"They have good players who have obviously been prepared well in the summer and are looking forward to the campaign. They were sixth last season, which was a great achievement, and they will be looking onwards and upwards to break into that elite group of teams."
After today's game with the Toffee's Steve Coppell sees 10 of his players head off around the world on international duty.
Most are in Europe. But Ulises de la Cruz is off to Quito, while fellow defender Andre Bikey must go all the way to Japan and back because Cameroon have arranged a friendly there.
Coppell said: "It is the first time we have had double figures away.
"It is an indication of our progress but a worrying time for me because we are going to depend on them on the Saturday afterwards.
"Nicky Shorey is the only one not travelling, and that is demanding. The time difference, that's a big thing. Tokyo is a hell of a way."
Shorey's inclusion in Steve McClaren's England squad to take on Germany in a Wembley friendly next week poses a problem of a different nature - in case spending time with so many superstar big earners makes the left-back contemplate life at a more high-profile club.
Coppell insists there have been no bids so far for a player who still has two years of his current deal to run but has already rejected an extension offer.
He admitted: "England has affected Nicky in two ways. It has added to his confidence - but also he has rubbed shoulders with the big boys, and I am sure it has made him think during the summer. The conclusion he has obviously come to is that he would like to be a bit more free."