by JBG » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:24 pm
I saw fair play to Everton and I also think that David Moyes has proven to be the best up and coming young British manager around.
I used to be a big fan of Martin O' Neill, but Moyes is achieving even more in the league than O' Neill ever did with roughly a similar level of player.
However, I honestly and objectively believe that it will come unstuck for Everton. No trophies (nor CL places) are handed out in December and there is still more than 50% of games to be played.
Everton are playing out of their skins. They are extremely well organised and defend excellently, but David Moyes has admitted himself that they have been lucky with injuries. If they lost Thomas Graveson and Alan Stubbs to injury, just 2 players, they would be in serious trouble.
Even if they stay injury free, they cannot maintain the pace with the players they have. It is an impossibility. Against Liverpool Everton players were chasing and harassing the player in possession from 0-90 minutes. They have been doing that against everybody this year. Sooner rather than later exhaustion will kick in and a few players might quickly lose confidence if a few results go their way.
I still think we'll finish above them, and I think Man UTD and Boro will also surpass them, and maybe even Newcastle.
The second half of the seaosn always sorts the men from the boys, and this season will be no different.
Jolly Bob Grumbine.