Vital Everton Summer Interview: Benmychree

1. Who are ya?? What is your username on Vital Everton?

Benmychree. It's Manx Gaelic and relates to my links to the Isle of Man.

2. How did you become an Everton fan?

My dad and brother support the RS.

My uncle was a school caretaker, and a few of the reserve and fringe players, one of them being Steve McMahon, used to use the facilities and do a bit of coaching with the kids. My uncle used to get tickets from them. I started out with the reserves and then graduated to the 1st team, and I haven't looked back since. My uncle sadly died of cancer a few years back, but I am eternally grateful to him for making sure I didn't turn to the dark side like my dad and brother!

3. What is your all time best moment as an Everton fan?

The 4-1 win over Spurs in 95 was pretty special, and the 3-0 over the RS in 2006 was good although I only saw it on TV in Dubai.

4. Who is your all time favourite Everton player?

Too difficult - can I give multiple answers covering the decades?

70s - probably Ronnie Goodlass, just shading it over Mike Lyons who would bleed blue blood if you cut him.

Goodlass was a tricky left winger who had a withered left arm and used to pull down the long sleeves on his shirt and keep hold of it in his hand.

I remember all of us kids copying him at school. My uncle used to rave about Gordon West but I never saw him play. The first goalie I remember was Dai Davies, who used to take his false teeth out for the game from what I recall - the life of footballers has changed a bit hasn't it!

80s - Peter Reid, just over Nev Southall.

90s - Big Dunc - you don't have a tattoo of the badge unless you really love the club.

Of the current crop it has to be Tim Cahill - he gives 100% and I couldn't see him leaving if someone wanted him in the EPL - he's the current Mr Everton really.

5. The season just gone, good bad or ugly? What did you think of it?

A big disappointment but not a big surprise.

I hope I am not tempting fate here, but this is the first settled and promising pre-season we have had for years.

It seems previously we were always bringing in players at the last second, and that with injuries (and transfers out) meant we never had any stability or continuity to build on. Having no money is not his fault, and I think David Moyes is fantastic, but he really screwed up the Lescott situation last year in my opinion, and no doubt that, plus the injuries really set us back.

We were virtually unstoppable in the second half of the season though. I just wish it had ended about a month later and I am sure we would have been right up there.

6. Best and worst moment of last season?

The awful performances against Hull and Wigan were the worst times.

Watching the 3-1 over Man U in a bar in Bangkok was the best! (I haven't lived much in the UK for the last 15 years).

7. What is needed to improve for next season?

Distin looked pretty shaky at times and Yobo always has his mad moments.

I think we need another decent CB, more squad depth, and for Yak/Saha/Beckford/Gueye and whoever else up front to really deliver, with the midfield adding its normal quota.

I have high hopes for Bily now that he has been able to rest for the first time in 18 months, and maybe this is the breakthrough year for Coleman.

Keeping Arteta and Pienaar is crucial, but if losing them is inevitable, don't do another Lescott - sell them now and get out there with the money to get quality replacements before the deadline.

8. What do you think of the signings so far?

No big or even medium sized names, but that's no surprise.

The papers seem to link us with anyone who has a pulse and who costs less than £10m - I wish.

Hopefully Moyes is being disingenuous over Donovan - would love to see him back.

The new signings are unlikely to deliver too much this season, with the possible exception of Beckford.

We could do with bringing in a couple of experienced players to help straight away.

Moyes doesn't get it wrong that often so fingers crossed.

9. Expectations for next season, back in Europe?

Top 4 would be great, and with a bit of luck we can do it.

Not being in Europe I think this year helps us - fewer games, fresher players, can focus on the league.

Europa League would be a decent alternative.

10. If you had to choose, Champions League qualification or FA Cup win?

Champions League without a doubt - it's what the club needs to kick on, and it will give us tons more income, as long as we don't get knocked out in the qualifying rounds like a few years ago against Villareal!

Thanks to Benmychree for this!

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