Fans Comment
Daniel Mckeown

In recent weeks, Daniel has submitted two very upbeat articles about Everton's prospects for the remainder of the season, one we published and another we hadn't got around to yet. His latest submission reflects the harsh reality check we're all experiencing in the wake of three successive defeats.

What a difference one game makes
03/05/05

James Beattie: "not the signing we needed"

Everton lose 1-0 in a must win game against the mighty relegations battlers of West Brom. If we can't beat the Albion what chance have we got when we come up against a real team like Man U on April 20.

The real dose of reality that I felt after this game though was, as much as I want to see Everton in Europe, as much as I would give my soul to see Real Madrid at Goodison Park, the fact remains Everton simply aren't good enough to take part in Europe's elite competition.

Alright, we go out in the summer and buy what, 5 players tops and that's not saying good players, just 5 players, what difference will it make to a team that lacks so much more. I was as confident and as optimistic as any fan on sunday morning, we were going to turn over West Brom then Palace next week and we were more or less there, but the Blackburn result and then this result just shows we don't have the strength or the quality for the Champions League.

I'm sorry to be as fickle as that other bunch from across the park but it's the nature of a football fan, not just me. I am as optimistic as anyone, I even thought Tobias Linderoth had the potential to be a great player, that's how optimistic I am.

I'm not greedy though, I will take a UEFA spot, I'll still get to see Everton in Europe, but that got me to thinking, what the future holds for Everton if we do make the UEFA.

I have just one concern, I have so many reasons why I want us to make the UEFA but I only have to look at the North East and the form of Newcastle and Middlesborough this year, the amount of money both teams has, and the size of their squads, especially when compared to ours. It got me to thinking if these teams with huge squads and massive bank accounts don't have the strength in depth to play in the UEFA and still have a good league season what chance have we got?

I think it is time we started looking at the reality of our situation. As much as I want to live in the dream world of listening to Richard Keys tell everybody to watch Everton in midweek in the Champions League (just as we had to put up with today at every opportunity), the truth is, if we make either the Champions League or the UEFA we haven't got the squad size or strength to play in both -- either we will go out early or we will really struggle in the league and who know's what might happen.

In my opinion, as much as it kills me I think it could benefit us not to make Europe this year, I know that sounds crazy. As we read in the Echo this week though, there is already �12 million to spend in the summer, so with another season under our belt the team will be stronger and the squad bigger and who knows, next season we may well be capable of making Europe and not embarassing ourselves.

This year, though, is a step to far, as much as the money would be welcome, is it really worth it if it is going to affect our long term goals? I would rather miss out this year and then make it next year with a bit more realistiic opportunity of doing something in it.

Slowly but surely there is a team forming but it is still needs work. Our defence is weak and we need a pacey striker more than anything, in my opinion -- although I will give him time, James Beattie wasn't the signing we needed. Not since Kanchelskis can I remember us having a player that had pace and the ability to finish. Bent and Radzinski both had pace but neither could finish and it's just not good enough. I would take a risk on Bellamy or when our conquerers West Brom, get relegated I would snap Rob Earnshaw off them, he has shown in his short time he is capable and he is just what we need.

I am sorry to be so negative and I should be following my own earlier advice and just getting behind the team, but I feel this is just the basic reality of our situation and it is time we all realised it.

Daniel  Mckeown

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