So let me get this right, you're trying to suggest that because we have a proven history of finishing seasons strongly, that this season there's somehow a 'strong possibility' that we won't, due solely to the fact that we've had a better first half of the season? & you've got the brass neck to call me 'thick'. Kopite logic right there.
got to say that's a shocker of a shout there Dave, as long as we don't sell Fellaini (or Baines) this month then well probably just continue as we are in the same form.
You have made a presumption that Everton will continue in the same vain in the second half of the season when there is absolutely no statistical evidence to support the contention that Everton can or will sustain a campaign THROUGHOUT the season.
No I haven't, I've said nothing of the sort. It was YOU who stated that our previous 10 years of history meant that we'd be inconsistent in the 2nd half of this season. When it was pointed out to you that we've been far better in the 2nd half of seasons than the first in recent years, you decided that because we'd done well in the first half of this season, we'd automatically somehow be worse in the 2nd half of the season as a direct result. Which totally ignores your own use of our recent history, which shows us always being strong in the run in. You have given no logical reason whatsoever as to why this is magically going to change this year. You also totally ignored the FACT given to you, that we've only lost 3 games in our last 30 in the league, which goes back to last March, so we've been consistent for what equates to virtually an entire season already.
Yes he has. He has pointed out that recent history shows you've not been able to sustain a run of good form over a whole season. Probably down to the fact you have a small, ageing squad which is bound to pick up injuries at some point. That's a perfectly logical reason.
That doesn't really make sense, surely the aging small squad would thrive at the start then die off near the end every season? something we do the reverse of.
His 'logic' never got as far as a reason why it might happen, it was merely that we've never performed over a full season (in his opinion btw) - which also ignored the season we finished 4th & my point about our MOST RECENT 30 league games. As for your point, we've generally finished stronger though, so how does that reflect a weak squad?
Your most recent 30 league games had a massive summer break inbetween. Much different to a full league campaign with no breaks in the middle. Plus last season you could've finished the season with easier fixtures and started this one with easier ones. Therefore skewing the stats in your favour. As for the season you finished 4th I think you'll find the squad has changed a little since then, so has the league! You picked up a lot of injuries early on in previous seasons though, or that was the impression I got. Injuries and the fact your squad didn't really look match fit until the second half of the season.
Takes longer for older players to get their fitness back after a long break? No idea really, I'm not a fitness expert, just guessing!
Tp be fair we've been desperately unlucky with injuries this season, all our right backs (Coleman, Neville and Hibberts) have been out for long periods (at the same time!) then we've got Mirallas who's been out for pretty much the entire first half of the season as his hamstring is made of glass and you saw first hand in the derby how good he was. Gibson was out for two months and is now out for a further month. I don't see how our injuries could get worse to be honest, if we get Mirallas fit for the second half of the season then I think we will have a really good shot at getting fourth. I don't think because we usually start poor and finish strong means that because we've started well this time means we will finish poor. Last January, the only reason we picked up was because we bought in Donovan on loan, Pienaar on loan, Gibson and Jelavic. Considering we still have three of them and have Mirallas coming back this week then we have a very good chance of doing well in the second half of this season. A loan or two in January wouldn't go a miss either. I think you'd be foolish to assume we will drop of based on nothing at all.
What a load of fuss about a small club who play on the other side of the park! Everton have never put 2 halves of the season together in the previous decade. They have traditionally improved in the 2nd half of the season. This season they have started off well so there is no statistical guarantee that they will keep that level of performance up. It's simple and to argue that there is an imperative that the 2nd half will follow the 1st in terms of results is illogical.
to argue that the 2nd half won't follow the 1st is just as illogical. you don't play seasons based on previous seasons.
Ah! So if you can't make predictions based upon some form of certainty (ie previous experience) then all you are left with is guesswork. Now that's not logical
I've pretty much explained the key to our success in the second part of the season was that we got Pienaar, Jelavic, Gibson and for two months Donovan. Considering we have three of them still and haven't lost anyone worth keeping suggests that well continue to perform. You make it sound like we've had the same squad for ten years and it gets to the first of January, Moyes clicks his fingers and we miraculously start playing well.
So, then according to your logic we can expect your team to become more and more knackerd as the 2nd half of the season progresses then?
Your logic Is to dissagree with whatever EFC supporters say to you on the matter lol That said I'd have to say that Spurs and Arsenal maybe have a better chance than us to get 4th but hopefully we will push them? LFC also have an outside chance but as already mentioned the next 4-5 games against top teams Norwich aside Is crucial for you..I'd add to that I think you guys have done great considering the start that you had you were shocking at one point but are looking much better now.. Better than I thought you were going to be at this stage (considering the start) I expect you will be back challenging nearer the top next year tbh (unfortunately lol)
We've got a chance, like alot of others do. All we can do is play our games and see where we end up. On paper and on form we genuinely do have a top quality side who can bag top 4 easy. Reina, Enrique, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Suarez are top players, Sturridge isn't bad, Sterling is improving and Hendo/Allen/Downing are the average players who plug the gaps which all teams have. Our problem isn't our first 11, but our inconsistancy and our squad depth when it comes to subs and covering injuries. If we buy well this January, we can push on. If Rodgers puts a boot (or something else) up the players' arses, we might finally play consistantly. We've only been outplayed a few occasions this season and we've shown we're more than a match for the 'likely' top 4 teams - we generally just **** up against the weaker ones. Don't write off Liverpool as a 'midtable team with an average team' - that's just silliness. It's not true. But don't expect us to miraculously start playing consistantly either...could go either way this season.
