Everton FC - Big shoes to fill

Good squad, like the presentation of it, too.

2013-05-31 20:11#107197 BeanyUnited : A strong squad their mate! I say at least Europa league is a realistic ask? Or a scrap for top four!

Yep! Thats my goal, even though the board is happy with a top half finish!
cheers

2013-05-31 22:57#107261 Toon : Good squad, like the presentation of it, too.

Thanks, mate!

September results

Southampton 0 - 2
Everton

Everton FC starting XI: Rensing, Coleman, Heitinga, Jagielka(c), Baines, Gibson, Wanyama, Pienaar, Aspas, Mirallas, Jelavic SUBS: Howard, Ditin, Hibbert, Osman, Barkley, Naismith, Fischer

GOALS: 28' Aspas, 42' Jelavic

MAN OF THE MATCH: Phil Jagielka

SUBS: Osman, Fischer

INJURIES: Pienaar (3 months, torn calf muscle) *Jelavic (3 weeks, fractured arm)

*Injured on international duty

Everton 2 - 0 Newcastle

Everton FC starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Heitinga, Jagielka, Baines, Gibson, Wanyama, Fischer, Barkley, Mirallas, Aspas SUBS: Rensing, Distin, Hibbert, Stones, Oviedo, Osman, Naismith

GOALS: 11' Fischer, 39' Baines

MAN OF THE MATCH: Kevin Mirallas

SUBS: Osman, Oviedo

INJURIES: Wanyama (6 days, bruised rib) Barkley (3 weeks, twisted ankle)

Eveton 2 - 1 Fulham

Everton FC starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Heitinga, Jagielka(c), Baines, Osman, Gibson, Fischer, Naismith, Mirallas, Aspas SUBS: Rensing, Distin, Hibbert, Stones, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Green

GOALS: EVE: 11' Mirallas, 59' Aspas FUL: 21' Berbatov

MAN OF THE MATCH: Iago Aspas

SUBS: Distin, Hitzlsperger, Green

INJURIES: Heitinga (3 weeks, pulled hamstring) Osman (7 days, facial injury)

Sheffield United 0 - 2
Everton

Everton FC starting XI: Rensing, Hibbert, Stones, Duffy, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger(c), Wanyama, Fischer, Green, Mirallas, Naismith SUBS: Howard, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Gibson, Aspas

GOALS: 47' Fischer, 60' Naismith

MAN OF THE MATCH: John Stones

SUBS: Gibson, Aspas

I'm really happy with this result, not only because we're through to the next round, but because backups and a few youngsters were given the chance and really stood up. Brilliant man of the match performance from 19 year old defender John Stones, who lead the team to victory on a nice afternoon at Bramall Lane. Also fun to see 16 year old George Green playing well, in his starting debut for Everton.

Manchester City 3 - 0
Everton

Everton FC starting XI: Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka(c), Baines, Wanyama, Hitzlsperger, Gibson, Fischer, Mirallas, Aspas SUBS: Rensing, Stones, Hibbert, Oviedo, Osman, Green, Naismith

GOALS: 19' Lescott, 76' Hamsik, 90' Agüero

MAN OF THE MATCH: Darron Gibson

SUBS: Stones, Osman, Naismith

We actually play really well in this game, despite a 3-0 loss. I chose a 4-5-1 with Wanyama dropping down in a anchor role. We won the midfield battle in this game, but where poor when attacking. Darron Gibson bossed the midfield and turn in yet another strong performance. What I'm not happy about, is the fact that we conceded two goals on corners despite having focused on def. set-pieces before the match, so that is something we'll have to work on.

League table at end of September

September summary

In a month were we suffered injuries on several key players, I thought we coped really well. Five games, four victories and one loss. We are currently 2nd on the table following a five-match unbeaten run before the loss to City. A young side also beat Sheffielf United, and made sure we are through to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup, were we have been handed a tough home game against Manchester United. The team has played really nice football and adapted to my style quickly, and the new lads have settled in really well and performed brilliantly.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Darron Gibson

Inside Everton

A little over a month into the season, new Everton boss Ola Tangen has lead the Toffees to five victories in their last six games, and Everton are currently sitting in second at the table. We went to Finch Farm, Evertons training facility to have chat with him.

Reporter: How has your first months at Everton been?

OT: It's been great. Everyone here has made me feel welcome, and it's fantastic to work with such a brilliant squad of players. We've done really well so far with five out of six games won, and we've played really well along the way. Our summer signings have done excellent, and they've settled well with the rest of the lads

Reporter: Good. What was your reaction on being offered the job, without any real experience as a manager?

OT: Well, I might not have the experience of a manager, but I've played nearly 400 games in the Premier League and made 50 apperances for my country, so I feel I have some experience from the game, haha. And of course I had the pleasure of working under Sir Alex Ferguson as both a player and a coach, so I tried to pick up a few things from him aswell. It was also very important for me when I came here, to have a experienced backroom staff to help me, and I feel I've brought in some great people, and I feel that we're a good match.

Reporter: Having worked and played under SAF, I'm sure there will be a lot of chewing gum, "Tangen-time" and hairdryers at Goodison?

OT: Hahaha, well, I want to create my own image, but of course the players will be told, if I'm not happy. Whether it's me, David (Moyes), Manuel (Pellegrini) or Josè (Mourinho) I don't think it really matters. We're all winners who hate to lose, and throughout a long season I'm sure we're all gonna have our discussions with the referees.

Reporter: You made four signings in the summer window. Who has impressed you the most?

OT: Wow, that's a tough question, because I think all of them have done brilliant. But for me the one who had the biggest gap to fill was Victor (Wanyama). Replacing someone of Marrouane's (Fellaini) ability is not easy, but I feel he has coped well with all the pressure his had on him to succeed. I also want to bring up Viktor (Fischer), because a lot of people forget he's still only 18 years old, yet his playing like he's 28. I was really surprised we had no competition for him, because he has the abilty to become a world class player, and hopefully he can do that here.

Reporter: Last question Ola, who do you think will win the Premier League this season?

OT: Well, I would like it to be Everton, haha. But certainly both Manchester clubs will be up there, and you can't write off Chelsea now that Josè is back, but if I had to pick a winner I would say Manchester United.

Reporter: Alright, cheers Ola!

OT: Cheers, well done

Tired of this game, and I'm more of a "lower league" manage. I'm not sure if stories are something I enjoy making, so I'll just continue playing and maybe I'll try again in the future. Cheers:)