Carsley: Smaller squad is one of our strengths

Jul 31 2007 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

LEE CARSLEY insists having a small squad can help Everton build on last year’s top six finish.

The midfielder featured in all 42 games in all competitions last season as a lack of strength in depth and a succession of injuries left no room for him to be rested.

But Carsley, 33, isn’t bothered one bit by the fact that Phil Jagielka and on-loan Steven Pienaar have been the only additions from last year so far this summer.

And he feels that bringing in squad players who don’t have the quality to be first choices would only cause more disruption.

“We’ve got fantastic players and one of the biggest strengths here is that we have got a small squad,” said Carsley.

“Some people might see it as a negative but the fact is that what we have here already is quality.

“Everyone is pushing for the first team. What’s the point of getting a couple of average players in? What are they going to do? What’s the point of bringing someone in who is not going to improve the squad? We have gone past that now.

“We might have bought for the sake of buying in the past but not any longer. We are not at that stage any more.

“We are team in the top six and to keep moving forward, it’s not about going out and buying lots of players.

“You have to think about it. Every so often, you are going to find a real bargain like a Joleon Lescott or a Tim Cahill. They are bargains but they are few and far between.”

Carsley also admitted he came close to leaving Everton at the end of last season before accepting a new one-year deal.

Wigan Athletic looked favourites to sign him at one point but after talking to five other Premier League clubs, the Irish international revealed he had no choice but to stay and extend his five-year spell at Goodison.

“Leaving Everton is not something that you do lightly,” Carsley added.

“I have played for a few clubs now and I have realised that Everton are the club I want to be at. This is a massive season for us and I realise that I probably don’t have too many left at the top level now.

“I realise that this season coming up is a once in a lifetime opportunity thing. It’s a big chance. The chance to play for Everton is more than just a game.

“The passion of the fans, everything about Everton is first class.”

Carsley is itching to get back into action tonight when Everton play their only home friendly of the pre-season build-up against Werder Bremen.

It’s 10 days since David Moyes’s men were last in action, as a 2-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake was followed by a week-long spell of intensive training in Los Angeles.

“A week like that is a really important part of the preparation for the season,” said Carsley. “But we have got to look forward now to a couple of decent games.

“Bremen are a quality side, one of the top teams in Germany, so it will be a very good test for us.”