   |
|
|
It wasn't too long ago that Everton were one of the "big five" of the top flight. However, things are very different today, as the blues are once again languishing in the shadows of their Mersey Rivals.
When Walter Smith arrived at Goodison, most neutral observers felt that their fortunes might be about to change for the better. However, even a positive change of Chairman hasn't made things any better this time round - and as we speak they are yet again hovering uneasily above the relegation zone.
Like us, they have had a terrible time with injuries - which, to some extent, excuses their inconsistent form. However, a look at recent results shows just how exasperated the Goodison faithful must be. Following one of their most embarrassing ever FA exits just over a week ago, losing 3-0 at home to local rivals Tranmere, they then went to Old Trafford this Saturday, only to be beaten by a rather unfortunate single goal. Who was it said that football's a funny old game?
When we were originally due to play Everton, on December 30th, the home side had virtually their full first team out - a mixture of inuries, suspensions and a bug that had ravaged their squad. At the time, we hadn't won since August and would gladly have taken any crumbs of comfort thrown our way. Since then, of course, we've won three away on the bounce. Paradoxically, though, Everton will probably fancy their chances more too. They have more players to choose from and will be boosted by their performance against the Scum. What's more, we don't have the best of records at Goodison.
Martyn
Mills Ferdinand Radebe Harte
Bowyer Batty Dacourt Matteo
Keane Viduka
Our popular AWAY FANS feature continues with the views of unofficial Everton site, "The-Blues.com"...
AWAY FANS:
How will they fare with the following questions...?
*Site: The-Blues.com
*URL: www.the-blues.com
* Do you think you're having a good season?
No, despite a good injury excuse, were ain't doin too well.
* Who do you think is your best player(s) ?
At the moment, Thomas Gravesen and Ferguson are looking good.
* Your worst player(s) ?
They're all doing well, given the pressure. Alex Nyarko is poor but I doubt he will ever play for us again.
*Your players to watch (youngsters or underrated players) ?
Idan Tal can surprise people - and Gravesen. No-one seems to have picked up on how good he is yet.
*Your preferred formation for Saturday's game?
Depends on injuries. It will almost certainly be 4-4-2 - probably:
Starting with a defence of Gerrard, Unsworth, Ball, Gough and Naysmith; Midfield of Hughes,Gravesen, Alexandersson and Tal - with Campbell and Ferguson up front.
*Your best chant ?
"We don't care what the red shite say, what the f**k do we care!" or alternatively "We hate Bill Shankly and we hate St John, but most of all we hate Big Ron, and we'll hang the kopites one by one on the banks of the royal blue Mersey!"
*Where do you think Ipswich will finish in the Premiership this season ?
About 13th.
*Prediction for Saturday and Ipswich scorers (if applicable)?
1-0 to Everton: Campbell.
What is it about Mark Viduka that I dont like ? I'm sure he does actually try but far too often for my liking it looks like he isn't arsed. Maybe its because he's that bit fatter than your average footballer, then he can't move his bloated limbs as quickly as others. Maybe cos he's a millionaire he doesn't care what people think or say. Maybe he knows O'Leary wont drop him so he can just mince about daydreaming about the "meal for 6" special at his local chinky takeaway.
Leeds are a bit random at the moment. We play well - we lose, we play badly - we win. Well against Everton we were back to our enigmatic best. We should be sponsored by Pampers - shit at the back, piss up front. At least the midfield totally ran the game.
Let's get a few things straight. Everton are a poor side. They also have lots of injuries. As a result they are currently a piss poor side . They are scrapping for points at the bottom and one would expect them to have all guns blazing against Leeds.
In all my days of watching Leeds I cannot recall a home side have so little control of the game. Their midfield was anonymous. They had nothing up front and their defence was held together by Richard Gough age 57, in his Davros wheelchair. So the fact that Leeds made very hard work of getting a draw from this game confirms to me one thing I have suspected for a while - We are an average side in a pretty mediocre league.
Batty and Dacourt didn't give the soft centred Toffees a sniff. They won every loose ball in the midfield bog and dug in. Matteo on the left of midfield had acres of space to weave his magic. Now, as much as I admire Dominic's defensive qualities, I have to say he is not the first player I'd chose to exploit a huge gap in the opposition's rearguard. He plays like a drug addict. Wilcox was gnawing at O'Leary's arm on the bench. O'Leary brushed him aside and said "wait til the 80th minute and then I'll think about it"
Keane ran about like an anxious cat pursued by the owner of Viduka's local chinky take away. Viduka licked his lips. Leeds got the ball, they tried to pass, the ball bobbled on the shocking pitch and we lost control/possession/and any impetus our attacks had.
After 10 minutes it became clear to me that it was a waste of time passing the ball on the deck. Leeds continued to tip tap it to their forwards like a load of namby-pamby ballet dancers. Nothing came off. Nothing at all. Gough moved his wheelchair in, waited the bobble and took the ball. Viduka scoffed. Not for the 1st time.
For half an hour we were camped in the host's half. How many shots on goal did we muster ? One, and that was a 50-50 with the keeper that Viduka's lack of pace and pork pie frame turned into a 90-10 in the keepers favour.
Murphy's Law then kicked us in the bollocks. Harte inexplicably gave the ball away and then missed a chance to win the ball back. The cross from the right was tamely punched away by Martyn and the fragile Duncan Ferguson broke his legs and arms as he tucked the ball unchallenged into the empty net. The Evertonians, not surprisingly, were ecstatic. The scoreboard proved it wasn't a bad dream.
Leeds fans are used to these bizzare scenarios. Its what football is all about. Nothing makes any sense. Bowyer continued to run his heart out on the right hand side but the pitch was like treacle and his little legs couldn't cope. Mills, being watched by Tord Grip (yeah him) made a hash of any good openings he found himself in. Our right hand side was crap. Our left hand side was worse.
The situation called for route one football. It's not pretty but any ball played over the top caused problems due to the heavy pitch and unpredictable bounce. With the exception of Gough all defenders on show looked quite poor. The pitch was to blame. We never took advantage of it. Very poor tactics. Wimbledon of old would have blasted both teams off the park - no danger.
Everton had their 2nd chance on half time but Campbell volleyed over. Leeds couldn't believe they were losing. I could. 2 shots - one from Viduka bobbled dangerously wide, the other Imentioned earlier. 2 friggin shots on a dodgy pitch after 40 mins of possession !
2nd half Everton were slightly more competitive but still both sides continued to try and pass the ball in the quagmire and both gave the ball away cheaply. It wasn't pretty but English football isn't. It was entertaining though. Harte hit the post from a free header following a corner but we never looked like scoring. Keane ran down blind alleys and Viduka dithered and dallied. We looked lost.
Harte seized the initiative and for once somebody chanced their luck on the dodgy surface. A SHOT AT LAST ! In slow motion the ball trickled form 25 yards out and crawled into the bottom corner of the net. The Leeds fans went mad.
Once we'd got our breaths back we turned to the Scousers to our left - "SHALL WE SING A SONG FOR YOU ? SHALL WE SING A SONG FOR YOU ?" - "GOING DOWN ! GOING DOWN ! etc"
We were so pleased with ourselves. Everton fans signalled "V" for victory to us.
Less than a minute later a harmless ball played into our penalty peat-bog area caused mayhem and Ferdinand somehow contrived to lose the ball and it was left for Campbell to easily push the ball past a stranded Martyn.
"SHALL *WE* SING A SONG FOR YOU?" laughed the Evertonians.
We went red.
Dacourt, booed by his erstwhile supporters picked the ball up in a similar position to Harte and in a carbon copy slow-mo strike left the ghost Everton keeper watching the corner of his net bulge.
"SHALL WE SING A SONG FOR YOU ? SHALL WE SING A SONG FOR YOU ?" - "GOING DOWN ! GOING DOWN ! etc"
Pure theatre. The adrenaline was pulsating round the wooden stands. Smith came on and Viduka defied us all and set up a superb chance that was squandered (not sure who by !) Leeds looked the more likely now they realised that shooting was a good policy but we still were goal shy.
Mills ballsed up several good positions on the right - we've come to expect that though. Everton forced a couple of late corners but Leeds held firm for the point they were lucky to get but conversely we were unlucky not to get all 3!
A strange game, a great atmosphere and a point away from home. Everton are not a great side but neither are we.
Scores
Martyn 5 - Sorry Nige but you boobed and it cost a goal
Mills 6 - Defended OK but rubbish going forward
Harte 5 - Oh dear, Oh dear - he has to go. So slow. If he hadnt scored would have got 1/10. Great goal.
Radebe 6 - Struggled like most on the horrendous surface
Rio 4 - Cocked up for the 2nd goal
Bowyer 6 - Gave it everything but has no brain
Batty 9 - Unreal considering his time out with injury
Ollie 9 - Had a point to prove. Scored a cracker
Matteo 4 - Drugged out his mind
Viduka 2 - Useless fat lazy twat (or appeared to be)
Keane 6 - Nothing went his way but never stopped running
Subs
Wilcox, Smith, Bakke - made no real impact in the last 10-15 mins or so.
Reporter: Stotty
To read more of Stotty's stuff - the most original Leeds site on the Net - visit him @
