Everton FC News: We can’t take it easy during the run-in, Yakubu

Mar 18 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: YAKUBU is convinced Everton can still gatecrash the Premier League’s top six and claim a place in Europe – but warns their run-in will be anything but an easy ride.

David Moyes’s side stand in ninth place, eight points adrift of sixth-placed Aston Villa and the final Europa League qualification berth.

Seventh place could be enough for Europe should Tottenham Hotspur win through to the FA Cup final, although the four-way battle for fourth place means Everton still have much ground to make up.

Nevertheless, they will be encouraged by a schedule that sees seven of their remaining nine games against teams below them in the table, starting with Saturday’s visit of Bolton Wanderers.

But despite refusing to give up on a fourth successive European campaign, Yakubu has sounded a note of caution.

“There’s still a chance for Europe,” said the Nigerian. “We are not giving up. Our injured players are coming back we are fighting for each other, training well. But it’s not going to be easy. We still have a lot of work to do.

“People think it’s not difficult because we aren’t playing Man Utd or Chelsea in the run-in, but every game in the Premier League is difficult. Teams want to win and there are teams we are playing who will be fighting to stay in the league.”

Yakubu has struggled to regain his form this season after recovering from more than nine months out with a serious Achilles injury.

His goal in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last Saturday was only his fourth in 28 appearances this season, although 16 have been from the bench.

But the striker believes has now rediscovered his sharpness after that lengthy absence.

“I feel I am getting better and better and have more confidence,” said Yakubu. “It has taken along time but for me I am 120% better now.

“I feel as though I’m back to how I was when I was injured. When I’ve got into the team I’ve got to take my chance, and I feel I have done that so far.

“After the Hull game (the previous weeks) the manager said to me to keep the goals back for the other games.

“As a striker if you get three good chances you expect to score at least one, but I couldn’t take the chances against Hull.

“You have to be strong as a striker when things like that happen. I know I can score goals., and against Birmingham I had one chance and I took that.”

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar has dismissed England’s chances of winning the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

The Everton midfielder, who will be the main hope of the host nation, said: “'I’m not a fan of the England team. I think teams can get a result against England.

We have to wait and see if they can live up to the challenge.”