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Graeme Sharp

Posts: 25

Blues legend Graeme Sharp is Everton's leading post-war goalscorer and won two league championships, an FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup.

He is now the Club's Fan Ambassador and chairs the Fans Forum.

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Just a week to go until the new season and I’m getting that familiar feeling, that buzz of excitement.

There’s been a fair bit of bad press surrounding the Club of late but I don’t think Evertonians should buy into it too much; there’s every reason to believe the coming campaign will be as successful – and enjoyable – as the last.

Firstly, we’ve got a great manger at the helm. The job David Moyes has done since taking the reins cannot be understated. He has said he needs new players and I think we’d all agree with that. But he’s also said he has complete faith in the squad he has at his disposal – so why shouldn’t we all agree with that too?

Secondly, supporters and press alike have made a lot of the young players coming through; the Jose Baxters, the Dan Goslings, the Lukas Jutkiewiczs and the Jack Rodwells. They’re all prodigious talents indeed, but let’s not get carried away and heap unnecessary pressure on those lads, not when there’s so much experience elsewhere in the squad.

Joseph Yobo, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman, Joleon Lescott, Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Tim Howard – these are the names that propelled us to fifth in the Premier League last season, to the semi-finals of the League Cup and the last 32 in Europe.

Then there’s Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Tony Hibbert and Victor Anichebe, who all played bit part roles for one reason or another but will be eager to contribute to the full this time around.

I heard Bill Kenwright say on television on Wednesday that Andrew Johnson’s move to Fulham is set to go through in the next 24 hours, perhaps even by the time you read this. 

It’s a shame Andy felt it time to move on but I think you’ll join me in wishing AJ all the best for the future.

I will always want Everton to hold on to their best players and I would certainly put Andy in that bracket. That said, I don’t think the manager would have sanctioned the move unless he first had a replacement in mind. So let’s not panic.

This season I’m particularly looking forward to another run in Europe. It’s something the Club had to live without for a long time but now it’s back it should be cherished.

Of course, the Premier League will always be your bread and butter – it’s the way you get back into Europe after all - and I can’t wait to see a packed Goodison Park welcoming out the lads against Blackburn on August 16.

Firstly though it’s PSV Eindhoven on Saturday and a first chance to see the Blues at home since May.

I look forward to seeing you there.