Everton Down to Bare Bones

Everton lost badly today, but their injury situation is what will worry fantasy managers.

To add to Moyes' injury woes, Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov ended the match with a strapping to his thigh and is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match at Bolton on Sunday.

Moyes added: "We will need to assess him when we get back as well. I am not sure either yet who might be fit for the weekend."

So that just adds to the long list... Neville, Arteta, Jagielka, Pienaar, and now Yobo and Osman. Bily was a very popular pick up - attacking middie, taking kicks - especially after his goal last weekend. At Bolton was a decent fixture as well. But now, we'll likely have to look elsewhere for that spot. If you got him at 4-something your options are VERY limited. Rodwell, Kightly, Mok... Brown is suspended. Is Scholes back yet? Something to look at. Kilbane playing at center back? Sidwell?

Bily to get a run in the side

... even if we won't "see [his] true quality... for some time yet."

from Yahoo!UK/Eurosport:

"In truth, it could be six months or even next season before he's totally right. But the situation we've got at Everton means we've got to play him," the Toffees boss told the Liverpool Echo.

"From that point of view, maybe it will help him in the end. I think the games that are coming up he will be more than likely put in, and he'll have to pick up the pace a little bit.

Guess I should have picked him up as my O'Hara replacment under 5. Insert sad face icon here.

Monday Morning Manager

Part two, looking at Sunday and Monday's matches, after the jump. Part one, here.

Save money. Live better.

Steven Gerrard is currently 21.33 and has been producing well, but there are cheaper alternatives producing better results, especially across the front line. But to get those players - Rooney, van Persie, Kuyt, etc - you'll need that Gerrard money. So as a quick experiment in lieu of the Monday Morning Manager - for now as I just don't have the time to write the MMM at the moment - let's see if we can put together a half-decent midfield for this week's matches spending no more than 21.33.

Everton sign Russia winger

via Eurosport/Yahoo!UK:

Everton have confirmed the signing of Russia midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee...

Bilyaletdinov will not be eligible for Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg against Sigma Olomouc and is unlikely to be in England for Sunday's Premier League clash with Wigan.

He is due in the UK early next month for Russia's World Cup qualifier against Wales and is expected to link up with his new team-mates for the first time ahead of the following weekend's trip to Fulham.

...

Ilya Minskiy of Eurosport.ru gives us the lowdown on the new Toffee:

"Bilyaletdinov aka Bilya or Bill mostly plays as a left sided central midfielder. Sometimes Lokomotiv used him as a left winger but he lacks pace for that role.

"He has good vision, dribbling and passing and is also a good set-piece taker.

"He has scored 40 goals in his professional career so far which includes goals in the Russian Premier League, Russian Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and for the Russian national team.

"However, he lacks pace and fitness. He is not that strong mentality either...

"My personal opinion is that Everton have made a mistake. Bilya was a pretty promising player about four years ago but he has made little progress since.

"I don't see him shining in Premier League but I hope he will prove me wrong."

You had me at "good set-piece taker".