Beware the wounded animal

Photo: Alan Howarth

JOSE Baxter celebrates scoring Athletic’s winner against Portsmouth.

THE LATE, late show at Carrow Road will have tomorrow’s opponents Everton more fired up than ever, Athletic caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk has warned.

Toffees boss David Moyes was left fuming after his club’s Champions League qualification hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday night.

Grant Holt netted a winning goal for Norwich deep into added time — just as Matt Smith equalised for Latics at their first meeting. So Philliskirk is expecting the home side to emerge with all guns blazing tomorrow night.

“We are under no illusions as to how difficult a game it will be for us,” said Philliskirk this morning.

“They had what David Moyes will consider to be a very disappointing result at Norwich. It will make Everton even more determined to put things right.”

The question of who will tackle the wounded Everton animal is open to question.

James Wesolowski missed the 1-0 home win over Portsmouth on Saturday, as did Carl Winchester.

Both were checked this morning as they hope for places in the midfield battleground alongside captain Dean Furman and 12-goal top scorer Jose Baxter.

James Tarkowski will also be checked, having retired early after feeling his hamstring tighten up.

Whichever line-up Philliskirk selects, he is not looking forward to telling those players who will miss out.

“It will be very difficult,” he said. “But from a team perspective we should be in a very healthy position.”

Saturday’s win marked the first time since November 2010, that Athletic had claimed three straight league victories.

The result lifted them to 19th in the table, four points clear of Colchester in the relegation zone.


THE LAST remaining Everton tickets went on open sale today at Boundary Park, with 3,500 sold up to the end of business on Sunday.