Ian Snodin: Why Everton's clash with Aston Villa is approaching a must-win
It's time to make Goodison a fortress again
Roberto Martinez
It's probably a little premature to be talking about ‘must-win’ games in October, but this weekend’s visit to Goodison Park of Aston Villa has that type of feel about it.
The Blues have already lost two Premier League games at home this term, and they only came off second best in three throughout the entire previous campaign.
Goodison was rightly regarded as a fortress; a formidable place where teams dreaded coming – and it’s crucially important Roberto Martinez ’s men reestablish that as swiftly as they can.
So far this season it’s fair to say we’ve played well in patches during games but struggled to be consistent enough over 90 minutes and that’s the challenge now.
Villa wont be easy opponents. They’ve started the campaign impressively, we saw how sharp they were at Anfield, and will be looking to keep their momentum going as well, so it’s important we get out of the blocks quickly and then maintain our intensity for the entire game.
To that end, I only hope that all of our players come through their remaining international fixtures without injury.
If I’m honest I have lost a lot of interest in watching England, or any international football, lately and all I hope for is that the Everton lads who are selected to play for their respective countries perform well and come through it unscathed. We’ve already got enough injury problems to have to cope with any further setbacks.
As a bit of added interest – Roy Keane will be in the away dug-out on Saturday, and no doubt his controversial book will still be a talking point by then. I came up against Roy a few times towards the end of my career and he was a great player and leader on the field, always ready to speak up for his team-mates and never shirking responsibility.
He always had an opinion on the pitch so it doesn’t surprise me at all to see his book causing such a stir because he is clearly a guy who believes 100% that everything he says is right. It’s what makes him such good value as a pundit and probably what has made him a success so far at Villa and on the international scene with the Republic of Ireland.
I often agree with Roy but one thing I can’t see eye to eye with him on is his insistence that he doesn’t regret his infamous tackle on Alf Inge Haland.
Fair play to him for being honest but I thought then as I think now – you should never go out of your way to hurt another player, and I’d like to have thought he would hold his hands up and admit he was wrong to do that whatever the bad blood between them.
Either way he has obviously brought some of his trademark bite and edge to the Villa dressing room, and they will be coming to L4 to win at the weekend. We cannot underestimate them for a second if we want to get the win we really need to revive our spirits.
Clear Rom is still learning
FC Krasnodar vs Everton FC at the Kuban Stadium Russia in the Europa League Group stages. Romelu Lukaku in the thick of the action.
It's no surprise to read that Juventus tried to sign Romelu Lukaku over the summer.
After the season he had for Everton he was always going to be a highly sought-after goal-scorer for ambitious clubs across the continent.
So it’s especially good to hear Rom saying he chose the perfect place for him to develop by staying at Goodison, and I agree with him.
He’s in the ideal place to carry on learning his trade under the ideal manager in Roberto Martinez.
Lukaku has had his critics of late but you’ve got to remember that he is still very much a student of the game at a tender age. We paid a lot of money for him and the hope is he can carry on scoring at the same time as he develops.
Jags looks to be getting confidence back
England's Phil Jagielka (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with teammates Gary Cahill (5) and Wayne Rooney (right) during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match at Wembley Stadium, London
I was delighted to see Phil Jagielka on the scoresheet for England last week and then back to his commanding self for the game against Estonia.
The Blues skipper has shown what he is made of with the way he has handled a difficult start to the season for his club, where he has had to cope with a few critics.
His performance against Liverpool at Anfield a few weeks ago was superb and he appears to be rediscovering the confidence which has made him such an important player at Goodison and for England. Let’s hope, in the wake of a galling setback for John Stones, Jags can still help Everton fully recapture their defensive solidity.
