On Sky
It must be difficult for Everton fans. Despite being a successful team in their own right, they are continually in the shadow of their nearest rivals geographically. Nine leagues, five FA Cups, even a European trophy makes them one of the most successful English teams in history.
In other words, they’re a bit like Bury. Except for the success.
Apparently, this is the eighth time we’ve been shown live this season, which is the most ever. Not on my laptop.
Vital Quotes:
‘There is no doubt Sunday will be a tough challenge and Moysie is a big pal of mine from when we were players together. He is an outstanding manager and when you look at the heights that he has taken Everton to with limited resources, then you have got to think that he is capable of managing any team.’ St Owen, bringing back happy memories of the words that a former Bolton manager used to say. Before Blackburn fired him.
‘I imagine there will be a few Americans waking up on Sunday morning ready to watch the game whilst they enjoy some pancakes and eggs.’ Our Yank, giving away our colonial cousins dietary habits. Like we didn’t know already.
‘It’s very kind of him but there are a lot of young, promising managers out there who would like to be given opportunities and I am sure if Owen keeps doing what he is doing, he’ll be competing at the highest level. He already is with what he is doing at Bolton. He will be pleased with the way it is going. His team are playing great. He took them over in a really difficult position last year and got them away from relegation. He has had a great year in the job, done really well. He has had good success, his team is close to the top end of the league and have been close to winning big games.’ Moysie returns that favour. Will we ever return to the days of spikiness between managers?
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Nothing new. Everything the same.
Player to watch: Daniel Sturridge
The player to watch in the last two games has scored twice in those games, so why change it?
Listening to ‘Blue Watch’ on BBC Merseyside on Friday night (see how far I go for research), Sturridge was named once, as an aside. SuperKev and Elmander were name checked quite a bit more. I don’t think Everton fans have been paying attention.
Everton Team News:
Louis Saha scored four goals last weekend, so you could have put good money on him straining something this week. And he has. Jack Rodwell is also missing.
Player to watch: Tim Cahill
Leery, beery, sweaty, rude. Just four things that sum up your usual patron of a Walkabout. For Tim Cahill you could probably add spiky, short and a pain in everyone’s collective arse. Good in the air, good with his feet, good with ill advised goal celebrations and good with the ladies (that last one may have been made up) he has been booked more times in domestic football over the past three seasons than Kevin Davies. And it’s still less than Fellaini.
Match Facts & Stats
Over the years, Everton have won more games at our place than we have, holding a 28-26 advantage and 69-35 overall. In the Premier League it’s 12-5 overall with Everton holding a slim 4-3 advantage at Burnden/The Reebok.
The leading scorer in the league is James Cassidy with seven all the way back in the nineteenth century. In the Premier League it’s SuperKevinDavies with five.
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert hasn’t yet taken charge of a Bolton game this season, and yet we’ve had Clattenburg three times. Don’t make no sense, I tell you.
His last Bolton game was the loss at Stamford Bridge last April (the day I came back off my honeymoon in fact. I watched the second half at the Premier Inn, Heathrow. Surprisingly, I was the only Bolton fan there….but I digress).
His last match at T’Reebok was the 1-1 draw with Villa, way back in April 2009. Hope he remembers the way.
Match Prediction:
Although Everton have only conceded sixteen goals away from Goodison, I’m looking at 2-0. Surprisingly.
Next Fixtures:
A trip to the Pie Eaters for the cup replay, is followed by a trip to the nicest ground in the Premier League for the fifth round. Surely?