''It's just another derby''

, The Mirror , 29 April, 67comments  |  Jump to most recent
That's how Leighton Baines is attempting to play down the significance of next Sunday's showdown at Anfield. Baines claims "there's no added importance because it's at the end of the season" when in fact the opposite is true.

Baines's thinking is understandable and he's trying to relieve some of the pressure, which will build on him and his team-mates as Sunday approaches. But, despite the best efforts of the England defender, Sunday's game against Liverpool is huge for the Blues.

Firstly, it's a derby and every derby is big because of the baggage, which goes with this fixture, on Merseyside.

Secondly, Everton are still fighting to qualify for the Europa League and so they need three points from this game.

Thirdly, David Moyes is still trying to keep us guessing over his future beyond May 19. Although I feel he will end up staying and signing a new contract, beating Liverpool in the derby would help persuade him Everton are going in the right direction.

Fourthly, because a win would virtually ensure that Everton would finish above Liverpool for a second successive season, which is something they have not achieved since the Reds returned to the top flight under Bill Shankly in 1962.

Fifthly, and perhaps most importantly for me, Everton need to prove they've got the bottle to beat Liverpool.

For all of Moyes's success at Goodison Park, his record in the derby is pitiful. It reads, P24 W4 D7 L13. And he's never won at Anfield. In fact you have to go back to the last millennium to find Everton's last win in the Reds' backyard and September 1999.

Moyes has also never won a league game at Arsenal, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford and that tells you that Everton seem to have a problem performing in these big away games. Sure, they've beaten all these sides at a raucous Goodison Park over the years, and beaten them all well. But they can't do it away from home and that is something they must address if they are going to continue to grow as a team.

Anfield would be the perfect place to start and a win over Liverpool would speak volumes about how much Everton have evolved. Everton also need to put to rest the ghosts of last season's painful FA Cup semi-final defeat when they beat themselves against Liverpool.

Those ghosts were in evidence at Goodison Park earlier this season when, despite going into the derby as the form team, they were only saved from defeat by a dodgy late decision against Luis Suarez.

The Blues need to prove they are a top team by showing they have the mental strength to win at Anfield. So, for them, this is NOT just another derby.

Quotes or other material sourced from The Mirror



Reader Comments (67)

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Ross Edwards
1 Posted 29/04/2013 at 15:19:21
No doubt the gaffer has been drumming this message to the lads eh Bainesy?
Nick Entwistle
2 Posted 29/04/2013 at 15:51:15
So this will be just another for-or-against Moyes thread then, Ross?
Ross Edwards
3 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:16:40
Well Nick, Baines is a life long Blue who fully knows that every derby is important, and he doesn't need a dour Jock like Moyes to tell him what game is or isn't important.
Either this is a genuine quote from Baines, and I would be suprised if it is, or he has been told this in training by the gaffer.
IMO, it is the latter.
Tony Cheek
4 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:13:01
No it isn't Bainesy! This game is so bleeding important its not true. Its a simple equation, we must get at least a point. I think the RS will win the two other games they have left (Fulham away, QPR home) so if we lose they are going to pass us at the finishing line and after trailing in our wake all season, my 4 Liverpool fans at work are going to give me hell.
I have decided, (for the first time ever) not to watch it and am fucking off to the countryside all day on sunday, with mobile turned off in case of shitty messages.
THEY MUST NOT WIN!!!!!
Patrick Murphy
5 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:20:33
I hope it's not just another derby I've seen enough of them in my lifetime, I want it to be one we can remember with fondness, not yet another we have to draw a veil over.
COYB do it for all those who have never seen us win across the park.
Barry Rathbone
6 Posted 29/04/2013 at 15:58:42
Impossible for us not to win, the law of averages can't have us wimping out 11 years running.

Carragher is as mobile as long John Silver, Gerrard is on oxygen and Suarez is down the road - how can we not win?

(this delusion thing is great innit?)

Nick Entwistle
7 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:29:11
So that's a yes then.
Ernie Baywood
8 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:24:03
Baines supported the other lot didn't he, Ross?

Of course Baines is playing it down. Footballers never do anything else. The reality is that this game is for short and medium term bragging rights. I don't believe Europa will happen from here. So if Baines came out and said he's pumped up as its massive for us to finish above Liverpool - what would the ToffeeWeb response have been? I'd bet it would be something about lack of ambition.

Bjørn-Ivar Pedersen
9 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:27:44
With this kind of mental stands, they look to give away probably those most important 3 point battle this season.....bad.....so bad....where is the fighting spirit?????
Ross Edwards
10 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:32:40
Ernie
There was a big Reds-Blues split in Bainesy's family but I don't know what side he fell into. Hopefully the blue side!
Ross Edwards
11 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:36:22
"For all of Moyes's success at Goodison Park"
Very successful isn't he Daily Mirror, with a record trophy haul of zero!
Richard Lyons
12 Posted 29/04/2013 at 16:31:22
I really don't think we can beat them this time. Who on earth have we got who can actually score goals? Mirallas perhaps, but everyone else in the team is better at missing open goals from close range. I'm always pessimistic about the derby games, but I really fear we are going to get a pasting good and proper this time. And I don't think that Baines has the right attitude - it patently isn't just another derby, so why try to make out that it is?
Nick Entwistle
13 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:10:05
If you're being asked questions by some hack and one is 'does this derby have extra significance' - giving it the affirmative only leads to follow up questions which can be taken out of context.

I don't know how much media training these modern pro types go through, but deflecting any intent of the journalist so not to cause headlines etc is lesson 1.

Its extremely dull of course and also creates its own problem with wild conjecture getting thrown about by people trying to read into something which was uttered in such a way as to cause as little or no reaction what so ever.

Kevin Day
14 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:17:17
For Christ sake people, maybe, just maybe, he's saying this not cos of Moyes's "negativity" or cos he's playing it down, maybe, just maybe, this is how players cope with pressure. If you keep telling yourself the same thing over and over again, you start to believe it.
Terry McLavey
15 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:22:08
Ernie #708 I heard he was a lifelong blue as he was desperate to come to us from Wigan but who knows?

A bit like the rumour Carragher has an Everton Badge tatooed on his leg, has anyone seen it?

Mike Powell
16 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:17:58
Just another derby... WTF? Tell you what, Bainsey, forget about playing in it and come and watch it in town with us lot, you will soon see if it's "just another derby". Every game against that shower is important. I would love us to win there so much. If don't win, which we more than likely won't, then get stuck into the gobshites.
Steve Pugh
17 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:21:26
Well Ross, I guess we'll be alright because Brendan Rogers has won nothing either.
Jamie Barlow
18 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:29:44
I read the headline and thought Moyes is in for some grief on here if he's said that. What do you know, it was Baines.

Moyes made him say it though eh, Ross?

You couldn't make this bollocks up.

Robin Cannon
19 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:39:09
I've never seen a site or group of fans who can read more into the daily mundane answers to journalist questions that players and staff have to answer. With very very few exceptions, all those questions are answered in a "deflect any follow up, remove any pressure" manner; it's just how everyone plays the media game.

They're a perfect Rorschach test for ToffeeWeb.

- Player says something utterly dull in a daily interview.

- Link gets posted on ToffeeWeb.

- Huge thread arguing that this demonstrates that "Moyes is shit and negative and hateful" or not...

Kevin Hudson
20 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:46:58
Effectively, David Anderson has sought Leighton Baines's opinion, then decided that it didn't fit with the premise of his (undoubtedly pre-conceived idea) for an article. Then he's gone ahead and wrote what he wanted to anyway, whilst deriding the answer Baines actually gave him.

Why bother even requesting an interview if his intent was to simply bloviate .....?

Tom Bowers
21 Posted 29/04/2013 at 17:49:20
It's easy to understand some players' attitude to the ''derby'' match especially as most of them are not Scousers. When you add to that the fact that a certain ''ho hum'' has crept into their game after losing their way in the top four chase and some mediocre performances against the likes of Wigan and Sunderland.

We as fans obviously still make them the most important games of the season but from Everton's point of view our lack of goalscoring might be our downfall in this one.

Anichebe and Jelavic are very anaemic these days so the game on Sunday may be a mundane affair as far as Everton attacking too much.

Moyes will probably go for the usual defence in depth being the negative person he is after being frightened by RS's big win at Barcodes even without Ratboy.

Carl Sanderson
22 Posted 29/04/2013 at 18:36:43
Ross:

This article is about Leighton Baines's view of Sunday's game. Yet the very first comment is a pop at David Moyes. That's desperate stuff, even for you.

For your information, Baines was a Red.

Jamie Tulacz
23 Posted 29/04/2013 at 18:45:32
Ah the old never won away at the 'big 4' chestnut again.. Conveniently ignores the 9 wins out of the last 12 against City doesn't it? Also the fact our recent home record against the top sides is pretty strong (3 wins 1 defeat only v top 5 this season) Amazing how you can bend statistics eh..?!
Terry Maher
24 Posted 29/04/2013 at 19:48:59
We won't win at the Red Shite... we never do.
Sean Patton
25 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:04:45
Not really Jamie as it is quite true that Moyes hasn't won away at Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United or Anfield as the article states there is no need to bend any stat.

As for Baines is it too much to ask for the players to say nothing in the run up to the derby,every year one of them comes out with something and it never works just don't speak to any journalists before the game like Pulis is telling his players to at the moment.

Ross Edwards
26 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:17:04
Who bleeding cares if he's a Red! He should well know that any derby game regardless of its stage in the season is important and for him to say that is ridiculous. If we are to have this defeatist, don't give a damn attitude we are in for a good hiding.

I am blaming DM as it is his job to MOTIVATE the players towards Sunday, and Baines' comments hints that DM has played down the significance of the match in training.

Ross Edwards
27 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:22:30
Jamie Tulacz
City aren't a top team. Take away the Arab cash and they'll be a nothing club, always have, always will be.
Sam Hoare
28 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:23:43
Ross, you're turning of every single thread into a Moyes bash has become a little predictable. You're not another incarnation of Peter Barry/Tim Jones are you?
Paul Andrews
29 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:24:38
Jamie 763'
It's not that amazing.
You bent them very easily there.
Ross Edwards
30 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:28:48
No Sam. Are you an incarnation of David Moyes by any chance along with Dodd?
Carl Sanderson
31 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:37:26
Ross:

"Baines' comments hints that DM has played down the significance of the match in training."

In a very strong field, that is a front-runner for the stupidest post you have ever written.

Colin Wainwright
32 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:42:57
3-0. Baines all three.
Ross Edwards
33 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:43:09
It is my own opinion Carl. If you think it is stupid, ignore it.
Carl Sanderson
34 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:50:07
Ross:

Fair enough. Over and out.

Sam Hoare
35 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:43:11
Sadly not Ross, though ill take my incarnation over yours!
Gary Poole
36 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:52:04
Carl Sanderson (821 & 829) - nail on head, accurate and very funny!
Ross Edwards
37 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:56:38
Good point Sam. I'd rather be an incarnation of the Special One but that's just a pipe dream unfortunately!
Ross Edwards
38 Posted 29/04/2013 at 20:58:12
Gary Poole
I'm literally splitting my sides with laughter right now.
Paul Mitchell
39 Posted 29/04/2013 at 22:11:10
Ross 809. Read the quote from Baines "theres no added importance because its the end of the season". Then read yours: "He should know that every game regardless of the stage of the season is important".

I think you say the same thing. Has Moyes been on the phone to you and asked you to say the same thing to just back Baines up?

David Haimes
40 Posted 30/04/2013 at 01:28:25
I think getting draws and not wins at Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal and Liverpool is not a barrier to us progressing. Even title chasing teams would take draws there, we need to turn the draws we had this season at home and away against teams below us into wins, that is how we progress.
Ian Campbell
41 Posted 30/04/2013 at 02:07:44
Ross (824) - I think its stupid too

Also Love the change in opinion - Baines is a lifelong blue to There was a big Reds-Blues split in Bainesy's family but I don't know what side he fell into to Who bleeding cares if he's a Red!

Brilliant!

Shaun Brennan
42 Posted 30/04/2013 at 06:15:08
It's never, just another derby for us.

I hope we beat that shower, ram it home there time as top dogs on Merseyside is over.

Paul Kelly
43 Posted 30/04/2013 at 07:32:56
Its never ever just another Derby.

5 days til kick off and I'm winding myself up already about playing that shite.

Don't know why I get myself so excited history doesn't favour us does it.

But by god do those c##ts wind me up.

C O Y B

Nick Armitage
44 Posted 30/04/2013 at 07:42:59
We won't win there because we never have under Moyes.

This isn't a bash at Moyes, it is a fact, but nothing would make me happier than if we tore them a new arsehole. I just can't see it happening.

Matt Traynor
45 Posted 30/04/2013 at 08:23:44
There was a period in the late 90s / early 00s when we went 5 years unbeaten against them. In case anyone needs reminding, our team was pretty dire at that time. Their taunt was "it's your cup final against us". I think there's an argument to say the roles have reversed in recent years.

The record under Moyes home and away against the neighbours is poor, but I also don't buy the argument that the local players care more. Having seen the likes of Kuyt and Suarez in recent games it is clear that even the foreign players understand the importance of putting in the effort in these games.

Last season we gifted them the Anfield return with a deliberately weakened side prior to a quarter final replay. Moyes, showing that his "People's Club" quote when he arrived was not the birth of some in-depth understanding of all things Evertonian, said afterwards he wished he'd rested more. Forget, if you can for a moment, the fact that we lost pathetically to a Gerrard hat-trick. We'd actually handed the initiative to them for the semi final - even after Carragher gifted us a half-time lead, their players and fans still had the belief they would prevail. A fair proportion of our fans feared the worst.

I'm absolutely on the fence about Moyes. He can stay or go as far as I'm concerned. But his disciples often say he can't be held responsible for mistakes from players (but he is when they do something great?) If he's not responsible for instilling a belief in the club, desire, and sheer will to win, then he shouldn't be a manager in my book.

Matthew Williams
46 Posted 30/04/2013 at 10:53:45
Just another derby, me arse! Just like the Wigan game was just another cup tie... For Christ's sake, we're one-down already!

Cheers, Bainsey lad.
Carl Sanderson
48 Posted 30/04/2013 at 11:16:25
Matt:

I thought we were in control of that semi-final until Distin did his thing. Liverpool showed nothing up to that moment. Once we went 1-0 up I was just watching the clock hoping against hope we'd get through; I wasn't bothered about going for the jugular and scoring more goals. But my attitude was born of decades of derby disappointment and pre-dated Moyes by many years.

Jackie Barry
49 Posted 30/04/2013 at 15:36:32
Yeah but Steven Moyes has been here for 11-years and we have a trophy haul of zero. I can guarantee that they are more likely to win something than we are.
Brian Cleveland
50 Posted 30/04/2013 at 15:41:06
The not winning away at the top teams argument, while disappointing and annoying, is not that relevant in my opinion. Any team coming to Goodison is happy to go away with a point generally, including the top teams, so a point away to them isn't the reason we're not higher. At home we're starting to beat them or at least get a draw so we're not doing too bad in that respect and I believe we have progressed against them. It's the points dropped against the lower teams that have cost us dear in terms of our position and push for Europe.

Yes it would be nice to get some of those away wins to show we're progressing, but it's not a stat that needs to be trotted out every week as proof that we're crap.

Yes, of course I want us to go and get a win at Analfield for the first time this century, but this and our lack to win at the other big 4 grounds cannot be related to a throw away comment by Baines that it is not any more important than usual.

Can you imagination what happens if he says "it's the most important game of my life" and then we lose? He'll never be allowed to forget it. He is playing it down in public, doesn't mean he is in private or within the confines of the club.... he grew up in this atmosphere, he knows how tense it is, maybe he needs to make himself relax a bit or he'll not sleep!! I know I won't sleep well Saturday night, and I don't think I'll even be on the bench!

Ross Edwards
51 Posted 30/04/2013 at 17:21:03
Possibly Paul Mitchell.
James Carlisle
54 Posted 30/04/2013 at 17:29:31
This is absolutely not 'just another derby'. If the players go in with that mindset then the result will be that of 'just another derby'. It's hard to imagine the game meaning as much to the playing and coaching staff as it does to the fans. This is as must win to us as it is to them because we can finally prove a point and stop 'living in their shadow'. COYB!!!
Derek Turner
55 Posted 30/04/2013 at 21:02:00
Brian,

Why would he never be able to forget it if he came out the woodwork and declared and we lost? If this game is not important, more important than the rest, then which is? This game is our vindication for the rest, the draws, the goal against Newcastle that you knew would come the moment Vic scored, the drubbing by the Brum, Sunderland with the sniff of euro football in the wind.

I have thought about nothing else for weeks.

The evil empire needs overthrowing.

Give it to them Everton.

David Greenwood
56 Posted 30/04/2013 at 21:19:46
Spot on Derek,
Brian Cleveland
57 Posted 30/04/2013 at 21:31:03
Derek,

Simply because nobody likes egg on their face.... I wouldn´t say it was more important either, even if I really believed it was.....

Barry Rathbone
58 Posted 30/04/2013 at 21:29:32
Unrelated but if you're going to get knocked out of a cup do it as Real Madrid just have - great effort, great game.
Derek Turner
59 Posted 30/04/2013 at 21:34:49
Brian,

I don't care if they lose (that much, really, sort of honest) if they play to win and give it everything they can. Baines should know, this is important to us. You surely must believe to win? They have been riding on Gerrard and Suarez for a while now, who are the rest of them? Look at the teams that have held or beat the shite this season. Is this too much ambition to ask?

Brian Cleveland
60 Posted 01/05/2013 at 00:43:29
Derek,

All I'm doing, and it seems not very well, is separating the public face from the private.... what is said in public is not necessarily the belief in private....

...and I do care whether they lose or not!

... and as for them riding on Gerrard and Suarez, I thought so too, but against Newcastle they were a team, didn't rely on any one person.... maybe a little like when we lost Rooney? All seemed doom and gloom but made other people step up their game and not rely on one person.....

Anyway, one thing we can agree on, we WANT them to have a go and try to win it.

Patrick Murphy
61 Posted 01/05/2013 at 01:51:09
Brian, That's definitely what we want to see, a bad bounce of the ball, a mistimed challenge or a poor decision from the officials can all undermine our chances but we must be a lot braver than usual and go for it. If they go all out to win then I won't be down if they don't, but if they play 'park the bus' and allow them to dominate for long periods, I will – if we lose – be very unhappy.

Brian Cleveland
62 Posted 01/05/2013 at 06:20:17
Patrick, I concur on that one, I'll certainly be throwing things at my TV too (soft items only!) if they don't make what I consider to be an appropriate effort to get a positive result. 90 minutes of nail biting last ditch defending, no thanks, don't need my nerves to be frayed any more than normal on derby day!
Ernie Baywood
63 Posted 01/05/2013 at 08:28:52
Interesting to read the Liverpool players' comments in the build up.

Carragher says the derby is the biggest game and that if he could win only one game a season it would be this one. Lucas speaks about wanting to catch us.

I'd forgotten its Carragher's last derby. COYB!

Matt Traynor
64 Posted 01/05/2013 at 08:50:05
I could be wrong, but I'm sure Carragher's scored more OGs for them than goals for them (probably like our own Cap'n Pip), so would be nice to see if he can sign off from the Derby scene with an OG. Or two. And a red card.
Tim Jones
65 Posted 01/05/2013 at 09:16:39
Yeah 'just another Derby Ho! Hum!' typical of the Moyes inspired mindset that the players have been brainwashed with. Not a game which will set the bragging rights for the closed season, not a game which will probably decide if we finish above or below the Shite, not a game which might decide a European qualification for Everton or not - just another boring end of season game - I really do despair if that is the attitude which Moyes instills in his players is it any wonder we bottle it every time under him. We know know Moyes does not give a f*ck about the supporters feelings he made that absolutely clear with his Derby game capitulation last year and now it seems he is not alone HIS players think the same . Baines is home grown too and has this attitude so just think how much worse the attitude of the foreigners in the squad will be.
So save your money guys no need to go to the 'End of Season' run out watch at home and get drunk and angry there instead.
Andy Meighan
66 Posted 01/05/2013 at 11:15:39
As I've stated on here on many occasions, the place is a graveyard for us. They are not a good side by any means.

One thing is for certain though: we've got to take hold of that midfield early. Because if we allow that Couhtino any time on the ball to dictate, he could hurt us big time; he's got a lovely eye for a pass. With the exception of Gerrard and maybe Sturridge, they've got nothing else.

The league table doesn't lie, does it: they're where they are for a reason; yes, they've hit a few goals in the last couple of games but don't forget they had two goalless draws before that so it's not all doom and gloom for us. The midfield is vital — that's why I hope Gibson plays.

And, if Moyes had any balls, he'd drop the very ineffectual Osman and put Barkley in. But we all know he won't, don't we? I'm just not confident for any other reason than it's Anfield.

Kevin Hudson
67 Posted 01/05/2013 at 20:28:51
Tim,

I don't see how you can pin Baines's comment on Moyes; Leighton's a big boy and he can speak for himself.

Journalist hypes game up, player declines opportunity to stoke the fire.

Brian Cleveland
68 Posted 01/05/2013 at 21:09:26
"Journalist hypes game up, player declines opportunity to stoke the fire"

Kevin,

That's what I've been very ineffectually trying to say... thanks for putting it better than I managed to.... :-(

Patrick Murphy
69 Posted 01/05/2013 at 21:12:23
It's weird listening and watching some of the comments coming out of the Dark Side, it wasn't that long ago that Everton FC weren't considered worthy of being there greatest rivals, in fact at one point in time I wasn't sure if either United had moved to Liverpool or the Dark Side had moved to Manchester as that was supposed to be their biggest contest and must win derby game.

The way they change their priorities to suit is amazing, I wonder if following the toss-up they put both nets at the end they're kicking towards and leave the other end without one, I mean it is the dark side and they have license to do or say what they want.

Roman Sidey
70 Posted 02/05/2013 at 10:24:38
I understand that the players bring out this infuriating-to-the-fans-rhatoric to ease the pressure before a big game (this is the biggest game we've had since last year's two derbies), but we hear the same soundbite before EVERY derby, and almost EVERY derby ends in tears.

Maybe the players could use a little bit of pressure. Just saying, Einstein's theory of insanity and all that.


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