Surprising Blanks at the Cottage But a Point is a Point

A day of mixed emotions. It started with sad news that a friend I had known since being in training in the Army for over 20 years, served with in various places around the globe had passed away quietly early in the morning after a short illness at 51 years old. Puts life into perspective. Rest in peace Roy. Stand down soldier. Your duty is done.

 

But then quickly followed by the great news that my nephew and his wife were blessed with their second child. Welcome to the world Zachary. His Dad and Grandfather are Kopites, but his uncle, my nephew, Patrick (Paddy) is an Evertonian. There could be hope for the young man.

 

Now onto Everton and the night in west London.

 

We headed in on the new Elizabeth Line, which is very impressive and connected at Paddington to make our way to Putney Bridge. Onto the 8 Bells and greeted with an “Away Supporters Only” sign. Even after all of these years of living down here, I still find that odd. We all have idiots, but the vast majority of supporters are there to watch the match and will gladly mingle and have banter with each other before, during and after the match. I sometimes wonder if the authorities create issues with things like that. Like being escorted to Anfield at Derbies and vice versa when they visit Goodison. Our home city. Most will have travelled together, go home together and debate in their homes or locals. Leave supporters to themselves. That’s just my view. I don’t get it.

 

Anyway, we met with Mark and Mike and a few others. And then eventually got to meet Dave Cashen in person who eloquently graces these pages. It took a while for us to navigate the pub even though it is surprisingly smaller than I remember, so you wouldn’t think it was difficult. But we found each other. In fairness it was heaving with Evertonians and it was challenging to pick people out. We used televisions as reference points. But there were three. We tried corners, but there were four. Eventually the large mirror sorted it out!! A crowd in one of the corners was singing loud and proud, giving Mark a few renditions of his favourite “Marching down the Goodison Road”!! You could feel a sense of optimism. That travelling Blue Army never ceases to amaze me.

 

Off to take the 10 minute walk and into the stadium. I do like Craven Cottage, even though I remember that period under Moyes when we seemed to have countless 1 – 0 defeats on several of my previous visits.

 

Fulham’s new riverside stand looks impressive but was empty in the middle again. It must not be complete as that has been at least two seasons now. I’ve mentioned this before, but talking to a few Fulham supporters, apparently the season tickets for it will be £3000. The highest in the Premier League, surpassing Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. Talk about matchday revenue. I think our highest is still less than £700.

 

Why didn’t we wear blue? We could have played in all blue but opted for an all Salmon attire. Minor point, but I sometimes wonder.

 

It was an open match, and I was surprised it ended 0 – 0. As has been said elsewhere, it could have been 4-4, but I think a draw either way was a fair result.

 

How that wasn’t a penalty does not compute with me. It was blatant. It wasn’t questionable. The subsequent explanation is a shithouse excuse. I’ve never been a conspiracy theorist, but this is starting to turn me into one. A few weeks ago, we had one given against us for the ball hitting Onana’s armpit from about 50cm. At Craven Cottage, the Fulham player practically patted it away with his outstretched arm. Once again, we suffer from poor officials. You didn’t need VAR to decide that. We could see it from the other end of the ground. Watching the replays and highlights doesn’t help as it rubs salt in the wounds.

 

I was convinced that Beto had scored. I was just about celebrating. Head it down and that’s in. Basics. Height and distance as a defender, head it down as a forward. And as for that sequence of events in the dying seconds, where we seemed to have about seven attempts (exaggeration but felt like it!!) at their goal in what was the final sequence of play. It just wouldn’t go in. Some sort of magnetic shield must have been present.

 

That Pickford save right in front of me was just outstanding. Along with our defence, and the recent good performances from Virginia, this is an area of the pitch we are relatively strong in. Aside from the odd collapses, most of our games are close and even when we get beat, it’s usually by the odd goal.

 

That said, I understand wanting to get on the front foot, but sometimes, I wish the keepers would refrain from quickly punting it forward and take their time on occasion if it’s not on. There was a moment I commented on when Jordan did play short to Branthwaite only for Jarrad to play it straight back for the keeper to belt it forward. What was the point? He could have done that in the first place. Although in fairness, maybe we were trying something different and Fulham did press well.

 

On the other players, Mykolenko was solid. As always, first over to the crowd. I was right near the front and close to the pitch and to see the delight in the young girl’s face he gave his shirt to was brilliant. Tarkowski must be our most reliable and consistent player right now. Absolute rock and leader, blocking one off the line. I spoke to the person next to me and we both commented that at times he was the only one talking. Harrison and McNeil looked shattered. The outcome of having a wafer-thin squad.

 

A special mention to Ben Godfrey. I’m still trying to figure out his best position, but he played very well last night. Probably our man of the match. Hopefully he has found his confidence.

 

Dominic put in a great effort against another land of the giant’s team pretty much up there on his own. Their number 31 centre back looked like he was 7 foot tall. DCL works incredibly hard but is continuously a forlorn hope. He’s getting a lot of criticism, but he just needs a goal to break his duck. Don’t dismiss the effort he’s putting in. It will come.

 

The tactics are not pleasant to watch for the purists. Long hopeful balls. It’s a good job we almost have no midfield as we don’t use them anyway and those in the middle must have sore necks as they watch the ball flying high above them. I know the manager is working with a thin squad but sometimes, just change it and get it on the deck more often. Get back soon Idrissa and Doucoure. Garner needs help. He also worked hard.

 

There was a period in the second half of a seemingly endless sequence of corners, but we defended well even if there were a few nervous moments. There were some very anxious people around me, but I am relatively confident in Everton’s defence right now.

 

We demonstrated resilience if not guile and earned a very good away point with a clean sheet. At the end of the season, it will be a good one. Without the 10 points deduction, we’d be happy with that.

The players came over and even Dyche, who, is always appreciative came closer than usual. Maybe that’s the nature of Craven Cottage as they walk past the away section towards the tunnel in the corner.

 

So regardless of what is about to happen, a resilient performance. The Blues never gave in on the pitch and in the stands.

 

It looks like the trains are going to disrupt a lot of people’s plans at the weekend. But there is always a way.

 

Onto the appeal. I don’t care about other results. We have to take care of our own. And there are a few clubs who can still get dragged into the mix.

 

Thanks to Mike as always I really appreciate the help in being able to get to the match. Evertonians all support each other as much as they do our team.

 

Our team. It’s not done yet.

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