a chance to climb the table

As the Toffees embark on their visit of Wigan, they must recognize this is an enormous opportunity to climb the table and ultimately a "must-win" match if they are to enter the top-six. To say the first few months of the season has been "unpredictable" is an understatement as amongst a series of pithy performances, somehow through a rather bull-dog approach David Moyes has Everton sitting seventh in the table, with Hull City, Aston Villa and Arsenal within four points above them. With Man Utd visiting Aston Villa and Arsenal facing a troubled Manchester City, the Toffees can close the margin with a win over Wigan.

For myself its hard not to appreciate Wigan to some degree as they typify the fighting spirit of their ex-Manchester United leader, Steve Bruce. As this rather quickly turns into a Steve Bruce tribute post, while they may not pack the punch of a upper-tier club they find a way to get "the tough job done" and are capable of biting back if you give them the opening. Consistency of play has been the problem but don't tell that to Hull City who they shellacked 5-0 earlier in the year. Recent play hasn't seen them wander around a bit but as Newcastle found out last week as they were ready to celebrate a victory, with the slightest opening they can surprise you, which they did with Titus Bramble's late equalizing goal. Their play has been relatively dreary at home and tactical issues will be based heavily upon a curious group of injuries to key players. At this stage, Steve Bruce will is dealing with Amr Zaki, Emile Heskey, Mario Melchiot and Wales international Jason Koumas all facing pre-match fitness tests and will be without Emmerson Boyce to suspension. For Everton, knowledge that Wigan has never defeated them at the JJB or only won once in seven matches will mean little, although it might give them a bit of push to continue the streak. David Moyes is facing his own injury woes with both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar both questionable but both Tim Cahill and Yakubu will be fully recovered from international duty to take part.