. Watching his rapid improvement, it shouldn't be long before we see the Pienaar of old (meaning his Ajax days). Lets make the move a done deal before there is any chance of someone scuppering any possible deal. Agree!.......Too much has been made about his size, as he's settled some of his passing and that goal he got the other day show what he's capable of. If your good enough....your big enough!!

Aside from the obvious benchmarks of football, Barca, Arsenal etc. I love watching games where the players are honest, play for each other and are passionate. Can't stand the increasingly common game playing, particulalry diving. It is dull, frustrating and a poor example to all the kids. Speaking of which, outside of internationals and Everton, I love watching kids the best, they just play for fun and you can really see them enjoying it. They don't have to be particulalry good to be entertaining, they just need to play with their hearts.

Big balls there Steve. Great e-mail, particularly, well, all of it. Lets hope you get that reply from him and it is as encouraging as the speculation. Incidently, it will be an opportunity for Kenwright to show his true integrity, he has been quoted many times thathe would happily stand aside if someone with money who was right for the club came in. Can't think of a better candidate profile, can you?????? Pins scarfs up and everything. What a Bluenose

I probably sound like a complete muppet to those in the know, but did Channel 5 get the rights for our whole UEFA campaign, or just for the Metalist games????????????

All in all a great draw for us. It is a chance for Moyes and the boys to prove that they have learnt from the Metalist games, that just because you haven't hard of the opposition, it doesn't mean they aren't a bit tasty. I think we should go through, but will on;ly happen if our defensive sloppiness is sorted out and the players go out and play like Everton and not clueless novices. I do think things are on the up and Yak relegation to the bench on Sunday I am hoping has given him a rocket for the derby. Desparately want to see a goal from him from decent play and team work, then I think he will start to settle, hopefully. Don't think any of the other teams will relish playing us, so we need to use that to our advantage.

This thread is justifiably centred on the shocking defensive displays this season. I have seen schoolboys defend with more discipline and guile. I think the problems seem to be a confusion of what system they should be playing. I don't know what has been happening on the trianing ground, but nobody seems to be comfortable defending and they are all over the place. This is in stark contrast to the way we played last season. Its' got to be back to basics for me, and until the defense sorts itself out, and that includes the goal hanging midfield at present, we are not going to meet our potential this season.

I don't think the key to the derby is going to be who is picked, but more of a case of who is going to play like a professional. We desparately need the Centre backs to be on fire, the wing backs to track and run like never before, and whoever wins the Centre mid role to hassle and bite in midfield and not let the reds settle on the ball for a second. Tradition is that is usually what we do, but the last few games have shown utter complacency to defending and then keeping the ball. If we can keep the reds from building moves of more than 2-3 passes, they will become frustrated and resort to 30-40 yard blasters and Gerrard will lose his head. Torres is absolutely on fire and needs to be well marshalled, so the defense is going have to stop living on reputation alone and start becoming miserly and cover for each other. We have one of the best keepers in the premiership in Howard, but he is only as good as the players in front of him. I think he will make some important saves, but the boys have to make sure that it won't be for nothing. If they can sort this out, then the midfield will start to flourish and the attacks will become more potent. As much as I want to say we will win, my head is telling me we will do well to get a draw the way we have been playing.

All in all, I think Moyes summed it up very honestly in the post match commentary. The defending was rubbish. Isn't it amazing what the summer brak can do. We were one of the most formidable defenses in the Premiership last year and hotly tipped to continue improving. Maybe the pundits have given us th ekiss of death by suggesting this and it went to the players heads. However it has been caused, Moyes needs to get a grip of the back line and shore up what is at the moment one of the leakiest defenses on the planet. It all looks so ragged at the back. As much as the forward line is frustrating us at the mometn, even if they buck up, it will be foor nothing if the back line don't get a grip and start showing that last season was no fluke. with the players we have, there is no reason for the sudden loss of concentration for long periods, and schoolboy ball watching.

Pretty much sums it up really. I have to say, I am getting a bit fazed with the Yakubu fan club. I can't quite believe that people are bleeting on about how hard done to he is either. He cost Everton £11.5 million, for crying out loud. To put it in perspective, if you bought an equivalant pedegree of racehorse, and it was performing on the same level, you would stop paying to entering into races until you saw that it was capable in training. Then you would try it again, if it kept not working, you would either shoot it, put it to stud or sell the thing. As far as the football goeas, Yakubu is simply a commodity that is not showing much evidence of providing a return. Granted he needs time, but as Licker says, one of the reasons you spend so mich on a player from the preiership is that they are supposed to pretty much be up to speed. He looks as if he hasn't played the sport before, let alone for Everton. He really does need to sort himself out and Moyes needs to get a grip of him.

Yes!!! I agree with pretty much everything you have said in both threads, but I can't help feeling you have a bit of a thing about criticism of Everton players by Evertonians. I absolutely agree that fickle slagging of players is at times hard to read, but it is mostly passionate supporters just blowing cobwebs. With respect to VDM, I do think the lad has been through a lot personally and I feel for him, but lets not forget that he is a professional footballer and his job is to play football for Everton at the moment. Everton would not have disciplined him if there was justifiable reasons for his actions, and lets also not forget, a lot of his antics happened before the problems arose with his daughter. As licker says, criticism where it's due and praise where it's due. If you really think Yak is being harshly judged, I think you need to take those blue glasses off and have a reality check. He is not cutting the mustard, fact.

You mean like Arteta, Cahill, Lescott, Howard, Pienaar for straters. Funny how all of these players are consistently performing and are courted by bigger clubs. If big name players are all like Yak at he moment, then absolutely would not question the club bringing in more lesser known players who actually earn their money, are a joy to watch and play with their heart. Isn't that what being an Everton player is about???????

I don't generally agree that slating players because they are having a bad run is a good thing either, and it also irritates me. But I think you will not find many people slating AJ, and he hasn't scored since March!!!!!! In this case, I really do think he is in the firing line justifiably. We paid a lot of money for him, and as a professional footballer, I EXPECT a LOT more. If he has come thinking he can just breeze through, ultimately, get rid. If he works hard and plays hard, welcome with open arms. I think AJ is a good parallel in this case. OK, he isn't hitting the net, but he does so much for the TEAM. He doesn't stand arounf the pitch waiting for divine intervention to justify £40,000 a week. I don't abide anyone who is workshy, and the main thing Moyes has done over the years is instill a good team spirit and work ethic. If a player comes and thinksd he is bigger than that, well, goodbye and thank you IMO.

I think on this ome it is a matter of time will tell. VDM has made a lot of heart felt comments that will either be the making or breaking of his career at Everton. Personally, as much as his career so far with us has frustrated the hell out of me, I still think he is ine of the most talented players we have had on our books. If he is sincere, he will bide his time, gently break back into the 1st team and earn his place and the fans respect. I think he has been through enough on a personal level as well as a professional one to know that he probably won't get many more chance to make a real name for himself in football for the right reasons. Will he be important in Europe, absolutely. Providing he knuckles down and works hard, he could be inspirational, providing we don't have too many games where we have to fly that is.

I disagree. Although some would argue that he hasn't had much servcie, I don't think he has made ANY effort to justify his summer transfer fee. Lazy style taken into account, he has not looked a potent threat against anyone yet and doesn't look comfortable. I agree that he needs a settling in period, but players struggling to settle are generally brought in gradually to let them build in confidence with the team. I think playing him on reputation alone is not a good enough reason, and with the team ethic that Everyone (meaning litereally everyone i.e. media and press) is talking about, continuing to persevere with a player who is not pulling his weight will cost us. We have other players that are playing with their hearts on their sleeves and doing a job, why should they make way for a player who just isn't right at the moment. Whether it is to give him a wake up call, or just to let him escape some pressure on the pitch, I wouldn't even have him on the bench on Sunday. Radical and maybe harsh, but if any player has ever been shown that they are in the slightest bit bigger than the club, it all ends in tears anyway. If he really wants to play, he will pull his socks up, take off his sleeping cap, pull his head out of his arse and actually try to show everyone, not just Everton, that he was worth the money.