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Do Everton have what it takes to finish above Liverpool again?

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Preseason

If transfer activity was a clear cut benchmark of progress, then Everton are already shaping up to have a better season that last year, having already secured the permanent return of fans’ favourite Steven Pienaar and the arrival of Steven Naismith following the administration and liquidation of Glasgow Rangers.

In the opposite direction of the £4.6m spent by Everton during preseason, are the outward transfers of: Australian midfielder Tim Cahill to the MLS’s New York Red Bulls, for a fee estimated to be around £1m; the permanent switch of Joseph Yobo to Fenerbache following two season long loans for £1.9m and three lower key departures in the form of Adam Forshaw to (Brentford for an undisclosed fee, James Wallace to Tranmere in similar fashion and Joao Silva also moving for an undisclosed fee, this time to Levski Sofia.

The loss of Tim Cahill should not be seen as so – a loss – for that would only transpire his sentimental worth. On the decline for a while now, plagued with injury and a constant weight of expectation on an interfering international level, Cahill has delivered less and less for The Toffees. His name will live on at Goodison Park to a greater effect than his presence would have. It may well just open the door for Ross Barkley and Jack Rodwell to establish themselves at the heart of the Everton midfield, too.

Prediction

Do Everton have what it takes to finish above Liverpool again? Perhaps. Whilst Liverpool may benefit from Brendon Rodgers’ inspired breath of life into what is becoming a more and more dormant giant year after year, Everton are an ever-present hassle for their Merseyside rivals and an ever growing force under David Moyes. They have the capability and capacity to rejuvenate again and again thanks to the stability in management that Liverpool have been lacking of late.

Phil Jagielka feels Everton are having their best preseason in a number of years: “We always seem to have an air of confidence, especially after the finish we had. But it was important whether we were going to do business, be it ins or outs, that it’s done as soon as possible,” alluding to the last minute departures of Mikel Arteta last season and Joleon Lescott the season previous, “Hopefully we can get a couple of more in and start the season with a squad rather than having it clouding over us, and wondering ‘are we going to get him or lose him’.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s transfer activity looks far from over, having to potentially deal with replacing players such as Daniel Agger if bigger clubs come calling. This could be the defining factor in the race for Merseyside dominance this season: how steady each ship is at the start of the campaign for these dockside clubs. If Everton can finish above Liverpool it may be down to The Reds’ inability to secure the big-money deals that are being talked of in the papers at current.

Prediction: 6th.

Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit

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Budding Football journalist who blogs at www.maycauseoffence.com/ daily as well as writing here for ThisisFutbol and on www.onehellofabeating.com/ the England fan's page. Outside of writing is more football. I work at Southampton F.C and I manage a men's football team on Saturdays.

0 comments

  • Fraser says:

    Everybody has what it takes to finish above Liverpool.

  • Alex Leonard says:

    The financial difficulties are, naturally, a major hindrance; however, for the time being, consistency is the key to success whilst there are no hugely rich Qatari families whishing to buy (the fact that we need a new stadium is an important factor as to why a lack of investment comes Everton’s way) a historic club with a loyal fanbase and creditable profile from an owner who raises suspicions frequently. As you can imagine, when teams like Nottingham Forest, who lie in the Championship (regardless of their Brian Clough era in the history books) are taken over, Evertonians become increasingly frustrated for the obvious reasons. What I would say is that, with this cwurrent squad, you are right – we could finish sixth, which would be an outstanding achievement. Like I said however, only a consistent season can bring that. As we saw towards the end of last season, we can outplay Newcastle and Chelsea, hold off Manchester City and Tottenham and make it to Wembley for an F.A Cup semi-final (as much as I like David Moyes, his negative second half tactics cost us a place in the final). I really like your article, and as someone who watches Everton week in, week out, I am glad you realise that despite the lack of money, we can take advantage of Liverpool’s ongoing transitional period, and finish higher up the table, like we did in recent seasons. I hope your predictions come true.

  • Gareth Fieldstead says:

    All depends on three things for me, the start we have, holding onto our top players and avoiding injuries to those top players, I know it’s a no sh** Sherlock but I do believe we could have a season like 06 to 09 if the above go our way. As for Liverpool, it will be interesting to see who they do buy, because this time last year they were competing with City and Chelsea for top spenders, so far they have sold far more than they have bought and according to reports look like they will continue to sell. Looks to me like there owners are trying to balance the books which makes sense when you consider they went for a manager ho has had to work within a tight budget at his previous clubs.

  • Roy says:

    I’m sorry but I don’t think we should be embarking on rubbish like this . A club like everton worrying about finishing above the s…..e. come on there must be better conversations than this around , I’d rather win a trophy and finish 15th than concern myself about this , were just given them more ammo to fire . I. Bet you won’t hear this on there web site, plus there name alone, should not even be mentioned on our web . Let’s talk about trophys, Europa footy, new signings, finance, etc. not this crap.

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