Homepage Update: The Derby Review

[catcherintherye]

“Those who love, friends and lovers, know that love is not only a blinding flash, but also a long and painful struggle in the darkness for the realization of definitive recognition and reconciliation.”
Albert Camus, The Rebel.

When outlining the future for humanity in 1984 George Orwell remarked it best to imagine a boot, constantly stamping on a face forever. I can only surmise that it is fortunate that he never had the privilege of getting to be an Evertonian watching a Mereyside derby over the last 20 years. It has become a fixture where much of the discussion is not about whether you win or lose but rather which method of defeat is most painful. The truth is that Everton have specialised in finding increasingly innovative ways to lose the game. There would be the meek surrender and underperformance of Moyes, the kamikaze misplaced triumphalism of Martinez or the sort of clueless, seemingly without a plan hammering dished out in the subsequent years. Sunday’s display, while a defeat fitted into none of those paradigms and out to sit on it’s own when evaluating it’s particular place. The ending had more than a hint of the absurd to it and was a farcical way to end what was a very good game between two evenly matched teams.

Full article: https://www.grandoldteam.com/2018/12/05/the-derby-review/

 

[davek]

Liverpool kept going, yeah. But it was as much an act of desperation (as they knew City were near out of sight) as resilience. They were desperate because they were mastered for much of that game by a team in transition like us. And where was their resilience in the CL this season? They're pushovers in that.

In short: I wouldn't give too much credit to this Liverpool team, they dont look like anything much to me. Just a long ball outfit who have a couple of classy CBs and a halfway decent GK.

 

[ToffeeTim]

I want to forget about it forever.

 

[EFC78]

Only they could have a player slice a shot in to the air in such an embarrassing manner, turn away in disgust at himself, and the ball stay in close enough proximity to our goal that it causes such panic leading to the worst error in Merseyside Derby history (to my knowledge) from our goalkeeper.

 

[Parker]

Only they could have a player slice a shot in to the air in such an embarrassing manner, turn away in disgust at himself, and the ball stay in close enough proximity to our goal that it causes such panic leading to the worst error in Merseyside Derby history (to my knowledge) from our goalkeeper.

I'd say Reina's was worse. Wasn't it a shot right at him that he almost fumbled into his own net and then patted it on to Johnsons head? I think thats what happened anyway.

 

[hallamblue]

Only they could have a player slice a shot in to the air in such an embarrassing manner, turn away in disgust at himself, and the ball stay in close enough proximity to our goal that it causes such panic leading to the worst error in Merseyside Derby history (to my knowledge) from our goalkeeper.

Paul Gerrard letting in that 40 yard backpass from McAllister was worse.

 

[EFC78]

I'd say Reina's was worse. Wasn't it a shot right at him that he almost fumbled into his own net and then patted it on to Johnsons head? I think thats what happened anyway.

Reina at least had to save it and it was 2-0, so the game was already over. This handed them the 3 points.

 

[EFC78]

Paul Gerrard letting in that 40 yard backpass from McAllister was worse.

Pathetic goalkeeping but at least the shot had to be saved. Van Dijk's effort wasn't on target and Pickford somehow allowed them to score from it.

 

[Parker]

Reina at least had to save it and it was 2-0, so the game was already over. This handed them the 3 points.

I agree it didn't cost them but as an isolated incident, it is a far more basic error.

 

[EFC78]

I agree it didn't cost them but as an isolated incident, it is a far more basic error.

If Reina left the shot from Carsley, it goes in. If Pickford left Van Dijk's effort, it would have gone out for a GK, or at worst, hit the top of the bar and then he'd have been able to catch it if in a freak stroke of luck it had come back in play which I don't think it would have.

 

[brieverton]

Best we try and put this behind us really though easier said than done.

Sunday set the seal on everything that has gone wrong in this fixture, over the past 20 years, given a few credible draws on some occasions.

Redemption for Pickford is quite difficult in my eyes, that was a monumental error, at a time and place that could not have been better to meet the set-script that is established for this fixture.

Coleman was right in something he said in another context - that you can do all the talking in the media but there comes a time where you have to get a result.

That's the state of play now for the derby - win at all costs.

 

[Parker]

If Reina left the shot from Carsley, it goes in. If Pickford left Van Dijk's effort, it would have gone out for a GK, or at worst, hit the top of the bar and then he'd have been able to catch it if in a freak stroke of luck it had come back in play which I don't think it would have.

Pickfords mistake comes from misjudging a horrible sliced volley. Reina couldnt catch a ball that went straight at him. Thats a bigger fundamental mistake than what Pickford did imo.

 

[Blue Roo]

The Derby will never be meaningless, much as we might want it to be, but no structure we present around it can guarantee us happiness. We will lose again there, but when we see progress it should be remarked upon and enjoyed.
Couldn't agree more.
I never got this thing of people trying to bring down the importance of the derby.
Sure its painful, and sometimes dealing with it forces one to put things in broader context of life, family etc,
but to render it just another match is shirking what it is to be an Everton fan.

The motto for me was and is always about doing your best- nothing but can accepted when wearing the shirt.
I'd even go so far as to say during the Moyes era its was as if the lads tried too hard - anxiety football taking over
Then you had lads busting their guts while Lukaku loafed around.
Then the dull posession of cul de sac Dutch football and a ridiculous transfer policy - resulting in a team psychology out on the pitch that needed to be hospitalised.
A lot can be said about BFS but it was like - slap across the face, a blanket and a cup of tea. Get up and try again.

I'm really starting to have faith that the people leading this club aren't just trying to mastermind a plan (like so many other clubs) but are tapping in and going with what this club is about.
That they didn't get the most reputable, seasoned, experienced coach to implement what they had devised.
They got a young ambitious coach and young players.
They understood a renewal, a re energising of the of the club ethic was needed - get up again, go back out and leave everytning on the pitch, without fear.

For me, this derby was more meaningful than many of the others. I'd take this over BFS's draw.
I can't wait for the next one at home. No fear.

 

[hallamblue]

Just when we'd got rid of the match thread. Can we ban all talk of this game now please, and wait for the return match. We need to move on.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

Pathetic goalkeeping but at least the shot had to be saved. Van Dijk's effort wasn't on target and Pickford somehow allowed them to score from it.

I challenge Courtois that if only Pickford were a little shorter we would have secured the draw.