’09/’10 Season Preview

Will this campaign be something to celebrate?

So it begins…

With the opening match against Arsenal merely days away it’s time to finally put the heartbreaking FA Cup loss to Chelsea behind us. While it may seem cliché, I believe that this will be one of the most pivotal campaigns in decades. This will be a true watershed season as we wrestle between the title of “best of the rest” while attempting to break up the Sky 4. There also remains the disconcerting knowledge that clubs like Villa, Spurs and even that Middle Estlands club will be keen to pass us by. With all that said, let’s take a look at the factors that will ultimately determine the success of the new campaign.

The Summer:

Frustrating. Infuriating. Anxiety inducing. This would pretty much sum up my emotional progression as I followed the transfer news this summer. At first the inabilities of Moyes and company to break the trend of past summers and bring in new recruits early was frustrating, but none-the-less something that I had anticipated. The dishonorable dealings of Sheffield during the Naughton saga, and the failure to secure the services of targets like Cana and Mbia exemplified the collective feelings of frustration. On top of our futile efforts to sign anyone, that damn Middle Eastlands club keeps waving money in front of Lescott, threatening to break up one the best back pairings in the Prem. Thankfully, Moyes has been unmovable in his resolve to keep players rather than succumb to City’s oil money.

With the Citizens still pestering and the end of the transfer season in sight and with no major signings, my worries have begun to mount. Apart from adding numbers to the current squad, Moyes has still yet to bring in anyone to replace the likes of Castillo and Jacobsen. Although these were fringe players at best they were useful during times of multiple matches. With an upcoming European campaign there will be numerous densely packed periods of fixtures where squad size will be crucial.

The Current Squad:

With a fully fit squad Moyes can assemble a formidable starting XI that has enough quality to sneak into the top 4. This is all well and nice, but the problem is keeping the boys fit. With Jags and Arteta unlikely to feature for some time and with Yakubu not yet at full fitness, squad depth remains the top challenge that Everton faces. Furthermore, Osman and Hibbert were exposed during the FA Cup final, with Hibbo turning in a particularly dreadful performance. With the squad already lacking a proper holding midfielder, an upgrade at right back and right wing is also necessary.

There also remains the issue of how to effectively play Cahill and Fellaini on the same pitch. Both have shown a head for goal and are effective in the attacking third of the pitch. But this leaves a space in the center of the midfield as the starting XI, in the absence of Arteta, is void of a true possession player that can influence and dictate the run of play. These weaknesses may not effect the team for the majority of its fixtures, but the current squad will have a difficult time matching up against the top 4, and the boys will have to rely on their workrate and unity to see off the likes of Villa, City and Spurs.

Competitors:

Arsenal, Villa, Fulham, Spurs and Man City would be the logical competitors for a top 4 finish, or 5^th-7^th. Naturally, most would focus on the “revolution” in the Eastlands, where the mass infusion of cash has led to the purchase of many big names. But unless Hughes is counting how his plethora of strikers to score 4 goals a match, Man City still remain vulnerable at the back and in midfield. Hughes also has to manage his stars effectively so as to form chemistry in a very different starting XI.  Hughes though, doesn’t strike me as capable of inspiring his boys in the same way as Moyes or O’Neill, which could be a problem for the club.

Fulham and Spurs have not made any real upgrades to their respective squads, while Villa has lost Barry but gained Downing and the talented young Delph, which appears to be a lateral move. Arsenal has not been active in bringing in new talent this summer, despite having plenty of money from the sales of Toure and Adebayor. Ajax and Belgian centre-back Vermaelen is the lone significant transfer thus far. There are also rumors that Barca could make a move for Fabregas in the next week, which would be an acquisition I would gladly support!

While most of Everton’s competitors have not made significant additions to there squads, Man City and Arsenal remain enigmas for me. City has plenty of talent, but do they have the squad unity and the manager who can properly maximize the potential of the squad, and what about their defense? Arsenal has the greatest depth and squad pedigree of the clubs discussed, but what effect might the loss of two starters have. And what about the frustration caused by lack of silverware recently? Arsenal though, still remains clear favorites in my mind to be in the top 4 come May next year.

Bottom Line:

If the boys can remain injury free and Moyes can bring in a few additions to the squad by the end of the transfer window, this is a side that could compete for a Champions League spot. But realistically, injuries are a part of the sport and the squad lacks the necessary depth to compete for a top 4 spot over the course of a season. Prediction: 5^th. We will remain for another year as “the best of the rest”…

In: Jô (Manchester City, loan), Anton Peterlin (Ventura County Fusion, signed), Cody Arnoux (Carolina Dynamo, signed)

Out: Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn, free), Nuno Valente (released), Andy van der Meyde (released), John Paul Kissock (released), John Ruddy (Motherwell, loan)