I saw one the other day, for example, that Leighton Baines had created more ‘goalscoring chances’ than any other player in the Premier League this season. How ridiculous. Surely any pass to Nikica Jelavić constitutes a ‘goalscoring chance’. As does taking a corner kick. You can analyse his cross completion and average pass length all you like. Statistics lie. We don’t need percentages and numbers to tell us that Leighton Baines is a genuinely WORLD-CLASS footballer.

And that is said with not a touch of bias nor exaggeration. In all my years of following football I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full-back have such an effect on a team’s performance as Baines does currently. He flies up and down the flank quicker than Jimmy Savile’s zipper, featuring as prominently in attack as in defence. For much of the last two years he’s been our most attacking threat, his skilful wing play a rare highlight through some periods so drab that the extent of his contributions may have been a reflection on the team rather than the individual.

But now we’ve turned good again, we’ve started a season like we usually finish, and Baines is still a cut above. Dead-eyed from twelve yards. As good from twenty. And if he’s not scoring, he’s creating. His delivery of a football really is exceptional and with Steven Pienaar ahead of him and Nikica Jelavić in the box, we’re creating ‘goalscoring chances’ galore.

In short, Baines is a Duracell-lunged, Beatled-haired amalgamation of bossness.

Which is all rather impressive. The consistency with which he reaches that level of performance is more than impressive. It’s frightening. A bad game for Leighton Baines is a 7/10. He’s been the best and most consistent full-back in the division for the last two seasons and I have zero doubt that he would be England’s first choice if, God forbid, he was at a rich club.

His nemesis in the fight for the England number three shirt, @TheRealAC3, has not for the first time found himself in hot water this week after labeling the Football Association a #BUNCHOFTWATS. Let’s get one thing straight before we move on. Cole is a petulant, disloyal, womanizing, rifle-shooting, mynob.jpg-sending, handshake-refusing, racist-defending tool. The kind of turd who talks to you whilst keeping one headphone plugged in. An utterly deplorable individual whose one-time opportunity to make love to Cheryl was an injustice in itself.

He’s right, of course. The FA may well be a #BUNCHOFTWATS. But you simply do not say things like that – especially when you’re in his (unwarranted) celebrity position. If I called my company’s bosses a #BUNCHOFTWATS, I’d be signing on tomorrow.

Baines is the antidote. A modest and unassuming man by all accounts, the notion of him taking to social media to have a pop at his sport’s governing body is unthinkable. It’s not Baines, and it’s certainly not Everton. The newspapers have been trying to get him to move to a rich club for some time but he’s not the type to rock the boat and demand a move, in fact I’ve never heard so much as a whisper that he’s been anything but content. If/When he leaves, it will be more Tim Cahill than Joleon Lescott on the scale of transfer amicability because that’s Leighton Baines. 100% sound.

Of course, being sound counts for nothing if you’re no good at togger. But Baines is excellent. 10 years earlier or later and he’d have had 50 caps: as it is he’s lost out to @TheRealAC3. But now’s his England chance, surely. @TheRealAC3 has let himself down – again – and besides, Baines is in better form and is just as good a player.

Whether he gets the opportunity this week or not, Baines will keep his head down and mouth shut. He’ll wait, patiently, tweetlessly, until not even Peter Crouch could overlook him. It’s the Everton way and Baines is Everton.

Leave it to Cole to call other people twats. Glass houses, Ashley.

Here’s a quick comparison from last season between Anichebe, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marouane Chamakh:

It’s interesting to see that Anichebe has scored more goals per minute than both of these forwards, especially given his injury problems and lack of match fitness.

I think perhaps the reason why Victor often does things wrong is because the fans don’t believe in him. If the fans got behind him every game he played then he may rediscover that fire and confidence he used to have when he first came through. Just like when the fans get right behind the team and they show more fight and determination to win.

Victor isn’t the fastest or (even though he looks it) the strongest, but he can finish. Not to mention that David Moyes often plays him out of position on the wing. When it comes down to a shot or a pass in the final third he very often will shoot, which I don’t think Everton always do enough of. Considering the talent we now have upfront in Jelavić and Mirallas it might prove difficult just getting a start in the cup games, but I think the more Victor starts and plays for the full 90 minutes, the better he will get and the more it will build his confidence.

I conclude on saying that the key is to stay with him and back him even if he makes a mistake or has a shot when he should of passed it. Victor Anichebe can only get better with our support.

SO GET BEHIND HIM! ‘Duh duh duh VICTOR ANICHEBE!!!!’

The first place to start is January 2012, with the new additions to the team and a win against Man City at a riotous Goodison Park the entire club was lifted, with league form being stunning from there on and a very exciting trip to Wembley – ok the trip ended in heartbreak but all in all it was a positive milestone reached – looking at the bigger picture Evertonians had reasons to be optimistic.

There were still murmurs of discontent from the usual suspects whenever an opportunity arose, but generally the club was on the up. The work done by David Moyes and Bill Kenwright was shown furthermore after ending the season above the Red mob – who we had ultimately given a 6 point advantage to after losses at both Goodison and Anfield – making the finishing league position even more impressive.

The performances were great, some of the football played was nothing short of sublime, a style of play which the legendary Howard Kendall would have been proud of during the glorious 1980′s… but then came the summer…

After such a good season the negativity set in – not from the club, not from David Moyes or Bill Kenwright – but from an element of the ‘faithful’.  Pretty much as soon as the season ended there was talk of this player leaving us, that player leaving us, Moyes will go, why has Pienaar not signed yet?, we won’t sign anyone, we don’t have any money, we need to pay the bank before they close us down, why haven’t we been bought yet?, Kenwright out – indeed I even saw somebody on Twitter wishing a heart attack on Bill Kenwright at one point when there was talk of David Moyes going to Spurs – where does that come from?! The insanity amongst some of the Blues was something quite bizarre.

With such a good season in relative terms for the club, the summer was the absolute opposite, and was pretty difficult to get through for any normal and logical Blue – and even more difficult to understand.

Fortunately, Bill Kenwright and David Moyes remained resolute and got on with the business of running the club and moving it forward – with new additions and intelligent departures.

And so here we are now, 3 games into the season, 2 league wins and 1 loss – plus we are through to the next round of the League Cup – a pretty good return in the eyes of most.

So what have we learned over the last 9 months?  I would suggest the learnings to have been:

And so there you have it… a view of exactly what has been going on at Everton during the last 9 months.  I can only hope not to have to go through another summer of ‘fan’ induced negativity and at times, hate.

I have a strong sense that things are moving forward at Everton, for those always looking to criticise and detract from the positives, my advice is simple…get on board or be left behind.

For me, its still January’s transfer window that has me smiling. ‘Nikica Jelavic!’ most of you are saying with confidence, obviously the man’s a Croatian sensation. But our very own Irish lucky charm Darron Gibson has had the majority of fans purring at how he stabilizes our midfield, anchors our ship and allows Felli to drive forward with his Belgian powerhouse attitude.

With our best start in god knows how long, Darron Gibson displays the 3 P’s referred to in the title that make me gleam with happiness watching him play.

Firstly, Productivity. You’re probably pondering upon this one, but he really does produce the goods when we need them, not only does he run the midfield like a boss, his set piece delivery is pure and utter quality. I genuinely think we are going to score a corner when he takes them, fair to say he has a peach of  a right foot on him, not to mention the countless through balls he attempts and succeeds a lot of the time.

Passing. I absolutely love the way Gibbo just sits in and around the centre circle forever and frequently switching the play from left to right with curved ground passes. simplistic?, yes, effective? most definitely. People underestimate the importance of the anchor role that Gibbo plays, understandable when you see Peanuts and Bainesy tearing the left side of teams apart. But without him, we just look incomplete, something doesn’t seem right. (The WBA game is part of my evidence). Hopefully our new loan player Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe gets a few games partnering him. I for one would love to see them two interchanging passes and just generally sending the opponents heads for a wobble.

Finally, Passion. Now this secured Gibbo’s receding hairline forever in my heart. Everton 1 Manchester United 0.

‘AN IF, YA KNOW, YA HISTORY!’

Grand Old Team blazes across the Goodison speakers, Sky Sports cameras switch pitchside, and there it was, Gibbo, proudly, passionately bellowing out the famous EFC song. Well Blues, that was special, that was something no other fans could relate to.

I’ll finish this article with the famous quote by the great Alan Ball

“Once Everton has touched you, nothing will be the same”

For some time I’ve put Everton’s painfully slow starts down to two things:-

1. Not buying any players or buying them so close to deadline day that it takes months for them to gel. Straight away the players and the crowd are on a downer, because none of last season’s problems on the pitch have been addressed.
2. A preseason with Moyesy! … I just get the feeling that perhaps we concentrate too much on the fitness levels rather than working with the football.

So far this season our business has been done in timely fashion. Yes there have been some departures, but this time around I can honestly say I’m happy with our sales. Our left side is as it should be now Pienaar has signed permanently. We have a hardworking attack minded option in Naismith who can can operate on either wing or in a more advanced role. Then of course we have Kev Mirallas, a forward with flair, an eye for goal and the ability to beat a man.

Moyes has said he would like to bring 2 more players in if he can, and he’s currently trying to pull a deal off for the highly rated Caen striker M’Baye Niang. I wouldn’t mind us bringing in a left back as cover for Baines either. Although further sales shouldn’t be ruled out, particularly with whispers that Victor Anichebe may yet be off to Wigan.

The players were brought back from their tour extra early to ensure they were as settled as possible for the season ahead. You would have to say that this decision has paid off. Moyes has cracked it, we’re off to a flyer…

Our 1-0 victory over United demonstrated our hard work, determination and grit. Despite having only 31% of the overall possession, we had 18 goal attempts to United’s 14, with 7 on target to United’s 4. United’s goalkeeper David de Gea was arguably the best player on the pitch.

We then witnessed yesterday’s 3-1 demolishing of Aston Villa in their back yard. The Toffees dictated the game from the off for a good 70 minutes before slowing things down, having 61% possession and 22 goal attempts to Villa’s 9, 6 on target to Villa’s 2.

Arguably the most refreshing thing about this season is knowing that we have a player in Jelavić who will rip the back of the goal nets off given the chance. Nikica’s partnership up top with Marouane Fellaini is now proving more than just a handful for defences.

For me, top four has to be our aim this season. It is a big ask for a small squad, but if we can stay relatively injury free * touch wood * then I believe we are a match for anyone.

That’s right! The 2012/13 Barclay’s Premier League kicks off in just 3 days, make that 5 days if you’re Everton. Here’s a quick summary of our pre-season and a look towards the opener:-

The Games

The Transfers (As of 15.08.12)

Ins: Steven Naismith (Rangers), Steven Pienaar (Spurs)

Outs: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahçe), James Wallace (Tranmere), Jose Baxter (Who cares?), Jack Rodwell (Man City)

The Scoop

Well it doesn’t get much bigger than a night game at Goodison, let alone against Man United. If the truth be told I’d say we look a couple of games short of match fitness. That’s not surprising when you take into account our withdrawal from the Java Cup. I probably shouldn’t remind you that we last won our first league game of the season in August 2007 when we beat Wigan 2-1 at home and we have lost all of our opening day fixtures since.

Everton have been more resilient in recent seasons against the former champions having picked up a win, 2 draws & a loss from our last 4 games against them at Goodison. In preparation, Sir Alex may spare a thought for last season’s 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford, having acknowledged it as the game that cost them the title. He’s also had this to say in the build up to the season’s opener:

“The Monday night start doesn’t bother me. That’s not a big factor. The fact it’s Everton away holds much more weight. It’s a tough fixture and we’ve not found it easy there in recent years, despite some good results.” – Whisky Nose

Prediction

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking for a win. Optimistic, yes. One might say that our opening day track record, coupled with our overall Premier League record against United is enough to scare any Blue away from the bookies for this 1. I say that this might be just the catalyst we need to end our woeful slow starts once and for all.

My only real concern is whether we can keep the ball out of our own net, especially if Chicharito has any say in the matter. It will be interesting to see who Moyes starts in the centre of defence. For me, Jags and Heitinga are our two best centre-halves. Sylvain Distin however is the natural left footed option, and he adds obvious height and pace to the back four.

Darron Gibson is an early doubt for Monday so we may see Phil Neville holding the midfield with Marouane Fellaini, despite the Belgian not making Everton’s bench on Saturday due to a slight injury.

Providing we keep it tight at the back, I have little doubt that Everton Jedis Pienaar and Baines can telepathically connect down the left wing. Add to that the great positional play and workrate that we have seen from Steven Naismith during pre-season, together with the notorious one touch finishing of Nikica Jelavić, and you would fancy us to score past anyone.

We may not see Everton’s most fluent football come Monday, but who says we need to for it to be one of those nights…

What’s on yer slip?

Everton 2-1 Manchester United. Steven Naismith first goalscorer.

Brian Labone – 1966 FA Cup Final

“The last of the Corinthians”, as described by former manager Harry Catterick, Labone’s monogamous career saw the centre-half rack up 534 appearances, two league titles and an FA Cup win with Everton. He shall forever and rightly be remembered as a great amongst greats.

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“If you could put together a team of every player that has ever captained Everton, every one of us would turn to Brian to lead us out”- Kevin Ratcliffe

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His manner on the pitch was somewhat mimetic of his off field demeanour; dignified, smooth and unflappable. He was strong in the tackle yet impeccably fair – his tally of just two bookings in over a half-mille of Everton appearances shouldn’t belie a steely side to his game that was needed to survive in his position, up against 1960s’ centre-forwards with gorilla-like physiques.

Tall but slim and by no means the largest or most brutish of centre-halves, Labone’s sense of anticipation and astute reading of the game meant he was as formidable in the air as he was adept with the ball at his feet. On the ground he was more inclined than most of his era to propel attacks from defence, sweeping passes from the back with his right boot, more often than not reserving his left only to keep him standing upright.

On the pitch and off it, Labone was a leader by example and therefore a natural choice to assume the role of Everton captain in the 1964/65 season, taking over from the disgraced Tony Kay, who had been imprisoned for his role in the betting scandal of 1964. Labone and Everton were an ideal fit; both valuing passion and loyalty above much else.

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“Everton Football Club breeds gentleman” – Bob Latchford

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By that time he had played a cardinal role in helping Everton to the 1962/63 Championship, providing a steely spine to a side blossoming with the goals of Alex Young and Royston Vernon. He became the first Everton player to be called up by England in nigh-on twenty years and looked a certainty to be included in England’s ultimately victorious World Cup squad of 1966, yet turned down the opportunity in order to wed his fiancée.

He squared his World Cup absence before the season was out by captaining Everton to the 1966 FA Cup and, four years later, he did represent the Three Lions at the Mexico 1970 tournament. That, however, would not have happened had he not backtracked on a shock decision to retire at the age of just 28, whilst still in his apparent prime. In 1967, he announced his intentions to leave the game when his contract expired – or earlier, if Everton allowed him – and go into his family’s central-heating business.

He reasoned that his form had dipped but, whilst seeing out the remainder of his deal, he fell back in love with the game and reversed his decision. For Everton, it was a mighty relief. Another league-conquering season in 1969/70 soon followed and Labone was once again an influential piece of that team, sitting behind the Holy Trinity of Colin Harvey, Howard Kendall and Alan Ball. A 1971 Achilles injury impelled him into retirement but he continued to work for the club in commercial and hospitality roles.

When he sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of sixty-six, thousands of Evertonians lined the streets of Liverpool to pay their respects prior to his funeral – proof as if it were needed of just how highly regarded Labone was. The service, held at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, began rather fittingly with the familiar tones of the Z Cars piping from the organ.

Simply one of the finest centre-halves the game of football has ever seen. Rest in peace Labby – a true legend.

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“One Evertonian is worth twenty Liverpudlians” – Brian Labone

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We are currently looking for Evertonians who have a passion for writing. Of course, originality is the key here and as long as your articles are creative and exciting, then we will have no problem posting them.

Your articles can be literally anything to do with Everton Football Club. E.g. An Everton experience, a trip to the match, a match summary, statistical breakdowns, articles on our opponents & so on.

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Do you have previous experience in writing? If so, we are looking for Editors to join our team. Not only will we allow you to post your own articles without our review, but we will place your name on the footer of our website as an Editor of Everton Aren’t We? Our website has a top infrastructure and providing that our content remains fresh and we continue to develop and expand, you could really make a name for yourself here.

Forget the current, stale collection of Everton fan sites and explore a new challenge with ourselves. Be a pioneer.

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