Everton Up Next

Time for a trip to Everton again, so we get a few thoughts from Vital Everton.

With thanks to Rob-EFC and Toffeeblue who both answered the questions ahead of the game.

Rob-EFC first.

1)The halfway point of the season has passed, are expectations the same and do you have new high and low points?

Think the expectations are still the same, Europe has to be the minimum with the hope of 4th place and the lucrative Champions League. As for a high point, personally, the Spurs win is my highlight so far, amazing turnaround and was massive for us considering they are probably the biggest rivals for 4th. Lowlight is the performance and result at your place in September, shocking performance.

2) Where do you believe you need to strengthen in the window to achieve your aims, and are you pleased with your clubs efforts so far?

We need a coupe of reinforcements, mainly squad depth, priorities need to be a centre midfielder and a back up striker. As for our efforts, extremely disappointing, was hoping since we are in the hunt for 4th, we might show some guts and make a couple key signings to help, but of course, our board is skint and relying on loans on deadline day.

3) Where do you see your current weaknesses this season? Any clues for the game will be greatly appreciated 🙂

Our problem this season has been trying to keep a clean sheet, we didn’t have one for about 16 matches, but now we have 2 clean sheets in a row, so our defence looks to be tightening up, however, that has coincided with us forgetting how to put the ball into the net.

4) Who will be your key dangerman?

Hard to look past Fellaini, but I really think our other Belgian Kevin Mirallas is a real danger, someone we have desperately lacked since his injury and will be a big boost should he start.

5) Anyone you desperately hope will join before the window closes?

Don’t really have anyone specific because with Moyes you don’t know what to expect, but desperately need a midfielder and a striker at the very least.

6) Where do you see Albion finishing this season?

Similar position to where you are right now, your start has put in in good stead and it is hard to see you drop out of the top half of the table, would say 8th.

7) What do you think of the appointment of Steve Clarke now he’s had six odd months?

Was skeptical before, since he hasn’t been a manager before, but seems to have worked out extremely well for West Brom and Clarke, seems to have established your lot as a top 10 side.

8) If you could take one of our players, who would it be and why?

Torn on two, one is Mulumbu, think he would be ideal for our midfield and is the type of player we are really lacking in this side, someone who just covers the back 4 and does his defensive duties. The other would be Lukaku, who is looking like a scary proposition for defenders even at his age.

9) Who do you see as our main threat?

Lukaku, the lad is a monster, his pace and physicality, given his age, is a scary thought, and he looks like he is a willing runner as well, so he won’t give our defenders a minute rest.

10) What weaknesses in our team do you think you’ll be looking to exploit?

Think the midfield is vulnerable with Mulumbu at ACON, will be hoping Fellaini, Pienaar and Mirallas can take advantage of that and control the game on our terms.

11) Finally, a prediction please fellow football fan…

Again, think Mulumbu is a massive loss for your side, but under Clarke, you seem very compact and tight defensively, so you will undoubtedly make it difficult for us, at home, I would fancy our chances, but given the way we have been playing and the fact we have forgotten how to score goals, it wouldn’t surprise me if West Brom came out of the match with a draw.

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Toffeeblue next.

1)The halfway point of the season has passed, are expectations the same and do you have new high and low points?

Still the same as the start…ie a euro place. Think we have blown 4th spot personally with too many draws.

2) Where do you believe you need to strengthen in the window to achieve your aims, and are you pleased with your clubs efforts so far?

Def midfielder and partner for Jelavic. Ideally we would strengthen other areas but we don’t have the cash.

3) Where do you see your current weaknesses this season? Any clues for the game will be greatly appreciated 🙂

Not clinical enough and don’t finish teams off.

4) Who will be your key dangerman?

Fellaini obviously, must be a contender for player of the season.

5) Anyone you desperately hope will join before the window closes?

Any new additions would be welcome.

6) Where do you see Albion finishing this season?

About 10/11th I would say, not bad for Clarke’s 1st season and something to build on.

7) What do you think of the appointment of Steve Clarke now he’s had six odd months?

Done much better than I expected, as expected you have had a little blip to the sensational start he had.

8) If you could take one of our players, who would it be and why?

Not technically yours but Lukaku, would be a great foil for Jelavic.

9) Who do you see as our main threat?

See above.

10) What weaknesses in our team do you think you’ll be looking to exploit?

You look a bit weaker with Mulumbu gone to Afcon, so we should exploit the middle, would like to see Mirallas get at your left back as well.

11) Finally, a prediction please fellow football fan…

Everton 3 WBA 1

Vital West Brom on:

Vital West Brom on: