2: Tony Hibbert - He Scores When He Wants!!

Mr_Ben wrote:Super were you at the Posh match on Saturday? You would have seen Hibbert score.

Also did you shout any abuse at Paul Dickov?!

He stopped short of labelling it a perfect week but Everton stalwart Tony Hibbert can’t have had many better.

The 29-year-old defender rounded off a ‘special’ seven days that started with the 2-0 defeat of Liverpool by penning a two-year contract extension on the eve of Saturday’s trip to Tottenham.

The right-back is a one-club man with more than 250 senior appearances under his belt – now he his keen to finish his career with his beloved Blues having committed to Goodison Park until 2014.

The Academy product told evertontv: “I have been here so long now and it is great to get another deal and extend that stay. I always wanted to, and planned to, and I am just glad the Club have asked me to stay longer.

“I would love to finish my career here. Everton is a big part of my life. I have been here since I was kid and it is great for me and for my family to be given a couple more years on top of what I have already got.

“It has been a special time – it was great news for me to get a new contract and a derby win in the same week is just fantastic.”

Hibbert was joined in agreeing terms by fellow Academy graduate Leon Osman, who has also signed a two-year extension.

The two players have almost become synonymous with the Club over the years and Hibbert admitted he was delighted to see his friend also get a new deal.

“It is nice to have been with the one club – you don’t see it very often and it is nice for myself and Ossie. We are two local lads who have come through the system and made good careers out of football and to stay with just the one club is special.

“We have been here together for a long time and I am delighted for him - he deserves it.”

“Everton have been great for me, so I would never dispute any contract,” said Hibbert. “There haven’t been issues with money, no issues with the length of the deal. I like the club. I know I am fortunate, so I wouldn’t want to take the mickey. I’ve never knocked on the manager’s door in 10 years. It’s just not me to do that. I don’t think it’s right to go banging on his door saying, ‘Why is this happening or what’s with this?’
“The manager says it’s for this reason. It’s their decision and you have to get on with it and prove him wrong.”

For a right-back steeped in the art of tackling, the gradual move away from physical contact has provided a constant challenge.

He said: “I have always enjoyed a tackle. I grew up watching my dad’s team in the Sunday league and that’s a big part of my game. Nowadays, and it has happened this season, referees will say to me, ‘You got the ball first but you went in too hard, or went in too quick’.
“The most difficult opponent I have faced was Damien Duff when he was at Blackburn. He was lightning.
“Years ago, the mentality was to make your mark first, so they wouldn’t be able to get up and run as fast at you. You’re not going to get booked. It’s your first challenge. But now you can’t touch people, otherwise you are on a yellow card for 80 minutes.
“Sometimes you can’t get your head around it. There are ways of dealing with it. You stand up a bit more against your opponent, try to wait it out, but it is all weighted against defenders so much now.”

Yankthattoffee wrote:The game is in its last couple fo minutes. We're 2-0 up, and penalty!
Who takes it?

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:The game is in its last couple fo minutes. We're 2-0 up, and penalty!
Who takes it?

Anyone but Hibbert. When it comes to pentalties, sentiment has no place. Designated penalty taker always.

Yankthattoffee wrote:

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:The game is in its last couple fo minutes. We're 2-0 up, and penalty!
Who takes it?

Anyone but Hibbert. When it comes to pentalties, sentiment has no place. Designated penalty taker always.

Where's the freekin' romance in the game?
I want "remember when...." moments.

Alan Ball's round the back of the ankle pass to Tommy Wright. Usually once a game.
Franny Lee's diving demonstration.
McKenzie's back heel over Tommy Smith's head.
Jimmy Husband's rubber legs.
Andy Rankin's first ever penalty shoot out save.
Sandy Brown's own goal........

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:The game is in its last couple fo minutes. We're 2-0 up, and penalty!
Who takes it?

Anyone but Hibbert. When it comes to pentalties, sentiment has no place. Designated penalty taker always.

Where's the freekin' romance in the game?
I want "remember when...." moments.

Alan Ball's round the back of the ankle pass to Tommy Wright. Usually once a game.
Franny Lee's diving demonstration.
McKenzie's back heel over Tommy Smith's head.
Jimmy Husband's rubber legs.
Andy Rankin's first ever penalty shoot out save.
Sandy Brown's own goal........

The romance can be when hibbo finally bundles one in off his arse unknowingly. Penos is serious business.

Yankthattoffee wrote:

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:

Tonteau wrote:

Yankthattoffee wrote:The game is in its last couple fo minutes. We're 2-0 up, and penalty!
Who takes it?

Anyone but Hibbert. When it comes to pentalties, sentiment has no place. Designated penalty taker always.

Where's the freekin' romance in the game?
I want "remember when...." moments.

Alan Ball's round the back of the ankle pass to Tommy Wright. Usually once a game.
Franny Lee's diving demonstration.
McKenzie's back heel over Tommy Smith's head.
Jimmy Husband's rubber legs.
Andy Rankin's first ever penalty shoot out save.
Sandy Brown's own goal........

The romance can be when hibbo finally bundles one in off his arse unknowingly. Penos is serious business.

OK, I'll go with your scenerio, but I like the penno thing. I think Pip would consider it, but unlikely with any other captain.

Spoiler:

Super wrote:Hibbo has finally scored a goal for Everton...

Spoiler:

Mr_Ben wrote:

Super wrote:Hibbo has finally scored a goal for Everton...

Spoiler:

doesn't count

Super wrote:Hibbo has finally scored a goal for Everton...

Spoiler:

TONY HIBBERT is refusing to set himself a goal target for next season - as long as he carries on saving goals at the other end. The Blues defender has made 273 appearances for the club - and famously scored no goals - but insists he would be happy for that drought to continue if he is still doing his primary job well.

"I'm honestly not bothered about scoring," he said. "I'm a defender and when I think about the amount of times I've saved a goal, I must have cleared about 100 goalbound shots off the line in my career. No-one ever talks about them! "Not having scored a goal really doesn't bother me."

There have been times, however, when Hibbert has gone close. And the closest he has come to breaking that deadlock has been, surprisingly, against neighbours Liverpool.

Kevin Ratcliffe, the most successful captain in Everton's history, only scored twice in his Goodison career - and one of those came in an Anfield derby match.

Hibbert can vividly recall the times he almost followed suit. "The closest I've come was in derby matches," he added. "One fell to me on the edge of the penalty area and I didn't half catch it sweet. It went straight at Pepe Reina but if I'd slightly mishit it, maybe shanked it, it would have flown in either side of him. "Then there was a header at Goodison against Liverpool. I'd come on as a sub and when I connected I thought ‘this is going in!' "But it wasn't to be.

"I'm obviously saving it up for a derby match! I honestly have no idea what I'd do if I do score. People always ask me if I've got a celebration lined up and I haven't. I'd probably just look out for Ossie (Leon Osman) and I think he would probably be more excited than me."

Bluejags wrote:If he was to score and we werent first on MOTD id burn down the BBC!

Knight of Thorgothshire wrote:

Bluejags wrote:If he was to score and we werent first on MOTD id burn down the BBC!

Have we EVER been first on MOTD!?

Knight of Thorgothshire wrote:

Bluejags wrote:If he was to score and we werent first on MOTD id burn down the BBC!

Have we EVER been first on MOTD!?

Bluejags wrote:Dont its been mentioned but that was a superb block by Hibbert on Moses after the ball came back off the crossbar which could easily have made it 2-2. And not to mention the cross that Pip could only dream of for Tolos goal. The captain could be barking out orders for some time from the sideline. Fair play Hibbo..

Tonteau wrote:

Bluejags wrote:Dont its been mentioned but that was a superb block by Hibbert on Moses after the ball came back off the crossbar which could easily have made it 2-2. And not to mention the cross that Pip could only dream of for Tolos goal. The captain could be barking out orders for some time from the sideline. Fair play Hibbo..

Neville can whip in a decent cross. Unfair to suggest otherwise.

Tonteau wrote:

Bluejags wrote:Dont its been mentioned but that was a superb block by Hibbert on Moses after the ball came back off the crossbar which could easily have made it 2-2. And not to mention the cross that Pip could only dream of for Tolos goal. The captain could be barking out orders for some time from the sideline. Fair play Hibbo..

Neville can whip in a decent cross. Unfair to suggest otherwise.