Preview: Toff Test or Sweet Victory?

Last updated : 14 September 2006 By Liam Cooper
Going off recent history, Everton are poised to have a good season. After finishing seventh in his first season, David Moyes narrowly escaped relegation the season after.
Johnson: Danger man for Everton


He made up for this by leading his troops to fourth place and a Champions League spot in 2005, however last season did not lead up to the previos year, finishing eleventh behind the Latics.

Moyes and his squad are continuing the good season bad season run, currently sitting comfortably in third place. Two wins in two at home indicate that Everton will be hard to beat on home soil, and their latest victory over Liverpool highlighted a problem area that Moyes has finally filled, a striker with a keen eye for goal.

That man, Andy Johnson, could have been lining up against Everton for Wigan, but a late bid from the Toffees saw the England striker move to Goodison. The 25-year-old has already begun paying off his £8.6million price tag, and Paul Jewell knows his defence will have to be on red alert on Saturday.

Jewell said:"Andy Johnson is a top player and our defenders won't be getting a second of rest on Saturday because one of his biggest assets is his phenomenal work rate."

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"We flew Andy here in the helicopter, spoke to him at the restaurant in the stadium, and told him what we're all about. He was impressed with us but I understand his reasons for not coming here."


The Latics manager has a tough decision to make regarding who plays on the wings this Saturday.

Lee McCulloch is touch and go, meaning Kevin Kilbane could make his debut agaisnt his former club after serving his one match ban. Its probable that Jewell won't risk the big Scot, as Kilbane is more than capable of filling in on the left.

The big dilema concerns the right wing. Antonio Valencia has started the first three Premiership games, arguably being our best player so far, whilst Gary Teale has recovered from his ankle injury, but lacks match fitness. If Jewell goes off form, Valencia should get the nod.

Jewell has more options up front than at any other time. Henri Camara is expected to partner Heskey up front, despite limping off at Portsmouth, whilst Todorov should join Cotterill on a bench full of options.

Everton have injuries to Alesandro Pistone, Alan Stubbs and James McFadden, although Everton have cover for each player. Out of the three, only James McFadden would probably have played on Saturday, as its thought Everton will revert to two strikers up front.

Ones To Watch

Tim Cahill has been in good goal scoring form from midfield and is always a danger. However its obvious that the main danger man will be Andy Johnson. Four goals already this season indicated Fitz Hall and Arjan DeZeeuw will have a busy day come kick off.

Pundits Predictions

Mark Lawrenson has plumped for 201 Everton, giving Andy Johnson as the reason for a Latics defeat. Not many pundits would disagree with him.

My Prediction

A lot depends on what formation David Moyes plays. Its possible that he could swap to 4-4-2, and play James Beattie alongside pal Johnson, but after a 3-0 over Liverpool playing 4-5-1, will he tinker? Alot also depends on whether Andy Johnson is shackled well, who better than DeZeeuw to do that then. Hopefully, Heskey, a former Liverpool player, will have a stormer!

My Latics brain says Everton 1 Latics 1

My un-biased head says Everton 1 Latics 0