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If the Merseyside Derby happens and almost no one takes interest, did it really happen?
Sandwiched between Liverpool’s eventually successful Champions League quarterfinal tie with Manchester City, and on the same day as a possibly title-deciding Manchester Derby, this year’s matchup of long-standing rivals at Goodison had a bit of an anti-climactic feel to it.
Sure, EVERY Everton supporter wanted to get a win over their high-flying Stanley Park rivals, but with Liverpool admittedly looking forward to their second leg matchup and fielding a lineup missing Player of the Year candidate Mohammed Salah and striker Roberto Firmino any win would have had a bit of luster taken off of it.
Oh, and Everton hate their manager.
So how did it go??
This just about sums it up:
How have @SkySports got a 30 minute program out of that game yesterday a local derby lacking everything #EvertonFC #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/rvx8SVmtCp
— James Cooper (@JimmyBCooper) April 8, 2018
Sure, there were moments of almost brilliance:
Overall though, the Derby wasn’t anything near matchups of the past.
That being said, the Toffees SHOULD have won after missing a handful of great opportunities in the last quarter of the match.
A fact even the wonderful Cenk Tosun himself admitted afterwards:
One point in the Merseyside Derby. Difficult to take after our two big chances in the last minutes! But thanks for your support at Goodison Park! #CT14 #Toffees #TheBeastFromTheEast #Tosunpaşa @everton @premierleague pic.twitter.com/BpObBudfPE
— Cenk Tosun (@CenkTosun_) April 7, 2018
Ugh.
How many more weeks left in this dreadful campaign?
5?!?!?!?!
Let’s just get to your questions.
Do you think Tarashaj still has a chance with this club?
— 不醉不归 (@shuai_gmx) April 12, 2018
If you are unsure to whom we are referring, the questions is about Shani Tarashanj, a player brought in by Roberto Martinez and exiled by every manager since.
To give you an idea of how little of a chance Shani has of ever suiting up for the Blues again, let’s do a list:
5 THINGS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN THAN SHANI TARASHAJ SUITING UP FOR EVERTON:
- Everton win the Premier League
- Morgan Schneiderlin shows some hustle
- Bill Kenwright is named in the matchday squad
- Wayne Rooney wins a foot race
- Big Sam goes on a gravy-free diet
Put another way:
- No.
If Marcel Brands does happen, who does he bring in to replace Sam? I assume Sam is big time gone.
— me (@vr271234) April 10, 2018
I REALLY hope Marcel Brands is brought in. Seems like a guy with connections and a vision.
Let’s just say I would be COMPLETELY happy if the following took place:
A few bits on the Goodison grapevine that I picked up last week:
— James Corbett (@james_corbett) April 12, 2018
- Allardyce will definitely go at the end of the season, if not before.
- Fonseca is number 1 choice to replace him, but Howe and Arteta in the frame too.
- Elstone to Rugby Super League NOT a done deal
While I have seen some concerns expressed about Paulo Fonseca, I believe he is JUST the type of manager Everton need:
He is a young, driven, multi-league successful manager who has a style of play that is forward-thinking without being over zealous.
He connects with his players, oooooooooooooozes confidence and reminds me of Mauricio Pochettino.
Yeah, I said it.
Don’t @ me.
(Actually do @ me (@foleysthoughts)....I could use the social media interactions)
If Fonseca doesn’t work out, I personally would rather roll the dice on Arteta than Howe as I don’t know if Howe would elevate the club as much as stabilize it, while Mikel Arteta (alebit inexperienced) has the potential to push the club to new heights.
(Or crash and burn spectacularly, but what do we really have to lose, right?)
There is of course ONE THING we can ALL agree upon:
We will be better off when Big Sam is gone.
A reminder of Big Sam’s influence:
A recent visitor to USM Finch Farm has said that the atmosphere at the training ground was “noxious”. (Source: @_pauljoyce) pic.twitter.com/GdvFL0ZAcW
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) April 12, 2018
I HEART LEIGHTON
️ Part 2: @WilliamHill Mastermind Challenge
— Everton (@Everton) April 12, 2018
️ @PJags06, @michaelkeane04 & Leighton Baines
Subject: #GrandNational & Everton teammates
See how Bainesy gets on… pic.twitter.com/NQONvIaDaL
Reading @Zonal_Marking's The Mixer at the moment, and thoroughly enjoying the many little insights, including this absolute gem about Ruud Gullit. pic.twitter.com/Ybp46CipW0
— Dominic Bliss (@theinsidelefty) April 11, 2018
how have we become so irrelevant in football to where our biggest rivals don’t even take the derby seriously? I truly feel like the top 6 clubs look on us as if we are nothing but an inconvenience on their schedule. We think ourselves a big club but in reality we’re the opposite
— jon hein (@jdhein13) April 11, 2018
Everton are a little like a college student:
- Convinced of their rightful place at the top of the pyramid
- Overwhelmed by the realization they have fallen short of their short (and long) term goals.
- Unable to accept responsibility for their own shortcomings.
- Absolutely certain the next major change will pivot the course for them
- TERRIFIED to admit their approach is archaic for fear of what it may say about their previous decision-making.
Example:
All I know is that as long as Fonseca comes in everything will change, the team can finally stop being held back by thethe evil forces that conspire against the Toffees and Everton will regain their rightful place atop the League.
In reality, the first step is to bring in a manager and Director of Football who have a plan to transition a talented just incomplete squad into a consistently competitive, always spirited bunch.
Once that happens, the good vibes will come back to Goodison and the team can get back to scratching and clawing to reach the Top 4, instead of avoiding the Bottom 3.
I LOVE puns.
I unironically love this joke. pic.twitter.com/TsiR719dIG
— Ali Plumb (@AliPlumb) April 8, 2018
Support the only team that wears our sacred crest AND is actually competitive!
@SSEWomensFACup Semi-Final
— Everton Ladies (@EvertonLadies) April 12, 2018
@ArsenalWFC
Sunday 15 April (12.30pm)
@MarineAFC
#EFC Members/STHs and all U11s get FREE entry
Tickets: https://t.co/pNj82KNfuB
#COYBG pic.twitter.com/N4s4TW0dhZ
We’ll have a match preview up soon as well.
Do you think little Sam sniffs big Sam's undies after training and takes them home in his PE bag?
— Ste.Toffees!!! (@Everton1878Ste) April 12, 2018
That’s an utterly ridiculous notion.
No member of the Allardyce family has ever had a PE bag.
TOFFEE TUNES
The Friend, Love, Freefall
RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE
A great album that will keep your foot tapping from start to finish. The name is odd but the music is fantastic.