RONNY GOODLASS TALKS TACTICS: Everton should edge if it Petrov can be stopped

Jan 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has knitted together a team that works hard for each other and is proving very difficult to break down.

Defence

IN goal Joe Hart is keeping experienced Swedish international Andreas Isaksson out of the side. Signed from Shrewsbury for £1.5million, the England under-21 international commands his area, is very composed and has kept a clean sheet in his last three games.

Nedum Onuoha is another U21 international from the City Academy who can also play centre-back, which means he is good in the air, strong in the tackle and can give Micah Richards a run for his money when it comes to pace. Joe Royle knew all about Richard Dunne’s quality when he paid out £3m for him in 2000. Against Liverpool recently, the former Everton defender gave the best performance of the season by a central defender. He leads by example, is quicker than he is given credit for, can read the game well and is totally committed in the tackle, as he showed against Liverpool with some decisive late interceptions.

Alongside him Richards is not short of confidence in his own ability but is still prone to the occasional lapse of concentration, often relying on his speed to remedy the situation. He likes to get forward and is a danger in the opposition box, scoring an equaliser at Goodison Park in 2006.

Michael Ball is another ex-Everton player whose career has not been helped by serious knee problems. Now showing his true potential with City and links up well with Martin Petrov down that flank.

Midfield

A LOT of people thought Dietmar Hamann’s career was over but he is enjoying a new lease of life at City. A Champions League winner in Athens in 2005, he plays the anchor role.

He showed against Liverpool his knack of nipping in at the right moment to break up attacks as he protects the back four.

Stephen Ireland is another product of the Academy and is an all-action player with good vision and the ability to play a decisive pass in the final third of the field.

Martin Petrov is a very direct player with pace who loves to run at defenders. His style suits City who, especially away from home, are prepared to soak up pressure before using the pace in their side to hit the opposition on the break. As well as crosses from open play, Petrov is a danger at set-pieces.

If Elano comes back in after injury a lot will revolve round him as the man who makes City tick.Vedran Corluka has been pushed into midfield to make it more competitive.

Attack

ERIKSSON may decide the key area of the field will be midfield and include an extra player in that area.

He has the option of including Rolando Bianchi up front, who is good in the air, or Darius Vassell, who is an ideal forward away from home.

He can hold the ball up, knows when to knock it on instead and will also make runs on his own into the channels in the hope of receiving the ball.

Dangerman

MARTIN PETROV – his crossing ability allied with his pace to take him past defenders make him a real threat.

Overall verdict

A VICTORY over City would lift Everton’s spirits and boost hopes of European qualification next season.

The African Cup of Nations deprives them of vital players, but those coming in have to play to the same high standard. If they can do that, Everton can edge a close match.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON