Going the Game

Our club is in a deep trough and things may get worse before they get better. That concerns me less than the state of the game at supposedly the elite level.

The other night, we saw players wasting time, feigning injury, falling to the deck from the slightest nudge, pulling and pushing in the area at corner kicks, and generally making the game something to be endured rather than enjoyed. All this is said to be effective game management for which managers are lauded and rewarded.

I only watch Everton out of probably a misguided sense of loyalty. I love it when we win. Hell, I love it when we draw. But Premier League football with its catastrophic VAR system is no longer a great attraction. The enjoyment has gone. Even if they paid me, I would not attend another Premier League match which did not involve our club.

I think you are speaking volumes for plenty of fans, young and old, who are fed up watching today's football and how it is played(?) with the managers and coaches, not to mention the pundits in the media, encouraging the players to cheat their way through the games. It stinks, along with the poor referees and VAR, which is turning the games and results upside down and inside out.

We said goodbye to a great player who passed away yesterday, Denis Law, who played when the game was a lot better to play and definitely to watch.

Law, Best, Ball, Marsh, Bowles would do things just for the enjoyment they would get from it, and it was enjoyable to watch. Who does that now? Cole Palmer, perhaps, everyone else looks terrified of not following orders, or risking the cardinal sin of losing the ball.

The week I am entitled to my next season ticket, a manager gets sacked and the new manager picks the same players with the same result and I question is it worth it anymore.

The rules in modern football as Taylor made for shithousery of the highest order.

Diving, feigning injury and gamesmanship is condoned by all pundits and media as 'clever'

In my book clever means footballers with skill and guile, breaking the lines and entertaining.

I know it's a results business but some of the rules encourage cheating and time wasting.

Change the rules to have throw ins taken within 15 seconds, corners and all other set pieces 30 seconds, goalies keeping the ball for less than 10 seconds. Let's get the ball in play more. Oh and implement var properly, clear and obvious not fine margins.

I started going to the game late 70s when each team had an entertainer, nowadays it feels like instinct is coached out of players and possession is king. Which may be better results wise but as an entertainment it's like watching paint dry.

As much as I hate to say it, why aren't teams copying the klopp style of no striker but fast small forwards who latch onto long balls in quick attacking moves. I don't understand why teams aren't copying this. Instead most are trying to copy the Dutch, Barca Pep style of possession based football.

Anyhow I will renew when my tenure aligns withy sons and friends who I have been going with for years. It's a habit rather than an entertainment. God I sound like a right old fart.

Coyb.

I hope that everything turns out for the best, Alan.

Arsenal had perhaps more than three or four, including Bergkamp; United had Rooney, Cantona with Giggs and Beckham also staking a claim… I could go on, but you get my drift.

Most of today's players seem robotic and limited by whatever tactical plan a particular manager has in mind. Whilst probably there are far more technically good players and greater fitness levels in many sides, there doesn't appear to be that joy of playing football that there once was; not many of them on show today can provide an unforgettable, never-to-be-repeated moment in any given game.

Maybe it is just an age thing, and the fact that we have gone through the mill as Evertonians in the last few years?

Could you imagine George Best in today's football? No way would he settle for 35 passes in your own half.

I stopped going to Goodison for the last few games of David Moyes Mk 1 because I felt he was in bed with Kenwright and between them (in their own self-centred way) they were just diluting what Everton had always stood for… and I can't bring myself to go right now.

One more game and I've been attending Goodison for 50 seasons, but I've so far declined, and although my little daughter has asked me if I will take her tomorrow (I will do anything for my kids), I'm hoping her athletics competition, isn't finished by 2 o'clock.

I was talking to someone before who was saying that Southampton were very unlucky against Man Utd on Thursday night, and it must have been the only time in my life that I have had to ask anyone the scoreline of a game that had finished 48 hours earlier.

After watching the kids playing today, I was getting in my car after the game and I said to a woman whose son had been playing against us (he had taken a heavy knock when someone fell on top of him) that I was worried his shoulder had popped out for a minute.

She replied, "I was getting worried myself, but thank god he's okay, because the kids don't roll around like those footballers on the telly, do they?"

Honestly love, I've just been thinking about Everton, and how much more enjoyment I've been getting out of watching these kids just getting on with the game than I do out of watching the professionals.

Maybe that tournament might finish early and I might get entertained at Goodison Park…. Who knows!

Yes lads, the idiots siphoning a shed load of cash for their puerile comments otD etc, are, in my opinion, largely responsible for the state of football today. Once they started spouting “contact” as opposed to “sufficient contact “, the game was lost.

Seeing players collapse to the ground, rolling around holding their knee, shin, foot or face when there has been no “sufficient contact” is sickening. This more than anything else is turning me away from football.

I have my season ticket for the new stadium but it will probably be my last. Referees who turn a blind eye, who are so spineless that they're shitting themselves in case they upset Pep, Slit, or Klopp etc make me think that there is to some degree corruption in football.

I don't necessarily mean they're taking money, but that they're star struck and incapable of making a sane decision. We saw Chelsea recently and Villa last week wasting time by pretending to be injured yet the officials fell for it every time.

No, football is no longer the game I fell in love with when Carey was our manager.

You've just made my night….🤦🏼‍♂️

Like many on here, I try and get to every game. I genuinely look forward to every game but I agree that the entertainment is not what it was. A combination of cheating, time wasting, poorly implemented VAR, awful officiating, and dreadful tactics makes it hard going. Again, like many, I very rarely watch any other Premier League teams than Everton although being last on MotD tests that!

I would agree that time limits may help, particularly with VAR and a different, stricter approach to time-wasting and cheating is needed. Plus, the officiating consistency needs a vast improvement.

One of the biggest draws to the match is the atmosphere but that I think is really suffering at the expense of the issues above. The problem, though, is that football has become a TV sport because that is where the money is. Those in charge show little consideration for the matchday support.

I think the various aspects of controversy are in place intentionally for the TV audience.

Unfortunately, I cannot see it changing any time soon.

I've found myself in an unusual place these past few seasons. It's a challenge trying to stay optimistic when served the dross we've had to endure.

I'll be in the Upper Gwladys tomorrow. Give me a shout if around.

Alan. I hope all works out. Best wishes.

Take today, Skunk Maggots v Bournemouth and a 12:30 kick-off. It's over 350 miles from Bournemouth to Skunksville, so what time would their fans have had to leave to get there?

Even as we speak, I doubt very much if any of the Bournemouth fans are home yet.

I'm a few years younger than you, Fran, have a smaller family but a similar heart for our club. I sat in the Upper Bullens too, but gave up my seat after Moyes's first stint.

The only time I drank that much porter was on a visit to Dublin, and I've never tried your Bovril cocktail, but I will drink to your health this weekend when we notch up Moyes's first point(s).

Cheers to everyone Blue

It's not down to the club to sort out your parking arrangements, for fuck's sake!

You mentioned the Fulham game in 1963… My God, the memories of those days flood back!

What a day. When you win and get glory, you can remember things like they were yesterday. When you struggle, you can't remember the last game – or don't want to!

I never liked the way we got rid of Carey but, when we went the match, it was the highlight of the week. It kept us talking until the next game. Life was good.

Nowadays, the corruption, overpaid shithouses, cheats and so-called pundits have ruined our game.

Unfortunately. we can't give up the one constant in our life – apart from our mam – Everton!

I'm watching Getafe v Barcelona, and a Getafe defender is rolling around in absolute agony, holding his face, after a gentle tap on his cheek from Yamine Yamal.

It's 1-1 and three minutes into added-on time when Yamal blasted a shot miles over the bar, and the Getafe defender celebrated right in front of Yamal.

Absolutely pathetic by the Getafe defender, but I suppose holding Barcelona to a draw is a massive achievement for them, and time-wasting was a major priority, and maybe hoping Yamal was sent off for raising his hand?

Anyway, it finished 1-1.

GS4 Row S Seat 182

I will try to get and see you! 👍👍

Some ridiculous antics at the end, not good to see.

On the subject of Johnny Carey. Those of us of a vintage will recall the taxi-based events. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised but the expression has entered widespread use: "Taxi for so-and-so" etc.

But I'm fascinated that so many people have no idea of the origin of the phrase. A good mate (one of that lot but a sound lad, in his late 60s) was amazed when I explained the original use.

3 points today will not do us any harm.

The club do actually let fans know of any road closures, access to the car park on Priory Road problems, etc, on the official site. The information is located within The Matchday Guide:

ROAD CLOSURES

Coach arrivals

Please note that all supporter coach arrivals for this game should access Priory Road from the Utting Avenue direction. Once past the car park they should drive down the left-hand lane to be parked up further down Priory Road.

The BP garage remains open for business.

Access to car park

Cars should enter the car park off Utting Avenue only. All exits from the car park will be right turn only, back towards Utting Avenue.

This sounds just like another moaner using a stick to beat the club with!!

Well, I think the real story is Johnny Carey wouldn't have been sacked in the taxi if he hadn't have asked to be told what was going to happen.

Before they got into the taxi, Mr Moores told Johnny, “We have some business to discuss when we get back to the hotel.”

When they got into the taxi, Johnnie insisted on being told what the business was, so Mr Moores told him! If he'd only waited, he'd have spoilt a good story!

My best wishes for you and your family, Alan, I hope everything turns out okay.

Little Andy here, how are you, pal? I haven't seen you around for a while. Hope you're keeping okay.

Yes, before you ask, I'm still moaning — and why wouldn't I? It's what I do, isn't it?

Anyway, hope your not fiddling them spots in The Taxi Club, I reckon that's why Fran has never won one.

Great read, Fran. And Mick, take care, mate, hope to see you by the Old Lady before we move.

Apologies if its been previously mentioned.

Good wishes to you and yours mon ami 👍💙

Here's to 3pts today!

I was nearby last night at the Legends event at Blackstock market (which was excellent btw Sheedy, Ratcliffe and Reidy were on fine form) loads of derelict and unused buildings around so parking no problem, thought this would do fine for the test event at least, but no chance, LCC have for some reason wiped out any parking opportunities for everyone with their “zonal marking”

Blackstock have come out today and said it will kill business’s around who have basically set up to capitalise on the new stadium and invested thousands to be in the area.

I understand the need to protect residents on matchdays but this blanket approach is ridiculous as the zones only have about 40% residential areas covered, the rest is either businesses that don’t operate at night or weekends, and would seize the opportunity to become temporary car parks, or derelict wasteland areas which the council could make match day income from with roadside parking.