Chapter 42 - Everton

Belliand vs Kazuki

The topic was brought up in the media the day before the match between Southampton and Everton took place.

Southampton's action in selling Belliand and signing Kazuki was considered very good. However, people still wondered, was Kazuki better than Belliand? Statistically, Belliand does have more goals, which is 10 goals. But remember, Kazuki has only played for 5 games and he has scored 6 goals and 2 assists. Kazuki's goal percentage was far ahead of Belliand.

However, the idea of ​​Kazuki being better than Belliand was refuted by the Everton coach. In his pre-match press conference, Moyes told reporters: "The value of a striker can't be judged just by the goals, but by how much impact he has on the game itself. Belliand did a great job at Everton, because of his presence that caught the attention of the opponent defenders. Other players can attack more easily.

Meanwhile, Kazuki was indeed a good young player but he couldn't play the role of a target man. His speed is also unreliable when the team counterattacked. He was lucky enough to score a few goals but Everton will make sure Kazuki doesn't score in this game."

On the Southampton side, George Eastgate also has told his opinion in the pre-match press conference.

"I've said this before, Kazuki is better than Belliand. Maybe it's a bit biased but this is my honest opinion. He didn't score in the game against Manchester City, but keep in mind, he was the highest-rated player in the Southampton team in that game.

Tomorrow, at Goodison Park, Southampton will win the game."

George was confident in his words because of some good news. First, Hugo has returned from injury and is ready to play. Second, the bar beating case has ended, the case ended with Southampton players compensating for the incident. That way the main players could appear, but George only included Rudolf on the big list in the match against Everton this time.

Because of some good news, George is very confident Southampton will win in tomorrow's game. Despite Everton is also a strong opponent.

Until week 29, Everton managed to reach the 8th position, under Leeds United who placed 7th. Under Moyes's leadership, Everton has become a club that is often able to provide resistance to The Big Six. One of Liverpool's defeats this season was done by Everton.

After losing Dusan Removic, Everton experienced difficulties at the beginning of the second half of the 2011/2012 season. Belliand, who was brought in from Southampton, was inferior to Dusan Removic. In addition, Belliand's abilities are different from Dusan's, other players have to start adapting to Belliand. From the beginning of the second half to match week 29, Belliand could only score 1 goal and 3 assists. His performance has disappointed the Everton fans. Because in the first half they used to see Dusan who often scored goals every game.

Therefore, although the media raised the topic of Kazuki Vs Belliand, and the Everton coach Moyes also supported Belliand. In fact, the Everton fans recognized that Kazuki was better than Belliand. The proof is, on Kazuki's social media account, a few Everton fans have asked him to move to The Toffes.

***

"Good evening everyone, welcome to match week 29th of the English Premier League, Southampton will travel to the Goodison Park Stadium to play Everton. This time I am not alone, two guests will accompany me to this match. James Carragher, former Liverpool player and also Odson Vernan ex-Everton player," said Jim Kaglin at a skysport event.

Jim Kaglin asked James, "Okay, James what do you think about this match? Guess who won this match and tell the reason."

James replied, "Obviously it's Southampton, the first reason, obviously because, I want to see Everton lose. Two, with the return of Hugo, then Southampton's attack will be even more frightening, moreover, the presence of a teenager who has always been in the spotlight, Kazuki Kazeshima."

"How about you Odson?"

Odson replied to Jim Kaglin's question, "I don't know why you invited this guy. He's very unprofessional," Odson pointed at Carragher. He then continued, "Everton have the advantage, they are playing at home, Louis Saha is back after being suspend due to a yellow card accumulation last week. I believe Moyes has found a way to stop Kazuki as well as Hugo."

Jim Kaglin nodded, he then said, "Okay, lets take a look on starting line-up of both teams.

Everton uses a 4-5-1 formation. They uses this formation very often

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard

Defenders: Tony Hilbert, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines;

Midfielders: Rodwell, Leon Osman, Fellaini, Drenthe, Louis Saha;

Striker: Belliand.

Meanwhile, Southampton fielded a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Goalkeeper: Dean Smith

Defenders: Vicente, Jimmy, Okhalo, Ben Carter.

Midfielders: Hugo, Simone, Dallas, Simmic

Second striker: Kazuki

Striker: Osmund.

Everton has not changed the formation or the players who are often fielded. The interesting thing is Southampton formation.

They didn't play Denilson and instead made Kazuki as a second forward, very unique. They also played a lot of players who rarely got playing time like Dallas, Simmic, Jimmy, and Ben Carter. Rudolf sat on the bench, surprising. I wonder what Eastgate was thinking."

Southampton's starting line-up surprised Jim Kaglin and the two guests at the Skysports studio.

Carragher gave a guess that Eastgate wanted to test Kazuki's abilities in another position. In several matches, Kazuki had indeed displayed his overall ability. From passing abilities, breakthroughs, reading the direction of attacks, exploiting and creating gaps, and so on.

Odson did not give an opinion on this change, he only said that Eastgate's experiment would result in a victory for Everton.

***

Kazuki still remembered George's question to him.

'Would you play in another position, Kazuki?'

Kazuki nodded his head. Although he wouldn't perform optimally, Kazuki's ability to play in other positions is also quite good. He had trained many times in [Dream Training] because of that, he was confident.

After that, George explained the changes he wanted to try. Rather than being the main striker, George wanted to try Kazuki to play a bit backward. The purpose to uses wisely of Kazuki passing, breakthrough, and space exploitation abilities.

After Kazuki agreed to play in another position, George trained the formation for a few days. The result is quite good, Southampton can now not only rely on counter-attacks but can also rely on ball possession to break into the opponent's defense. The drawback is Kazuki is a bit too far from the goalpost, Osmund has more shooting opportunities, and with Osmund's poor shooting ability, Southampton often wastes many chances.

'I hope this change could have a positive impact on the team,' Kazuki thought.

The first half whistle sounded. Everton started the first half kick-off.. Both sides prepared to chase victory.