Sweets for my Sweet.I've always been slightly puzzled by Everton.
The self proclaimed People's Club, in a message proudly displayed on their Goodison Park ground, the Toffees have, after all, been prominent members of the Premier League throughout it's existence, and even more proudly Division 1 residents for many years before that, so I have this bothersome puzzle deep within my psyche and it's this - where's the money gone ?
I don't wish to disparage such an admirably well regarded Club, but it's something that their own fans ask even to this day, as witnessed by the protestations of the Blue Union Group as recently as this very season.
Plus, you'll regularly have heard that their estimable Manager David Moyes has, according to much Press and Media, over-performed "given the circumstances". Excuse me, but pardon? The circumstances? A tad disingenuous I always feel, and a fine analysis from the ever reliant Swiss Ramble only goes to confirm my thoughts.
After all, this is a set-up that's been "on the market", openly, for several seasons, as their Chairman Bill Kenwright is happy to confirm.
Then, when you see some of the basket-cases that have been bought in that time - Portsmouth, Leeds Utd, and now Glasgow Rangers even, - you'd have thought that some Mansour/Abramovich/Lerner/Glazer type figure would have seen the benefit of buying a very well established PL Club with a greater cachet of stability and heritage, wouldn't you?
Plus, you'll regularly have heard that their estimable Manager David Moyes has, according to much Press and Media, over-performed "given the circumstances". Excuse me, but pardon? The circumstances? A tad disingenuous I always feel, and a fine analysis from the ever reliant Swiss Ramble only goes to confirm my thoughts.
After all, this is a set-up that's been "on the market", openly, for several seasons, as their Chairman Bill Kenwright is happy to confirm.
Then, when you see some of the basket-cases that have been bought in that time - Portsmouth, Leeds Utd, and now Glasgow Rangers even, - you'd have thought that some Mansour/Abramovich/Lerner/Glazer type figure would have seen the benefit of buying a very well established PL Club with a greater cachet of stability and heritage, wouldn't you?
Incidentally, if you doubt their heritage and history, a cursory exploration is in order.
This business model is so far removed from our own, dare I suggest it, more sustainable example, as to offer a poignant comparison this coming weekend, when we get to meet the Blues at the Liberty, in our latest adventure in our own version of " Alice in Wonderland" - a sort of "Swansea's Adventures through the Looking Glass" of the Barclays Premier League.
And, whilst we're at it, here's a direct comparison.
Since the inception of the PL in 1992, Everton have purchased £218 m worth of players, and sold £165m worth for a Net spend of £53m. We compare with figures of £14m and £6.6m for a Net of £7m. Don't believe me? See what I mean, here....
When you start to look for reasons, of course, for the supposed shortage of ready cash that has led them to play in an old and aging/decaying liability of a Stadium that lacks the hugely important Corporate element essential to modern day Football Finance it's hard to get away from the issue we're likely to have to cope with over the next few years particularly - that of player's wages.
Woo. Hot potato this one.
The real shock comes when you consider what PL Clubs nowadays receive for retention of PL status - last year, for example, Wolves, one place above the drop, got £42 m for one season. So, either someone's trousering millions (Portsmouth??) or paying it out. Wow, check it out.
So, for all that money that's being paid out, what's their squad like?
Well, from our Away fixture at Goodison, you can check out the nitty-gritty in my previous preview for that game, so I'll concentrate today on the changes since then.
We meet this weekend at a particularly busy period for the Toffees.
Last Saturday, as we were giving a footballing Masterclass at Craven Cottage in our 3-0 win, Everton were held to a 1-1 draw by Martin O'Neil's Sunderland at Goodison in an FA Cup Quarter Final tie, and whilst it's generally conceded that they ultimately had the better of the game, they were unable to put away a difficult opponent, and now face a difficult trip to the North East for a replay that should they win, will lead to a semi-final against arch rivals Liverpool.
Moyes had already rotated to weight his strongest side being available for that tie by leaving out some influential players in the preceding week's derby loss to the Pool, much to the anger of some fans.
What it does tell us is that the Glaswegian is targeting FA Cup progress in advance of a secure-already PL place, so, from a fixture against Arsenal this evening (Wednesday) to that replay against Sunderland next week, the suggestion is that he may well do the same this weekend v us and leave out again some purported first team choices, and thus, we might, might, get to face a side that's not necessarily his "strongest" team.
That may be the case, but, I'd suggest, it would be very dangerous to consider that it might be an "easier" fixture than it could, because that would smack of complacency.
Whatever - if it's crossed my mind that that would be sloppy of us, you can bet your life that BR and his management team are making the very same point, and forcefully. We need to treat this game as a difficult but winnable occasion. I am confident our excellent Manager and squad will do just that.
Looking at their squad since then and the changes therein the first thing to mention is their loss of two excellent forwards. Louis Saha has departed to Spurs, where 'Arry has been using him to decent effect, and Landon Donovan, who, after a good loan spell has returned to the LA Galaxy, and there's little doubt that they've missed both.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Billy) has gone back to Russia, but Royston Drenthe, the Dutchman on loan from Real Madrid, has begun to insert more and more influence, both in goal scoring and assists, and although a flaky character, under Moyes' influence is turning into an effective PL weapon.
They have taken in 3, particularly, players in the January window, all of whom have either already, or are likely to, have a beneficial influence on the side.
The first is Darron Gibson, the Derry born Irish MF'er signed from Man Utd, and although not deemed long term viable for Utd by SAF, his fierce shooting and bustling MF play make him likely to be another Everton success bought in from MU. Just like Tim Howard and the Club Captain Phil (@fizzer) Neville, he will view this SAF rejection as a spur to make a long and lasting career at a lesser but no less noticeable club.
This business model is so far removed from our own, dare I suggest it, more sustainable example, as to offer a poignant comparison this coming weekend, when we get to meet the Blues at the Liberty, in our latest adventure in our own version of " Alice in Wonderland" - a sort of "Swansea's Adventures through the Looking Glass" of the Barclays Premier League.
And, whilst we're at it, here's a direct comparison.
Since the inception of the PL in 1992, Everton have purchased £218 m worth of players, and sold £165m worth for a Net spend of £53m. We compare with figures of £14m and £6.6m for a Net of £7m. Don't believe me? See what I mean, here....
When you start to look for reasons, of course, for the supposed shortage of ready cash that has led them to play in an old and aging/decaying liability of a Stadium that lacks the hugely important Corporate element essential to modern day Football Finance it's hard to get away from the issue we're likely to have to cope with over the next few years particularly - that of player's wages.
Woo. Hot potato this one.
The real shock comes when you consider what PL Clubs nowadays receive for retention of PL status - last year, for example, Wolves, one place above the drop, got £42 m for one season. So, either someone's trousering millions (Portsmouth??) or paying it out. Wow, check it out.
So, for all that money that's being paid out, what's their squad like?
Well, from our Away fixture at Goodison, you can check out the nitty-gritty in my previous preview for that game, so I'll concentrate today on the changes since then.
We meet this weekend at a particularly busy period for the Toffees.
Last Saturday, as we were giving a footballing Masterclass at Craven Cottage in our 3-0 win, Everton were held to a 1-1 draw by Martin O'Neil's Sunderland at Goodison in an FA Cup Quarter Final tie, and whilst it's generally conceded that they ultimately had the better of the game, they were unable to put away a difficult opponent, and now face a difficult trip to the North East for a replay that should they win, will lead to a semi-final against arch rivals Liverpool.
Moyes had already rotated to weight his strongest side being available for that tie by leaving out some influential players in the preceding week's derby loss to the Pool, much to the anger of some fans.
What it does tell us is that the Glaswegian is targeting FA Cup progress in advance of a secure-already PL place, so, from a fixture against Arsenal this evening (Wednesday) to that replay against Sunderland next week, the suggestion is that he may well do the same this weekend v us and leave out again some purported first team choices, and thus, we might, might, get to face a side that's not necessarily his "strongest" team.
That may be the case, but, I'd suggest, it would be very dangerous to consider that it might be an "easier" fixture than it could, because that would smack of complacency.
Whatever - if it's crossed my mind that that would be sloppy of us, you can bet your life that BR and his management team are making the very same point, and forcefully. We need to treat this game as a difficult but winnable occasion. I am confident our excellent Manager and squad will do just that.
Looking at their squad since then and the changes therein the first thing to mention is their loss of two excellent forwards. Louis Saha has departed to Spurs, where 'Arry has been using him to decent effect, and Landon Donovan, who, after a good loan spell has returned to the LA Galaxy, and there's little doubt that they've missed both.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Billy) has gone back to Russia, but Royston Drenthe, the Dutchman on loan from Real Madrid, has begun to insert more and more influence, both in goal scoring and assists, and although a flaky character, under Moyes' influence is turning into an effective PL weapon.
They have taken in 3, particularly, players in the January window, all of whom have either already, or are likely to, have a beneficial influence on the side.
The first is Darron Gibson, the Derry born Irish MF'er signed from Man Utd, and although not deemed long term viable for Utd by SAF, his fierce shooting and bustling MF play make him likely to be another Everton success bought in from MU. Just like Tim Howard and the Club Captain Phil (@fizzer) Neville, he will view this SAF rejection as a spur to make a long and lasting career at a lesser but no less noticeable club.
He is a strong and steady player, who some would argue was never given the full opportunity that others of equal talent have enjoyed.
Secondly, they picked up Nikica Jelavic, a Croatian International Striker signed from the recent Glasgow Rangers fire sale as part of their cost-cutting administrative moves. Early reports are that he may well be as successful south of the border as he was in Scottish football, where he scored 36 times in 55 Rangers appearances. A typical "British" type CF with added clever movement, he is still settling in, but as one keen to make an impression on his new fans and team mates will pose danger for us.
The third, and probably best , of the changes from their previous line up gives them access to Stephen Pienaar, South Africa's MF Captain, sold to Tottenham but who had been unable to make himself a fixture in North London, and has returned to the Club on a season long loan with a view to buy back.
This clever, tricky MF grafter is right footed primarily, but generally plays on the left, where his link play with Leighton Baines, the adventurous LB, is a real danger and a real highlight that needs control from opposing teams. The pair have built a quality partnership both in being defensively sound, but more spectacularly, raiding forward to threatening outcomes.
One player we're unlikely to see is FEC, MF'er Jack Rodwell, who this week succumbed to his 5th instance of a hamstring strain this season, and it highlights a key for modern football - keeping highly tuned athletes injury free and at their best, and the club is likely to be cautious in both treatment and progress of his injury recovery.
I am writing this preview on Wednesday evening, and will be very interested to see their line up in this evening's later fixture at Home to Arsenal, where, with any luck, we're likely to see how Moyes balances the choices available to him. I'll return, after a brief interlude where I get to watch not only the Everton team news, but Man City's entertaining of Chelsea. See you in a couple of hours. Tick tock,tick tock.
Here's the team that Everton featured in that game......
Secondly, they picked up Nikica Jelavic, a Croatian International Striker signed from the recent Glasgow Rangers fire sale as part of their cost-cutting administrative moves. Early reports are that he may well be as successful south of the border as he was in Scottish football, where he scored 36 times in 55 Rangers appearances. A typical "British" type CF with added clever movement, he is still settling in, but as one keen to make an impression on his new fans and team mates will pose danger for us.
The third, and probably best , of the changes from their previous line up gives them access to Stephen Pienaar, South Africa's MF Captain, sold to Tottenham but who had been unable to make himself a fixture in North London, and has returned to the Club on a season long loan with a view to buy back.
This clever, tricky MF grafter is right footed primarily, but generally plays on the left, where his link play with Leighton Baines, the adventurous LB, is a real danger and a real highlight that needs control from opposing teams. The pair have built a quality partnership both in being defensively sound, but more spectacularly, raiding forward to threatening outcomes.
One player we're unlikely to see is FEC, MF'er Jack Rodwell, who this week succumbed to his 5th instance of a hamstring strain this season, and it highlights a key for modern football - keeping highly tuned athletes injury free and at their best, and the club is likely to be cautious in both treatment and progress of his injury recovery.
I am writing this preview on Wednesday evening, and will be very interested to see their line up in this evening's later fixture at Home to Arsenal, where, with any luck, we're likely to see how Moyes balances the choices available to him. I'll return, after a brief interlude where I get to watch not only the Everton team news, but Man City's entertaining of Chelsea. See you in a couple of hours. Tick tock,tick tock.
Here's the team that Everton featured in that game......
24 Howard,02 Hibbert,03 Baines,05 Heitinga,15 Distin,10 Drenthe,17 Cahill,21 Osman,22 Pienaar,25 Fellaini,07 Jelavic
Substitutes
01 Mucha,06 Jagielka,18 Neville,11 Stracqualursi,14 McFadden,19 Gueye,28 Anichebe
...........which meant that they set up in essentially a 4-4-1-1 with Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin and Baines the back 5 - Drenthe, Osman, Fellaini and Pienaar across the MF with Tim Cahill supporting the new boy Jelavic. They fell behind to a Vermaelen header inside the six yard box early. And that's how it stayed. 1-0 to the Arse.
Btw. the City/Chelsea game was a cracker, too, and I'll spare you the details of Tevez's part in the winning goal. Where else but Planet Football?
Anyway, back to our game on Saturday.
Moyes's team is like the Manager - hard, uncompromising, and prepared to fight for every ball. Expect a rotational cast of MF spoilers, all prepared to leave a foot in in pursuit of the greater good, as we've seen from numerous teams at the Liberty this season.
From that earlier pre-Christmas away day where we got an ultimately dreary 1-0 defeat, we will, of course, have to be aware of the buzzing Leon Osman, the smallest player in the squad who scored their winning goal by stealing in front of the dominating Steven Caulker to snaffle a game winning header, and he, like our own Leon (the South Wales Xavi) is an integral part of the side, much appreciated by both manager Moyes and fans alike.
Be assured that when Everton come to call, David Moyes is the sort of manager who no matter what his selections - rotational, rested, tweaked, twisted - you can guarantee that his team will be a tough one to beat.
No matter - we have an equally determined manager in Brendan Rodgers who has shown us in his time at our Club that he is the equal of many of these top class Gaffers who manage in the Premier League - that performance at Fulham last Saturday saw us peak at exactly the right time.
From an unbelievable victory against Manchester City in our previous game, BR and his team ensured that there was no complacency, no hint of "look how well we did last week" or anything of the sort.
The team went on to perform as well as I've ever seen any Swansea City team perform, and I confidently expect no difference (with any luck) this week.
I was pleased last week to hear the JackArmy for the first time in my hearing this season sing, at one stage, "The Jacks are staying up". At 39 pts I am almost convinced that we've avoided any instance of Karma, in which I have a sneaky belief.
You better believe it, too!
Onward, Swansea City.
Substitutes
01 Mucha,06 Jagielka,18 Neville,11 Stracqualursi,14 McFadden,19 Gueye,28 Anichebe
...........which meant that they set up in essentially a 4-4-1-1 with Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin and Baines the back 5 - Drenthe, Osman, Fellaini and Pienaar across the MF with Tim Cahill supporting the new boy Jelavic. They fell behind to a Vermaelen header inside the six yard box early. And that's how it stayed. 1-0 to the Arse.
Btw. the City/Chelsea game was a cracker, too, and I'll spare you the details of Tevez's part in the winning goal. Where else but Planet Football?
Anyway, back to our game on Saturday.
Moyes's team is like the Manager - hard, uncompromising, and prepared to fight for every ball. Expect a rotational cast of MF spoilers, all prepared to leave a foot in in pursuit of the greater good, as we've seen from numerous teams at the Liberty this season.
From that earlier pre-Christmas away day where we got an ultimately dreary 1-0 defeat, we will, of course, have to be aware of the buzzing Leon Osman, the smallest player in the squad who scored their winning goal by stealing in front of the dominating Steven Caulker to snaffle a game winning header, and he, like our own Leon (the South Wales Xavi) is an integral part of the side, much appreciated by both manager Moyes and fans alike.
Be assured that when Everton come to call, David Moyes is the sort of manager who no matter what his selections - rotational, rested, tweaked, twisted - you can guarantee that his team will be a tough one to beat.
No matter - we have an equally determined manager in Brendan Rodgers who has shown us in his time at our Club that he is the equal of many of these top class Gaffers who manage in the Premier League - that performance at Fulham last Saturday saw us peak at exactly the right time.
From an unbelievable victory against Manchester City in our previous game, BR and his team ensured that there was no complacency, no hint of "look how well we did last week" or anything of the sort.
The team went on to perform as well as I've ever seen any Swansea City team perform, and I confidently expect no difference (with any luck) this week.
I was pleased last week to hear the JackArmy for the first time in my hearing this season sing, at one stage, "The Jacks are staying up". At 39 pts I am almost convinced that we've avoided any instance of Karma, in which I have a sneaky belief.
You better believe it, too!
Onward, Swansea City.
2 comments:
Good read. Many opportunities for less commas! Perhaps look for ways to finish a sentence and then start a new one for the second point.
Good use of the comma - just seriously over used.
You write in a fun and satirical way!
I said last week: "I come in peace. Well played to Swansea at the weekend you derserved your win emphatically, however I would counsel against getting too far ahead of yourselves. That is exactly what Fulham did in beating Wolves 5-0 a couple of weeks ago. It was a game where everything that he tried came off and made us look like a top stylish passing team."
I warned you. Everton did to you what you did to us (Fulham). Good teams and managers will work you out and just because you beat a poor Fulham side away doesn't make you the finished article. However, other than next Friday, you have the easiest of run-ins so you will finish way up the table and good on you for that. Please just make sure you beat QPR!
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