Recently by Mark Lawrenson

SO a 3-2 defeat to home to Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the season. Disaster. At least that's how it appears and how it's been generally reported.

But if ever a bad result can have a favourable outcome then that should be it.

Because events at Goodison Park on Saturday only go to prove David Moyes's point.

The Everton manager would have obviously been delighted if his team had hung on to their lead and closed out for victory.

We would probably have all been sat here today praising Moyes for building such a tight unit, instilling that great fighting spirit that enables them to overcome the odds time and again.

I CAN understand why Evertonians might have been concerned about their manager's future following last week's frustrations over a lack of new players.

But that was - quite appropriately considering it was after a loss to Chicago Fire - all just in the heat of the moment.

Of course Moyes is concerned and no doubt a bit down about the situation. But I'm sure he means every word when he reiterates his intention to stay at Everton.

At the club he is in a position of strength following what he has achieved there. So it's no surprise to me that he's been in no rush to sign that new contract.

THE sale of Andrew Johnson is one of those transfers that should work out best for all concerned.
For Everton, for Fulham and for the player himself.

Johnson has previously rubbished rumours of him leaving Goodison Park, while David Moyes and Bill Kenwright have both, even during this current transfer window, vehemently denied they want to sell him.

But when you look at the facts selling him makes perfect sense - especially at a profit on what they paid Crystal Palace for him two years ago.

The main issue for me is that Johnson is simply not going to get any better. At 27-years-old he has done all the improving he can.

IT'S taking an awfully big slot for this penny to drop for Andy van der Meyde.

I actually hope he does get himself fit and ready to make up for lost time and finally have an impact at Everton. I'm sure he means it when he says it is his "dream" to do that this season.

EVERTON'S initial reaction to playing the three newly-promoted clubs in their first three away games might be "happy days" but ideally you'd want to be facing these sides in February or March.

Eager and excited by the newness of the Premier League - particularly Stoke and Hull who haven't been there before - these kind of teams are a different animal when you come up against them in the early weeks of the season.

They're the kind of games you might go into with confidence when looking at them on paper but you'll often find the new boys play above their level at first so it's usually better to face them in the middle of the season when they haven't won for a while and a few injuries and defeats have dampened their spirits

PHIL JAGIELKA can count himself very unlucky if he doesn't get his first England cap this week.
I'm not sure if it will happen tomorrow, when Fabio Capello should be looking to put out his strongest side possible at Wembley against the USA.

But after that? The big players should be told to get home and have a good rest, particularly the ones who were in the Champions League final.

It makes sense for both parties. The players can put in one last big effort for Capello while he gets to see his top players in serious action.

PHIL JAGIELKA'S England call-up surprised a lot of people - including himself.

But think about it. How many English centre- halves in the Premier League have been more reliable than him this season?

And it's always useful to have someone who can play all over the shop.

In that sense, I think Jagielka is a natural replacement in the international set-up fro Jamie Carragher. He played right-back, left- back, centre-back and central midfield for his country - all positions the Everton man can occupy as well.

But it was in the middle of the back four where he became a mainstay and although he will know that the likes of Ferdinand, Terry and Woodgate are ahead of him in the queue and he is a long way off being first choice, it juts shows the value of being versatile.

EVERTON'S slump in form shouldn't detract from what they have achieved this season.

And it only becomes a problem if they don't finish fifth.

But needing only one point from a home game against Newcastle on the final weekend while Aston Villa need to go to West Ham and win, is a scenario everyone would have taken at the start of the season.

In a football season you achieve what you achieve over 38 games.

If Everton had started the season like this, then were having the long unbeaten run from a couple of months ago at this stage, the supporters would be shouting from the rooftops now.

WHEN it comes to individual awards, Joleon Lescott pays a price for versatility.

I'm sure many Everton fans were dismayed to see the likes of Sagna and Clichy in the PFA Team of the Year, while no Everton player got a mention.

Lescott, for the goals he has scored and the dominant part he has played in Everton's improvement this season, has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

But recognition in these cases goes to players who are more specialised in their roles. Clichy and Evra are out-and-out left-sided players whereas Lescott is seen as a centre-back and very often isn't playing in his favoured position.

DAVID MOYES reckons his players could do with a holiday - which is right because they're currently playing like there's nothing left in the tank.

But nobody can say they and their manager don't deserve a nice long break at the end of the season.

Against Derby they just managed to get over the line but the problem Everton have a the moment is that they're playing teams who are involved in big games themselves.