Battle Still On

Everton, and Stubbsey in particular are kicking themselves that they never took full advantage of other clubs slip ups at the weekend in the push for the remaining UEFA Cup spot. With the Blues still only three points off the pace for seventh, and that Inter Toto, spot, Stubbsey still hold out hope, as slim as it maybe now of grabbing the elusive seventh spot. Still gives us something to play for, so roll on Saturday.

Stubbsey says: "Europe is flickering now. If we were going to have any chance now we would have to win four of the last five. Three matches are at home and our home form has been good apart from last week. It is still all to play for because the teams above us have dropped points as well so nobody has pulled away and gained a big advantage over the weekend." (10/04/06)

Still A Chance Of Europe

With only 6 games to go and a vital 2 points dropped against relegated Sunderland, Stubbsy still thinks Everton have a chance of getting into Europe.

Stubbsy says: "It was frustrating on Saturday. When we came off the pitch it felt like a defeat. We should be winning them games because we have been on a great run of late and we have raised our expectations but on Saturday we lowered them a little bit. Give credit to Sunderland, they battled. I knew they were going to do that because they have done that in all their games. But it was a disappointing result for us.

Our strikers have been in great form of late but on Saturday it didn't happen. We know we didn't perform to the level we are capable of on Saturday and that is the most frustrating thing because if we had done we would have got the three points. I said before the Sunderland game there was an outside chance and I still think there is an outside chance. Saturday didn't help but we are still on the outskirts looking in. Now we need to put a run together until the end of the season to give ourselves any chance of getting in there." (06/04/06)

Be A Man

Everton hard man, Stubbsy has had a go at Luis García and foreign players in general for encouraging the referee to book opponents and says the FA should take disciplinary action against these players. Garcia urged Dowd to book David Weir for a foul on Sissoko.

Stubbsy says: "The referee should clamp down on it if you have players coming over wanting others to get booked. It's crept into our game lately, but it is a foreign thing. The foreign players have brought a lot of good things to the Premiership but a lot of the other side too. If Kevin Kilbane had rolled around on the floor after Gerrard had fouled him, there would have been even more action taken. Kevin just got straight up. He's an honest player. It's up to the authorities to do something. Ask any British player. It's the last thing you want to see, players running up to the ref and shouting for someone to get a yellow or red card. García only did it once, but their foreign players speak good English. It's not as if they don't understand what they're doing. It's not a man thing." (27/03/06)

Ultimate Compliment

If anyone is well versed in the history of Everton in the current squad, Stubbsey is that man. While in some quarters our midfield trio of Tiny, Ossie and Mikky are being likened to the greatest trio of midfielder's Everton have ever seen, in Kendall, Harvey and Ball. Stubbsey however, believes that as good as the current crop are, they are their own men, but the likeness is their in the fact that we have a ball winner, creative midfielder, and the grafter. No problem lads, if you are half as good as the other three, that will do for any of us Blues fans, as they were some trio.

Stubbsey says: "I know people have started to relate the midfield to Ball-Harvey-Kendall, but with no disrespect to the lads, that was some midfield. What I think people are trying to get at is that they are playing the type of football that they played.

They had someone who could win the ball and sit and they had someone who was very creative, and they had someone who could run all day long. I think that is where the comparisons are coming from. It is great for them, they are expressing themselves in the games and it is there for everyone to see. You don't need me to say how well they are playing in midfield and up front. If they carry on what they doing then maybe we have an outside chance of gate crashing a European spot." (23/03/06)

No Fear

Stubbsey is looking forward to the derby and believes the recent run of form will have all the Everton players in confident mood.

Stubbsey says: We go there top of our game and a lot of the players are playing with a lot of confidence, and to be honest we fear no-one at the moment." (22/03/06)

Home Sweet Home

Stubbsey is targeting a new deal come the Summer, and with the form the boyhood Blue is in at the moment, Moyesy should not have a tough choice to make. Stubbsey points out that there were no winners after last Summer's shenanigans, but he is delighted to be back at the club he calls home.

Stubbsey says: "It would obviously be very nice. I feel as if I am playing well, I'm very happy within myself, my family is happy again and my little boy and girl are made up again that I'm back at Everton. It's gone really well, probably better than I expected. I was probably still two or three weeks from being properly fit when I came, because obviously I hadn't played enough games.

But I found myself getting put in quite early because of an injury to Matteo (Ferrari), and things have really progressed from there. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Fortunately, results have gone well too, but I think just think it's a coincidence. Timing's a wonderful thing, and I've probably timed coming back to perfection. I think Everton knew what I could do, and hopefully I've showed them what they've missed. But I sorely missed Everton too. I don't think there were any winners (last summer). Looking at it I think we both made a mistake and luckily enough we've had a chance to rectify that.

When I did came back it was as if I hadn't been away, it was as if I'd just been injured for six months, and that's no disrespect to Sunderland. I was alongside Davie again and we know each other really well, we're no spring chickens but I think we're quite clever players upstairs, and that's what we use. We're not the quickest but I haven't seen the quicker pairings against us get in behind us and torture us since I've come back." (10/03/06)

Fortress Goodison

After two difficult away trips to West Ham and the Skunks only yielding one point, Stubbsy is counting on our impressive home form since the turn of the year to make the most of back to back Goodison matches against Fulham and Aston Villa in the coming weeks. That's what Stubbsy has to worry about, I have to tell the missus I am on the wallop to big time over the next two weekends.

Stubbsy says: "The Premiership is all about taking your chances and we were unfortunate last week (against Newcastle) when we had two headers cleared off the line. Had they gone in I honestly believe we would have won the game but it wasn't to be.

We've had two difficult away games against Newcastle and West Ham and we've had chances to have got something from both of them. But we've got two home games coming up now which gives us a chance to put the record straight. Teams don't relish coming to Goodison because our home form since November has been very good and we want to keep that going." (07/03/06)

Unforgettable

A week may have past since Everton's fantastic victory against all the odds against Blackburn, but Stubbsy for one won't forget the part the fans played in the Blues vital victory. Stubbsey who has returned from Florida with the rest of the squad after a weeks blow, is confident that he and his team mates will give their all as the Blues try to push up the League in the final third of the season.

Stubbsey says: "The fans have been different class since I have come back here.

The lads have been saying before that if the fans see you giving all that you can, then they will get right behind you and support you until the end. I think the appreciation of the fans was shown by the reception that we got (against Blackburn). It just typifies the bunch of lads that we have got here at the moment. They work their socks off for everyone and the first thing you know you are going to get is 100%. The lads will go out there and give everything they have got for the players the fans and for everyone.

It was a great effort from the lads. It was unfortunate the way we went down to 10 men and I thought we showed great spirit, which wasn’t a surprise with the bunch of lads that we have got here. We knew we had to dig in and to be honest we thoroughly deserved the win." (20/02/06)

Simply The Best

Stubbsy is gushing at the moment as Everton progress up the table and says everyone of the squad has contributed.

Stubbsy says: "The lads are buzzing at the moment, on the pitch and off the pitch, there is a great atmosphere. I have probably helped a little bit, but the lads are a great bunch of lads anyway, even without me. They are probably the best bunch of lads I have ever worked with, and that is not going to change. If my contribution has helped then brilliant, but everyone can look at themselves and give themselves a pat on the back for the way the last two months have gone, because everyone has contributed." (13/02/06)

No Probs

If picked against Blackburn tomorrow, Stubbsey will have no qualms playing in front off young Iain Turner. Stubbsey who was cup tied for the Chelsea match will have a fight on his hands himself with his place took by Matteo Ferrari, who looked cool as a cucumber. With the return this weekend of Joey Yobo form the African Nations, the centre halves positions are competitive to say the least. Stubbsey best way off getting a game might be in the sticks.

Stubbsey says: "If it is me playing on Saturday I have no qualms about Iain being behind me. I would feel quite relaxed if I am honest because I know what he is capable of. Hopefully we can make his job easier. That is what we as a back four, and as a team will be trying to do on Saturday. Hopefully we won't have to call upon him for too many things, but if we do come under pressure then I don't think anyone will be worried about what Iain's contribution will be in the game.

I suppose whoever plays at the back will have a responsibility to keep it quiet for Iain, if he is called on then I am sure we are in capable hands. He is a good young keeper and a lot of the players have thought a lot of him for a while now, so we have all seen the potential that he has. It has probably come earlier than a lot of people would have expected but we have no qualms about him at all.

It was disappointing being cup tied. I played against Northwich Victoria and then Everton drew Chelsea and I couldn't play in that one. It is awful watching any game when you are not involved so it wasn't easy. But Chelsea played really well, I felt sorry for the lads as we caught Chelsea on one of their good nights. We have had some really good results against them lately and Wednesday was a result where we caught a lot of their players on a good night." (10/02/06)

Back Home

Stubbsey delighted to be back at Goodison, got into the action as a sub for the injured Matteo Ferrari against Arsenal today.

Stubbsey says: "I feel like I've been injured for 6 months and I'm back. I didn't expect to be pushed in that quick but it's amazing what happens when you come back to a club. We know Arsenal will pass you to death but I thought we produced a great performance - and James worked tirelessly for the team. We've always been in a false position this season but in the last four to six games we have been pushing in the right direction. And today's performance is one we know will kick us on from." (21/01/06)

Stubbsey's Back

After getting over the shock of it all, it seems that everybody at the club is happy about the whole thing. Stubbsey says he is sorry and Moyesy loves him to pieces. We will see where it takes us.

Stubbsey says: "Shortly after I left Everton last summer I made certain accusations which I do now regret due to a basic misunderstanding. I now accept that -- as the club said at the time -- they were fully prepared to remove the clause in question upon my being given the all clear by a specialist. I appreciate that, at the time, my comments may have caused offence to some people. I can only apologise.

I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be back at the club I have supported all my life -- what happened last summer is now water under the bridge. My target is now a simple one -- I want to prove my worth between now and the end of the season in the hope of securing a contractual extension. All I want to do now is play for Everton for as long as possible and to end my playing career at Goodison Park."

Moyesy says: "With Joseph being away, we are just a little bit short so I felt I needed someone with a bit of experience, someone who could come in and wouldn't take long to settle.Alan knows how we work, he knows the things we do. He shouldn't need any time to break himself in. He is here as cover to help us out with what we have got and he accepts that. I think he is glad to be back here.

"Everyone knows we offered him a year's contract. We felt it was right for the age he was at. Probably in hindsight Alan sees that he made a mistake and he should have accepted the contract. But that's done. We're all happy. There has never been any fall-out between me and Alan. We got on with it, I have spoken with him and I have seen a glint in his eye again. This is his club, it's the one his family supports. We didn't want him to go in the first place." (20/01/06)

Alan Stubbs 2004/2205         Full Squad 2005/2006