What The Papers Say - Feb 23

Thursday's newspaper round-up.

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton. 

NIKICA JELAVIC has set his sights on becoming a Merseyside derby hero – having already been made welcome by the Everton FC family.
 
Jelavic, who is currently sidelined with a stomach injury, is settling in after his £5.5million move from Rangers last month.
 
The Croatia international scored 36 goals in 55 games at Ibrox, and is keen to open his Goodison Park account.
 
“I’m ready to score against anybody, but especially against Liverpool!” said Jelavic.
 
“I know how big those games are for the fans so I will try everything to score when we play them.

“I’ve not set any targets but, of course, as a striker I expect many goals.
 
“I think team spirit is everything, whichever team you’re playing for. But here I’ve noticed it especially. I really looks like a family and everyone is looking out for each other.”
 
Meanwhile, Everton’s Premier League clash at Manchester United will now take place on Sunday, April 22, with a 12.30pm kick-off. The game will broadcast live on Sky Sports.

YES! Came the shout at 4.12pm on Sunday afternoon as the number 2 ball came out of the pot at Wembley Stadium as the draw for the quarter-finals was taking place.
 
Every Evertonian was counting on a home draw, that was all the talk as they exited Goodison last Saturday. We will have anyone at home even the red half!
 
Well we got what we wanted and you get the feeling that thought was transmitted all the way down the M6 as Blues legend Peter Reid could not hide is excitement after picking us out ahead of another one of his former clubs Sunderland.

Somehow watching it on TV doesn’t create that same adrenalin as listening to it on Monday lunchtime on the transistor radio in the playground of your school as a kid.
 
Back in the glory days we didn’t care if we were pulled out of the hat away at Notts County or Luton Town. In the here and now don’t get me wrong, Sunderland at home is by no means a gimme, they have been somewhat rejuvenated under Martin O’Neill and are the form side of the Premier League.

They were facing a fight for relegation before he took over. They are now above us in the League and have just put another dagger into Wenger’s wounds after knocking out Arsenal.
 
But home advantage could prove crucial with Everton having a great record against the Black cats on Merseyside soil.

Another packed house will no doubt be on the cards and hopefully the club will continue to provide cheap tickets for the kids. It’s so important to attract young Blues to the game and a cup run could provide that buzz around the city.

The only shame is that Steven Pienaar and the departing Landon Donovan will not be able to play with Pienaar cup-tied and Donovan’s loan deal at an end last week.
 
The old cup-tied rule has been in since time began, but back in those days you could buy players all year round so with having to do your season business in January should the FA look into the rule again? Perhaps only stop loan players playing against parent clubs in the competition etc? Just a thought.
 
Regarding Donovan it was such a shame not to see him in a blue shirt for the final time against Blackpool. The American’s popularity is huge at the club with both fans and players and come 2013 what are the odds on seeing him back in a blue shirt?

Strength in depth is something never talked about at Everton but when you think of the side that could have started on Saturday it makes you think again.
 
Let me put this to you, barring Howard and Baines who play every week, Moyes could have put out this alternative eleven with those two names included. The side could have been; Howard,Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Duffy, Osman, Cahill, Rodwell, Pienaar, Anichebe, Jelavic.
 
That’s not including Donovan and you could have Barkley, Vellios, Gueye, Baxter etc on the bench. When you look at that side and the one that beat Blackpool maybe things are not so stretched at Finch Farm? When the injuries do clear up, Moyes will have some decisions to make.
 
The fans would love to see Drenthe and Pienaar on the wings for a start. R.R Drenthe was simply superb last weekend as he tormented the Blackpool backline. If only he would do the simple things though. He has talent that is for sure and the question now is can he hold down a regular place?

We will see, not that I would tell Mr Moyes how to pick his team, well not to his face anyway!

EVERTON and Wigan are chasing Crewe duo Nick Powell and Max Clayton.

The clubs sent scouts to watch the pair, both 17, this week.