Reserves/ Wolves (a)
Reserves/ Wolves (a) |
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Wolves 1, Everton 2 / Wed 26th Nov 2003. / @Telford United FC/ Atten: 621. / Kick-Off: 7:00pm Everton:
Simonsen,
Wynne, Pistone, Clarke, Gerrard, Carsley, Alexandersson , Gemmill, Osman,
Li Tie, A Moogan. Goalscorers: Osman (2)
By Duncan Disorderly If I've learnt 2 things tonight, it's this:- A) Niclas Alexandersson should never play for Everton again B) Never ever, under any circumstances, should you take a 4 year old to a football match, even if he insists upon it. On the coldest recorded night in history ever, me, the little un and the arl fella popped up the road to the Bucks Head, Telford to witness what I was expecting to be a dire game, as most reserves are in truth. Surprisingly, the first half was actually quite entertaining, with Everton largely on top, playing some neat passing football, but understandably lacking much penetration considering they were playing 1 midfielder on his own up front following Chaddy's departure, and 5 fairly defence minded midfielder's behind him, including Scott the crab Gemmill. To be fair though, if there's one thing you can say about young Ossie, it's that he works hard all night and never stops running. In fact, second half when Everton, clearly having taken in too many recent first-team performances, turned from Dr Jekyll into Mr Hyde and sat back content with a 2-1 lead, young Leon often won possession through forcing mistakes or harrying defenders into putting the ball out for a throw. We could have gone ahead earlier than we actually did, when in the first 10 minutes, Alexandersson found himself through on the keeper, forced a smart save, and some Nigerian central defender for Wolves pole-axed young Leon. Clear-cut penalty but the inbred Salopian referee couldn't give a shiny sh!te. The first goal did come soon enough though, maybe 20 minutes or so in when Li Tie fed Leon on the edge of the box, who showed good feet as he did all night, and turned to hit a left footed effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Good finish. By this point, the little bastard who had pestered me to go to the match in the first place was asleep in my arms having been ordered to shut up 5 minutes earlier for insisting repeatedly that if he did not have a drink soon he "would die" and that he wasn't interested anyway cos Rooney wasn't playing. Grrrrrrr. Ten minutes later the game was as good as over when we won a penalty thanks to the same decidedly dodgy Nigerian hacking down Li Tie in the box. Ossie himself stepped up to veritably tw@t the ball into the back of the net for 2-0. Shortly after this, the saddest moment of the night occurred. Less than 30 seconds after saying to me Dad "Isn't Gascoigne playing" and receiving the response of "He's supposed to be" whilst he gesticulated to an old man in an orange number 8 shirt out on the pitch, the former genius was deservedly substituted for being irredutably sh!te. It's really tragic, as have been a lot of things in Gascoigne's life, that he can't see he has no future any more as a player and retire with even a sliver of dignity intact. He could have been The Best, but now he'll probably just end up like George Best if he doesn't watch out. Not long after, Dean Sturridge, who used to be quite good, but showed a repeatedly p1ss poor first touch tonight, tapped in following good work by some guy called Silas who I'd never heard of but who was Wolves best player all night. The second half was notable for not much at all really, other than a shocking mistake from the Wolves keeper where Ossie charged him down and the ricochet forced the ball rolled along his line before a defender cleared. Shame, cos Ossie deserved a hat trick for all his hard work and good link up play to his mostly staccato team-mates. Other than that, possession was all Wolves but very few chances came their way. The only other things to report in no particular
order were that Player ratings for those who like that sort of stuff:- Simonsen - made a couple of stops that you would in fairness expect him to. Did nothing wrong and was solid all night on crosses, which has always been the best part of his game anyway. Wynne - Looked class. Lots of pace, strength and good going forward, making himself available to Alexandersson (the pr1ck) Pistone - Twice made to look a muppet by Sturridge and subbed at half time. Anonymous apart from the 2 cock-ups,, but this was largely due to Sturridge being equally invisible. Too casual. Gerrard - Despite the irresistible urge to dislike someone who resembles his ugly cousin far too much, this lad also looked class, although I don't go to reserve games hardly at all so this is only based on tonight. Strong, confident, used the ball well, and looks like leadership material. Clarke - Didn't do much wrong, but did commit a few late fouls. The less impressive of the central defensive duo. Alexandersson -this guy is supposed to be an international. Easily knocked off the ball, slow to do anything with the ball, and wasteful in possession. He did do a few things that others on the pitch couldn't have done skill-wise with some nice turns and tricks, but I expect better from an international on big money than a 50% rate of retaining possession! Gemmill - Gemmill is always the same really ain't he? He doesn't do good and bad....he just does, well....Gemmill. Always making himself available but always going sideways even when Leon had wriggled free of his marker and was screaming for a pass. Hod carrier. Carsley - Looked a level above that at which reserve team football is played. Solid performance, used the ball well. Li Tie - frustrating. If he had more belief maybe he'd be less Gemmillesque and look for a forward pass, or carry the ball. Like the crab though he got through a lot of work and was probably the most creative midfielder without looking good enough for the first team (but then what midfielder at the club does and we have to pick 4 of em!) Moogan - Hard working but fairly anonymous. Over hit several crosses and was a bit slow to get forward in support of the lone ranger. Osman - Great feet, first touch and link up play. Surely deserves half a game next time Gravesen leaves the pitch at half time having embarrassed himself and the club. Subs:- Wilson - improvement on Pistone as he looked arsed and tried to get forward. Brown - tried a few things that didn't come off. Wasn't on the pitch long enough to make any sort of attacking contribution but filled in on the right side after the withdrawal of the Swedish tart. Cheers, Duncan Disorderly. (26/11/03) 'Sandro Pistone, Lee Carsley and Scot Gemmill, use tonight's reserve game against Paul Gascoigne's Wolves as a spring board on their road back to the first team. Steve Simmo' is set to start in goal, in a squad that boast's no fewer than six internationals. Andy Holden's men will try and keep their unbeaten run going, which now stretches to six matches.
Everton from: Simonsen, Wynne, Pistone, Clarke, Osman, Barry, Li Tie, A Moogan, Chadwick, Gerrard, Hughes, Turner, Wilson, Carsley, Gemmill, Brown, Alexandersson.
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Long Awaited Return |
