RONNY GOODLASS TALKS TACTICS: Wigan v Everton (Sunday)

Jan 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

SINCE Steve Bruce returned to Wigan as manager, they have become much harder to beat and have lost only one game in seven.

Defence

CHRIS KIRKLAND was signed by Liverpool in 2001 for £6million, but never really fulfilled his potential after being blighted by injuries and the form of Dudek and Reina.

But the regular football he has enjoyed since his move to Wigan has enabled him to show his true worth. An intimidating presence for opposition strikers with his size and positional sense, he is difficult to score past.

Mario Melchiot is an experienced full-back who is skilful on the ball and likes to push forward in support of Antonio Valencia. On the left hand-side Kevin Kilbane has been filling the full-back’s role, but manager Bruce has moved to strengthen in that area and Erik Edman has been signed from Rennes. It is an area Everton might look to exploit.

Titus Bramble is a big, powerful central defender but despite plenty of big match experience he is still prone to lapses in concentration. This is probably his last chance in the Premier League, but in Bruce, a former centre-half himself, he has the perfect man to learn from.

The new manager has tried to tighten up the defence and cut out the times when Bramble is caught ball watching and the opposition get behind him. Emmerson Boyce has played most of his career at full-back, but can play centrally and is quick and strong.

Paul Scharner is back after suspension and can play in defence or midfield. He has an eye for goal as Everton already know.

Midfield

WILSON PALACIOS played for Bruce at Birmingham.Known as the magician, he injects the trickery into the Wigan midfield. Skilful on the ball, he has good vision but has the work ethic Bruce admires. He will try and open up the defence with a pass or little dribble.

Michael Brown is a much-travelled player who is tough tackling and competitive, as shown by his eight yellow cards. Can score, too, as he showed in notching 22 in a season with Sheffield United.

Valencia provides the width from the right and he will look to deliver as many crosses as possible to the front two. The fact he has a little and large combination to aim for means he can mix it up, launching the ball to the far post, slipping it in low or firing one over the top.

Jason Koumas can add quality to the midfield with is positive attitude. Not a Ray Wilkins-style side-to-side player, but looks to pass the ball forward or carry it himself, something of a rarity in the modern game.

Attack

A TOTAL of £23m has been spent acquiring the services of Emile Heskey, including £11m by Liverpool.

Big, powerful and hard-working, a question mark has always been raised over whether he makes the most of his physical presence. But there have been signs this season that he is now doing that.

Marcus Bent will be remembered by Evertonians for how he gave everything for the team when asked to play the lone striker role.

He will make unselfish runs down the channels and is very quick.

Dangerman

MARCUS BENT – in good form as Wigan’s leading scorer with seven goals, his pace will cause problems.

Overall verdict

HOW Everton handle the front pair of Heskey and Bent will go a long way to dictating how much they get out of the game.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON