Michael Ball tackles the big issues at Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of Everton's trip to Arsenal
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While it’s been a quiet weekend for Evertonians, it’s a chance to reflect and reset, but also to look forward to what is ahead of us with nine games of the season to go. The boys have gone away to work in a warmer climate and as well as a chance to recharge the batteries, it also provides an opportunity to get to know each other better.
I did it plenty of times during my playing career and it can be really enjoyable plus a fresh start. The likes of Tyrique George can get to know his new team-mates and Tyler Dibling, who Everton manager David Moyes has already said is a quiet lad, can show a little bit more of his character while he’s away and hopefully come out of his shell a little bit and be more confident.
David Moyes can learn more about his players, but they can also learn more about each other as we’ve got tough games ahead against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show what we’re capable of, most of the players are now fit and the manager is going to have to use his squad throughout the run-in to try and get as many points on the board as possible.
Jarrad Branthwaite has come back from a long-term injury having spent eight months on the sidelines. He played left-back on a couple of occasions and that will have put a lot of stress on his body, but he’s now spent the last two games in his normal position and has looked fantastic.
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This is the chance to get his muscles ready for the tough test ahead, along with the likes of Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, who both looked a bit flat when coming back from winning the Africa Cup of Nations and understandably so, given how long they were out there playing tournament football.
There’s often more of a relaxed, open dialogue while you’re away.
I understand why David Moyes has been somewhat dismissive about Europe this season, but after those fantastic back-to-back wins, we’re higher up than a lot of Evertonians would have expected and that gives us a target to ensure we don’t put our flip flops on. If we don’t succeed then fair enough, but this is an opportunity to raise our game.
There was a lot of noise about our results at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but that’s gone now. We got a comfortable win and a clean sheet against Burnley which will be a weight off the shoulders for David Moyes and the players.
I don’t think the team has played that poorly at home, the only major hiccups were the Spurs and Newcastle games. We’ve just not had the rub of the green or been ruthless enough.
Doubts can creep in, and you get that pressure of trying to win in front of your home fans. Now they fan just focus on playing to the best of their abilities like with the fantastic away form they’ve shown this season.
We’ve got to remember that our record at Goodison Park last season was very poor.
Rest in peace Stuart
I was sad to learn that a lifelong Evertonian, friend of the family and a friend of many former players, Stuart Kay, passed away before the Burnley game. He was very close to Colin Harvey, Mick Lyons and the late Jimmy Husband.
My thoughts and condolences go out to all of his family at this sad time.