by Stu Tompkin
What were your pre-season expectations and have they been met?
Pre-season I was hoping for a solid mid-table berth and hopefully push on late for a European placing. I always prey that we can do better than the Redsh**e so to finish above for the second time is a good grounding and starting point for next season.
If you’d been on the touchline what would you have done differently to your manager this term?
Not a damn thing really. Can never fault the manager. I may have probably played a different team in the league derby before the cup match as we’d been on a good run of games and to lose to Liverpool at that stage of the season was hard to take.
Player of the season?
Tough one this. Jonny Heitinga had a fantastic season while Fellaini was immense at times and it was a joy to see Pienaar back. And what can be said about the impact of Nikica Jelavic? Pure class. So for me player of the season would have to be Jelavic just for the goals which have been lacking over the last few years. With Fellani close second, then Heitinga.
Biggest flop?
He arrived with a lot of promise but Royston Drenthe let us all down. There were admittedly some great goals along the way but his attitude was terrible. Not what we expect from a player at Everton,
Is there a player loved by your fans who other supporters may not rate particularly highly?
There is only really one that springs to mind and that is the blue through and through TONY HIBBERT who is just what you need from a right back – strong, tough tackling, decent crossing but knows not to go looking for goals haha. One day he’ll get his goal and when he does we riot.
Season’s highlight?
Its always a highlight to have a good cup run and to get to the semi final in the FA Cup was fantastic, but just finishing above Liverpool for the first time in years and only the second time in the Premier League has got to be right up there. For an individual moment though how can I look past Tim Howards goal? Incredible.
Head in hands moment?
Losing to the Kopities in the league twice and then also in the semi final when we were the best team on form, but then again that’s the nature of the game, You take points off the good teams Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal but lose to crap like Liverpool.
Who are your realistic transfer targets for this summer?
I never expect too much in the transfer market knowing that cash is at short supply at Goodison. The situation will exacerbate with prices being inflated due to the European Championships this summer. Realistic targets are relegated players from Wolves, Bolton, Blackburn and players that just missed out on promotion to the Prem. I’m sure that David Moyes will have some players lined up that will fit in. In Moyes we trust.
Liverpool are acrap that’s right – but we didn’t take points from Arsenal – we did take points from Ciy, Newcastle, Spurs, Sunderland anf Fulham – all teams better than Liverpool
true an error on my behave we didnt take points off Arsenal.