Toffees defender praises strike force

Everton defender Alan Stubbs has praised the new look Goodison strike force consisting of Andy Johnson and James Beattie despite the fact that neither of the pair have managed to score a goal in any of the pre-season fixtures.

Stubbs said: "They may not have scored yet, but our two front men in Andy and James are excellent. They are a potential England front partnership, both very potent and capable of scoring lots of goals.

"James is physical and holds onto the ball well, while Andy is quick and scores goals, an excellent striker to have around.

"Maybe the days when people were telling us we had the worst goal league scoring record in our history are long gone, we certainly hope so.

"James McFadden, too, can score goals and play in a variety of attacking positions. We have goals in the team now, and that's important.

"Last season we were scraping 1-0 results and the defence were having to keep clean sheets to save the points.

"But now we hope we can attack more and score more goals and things could be a little more comfortable. That gives the lads at the back a breather."

He added: "There is good competition now all over the park, and we have certainly got more bodies into the club which means that we can cope more when we get a couple of injuries.

"We look to have cover in every position, that will be better for the team overall.

"Last summer we would have had youth team players coming on as a substitute in pre-season friendlies, but now you look at the bench and see experienced lads sitting and waiting.

"There are also a couple of young boys who have come into the squad and made a big impact, Victor Anichebe up front in particular, and a few other youngsters.

"They have all done well and look to have managed the step up from the reserves to the first team. All that helps, it adds to the numbers we have around the place.

"It gives the manager confidence to give those lads a run. Victor is young, but he is very powerful and direct. And we have James Vaughan back from injury too."