Southampton 1 – 0 Everton
I guess that’s why they call it the blues.
Another early start, although not as early as those travelling down from the homeland. I fell off the healthy food wagon and had a Spoons breakfast before heading to Waterloo. I wish I hadn’t.
We’d arranged to meet at Yates’s. Arriving in Southampton, even though I’ve been to St Mary’s several times, I jumped a cab. The driver was honest and told me Yates’s was just up the road, but I just asked him to take me there. I commented on how many Evertonians were in there, before being told it was the main away pub. I had no idea, as I never check that stuff.
I met with Mark and there was a family all from Chelmsford in Essex. The kids have supported Everton all their lives, even though they have grown up in Essex. Mark’s mate Sean was there. He also lives on the south coast. I suppose not too dissimilar from the West Country Blues and countless others up and down the country and around the globe. For me, I’ve never known different, but these people get my utmost respect.
I said to Mark, as one of his irritations is being called a “wool” by fellow Evertonians and being “advised” to go and support Manchester United, “Well, I don’t care where any Evertonian comes from. If they support our club, they are as dedicated and as big a supporter as any of us.”
We finished up and headed to the stadium. I wanted to get an Uber, but Mark pointed out that there were Southampton supporters walking across the park, so we followed them. Good shout.
On the match. We were placed in a corner of the ground, and we were sat very close to the home supporters. A few young supporters were getting agitated by the goading and reacted. The Police eventually came in to calm the situation. It was all handbags at 10 paces and the majority carried on watching the match.
We could and should have won that; we had the chances. Their keeper was kept busier than Pickford and he made a few good saves, when I was expecting the net to bulge. At one point, I thought it had and I jumped up celebrating. Side netting… “Sit down Danny!!”
But in all honesty, that was a tough watch. Once again, the midfield was absent, not for the first time this season, but that was down to tactics. We were so narrow that Southampton were given freedom on the flanks, especially our right-hand side, which they targeted.
Ndiaye is probably the only player who comes out of that with credit, although I would give Gana credit for doing his thing. Maybe Keane, who, when playing centre-back, was pretty solid. The supporters were chanting his name, which tells you a lot, as you don’t hear it too often.
Beto offers something different. He’s a bully. He rattles the bar and I think it was still shaking when they scored about 30 seconds later. Another one I thought was in.
Beto’s goal. I’ve not watched back and won’t, so those who were watching will have to let me know how close that was. As soon as I saw the official listening to his earpiece and surrounded by Southampton players, I feared the worst.
Strange substitutions. Branthwaite – if he’s fit, why didn’t he play rather than bring him on so he could push Keane up front after taking a striker off?
Another week, another disappointing performance. It isn’t always about the result, but you want to be entertained and see the team perform. The manager’s tactics are increasingly under scrutiny, if they already were not. I was of the opinion that he will see his contract out. I guess that is down to the new owners, who I’m sure will be watching.
Final word to the supporters. Noisy throughout and most stayed until the end, with some of the players coming over, although many gingerly clapped from the centre circle. Well played travelling blues, you done your bit.
A chance bump into Rob in the street after the match. Quiet amusing. I had no idea which way the station was and Rob was trying to find his coach!!
I finally got there after walking around in circles before finding a Subway and, yes, ordered an Uber. I’m obviously spoiled living in London. It gave me a waiting time of 17 minutes. First-world problems, I know!!
Back to London and slept all the way. I popped into my local for one, I couldn’t be bothered with more. Good Irish band on and me and the manager, Tony, comforted each other as Manchester City had lost to Bournemouth to enable that lot to go top.
On to West Ham. Next weekend is a rammed schedule. Everton and then the Cenotaph on Sunday for Remembrance, with family coming down from Liverpool. I never wear my medals. My sister tells me I should. I have 8, and I can wear my Grandad’s Burma medals on my right chest.