EPL Season Thread...

[Katon]

Well, Campbell is back for tonight's CL match, so your defence should start to improve. The aura of invincibility, on the other hand - and that's what I think you're talking about, where anything that goes wrong feels like a fluke - was almost completely shattered by Rooney & Riley, and it's going to take a while to build up again.

Does anyone who follows Everton more closely than I do have an explanation for how they can be European contenders two years out of three and absolutely horrible in between? I'm at a loss to explain it.

[Crapshoot]

Well, Campbell is back for tonight's CL match, so your defence should start to improve. The aura of invincibility, on the other hand - and that's what I think you're talking about, where anything that goes wrong feels like a fluke - was almost completely shattered by Rooney & Riley, and it's going to take a while to build up again.

Does anyone who follows Everton more closely than I do have an explanation for how they can be European contenders two years out of three and absolutely horrible in between? I'm at a loss to explain it.

PLaying classic Long Ball tactics- 5 midfielders tackle everything, and only Gravensen and Cahill have any playmaking/supporting roles- the defence doesnt wander forward, and having Bent run his heart out up front- occasionaly, bring in Big Dunc and knock long balls hoping he can get on the end of one of them. Not pretty football- but effective- and Gravensen looks like one of the best midfielders in the premiership this year.

[Katon]

Well, I know that, but why is it that the same stuff which worked in 02-03 and has worked so far this year made them one of the worst teams in the league last year?

[Chief Rum]

What a comeback! I was screaming at the TV with exhilaration when Downing kicked in the equaliser.

Thank God for Stewart Downing. You think Sven-Goran was paying attention?

Downing created the own goal, too. It was all his but for officially. He kicked the corner so well, it was almost like Higginbotham had no choice but to put it in his own goal. :)

For most of this match, we didn't really deserve to win this one. Very flat form for most of it.

Just a point behind ManU now, although they can move up agood bit if they beat Fulham on Monday.

CR

[Critch]

Bah, $20 for Chelsea v Arsenal. I hate having to spend that much for a game. Still, money well spent I guess, I'd only waste it on food or something else I didn't need.

Well done to whoever picks the ppv games though, leaving the Liverpool Everton derby on FSW was great. Good game, and a good result.

[daedalus]

Take the lead twice, give it back twice. Both on set piece, both to do with aerial troubles. (In fact, according to SoccerNet, if Lampard didn't fubar another, we'd be down.) Lovely.

I'll be in the corner crying, if anyone needs me.

[daedalus]

Sucks about Boateng, Chief. I'm hoping 'Boro can hold out until the injury bugs are over. It's nice having Everton and 'Boro up there thumbing their noses at the bigger money teams.

Arsenal's defense is meh, set piece defense is horrid. Obviously, we're linked with a bunch of strikers. Of course. That makes perfect sense.

King's most recent interview ("club must be heading in the right direction") must be giving Tottenham's supporters a big ol' headache. I wonder if this will be good enough to turn supporters against him enough to start jeering him at home and turn him away from White Hart Lane. Perhaps . . . to Highbury? I don't see him leaving them without compensation like Sol did, though. At least they'll get money out of it.

For anyone interested, Jonathan Spector is going on loan to Blackburn for the rest of the season. So, at least he'll be getting playing time. Sounds good!