Wednesday 17 March 2010, 09:35
by Giulia Bould @YourEverton
The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.
Steven Pienaar has cranked up the psychological pressure on his team-mate and potential South Africa 2010 rival Leighton Baines by declaring that England are likely to be World Cup flops.
The midfielder is set to star on home soil in the summer tournament, and could line up against his partner on Everton’s left flank Baines, who is tipped for inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad.
But although he rates the Three Lions performances under the Italian boss so far, Pienaar, 27, believes other teams will still fancy their chances of beating them.
He said: “They have got the players and they’ve got a manager (Capello) who’s finally got them to play as a team.
“I’m not a fan of the England team. I think teams can get a result against England.
“They have a reason to feel confident, definitely, because in the past there were egos in their team but they play as a team now, no more about individuals.
“But we have to wait and see if they can live up to the challenge. We have to do it on the field and not in the newspapers.
Despite his admiration for Capello, Pienaar has tipped Germany, Italy, Argentina and European champions Spain to fight it out for the Jules Rimet Trophy.
He said: “I have always said Argentina. Spain is also in the mix and you can never rule out Italy and Germany. Italy know how to win tournaments and the Germans have a good team, so they also have a chance to win it.”
Capello's men start their World Cup campaign against the USA in Rustenburg before facing Slovenia and Algeria in their other Group C matches, while Pienaar's South Africa take on Mexico, Uruguay and France in Group A.
Meanwhile, on-loan Everton striker James Vaughan has been tipped for success by Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson.
Pearson, who took the 21-year-old on a month-long loan deal to the Walker stadium last week, has already seen signs that Vaughan can be a star.
The deal could be extended until the end of the season, and Pearson has been impressed with the striker’s attitude after he was introduced as a substitute on Saturday.
He said: “I think we will have to ease him in, but his character is such that there are no half measures with him.
“I think you can see straight away he is such a brave character and plays so wholeheartedly that it has probably contributed to his injury problems, but you don't want to change that in him.
“I think he will be great for us and I think you can see his aggression, his pace and his power. I am sure he will be a player who will bring something a little different.
“I know he only played for half an hour on Saturday and probably stiffened up towards the end. He has a great future in the game and, if he can play a significant role for us, it will not only be good for us but also for him.”
Victor Anichebe says he has not given up on his World Cup dream.
The Nigerian international has been sidelined for nearly a year following a horror tackle by Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan in February last year.
Anichebe underwent knee surgery before eventually returning to action in the final minutes of Everton’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at the end of January.
Since then, the striker has made five more appearances and rubberstamped his comeback with a wonder goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham.
That is likely to bring him to the attention of Nigeria again, who Anichebe has represented at Under-23 and senior level.
The 21-year-old says he would love to join the Super Eagles in South Africa this summer but is focusing on playing well for Everton until the end of the season.
“It would be nice to go to the World Cup but I’ve been out for so long that I’m not even looking at that,” said Anichebe.
“I’m just looking at playing games for now. I was out for so, so long. The World Cup would be hopeful but we’ll have to see.”
The draw with Birmingham leaves Everton in ninth, two points behind the Midlands club with nine games remaining.
But with a favourable league run-in Anichebe insists Everton have not given up hope on a European place.
“We’ve still got belief that we can finish high in the table,” he said. “We’ve got a good run-in with winnable games. But they’re all tough games in this league.
“The season seems to have flown by for many of the players but, for me, I’ve only just come back. So whatever games come along I’m just happy to be involved.”
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Alec Walker
See, the statistics prove that Everton are the most fouled against side in the Premier League,does this account for the fact that a lot of our players are injured to stop us getting a result. I am thinking of Fellaini (and others).
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Wednesday 17th Mar 2010 19:42
Agree with Alec?