Not the easiest article to write. Two games, six goals shipped and only one scored in reply. Yes we lost Tomkins and Zola says that was the turning point, but I don't agree. Kovac scored a screamer but, apart from that, we weren't in the game were we? Everton, despite having nothing to play for and a Cup Final just around the corner, looked far and away the better team. We were on the rack from the off and looked second rate.
Did Tomkins deserve to go? I'm unsure. Was he pulling out of the challenge or trying to make it look like he was pulling out? You pays your money and makes your choice. I can't be too critical of fatty Dowd this time - had the roles been reversed, I would have been calling for the Everton defender to go.
In midfield we had next to nothing today. Noble and Collison? Brilliant last week, very, very ordinary this. Kovac? His wonder goal apart, he didn't impress me. Boa? How bad must Portugal be for him to be in their squad? Time and again he gave away free kicks with clumsy challenges and, when put through by a delicious pass from Cole, he effectively side-footed a back pass to Howard. Mind you, he did have to adjust his body shape to enable him to hit it with his left foot, once again highlighting the absolute folly of playing him on the right. Can anybody explain the logic of this? Stanislas has been playing on the left despite being right footed and Boa on the right despite favouring his left peg. It makes no sense to me and I would like to hear Zola explain what he thinks he is achieving by doing it!
In the end, we were lucky to keep it to three. There was a real end of season feel to our play in the second half. We knew the ferry to Europe had left without us and we looked tired, depressed and spiritless - Cole, Green and Neill apart. I fear that next Saturday against Miserableborough will see another reverse as they play for their Premiership lives and we think of our summer holidays.
Depressing. Yes I know, like this blog!
Ratings: Green 8; Neill 7 Upson 5 Tomkins 5 Ilunga 5; Noble 4, Kovac 5 (the goal apart) Boa 5 Collison 5; Di Michele 3 Tristan 2 Sub: Cole 7 Spector 5 Stanislas 5
Your right they have taken their foot of the pedal and I would love to stuff Middlesborough
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ReplyDeleteAnother moron who thinks it is clever to use foul language and threaten violence.
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ReplyDeletewhere was you sitting in the ground? interested to know what your view was like, mine was horrible!
ReplyDeleteWas it? Where were you? Did you complain?
ReplyDeleteWhat were Upson and (particularly) Ilunga doing for their 3rd goal? They watches Saha stroll into the area and did bugger all about it. From the highlights it looked like an end of season affair and we never looked like changing our dismal record v.Everton (now reads P120 W36 D24 L60 F139 A204 in all competitions, no wonder every Evertonian I meet 'admires our football'!) On the bright side, Kovac's goal was good though and Cole's pass for Loo-is Slow-A-Merde was sublime. Roll on the 2009/10 season!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL I thought I was the Stats king Den! Best pass of the season from a guy in Claret and Blue from Cole. He is looking a more than half decent player isn't he?
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