STUBBS' DERBY COUNTDOWN

Sunday 14 October 2007, 11:19
by Scott McLeod @efc_scottmcleod

Alan Stubbs is not just a key member of the Everton squad - he is also a lifelong Blue who can remember watching from the Gwladys Street during the 80s as Merseyside's two clubs did battle for league glory.

It is now 17 years since Liverpool's last league title triumph and 20 years since the Blues were crowned champions of England.

But whilst the ultimate prize has remained away from Merseyside during the Premier League years, the rivalry between the two clubs remains as passionate and intense.

It is what makes the derby such an eagerly anticipated contest and, as preparations begin for the 206th competitive meeting between the two sides, Stubbs dismisses the suggestion the game is any more important to Everton than it is to Liverpool.

He said: "Of course the derby means as much to Liverpool as it does to Everton.

"If it doesn't, they have a big old problem. If you're not really that bothered about winning against your local rivals, maybe you should be looking at yourself.

"We don't see ourselves as a small club, not at all. If they feel they are that much bigger than us, they should have been getting better results. Like winning the League. When you spend that much money, £40-50 million, you would expect to be closer than they have been. That's what Liverpool fans would say if you asked them. We beat them 3-0 — and you don't get a result like that by luck."

As for this season's title - does Stubbs believe the Premier League crown could return to Merseyside?

"I do think (Manchester) United will win it and Arsenal will be the serious challengers this year," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"United are already right up there without having hit top form yet. Arsenal used to rely on Thierry Henry too much. Without him the onus is on the young players and they have been inspired by that.

"The thing about Liverpool is that I don't know if he (Benitez) has found his best team. I don't know if he has found the balance he's looking for. He keeps saying he will pick players who are looking good in training. I think sometimes you get training-ground players who don't do it in a game. And sometimes you get players who aren't good in training but are much better in a match situation.

"Benitez has done a good job since he arrived but a lot of Liverpool fans are getting disgruntled. They want to be challenging but have seen them getting draws at home to teams they think they should be beating because he has been resting players. I hope he picks the wrong team against us although for me, in Steven Gerrard they have the best midfielder in the world."

As for Stubbs, it has been an emotive week for him - with the Blues departing their Bellefield training ground home for the final time.

They have now switched to a state-of-the-art development at Finch Farm in Halewood. But he did have a memory of Bellefield to take with him after so many happy years there - a head wound!

He explains: "It's a leaving souvenir from Bellefield — I butted one of the doors. It's no joke. I turned the hosepipe on Tim (Cahill), drowning him with freezing water, and as I turned round to run away, one of the doors was opened and I accidentally butted it.

"There was so much history at Bellefield. I used to hang around at the gates for autographs, so it was surreal when I was stopped for mine. It's sad there won't be any more kids there but I understand the game has moved on an awful lot and the new facilities are fantastic.

"Bellefield was very limited in space. This new place has a yoga room, video room, hot and cold Jacuzzis,three physio rooms — everything that people think you need for the modern game.

"It will take time to develop character but the pictures are going up soon, which will help. Not just Everton pictures, but pictures of sportsmen such as Tiger Woods who have reached the top of the tree.

"It's part of where the club is going. Our aim now is to be around the top six every season and progress from there. I don't think we're ready to challenge the top four yet but on our day we can give them a helluva game."