Hi folks,
Lot's of people say "xyz fan in peace" so here I am asking my "EFC fan in peace" introduction to be taken seriously. There has been some 'entertaining' reading on here today (and today is indeed the first time I was introduced to this forum). There's a few 'questions' that have been asked throughout the conversations. I thought I would perhaps try to answer them before running for the hills.
A thread called This influx of Everton fans had the opening post "Why? What do you want? Are you genuinely here for a discussion on football, or a wind-up?"
I think I can answer that. What I reckon has happened is an Everton fan has picked up on your 'Mancini Charged' thread and sent it to a message board that they use. I use a Toffee one - that's how I learned about this. Without meaning to appear insulting, some of the comments made were a bit like Neighbours - so ridiculous you felt compelled to catch the next installment. So a bit like the nine Evertonians banned today, of which I hope I won't make it double figures, I thought I would respond. In answer to the original question, I would love a discussion about football and if you would like a chat about Wednesday's match then let's go.
The rest of my post is really stuff from this thread as naturally I haven't read every thread in depth. I've glanced over a few mind to try and get a general feel.
So the point was made that the Everton fans were on here as we were jealous. OK, to be fair, that happens on every club message board that I have ever visited. Post the wrong thing in the wrong place and you'll be jealous of Bedworth FC. Any 'outsider' with a gob is deemed that way. I dare say you've had more than your fair share of our's today. I, and the majority of Evertonians, are proud of our club in no doubt much the same way that you are of yours. Yes, you've had a serious injection of cash and would we love that to happen to our club.
However, don't be confused that this means jealousy. I feel we've moved on incredibly well under Moyes, but it's taken eight years, but the majority of us are proud of where we are now - rightly so in my opinion. He's got us in a good place. Like him (what, here?) or loathe him (that's more like it - booooo), he's damn good at his job. Perhaps a bit negative at times (and a lot of us thought Rodwell off for Saha was a mistake on Wednesday evening!), but for the worst injury crisis in my life at the start of the season, I honestly believe we would be properly in the mix for 4th place now.
With the right manager, you've got an amazing future. I dare say you've had the point made that with the money you've spent, you should be challenging higer up the table. I dare say you've had that point forced down your throats, and you are sick of it. However, progress made - you have to be more attractive to potential players now. I think it's important to find the players that want to play rather than those that are chasing the buck now though, don't you think. That must be very difficult for whoever is in charge to make the distinction.
Craig Bellamy and his possible quotes:- OK, not ideal IF THEY ARE ture. Obviously, I am not a Craig Bellamy fan. Probably his comments would have been fine if it hadn't made it into the public domain. There is of course a common conception (or misconception) with Man City right now that the players are there for the money and team spirit would be difficult to come by.
Craig Bellamy is, if the quotes are accurate, pointing out that this is in his opinion what has happened. Would you rather have a bunch of 'Yes' men for players or those who strive for better? Would you rather he leave if the people he is criticising really are there for the dollar?
We hate Bellamy at GP with a passion, but if he's pointing out a serious flaw are you doing the right thing to ignore it? Or is there some truth in what he is saying? He's been one of your better players, right? So I doubt his commitment is in question? However you look at him, he wants to win games and trophies. With the form he's shown you, I think you would be mad to get rid if that's the worst he's done. When he attacks a team mate with a golf club because he wants to sing like Tom Jones...
Perhaps the funniest thing I have read on here (page 14 of the 'Mancini Charged' thread if you are interested) and maybe it's a 'Flavour of the Month' thing what with Moyes clearly being public enemy number 1... I read here that David Moyes is in fact solely responsible for M-M-M-M-Multiball being stopped. Seriously - that's not true! At all! Same story, but a different manager's name has been put in to suit this weeks enemy. I can honestly say that the Multiball thing had nothing to do with Moyes and he's never played such tactics. Albeit they are quite funny - probably less so if you are involved. <a class="postlink" href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20051009/ai_n15670729/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_q ... n15670729/</a>
So regarding Mancini being charged. I'll be lynched here, but I think absolutely the right decision was made. A question was asked about how can the referee send them both off and only one be charged. Well, a straight red on the field of play can be appealed against, so why not off the field? The FA don't get much I am not aware that we made any appeal. Watching the 'bideo' (as our friend Rafa likes to call it), I don't really see what Moyes does wrong. Perhaps he should have thrown the ball straight on, but I think it's unreasonable to expect him to throw it back to one of your players to enable a quick thrown in - you certainly wouldn't have done that for us!
And after that Mancini gets upset. Well, he crossed into the other technical area and pushed Moyes back. Moyes just held his ground, nothing more. His arms were never raised. What was interesting is that both managers were prepared to play the thing down. Moyes could have made a fuss if he wanted to - but he didn't. I agree with you that we would like to see consistency, but that can only happen if the rules are followed for everyone. If we all look at miscarraiges of justice then we can never look forward. Can we?
PS. I agree with everything you've said re: Stevie GBH! The fella is more crooked than Grotbags whiskers but for some reason the media love the DJ punching, two footed lunging, forearm smashing, diving, snide little cheat. Can't see it myself.
Anyway, Top Four is up for grabs. The bookies don't seem to fancy you right now, but we've done things against the odds before now. Maybe it's your turn. Good luck.
PPS. and I know it contravenes house rules to advertise anything but this is of no personal gain.... I have a 657/1 (or something similar) bet on Everton finishing in the top four. It's because Sky Bet have made a mess and they seem to be allowing doubles on teams finishing in the top four and teams winning the league without the top four. For Man City, your odds are 6-4 for finishing in the top 2. However, they'll give you odds of 15/2 of completing the double of finishing in the top 4 and winning the league without Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea - see, told you I was here in peace. This only applies with Sky Bet btw. I've tried the other bookmakers and they aren't so stupid.
