Everton must maximise Tim Cahill impact with return to basics
By Eddie O'Gara
AFTER several weeks of benefiting from the outrageously tight nature of this season's Premier League and shooting up the table in rapid fashion, it's now crunch time for Everton.
Ahead of the trip to Bolton a month ago David Moyes's side knew defeat at the Reebok could have put them into the relegation zone but less than a week later we were pushing for Europe.
Now, with trips to Tottenham and Manchester City plus testing home games against Aston Villa and Chelsea at Goodison Park which has been anything but a fortress this season all to come before Christmas, let's hope we don't drop back like a stone.
We need to keep things simple and stick to what we're good at to get things back on track.
While Moyes has tried to be 'positive' and play with two strikers, it's becoming clear that Tim Cahill's impact is greatly nullified unless he plays at the front of a five-man midfield.
This system that Everton first adopted out of necessity to such great effect in 2004-05 now seems to be regarded as something of a millstone when it comes to tactical flexibility.
However, our midfield currently has no pattern to it and individuals need to know their roles properly and adopt roles which bring the best out of them.
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