Big week for Toffee’s

I found myself taking my girlfriend out on Saturday evening instead of watching my beloved Everton get beaten by Manchester United.

I know they would get beaten and I think most other Blues fans were realistic enough to know our fate before the game had even kicked-off.

I have to admit that afterwards I felt like a traitor, a fair weather supporter but to be honest I have found it painful to watch Everton this season.

Injuries and luck have played a big part in our poor performances this season. However you cant use those excuses all season. The Everton side that took to the pitch against Manchester United contained international and experienced players along with the two youngsters who have had to fill in all season.

Big week

This week sees two very important games for the Blues as we take on Hull City on Wednesday night and of course the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on Sunday. Both Hull and Liverpool are struggling for confidence and usual I’d expect Everton to get at least four points from those two games. However at the moment Everton fans and David Moyes doesn’t know what Everton is going to show up.

The inconsistency this season has been so frustrating. With two consecutive fifth place finishes in the Premier League as supporters we expected to push forward this season and least try and break the ‘Big four’ monopoly. Instead we are in midtable closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Now I’m not one of those silly fans who believes were in a relegation dogfight this year, but if we don’t start putting together a string of results we could end up in midtable and no closer to the Champions League finish every side in the second bracket of the Premier League crave.

Winnable game

Hull City away to me is surely a winnable game for the Blues. The squad could be boosted by the return of midfield dynamo’s Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman, who have both been missing the last few months. Both players add creative to the midfield and also work extremely hard in the engine room.

They have been missed especially the fiery Pienaar. Last season in the absence of Mikel Arteta he stepped up to the creative plate. He became the fulcrum of Everton’s attacking play. Osman has matured into a decent professional who can get you a goal. He also had a short spell as captain before picking up an injury.

The return of those two could reignite the Everton midfield and could prove the difference for an Everton squad who lack confidence and belief despite having top players. The underrated and much criticised Everton captain Phil Neville could also return against Hull but its more likely that he will return for the Merseyside Derby on Sunday.

Liverpool struggles

When we meet neighbours Liverpool on Sunday it will be a case of two sides struggling to find form and who are lacking confidence. I can see it being a very close game resulting in a stalemate. The results of the two midweek games will probably have a big say in the result. Liverpool travel to Hungarian champions on Tuesday in the Champions League.

They could go out of the Champions League even if they beat the Hungarians. An exit from the Champions League will do the confidence and belief no good at all. However anything can happen in a derby match and form tends to go out of the window.

Season defining week

This week could have a big say on whether Everton can challenge for a European spot or languish in midtable come May. I for one won’t be backing against my side as in the last two seasons we have had poor starts to the season and yet still finished fifth. Everton can never do anything easy and maybe we can still finish in the top six.