Life is a Roller Coaster

Super Kev who looks certain to re kindle his partnership with The Rad this weekend, with the absence of The Duke and Fergie, has been looking back on his five years at Goodison Park. He now classes himself as a life long Blue, so like the rest of us who have dedicated their lives to supporting the Toffeemen, he will have plenty of more ups and downs a to come.

Super says: "It’s been a good five years, it’s been tough at times, obviously, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every second of being at Everton Football Club. I’m an Evertonian. Obviously my first team was Arsenal because that’s who I supported as a boy, but Everton’s in my life forever now. The ups and downs I’ve experienced are just football. Everton’s luck is more of a rollercoaster ride. When I first came here we were down and then we were up and then we were down and then we had quite a steady season under Walter Smith and then we were down again, the rolling hills type syndrome. Until we get that stability here we’re going to go through stages like that but the most important thing is that everyone sticks together and we build on what we’ve got. We’re not that different to other clubs in the Premier League. The ‘yo-yo effect’ has hindered a lot of clubs, not going down, but having a decent season and then not having such a good season. I think that ties in with transfer budgets and things like that because clubs just haven’t got the money these days. It’s been difficult and it will continue to be difficult for clubs in our bracket but of the clubs in that bracket I’m sure Everton are the biggest." (31/03/04)

Give Us A Break

Everton just need the rub of the green, according to Super Kev. Moyesy now has banned the whole first team squad from walking under ladders, putting umbrella's up indoors, and he has just placed an order at the local Chinese take away, for a dozen live black cats. We'll try anything once.

Super says : " It’s a matter of lucky breaks. I think we did enough to deserve the win. Charlton got away with a smash and grab but we were always on the offensive for most of the time and they got the break. At this level sometimes that’s the difference. We’ve played Charlton before, we know how good they are. They can beat anybody on their day, they’ve turned Chelsea over by four. We know we can match most teams in this division. We more than matched Charlton but we didn’t get the result because we didn’t get the break and sometimes at this level it’s all about the break. It’s the second time in a week where we’ve out-played the opposition and got nothing. The manager says our performance was good, but obviously the name of the game is to win. It’s very frustrating in the dressing room because the lads know how well we’ve played but you just want a couple of wins and you want to move out of that relegation zone and give yourself a bit more breathing space so you can concentrate on your game. We just haven’t been able to do that, we just need a break. We want to get three points and we want to move up the table as quickly as we can, that’s essential for this club. We know that we’ve got a difficult period this month. We got a point against Arsenal and we were beaten by Fulham and Charlton, so we’re not going to play Liverpool and Manchester United with the biggest of confidence. But the good thing about it is that a good result in those games could turn your confidence high. To be fair whoever has played up front for us has done a good job .One good thing about it is that you never hear any strikers moaning here, whatever permutation the manager wants to use then great, all the others just get behind the team and want them to do well because we’re all in it together. All the boys know the script but we need a break. The team really do need a break and the club need a break to be fair." (20/01/04)

Super Does Not Mind Being Sub

Super does not mind sitting on the sub's bench, as long as the team are winning. Campbell who started against Fulham on Saturday, but was later substituted for the Big Man is happy when the Blues are clocking up the points, even if it means, his piles are getting worse, sat on the bench.

Super says : "He can only pick two or three for any one game, but he picks what he considers as being the best and you’ve just got to get on with it. As long as the team are winning, I’m happy to be honest. Obviously I want to play, but it’s not about Kevin Campbell, it’s about the team. We’ve got a big month coming up and we’re really looking forward to it.We’ve taken on Arsenal and done well and we can’t wait to play Charlton, Fulham in the Cup, Liverpool and Manchester United." (12/01/04)

500 Up

Congratulations to Super Kev, as he played his 500th career match in the English game. Fittingly his achieved this milestone with his brief appearance as substitute against Arsenal who where the team, that he had his best spell with, winning the title back in the late 80's.

Super Kev says : "I didn’t really realise that it was 500!. I’m delighted. I suppose it was really fitting to make it against Arsenal. It was the club I started at and the club I supported as a boy but I desperately wanted to beat them." (10/01/04)

No Chances Took

Super was not risked in yesterday's win against Brum, even though he had passed a fitness test prior to kick off. The 33 year old was not risked, as it could have made his slight calf strain worse.

Basil Rathbone says: " Kev's had a minor calf strain. Although he passed his fitness test undoubtedly if he’d have played he would have made his calf worse. The manager decided that discretion was the better part of valour in Kev’s case so he would be ok and hopefully 100% fit for next weekend." (29/12/03)

Size Does Matter

As everyone knows size does matter, and Super believes it is no coincidence that our first back to back wins of the season have come with himself and Big Dunc both being available, and giving Moyesy other options up front. Don't tell me missus though about this size thing, I have been blagging it for years.

Super Kev says: "I think it helps having a big man. Whether it is myself or Dunc, I think it suits us as a team a lot more because it allows Wayne or Radz to pick their runs a bit better because they know they are going to get good set-up ball.That is very important for us this year and in the last couple of games especially that has been the case. Having me and Dunc available does help, as we showed on Saturday. When Dunc came on he made a contribution straight away because of his size. Everybody else could feed around him and get a little knock down and we got the winner from it. The more myself and Duncan keep fit and the manager rotates us you will see the benefit of that.We have got an embarrassment of riches in terms of strikers. But obviously myself and Dunc, the two bigger players, haven't been available that much this season. But when we are it really helps us as a squad. You can see in the performances." (25/12/03)

Under Pressure

Super Kev who returned to the first team starting line up against Pompey to great effect at the weekend, is trying to put a fatherly arm around young prodigy Wayne Rooney.Campbell found himself in a similar position, when at eighteen he burst into the Gooners first team in their title winning days, of the late eighties, and early nineties.

Super Kev says: " Wayne still needs protecting, without a doubt. I think people have to realise that this is really Wayne’s first season. Last season he played a bit part and he did really well coming in and playing certain games but this is his first real season where the scrutiny has been on him because he made such an impact last season. So we can’t get too carried away, I mean the boy’s just turned 18, we can’t be heaping all the pressure on his shoulders. I’d like everyone else to take the pressure off him. I’d like him to just keep doing what he has been doing, keep playing his football, he’s young, he’s learning and leave it at that. I experienced something similar at Arsenal. When you come in and you’re ripping trees up and you’re doing really well you expect it to just happen all the time but football is not like that. Football’s a game where you’ve got to put the work in and be honest with it. At times when it’s not working you’ve got to be more honest at your game than when it’s going well and to be fair to him he’s been honest with it. He still works hard even if it’s not going right with him. That’s the only way to get through it and that will make him a better player because when the bad times come that’s what makes you a good player. It’s not when the good times are there, it’s easy to be good when it’s good but when the bad times are here that’s what will really improve him and it’s going to.” (15/12/03)

I've Missed Them

David Moyes has admitted we need a big fella up front. It looks like Super and Dunc will be fighting it out for a starting place in the next couple of games.

Moyesy said "I thought that when Kevin came on he gave us that option we had been missing. We've said this before, but sometimes you need a big player up front you can hit the ball to and up to the moment we haven't had that. We have had to be really precise with our passing to try and play in Wayne, Franny and Tomasz.
"But when you have the big fellow up there you can be a little bit less careful and get the ball up there knowing that Kevin will fight and scrap for it as will Duncan Ferguson.There are different ways of playing and we have tried a lot this season with the smaller strikers because of injury to the two big lads.”(10/12/03)

Pompey Starter

Super Kev's stop start season, started again when he came on as sub in the second half on Sunday. Immediately he won a few headers & we looked better. There was one lovely cushioned header right into the path of Tommy (Forest Gump) Radzinski, who if he had a bit more conviction would have scored. Everton have always done better with a big man upfront. Super or Fergie were on the pitch, when The Duke, The Rad & even Franny Jeffers were scoring their fantastic goals last season, or in Dumbo's case a couple of seasons ago. Super must start on Saturday. If he isn't up to the Premiership anymore due to his age & injuries, then Moyesy must get a big striker in the 'Jan Sales', as well as this dominating midfield player everyone is talking about. (09/12/03)

Favourite To Start Against Saints

Super looks like he'll partner The Rad upfront on Sunday against Southampton. The Duke is suspended, Big Dunc is struggling with a chest infection & a groin strain, Chadders went off injured in the reserve game last night, leaving just Franny Jugears as competition. Franny only played his first 90 mins since he's been back at Everton. Our guess is Super starts & Franny will be on the bench. (16/10/03)

Ready When You Are

Super admits he may get some splinters on his botty before he will get his place back in the team and he willing to bide his time. Kev should get a run out in the Rezzies against Man Utd, tomorrow.

Kev said: “My focus has always been trying to get back into the team, but the strikers have been doing well and I’m prepared to sit on the bench, or just be part of the squad for the time being and wait for my chance. Nobody has a divine right to be in the team.
“Fergie’s done really well since he’s been in the team - he’s looking sharp. Who knows, I might be out for a bit, because of that but Kevin Campbell is ready when called upon.” (06/10/03)

Music Man

Super is making plans for his retirement with the setting up of his own record label.The 34 year old striker assures fans that it won't affect his day job as this is one for the future, as a team is now currently running the business for him. Kevin though might be able to give his fledgling firm some immediate attention, if he doesn't manage to work his way past, Roons, Dunc, The Rad and the other strikers who are currently ahead of him in the pecking order for first team starts.

Super says: "I definitely won't be giving up my day job. I want to play on for another three, four, five years if I can, obviously fitness permitting. I want something on the side, I want to be in the music business. Music's been a part of my life since the belly to be honest. We are at the cutting edge, this is the serious part. I don't want to be seen as just a footballer trying his leg at it, this isn't that. I'm a footballer first and foremost and I've assembled a team that can do the business without me being at the helm and using up too much time." (02/10/03)

Then There Were Six

Super came through his second rezzy match in under a week, to give Moyesy more selection headaches against Spurs on Saturday.Now with a full compliment of strikers to pick from, it is going to be a test of Moyesy's man management skills to keep them all happy.

Moyesy says: "Kevin is not too far away because he is naturally fit and keeps himself in good condition. (1/10/03)

Super says: "Obviously reserve team football and first team football are two different things but I feel my fitness is good and this is all I can do." (1/10/03)

Back To Front

Super Kev was delighted to get his first full ninety minutes under his belt, on his scoring return from injury after a six week lay off, for the rezzy's this week.With Moyesy having an abundance of strikers to pick from for the Leeds game , it is extremely doubtful that Super will be risked in any capacity on Sunday.

Super says :“It felt great,There are no problems with the hamstring and it’s nice to get my first 90 minutes under my belt .I’ve been training now for two weeks but I suppose I’ve still got a bit to do.This was my first game back, but I have been working really hard. Obviously reserve team football and first team football are two different things but I feel my fitness is good and that’s all I can do. I’ve been really frustrated watching from the side and I’m just pleased that I could get my first game under my belt. Hopefully in the near future I’ll be available for selection.It was the worst time for me to get my injury really because in the week before the season started, you’re not even going through the motions, you’re at full tilt. Everyone was fit, everyone was ready for the assault, but that’s life sometimes. It’s pegged me back a bit but I’m raring to go and I’m hungry now.” (27/09/03)

Back In Business

Super Kev returns to action tonight in the rezzys match against Sunderland.The Blues striker returned to training last week, and has suffered no reaction to his hamstring injury. If he comes through tonight's game unscathed, there is a chance Moyesy will add him to the squad for Sundays visit of Leeds, were he will face stiff competition to reclaim his place.(25/09/03)

Time To Heal

Super Kev returned to full training this week. but will not be rushed back from the hamstring injury he picked up in the final pre season game against Bologna.With our abundance of strikers at the club, Moyesy is taking a sensible approach to the situation and will ease him back gently.

Moyesy says :"Kevin is back in full training and we will now allow him a full week's training before he plays in any games.We want to make sure that there was no recurrence of the hamstring injury and that is why we kept him out of the reserves in the week."(19/09/03)

No Rush

David Moyes is in no rush to get Super playing for the 1st team, he has plenty of options and wants everyone who is injured to get match fit first.

Moyesy said:"With it being a hamstring problem, we don't want to take any risks or to rush him. But he is doing well. There is no need to rush players back with the options we have, so unless we are really desperate I would prefer injured players to get reserve games under their belt and build up their strength."(05/09/03)

Out For A Month

The scan has revealed damage to his hamstring. The is means he will be out of action for up to 4 weeks. This now opens the door for Nick Chadwick. (11/08/03)

Scan For Super

Super Kev will have a scan later on today after damaging his hamstring in yesterday's Colin Harvey Testimonial. Super went down early in the game after a late tackle from behind, then minutes later he pulled up after shaping to strike a shot at goal. He was replaced by Nick Chadwick on 11 minutes.

Moyesy says: "Kevin looks as though he's got a bit of damage to his hamstring. How bad it is, we're not sure. There is a big worry. Wayne Rooney is injured, Duncan Ferguson is suspended for the first three games." (11/09/03)

Kevin Campbell Last Season