Home > Football > Breaking up Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool could be expensive for Everton
Breaking up Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool could be expensive for Everton
David Moyes has taken his current squad just about as far as they can go - cracking the Big Four will be costly.
by Syd Farr on 09 May 2008
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Everton have been scrabbling under the floorboards of the Big Four for most of the season like a rabid stoat, but recently the clawing and squeaking have subsided. And now Everton are silent, their challenge on the top four is over.
Climbing to the summit without a deep squad is always a risky game, even riskier for the Toffees - a team that have often suffered "hangover seasons" after successful ones - I wouldn't be particularly surprised if they fell into mediocre midtable quicksand next season.
Everton have got this far through ridiculously hard work, with opposition teams unable to pierce their armadillo-like coat of team spirit; to make the step up though they will have to sacrifice this team spirit, bring in more players to get their squad up to fighting weight, and most importantly bring in better players.
This last element of building success is far easier in principle than in practice. Everton currently have a strong first XI, with the watertight Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, and Joleon Lescott at the back, the midget gems - Arteta, Osman, Pienaar, and Fernandes in midfield, and Yakubu and Andy Johnson as a strong forward line.
Comments (6)
by Dexter J on May 09, 2008
More than a little harsh I think, everton have one of the most complete first 11s in the premiership imo, the thing that hurts them is depth, therefore it is not a case of spending 40 million to replace half their team but more a case of building more strength in depth, giving Yak and everyone else a little competition for their places so they are not as comfortable and giving themselves some decent cover from injuries. I think it is a little too early for them to be progressing far in the UEFA but the experience is vital to the team and I see them as being maybe 2 seasons away from a serious top 4 push.
by Amachaghi Simon on May 09, 2008
I like to join this club because i love playing football
by Enda McLoughlin on May 09, 2008
Not getting into a debate as i'm incredibly biased..... but very harsh.
on May 09, 2008 on May 09, 2008
This season really did flatter Everton and im surprised the reality didnt start to happen a little earlier in the season. I predict next season they will be looking at mid-table at best!
The dip in form has happened since we have suffered injuries to Cahill, Arteta and Pienaar (who has been playing hurt for 2/3 months). The problem is not the forward line, it's the midfield depth. If you think we got to our league position by hard work alone, you obviously didn't watch the 2-3 month stretch at the tail end of 2007 where we played some excellent football.
by PATRICK AMOAH on May 10, 2008
MANCHESTER WILL WIN BY TWO GOALS TO ONE
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