Just the Start… A Long Way to Go

Everton 0 - 3 Brighton

Up earlier than usual to get the lion hunters out as I wanted to get to the home city early. The trains were kind, both into London and up to Liverpool, which hasn’t been the case recently.

I was surprised how many Brighton supporters were on the train and ended up sitting with a few of them. I know this was only a snapshot, but it was interesting hearing their views. Widely regarded as a well-run club, but they don’t like their owner.

According to them, he and the Brentford owner (another admired club) used to be partners, but fell out and don’t speak anymore. I don’t know how true that is. Every day is a school day. Apparently both owners have made their money in the gambling market…

I was just taking these guys at face value. They seemed to know their stuff and got nostalgic about when they played at an athletics track, having lost the Goldstone Ground. They don’t like the location of the Amex Stadium, which I sympathised with as it’s in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it and it takes an eternity in the channel system to get to the train platform to get to Brighton.

When we got to Lime Street, I pointed them in the direction of the North-western, but I headed straight to Goodison. 

A quick bite to eat. Observing the Holy Trinity statue, I noted that stickers had been placed. “Stop it now” They were only small and I’m not sure what it was about, but I hope the club remove them. Inappropriate, whatever the cause.

I visited the Everton Heritage Society in St Luke’s and spent time talking with Pablo from the Fan Advisory Board about a specific request about getting Everton’s first mascot on the pitch at a match in this last season at Goodison, which he was very receptive to and said he would take it forward.

I then walked down to The Dark House and managed to catch George McKane. Great to see you, George, albeit briefly. Equally great to see you back where you belong and looking well.

On to the Harlech with a sizeable gang outside. Neil, Derek, Brian, Dave and others. Not to mention John McFarlane. I dropped in the Sheedy or Alex Young question. Well, John used his experience and mentioned Hickson. I even think Bobby Collins got thrown in. A good gathering amongst friends all in good optimistic spirits. Thank you for the Sheedy photo. I am humbled and it will take pride of place.

The match. Nice tribute to Kevin Campbell in the 9th minute with “Super Kev” ringing out and respected by all supporters in the stadium. I believe his family are up for the Bournemouth match. I hope the Originals hang a banner from the Upper Gwladys.

We didn’t actually play too bad for an hour and until then it was a pretty close encounter. Brighton themselves were making a lot of stray passes and sending the ball into touch a lot through forced errors. We got done at the back stick, but it was still only 1-0. "We can get back into this," I thought…

But then the defining moment came: Idrissa makes that kamikaze pass. Tony, next to me, said they’re going to score, and we could see it and they did. That was it and Brighton took control of the game, scoring an inevitable third and what would have been a humiliating fourth that was fortunately chalked off.

I don’t know what to say about the players. Ashley Young got himself into trouble, which led to his red card.  That could be a blessing, but I’m not sure who plays there.  I’m sure many will call for young Roman Dixon, but I’m not sure he’s ready for a start even though he impressed me during pre-season.  I’m not sure where Patterson is on him getting back to fitness. Or maybe Garner…

I hope Tarkowski can be reunited with Branthwaite soon, or throw O’Brien in.  He looked composed during pre-season.  He gives us presence and likes to push forward and can get goals. Yesterday, Tarkowski and Keane looked like they’d never played together. There were times they were so wide apart it was like a couple that had fallen out with each other.

The midfield was wide open again.  At one point, as I looked down at the pitch, I couldn’t see any shape to the team.

I thought Harrison played well and fought hard, almost scoring but for a good save.  I actually felt for him.  Those long punts into the channels had him constantly running his socks off. It was relentless and he’s going to need lung therapy after that.

McNeil was quiet. In fact, I hardly knew he was on the pitch at times. He certainly didn’t offer Mykolenko much cover or protection. Hopefully he’ll grow into the season. He does tend to be a slow starter. No Lindstrøm, even though he was on the bench. Surely that could have been an option?

Iroegbunam gave a good account of himself again, but he started looking tired and probably should have been taken off. There is a lot of promise in him.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again cut an isolated figure but played as well as could be expected given the tactics. I still think that was a penalty. Certainly, at the time. I only learned later that, when the official went over to the monitor, he wasn’t looking at anything as it wasn’t working. Honestly!! He’d already given it and he was there for several minutes looking at nothing?

On the booing, my take was the crowd were booing for him being taken off, not at the player himself, and he acknowledged as he left the pitch.

It's difficult to pick someone out after a comprehensive defeat and I know most will look at the result. But for a large part of the match, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. If I’m pushed, and I know he isn’t everyone’s favourite, I’d pick Harrison. He probably needs lung therapy this morning!

I stayed until the end and watched the players off the pitch. As is usual, Mykolenko was not afraid and didn’t shy from coming over to those left in the Gwladys Street. Tarkowski came across, but most were gingerly near the centre circle.

Disappointing result, but it’s one game with 37 more to go. Don’t write us off just yet. It’s a long season and there’s a long way to go.

What was that Brighton player doing? Winding up the Everton supporters for some time. He wouldn’t go away. It eventually took his own players to pull him away. I’m unsure why he was doing it.

I eventually got back to Lime Street.  I took a seat near to a couple of blokes and one of their sons. I initially thought they were Brighton supporters. It turned out they were actually Everton supporters from Brighton, who travel up and down the country watching the blues! Good company and respect.

It's on to the next one. The manager is going to have to think about his team selection. He has no choice with Young out. But he needs to change his tactics and the players he uses. He does have more options now.

Finally, thanks to Tony. I can’t appreciate enough.

Don’t give up, Blues. It’s one match. There will be more defeats, but there will be victories.

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