Oppositions Season Thoughts: Everton

Last updated : 24 June 2009 By Dan Buxton
How did your season go? Did Everton finish where you expected them to?

The season went a lot better than I expected. We were expecting the likes of
Villa and Spurs to overtake us so to finish fifth again was a great
achievement, particularly after the awful start we had to the season.
And to get to the FA Cup final was the icing on the cake...just a shame we
couldn't win the bloody thing!

Who was Everton's player of the year?

Was probably Phil Jagielka, was solid at the back and was missed massively
in the cup final.

Who were the best players you saw play against Everton?

Ashley Young probably put in the best individual performance against us when
Villa beat us a Goodison or Florent Malouda in the FA Cup final. Caused
Hibbert no end of problems and Hibbert, despite his flaws going forward, is
generally a solid defender.

Which, if any, Stoke players impressed you this season?

Players that caught my eye were Ricardo Fuller, if only for his goal
against Villa! Possibly the goal of the season for me that one!

And James Beattie for obvious reasons! I was made up he came in a did well
for you as he is a top class player but it just never worked for him at
Everton.

You can also put a mention in for Rory Delap and his throw-ins though I'd
imagine everyone has mentioned him!

What are your thoughts on Stoke City?

I'm glad Stoke stayed up as the division needs clubs like Stoke, proper
clubs with proper fans! I hope I don't sound patronising in any way when I
say that and I hope you know where I'm coming from!
In the same way I'm glad that Burnley have come up this season.

Where do you need to strengthen this summer?

We really need to strengthen the right hand side of the team. It was
massively exposed in the cup final (have I mentioned we got to the FA Cup
final) and we need better quality to attack down the right.

Who'll be on their way out?

Nuno Valente, Andy van der Meyde and Segundo Castillo have already gone and
I can't really see any more players leaving. Unless City or someone are
prepared to stump up silly money for Lescott that is!

Everton's best 11 of the season?

Howard
Hibbert Jagielka Lescott Baines
Cahill Arteta Neville Peinaar
Fellaini
Yakubu

Les Roberts is the editor of Everton MAD