Tuesday 17 June 2008, 13:56
by Adam Clark @adamclark_efc
This week former Toffees star Neville Southall sat down with evertontv to discuss the goalkeepers who have followed in his footsteps since he left Goodison Park in 1998.
Today, we bring you the first part of that interview as Neville reflects on the successes and failings of Thomas Myhre and Paul Gerrard.
Thomas Myhre
Norwegian international Thomas Myhre joined Everton from homeland club Viking Stavanger in November 1997.
He immediately leapt above Neville Southall and Paul Gerrard in the pecking order, only to lose his place to the latter following a serious injury at the beginning of the 1999-00 campaign.
Loan spells at Glasgow Rangers, Birmingham City, Tranmere Rovers and FC Copenhagen followed before a permanent move to Turkish side Besiktas was secured in November 2001.
In total Myhre made 82 appearances for the Toffees. He is now back with boyhood club Viking.
Southall : “Thomas did really well when he first came in. He had knee problems originally – he had to have cartilage re-grown and then put back in his body – and, I think because of his knees and other things, his form did go down a little bit. He was unfortunate with injuries but bar those injuries I think he would have stayed here a long time.
“Were the club right to go for a foreign goalkeeper at the time? Well I think it was, one, because we got him on a decent deal, and two, because he was a decent goalkeeper.
“He’s an international and he has been an international for a long time. So, when you look back at it, I think it was a good deal for the club and it’s just unfortunate that it didn’t quite work out. Sometimes it doesn’t, does it? And, unfortunately, there have been a few moves since then that haven’t worked out for him."
Paul Gerrard
Paul Gerrard teamed up with his former boss when Joe Royle signed him from Oldham Athletic in the summer of 1996.
He spent most of his first three years at the club as understudy to Neville himself, and then Thomas Myhre, before finally establishing himself as first choice in the 1999/2000 season. However, the arrival of Richard Wright in July 2002 effectively put an end to his time at Goodison.
Loan spells at Ipswich Town and Sheffield United followed before another short-term move – this time to Nottingham Forest – led to a permanent deal. In total Gerrard turned out 99 times for Everton.
He is currently looking for a club after being released by Sheffield United at the end of last season.
Southall : “Again, Paul had the same thing as Thomas - knee problems. I think he would have probably been better working with a sports psychologist than a goalkeeping coach, because Paul was the nervous type. He was really confident outside of games but if he made a mistake then he’d make another one and another one. With the help of a sports psychologist I think he would have been twice as good as what he was.
“He had all the tools there, he was a really decent goalkeeper, great attitude, greater work, but, unfortunately, mentally couldn’t cope with it. It’s a shame how his career has gone since then because I thought he was a decent goalkeeper. He was probably around too early to have the support system he needed around him.”
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james hingley
big nev is a legend the reason i wanted to be a goalkeeper when i was young aged 7years old
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Tuesday 24th Jun 2008 10:45
Agree with james?
Matt Taylor
Neville, we would love to replace you but this is not possible. You were the best in the world. Timmy is doing fine, his positioning on free kicks can be improved but he is always looking to improve. COYB
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Thursday 19th Jun 2008 23:36
Agree with Matt?
Eddie curtis
what about nigel martyn, legend!
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Thursday 19th Jun 2008 13:06
Agree with Eddie?