moyesyside?
Posted by Ian Marshall's Double in Everton | 24 March 2006
Remember, our conduct is influenced not by our experience but by our expectations. George Bernard Shaw
So it’s nearly time. No jokes folks, this is serious stuff .Obviously this is a big game for everyone and it’s been nice to not have to put up with any crap about it being 'just another game.' Course it matters more. Aside from the overwhelming desire to beat them, this game could have a real impact on how we end the season. Get stuffed and we may go out with a whimper. Avoid defeat and we should gain loads of belief and go on to finish comfortably in the top half. Win and, well, we could do some serious damage.
In the build up, it seems that Benitez has been the busier manager. First he took Real Life Blues favourite management cliché and started going on about what a great job Moyesy’s done and what a great manager he is. But then it looks like he went a bit mental and started saying that Spurs are desperate to shift Defoe. True or not, it’s no wonder Spurs are pissed off with the shifty Spaniard with the baffling hand signals.
Steve Gerrard and James Beattie will wear ‘08’ to signify the European City of culture in 2008. This is an OK gimmick but it really does appear that the big plans , including a new footy ground, are pipe dreams and that the planning is showing New Wembley-esque levels of amateurism.
A lot of the talk in the build up is around the return of Big Dunc, who apparently has been ‘chomping at the bit’ – a frightening sight of course. Everyone wants Dunc to be on the bench and it seems likely that he will be. Let’s hope that it just one of those crazy football things that Dunc comes on and bags the winner. We also need Arteta 100% or damn near it. It’ll be great to see how he gets on against, Alonso, who is lauded in many quarters, especially in the biased bile which spews from Alan Green’s mouth. Is Arteta as good, or better? It’ll be a great chance to find out.
Elsewhere, Nuno has been talking about the derby and says he thinks ‘the match at Liverpool will have beautiful atmosphere.’ Yeah right Nuno – keep telling yourself that.
Having endured 2 more dullish FA Cup Quarters we now know that Liverpool will play Chelsea, in the last semis to be played at a neutral ground. It is totally scandalous that the semis will be played at Wembley in future, as part of the business plan to justify this white elephant. Anyone who’s been to a semi, think Villa Park or arguably Everton's best match in 15 years, Elland Road, knows that semis have got to be played at club grounds. There’s been loads of bleating about devaluing the FA Cup, playing the semi at the same place as the final destroys it. But it’s a financial concern so nowt will change. It’s wrong.
Anyway, that’s all for now. Dunno about you, but a draw would be a great result on Saturday. Next up will be reflections on the the league derby, fingers crossed we’ve bagged Moyesy’s first Anfield win.
Comments
Arteta is deemed not fit and wont play, not even on the bench. Killer starts with VDM on the bench. This is NOT good news, I fear for us now, Dunc or no Dunc.
Chillingly accurate analysis Prolix I'm afraid.
Kilbane certainly wasn't the worst but the team looked like it regressed 4 months without Arteta in the side.
Will blog tomorrow when thoughts (and head) are clearer.
Cheers
IMD
I got mullahed and ended up asking a Polish barmaid out.
Totally agree with you though. If we lose Arteta this summer we're back to square none.
It was one of those days where you think 'Yeah they've lost their best player but we still won't win'.
What was Neville thinking?
I'm low.
Beefy