Everton’s big challenge

Tuesday, 03/05/2011

by Adam Rowden, Shoot's Everton blogger

A draw at Wigan and an away defeat to Manchester United could not dampen the spirits at Goodison Park at the moment as the Toffee’s form has been brilliant lately.
 
With a large selection of ‘first team’ players out injured Moyes has given opportunities to younger players including Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios and we have managed to win against Blackburn, Wolves, Fulham and Newcastle.
 
There was always a lot of anticipation surrounding Gueye and fans have finally been able to see the young Frenchman in action. He has looked sharp on the wing and has put in some promising displays although he is not the finished article just yet. In a few years time he could be a real threat to opposition defences.
 
The player who has made the greatest impact recently has been Leon Osman (pictured). The former Everton academy player has, in the absence of Cahill and Arteta, bossed our midfield and scored some fantastic goals.
 
Osman’s trickery and ability to seemingly never give away possession has even led some commentators to mention an England call up. However at 30-years-old Osman isn’t the youngest and I don’t believe we will be seeing him pulling on the white jersey of England any time soon.
 
Everton’s form of late got everyone talking about one final push for a European place. However, after our last two results against Man United and Wigan it looks like we will now just have to settle for seventh.
 
Another terrible start to a season has again cost us dearly in our search for success, although we have had a season where we have managed to hold onto all of our best players.

I know it isn’t much, but in recent years we have seen the departure of Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott so at least we can take comfort in seeing our team stay together.
 
It does appear that the pre-season will be awash with tabloid rumours over the future of some of our key players. Manchester United are again being linked with Jack Rodwell and star of the season Leighton Baines will no doubt be linked with everyone, including local rivals Liverpool.
 
I am confident Baines will stay but Rodwell on the other hand, I just don’t know. I do feel however that after another underwhelming season Mikel Arteta should be sold on to raise much needed funds for new signings and serial moaner Johnny Heitinga should also follow him out of the club.
 
A couple of fresh faces might just be the catalyst for a good season next time round. Some eager signings hoping to make an impact on the team may just spur us on to, dare I say it, start the season well. As opposed to reaching the half way mark and having a mountain to climb.
 
Realistically I think all Everton fans know that we will have a limited budget going into the next transfer window so a few sales may be required to make some improvements to the squad. I just hope we don’t lose any of our younger stars.
 
If we are able to hold onto Fellaini, Coleman, Rodwell, Jagielka, Baines, Osman and Cahill then only a few additions would be needed to make a squad that could seriously compete for trophies next season.

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