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The Season Ahead Part Eight : Everton

Published by Ian John on September 5, 2009

Prospects for 2009 :
Given that they have one of the best managers outside of the top four, a fanatical fan base and a small but strong squad that have proven themselves as genuine top six material, it is somewhat bewildering to see that for the past few years, Everton have struggled at the start of the season. This year has proven no different with only a last minute Leighton Baines penalty enough to hand the Toffeemen their first win of the campaign against Wigan, this following a hugely embarrassing 6-1 home defeat to Arsenal and a 1-0 away loss to Burnley. Given injuries to key players, the loss of Joleon Lescott and the fact that manager David Moyes may have to rely more on young players like Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell perhaps more so than he would like, it looks like being a tough year for the men from Goodison Park.

2009 is a big season for :
Jack Rodwell. The youngster made a big impact as the youngest player at the summers European U21 championship and the 17 year old is already on the radar of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Tall, powerful and excellent on the ball, Rodwell looks the complete player even at this tender age and certainly looks the most exciting prospect to come through the ranks at Goodison Park since one youngster called Wayne Rooney. Everton fans will be hoping that Rodwell not only stays with the club, but begins to perform for them to the maximum of his ability. If he does then the club will have unearthed another gem.

Guaranteed to irritate in 2009 :
I must admit, I am a little tired of hearing about how Everton are one of the poorer relations of the Premier League. Owner Bill Kenwright is only too quick to point out how limited the club are financially at every available opportunity as a reason for manager David Moyes not being able to go out and spend big money on players. Given that they have a solid 30,000+ fan base and have been in the Premier league since it began, one wonders where all the money generated has gone. For “we are a small club and don’t have the cash available” you could just as easily read “we are pretty awful at looking after the cash we generate.” Then of course there is Marouane Fellaini’s hair and the fact that he is booked every twenty minutes by officials. Blatant victimisation according to most Evertonians. Or it could be that he has the uncanny knack of committing foul after foul while looking like the lost member of the Jackson five.

Things they’ll moan about in 2009 :
Having no money, buying no players, having no money, having no money, having no money and having no money to buy players.

Song that sums up their chances in 2009 : “Fade Away” by Oasis
Even before Everton’s poor start, I felt this would be the season where Moyes men faded slightly from the upper eschelons of the table. With key men like Arteta, Yakubu and Jagielka injured, Lescott now joined Manchester City, it always looked a big ask for them to repeat what they have in the previous two or three seasons. While they won’t struggle and certainly won’t be anywhere near the foot of the table, I can’t see the Toffeemen challenging the top four again this season and I think an eventual comfortable top half finish looks on the cards.

Image Courtesy of ***Eamon Curry123*** at Flickr.com

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