A Toffees point of view

Dominic Fitzpatrick - from Vital Everton answers some questions ahead of the Pompey v Everton game this weekend.

Early days I know, but are you happy with how your season is going so far?
Not at all. Like last season we have shot ourselves in the foot right at the off and will need to work hard to pull ourselves back into contention. It is going to be even harder to match the feats of last season this time out, especially with city and spurs now contending.

Out of all the 'top clubs' you appear to have one of the smallest squads - does this concern you?
Yes and no. I think it has it's benefits, we have a tightly knit squad which is a real feature if our recent successes but even Moyes admits he would love to have a bit more quality in depth.

Are the club treating the fans well, or are they fleecing you?
The club will be the first to say that they are completely open and honest with the fans regarding affairs, some fans would disagree though.

Who do you think has been your best summer signing and why?
It's too early to say right now, all of our players bar Lucas Neill have had steady debuts and can build on them. Out of them all Diniyar Bilyaletdinov looks the more exciting.

Could you have done with more arrivals - if so in which areas and maybe even who?
There was an ongoing saga with Valencia regarding their young Argentine midfielder Banega, he is a midfielder much in the same mould as Mikel Arteta, very exciting player. Evertonians are in general happy with the signings we managed to pull off, but someone like Banega would have been the icing on the cake.

What are you expectations, or hopes for this season?
Finishing in the top five, let alone the top four will be a real achievement this season with the amount of teams capable of challenging. I would be delighted with some silverware and a top 8 finish. Would love to see make a real go of Europe this season.

What about Pompey, what do you think we should expect or hope for?
To be brutally honest I had you down for a scrap this season, even before it began. Sorry.

Who is the real danger man that Pompey need to watch?
At the moment Louis Saha is in a rich vein of scoring form but keep an eye on Steven Pienaar, he's our heart beat at the moment.

If you could take any Pompey player and put him in your squad who would it be and why? Although I doubt you would want any of our 'superstars'.
I can honestly say I wouldn't have any now Johnson, Distin, Crouch and Krancjar have left.

Is there anyone that you would like to send Pompey's way?
No we need everyone :)

Sylvain Distin - how is his signing working out so far?
Well. He's got plenty if experience and has settled well. Scored the other day in Europe and has kept two consecutive clean sheets.

Go on, who's going to win on Saturday?
I think it will be tough, tight but we'll shade it. 2-0 with Saha and Osman scoring

Questions answered by Dominic Fitzpatrick from Vital Everton.

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