Everton vs Man City - Preview

Consistency - that'll be the key to Everton's victory. I believe the three points are there for the picking. AJ is in fine form, defensively-wise, even without Hibbo and Nayce, the Toffees has enough cover to ensure that minimal number of goals will be conceded, maybe even none.

I'd say that Moyes will play the 4-4-1-1 formation. Not that he favours this formation, but the 4-5-1 will not be as feasible due to the fact that even if Cars play, the midfield will still lack another defensive midfielder to cover the back four with Neville moving into the right back position. It will be an open game with the 4-4-2 formation and Everton will do good to keep close tabs of Man City's "Bad boy" Barton and their "soon to be in form but not this season" Samaras.

Oh yes, welcome back Faddie!

Howard
Valante, Yobo, Lescott, Neville
VdM, Cars, Arteta, Ossie
Timmy
AJ

Sustitutes
Wright, Beats, Davis, Weir, Faddie

Scoreline:

3-1 (Never that 1-0 scoreline ever!)

Actim Players Ranking: 260906

Here's the latest Top Players' Listing.

Portsmouth: 11 (-1)
Manure: 10 (-3)
Villa: 10(+1)
Reading: 9 (-1)
Everton: 8 (-)
Chelski: 8 (+1)
Bolton: 7 (+1)
Blackburn: 5 (New Entry)
Newcastle: 5 (New Entry)
Pool: 5 (+4)
Man City: 3 (New Entry)
West Ham: 2 (-)
Watford: 2 (-)


Everton's list of Top 100 players:-

AJ: 1st (Maintains as Highest rated Striker 3rd week in a row, 4th week in top 10 since 22 Aug 06)
Timmy: 5th (2nd best Midfielder, 3rd week in top 10 since 29 Aug 06)
Neville: 27th
Arteta: 28th
Yobo: 33rd
Howard: 41st (3rd best goalkeeper, 3rd wk as a top 5 goalkeeper since 29 aug 06)
Cars: 54th
Lescott: 77th

Other stats:-Most goals scored: 4/20 placing
Most goals conceded: 14/20 placing

Nayce Possibly Out Till November

Not only have we lost Hibbo for the next match, we have also lost Nayce for at least six weeks. Everton will be wafer thin for its defence.

It's not so much a problem in central defence as Yobo, Lescott, Weir and even the youngster Hughes are all vying for the two positions, but it's the fullback positions.

Nayce immediate replacement would be Valante or even Sandro, while Hibbo's immediate replacement would be Neville, and then no one else. By putting Neville in that rightback position, it is not too much a problem if Everton plays the 4-4-2 formation. But when they want to revert to that 4-5-1 formation, there will be a lack of defending midfielder. We may need to buy another utility player who can play both defence and midfield.

At present, Hibbo will only be away for one game. So that is still not too bad.

NEWCASTLE vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Am I getting better with my prediction or is Everton fast becoming predictable? I got the team line-up and the scoreline correct but was placed on tanterhooks as Everton, though battling for every ball, looked over-rawed. They were losing most of the 50-50 balls.

No complaints about the results, but not too happy with how the players performed. AJ had to move deeper to retrieve the ball and thus, posed little threat to Newcastle.

We are now two defenders short - Nayce out because of his injuries, and Hibbo out through suspension.

This game was a tale of two red cards, two sending offs, and two points dropped for Everton.

Score: Newcastle 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Timmy

Team Line-up (Rating)

Howard (7)
Nayce (6), Lescott (7), Yobo (6), Hibbo (5)
Arteta (6), Timmy (8), Cars (6), Neville (7), Ossie (6),
AJ(6)

Subs: Beats (7) Valante (6)

NEWCASTLE vs EVERTON - Preview

Newcastle has been blowing hot and cold, but this does not mean that the team is not par brilliance.

I've been a constant admirer of Everton former targets like Scott Parker and Emre. Their strikers, even with Michael Owen looks strong.

But I believe that Everton will continue to use the 4-5-1 formation to frustrate the host. We have to for if we give their midfield any space to play with, they will their our defence to shreads.

Howard
Nayce, Lescott, Yobo, Hibbo
Ossie, Cars, Neville, Timmy, Arteta
AJ

Substitutes
Wright, Valante, VdM, Davis, Beats

Scoreline:
1-1

Carling Cup: Everton vs Luton Town

After narrowly beating Peterborough, Everton will now face Luton Town led by Mike Newell, the former of Everton in the 90s.

Currently, there are 32 teams left. Out of the 20 Premiership teams, 16 teams are left. Three of the Premiership cup-tie, meaning that definitely, three Premiership teams will be out by the next round.

So considering the opponent that has been drwan with Everton, we should have an easier time proceeding to the next round of the last 16. BUT, don't count the eggs before they're hatched.

The game will commence in 23 October 2006.

Actim Players Ranking: 190906

Here's the latest Top Players' Listing.

Manure: 13 (-)
Portsmouth: 12 (-)
Reading: 10 (New entry)
Villa: 9(- 1)
Everton: 8 (-)
Chelski: 8 (+1)
Bolton: 6 (New Entry)
West Ham: 3 (-2)
Watford: 3 (New Entry)
Pool: 1 (-)


Everton's list of Top 100 players:-
AJ: 1st (Maintains as Highest rated Striker 2nd week in a row, 3 weeks in top 10)
Timmy: 7th (3rd best Midfielder, 2 weeks in top 10)
Cars: 27th
Neville: 28th
Arteta: 39th
Howard: 40th (2nd best goalkeeper, 2nd wk as a top 5 goalkeeper)
Yobo: 45th
Lescott: 68th

Other stats:-Most goals scored: 2/20 placing
Most goals conceded: 14/20 placing

PETERBOROUGH vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Spluttering start, I'd say. But this is not unexpected as the Cup Games is used to work players on some of their fitness. It's also the time where the youngsters get to showcase their soccer talents, and yes, first XI saw a good mix of youth, experience and the returning players who might have been a muscle pool.

Score: Peterborough 1 - 2 Everton
Scorer: Beats, Timmy

Time Line-up (Rating)

Wright (5)
Valante (6), Lescott (7), Hughes (7), Neville (7)
Nayce (6), Cars (7), VdM (5), Davis (7)
Anichebe(8), Beats (7)

Subs:Timmy (8) Arteta (7)

Goalkeeper
Wright was a total mess and should be shipped out as soon as possible together with his jarring mistakes made during the match. His passing was atrocious, he does not communicate well with the team.

Defence
Lescott had to take on the role of mentor for debutant Mark Hughes. Lescott provided Hughes with a stable, frills free but live training on how to handle the strikers. Lescott and Hughes should not have anything to complain about in terms of their performance. Neville was busy on the right while Valante continued where he left off when he was playing for ahile.

Midfield
Somehow, we could not boss the midfield. Nayce is not an out-to-out person to hug the left wing, the centre of the midfield run by VdM and Cars had no clout. As for Davis, he was full of running by then.

Strikers
Beats had to play this match to keep himself fit, while Anichebe drew many admirers with his strong direct approach that saw him assisting Timmy for the winning goal.

PETERBOROUGH vs EVERTON - Preview

This is one game that Everton should not oly not lose, but to test out players that had not much first team play.

I wouldn't try to tinker the team too much, but to start with a strong first XI. Some of these players like VdM and Stubbsy need the run-out, while Beats needs to show why he should be included into the team.


Wright
Valante, Stubbsy, Lescott, Hibbo
VdM, Timmy, Neville, Ossie
Anichebe, Beats

Substitutes

Howard, Weir, Arteta, Davis, AJ

Scoreline: Peterborough 1-2 Everton

EVERTON vs WIGAN - FULL TIME

I missed this match totally due to power failure back at Goodison. What a day! If I'd watch the match, Everton would have won. Once again, I was surprised with Moyes defensive stance. Yes, you should keep the team that won the last match. But you really have to see your opponents. For Wigan, I thought they were in it for the taking.

Score: Everton 2 - 2 Wigan
Scorer: AJ, Beats

I Don't Believe It!

The Everton vs Wigan match was supposed to be shown live. But I think at the last minute, the cable TV station pulled the plug on us. WHY?

Now I've got to rely on Soccernet and Evertonfc for the latest score. Sigh. Anyway, thought that Moyes would use 4-4-2 with Beats and AJ up front. But it seems like it's the same as last week's formation, 4-2-3-1-1 with AJ being the lone striker.

Ah well, maybe it's not Everton's day after all?

Further Irony?

This will be the first game for Killer. But he is no longer in the blue and white. he's now a Wigan player and we are playing them tomorrow.

He is a decent left winger and if AvM can come out of his dreamy state, both of them will provide for a very interesting competition.

But will Killer nick one over us? If he does, it'll be the double irony that we will hope it'll not happen.

Actim Players Ranking: 120906

Ok, so here's this week's count. The number of players from the selected clubs who are in the Top 100 listing.

Manure: 13 (+1)
Portsmouth: 12 (+1)
Villa: 10 (-)
Everton: 8 (+1)
West Ham: 5 (-3)
Chelski: 7 (+2)
Pool: 1 (-)

Another player has made it to the list of Top 100 players:- Joleon Lescott

AJ: 1st (Highest rated Striker)
Timmy: 6th (2nd best Midfielder)
Cars: 10th (3rd best Midfielder)
Neville: 22th
Howard: 32nd (3rd best goalkeeper)
Arteta: 36th
Yobo: 37th
Lescott: 70th

Other stats:-

Most goals scored: 3/20 placing
Most goals conceded: 18/20 placing

Everton Will Under-perform This Season?

A Sports Correspondent from Singapore's main daily, The Straits Times suggest that our life in the top four is short-lived, and that it's a matter of time before the bubble burst.

This guy is a true pessimist who look at the bright cloudless sky and say that it would rain. I'd believe him if he's a weather forcaster. But this guys don't know a toot what he is talking about when it comes to the Toffee.

He brought up the point that Everton is relying on one man to score goals, and that's AJ. So we should have four established strikers, leave one of them to watch some telly at home and get thrashed 3-0? In that case, I'd rather have just one prominent strikers.

Poor Rafa who had such a diificult time choosing the best strikers to play. Cue last season's Real Madrid and Chelsea. Full of wonderful players, but frustrated for the fact that they can't play as many matches as they would like to.

Being a Toffee fan for more than 20 years, I've grown accustom to the fact that it would be near impossible for Everton to lift the Premiership trophy. But I won't deny that they are in with a shout to clinch one of the top six spots.

We will take it one team at a time. If we do well, we'll celebrate and then move one. If not, we'll just have to learn from our mistakes. But never should "The People's Club" be involved in any relegation battle.

Thanks Marc Lim for his "insightful point-of-view. marclim@sph.com.sg

England or Nigeria?

People would always think that the choice is clear. Why would anyone who have lived in England all his life play for Nigeria, a country that he had never really known.

Well for Anichebe, this might just be the decision he is not going to take. Come to think of it, England has been blessed with good strikers. But these strikers are either injured (Does Owen ring some bell), retired (Shearer was great. And the word is "was"), or dropped by inept coaches (AJ and Defoe are just two of many).

Given these choices, I'd rather play for Nigeria where I'd get a confirm berth in the First XI and at the same time, get to know my roots better.

So ain't this much of a no brainer? Go Nigeria!

EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL - FULL TIME

What sweet revenge! Liverpool never did knew what hit them today. So how many did AJ scored? Two goals. And how many did Crouch scored? None. what's more, he got substituted! So much for the England International with AJ being the regular substitute.

Many people will question the players selection by Benitez, but I will not go towards that direction. Let's look at how the game went. I was a tad surprised that Everton started with a 4-5-1 formation. Moyes played a more cautious game, but he knew that AJ would make that difference in terms of speed. Something that Beats would not be able to provide. AJ's work rate was totally awesome while Liverpool suffered a thorough thrashing!

Score: Everton 3 - o Liverpool
Scorer: Timmy, AJ (2)

Time Line-up (Rating)

Howard (8)
Nayce (8), Lescott (8), Yobo (8), Hibbo (9)
Ossie (8), Timmy (9), Cars (9), Arteta (9), Neville (9)
AJ(10)

Subs:Beats (-) Valante (-)

Goalkeeper

My Take
Howard will always be the first choice from now on. A very good move by Moyes. Not too sure if Alex Ferguson would let him go though.

90 minutes
Howard was every bit prepared for this game. He made all the critical saves like the sure goal against Luis Garcia. For those balls that flew past him, he either didn't need to make those saves, or it was totally inevitable. But nonetheless, it didn't matter as no balls bulged the net of Everton. Great goalkeeping display.


Defence

My Take
The defensive pair of Lescott and Yobo has solidified. I believe they are now a defensive pair for all the premiership strikers to beat. Great to see the return of Hibbo; the quiet right back that does more than his fair share of work.

90 minutes
Solid. totally solid! With great cover support provided by Nayce and Hibbo. What's more, the left and right backs were able to maraude forward. Whenever there was a Red counter-attack, Cars and Neville was full of running and were on hand to help the defenders take out the thrash.
Midfield

My Take
A strong five-men midfield was in place to halt any possible onslaught by Liverpool. The likes of Cahill, Arteta, Cars and Ossie are growing well together. They are willing to put their limbs on the line.

90 minutes
A stranglehold in the middle of the park. Cahill continued his scoring contribution from midfield. Arteta was no longer showing off his dribble, but his passes were effective and had to be quick to pick out AJ. Ossie, with his small build, was buzzing around the entire field. Cars, well he was the creator of two goals.


Attack

My Take
AJ continues his hard running against the opponent's defence. He was once again played as a lone striker but has shown what a great asset he is.

90 minutes
AJ is all about being enterprising and a work horse for the team. He is also a continuous thorn in th butt for Liverpool. AJ scored two fabulous goals. Fabulous can also be seen from Liverpool's boo-boo. First, Carragher failed to clear the ball and AJ crept behind him to slot the ball neatly pass Reina. Second, Reina himself gifted the ball to AJ. Palming it like he was playing volleyball, Reina tried to catch Cars long shot but was all buttered finger. AJ came sneaked in to head the ball into the net. Liverpool was in total disarray!

EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL - Preview

Get ready your battle gear, focus and let's dish out some misery for Pool on our home ground. This game is where emotion runs high. Even my emotions will get the better of me. I'm confident to say that I'm willing to lose other matches. But definitely not this!

I expect to see Everton playing the attacking game. Their tails are up and will be ready for the fight.

Weir, Neville, AJ, Faddie, Valante, Davis and Nayces are all back, but Faddie is out with a hamstring injury and may not be able to recover for tomorrow's game. Stubbsy is back in contention but together with weir, they may be on the subs bench.

With a fast Pool attack, we might need to go for a young and spritely defence.


Howard

Nayce, Lescott, Yobo, Neville
Arteta, Timmy, Cars, Ossie
AJ, Beats

Substitutes
Wright, Weir, Anichebe, Davis, Valante

Scoreline: Everton 2 - 2 Liverpool

How Many Wins Left?

My policy for Everton is always try to reach the safety zone first. Any other points after that is really a bonus.

So what does safety means? 40 points or 10 wins and 10 draws. So far, the Toffees has achieved 7 points or 2 wins and 1 draw. So simply put, we need another 8 wins and nine draws, and that addtional feather in the peakcap with be the defeat of the Kops!

Well, that win will do wonders for Everton's future matches as their confidence will then be sky high. So let's blow them away!

Is Everton Short of Left Wingers?

Ok, first we sold Killer. now Moyes have came up to say that he might actually use Nayce as a left winger? I do surely pray that VdM come back quick. Actually, VdM has to handle more than just his injury or fitness. I think, psychologically, his spirit is miles away. Maybe it's at some pub in Netherlands!

I don't doubt that Nayce can play the flanks, but I don't see him as a creative player ala Ginola or even Gazza. It's like asking Hibbo to play right flank!

Don't think we should start panicking now...erm...maybe soon!

Players on International Duties

So how did the Toffees on International duties fared?

Scotland
Weir - Captained the side
Nayce - Did quite ok in the 6-0 drubbing of Faroe Islands
Faddie - Assisted in the setting up of one goal, scored one, and had one off the post

England
AJ - Came on for the last 20 minutes. Seemed to have the jitters
Neville - Steady performance as a right back, lots of movement, but not among the top england players

Wales
Davis - Carried his fine form for Everton to the International game. But all his efforts came to naught.

There'll be other International games on Thurs. Hope the players would have recovered by Saturday. But of course, Moyes may want to take this opportunity to further rotate the squad.

Actim Players Ranking: 290806

Nowadays, every single pass and tackle can be counted and be tabulated in a table of statistics. One accurate statistics counter would be the Actim Index. So here are the number of players from the selected clubs who are in the Top 100 listing.

Manure: 12
Portsmouth: 11
Villa: 10
West Ham: 8
Everton: 7
Chelski: 5
Pool: 1

The seven Everton players that made it to the Top 100 list are:-

AJ - 4th (4th highest rated Striker)
Neville: 17th
Timmy: 23rd
Arteta: 28th
Howard: 45th (3rd highest rated Goalkeeper)
Yobo: 46th
Cars: 58th

Other interesting stats includes:-

Most goals scored: 5/20 placing
Most goals conceded: 16/20 placing