Moyes should ask Everton's Chaplain or the Bishop of Liverpool - to have a word with "him upstairs" over Everton injury crisis
In over 25 years of following Everton, I've never seen an injury and absence list like it. Ever.
When it comes to asking a young lad to make his full Everton debut, away, in a foreign country, when asking a another young player in Dan Gosling to make another senior appearance (one of only a handful yet), when it comes to playing Tony Hibbert at centre back... I was half expecting to see Baz Rathbone to get warmed up and come running on!
Why? No Arteta, No Neville, No Jags, No Heitinga, No Neill, No Pienaar, No Anichebe, No Yobo, No Baines... Billy coming off injured its becoming more like asking is anyone going to be actually available.
AGAIN I've never seen an injury list like it. Ever.
Unfortunately, where our players went in played right into Benfica's hands. With strong wingers one of whom was plying his trade at Barcelona until recently, with Benfica having 27 player out on loan it was obvious to everyone that the young lads were just not quite mature enough in their development as footballers to be up against in form Benfica. The wing back positions of Everton were our Achilles heel (Yak's heel?) and the wings were Benfica's strongest area on the pitch.
Benfica won 6-0 the game before ours. That omen shows what form they are in. Our injury list says it all.
People should remember however, David Moyes surpassed Harry Catterick with the most number of wins in Europe for Everton. He's also broken points haul records and clean sheet records in the last several seasons. So anyone questioning Moyes needs their heads examining. Only if this were happening without reason would it be justifiable. Moyes can't snap his fingers and expect Arteta to play after snapping his cruciate. Or Jags. So Moyes' headache is to find a way through for Everton...
Shocked, stunned. But looking at the missing list, basically the foundation of the team all out what do people expect?
Everton like all good teams are founded on a strong defence. With boys playing against internationals, it wasn't just going to be a big ask...
Unfortunately, and importantly Fellaini and Cahill couldn't between them take the pressure off and hold the ball up slow the pace down and dictate the play. Cahill's done it before when Arteta went out last season (Villa, and Middlesborough, FA Cup games).
The talk about being shown our "weaknesses", how can you be shown weaknesses when half the usual team arn't even available?
Decimation - refers to the Roman practice - the killing of every tenth man in a legion to ensure loyalty by punishment
Everton's injury and absence list isn't just decimation, its the annihilation of our team.
David Moyes, may not be a religious man. However, this curse needs lifting and the team needs all the help it can get because frankly Evertonians have never seen the like of injuries like this before. Unprecedented.
Moyesy should have a word with the local bishop or maybe get Everton Chaplain Harry Ross to. Frankly, I'm at a loss to what more Baz Rathbone can do with his magic sponge.
Someone needs to have a word with him upstairs.
Just a little bit of good news. That players are back. Its all we ask and pray for...
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Who was it said "Out of the debris of despair we build our character?". I think it was Nick Griffin's mate Churchill...................oooohh yesssssssssss!
"We will fight them on the beaches" come Bonfire Night. Beaches? Am I gettin' mixed up with Raffa the Gaffa's team talk for Sunday?
If we can improve on the first half of the Benfica game and keep concentration levels were they should be, I think we could ride this one out to a more fortunate time when our injured players come back.