Where to begin? There is a match preview coming up tomorrow but before that we've got an Everton player, who is actually playing quite well this season, talking the talk before the match on Sunday. We all know what can happen when a player comes out and starts talking big.

Okay, you might not actually call it fighting talk from Marouane Fellaini, but he's warning us that they're coming to take fifth. He's also quite complimentary about our good season, but he reckons teams have figured out how to play against us.

I'm actually hoping for a surprise this weekend from our manager, because I reckon Fellaini is close to spot on and teams have figured out where our strengths were and they're playing it against us. Matches against Manchester City and Spurs spring to mind.

They’re not fifth for no reason. I think they've had a great season, particularly in the first half of the season.

Maybe now, in the second half of the season, they are finding it a little bit more difficult, as maybe teams are finding out a little bit more on how to play against them – but you can't take away it’s been a top season for them.

Marouane Fellaini, April 8th 2009

Moving on, before I get to the best part of my post today, Tony Morley (one of my boyhood heroes) reckons Martin O'Neill and Gollum are on a par, in terms of their abilities as football club managers.

It's not surprising Morley has a word or two to say on this subject as he was an Everton fan growing up and well, he's one of ours now, so it would be quite interesting to know who he will be cheering on on Sunday. I could take this a little further but I won't.

David Moyes has done a fantastic job and I'd put him and Martin O'Neill on a par. It's going to be interesting when they play each other. I can't see it being a great game but it's going to be a vital one. If Villa beat them I think it will put them right out of the race.

Tony Morley, April 8th, 2009

What Morley doesn't say, is that if Everton beat us, then we are pretty much out of the race, if Arsenal win. But I suppose we're not going to see something like that on the club site.

Now, this is the part which might cause a bit of banter today. It's the Martin O'Neill dinner for the fans that travelled to Moscow debate.

Graham Taylor says it's an admission of guilt and The Mirror even claimed yesterday that Martin O'Neill is paying for it out of his own money. Martin O'Neill has denied that and he's also denying that it's not an admission of guilt, but a 'club function' to reward the fans that travelled.

Well, actions speak louder than words Mr O'Neill. You might say it's not an admission of guilt but that is what it looks like, but if it is not an admission of guilt, when are you going to contact the thousands of fans that travelled to Anfield and arrange a 'club function' for them?

I don't mean to get on his back, but what he did in Moscow was wrong and many voiced those concerns before hand and well, it didn't make sense at the time and it still doesn't. Much like playing four in midfield doesn't work when you are playing against five or changing a successful team or changing a winning team in a game.

I'm actually not getting on his back, but this dinner thing is sort of setting a precedent that if there is a bad loss away from home you'll get dinner and drinks with the club. Where do you draw the line, does it need to have a minimum of first team players or does the result have to be x number of goals?

What I mean is, if it doesn't happen every time we get thrashed away from home then all it is doing is sort of confirming that the dinner for the supporters who travelled to Moscow is an admission of guilt, or are the fans that travelled to Liverpool not as loyal?

Martin O'Neill has to basically chalk this up as a mistake and move on. He can't comment on it because every time he does, he's just going to get an opinion from me and every one else. If this comes up again, he just has to say nothing - it was a mistake, he'll learn from it and we should move in.

Still, I'm not going to drink beer tonight watching the football. That's what I'm going to tell the wife anyway, because when I get home from the football, she'll be in bed and I'll be more likely to fall asleep on the sofa than make it to bed and give her good reason to shout at me in the morning. Just because I tell her, doesn't mean she doesn't really know that I am going to have a beer. Stop talking about it Martin.

Comments (39)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Adam Reeson said:

... We will see you on Sunday Fellaini!

Comment 1, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.22 am

Ed said:

... Do you reckon Fellaini thinks he's hard now that he's got cornrows?

Comment 2, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.41 am

Damian said:

... EdAVFC He's a decent player for sure, but up against Petrov, I only see one winner.

Comment 3, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.44 am

Paul Egan said:

... I don't think the away fans that saw our best 11 lose at Anfield will feel quite as aggrieved as those who spent over £1000 expecting us to put up a fight in Moscow. The fact is that they (and you) would not have spent the money if they'd have known in advance what the teamsheet was going to look like. This whole episode and the 'function' that followed could actually be a good thing for the club because it double-underlines the need to improve the size of the squad in the summer. In the meantime, I don't want to get on MON's back too much as he could leave at any point if he felt like he wasn't getting the gratitude he deserves. We need him more than anyone else. As for Fellaini - he's a very good player. We should kick him.

Comment 4, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.47 am

Christian said:

... We can count ourselves lucky that there's no Arteta playing. Him, Cahill and Fellaini are pretty much as good as it gets in midfield, but without him I think they lack something. If we don't pick up Cahill at corners and we concede I will go mental! Damian, I definitely understand your pojt about the errors of playing a 4 man midfield when up against a 5. But what I don't understand is why WE should change our line-up to suit the opposition when WE'RE at home? The Top 4 (although swapping players frequently) rarely change the formation of their side- regardless of the opposition line-up. They see it as a case of 'no, you change your line-up to deal with ours', not the other way round. I don't know if teams will do this for Villa in the future, but by changing our line-up surely we're showing the opposition too much respect? Having said all that. I hope it's 4-5-1 on Sunday because I think it works best and we need to counter Everton's 5 in the middle

Comment 5, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.51 am

Robbie Wells said:

... Yeah, there's no way that it isn't through the guilt of playing a weakened team when people had paid good money in advance to see a Villa team aiming to win. It's a show of 'good faith' for conning people into buying ticket when they knew that they would not be getting their money's worth. If they could get away with it they would have. But it's all PR to keep us happy. It's a gesture at least, and one that many clubs wouldn't have offered.

Comment 6, made on April 08, 2009 at 11.58 am

Damian said:

... Christian1983 I don't think it's about changing I think it's about playing the best way for the players we have. Look at Utd the other day - they could play 4-3-3 simply because of the quality but also because the way they play as a team - the players that come in, know what they've got to do .. we just need to play to our strengths and do it constantly. Robbie You are right - it's a nice gesture, but O'Neill just needs to stop talking about it. If he stops, so will everyone else.

Comment 7, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.02 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Damian you're just upset that you couldn't make it to the dinner! only playin, sorry I saw yesterday about Laursen possibly being out for the rest of the season?? Anyone know anything?? As Christian highlighted...we really need to make sure Cahill and Fellaini get picked up in our box on corners/free kicks because they're monsters in the air! This is where Laursen would be perfect for us.

Comment 8, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.14 pm

colm tarpey said:

... http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/...-of-season I hope it's not the case...will Bouma be back in for everton i wonder...

Comment 9, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.31 pm

Damian said:

... http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...-like-mad/

Comment 10, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.46 pm

Mike Carter said:

... I don't quite understand what Tony Morley has said that's wrong in any way? Moyes has a good Premier League record, probably on a par if not better than O'Neill's.

Comment 11, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.47 pm

Damian said:

... vivavilla he's not said anything wrong .. what he is saying is spot on

Comment 12, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.58 pm

Gregdavillain said:

... Come on Moscow in the freezing cold is a hell of a long journey plus the sheer logistical problems and being under the iron curtain!!! compared that to a trip to Liverpool you cannot consider rewarding travelling fans for a heavy defeat. It was a great gesture from the club who I think recognized the fact that in the circumstances at the time we weren't fielding a more competitive team and the dinner was a small consolation and a thank you for all those hard core fans who still decided to travel. If we had beaten stoke and were still ahead or on par with Arsenal everyone would be delighted with 7 games to go. The fact that things went downhill isn’t necessarily a direct result of losing to Moscow, but some people love to blow that out of proportion. (Moscow lost the next round anyway) IF we went through and lost the next round and that followed by our bad form would we have blamed fixture congestion? It seems every little thing at this club has to be scrutinized and dissected. It was a nice gesture after all. Why do we need to hear people say ‘I made a mistake’ It was my Fault’ ‘Im so sorry to all you fans whom I am only a humble servant, You people pay my wages let me run the club your way’- the fact is we all make mistakes, most of us know when we make mistakes and try not to make them again,Are we really that small and pathetic?? We’re all on a learning curve. I think all decisions have been made in the best interests of the club.(whether it worked out or not) We’re building foundations for stability, to make sure we are not going to be a flash in the pan. Its nice the club has yet again made another gesture to the fans. (free scarves, free travel to Chelsea cup game etc). Lets recognize the goodness of club and give credit where credit is due.

Comment 13, made on April 08, 2009 at 12.59 pm

adam curley said:

... if anyone whos reading this blog is going for DIN DINS tonight grab MON by the earhole and ask what the fuck happened to 4-5-1 PLEEEASE

Comment 14, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.20 pm

Chris Harper said:

... That happened last night adamskin! It would be interesting to hear from people on here how it went though...

Comment 15, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.22 pm

adam curley said:

... I appologise, thats what 2 days of decorating with no tele or newspapers will do to ya lol

Comment 16, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.26 pm

James said:

... Few questions for you. Is MON more Clough or Peter Taylor? I used to think he was Clough, now I think he's more Taylor. Does he still need to find a co-pilot? One thing is certain. In the next 20 years MON will become one of THOSE BIG WINNING managers. The next Shankly, Clough, Fergie. But I'm starting to worry that it may not be with us.

Comment 17, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.39 pm

Gregdavillain said:

... I think hes more clough in his approach to his players, ive said before he needs a more astute tactician and maybe someone to help identify big game players(ferguson has done this, so no shame in it). Hopefully he will be a winner with us!!!!!

Comment 18, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.48 pm

callfrank said:

... i was there last night it was a very good night with a good atmosphere and martin being his usual self was twisting words and using his barrister training to full affect,i for 1 was goining there lookin 4 answere and didnt really get them but 1 thing he said which swayed me was "im like everybody else i make mistakes"he didnt say exactly what the mistake was 4 but he did win me over in a truely mon style

Comment 19, made on April 08, 2009 at 1.57 pm

Chris Harper said:

... Callfrank Were the players there long and did they have a good chat with everyone?

Comment 20, made on April 08, 2009 at 2.00 pm

B. Robinson said:

... You sure you're not allowing context affect your opinion Damian? This meal is for fans who made a huge financial sacrifice to travel to the other side of a world to watch a team that was beaten before they even took the pitch in freezing weather. Now since we've knobbed up in the league since, and I can't help but feel you're just p****d at that and looking to vent...

Comment 21, made on April 08, 2009 at 2.09 pm

Michael said:

... who has alex ferguson used to help him with signings? i disagree with that way of dealing with players, all that is needed is a good scouting network and a manager. theres no point someone buying players for a manager as it is the manager that has to fit them into his team and work with them, thats where chelsea go wrong, theres already talk of them buying players for next season, wots the point if guus hiddink might not be there?

Comment 22, made on April 08, 2009 at 3.46 pm

Michael said:

... also, since when has stuart taylor been on-loan at cardiff? i hope he does well, cant see what MON see's in Guzan that he doesnt see in taylor?

Comment 23, made on April 08, 2009 at 3.52 pm

kieron said:

... U taking the 'mickey' Mickey!!

Comment 24, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.02 pm

Mark said:

... Load of nonesense - why can't people actally listen to what MON said instead of like the media do twisting things to their own ends? Everyone conveniently forgets one thing - we put out a full team at home, not a slightly weakened one, our full team. Full attendance, great atmosphere ... result? So how does everyone get off on this idea that somehow we were better than them and would have got through had we played a full team? Let alone that we were going to get any further had we won? No admit it, had we won, and then gone on this run everyone would have blamed it on the team being too tired. What MON did was show ambition. REAL ambition the type we have cried out for for years. For too long fans of this club have been pacified by the odd tin pot. Look how Big Ron is idolised - what did he win? One poxy League Cup. Don't get me wrong, I was there, it was great as it was against Leeds but the League Cup is not a competition we should be settling for and neither is the Uefa Cup or whatever name they want to throw at it.

Comment 25, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.18 pm

Smyth said:

... I reckon he should have played the weaker string in the home tie with Chelsea visiting that Sunday. Then played the full side in Moscow with Stoke visiting the following Sunday. But then what would i know, im just a lowly graphics fella whose had his job bumped down to a three day week cause of this stupid recession.

Comment 26, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.30 pm

Michael said:

... i feel more comfortable when taylor is in goal than when guzan is, guzan is probably better as he is younger and has more potential but still prefer taylor. MON has just been charged with improper conduct by the FA, anyone know what he has done? my moneys on that he has been charged with treason, for trying to overtake one of the 'holy' and 'untouchable' 'kings' of england - aka the top 4

Comment 27, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.32 pm

callfrank said:

... villa chris the players didnt say anything on stage but had a chat outside by the bar with some ov the fans and they left about half 10 with mon leaving about half hour later

Comment 28, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.38 pm

Michael said:

... be funny if they sent the reserve and youth team to the meal instead

Comment 29, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.54 pm

Matthew Clark said:

... hes been charged because what he said about all the stuff the officals got wrong on sunday. how can the FA get away with charging people for point out their flaws? its pretty ridiculous.

Comment 30, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.54 pm

Matthew Clark said:

... pointing*

Comment 31, made on April 08, 2009 at 4.55 pm

Notts Villan said:

... AV Mark - that's one poxy league cup more than we have won under MON so far. No one remembers coming 4th but we all remember silverware. We came 2nd in the premier league in the 1992/93 season under Big Ron too but no one ever talks about that because you get nothing for 2nd place, let alone 4th.

Comment 32, made on April 08, 2009 at 5.03 pm

Michael said:

... the league cup meant more back then aswell, but we arent fightin against releagtion this season like we did in big Rons third season in charge.

Comment 33, made on April 08, 2009 at 5.38 pm

Pete Hutton said:

... Has anyone seen the chat on MON being charged by FA on his comments about the refs..... what a joke....

Comment 34, made on April 08, 2009 at 5.43 pm

Notts Villan said:

... The FA are a joke. I was mocked the other day for saying that there is Bias towards the top 4 but its so blatant its laughable. They would hate for the top 4 status quo to be affected, even so that when Liverpool failed to qualify for Champs league by coming 5th but won the champs league that year they argued with UEFA to allow them to defend it. The sooner someone breaks that top 4 the better, for the good of English football.

Comment 35, made on April 08, 2009 at 5.56 pm

Michael said:

... skysports are just as bad, when arsenal were 5th they showed the top 5, now we are 5th theyve gone back to showing just the top 4 again.

Comment 36, made on April 08, 2009 at 6.08 pm

Nick said:

... Im glad MON spoke out against the FA. I do it all the time in football manager! And as for the Moscow situation, hindsight is always 20/20

Comment 37, made on April 09, 2009 at 3.02 am

colm tarpey said:

... To give you an Idea of what it's like outside of the Uk, guess what medium they used to show the highlights of the villa-man u game here in India? MUTV!!!!!! I had to sit there and listen to Paddy Cerrand talk utterbiasedshit for 90 mins....so be thankful u only have those pricks on Sky to deal with!

Comment 38, made on April 09, 2009 at 3.58 am

Mark said:

... Notts Villain, fair point and I wasn't trying to denigrate Big Ron. Finishing fourth is not the point though, becoming a club capable of challenging for more than just the odd secondary trophy is. Too many fans settled for second best at best for too many years at this club.

Comment 39, made on April 09, 2009 at 9.55 am

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment Preview