Everton v Birmingham big match preview (Goodison Park, KO 3pm)

Nov 3 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Tim Cahill (320)

IT was the one nagging concern at the back of the minds of Everton supporters. As one new arrival followed another during a busy summer transfer window, the fear was that such an influx may compromise of the team spirit that has embodied the efforts of David Moyes’s men during the past few years.

However, Tim Cahill has revealed that while the numbers may have increased, the sense of togetherness remains as strong as ever within the Goodison dressing room. Such a bond has proven its value on the field this season, with Everton enjoying life in the UEFA Cup and digging deep to secure progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with an extra-time triumph at Luton Town on Wednesday.

Moyes’s side will aim for a fourth successive win inside nine days when they entertain Birmingham City in the Premier League this afternoon.

The previous three victories coincided with the return from long-term injury of Cahill, who netted the winner in midweek after scoring within 17 minutes of his comeback against Larissa the previous Thursday.

But the Australian believes it is the collective rather than the individual that continues to drive any Everton success.

“There are a lot of great players here and we’ve got some important lads coming back from injury,” says Cahill. “It’s not about individuals or superstars here, it’s about the team and we are all working to carry this good form on. It’s going to be tough against Birmingham. They are coming here on the back of a great win against Wigan but if we play as we know we can, hopefully it will add to the great result we got against Luton in midweek.

Only time will tell how far we can go but we have got a chance to progress. We have wanted to be playing in the top games in Europe and the Premier League and now we have to produce our top form.

“We have got to make it happen. There will always be critics who want to have a go at us but we will just aim to do our talking on the pitch. I think the momentum is with us and we are all working so hard for the team.

“You have got the likes of Ossie and Cars running themselves into the ground; they have been absolutely fantastic. Phil Jagielka has come in and is doing well. It’s looking good and now we can look forward to playing Birmingham.”

Everton are clear favourites to defeat promoted Birmingham and improve on a record that has seen them take only seven points out of 15 available at Goodison this season. The visitors are likely to pack their defence today, and Moyes believes it’s a sign of the growing respect his team are commanding. “Coming to Goodison itself has always been a tough place for the opposition, but I want people to think about the same thing about the team itself,” says the manager. “We need to build on that fear factor. We are moving into a better position, but what comes with that is the question of us being able to handle with that change in expectation, which means winning games and playing well. People know they aren’t going to get an easy game at Everton, but we’re going to have to improve on our home form this season. We’ve had some difficult games at Goodison in the league, but now we need to start getting some more wins.”

Moyes adds: “We want to stay in touch with the teams above us, so that when the cup competitions die down a little bit, we have a chance of getting in among them. But to finish in the top six this year will be really difficult because of the standard of Portsmouth, Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle, teams that have all spent big. It means the top six could be an achievement, and even to finish in the top 10 will be a big call for some teams.”

Birmingham are enjoying their second spell in the Premier League under manager Steve Bruce, and are currently in mid-table after beating Wigan 3-2 in their last game.

And Moyes adds: “Under Steve, Birmingham are now ready to take it on to the next level. They are certainly equipped to stay in the Premier League. Steve is someone who is well liked and well respected, and he has done his job well. He’s shown real character during a difficult time, didn’t buckle and got his team back up.”

Everton will again be without striker Andrew Johnson, but his recovery from an ankle operation is going well and he could be back in training next week.

Johnson says: “I have done all my rehabilitation and, thankfully, everything is coming to an end now. All being well, the problems with my ankle will then be over. I was gutted that it needed to be done but I supposed the timing was ideal because I have only missed a couple of games and we are about to start an important period.

“The team have been doing tremendously. Everyone is contributing and this is an exciting time for the club and everyone wants to be a part of it. Hopefully it will not be too long before I am back now. A win against Birmingham would take us near to the top six and that is where we want to be. We are top of the group in Europe and everything is going well. I cannot wait to be involved again.”