Firstly, thanks for accepting my registration, and regardless of our game, may I take this opportunity to wish you good luck for the rest of the season.
I am admin of a very small Everton forum called 'Love Everton' that has been open just a few weeks, and I'd like to help the forum grow by introducing it to each set of fans every week, by way of a friendly questionnaire, which any answers you are kind enough to respond with will be merged with our matchday thread for our members to read.
This is our forum
www.loveeverton.proboards.com and a direct link to the match thread (registration would be appreciated)
http://loveeverton.proboards.com/thread/137/totenham-hotspurs-everton-april-2013
Special thanks to your own member thfc6061 for his contribution to the thread with a great history presentation.
1: How would you compare being managed by Villas-Boas to Redknapp ?
Well, I'm sensing a lot more general optimism at the club. A friend of mine is now on the backroom staff and he says he is a "top bloke". This comes across in the interviews, his honesty and eagerness to praise the coaching staff as a whole, rather than take the praise himself.
Harry on the other hand, he was fun to have around but seemed to have run out of ideas by the end. You got the feeling he was willing to try and fool anyone, the opposition, his own players, chairman, fans.
But I'm appreciative of what Harry did for the club, I like to think he will always be welcomed back (and he cant say that about all of his ex-employers ) and maybe our belief in AVB is just the honeymoon period. But like you did with Moyes 10 years ago, we hope we have someone here young and ready for a project.
2: What do you think were the main contributing factors to Spurs' ability to challenge the top 4 places ?
Consistency in getting points in away matches. We've always been "southern softies" on the road, and had spells where we struggled in derby matches. But over the last five years or so we have managed to go to places like Sunderland and get points.
3: How do you rate the strength of the Premier League this season ?
Undoubtedly weaker. The fact that an average Man United side - that is, an average side for the quality that Man U have put out over the years - are running away with the title says it all. City have underachieved, I think they have basically been found out and not freshened up their squad.
But what's relevant to us and you is the fact that the other top 4 clubs, the teams who year in year out seal up those places - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool - have found themselves outclassed by Manchester and are now dragged into a fight to finish top 6.
Indeed, to say it is weaker is maybe not a fair perception as I would say West Brom, Swansea, Stoke have all closed the gap on the above top 7 clubs and the division itself is actually exceptionally competitive on a position to position basis. In past years you have a distinct title race between two or three sides, a Champions League race between two sides and a relegation battle between 4 sides at this stage in the season. This year the boundaries are much more blurred.
4: Who do you respect most as a team ?
You want us to say Everton don't you?
And yes, you have to appreciate what the club have done there to go from the mediocrity of ten years ago to being a team that can challenge for a CL spot. Indeed, this year you have shown what you could do when the squad is nearer full strength.
However, I think West Brom as a club have done amazingly well to move on from being a yo-yo club, and I love the spirit of the fans. Swansea as well could be going places, on a tighter budget.
5: Who is your stand out player this season ?
Gareth Bale
6: How do you rate David Moyes ?
Superb coach. But I think Everton is the perfect fit for him and don't think he should be moving on to Man U, for example. Would hate to see him be a modern day casualty within 6 months.
7: How do you rate Everton FC ?
See above. I have to say I've not really been a fan, growing up in the 80s there was something about the club rightly or wrongly that gave me a negative vibe. But I think Everton, Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Villa even Emirates Marketing Project share a certain flavour as Spurs in terms of history and where we are now. By and large, I'd say most of our fanbase is similar.
8: Your prediction for Sunday's scoreline ?
0-0 half time, 0-1 full time
I've created a 'glory-glory' button for the bottom of our site, in our affiliates gallery. Hopefully our members will eventually visit your site as a result.
Thanks once again, and I'll check back throughout the week to collect any answers.
Much obliged.
Love Everton
www.loveeverton.proboards.com