Everton vs Arsenal

I know due to FA Cup fixtures the Premier Calendar this weekend is pretty sparse, and two of our nearest rivals play each other in the Cup, it is an excellent opportunity to make ground on them, I always believe that points in the bag, are better than games in hand.

I am also hoping that should we beat the Gunners, it may initiate a belated, successful run to the finishing line. I know a lot of our supporters don't relish the Europa Cup qualification, but it is a foot in the door of Europe, and although it is detrimental to our fixture list, (Thursday/Sunday Football) but being honest, are we equipped now, or likely to be next season, to play Champions League past the qualifying rounds?

Three good wins against London based opposition would be something to hang our hats on.

Success on Sunday could spark further good results and subsequently be the difference in attracting quality players (Gomes) in the summer.

So, no pressure Toffees.

2-0 Everton or 2-0 Arsenal... or a 2-2 draw.

These games are good opportunities for DCL to shine and cement his no1 role, I will be willing him on to bag a goal or be influential in the win.

They have many threats though and will cause us problems too.

The brain says Everton 1- 1 Arsenal

The heart says Everton 2-1 Arsenal , with us winning it with a spectacular 20 yard siggy special. [Although any old goal will do]

If we play like we did in the second half against Chelsea or the first half against West Ham we will win.

I would not get caught up on our finishing position at the end of the season, I am more interested in our points tally. If over the next 6 games, 3 against teams with a lot to play for at the top end of the table, we could manage to accumulate another 10 points that would be a good return and put a bit more respectability on the season overall, however, a points tally of 53 would still be less than my target of 62 at the outset of the season and would reflect how badly things went from Anfield in November to mid February.

Today's performance will be an important indicator... COYB!

Arsenal for the best part of 30 years have been the mother of all bogey teams to us, think the Gunners have won more Premier League games against Everton than any other team and we have recorded something like 6 wins in 30 years.

I was under the impression that Marcel Brands had travelled to Barca some time ago, and they had reached a figure of around £23-24M for the lad, should we wish to make his loan permanent.

Now the Zouma with Chelsea one could be a lot more complicated with this ban that they have. Chelsea are absolutely stock-piled with players (most out on loan) but not sure how many CB's they have. I believe he joined for around £12M, but since then he has been mostly loaned out, so they either envisage a future for him or they don't.

Another thing I only found out the other day, is that Abramovitch has not even attended one match this season, is he losing interest ? Does he intend to seek another plaything with his ill-gotten gains. Will Sarri still be there next season?

There are so many variables attached to this possible scenario. Hopefully those that matter in transfer affairs are more abreast of the situation than we are. If it doesn't look like we can get the lad permanently, which will be a shame, I hope they have a suitable candidate lined up.

Zouma is relatively young and has only a handful of years experience in terms of a defender and this guy could be like Distin by the age of 29-30, he’s got all the attributes needed at this level, pace, power, fitness, the concentration should come with more years experience.

Gomes when he plays like he did last Saturday at London Stadium will also be imperative, he can be that good at times it’s unbelievable, it’s just about him finding that on a weekly basis next season, I’m sure he will after a full summers training here.

Silva has finally compromised as far as zonal marking is concerned - his job depended upon it. - and I think we have been looking a little more street wise as a result
Arsenal have all the pressure and I think we are entitled to see anything less than three points as a failure.

The women have all sobered up and safely out of the way, so I`m off up there . .Let the Tiger roll

I just don't see the point of playing in any competitive game if you don't try to win. We should absolutely, starting with Arsenal, try to tip Wolves, Leicester, Watford, et al to 7th place and a European spot.

We have a host of players currently on the bench or younger players not seeing a lot of time, who could use the games and experience.
JJK, Holgate (coming back), Baines, Jags, Schneids, Davies, Theo, Cenk, Dowell (coming back) to name a few.

Yes, we will cull the squad numbers. But I think Europa would / could be a massive benefit to keep our players sharp. And it's a European competition with the Holy Grail of CL football at the end of it.

If we were to make Europa, I'd argue that I'd "sacrifice" League position for real runs at the League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa. Make next season a type of "Cup season" as it were, and FINALLY win some silverware.

If we don't finish 7th, then for me it's all about the League. We have to finish 6th minimally if there's no European competition for us. Oh, and if we don't have a real run at the League Cup I'll go postal.

Arsenal tomorrow will help clear up whether we are going to have a real shot at 7th. I think we have a good chance of getting 3 points.

No matter what, I think we all feel extra strength needs to be brought
in to reach the next level which should be top six quality.

Would be nice to beat the Gunners and make it 3 London scalps in 3 games but they can play some nice stuff and it should be an interesting game.

Keeping the same starting eleven would help for the final run-in of games and maybe cement a basis of a good team for next season.

It’s been a long time, since we’ve seen a total commanding 95 minutes performance at GP.

The thing that Everton need to be aiming for in the remaining games is to accumulate as many points as possible and just see where that takes us.

It is a case then of starting over again in summer and trying to build a momentum that can see us nail down 7th next season and then regularly finish 7th, we need to make 7 our magic number for the next three years or so.

We used to do it regularly under Moyes but over the last 4 years we have lost our position as best of the rest.

We need to start cementing that 7th place before we can seriously expect to breach the top six.

The fact that Arsenal are so far ahead of us is very galling but shows exactly what we need to be next season to even get close to the top six.

6th and above we have over achieved

8th and below under achieved

I don’t think transfer spending per season is as indicative as wages budgets and in those terms I think we are about 7th.

The competition for 7th has got harder and the likes of Leicester, Wolves, Watford and Bournemouth have some very decent managers and players amongst them. I’d hope to be finishing above them but certainly not a given.

Silva and Brands are building a younger more progressive team but the competition is intense as witnessed by English success in Europe this season. I’d have taken 7th-8th this season with 6th-7th next season as the building blocks.

I expect us now to finish 9th-12th which has to go down as failure of sorts for Silva but he will be given more time and I hope that decision will be justified next season.

Every player should look at Ronaldo and think that this a one-off chance for glory. If only Besty had Ronaldo's attitude; he would be the best player of all time by an even greater distance.

Having said that their away from is sketchy and we should want it more than them with GP behind the players.

I look forward to a rocking GP, a good game of football and a 2-0 win.

Cmon Blues you owe us this!!!

How did the RS get that off-side non-decision that lead up to their first goal vs Soton and change the whole complexion of the game. They have been donated too many points this season by lousy officials!

Thanks in advance

Anyway, no doubt VAR will have its own thread on here next season which will probably rumble on all season.

Regarding today. The pressure is off us, so I think we can go out relaxed and turn in a decent performance. Playing Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd in 3 of our last 4 home games will ensure the team remain focused and help turn in good performances, help to end the season positively and we can all look forward to next season, along with VAR!!

I'm going for a close 2-1 victory. DCL and Richarlison to score.

First of all football is an entertainment business and pretty football is more entertaining, it translates potentially to more fans, more tv appearances and more revenue.

Secondly ‘pretty football’ can be a sign of things to come. Look at Klopps first season, the results were very mixed, they finished much lower in the league than they would hope for; but the football showed promise. They stuck with Klopp and now they look a serious force. I’m not saying Silva will turn out the same but you never know.

Personally I’d take a season of ‘pretty football’ that sees us 9th/10th but building a young progressive team with hope than another season in 8th with Allardyce’s KITAP1.

07879551102

Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain. To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.

I am sitting in my writing room listening to a bit of Dylan ( Morning Chris) at the moment - - and have just posted my normal live video on The Dark House Blues FB Page - - looked out of my window towards Goodison - - I can just see the white roof of the Main Stand and can see Bramley Moor in all its potential glory.

It’s Great To Be An Evertonian.

Let’s have some posso’s - -

“I don't want to straight-face you
Race or chase you, track or trace you
Or disgrace you or displace you
Or define you or confine you
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you”

Bit grey and overcast today but never mind - - getting the bus under The Tunnel and will ride up to The Dark House holding on like Charlton Heston on Jack Hawkins Chariot in Ben Hur - - driving up our own Appian Way - - I will look up from TDH to The Colliseum:

And I shall drive my chariot
Down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite
And I don't know why'
And you shall take me strongly
In your arms again
And I will not remember
That I even felt the pain.
We shall walk and talk
In gardens all misty and wet with rain
And I will never, never, never
Grow so old again.

Going to the game is a pleasure for me - - no matter what - - the whole day from when I wake up is Bluetiful - - and is totally geared to Goodison - - the bus journey with headphones on listening to Van or Lennon or Dylan - - maybe a bit of Sandy Denny - - today I will take my shoulder bag - - bought in The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam with Vincent’s name on the side and Give Peace A Chance badge from The Lennon/Ono Exhibition at The Liverpool Museum - - my camera for TDH and notebook for quick observations to be used later and my mouth organ (you never know when you may need it) - - as I have said before - - for me the whole Everton thing is part of my life - - good and bad - - without it my life would not be the same - - too many friends and compatriots and “moments” - - I get myself ready for the game - - morning of listening to music, reading some poetry over a 2nd cup of coffee in my sunflower cup:

And when heart is open
And when heart is open
You will change just like a flower slowly openin'
And when heart is open
You will change just like a flower slowly openin'
When there's no comin'
And there's no goin'
And when heart is open
You will meet your lover

Sitting and listening and filling my soul and spirit and head with Bluetiful thoughts - - I know reality but sometimes I like to dream - - dreams and visons - - for me as a man who makes his living from his own heart and mind the task of the artist is to see through, beyond within and below the here and now, the way things are and the powers that be to raise life to the mystical - - to float above - - to see the beauty in life:

I'm a dweller on the threshold
And I'm waiting at the door
And I'm standing in the darkness
I don't want to wait no more
I have seen without perceiving
I have been another man
Let me pierce the realm of glamour
So I know just what I am
I'm a dweller on the threshold
And I'm waiting at the door
And I'm standing in the darkness
I don't want to wait no more

Wowww - - thank you Van for Lifting me and taking me with you:

I will pass along Scotland Road - - Daisy Street, St Alphonsus, look up towards Everton - - - - thinking about all the Cardinal Godfrey ToffeeWebbers - - heading toward Westminster Road - - TDH - - friends - - Blues - - A Sense of Wonder:

Along the path where heaven lies
Along the path where heaven
Along the path where heaven lies
All is clear
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Ahead where home is waiting
Ahead where home awaits the heart
Peace is near
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream
Close your eyes in fields of wonder
Close your eyes and dream

It’s the w(holy)e thing - - the feeling of a special day - - like Joni Mitchell - - “don’t know what you’ve got till its gone” - - Happy 75th Joni - - don’t let it go - -don’t wait for the special times - - make them - - “The Love You Take is Equal To The Love You Make”:

Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word, I finally heard
I'm doing the best that I can
I've got to admit it's getting better (Better)
A little better all the time (It can't get no worse)
I have to admit it's getting better (Better)
It's getting better
Since you've been mine.

So off now to get ready for my Blue Trip - - don’t need the bus really could just float on the astral over to Goodison - - Posso waves for all Blues everywhere:

I want to know did you get the feelin'
Did you get it down in your soul
I want to know did you get the feelin'
And did the feelin' grow
Sometimes, when the spirit moves me
I can do many wondrous things
I want to know when the spirit moves you

Cosmic grooves - - with a firm handshake - - George

I can live with weekends like this

I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to try and help...welcome back!

If anyone does have a ticket spare though please let me know

Looking at the groups Arsenal and Chelsea had this season, they didn't even need to play their first team. We were unfortunate last time to have Koeman as manager and being in group of Lyon and Atlanta which happens very rarely to end up in a group of two teams from top 5 leagues.

If we are in the top 4 going into February, we should focus on the Premier League; else, if we are once again best of the rest, then we should have a go at the Europa League.

Whats happen? Sky come along and fuck it up and change it to the Friday evening. Every way you look at it, its a fuck up. Supporters working patterns, travelling from afar etc etc. All for a game that means nothing to the neutral. Okay if Burnley would have lost yesterday, they won and are 20/1 to get relegated on Skybet.

I'm going to contact Everton Football Club and the Echo and try and get it moved back, not only for me but for business around the ground.

George lovely post as usual, I hope to see you after the Man.Unt game in The Excelsior, no need to tell you to stay happy and positive, best wishes.