Ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Everton, Josh Lawless chats to ReadEverton editor Rhodri Cannon about the game from a Toffee perspective…
1. Four points from two games for Everton so far. Has it been a pretty commendable start?
Four points is okay, but it could so easily have been six. Everton were very poor on the opening day of the season, and to put it bluntly, they were abysmal in the first half against Watford.
A much-improved performance against Southampton delivered three points and confidence, so the team and fans approach the City game with a more positive outlook.
2. You seemed to struggle to juggle Premier League consistency with Europa League commitments last season, can we expect big improvements this time around?
Second season syndrome hit Roberto Martinez hard last season. His Midas touch had completely eroded and he was starting to grate on Everton fans. Some were calling for him to be sacked.
The Europa League certainly took it’s toll but with or without the excursions abroad, some of the performances were totally unacceptable. Everton have to make big improvements this time around or Martinez will pay the full price.
3. Thoughts on Roberto Martinez? Is he still definitely the right man to take Everton forward?
Tough to say. Definitely the right man? No. Potentially? Yes. Martinez has an allure that entices players, they want to play and develop under his exotic tutelage.
Tactically, he has shown his capability of excellence, but the turgid play and questionable selections he served up last year were baffling.
He’s still a young manager and I hope he improves Everton, but he has to learn from his errors.
4. Everton have made a couple of signings in Cleverley and Deulofeu. What do you make of the business done so far and do you expect more additions?
The business done so far has been good, but it’s still not enough if Everton are serious about challenging for the European places. Tom Cleverley is already winning the fans over with energetic, encouraging displays, and everyone loves Gerard Deulofeu. Quick, magical and at £4.3 million, a bargain. Reinforcements are also set to arrive in the form of Ramiro Funes Mori and Andriy Yarmolenko. Not many people know a lot about Funes Mori, an Argentinian centre-half, but River Plate fans adore him and he can take a mean free-kick. Andriy Yarmolenko is more of a known quality, and if Everton do sign the Ukranian star, it’d be a real statement of intent.
5. What do you make of City’s start to the season?
Can’t get much better than trouncing the Champions (and West Brom), can you? City look hungry, intent and full of vigour. The swagger’s back, coupled with steel and that perfect kind of arrogance.
6. Do you think last week’s win over Chelsea laid down a marker for City and proved that the Champions will not have it easy?
To be honest, everyone knew Chelsea weren’t going to have a cakewalk this season, but City have flown out the traps.
People are already eating their words and bleating about how Pellegrini’s lads are going to storm the title, but there’s still the whole season left to play.
The result was a statement from City, but Chelsea will react.
7. If you could have one City player in the Everton side, who would it be?
It’s going to be tough to whittle it down to one! Hart’s a very good keeper, Kompany is a leader of men and a fantastic centre-half, Toure is frightening and Silva is the best no.10 in the Premier League. But it’s got to be Sergio Aguero, no explanation necessary.
8. Who do you think is the real danger for City on Sunday?
City can hurt you from all over the pitch, that’s the trouble. Kolarov was offensively impressive against Chelsea, Navas and Sterling are lightning quick wingers, Toure can do what he wants when he wants to, David Silva could conduct an orchestra with his left foot, and Aguero is the epitome of the perfect of a modern striker.
The real danger? Bloody everywhere, mate.
9. Can you confirm whether or not Tim Cahill has signed on loan for this game? He always seemed to score against us.
Haha! As much as I would love to see Tim in a royal blue jersey again, you won’t have to worry about him on Sunday.
To my knowledge he scored six goals against you? Including two winners. Not bad from the much-loved Aussie.
10. Likely Everton team and score prediction?
Everton’s team: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway, Barry, McCarthy, Cleverley, Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku.
3-2 Everton. Why not?
