'Disappointing' as Walter would say

By Chris Kirwan
March 17 2003

The disappointment of Saturday’s performance was compounded by victories for Liverpool and Chelsea 24 hours later. A dreadful game left a capacity crowd begging for the end to their suffering.

Pre-match expectations were high, with all Evertonians realising the importance of gaining maximum points to maintain the European push. Failure to do so has probably put an end to faint hopes of the Champions League, but more worryingly enabled the likes of Blackburn to edge closer to the Blues. Charlton’s defeat to Newcastle was a welcome result, and with Liverpool’s place in the UEFA Cup ensured courtesy of the Worthington Cup, a sixth place finish with the Kopites 5th and Chelsea 4th would mean UEFA Cup football for the Blues.

It isn’t just the prospect of European football that makes it essential to finish as high as possible; every position dropped in the Premiership comes with a fall in £0.5m. With the Blues’ financial plight a similar plummet down the table to the end of last season would be a disaster.

Saturday’s performance was the most deflating display I have seen for a long while. For the first time this season players bought by Smith played like they did under Smith. The distribution from the back was woeful. Stubbs, Unsworth and Weir were extremely wasteful, and it was as if they thought Big Dunc was playing. It takes something special to make Repka look competent, but the Blues went beyond that and managed to make him look like he belonged in the Premiership.

Equally poor were Gemmill, Naysmith and Watson. At no stage of the game did the midfield grab control of the game. Cole and Carrick comprehensively outplayed our midfield, and we were fortunate that for all West Ham’s possession they created very few chances. On the odd occasion the Blues did get in good positions the delivery was dire. While Gravesen was willing, and the fact that he was the pick of the midfield was more a reflection on how poor his colleagues were than that he played well.

I imagine that Moyes was disappointed that he could only use three substitutes, as there were plenty of under-performers on the pitch. Such a poor showing may open the door for returns for Campbell, Li Tie, Pembridge, Carley, and Yobo, as well a potential breakthrough for Leon Osman. You never know perhaps Ferguson will be elevated to the first team squad.

As Walter would say Saturday was “disappointing”, but at least we didn’t lose (I know it’s clutching at straws!). The Blues now have to get a victory against one of Arsenal and Newcastle to keep the buffer zone to their rivals for Europe. It’s going to be tough, and extremely close, but has it ever been any other way with Everton?