Why Everton are not only too good to go down, but also due a spectacular second half of the season

By David Maddock

Published 16:50 01/12/09

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I had a murderous email from my boss on Monday, threatening all sorts of retribution for administrative failures. He's an Everton fan you see.

Nothing could console him, not even the thought that on Sunday's evidence Liverpool are in just as much trouble, and are unlikely to be hoisting much silverware aloft this season, unless they're putting the cutlery away.

His wasn't the only message from blue Blues, and the sub-text of each was alarmingly similar....they could go down at this rate.

Well, don't fear. There was enough evidence to suggest that far from being dragged into the mire at the foot of the table, Everton have the quality - and depth - to still rise from their false position, and make their fans proud.

Just as I believe Liverpool are a better team than they are currently showing, so too are Everton. And for them, the solution is quite simple - they need Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta back.

Both won't be available until Christmas, and both are massively influential in the success of the club in recent seasons.

Neville's loss has gone largely un-noticed amid the plethora of injuries the club has suffered, but he is their leader, the ultra-professional skipper who organises, and leads by example. Without him, there is a huge whole in the heart of the team.

Arteta has the quality to be a top performer for his country, and given that Spain are currently ranked second in the world, that is no mean compliment. Any side would miss a player of his ability, especially one who dictates play and sets the tempo of the entire side.

They are both due back after Christmas, and it won't come a moment too soon. But hopefully, Everton will still be in the Europa League by then, and above the bottom three in the Premier League. If they are, then I expect them to have a spectacular second half of the season.

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