Same old story – with sympathy from the Devils in short supply - Everton FC latest

Nov 23 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

THE sympathy must come to an end. Manager David Moyes doesn’t want it, the players don’t court it and the supporters know good wishes don’t bring you Premier League points.

Yes, there has to be an understanding and appreciation that the Goodison Park club are in the grip of an unprecedented injury crisis and one which has robbed them of their best defender, most creative attacker and their inspirational leader – but the problem is not a new one.

Moyes has alluded to this in recent press conferences and he knows Everton have simply got to grin and bare it whilst still showing performances befitting of a top flight side.

The travelling Evertonians at Old Trafford on Saturday were cruelly teased with a glimmer of what the real Everton look like 10 minutes after the break when the introduction of a not fully-fit Yakubu gave Moyes’ side a cutting edge.

As the Nigerian forward went close, Louis Saha and Johnny Heitinga forced Edwin van der Sar into saves before Tim Cahill’s effort was smothered by the quick thinking Dutchman – Everton proved they had the ability to trouble United but showed it only in fits and spurts.

Everton do not want to become the hard luck story of the league, one where the patronising condolences of sides who finish above them are ringing in their ears and the opposition only so understanding of the side’s injury problems because they no longer see Everton as the same threat they were last season.

By agreeing with the phoney concern, you run the risk of malaise setting in – but you can be sure Moyes will prevent that from creeping through a side who last season revelled in adversity .

They need to find that type of battle hardened character once more and use other teams’ naivety to their advantage.

The fragility of the Goodison Park outfit’s squad is not a fresh worry but one which has stalked the club for more than a season, so the players who started against the Red Devils are more than accustomed to playing in the Premier League and know the drill.

Of course this campaign has asked more of Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling than usual in ideal circumstances but certainly those around them, albeit with some out of position, should have been able to offer more than they did at Old Trafford.

For endeavour and commitment, you will never fault an Everton side under Moyes, as his players bust a gut from the first minute to the last, but the weekend’s late kick-off showed little of what separates the players from honest professionals into Premier League stars.

Naturally, the odds were somewhat heaped against Everton with a winless league run in the division at the home of the champions dating back to August 1992, but with a flicker of confidence having returned following the 2-1 win at West Ham United 13 days earlier, the visitors would have fancied taking something from the game.

Once again setting up with Louis Saha as the lone striker, Everton were determined to frustrate United – mission accomplished for 35 minutes at least – yet when they were afforded the chance to break Cahill, Marouane Fellaini et al in the midfield offered little more than hopeful punts up field for the Frenchman to chase.

An over reliance on Saha’s ability to fend off the interests of four home defenders whilst at the same time providing a platform for attacks would never get Everton far against Alex Ferguson’s men, though you fully understand Moyes’ formation choice given the opposition.

Playing Cahill once more in the wide left position was purely out of necessity but as a natural man through the middle, Everton’s left side was often devoid of an attacking threat as their formation narrowed.