Fans Comment
Mark Langley

The Glass Is Half Full
6 February 2006

So we didn’t sign the players that we were promised, our injury list is reaching ridiculous proportions, and I think Bob Latchford may be getting a call to play upfront!  But the optimistic amongst us will look on the bright side anyway.

Firstly, our striking crisis may be reaching such desperate times that we have resorted to two midfielders playing up-front.  But also take into account the fact that, since we sold Marcus Bent – for a nice profit – goals have been coming from midfield and even defence with David Weir’s fortuitous strike against Manchester City.  This bodes well for the rest of the season, when we have a fully functioning strike-force, being supplemented by goals from all areas of the pitch. 

The emergence of Leon Osman, playing as a deep striker linking play between midfield and attack, has given our attack a more fluid look that must please those fans disgusted by the way we simply grind out results rather than take teams apart.  Also, the fact that Victor Anichebe has been on the bench for the last few games can only be a good thing; remember the impact our young strikers have made when thrown into the deep end. Although their careers may have fizzled out since, there is no doubting the fact that the likes of Jeffers, Cadamarteri and Branch all scored important goals when given a chance at a young age.

Although our injury list has reached a length longer than our first team squad (!) there is no reason for despair.  We are unbeaten in 2006, and top of the current form league; our defence has been solid, our midfield has been both combative and creative, and the strikers (or whichever players have ended up there) have held up play and tucked away the chances coming their way.  Now, with Yobo’s arrival back on Merseyside getting closer and closer, our defence can only get stronger – and admittedly quicker! 

Andy van der Meyde will finally give us an option on the left wing that can deliver a decent into the danger zone, which the returning Beattie and Ferguson will undoubtedly thrive on.  The latter especially must be crying out to play with our Dutch dynamo — the thought of Ferguson finally getting service in the air that he can tuck away with ease, evokes memories of Sheedy delivering balls for Andy Gray to launch himself at! 

And the return of Big Nige between the sticks will improve my confidence in keeping a clean sheet no end.  The fact that we have played so well with a severely under-strength team, is testament to the performances and versatility of the players – with a special mention to Phil Neville’s outstanding game at centre-back against the awesome force of Chelsea – and to the management's tactics and preparation.

I’ve heard all sorts of abuse directed at David Moyes about the lack of transfer activity in January, which is ridiculous.  The squad has played well and the amount of players soon returning to first team activity will bolster this.  We also got rid of Krøldrup, at a loss admittedly, but not as much of a loss had we sold him in the summer, after he’d had a season of inactivity and we paid him to sit on the bench all year.  We made a big profit on an ineffective striker, and strengthened the defence for nothing. 

People have criticised the return of Alan Stubbs, and at his age he isn’t a forward step, but he’s experienced, slotted straight in, and will do a job until the summer when we can get a long-term replacement.  Also, everyone knows that Everton could have signed players in January, but what would be the point on spending our precious money on players we don’t want and don’t improve the team?  No-one wants to see money being wasted on untalented players simply to meet the demands on the fans.  I would much rather save the money until the summer and keep a look-out for any players who impress at the World Cup

So the season looks good.  Everton are on a roll – the best under Moyes's regime – and there is surely more to come.  So lets support the team, fill the stadium, and place some money on Everton reaching the Uefa Cup places — it’s a good price at the moment!!

Come on you Blues!!

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