WAGGY HAILS ‘PHENOMINAL’ BLUES

Everton Legend Dave Watson has labelled the club's Champions League qualification as 'a phenomenal achievement'.

Waggy, the last captain to lead an Everton side in a European tournament (the 1995-6 ECWC) was delighted with the outcome at Highbury and is already relishing the prospect of watching The Blues in the biggest domestic competition of them all.

"It was a great result at Arsenal but we've finished fourth on our own merit, no question about that," he said.

"We didn't need any help from anybody but I'm glad that Arsenal did us a little favour because it's done and dusted now with a couple of games to go.

"David Moyes and the players deserve all the credit in the world. It's a phenomenal achievement to qualify for the Champions League twelve months after finishing fourth from bottom."

The former centre-half who played over 500 matches for Everton is now looking for the club to move forward and make this type of season a regular occurrence.

"We've had good seasons in the past and haven't managed to sustain it for one reason or another," he said. "We've done terrific this season and there is now so much to look forward to next year.

"The prospect of playing the likes of Real Madrid at Goodison is great for the fans and I just hope that we give a good account of ourselves in the competition.

"It will be a brilliant experience for the players and it's something they thoroughly deserve. They've given everything this season and I'm made up for them."

Waggy also declared his admiration for the boss!

"He's done unbelievable job," he said. "He's had the smallest squad in the Premiership and he's got such a lot out of them.

"Everyone speaks about the players he lost before the season and then during the season but I'd rather discuss the lads still here. They never lost focus and they responded to the knocks in the best possible way. The manager deserves all the praise he gets"