The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

Everton 1 - 2 Luton Town

In the words of Bob Dylan… Another year goes by. I left Goodison on Saturday gutted.

I made a late decision. I headed to Uxbridge only to discover that the Metropolitan Line was suspended between Uxbridge and Wembley. So on to Plan B and a quick hop on the bus to the local mainline station. That wasn’t going to make the finishing line, as there was a reduced service, so I opted for the Central Line, changing at Oxford Circus to connect to Euston. I was cutting it fine at this point.

I got to Euston and got waved onto the platform just as the train was ready to depart. The doors were still open, but I was confronted by a train manager who refused to let me on. A scouser too. Gobshite. Probably a Kopite? I thought about just walking past him, but it wouldn’t have been worth the hassle and I would have probably been forcibly removed at Watford Junction.

So, I had to move on to Plan C. There is always a way. There was a Manchester-bound train on the adjacent platform departing in 10 minutes. I took that and then on to Liverpool from Piccadilly. I have to mention the very kind Train Manager (from Manchester) who questioned my ticket, which was booked to Lime Street. I explained the situation and he smiled and gave me advice on which platform to head to at Piccadilly.

There were a few City fans sat with me returning home from their FA Cup fixture at Tottenham on Friday. They were not very conversational despite my efforts so I slept a lot of the way. They actually got off at Macclesfield.

On to Liverpool and Goodison. This time, I ended up with an Afghan taxi driver so we swapped experiences of his homeland as he fought the traffic to get me as close to Goodison as he could given the time constraints. Top man.

Just in time with enough time for a quick bite to eat before heading to the turnstiles. I have to admit, the queues outside Goodison have been horrendous recently. I use the App for most of my home tickets and it was a bit confusing where to enter.

To their credit, the stewards I asked ushered me in, pointing me to a turnstile. Spirit of the Blues ringing out as I made my way up the stairs and in time for Z-Cars and the team coming onto the pitch. Even by my standards, what an epic journey to watch the blues.

A bit more confusion over seats as someone was sat in mine, but we all re-arranged, re-shuffled and I ended up with another perfect unobstructed few from my position in the Upper Gwladys.

I couldn’t help notice the cloud of smoke that seemed to be coming from the direction of the city centre or that general direction. A random thought crossed my mind. I hoped the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock wasn’t on fire.

Anyway, in terms of the match. In general, it was a tough watch and poor performance. I have commented that I don’t believe 4-4-2 has a place in the current game. It leaves the midfield exposed, especially ours. I don’t always like over-analysing formations but, for those who prefer two strikers, I would opt for 3-5-2, or an adaptation of 4-3-3 with the players we have now. We are definitely missing Gueye and Doucour!.

Calvert-Lewin, in my opinion, put a shift in against a very physical Luton defence. He would have needed an ice bath after that encounter, so I hope he’s ready for when we travel to Fulham. On our forward players, there seemed to be a reluctance to take the chances we did have early. Lack of confidence?

Their first goal? Most of us thought it was a foul. It certainly looked like it at the time and watching it back this morning, Calvert-Lewin is clearly pushed with two hands in the back. It is a foul. Once again, the standard of officials was poor throughout. I made an observation from my seat that the referee was strolling around in the middle of the pitch, almost unaware of the bigger picture of the game. The incompetence is getting ridiculous.

Difficult to pick a player from that. Virginia made a couple of great saves. I’m liking the look of him the more I see him. Branthwaite had a right tussle with their very physical and strong centre-forward, but not his best game. Garner was pretty much left on his own as Onana had one of his drifting games. If I’m pushed, I think I have to go for Tarkowski.  But credit to Patterson for that goalline block and his anticipation. He knew the keeper was committed so instinctively went to the goal line and cleared. Exactly what you are taught as a defender.

Luton had energy and aggression that we struggled to cope with. We were tame and lacked composure or confidence.

On other observations, a nice tribute to John Hurst before the match. I didn’t like the booing of Barkley. Others may disagree, but I’ve long learned that players don’t always get the choice. The club sell them at their convenience. A nice response when Townsend left the pitch and he gave his appreciation back to the Goodison crowd. Nice touch.

So, another year gone and off to the Arkles to toast my Grandfather and, to be honest, it’s easier getting back into town from there as the traffic isn’t as heavy after an Everton match. A few Luton supporters but most of my debate was with gloating Kopites. It got pretty heated, especially when I dropped the Jurgen bomb. Every single one of them. Those who understand know.

A Romanian taxi driver to Lime Street, so we swapped stories about Bucharest and his home city of Iasi (pronounced Yash). He lives in Dovecot and certainly knows his way around the streets of Liverpool to get me there in good time.

Direct train from Lime Street to Euston this time. A few surprisingly quiet Luton supporters, but I was sat with a nice family from Kent who had been up visiting Liverpool and been to the theatre.  

Onto Fulham, the league, the appeal and the political debate around our fate.

See some of you there. I get to attend with my son, so I’m looking forward to it.

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