 Saturday, 5th Apr 2008 19:57 There were no tears shed at Pride Park as we became the fastest team to ever achieve mathematical relegation from the Premiership. Everton v Derby County That's because most fans have known since the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth that we simply weren't good enough to compete in this league. Our opponents this week will not have shed any tears over the failure to make fourth in the league either. The 1-0 defeat at Anfield is probably the final nail in the coffin lid of Everton's Champions league aspirations - but don't say that to anyone associated with Everton. Everton is a club that simply refuses to lie down. They may be 5 points behind Liverpool but they won't give up until the fat lady sings. Liverpool have several tough games ahead and Everton have to beat teams like us to be in with a shout if they falter. Indeed if Liverpool lose at the Emirates on Saturday, a Toffee's victory would see the gap at 2 points. Everton fans believe they are the 'Liverpool' team and will gladly point out that they played at Anfield first, won trophies first, have more support within the city (debatable) and lastly that they would have won the European Cup if it hadn't have been for Liverpool misbehaving. David Moyes has done well at Everton. He's had his woes over the years but the former Preston manager has put together a well balanced and attractive footballing side without breaking the bank, and without resorting to the 'dogs of war' mentality that so irritates fans of the school of science. In midfield they have ex Ram Lee Carsley. Carsley has become something of a war horse as he's aged. He was a stolid and unspectacular player when he was with the Rams and few thought he'd do well when he left but Lee proved them wrong. One who most fans did mourn when he left was Leon Osman and it's probably fair to say that without his contribution, the Rams may well have been relegated and who knows where we'd have ended up? Many fans hoped we could prise him from Moyes grasp however it was obvious Leon was good enough for the Premiership already. Why he hasn't attracted an England cap is a mystery as he has a first touch second to none in the English game. Certainly enough of a first touch to bamboozle fellow Evertonian Jay McEveley if he starts on Sunday. Another 'ex-Ram' is Yakubu and almost everyone has forgotten that as Aiyegbeni could have been a Ram if a work permit had been forthcoming. It would be interesting to speculate how he would have worked out at Derby and if his goals would have meant John Gregory would have stayed in charge? Current Everton Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games Sunderland 0-1 Everton Danger Men Tim Cahill is out for the remainder of the season which is good news for the Rams but Yakubu, Osman and Lescott are likely to be in the team. Yakubu has scored 13 league goals this season - impressive particularly as he spent time away in the African Cup of nations. He's a deceptive player. Looking overweight and a tad clumsy, he's actually very athletic and razor sharp when he gets a chance. Leon Osman needs no introduction. He has a superb first touch and despite his relatively short stature, is actually pretty good in the air. England defender Joleon Lescott has scored 6 league goals which is very impressive for a defender. Everton fans while appreciating his goals wish he'd put as much effort into defending as he does scoring. Everton team news In addition to Tim Cahill, James Vaughan is long term injured. Victor Anichebe and Andrew Johnson could return to play against Derby after not participating against Liverpool last week. Steven Pienaar took a knock in that game and is a major doubt after missing training all week. Tony Hibbert is also a slight doubt but looks set to play. The Rams At the start of the season I said I'd be happy to finish bottom if we fought for every point. We didn't. Despite some of the grandiose claims by Billy Davies and the board in the summer, we have simply been on a sight seeing tour of the Premiership. A rumour doing the rounds is that the stadium is to be renamed for next season. That's a good thing as precious little Pride has been shown. From the 'Me first' attitude shown by Billy Davies after the Wembley game to the Plaza and Starbucks - it's obvious the powers that be at Pride Park lost sight of what the most important thing in football - and that's the football itself. Davies should have been sacked at Wembley and Peter Gadsby et al should have kept the Plaza plan to themselves until it was ready to go. They certainly should have been recruiting players rather than backroom staff and they should have been telling us what was happening on the playing front rather than what we wished to hear or what they wished might happen. As always it's us the fans who have suffered. One win all season and some of the most wretched performances on the pitch that I've seen in 40 years of following the Rams. Now the spin for next season has started. The board may be pleased people keep turning up but at least be honest with us. We're hearing the same story as previous years. Several players in and out, money to spend, complete revamp of the squad for the new challenge. We've heard it before. I would be surprised if we get more than four new players and even more surprised if they were the seasoned professionals we need. Last time we got relegated we sang "you've only come to see the Champions" to Reading. I doubt anyone will sing that next year. Kenny Miller, Andy Todd and Jay McEveley are back in time to face Everton, but former Everton player Alan Stubbs and Marc Edworthy won't be in the squad. Mick's team: Caroll, McEveley, Moore, Leacock, Mears, Savage, Jones, Miller, Lewis, Earnshaw, Villa What the bookies think Everton are big favourites to win at 2/9 while a Rams win is at 11/1. Same old, same old. Information for traveling fans Driving: It's 92 miles to Liverpool via the A50 to Stoke, M6 north to junction 21a and the M62 to Liverpool. You can either turn right at the end of the Motorway (the Rocket Pub) and follow the traffic to Goodison, or stay on the road that becomes Edge Lane. At the junction with Holt Rd, turn Right and turn right again at the junction with Kensington. Turn left onto Shiel Rd and Goodison is about a 1/2 a mile past Anfield. Allow about 2 hours from Derby minimum. Parking: The recommendation is to park in Stanley Park or in any of the marked car parks in the area. Be prepared to wait after the game. There's street parking to be had around the St. Domingo Rd area and in Everton Vale. You may get asked for money to "watch your car mister" by local youths - the best bet is to say you'll give them a quid if they are still there when you return. Drinking: The Arkles pub by Anfield is only ten minutes from the ground and is likely to be quiet. Then there's the Albert at the back of the Kop and Sam Dodds at the other end of the ground. Again all likely to be quiet There are lots of pubs along County Rd just past Goodison Park. They are likely to be full of locals but as long as you behave there is unlikely to be any trouble. The County is the best of them. If you come by train, it's probably best to have a drink in town before getting a cheap taxi to Anfield (it's about 2 miles form the City Centre). The best bet is probably the Vines - also known as the Big House - just along Lime Street opposite Lewis's. Mick's Prediction Can't see us getting anything out of this one. Everton still have Europe to play for and we've not even got Pride left to play for. 3-0 to the Toffees and Osman & Yakubu will score.
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