Looking forward to this - breakfast at the Three Lions (one of Denver's imitation pubs) while watching - 8am in Denver on FoxSoccer. Couple of articles from the Everton site: Donovan (surprise) wants to beat Chelsea similar to 2 yrs ago - who takes Saha's place in scoring 2? http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/02/08/donovan-eyes-chelsea-scalp Heitinga commenting on the match: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2012/02/08/heitinga-blues-up-for-chelsea It'd be nice to see Donovan get a goal or two - after this he has only the FA cup tie against Blackpool on the 18th before his scheduled return to LAG. But more importantly, I want to see the Blues come out on top on this - we need the pts and it's always fun to poke a stick in the eye of Chelski....
Per ESPN - AVB's comments about the match: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1020173/villas-boas:-we-won't-underestimate-everton-like-roberto-mancini?cc=5901 Do you think Mancini underestimated the Blues?
City was pretty flat the entire game and didn't seem to work as hard as usual. I suspect it was mostly just an off-game on City's part -- something that even the best teams have occasionally. But if Manchester City played poorly because they underestimated the Toffees, I'm not sure what exactly Mancini could have done to prevent the underestimation.
Just got back to a computer - Nice win all around - I'm thinking that AVB won't last the season for Chelsea. Loved the hustle and effort - Straq, Pienaar, Fella - all around What a nice start to the day - now for some coffee 'cuz I did happen to have a bloody mary while watching the match.... COYB!
BTW - not impressed with Drenthe - lots of energy, not so good on the whole touch and judgement thing...
I agree Drenthe hasn't played that well the last few games. But I think my man will get his form back soon enough.
I gotta say I've missed peanut. It's amazing what he can do for us. I'm surprised he's not rated more highly.
the thing I think with SP is that it really is who is around him. He and Baines connect, but put him in midfield (dif role) he just doesn't do anything there IMO. I said it before when he left, that he'd miss Baines, and I think I was right. Then again, I think Baines missed SP as well... You have to have that connection with the person in front of you/behind you and they just get each other. Glad he's back, anyway
There were many instances where Peanut really influenced the game w/o Baines' overlap. We haven't had anyone who could really drive at opposing defenders, minus R.R. Drenthe except Drenthe would lose the ball way too often.
I'm not saying he doesn't have skill, but I do think his excellence/shine comes when he's playing with the right people. I don't think he is only good when passing to/from baines, but having LB there allows him to go forward and not worry as much about behind him. takes the pressure off or something, knowing that LB is there and will always be an option if he needs it/gets into trouble/whatever. The same way jags/lescott made an awesome team. I don't think jags has really meshed with anyone as well as he did with lescott. He's still a very good defender I think Distin is great, but I think that he's just great at being great regardless of who he's with. He's held his spot down while a multitude of other people have played beside him (jags, JH, p nev, and i think hibbo and duffy?) ~shrug~ I'm very happy peanut is back I love watching him fly down the wing. (not so much when he's at center mid, but good enough) and I'm also going to break out my stevie p imitation again as I'm going to start jogging again and it makes me laugh when I get really tired/want to stop: I run with my fingers pointed just like SP then it makes me keep running. whatever works, right? COYB