Crunch Time

Everton skipper Alan Stubbs realises the enormity of this weekends games, in relation to Everton's future. You have not heard many of the Everton players talking Champions League football, but this weekend hopefully, we will all be talking about it if results go our way.

Stubbsey says: " It’s coming to the crunch. We’ve got a big game at the weekend now and we all know that if results go our way, then we can finally clinch what we we’ve been secretly thriving for. It’s become a reality in the past fortnight. I think that in that period it’s become clear that fourth place is within our own hands, but in the past few weeks Bolton, Liverpool and ourselves have all dropped points. Come the weekend, if things go our way, then we have a great chance of putting things to rest.

It’s going to be difficult, but if the fans can get behind us right from the kick-off, like they always do at Goodison, I am sure it’ll help us enormously. Newcastle obviously had a good result in midweek against Fulham and it will give them a little bit of confidence, because they have had a bad month. In an ideal world, we will win on Saturday and they (shite) will get beat on Sunday - and then it’s all over. It’ll be great if that’s the case. (05/05/05)

Back In The Driving Seat

Stubbsey reckons with our emphatic win against Palace, and the shite's recent loss of Premiership form, that the Blue Boys are back in the driving seat for the Champions League final position. Where as I can't fault Stubbsey for his bang on comments, there is still a little issue with a team called Bolton. Lets just get three points off Man Ure on Wednesday, that's all we want.

Stubbsey says: " We’re back in the driving seat again. It was looking a bit touch and go before our last game as there was a lot of doom and gloom around Evertonians, which wasn’t helped by Liverpudlians (shit 'eds) in high spirits. I think with us beating Crystal Palace and Liverpool (shite) only picking up one point from their last two games, we’re looking in a decent position." (17/04/05)

Race Against Time

Everton Captain Alan Stubbs is still hoping to be fit for the final push in the coming weeks. Stubbsey who has ruptured ligaments is definitely going to be out for the next few weeks, so it casts a doubt over whether there will be enough time left in the season to see our skipper again. If not it will be a Champions League Qualifier in August when we will next see Everton's skipper. Think positive, C'mon.

Stubbsey says: "Baz seems to think that that’s me for the season but if I can I’ll be back quicker than that. I don’t think I will be but we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve got to try and keep ticking over now. I’ve basically just got to go on the bike. I can’t do any upper bodywork. Maybe I can walk in the pool but that’s it really. I can’t set a date because I don’t really know. My movement’s not too bad right now but then suddenly I’ll move it a tiny bit to one position and it kills again. It’s one of those where we’ll just have to wait and see." (13/04/05)

Out For Run-in?

It didn't look too good for Stubbsy after he went off with a shoulder injury. He fell badly after being booted by Andy Johnson.

Bazza Rathbone says: "He has ruptured a ligament in the top of his shoulder. We don't think he needs surgery, it will settle with time, but obviously at this stage of the season time is not something we have a lot of." (11/04/05)

Shitbag Challenge

Everton skipper has called the tackle made by redshite Baros a 'Shitbag Challenge'. Stubbs was furious that it could have finished his career. Baros was sent off for the challenge in the derby game.

Stubbsy says: "It was a ridiculous challenge. I would crucify myself if I made a challenge like that. It was a challenge that could finish a player's career. It was a shitbag's challenge. I won't have it that it was a striker's challenge, there is no such thing. I can accept players who turn their back and leave their foot dangling. But no player should look at another player, and leave their foot there and deliberately do it.

I would have accepted it if he had looked the other way and left his leg there but when you look at a player and still push your leg into his leg then it is totally different. Like I say, I don't accept it. I'd have been the first to shake his hand if he'd turned away and left his foot dangling but it wasn't the case. No matter what, there is no place for that in football. It will take a lot more than that to knock me down." (21/03/05)

Confident Captain

Stubbsey's up for it, read on.

Stubbsy says: “I know that we haven’t done the double over Liverpool for 20 years, but that’s going to change this season. A win at Anfield would be great for me, for all the right reasons. Earlier on in the season, a lot of people were reminding me that we hadn’t beaten Liverpool for a very long time, but we managed to beat them at Goodison, so we want to do the same again. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t.

The lads are full of confidence. We can’t wait for the game on Sunday and although it will be tense, we will hold our nerve. For the club, the fans and ourselves, it’s time for a win at Anfield. There’s never a bad time to win a local derby away from home, but because of everything surrounding this game, it’s seems as though it’s even more important.

I love playing in derbies. It’s hard, but as a boyhood Evertonian, they’re the games that you always wanted to play in as a kid. There’s a lot of local pride at stake and Sunday is the biggest derby in years because of where both teams are in the Premiership - and that’s understandable.

The anticipation is starting to build now. There is a lot at stake, but no matter what the outcome is on Sunday, it’s not going to determine who finishes fourth. The result will have a bearing on it, but there are still a lot of points to play for after the game. We’re in the driving seat and that’s where we want to be, but we know that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We know that our fate lies squarely in our own hands. We have worked too hard to achieve and maintain this position, we’re not going to lose it, and so it’s going to be an intense end to the season. We’re going to Anfield, we have a plan of how we’re going to play and we will stick to it. Come the final whistle, we hope to have the result that we’re all craving.” (18/03/05)

You Do Your Bit Aswell

Stubbsey is urging the fans to do what they have been doing fantastically well all season, and that is get behind the team. Stubbsey is all to aware that this is the business end of the year, and was a bit miffed with some of the fans reaction against Blackburn, in which was arguably Everton's worst performance to date. He is urging us all now not to get on the players backs, but get behind them as the tension mounts. We all have our part to play in reaching the Champions League, so get behind the boys all the way till the end of the season.

Stubbsey says: "There are going to be a few nerves and a bit of tension now and I thought there was a bit of tension in the crowd last weekend. There were maybe one or two passes going astray and you could feel the tension there straight away. Obviously, I probably felt it even more because I was on the bench and I could hear it and feel it. But it is not going to help the players. It is a collective thing at this time of the season. The fans need to do what they have been doing all season but try to be a little bit more relaxed - tension does creep through." (14/03/05)

Touch and Go

Stubbsey is making good progress this week, but he is still touch and go whether he is in the running to challenge Davey and Joey for a place in the starting line up against Blackburn. Stubbsey took a knock in training the day before Everton's emphatic win at Villa last Saturday, so Davey Weir stepped into the breach to partner Joey at the heart of the defence.

Basil says: "Alan picked up a knock in training last Friday and is making good progress. Hopefully he will be available for the weekend but at the moment it is too early to say." (03/03/05)

Let's Stay Together

With only fifteen fit players for this weekend's Cup clash against Man Ure, Captain Alan Stubbs is urging everyone not to panic. With Beatts and Tiny suspended, no doubt Moyesy will be asking Mr. Potato Head, and Big Dunc to take on starting roles. Stubbsey is urging the players to show the same team spirit that has put us on the verge of Champions League qualification.

Stubbsey says: "The suspensions are starting to kick in now with our small squad, but we’ll stick together as we always have done and we’ll get through it. We’ll miss James Beattie and Tim Cahill, as would any side in the Premiership. It’s going to be difficult without them, but it will give a chance to someone else to come in and try and stay in the team. It could be a great chance for someone to impress the manager and get a run in the side." (14/02/05)

I'll Kick Rooney

On hearing that we have a home tie against Manure in the 5th round of the FA Cup, Stubbsey claimed it was great to have a home draw and was looking forward to kicking a certain player, who turned his back on his boyhood team.

“It should be interesting, whether he plays or not.  I’m sure I’ll get a phone call from him about it. But at the end of the day, Wayne’s gone now, we wish him all the best, but we’re doing well without him. Hopefully, things won’t get too carried away closer to the game, because I’d like to think that Everton Football Club, its players and its fans have moved on and Wayne Rooney has moved on. When you look back the transfer now, it was all for the benefit of Everton.

It’ll be a tough game and you know he scored a few ok goals at the weekend. But if he plays, he plays. I’ll see if I can get close to him, see if I can kick him! You never know! We’re looking forward to it.

We’ve got a few important Premier League games before Man United come here. If we can get the results we’ve been getting lately, it’ll be n interesting lead-up to the tie. The last time we beat Manchester United in the FA Cup, we won the Cup. Hopefully, that will be the case again this time, but if we can do anything in the Cup, it’s a bonus and playing at Goodison gives us a real chance. We’d rather play Manchester United at home, rather than go to Old Trafford. But our main priority is trying to finish fourth in the league, though obviously the further we progress in the Cup, the more we think about Cardiff. There’s still a long game to go. However the way we’re playing at the moment, we don’t fear anyone. Cup games are always different, but they won’t be relishing a trip here either.” (01/02/05)

New Deal Soon

Stubbsey is close to agreeing an extension to his Goodison contract. The Everton Captain is one of a host of players who are out of contract this Summer. Along with Davey Weir, Stubbsey has been the bedrock of the Everton defence, and this has hastened Moyesy decision to secure the veteran defenders services for at least another season. Stubbsey was signed from Celtic by then manager Walter Smith in 2001. He has made over 130 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring four times. (19/01/05)

We're Not A One Man Club

Everton skipper, Stubbsy led from the front on Sunday and thinks that the team will just get on with playing the way they have all season despite the loss of Thomas Gravesen.

Stubbsy says: “Whatever happens it’s got nothing to do with us. We just get on with it whether that’s players coming in or going out. Nothing’s changed since James Beattie has come in and nothing will change now that Thomas has gone out. We’ve been through this situation before. We had it when Wayne left but nothing’s going to change. We’ll get on with it the way we did when Wayne left. We’ll approach our games in the same way. We’re not a one man team, we’re not a one man club and the club will go forward, it’s as simple as that.” (17/01/05)

For The Lads

Captain Alan Stubbs was delighted for his mates who at last have won a few bob on him on Tuesday night. It was Stubbsey's first goal at Goodison, since joining his boyhood idols from Celtic, and Stubbsey owed it to his mates who have lost a small fortune on him over the years.

Stubbsey also would like to see a Christmas break brought into the Premiership, as he thinks the schedule takes its toll on most clubs. With Everton playing four games in the space of ten days, the skipper thinks that it is not on, and he would like to spend Christmas with the family. Come to my house Al, and you might have second thoughts. I bet you never had the bleedin' mother in law. Nuff said.

Stubbsey says: "It was my first goal at Goodison and it was very important. It's been a long time coming. I've managed to get a few away from home but my home goal has eluded me up until now. I'm just made up for all my mates who've been backing me since I signed! It just came over and I've managed to get in front of the lad at the back post and guide it in really. There wasn't much I had to do, just make sure I got it on target. Most importantly we got the three points because it would have been an injustice if we'd got a 1-1 draw.

It's been a test over Christmas for the lads, it's been very tiring. The FA have put a huge ask on the clubs this Christmas, not just us - every club's been in the same boat and I think people need to sit down and have a good think about it because it's not good for the players and not good for the clubs to be playing so many games in such a short space of time. I'm all for a Christmas break. I think Christmas is a time for families. We get criticised for a lot of the things that we do but on the other hand we never get a Christmas or New Year at home. It's obviously not a big price to pay but at that time of the year I think it's an ideal opportunity to recharge the batteries, spend Christmas at home with your family like everyone else and come some time in January start the season again." (06/01/05)

Professional Outlook

The 11 players who are out of contract at the end of the season are still pulling their tripe out, regardless whether they get a new deal or not. So says the destroyer of the notloB wall and Everton skipper, Alan Stubbs.

Stubbsey says: “I don’t think the standard of performance will drop from the players the longer there is no decision over their contracts. I don’t think it’s even a question that the players’ standards would be compromised over the contract situation. With the spirit we have got here, that’s the last thing on their minds right now. The sooner we get to 42 points then the better it is for us. Hopefully we can do it by Christmas, because then we can concentrate on other things like a top 10 place and European qualification. Obviously there is a carrot dangling in front of us all now. In my time here, I don’t think you can question the players’ professionalism. If it comes to March and no contract has been offered, then players can speak to other clubs in January if there are foreign clubs involved. So it works both ways. That’s why the clubs have big decisions to make, not only the players.

I’ve spoken to the club about my contract and I don’t think we are that far away. I’m hopeful something can be sorted. In an ideal world, the manager would like to give everyone a contract who is playing well in the team. But it isn’t an ideal world, and the club’s finances will influence things. A few of the older lads go out there, and to be honest we’re happy to be playing. If we get a new contract then great, but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t get one. I’m sure there are other clubs who have seen how the players have performed and would be willing to take them on. The ball is in the club’s court, it’s as simple as that. The most important thing for the players is to keep going and playing. The longer the club leave it, the more it forces their hand. To let 11 players go out of contract at the end of summer would cost them a fair bit of money to replace them. Personally, I don’t think they can let all 11 players go.” (07/12/04)

Eleven To Go

Six months to go, eleven points needed, can we still escape the drop. Stubbsy believes we should concentrate on reaching the magical forty points, than we can start dreaming of bigger and better things. Life long Evertonian Stubbsy must be revelling in the success of this season, but still he is trying to keep everyone's feet on the ground, as a good skipper should.

Stubbsy says: "It’s nice to hear the supporters singing 'We’re going to win the League,' but there’s still a long, long way to go. Reaching 40 points is, and has always been, our first target and once we get to that point then we can start concentrating on other things." (23/11/04)

Our Aim

Everton keep defying the critics who believe the bubble will burst any minute. Everton skipper Alan Stubbs tells us it is the clubs aim to keep the remarkable run going as long as possible, in their quest for a European place.

Stubbsy says: "People are waiting for the bubble to burst. We didn't do well last season, suddenly we are doing well, and so people are wondering when it will end.

It's our aim and it's an incentive for us to keep them waiting. We've just got to keep going as long as we possibly can and at the moment it doesn't look like stopping." (15/11/04)

Rest For Alan

Stubbsy will probably not be chanced in Wednesdays night's Carling Cup Tie against Preston. Stubbsy suffered a calf niggle, and with Joey chomping at the bit on the bench, Moyesy will give the Nigerian International an outing, and hope the few extra days will give his captain time to recover. Moyesy went into complete detail when asked about Alan's injury.

Moyesy says: "Alan Stubbs has a tight calf ." (25/10/04)

Smash and Grab

Everton's home defeat to Spurs on Saturday was just a blip according to Captain Alan Stubbs. With the Blues still sitting in third place, Stubbsy reckons with the next few games at home, Everton can still cement their place in the European places.

Stubbsy says: "We’ve done great up to now, it’s just disappointing that we’re at home and we’ve had a bad result. I think it was a game we deserved to win, but it was a typical smash and grab game, one of those where whoever scored first was probably going to go on to win the game, it was that tight. Unfortunately, Tottenham were the ones who scored the goal. It’s disappointing because we deserved to come out of the game with at least a point, if not three.

The Spurs defenders are big lads and to be fair we were trying to pump the ball in and they dealt very well with it to be honest and all credit to them. Towards the end they came under a lot of pressure, but they dealt with it. We were scrapping it towards the end, we were a bit desperate putting the ball in the box, more hoping than anything. These things are going to happen, we’ve had a great start and we’ve had one blip. We’ve got quite a few home games coming up over the next three or four weeks and it’s important that we try and build on that and solidify where we are in the league." (04/10/04)

Fit For Battle

It looks like Captain Alan Stubbs will be fit for this weekends clash against Spurs. Stubbsey will be keen to carry on his excellent partnership with team mate Davey Weir, that has helped keep four clean sheets this season.

Stubbsey took a whack against Pompey last weekend, and looked like Young Frankenstein on the bench, as he nursed his head full of stitches.

Basil says: "Alan’s fine. He had a really bad cut and he had four or five stitches at half time. He was okay, he was a bit groggy at half time to be fair but he wasn’t technically concussed. He wanted to carry on but he felt a little bit sick, it was a fair whack he got. He would have carried on but we had able substitutes so I’m sure it was the right thing to do. We don’t expect any problems. Alan is going to train, and we’ll probably take the stitches out after the game, maybe on Sunday although he probably won’t fancy coming in to get his stitches out - I’ll probably have to go to his house to do it. " (30/09/04)

Wayne Who ?

Stubbsey believes the cash windfall generated from the sale of Wayne Rooney will help push the club on. Stubbsey also stresses that Everton were never a one man side, and their position today proves that. As Rooney's neighbour he has also been left in charge of sorting the milkie, and the paper lad out

Stubbsey says: "People got caught up in the Wayne thing. It was very disappointing that he went, not just on a personal level but on a club level as well. But I think now people are starting to sit back and look on it in a different light. We could end up getting 28, 29 or £30 million for an 18-year-old. That is unbelievable. Liverpool got £8 million from Real Madrid Michael Owen yet we have got about £28 million for Wayne. I think that’s a great bit of business that will help the club off the field and help turn the club around.

I don’t think we have ever been a one-man team even when Wayne was in it. He had great talent that could win games for us but there is more to our team than that. It is difficult though. Someone asked me if I thought Everton would go down with Wayne in the team and I said no. Then they asked if Everton would win the league with Wayne in the team and again I said no. We are sensible enough to know we are not going to win the league but with the money we can move on.

Wayne is the past now and people are starting to talk about what we are doing on the pitch rather than what he is doing. People concentrated more on Wayne than the team and as a club we all just want to move forward now. There was a lot of ‘Will he? Won’t he?’ this summer which didn’t help and now we’ve got money to spend in the transfer window and the gaffer will be looking to bring three or four new players in. That bodes well for the club and it’s up to us to keep it going until then so that, hopefully, we are in a position to kick on again in January." (18/09/04)

Pain in The Groin

Stubbsey injured his left groin in Sundays drubbing against Arsenal, when he over stretched for a ball in the first half. After last season's groin trouble, Basil Rathbone is happier that it is his left side rather than his niggling right one, that forced his early departure, against the Champs. Mrs Stubbsey is also said to be relieved.

Basil says: "Early in the game, he slipped and over-stretched the left hand side of his groin. It was a little bit uncomfortable today, but hopefully it will settle down over the next couple of days. The good thing from our point of view is that it wasn't the same groin that he injured last season, so if there is any good news, that would be it." (16/08/04)

Top Ten

Stubbsey believes the team can achieve a top ten finish with hard work and effort and also having a smaller squad can help.

Stubbsey says:"Next season we have to set ourselves a target of a top 10 finish. We proved two years ago that it is achievable by hard work and a little bit of luck. But we're not kidding ourselves. It will be tough, but our motto for the coming season has to be that we must do better."

"During pre-season we have been working together in a small squad, and that has helped us gel. Most of us have known each other for a while now but what has maybe helped more is that all of the lads have been getting a game in the friendlies.If we had had a bigger squad, maybe some of the lads who are here would not have had as much of a look in as they have had."(03/08/04)

Frustrating Season

Club Captain Alan Stubbs believes Everton's financial restraints, coupled with injuries and suspensions, have all conspired to make this season's efforts, a lot harder than last. After last season's high's, expectations were high of a similar season, and Stubbsy understands the fans frustrations.

Stubbsy says: "I think the season has been a little bit in and out, not just for me but for everyone. Expectations were high, we haven’t really reached what we set out to do and I feel that’s been the case for everyone, fans and all. I think they’ve been disappointed too but the budget’s tight and when we’ve wanted to bring new faces in we couldn’t. At the end of the day it all adds up. If you can’t bring in new faces when you want to then it’s going to be difficult. We haven’t got the biggest squad at the best of times. We’ve had one or two or even more, three or four key injuries at certain times and lately we’ve had a number of suspensions - Wayne, Duncan, Davey Weir all at one time which is not a good time for us." (07/04/04)

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