October Pest

October was a bad month for Everton. After that defeat to Bolton, we end up losing 2-0 to Benfica again, at Goodison Park and also drew with Villa at Home. We dropped points at Home against Stoke, Wolves and Aston Villa. Whilst Villa is a strong team and any points against them is good, but to lose to Bolton and then drop points to Stoke and Wolves, is unacceptable.

Luckily, we won last night at Upton Park. West Ham looked like they were up for it, but Everton showed purpose and focus in our game. We looked steady again, something we have been missing for the last few games.

I must applaud Cahill who played in an unfamiliar Left sided midfield and he ran ran and ran throughout the game. He truly led by example.

Unlike other teams, I think we look forward to the International break, this season. We use to frown the break for breaking our momentum; but the break now, gives our injured players to come back.

Arteta and Jag looks like they will remain out till early 2010. If we can get Pienear and Billy back in the game asap; with Osman and Neville too; we can then revert to our familiar style of having Cahill behind a striker and also Osman, Neville and Fellaini manning the midfield. Rodwell can be rested and Heitinga can play on the right or even give Yobo a break at the back.

We still retain a good chance of finishing in top half, but we will have a tough November and December, with game against MU, Spurs and that other team nearby Goodison Park. Keeping my fingers cross that we can pick up some points from those games.