EVERTON NEWS

lovablemum · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 4068 Location: Northants

Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde is expected to play his first game in an Everton shirt for the second string at Sunderland on Wednesday.

The former Inter Milan star has been recovering from a groin injury since his arrival on the last day of the transfer window.

But he is fit now and needs match practice to be able to help Everton's relegation battle.

Striker James Beattie, now recovered from a broken toe, is also expected to figure along with Danish defender Per Kroldrup, as boss David Moyes fights to get his star players fit.

But only Beattie is likely to be involved in Sunday's game with Chelsea and Moyes said: "They all need match fitness, and quickly, so they are likely to play in the next couple of reserve games."

reddevilleanne · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 13228 Location: Nottingham

Moyes slams defence
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 17 Dec 2005

David Moyes slammed his Everton defence after seeing his side capitulate 4-0 to Bolton.

The Toffees were possibly unlucky to go 1-0 down to Kevin Davies's looping header in the first half, but their defence collapsed in the second period as Stelios Giannakopoulos scored two and Gary Speed rifled home a penalty against his former side.

"We have let in three park goals which you would see on a Sunday afternoon - their finishing was clinical when they got the chances but our defending was dire," bemoaned Moyes.

"There is no sympathy whatsoever.

"I will always take responsibility, you coach the players and work them, but it is very difficult to take responsibility for some of the mistakes that were made - but I will do because I am manager and it is an embarrassing defeat for us.

"We were doing okay and we should not have been one down in the first place, but it was made by a few stupid minutes in the second half."