Everton - the season preview

Despite spending less money than at any time in the past five seasons, I am still optimistic over Everton's chances in the upcoming EPL season.

Everton begin the 2010/11 season looking to reclaim a place in Europe that had become their own over the previous four years. Two 5th places finishes, one 6th and a FA Cup final meant last years finish of 8th was a relative let down, though that can be mainly put down to a horrendous run of injuries that wrecked the first half of the season.

This year Moyes will hope he can keep his main players fit and if so, they have a real chance of breaching that magic top four.

The New boys

Magaye Gueye Strasbourg £900,000

The young striker, who can also Play wide on the left or right, was expected to play a bit part role this season. But after his performances in pre-season, which saw him bag a goal in Australia against Brisbane, many Toffees fans are excited about what he would offer the first team this season. We badly need pace up front, and if Gueye can settle in quickly (as he seems to be doing) then he could be a an ace card from the subs bench this year.

Joao Silva Desportivo Das Aves £500,000

The 20-year-old has only played one year of senior football and his lack of game time in pre-season suggest he is one for the future. That said many of Moyes' signings who are plucked form obscurity often only take six months to settle before they are ready for first team action. One for the (not to distant) future for me.

Jermaine Beckford Leeds United Free

Released by Chelsea as a youngster Beckford has finally got his chance in the big time. Prolific at non-league level and the with Leeds and Scunthorpe in League One, it remains to be seen whether Beckford can make the step up two divisions. His three pre-season goals suggests he might, and I have a feeling that desire to make up for lost time and prove those at Stamford Bridge wrong. could meant Everton have netted themselves yet another bargain.

Ján Mucha Legia Warsaw Free

Most Toffees don't know much about Slovakian international Mucha, but his performances at the World Cup in South Africa gave us reason to be optimistic. While we have had Carlo Nash as a sub in recent years - someone who was happy to be a number two - Mucha has declared his determination to force his way into Tim Howard's number one spot. That competition should bring the best out of both out 'keepers this season.

Pre-season form

Sydney FC 0-1 Everton

Melbourne Heart 0-2 Everton

Brisbane Roar 1-2 Everton

Preston 0-3 Everton

Norwich 2-4 Everton

Everton 2-0 Everton Chile

Wolfsburg 2-0 Everton

Vey encouraging. The tour of Australia brought three wins with just one goal conceded - the form of Jack Rodwell being a particular highlight. Comfortable wins over Ccampionship sides Preston and Norwich saw the seamless re-introduction of our rested World Cup stars and the 2-0 win over Everton Chile gave the Goodison Park crowd reasons to be optimistic this season.

Down sides of the summer.

The free transfer of Dan Gosling, whose agent manipulated the system and betrayed the club's trust by allowing the situation to emerge whereby the player could leave on a free transfer as the club failed to offer him a contract in writing by the end of May. He wasn't a great player, but he had potential, and the loss of a transfer fee is the biggest blow for a poor club like us.

The failure to sign Landon Donovan was also frustrating. There is time of course, but is appears Donovan's performances for the US in South Africa have increased the MLS' desire to keep him and so have priced us out of a move. I am hopeful of a loan deal in the winter again, though my biggest fear remains a big money move to Man City, who continue to taunt us with their riches!

Best sides of the summer

The pre-season form of Gueye and Beckford as well as new deals for Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell and crucially Mikel Arteta. Keeping what we have was Moyes' main aim this summer as our first XI is good enough to beat anyone. Arteta, our best player by a mile, has made a commitment that will gave everyone associated with the club a boost - Steven Pienaar take note!

Young player to watch

Jack Rodwell is the stand out player. He is only 19 but he has the poise and composure of a veteran. I tell anyone who will listen that he will be an England captain one day, I just hope he is still an Everton player when he does! Another youngster to keep an eye on is right full-back Seamus Coleman The Irishman played a handful of games last Christmas time before playing a key role in Blackpool's promotion during a loan spell there. His performances in pre-season suggests he will start many more games this year, plus he likes to push forward so should get plenty of assists (handy if you have a fantasy football team!)

My prediction

I genuinely think we have a chance of breaching the top four this year - especially as we are not burdened by the extra games of being Europe, something all our rivals have to cope with. We need to have a relatively injury free season however and hope Spurs struggle with both the Champions League and the EPL, Hodgson fails as Liverpool and City's big money buys flop. As I can't see that happening I think top six is our realistic goal. After 15 years without a trophy, a League or FA Cup would be nice too and after our wins over Manchester United and Chelsea last season we can be confident of beating anyone who we are drawn against. Whatever happens you can be assured that with Everton, they will give it one hell of a go.

Season prediction: SIXTH