Michael Ball

2 days ago | liverpoolecho.co.uk | Michael Ball

With five games left to go, there are four big questions I hope to see answered before the summer. We know this is going to be a period of change at the club - just look at how many players are set to leave once the season ends. This provides opportunity as well as risk as David Moyes looks to build a squad worthy of the stunning new home that will host the Blues come August.

3 days ago | liverpoolecho.co.uk | Michael Ball

David Moyes learned a lot on Saturday. You could see through his team selection that he was thinking about the decisions he needs to make in the summer - no more so than in his choice of striker, Armando Broja. I could completely understand the decision to start him, even if Beto has been effective against the higher calibre defences the Blues have faced recently. Moyes knows what Beto can do.

1 week ago | liverpoolecho.co.uk | Michael Ball

There’s a pressure on Everton in these final three Goodison Park fixtures – a nice pressure – to go out and express themselves but this could be the last one in which they have to dig-in deep. They’ll have to keep tight, keep up the communication but show quality in the right moments because we know when Manchester City lose the ball, they chase in a pack to get it back and we’ve got to be clever. Whether it’s Jordan Pickford or James Tarkowski, Everton can test them with balls over the top.

1 week ago | liverpoolecho.co.uk | Michael Ball

Everton enjoyed a fantastic victory on the road at Nottingham Forest and it was a great experience for the travelling Blues supporters that I was fortunate enough to be part of. My son Leo, 11, and nephew Alfie, eight, were made up to spot themselves on television behind the goal when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stoppage-time winner flew into the net. My son’s football got cancelled on Saturday so ‘lastminute.com’ we jumped in the car and shot down to Nottingham.

2 weeks ago | liverpoolecho.co.uk | Michael Ball

I was pleased to see Nathan Patterson get his opportunity for Everton and it reminded me of when I had to play full-back on my unfamilar side – also against Arsenal – although he seemed to take to it easier than I did! I think everyone would have thought that Ashley Young would have been the natural replacement at left-back if Vitalii Mykolenko was ruled out. It was a brave choice from David Moyes. Nathan has been crying out for an opportunity, and he’s had bad luck with injuries.