Saints Snapshots - Everton

Last updated : 12 September 2002 By Christian Kelly

The most entertaining part of the match, although probably not for Gordo was his dismissal from the pitch. Curiously it turned out to be Gordon who summoned the police officer to the incident. Even more surprisingly it wasn't to say" If ye dinnae stop me, I'm ganna gae him a Glasgae kiss." It was in fact to get a witness to the fact that Strachan hadn't sworn at the official.

That Gordon had been dismissed for having apparently spoken at the same time as Garry Pendrey in the technical area (Punishable by Death or a managerial stint at Pompey by FIFA), the fiery one's composure was indeed a miracle and needed as many witnesses as possible.

If only David Moyes had been so calm. It's going to be really hard for him to claim he didn't verbally abuse the referee when it was broadcast for all to hear on Saints radio. So stand up for your nearest ref and report Moyes to the FA.

The only way Saints were going to score against Everton was with a set piece, and thanks to our Latvian maestro, that's exactly what we got. Marians has looked a bit out of sorts this season. Since he never smiles when things are going really well, it's hard to work out if anything is particularly wrong. Gordon decided to give Brett Ormerod a run after giving Jo Tessem his annual "I'm a striker, honest guv" shot.

Marians came on in the second half and gave the Saints a much needed boost. I distinctly heard the snoring stop in a few places beside me in the Kingsland. Pahars showed the others that the trick was in confusing the defenders as to your next move, and not stand beside them like a lump. Yes, I know it was only David Weir, but he's an international defender. Just ask the Faeroese strikers how tough an opponent he was. Well, maybe not.

Marians looked sharp and perhaps Anders will now have someone at the same skill level who he can finally pass to in space. Marians takes a mean penalty too !

After last season, it's tough on Chris Marsden Football Genius to expect such quality every game. Still, while he's not quite as threatening going forward at the moment, I doubt there's anyone who puts in more running. A midfield engine I think it's called and Chris must knock back jet fuel before the game to keep it going so long. I wonder if it shows up in the tests ? Just look at the pick as he leaves Alexandersson for dead. To think that there were a few grumbles when we signed an industrious midfielder from the First division for pittance. He would be first on my teamsheet. Well, maybe after Marians. Oh and Santa who had another cracking game last night and....

When the translation came in from one of Strachan's press conferences and it said he was after a central midfielder, many took it to be a misprint. After all, didn't we have Oakley, Marsden (FG), Delap, Tessem, Svensson and the mighty Draper (sorry, remembering a Leicester match). ?

Yet it's become clear that although we have the players, each has only some of the skills that we really need. We don't have the complete article.

Matt Oakley is probably the best passer of the ball in midfield and we clearly miss his ability not just to break up the opponent's attack, but to supply our forwards. Unfortunately, Matty rarely seems capable of grabbing a game by the scruff of it's designer Premiership replica shirt and getting it going in Saints direction. Which is why he's now warming a bench.

Chris Marsden (FG) has a superb engine, will undoubtedly get told off for wearing out the turf by the groundsman and puts himself about. He's been a godsend on the left flank, where he should provide Bridgey with all the cover he could want when he gets forward (which he should do more often). So no Footy Genius in the centre.

Anders is the best creative midfielder we have at the club and I'm waiting for the day when he sets up a cards table in the middle while he waits for his team-mates to get into space or play off him. He must be getting really frustrated by now. Strachan doesn't differentiate between attacking and defensive midfielders so Anders quite often is the one to be subbed. I wonder what he would have done with a fit Le Tiss.

Jo still has delusions of being a striker. Unfortunately Gordon has believed him so expect more late appearances as a sub when we need a headed goal from a corner and not much else. Jo's versatility has worked against him as he can play everywhere except in goal and probably could have given Jonah a run there too. I think he's best on the right side of the central midfield pair, but lacks the necessary defensive qualities to get in the side.

Speaking of versatility, there's Rory Delap. Rory played everywhere down the right for an injury ravaged Derby. He was even their top scorer before he joined the Saints. While his all round game is excellent he's not as creative as Anders, nor as good at getting things going as Oakley. But his other qualities and on the pitch attitude give him the nod.

So we would be more creative with Anders and Oakley, but we couldn't control a game. The same applies with Delap and Anders. We have no one to create from deep. A Marsden and Anders pairing is better, but oh no! our opponents have just nipped past on the left flank. Tough isn't it ? You can see where Gordon's coming from, even if you don't necessarily understand a word he says.