Are Everton in a false position?

Davey_Pitch · 25 Nov 2002 at 16:28

Watched the Super Sunday game yesterday, and Tim Sherwood made reference to Everton, and how being 3rd was a false position for them.

I agree that if you look at the quality of the squads in the Prem, there are about 6-7 teams who could/should be above Everton. However, the fact remains that you don't get to third in the league after 15 games by luck, you've worked hard, won games, and surely deserve to be there. We might not have the star quality of other teams, but we play for each other in a way I don't think any other team does. We play for 90 whole minutes, giving away no space, and are possibly the fittest team in the league.

I'd be interested on hearing some non-Evertonian opinions on this. My view has always been that I don't believe we'll finish this high, and just being in the top half come the end of the season will show a marked improvement on recent years. However, on recent form, I don't see why a top 6 finish is out of the question, we've beaten some good teams, have a striker in Radzinski who can trouble any defense, a solid midfield with a grear player in Gravesen, and a very solid defense who are hard to breach. Not to mention a young guy called Rooney.

Opinions?

silverpaw · 25 Nov 2002 at 16:31

Not false as they've got the points, come Feburary they'll fall though I think, not enough depth.

Miguél · 25 Nov 2002 at 17:23

I'd say they are the 'bogey' team as there always is each year. Last year i think it was Bolton.. not sure actually

but theres always one team who are in the top 3 but come chirstmas they start falling

I think Everton on current form could definately reach europe probably 5-6th place

Big Kev · 25 Nov 2002 at 18:30

Yes, they are in a false position and won't finish in the top 6 at the end of the season.

It's still early days and any team going on a decent run can end up 3rd, doesn't mean it will last though.

Enjoy it whilst it lasts.

JAzz · 25 Nov 2002 at 19:01

everton look like they have found consistancy which will take them a long way i reckon they will finish 5th or 6th this yr

Muncher · 25 Nov 2002 at 19:31

No they're not in a false position, if you're there, you've got there by playing well and winning games. You won't finish in that position, but no it's not a false position.

I'm also very pleased that Richard Wright is doing well, he's a class act is old Plug

Cemetery · 25 Nov 2002 at 19:49

It depends how you define False position.

Imo there are 2 ways,

1st: They are in a 'false position' if you see a true one as where you will be at the end of the season. Personally I don't see Everton in 3rd come May.

2nd: They aren't in a 'false position' if you determine that on the here & now. They have earnt their wins & have the points & atm deserve to be where they are.

It was just the same for Spurs imo a while back while we were top

of the pile. Almost everyone knew they would not stay there. However I think both teams have shown a fair bit of consistancy & decent play to have a european challange going on come May.

Davey_Pitch · 25 Nov 2002 at 20:11

I think how Everton finish the season will depend on whether Moyes is allowed to bring players in when the transfer window opens, and who that may be. There have been rumours that the new stadium may be put on hold and the funds given to Moyes to improve the squad. I certainly wouldn't be against that in the short term, as improving the squad could easily be the difference between Europe and nothing.

On current form best team in the country though, and like Kev said, I'm just enjoying it while it lasts, as I don't expect to stay there. Top 6 come Christmas would be nice though

Gilly · 26 Nov 2002 at 08:41

The league table doesn't lie, as they say.

Everton have earned/worked for/scratched for/spawned their points so far this season, and every team needs hard work+luck to do well. Everton seem to consistently have something over their opposition.

Can't really say that it's a false position, but I really can't see them finishing there.

Dtab · 26 Nov 2002 at 09:10

They're playing well atm,and are very solid. Radzinski has been one of the players of the season so far imho (yet Rooney gets all the column inches

)

Davey_Pitch · 26 Nov 2002 at 09:37

Originally posted by Dtab
They're playing well atm,and are very solid. Radzinski has been one of the players of the season so far imho (yet Rooney gets all the column inches )

Well, Radzinski himself admitted that he knows he has to be at his best every game or he'll lose his place to Rooney. I don't mind Wayne warming the bench if it keeps Tomasz scoring goals

Bungee · 26 Nov 2002 at 10:48

Originally posted by Davey_Pitch
Well, Radzinski himself admitted that he knows he has to be at his best every game or he'll lose his place to Rooney. I don't mind Wayne warming the bench if it keeps Tomasz scoring goals

Stupid question maybe, but why is Campbell never mentioned in this. I'd rather have Radzinski & Rooney.
Whats Campbell's form like?

Gilly · 26 Nov 2002 at 10:48

Originally posted by Bungee
Stupid question maybe, but why is Campbell never mentioned in this. I'd rather have Radzinski & Rooney.
Whats Campbell's form like?

Radzinski and Rooney are too similar, Campbell provides the foil for them both.

Davey_Pitch · 26 Nov 2002 at 11:04

Originally posted by Gilly
Radzinski and Rooney are too similar, Campbell provides the foil for them both.

Spot on. Also, I think Campbell is in his best run of form since he joined the club. He's fitter than I've ever seen him in an Everton shirt, as are most of the players. He's got the experience as well, and is ideal for a smaller faster player to play with

Bungee · 26 Nov 2002 at 11:13

Yeah, thats what I thought. Still, Rooney will be a 10 minute man only while Radzinski is in this form.

Gilly · 26 Nov 2002 at 11:19

Originally posted by Bungee
Yeah, thats what I thought. Still, Rooney will be a 10 minute man only while Radzinski is in this form.

I don't agree. I'd hate for Rooney to suffer as Owen has by being played too much too early.

I think Radzinski should be in front of Rooney in the pecking order for at least the reast of the season, if not longer.

Rooney can always be brought on if Radzinski aint performing, and it won't cause a problem as long as Rooney is treated in the correct way by his club.

Bungee · 26 Nov 2002 at 11:32

Oops

My last post didn't come out as intended!

I was trying to say that Radzinski should play, with Rooney coming on in the last 10 minutes if needed. Rooney needs another year imho.

Davey_Pitch · 26 Nov 2002 at 11:34

Originally posted by Gilly
I don't agree. I'd hate for Rooney to suffer as Owen has by being played too much too early.

I think Radzinski should be in front of Rooney in the pecking order for at least the reast of the season, if not longer.

Rooney can always be brought on if Radzinski aint performing, and it won't cause a problem as long as Rooney is treated in the correct way by his club.

I'm unsure who I would want to start out of the two of them, if both were on top form. Rooney is a player who can win games on his own, as the goal against Leeds showed, and that's something Tomasz cannot do. However, Tommy is faster and makes better runs, and is getting a lot of chances at the moment because of it.

I think Moyes is being very very clever to be honest. Tommy is starting and using his pace and off the ball movement to run defenses all over the park. If we're losing or the score is level, he can bring on Rooney to attack a tired defense (and he's not exactly slow himself either) and run at them. It's working well so far and long may it continue