Everton - A fan's view
Wednesday, 23 May 2007 18:08
Good, bad or just the same old, same old. What the fans made of the 2006/07 season.
Finishing sixth and qualifying for Europe represents an extremely successful season for this thin-on-the-ground Everton squad. Injuries to key players including Tim Cahill, Andy Johnson and James Vaughan made life difficult at times and there were murmurings of unrest from the Goodison faithful when results turned sour.
Ultimately, however, the 2006/07 season will be remembered as a runaway success and it provides additional evidence of David Moyes' managerial prowess and his ability to get 100 per cent from his players.
Everton's cup form, on the other hand, was once again woeful and with the league realistically out of reach at the moment, this will disappoint Moyes enormously. Everton have a proud history in the FA Cup, with 12 appearances in the final, and the fans will expect much better next year.
With Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool seemingly too far away to catch these days, Everton are one of seven or eight teams in the so-called 'second tier' of the Premiership who regularly compete to be the best of the rest. And but for a poor decision from the referee in the last minute of the final game against Chelsea, this would have been achieved. However Tottenham's victory over Manchester City put paid to any hopes of clinging on to 5th.
Everton fans are rightly dissatisfied with the idea of being the best of the rest, however. This is a club that has historically competed for the top honours and settling for European qualification will never be enough. Moyes has shown once already that breaking into the top four is achievable and Everton fans will be looking for a few big signings to make this a possibility once again.
Grade: B
High Point
Beating Liverpool 3-0 at the beginning of the season will live long in the memories of those who made it to Goodison that day.
Andrew Johnson wrote himself into Everton folklore with a fantastic brace after a tidy opener from Tim Cahill had set the ball rolling. A tedious 0-0 at Anfield ensured Everton finished the season unbeaten by their near neighbours - no mean achievement.
Low Point
Losing 2-1 to Tottenham at Goodison Park thanks to a late strike by Jermaine Jenas was by far the worst moment of the season for most Evertonians.
Moyes took a great deal of flak for his decision to replace Manuel Fernandes with Tony Hibbert and he was on the receiving end of a chorus of boos when the referee blew the final whistle. Fortunately for Moyes and his team, the next few results were excellent and most fans regained their trust in the man they have nickname Moyesiah.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Mikel Arteta -
The Spaniard was again outstanding and his ability to orchestrate proceedings in the middle of the park was central to the team's European qualification. He invariably adds craft to a team founded on graft and his deliveries from set-pieces are truly fantastic.
Arteta also has a deceptive turn of pace and, despite spending much of the season on the left wing, he was involved in almost everything good about Everton's season. Encouragingly, the Spanish playmaker also chipped in with a fair few goals, perhaps responding to criticism from his manager that he was not contributing enough in this way. Contract talks are now ongoing and securing the signature of Everton's stand-out flair player is absolutely essential.
Needs for Next Season
Everton need a left-back, possibly a right-back and a combative midfielder. Keeping hold of loan-signing Fernandes would be a great boost but a daunting price tag suggests this may be unachievable. If James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe continue to improve, Everton should be in good health in attack, especially if Johnson can overcome the persistent niggling injuries that unsettled his first season. Nonetheless, bringing staunch Evertonian David Nugent to the club would certainly be a welcome move.
Paul Foster
Club history, honours and statistics
Return to club news