Blues linked to £5m Cana

Moyes eyeing up Albanian Cana as Carsley replacement
By Daniel Gregory 27/02/08

Everton are being linked with a bid for Marseilles Albanian midfielder Lorik Cana.

Press in France and England have revealed Moyes has sent his scouts to France to look over the possible long term replacement for the ageing Lee Carsley.

Moyes has been on the lookout for a holding midfielder for some time now, and failed to bring in Johan Vogel from Real Betis during the summer, after he was expected to sign.

Moyes will move for the 24 year-old Kosovo born midfielder in the summer if the price is right, although the move depends on whether or not he decides to keep hold of on loan midfielder Manuel Fernandes.

Cana (right) has also been linked to Bayern Munich and AS Roma, and it is expected that they will also lodge bids for the tough tackling holding player, who is Marseilles skipper.

After seeing video's of the player, it looks like he would be the perfect aqcuisition for Moyes, and a player perfectly capable of taking Carsley's place in the side. Cana is a fearsome player who doesn't hold back in a tackle, but also looks good on the ball, can shoot from long range, and is good in the air. What more could you want from a holding player, and all for the rumoured £5million. Get him in!

Would you rather see Manny's move made permanent, or try and get in Cana. See our 'BLUE MOVIES' feature for videos of both to give you a better idea.

Council to accept Bellefield housing plan.

Everton to put funds towards new stadium
By Daniel Gregory 26/02/08

Liverpool City Council are expected to accept plans to build executive houses on Everton's former training ground at Bellefield, but the funds that are raised by the club must legally be used towards the building of a new stadium.

Although there were 220 oppositions to the plans, and the council feared losing a large area of open space in the area, it is expected that the council will vote in favour of the plans at next week's meeting.

Sport England had no objections to the plans, mainly due to their encouragement of clubs to move to new, improved facilities, as Everton did in moving to the Finch Farm site in Halewood last year.

A council report said: “The assistant executive director accepts the sale of the Bellefield site is essential in providing capital for the club to provide a new or improved stadium.

“He also accepts that an improved stadium or new stadium, either at Knowsley or any other location in the region, is capable of providing significant regeneration benefits.

“However, in order to ensure such funds are only used in connection with a new stadium, he considers any permission should be subject to a legal agreement, such that the capital receipt from the sale of the site is only used for such purposes.

“The applicants have confirmed this would be acceptable.”

MAN CITY 0 - 2 EVERTON

Manchester City 0
Everton 2 (Yakubu, Lescott)
Yak bags another to ensure crucial away win
By Daniel Gregory 25/02/08

Goals from Yakubu and Joleon Lescott gave Everton a crucial 2-1 win against Man City at Eastlands.

David Moyes went with a five-man midfield, leaving Andy Johnson on the bench despite his brace in the week against SK Brann. The move paid dividends as Everton controlled large periods of the game, dictating the midfield and restricting Sven Goran-Eriksson's men to a handful of late chances.

Yakubu opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a composed finish from Steven Pienaar's well directed cross, after a neat move through the midfield. With Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo in fine form at the back for the blues, City found it hard to break through and rarely threatened Tim Howard.

The lead was doubled when Lescott headed home with a well angled effort from Lee Carsley's deep cross, giving Joe Hart in the City goal no chance.

City tried to freshen things up at the break by introducing Elano in the midfield, but the Brazilian struggled to get any rythym throughout and looked jaded for the most part of his 45 minutes in the game.

Referee Rob Styles turned down two penalty appeals, both for hand balls, before Lee Carsley's quickly taken free kick brought out a fantastic full length save by Hart, who had to be on his toes to keep out the rasping drive.

City threw countless men forward in search of a way back into the game, but they found a resolute Everton defence, intent on keeping another clean sheet. Lescott, Yobo and Jagielka made important blocks in the dying stages to keep the score at 2-0, before Tim Howard was called into action to keep Mexican Nery Castillo's curling effort out.

City were reduced to ten men when Martin Petrov was given his marching orders for two blatant kicks at Yakubu and Osman. Despite the introduction of the tricky Castillo, City failed to break the Everton defence down, with Benjani spurning the best opportunity, heading straight at Howard.

Everton now move back above Liverpool into 4th place, and go six points clear of City, who are also chasing European qualification.

EVERTON (Marks out of ten)
Howard (8) Hibbert (7) Yobo (9) Jagielka (9) Lescott (9) Neville (8) Carsley (8) Pienaar (7) Cahill (7) Osman (8) Yakubu (8) Subs: Fernandes (5) Johnson (7)

Man of the match: Phil Jagielka.

PIENAAR SET FOR EVERTON STAY

Moyes set to make Pienaar deal permanent.
By Daniel Gregory 25/02/07

After impressing for the blues during his loan spell so far this season, Steven Pienaar looks to have won himself a permanent deal. David Moyes has revealed there is an agreement in the Pienaar loan deal that gives Everton the option to buy the South African playmaker at the end of the season.

The fee is believed to be around the £2.5million mark, and if the deal goes through I doubt any Evertonians will be complaining. Pienaar has been another top find by Moyes and £2.5million would represent another shrewd signing by the Scot.

I for one would be delighted to see Pienaar back at Goodison next season, especially at such a good price, and although there is slight room for improvement, I feel Pienaar will only get better if given assurances on his future.

I would get the deal done if I was Moyesey and leave the loan deal in the past. Reward the lad for his good form, and above all his commitment, and I am sure he will only improve.

Another top signing made by Moyes, I don't know how he does it but he seems to have a 6th sense in the transfer market, and consistently manages to find top quality players, that seem to always fit in (with the exception of VDM), for a reasonable price.

CHANNEL FIVE FOOTBALL.

How crap is Channel Five football?
By Daniel Gregory 24/02/08

Don't get me wrong I am delighted that we are in a European competition, and glad that I get to watch Everton on a more regular basis. But come on! Channel Five's football coverage is nothing short of awful.

Fair do's, they got in Everton legends Kevin Ratcliffe, Pat Nevin and Barry Horne to give it a bit of meaning, but Colin Murray belongs on the radio talking about music as far as I'm concerned.

The commentary is average, and the some of the comments that come out of Murray's mouth really do have nothing to do with the game. How much better would it be if ITV or BBC had the EUFA Cup coverage, I think it would go someway to bridging the gap between the competition and the more glamorous Champions League.

What to do with Andy Van der Meyde?

Is it time to cut our losses?
By Daniel Gregory 23/02/08

Is it time for David Moyes to put Andy Van der Meyde out of his misery and let him leave Goodison?

The troubled Dutch winger arrived at Everton with a big reputation, and a lot was expected of him. But problems off the field have seen the player struggle to perform when given his limited first team opportunities.

Is it now time to let the player go, or would we be missing out on the talent that may eventually come out if he is given a little more time.

The former Inter Milan winger has shown (very) brief glimpses of what he is about, and his ability to beat a man and whip in a good cross, could he go on from there if given a chance.

We aren't exactly blessed with an array of wingers at the club at present, and havn't had an out and out quality winger since the depatures of the mecurial Russian Andrei Kanchelskis, and the Swede Anders Limpar. So would it be too soon to let him go without reaping the rewards of his talents on the pitch.

There is no doubt the lad has his problems, drinking said to be the main one. The question is, can he put them aside and find his form on the pitch for Everton?

Should they stay or should they go?

Loan stars future at Goodison?
By Daniel Gregory 23/02/08

After David Moyes admission that he would like to keep Steven Pienaar on a permanent basis at the end of the season, what are your views on the current loanees at the club.

Moyes will have to decide on the futures of Pienaar, as well as Manuel Fernandes and Tommy Graveson.

With the strange goings on regarding third party ownership of Portuguese midfielder Fernandes, should we get involved? Is he good enough to command a big transfer fee like the £12million being banded about?

And what of Pienaar? Have we seen the best of the South African midfielder. There is believed to be an agreed price of £2.5million for the permanent transfer of the Borussia Dortmund playmaker, does this represent good value for money and yet another sound signing by David Moyes.

Tommy Graveson is enjoying is second spell at Goodison, but do we really need to keep him at the club after his loan spell expires. He was a fantastic servant to the club in his first spell and it was devastating to see him leave for Real Madrid, but does the Danish midfielder still hold the same influence over the midfield battle as he used to.

It remains to be seen what Moyesey will do, but if his track record in the transfer market is anything to go by, it is almost certain he will make the right choice in the best interests of the club.

FIORENTINA - A CLOSER LOOK

La Viola - The Danger Men
Daniel Gregory 23/03/08

Confidence is high at Goodison after breezing through the EUFA Cup thus far. David Moyes has said he expects a tough game, but what can we expect when we visit the Stadio Artemio Franchi for the first leg on Thursday 6th March

Who will be they key men for Moyesey and the lads to look out for when they travel to face La Viola? Here is a quick look at the Italian sides key men:

1 SEBASTIEN FREY (Strong keeper, has struggled to break into the French national side throughout his career but a good stopper nonetheless.
2 Per Kroldrup (A familiar face to most Evertonians. A solid centre back who was at brought to Everton by Moyes a few years back, but didn't make the grade and was quickly shipped back to Italy.
21 Tomas Ujfalusi (Another solid defender. A Czech Republic international and sure to be tough to get past.
6 Alessandro Potenza (24 year old defender who started out at Internazionale. Has 27 Italy U'21 caps.
4 Marco Donadel (Strong midfielder who was a product of the AC Milan youth setup. Captained the Under 21 side to victory at the 2004 European Championships.
11 Fabio Liverani (Bagged a goal against Rosenborg in the last round. Has three caps for the national side.
18 Riccardo Montolivo (An attacking midfielder who can play as a deep lying striker. Has 20 Under 21 caps, and has turned out for the full national side recently as well.
10 Adrian Mutu (Ex Chelsea striker who was famously booted out of the Stamford Bridge club after his cocaine exploits. The Romanian will be a danger nonetheless.
32 Christian Vieri (A veteran Italian striker. Scored 23 goals in 49 appearances for the Azzuri.
29 Giampaolo Pazzini (The Fiorentina forward scored a hat-trick in the first game at the new Wembley, his first the fastest at the stadium (old & new) timed at 28 seconds.
99 Daniele Caccia (Scored against Rosenborg in the last round. A dangerous player.

La Viola currently sit in 4th spot in Serie A, ahead of AC Milan in 5th place. Their coach Claudio Cesar Prandelli managed AS Roma and Parma before taking over the reins at Fiorentina.

David Moyes' men will travel to Stadio Artemio Franchi for the first leg on 6th March, and will be hoping to take a strong position back to Goodison for the return tie on 13th March.

What do you think of our chances against the Italians? Vote in the GOODISONview poll.

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Stadium Proposals...

Is the Kirby move right for the club?
By Daniel Gregory 21/02/08

Are you in favour of the proposed move to a new stadium in Kirby? Vote in the GOODISONview poll...

I for one back the proposals, we need to follow the likes of Arsenal and Man City who have seen a good return on their decision to move grounds.

We can't get left behind by the red half of the city, who are pressing ahead (very slowly and farcically) with their plans to re-build.

Yes, Goodison has a fantastic atmosphere and a lot of good memories, but times are changing in the game, and we need to follow if we are going to keep up with the big boys.

One step from greatness?

Can we break the stronghold of the top four?
By Daniel Gregory : 20/02/2008

We all have our different views on this current Everton side, and how much potential is actually there. Is it false hope that we can break into the dominant top four and reach the promised land of the Champions League again?

As a younger Evertonian I have seen mainly gloomy times at Goodison. I was there when Gareth Farrelly scored against Coventry to keep us up on goal difference, and when Kevin Campbell almost single-handedly kept us up on his own. So I find it hard to see us challenging for honours as I missed out on the glory days of Lineker and Sharp in the 80s. But I am still of the opinion that David Moyes only needs a couple of big signings, and to jig a couple of things about to make us a real threat to the top four’s throne.

In Bill Kenwright we have a fantastic chairman, who is prepared to back Moyes to the hilt, and has done so on numerous occasions in recent years, notably with the signings of the YAK, AJ and Lescott. I am sure Kenwright will continue to place his trust in Moyes’s ability in the transfer market this summer. His record is second to none, Cahill for £2M, Arteta for £3.5M, Howard for £3M, all fantastic buys.... and what about Joleon Lescott? A risky buy what with his injury problems and no Premiership experience, but he has turned out to be one of the best defenders in the league this term. Especially with his versatility as a left back as well as a centre back.

Kenwright and Moyes need to go all out this summer to ensure our progression doesn’t falter. First job; keep Manny Fernandes this time, we mustn’t let him escape again. The boy oozes quality and would get in to most teams' starting eleven. Yes he has had his faults recently, but I am putting that down to a lack of match sharpness, given the rarity of his outings under Ronald Koeman at Valencia.

I genuinely feel this Everton side are two or three quality signings away from being top four material. I think we need to bring in a world-class right back, to complete the back line of Yobo, Jags and Lescott. Someone with real quality going forward, something that Phil Neville sadly lacks. I also think if we can keep hold of Manny, it will just take a quality winger and possibly a holding midfielder to replace the ageing Lee Carsley to make our side formidable. I would suggest an Ashley Young for the flank perhaps, and possibly a Tom Huddlestone or a Scott Parker to sit behind Cahill and Manny in the middle of the park, if they can be enticed away from London.

If we can spend big (but sensibly) in the summer, and keep hold of the squad that Moyesey has assembled so well, then why can’t we be challenging the top four for honours and European glory? The pessimist among us would say that the blue bubble is set to burst, and our season will petter out into mediocrity, as has been the case on a number of occasions. But look at the squad we have at our disposal now. I would point to three reasons that suggest we are onto a winner:

• The firepower we now have: A four-prong strike force with Yak, AJ, Victor and Vaughany, complemented by Timmy Cahill when playing a five-man midfield.
• The quality and creativity: The additions of players with real quality on the ball, such as Stevie Pienaar and Manny Fernandes, complemented by Mikel Arteta give us an added depth we have lacked for a while.
• The squad and togetherness: How many players do you see leaving Goodison? I haven’t been heartbroken by the sale of a player since you know who jumped ship to Old Trafford. The togetherness of the squad has shone through during difficult circumstances, ties against Metalist Kharkiv (home and away), and Chelsea away spring to mind.

This summer is going to be a vital one in the progression of what is a fantastic opportunity for a sleeping giant to be woken up once and for all. In five years time we could have it all; the fantastic state-of-the-art new stadium, David Moyes continuing his Alex Ferguson style dynasty, and a side challenging for honours both at home and in Europe.

Blues storm through with SK Brann demolition.

Everton batter Brann to seal tie in style.
By Daniel Gregory 21/02/08

'Feed the Yak and he will score' rang around Goodison tonight as Everton brushed aside Norweigan outfit 6-1, completing a convinving 8-1 aggregate win for the blues.

Record signing Yakubu bagged a hat-trick for Moyes' men, and AJ also found his scoring boots with two fine finishes and plenty of graft.

Mikel Arteta found the net with the help of a huge deflection to complete the scoring, and a fantastic night for the blues.

SK Brann brought just shy of 2,000 raucas fans with them, and they definately contributed to a great European night at Goodison.

The blues now face a tough tie against Italian side Fiorentina, but Moyesey's boys won't fear anyone after this performance, and on current form.