Toffee Club Rising

Toffee Club Rising

Over the years Everton has grown in stature, a good manager in David Moyes and passionate blue half of the Merseyside. The Toffee men club, are a rising figure in English football. A masterstroke from Moyes in taking the game to the champions left United in a fit, ruing the 3 points they could have taken to be on par with league leaders Chelsea.

David Moyes and Everton have come a long way from being close to relegation in 2003 to a club that produces some exciting young prospects. Rooney was a true blue once, as the young lad 16 years of age pulled on the Evertonian shirt and scored a brace against mighty Gunners. The world noticed and in came a 30 Million sterling offer from United. The latest result at Goodison Park means the returning prodigy of Everton would have felt the sting in loosing.

On the goal scoring sheet was young Jack Rodwell, 18 year old, compact defensive midfielder who has been in the limelight for some time. United has been fervently enquiring on his status and the lure of champions league nights and at the biggest stage in football ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would certainly tempt him. The highlight is the fact that in 2003 when Rooney left Everton there was nothing David Moyes could do to keep him. The club was seeing definite lows almost finishing as low as 17^th in the premier league table.  

The change that he has brought up now is significant and that means Everton will be resolute in keeping hold of their young stars because the club is going in the right direction, it’s finishing for Europa League places almost every season and even vying to break into top four. Like Fergie, Moyes hails from working class background in Scotland and has done wonders in managing Everton, a club with rich tradition contesting for honors with the big 4’s and the newer clubs that have tons of cash. Not a lot has changed in scene between their arch rivals Liverpool but I really believe with players like Jagielka, Leon Osman, Rodwell , a gritty manager and the Evertonian loyal fans. The toffee men club is on the surge!!

(Between here’s some trivia – Everton are called ‘The toffees’ because they had an old toffee vendor right outside the main stands and seemingly rival fans christened them with the pseudonym)

I loved the Rossoneri challenge between Milan and United, despite playing in dominant fashion in the first half Milan looked lost in the second, with Rooney playing headmaster with 2 goals. Having said that, has Ronaldinho rekindled his footballing genius that brought him as the biggest thing in football? The tricks, composure and silky movement flashed just as he did at Nou Camp. The tie is still there for all to play but Milan needs fresh legs and I doubt they will have a say in the second leg at Old Trafford.

Interesting match tonight!, the special one Jose Mourinho’s Inter against his former club Chelsea. Jose is a master at upping the ante and he is always at it. Hope this one turns out to be a belter.

Overall this season has been rather funny considering top teams have lost quite a few matches and the title finish will be tight. What crosses my mind is that Chelsea seems that better prepared physically and mentally this time around to finish atop. United will hope now that they drop points and so will Arsenal who will fancy a final thrust, hoping to sneak in with a title challenge that will quench their 6 year long barren spell in winning any silverware. Gotta Love the game – Don’t You?

Darel Luiz

The Blues view on Morality!!

What could be a major scupper to England’s hopes of clenching a world cup in South Africa could possibly be a direct outcome of captain of Chelsea and England John Terry’s exploits on bed. I couldn’t help asking myself what chance they had anyway! Terry’s secret affairs with the French seductress Vanessa Perroncel will certainly give the infidelity brigade a hard knock on the backside.

Chelsea really can be questioned on their morality; the blues have been courting controversy on and off the field since long. For instance, Roman Abramovich managed the stunt to kick start with his affair with a model that he settled off a whopping 1.5 billion USD for the parting partner. Way to go! The owner and his exploits paving way for Ashley ‘Cashley’ Cole, who’d been so high on spirits he eventually had to get a hairdresser Aimee Walton to do the clearing up act. His more famous wife, singer from Girls Aloud - Cheryl Tweedy literally banned him for months together.

Lately, Mr. Chelsea John Terry couldn’t resist his sexual prowess with his own team mate Wayne Bridge’s partner! That’s total lack of class. I mean here we are and we could open up a Mills & Boon classic from Stamford Bridge with all the Blue lining.

I’d have fun in titling the novel –‘The Offside Blues’ with a multi star casting between Chelsea owner Roman and the players themselves – Ashley Cole, John Terry and god knows whom.

The truth is sportsmen who are at their highest caliber in profile and in the public domain should maintain their icon status as a role model for people who aspire and youngsters who look up to them. Going back recently a genius and golfing legend that Tiger Woods was brought down completely with a list of lasses he has been secretly preying on. Remember a certain David Beckham and all the mania behind that, this latest incident will certainly be washed away. The deep pockets that these stars have, the millions of money they earn on endorsements and their PR agents can very well handle such a situation with the monetary benefits of keeping mouths shut.

Fact remains Chelsea has been having more than berating issues when it comes to morality on and off field. The might have got some reprieve on their transfer saga of tapping up Gael Kakuta, but then again they always got around with Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole so and so forth. The press has been crying Judas at Terry and a good section of the public asking him to relinquish his captain’s arm band both club and country. Well to say Terry’s off field antics might just not add up to their world cup campaign seems albeit lame and a simpering outcome. The good things remain with Senor Capello that Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe are at their peak in the goal scoring charts, if that is something anyone would want to consider as a positive indicator.

I’m looking forward to the Merseyside derby this weekend between Liverpool and Everton and the much awaited London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.  The gunners were shredded by United with a 3 goal performance from a rampant United side and like Fergie said – “Hope Arsenal goes in there and batters them, batter them absolutely”

I don’t think the gunners will get a result out at Chelsea with the sort of physical and compact style of play they will put out, the least we could look at is a draw. Whatever be the case the match will be exciting as always.  The meantime, Blues infidelity Heroes might just have to look in deep and hard on how their actions will reflect and that their fans will certainly be let down.

 I’m going to let football win until then.

Darel Luiz