DECISIONS, decisions. David Moyes would love nothing more than to seal back-to-back fifth place finishes but he won’t leave the FA Cup behind at Craven Cottage in order to achieve that goal. So, then, what type of team will he select for the final game of the Premier League campaign against Fulham? Let’s start at the back – this might be the perfect opportunity to give Carlo Nash a run out and let Tim Howard catch his breath for the week but Tim will fancy playing because he’s featured in every minute of every game so far and will be keen to improve his clean sheet record. The year we finished fourth, the manager talked things over with me and we let Richard Wright play the final two games, as he deserved the chance after working so hard in training all year. I’m sure the same applies to Carlo and there’s every chance David will sit down with Tim and Chris Woods towards the end of the week and formulate a plan; Carlo is a good keeper and wouldn’t see a problem in him starting. Then, though, you move towards the defence. Phil Jagielka’s injury means we cannot afford to lose either Joseph Yobo or Joleon Lescott, so does that mean Jack Rodwell will take over from either of those men? Rodwell, however, may also line up in the final and it would be possibly unfair to ask an 18-year-old to play a position in which he has no experience in the Premier League; basically, the two central defenders will have to protect themselves as they always do. When you then take into consideration men like Marouane Fellaini, Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar, it’s easy to see the kind of dilemmas with which the manager has to deal? But at the back of his mind, he will desperately want to win this game, as he has never had the best of times at Craven Cottage. It’s well documented that the Blues haven’t won there since 1966 and there could be no better way to warm up for Wembley than with a victory, particularly as fifth place would mean an extra £500,000 in prize money – which could go towards someone’s wages. Yet there is only one game that really matters before the end of the month and we all know which it is – that’s why there could well be changes aplenty against Fulham. Steven Pienaar’s sizzling form has softened blow of losing Mikel Arteta WHEN Mikel Arteta was injured, there were fears Everton’s attacking ambitions for the season were as good as over. However, the way Steven Pienaar has risen to the challenge David Moyes set him a couple of months ago has been ultra impressive. The South African’s performances have got better and better with each passing game and he will head into the showdown with Chelsea in the best form of his Everton career. Last season you could tell he was a good player but the consistency wasn’t always there – he would flourish in some games but then go missing in others. Now, though, he looks a much more complete individual and you can see the grounding he had at Ajax really shining through. He’s got all the skill you could ask for but he is also prepared to do his work tracking back. He and Leighton Baines have formed a potent partnership on the left flank and it is serving Everton well. Forget about rivalry - Steven Gerrard is the right Footballer of the Year SOMETIMES you have to put rivalry to one side and say well done. Steven Gerrard was named Football Writers’ Player of the Year last week and I can’t see any reason to argue with that choice. Yes, he plays in red and comes from the other side of Stanley Park but he is an outstanding player and I don’t think for one minute any supporter would turn their nose up if Everton had a chance to sign him. That, of course, is never going to happen but he is a great competitor and, clearly, one of the best midfielders in the business. I would imagine, though, he will look back on this season with a bit of regret, as while it is nice to win individual awards, nothing compares to the buzz of achieving something special with your team. Thankfully, Everton have still have that chance and, if all goes to plan at Wembley, every Blue will look back at this being a vintage year.
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