Trotting out the results is all that matters to us

Oct 19 2006 Blue Watch by Mark O'Brien, Daily Post

EVERTON, for some reason, still have something of a reputation among pundits as a big, physical side.

Perhaps it is a hangover from the days when, faced with the slightest adversity, the first option was to lob Duncan Ferguson into the fray with orders to generally grapple with defenders and cause mayhem, but certainly since his retirement Everton are probably one of the least physically imposing teams in the top division.

They certainly have other qualities now, not least better pace and movement thanks to the acquisition of Andy Johnson, but they often look like they could do with a little bit of the menace carried by, say, Bolton Wanderers.

Now, a lot of football fans recoil at the mere mention of Sam Allardyce's side, often stating that they would rather find another pastime rather than go and watch the flailing elbows of Kevin Davies every week.

That sort of reaction, though, usually comes directly after seeing their own side defeated by the Trotters, who presently sit a mere two points behind Chelsea and Manchester United.

Ask Bolton fans what they think and you can almost guarantee that they won't care less that they are not seeing 90 minutes of silky football every week. Not while they are spending their Saturday evenings celebrating yet another win and watching their side climb the table anyway.

Results are what matter and what make fans happy. Even Franck Rijkaard, coach of the best and the most entertaining side in Europe, said in an interview recently that he is not interested in playing pretty football for its own sake.

And Everton fans only have to think back as far as Joe Royle's 'Dogs of War' to recall how glorious it felt to see other side's visibly wilt at the prospect of spending an afternoon being pummelled at Goodison.

So, while the present Everton's intricate passing and patient approach-play is to be admired and encouraged, you have to wonder whether a side containing as many uncompromising figures as Bolton's would have dropped points against Manchester City, Wigan and Middlesbrough?

A blend of both styles is ideally what most managers and fans would like - perhaps that's something to bear in mind when the transfer window opens in January.

Compensation not so cultured >>>