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...

Everton FC Analysis: For all Manchester City's millions, the Blues put up a fight they can be proud of





May 04, 2014 16:44
By David Prentice
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David Prentice on Everton 2-3 Manchester City


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Everton v Manchester City FC

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Ross Barkley 's swashbucklingly wondrous strike, Brazilian in its execution and perhaps its reward, was the 21st time Everton have taken the lead in a Premier League match this season.

For only the second time, they lost.



And the identity of the opposition on each occasion was the same – Manchester City.

There's a very good reason for that. Everton have won 18 of those 21 matches in which they have scored first.

City are the only team who have managed to break down the Blues once they've got their noses in front.

Because Manuel Pellegrini has the kind of expensively-assembled squad at his disposal that no other coach can call on. While he can call on players who can conjure up goals from losing positions – Everton have been losing more and more players in recent weeks to injuries, strains and fatigue, and on Saturday those differences told.

Sergio Aguero, a £35m acquisition, drilled in an equaliser. When he limped off, £30m summer signing, Fernandinho, trotted on.

Edin Dezko, a £27m purchase, showed that for all his cumbersome appearance he is an adroit finisher in and around the six yard box.

YaYa Toure, a £24m swoop from Barcelona pushed dangerously further forward in Aguero's absence, while another £24m acquisition in David Silva was only needed for the final 16 minutes.

That kind of spending power offers decisive quality where it matters most. It was decisive each time the two teams clashed this season.

And it is what Everton will be up against next season when they try to build on Roberto Martinez 's richly promising first season at the Goodison helm. Predictably Martinez sees it as a testing challenge to be overcome rather than a barrier to progress.

Perhaps he is looking at an example from his homeland where Atletico Madrid, relegated in 2002, regularly forced to sell players of the quality of Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres and Sergio Aguero, and perennially dwarved by the spending power of giants like Real and Barcelona, are now La Liga champions elect and anticipating a first European Cup final for 40 years.

Martinez might have been mimicking Diego Simeone when he said: “I kind of enjoy the challenge of trying to compete against these sides without having the same sort of finances. I don't see it as a problem. I think the fair play ruling in the Champions League is a positive one.”

He added: “I see it as part of being in the best league in the world. I really quite enjoy having a team facing a team of such spending power and finding ways to compete with them on a football pitch and I think we have done that this season.”

With a Premier League record points haul of 69 – despite a slow start when players adapted to Martinez's new philosophy – Everton have certainly competed.

They competed on Saturday, too, despite Kevin Mirallas, Sylvain Distin, Steven Pienaar and Gareth Barry all missing from the certain-starters roster, Phil Jagielka back in for his first match in months, while useful squad players like Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone remained on the long-term injury list.

They scored an opening goal of outstanding quality, pulled back another in the second half when City led, and were a late Joe Hart block away from snatching an equaliser.

City had top class, expensive, quality when it mattered most, while Everton didn't get the slice of luck their neighbours enjoyed when City last visited Merseyside.

That afternoon Ya Ya Toure limped off early at Anfield, then when City were dominant and looking more and more likely to score, Vincent Kompany made an uncharacteristic error of an imperious campaign.

City made no errors on Saturday. Indeed quite the opposite. With Everton starting the second half like a train and looking likely to level up the scores, Joe Hart made a stunning fingertip save from a goalbound Steven Naismith shot.

Seconds later City scored a decisive third. There are still a handful of conspiracy theorists, including some in the media who really shouldn't allow their partisanship to cloud their judgement, who believed Everton lacked intensity against their visitors.

That's a blinkered analysis, borne of title-slipping disappointment. I've been at grounds where Everton have downed tools for the summer.

The final match of the 1998/99 season when the Blues rolled over at The Dell and allowed Southampton a free pass into the top flight was disgraceful.

A 5-1 hiding on the last day at Manchester City in 2004 was almost as bad. While a lack of quality, pure and simple, allowed Arsenal to romp to the title with a 4-0 stroll in 1997/98.

This was nothing like any of those.

Everton were committed – 59 per cent possession compared to City's 41, forcing more corners than their visitors and enjoying almost as many shots on target – while Goodison was noisy and raucous.

If it wasn't as intense and intimidating as it had been two weeks previously that was because David Moyes wasn't in the opposite dug-out - and the prospect of Champions League football had slipped significantly since that afternoon.

But those that believe Everton laid an invitation out for City to accept three points – on and off the pitch - are deluded.

The crowd reaction certainly wasn't a repeat of the 1995 experience, when Liverpool were in with a chance of handing the Premier League title to their arch rivals.

That afternoon Liverpool beat the champions elect, Blackburn Rovers, with Jamie Redknapp scoring a goal that opened up an opportunity for Manchester United to take the title at West Ham.

They didn't take it. But Redknapp recalled an odd atmosphere at Anfield.“I’ve never heard the Kop so quiet after a Liverpool goal,” he said. “It was eerie. Everybody thought my goal had just handed the title to Manchester United, and it didn’t sit quite right with the fans.”

If the title-winning implications were similar at Goodison on Saturday, the celebrations were not.

Evertonians celebrated their goals with an enthusiastic fervour. They weren't match winning celebrations because Manchester City boasted the kind of quality that only title-winning money can buy.

But Roberto Martinez will talk of challenges rather than barriers, and he will try again next season.

Martinez believes that imaginative coaching and tactical acumen can compete on an equal footing with financially superior rivals, and that is something to be celebrated on both sides of Stanley Park.

More Everton FC stories

Barkley and Stones may be ready for World Cup, but we should look after them

What we learned from defeat to Manchester City

World Cup 2014: England boss Roy Hodgson considers taking Ross Barkley to Brazil instead of Michael Carrick

Roy Hodgson is making it a straight head-to-head battle between Ross Barkley and Michael Carrick for the final midfield spot in his 23-man World Cup squad





World Cup 2014: England manager Roy Hodgson considers taking Ross Brakley to Brazil instead of Michael Carrick

Big impression: Ross Barkley's performance against Man City caught the eye Photo: PA








By Matt Law, Football News Correspondent

1:31PM BST 04 May 2014

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Roy Hodgson is considering the bold move of taking Ross Barkley to the World Cup instead of Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.


Barring injury to other players, it is understood that Hodgson, the England manager, is making it a straight head-to-head battle between Barkley and Carrick for the final midfield spot in his 23-man World Cup squad.


Hodgson visited Old Trafford and Goodison Park on Saturday as he tries to decide between Everton youngster Barkley and Carrick.


With Hodgson naming his squad next Monday, Barkley appeared to nudge himself ahead in the battle by scoring a brilliant goal and producing an impressive performance against Manchester City in front of the 66-year-old. Earlier in the day, Hodgson watched United and Carrick produce another uninspiring display in a surprise home defeat to Sunderland.


Hodgson’s choice is complicated by the fact that Barkley and Carrick are different types of midfielders, with varying degrees of experience.


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Barkley’s performance against City summed up what he could give Hodgson’s squad in terms of goal threat, attacking play and forward passing. The 20-year-old has been a regular in Hodgson’s squads, but has made just three senior international appearances and is yet to start for England.

Carrick offers Hodgson more of a defensive midfield option and the 32-year-old has amassed 31 caps. He missed out on a place at Euro 2012 because of confusion over whether he had retired from international football.

Having returned to the England squad for World Cup qualifying, Carrick’s form has dipped with United’s and Hodgson has warned that out-of-form United stars could face Brazil heartbreak.

He has also suggested that an experienced player could miss out. It seems increasingly likely that Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard will be part of the squad which would increase the chances of Carrick staying at home.

“Manchester United are one of the few teams that have had a lot of English players,” said Hodgson. “But football players have to accept unfortunately their England careers are tied up with their club careers.

“If it’s not going well in their clubs, and it’s not going well for them in their clubs, and other players are doing extremely well in their clubs, it does put your position as a national team player under some sort of threat.

“I’m pretty certain that the Manchester United players will understand that there’s no god-given right that, because they’ve played in a few games up to now, they’ll play all the games in the future.

“It’s up to me to pick who the best players for the job are at any given moment. Now that doesn’t mean to say you’ll choose a player for the national team every time he scores. But it does mean you are judging, over a relatively short period, who’s the best man for the job. Who’s the one doing best at this moment? Who’s in the best form?”

Other than choosing between Barkley and Carrick, Hodgson’s other big decision is at left-back and rests on whether to take Chelsea’s Ashley Cole or Southampton teenager Luke Shaw.

So the destiny of this season's English Premier League title has been decided by some bloke in a council estate tracksuit and baseball cap who coaches the Croydon 2nd XI.

Arise Sir Tony Pulis.

Manager of the year :O)

He grew up a Cardiff fan , could have done a good job with our shower but it wasn't to be.

Burnley player of the year.. and it's a Welshman! Some mistake surely Dil -):

http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/article/sam-vokes-crowned-player-of-the-year-041514-1527879.aspx

Cardiff player of the year is a foregone conclusion as we only had one decent player and if Marshall leaves us then no one will blame him.

"Cardiff player of the year"?.. You sure your running one this season -):

World Cup 2018 should be held elsewhere than Russia due to troubles in stadiums that might occur !....big possibility now !.....

Marshall won it Stan as predicted and is the only keeper with 2 saves in MOTD's Save of the Season.

Zaha failed to show for the ceremony and the over rated over paid useless tw&t could face disciplinary action.

ABE if Cole and/or Lampard are involved. Also shouldn't be places for Carrick - burnt out because of no cover at Manchester United for a few seasons, Wilshere - form dropped off plus injury, Walker and Johnson - better off playing without a right back, and Rooney if he isn't 90% or more - Brooking, Keegan, Robson, Rooney. Gerrard will go but how long will he last? And watch out for a selfish display if he makes a mistake - second half against Chelsea.

Fine goal by Yaya last night, showed Burnley how it's done. :)

Cheers,
KidA

Only fine is that all?... and just to remind you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6MJ8wSoLIk -):

Dil, Do you think Marshall will want to stay at Cardiff or want to stay in the Pre-Madonaship and look for a move?

Is it me or have I switched into a different dimension ?...can't understand a thing you lot are on about !...

Can you give an example RF? We might be able to help you.

Dunno Stan but at least we had the sense to get him to sign a new 4 year contract a few months ago so we should be quids in if he does move on but would prefer him to stay.

Caulker and Medel will both go and to be honest neither were worth half of what we paid for them and the sooner Zaha goes the better.

Hope Fabio stays as he's got better as the season has gone on and would be good to have in the championship.

12 hours til we wave the over rated Premier League and its one eyed refs goodbye Bet365 ... 155/1 Cardiff and West Ham double.

Fill yer boots :)

Dil.

"155/1 Cardiff and West Ham double." Stranger things have happened.. So I might have 10p on it -):

World Cup 2014: England manager Roy Hodgson should hold his nerve and commit to youth.
Although he has to think of the here and now when he names his 23-man squad on Monday, he must also plan for the future.

"Jason Burt's 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Jack Butland
Defenders
Glen Johnson, Calum Chambers, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, John Stones, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley
Strikers
Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Danny Ings

The biggest surprise in the England squad I would select for Brazil is the inclusion of Burnley striker Danny Ings. The 21-year-old is expected to be in Gareth Southgate's under-21 squad but his goals - 21 in the Championship this season - and more his all-round play means that Premier League clubs are already looking at him before he faces them next season.
Burnley may have a fight to keep Ings. Roy Hodgson has also run the rule over Ings and he is a contender for the Euro 2016 campaign, so why not use him now? I am a firm believer in giving youth its head and there is no point holding back Calum Chambers, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Jack Butland or Ross Barkley either. Hodgson has 23 players in a squad and there is scope to give younger ones the experience. They are all outstanding prospects."

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Burnley are favourites to go down (no surprise there) but if they could hang on to Danny Ings and a fit again Sam Vokes then who knows, they might just be able to stay up for another season.

I doubt very much if Hodgson will pick DI as suggested above, which hopefully will increase the chances of him staying at BFC for at least a season.

This assumes that Dyche and his team will also stay of course.

An interesting summer to come.

Bye bye EPL but we'll always be BLUE !

Stan , add Bellamy to my list of those than can feck off .... loves his home club my butt ... didnt ome back on the pitch after the game with the rest of the squad to thank the fans for this seasons support because its been suggested apparently he was too busy "powdering his nose" but what the feck would his "home" town fans who grew up with him know ???

..... or why he had compassionate leave for weeks earlier this season !, or wot the feck he was doing in Florida 3 weeks ago when we played Stoke !


Well worth 35K a week , bargain imo !