View on the Visitors - Everton

Liverpool Echo’s Everton Editor Greg O'Keefe lifts the lid on today’s visitors Everton

Everton had been on a good run of results until the defeat to Sunderland last weekend, would you agree with that?

“Yes, overall Everton’s season has been disappointing. The high standards that Roberto Martinez set with his fantastic first season led many fans to hope for a top four finish. That hasn’t happened but since March results have picked up. They went out of the Europa League just when Everton’s season had become all about it. In the league, they went on an unbeaten run which ended at Aston Villa and overall the quality of football has improved.” 

What is your verdict on Roberto Martinez, are Everton going in the right direction? 

“Yes, he earned enough credit from his first fantastic season. That has given him a bit of room for manoeuvre during, by contrast, a disappointing second season. A lot of fans in modern day football are very knee jerk but I think he’s deserved another year. He’s proved he can take Everton to the next level.” 

Where do you think Everton should be targeting next season? 

“Without the Europa League, the absolute main target has to be winning silverware. Whether it’s the League Cup or the FA Cup, for a club of Everton’s size not to win anything for 20 years is staggering. Smaller clubs have won trophies, it’s time the fans have something to cheer about.” 

A win on Saturday for Everton gives them a great chance of leapfrogging West Ham and finishing in the top ten, is that a big incentive?

“In the grand scheme of things no, but considering the position they’re in, yes. A top ten finish would be a small consolation but the financial increase is useful and it would give a slightly more positive sheen to the season. Saturday will be interesting because it will have an effect on who qualifies for Europe via the Fair Play League.” 

West Ham and Everton have played each other three times this season, what have you made of the Hammers in those games?         

“I thought West Ham were outstanding in the FA Cup tie at Upton Park. The home support were brilliant. West Ham have a proper ground with proper fans and they really were brilliant that night. 

“It was herculean effort by the Hammers to win. I thought at times Everton played the better football but West Ham kept on coming back, culminating in one of the best penalty shootouts I’ve seen. When you get down to the goalkeepers you know it’s been special. Overall I’ve been impressed with West Ham, they’re certainly a club on an upward curve.”

Who’s your Player of the Season?

“Phil Jagielka has been tremendous. He had a difficult start to the season with a bit of a post-World Cup hangover. But since the New Year, he’s been excellent.  James McCartney has been tremendous and Romelu Lukaku has also found his goal scoring touch, he usually scores against West Ham.” 

What do you think the score will be?

“I think Everton has a real sense of injustice after the Sunderland game. They lost the game having dominated it, Sunderland scored two deflected goals. So I think they’ll use that sense of injustice to edge it 2-1.” 

Finally, where do you think Everton will finish?

“Tough one, I’ll say tenth.”