As an Everton fan, this season has been very enjoyable. The usual first half of the season doom and gloom hasn’t been there, Everton fans don’t usually go into the New Year looking at the league table and being happy with their position. But this year, we’re sitting in 5th, 3 points off that elusive Champions League spot. This is the year we must get it, it’s all or nothing in my eyes.
I would love to win the FA Cup, we’ve only won one trophy in my lifetime and I was 2, so it doesn’t count. So obviously, seeing us win silverware would be unbelievable, especially after the heartbreak of losing to ‘them’ in the semi-final last year. Do I think we can achieve both, winning a trophy and finishing 4th? Probably not. Can we achieve at least one? Definitely!
Some of you may ask why this season, why is now all or nothing? Well, here’s my take:
David Moyes’s contract runs out this summer, the man is an undoubted football genius and I’ll argue with anyone that he is one of the best managers in the world. He’s had 10 years in the Everton job, and celebrated his 500th game with a win Saturday. He may have not won a trophy in his time at Everton but the things he’s done, he’s a genius. He deserves the opportunity to work amongst Europe’s elite, and I would love it to be with Everton. He’s already said that he would like to manage in Germany and he’s been linked with Schalke 04.
If the opportunity arose to work in Germany, and particularly in the Champions League, he’d be foolish not to take it. Especially, if Everton don’t get Champions League football this season, it will be even harder next season because I think we would lose our two best players in Maroaune Fellaini, and Leighton Baines. If Everton are going to have a successful season, they’re going to rely on Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.
Everton have the ability to mix it up, they can get the ball down and play football or they can go direct. When they go direct, Fellaini is the target. His control is exquisite, particularly from a long ball, he can bring the ball down on his chest better than anyone and his link up play is wonderful. When Everton choose to get the ball on the deck and pass, a lot of their chances come through Baines, sounds strange for a left back to be a teams most creative player but thats the case and it shows how influential Baines is to the Everton cause. His relationship with Steven Pienaar down the left side is arguably one of the best in the league.
If Everton don’t qualify for the Champions League, they’d struggle to keep hold of the likes of Fellaini and Baines.
This summer The Toffees had to fight off the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, and they’d struggle to do it again without the attraction of playing amongst Europe’s elite. After all, Fellaini and Baines are top class footballers. I believe Baines to be the best left back in the world, he should be playing the champions league and hopefully he will do that with Everton. The reality is, without Champions League football, it would be incredibly difficult to keep them, especially if David Moyes departed for Germany.
Yesterday, Everton announced the had agreed a deal to sign Dutchman, Leroy Fer from FC Twente for a reported fee of about £8.5 million. That shows Everton’s intent, it sends a message to other clubs of, "Look, we’re out to get this fourth spot." If they can add just that one more signing, probably a striker, I would make them favourites if they keep their best players fit.
Reader Comments (8)
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2 Posted 30/01/2013 at 07:11:01
3 Posted 30/01/2013 at 07:25:36
Without the creative impetus added by Gibson, Mirallas and even Coleman we look very unbalanced at the moment and rather uninspired.
4 Posted 30/01/2013 at 13:03:22
5 Posted 30/01/2013 at 13:36:56
6 Posted 30/01/2013 at 16:03:57
It is becoming evident that Baines and Pienaar aren't the best combination in the league, but you did say arguably. It only took a bit of attention from Swansea and Southampton to nullify them. The best in the league should be able to perform against any opposition, because, as the title suggests, they are the best.
The other thing that people gloss over is Baines' personality. I honestly can't see him leaving Everton, if only for Manchesters United or City. Remember, this is the man who pretty much forfeited his place in a World Cup squad because he feared of getting home sick. His shyness is well known, and I can't see him moving to a club more than a short drive from his family, for any opportunity of glory. The positive for us is that City prefer a continental or even South American theme when they can, and left backs aren't as rare as people would have you believe. Alternatively, if SAF wanted Baines at United, he would already have him. That, and the fact that he's nearly 29 would probably rule him out of that club. I think he is here to stay.
All that said, Callum, I agree whole-heartedly that if we don't finish in the top four this season - which we won't - then our best chance in a long time has gone begging.
8 Posted 30/01/2013 at 20:05:03
9 Posted 31/01/2013 at 00:44:32
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1 Posted 30/01/2013 at 03:13:36
I think you may have gone over the top a bit with your glowing assessments of DM, Fella and Bainesy but I get your point.
We are probably 2 top class players short of realistically challenging for the top 4 IMO.