EVERTON'S STRUGGLE WITHOUT JOLEON LESCOTT

Defender's move to Man City will cost us, says Toffees boss

WORRIED - Moyes lost without Lescott

By Chris Bascombe, 29/08/2009

DAVID MOYES fears it could take Everton MONTHS to recover from selling star defender Joleon Lescott.

The Goodison boss has already started to replace the centre-back, with Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth the the highest-profile capture.

He hopes to add more recruits before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

But Moyes (left) admitted: "I don't think bringing in four or five players at the same time is a good thing.

"But I've brought in two players, Distin and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and lost four.

"I thought last year's squad was too small so that tells you where my thinking is. One of our biggest problems has been injuries to Arteta, Jagielka, Anichebe and Yakubu.

"It left us in a position where we need four or five just to get through."

Moyes is likely to give Distin, 31, a debut in today's trip to Wigan.

But it is the home defence who will be under most pressure after leaking nine goals in their last two games against Blackpool and Manchester United.

Boss Roberto Martinez is banking on Titus Bramble to continue his charge from Calamity Kid to Mr Reliable.

Bramble's early career was plagued by a series of embarrassing gaffes but he has cut out the clangers in the last 18 months.

Martinez said: "Titus is in the perfect moment of his career and could play international football without a doubt.He has gone through so many difficult experiences but has learned from them.

"Maybe he has grown up with the responsibility he has at Wigan now."

Your comments

This article has 5 comments

Titus Bramble could play international football?????

For who? The Maldives, Isle of Man???

By Ste Hardy.. Posted August 30 2009 at 11:03 AM.

Where does Moyes specifically say "We'll struggle without LESCOTT"? He's simply stating that we're minus in numbers after losing four, but only recruiting two. This article could have any of four headlines "We'll struggle without JACOBSON" or "We'll struggle with VALENTE"

Lescott has been replaced with Distin, a player with equal quality!

By WOODY.. Posted August 30 2009 at 10:12 AM.

Another well informed journo

By Mark Egerton.. Posted August 30 2009 at 9:20 AM.

Yep..........Everton are definitely at home!

By John Robinson.. Posted August 30 2009 at 8:43 AM.

Erm...Everton are at home to Wigan.

By Ste Lewis.. Posted August 30 2009 at 12:12 AM.

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