SLAVEN Bilic is calling on Everton to stand up and be counted to save themselves from the drop this weekend. The £4.5million signing from West Ham last summer wants to see leadership from the battle-hardened professionals at Goodison Park to help the club's kids in Everton's hour of need. Everton are confronted with a game of destiny against Coventry and Bilic knows where the inspiration must come from. 'It's up to the players who have been around, who have played internationals and big matches, to stand up and fight for the club,'' he said. Everton boss Howard Kendall is known to be unhappy with the lack of leadership shown by his top stars in the drubbing at Arsenal last weekend and is considering changes. But Bilic desperately wants to play and said: ''There are some super youngsters in our side, but you cannot expect them to get through on Sunday without leaders, without players willing to help them.'' On Sunday, the Everton nerves will be jangling more than ever in a match they must win. Even that might not be enough though, because if Bolton win at Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, it won't matter what Everton do, and they will drop out of the top flight for the first time in 44 years. Bilic is treating the occasion with due seriousness and added: ''This is the most important game of my career. It may not be the biggest game because I have played in European Championships and big matches in Croatia and Germany - big, big games when I have won trophies and got to finals - but this is certainly something I have never experienced before. The tough Croatian finds it hard to come to terms with a second relegation battle in successive seasons, having left West Ham seeking silverware ''I came to Everton for the exact reason that I didn't want to be involved in the sort of relegation fight again that I went through at West Ham last season,'' he said. However, even if the worst does happen and Everton are relegated, Bilic won't be quitting the Goodison club. He said: ''I have signed a five-year contract and have every intention of seeing it through. But if the club want to sell me, that will be a different matter. It is up to them."

HEAD-TO-HEAD: FERGUSON v DUBLIN   Duncan Ferguson could go to the World Cup if he wanted to; Dion Dublin wants to but may not have the chance. But despite Everton's dire season, in which Ferguson has come in for as much stick as many of his opponents, the Scottish striker has done more going forward than the much-heralded Coventry star. Ferguson's 11 goals looks sparse against Dublin's 17 but the Coventry man played more games and Fergie's shooting was more accurate than Dublin's. 'Neon Dion' helped Cov's effort with twice as many assists, flicking on free-kicks and corners and while he crossed more from wide positions, he only completed a third of them. The Scot dribbles three times as often as Dublin and does pretty well at it, making him a better all-round attacker. If Dublin does make it to France, he will be in England's squad because of his defensive attributes. As a centre-back, the former Man United striker made a huge number of clearances from City's box, many towering headers as he defended corners. And those who thought Fiery Fergie was the top nutter, just check out the pair's disciplinary records there's actually little to choose between them. Ferguson Dublin Minutes On Pitch 2534 3102 GOAL ATTEMPTS Goals 11 17 Shots On Target 27 25 Shots Off Target 33 64 Blocked Shots 9 6 PASSING Goal Assists 5 12 Total Passes 1195 1219 Pass Completion % 64 66 CROSSING Total Crosses 20 38 Cross Completion % 30 32 DRIBBLING Dribbles & Runs 48 15 Dribble Completion % 65 47 DEFENDING Tackles Made 54 85 Tackles Won % 56 53 Blocks 3 11 Clearances 44 178 Interceptions 8 25 DISCIPLINE Fouls 57 61 Offside 15 24 Yellow Cards 9 4 Red Cards 1 1

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