Regardless how bad we have been this year, and I know we have been bad. Would we have been relegated? Simple answer is no.
I say this because we have Goodison Park, home of Everton FC. As much as we think our home is quiet, even toxic in some games, I hear my old mates saying it's not like it was against Bayern, Fiorentina, or any other memorable game under the lights.
I agree...but
But, Goodison comes with a health warning for some sides - it causes a lot of teams problems before a ball is kicked. Bournemouth folded, West Ham fell apart after the pen miss, Huddersfield froze, Watford did a miracle of Crystanbul, Swansea did the usual at Goodison. Picked up cheap points elsewhere too at home - and took some beatings - Arsenal & Spurs were embarrassing- Utd & Chelsea not what we are about either. I’m
We used to give the top six a right go, 60 grand used to do keepy ups, the Belgian kerb played on the wing to mix it up, the kidda with the Pot Noodle Barnet did one two’s before slotting in the Geladys, the forgotten one celebrated before slotting into an empty net. Goodison is one hard place to come too....at times we forget this and offer up this advantage too easily.
Koeman with his Barcelona badges on Bentley number plates showed our investment in his ability was misplaced. He was as poor the previous year but a late run post watford saved his fat head. I blame him for so much this year, others take a slice, but that Blonde Beaut was seriously bad. He had to go. But we had no plan B. Koeman should have gone way before Arsenal, Chelsea away was bad, Spurs at home criminal, Utd away shambolic. Can’t remember but Brighton away was unfair on them for the point, not forgetting the embarrassing effort in Europe that saw us embarrassed in Italy & France. Koeman’s reign is too easily overlooked because of gravy & his wardrobe shaped head, but he quickly dismantled any coherent football we once had.
So, would we have been relegated? Absolutely not. Having no plan post Moonhead was ridiculous, felt for Unsworth - players knew he wasn’t long term - then we got the Smirking Bloater. It is what it is. He’ll go.
Early doors we were a mess, Spurs destroyed us, Arsenal played as bad an everton team I’ve seen in a long time, Burnley did a number on us. The rot was there with Moonhead, he had no interest in Everton. Players saw that...Board then acted. Poor choice in Gravy but whoever managed us, would have seen us safe. Each to their own I reckon on this!
