Jaded Everton Can't Outgun Arsenal

The Beach Boys classic, "I get around" was written for you, no doubt about it.

I agree, with regards to Harrison and Doucoure. Good report as ever, thanks.

Thanks for the report, Danny.

On your point about Tarkowski being our only player to approach the referee, I think I am right in saying only the captain is permitted to approach the referee. At least that is supposed to be the rule. As you suggest, it is a rule honoured more in the breach than the observance by some clubs.

I agree, Ndiaye was our Man of the Match. Tim Iroegbunam has many of the attributes, including physicality and skills, required in a midfielder. At this stage of his development, he lacks the discipline and positional sense to be a reliable presence in central midfield. At times I wonder if he would be more effective in Doucouré's usual role further up the pitch.

Danny, that certainly is the rule regards only the captain can approach the referee but, as we all know, certain clubs can get away with it… in fact certain clubs and their captain actually referee the game themselves.

Regarding the Arsenal fans….have they not looked at the league table recently?

16 hour round trip for me and the missus yesterday. Really do not know how you fellas, ladies, fans do that, week-in & week-out. Much respect to all who make the journey.

My opinion is the 'gameship' deployed by Arsenal is why they won't win under Arteta. They dived and exaggerated every tackle, they slowed the game down whenever they could.

The O'Brien yellow card was a good example, He pulled Ben White over, by the shoulder. It took the twat 3 minutes to get up.

Also couldn't understand why two players were stood directly in front of Pickford when he was trying to line up the wall for a free kick – and they got away with it.

Gana was my MotM he was everyehere. On any other player, I won't add to anything already said.

It was just great to be back there for a game in the final season. My first season ticket cost £30.00 an I would go the midweek Winter games when you wore two pairs of socks and your feet still frooze.

Danny, great report, I'd hate to count the miles you've done this season but I guess love does that to you! Arsenal to me looked a top six side rather than a team challenging for the title, having said that I don't think the other lot are much better, nothing outstanding in terms of overall play. But they were significantly better than us at knocking the ball around, but actually achieving nothing!
I must say too I have not been impressed with Arteta the last few times we have played Arsenal, he moans and bitches about us or decisions against him which given his history as a much loved player, seems very off. Ah well, they might get runners up but I cannot see them progressing against RM in the Champions League this week.

James, my first season ticket was a birthday present of my Uncle Jimmy, I have no idea of the cost but it made me try to find out. Long story short but I came across this incredible article / set of reporting from I think the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo as it was then.. what a read.

Everton Players could earn a massive 35 Pound per week...and crowd bonus payments, of 1 pound for every 1000 more than 35,000.

Vernon and Parker refuse to sign.. Young deliberating.

Anyone interested in Everton as it was under Catterick and Moores.. read on..

https://bluecorrespondent.co.uk/1962-63/july1962.html

Thanks Danny.

Fair assessment. one minor point. Even though it was miles away, Branthwaite could be heard by myself and others around me, putting a name on that ball which led to their goal. looked to me as if idrissa had already committed. I personally will exonerate both. One of those rare occasions you sometimes see on a footy pitch where two rights make a wrong. Unfortunate.

Christine

Not sure where you dig these things out, but another fascinating find. It really used to bother me when Goodison (a ground which could hold over 60,000) could be choca and yet a crowd of 32,000 would be announced. It must have pissed the players off even more when they didnt get their crowd bonus. No wonder Vernon and Parker wouldn't sign. Either somebody couldnt count, or it was the worst kept secret tax fiddle since they turned Ken Dodd's mattress over

Christine @ 6; iirc...and I sometimes don't...in 1962-63 it was 3 shillings in the ground and a season ticket was £3 16s 8d

I'd have given Branthwaite a higher rating.

Christine @ 6; I Rechecked £3 3s

Really good report, Danny. It drives me mad how accepting our players are of refereeing decisions. Far far too nice and honest.

I want to see players outraged when a decision goes against them. It's part of the game now – and we're at a disadvantage if we don't do it.

Derek, that price rings a bell, £3 was about half a weeks wage then.

I remember my first few because I was still a youngster, but it was a small blue book embossed with a gold imprint of Goodison Park. Inside were tickets for each game and the Central League games too which I would often go to as well before running back down Scottie to watch Doctor Who...

Danny, I think your report summed the game up. A few moments that livened up the crowd but mostly a boring game. The more Ndiaye got the ball, the livelier the crowd got.

Arsenal have got a good team with some special players; why doesn't Arteta let them concentrate on playing football instead breaking the game up with their devious and snide injury tactics throughout the game???

I think they would benefit from it on the field and would certainly be appreciated a lot more by opposing fans and the media.

Danny, you left Branthwaite out of your ratings — I know you rate him, so it wasn't done on purpose.

Danny

Good report. I can't disagree with anything in your post.

I am afraid I have lost all patience with Harrison; we did have alternatives: Broja plays wide right for Albania and I think 75-year-old Ashley Young would do a better job.

David Moyes said earlier in the week he would like to see Ndaiye and Alcaraz play more central — wouldn't we all, Davey, but you pick the team! So, to quote Spock, "Make it happen!!!"

I thought the game passed Tim Iroegbunam by, he hardly contributed anything in the whole game. We can't keep relying on Gana to control the midfield by himself.

But two great saves by Pickford and a very fortunate penalty kept us in the game. Probably the worst performance since Moyes came back. Maybe the quick turnaround in games didn't help, and the Arsenal game highlighted the difference in quality.

Robert (11)

Spot on Robert, it was only Ashley Youngs persistence in protesting to the referee about him being wrestled to the ground v Newcastle last season that the incident went to VAR and we got the penalty which got us a point out of the game.

Far too nice, Everton players — especially when you see Liverpool players screaming at the injustice of bleedin' throw-ins!

Point of order, Brian.

It was Captain Picard, not Spock, that said "Make it so."

For the love of Cliff, don't diss Star Trek in your "I don't give a damn about the details" manner.

Spock's 'phrase' was "Live long and prosper," which I hope you do despite the absolutely outrageous insult to the show and Starfleet itself.

I'm off to calm down.

Fair one, Colin. It was a complete mix up. I realised I missed out Branthwaite. Forget his part in the build-up to the goal, he proved how good his is and is only going to get better. And he is consistent.

Christine, as I understand it, right up until probably the '70s (?), players were paid well, albeit modestly. I think even until the early 80s, the reason for a testimonal was to raise money, so a player had a sum in the bank to set up for their next career.

Again, just my understanding, but players often felt they were not getting rewarded for being the main reason supporters went to the match and the club or board reaped the benefits. It won't be much different now, only over time, and especially since the advent of the Premier League, players justified their "cut" of the profits (although most run at a loss!!!). It's just gone too far the other way in my opinion.

I remember an article when we signed Slaven Bilic, who, at the time was a bit of a coup. The article was how Bilic was Everton's "last throw of the dice" in remaining a big club and that it wasn't the £4M we paid West Ham that financially crippled us, it was the wages.

It is worrying how many clubs pay over 90% of revenue on wages. In the business world, which football is now, I believe the target on salaries is 30-40%.

Brian 16

I stand corrected by your greater knowledge of Star Trek, I knew someone from the show had said " make it so". for my complete disregard of Star Trek knowledge I will now go on U tube and watch every episode ever made.
Live long and prosper Brian.

Nice, personal report as usual Danny, always a pleasure.
I'm afraid my well intentioned plans to go to St Lukes got distracted as I "had to" pass the Wilmslow and thought I'd take a look inside for possibly the last time. I haven't been in there for years as I often thought it would be rammed, but it was actually much easier to get served than I've ever managed in the Brick.
As other posters have alluded, I think I must be easier to please than most as I actually liked what I saw from the blues. I even thought Iroeganum showed promise and Doucoure had a good game. I was lucky to be sat next to Tony (he put me right on that last one) so had the benefit of an ex pros views on what unfolded on the pitch. I blamed Tarkowski for running backwards and pointing, instead of closing down Trossard for their goal but Tony saw what really happened and again, put me straight. We both agreed on Pickfords positioning for their free kicks, I personally think Jordan got off lightly for Fernandes' goal for united, but I don't think either of us noticed the two Arsenal players blocking his view as the ball was placed. Unlike Tony I thought Patterson did well enough given he was on his opposite flank. I'd like to see him on the right with Tarkowski resting and giving Jake a go in his true position. I was making my way back up the steps when the penalty incident happened so didn't see it but having seen it since, I do think it was justifiable. Lewis Skelly may not have intended to bring down Harrison but he did fall into him and prevented Harrison from getting through on goal (possibly a blessing?)
All in all though, as with the derby, we didn't look that far off Arsenal. In fact I'm trying to think of a team who has battered us, since Spurs, this season. Even Man U away was self inflicted, not a "gulf" in class.
Perhaps the system is working Danny? Maybe, IF Real Madrid had set up like Everton against them, they might have got a result? On the other hand it could be argued that IF we had set up against Liverpool like Fulham did, we may have done the same? Anyway, my point is, perhaps we don't give our team the credit its due for making these matches close? Speculation I know, but we don't get battered often do we?
At the final whistle I went to the front of the upper Glwadys whilst the stadium emptied and had a little sob... Then a steward told be to leave the stadium. I told him it was my last game and I just wanted a minute but he must have been a red as he wasn't very sympathetic. Maybe he thought I was going to throw myself off...
After the game I tried, without success, to get a pint in the brick (some very exotic smells around that pub and I witnessed four blokes falling out of a foggy toilet cubicle...) and instead went and got a good spec at the bar in the Harlech to watch the Rugby League derby - Hull FC v Hull KR. That was rudely cut short as apparently some big horse race was on down the road so they changed channels.
Later, I caught the Metro from Kirkdale and had a couple in the excellent Ship and Mitre where I met an old friend from the old NTAS days. He was sat with a Chilean Ruletero who had come over for the game and who had sat near me at the game with his Chilean flag. I had to leave for my train so rushed off with an adios but left my new Everton hat and sun glasses behind. I bet they end up in Chile.
Probably my last home game at Goodison park, although I will be outside at least for the Southampton game. My first game was also a draw (V Derby County, League cup, October 68) so it could've been worse. I got the programme and have managed to find, and buy, the programme from that first game, so I'll make up some form of memento for my "office" wall.
UTFT