Chelsea (h) The way we used to be

Matthew Barry
Academy Prospect

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Chelsea (h) The way we used to be Dec 7, 2019 21:02:33 GMT via mobile Avinalaff, jimmy, and 2 more like this

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Post by Matthew Barry on Dec 7, 2019 21:02:33 GMT

Chelsea (h) The way we used to be

Well who was expecting that then?....

He looked as magnificent in that blue suit as the reception he had after the players came out, what a day today turned out to be for Duncan Ferguson and us Evertonians.

He promised tweaks and focus, but what we got was Everton, my Everton and your Everton!! Even if it’s for just today, it was an early afternoon glimpse of what we used to be.

The team today made more tackles than ANY Everton team since 2007. High tempo, fantastic energy and most importantly pride and passion.
We can’t hide the fact that it’s been a horrible 7 days for the club, 2 horrible defeats, a prolonged sacking and more hatchet journalism. Yet somewhere, somehow Duncan managed to muster up the gameplan, tactics and instil the belief in the players to beat a very, very good Chelsea.

We needed an early goal and we got it, Richarlison again from Sidibe. Brilliant movement from Richarlison initially to free Sidibe down the right, he crosses for Richarlison who has now got into box and bullied his way passed Christensen!! 1-0 and now I’m clock watching..

DCL who battled all game, and gave Zouma a nightmare of a return to Goodison got released into the box via a half off balance Kurt, only to shoot directly at Kepa. Should have done better with the shot, but he could have also played Richarlison in with more composure.

One crazy back pass aside Michael Keane had a decent half against Tammy Abraham, and Holgate swept up behind him. You always had a feeling Chelsea could and would score, their one touch play, counter attack and movement from outside in was fantastic all game. Class all over the pitch, but they were matched. Half Time.

Second half, the anomalies starting to come into play from here -
*A fast start to a second half
*The manager barking & gesticulating instructions, driving his players on
*The team encouraging each other

I haven’t seen any of them this season, it was evident today. Also evident was huge effort from both Sigurdsson and Morgan Schneiderlin, yes it’s not a typo! Morgan Schneiderlin. These two were absolute key to Everton today, they kept the shape of the midfield and they dictated the press, if one went forward the other stayed back. It was only in the later stages of the game did they tire and Kante was allowed more space to come forward, but to nullify a truly world class payer for the best part of an hour was fantastic.

DCL span Zouma in the area, clean through and had the composure this time to make it 2-0. Everton’s former number 9 running down the touchline celebrating the current owner of that shirt scoring. Pandemonium, breathing space, out of the bottom 3!!

We all know it’s not that straightforward when it comes to our club, Kovacic hits a first time volley from outside the area, an offside Abraham walking out of the box and un-sighting Pickford, 2-1. Nervousness descended, we crumble when we concede. The horrible Tory’s in the away section started to serenade us with ‘feed the scousers’. Just horrible supporters, I bet none of them know who Kerry Dixon is. No class, never have.

Ferguson got straight into his players, pointing, shouting, encouraging. Tom Davies on for Richarlison, I thought we would go to 4-5-1, but it was still 4-4-2 but with Davies hunting the ball and disrupting rather than overcommitting like he did at Leicester.

It was Davies that caused havoc in the box for our third goal, a half scrambled clearance, a kind deflection and DCL anticipating what could happen, poked the ball in via Kepa’s legs. 3-1 Absolute arms and legs everywhere near the corner flag of the Gwladys St.

Lucas Digne, excellent today, I hope he’s ok, lovely to see Baines again though.

Djibril Sidibe scares the life out if me, he can singlehandedly win or lose you a game, but today he was everywhere.

Alex Iwobi chased everything and made some key passes, we look a much more dangerous proposition with him in the team.

Theo Walcott needs to be on finishing practice all next week. Could and should have had at least two goals today.

A perfect end to a near perfect lunchtime. So have that Fat Frank, that’s for the 09 cup final!! And also that’s the second return for Barkley and the second time he’s left empty handed. Enjoy your pie, mash & jellied eels. Snide rat.

What ever happens from here regarding the managerial situation, pride, passion, fight, spirit and the badge on the shirt were all that mattered today!!

UTFT!!!!

rugbytoffee Record Signing Posts: 12,037	Chelsea (h) The way we used to be Dec 7, 2019 21:07:14 GMT Reply Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by rugbytoffee on Dec 7, 2019 21:07:14 GMT Back to basics worked. Typical Moyes like performance

Avinalaff
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Chelsea (h) The way we used to be Dec 8, 2019 7:25:54 GMT

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Post by Avinalaff on Dec 8, 2019 7:25:54 GMT

Cheers Matthew.

Yesterday was one of those days I love and hate in equal measures. I'm always a bit low when we sack a manager, as it marks the end of yet another 18 months of mediocrity, not to mention the administrative headache it gives me personally having to update the website.

Love, as it was great to see us get 3 points, as we desperately needed them. Love, in that it was great to see the emotions and excitement on the touchline, and our fans happy for once.

Hate in that I ask myself why these players let the manager, the fans, and the club down by not putting that kind of effort in every game, which ultimately put our club at risk of relegation. We've played better such as the West Ham game, but they put a shift in yesterday. Hate in that we'll have to put up with all the rumours, and getting to know a new guy all over again if it's not Dunc.

I could go on, on both fronts, but you get the picture I'm painting already.

Now we have to do it again at Man United. There'll be no home fans, no ball boys, no Evertonian atmosphere, and we'll see if our players really have grown a pair, and whether Ferguson can prepare them, or inspire them to repeat the effort. We'll know a bit more about Dunc as a manager, and whether his game management shines against a Man United side which seem to be picking up pace, fresh off the back of their own derby victory. We'll see how we get on if we go a goal down.

I saw excitement on the faces of the owners at Goodison, and wondered if they really do have other managers in mind, or whether they'll succumb to the occasion, and have their head turned, by what, strictly speaking, is so far a new manager lift, and one green tick in the book for big Dunc. Things went well yesterday, but I'll be disappointed if it gave our owners something to think about. Sure, keep it going, and win what you can in the time you have, and you'll earn an interview, and rightfully so, but we can't afford a sentimental slip, from owners who now owe the fans in getting the appointment right.

If the right man proves to be Duncan Ferguson, then good for Dunc, and I'll support him like I support the others, but important that we take a real hard look at our options all the same. If we can't get a better manager, then perhaps if Dunc does well, it takes the pressure off, and we can review the situation further down the line, or at the end of the season, but as long as we 'do' look for the best option, and 'don't' fall for new manager lift, as that will wear off eventually, and Dunc will have to prove himself in the open ocean, and not just the paddling pool, not to under value him.

If he proves himself, then he's the right man, but he can't do that 'yet', and so while he's trying to do so, ensure we keep calm heads, and don't get sentimental. We're still only 2 points above relegation for all the joy of yesterday. I don't want to see a money saving exercise. It's now time for our 'plan' to get back on track and come to fruition. We must still go through the motions, as the future of the club has to come first. Dunc may or may not not get the time to prove himself, and we may already have somebody lined up, but if it's his destiny to manage the club, it will happen when it happens, and that may be further down the line. Either way, he'll have the taste for it now, and being in the spotlight might just open other opportunities for him, if it's not here, and that will be another test of character.

Good luck to him regardless. You can't not like the guy if what I saw yesterday was the genuine man, but I'll know myself as time passes if he's the real deal in terms of our future manager & I'll judge him honestly.

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Everton News.
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Chelsea (h) The way we used to be Dec 8, 2019 7:29:58 GMT

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Post by Everton News. on Dec 8, 2019 7:29:58 GMT

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jimmy Record Signing Posts: 4,468	Chelsea (h) The way we used to be Dec 11, 2019 7:06:22 GMT Reply Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jimmy on Dec 11, 2019 7:06:22 GMT UTFT

Post by Matthew Barry on Dec 7, 2019 21:02:33 GMT

Post by rugbytoffee on Dec 7, 2019 21:07:14 GMT

Post by Avinalaff on Dec 8, 2019 7:25:54 GMT

Post by Everton News. on Dec 8, 2019 7:29:58 GMT

Post by jimmy on Dec 11, 2019 7:06:22 GMT