FC Sion Match Review
By Unclassified • Jul 13th, 2008 • Category: Match Reports |So I flew out to Switzerland on Friday afternoon – with 40 fellow blues. Thankfully the Lufthansa stewardesses and fellow customers on the plane didn’t mind a bit of banter and a good time was had by all. On arrival we got to our hotel threw our bags in and they made our way to our chosen rendezvous point – Charly O’Neill’s Irish Pub in Geneva. There was a lot of talk about the ground move, Kenwright, Moyes’ contract and lack of transfer activity. The general consensus was that it is a worrying summer again. How many times have we said that to each other during pre season in the last few years? I think the real problem though this year is the volume of issues we face. Despite of this we were all in good spirits and the bar was rocking with Everton shanties both modern and old. Somebody had brought a CD with loads of Everton songs on and the owner duly obliged and put it on. This meant the bar was bouncing with Z-Cars et al into the wee small hours of the morning.
Saturday morning saw a quick mooch round Geneva, for those of you who have never been I would definitely recommend it. As a city I think it’s probably one the most clean, crisp and cosmopolitan places I’ve visited. Our main task though was to find the train station and purchase our tickets to take us through the Alps to Martigny. This proved to be quite a simple task but I baulked at the cost of the fare – Switzerland although a really nice place, is to be fair very expensive.
The train journey was a fairly pleasant – and was one we shared with about 100 other fanatical Evertonians. Many were excited at the prospect of seeing some of the younger players – Rodwell and Baxter being highest on most people’s agenda. Martigny was like something out of a post card, a very picturesque place indeed. The players must have had a really nice time, training in such idyllic surroundings. We made our way to the stadium, which wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Blue Sq North division and bought our tickets. Some enterprising Evertonian’s had noticed a gap in the perimeter fence – queue about 100 people just waltzing in free of charge!! Once in the ground we found it decked out in the flags of the travelling blue’s who had arrived in good numbers. There was quite a big KEIOC flag up, which was soon taken down by the stewards in the ground. Maybe this was on the request of Everton TV as it may have been in the line of site of their cameras. Who knows? It was very odd though, as all other flags in the ground were left untouched.
The team news was announced, with Leon missing out – apparently due to injury and AJ was left on the bench, I’ll come onto this in a minute. This meant we had only three players who you would expect to be in the first eleven come August – Jags, Lescott and Neville. The enigma that is Andy Van Der Meyde also found himself in the starting line up. The game kicked off in slightly bizarre fashion. Two middle aged blokes walked to the centre circle and kicked proceedings off. I’d imagine they were either local dignitaries or FC Sion club officials. Either way I’d imagine it was a really nice moment for them.
The first half was full of hustle and bustle but neither side really managed to fashion a shot of any note. JP Kissock started the game fairly well and was very lively in the first twenty minutes though he faded quite badly thereafter. Jagielka and Lescott again looked formidable in the centre of defence but we had no real cutting edge going forward. Lukas Jutkiewicz played in the most forward position with Baxter playing just off him. Baxter blasting over about 30 minutes in was the closest we came to threatening their goal. Maybe the biggest plus of the first half was Andy Van Der Meyde. Now that is a statement I never in a million years expected to be saying. To be fair to the bloke he was a very wiling runner, tracked back well and played some quality passes. His reading of the game was clearly way ahead of some of the younger players. Had we have had more senior players in the game ADVM could have proved to be a real handful.
The start of the second half saw Kieran Agard come on for the really ineffective Jutkiewicz. Play started and saw us on the back foot really, which was a theme for most of the second half. This was FC Sions ‘last game before the start of their season. It was obvious that they were much sharper than us and their superior fitness levels told in the second half in particular. Midway through the second half FC Sion put the game’s best piece of play together. A couple of nice one-two’s caught Nuno Valente napping and which led to Cretterand through on goal and he duly dispatched the only goal of the game. Nuno will have to react much quicker than this if he wants to figure next season.
The goal coupled with a change which saw Eunan O’Kane come on for Jose Baxter led to Everton’s best spell in the game. O’Kane in particular looked to be a very good prospect and showed a good range of passing and ball retention skills. Agard came close on a couple of occasions but over fussy refereeing and the odd mistimed pass saw us finish the game with a 1-0 defeat.
After the game we went round to the ground’s main entrance to see the players off. Quite a few of the players came out to sign autographs etc. One of whom was Andy Johnson. He was asked why he hadn’t come on despite being on the bench; he assured us he wasn’t injured. He was probed further and was understandably tight lipped. Another bloke asked him whether he wanted to leave and again the reassurances aired towards him wanting to stay at the club – this however is where he may have slipped a faux par as he said ‘ideally’. He wouldn’t tell us one way or another, what the score was in terms of their being any and truth in Sunderland bidding. His comment in addition to the fact he didn’t play despite not being injured and being on the bench leads me to believe there is something in it. I reckon we’ll find out over the next few days. Moyes wasn’t as chatty as usual. I hope the uncertainty with his future end’s fairly quickly. He is a great man of real integrity. He has been the catalyst of the clubs upturn despite the board not because of them. It would be a grim day for all concerned if he left.
Although obviously extremely early in pre season I think we can take some positives and perhaps a negative from this outing. Jagielka and Lescott again looked very strong at the back and this will be the basis any successes over the next few seasons. Eunan O’Kane looked a good prospect. The ability to keep hold of the ball whilst being comfortable in possession is key in the Premiership and Europe now. This player looks to have bags of potential. Irving at right back also had a reasonable game, though I think he still has some work to do on his positional sense. ADVM was perhaps the biggest surprise. He showed that he still has some class. Maybe the biggest thing with him in this game was his willingness to track back and get stuck in. We all know that this is an attribute that Moyes’ values highly in his ethos of team. Maybe ADVM has come back a changed man; it’s too early to tell if it’s another false dawn with him, we could certainly do with him on song though given the size of our squad.
Now that comment probably takes me on to the negative I took from the game. Yes I understand players are missing due to injury and our international contingents are having an extended break. We are though very short on numbers. Rodwell et al may be showing promise but I think it would be very dangerous and naive to expect these players to carry and burden next season. We will have players injured all season therefore we need to have a squad to cope with that. Only three first team players in the starting eleven was testament to the issues we have squad wise. The pros and cons of the game were the basis of the conversation on the train back to Geneva. I think everyone on there was in agreement that Moyes needs to sign ASAP and we need to push on with any plans we may have to expand our thread bare squad. Still I look on to Cambridge next weekend for my next blues ‘fix’. My FE forums username is MichealCorleone, I’m a regular poster so if you join the forum you’ll read my posts and threads. I’ll have some of my snaps in our gallery next week. COYB!
Player Ratings
Turner: 6/10 Didn’t inspire much confidence. Has a tendency to flap at high balls and seems unsure at times as to when to come out and collect the ball.However not at fault for the goal.
Irving: 6/10 Had a steady game. The player is still work in progress but he is fairly strong into to tackle. Needs to work on his positional sense.
Jagielka: 7/10 Another good game from Jagielka. Reads the game extremely well and bosses the defence. Was ‘megged’ in the later stages of the second half in a moment he will want to forget. He had a laugh about it with the fans at the end of the game though. Top bloke.
Lescott: 7/10 We are all aware this guy is a class act and his performance today was as you would expect. Dominant and assured at the back.
Valente: 5/10 Poor game from Nuno. Well off the pace, offered very little and at fault for the goal. It’s hard to see him being any more than a bit part player next season.
Kissock: 6/10 Started the game in a really lively fashion. It’s clear that this lad really wants to do well. Bags of effort today but no real end product. Faded badly in the second half.
Neville: 7/10 Steady game. Never hides from the ball or his responsibilities. He is however much more effective at right back, which is were I’m sure most of us would prefer to see him.
Rodwell: 7/0 Great to see him play the full 90. Comfortable on the ball and rarely gives it away. Makes the art of short, simple passing look very easy. With the right attitude he could be a permanent fixture in the side in the future, he is a similar type of player to Hargreaves and Carrick. Hard to believe he only turned 17 a few months ago.
Van Der Meyde: 8/10 A very committed performance. I regularly go to watch the reserves and have to say I can’t remember the last time I saw him track back and have the desire he showed today. Still has quality on the ball and his range of passing and ability to strike the ball is top notch. If Moyes can get him back to anything he was like at Ajax or Inter, he could be a big plus this season.
Baxter: 6/10 Unfortunately not really in the game. Lived off scraps due to a lack of service. Ballooned his only chance in the first half. Still very early days for Jose and he will no doubt of benefited from his week away with the first team squad.
Jutkiewicz: 5/10 Very poor again from Lukas. I’ve seen this guy play on a number of occasions now and he looks like he isn’t going to cut the mustard unfortunately. Lacks a yard of pace and the composure required to succeed at first team level.
Subs
Agard (On for Jutkiewicz): 7/10 Offered a much bigger threat than Lukas and has pace to burn. Is like a miniature version of James Vaughan. Always wants to be involved and is very enthusiastic. Changed the game in our favour, with his raw pace when he came on. Was unlucky not to score with a glancing header towards the end of the game.
Molyneux (On for Kissock): 6/10 Not really involved after coming on late in the game. Was good to see Lee back in action though after a potentially career threatening injury has kept him out for over 12 months.
O’Kane (On for Baxter): 8/10 The pick of the bunch in terms of the young players. Very lively showing; good touch, awareness and exceptional range of passing. The young midfielder may not be ready for the first team yet, but is definitely one to watch out for.
Very interesting Karl. Keep it up. I’d of liked to of gone, but y’know, kids and all that. 🙂
Good article mate. Nice to see there where some positives from that game. Sounded like a nice trip – a tad expensive, I’m going to America later this year, to see the blue boys in action. COYB 😀
Great write that lad!! More of the same next week against Cambridge please! Good to see some of the youngsters having a decent game too.
Thanks for that report man!
I watch the game on Everton TV, Im in Amerca, and your assessment is spot on. Any chance of reports from the rest of the pre season games?
See you for a Bud in Chicago if you go!!!
I was O’Neills too Karl, great night. Definately spot on with what you’ve put. More of the same please!!!
Cheers for the comments lads!!
I’ll get another one done next weekend after Cambridge. Thats for your kind words because I’m only a amateur writing wise – only wrote a few since I applied for the position.
Karl Hinchcliffe
Really good read. Glad to here some of the boys got a good run out. Fancy Shandy having a decent game what ever next.
I think this is the best match report I’ve read on all the fansite from this game. Honest views with a personalised touch.
Great work Karl and web team!!
Really fair analysis of the game.
An amataeur mate – you should apply to write for the official site. Much more reasoned than on there. Wish I’d of been in the Irish bar. Hopefully we’ll have a few more Euro away’s proper this season to look forward too.
Cheers for the report lads.
Amo I’d want compensation monies from the club 😉
Cheers for the support Amo.
My services are required here mate, on the premier Everton fansite, where I can tell it how it is!!!
Glad to see you weren’t scared of saying Andy Van had a good game mate. Really good read. Keep em coming!!