Daniel Farke has commented on the atmosphere at Hill Dickinson Stadium following Monday’s 1-1 draw.
Much has been made of the atmosphere, or sometimes lack thereof at Everton’s new stadium this season.
Some have pined for a return to Goodison Park, now home to Everton Women. Others have suggested it will take time for fans to feel at home at Hill Dickinson.
Following Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, Daniel Farke has commented on the new home of Everton’s men’s team.
“I think overall, the stadium is very impressive,” the Leeds boss said.
“In the second half, when there were times they were on top of the game and equalised, it was a great, great atmosphere.”
NEW STADIUM NOT THE REASON FOR POOR ATMOSPHERE. SLOW, PASSIVE FOOTBALL TO BLAME
Farke’s observation that the atmosphere improved when Everton began playing on the front foot is significant.
Be it at Goodison Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s atmosphere is responsive to what’s happening on the pitch.
That symbiotic relationship between player and fan has always existed. When we see effort and drive, a willingness to fight for the shirt and a will to win, we respond in kind.
Our atmosphere is also often effected by how fairly we feel the officials referee our players. Simon Hooper’s inept performance on Monday certainly had an impact.
There were games when Goodison Park was a bear pit and generated an atmosphere among the best in Europe.
Equally, there we just as many times when you could hear a pin drop. When you consider some of the dull, passive football we’ve sat through under Dyche, Allardyce and Koeman in recent seasons, that’s hardly surprising.
Furthermore, with midweek games increasingly regular, it’s little wonder that Hill Dickinson’s atmosphere has been hit and miss so far.
Again, Goodison Park could be electric under the lights. However, it was often at its best when it was at its most inebriated on a Saturday afternoon.
On the rare occasion we’ve had a Saturday fixture of late, it’s been an early kick-off, such as our recent cup tie against Sunderland.
Goodison Park was Everton’s men’s home for 133 years, we’ve barely been in Hill Dickinson for six months.
It has yet to have a fraction of the moments that got fans going at Goodison.
Give it time.
