The Football Pink

  • The Shop
  • The Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile
  • Log in
Menu
  • The Shop
  • The Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Interviews
  • Current
  • Nostalgia
  • Legends
  • European
  • World
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Profile
  • Log in
Home Latest

Moyes Is Still The Man For Kenwright: Everton vs Stoke City Preview

Pink by Pink
July 6, 2013
in Latest
Moyes Is Still The Man For Kenwright: Everton vs Stoke City Preview
40
SHARES
330
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Saturday evening’s televised Premier League clash at Goodison Park pits David Moyes’ Everton against Tony Pulis and his Stoke City side.

When these two teams came head-to-head earlier this season, quite literally in the case of Marouane Fellaini and Ryan Shawcross, a bruising encounter ended in a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium. For the home side, who still harbour faint hopes of a place in the top four, the propensity of tied games has almost certainly turned what promised to be a fantastic season in the early months into one where their expectations of finishing just outside the European qualification places are likely to be met.

If the Toffees are to make a successful late season spurt for fourth place the game with the Potters is a must win. Having blown a glorious opportunity for a tilt at silverware when they crashed out of the FA Cup, they went some way to restoring pride when running out convincing winners over reigning champions, Manchester City to renew hope of a possible challenge for a Champions League spot.

The only down side from the win over City is the loss through suspension of Fellaini and Steven Pienaar who both miss Everton’s next two fixtures. The absence of two of the Blues’ most creative elements will severely hamper Moyes’ efforts to threaten Arsenal and Tottenham’s race for fourth place.

Without the extra cutting edge provided by their missing midfielders, Stoke City will present the toughest of nuts to crack. Pulis has developed an obstinate defensive side full of brute strength and ruggedness. Having begun the season in miserly fashion, the turn of the year brought an uncharacteristic spell of generosity as goals were leaked. However, in recent weeks, Stoke have returned to their former frugality at the back.

This game does not promise a glut of goals and neither does it have the taste buds tingling for those hoping for fast flowing football. The likely outcome would be a goalless draw or a home victory by a solitary strike.

Meanwhile, in the build-up to Saturday’s match, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright raised his head above the media parapet for the first time since their crushing FA Cup loss at home to Wigan Athletic to wax lyrical about his manager for the umpteenth occasion. In an interview with Sky Sports News he reiterated the club would speak with Moyes in the summer over the uncertain issue of a new contract as the Scotsman dithers about whether his future lies on Merseyside or elsewhere.

He also confirmed, somewhat unconvincingly, that the club had never sold a player that Moyes himself had not signed off on and that there would be no further sales of Everton’s most prized playing assets. For those hoping the Scotsman will still be in charge at Goodison next year they will be praying Kenwright can be quite a bit more persuasive in his contract negotiations.

MARK GODFREY

Share16Tweet10Share4

Related Posts

Diary of a refugee football club secretary (Part Four)
Current

Diary of a refugee football club secretary (Part 13)

In January 2018, Ullet Road Church Rebels were formed in Liverpool. The Rebels are the first club to field...

by Chris Allen
March 6, 2021
341
The Football Pink’s Greatest: Defenders
Latest

The Football Pink’s Greatest: Defenders

It is often commonplace in football that attackers are the ones to grab all of the headlines. As the...

by The Football Pink
March 5, 2021
414
American Samoa: History makers for better and for worse
World

American Samoa: History makers for better and for worse

11 April 2001: an Australian team has beaten a Samoan team 31-0 in a competitive international sporting fixture. Here’s...

by Liam Togher
March 3, 2021
367
Feeling Gravity’s Pull: How Wolves Found Themselves in the Fourth Division
Latest

Feeling Gravity’s Pull: How Wolves Found Themselves in the Fourth Division

Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of the great old names of English football, and one that is generally associated with...

by Dave Proudlove
March 1, 2021
387
Load More
Next Post
Champions League Quarter Final Bonanza: Preview

Champions League Quarter Final Bonanza: Preview

Diary of a refugee football club secretary (Part Four)
Current

Diary of a refugee football club secretary (Part 13)

by Chris Allen
March 6, 2021
0
341

In January 2018, Ullet Road Church Rebels were formed in Liverpool. The Rebels are the first club to field an...

Read more
The Football Pink’s Greatest: Defenders

The Football Pink’s Greatest: Defenders

March 5, 2021
414
Sweet Sixteen: Life in Leeds United’s void

Sweet Sixteen: Life in Leeds United’s void

March 4, 2021
343
Back to The ‘Eighties: 1983

Back to The ‘Eighties: 1983

March 3, 2021
376
American Samoa: History makers for better and for worse

American Samoa: History makers for better and for worse

March 3, 2021
367

© 2020 footballpink.net

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail
  • Print Friendly
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr