Lets Consolidate Fifth

Only the most optimistic Blue would say we could still make fourth in the Prem, and today The Jag has urged his team mates to target fifth especially with Pompey and Villa breathing down our necks. With games against Villa, The Arse and The Skunks in the next few weeks, Everton still have their work cut out to make a decent season into a good one, and secure a UEFA Cup berth for next season.

The Jag says: "Fourth place would have made it a fantastic season but we can kiss that goodbye now. We will obviously keep trying until the end but we have to make sure we do finish fifth now. That’s why it will be a very interesting game next weekend against Aston Villa. It would feel like a failure if we didn’t get fifth after such a fantastic season, both in the cups and the league. The fans have had quite a few decent nights here and maybe they are frustrated now because we’re not playing as well as we can do and the form isn’t quite there.

But all the boys want to finish in fifth and, hopefully, a couple more decent results will see us there. When they did get an opportunity - although how they got it was fortunate - there was no doubt Essien was going to put it in the net. We were more like us in the second half. We were in the game and we created a few chances." (18/04/08)

Must Win Game

Everton have the ideal opportunity to bounce back to winning ways on Sunday when we play bottom club Derby at home, Jags hopes we grasp it with both hands.

Jags says: "It is a long week until next Sunday. The Derby game is an important game for us. We have got to win and hopefully kick-start our season again. There are plenty of points to play for. The result on Sunday hands the initiative to Liverpool but we will be fighting all the way to the end. Portsmouth aren't letting go of the chance to play in Europe but we will try and make sure we are the team playing there next season." (02/04/08)

Hold Your Heads Up Lads

Everton centre half rock Phil Jagielka is gutted at last nights result against Fiorentina, but delighted at the Blues performance on the night. When the players turn up for training on Friday, Phil is sure everyone will have their heads held high, and hopefully with fourth place still to play for, Fulham will feel the backlash of our frustrations on Sunday.

The Jag says: "The boys will pick themselves up, we've got a massive game on Sunday and hopefully we can consolidate this European push for next season. Up until the penalties it was a fantastic performance and I'm sure we'll look back on it and look at the good bits of football we played, and how we put them on the back foot for the whole game, and we can take the positives out of it. Obviously though I'll go home a little bit gutted about missing the penalty but I'll have to come back with my head held high on Friday." (13/03/08)

Twin Striker Threat

The quality of Everton's two strikers will be a telling factor in tonight's game against Fiorentina. The Jag reckons if we give the Yak and AJ enough ammunition they will score the goals.

The Jag says: "If they both start, I wouldn't like to play against them. It's up to us to keep the tempo high when we need it and make sure their goalkeeper has a busy night. Yak's finishing is so good that we know if we give him two half-decent opportunities, the chances are he'll at least make their keeper work, if not score a couple, and AJ's going to pose a threat. This is as big a test as it can be. We look round the changing room and know we've got enough quality in this squad to create some chances. If they go in, who knows?" (12/03/08)

Shiny Happy People

The place is buzzing at the moment for Jag and his team mates. So much so they even look forward to training.

Jags says "We have scored eight in our last two games so we all go home happy, happy people and can't wait to get back in for more training. You can't beat a bit of confidence, and it is flying high at the moment. If we can keep picking up points in the league and continue in Europe like we are, it will be a great end to the season.

European success is having a knock-on effect in our domestic matches. The proof is there. The lads seem to be able to handle the matches, they are coming thick and fast, so long may it continue. It's good to have a steady stream of games. If you win a match and then have a couple of weeks off, you lose that buzz around the place. Winning games in succession is the best feeling." (23/02/08)

Defence Is Key

After another top performance in Europe, Phil reckons the defensive form is key to European success.

Jags says: “If we can keep building on the defensive success we are having and the strikers can keep chipping in with more goals then I think we can go far in the UEFA Cup and keep on going in the league. If they get one goal back at Goodison then it’s game on. So we have to keep concentrated at the back and not concede and if we nick another then it will make our life a lot easier. Brann have got some decent enough players and our result shows the battling qualities we have in the squad, considering we had players out injured.” (16/02/08)

May The Fourth Be With Us

The Jag is hoping that next Wednesday nights home clash against Spurs in the Premiership will be the perfect anecdote from last night's Semi Final exit to Chelsea. The defender who has come on leaps and bounds of late at the heart of Moyesy's defence is targeting fourth spot in the Premiership to ease the pain of going out at the final hurdle in the Carling Cup.

The Jag says: "Hopefully we can bounce straight back. We have not made a habit of moping around if we have lost a game, so Wednesday is a perfect time to get firing on all cylinders. It was absolutely fantastic. There were more people watching us warm up than I have ever seen. When we came out for the first half it was electric and we gave them a bit to shout about but not quite enough as we did not create a goal.

The boys are all disappointed but if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you will see we are fourth in the league, we’ve been in the semi-final of a cup and still going along nicely in Europe. It’s not been a bad season so far. All the boys wanted to go to Wembley and we will just have to make sure that happens next season. We are getting closer to them and as long as we keep progressing, nights like this will come around and we’ll be cheering at the end." (24/01/08)

Hat Trick

Bluekipper Starman against notloB, Phil Jagielka is hoping that the Blues can pull off a hat trick of home Premiership wins against Arsenal at Goodison tomorrow evening. The Jag who is in recent weeks has hit a rich vein of form, is eager to add to our previous two one nillers against The Arse in previous seasons. In doing so we can carry on our great form and push on for those elusive Champions League places.

Jag says: "They’re in fantastic form this season, they pass and move and they’re very sharp, but I think they’ll be looking our results have gone as well and I’m expecting a hard game. No two teams are exactly the same in the Premier League, but we’re going to go out there and try and win the game and cause them a lot of problems.

Three on a trot would be nice, we’re trying to pick up as many points as we can now over the Christmas period, it’s going to be hard because there’s so many games in quick succession, but we’ve done well and hopefully we’ll carry on picking up points." (28/12/07)

We Are Together

Three games, no wins but Phil Jagielka is sure all the Everton boys are still together, and the good times are just around the corner again. No better time to put things right than at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow evening in the Carling Cup, and The Jag is just happy to be involved in the first eleven in whatever position it may be.

Jag says: "We have got to kick on now. It's only the boys that are in there that can turn the results around - and we are going to do so. All the boys are together. We know we have not been good enough these last couple of games and it is for us to turn the corner.

Maybe the injuries are an issue. But we have got good players in the squad that can come in and it just depends if they can gel straight away. Hopefully I can make it (a central midfield place) my own, the gaffer has changed things round for a few games and it depends on what he wants to do. It doesn't matter where anyone plays as long as we are picking up points." (25/09/07)

Jags Wants A Start

Phil is hoping his first ever 45 minutes playing at Goodison was enough to secure the starting role he wants in the first eleven at Bolton on Saturday.

Phil says: “As soon as Cars looked like he was struggling, the gaffer told me to get warmed up and I was itching to get on. It was nice to get just over 45 minutes, especially at home as it is the first time I’ve played here. I hope I gave the team a little bit. The reception I got was fantastic and after we scored the goal, the atmosphere was electric. Competition for places is good but it is only good when you are playing. I don’t want there to be the best competition in the world if I’m not playing every week.

I’ve come here to play but I know I have got to be patient. It’s up to me to prove to the gaffer that I can get a place in the team and nail it down. It was nice to get on against Blackburn and I thought I gave a decent enough account of myself. We’ll see what next week brings. Obviously I didn’t want to lose my record of playing in consecutive games but it is a new start for me here and I am playing with better players in a better team. It might take time but if I get in, hopefully I’ll stay there.

We didn’t play too well at Reading but we gave a decent account of ourselves against Blackburn.They have got a good team and hit us on the counter attack but thankfully Faddy popped up and didn’t leave it to me to score! When I saw AJ get hold of it, I knew I had to make a run in to the six yard box but the ball just skidded off my face and went wide. If it had smacked me in the face, it would probably have gone in. I was nearly in tears when it went past the post.” (28/09/07)

Prepared To Wait

The Jag is prepared to wait for his chance at Everton, but when it comes he plans to take it. Happy Birthday Phil. 25 today.

Jags says: "I knew I would have to bide my time. The lads did fantastically well last season so the gaffer is playing the team that more or less finished last season. I had my 15 minute cameo so hopefully I will get on again - because I can't see the gaffer changing it for Reading - and see how I get on. Nine or even seven points from the first three games would be a fantastic start and hopefully we will have a good result on Saturday." (17/08/07)

Here We Go

Jags is looking forward to his first game at Goodison.

Jag says: “There is nothing quite like a Premiership game. The Bremen game was good experience for me and in a way it is good that Saturday will not be my first time at Goodison. It will be different against Wigan because there will be a capacity crowd and the buzz will be there. Wigan have spent a lot of money in the close season and have changed manager. I think they will be a different outfit to what I faced last year. Hopefully we have got enough in the bag to come away with all three points. They have got quite a few key players such as Jason Koumas and Emile Heskey but on the whole they have got a lot of good players. They will fancy their chances but hopefully we have got to much for them.” (10/08/07)

Mr. Versatile

Everton assistant manager, Alan Irvine is happy with the way Jags has lived up to his 'Mr. Versatile' tag both on and off the pitch.

Alan Irvine says: “He’s now played in all three positions that we knew he could play in and so he has shown his adaptability. Off the pitch he seems a great lad and has fitted in very easily with the rest of the boys.” (25/07/07)

Amazing

Phil Jagielka was happy to get his first forty five minutes under his belt for the Blues, and the new boy was amazed at the traveling support Everton carried with them. It was estimated that five to six thousand Blues fans where in attendance in a crowd of 8,000. Phil welcome to Everton.

The Jag says: "Unfortunately I missed the game at the weekend but managed to get 45 minutes tonight. I enjoyed it. I have had to bide my time and I came on for the second 45. The boys did alright and it's nice to get a run-out. Maybe I should have scored!" he conceded, "The first one was a little bit weak and the second one was a bit harder but it is pre-season and I have got time to perfect my heading ability. We were down to the bare bones and a lot of the boys had to put in long shifts. Thankfully for me it was only 45 minutes and I was as fresh as the Preston players.

It started (the noise) when we came out for the warm-up and it didn't stop until the 90th minute - I think there were more Evertonians there than Preston supporters which is a credit to the fans." (19/07/07)

Perfecto

New boy Phil Jagielka is enjoying his Italian adventure with his new team mates and the banter is already flowing, which is a good sign that The Jag is settling in. Apart from the hot weather, the lazing round the pool, the light training, Phil is enjoying himself at Everton's Italian training camp, God its tough at the top !!

The Jag says: " I had a couple of days in Scotland last week to bed myself in and now we're over here, the weather is fantastic and everything is brilliant. It's great because I've got five days solid to have a bit of banter with the boys! I knew a couple of them beforehand and everyone else has been fantastic.

I'm a little bit of a fidget! I've just been sitting by the pool for ten minutes but now I'm going to go for a bit of a wander. Ideally there wouldn't be too much space between the sessions but there's nothing we can do about that because it's too hot." (10/07/07)

Best Player

Having played with and against him, Joleon Lescott is sure Everton have a top player in Phil Jagielka.

Roger says: "Jags has got my old number and I wish him all the best. We played against each other for the past five years and been together at England Under 18s level. If he can do what he did at Sheffield United here, he will have no problem at Everton. He did exceptionally well in the Championship as well as in the Premiership last season for Sheffield United but unfortunately they got relegated. Fortunately for us we have got their best player. Everyone makes it easy here when you are new and it was the same when I first came here." (09/07/07)

Jags Of All Trades

David Moyes has been impressed in the way Jags has settled in, but still hasn't decided on which position he will play.

Moyesy says: “He can play right-back, centre-back and at times in midfield. He will bring in competition because of the amount of games we will hopefully play this coming season. Our squad is not that big and we need players to push and compete with people. Getting people like Jagielka is a good signing for us. He fits into the way we are building a team here. We have got a great group of lads here and a really good team spirit which helped us a lot last season and I’m sure it will help us again this season.” (06/07/07)

Great To Be Here

Phil signed a 5 year deal until 2012 before flying up to Scotland to join his new team mates. The 24 year old former Everton apprentice played in all Sheffield United games last season.

David Moyes says: "We have been trying to get Phil in for most of the summer. We are delighted to have got him in the end. He will bring competition for places and versatility. He is a good addition to our squad and we hope to add one or two more before the start of the season."

Jags says: I am definitely looking forward to running out at Goodison. When I played here last season the fans were fantastic and hopefully I will get to run out sooner rather than later. The manager was keen to sign me and that is always a nice sign. He has done fantastically well here and it is a fantastic club. Being in Europe, where we belong, and his pull to bring me here were massive reasons.”

Bill Kenwright says: "Transfers theses days seem to take longer and longer to come to fruition and this one has required a lot of patience on both sides. We are all grateful that the contract could be concluded today, at the earliest possible time for Sheffield United." (05/07/07)

Everton 1st Team Squad 2007/08