betting
Everton
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Same old Toffees
Will they taste sweeter than last season’s bitter variation? Once again Everton have failed to live up to expectations. Despite the pedigree of their coach and the close-knit side expressing talent all over the pitch they just can’t seem to get it right at Goodison Park. The problem has been always that of the goals. Can it be overcome this season?
Coach: Moyes
Tactics: 4-3-2-1
Players In: Joao Silva, Gueye, Mucha, Beckford
Players Out: Yobo, Turner, Jutkiewicz, Ruddy
Current Probable Formation: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha
Their consolation prize for a bumpy start that was looking
disastrous up until December could have been the Europa League but they were
deprived of that privilege by none other than hated rivals Liverpool for just
two points. It was a season of disappointments when considering that they could
have ousted any of the teams 
battling for a spot in the minor European
competition but ultimately all the others were better than them in securing a
place.
They did well in making it over the cutoff line and getting considered by far as belonging to the top eight sides in the Premier League. Birmingham, which finished in the ninth place, were a distant eleven points behind. However, that eighth place was the only one that did not give access to Europe. When considering Villa’s short squad numbers and Liverpool’s troubles one cannot but think that the Toffees could well have taken a bigger share of the cake. Nonetheless, Everton did have troubles themselves. Theirs were of a different nature however, with most of their team stars failing to keep a consistent fitness level. Injuries ravaged the team and hopes are for this year that the black cloud hovering above has flown away onto other teams …perhaps on nearby Liverpool, if Everton fans could choose its next destination.
The feelings of a team unfulfilled are after all justified, as will confirm a look at Everton’s first eleven. And Moyes seems to agree with the thesis that is was just an unlucky turn of events that kept them from realizing their full potential last year. In fact, he has not moved to bring in any new players. His statement is clear. There is no need for reinforcements. Getting their current players fit and keeping them thus is what the Toffees need in order to bring success to Goodison Park.
American keeper Howard keeps impressing and Jagielka
likewise, with Arsenal and other top English clubs still very much interested
in securing the youngster’s signature. This season it looks like the English
international will not be going anywhere and will therefore be Distin’s partner
in front of Howard. The left-back is Baines and on right-back things are yet to
be decided with Hibbert and Phil Neville fighting for the spot. Moyes will have
wished Bilyaletdinov was right-footed given his great contributions on the
offensive front whenever he played. Baines does guarantee that on the left
though so it will be difficult for the 
Russian to carve out a space for himself
in that role. There could have been chances of moving him forward in midfield
but on the left side Pienaar’s creativity cannot be put aside.
Osman will be moving on the right of midfield but he does not support the attack as much as Moyes would like. Arteta and Fellaini are an exceptional duo at the centre with one acting as the brains and the other contributing with some good tackling, albeit too often rough enough for a yellow to be waved at the big-haired Belgian, and aerial prowess in midfield and in attack. The question is whether Arteta can this time keep away from injuries. His absence was part and parcel of Everton’s misery last term with the team’s passing game affected considerably when the Spaniard is on the sidelines.
The team’s Achilles heel will once more be the striking force since Moyes has not been able to recruit any new blood in that department. Yakubu had once been one of the most prolific scorers in the English top flight but has in the past two years been disappointing enough to spur Everton to move in on Saha. The ex-Manchester United striker should be Everton’s main offensive terminal although last season’s low numbers in terms of injuries is more of an exception rather than the rule for the Frenchman. The 13 goals he had to his name last year were a sign of his rediscovery of confidence and show how Everton cannot aspire for anything big without him contributing with his goals. Nigerian Anichebe may be a valid alternative but his consistency has been even worse than that of Yakubu over the years. Cahill should be the answer to an attack that feels Saha’s absence and whenever available, given that he is perhaps the player who mostly falls victim to injury setbacks, his goal contribution should be instrumental.
Predicted finishing position: 6th
A right-back and valid cover for Moyes’ fragile midfield and attack could have been great additions for a team which could manage a lot were it not for a loss of continuity resulting from the frequent injury setbacks suffered. In a squad lacking quality to back the high profile of the first team that is what makes all the difference and should provide for tilting the balance to either another season of disappointments or a place in the European zone.
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