Derby victory so vital to lift Everton fans

There is no denying that Everton were abject against Blackburn. But the only solace that can be taken is that an enormous game beckons at Goodison Park tomorrow and, in many ways, it is just what the doctor ordered.

David will not need to motivate the players for a meeting with Liverpool. If he does, that's when you have real problems, but he will be stressing the importance of keeping a clean sheet.

At the moment, Everton are becoming masters of their own downfall.

Having conceded eight already at home is a worrying statistic and it shows something is wrong in the team.

If we are to lower the colours of our neighbours, keeping a tight ship is a pre-requisite.

For some reason, we just can't seem to do it.

Going out of a cup competition so early is a huge disappointment and it would be awful if, come January, we had nothing to play for other than pride and a respectable finishing position - our fans, as we well know, would not tolerate that.

So the time has come for everyone to roll their sleeves up, produce a performance tomorrow that will get the crowd right behind them and tee the club up to get a good result in Belgium.

Time, then, to turn the jeers into cheers.

Stubbsy experience will prove invaluable

IT was great to see Alan Stubbs return home this week but his appointment to the coaching staff has left a question: Is he trying to have more Goodison comebacks than me?

On a serious note, it is great for the lad that he has got a position so soon after hanging up his boots, and it shows how well respected Alan is that he has been appointed so quickly. I have no doubt he will make a huge success of it.

I know he has to recover from a serious knee injury but it could be that he still ends up playing a few games for the reserves in the future, to help the young lads develop, as having him on the pitch alongside them would be invaluable.

That, though, is something to think about further down the line. For the moment, I'm sure Stubbsy will have an influence on things.

He is Everton through and through and exactly the type of character that is needed around a training ground.

Trauma on the Tyne

IF you think things are currently bleak at Goodison Park, thank your lucky stars you don't follow Newcastle United.

When a club has such massive boardroom problems - as Newcastle clearly do - it is inevitable that the strife will seep down to the players and their recent results should have alarm bells ringing out of control on the Tyne.

Irrespective of who may be appointed as caretaker manager, it would be nothing other than a stop gap measure, and I can't see the balance being restored before they arrive at Goodison Park on Sunday week.