Zombies Come Back to Life Too Late

Peter Gilbert 10.2.01

City only had themselves to blame for going behind in this match at a very early stage.'Dream Boat' Jones was trying to'Show Boat' in midfield and inevitably he lost the ball which Jeffers pounced upon, he then ran through a City defence which was in total disarray. His shot at goal came back off Royce's leg to the striker who deposited it into the back of the net at the second time of asking. Jeffers looked sharper than the City defence despite the fact he had not been in the first team for the 5 previous months.

City continued in this very poor vein for what seemed like an eternity but in reality was only about 20 mins. We were lucky to be only 1-0 down as the Everton forwards peppered our goal.

There was no Mancini so Sturridge was playing up front on his own in what looked like a 3-4-2-1 line up, although Izzett was deployed in an advanced position. Why I wonder should we play the best midfield player on the pitch up front when there are genuine strikers on the bench? People talk about fitness levels when explaining City's line up but personally I don't think there is any substitution for brains.

At least Izzett and Savage appeared up for it and they tried desperately to make contact with the living, sadly the City players around them were rather like the walking dead as they buffooned around the pitch not unlike Zombies. Robbie and Muzzy might have been better rewarded had they organised a séance when ghosts of City past might have been unearthed.

Royce was forced into making a great save from Watson so that made it three players on the pitch for City. Then Junior Lewis lurched into life but he fed Jones and 'No Good Boyo' lost it immediately. It was definitely two steps forward three back at this stage. City won a free kick which was fed to Guppy, his cross was half cleared and crossed again to Izzett who shot over the bar.

Sturridge threatened to stutter into life first with a back header then a good cross.

However after 43 minutes David Weir ran 40 yards without being challenged. He then passed to an unmarked Kevin Campbell who didn't miss with only the keeper to beat. That was possibly the most pathetic 'City moment' I have seen all season. The City defenders were left arguing with each other and holding their heads in agony which was self inflicted.

Certainly it was midfield where we were really lacking and our usually reliable defenders were inept. As the players trooped off at half time, only Simon Royce could claim any credibility. Personally I hoped that PT would give the team 6 lashes each to try and bring them to their senses. That would have been only half the suffering we were having to endure. It was tempting not to retire to the bar in all honesty and drink ourselves into a senseless stupor.

The most worrying aspect of the performance was the low morale the team appeared to be displaying The atrocious weather did nothing to lift our spirits either as sheets of cold rain drove at us.

The second half started with three changes, Taggart was replaced by Sinclair and on came Eadie for Guppy and Mancini replaced Jones as PT appeared to go for broke. Once again we reverted to playing five at the back; a system which PT stubbornly tries to wean our players away from. It's an obsession and it is rapidly becoming PT's Achilles heel. Personally I was sorry to see Guppy go off.....whatever - it didn't appear to make any difference.

Trying for a long ball at the far post Royce collided with Rowett and he collapsed in a heap on the ground, thankfully, since we had used all our subs he recovered. I wonder who would have gone in our goal, Junior Lewis probably.

If we could string something, anything !!! together we might be able to kick start ourselves and have a go at Everton who clearly are a poor side and do not exhude confidence. Savage took a free kick before anyone was ready and so it was wasted in a most embarrassing fashion.

Graveson was playing well for Everton and eclipsing our midfielders. Time and again he advanced onto us in dangerous style. On one occasion he was halted by Impey with a clumsy tackle who picked up a booking for his efforts.

The thing about Mancini is; you have to give him the ball.. 20 mins. into the second half I don't think he'd been given a clean pass once.

Everton appeared to be weathering a storm that never quite materialised and City seemed to be struggling in the teeth of a light breeze. I wonder what Ellen McArthy the English heroine of the round the world yacht race would have made of it all - laughable probably. Sadly our collective sense of humour was being stretched to the absolute limit.

Mancini fed Eadie delightfully who's right footed shot flashed across the face of the goal.

Jeffers again went close as Everton responded to Eadie's effrontery. Mancini, time and again passed with accuracy but sadly the recipients of his valuable gifts could not accept gracefully.

Undeterred Mancini kept probing, and his delivery to Rowett gave him a chance to fire a shot which could only be palmed away. It found Sturridge who tapped the ball home for his first goal since last August.

Everton responded with sustained pressure which should have produced a goal really but a string of corners was all they could muster.

Jeffers was replaced by Cadimartari as City began to see a way forward or hope at least as we moved into the last 10 mins.

The majestic Mancini appeared to be our most likely hope, his deft flicks touches and back heels were having a huge impact on the game as City applied some pressure on the Everton defence and the game moved into an exciting finish. Elliott was thrown forward as Father Time ticked relentlessly on.

Everton defender David Weir was hugely influential as we battered away at the cause.

The Everton crowd shrieked in desperation as 3 mins. added on time was held up and we shuffled uneasily in our seats fearing the worst. We sustained the pressure Mancini's efforts were sustained but the final whistle blew with City defending.

The damage was done and self inflicted by the City players' utter ineptness in the first half. Questions also have to be asked about our starting line up and the system we played in the first 45 mins. it was really quite worrying. It's almost as if PT says 'Right lads this is how I want you play.' The players then sulk or fail or both, at half time there's a revolt, player power takes over and some improvement follows. All of which makes you think 'Why do we have to go through this pathetic charade time and time again?.

In truth I don't really know the inside story, but I know what I see and sometimes I don't like it. PT must learn how to climb down from this obsession.
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