Another Month Or So

Results from a second scan has revealed more damage to Saha's hamstring. This will be another blow to Moyesy and surely now we need to get a striker in soon.

Moyesy says: "Louis has been re-scanned and he will be out for another four to five weeks." (02/01/09)

Louis In The Frame

Louis Saha and Big Vic could give Moyesy some welcome selection posers as both strikers look to have beaten their injuries and will be in the frame for the visit of Chelski on Monday evening. Moyesy must be on his Christmas jolly up, as Steve Round took over the mantle of reporting to the Blue's faithful the joyous news.....hark the herald angel singing....., you get the jist !!

Steve Round says: "They'll (Louis and Big Vic) face fitness tests on Saturday or Sunday and we're quite hopeful they'll both be fit and available for selection. If not we've got Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini and young Lukas Jutkiewicz, so we're not concerned too much. But, of course, we'd really like it if they were available." (18/12/08)

Better News on Louis

Better news for Moyesy tonight as fears of a lengthy spell on the sidelines for Louis Saha seem unfounded. Basil Rathbone, has had his hands full of late with Vaughny out as well as The Yak's injury from the win at Spurs. The French striker though will be monitored over the next few days, and Basil is confident the striker will be back in action sooner rather than later.

Basil says: "Louis Saha had a muscle spasm in his hamstring. It doesn’t look too serious and we will be evaluating it over the next few days." (02/11/08)

20 Goal Target

After scoring 3 goals in 2 games Louie has targeted 20 goals for the season. He has also revealed that he could have moved to West Ham in the Summer.

Louie says: "It would be nice to get 20 goals - that is a good target. I have been really hard on myself in scoring goals and if I am on the pitch, hopefully I can do that. I am feeling pretty happy but as a team, we are trying to play better and it was great to come back. West Ham played well but it was a brilliant win - I do feel the young players here show maturity and I am pleased with them."

"The move to West Ham didn't happen but I made a great choice, which is the main thing. I have no regrets at all. It was such a hard time in the summer to leave a great club but I am in a great team and I am enjoying myself.

"It is hard to predict how we will do but I hope to be very close to the top four. I think we have the team and we are now playing better. I do think me and Yakubu will be a good partnership. I am confident about it. He is injured right now, but when he comes back, he will score goals." (10/11/08)

No-Brainer

Well it looks like Moyesy's gamble has paid off. With 3 goals in the last 2 games Louis looks to be the signing of the season.

Moyesy says: "He is a top talent and he has not missed a day’s training since we signed him.

"If he can continue to get goals then it will help him and us. He is on a two-year contract and signing him was a bit of a ’no-brainer’ for us. The only question was his fitness. I think it was a little bit of a gamble as we’ve tried not to sign too many players with an injury record.

"We tried to get the best value for money in the summer as we needed a striker and Louis was worth the gamble."(09/11/08)

More Goals To Come

Both manager and player are happy about the first goal in an Everton shirt against Fulham on Saturday and can see more ahead.

Moyesy says: "I spoke to Carlos Queiroz about him, a few people who’d been around him and they gave him incredible shouts on his ability. With him not costing us anything it made it a deal where we knew it was worth the gamble. I’ve found him a really pleasant lad.”

Louie says: "From my point of view, after so many injury problems at Manchester United, it is really good. It was hard to go through all that, but I am confident now and I know I picked the right club to come to because everyone is helping me to settle in and to enjoy my football again.

I am really, really enjoying myself now and everything is starting to go well again. That first goal in an Everton shirt has given me a real boost, as well as the team. That is my main concern, to achieve something for the team and to claim three points for the first time this season at home.

There are no mixed emotions because it was against Fulham, one of my former clubs. It is just another game. It is true that it is a bit special when I play against Fulham, I have good memories of my time there. But now I can only have thoughts for Everton. I feel I am beginning to get to grips with my new club, it has taken me a little longer than I had hoped but now I have got off the mark with the winner, I hope there will be many more to come.

We needed the win, particularly because we hadn't started the season well. It is a huge boost that our new players, me included, are beginning to do well. We are all performing better. Now we have been able to climb into the top half." (03/11/08)

Fitness and Confidence Is Good

Louie was very upbeat and positive after a good performance against Man Utd.

Louie says: "We challenged them all the game and made them make mistakes. I think it was a very good game to watch. We have had a slow start and we have new players who take time to settle and now we can show we are physically better and start to have a better understanding. We played some great football, but we need to do this every week. Fitness wise I feel a lot better and the confidence will grow. Hopefully the first goal will come soon." (26/10/08) Full interview on evertontv

Moyesy Hoping For A Saha Goal

Louis is playing against his old club tomorrow, and Moyesy is hoping that he scores his first Everton goal. Don't we all.

Moyesy says: “I’m sure he would love to score against United and I’m sure that I would love him to score as well. But, saying that, I wouldn’t mind anybody scoring. But let's hope that he does and that we get a good result." (24/10/08)

Saha Eyes Derby Win

Louis is glad he has got his first 90 minutes in a florescent yellow shirt for Everton in the Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn last night, but now eyes the derby on Saturday as the perfect game to get a win.

Louis says: "It was a very disappointing night. The only positive we can take from the game is a reaction to put it right. We are determined to do that, as we know we did not play well against Blackburn.

"I know we are a hard-working team and when we are faced with games like this against Liverpool we usually take the opportunity to show that. It was a difficult night but we still have new players adapting to things here. It has been a bit of a rush.

"We wanted to have some more games to get to know to each other but we have been denied that now by losing to Blackburn. We thought this was a good opportunity to win a trophy, so it is all the more disappointing to have gone out so soon."

It was nice to get 90 minutes under my belt. I still need some time to adapt but I am quite happy with my fitness. There were good signs between myself and Yak, but again it is going to take time." (25/09/08)

Pace Power Skill Class

The Everton captain is sure Louis will shine at Everton. Already the striker is enjoying the quality and the team spirit at Everton.

Phil says: “Pace, power, skill, class. That's what you're going to get with Louis Saha. One of the best 5 strikers in the Premiership on his day. Louis sees joining Everton as a fresh start — and when have a fresh start it can reinvigorate you.

He’s a lot more positive now than, maybe, he was at United and looks really fired up. He's overcome his injury problems since he's come here. I think he's really enjoying his start to his career at Everton. I think he's been surprised by the quality, surprised by the team spirit and he's really happy he's made the decision to join us." (23/09/08)
See The Full Interview On evertontv

Louis Made A Big Difference

Louis came on at half-time at Hull and completely changed the game. He now looks certain to be in contention for a starting role for this week's Derby game.

Moyes says: “Saha has made a big difference to how we played when he came on. I’m glad to get him out there. I don’t think it was a gamble to play him. If I’d started with him, he’d have been happy. But I felt the best way was to bring him along slowly.

He’s not had many games, so we’re gambling in that he hasn’t played any reserve games and just been training for two weeks. I said when we signed him that if I could get him fit for half the games this season then he could win us some points, and that’s what I’m hoping for.

He’s gone about his work well, quietly, and there’s no doubt there’s a very, very talented footballer there and everybody I’ve spoken to has told me that. There were signs during the second half that he can give us that, and if he can then it will be great for us.” (22/09/08)

Quality

If anyone knows about Louis as a player it will be Phil Nevile. Phil played with him at Manure for several seasons and he believes we have a real top player.

Phil says:"In terms of the quality of player that has moved this summer, Louis would be up there with the best of them.

"We need to keep him fit but, if we can do that, we'll have a real player on our hands. He is one of the best strikers that I have trained or played with. He has got everything.

"He can play up front on his own, he is as strong as an ox, quick and scores goals. He'll also be able to play alongside Yak, Vaughany or Victor without any problem either. He is a team player with presence and experience and he is one of those strikers who, when you see his name on the team sheet, you know you are going to be in for a difficult time because he is so dangerous.

"He isn't nice to play against and I'm glad we'll have him on our side."(08/09/08)

Honest, You Don't Have To Pay Me

Hats off to new boy Louis Saha who offered the Blues the chance not to pay him till he was fit again. That must have been tempting for Moyesy with the injury record of the French man, but it was dismissed out of hand, and hopefully Louis will start to earn his corn against the shite at the end of September.

Louis says: "It was something I did offer them but in the end it didn’t happen. I’d had a few setbacks and it was very frustrating, and I made the offer because that is my type of mentality. So that is what I said to Everton, it’s not a big issue. I want to be able to look myself in the mirror. When I go on the pitch I know I am doing my job, and being away from it for so long has been so frustrating for me. But I am really confident I will be fit for that contract. The international break for two weeks helps, and I should be back in three or four weeks or so." (04/09/08)

Ready To Score Goals

Louis has made all the right noises in his first interview. He hopes to score lots of goals in the number 9 shirt alongside the Yak.

Louis says: “I am very happy to be here. It is a big club with big, support. I think it is a club which is trying to reach the top. I have spoke with the manager and was very impressed with him. We spoke about the players and the club is moving in the right direction. I know of the history with the number 9 shirt. It was my number at Manchester United. I am aware of the pressure of it, but I'm happy with it. I hope to score many goals. Yakubu is a great asset to have. I hope we have a good partnership. I see the great team spirit. I've seen it every time I play here at Goodison Park. So now I hope to enjoy myself here. I hope to be fit to play in 1, 2, 3 weeks or maybe a bit more.” (02/09/08)

Full Interview On evertontv

Louis Officially A Blue

Louis Saha today completed his move to the Blues after his medical and legal doings were sorted over the weekend. As reported last week the French striker has signed a two year deal and he has been given the legendary No. 9 shirt. (01/09/08)

We Need To Get Louis Playing Regular Football

Moyesy is determined that he will get the best out of Louie by getting him fit and playing week in week out.

Moyesy says: “Louis Saha has had no pre-season games, and there’s no estimate when he may play. As far as I know, he is in pretty good nick, he had just picked up a calf strain in training.

That’s not far away from being okay now. Yes, he’s had injury problems and if he had been playing every game, we wouldn’t be getting him for next to nothing. There will be some money after he’s played games but there is no initial outlay.

The thing is that your body misses the contact and rigours of playing games regularly. If you are not used to that, you get concerns about them and you wonder whether they will be able to take the contact from challenges. We can’t tell until he has played in some games. He has to play before we pay. If you speak to people who have worked with him, they will tell you he is a top centre forward. (30/08/08)

Saha impressed with Moyesy

Louis says: "I am very happy that a club of Everton's stature have shown they are interested in me. It's a club that is involved in European football and I was very impressed when I spoke to their manager, David Moyes. He told me exactly how he wanted me to play. He was very honest with me. I also spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson and his opinion was that it would be good for me to sign for Everton because I would get the chance to play more there." (30/08/08)

Moyesy Full Of Praise For Saha

Moyesy has praised the French internationals and hopes Everton can get him over his injury worries and playing on the pitch. With the Yak not having the famous number 9 shirt, will the Louie wear it?

Moyesy says: "There is no doubt he is a fantastically talented player, the question now is can we get him fit and we are hoping we can do that. He was involved in 17 or 18 games for Manchester United last year and if he can be involved in a few more than that for us than he will certainly play a part.

He has been an excellent centre forward throughout the years - he can do a bit of everything, he can run, he can head it, he can link play up as well. If you do get him on the pitch there is no doubt he is a very good player and adds qualities that we will need and I am confident that we can get him out there over the next few years." (29/08/08)