Late South Coast Woes

Bournemouth 2 - 1 Everton

A bright sunny day on the south coast. I’m glad I took my sunglasses. A glorious day. What can go wrong? I shouldn’t have asked myself. Because it did go wrong!

 

Brighton has recently been a happy hunting ground. But Bournemouth… it’s like Liverpool has sprinkled their Lucifer’s dust on that stadium to haunt us. That’s 9 goals conceded in the last 3 trips to the Vitality that I and others have had to endure.

 

The trains out of London Waterloo, once I got there, were a nightmare. Disruption and delays of up to half an hour near Southampton due to signalling issues and sat there stationary for periods as well as being slow moving. Now I was cutting it fine but made it into the ground just after kick-off following the security checks.

 

I would probably have to ask away supporters who visit Goodison, but the body checks and being asked to empty your pockets seems a bit over the top. I showed them my phone and wallet and then got asked what was that in my top pocket? I showed them my house key. They asked what it was. Simple answer; a house key. I then got told I would be asked the same for the next inspection about 20 metres away where I had to repeat the process, which I went through. What a waste of time.

 

I just don’t experience that at Goodison.

 

Honestly, some of these clubs must expend so much on unnecessary so-called security. By this point, I just wanted to get in the stadium, so they could have strip-searched me if they wanted rather than the token gesture of lifting my arms and emptying my pockets.

 

The supporters on both sides seemed apprehensive. Not surprising as there were two poor sides on show. We did play some neat stuff at times but lacked confidence in the final third and the players appeared to not want to take responsibility and take the shot. I did comment that it was like watching those training clips on the official website at Finch Farm.

 

Bournemouth exposed our flanks and were more adventurous. Although by and large, I thought we were the better team. We are just tame up front.

 

The worrying aspect is that this was an Everton team devoid of confidence and belief. Once again, the midfield was largely bypassed by the Pickford punts. Don’t talk to me about Pickford as I still haven’t calmed down. Many have been pointing at Coleman. From my seat, which was almost directly in line, not me. With communication and commanding the situation, that’s an easy take for Jordan. For me, it was on him. I don’t want to bash him as he has saved us many times, but yesterday he was at fault. He could probably have taken the cross for the first.

 

Hard to pick out, but our best players in a poor performance? Seamus, Tarkowski, and young Branthwaite were probably our best performers. Because they had to be. Once again I’m picking out defenders.

 

Beto has to get a mention. A brute force and he bullied their keeper to get his goal. I thought he’d put him in the net along with the ball. Use him more.

 

We thought we’d secured a point with minutes to go and then the killer blow. I won’t repeat what I’ve said. It can only have been a lack of communication. I can’t think of anything else but it looked awful from two experienced players.

 

I believe we should have had a penalty when Calvert-Lewin was clipped on the shin, but I’ve given up thinking we will get a decision. Once again, Calvert-Lewin spent a lot of that match on his own, flicking on the long balls with no one supporting or following up.

 

A quiet journey home. No supporters to engage with. More delays. I just felt numb and with it being Easter, held my crucifix and asked God and Jesus why? And then just slept.

 

I said to a few, Bournemouth reminds me of Norwich. Living in London, you think geographically they are close. No, far from it. Both are an epic journey, although I won’t compare to those who took the coaches from and back to Merseyside.

 

We are still in control of our destiny. Burnley, Forest, Luton and Sheffield United. And who says we can’t get something out of Newcastle or Chelsea? And give Klopp a Royal Blue send-off. No fear.

 

Licking the wounds. We are all feeling hurt after yesterday, and they hurt me. But we, and more importantly, the players need to pick ourselves up for Tuesday night. Take your oxygen masks to get you up those stairs!

 

I met a few outside briefly before heading in to find Bournemouth station. Even though I’ve been there several times and followed the signs, it was a right slog. Five minutes my arse (one of the signs told me that). Anyway, I got there.

 

For those fortunate enough to travel, onto the 140 steps into the Newcastle heavens. If anyone wants to go, let me know as my brother may have a spare. No guarantee but it is a possibility.

 

0796 600 7546

 

Dannyefc26@gmail.com

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