Everton 2012/13 General Chat & Starting X1 Thread

[moonlightdribbler]

Talking of players who had talent and chucked it away.....here's Franny Jeffers, 31, signing for Maltese giants Floriana.

[tedbull]

Another one who I saw on what I think was his full debut - away to Derby.

Looked a player but you never really know how it will play out. Should be a cautionary tale for any Liverpool supporters claiming that Rodgers is building something for the future. Odds are that most of these players amount to little.

[Nedved]

Wouldn't say Franny 'threw it away' really.

Move to Arsenal never worked out but he's kept going, just never got back to his old self.

Very sad about Michael Branch though.

[blahblah]

Or his young self? The whole "fox in the box" thang was odd, as he was better outside?

Branch was definitely one of those "he will be so good", but wasn't... He was the next big thing many years ago.

Bit like the one you sold for too much money in the Summer?

[moonlightdribbler]

Wouldn't say Franny 'threw it away' really.

Move to Arsenal never worked out but he's kept going, just never got back to his old self.

Move to Arsenal was a bad move, too early in his career. Instead of continuing to score goals at Everton, he was handing in ill-advised transfer requests (believing the hype? getting bad advice? Bit of both?), he took back the 1st one, but it was only a matter of time before he pushed through his move.

I can remember him playing down in London for Arsenal in a 3pm game, but it didn't stop him getting back into Liverpool and getting drunk with his mates pretty handy the same night, in the same bar I was with my mates. Obviously players are free to enjoy themselves off the pitch, but I always questioned whether he (and other young players) ever really got that on/off pitch balance right. Hindsight is wonderful, but was a lad like him ever going to fit in with Wenger's foreign orientated squad?

He was a great talent, with bags of potential, but I don't think he had a great head on him...

[blahblah]

Went there same sort of time as Richard Wright?

He should have been very very good

[moonlightdribbler]

Went there same sort of time as Richard Wright?

He should have been very very good

Wright was crap. Probably the most flat-footed, uncoordinated keeper I've had the misfortune of seeing in an Everton shirt. What did Wenger do to him?

[blahblah]

Not a clue, but he used to make the same mistake twice, but then correct it when with the once mighty Ipswich.

Did you have the Tranmere Keeper Simonsen(?) at the same time as Wright?

[moonlightdribbler]

Yeah, he was at the club when Moyes arrived, but Wright was one of, if not the 1st signing by Moyes (It was either him or Yobo). I thought Simonsen was unfairly overlooked during his time under Moyes. He did the right thing and left for 1st team footy, like Ruddy.

[blahblah]

I remember Simonsen and Wright being in the U21's and them being called the next Golden Age of English Keepers........

[tedbull]

Niang about to be let go by AC.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... rt?cc=3436" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[moonlightdribbler]

^Looks like we dodged a bullet there.


Saw this stat BEFORE today's comeback:

"Everton have conceded first in their past five games but have not lost any of them – the first time this has happened in the Premier League"

EFC - Doing it the hard way since 1878!

[moonlightdribbler]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20381420" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Everton captain Phil Neville has been ruled out for up to two months after undergoing a knee operation, manager David Moyes has revealed."


Ok hands up, who's actually delighted??


Hopefully this means Gibson is ready for next weekend, as he seems to have been in training for a couple of weeks.

[tedbull]

I thought Der Hammer looked alright today. Probably sums up why Gibson had been such a success. Playing in his correct position for a good side - you'd hope to look decent.

Neville out of midfield is a boost but possibly a blow at right back. Seamus still learning that role and, for all his good work, he's cost us points.

I've no worry greater worry than Jelavic right now. Looks awkward. Wouldn't be surprised if he's carrying a knock.

[Bunners]

I thought Der Hammer looked alright today. Probably sums up why Gibson had been such a success. Playing in his correct position for a good side - you'd hope to look decent.

Neville out of midfield is a boost but possibly a blow at right back. Seamus still learning that role and, for all his good work, he's cost us points.

I've no worry greater worry than Jelavic right now. Looks awkward. Wouldn't be surprised if he's carrying a knock.

completely agree

[hancockjr]

I thought Der Hammer looked alright today. Probably sums up why Gibson had been such a success. Playing in his correct position for a good side - you'd hope to look decent.

Neville out of midfield is a boost but possibly a blow at right back. Seamus still learning that role and, for all his good work, he's cost us points.

I've no worry greater worry than Jelavic right now. Looks awkward. Wouldn't be surprised if he's carrying a knock.

Are you really sure about Neville? I know you watch Everton a lot, and you clearly have good knowledge, but Moyes is among the best there is, and wouldn't pick him for no reason, so are you sure he doesn't see something in Neville you are missing? Notable that as soon as he misses a game Everton lose...

[moonlightdribbler]

Are you really sure about Neville? I know you watch Everton a lot, and you clearly have good knowledge, but Moyes is among the best there is, and wouldn't pick him for no reason, so are you sure he doesn't see something in Neville you are missing? Notable that as soon as he misses a game Everton lose...

Notable, but probably more just a coincidence. Our run of good form goes back a lot further than when Neville came into midfield when he replaced the injured Gibson. And it was the successful Gibson/Fellaini partnership that was the platform for our run of so few defeats, stretching back midway through last season.

I'm sure Neville's experience counts for something in certain games, but blues who watch Everton more often than not see what an awful central midfielder he is. Why does he get picked? Lack of current options, I'd say. Also, Andy Van Der Meyde recently described Neville as being the club snitch and Moyes' pet.

[Bunners]

I did read the other day (and I dont have time to check) that in the so called good run when Neville moved into midfield we did draw 5 and win 2 (league games) before the defeat yesterday......

We have missed Gibson sooooo much...I also thought that Osman looked tired in the 2nd half yesterday add to that Hitz playing his first game in ages meant our centre midfield became non existent

[Striker]

I also thought that Osman looked tired in the 2nd half yesterday add to that Hitz playing his first game in ages meant our centre midfield became non existent

Perhaps Moyes should strengthen his midfield by playing Fellaini there when he's back from his suspension, from where he won't get quite so many fantasy points.

[toffeelover]

I actually like Neville as a pro, but pleased he's out of the team to be honest.

Agree we have a problem with Coleman, but I'd take him over Neville at RB!

Hibbert not much better, so come on Moyes, you know what we need in Jan

Fellaini being out for the next match ain't gonna help the midfield, and it's against an in form Norwich

[tedbull]

So the same side with Mirrallas in behind? Would like to get a good look at that.

As good as Fellaini has been, I'd love to see in a genuine midfield role. He can still get forward and cause trouble, just without a centre back sitting on him the whole time. Also suspect Jelavic will get better service without Fellaini as the focal point.

[moonlightdribbler]

Vegard Forren, central defender playing for Molde. We've been linked a few times, but 5 (FIVE) Everton representatives were reportedly watching him tonight playing against FC Copenhagen in the Europa League.


Weir, Round, Moyes, Holden and Bryan King (Everton's scout in Scandinavia) - Do you reckon they do an x-factor style vote on whether they like him or not?






How's your Norwegian?

http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/artikkel ... d=10071357" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bunners]

I see this happening in Jan Heitinga out and him in.....

on another note Gibson plays 63 mins for the reserves - http://www.grandoldteam.com/news/reserv ... ading-u21s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[blessedbrian]

looking fwd to the game tomorrow.

On paper it looks a bonus for us that fellani is suspended, although I can't help thinking Holt will be a bit gutted not to come up against him as they enjoyed quite a tussle last season

[moonlightdribbler]

I see this happening in Jan Heitinga out and him in.....

This guy is a left-footer, so he fits in with how Moyes has liked his balanced central partnerships (Lescott/Distin). No sign of Heitinga signing that new contract? It's not often you'd be as unmoved if last season's player of the year is sold, but the way he's played this year, following on from the Euros, it might be best to cash in now...

looking fwd to the game tomorrow.

On paper it looks a bonus for us that fellani is suspended, although I can't help thinking Holt will be a bit gutted not to come up against him as they enjoyed quite a tussle last season

I reckon Heitinga (if he plays) is looking forward to that tussle. I reckon Holt is the only striker in the prem who can't outpace him!

[moonlightdribbler]

Looks like we could see a strange, weak looking team today, if all the rumoured injuries are true. No recognised right-back for one, and it sounds like Shane Duffy is starting.

Fingers crossed Miralles makes it.

[moonlightdribbler]

Looks like we could see a strange, weak looking team today, if all the rumoured injuries are true. No recognised right-back for one, and it sounds like Shane Duffy is starting.

Fingers crossed Miralles makes it.

Well that'll teach me to listen to the forums. Distin is ok, so no Duffy in the side.


No Coleman, and still no Miralles or Gibson. Oviedo starts.

[AKNel1]

Looks like we could see a strange, weak looking team today, if all the rumoured injuries are true. No recognised right-back for one, and it sounds like Shane Duffy is starting.

Fingers crossed Miralles makes it.

Wasn't he in Boyzone or Westlife ?

[tedbull]

Looks like we could see a strange, weak looking team today, if all the rumoured injuries are true. No recognised right-back for one, and it sounds like Shane Duffy is starting.

Fingers crossed Miralles makes it.

Well that'll teach me to listen to the forums. Distin is ok, so no Duffy in the side.


No Coleman, and still no Miralles or Gibson. Oviedo starts.

Looks like Heitinga RB. Or I suppose it could be Oviedo RB and Heitinga in midfield alongside Hitzelsperger?

[moonlightdribbler]

Looks like Heitinga RB. Or I suppose it could be Oviedo RB and Heitinga in midfield alongside Hitzelsperger?

Suppose it was a toss up between Jags and Heitinga for right-back, and it was the former. Oviedo played left mid, Pienaar right, and they switched occasionally in the 2nd half.

Talking of the 2nd half.........that was WOEFUL! Completely unable to get a grip in the midfield. Osman and Hitz had decent 1st halfs but faded. Pienaar had a massive off day. Thought Oviedo was class though, good engine on him to.

Ref didn't have much control of the game, Holt and Heitinga may aswell have been wearing leotards for all the wrestling they did with each other. Not convinced there's a foul for the freekick that led to their equaliser, but we shouldn't be putting ourselves in that position in the first place. Yet another bad day the office.