Everton's Yobo concerns

Apr 4 2006 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

EVERTON will be frustrated at having failed to beat rock bottom Sunderland.

But considering their league position earlier in the season the prospect of their first back-to-back top half of the table finishes in the Premiership is incentive enough for the rest of the campaign.

The situation surrounding Joseph Yobo will also be troubling supporters after yesterday's reports that he has had a new deal on the table for a year, but has shown no sign of putting pen to paper.

With one year left on his existing contract both manager and Board are in a tricky situation. They will want a defender of Yobo's quality to stay, but if the player does not want to there is little to be gained by keeping him at the club.

It makes financial sense to consider selling a player if he does not want to stay to raise the revenue to bring in good replacements.

Everton fans were worried when Thomas Gravesen left the club, but they have showed they could recover. Sometimes clubs can sign a ready-made replacement, on other occasions it takes time to find the right blend again.

But Everton - and the growing influence of Mikel Arteta - have shown life goes on...

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