Manager must find response tonight and turn season around

Oct 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

WITH a disappointing week behind them, tonight has taken on an even greater significance than merely bidding to extend their run in this season’s UEFA Cup – as if that is not important enough!

A lack-lustre and lethargic performance at Ewood Park last Wednesday saw them eased out of the Carling Cup and on Saturday they lost again in the first Merseyside derby of the season.

At Goodison Park Everton matched their visitors during a spirited first 45 minutes and, although Liverpool dominated in terms of possession, they can look back and say they were denied what I thought was a blatant penalty when Martin Skrtel barged Yakubu to the ground. They also probably had the best chance of the opening period when Tim Cahill was unable to change his stride pattern convert Mikel Arteta’s corner.

After the break, however, Everton became ragged and once Phil Jagielka – who had policed Fernando Torres superbly and to such an extent that the Spaniard was allowing his frustration to boil over – was drawn out of position in an attempt to plug the gaps appearing across the back four, it was only a matter of time before the Liverpool striker scored.

In the end Torres should have had a hat-trick, with referee Mike Riley giving Everton the benefit of the doubt with a decision long after it had any bearing on the outcome of the match.

In a wider context I reckon manager David Moyes must have some concerns about the lack of influence exerted over the course of the two games by his big money midfield summer signings.

Both Marouane Fellaini and Segundo Castillo were withdrawn last Wednesday and on Saturday Castillo remained on the bench while Fellaini struggled.

So even though it is ridiculously early to write of a challenge for European qualification again this year, it’s fair to say Everton have so far failed to show the sparkling league form that has characterised previous campaigns.

And that’s precisely why I said earlier that tonight’s clash with Standard Liege has taken on a greater significance.

After a long summer during which fans were concerned about the future direction of the club and a lack of action in the transfer market, the prospect of being out of two cup competitions by the opening week of October would be something of a confirmation that they were right to be worried.

If the Everton players are lacking confidence, which at times has appeared to be the case, Premier League dates with Arsenal and Manchester United in the next couple of weeks are the last thing they would want to see on the fixture card. If for no other reason a performance tonight is of paramount importance – while the right result and further progress in the competition would be a fantastic achievement and provide the ideal sort of momentum ahead of a must-win – and of course should-win – game this weekend against a Billy Smart’s outfit better known as Newcastle United.

After the past seven days, two straight wins would represent a brilliant response by both Moyes and his players and it would also nicely set up what will hopefully prove to be epic and enjoyable encounters with two of the Premier League’s big four.