Now that’s what I call entertainment

Up at 5.45 for the drive up to Taunton to join West Country Blues full to capacity 73 seater coach. Packing my rucksack I realised I’d gone slightly overboard with the food supply- a family sized pork pie, four smoked salmon sandwiches, six beef salad sandwiches, three hot cross buns and a chunky kitkat looked a trifle OTT but I reasoned that if we were delayed on the way home I might be glad of it.

Despite a delay due to a crash on the M6 we made good time. We usually stop at Keele services but in view of the delay the WCB committee suggested we forego this unless anyone required to use the loo for more than just a pee. As the loo was situated downstairs on the coach which just so happened to be where the committee were sitting, this struck me as a bit of a crafty move but as it was no one was brave enough to say that they required the coach to stop to avail themselves of the facilities so on we went! On arriving at Stanley Park some of the more elderly passengers showed a quite remarkable turn of speed in getting from the coach to the Goodison Park fanzine which housed the nearest loo. Certainly I moved quicker than I had since before retirement and am now considering a comeback on the squash court!

Feeling a lot better for the stop at the Fanzone Ian and I walked down to the Harlech where we met up with Bill and Neil. It was freezing cold outside where we stood gripping two pints each of freezing cold lager- it had to be done! I found my seat in the Upper Bullens and the guys in front of me took a few seconds to settle into their seats. I was half stood up to look over their shoulders and just about managed to see the first goal. I was in the main stand back in 1970 when Kendall scored after 14 seconds ( I think we may have been three up after ten minutes in that game against a very good Chelsea side) but could hardly believe it when the second goal went in so quickly. Leicester were wide open down the middle and looked very poor with Vardy hardly getting a touch. We were playing good football and once the third went in there was no way they were going to get back into it.

Garner has quite rightly received the plaudits for his pass to Beto for the third but equal credit to Takowski who played a lovely dinked pass to split the Leicester defence for the second goal. Tarks is a better footballer than he is given credit for and put in a fine performance throughout.

Ndaye was a pain in the backside to Leicester from start to finish and deserved his goal- the Leicester defence seemed to freeze and just watched him do it- I’d be amazed if they avoid the drop. Beto had a good game and showed what he can do if the ball is played ahead of him rather than with his back to goal. His finishes were top class and just the sort that DCL struggles with. It will be interesting to see if the light dawns on Moyes that this is the way to use Beto. He reminds me in a way of Malcolm MacDonald who scored loads at Newcastle when the team played the ball ahead of him but he was never the same once he joined Arsenal who played it more to feet. Beto was given a quite emotional ovation when he was subbed, as was Lindstrøm who played his heart out and showed that there is a player there.

The journey home was fab basking in the glow of such an entertaining performance. Big two games next- we owe Bournemouth a beating and who knows in the derby if we get at them from the start?

Player ratings:

Pickford- one shot to catch, one cross to collect, an assist for the first goal and that was about it. Distribution decent- 7

O’Brien- clearly a centre half out of position but he was solid, good positioning and he’s very quick. Jarrods replacement no doubt though if Jarrod stays a back three could work- 7

Tarkowski- see comments above- 8

Branthwaite- solid, brought the ball out of defence well, very calm and some good tackles- 7

Mykolenko- solid game, got forward quite well, getting better- 6

Gueye- covers an enormous amount of ground and allowed Garner to dictate a large amount of the game- 7

Garner-  tremendous workrate, won the ball, excellent passing especially for the third goal- my man of the match- 9

Lindstrom- last game I saw him play he was taken off at half time and I think I gave him a 1. Now looking a real player even though he is out of position - 7- if he’d taken that chance in the second half it would be an 8!

Doucoure- huge improvement no doubt helped by the early confidence boost of his goal. We all know what his limitations are but his workrate and selfless running for the team must be hard for a manager to ignore- 7

Ndaye- what a cracking player. Very effective at winning the ball, has good pace, great dribbling ability,wins so many free kicks when running the ball out of defence and deserved his goal. Hugely entertaining to watch he reminds me of a cross betweenDuncan MCKenzie and Steven Pienaar- 8

Beto- showed what he can do with the right service, taking his goals really well. Running on to passes ahead of him he looks a totally different player to when we hit aimless balls or try to play it to his feet .On this evidence the lad can finish- 8

The subs all did their job and I thought Tim looked very shark, aggressive in the tackle and showed a couple of moments of the skill we know he has. Having him and Garner back is great news.

Home at 11.20pm- what a great day and thanks to Mike at West Country Blues for making the day happen- it must be a thankless task which he does with humour and great patience.

 

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