Not pretty, but effective

By Chris Kirwan
November 25 2002

Saturday's 1-0 victory versus WBA was a stuttering performance at times, but at no stage were WBA a real threat. Moyes will be delighted at a sixth victory in a row, but it must concern him that the Blues seem to lack the ruthlessness to put the game beyond their opponents.

On Saturday the failure to build on the opening goal was not the problem that it could have been as WBA looked a side that lacked the ability to open up the Everton defence. They only had two genuine openings all game, when Clement was charged down in the process of shooting, and when Roberts failed to capitalise on a one-on-one. Even the introduction of their big-money signings Koumas and Hughes failed to trouble the Blues.

But despite the fact that WBA created very few problems for the Everton defence, all that it would have taken was a deflected effort, or a well rehearsed set piece and they would have got an unmerited point. Against more creative sides the solitary goal will not be enough.

Once again it was hard graft that got the Blues the 3 points, but at times you feel that somebody needs to just calm the pace down a bit. Too often possession was surrendered by trying to force the issue (Stubbs was the biggest offender with the long ball through to Hoult a recurring theme, but he did defend superbly).

I thought that the Blues missed Pembridge; Naysmith didn’t possess the Welshman’s delivery either from open play or from set pieces, and didn’t seem to interact with Unsworth quite as well. Li Tie worked himself into the ground, but still worries me with his lingering on the ball in important areas (he also has an eye for goal on a par with the likes of John Jensen, Steffen Freund and David Batty, has he hit the target yet?!).

Moyes once again kept his feet on the ground afterwards, stating, "Yes, I've looked at the league table, and yes it looks pretty good. But it's only okay, we can do better than this. That's another clean sheet, and that breeds confidence. You do that and you know you can always nick a goal.”

Sunday’s encounter at St. James’ park will be a stern test for the Blues, and it will be a much tougher Newcastle side than the 11 they put out in the Worthington Cup. Lets hope that they have a hangover from their midweek class with Inter Milan.