Everton - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
Everton - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
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Tuesday, 02, Jun 2009 03:48
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2008/09 season.
A season that had a terrible start with a Uefa Cup defeat to Standard Liege and no home wins before November picked up markedly, with the team pushing on to finish fifth again and coming closer to silverware than at any time since 1995.
It was a season in which Everton revealed the same old strengths - good players, a top manager, resilience and a productive youth policy - as well as the weakness of a squad with limited depth and, in the final reckoning, a lack of the supreme quality that sets the very top sides apart.
Even so, fans have much to be proud of, even if the season left some wondering whether there is any higher to go when all that is above is the four Champions League teams.
Grade: B+
High Point
The FA Cup run - in contrast to the usual early round cup shock of recent seasons, the team went all the way to the final.
Dumping out rivals Liverpool, just as ranting Rafa Benitez was wasting another precious sheet of A4 on listing his penalty takers, was another bonus. Fans could also cheer the ousting of Aston Villa, who appeared set for fourth place until they ran out of gas, as well as ending Manchester United's pentuple hopes in the semi-finals.
Saha's record early strike in the final, however, was not enough to complete the fairytale.
Low Point
The start. Any hopes that the team might join Villa in challenging the big four ended very early, although the defeat to Liege was compensated by the signing of Marouane Fellaini from the Belgian side.
On a more long-term note, some may regard the granting of a public enquiry over the proposed new ground in Kirkby as a threat to the club's ambitions towards bigger and better things. But fans remain divided over the move.
The manager
David Moyes remains a hero, trophy or not.
His signing of a new contract in November was a catalyst for the season's improvement and all Evertonians will hope he stays and is not lured away by Celtic or lined up as Sir Alex Ferguson's eventual successor at Old Trafford.
They will also hope he gets his hands on some more resources to help the club compete on a more level playing field.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Phil Jagielka -
The injury that caused Jagielka to miss the Cup final was a critical loss, but should not distract from his outstanding defensive performances during the season, when he and Joleon Lescott proved to be one of the best central parings in the Premier League.
Fellaini will have his advocates for his ability in the air and cult figure haircut, but his temperament and lack of pace limit his game.
Needs for Next Season
While the essential balance of the team is good, more squad depth is needed. Too many players are injury prone, particularly upfront and while that comes with the territory for Saha (who was bought on a pay-as-you-play basis), at times the whole forward line was absent. Buying players with good fitness records is therefore essential.
A positive outcome concerning Kirkby may offer the best solution off the pitch to the issue of bridging the financial gap that leaves a glass ceiling above fifth place.
On the field, a trophy would help confirm the progress the club has made under Moyes, even if it is the Carling Cup or the rebranded Europa League - which sounds like something that should be played to a commentary of Stuart Hall laughing.
Charles Britten