Can Everton become masters of their own destiny?
THERE'S not really much more that can be said about how important Sunday's encounter with Aston Villa is. Win and Everton are firmly back in the driving seat; masters of their own destiny.
Fail to do so though and finishing fifth starts to look improbable at best. And coming anywhere but fifth means that we start to have to look all sort of options and labyrinthine routes back into Europe.
The truth of the matter is though, it's not just another crack at the UEFA Cup that is important. The fans, certainly David Moyes, and hopefully the players as well want to finish as the best of the rest and prove that it's only a lack of heavyweight investment that stops us from regularly breaking into the Champions League spots.
After all, we argue regularly that the Premier League is not a level playing field, and that we've done well to even make fourth place a contest for so long, but to an extent that line is weakened if we finish below a Villa or a Portsmouth.
Being at home for this game is obviously a big advantage, and hopefully the fans will be able to create an atmosphere along the lines of the one we experienced against Fiorentina. Still though, there are plenty of other opponents you would rather face than Martin O'Neill's powerful and confident outfit.
The Midlanders have loads of pace and, like more and more sides nowadays, they are physically very strong too. The sheer size of their players means that they are clearly a danger from set-pieces, like all of O'Neill's team, but also that they are more likely to get results even when they aren't playing great football.
Everton, on the other hand, often seem quite lightweight, and when they are not on the very top of their game they seem to struggle more than these teams packed with six-foot beasts.
The return of Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman will obviously be a boost, although their lack of match fitness for a game like this will obviously be a concern.
We need to remember that we are a good side though, and go out and try to impose ourselves on Villa. If we sit back and worry too much about them then we are likely to end up pushed back into our own box, where John Carew is liable to cause mayhem if previous encounters are anything to go by.
After a poor spell then, it's time for everyone at Everton to stand up and be counted once again.
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Mark Mark Mark...
"Everton, on the other hand, often seem quite lightweight"
I can't ever agree with that statement!
But in context of set pieces: we have Cahill, Joleon and Jags in there who have been pretty good from set plays... and what we've seen of Mikel's injury (hernia?) causing his lack of power on set plays and crosses... the point you make may be abit skewed. I would like to see more from the Yak there.
What I do agree is we need a big physical midfielder in the middle of the park. Without Cahill who is the physical player in there really (I recall Chelsea doubling up on him in the Semi-final at Goodison)... but a player physically stong but good enough all round to distribute and fit in seemlessly.
But this is all for Moysey to get right for next season really...
I'll be there against Vanilla... driving on the blues. I agree we have to press and try and dominate them. If Mikel's on form and with Manny improving and a fit Pienaar, the energy of the midfield may be there. Little Ossie may pop up with one from the box?! Who knows.
All I want to see is the spirit and style I know our lads have. So come on you blues!