How the tables have turned

As Everton travel to at Ewood Park today, they are faced with a complex test that is sure to be an intense battle. Sitting sixth in the table the Toffees are poised for winning a spot in the Europa League while today's opponent, Blackburn, sit on the edge of relegation. Yet looking back it is an interesting turn of events how the present Premier League season started with the Rovers defeating Everton 3-2 and followed up the next month with 1-0 victory in the Carling Cup. However since those match the clubs fortunes have went in different directions with Blackburn cast to down clinging to their Premier League life.

However this past December that all changed as in stepped Big Sam Allardyce and over the nine matches in charge he has completely changed their fortune. Over that period the Rovers have squeezed thirteen points, lost only twice and have scratched and clawed their way out of the relegation zone. While still on the cusp of the drop zone, this might be the most difficult test for the Toffees because they possess the same style "venom" in their fight and the manager to provide the message.

David Moyes said of the Rovers:

"I think Blackburn have tightened up all round. I think they've maybe only lost a couple of games out of the nine or 10 Sam has been in charge. I think they've won a few and been a bit unlucky maybe not to pick up other points.

"He's got them difficult to play against and hard to beat and he's done similar to what he did at Bolton."

The Toffees will have young Jack Rodwell back in the starting eleven but Tony Hibbert heads back from treatment. Seventeen year-old Jose Baxter, an academy product since the age of six, put his name to a two-and-a-half-year contract this week and could see some time.