Manuel Fernandes dismayed by his form since Everton return

Apr 7 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

MANUEL FERNANDES admits that he remains dissatisfied with his impact since returning to Everton – despite setting up Leon Osman for yesterday’s winning strike against Derby County.

A pinpoint pass from the on-loan Portuguese midfielder enabled Osman to net the only goal of the game against the already-relegated Rams on 56 minutes.

Everton were set to pay a club record £12million for Fernandes last summer after the Benfica man had produced a string of impressive displays in the second half of the 2006-07 season.

However, despite Everton reporting that he had shook hands on a deal with chairman Bill Kenwright on a permanent switch to Goodison Park, Fernandes instead opted on a move to Spanish side Valencia.

Despite the snub, manager David Moyes brought Fernandes back to Everton for a second loan spell in January after he had endured a frustrating time in La Liga but the Portuguese under-21 international has been unable to replicate the impact he made 12 months ago.

Fernandes was pleased to secure the victory yesterday, which closed the gap on Liverpool to three points in the chase for the final Champions League spot, but admitted that he remains disappointed with his own form.

He said: “It was really important to get the win. We didn’t put in a good performance, the kind you would expect, but we won the game and the three points were really important for us. I was happy with my pass to Leon but I wasn’t happy with my personal performance.

“I’ve not been happy for a long time.”

Fernandes has struggled with injury problems since his return but now hopes to be returning to full fitness.

He said: “It’s been a little bit disappointing for me. Things are starting to get better but when you get injured it’s always a blow. I’m just trying to get past that and help in the five games ahead. The injury has been related to both my groin and the previous surgery I’ve had for a hernia. Now things are settling down so I feel much better.”

The issue of third party ownership caused problems with Fernandes’s potential move to Goodison last year but while it seems highly unlikely that Moyes would be prepared to spend £12m again for him this summer, the player admits he remains in the dark about whether he’ll be staying.

He said: “Nothing has been said on my own future. I’m just going to play these five games and try to do my best, try to help the team and try to produce better performances as soon as possible.

“We don’t have too many people to play in midfield at the moment so it’s probably going to be a chance for me.”

Yesterday’s opponents Derby County produced a stubborn display in their first game since their relegation straight back to the Championship was confirmed.

Fernandes said: “This was probably the best game they played all season. That’s not an excuse for us that we didn’t play well, but for them it was different. It’s always easier if you don’t have any pressure”