Louis Saha is ready to weigh in with more goals for Everton

25 September 2009 05:50
PRE-SEASON training is often the dullest and most difficult part of a footballer's year but, every so often, somebody will come along to change that. Those who were around Everton's squad during their build up for the new campaign will testify to that after one man's efforts in a session at Finch Farm, shortly before they jetted out to America, took the breath away. The session in question saw Louis Saha give a demonstration in the art of being a world class striker, scoring goals with his right foot, left foot and head, turning defenders inside and out before overpowering them. Every shot that hit the target brought whoops of delight from onlookers and drew constant applause from his team-mates. After he had finished, David Moyes revealed that it was possibly the best centre-forward play he had ever seen. With that in mind, it should not surprise that Saha has started the season in such terrific form, rifling six goals in as many games to fire thoughts that he might become the first Everton hitman since Gary Lineker in 1986 to score more than 20 in the league. What will surprise, though, is the fact that in 35 appearances for Everton, the only times Saha has scored away from Goodison Park were at Upton Park last November and, of course, at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup final. It is not a glitch that is causing the Frenchman to lose any sleep, however, and if he maintains his impressive recent standards, it will surely only be a matter of time before the goals start flowing on the road, too. Where better to start than at Portsmouth tomorrow? Paul Hart's side may have got a morale-boosting win in a Carling Cup tie at Carlisle in midweek but a poor start to Premier League affairs means Everton will be favourites to win at Fratton Park. The same was said when the teams last met in March but things have changed since then and with an inviting run of fixtures looming on the horizon, Saha hopes the 3-0 dismissal of Blackburn Rovers last Sunday is the catalyst for a winning spree. 'We are starting to feel much more confident,' said Saha, who was given a well-earned standing ovation when he was substituted following his double against Sam Allardyce's men. 'The only regret we have is that we didn't get the momentum going earlier. 'We worked really hard in pre-season and we all wanted to be as fit as possible. It took quite some time to get everything done the right way but now you can see we are starting to look the way that we want to. 'The two games we played last week were a good way of getting everything together. We had a defeat against Fulham - I didn't think we deserved to lose - but it was so good that we had two important games straight away to get going quick again. It happens. 'I'm very happy with how things are going for me. I'm not someone who concentrates on the number of goals I have scored, I just make sure that my performances are the best they can be and, right now, things are going well. 'Just scoring goals at Goodison is just one of those things - we have got great fans here and maybe that's why it is so good for me. 'Perhaps some people will say that I need to score more away from home but I know they will come. But it's not just about me. 'We have got so many players who can score goals, I am simply happy to be part of it all. We have got four games in a row against teams who we should be looking to beat and that is why it is important we grab the points when we can.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo