Kilbane: Defensive duo key to success

19/11/2004 - 10:24:11

Everton winger Kevin Kilbane has highlighted the veteran defensive duo of Alan Stubbs and David Weir as ‘the bedrock’ to the Toffees’ success so far this season.

Beaten only once away and with five victories – underlined by last Saturday’s defiant 1-0 win at Birmingham – Everton have risen to third spot and will want to maintain that by beating Fulham at Goodison Park tomorrow.

Everton have great confidence in old war-horses Stubbs and Weir to survive the test. The pair have been outstanding all campaign, and Kilbane calls them “our bedrock”.

The midfielder, just back from another impressive performance for his country in midweek with Ireland beating Croatia in Dublin, says of the two defenders – who have achieved seven clean sheets this term: “Alan and Davie have been magnificent at the back all season.

“They have been the bedrock of our success this season, without a doubt. Everyone can see how well they are playing but it is the things you do not see, such as their organisational and communication skills that are really outstanding.

“It is thanks to them that the whole team functions the way it does. They are both in the last year of their contracts but I do not think they have anything to prove after what they have done.

“They give their all for Everton every week and ever since I arrived here they have been superb.”

Kilbane added: “Davie did not play as much as he would have liked last season but he has been fantastic since he came into the side and alongside Alan they are one of the finest partnerships around.”

After successive away defeats at Arsenal and Chelsea, Everton look to be back on track as the win at Birmingham showed.

But with tough games against Newcastle, Bolton and Liverpool to follow the Fulham home match, they know their new-found status amongst the top dogs is going to be tested over and over again.

On the injury front, Everton expect to have Joseph Yobo back in the squad against the west Londoners after overcoming a succession of minor injuries.

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