Everton and Villa lack the legs for top four finish
By Stan Collymore
Published 22:54 01/11/09
I was at Everton against Aston Villa on Saturday at Goodison Park, where it ended 1-1.
It was interesting that the two teams that were closest to knocking on the Champions League door last season both looked a little leggy.
In this day and age of big squads, I think Everton and Villa, who finished fifth and sixth respectively last term, have two of the smallest.
I know both clubs have made summer purchases.
But I saw two sides that might not have quite enough to break into the top four again this season.
Everton have been badly stretched by injuries and I think Villa have been affected by putting out the same team week in, week out.
I have a soft spot for both clubs and hope both can do some good business in January to compete with the top teams.
While I was at Goodison Park, one of the people I spoke to was the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger.
I asked her if she was alright and met her partner.
She asked me to plug a song called 'Heal The World' which is being released on November 2 and is the official charity single in aid of James Bulger House.
It is available on iTunes and in Tesco and HMV and I hope our readers will buy it.
Which classic football manager are you? Take our test
Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day
Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.
Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.
Post to :
Column
Why Abramovich's expensive Chelsea flops are the new Damned Blue-nited
Michael Calvin 23:02 20/03/10Damned United can finally rest in peace.Football’s evil eye has averted its gaze and refocused on D... Read More+
Column
Why Portsmouth should be relegated two divisions, and managers need to get tough on players
Michael Calvin 23:01 20/03/10Avram Grant, take note. Living beyond your means is just another form of cheating.If we lived in an ... Read More+
Blog
Why Beckham has to be the global face of English football
Mirror Football Blog 23:00 20/03/10England fans recognise patriotism. That’s why no one can ever question David Beckham’s dedication to... Read More+
Column
Why Al Fayed should get some of the credit for Hodgson and Fulham's success
Michael Calvin 23:00 20/03/10Roy Hodgson is a shoo-in for Manager of the Year.His Fulham team is impeccably organised, improbabl... Read More+
Blog
Exclusive Lucas interview: Liverpool would be mad to get rid of Rafa Benitez
Mirror Football Blog 22:45 20/03/10Lucas Leiva doesn’t play the blame game.Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder is honest enough to admit t... Read More+
Blog
Harry Redknapp: The FA Cup means everything to me
Mirror Football Blog 22:30 20/03/10Harry Redknapp has left no one in any doubt what the oldest cup competition in the world means to hi... Read More+
Blog
Pictures of the Week, March 14-20, 2010
Mirror Football Blog 13:23 20/03/10Welcome to our new Pictures of the Week gallery, your pictorial guide to the past seven days in foot... Read More+
Blog
What do you think will happen in today's games?
Mirror Football Blog 12:02 20/03/10It's shaping up to be a great weekend for football, with the best of the action likely to happen at ... Read More+
Blog
Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers
Football Spy 11:52 20/03/10From today's Daily Mirror: Benitez: I would rather have Torres than Rooney Reina: I will sign a new... Read More+
Column
Roy Hodgson wins my vote to be England's next boss after his Fulham heroics
Mark Lawrenson 05:05 20/03/10Roy Hodgson has earned himself legendary status at Fulham – and put himself in the frame for the Eng... Read More+
Column
Way Beck will be very hard for David, but there's still time for Hargreaves to win World Cup call
Mark Lawrenson 05:03 20/03/10It's hard to see David Beckham being able to come back to the same level after his devastating Achil... Read More+
Column
Why the future is looking torrid for Liverpool, plus Dowie is too late to save Hull
Mark Lawrenson 05:00 20/03/10Fernando Torres has been linked to moves away from Liverpool – and if Rafa Benitez goes or the Reds ... Read More+
