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發表於 2005-12-17 01:16 PM
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Everton v Bolton: PreviewPA
Sam Allardyce hopes to inflict more disappointment on David Moyes at Goodison Park after both Bolton and Everton missed out on the acquisition of Roy Keane.
Allardyce insisted Wanderers were serious alternatives to Celtic in the chase for free agent Keane, who quit Manchester United last month.
The 34-year-old, who also interested Everton, opted to join the club he supported as a youngster rather than spearhead the Lancashire club's challenge for UEFA Cup honours and a top-six Barclays Premiership finish.
``We will probably both cry over our beer after the game but I hope I am not crying as much as Dave (Moyes) because we have got a result against him!'' declared Allardyce, ahead of the match with Everton.
``Not being able to clinch Roy's signing is particularly disappointing because he is a world-class player .
``From my point of view it was a top-class player, who, on January 1, I could put into the team and say 'this man is going to make us better'.
``I had no doubts at all about that. Where I can go and find that now is virtually impossible.''
Keane suggested he gave serious thought to a move closer to home but wanted a change of scene rather than continue his career in England, following 13 years with United.
``We were right there as one of the two or three clubs he was going to choose from,'' added Allardyce.
``When you come so close it is an even bigger disappointment than just a straightforward 'no'.''
One former international midfielder who is thrilled to be involved with Bolton this weekend is Welshman Gary Speed, a lifelong Everton fan and former Toffee.
``I love playing against them, especially at Goodison Park,'' said Speed. ``I supported them as a kid and it is a fantastic stadium.
``They beat us last season and at the start of this campaign, so it would be nice to get one over on them. However we know it will be a difficult game.''
Bolton totally dominated the meeting between the two teams at the Reebok back in August only to lose by a single goal which gave Everton their only points in their opening eight matches of the campaign.
Jamaican full-back Ricardo Gardner is doubtful with a hamstring injury after he failed to reappear for the second half of the 1-1 draw with Sevilla in midweek which sealed a place in the final 32 of the UEFA Cup.
One definite change at the back is enforced with Tal Ben Haim serving a suspension.
Richard Wright is hoping to make the most of his opportunity to help Everton towards the top half of the Barclays Premiership.
Former England goalkeeper Wright should retain his place for the visit of Bolton with first-choice Nigel Martyn still battling a groin injury.
After waiting for his chance this season, Wright came on as a substitute in the win over Blackburn and impressed in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But he was beaten twice in midweek, the first a freakish own goal from captain David Weir, as West Ham shattered a sequence of 14 points from seven outings.
Nevertheless, Wright is hoping to keep his place between the sticks even when Nigel Martyn returns.
``Not playing makes you hungry,'' admitted Wright.
``The hardest thing is not having that Saturday night feeling: you have gone out there and done your best, gone home and seen the family with that feeling of achieving something from the weekend.
``I wasn't getting that and I need that. That is the drug in football.
``When you are sitting on the sidelines, any game that comes along you want to play in.
``The games are coming thick and fast so hopefully I can get some games under my belt and perform the way I know I can and enjoy the football.''
David Moyes is challenging the team to produce a run of form like that which arrested their early-season slump.
``We have to look at the bigger picture,'' he said.
``If you take the last eight games we have been in a good stretch of form.
``If we get one of these every so often where we win four or five and draw a couple I will settle for that.''
Tim Cahill returns from suspension tomorrow but Moyes may have to do without James McFadden after the Scotland international limped out of the defeat to the Hammers with a foot injury.
McFadden, who caused problems in the 20 minutes he was on the field and set up James Beattie's goal, appeared to suffer the injury in a challenge and will be given a late fitness test. |
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