Everton Preview: We don’t need the points, they do 3 May, 2008

After Man Utd beat West Ham this lunch time, our title hopes are officially over. It was a very, very long shot but after the win at Derby there was a bit of talk about our title shot and I said, “If West Ham beat United on Saturday then I’m going to be shitting myself on Sunday.” In one way I’m grateful I’m not shitting myself but in another way it’s a bit sad that it’s finally over. But at least it is over.

So tomorrow’s game is no longer vital. Or is it? We can still make second, Chelsea don’t play until Monday but I’m still sort of hoping they beat United to the title. I just think it’d be funny. We can’t come 4th anymore so it’s looking like we’re going to be 3rd.

Everton however, really need a result tomorrow. They can’t come 4th anymore, but that 5th place still isn’t secure yet. The way it’s worked out this year, there’s only one UEFA cup spot for league positions. Villa are right on their tail and Pompey are just behind them. So Everton will be desperate for as many points as possible tomorrow to secure that vital European spot.

This is worrying, Everton are a decent side and are more than capable of getting a result against us, as we’ve seen in recent years. We beat them 4-1 when we went to Goodison earlier in the season but last year we only managed one point over the two league games against them.

So basically, we’ve proved we can spank Everton, scrape out a draw with them and lose against them. And I’m betting tomorrow that it’s going to be one of those three, we’ll win, lose or draw. No but seriously, what I’m trying to say is that it really could be any result.

Right, team news. Robin van Persie is being rested, Tomas Rosicky’s out, Eduardo’s injured, Diaby’s injured…oh fuck it I can’t be arsed to list them all, this is what I think the team will be:

So the same team as Derby, except van Persie is out. I’d love to put Walcott up front but we’re lacking on wingers at the moment so he has to play there really. Denilson, for me, struggled against Derby but I think he should get another game, he needs these appearances. I’d like to play Hoyte at right back but I think he’s leaving to be honest.

The same goes for Flamini, I’d love him to play tomorrow but it’s totally up to Wenger. He hinted in the week that he might be on the bench. It would be great to cheer Matty off. Although it looks like he’s leaving in frustrating circumstances, he’s still been a great servant this season, given 100% in EVERY game and become a fans favourite. I remember last season, at the final game of the season, I waved Flamini goodbye but he stayed, this time I think it’ll be for real.

I really don’t know if we’ll win tomorrow, but I really don’t care. Obviously I’d like us to go out in style and win in front of our fans but if we don’t it’s not going to be the end of the world. I’m just going to have a fun day out and enjoy my last game of the season.

The perfect result would be something like a 5-0, but I’m not going to be choosy! Enjoy the game everyone, and I’ll speak to you on Monday hopefully, thanks for reading.