It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Walking Football go's viral http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=walking+football&sm=1

We are the 7th down, click on the chap with black tracksuit top on (Our Coach).

From My Seat: Stoke City (H)
By Ken Buckley :: 30/11/2013
Comments (5) jump to end
Back at the house of learning and culture for the second time in short order and, after ordering the ale, we retired to the room of nonsense. The Lukaku v Jose spat was well discussed and, after much deliberation, a verdict of 'not a clue what either is up to' was reached. The teams came through and they took centre stage: No Mirallas or Barkley but Oviedo included. Many theories ensued... Barkley and McCarthy one yellow away from facing OFM on Wednesday; Deulofeu and Osman more deserving of starting places, and so the list went on until it was time to head Goodison way, so we all sort of hoped OPM had got it right.
The walk up was not as intense as last week but the tented village that is the ‘Fan Zone’ plus Fat Van and all other outlets were busy. The Winslow still boarded up and no fanzine cries were a reflection of changing times. It’s all high tech and iPhones now.

Z-Cars rang out, the team gained a fine ovation and kicked off toward the Park End and from the off we were dominating and it only took a couple of minutes for Stoke to give away a foul near the edge of the area. Deulofeu took and, but for a fine sprawling save by Begovic, we would have led... instead, it was a corner which was cleared. Just a couple of minutes later, McCarthy surged and exchanged passes with Lukaku, fired in and just the wrong side of the post. It was a taste of things to come in this first half with many close things but goals not materialising.

The way the team were now playing was reminiscent of team play from our most productive periods from the '60s and parts of the '70s and '80s. It was smooth pass-and-move mixed with direct efforts forward as well as strong yet quick-to-cover-and-smother defending. Near the half-hour mark, Osman let fly a screamer that seemed to move in the air and Begovic produced a superb save which left the onlooker in no doubt the reason for so much interest in him from the wealthy classes.

By now, Barry and McCarthy were well in control of midfield with Pienaar producing a stellar performance of both wide play and augmenting centre-mid with some delightful joined-up stuff. If that wasn’t enough, Deulofeu was scaring them to death with pace, flair and sheer unpredictability as well as some hard-driven crosses – or were they shots? Osman was ever-available and ever-ready to link with the beast that is Lukaku, leaving Stoke to chase shadows at times... but, if Stoke did break forward, then a superb back four plus keeper were well in control. Mark Hughes stood in the technical area a forlorn figure. "Some of these ‘Little Teams’ can play a bit, eh, Hughesy?" I mused.

We had played really well first half but that final thrust of ball to net was yet again missing and, with just a couple of mins to the break, Stoke had a good chance when Crouch headed down for his strike partner to have a clear shot on goal but luckily he shot straight at Howard. Just as I was thinking "If only we could have got a goal in that half, then more would surely follow," but the longer it stayed at 0-0, then the more tense the whole thing becomes, no matter how much we have been on top. My prayers were answered right on the 45-min mark and it was that man Deulofeu who virtually started and finished the decisive move. He played a one-two off the impressive Pienaar whilst bursting into the box, then exchanged passes with Barry and, from almost a yard or so out, smashed the ball home. The relief from those gathered could be felt amongst the celebrations.

Half-time and the chat was of how well we had played and how we really needed that goal.

Second half started and the first thing to notice was the pass-and-move that was easy on the eye and kept the ball until we saw a chance of an opening. It didn’t take long for this to work as, before 5 mins had elapsed, that man Deulofeu galloped down the left and found that man Barry yet again offering for a pass which he duly got and moved the ball on to the raiding Coleman who swung a foot and connected, the rest was a bit hazy as either he toe-poked or sliced but the upshot was it bamboozled the keeper and, hey oh, we were 2-up! The crowd reaction was of joy but, although 2-up, it was more of, "Great, but we should be sorting teams like this!"

In truth, it was 'game over' but our lads didn’t let up. (Could competition for places be having an effect?) Deulofeu continued to scare the hell out of them. Barry, McCarthy, Osman and Pienaar were a class apart. Lukaku was always a willing runner and a formidable presence plus the back five being solid and ready to break forward at the drop of a hat knowing the midfield would slot in. In short – a treat to watch.

Stoke were struggling now against this great display and Deulofeu should have doubled his tally when Howard gathered a long hopeful ball from Stoke and bowling overarm set Deulofeu on his way; he raced clear and came one-on-one with the keeper but he continued a trend for us at present and hit too close to the keeper who parried away with his feet. Keeper did well but more could have been expected. Stones replaced McCarthy to ensure he is okay for Wednesday.

In all of this, I must mention Oviedo who was having a steady game and – in this game anyway – Baines wasn’t being missed by that much. This was reinforced just before the hour mark when we forced a corner taken by Deulofeu who had taken over corner duties from both flanks today varied this one by finding Oviedo on the corner of the box, he burst past Adam as though he was made of stone and fired in a right-foot shot low and true that even the excellent Begovic had no chance and didn’t see the ball until he got it out of the net – no need for goal-line technology for that one. Fans in a right good mood now, hell, I heard wild predictions of beating Man Utd and Arsenal in the coming week! But, then again – why not?

The winter ball of luminous yellow was being caressed across the green sward with a swagger that included step-overs, back-flicks, side-flicks, 'megs – and not done in a disrespectful way but just part of the joined-up joy we were witnessing.

Oviedo was involved in many a good move and, on 80 mins, he did a Baines by sailing down the left, cutting in and with his head up found the lurking Lukaku some 5 yds out and he duly obliged and saluted the Street End who belted out his song. That was to be his last action as he made way for Jelavic who joined Mirallas who had replaced Pienaar. We were seeing the game out now but yet still looking for that break and, in the final minute, Jelavic was put in on goal by Mirallas. The Croat did everything right except shoot straight at the keeper thus keeping up his dreadful goal return. The chance was there but maybe just at the moment the confidence wasn’t. I really felt for him. He can’t buy a goal at present. (Do the whole team need more one-on-one practice?)

The final whistle and we all left the ground with a satisfied happy glow yet none of us daring to get carried away but no doubt today will have raised expectations.

MotM – Almost impossible but I will give mine to Oviedo who came in without a full Premier League game under his belt and scored one and created one. There could be life after Baines if he is prised away. I wouldn’t disagree with any other nomination either.

I really enjoyed that game. It could be said we didn’t have much to beat but we can only play what is before us and today we just swatted them away. Us fans always say we should beat teams like these – well, today, we did in a manner I would love to see become the norm.

I thought the manager did well today both in team selection and substitutions and the team were excellent in carrying out his game plan. A 4-0 win that saw a goal apiece by loan players and a goal apiece by our full backs, nothing like variety, eh!

As we pulled away from our Room of Nonsense in the House of Culture and Learning onto the mean streets of L4, I mused on a grand day out whilst wondering what the line-up will be Wednesday... and can we win? See you there to find out.
UP THE BLUES

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stan
wrong keeper, the one i am thinking about was a big number

Hodgkinson?

ED: No wrong Sheffield.

stan
esmund million

Thanks Stable, here's the full story http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Rovers-fiasco-exposed-bigger-scandal/story-19649315-detail/story.html

Well well, I new nothing of that at the time so a very interesting read.

Interesting - thanks Stable.

Well as predicted Ramsey got a hero's welcome from the Cardiff fans and they even sang "Ramsey do the Ayatollah" after he scored the second and he duly obliged.

Unlike Giggs Ramsey has played for Cardiff and turns up to all Welsh matches and not just when he feels like.

I said when Bale got transferred that I reckon out of the two that Ramsey will turn out to be the better player so its good to see the start he has had to the season.

All we need now is another 9 like those two and we could win the World Cup :-)

... And what was the score?

Arsenal 1 - Ramsey 2 ... we won :-)

Well thats one way of looking at it -):

LOL

I see the Chuckle brothers are alive and kicking !

Yes?... Can we help you further?

Dil,

What was up with the crowd and the team? Didn't seem to be the same intensity as the week before. Sounded like the fans didn't get going until about 50 minutes when the players had a 10 minute spell - of course the audio set up might have changed - and the decision making and quality of delivery were at a lower level.

Cheers,
KidA

Roberto Martinez has vowed to end the inferiority complex that has plagued Everton at the Premier League’s toughest venues when he leads his side to Manchester United tomorrow.


It is 11 years and 47 league games since Everton won at one of Old Trafford, Anfield, Stamford Bridge or away to Arsenal.


Martinez’s predecessor David Moyes could not end the hoodoo and one quote from the current United boss especially rankled with his former supporters when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson.


“I remember going there as a manager. You want to get out of Old Trafford alive, that used to be our saying,” Moyes said in July.


Martinez wants Everton to be seen as the peers of the Premier League elite rather than wilt in such grand surroundings.



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“We need to be ourselves,” said Martinez.

“The challenge is can we go into the big places like Old Trafford, the Emirates, Anfield and Stamford Bridge and get wins?

“We need to be creative from a football point of view. Unless you experiment on the pitch you will never be able to beat teams with bigger budgets.

“If you want to assess any sort of dynamics you want to be brave and trying and win games rather than just being in a position where you want to keep a clean sheet and get through in damage limitation situations.”

While Moyes was perceived as a cautious coach, Martinez believes his successes against the wealthier clubs while Wigan manager underlines his approach.

“When I went to Wigan we had never beaten a team in the top four at home never mind away,” he said.

“It took a little bit of process but we ended up beating Arsenal and Liverpool away and Manchester United and Chelsea at home and that is something we need to achieve in any team if you want to be successful.

“I feel we are ready to compete against anyone at Everton, my next step is to make sure I can give an advantage to the players so that they can compete against anyone wherever they are in the league.

“Everyone who supports the club would expect Everton to go to Old Trafford, perform well and try to win the game.

"To be able to go there and be the first group of players to win in the last 11 years is a fantastic stimulation.”

Moyes faces the Everton fans for the first time since his summer departure, although after his efforts to sign Leighton Baines last summer the reaction towards him might be mixed.

“As a manager taking over from what David Moyes did at this football club I can only praise his role, what he has done and the state of the football club when he left,” said Martinez.

“I also think it's fair that every Evertonian should have their own view and opinion about how things did develop. You are allowed to make your own assessments and have your own views.”

KidA ... problems with the stewards deciding to crack down on certain sections of the crowd standing in non standing areas didn't help.

Plus the fact Cardiff don't hate Arsenal (Ramsey effect) as much as Man U and Scumsea.

Our real season kicks off tonight away to Stoke. So far we have only played teams from the top half of the table at home except Scumsea and they would be in the top half of the table if we hadn't beaten them but this month home and away we got a good chance in all games except maybe Liverpool away.

Looking for at least 9 points from our 6 games in December as we can write most of January off as we got Arsenal . Man U and Man C away.

We might be able to help you with points, if you've got any money left that is -):

Dil [Send an email to Dil] [View Dil's profile] - 04 Dec 2013 09:07 - 2360 of 2361
...

Plus the fact Cardiff don't hate Arsenal (Ramsey effect) as much as Man U and Scumsea.

...

Could sense it. :)

Keeping an eye on Whittingham for fantasy football and noticed the fixtures; he has a decent haul for a player within my exclusion zone - no Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City allowed.

Cheers,
KidA

THE SUN IS OUT!




THE SKY IS BLUE!




ISN'T IT GREAT!




WHEN YOU BEAT MAN U !