Chelsea beware, Everton are ready to fight back
SO we have reached the most difficult time of year, as injuries, tiredness and a lack of bodies threaten to derail Everton's push for Europe.
The weekend draw against Birmingham City has made qualifying for the Champions League extremely difficult, but anyone who thinks that the Blues are going to allow entry into next season's UEFA Cup to slip from their grasp would be advised to think again.
Having enjoyed the adventure they had during this campaign, the supporters won't let the players stop, the players themselves are all hungry to sample the experience again and there is no chance that David Moyes will let the pace slacken.
He will be driving the players on and while some of the lads are running on empty, they will know nothing other than one last big effort is acceptable - it's the very least you can do when playing for a club like Everton.
Some people have concerns that we might not pick up another point from our four remaining matches. But I don't envisage that doomsday scenario coming true. For a start, I fully expect us to take something off Chelsea on Thursday evening.
Say what you like about Chelsea but the Premier League have not done them any favours by making them play two games in three days when they are battling for the title. But we have got to be ready to take full advantage if they are out of sorts.
Fortune hasn't been on our side in games against them down the years. We've been hard done to a few times after playing well, only to end up with nothing. Hopefully, things are about to change.
There is no doubting that Chelsea are a fine side but they do not have the pace and power that was so evident when Jose Mourinho led them to the top in his first season. They seem inhibited now, almost as if they don't know how to attack with pace any more.
That said, they still have some terrific players and if Everton are operating at anything less than their best, it is going to be very difficult to take something off them.
I just get the feeling, however, that we have one big performance left in us.
The ground should be bouncing come kick-off and the manager will have the lads fired up, so don't be surprised if we throw a spanner in the works. And if we do get a positive result, that will go a long way to wrapping up fifth place.
Yes, Aston Villa have been in good form and Portsmouth are lurking behind us as well. But we have got enough quality to finish the job off. Fingers crossed we can do it sooner rather than later.
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