More points dropped

By Chris Kirwan
September 23 2002

David Moyes must be livid at his side’s inability to convert pressure into points. The game at Villa Park mirrored that at St Mary’s; the Blues got themselves into a position whereby at least a point was there for the taking, but contrived to leave empty-handed.

This alarming trend has left the Blues in a vulnerable position; it’s not far to the top half of the table but only 2 points from the drop zone.

It would be foolish to panic at leaving without a share of the spoils at both St Mary’s and Villa Park, as the performances show signs of improvement in the Blues’ away form. If Everton can continue picking up points at Goodison then they will build a base upon which picking up the odd away victory will push them up the league.

However, the most disappointing aspect of Sunday was that the Blues showed plenty of the spirit we associate with Moyes’ team, but managed to throw away all of their hard work. The pairing of Gravesen and Li Tie had dominated midfield, keeping possession and building pressure, but as soon as Campbell nodded in the equaliser Villa got a hold of the game.

The performance of the Everton defence has led to calls for the return of Peter Clarke from Blackpool. I thought Stubbs had a solid game against Villa, but the communication and organisation of the defence was poor. The Stubbs-Weir partnership is no longer looking as solid, and despite Weir’s relative poor form he is our best defender, so perhaps if Yobo ever gets fit it will be Stubbs to make way.

Most encouraging was the performance of Li Tie who continues to settle in the Everton midfield, and is starting to show a more creative side to his play. Perhaps why he has settled is that he refuses to shirk responsibility and go missing for chunks of the game, he is always looking for the ball and never shuns a 50:50.Radzinski was also superb against Villa, and despite the return to fitness of Chadwick I firmly believe that the partnership of Campbell and Radzinski is beginning to flourish and is a pairing that Moyes should persist with.

A huge problem is developing down Everton’s right flank. Hibbert had a few dodgy moments against the pace of Vassell, and Alexandersson was once again poor when introduced. Moyes is being forced into playing Rooney and no natural right sided midfielder due to lack of alternatives.

The forthcoming fixture against Fulham has turned into another game from which Moyes will expect 3 points, and hopefully the Blues will bounce back as they did against Middlesbrough.

The Independent has an article on the Everton Chinese contingent follow the link: Everton fall for the great call of China .