BLUE WATCH: Stoked up for another big one

Sep 17 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

EFC's Marouane Fellaini _320

LET’S hope Segundo Castillo and Marouane Fellaini have had a chance to get their breath back after being thrown in at the deep end at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

Stoke’s unconventional, but perfectly understandable, approach to the game made it a tough match for players more accustomed to the Belgian and Serbian leagues, but on the other hand, the fact that Tony Pulis’s side are rubbish compensated somewhat and meant that the new signings enjoyed a winning start to their Everton careers.

Not a lot is really expected from the on-loan Castillo, so it was probably a bit easier for him, especially as he was tasked with what looked a familiar role, protecting the back four and using the ball simply.

There is a lot more pressure on Fellaini, thanks to the whopping £15million that Everton paid for him, and David Moyes was right to ask for patience from the fans.

The Belgian looked eager enough to impress, but as a result he looked lost at times, charging around the pitch trying to get involved in the action.

Only once he’s had time to settle in, actually learn the names of his team-mates and got to grips with what is expected of him at Everton can we even begin to judge the big-haired 20-year-old.

Unfortunately he won’t be able to face his old club Standard Liege tomorrow night in what could be a really tough encounter if the Jupiler League side’s two games against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifier are anything to go by.

Steven Defour (pictured), the club captain, was outstanding both at Anfield and at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, and the Blues will have to work hard to stop the Belgian international from dominating the midfield.

Thankfully though, the return of Tim Cahill could give Liege plenty to worry about themselves.

The Australian’s importance to Everton can never be overstated, as proven by the way he scored the winning goal in the Potteries despite clearly lacking any level of match fitness.

His attitude is just as important as his goals though; we certainly missed his competitive edge and his nasty streak in the two home games against Blackburn and Portsmouth, when the visitors were given far too much respect at Goodison.

The fact that Cahill was called back into the starting line-up so soon is an indication that despite the new signings, Moyes is still being forced to fiddle about with his selections in order to get a team on the pitch.

The side won’t really look balanced until Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman are fit, although Victor Anichebe managed to look the part in an unfamiliar role on the wing at Stoke.

He never enjoyed the best form in the Premier League last season but seemed to revel in the European matches, where opponents struggled to cope with his power.

Indeed, he is currently joint third in the Blues’ all-time European scoring charts, alongside such great players as Graeme Sharp, Joe Royle and Alan Ball.

With a tough-looking trip to Belgium to come in a fortnight, Everton really need to establish a decent lead in this first leg, so it would be as good a time as any for the youngster to grab himself another goal to take himself into second place, alongside Andy Gray, or even a brace to put him at the top with Fred Pickering.

That’s just a side issue though, clearly.

What’s ultimately important is that the Evertonians, and perhaps even prospective investor Anil Ambani, see Goodison Park’s first home victory of the new campaign.