PBP: Howard & Donovan: Everton vs Bolton [R]

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad Gameday' started by AutoPenalti, Jan 4, 2012.

  1. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great summary. 100% agree with it. And it's why Everton wanted him back so badly. Attacking has been light for Everton in general this season.

    When Drenthe gets back in the squad and those two can play together, I can see even more of an upgrade.

    But with the injuries, the center is a HUGE problem right now. Barkley might get a run out cause there just isn't anyone else.

    To answer someone's earlier question: Everton haven't had the best year, but no, they are usually not *this* poor. A few things did them in:

    1) Moyes persisting with a midfield of "side-pass" Neville and Heitinga. No creativity in that tandem.
    2) The conditions, though to be fair, that didn't seem to impact Ngog and Bolton.
    3) Injuries, in particular to Osman and Jags.
    4) Saha and Cahill's form. Dire. The both of them.
    5) The team was clearly not used to having LD there (in particular Saha, who wouldn't pass to Landon for anything), killing at least 3 counters.

    Moyes has some decisions to make about the squad in the coming weeks.

    But for his start, I wouldn't label him MOTM, but LD looked just fine, was above average in the team today, looked like he could play in the EPL (could the reverse of this just DIE now?), and like he had his form back.

    Good news for the USMNT, Everton, and the Galaxy.
     
  2. Mr Martin

    Mr Martin Member+

    Jun 12, 2002
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Now, now. To be fair, Tim has had a lot more Premiership appearances...

    ;)
     
  3. glennaldo_sf

    glennaldo_sf Member+

    Houston Dynamo, Penang FC, Al Duhail
    United States
    Nov 25, 2004
    Doha, Qatar
    Club:
    FL Fart Vang Hedmark
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If I'm not mistaken, he's also equalled Altidore's no?
     
  4. neems

    neems Member+

    Liverpool FC
    United States
    Apr 14, 2009
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great game by Tim Howard, he really does not garner the attention he should on this website. Landon Donovan was mediocre in the midst of a dismal Everton squad, but was forced to play a bigger role than was planned.

    Donovan better plan to play a lot better than this if his loan move will prove to be effective.
     
  5. freisland

    freisland Member+

    Jan 31, 2001
    I spoke to Landon last week and actually, this is as good as he plans to play, so I'm thinking this is a waste of time for him.

    I'm gonna bump him an SMS and let him know he should pack it in. Save him a few months of bad weather, bad food and bad teeth.
     
  6. glennaldo_sf

    glennaldo_sf Member+

    Houston Dynamo, Penang FC, Al Duhail
    United States
    Nov 25, 2004
    Doha, Qatar
    Club:
    FL Fart Vang Hedmark
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    just wanted to say kudos to Timmay for not celebrating his goal in respect to his opposite number. I've been playing keeper a lot recently due to my ACL tear a couple of years back and in a tournament last year conceded a goal like that. Our team was up attacking trying to get a goal back late in the game when the other team hit a hopeful hoof up fied. The last defender and striker went up for it but it flew over them, I came out a little and the ball took a huge bounce and bounced right over my head and into the net. I still have nightmares about it to this day. :(
     
  7. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What? Did you read any of the media and quotes following the game? He didn't light the world on fire, but he wasn't "mediocre."

    As for your second statement: dude, it was his first game back after a month off. Really?

    Sheez.

    As of right now his loan move is effective because he's one of the few players attacking on the pitch. If you didn't notice many found him to be one of the few bright spots today, including Moyes.
     
  8. Arteta's Girl

    Arteta's Girl Member

    Sep 29, 2008
    Liverpool, UK
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Ok well, let me start by saying, it was CRAZILY windy last night, like seriously when I was walking back I had to grip to the wall to prevent being blown into the road. It WAS that windy. The effect of being two open corners at opposite ends to the ground means that the wind gets caught and sort of gives a tornado like effect in the ground, this obviously contributed to Timmy's goal.

    What I would like to also say is, yes, we may not be playing as well as last time LD was here but you have to take into consideration we were basically missing our entire first choice midfield (Rodwell is the exception but I think it was evident he was not fit enough to play and I don't know whose decision it was to pass him fit but he wasn't). That in itself plays a part in the performance.

    The other main issue was the injuries. I'm 90% sure LD wouldn't have been on for the full 90 had injuries not happened, I'm also pretty sure (in fact I know) Stacqualursi wouldn't either, and probably Saha...The three changes we made were entirely forced and ones Moyes did not want to make. As it got to 60 minutes, a bunch of our players (mainly the 3 above) were out on their feet, Basically a third of our team, therefore it is no surprise that we struggled to create anything offensively, struggled to retain the ball and they came more into the game.

    They also adapted to the conditions better than we did.

    Sure it wasn't good enough from us but I think on another night those injuries don't happen, different subs could have been made and you are looking at a different result.

    Unfair to judge Landon off last night because of everything I've said but he did ok, showed flashes. We really do need to get players like Fellaini, Osman and Drenthe back though.

    Though if we lose to a semi professional team from outside the Football League on Saturday, I will be concerned..
     
  9. Arteta's Girl

    Arteta's Girl Member

    Sep 29, 2008
    Liverpool, UK
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Charming :rolleyes:
     
  10. bct81

    bct81 Member+

    multiple (DC United, Dortmund, Arsenal, Leeds....)
    United States
    Mar 17, 2007
    moving around the US every few years ....
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    yes LD needs more time to train and get in synch .. then they will turn him loose in at the attack and go with him at pace.

    yes Everton has some injuries that are causing problems ..

    but I was concerned with some of the looks he and Saha gave each other on the pitch after non passes or look offs ... I hope there is not a problem between the two of them.

    Everton would greatly benefit from Saha, Drenthe, and LD all looking and attacking forward.
     
  11. Arteta's Girl

    Arteta's Girl Member

    Sep 29, 2008
    Liverpool, UK
    Club:
    Everton FC
    I really don't think there is anything up between them, they follow each other on twitter and he is one of only 2 Everton players who LD does follow (along with Phil Neville).

    I just think there was an almighty lot of frustration out on the pitch and in the stands last night. Hopefully that is gone on Saturday and we get a comfortable win, which we should get but obviously, you never know..
     
  12. FlamingTroll

    FlamingTroll Member

    Nov 13, 2002
  13. the_pheasant

    the_pheasant Member

    Feb 11, 2009
    In a corn field
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [​IMG]
     
  14. StillKickin

    StillKickin Member+

    Austin FC
    Dec 17, 2002
    Texas
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, I would highly, highly doubt there is anything up between those two. Just from comments that Saha has made, you can tell he greatly admires Landon and I'm sure the same from LD towards him. It was just a nasty night and really frustrating for the whole team, I'm sure.
     
  15. KALM

    KALM Member+

    Oct 6, 2006
    Boston/Providence

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