Everton 0 - 1 Arsenal

Okay, it was on a train and that was roughly my round trip and I like the song.

 

I appreciate the concern of many, but it's way too early to panic and we're far from done yet. I'm not done. There are still a lot of points to play for and anything can happen in football. The table won't look like this come December. If these players can pick themselves up, find some belief and confidence, and the manager can fathom out a system that doesn't sit so deep and rely almost entirely on the defence. It will only take a win and we will start to climb the table.

 

Belief. We lacked it. Confidence. We need a win to lift these players and get a bit of momentum going. We'll get it and soon. Tactics. We sat way too deep and relied on the goalkeeper and defenders. That's a dangerous approach that tests the laws of average, which always inevitably ends with them being broken. I'm not suggesting this team has the ability to go gung-ho. But play like you at least believe you can win. They didn't. A poor performance and the result could have been worse in the context that it was against a very good team.

 

We all see the game differently. I thought Mykolenko did okay, especially given who he was up against for the second time in a week. Tarkowski and Pickford were probably our best players and saved us from a heavier defeat, which was backed up by the Arsenal supporters I spoke to. Branthwaite looks good and that was also picked up on by the Arsenal fans on the way back to London. But here I am once again talking about the defence. Where was the midfield? I think they must have been sat in the lower Gwladys Street with me? Beto and (when he came on) Calvert-Lewin, were a forlorn hope.

 

Talking about early, dogs out and into London for an early train to Lime Street. Due to engineering works, the usual 2-hour trip was over 3 hours each way as it followed a different route. I sat with and chatted to a really nice elderly couple from Peru who were travelling up for a weekend in Liverpool and staying with friends on the Wirral. It was their first visit. I gave them a few tips on what to do. I hope they have a good one.

 

There were many Arsenal supporters around us. Mostly friendly but one could not stop swearing. I'm not pure, but his language was offensive so I had a word with him to mind his manners. There were women and children around; call me old-fashioned. He was the one who declared we had crossed the poverty line when the train went over the Mersey from Runcorn. He probably lives on a north London council estate.

 

A bit of debate at the Lime Street taxi rank with four Arsenal supporters who tried to jump the queue. I stepped in to allow a family at the front take the first one and told them to get in with me as the next one was mine (driver was an Evertonian). They accepted my invite. Despite me telling them they would be fine at the Harlech, they insisted on the Arkles even though I protested that it's a red pub, which made them laugh. I told them it's not like London. I arranged for the taxi driver to take them to the now "world famous Arkles" once he'd dropped me off. That sign above my late Grandfather's local really grates me!

 

For once, I was around Goodison Park nice and early. I was able to do my usual ritual free of queues and stood to actually read the words on the Holy Trinity statue for the first time. I've walked past it many times and stood across the road with my supper bar treat, but never stopped to read the words. Quite moving and got me in the mood. I know I keep saying it, but I'm really torn on what we do with that statue and Dixie when we move.

 

Off to the Harlech. A few of us congregated on the pavement outside. Stephen, Neil, Bill, Brian, John Senior and my nephew Patrick. Thank you for the Birthday drinks. John Senior came up with a very good point. When Mike Gaynes comes over from the States, we can't have him stood on the pavement on County Road, so let's get down to the Bramley Moore pub.

 

I noticed it was strangely subdued in the streets around County Road, which carried on into the ground, apart from the initial stages. But they didn't give us anything to get excited about and it petered out more and more as the match went on. From where I was sat, not even anything to get annoyed about. Just nothing. 'Flat' is probably the best word I can use to describe it.

 

I won't over-analyse the football as Michael, Lyndon and Paul have all given their comprehensive reviews.

 

A pretty passive first half, then Arsenal took over and stepped up a gear. Our gearbox didn't have any more gears. Just the one. Despite this, at half time, I fancied us for a point. But as the second half progressed, it ended up becoming a training match for Arsenal.

 

I was getting very frustrated that we didn't switch on to those short corners. Arteta schooled Dyche tactically and they have quality players. My son, who is usually very balanced compared to me, messaged me afterwards and called Dyche a dinosaur – echoes of Allardyce. I think he was frustrated. The jury is out with me as I don't know where else we'd go. Although I note Unsworth got sacked, so Bill might be tempted… [That's tongue-in-cheek, by the way. Don't worry!!]

 

The journey back to the Capital and continued discussion with the Arsenal supporters I was sat next to, who were bemoaning that it wasn't fair that Man City were untouchable. First World football problems. Many were in party mode and I endured a noisy walk up the platform as we left the train before I went the opposite way to Euston Square tube station. I slept like a baby on the Metropolitan line to get home by 1am. I was greeted by the dogs and their toys, my boy with his blue Dinosaur. I always find it funny seeing alleged Lion Hunters with soft toys in their mouth!

 

A long day. Brentford next. Even the Arsenal supporters said that yesterday won't define our season and I agree. Still a lot to play for.

 

Belief and  confidence. And sort the tactics out, Mr Dyche. I watched Brentford against Newcastle at the weekend and their centre-backs were immense so don't go lumping balls into the box as they will eat them up all day.

 

Hurting, but I'll dust myself down before the weekend. We'll be okay once we turn this ship around. Who knows, in a few weeks time, it is feasible we can achieve 9 more points and be in the next round of the League Cup before heading to the Devil's Pit.

 

Let's keep going. It's too early to quit now. Not that I can really comprehend the word 'quit'. It isn't part of my vocabulary and football like other walks of life, is unpredictable.

 

One final point, for those who remained, it was a nice touch when Mykolenko brought his Ukrainian team mate (Zinchenko) right up to the Gwladys Street behind the goal and they got a warm reception. Most of the players remained in the centre with a couple venturing as far as the 18-yard box. Give Mykolenko his due, he never shirks the supporters – win, lose or draw.


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