ToffeeWeb - Viewpoint 2002-03

ToffeeWeb Viewpoint

Mission Impossible

David Moyes: Has the chance to really mix it up with some youth

So it has come down to this. Forget, for the time being, the recriminations and frustration at the fact that our form collapsed at the worst possible time. One win stands between us and a place in Europe for the first time since 1995. Simple enough really... except that we have to play Manchester United.

As I pointed out in my article before our last meeting with United back in October, the team against which Everton have the worst record in the Premiership is Manchester United. Two wins and two draws remain the only points we have taken from Sir Alex Ferguson's team in 11 seasons, so beating them for the first time since 1995 seems like Mission Impossible.

It gets worse: when the two sides met at Old Trafford earlier this season, United were in a bit of a slump and looked as though they would be hard pressed to finish higher than an invinceable-looking Arsenal. Everton went down 3-0 despite doing enough to win the game — a far cry from the Walter Smith era when a defensive-minded team was sent out like lambs to the slaughter. Now, having stormed their way through the last three months of the campaign and wrapped up the Championship with a game to spare, the Red Devils are in red-hot form. Everton, having wilted against another free-flowing footbaling side in the form of Chelsea on three occasions this season, surely don't stand a chance.

I also pointed out in that article that unlike the preceding decade, Everton are a different proposition this season under David Moyes. They still are, particularly given the fact that they have risen as high as third in the table and been in the top six since November, but while they would have approached this fixture with far greater confidence had it come in February, for example, now, on the back of three defeats in the last four games and facing the prospect of losing out on Europe altogether, nervousness might just be the Blues' biggest enemy this Sunday.

Nick Chadwick: Likely to be overlooked one final time this season

It's hard, given the incredible effort the players have made so far this season, to go into a do-or-die match against the newly-crowned Champions with the feeling that Moyes's side are a spent force. Kevin Campbell, in particular, appears to have lost his cutting edge (two recent goals from three yards out notwithstanding); Wayne Rooney is being shackled by a minumum of two markers for much of the time;and the revolving-door midfield continues to offer little in the way of inspiration that could spur the Blues on to victory against the best side in the country.

Clearly, the time to introduce the likes of Nick Chadwick (who, on the evidence of last season, could surely do a better jon up front than a lead-footed Campbell) and Leon Osman would have been two games ago against Aston Villa. Moyes is highly unlikely to involve either significantly against Manchester United and you wouldn't expect him to in such a crucial match. The manager has clearly instilled his faith in the fact that the team that got him this far can go on to complete the job and secure the last remaining European place, even though that team has shown signs in recent weeks that is has run out of steam and ideas.

With that in mind, Sunday's game really comes down to the respective performances of Richard Wright, Joseph Yobo and Alan Stubbs at the back, and Thomas "Mr Erratic" Gravesen in midfield. If the defence remains tight and the inspired Gravesen comes out of the tunnel instead of his arm-waving loony of an alter ego, then Everton will have the platform on which to provide Master Rooney with the ammunition to to win the game — providing his teammates do enough to pull his markers away.

That really only leaves the Duncan Ferguson factor. I am no fan of the Big Man's. I was 100% against his return from Newcastle and I have watched in dismay at the way in which he has eaten up millions of pounds with his lengthy spells on the treatment table or and his suspensions. However, if ever there was an occasion for Mr Big Occasion, it is this. His performances as a substitute against Aston Villa and Fulham were much-improved and he caused both defences problems following his introduction.

Duncan Ferguson: Do-or-die game could be taylor-made for the "Big Man"

The chief argument for his starting the match, however, may be to give United's defence something too think about other than Rooney. The Wonder Kid remains our greatest hope for victory and providing him with sufficient space to work his magic will be crucial.

Relying on Manchester United taking their foot off the pedal on account of the fact that they have sewn up the title is not an option. Even if they do rest some of their biggest stars, their second string could overhaul our first team with little trouble so Moyes must place the emphasis on harrying and pressing United out of their game. The Blues' propensity to start matches sluggishly and battle back from an early goal against will not work against the Champions.

It is a must-win game and for all the talk about how we should be happy even if we finish 7th, the fact remains that if Blackburn win and we don't, it will be an absolute tragedy that we will have thrown away the chance of playing in Europe next season, particularly as defeat against the team we never beat will not have been the excuse or the reason. It's bad enough that we gave up the Champions League chase so easily. Missing out on UEFA Cup qualfication would be an unforgiveable waste.

Lyndon Lloyd