Toffees in Sticky Patch
Friday, 17 October 08, 08:42 AM · Comments(0)
by Joel Abraham
What's gone wrong at Goodison Park this season?
After finishing comfortably in 5th place last season, Everton are currently languishing in 15th, with eight points from seven games, having only taken a solitary point at home. Early days, but a repeat of last season's achievements already seems unlikely.
You might have expected a shrewd manager like David Moyes to build upon the squad he had last season. Lee Carsley and Andrew Johnson were the only notable departees, and even Johnson's impact last season was minimal. Everton made three of their four signings on deadline day, bringing in the likes of Louis Saha, Segundo Castillo and record signing Marouane Fellaini.
Similarly, David Moyes only last week signed a new five-year contract. Considering the progress Everton have made over the last six years as well as Moyes' growing reputation, the club certainly took its time over that one.
Why leave it so late?
Is it down to the directors, who wish to sell up? It seems likely that over the summer, Bill Kenwright was searching for a new owner at the same time as trying to keep Moyes at the club.
As they are, Everton cannot compete with the big boys. Maybe the club is worth more with Moyes' future secured; maybe a new buyer would want to bring their own manager in. Moyes himself might have been pondering a move to a bigger club. The two sides therefore dallied over the contract extension. Is that why Everton have made such a poor start to the season?
As for the team, they are lacking any real presence in the centre of midfield. Carsley's rejection of a new contract, as well as the failure to hang onto Manuel Fernandes, cousin of Manchester City's Gelson, has left Everton with a midfield that cannot control a game. £15m Fellaini, six foot five with bags of stamina, was the best box-to-box midfielder in Belgium last year. He might go some way to addressing this problem, but is an unknown quantity in the Premier League.
Scoring goals doesn't seem to be a problem; Yakubu has made a fine start to the campaign, and the likes of Arteta, Cahill and Anichebe will surely chip in with their share. There are bigger questions over the defence, where Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka have not been at their best.
The team are struggling to hold onto the lead, having twice thrown away 2-0 advantages this season, and have already been knocked out of the Carling Cup and UEFA Cup. They were unfortunate to meet a quality Standard Liege side so early on in the latter, and even then were sent out by a dubious penalty decision. With Moyes now tied down for the forseeable future, will Everton improve?
Their trip to the Emirates tomorrow will certainly be interesting.
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Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
obaino said:i love ibra and i think he's better than eto'o, for now cos eto'o have realy pl...
Freddy said:I'm curious to see if English sides maintain their domination. But some pretty ...
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