Timmy!!

By The Nark End
March 19 2010

TIM CAHILL HAS STATED THAT THE WORLD CUP MUST NOT PROVE A DISTRACTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL STARS OF EVERTON IN THE FIGHT FOR A EURO SPOT IN THE LEAGUE...

Tim Cahill insists the Blues’ World Cup-bound stars will not allow their focus to slip from the mission facing Everton in the next nine games. 

The Blues currently occupy ninth spot in the league table and European qualification for next season is still very much attainable, with almost a quarter of the campaign still to play.

Cahill is one of, potentially, 10 players in David Moyes’ squad that could be competing for their nation in South Africa this summer.

But the Aussie international is keen to stress: “We’ve got a lot of players involved in the World Cup but no-one’s really resting or trying to save themselves. We’re going to give everything for the push to the end of the season because European football is a massive feat for us and something we’re striving to play in next season.

“It’s nine games to go and we know what points we need to get. We’re not losing sight of where we want to be, but if we take one game at a time it could be a special season.

“I’m not one to look too far ahead but we know our targets for the next nine games and it starts against Bolton, so the more games we win we’ll definitely have a chance of finishing in a European place.

“We’ve got a strong squad, a strong mentality and we want to kick on. We don’t want to rest on our laurels.”

Cahill’s ambition is to depart for the World Cup having booked European football for the Blues. He will then lead the Socceroos in their group alongside Serbia, Ghana and three-time winners Germany.

He returned to action last weekend for the draw at Birmingham after a short spell on the sidelines.

He continues: “I’ve played in pretty much all the games this season bar the last four so it was difficult having to watch. But it was great to see the lads do really well.

“It was particularly hard to watch the Sporting Lisbon game, though, because I thought we had a really big chance in that competition. We had the upper hand against them and it was unlucky we didn’t go there and finish the job.

“Coming back in after three weeks out was difficult and I’m still getting to grips with my calf.

“I’ve had a few little problems but I got 75 minutes under my belt and we’ll see how long I can last at the weekend if selected.

“It’s part and parcel of coming back in after injury. You do get reactions from playing and feel a bit tight but it’s just one of those things.”

With a spate of injuries to key players at various points, the Blues' squad has been stretched to breaking point this season. But the emerging youngsters - and some fairly established ones too - have proved their worth to the cause at Goodison, ensuring that this term could still prove a memorable one for the Club.

Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling showed their immense capabilities when called upon, to full effect in the excellent home win over Manchester United in February.

Cahill echoed manager David Moyes' thoughts that the current set of players are the strongest in a long while.

“It’s a massive statement, but I’ve been lucky enough to be here the same amount of time as the gaffer and what we do have here is a growth of players young and old and a good nucleus where we can rely on the youngsters just as much as the old players.

“Saying old, we’re not that old! But it’s good that the gaffer can change the team and change the midfield and change the strikers and keep Louis fresh and Yak fresh.

“Victor can come in and Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling. The competition’s there, especially at the back as well, so now it’s all about how we find a happy-medium between now and the end of the season.”