Osman on a Roll

Everton had ended the season 17th,the lowest for some years,the club had lost it's main talent and the main man in England's bid for European success in Portugal,indeed when Wayne limped Out of the tournament the hopes of a nation went with him!

The boardroom troubles and infighting the lead to the Manager and players wondering what Would happen next? Would he have any money to spend in any of the transfer windows?

Only two new signings came through the Goodison Park doors both first division players, Marcus Bent from Ipswich and Tim Cahill from Millwall,both have came in and have been magnificent in their short spell with the club!

Two others who have been unsung heroes at the club have also been fantastic this season are the Mitchell brothers, Carsley and Gravesen have
been the engine room of this team this season,and Lee Carsley in particular could have been the freedom of the city after scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Liverpool on the 11th December,that long wait has finally ended and it was David Moyes that masterminded the victory over the old enemy!

People have been saying Everton have been punching above their weight this season but what I will say is that this team have a tremendous team spirit and togetherness that has earned them many plaudits but all that good work could have been undone over the festive period. After we had beaten Man City 2-1 at home and Catherine had unwrapped her presents quicker than you could say,"no not another two defeats in London " defeats by Charlton 2-0,and big Dunc getting a red card rather than a Christmas Card or a Birthday card for the big man and an inform Tottenham 5-2 a sore defeat to take at the start of 2005 had many folk thinking the rails had come off the Mersey-trail blazers but they so far have been proved wrong!

David Moyes and his board have moved quickly into the January sales and the newly opened transfer window to move for Southampton's James Beattie to make him not just our new signing but our biggest ever and most expensive to date! Enter the six million dollar man!

Welcome to Goodison Park James,lets hope you have a long and successful career at Everton and you do what you are good at,scoring goals! The boys rallied round in their final match Of the festive period with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth with Stubbsy and Leon Osman getting the goals to give us the much need three points to keep us in touch with the leaders!

The club go into 2005 with renewed hope and one great signing in the bag I hope that this season Everton get the rewards that this club and it's supporters richly deserve!

In 1985 the Club won the Cup Winners Cup,in 1995 the FA Cup made it's way to Goodison Without wishing to tempt fate lets hope 2005 can give us something else to cheer about!

Before I go I would like to thank/mention the following

* Best wishes and good luck to our new number 8 James Beattie,he looks really keen and happy to be at Goodison,that will ding dang do for me!


* The Michael Ball situation has been sorted out by both clubs,thank goodness


* Best wishes to ex Everton mid-fielder Paul Gascoigne as he recovers from pneumonia


* Thanks to Andy for my Everton calendar and Catherine's Everton sweets and thanks to all the family for the presents, much appreciated

In the words of X Factor number one star Steve Brookstein,Everton have achieved the success so far this season and it has been,"Against all odds" now lets see if we can defy the odds and go one better and keep it going 'till May!

Before I go I would like to congratulate the club on opening a disaster relief fund to help the victims of the tsunami disaster my thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost loved ones or who are still searching for loved ones,we can only say that the love Of millions throughout the world is with you now and always! Take Care