Season 2011-12
Fan Articles
Beating Liverpool
By Matt Byrne :: 10/04/2012 As we prepare to do battle in arguably our most important game in a generation, those two words ?Beating Liverpool? stand at the centre of all our hopes and dreams. What factors should come into our thinking as we approach this week?s semi-final against our rivals?
132 Firstly, Moyesie needs to pick the right team and approach the match with the correct positive tactics which swept us through the replay against Sunderland. The team is likely to be the same that were so very impressive at the Stadium of Light.
Given his goal and impressive second-half showing in Monday?s league encounter, Gueye could well now start on the left. Coleman or Drenthe could equally offer width and pace. The latter in particular could prove to be an explosive addition to the team. On one hand, think of the berating Neville rightly gave him for not tracking back in the initial Sunderland cup tie; on the other, ask yourself who Liverpool would least prefer to face?
A player who is extremely quick and direct with dangerous shooting potential and an impressive category of assists, could be the wildcard choice which makes the vital difference. Think of Anders Limpar?s impact in '95. A player whose work-rate and unpredictability didn?t sit comfortably with Joe Royle, he was arguably the key reason we triumphed at Wembley that year.
In all likelihood, Moyes will turn to Drenthe if we are behind with 20 minutes to go when a throw of the dice is a necessity rather than a choice.
We must be brave and bold, direct and confident in our tactics. A fast, aggressive and positive approach, replicating everything that was so terrific in the Sunderland replay, is what is required. It is vital that we don?t start on the back foot and allow Liverpool?s self-belief to build. We all know that they raise their play for big games and significant occasions, so we must be ready to match that ? and more. If we beat Liverpool, the sense of elation would be tremendous and I would be extremely hopeful of our chances in the final ? irrespective of the London opponents ? on the back of such an enormous crest of a wave.
We must not allow the local press to build pressure by foolishly labelling us favourites due to their poor form; however, we should calmly acknowledge that we are playing well, Liverpool are not... and that we have every reason to back ourselves. Equally, Moyes needs to rid himself of his demons in terms of always raising Liverpool to a higher echelon; he needs to have total belief that the game is there to be won.
Liverpool have two players in Gerrard and Suarez who we need to deal with ? the rest should not overly concern us. It is an acid test opportunity for Moyes to join the elite of Everton?s managerial history ? Kendall, Catterick and Royle ? in terms of moving us closer to that elusive trophy we all crave. He must be bold, attacking, and remember who we are ? in the words of Martin Tyler after Bayern, ?Everton simply rolled their sleeves up and refused to be beaten.? We must adopt that mindset.
As fans, we have a duty to echo this confidence and positive philosophy. I?m of a certain age to still carry the scars of the 80s Merseyside cup encounters. That must all be put to one side; there is a game, here and now, ready to be won.
Think with positivity at every angle. Think only of good Everton moments against them ? Andy King?s drive past Clemence; Imre Varadi getting a pie in the face ? but knocking Bob Paisley?s side out of the cup (the first time I remember us beating them).
For the younger Blues, imagine Cahill punching the Wembley corner flag in the 89th minute for the winner or close your eyes and remember the feeling you had when Dan Gosling?s shot went inside the post rather than bounce out ? with the last kick. Has that whetted your appetite? Of course we can win. COYB!
We can all reel off lists of refereeing catastrophes that have cost us against them down the years, from Bryan Hamilton 35 years ago to Jack Rodwell?s ludicrous red this season. There is a danger that we can see ourselves as victims, with a disaster about to await us. Therefore, we must not allow history?s injustices to colour our thinking; we must hope that the referee does his job creditably and think solely of lucky incidents or generous referring decisions in key games.
Think of Andy Gray getting the benefit of the doubt in '84 as he beat Sherwood to the ball; of how University College Dublin nearly knocked us out on the away goals at Goodison in the Cup Winners Cup (was it Joe Hanrahan who hit a late post which would have wiped out Bayern and Rotterdam); think too of how Bristol City battered us in 95 or how the Gods favoured us against the Mancs that year as the likes of Andy Cole, Cantona, Kanchelskis (and in the second half, Giggs) were unable to play in the final.
On Saturday, we need to see a powerful and confident performance, with some key decisions going in our favour. The law of averages strongly fancies us to do them in a big game ? and why not now, at such a pivotal moment. How glorious the victory would taste ? how vital it would be...
It is simply a game we must win.
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I am going through the same emotions as ever, wanting us to win at a canter (eg, Elland Road 1995) and expecting us to fail heroically (eg, Maine Road, 1977).
We know the players we have are capable of winning on Saturday and going on to win the Final. I just want the Blues to produce a performance worthy of this great club and hopefully win the game.
I can't be at Wembley on Saturday, work prevents my attendance. My son, Graeme, will be there and I will have to follow the game via the web!
I won't be thinking about much more than the match between now and Saturday, I'am sure there are plenty of Blue fans feeling the same.
I deep down feel that this is going to be our year, we are playing well and have a team that believes in itself.
So come on you Blue boys, play your hearts out and come away from Wembley with a famous win under your belts!!! In order to post a comment to Fan Articles, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
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Reader Comments
Heit Distin
Felli Gibson
Cahill Jelly
IF we play with no fear and belief and we will have more than enough to beat them convincingly.
Can't wait.
My nerves are jangling and i'm off me grub.
Imo this game is all about bottle and who wants it the most. We all know they will be well up for it and come at us with all guns blazing.
In my heart of hearts i think they know we are a better team at the moment but psychologically they may well have an edge.
If i was Moyes i would let Neville rally the troops, he knows all about these games from his time at Man Utd as well as us.
Belief has to be instilled and the players have to believe in themselves, get this right and the game is ours.
I just want one, I feel (know)I the rs owe me plenty, but this one will do.
I'm not saying we can't win but I'm not setting myself up like a child on Christmas eve only to receive an over-sized pair of brown corduroy trousers.
Positive thoughts!
We've the better players - all over the park we're stronger than them - all we need to do is turn up with the same attitude we did at Sunderland, keep possession, frustrate them, use the flanks and then batter their dodgy keeper with crosses high and low...
However, all I can see is doom and gloom... Screech getting sent off from a Suarez dive... their goalie playing a blinder with 30 shots on goal from us against their 1... Martians invading and the game being abandoned at half time and the match awarded to Liverpool because they've had more corners...
I hate derby matches - I'm toying with the idea of washing the car, weeding the garden or taking the missus to ASDA... but I won't. I'll be in some Geordie alehouse in front of a big screen, shitting myself with nerves...
Come on Blues - just do it!
Fellaini to get sent off, guaranteed.
I'm 37 and yes, it feels like the most important game for my generation - being in my early teens for the '80s Finals. To me, this our Final. I can't even look beyond this game for what, hopefully, will be the proper final. Doesn't matter for now. Beat them first, that's all I am asking for. Then we'll deal with the next match.
COYB!!!
I imagine Jonny playing in world cup finals, Phil Neville and Gibbo winning stuff at utd, Jelly playing in the old firm derbies, Drenno being from Real Madrid, Tim and Mo fancying a battle will be enough.
Don't really think Moyes negativity, memorials to Hillsborough, past history comes into it with these characters.
I reckon they'll get to wembley and simply say:
"payback time"
It's a mates birthday on Saturday and he is wanting to go and watch it but I am trying every trick in the book to not go to a pub
God, I fucking hate those fuckers, fucking hate Derbies and I fucking, fucking hate Dogleash and Stevie Me Laaaa (No forehead)
Gives me goosebumps and I won't even be around here on Saturday !!!!!
I'm a 45 year old bitter blue with a house called "Goodison", the front room of which is the Blue Room. I also have a dog called "Dixie".
I totally hate the RS and have done for the best part of 35 years.
Strangely, I feel that everything is actually starting to conspire against us.
The media and neutrals should be Evertonians on Saturday with the racist / cheating / whining shambles that the RS have been this season.
However, the sympathy vote will go to them with 3rd choice keeper (and associated tragedy), Hillsborough etc.
I was looking forward to the game a week ago but now seriously considering walking the dog up a big Welsh hill on Saturday instead.
I have a bad feeling the ghost of Clive Thomas will play a part and that filthbag Gerrard will get one of our lads sent off (probably Fellaini, Gibson or Cahill).
Thinking positively, my wishes for Saturday:
1. We go out with the same attitide as the Sunderland match and turn in a similar match-winning performance.
2. Moyes gets it right this time, doesn't get too conservative and doesn't experiment with Neville at left back and Baines on left wing. I'd save Drenthe for subs bench.
3. While a 1-0 win for the Mighty Blues will do me, I'd love it if we absolutely rubbed their scummy little faces into the shite until they puked. Then rubbed it in again and again until they went crying home to mummy. A 5-0 thrashing humiliation would be great and long overdue.
4. I hope we all have a smile on our faces come Saturday afternoon and that nobody ruins the Hillsbrough memorial. Remember, the reds are the shite of this city. We're all representing the Mighty Blues so let's behave accordingly.
Enjoy the day.
This time will be different.
I look right through our team and all I see is character. Heitinga, Fellaini, Gibson, Cahill, Jelavic and Neville or Hibbo will all be right up for whatever comes our way.
There's nothing to fear if it goes to a scrap and nothing to fear if it's a football match. Were equipped to win both.
What's happened in the past will have no bearing on this game.
I don't fear them and I've felt like we're better than them for a while now I think this could be the time we finally show it!!!
COYB, FTRS!!!
What a complete twat.
I won't see it though - my sister is getting married at 12.30 on Saturday.....
/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/apr/11/kenny-dalglish-conspiracy-david-icke
Funny thing is, most neutral supporters up here want us to batter Liverpool.
I think the way they conduct themselves on and off the pitch is a complete disgrace. Kenny Dalglish ? what a nobhead he was over the whole Suarez racism thing, defending him when he really shouldn't've, because there was no defence for what he did. And then there was the whole handshake incident and his famous "I didn't see it, I didn't know they hadn't shaken hands" speech.
Also, his smile just makes me cringe and my blood boil. Maybe that's how I know I'm an Evertonian. Actually I think I'm allergic to having red blood inside me! Just nice that we don't have to see it very often eh!? ? bit like Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League these days! haha!
Now then, Suarez... is there a more despicable human being playing football? Cos I can't think of one... mmm... Ballotelli maybe. Quite simply, Suarez is a diver. Oh I can't be bothered with this rant. I just hate them all!!!! I would love it if we beat them...love it.... (mmmm rings a bell... who said that?).
For us, it will quite simply be "win" or "we were robbed". As long as either of these two scenarios play out then I will carry on with my head held high, proud of our team. I don't think the boys will let us down. They will want this just as much as we will ? even Victor might show some passion! I won't hold my breath. It's gonna be some battle guys. Let's just enjoy it and believe in our team.
It's great being an Everton fan. I think I just want to get the message across that I'm glad I support Everton ? who always try to do things in the right way ? rather than that shower of shite across the park who should just be ashamed of the way they carry on, whining at referees, diving, cheating, pocketing 3 points completely undeservedly ? they have NO DIGNITY WHATSOEVER. At least we can be proud of what we are and what we do.
COYB! Enjoy the game everyone.
Nobody can stand Queen Kenny and his bunch of cheating arrogant excuses for footballers.
Just Believe the Blues are going to do it.
It wont matter if it's one off Tim Cahills knee or a Leighton toe poke we are not going to get beaten by them again this season.
Our time has come.
BELIEVE.
COYBB
I think Moyes reverts into a coward in these matches.
Or he does things extra safe.
Statistics are hardly ever wrong and given the fact that Moyes has lost 3-0 to the red shites not too long ago I am a nervous wreck.
It is a cup game, so anything can happen.
I think we need to be more attacking then them from the start if we are to have any chance at winning.
I do not trust us doing it in extra time/ penalty shootout.
It does not help things when Moyes pisses on the built up confidence saying we are underdogs.
How hard is it for Moyes to just go out in a kill frenzy???
He is too defensive and that worries me, plus they won the Blackburn game so they will be even more confident.
This is a totally open game if you look at the squads alone, BUT put David Moyes in charge and he will somehow make us look less then.
I think he really fears the history of Liverpool, even if they are on the weakest season since ever.
Anyone else feel that Moyes does us no good in declaring us UNDERDOGS?
We are in TOO much of a good run. The reverse for them.
I can't help but think Everton are going to let me down again.
Saying that........I did put a quid on us to win 4-2 at 100/1. COYB.
I'm nervous as heck too, even though I think we'll probably win this one comfortably.
COYB!!
Just thinking about Saturday ties my stomach in knots.
Imagine how the players must be feeling!
He said he reckons there will probably be a dodgy decision Saturday to which I replied it'll be most likely be in their favour a la Clattenburg, Atkinsion et al.
He then went very quiet! The soft twats are bricking it!!!
It's such a high level of stress that I just want it to be over. I want us to humiliate them. 1-0 would be fine but I hope it's 4 or 5. After the 2 derbies this season, nothing would make me happier than to see us win at Wembley.
Like you, I am no lover of Moyes, but something good is happening right now, and only gobshites would not give credit where credit is due. In equal proportion to the terrible mistakes he was making before Xmas (and after for a while) that left many of us thinking what on earth is going on, Moyes is making good choices and correct decisions for now, and he and his team should be getting nothing but plaudits and true blue backing.
I simply don't understand you at times. Do yourself a favour mate, and stay off these boards until Sunday. If we lose, you can revert to type; if we win, gives Moyes and his team a big fucking slap on the back, drink loads, and be happy and bright.
For me, I hover between some sort of lovely euphoric image of blue destiny and red dismay and Nick's completely understandable pragmatism based on experience. 6:30am in Chicago Saturday, drinking champagne and eating bacon sarnies. COYB.
I'm so jealous of all of you hitting the road to Wembley, do us all proud, sing loud and proud, have a great day, can't wait to see you all on the box, and hear you.
Okay, so almost there. Since the draw was made I have been overcome with anticipation. with excitement but nerves, with hope yet doubt, with confidence but at the same time fear. My thirst for all things Everton has been stepped up a notch with ToffeeWeb getting hit each morning when I arrive in the office, even before Facebook, which is generally the default setting in my Google search.
I''m 26 and remember the 95' cup run well. I appreciated the importance then. This dwarfs everything I have ever experienced as a Evertonian. This is the biggest game of my living memory. This is us against them, the devil, the slimy, disrespectful, everything you could possibly dislike about anything dickheads.
This to my mind, is the closet thing to a good against evil showdown that I have experienced up to this point in my life. All the good emotions I have mentioned above like, excitement, hope and confidence are blue and all the bad ones are red.
I hate Liverpool. I hate everything about them. So much, that I would gladly see them perish because if they did we would become even greater. We share everything with them. They divided the city all those years ago to become our bastard offspring and they have been causing us nothing but shit ever since.Imo if it wasn't for them we would be the greatest football team in the world for so many different reasons, namely a full city of support. All they have won is because of us so make that 27 league titles thank you very much because we fucking started it!
I don't know what will happen on the pitch come Saturday ? it's impossible to predict. But, for me, the football is a means of expressing something much bigger and more profound than kicking a ball into a net. Football or any kind of sport is merely a civilized means of settling old scores, of which we have a few.
I hope this Saturday, win or lose, we shout and proudly sing the name Everton louder and clearer than they shout theirs. Oh and Anichebe doesn't start. COYB
It is time.
Great post.
Ken O'Doherty hit the post for UCD against Everton in 1984 , not Joe Hanrahan.
Another League of Ireland connection , Brad Jones played a couple of games for Shelbourne on loan from Boro in 2001. He was involved in a 6-4 win .
Dalglish made a huge statement by choosing Doni ahead of him which effectively said "You're my worst keeper son!" He is the only player on show with no big game experience and this game, of all games, will test the nerves of any player. He will be shakimng like a leaf and as white as a ghost at the start.
Their defenders will inevitably try to protect him which just has to unbalance their team. Just one mistake in the first few minutes and panic will set in.
The goalkeeper situation is the most crucial and they will be having kittens every time we attack or get a free kick or corner.
It just has to be destiny that they lost two keepers on the build up to the final. I have never known them have anything but a full strength team in a final?
I've been to too many matches where we've played well and ended up beaten. The Clive Thomas Show, The Hands sen Milk Cup, and god knows how many more, The Hutchinson's arse incident, Clattenburg's totally unbiased showing foer them at Goodison. Yep. I'm a pessimist and I'll probably bugger off up the hills till its all over.
Just don't brag about what we're going to do, leave that to the red jessies. I'm sure those going to the match will do Everton royally proud in front of the nation.
Someone said earlier on, that so much as gone wrong for them, well I'm not going to finish his sentence.
To all those going to Wembley, have a fantastic time, you'll do us proud and once, JUST ONCE, get the breaks.
Good Luck Blues,
Manchester United 13 11 1 1 29 10 34
Newcastle United 14 9 2 3 24 17 29
Manchester City 14 8 2 4 22 11 26
Everton 16 7 5 4 20 14 26
Arsenal 13 8 1 4 28 15 25
Sunderland 15 7 3 5 20 19 24
Chelsea 14 6 5 3 19 14 23
Fulham 14 7 2 5 23 18 23
Norwich City 14 6 3 5 18 18 21
Tottenham Hotspur 15 5 5 5 22 18 20
Swansea City 13 6 1 6 17 18 19
West Bromwich Albion 14 5 2 7 20 17 17
Stoke City 14 4 4 6 12 15 16
Bolton Wanderers 13 5 1 7 13 23 16
Blackburn Rovers 14 4 2 8 17 29 14
Wigan Athletic 13 3 4 6 13 20 13
Aston Villa 13 2 6 5 13 20 12
Liverpool 14 3 3 8 16 21 12
Queens Park Rangers 13 3 2 8 17 23 11
Wolverhampton Wndrs 13 1 2 10 13 36 5
We have a match to win against inferior opponents. That's all.
Come on do it, hard to imagine a better chance or better support.
The speech Moyes should give is to repeat the words of Al Pacino from Any Given Sunday;
'I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either we heal
as a team or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen
believe me
and
we can stay here
and get the shit kicked out of us
or
we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.
Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces
and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off
anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately,
I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But,
you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game
life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.
Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.
That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?
So why am I dreading Saturday's game? because they seem to have a hoodoo on us, and they know how to win the important games (and next Saturday's game is more important to DogLeash than Moyes job wise).
Remember 2 seasons ago; like now we were in the form of our lives beating Man U Chelsea etc and we come up against a distincly average RS and got beat 1-0. Sorry to be so pessimistic but Ill will watch it probably from behind the settee
I have 40 plus years of derby experience so I know were the doom mongerers are coming from.
But what I do know is that this is the worst Liverpool team I have come across, as long as we have belief we will beat this shower of shite .
COYB.
Curiously, no one's mentioning the effect on our boys at the Toffee supporters' fury at the result against them a few weeks ago.
Really, ladies and gents? Our players didn't get in the ear about being wiped the floor with by them recently?
They know.
Everton 2 - Liverpool 0.
At a minimum. We're crushing these bastards.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/11/everton-davis-moyes-liverpool-referees
I haven't felt this nervous about a semi since I watched Brokeback Mountain...
Now I'm shitting bricks.
Great video though.
For probably the first time in a decade I actually think we have more genuine quality than them and the last thing we should do is get into a slug fest and risk anyone getting sent off.
We need a highly disciplined performance. Especially from the likes of Fellaini, Cahill, Heitinga etc.
We need to keep the ball and let Gibson dictate the play.
Rats leaving a sinking ship (I hope)!
It appears that shockingly, even Comolli was in on it as well.
The useless twat.
They are not talking about football. Its mind games, which suggests that they know we will beat them if we are right in our heads.
We need to stay calm, play our own game and let them worry about us. If they find themselves on the backfoot for much of the game then the siege mentality will disappear and be replaced by pressure and fear.
No need for us to go flying in to challenges, this is not the 80's, the game has changed and Webb doesn't take shit (especially from JH).
COYB, play these fuckers off the park.
According to the BBC, this strengthens KK's position. YEEEEEES!
Kenny's here to stay! Happy days!
THE SIX INCHES, IN FRONT OF YA FACE!!!!
Now, I can't make you do it.........
I hate that crying twat Carragher. The closest I've got was megging his brother and then going right through him when our school tonked them in the M'side cup.
That was when it hit me that this Derby was actually going to happen.............and I will hate every second of it......until the final whistle. Even if we are 5-0 up with 5 minutes to go I wont be able to relax.
I can barely breathe when we play against the shite....I hate them.....everything about them.
A few weeks back I was in Hong Kong and I woke up at 3am to watch the Derby at Anfield. For some reason I had allowed myself to believe we could win it......"I'm not going to make that mistake again" I said, and yet for some reason I find myself once again believing that we can do it! Why? Fuck knows.....I guess just like every other Blue I'm a gluten for punishment.
I think I just shit my pants
Please Everton
Please!!
I can't relax; I hate watching games like this because through the whole game I'm a nervous wreck. During the FA Cup semi-final against Man Utd a couple of seasons ago, I actually had to leave my seat and go and be sick before returning to watch us win on pens... but this is even worse!!!
This is against them horrible shits and I would literally give anything to see us win. If we play to our best ability and go at them with no fear, we can walk this game because they really are the worst Liverpool team I have seen for a very long time.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17675521
I thought if you appeal a sending off, he can play the next game but you're at risk of losing him for an additional game if it fails (4 game ban)?
It was a no-brainer really, If he gets a longer ban, they won't care because Reina will be back after the semi final.
I see they are trying to suggest he wan't the last man, not that it wasn't a foul.....correct me if I am wrong, it is not the last man issue, it's denying a clear goalscoring opportunity isn't it?
And follow it up with the video of one of the most famous diatribes in football
The Golden Gordon speech
"Short's don't matter - d'you hear?..."
Manager, Barnstoneworth Utd, 1935
With that, and not getting special dispensation for drafting in a keeper on loan, Kenny must be apoplectic.
Still, on the day when Comolli left, Queen Kenny was at pains to stress that all the signings brought in were his.
Hopefully we can get revenge for their chants at the Derby last month, as our players are doing a lap of honour after a thumping victory, to implore Fenway to sign him up for life.
As if any of them would still be in the stadium to witness it, ungracious twunts.
Think its all going to come down to that midfield battle, if Gibson, Fellaini and Cahill have good games then we can beat the fuckers!!
ps
I think i had a panic attack last night in bed thinking about it. I couldn't sleep for hours and felt quite sick.
Unfortunately in Derby games the form book goes out of the window and too much tension and nerves come to the fore.
We cannot start with Drenthe and he must be kept as a weapon to be brought on if we are behind or drawing with 20 minutes to go.
The lad will lose his head in the fever pitch of playing in a game with so much at stake.
Start with Maggy, he is cool and will not get caught up in the 'mayhem'....I am really afraid that Drenthe, Cahill and Felli are likely to get booked early doors.
Let Liverpool lose their heads and lets just keep it as cool as possible...no stupid challenges and no headless chicken stuff.
We need calm, cool professionals and not get involved too much.
Our Day Will Come.
Don't worry lads, Labby will motivate the dressing room and Bally will be running down that tunnel with the lads. Dixie will be out there on the pitch. Harry Catterick will be in the stands and all our granddads will be behind him.
Remember there are two Liverbirds and one of them is a blue and he whistles the Johnny Todd that rolls up the Mersey to Goodison for the boys in the Royal Blue Jerseys. COYB
(Stolen from Facebook)
The fact they appealed says to me there is very little confidence in Jones.
Like many have said above, I can't sleep for thinking about the game. No way I'll be hiding behind my sofa though, because if we do beat them, and I believe we have a very very good chance, then I wouldn't want to miss it for the world!
Can't sleep, but crickey my lavatory stops have already increased tenfold. In the words of one great philosopher whose name escapes me right now... "I'm so excited, I need to do a poo!"
Sure, Liverpool have an impressive history, but this largely started in the mid-60s. Everton's history of success and greatness is interwowen through all of the football ages with triumphant sides in the 19th century, before the First World War, 20s and 30s, 60s and 80s.
Names like Dean, Lawton, Mercer, Sagar & TG Jones from the 30s; Ball, Young, Wilson, Vernon & Labone from the 60s; Reid, Gray, Southall & Steven from the 80s ? can more than match Liverpool's past player pedigree.
Prior to Shankly, I think Billy Liddell would be the only player most fans could name as a great of the game. My dad told me that when he was a lad and visited Anfield, it was a total dump! What they got up to with their echo at the back of the Kop is legendary whilst he said he could remember the loose tiles on the top of their ancient old main stand hangling off the roof and rattling in the wind.
Contrast to magnificent Goodison Park, proud enough to hold the 1966 World Cup semi-final. Compare the grace and guile of the School of Science with the rough clogging of Tommy Smith; the artistry and silk of the Golden Vision with the rough and tumble of Ron Yeats. So, Mr Round, IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY... we are the biggest and the best and always will be!
I think you all enjoyed my gathering of Blues derby goals in the original post! To keep us all cheering, here is collection #2!
Come on you Blues! We can do and we will do it!
COYB.
Oh Everton, give us this glorious opportunity to smile like fucking lunatics for the rest of the week.
To Let my kids wear their Everton shirts amongst the Chelsea, Barce, United, Liverpool japanese sheep with renewed pride.
Let my Texan wife see that we are winners and not eternal second placers... let the good times roll again.
Tell me ma.....
My mobile no is 819039656516. Ping me.
RS have battered us for 90 mins hit the woodwork 17 times. Blues hoof it out for the 8,000th time. It hits Jelavic, who is at least 12 yards offside, on the arse and whizzes past Stevie G La who has been playing in goal since Jones was sent off in the first minute.
1-0 win: Dog face and Carra whipped off to Broadmoor in straight jackets.
This gives us two advantages - the fullbaks will have to defend a lot more to stop crosses coming in. I'm personally alot happier with Johnson & Enrique defending rather than coming at us. Also, the drop in distribution (from Reina inpaticular) means that we can't get caught on the counter. For all their ball playing abilities, Pienaar, Felli & Gibson aren't exactly hares around the pitch. A slower pace will suit them.
I don't want some scrawpy 1-0 where people say we were lucky and didn't deserve it as some kind of tit for tat..
I want '95 again. I want us to pass them off the park and humiliate them in front of anyone watching. I want us to show we are the better team because i think we are.
I want to see a sea of blue and the odd red shirt dotted around with 15 mins to go. Light triumphs over Dark.
Gibson shackles Gerrard while Felli and Jelli destroy them.
COYB
I wish I could remember who said this (or similar) and where I read it:
"The history of Everton Football Club is the history of Association football in Britain"
Dan (659) Got something in my eye while reading that; nice one
"Everton - and this might even apply to manager David Moyes - may need to overcome a psychological barrier to beat Liverpool. Not yet convinced Everton really believe they can beat Liverpool in a game like this. What an opportunity to prove they can."
I think this the biggest concern for most of us. Our fans know they're shite. I think deep-down the RS even know they're shite. But if we show them too much respect or give them too much space then it is all over.
Attack, attack, attack!!! From the kick-off, hit a long shot at Rob Jones. Don't let him clear any balls comfortably. Don't give their players any time on the ball.
Let's make them look like the bunch of cunts us and the rest of the world already knows them to be! COYB!
Funny thing in a way part of them will be there inside us. My Grandad, (born in Everton, played for St Saviour's) when sitting in his chair or seat, would often make an involuntary kicking movement when there was a tackle or a shot about to be made. Sitting in my seat in the Main Stand I find myself unconsciously starting to do the same thing.
So, in a way, we carry them with us.
"On my signal, unleash hell!"
I hope to God Fellaini bosses Gerrard in midfield and even embarrasses him with the Zidane pirouette.
The kopites are in bullish mood on talk sport, one even claiming they will do us down the wings with Bellamy or Downing. Hang on, I thought one of the reasons Carroll wasn't scoring was because they were playing down the middle too much and weren't crossing the ball enough?
Dream on scum! COYB!
He also mentioned in an earlier interview how 'he heard our fans singing Z-Cars and it made the hairs stand up on the back of his neck'. I think he got his songs mixed up as Z-Cars (known to the fans as Johnny Todd) is quite hard to sing unless you have a bagpipe up your arse?
I suggest Mr Round does a bit of research into the club that pays his wages. He would learn what a glorious thing it is to be a Blue Boy and would adopt the appropriate air of superiority.
As an avid young fan of Everton, I actually feared Liddell as he was very fast and direct with a cannonball shot... eg, he broke the forearm of Hugo Ugolini who was the goalkeeper for Middlesbro' when he saved a Liddell penalty. He carried Liverpool throughout his career with them.
No, Round was right. It was Z-Cars (and it is of course our song because it is also colloquially known as "The Boys in Blue" as well as its original folk song name of "Johnny Todd")
But it wasn't *exactly* being sung, more every blue near me was giving it the "Der der der.." for all they were worth.
All this kidology about favourites etc won't mean a carrot when the whistle goes, I wouldn't worry about it.
Will be watching the game at the local SPORTS BAR surrounded by RS fans, PLEASE GET IT RIGHT MOYESY.....COYB
But aside from all the usual heady mixture of excitement and nervousness, I am feeling more anger.
Let me explain.
I will be angry if we don't beat them and beat them convincingly tomorrow.
Although I appreciate the special nature of derby games, we are a better team, in better form and with significantly better players in virtually every position. Not just one or two, but eight or nine.
If they, individually - and collectively - do not realise that themselves and go into their usual underdog mode, I will be the angriest I have ever been in 46 years as an Evertonian.
This is by far THE worst liverpool team I have known and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we should concede the psychological high ground to them tomorrow.
Galvanised by John Heitinga, we have a formidable defence. They, characterised by the likes of Skirtel, do not and look extremely vulnerable.
In midfield of course, they have the redoubtable Gerrard and, much as I think he is a waning force, he is a significant threat - and knows he is - against us. However, with Gibson to hopefully keep an eye on him, Fellaini finally looks like the player we always wanted him to be, so I hope he will impose himself and pose an equal, if not superior, threat in the opposite direction. It has to be a two-way thing.
And then of course, there's our man Jelavic. What a signing. So while the despicable Suarez comes to nought against Johnny, wouldn't it just be the most enjoyable game ever if our new hero bagged a couple to win the game for us?
He is pure quality and have you noticed that the majority of his goals so far have been almost casual tap-ins... so much is the space he creates for himself?
Throw in Baines, the danger posed by Cahill (who, if you read rival fans' websites, is THE Everton player most of them fear) and even Osman (who is in the form of his life and has finally realised that if you shoot every now and again, you score every now and again) and defeat is NOT an option.
Why on earth should we lose to them? The only reason is that we are still, for some reason, frightened - not of them, but of their reputation. Sadly, to their credit, they realise this too. One can feel that they walk onto the pitch already with the upper hand.
If we allow that to happen tomorrow, then we will not prevail.
But if we believe and let them do the worrying for a change. We will win. And win handsomely.
So for once Mr Moyes, leave your admirable modesty and sportsmanship behind. Put our team in the right frame of mind and put them in their place from the minute we leave the dressing room.
Win it. Don't lose it.
If you do, it could shape the next five years or more for this current side.
Tomorrow is our biggest game since 1995, maybe even for more than quarter of a century or more.
Every Evertonian KNOWS we can and should win it. If the players share that belief, we will.
Come on, Davey Moyes and you Blues, we are better than this lot... and we owe them one... or two or three.
Everton to win; every neutral in the land are with us...
http://youtu.be/4Pe6AYQos_Q
We have big game experience in abundance. World cups including a final. FA cup final. Even Jelavic has played in games even more tense and hostile than this and performed well. Most of our players took part in the FA cup semi final win over Man utd. A few played in the team that knocked Liverpool out of the FA cup quarter final not so long ago. Let's not forget that!
Inexperience and nerves are most likely through their team. No doubt they will be nervous and over-protective of their rookie goalie. Wembley is not the place to begin forging an understanding between goalkeeper and defense.
Imagine for a moment that we had our third choice keeper out there tomorrow? We would all fear the worst and be bemoaning our luck. Well, it's there rookie keeper so they will be exactly the same? We need to exploit that to the full.
WE ARE DESTINED TO WIN!!
I was there at Wembley against Man Utd and was one of those singing Z Cars - I didn't know it had words either, but along with thousands of Blues I sang 'der,der,der...' loud and proud.
I was in the second tier and it was vibrating as we jumped and danced about. The steward for our Section said he been at every game since the new Wembley opened and had never seen or heard anything like it. I will never forget it, close run thing with the Bayern evening for me, well worth the trip from Ottawa.
Makes the hairs on my neck stand up and brings a smile to my face even now.
Only watching on TV tomorrow, via the reflection in a mirror from behind the couch, but how I want to be singing again at the end.
yeeehah!
I'll be home for the final though.
For to cross the ocean wide
And he's left his own true love behind him
Walking by the Liverpool tide
For a week, she wept with sorrow
Tore her hair and wrung her hands
Till she met another handsome sailor
Walking by the Liverpool sands
Fair young maid are you a weeping
For your Johnny gone to sea
If you'll wed with me tomorrow
I will kind and constant be
I will buy you sheets and blankets
I'll buy you a wedding ring
You shall have a silver cradle
For to rock the baby in
Johnny Todd came home from sailing
Sailing on the ocean wide
And he's found his fair and false one
Was another sailor's bride
All young men who go a sailing
For to fight the foreign foe
Do not leave your own true love like johnny
Marry her before you go
Loud and clear at full time - COYB
Auntie Amy passed away yesterday and was a massive blue - send her on her way smiling
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170 Posted 11/04/2012 at 06:36:33
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I pray we do ourselves justice in the manner in which we did that night and at Swansea, against West Brom and on Easter Monday. It's ours to win if we can get into and stay in the right mindset.