"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."- Frederick B. Wilcox
A quote which i'm sure you'll agree doesn't exactly reflect the mindset of a certain Mr. Moyes. It does, however, appear that it's main concept- that being the notion of the importance of risk taking- will be forced into the hands of David Moyes this weekend as the absence of Tim Cahill should result in a front-line pairing of Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha for the third consecutive match.
Everton come into this Sunday's 215th Merseyside derby on the back of two consecutive wins whilst Liverpool's dismal run of form continued yesterday as they were deservedly beaten at Bloomfield Road by a Blackpool team that is very familiar with the idea of risk-taking.
Pressure mounting: DJ Campbell scores the winner as Liverpool fall to defeat, their second in two matches under Kenny Dalglish's management.
Everton's two aforementioned wins include their impressive 2-1 home defeat of Tottenham and a 5-1 trouncing of Championship side Scunthorpe United on the road.
Most will agree that the Toffees' change in 'fortune' is realistically just a change in tactics and formation which has helped to revitalise what has been a lacklustre attack thus far.
It is this change in formation that has lead to a more dynamic and vibrant approach, with seven goals in two games and five different goalscorers, demonstrating that small but important alterations can be decisive in achieving success.
The introduction of Jermaine Beckford to the line-up has sparked this offensive revival. Not only does he offer a threat in behind opposition defences, his movement and relative work rate provides space which Louis Saha is fully capable of exploiting. It is this serendipitous striking partnership that has been influencial in bringing Everton into the forthcoming match high on confidence and surely it has to be maintained if the Toffees are to harbour realistic hopes of defeating a Liverpool team that have kept just two clean sheets in their last ten matches.
Finding his feet? Jermaine Beckford was on the scoresheet in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe United.
Admittedly, Moyes has had his hand forced on the issue of playing two upfront, but he now has an important decision to make. It is one that seems obvious to the fans yet after many baffling choices this season, it wouldn't surprise many if Moyes were to revert to his tried and tested 4-5-1. What is really needed are boldness and courage- if not simply the common sense to leave a winning formula.
Liverpool are there for the taking- no doubt- but that was also the case last season when a similarly improving Everton side slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of their rivals. That game was embarrasing on reflection. Everton showed absolutely none of the fight and desire that has so often been displayed throughout Moyes' reign and you would hope that they are ready to remedy that this time around.
So, will Moyes opt for safety and the mid-table obscurity that comes with it or will he take the risk necessary to achieve progress and seize the chance to climb out of the shadow cast over his team by Liverpool for so long?
Written by Sam Mackie on January 13th 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment