Not Good Enough

Both Manny and Moyesy were not happy with the result on Saturday and Moyesy had a go at the on loan midfielder.

Manny says: "I am pleased because I scored to make it 2-0. If we had won 2-1 or 2-0 I would be happy but not now. It is not a consolation for me. It is all about winning, not about whether I score."

Moyesy says: “There wasn’t enough involvement in the game from Manuel Fernandes. We liked the goal but I think we’re looking for more from an all-round general performance.” (30/04/07)

Good To Have Him Back

Moyesy has admitted that Everton only got going against West Ham when Manny came on. Lets hope he starts tomorrow against United.

Moyesy says: “We did not create as many chances as we would have liked. But I wasn’t too disappointed with the performance. I thought we played well in the second half. But other than one shot from Yossi Benayoun, which was dragged wide, I don’t think Tim Howard had a save to make himself. We lacked a bit of quality in the final third but we improved when Manuel came on and it is good to have him back amongst it.” (27/04/07)

West Ham or Bust

Manny is back and raring to go against West Ham this weekend. Who says so, no other no Manny himself. The conspiracy theorist will have to go back and look over Lee Harvey Oswalds account with regards to JFK's killing, as Manny has confirmed that he did indeed have a thigh strain, and a sore throat. So why all the secrecy then chaps !!

Manny says: "Things were going well and it wasn't the best moment for me to get an injury and to be sick. I am over that now, my illness is gone, I am getting better from my thigh strain and I hope to play against West Ham. If you are in fifth place it is because you deserve it. At the moment I think we are in the top five teams in England, there's no doubt about that - that is the reason we are in the fifth place." (19/04/07)

Sore Throat, Honest

Manny Fernandes has turned up for training today, and some of the secrecy around his absence of late has been explained by Physio Basil Rathbone. The Portuguese defender returned from International duty with a slight thigh strain, and this apparently we thought has kept him out for a few weeks. Now according to Basil tonsillitis is to blame, but he is in with a shout for Saturdays visit to West Ham if he can get his fitness levels up. Lets hope that all it is and the secrecy around Manny's absence of late is nothing more sinister.

Basil says: " Manny Fernandes had a thigh strain when he came back from the Portugal game and then he got some tonsilitis but he is back in today and he seems a lot better. He has been training and we will just have to assess his fitness levels because he has not been training too much and he has been under the weather as well." (17/04/07)

I Want To Stay At Everton

Manny wants Everton to make his loan move permanent. He has become a crowd favourite already even though he has played only 5 games. Everton must negotiate a fee with Benfica, which could be anything from £5m - £12m.

Manny says: “I would like to stay in England, and I hope I stay here. But it doesn’t depend on me. It depends on other things, and I’m just taking things game by game and seeing what happens. Our next game is against Aston Villa, and I’m just looking to that now. I don’t expect to have any talks with Benfica until the end of my loan here.

What’s different at Everton compared to Portsmouth? Well, I can play more than two games in a row for a start. But when you are really wanted at a place, like I am here at Everton, it is good for your self-confidence and if you feel okay at a place, things are going to be okay. I want to stay. I'm really enjoying it here. Like I’ve said before, we have a really good squad with some great team-mates, and I can concentrate on getting more fit and doing my best. I hope there is a lot more to come from me.

Beating Arsenal was a great result for us. We lost in the last minute the other week, so to win in the last minute on Sunday was a great feeling. I have needed to add some aggression to my game, because it’s not just about how good you are on the ball. We need to work for each other, and my team-mates do the same and I need to do that as well. Having the ball is the best part of the game, but you need to work hard when you don’t have it as well.” (21/03/07)

Johnson Is A Top Player

Manny has admitted that he didn't know how good Andy Johnson was until he started training with him.

Manny says: “I didn’t know much about Andy before I joined here. You get to know players from the way you play when you train alongside him and play with him. I knew that he was good, but I’m finding out he’s really, really good. I train with him every day and play in the same team as him, so obviously I’m going to say he should play for England. But the way he plays and the way he helps the team, in my opinion he should play. Andy is a great player, and we have a lot of great players in our team. I don’t think anybody will be surprised if we stay in the top five or six in the league now.” (21/03/07)

Premiership Rules

Manny has given his clearest indication yet that he see's his footballing future in the Premiership, the only sticking point is will it be at the Blues. Manny whose loan period runs out in the Summer, believes England is the only place to be to improve as a footballer, and all Blues hope that his learning will continue for many years to come at Goodison. Fingers crossed.

Manny says: "You can improve quicker when you play against the best players in the world every week and this is one of those moments. If Benfica were in the Premiership I probably would never have left but that is football and I want to improve. Benfica is a great club but they aren't in England. England for a young player is the best place to improve." (16/03/07)

Team Player First

Moyesy on the whole is happy with the contribution of Manny Fernandes, but he still wants to work a better work ethic towards the team into his play. Never heard Howard Kendall say that about Sheeds back in the 80's, when the left footed midfielder was an expensive luxury. Shit though, what an expensive luxury.

Moyesy says: "We are pleased with Manuel. I have seen some things that look really pleasing but I have also seen some things that I would like to chisel out of him, too. He has a lot of ability and a lot of skill but he has got to realise that he is a team player and he has got to get back and help when required. That is something I demand of all the players but he has definitely been a plus since he arrived here. Don’t forget, we’ve only had him for just over a month and that has hardly given us much time to work on things with him. I get the feeling, though, that he is really enjoying things and his performances have been good.

There have been times in the last couple of games when he has shown signs of being a bit tired and that’s why we have had to bring him off but he is an exciting talent and I think he has already made a big contribution. Hopefully he will continue to do so before the end of the season." (01/03/07)

Hands Off, He's Ours

Moyesy has given his biggest indication yet that Manny's stay at Goodison will not be a temporary one. As ever the stumbling block will be what his club Benfica will ask for him come the Summer. We shall start the whip round now then.

Moyesy says: "Any players I bring here on loan, I always hope that if I think they would do well we would look to bring them here. I don't like to bring players here just to give them games for other clubs. I am bringing them here with a view to taking them." (12/02/07)

Happy Manny

Manny was delighted along with 30 odd thousand Blues with his Everton first team debut against Blackburn yesterday. The Portuguese International oozed class, had a lovely touch, but also was hard in the tackle. Hopefully Moyesy has signed an integral part of the Blues future midfield. Reports suggest that the shite may come in for Manny in the Summer when his loan deals finishes, but if he carries on with performances like yesterday, Moyesy will hopefully fight tooth and nail and make his signing a permanent one.

Manny says: "The first thing is to settle into the first team and then we will see what happens at the end of the season. I enjoyed the game and when you win it always good. They are very good lads, it's easy to fit in when everybody has such good spirit. The atmosphere was really good. In general the stadiums in England are unbelievable and everyone supports you when you play at home." (11/02/07)

Manny Back at Bellefield

Manny was back at Goodison today after scoring for the Portuguese U21's in midweek. He has been granted permission to return to his club by the Portuguese FA, as the youngsters have a final tonight in the Vale de Tejo Tournament currently being played in Estonia. It is nailed on Manny will start against Blackburn as Leon is suspended after his fifth booking off the season against the shite. (08/02/07)

Goal For Portugal

Manny scored in a run out for Portugal's under 21's in their 3-0 win over Estonia and now meet the Czech Republic in the final of the Vale do Tejo tournament. (06/02/07)

Debut For Manny

Manny is twenty one today. He was only on the bench for the Derby match on Saturday, but may get a chance to start against Blackburn, as Leon Osman is suspended following his 5th booking of the season. Click here to see Manny in Action.

Fernandes In Action

Happy 21st Manny! (05/02/07)

On Loan Till End of Season

The Portuguese International has signed a six month loan deal for Everton. Having played for Portsmouth 12 times this season, he has some experience of the Premiership, and notably was in the Benfica side that beat the shite twice in the Champions League. If the loan deal is successful, it could lead to a permanent move, which will involve loads of wheeling and dealing with various parties. (01/02/07)

Everton Squad 2006/2007