THE worthiness of friendlies is often called into question in the midst of a Premiership season and must often result in club managers sitting at home with their fingers crossed hoping their players make it through the game without picking up an injury.
On the plus side it provides international managers with an ideal opportunity to experiment with players and formations in preparation for the more crucial games ahead.
So with several Blues in action for their respective countries this week, what could Evertonians glean from their performances?
Simon Davies was heavily involved in Wales convincing 4-0 win over Liechtenstein, playing 70 minutes of the game at Wrexham s Racecourse ground on Tuesday night. The midfielder, who has been praised for his versatility for his club in recent weeks, began the game on the right-hand side of midfield, before switching into the centre in the second half to fill the role vacated by substituted Ryan Giggs.
Davies performs consistently well for his country and plays with a self-belief that is seldom witnessed at club level.
He produced another fine display against Liechtenstein, attacking with purpose and demonstrating his technical ability on the ball. If he could only find the confidence to play with such freedom at Everton, without the pressure of disgruntled fans bemoaning him the minute a pass goes astray, we might finally get to see him produce the same form at club level.
Andrew Johnson won his fifth cap for England, also completing 70 minutes and winning his first start against Holland in the 1-1 draw at the Amsterdam arena.
However, it was a more frustrating night for the Blues striker, who was forced to play in an unfamiliar role on the wing for much of the game.
Johnson, just as at club level, worked tirelessly for the cause, but must surely have left the field discouraged as Steve McClaren s formation allowed him little opportunity to showcase his talents and end his run of games without a goal, although he did earn the praise of the England boss for his efforts after the match.
In the Group D qualifier, which saw the Republic of Ireland play their last game at Lansdowne Road before it is redeveloped, Lee Carsley played his part in his side s 5-0 drubbing of San Marino, playing 50 minutes of the game alongside former team mate Kevin Kilbane.
Following Carsley s collision with Tim Cahill in the last league game against Aston Villa, which forced the Australian out of his international friendly against Ghana and ruled him out of club action until the New Year, Everton manager David Moyes will just be relieved to get his players back in one piece ahead of Saturday s game against Bolton.
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