5. Joleon Lescott - 08/09

Sharing The Goals Around

Roger scored his 1st goal of the season at West Ham last week. He thinks that everyone can chip in and score and not rely on The Yak and Louie all the time.

Roger says: “We are confident in every game really, no matter who is playing. “We don’t want to play without Yak – he’s a great striker and we are better when he is in the team – but players like Victor and Louis have come in and done a great job. But Tim, Mikel and Ossie can all get forward and support the strikers.

I think we relied on the forward players a bit too much early doors to get goals. Now I think everyone is chipping in. But it’s not just in terms of goals. We have got Mikel tracking back to work in the final third and that helps. It all goes to breeding confidence.

I don’t tend to think about goals so much. I’m more concerned about the clean sheets. We haven’t kept too many of them recently and we have been conscious of that. But the goals just come if you get into the box and that’s what I try to do as much as possible.” (14/11/08)

Expectations High

With three wins on the spin, Roger believes that fourth spot is still within our grasp this season, after the Blues climbed to seventh in the Table at the weekend. The centre half cum left back always knew that the Blues would turn the corner after our piss poor start, and with the confidence now back in the squad, he expects better days ahead.

Roger says: "Expectation levels have come down in terms of our start to the season. But we are still confident about what we can do and what we are aiming for and that is to finish fourth, if not that then as high as possible. We always had a good squad and key players are playing well now.

It just bodes well for the team and gives us extra confidence looking around our players. I think it was a bit silly to start talking about relegation so early in the season and it is a bit silly to start talking about Champions League now. But we have got to keep our feet on the ground and we know what we want to achieve and if we all push in the same direction I am sure we will achieve it." (12/11/08)

First Goal

Taking 10 points from a possible 12 and getting your first goal of the season is nice, but Roger is not taking anything for granted.

Roger says: "We had been practising finishing in the week and it paid off. I've definitely had a slow start in front of goal, but it was nice to get on the scoresheet. It's important not to get carried away. We know Middlesbrough is going to be a massive game and a tough game but we're at home. On the back of our last result we'll be confident." (11/11/08)

Left Back, Left Out

Roger has rubbished reports that he is about to jump ship from the Blues, and has pledged his future to Moyesy's revolution. The defender is frustrated however that he is played out of his favoured position of centre half, and he believes that this is hindering is International ambitions.

Roger says: "It's a bit frustrating at the minute because I'm getting judged as a left-back. I'd love to play a part in the Germany game. But it's going to be harder to get into the squad because I've been playing left-back, and I'm viewed as a centre-back for England. The team is more important than my individual progress. I'm happy to do a job for the team and the manager.

It's just frustrating because I know - and the manager knows - I'm a centre-back. But I've played left-back a few times before, so for me to start complaining now is not the way I want to go about business. I signed a new contract last season so there's no way that I'm looking to get away." (08/11/08)

Fans Can Help Us Beat United

Everton have a chance of beating Man Utd because of the Everton fan factor at Goodison Park tomorrow morning. So Joleon reckons.

Roger says: “I think the fans are intelligent enough to know that United are no mugs and it’s going to be a hard game. We might not score in the first half, or the first hour – but we are likely to score, we have done against most teams this season, so we know if we continue that way we can get goals.

You want to judge yourself against the best players. No doubt Man United are the best team at the moment and they’re champions of Europe and the Premier League. So it’s going to be a massive game and a tough one at that. But again, we’ll go in there confident and know if we play right we can get a result.

No-one is pleased with the way things have gone so far. But again, the boys are going to be pushing in the right direction to get out of this slump that we’re in, and get ourselves up the league.

To be fair I don’t think it’s form with players like Rooney – I just think it’s consistency. They’re always at the top end, at their peak, and they are showing it now. Wayne Rooney is banging in goals lately. It’s not a surprise to anyone that they’re playing well and it’s going to be a tough job for our defence to keep Wayne out, while it’s also going to be hard to get the goals.” (24/10/08)

Lets Win Derby For The Fans

A win in the derby will do very nicely for the fans and Roger thinks this will be a way of paying back the fans after the poor start to the season.

Roger says: “No matter how we played at Blackburn, we wouldn’t have taken that into Saturday. It’s a derby, so form goes out the window. It’s a massive game for us now and we want to win it for the fans.” (26/09/08)

Sorry To Fans

Roger has apologised to the fans after the defeat in the Carling Cup to Blackburn.

Joleon says: “It was a terrible performance by us, especially first half. I think when we had nothing to lose in the second half we pushed on a bit more. But still there’s no excuses, we’re weren’t good enough. We expected to come to Blackburn, do well and obviously win the game – but we didn’t do that. We can only apologise to the fans who travelled a long way to come and showed great support.” (25/09/08)

Determined To Put Things Right

After reaching the heights of winning England caps last season, as well as the Blue Kipper Star Man Trophy, Roger has had a few under par games this season, but nothing the manager sees that can't be put right.

Moyesy says: “Joleon is very conscientious and there is nobody more determined than him to put things right. There has been maybe one good game followed by one bad game but you can go through those periods. I was a defender myself but you can have spells where you make mistakes that turn out to be very costly.

“There are big expectations on him and that happens. He was such a good player last year, won all our player the year awards and was involved with England. He has set high standards for himself. The one good thing about him is that he is a great worker, a great trainer and is really determined. He is a great lad to work with. He wants to listen and wants to get better.”

“There are going to be occasions when Joleon’s form levels out. I can remember when Rio Ferdinand went to Manchester United and people questioned him. Joleon has come here and done really well. You only need to look at Rio Ferdinand now to see how good a player he has become and what he offers Manchester United. I have got no doubt that Joleon Lescott will do the same.”

“Things are very good between us. He has been more than happy to play left-back in the last two games. He accepts that he will play part of the season at centre-back and part of it at left-back. He is comfortable with that.” (20/09/08)

Moyesy Backs Lescott

The Everton manager has defended the England international after a poor display against Portsmouth .

Moyesy says: “I think there were lots that Lescott did that was very good. He handled Crouch and Defoe for a lot of the game very well but it is decisive moments in games and you have got to concentrate throughout.

“He played really well last week at West Brom. It’s a big season for Joleon. But he is a really good player. Maybe both the centre-backs lost a bit of concentration for the first and second goals.

“When that happens, it makes it a mountain for you to climb. Those boys played together most of last season. Joe and Joleon were the centre-backs and it was only from Christmas time that Jagielka played there after Joe went to the African Nations. They are more than capable players. It’s nothing to do with the plaudits he got last season.

“He needs to stand up. But the one thing we know about his is that he is an excellent player.” (01/09/08)

Just Our Luck

If it wasn't bad enough having no new faces before the season kicks off, Peanuts our one and only cash buy of the Summer goes and breaks one of his pinkies. Roger looks on the South African injury as a massive blow to the Blues after the midfielder was looking sharp in pre season.

Roger says: "It's a massive loss. Steven's been one of our most influential players - last season and especially this pre-season. It's a big disappointment not to have him. He was a massive part of our success last season and he's come back for pre-season looking just as sharp, if not sharper." (13/08/08)

Discuss on BK Forum

Looking Forward To USA

The Everton squad flies out to USA today for a week's training which includes two games. Yakubu, Pienaar and Baines who made their first appearances of the season at Forest last night will join James Vaughan to add a few more senior players to the young squad. Tim Howard will join the squad in Chicago.

Roger says: "The game is getting much bigger over there, and so it’s a great for the Premier League and football alone. But we’re going over there to get fit and it’s the best place to do it. Nowadays the standard is a lot better. It’s not like it used to be when you used to go over there and you didn’t know what you were going to get.

Last year we played a team that I think that were bottom of the league and they beat us 2-0. So there are no easy games out there. Especially because they are in mid-season when we play them. Obviously being away from each other for the last two months and then going away together – it’s good for team bonding.

I don’t know if I can be as vocal as those boys, but I will certainly try. The boys that have left will be missed, but more importantly for us now is that we need to build on our squad and get players in to replace the ones that have left.

Team spirit is important, but I think that people would sacrifice a bit of that for some on-field success. We know what we need to do, we’ve still got Ossie here and he’s a character, so I’m sure he’ll keep everyone in tune!" (26/07/08)

Calm Down

Roger is not worried about us not making any signing yet, but when Moyesy does it will be the right one.

Joleon says: "I know the manager hasn't made any signings this summer, but again he is no fool and he knows who he wants and who he needs. I am sure when he does make a signing it will be the right player."

"There aren't many transfers anywhere else," observed the England international. "So it isn't just Everton not signing anyone, other clubs are not signing players but again the manager knows who he wants and I am sure we will get them.

"I think over the last couple of years most teams have spent more than us but we have pushed them to the max and I am sure this season will be the same. I think we have to take the positives out of the situation. We are not spending as much as the other clubs but we are still achieving as much, so if we can hit the level of consistency we want then we will be there or thereabouts."(19/07/08)

Lets Get Fit

The England International is hoping to use today's game against FC Sion to improve his fitness and also help some of the younger squad members.

Roger says: "It's disappointing not everyone's fit, but I'm ready to go and looking forward to it. We expect them to be sharper but that can only help us. Hopefully in the long run we will benefit from it. If I can help out the young boys I will try to do that. Pre-season is mainly about fitness so tomorrow I'll be hoping to get through the 90 minutes. The young boys have worked hard and they might get the chance to prove themselves." (12/07/08)

Bring On More Euro Nights

Everton's best player last season is chuffed to be going back to Europe even if the club never made much dosh out of it. He pinpoints the atmosphere created by the fans as one of the best things.

Roger says: "I didn't know what to expect because it was the first time that I've played in Europe. Going away to some of the grounds with the fans was quality so hopefully we can get the same atmosphere this season. It was always nice to score goals, but again I think that the season we had last season meant that it was important to finish fifth and not come in through the back door via the Intertoto.

We tucked it off nicely by finishing fifth on the final day of the season, but people were looking tired at the end of the season. Before I came the club used to go up and down but the gaffer seems to have put a bit of stability in the side now and obviously we’ve got a bigger squad. Every player can do a job, whereas before we had a great team but not so much a good squad." (29/06/08)

Hard To Replace Cars

As Moyesy tries to bring in new players to improve the squad, Roger thinks it will be a job to replace Lee Carsley.

Roger says: “I think the gaffer’s main objective now is to replace Lee. He’s from Birmingham so as a local lad it will be a nice place for him to play. I know it will be hard to find a replacement for him, because it’s not just on field – it’s his off-field attributes as well.

It will be tough for us but if we want to progress we have to go out and get some big players. Looking at the top four, they spent millions and we spent a bit, but nowhere near as much as them, so to finish so close to the top four is a great achievement.” (25/06/08)

Mr Consistent Will Get Even Better

Having won both the Everton and Blue Kipper awards for his outstanding performances this season, Moyesy thinks Roger can get better.

Moyesy says: “He did really well for us and deserved all his awards. He played ever so well as a central defender and equally as well as a left-back. It’s great to have that versatility. You have to be very gifted to be able to do that. We always knew that Joleon had talent. We just gave him the opportunity. He has stepped up to the mark but what he has done is work terrifically hard. He trains every day, misses very few games and has become a really important figure but he can get better.” (24/05/08)

Knee Strengthening In The Summer

Due to wear and tear, having been involved in all of Everton's game this season, Roger will have a series of injections on his right knee after the Newcastle game tomorrow. While at Wolves, the Blue Kipper Star Man Of 2007/08 missed the whole of the 2003-04 season after having his right knee reconstructed by renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman in the United States. It means the 25 year old will be ruled out of England’s forthcoming friendlies with the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.

Moyesy says: “Joleon’s knee is getting sorted again in the summer. He’s having some work done to his knee immediately after the game on Sunday. He’s not missed any games for us since he arrived, but his knee does need carefully looking after. I’m nearly 100% convinced that he won’t be available for England. It’s not an operation, it’s a series of injections to help strengthen the knee some more.” (10/05/08)