For those of you who thought that I had given up writing about Everton for Lent, then you are all sadly wrong! I am back and I have plenty to say! Before I discuss the events that surrounded Saturday's match at the Walker Stadium I will bring you a round up of all things Everton. The Blues have gone on a five match unbeaten run with two draws and three wins, the results Being as follows, Southampton 3-3-the least said about that the better, a home win against Aston Villa 2-0,a wee win in Ireland v Bray Wanderers 4-0,another home win v Portsmouth 1-0 with that man Rooney scoring the winner ! And then came Saturday...... The events before the match v Leicester overshadowed what happened during the 90 minutes With season-ticker holder Bernard Murphy being killed on the way to the match, I am sure I speak for all Evertonians when I say the family and friends are in the thoughts and
Prayers of all Evertonians.
The events on the park surrounded one man, the captain, big Dunc and for the sixth time in his Everton career he was shown the red card for what looked like persistent fouling, But what happened after the big man was ordered off made all the headlines. For those of you that have seen the pictures in the daily rags and all the stories and Headlines that have went along with it were far less than complimentary! As the big man walked off the pitch he grabbed Steffan Freund round the throat before being pulled away and as he walked off he made a gesture to the home support that may Also land the big man in trouble.
While it is easy to sympathise with the two yellow Cards that Duncan received it is hard to find the words to understand his actions After the red card, David Moyes was of the same view. But maybe when you think of what Duncan has had to go through in his career and life In general over the past ten years then maybe you can see why the big man lost the plot. It was ten years ago-April 1994-That big Dunc was given a 12 match ban by the SFA and Sentenced to three months in prison, a verdict that is still thought of as a mistake by many people in the game today. Oct 1995-Spent 44 days in prison for the McStay head-butt, becoming the first professional Player to be jailed for an offence on the football field. Jan 2001-tackles two house breakers Jan 2003-tackles another intruder this time in self defence, cleared off assault. Nov 2003-Has training ground bust up with David Moyes, ordered home. Jan 2004-Accused of racial abuse by Fulham's Louis Boa Morte, this is still being investigated. March 2004- Sent off for two bookable offences then grabs Steffen Freund round the neck before gesturing to the Leicester fans.
Sometimes I think it is hard being Duncan Ferguson, he has came through a lot! But because of what has happened with both Duncan and Wayne they will now miss important matches, Newcastle and Spurs have been mentioned, which means I will not see the guys when I
Come to visit for the Spurs match, sick!
The club must build on this unbeaten run and string a few wins together to get the a better position in the table, a top ten position is not out of the question, but a UEFA Cup Place is well out of reach! Everton must start by getting a good result against Steve McClaren's Carling Cup winners Boro and lets hope that after the result v Birmingham,5-3, Lets hope that they have used up all their goals. Must congratulate teams like Boro down South and Livingston up in Scotland, just goes to show you what can be achieved when the big Guns go out and you get a good Cup run.
Other Everton News
David Moyes is said to be interested in Millwall's Australian midfielder, Tim Cahill. Tim is an attacking midfielder with an eye for a goal and has been linked with both Everton and Glasgow Rangers.
David Unsworth is being tracked by Bolton, Man City and Blackburn. David may leave in the summer if the club do not offer him an improved contract. Nicolas Alexandersson has gone back to Sweden to IFK Gothenburg earlier than expected, all The very best Nic and thanks for the memories, all the best Nic. Leigh Mills is not coming to Everton...well not yet, Sean O'Hanlon has gone to Swindon On a Permanent deal, good luck to him. Paul Gerrard has gone to Notts Forest on loan ‘till the end of the season, best of luck to Paul and his new boss Joe Kinnear.
Lie Tie has been in constant contact with the club as he is missing his team mates as he is staying in China to recover from his fractured shin, best wishes to him, get well soon!
A word for David Moyes in his second season in charge of Everton since taking over from Walter Smith, Moysie has had to put up with working with little or no money and a hell of a lot of injuries And suspensions this season but he has had an influence on the talent that is Wayne Rooney And he has brought in players like Nigel Martyn and Kevin Kibane who have been great for the club in their short time here.
David Moyes is the man to lead this club forward And bring the good times back so that Andy and the two Tommy's can have something to cheer about, these guys are loyal fans and deserve to see this team hit the heights, If this does not happen soon the Cup Winners Cup final video will be worn out!
Good to see Richard Wright coming back into the reserve matches and playing well and speaking Of Keepers it was good to see that young Ian Turner getting a call up to the Scotland under 21's squad, best of luck to him. Before I go I would just like to say that I cannot understand the constant stick that both Claudio Ranieri and Gerard Houllier get from the media and their respective fans, I find really unbelievable, these guys are honest hard working guys who are trying to build success for their clubs, in the case of Mr Houllier he has already proved that he can cut it with the Reds by winning the treble a few years back, some people have so short minds! European Results Marseille 2 Liverpool 1-Liverpool go out Mallorca 0 Newcastle 3-Newcastle go through Barcelona 0 Celtic 0 -Celtic go through, David Marshall was brilliant ! Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1-second leg to come
By the time I next write I will be a bit older and hopefully wiser and maybe Everton Will be three points better off!