Linderoth: The Competition's Good
Swedish star Tobias Linderoth is hoping that his current run in the first team will continue, along with Everton・s good form.
The 23-year-old midfielder has featured in the last two outings against Arsenal and West Ham United; games which have brought well-earned victories and helped the Blues rise to eighth spot in the Barclaycard Premiership.
It・s not been the best start to the season for the Marseilles born star, who has been restricted to just four appearances this season - and just one start in the opening eleven matches.
：Sometimes it・s been a little frustrating, but you have to keep your game up, try as hard as you can and impress when you get the chance. I・ve been happy with the way I・ve played,； Linderoth told evertonfc.tv.
：I・ve been able to get in the team when the we・ve been playing well, which has made it easy for me and it・s nice to play in a team like this.
：It was important to win those two games and whenever I play I will try to do my best for the team. We have a good team here and I think we will end up in the top half of the table.；
And with midfielders of international calibre throughout the Everton squad, Linderoth can well understand why he・s been missing out.
However, he believes that competing with and playing alongside the likes of Gravesen and Li Tie has helped him to become a better player.
：There・s good competition for everyone at the moment, because we have six international midfield players at the club and only four places,； he continued.
：It helps you develop as a player when you have that type of competition.
：You just try to work hard, maybe do some extra training, spend some extra time in the gym and hope that you get the chance.
：You just have to do your best and try to show every day that you have to be in the team.；
：Maybe it・s tougher for a foreigner to miss out because everything・s new - but everything around the club is really good, so it・s been easy for me to work hard and come back into the team.；
One player who Linderoth can sympathise with is his international teammate Niclas Alexandersson who has recently found himself out of favour at Goodison.
Sunday・s goalscorer Lee Carsley has been preferred on the right hand side of midfield to the former Sheffield Wednesday winger, but Linderoth is confident that he has what it takes to bounce back.
：It・s tough for him because he started the season and it・s difficult for him to be on the sidelines again. He・ll just have to work hard and hopefully he・ll get his chance again.；
Alexandersson has been a regular for Everton since his arrival in the summer of 2000 and is finding it difficult to come to terms with life on the bench, but is determined to prove his worth to the Blues boss.
：This situation is entirely new to me and I don・t really know how I will react if this continues,； said Niclas.
：I feel that I should play and that I am good enough.；
：You never feel really good unless you get to play and it・s only a matter of fighting on until you get the chance and then take it.；