Jesus Its Hot Here

With all the shite about boardroom dust ups, the Rooney affair, it is easy to forget that we are a footy club, about to embark on a new season. Killa Kilbane currently being mobbed out in the States by lovers of total football, is gearing up and ready for the forthcoming Copa De Tejas, but unfortunately due to the climate, he does not rate our chances of turning over the Mexicans.

Killa says: "With the humidity it will favour the Mexican sides but it will still be good for us to get out here and get some games and I’m sure we’ll reap the benefit when we get back home. It’s still humid though even though it was a little bit cooler last night after the heavy rain in the afternoon." (27/07/04)

Back Soon

Zinedine went under the surgeons knife yesterday in a bid to rid himself of his niggly ankle problem. Head physio Basil Rathbone has assured Moyesy that Killa will be fit for pre season training, when the squad get back together in early July. The only disappointed party in all this is Brazilian ace Ronaldo, who had urged Killa to holiday with him, so he could pick up on some of his skills. Killa has told the Brazilian nut job to do one, and if the stalking continues, he would let loose midfield partner Tommy Grav on the deranged South American.

Basil says: Every time he struck the ball he was getting some discomfort in his ankle. We’ve allowed him five weeks rest, but it hasn’t really settled so he’s having an operation on Thursday to take out a small piece of bone from the back of his ankle joint, which is causing the problems.
We anticipate a rehabilitation time of four to six weeks so we hope he will be able to join in pre-season training. We have had to strike a balance between giving it enough time to settle on its own, which it obviously hasn’t, and advising the need for an operation." (04/06/04)

Rest or Op

Killa has had a problem with his left ankle over the last few years. He needs to rest for a month and then make a decision if he needs an operation to clean out some floating bone.

As he's been sitting on his arse for the last few games, he is already well into his moth's rest.

Physio Basil says: "Kevin’s got a chronic ankle problem, which has developed over the past three or four years, whereby when he really strikes a ball hard and over strains his foot in doing so, he gets pain deep in his ankle. There’s a couple of little pieces of bone which have grown in the past few years and they may need fishing out in the summer.

What we’re going to do is give him one month’s complete rest and re-assess the situation, so it’s 50-50 whether he needs an operation. Having said that, the four weeks rest was going to start at the end of the season, but because he injured his hamstring against Blackburn Rovers and he’s unlikely to play again this season, he’s already into his month’s rest now." (05/05/04)

One In A Million

Surprise package of the season Zinedine Kilbane, has earned the praise of his manager Davey Moyes. Killa who has started 22 out of the clubs last 23 matches, is to put it bluntly fu**ed. Not one to hide on the pitch, Moyesy believes he has covered a million miles on the pitch this season, just like that other Irish midfield legend, Kevin Sheedy. OOOhhh, that hurt, sorry Kev!!!!!!!!!!

Moyesy says : "I always knew Kevin was going to run into a stone wall at some stage because he has been running on empty. He has covered a million miles for us this season and in the last few weeks he has started to look a bit tired and maybe his hamstring injury is based on being drained physically and mentally. He has had a terrific season for us, giving us consistent performances and chipping in with his fair share of goals. He is an honest, hard-working player and that is why people have accepted him. He sets a good standard and along with Thomas Gravesen, he has been one of our most consistent players throughout this season." (27/04/04)

Early Bath

Joining Tommy Grav, in looking for an early Summer holiday, will be Zinedine Kilbane. Killa looks likely to sit out Everton's remaining fixtures with the hamstring problem. Although described as minor by the club, Moyesy will probably not risk aggravating the injury any further, with Everton's Premiership safety virtually guaranteed.

Basil says : "Having taken another look at Kevin's hamstring problem it does look minor but he'll definitely be out for the Wolves game and he may miss the last couple as well." (27/04/04)

Killa Injured

Kevin strained his hamstring in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Blackburn. He is now out of the Ireland friendly against Poland on Wednesday night could miss the Wolves game. Everton had used all 3 subs, so he carried on.

Physio Basil says: "Although Kevin was forced to play for 90 minutes the injury is significant enough to keep him out of the Republic of Ireland's game in midweek and probably next week's game with Wolves." (26/04/04)

Great Season

Killa is having a great season & had another fine game on Saturday against Boro.

Moyesy says: "I thought that Kevin Kilbane was terrific. Every time he got the ball he went past Danny Mills and I thought he was exceptional throughout the game.” (29/03/04)

Refreshed

Having enjoyed his Kit Kat Killa can't wait to get started again.

Kevin says: “We had a break and the lads have come back looking sharp. The week off recharges the batteries. You get more of a chance to see your families and you can get away from everything and I think it’s helped us all. The atmosphere around the training ground is very good. We’re looking forward to the Portsmouth game and I think we can expect a good workmanlike performance on Saturday. We are probably looking over our shoulder a bit and it’s not nice. You want to be looking upwards to see the teams above you see how many points separate you and if you can catch them up. We need to win some games. We’ve certainly got some winnable games coming up and we’ve got to try and make that count now."(13/03/04).

No Go For Killa

Zinedine Kilbane may have to miss this months Irish trip to the Czech Republic. Killa is using the excuse that his wife is to give birth, but reports from the Kilbane household suggest that Killa was that traumitised after being stalked by Ronaldo, Carlos and co., after the Brazil game that he did not want the chance of any similar incidents happening again. Ronaldo apparently is still trying to secure Killa's shirt for his youngest child, but Kevin has called in extra protection to keep the Brazilian mad man away from him. Everton have also tightened security up at Goodison and Bellefield.

Killa says: "The Czech Republic game is a big game next month, I just hope I can make it for the game. My wife’s due in three week’s time now. I spoke to Brian Kerr and he knows the story, so if my wife has just given birth or is about to have the baby then I don’t think I’ll be on the trip. It will be the first game I’ve missed in a while. You don’t want to miss games but this is an important time for myself, my wife and my family." (06/03/04)

Lovin' It

Everton winger and role model for the likes of Ronaldo, Kevin Kilbane is enjoying his time at the Blues. Killa who accompanied the squad to his homeland last night, is delighted at the way things are going for the team, after Saturday's morale boosting victory against Villa. He is sure that the Blues will be climbing the table if they can keep their second half form from the weekend up.

Zinedine says: "It was a good workout for the lads. They enjoyed coming over to Ireland and it was a nice win for us really. We won on Saturday which has moved us up the table a little bit. We’re still probably looking over our shoulder a little bit, it’s not very nice but we need to look onwards and upwards. I’m enjoying the club. It’s a wonderful place to play with a great set of players here and it’s very nice." (03/03/04)

Crazy Brazilians

Zinedine Kilbane played in the centre for Ireland in a morale boosting draw for the men from the Emerald Isle. Killa who gave every one a scare in the second half, after some rough stuff from ex Leeds star Roque Junior, was OK and continued on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. The game however was marred at the final whistle when Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and co., chased Killa around the pitch, eager to get the Everton star's shirt. Killa sought the sanctuary of the dressing room, but the Brazilians would not let up in their pursuit of Zinedine's shirt, and he needed a police escort to escape the crazy South American's. Killa explained to a friend that it all just went off, and they were demanding his shirt, as Ronaldo in particular was after the prized top, as he said he modelled his game on the Everton superstar.(19/02/04)

Roberto Who, No Problem

Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Rivaldo are excited at the prospect of playing against Ireland and Everton legend Zinedine 'Killa' Kilbane. The eighteen foot four Everton wide man who is playing the best footy of his career, would grace the mighty Brazilian side the way he is playing at present. OK a bit over the top I know, but Killa is fulfilling a boyhood dream when he faces the World Champs at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday night.

Zinedine says: "We've got the big qualifiers coming up at the start of next season, and these sort of games are what you want. You want to test yourself against the best players in the world, because that's what we're going to face against France. This is a massive game. To play against Brazil is a boyhood dream for everybody, so we're all really looking forward to it. We're expecting a good game and a good atmosphere. They've got tremendously talented players, and I hope it will be a good spectacle for everybody. It's only a friendly, but we're playing the best team in the world and we want a good result." (17/02/04)

Don't Look Down

Kevin Kilbane who has suffered the embarrassment of relegation before, is telling his team mates, to start looking over their shoulders, and bucking their ideas up. With the Blues hovering just five points above their drop zone, Killa is telling his team mates to start taking their chances in front of goal.

Zinedine says: "We must realise the position we're in, there's no point just thinking about that comeback. Now we find ourselves looking over our shoulders at the clubs below us because we're being sucked into the relegation fight. We have a big game now at Birmingham. We have to take our form on from that second half against United rather than what happened beforehand. In recent weeks we've been creating loads of chances and not taking them. But we got three on Saturday and now we must start doing that more often." (10/02/04)

Killa wants a Fight

Zinadine Kilbane, one of the success stories of our season so far, has reveal how Moyesy told the team yesterday that they all need to fight for their places. Fight for their places, bleeding hell, they'll be fighting for their lives if we don't get some points on the bag soon, we're going down faster than Jordan at the moment!
Killa reckons he and the team are up for the trip to Brum on Wednesday, let's hope so, because the gloves are off! (09/02/04)

Thumbs Up For Killa

Everton legend Kevin Sheedy has given his thumbs up to the performances of twenty six foot winger Zinedine Kilbane. For you younger readers Sheedy was an ok left sided player who won the odd trophy in the mid eighties. He was a tireless worker sprinting up and down the left flank, and never stopped working for the whole ninety minutes. Are you 'avin' that, he was the best, magnifique, as they say in Italy.

Sheeds says: "Kevin Kilbane has improved a lot since he's come here. He had a bad time at Sunderland, his confidence was low and he was getting some stick off the supporters up there. Sometimes you need a change. He moved to a big club like Everton and he's certainly thriving from it. I think he's thriving on the confidence given to him by David Moyes and the Everton fans. He's getting better with each game, he's added a few goals to the team, and so he's looking to be a good player. He's playing with a lot of confidence and against Fulham, in particular, he was getting to the by line and put some excellent balls into the box. In fact, they deserved to have people on the end of them." (28/01/04)

Rock Hard

Zinedine Kilbane ended up having seven stitches in his gashed leg, after Saturday's defeat. Killa who played through the ninety minutes, despite the injury is a doubt for this weekend's cup clash, against Fulham.

Moyesy says : "He did well to play on but he is a brave boy. We will have to be careful with him because you can sometimes pick up infections." (20/01/04)

Killa Gutted

Zinedine Kilbane despite scoring a 400 yard screamer against Fulham, and being voted bluekipper.com's starman in the same game, was still very disappointed that the Blues came away with nothing to show for their efforts at Loftus Road. Killa missed an early chance in the game, and if that went in, it could have ended up a very different story.

Zinedine says : "I missed a better chance in the first half to be honest. I should have scored early on and then maybe we could have capitalised on that and gone two, three goals in front, but it wasn't to be. In the first 30 minutes we dominated, we were well on top, the passing and moving was fantastic and really we should have been well in front at half time. But we went in a goal down after the penalty right at the end and then in the second half we have come out and they got the second. Then it was all us again, so I am so disappointed we have come away with nothing." (11/01/04)

Killa Doubtful For Fulham

Kevin Kilbane, arguably Everton's best player in this run of just 1 loss in 7 games, has a dead leg, which may keep him out of the Fulham game on Saturday.

Moyesy says: "Kevin picked up a dead leg in the game last night and we will have to see how he is before we make any decision." (08/01/04)

Tallest Man Ever Scores Again

Kevin 'Zinedine' Kilbane who is officially the tallest person in the world, after Meadowlark Lemon, of The Harlem Globetrotters feels he should be getting more goals with his noggin. The fourteen foot five inched winger is being encouraged by Moyesy to get into the area more at set pieces, and hopefully like on Saturday the advice he has being given will bear fruit.

Zinedine Kilbane says : "I am pleased with my goal, a header, and I should get more of them with me being as tall as I am. I feel I am good enough in the air and should be doing that more often. The manager has encouraged my to get into the box for corners and free-kicks, and I hope there are more coming for me like that." (05/01/04)

Settling In

Moyesy has not been reading his daily dose of bluekipper.com, as he is not the only one singing the praises of our eight foot seven inch twinkled toed winger. Killa by far had his best game yet for the trickies on Saturday against Leicester, and at last he seems to be settling in the Blues first team.

Moyesy says : "I thought Kevin was tremendous but I think that I have been the only one who has been saying that. I don't think he has been given the credit he deserves. I thought against Leicester City on Saturday he would have got a standing ovation for the way he performed. He is a great boy to work with, a real wholehearted type of person who has had his share of criticism in the past, but you can see his effort and his commitment and he won't be getting any criticism from me, I can assure you." (23/12/03)

1st Goal

Killa got his 1st goal for the club with a header against Wolves. If you had a poll between him & Jimmy Mac for the left wing spot, we think Killa would loose hands down. Moyesy loves him.

Moyesy says: "He is one of these players who people maybe have a go at - no one enjoys seeing a 6ft 2ins left winger - everyone has an idea of seeing a tricky winger who does this and that. Kevin isn't that and maybe he isn't always pleasing to the eye, but I thought his performance against Chelsea was second to none and on Saturday he got a goal and helped us with his stature. He's a terrific lad, he's honest and he goes about his job in the right way. If I was a supporter I would maybe question one or two of his abilities but I wouldn't question his heart and what he gives to the team and we need him."

Killa said: "It is always nice to score your first goal at your new club. Wayne put a great ball into the box and I just looped it into the corner of the net. When I headed it I didn't think it would go in but thankfully it did." (24/11/03)

Two Minute Cap

Killa played against The Rad for 2 minutes in the Republic of Ireland's 3-0 win over Canada. (19/11/03)

Strength In Depth

Kevin Kilbane has been extremely impressed at the depth of talent since his arrival at Goodison.The winger signed from Sunderland on transfer deadline day, believes there is enough quality at the club, to start to win some matches, to pull Everton to a more respectable position in the table.

Killie says: "We have got some very good players here and I think people probably over-look that sometimes. It has certainly opened my eyes since I came to the club.Each position is covered with a player of equal quality if someone is out or injured. That is what you need in this league.We have a lot of players here who you may not necessarily have heard too much about but they have certainly impressed me." (04/11/03)

50th Cap

Killa won his 50th Cap for the Republic, but could not help his team win, as they went down 2-0 to Switzerland. The Republic are now out of the Euro 04 Championship. (12/10/03)

In Republic Squad

Killa has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the clash with Switzerland to be played a week on Saturday. Lee Carsley will join him. (02/10/03)

Another Good Game

Killie played well again in the 2-2 draw against Turkey for the Irish boys last night. He's certainly put himself in the frame for the Newcastle game. (10/09/03)

Back Playing

Kev played the full game in the 1-1 draw with Russia. Killie had looked lively throughout the game. He was a thorn in the Russian's side, & after a another good run, was upended just outside the box. The Russian defender got booked. (07/09/03)

Top Level

Brian Kerr, Republic of Ireland boss, is pleased Kevin is back in the big time.

Brian said: "It's a good move for Kevin and I think he will do well there. The Everton fans will appreciate him because he's an honest worker and does a good job. I don't know why things didn't work out for him at Sunderland. From out point of view it's good because it means Kevin will be playing at a higher level and the more players we have at the top level of the game, the better."(03/09/03)

Moyesy Was A Big Factor

Killie, who will wear the number 14 shirt for the Blues was immediately impressed with what Moyesy had to say.

Killie says: “I’ve been impressed with what David’s had to say. I’ve known him for a number of years. We played together at Preston. I spoke to him last night when I came down and I’m delighted to be signing and working for a good manager. We know a lot about each other. He progressed from being a player to the first-team coach - and that’s what he was coaching when I left Preston as a youngster. He’s had a big influence on my career from an early age, so I’m just hoping I can learn a lot more from him, as he’s regarded as one of the best managers in the Premiership. I thought it might not go through. I was waiting on phone calls in the afternoon, thinking it would never go through, but thank God, it was eventually sorted. I was first made aware of the interest on Sunday after/noon and the deal was on, but then it was on and off all of Monday. There’s been talk of a move here all summer, but nothing was concrete, so I just got on with things really. I thought it would never happen, but I got the call in the afternoon to get everything finalized and I was delighted to join. I’m just looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead and looking forward to playing for Everton. That’s what I’ve come here to do. I want to enjoy my football." (02/09/03)

£1m Swoop

Everton surprised us all with a last gasp signing of Sunderland & Republic of Ireland left winger, Kevin Kilbane for £1m with just minutes to spare from the 5.00pm deadline. He passed a medical this afternoon & signed a two year deal. Moyesy had the 26 year old at Preston, so he knows what he's getting. Welcome.
Moyesy says: "Kevin’s a wide midfield player and the £750,000 we’ve got through the Mark Pembridge deal, we’ve turned around and used on Kevin Kilbane. I feel that we needed someone who can play on the left to give us a bit extra in that position when we lost Mark, but he’/ll give a bit of extra height and strength to the team. I know a little bit about the boy. He’s a really hardworking lad, who is desperate to come and play football and he’s desperate to play for Everton. Hopefully, he'll be a good addition to the squad and he'll give us another player on the left-hand side."
(01/09/03)