Why Do I Do It?

Regarding getting an hotel, in Lord Nelson Street where Lime St. station is situated there are a few boarding houses which might be cheaper, considering you were just getting your head down or The Lord Warden facing the Odeon who have rooms upstairs for lodging, or they had recently.

As for the students it seems Liverpool is a magnet for them with new student flats all around the City centre and elsewhere, and the hangers on in the station have always been there most of them nuisance’s, pests, druggies but some are homeless.

What attracts the thousands that come to Liverpool every weekend surprises me because although, as you say, Liverpool has many outstanding buildings some of the roads leading right into the city centre are very tilted and scruffy looking, London Road being a an example what a disgrace to the road I grew up in and much more foreign looking than the one I knew.

I bet it looks a lot different to the city you knew Danny and you’re a lot younger than me, sorry for going on Danny you’ve got enough on your plate this morning and you’ve still got to face your wife, at least she’ll be happy Villa won, every cloud eh Danny!!

Your tale of woe is much worse than mine. I was in the city centre a bit later than usual and missed the 919 buses to Goodison by seconds. Since the Lime Street roadworks, they park up by the Empire Theatre and I legged it up there just in time to see 3 buses depart at once.

So back to Queen's Square for the 19 which stops every 2 minutes and goes too near Anfield for my liking! Got to Goodison Park for 3:15 to find the streets outside being swept. A rare sight!

We shouldn't have lost yesterday but we all know the reason why. The players in the main did their best but we are toothless.

I hope Maupay doesn't put an Everton shirt on again, to be honest. I also hope that he shows me how little I know about football by scoring a bagful in the next two games!

I travel up from London by train for every home match. Since Avanti started cancelling trains at random, I've learned to check the App to make sure mine is still running.

I was booked on the 19:43 too, but got back to Lime Street in time for the 18:43 when I saw it was cancelled.

Finally home. I forgot there was a cup final on and my only two direct routes are the mainline or Metropolitan are via Wembley. so considerable congestion.

Dave, the city has changed considerably and for the better. Compared to when I was a kid, when you look at the Albert Dock, Queen's Square and Liverpool One, the centre is transformed.

Speke, with the expansion of the Airport and the Retail Park is transformed.

Hopefully BMD will benefit and regenerate the northern docks.

You are right though about the infrastructure. I talk about it all the time with taxi drivers as it is generally a bumpy ride on the Liverpool roads compared to what Ive got used to in London.

My mother's cousin used to live in the Bullring off London Road and we used to visit regularly. When my son was in Uni not so long ago, he was in student accommodation just off London Road. I know it fairly well. TJ Hughes; being forced to spend what felt like hours in there as a child against my will!!

Anyway, let's get to the Emirates on Wednesday and steal one or three. I'm regrouping and getting ready.

Thank you Chris.

Unfortunately, Big Nev cancelled his appearance but it didn't spoil the drinks with my son who is growing into a fine young man. On to Shenanigans for more Guinness (apparently it's won awards for best Guinness outside Ireland) then hugged my son goodbye to head to Moorfields to get the train to the match.

A quick bitter in the Tommy Frost then on to the match, where once again a good day out was spoiled! Never a penalty but I've seen worse given.

Afterwards, a quick couple in the Black Horse (I don't like the redecoration job – Greene King do like to take the soul out of pubs, don't they?) and then picked up outside for takeaway Chinky curry at our mam's.

Regarding the game, we need a better option than Maupay, and soon! Everton played well enough but no sign of a goal anywhere. Midfield are getting a pass in that subject also – they should be chipping in at least but none of them look like they know what the goals look like, especially Doucoure – I mean, what the fuck??

I've got my Arsenal ticket and perversely I'm looking forward to it but we need a moment of magic or we'll sink without trace.

Did your wife fall for this cock and bull story? Come on, come clean, by chance you met a fair scouse maiden and had a wonderful night of passion in a Titanic suite overlooking a starlit Mersey. Room service, strawberries, croissants and coffee 7am then showered and off for the 8-10am train to Euston.

Please tell me I'm right and the greedy McSeagull etc is fiction.

Your dedication is brilliant, and it's this dedication that is shown on a regular basis by thousands of Evertonians that is the only thing special about our club right now.

I did drive past Bramley-Moore Dock today though, and it's going to be special once the jinx departs, and when Everton become the first team to win the league in three different centuries. It will mean that all your dedication will have definitely been worthwhile, Danny!

Must have been a nightmare, mate. I can still remember you tearing out of the Bramley Moore Pub and sprinting to Lime Street after the Norwich game. You, and many others deserve better than what you have seen this season.

I remember the last time I flew over and Derek Knox picked me up. The flight was nightmare, I was right in the middle of a hen party, all reds. One of them tried to hook me up with her granny who was about the same age as my oldest daughter!!

Anyway, Danny keep up your optimism and I hope to catch up with you before the season ends.

I assume you intended to travel on the 19:43 to Euston. I have checked it and the reason for the cancellation was “due to an issue with train crew”. In fact there was no train available, as the incoming service – 15:43 from Euston due Lime Street 18:36 – was cancelled. Avanti therefore knew that the last train would be not be running several hours in advance.

Did you know that if you have a valid ticket (which you obviously did) and the last train is cancelled, the train operator is required to either provide road transport to your destination (ie, taxi) or to reimburse the full cost of overnight accommodation?

Fantastic support, you and the match-going fans are the Best!
Good luck on Wednesday in what for you will seem like a home game in terms of travel.

Very frustrating yesterday we just can't put a little run together. With scoring goals a huge problem bring Mina in for Coady as he is a better defender and also more of a threat at attacking set pieces. Would also bring Godfrey back at left-back.

Tony Everan, it's a true story. Even the Seagull. You couldn't have made it up!

Andy, let me know when you are next over. If you don't have my details, Derek has them. Get in touch and stay in touch.

Ian, thank you on the tip with Avanti. I'll be in touch today.

Mark Murphy and anyone else, depending on travel arrangements, if you want to meet up let me know. I''' probably settle around Euston or Kings Cross before heading to the ground. Otherwise, it will be in the stadium as it's difficult to find somewhere in and around the Emirates in my experience. Like at a lot of London clubs.

Tony Abrahams, our 10th league title, 6th FA Cup, 1st League Cup and 2nd European Trophy. Now you've got me off again!!

By the way, the missus is due back at Liverpool airport at midnight tonight, but fucked if I’m picking her up!!

Mark, if you're going there, see you there. I'll look it up now.

Royal Oak? I don't even know which end is the away end as it's round and I just follow the crowd.

If anyone can’t get to the game tomorrow or has a spare ticket then please get in touch: 07769188274. I’m London based so can make it at fairly short notice.

I totally understand. I spent many years not being able to go in person. Out of the country and like you, parental responsibilities compounded by living away from Liverpool.

Hopefully soon and you get a few trips to Goodison and then see us move to Bramley Moore.