An Everton fan viewpoint 'We take on MANURE'

Despite the uncalled for references to Manure, you may be interested to read how an Everton fan sees his clubs visit to Old Trafford on Saturday as reported in his blog ‘Blue Kipper’. Perhaps more pertinent is the opinion of Blues manager David Moyes who says “We know we have to give it a go. But we are the ones who don’t really have much to lose. We can go there in a good position for an early kick off and try and do something. They have got another big game on Tuesday. We will try and make it as awkward and as hard as we possibly can.”

The writer did not mince words when he stated that “Ah well it comes around once a season were we have to visit Old Trafford to take on Champions elect Manure. It is a ground were to put it mildly we are shite. We have to go back to 1992, which was the first year of the Premiership since we recorded our last victory at the Mancs. Polish Bob, Maurice Johnston and Beardo were on hand that day as the Blues swept aside United 3-0, but United did go on that season to win the inaugural Premiership title, and they say the rest is history.

On to tomorrows fayre then and Moyesy may have back Tiny and Mikky to add to his squad. If they are fit I say carry on with the same eleven that played in the last few matches and done so well in our seven match unbeaten run, but Tiny who is a bit more advanced in his comeback than Mikky may replace Maggie.

Another issue may be with Johnny Heitinga who hobbled off with a dodgy hamstring in last week’s win over Blackburn to be replaced by Jack the Lad. Apart from the long termers of Screech and Louis Saha, Moyesy is getting a few faces back as the season nears its end.

Even though our record is poor against the Mancs at Old Trafford, in our last two encounters against them albeit at Goodison, we have scored six, conceded four and gained four points out of six. Fingers crossed and you never know.

Everton from: Howard, Mucha, Neville, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Heitinga, Cahill, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov, Baines, Osman, Beckford, Gueye, Vellios, Anichebe, McAleny, Nsiala, Forshaw, Mustafi.

Lavo’s Starting XI: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Hibbert, Neville, Rodwell, Osman, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Cahill

Moyesy said: “There’s an outside chance that Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill could be involved. Although it is not just this game, we would like to get them back for all the games, to have them back for Wigan, West Brom, Man City and Chelsea would be great. We have a doubt over John Heitinga with his hamstring but getting some of the players back around the squad for the remaining games is important.

We know we have to give it a go. But we are the ones who don’t really have much to lose. We can go there in a good position for an early kick off and try and do something. It is a great place to play your football but, having said that, you know you are going to play the best team in the country. But we are going there in good form and I think we can give them a good game.

The games recently have been closer. Apart from one game there the other year when we didn’t offer much, they have been closer. We have done everything we can to make it tighter and we have got closer to them. We will go there and try to make it difficult. They have got another big game on Tuesday. We will try and make it as awkward and as hard as we possibly can.”

Just a word to the writer. Do you really have to spoil what is a reasonably good piece by your juvenile Manure references? Pity! As for my openly biased United viewpoint, all I’m interested in are the three points. I could not care less if they’re obtained by an injury time Everton own goal or any other way as long as United stays on course for the title.

Are you as nervous as I am about this game?