NICK ARMITAGE COLUMN
Funny Old Game
Comments (18) : The funniest text was from a cousin who said that Everton had to expect to beat the best team in the land to win the FA Cup ? I replied to remind that very same cousin that we had been drawn against Liverpool, and not Manchester United. And yes you did read that correctly, I do unfortunately have redshite related to me.
As a result of this draw, millions of kopites from Taunton to Peterborough are now rubbing themselves into a frenzy at the thought of seeing their Mighty Reds thrash the bitters twice in one week ? and they?ll get to watch them both live ? on the telly. It?s the only option you know because the Kop has a seven-year waiting list for season tickets.
Funny then, how plane loads of kopites from Norway and coach loads of redshite from the Home Counties or Wales can get tickets every week. But hard pressed committed Liverpool fans from Merseyside are never able to get tickets for their beloved Mighty Reds that they watch week-in, week-out ? on the telly. Perhaps they should try ringing the box office at Anfield more than once a decade...
And taking about committed fans, I don?t know a single kopite who has visited Goodison Park on more occasions than I have. Conversely, I know plenty of Liverpool ?fans? who have been to Anfield far fewer times than I have. Just about sums them up.
One of the first derbies I went to was at Goodison in the FA Cup Fifth Round. I sat on a barrier in the Gwladys Street and from what I remember we battered them. But Ray Houghton scored a typically shitty header in front of the old Park End and they beat us 1-0. Our luck against them hasn?t really changed much in the 20 years that have followed. I have watched us play them God knows how many times but I haven?t seen us win many.
It doesn?t matter what we throw at them, we?ll still get beat ? blatant handballs, bad tackles, disallowed penalties, offside goals, the list goes on and on and on against that shower. In all my years of watching Everton, I can?t think of a team that has had more good luck against us than them. If there are such things as bogey teams, ours is most definitely Liverpool.
Anyway, the result of this next cup encounter with our friends will be a forgone conclusion if we play like we did at Macclesfield. The appalling record of Moyes in all cup competitions looks like it is going to continue. We may as well play the kids, otherwise we?ll end up with at least one important player on a three match ban for two dodgy bookings.
Experience has taught me to expect disappointment, anything else is a bonus. But you never know, football is a funny old game... it is just rarely funny when we play those fuckers.
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If you need an empty log cabin somewhere in Scandanavia I suggest you drop these zany guys a message.
Liverpool FC Supporters Club Scandinavian Branch, Postboks 43, 4551 Farsund, Norway. Telefon: 97961892
I am certain they can put you in touch with somebody. Hope this helps mate.
Was at that game when Houghton scored ? in the top balcony. You?re right ? from what I recall we played well, and they nicked it. There?s a history of that down the years ? Wembley in 94, 86, "Hamilton" semi-final in 77.
Anthony, your stats do back up what you say. But I think a few of us on here want Moyes?s team to actually have a go. They?ve done it twice at Goodison in his time. Would maybe have been a different result with a different ref in THAT derby. But at Anfield he?s got to have a go.
My main concern is the collapse of our league form when we go out of all cup competitions.
I'm guessing Fellaini will be wrapped up sitting in the stands watching this FA cup tie. Still, it?s the cup... and until we?re out, we?re still in.
My main concern is that we always seem to have key players missing when we play them. If Fellaini gets booked against Hull, he will know miss both games against them. If he gets booked in the first game against them he will miss the next one. What odds to you think I could get on Fellaini playing in both games?.... that's what I thought.
Me? I’d take the points... I... think...
We owe them big time but our, hoodoo, especially at THE GROUND OF HELL (10 years since Campbell's winner btw), will continue. Even if all appears to be going well, the gobshites will have a bullshit decision go their way, I'm assured of that. But I'm forgetting, it?s only fair cause they were unjustly done in the 1965 European Cup against Inter Milan. The reason they remember this so well is because their bad luck is so few and far between.
While we could only dream of getting the slightest bit of luck, these knobheads on the other hand have literally taken the piss out of the meaning of the word. This season alone countless sendings off, disallowed goals, dodgy penalties, deflected goals and so on. And have they even once played a team at full strength?
It?s long overdue that we win something, so the way I see it ? if it?s right that they win the league this year then how about we get the FA Cup and a couple of wins over them in return? However, here's a terrible omen:
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hillsbrough ? do you think that fate will play its part to crown them League and European Champions? And it was also in 89 that they beat us to the cup and considering they also beat us in 86 final, the should have been year of our destiny, and robbing us in 77 semis and also 71, I think it's about bloody time that we get the victory we deserve.
Oh dear god, I'm sounding like a Red Shite now, speaking as though we have a god given right to win everything and how dare anyone else stop us. Hopefully they will have some complaining to do come the summer when they have blown the League and are sat there trophyless while we hold aloft the FA Cup. We can all dream.
COYB FTRS
Also wiping the grin off all those cocky, arrogant red nose pricks who think they are already though would be nice!
On the subject of which game would be better to win (assuming we don't win both :-)? I would have to go for the cup. If we can knock them out (and avoid Manure and Chelski until the late rounds), I think we got a shot at Wemley.
Cannot see the rs winning the league anyway ? Manure or Chelski will overhaul them sooner or later when their luck runs out and if the carry on playing their star £20m striker.
COYB
You all seen the rumor about a certain Dutch Star coming to Everton... okay, there?s no way it?s true, but damn he can play football. DM should sell half the team to get him, (but not our Mikey!!!) Watch him bang one mega goal after another, and you?ll agree.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2PqQNkJKduM
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1 Posted 04/01/2009 at 20:22:15
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So all those who are ready to have a go at DM if we fail to win either or both games, lay off as the pattern has been in place for some time.
However, I will applaud DM long and loud if he goes into the next month convincing his squad that they are capable of getting positive results rather than focussing on what the opposition might do to us. This is DM?s chance to prove his doubters wrong, after all what has he got to lose?
Does anyone know where I can book a log cabin with no modern means of communication for the next 4 weeks? I know there?ll be a few empty cabins in Scandinavia available for a full week in January...