Fans Comment
Laurent Corneille

We've Come a Long Way Baby...
05/05/12

Walter Smith: the last few weeks of his reign were a period of hopelessness

A couple of weeks back I sent off for a few of those "People's Club" charity wristbands from the Everton website. The arrived swiftly, and in the package was the surprise inclusion of an Everton video summarising the 2001-02 season. (That's one way of getting shot of old stock, I suppose).

I'm glad they sent the video though, because it is only whilst watching it that I was reminded of how far we've come in such a short space of time. Engendered by Walter Smith's final few weeks at the helm, it was for most of us a period of utter hopelessness. We were destined to dissipate into mid-table obscurity for good. We were consistently inconsistent. Tactically we were like a tortoise retreating into a defensive shell; slow and cumbersome. Spirit? What spirit? Hands up who remembers the story of Walter Smith chucking a bag full of footballs on the floor during one training session, telling the players to "get on with it", and then walking away? I was pissed off. We were shit. It was depressing.

Three quarters of the way through the reel, enter David Moyes. Young, loquacious, tough and ambitious. It was an epiphany for Everton. It was the moment my chest swelled to a degree even Linford's lunchbox could only jealously wish for. In a moment of clarity, the burden of carrying "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" emblazoned on our crest was to be vanquished. From former aristocrats to proletariat in three small words: "The People's Club". Let's stick it to the man! Storm the Winter Palace! Burn down the Reich Stag! F*cking REVOLUTION!

So it is with this context in mind which I write today. Being a devoted Evertonian living in London is never easy, and was made considerably harder by yesterday's display. I was reduced to blushing into my pint when the 7th goal went in, Arsenal fans ridiculing me by pointing and cleverly chanting - wait for it - "Champion's League, you're 'avin a larf!". Sure, I was embarrassed. Yes, I was bitterly disappointed. Today I even endeavoured to ignore every phone call, and studiously avoided the back pages.

But then again, so what? The way Arsenal performed was nothing short of exhilarating, even divine. "On there day", one can only marvel at their ability and skill, comparable perhaps to some of the greatest attacking sides in history, such as Cruyff's 1970s Dutch team or even the Brazilian side of the same epoch. I firmly believe any team would have been swept aside last night. "NO EXCUSES" I hear Andrew say. Well, this is where we differ. I believe it is foolish not to consider the mitigating circumstances when faced with such an extraordinary event:

- We ARE 4th in the Premiership. We have been since September, and shall be until the end of the season. - We have achieved a position enabling us to to have a crack at Champion's League football next season. - To call the players and manager "disgraceful" is to to my mind, unfair and simply too harsh - The players HAVE given a great deal to the cause this season, and whether through physical/mental exhaustion, or simply due to "switching off", I have great respect for their efforts. - Arsenal are arguably the greatest attacking side this country has ever seen.

David Moyes clearly stated that we are still nowhere near being able to compete with the top three teams. It would be another miracle if we finished fourth again next season. We are looking to compete with the best of the rest. Lack of ambition? No. Realism and a healthy pragmatism which this year has enabled Moyes and the team to work without any added pressure. I would hasten to add that the players are not free from reproach. It was like watching 11 traffic cones. Those who travelled and payed good money watch them should be (and were, I hear) apologised to. But perhaps psychologically, this traumatic scoreline may be just the tonic we fans need to dissolve fantasies of European glory. It may also be just the kick in the bollocks some players need so as not to get carried away with their lofty achievements this year. Perhaps certain players can now stop moaning about being 35 and only earning 4 - 5 figure sums PER WEEK (!)+ playing in the Champion's League.

What I do know however, is that I'm playing in my weekly 5 a side game tonight. I'll be putting in a Cahill like performance and will be destroying the opposition. I'll have my chin up and my chest out,and I'll be wearing both my "People's Club" wristband and my Everton top with as much pride as I always do.

Patria o Muerte! Viva la Revolucion!

Laurent  Corneille

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