Everton v Derby: Ronny Goodlass talks tactics

Apr 5 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON’S form has dipped since the UEFA Cup exit to Fiorentina – and in the last three games the results have been very disappointing.

But you could not pick a better team to face if you are looking to recapture winning ways.

Defence

Roy Carroll was signed by Paul Jewell to help try and keep Derby in the division.

The experienced and much-travelled keeper, who has played for Manchester United, Wigan and West Ham, is a confident figure, good organiser and looks to command his area.

Andy Todd’s dad Colin was a cultured centre-half who played more than 370 games for Derby County, as well as enjoying a spell at Goodison Park. However, Andy is a no-nonsense defender who is very committed to the cause.

Darren Moore has a real physical presence at the heart of the defence and is an imposing figure who will look to command in the air. Strong and determined, he has won promotion to the Premier League with three clubs – Bradford, West Ham and Derby. Dean Leacock, the under-20 international signed from Fulham in 2006, has a good turn of pace, is clam on the ball and lends his height to Derby’s aerial defences.

Midfield

Hossam Ghaly is on loan from Tottenham and likes to play wide right.

The Egyptian international can be a threat if he gets enough of the ball. Derby became Robbie Savage’s sixth club after his move from Blackburn Rovers. Bags of experience, he will try to impose himself on the midfield battle and his confrontations with the likes of Lee Carsley or Phil Neville could be pivotal. Everton will be looking for the kind of midfield combination that gives them the legs to get their most creative players like Mikel Arteta and Stephen Pienaar on the ball while keeping some defensive solidity. At Anfield they lacked the midfield sharpness to compete with the swiftness of Liverpool’s passing game at times.

David Jones offers balance down the left, where the former product of the Manchester United academy is a composed passer of the ball. Mile Sterjovski brings plenty of energy to the midfield.

Attack

Kenny Miller was signed from Celtic, where the Scottish international had a good goals return of more than 100.

But he has found it difficult in the Premier League with only three to his name, despite being a lively operator in and around the box. Good movement means he takes up promising positions and usually hits the target with his efforts.

A lot was expected from Robert Earnshaw with a career record of more than 150 goals. But he has excellent pace and looks to play off the defender’s shoulder.

He also has an unusual claim to fame in having scored hat-tricks in all four divisions, the FA Cup, the League Cup and at international level.

Emmanuel Villa arrived with a good goalscoring record, but the Argentinian has taken time to fire up. But his recent burst of goals will put him in good heart.

Dangerman

EMMANUEL VILLA - A couple of good goals - including a fine header - against Fulham will have done his confidence the power of good.

Overall verdict

Derby have little more than pride to play for, but they will not want to finish the season with the lowest points total in Premier League history.

They have been unlucky in certain games and Paul Jewell is certain to urge his players to have a go at a team still licking its wounds from a derby defeat, but that should not stop Everton getting back on the winning track.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON