Die By The Blade: All Posts by Calvin H

REVISITED: Preseason Predictions from the RBM Team

2013-05-23T18:00:06Z

With the 2012-13 season ending last weekend, this is a good time to look back at some of the preseason predictions the Royal Blue Mersey editorial team had made. We were spot on with quite a few things and way off with many others, laughably so on some of those!

Here are the questions asked, and what really transpired.. and then our best guesses follow after that.

Everton's final position: 6th
Top 4: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Relegated: Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Wigan
League Cup winner: Swansea City
Everton's League Cup finish: 3rd Rd
FA Cup winner: Wigan
Everton's FA Cup finish: Quarter Finals
Premier League leading scorer: Robin Van Persie
Most surprising Everton player: Seamus Coleman (possibly Victor Anichebe too?)
Most disappointing Everton player: Nikica Jelavic

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Tom

Everton's final position: 6th, a minor improvement on last year, especially if we start well (please!!).
Top 4: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal
Relegated: ~~Norwich~~, Wigan, ~~West Brom~~. Though I think up to 12 teams could be involved in a relegation battle this year.
League Cup winner: ~~Everton~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Winners!~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Manchester United~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: Quarter-final
Premier League leading scorer: ~~Sergio Aguero~~
Most surprising Everton player: Tough one, I will probably go for ~~Francisco Junior~~, with Rodwell departing he and Barkley should see some more first-team action next season.
Most disappointing Everton player: ~~Victor Anichebe~~, the potential is there, but is doesn't look like he is going to realise it. I hope I'm wrong!

Calvin

Everton's final position: 6th
Top 4: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal
Relegated: Reading, ~~West Ham~~, ~~Norwich~~ (at least six teams will be in the dogfight to the end - Wigan, Villa, and QPR included)
League Cup winner: ~~Manchester City~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Runners-up~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Tottenham~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: Quarterfinals
Premier League leading scorer: ~~Rooney~~ - he's hungry, and will dominate.
Most surprising Everton player: ~~Naismith~~ - expectations are higher for Jelavic but I expect Naismith to tie Jelavic for scoring leader on the team.
Most disappointing Everton player: ~~Jagielka~~ - the injuries are starting to take a toll, and Heitinga-Distin looks like more of a solid pairing.

Darren

Everton's final position: ~~5th~~
Top 4: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal
Relegated: ~~West Ham United~~, ~~Aston Villa~~, ~~Southampton~~
League Cup winner: ~~Tottenham Hotspur~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Semi Finals~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Everton~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: ~~See above!~~
Premier League leading scorer: ~~Wayne Rooney~~
Most surprising Everton player: ~~Ross Barkley~~ - no surprise to me, but I think to the country as a whole. He should get more of an opportunity to show what he can do, and his talent is unquestionable. The broken leg picked up playing for England set him back 12 months.
Most disappointing Everton player: I really want to put Victor Anichebe here, but his performances won't be most disappointing, they already are disappointing! For me, I think most disappointing Everton player will be ~~Seamus Coleman~~.

Mike

Everton's final position: 6th. They are better this year than last, and with the teams in front of them not improving I'm sticking with optimism.
Top 4: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal. I wish I could be more creative, but I can't. If (when) RVP moves, and Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool, or yes maybe even Everton do some real business before the deadline, I could see one of the next four nabbing that final Champions League spot. But as it stands now it doesn't seem likely.
Relegated: Reading, ~~Southampton~~, Wigan. The magic has to end some time for Wigan right?
League Cup winner: ~~Chelsea~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Semi Finals~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Newcastle~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: Quarter Finals
Premier League leading scorer: ~~Wayne Rooney~~. But Jelavic will be in the mix.
Most surprising Everton player: ~~Fellaini~~ is going to find the back of the net more than anybody expects.
Most disappointing Everton player: ~~Victor Anichebe~~. Who else?

Brian

Everton's final position: 6th
Top 4: Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea
Relegated: Wigan, ~~West Ham~~, QPR
League Cup winner: ~~Chelsea~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Quarterfinals~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Everton~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: ~~Winner~~
Premier League leading scorer: Robin van Persie
Most surprising Everton player: ~~Shane Duffy~~
Most disappointing Everton player: ~~Steven Pienaar~~

Sean

Everton's final position: 6th
Top 4: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal. Boring I know, though I will say that I think Chelsea will finish very close to United, and that at least two other teams (possibly including Everton?) will push Arsenal into May for the last Champions League place.
Relegated: Wigan, ~~West Brom~~, Reading
League Cup winner: ~~Everton~~
Everton's League Cup finish: ~~Winner~~
FA Cup winner: ~~Manchester City~~
Everton's FA Cup finish: ~~Fourth round after an unlucky draw~~
Premier League leading scorer: ~~Sergio Aguero~~
Most surprising Everton player: ~~Leon Osman~~. I've always been an unabashed Osman supporter, and I think he's going to have a career year, approaching double digit goals.
Most disappointing Everton player: ~~John Heitinga~~. Not saying he's going to be a disaster, but I wouldn't be surprised if he fails to live up to his form from last year. We haven't exactly had a terrific record with our Players of the Season repeating their production, either.

2013 Buffalo Sabres Report Cards: Jochen Hecht

2013-05-22T12:00:11Z

Jochen Hecht

#55 / Center / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-1

Weight: 198

Born: Jun 21, 1977

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2012 - Jochen Hecht	47	5	9	14	6	18	0	1	1	0	69	7.2

Contract: $1,000,000 last season, retired at end of the season.

Report Card Grade in 2012: 4 out of 10

Introduction: Jochen Hecht was added to this year's side almost as an afterthought. A free agent after the end of last season, this Lindy Ruff favorite proved that he had recovered enough from the previous season's concussion woes to come back and play for the Sabres again.

This shortened season's version of Hecht proved to be much more durable, and more suited for the fourth line anchor role that he played. Rarely spectacular since the glory days of 2006-07, he chipped in with a few goals and assists here and there, but for the most part played the grinder's part alongside John Scott and Patrick Kaleta.

Key Stat: Despite the reputation for being a defensive forward and playing only 13:41 per game, Hecht showed his worth on both sides of the ice this season - the team's shooting percentage when he was on ice was only better when Thomas Vanek, Brian Flynn and Cody Hodgson were on, and the Sabres goalies' save percentages just marginally higher when Steve Ott and Patrick Kaleta were on the ice.

As always, Hecht does a lot of the little things well, but hasn't particularly excelled at anything either. The Sabres should have no problem finding someone who does well at being average for cheaper while playing a more physical game.

Thumbs Up: Apart from John Scott who barely had any minutes, Hecht had the highest numbers for goals against and team +/- when he was off the ice.

Thumbs Down: As if it were possible, Hecht's faceoff numbers dipped even further from last year, down to a miserable 41.6%.

Voting: Using the good old grade school system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season, C an average season, and F a very poor season, grade Jochen Hecht on his performance this year according to the expectations you had for him.

Poll

What grade would you give Jochen Hecht for his 2012-13 season?

2013 NHL Playoffs - Playoffs Pick n' Mix Rd 2

2013-05-14T13:15:03Z

EDIT: Our leader after Round 1 is bstoos, with 19 points though the pack is bunched up right behind him - check out the leaderboard.

The NHL Playoffs move on to Round 2, the semi final section and so do we here on the Die By The Blade Playoffs Pick n' Mix. The scores have been updated on the previous post. Don't forget to make your bracket in the Die By The Blade Playoffs Bracket as well.

Here are the four series that comprise the semi finals round of the playoffs.

E#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. E#7 Ottawa Senators

E#4 Boston Bruins vs. E#6 New York Rangers

W#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. W#7 Detroit Red Wings

W#5 Los Angeles Kings vs. W#6 San Jose Sharks

For each of these series, we will need you to pick -

Series winner [winner] - give the team name
Series score [score] - score of the best-of-seven series
Series top goal scorer [goals] - give the player's last name
Series top assists scorer [assists] - give the player's last name
Team with most PIMs [PIMs] - give the team name

Scoring is simple, one point for each correct answer per series, a max of five per series. In case there is more than one answer on any category, all correct answers will receive points. You can submit your picks in the comments section of this post, in the form of (for example) -
Penguins 4-2 Neal Malkin Senators
Bruins 4-2 Nash Bergeron Bruins
.. etc

Oh, and one more thing - the winner of our playoff Pick n' Mix will receive a free Buffalo Sabres hat courtesy of New Era Caps! Get cracking then, and get into the playoff spirit.. make your picks now!

2013 NHL Playoffs - Playoff Bracket Rd 2

2013-05-14T13:00:08Z

EDIT: The leaderboard is updated, and it's Frank Reich Revolution leading the pack with 7 of 8 picks from the first round, with only the Caps letting him down!

The rules are simple for the bracket. It's easy enough to play.. just look at the second round matchups in the NHL Playoffs Bracket Rd 2 and pick the winners for the series marked #9 through to #12. We'll keep updating the chart as the series go on, and will invite you to go ahead and make your picks in the ensuing series as well all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where along with your pick for the winner we'll also be asking you to make picks for the series score and series game-winning-goal scorer as the tiebreaker.

#9 - Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators
#10 - Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers
#11 - Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings
#12 - Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks

So join us in the playoffs bracket, and show us how well you know your hockey.. make your picks today in the comments in this form: 9 - Penguins, 10 - Bruins, through to 12.

Don't forget to make your picks in the Die By The Blade Playoffs Pick n' Mix as well.

Everton vs. West Ham: Live Goodison FarewellThread

2013-05-12T13:50:17Z

Today marks a great yet sad day in Everton's history. Our manager of eleven years David Moyes will be moving on greener pastures, to what is undoubtedly one of the top jobs in the sport of football. As Evertonians, we are proud of his achievements and the role our club played to get him there, and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

Not to be forgotten either is club captain Phil Neville. While not at his best in the last couple of years and limited in his abilities, he embodies the fighting spirit that Moyes instilled in his players and provided an excellent role model in his commitment and dedication to the younger players in the squad.

It's a rainy day at Goodison today, but there is not a spare ticket to be had as Toffees have streamed in droves to bid farewell to two great leaders that have led this team through some tough times and leave us stronger and better-placed to face the future.

*BREAKING - Tim Cahill played last night and immediately caught a flight to make it to Goodison for today's game!*

Starting lineups -

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar; Fellaini; Anichebe.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Collins, O'Brien, Demel, Reid; Jarvis, Nolan, O'Neil, Collison, Diame; Carroll

Everton vs. West Ham: Premier League Matchday 37

2013-05-12T13:34:45Z

The focus today will be on manager David Moyes, and to a lesser extent captain Phil Neville, as they mark their last home game at Goodison.

It is always a pleasure for us at Royal Blue Mersey to speak this week with LBC 97.3 Radio presenter and West Ham United fanatic Iain Dale, who also runs the blog West Ham Till I Die. We asked him for his opinions on a wide variety of subjects ahead of their visit to Everton on Sunday.

RBM - A possible tenth place finish in their first season back in the Premier League, far from the relegation dogfight. Has this been a successful season for the Hammers?

ID - Anything which avoided relegation would have been successful to be honest, so our aim was 17th. In the end it has been far better than any of us could have imagined. Indeed, if our away form had been better we’d have been rather higher. Our home form has been superb, unlike last season when we found it difficult to win at home and easy to win away!

RBM - Having been skeptical of 'Big Sam' in the beginning, you had mentioned that you felt much better about him the last time we spoke. How do you feel about him after two seasons?

ID - I am a convert. He has brought some much needed discipline to the team and enabled us to play in very different styles when we need to. Yes, we like pretty football, but we can also rough it up and play more directly when we need to. I can’t think there are many Hammers fans who don’t want him to sign a new contract.

RBM - Where are the weaknesses in the West Ham side? What should Allardyce be working on in the offseason? Are there any players that he has been linked with bringing in?

ID - Our weakness has been scoring goals. Andy Carroll has done brilliantly but has only played 20 games, scoring 8 goals. Not a bad return, but none of the other strikers have scored more than 4. Kevin Nolan has scored 7 but they mostly came in the first half of the season. Defensively we have been superb, but I think we need to add a top class full back, centre back and striker to our lineup. We have some brilliant midfielders and wingers so I think we’re OK there. We play 4-5-1 but I’d love to see us play 4-4-2 with a Defoe-like striker playing off Carroll. That is, if we keep Carroll.

RDM - Winston Reid was recently (and rightfully) named West Ham's Player of the Year. You had said he had come on by leaps and bounds. Tell us more about him. Who else caught your eye this year?

ID - He is Mr reliable, and he chips in with a few goals too. His timing has been brilliant all season and his partnership with James Collins has come on leaps and bounds. Everyone thought it would be James Tomkins who really pushed on this season, but he has been totally eclipsed by Reid and Collins. Winston has signed until 2015 which is a real boost.

RBM - Ref Anthony Taylor had quite the shambolic game the last time West Ham played Everton, hopefully Sunday will be better. What is your score prediction? What are you expecting for a formation, and who do you think will have outstanding games?

ID - Everton are our bogey team and very few of us expect three points. However, it will be interesting to see how the Everton players react after the Moyes announcement. We will play 4-5-1 and I would expect an unchanged lineup. However, I hope to see Ravel Morrison feature at some point. He’s back from his loan spell with Birmingham and if he can control himself, he could well be a star of the future. If Mo Diame is on form, and Carroll has his usual excellent game, maybe we can scrape something!

Everton vs. West Ham: Match Preview

2013-05-11T17:30:21Z

Goodison Park will be loud and rocking for West Ham United's come Sunday, as the Everton faithful will bid a fond farewell to one of the greats of recent times. Titles be damned, David Moyes led Everton through a very dark time and leaves the club poised at a very momentous edge, depending on what chairman Bill Kenwright does next of course.

As for the game itself, there's precious little for either team to play for. Everton have just about sealed sixth place and only need a couple of points to guarantee a second consecutive finish above cross-city rivals Liverpool, for the first time since 1937. Ridiculous really, considering some of the great Everton sides we've seen line up at Goodison Park, but a testament to Moyes' ability nonetheless.

For West Ham, Sam Allardyce has done a memorable job in his two seasons in charge, bringing the Hammers straight up to the Premier League and then keeping their noses clean of the relegation dogfight with a solid tenth place showing. Indeed, with some better performances away from home, Big Sam's boys could have been challenging Liverpool!

Team News -

Club captain Phil Neville is out with a knee injury. Ross Barkley missed the Merseyside derby last weekend, but should be in the squad this weekend.

Defenders James Tomkins and George McCartney will both miss the game with injuries.

Keys To The Game -

Moyes has attempted to deflect some of the attention off his departure by asking his players to retain a professional demeanor in his last home game. Expect Nikica Jelavic to line up alongside Victor Anichebe upfront in a more attacking formation as Moyes will attempt to go out with a bang.

The Hammers will have little motivation for this game except playing spoiler for the home side's celebrations. They have been in good form lately, with just one loss in their last seven games.

Match Facts -

Tomorrow will mark David Moyes' 426th game as Everton manager.
Everton have only lost once at home all season, a loss to Chelsea in December.
West Ham have won away only once in their last thirteen games.
The Hammers record of eleven away goals this season is the lowest in the League.

Everton vs. West Ham: Q&A with West Ham Till I Die

2013-05-11T16:09:33Z