Barry Horne: Everton will beat Wigan and life will not look too bad

Sep 17 2011 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo

IF Everton win today, then the start of the season will not have been as bad as some of the doom-mongers would have you believe.

The Blues should win as well, I’ve seen Wigan twice this season and they are not different to last.

Last season, Everton had trouble in breaking down sides who came to Goodison Park who were there to settle for a point, hoping to frustrate from the outset.

Hopefully we have learnt from these experiences because I fully expect Wigan to do the very same.

An early goal makes them come out and play.

I watched them at Swansea earlier in the season and it was a particularly dour performance, one only improved upon in the latter stages when Wigan sensed they could go on and win the game.

But a good start, like the one witnessed against Aston Villa last week, this afternoon and an early goal will not allow Wigan to be so negative.

Once they are forced to attack more then Everton can punish them further because they continue to look vulnerable at the back.

I am confident Evertonians will be able to look at the Premier League table on Sunday morning and know this has not been the disastrous start some would have to think.

I also hope Everton fans will be able to talk about their excitement of a flourishing Leighton Baines-Royston Drenthe partnership on the left hand side.

Drenthe looks ready to get back on track and David Moyes had knack of reviving flagging careers.