Scary man

By Chris Kirwan
October 26 2002

Sunday’s televised game sees the Blues take on an in-form West Ham, who are starting to show the form that is expected of a side boasting the quality of Cole, Di Canio, and Defoe in their side. But despite the Blues’ poor away form there are genuine hopes of leaving Upton Park with at least a point.

It’s been years since the mood at Goodison was so buoyant. Moyes has got every player playing to their full potential, and the players look as though they are enjoying themselves. Moyes is playing the type of football where the players in his squad that could legitimately claim to be world-class are allowed to express themselves and live up to their billing. Gravesen and Radzinski were extremely disappointing for large chunks of last season, but are now key players in the team.

Moyes has a spine to his first choice eleven that has a first class look to it; Yobo has been superb at the heart of the defence, Gravesen is prompting matters from the midfield, and Radzinski’s willing running provides an outlet and a cutting edge at all times. This spine to the side is crucial if the players with less potential are to make an impact on the game, and the step up that Radzinski and Gravesen have made is improving the performance of the likes of Pembridge, Campbell, and Carsley.

Of course the media haven’t really been concentrating on the superb performances throughout the Everton side in the game versus Arsenal, and the Blues seem to have been re-named “Wayne Rooney’s Everton”. But despite the hype surrounding Rooney he is likely to remain on the bench for the trip to Upton Park, as the partnership between Campbell and Radzinski continues to flourish. Radzinski’s pace could really trouble the West Ham defence that contains Gary “Barcelona-bound” Breen.

West Ham have improved in recent games, but remain shaky at home, where the likes of West Brom, Birmingham and Charlton have snapped up three points. They contain quality in plenty of positions, but if the Blues get after them the home crowd may turn. Hopefully the Blues can continue where they left off against Arsenal.

Team News: Weir is suspended, so Stubbs is likely to partner Yobo. Linderoth may displace Li Tie after impressing last week, Watson and Pistone came through the reserve game in midweek and may figure. Kanoute is out for West Ham, but Smith’s ex-target Steve Lomas returns.