ftaylor

Jeez some of you are a whingeing bunch of bar stewards. Yeah it wasn't a vintage performance and we have Howard to thank for a couple of class saves, but Pompey were absolutely gee'd up to the max for that, Fratton Park sounded like something out of an Istanbul derby (the treatment of Pienaar when injurd was horrible - hard not to feel a little intimidated when home fans behave like that), and I think the general hell-for-leather, boot in first, ask questions later physical approach would have made it very difficult for any team to play against to be honest, it was desperation stuff from them (remember how we used to play at home sometimes when we were languishing around the bottom of the league?). Saying all that, if Fellaini could learn to put some power behind his headers and Cahill had had a bit of luck, we'd have won a lot easier.

 

Fact is we won, that's four clean sheets on the bounce so I dunno why the defence is getting so much stick, and why all the slagging of Heitinga?! I'm at a loss to know exactly what he did wrong - or is this just another case of smart arse Everton fans falling over themselves to say "I told you he was a waste of money" at the first opportunity whenever a new signing doesn't play like Pele and Maradona's love child first few games (like Felli last season)? In my opinion, Bily had a far less impressive game when he came on - in open play he is still way off the pace, and for once his dead ball delivery was awful, yet everyone's still got their tongue down the back of his shorts - ah well, football's great for dividing opinion, hey?

 

In summary, yeah we're not playing our best stuff on the road, but a win's a win, even the best win ugly sometimes, and the important thing is we're building some real momentum now.

Agree with you entirely on the way pompey played but with regards to heitinga his defense on the set piece where his man got loose to head the ball off of Howards shoulder was pretty poor... that said I agree, he will still come good for us.

In ManU Game- Red Card for Fabio. early exit for holders maybe

Yakubu Scores!

I find it interesting that nobody has mentioned pienaar. Whenever I have seen him play, especially for South Africa he is directing teammates and his work rate is second to none. I personally never like a captain on the wing, always felt it was more important to direct the flow of a game from the middle, but figured he would at least get a mention.

Letting Lescott leave would be a good bit of business but I fear his departure would leave us in an even worse predicament. We would be left with Rodwell, Neville, and Yobo (injured?) for the beginning of the season. Even if we bring a replacement center back or even two, how long would it take for them to gel? How many points would this cost us in the standings? Lost revenue from struggling in cups, Europe etc. Lescott's value will never be higher. But even if we wait till January for Jag's return and the possible aquisition of another center back and his value drops to say 10 mil I still feel we would lose more "value" by early eliminations from cups and a languid league position.

This says we have signed him but for only 2.5 million

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=665016&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Saw an article a full page advertisement in a magazine today saying that the Everton v. MLS All-Stars game will be on ESPN 2 stateside. Nationally televised pre-season friendly... not bad at all.

I watched the USA v Brazil final and I thought Dempsey was OK, nothing to write home about though. The lad I thought looked the part was the big fella on the right. But I can't remember his bloody name. LOL

Jason Spector the right back maybe? My MOTM for the US. Excellent cross to assist the first goal and kept Robinho quiet the whole game. Plays for West Ham I believe but doesn't get on the field all that much.

I play collegiately in Southern California too and have never heard of him. I'll ask my coach if he knows of him. I do know a fair amount about the PDL league and the ventura county fusion which he played for. Its called the 4th tier of American "soccer" but thats a little far off. The thing about PDL is that its an amateur league, the only league which college students can maintain their eligibility for collegiate athletics and because of this there is a fair range of ability. That being said the best English team I have ever heard of a PDL player going to is scunthorpe utd. But then again there is that whole work permit thing.

and if we finish third in the group we still qualify for europa knock out stages... or has that changed with the new format?

If I recall the 15m price tag was only if we beat Standard Liege in Uefa. We didn't so I believe it is less than that.

anyone have a feed?