WITH only five games of the current campaign remaining, it’s fair to say Evertonians are feeling reasonably optimistic about the future. Their team currently sits in 6th place in the Premiership table, and the passports are on standby in anticipation of a European sojourn next season. The two games over the Easter period, though only a snapshot of the season as a whole, provided plenty of evidence that David Moyes’ team is becoming a genuine force to be reckoned with, and while the primary focus in the matches against Fulham and Bolton was to keep Everton within touching distance of a UEFA Cup spot, there was much to be gleaned from looking at the bigger picture. The Blues’ recent run of form is due in no small part to the excellent team spirit throughout the squad, with everyone pulling together to achieve the desired results. This was epitomised against Fulham in the performances of Carsley and Stubbs who not only worked tirelessly at their defensive duties, but also popped up with vital goals. Carsley, in particular, produced a magnificent display. Undeterred by a strong challenge from Brian McBride in the opening stages of the match, which left him needing stitches in a nasty head wound at half time, the Irishman dominated the battle in midfield, consistently breaking up Fulham’s attacking play. Happy to adopt the role of Everton’s unsung hero and stay out of the limelight, Carsley has justifiably received plaudits from his manager and teammates and has been a key player, especially in the absence of Tim Cahill. Joleon Lescott made an uncharacteristic error for Bolton’s opening goal at the Reebok on Easter Monday, but that should not detract from what has been an outstanding first season in the Premiership for the former Wolves man. Defensively assured and equally as confident going forward, as his forays down the wing against Fulham proved, Lescott has arguably been Everton’s player of the season, despite being asked to play out of position at left back for most of the campaign. His closest challenger for the award is the enigmatic Mikel Arteta, who has been in sparkling form of late. The Spaniard brings an extra touch of class to Everton and even in his quieter games, when he performs below par by his standards is still able to create moments of magic to excite the crowd. With Tim Cahill missing a large chunk of the season through injury, David Moyes turned to Arteta to turn creator and goal scorer and he has responded to the challenge with gusto, setting up three of Everton’s four goals in the Fulham game alone. Yet it is perhaps in the attacking department rather than midfield that Evertonians have the most cause to be optimistic. Andrew Johnson has already repaid the manager’s faith in paying what some considered over the odds for his services, scoring 12 goals and working tirelessly for the team regardless of formation and with a variety of strike partners. In recent games, his partnership with James Vaughan has flourished and it is here that the signs for the future are the most encouraging. In James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe, Everton have two youngsters who, while still raw and inexperienced, have grabbed their first-team opportunities by the scruff of the neck and given a clear indication of the potential they can offer. With a total of 7 goals between them already this season, despite only 10 Premiership starts, and with both scoring quality goals against Fulham and Vaughan notching another in the considerably more physical game at Bolton, there is every reason to believe they have what it takes to succeed at the top level. Injuries to both players over the Easter weekend is likely to rule them out of action over the next couple of weeks, providing James Beattie with the perfect chance to resurrect his season. For one reason or another, the striker has failed to hold down a regular place in the side and struggled to make an impact when brought on as a substitute, yet his commitment to the cause remains 100% and fans will be hoping he can use this opportunity to prove he still has a role to play at the club. Last but not least, a word or two of praise for the manager. Roundly criticised by the fans after the team’s capitulation in the home game against Tottenham, David Moyes has guided his team back up to 6th spot in the table, with most fans now believing Europe is a realistic possibility. There is still plenty of work to be done, and further improvements to be made, but for a club that has not had much to cheer about in recent years, the future looks bright. | 
Article
HAVE your say on our Blues Messageboard - click