Off To a Flyer

Phil Neville, Biffa Beattie and alike might not agree with him, but Welsh International Simple Simon reckons, Everton's lack of representation at this years World Cup, will help the Blues get off to a flyer come August. With only Tim Howard, Tiny Tim and Nuno at this years footballing extravaganza, Simple may have a point. Then again anything is a flyer of a start compared to last season's effort.

Simple says: "Wales have got a couple of internationals which take us up to the end of May and then I will have all of June off. I will try and watch the World Cup because it is fantastic to watch. But I will try and get a few holidays in, go back home to Wales and keep myself fit and well and next season is a big season for me personally so I will be gearing up for that really.

If Tim gets there and Australia do well then he is looking at maybe only having two or three weeks off before he is back here and he has got do his pre-season work, so it's nothing at all after a long season in the Premier League so I think the club have to be careful with him. I think not having too many players in the World Cup will make us stronger for next year." (19/05/06)

Frustrating

With Our Tater Still Out Injured, Simple Simon got his chance to shine for Everton against Birmingham. Unfortunately, like most of his team mates he was poor. Si is getting a bit of stick from the crowd and fans have started calling him the crab and the new Butch Wilkins amongst other things, referring to his continued square passing.

Si says: "It was frustrating not to score, but our build up play was as good as we've played for a while. It was just the final ball was lacking. If we would have got one I could see us going on to score two or three." (23/04/06)

A Simple Tap In Would Do

Everton fans have seen a massive improvement in the players over the last few months with Beattie, Osman, Arteta, Hibbert, Stubbs, Valente, Neville and Cahill all leading the way. One player who has failed to reach the standards of the others is Davies. The jury is still very much out with him, but Moyesy still thinks he will get value for the £3.5m he spent on him.

Moyesy says: "I have been pleased with Simon. I really have. He is part of a good group of players but the midfield has been playing really well of late. He has just been a bit unfortunate that he has missed out. But he has played a majority of the games this season and he will have a role to play before the end of the year, too.

The thing we want to see from Simon now is goals. I knew he could get goals before he came here. I think he has got goals in him. Maybe he should have done better with his header against West Ham and he knows that. But he's someone who gets into the box and can score, so I'm hoping he gets another two or three before the end of the season. He can play either out wide or in the centre of midfield. He is a composed football player and he is technically very good on the ball. The next 10 games will see everyone who is fit play some sort of role." (08/03/06)

Simple Returns To The Fold

Moyesy was given a fitness boost ahead of Saturdays Cup Clash with Champions Chelski. Midfielder Simon Davies is expected to be fit according to Physio, and Part Time Super Sleuth Basil Rathbone. Simple should start in the eleven, as Moyesy will be without the services of Tiny due to the yellow the Aussy picked up against the Arse last weekend.

In a long winded and sometimes medically technical statement, Basil gives his views below.

Super Basil says: "I am expecting Simon to be back for the weekend." (24/01/06)

FA Cup Doubt

Simple is still feeling the effects of his injured ankle and may miss out on the 3rd round FA Cup tie at Millwall.

Physio Mick 'Basil' Rathbone says: "Simon went over on his ankle against Liverpool and then did really well to get back. I was out with him at 7 o'clock in the morning on the snow at Sunderland for a fitness test and he did okay. He was willing to get out there for the cause but unfortunately he got a tackle from behind in that game that hit his ankle and ruled him out of the game with Charlton. I am hoping he will do a bit of training over the next couple of days and I don't think he will be too far away for the game. It wasn't a major injury, you just get a distorted view of injuries because there is so little time between games." (05/01/06)

Injury Worry

Simple is a doubt for the Sunderland game with a sprained ankle. With both Neville and Arteta out suspended, Everton will be short of midfield players.

Basil Rathbone says: “We will have to see what it is like and he’ll obviously have to have intensive treatment over the next few days. We’ll take him to Sunderland and have a look at him Saturday morning and give him every opportunity to be fit." (30/12/05)

Out Of Wales Game

As predicted by 30,000 Evertonians on Sunday, Si has been withdrawn from the Welsh friendly game against Cyprus. Simon was substituted at the Boro game.

Moyesy says: "Wales have a meaningless friendly in Cyprus at this stage of the season. What is that all about? What is the point of that? Simon Davies has an injury and will not be going on that trip." (08/11/05)

More, More, More

Moyesy is asking more of Simon Davies, even though he is the first to admit that the Welsh midfielder is at last performing for the club. Simple who has overcome a shin injury is now looking the player that tempted Moyesy to spend £3.5m on him in the Summer. The Assessment though, is can do better, and Simon will no doubt go all out to meet the challenge.

Moyesy says: "We feel that Simon is getting his feet under the table here. The goal will have helped him out. He is feeling more settled at the club now. It's not easy for any player to switch clubs, whether it be boys from abroad or within our own countries. But, no, he is doing fine. I'm now looking for him to have bigger impacts on the game. Saturday, for me, was one of the first games that he has had that kind of impact because he scored the goal. When he got that, it changed the flow of the game. I want him to do that more often now. I have told him that. He has been steady but I am always looking for more from them." (03/11/05)

Get 'Em Off

Everton's goal scoring hero from Saturday Simon Davies, said Moyesy ordered them to take off their shirts and throw them to the crowd as a sign of appreciation for their fantastic support this season. There is no truth in the rumour however that CEO Bully Wyness has ordered Moyesy to foot the £300 plus bill for eleven replacements of the new silvery away strip.

Simlpe says: "After the game the manager came over to us and told us to chuck the shirts into the crowd and we were more than happy to do that. Throwing the shirts into the crowd was a thank you to the supporters. They have been fantastic. We have all been frustrated at times but they have always cheered us on and they have got to know that makes a difference." (31/10/05)

Lets Stick Together

Scoring! It's simple said Simon. Like Canned Heat, let's stick together.

Simon says: "The pitch was slippy and it just dipped in front of him. I suppose it was a bit fortunate for me but you have just got to take your chance sometimes and it came off for me. We have built on that great draw from Chelsea. It is never easy going to Birmingham but we have gone and got ourselves a good result. We haven't been creating enough chances but today we could have gone on and scored another two or three goals and that was good to see. Today was better and we have got the quality to go on and get more.

I was delighted to get my first goal in a competitive match for Everton. I felt we played really well in the first half and dominated but in the second we were under a bit of pressure from them. That is something you are going to have to accept and we just dug in deep and showed we can stick together to get a result."

Moyesy says: “It’s never easy when you join a new club and we haven’t done particularly well so it’s not been easy for Simon. I was glad he got his goal because his play has been okay. He’s not done anything badly but I’ve been asking him to have more of an influence on games and today he certainly did that.” (30/10/05)

Goal Scorer

Simon Davies is hoping to put his awful record of nine competitive games with the Blues without a win to bed this weekend. Davies returns to his old stomping ground of White Hart Lane to face Spurs on Saturday. The Welsh winger found the net at the weekend as the Welsh beat the North of Ireland at Windsor Park. Simple is hoping to replicate that form for the Blues with a goal at Spurs. An oggie or someone from the crowd will do for me, just a goal and a win.

Simple says: "Hopefully I can take this performance back with me. Obviously we are in desperate need of goals - and wins - but I'd like to think I'd be able to get some decent form together for Everton now." (11/10/05)

Upbeat

Simon Davies is trying to be upbeat about tomorrow's trip to Highbury. He points out that the Arse lost last week, and are without hit man Thierry Henry. Superb, only Pires, Van Persie, Bergkamp, Ljunberg and co to watch out for then.

Simon says: "Highbury is always a difficult place to go but they are not having the best of times at the moment either.n They lost at Middlesbrough last week and (Thierry) Henry is out so we have got to look at the positives going there." (18/09/05)

Out of Wales Squad

Simon has pulled out of the Welsh squad to play a friendly on Wednesday. It is expected that he will recover for the game at Bolton on Saturday. (16/08/05)

Debut Goal

Simon scored on his home debut against Udinese last night. He looks a busy player. He can be fairly pleased. So says Alan Irvine.

Alan Irvine says: "I think Simon can be fairly pleased. It is great to get off the mark and get your first goal, especially when it is at home." (04/08/05)

Welsh Pride

Simon Davies, delighted as he is at joining the Blues, is also proud to be following in some great ex Blue's footsteps in representing Wales. With the likes of Big Nev, The Rat, Dai Davies, Barry Horne, and who can forget the boy from the Valley's Physco Pat, have all worn the Blue and Welsh strip. Simon has a lot to live up to, and if he is half as good as that crew, Moyesy will have definitely signed a winner.

Simple says: "It’s nice to follow on in their footsteps and if I can do half as well as them then I’ll be alright. I know a few Everton fans back in Wales. When I went to Tottenham they said that I should have joined Everton. It’s ironic how it’s worked out. Next time I go home I’m sure they’ll be trying to buy me a few drinks! It’s an honour for me to be at the club and hopefully it will work out well." (04/06/05)

Simon Signs On For The Toffees

Simon signs for Everton for £3.5m rising to £4m depending on performances.

Simon says: "I am coming to the best years of my career at 25 to 30 and hopefully I can give the best years of my career to Everton. My first ambtion is to help the club into the group stage of the Champions League and because we finished forth this season the fans will be hoping to get into Europe again via the league."

Moyesy says: "We're delighted to have Simon Davies on board. He's someone who we've chased for a while. We hoped we would get him in January but it didn't quite happen then. We know he's a bright character, he can play in central midfield, he can play wide right ao that gives me some alternatives." (26/05/05)

Full Squad 2005/2006