Latics Speyk to Everton

On Saturday Wigan Athletic welcome Everton to the DW Stadium and in the build up to the game Vital Latics (worbo) met up with Vital Everton (Mike Holroyd) for a chat, lets see how it went:

worbo - Hi there Mike, welcome to Vital Towers, hope you like Hobnobs, I see Everton`s form as picked up recently, is there a reason for this, players back from injury or just some good form?

Mike - Several key players have come back from injury, as well as an improvement of the form of those that were never injured. Marouane Fellaini has been simply world class over the last 10-12 games, no question about it. Steven Pienaars return has also been a massive boost, along with Leon Osman. We were struggling along with no creativity, Osman, Pienaar and Arteta injured, and Bilyaletdinov struggling to adapt to a new league. With Osman, Pienaar, Donovan and now Arteta coming back we've looked a much better unit.


worbo - I notice that Landon Donavon has come in to you guys and he has brought with him a big reputation of something of a superstar in the US where he plays alongside Beckham at LA Galaxy, as he lived up to this billing, how`s he settled in at Goodison?

Mike - He's done reasonably well since his arrival, two solid displays against Arsenal and City, and scored a goal and was unlucky with another cleared off the line against Sunderland. He looks a decent player and has settled fast, and was an important signing as we had no real options down the right with Arteta injured and Bilyaletdinov struggling.


worbo - Has there been many comings and goings at Everton this transfer window or is it as frustratingly quiet as it is at Wigan, we need a forward desperately but we don`t seem to be having any luck

Mike - We've brought in Senderos and Donovan on loan, two solid signings, and let Jo and Neill leave both to Galatasary. Would be nice if we signed a big name player, or anyone for that matter, before the deadline, but we simply don't have any money to do so.


worbo - This is a game I have been looking forward to for a while, in Fellaini and Cahill you have two players that I really enjoy watching and I wouldn`t mind either at the Latics, they are both exciting and play to win, who do you feel are your dangermen?

Mike - Fellaini has been superb for a while, but Pienaar is generally the one that will cause you more problems going forward. When he's on form he is brilliant, and the least you can expect from him is 100% effort and determination. We are struggling for goals a bit right now though, with all our forwards having problems with fitness and form, so if we do get a goal expect it to come from midfield.


worbo - We have been a bit up and down this season though we have had some great performances both individually and as a team, if you had to pick one of our players to take to Everton who would you choose and why?

Mike - Scharner, just to stop him scoring against us every time we play against your lot! Wouldn't say no to N'Zogbia or Gomez either though!


worbo - Leighton Baines is of course an ex Latic and he came through the ranks with us before departing to Goodison, it seemed to take him a little while to settle in at Everton but now he appears to be a regular, how is he playing and is he a fans favourite?

Mike - He took a long time to break into the team, but finally managed it about half way through last season as a regular. He had a good second half to the season and cemented his place in the side with the departure of Lescott. He has been poor on the whole this season though, his partnership with Pienaar is a key one for us but his crossing this season has been suspect at best. He's the only left back we have at the club though so he's guaranteed a game each week.

worbo - Right down to the nitty gritty Mike, I think we will just shade a very tight and exciting game and my prediction is a 2-1 win for the Latics with goals from Charles N`Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega, how do you see it going?

Mike 3-1 Everton. Donovan, Cahill and a late Arteta free kick to seal the game. Our defence is a tad suspect so I can't see us keeping a clean sheet, but we simply have to win this game so I expect we will.

worbo - nice talking Mike and thanks for dropping by, good luck for the rest of the season after Saturday of course.

There is an interview on Vital Everton with yours truly and it can be accessed here










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