Chelsea away as Everton fade out again
Posted by Ian Marshall's Double in Chelsea, Everton, Tottenham | 17 April 2006
We are but a moment’s sunlight fading in the grass. Chester Powers
First, a few reflections on the Spurs game,
Spurs looked pretty good to be honest. With one notable exception around Christmas time (who should and will remain nameless) they were probably the most formidable opposition to visit the former Fortress. One player who stood out was Carrick, who seemed to run the game at his own pace. Very impressive.
Richard Wright, much maligned but excellent on Saturday. Despite being prone to chucking them in for fun against Spurs, he made some great saves, especially the one from Defoe when Naysmith tried some weird crap attempt at ‘barless limbo’ to get the ball back to him. The Nays also played an awful ‘sheriff’s badge head’ header back to him and then proceeded to blame the Everton custodian. No, fair play to Dickie, he was superb and reports that he was even heard to call for the ball were later confirmed.
Paul Robinson – Without having very much to do, his performance was still mightily impressive. He caught everything that came near him but the thing which stood out most was his booming kicks. You were patiently waiting for him to take a touch but no, boom, for miles. He looked like he could clear the bar at the opposite end.
Spurs fans – Despite stooping to some of the usual shite you get from away fans chant-wise, their support for once was pretty impressive. And their ‘end’, well corner, went as mental as any this season when the pen went in. And penalties can sometimes illicit a somewhat muted response. Wouldn’t it be a pity if Arsenal win the Champions League and they miss out. No, it won’t will it.
Internecine squabbling – A favourite feature of all grounds. Real Life Blues remembers Sheffield Wednesday’s last season in the top flight and having to sit with t’yorkies. 2 Wednesday-ites (that just sounds funny) had a full on scuffle over whether Benito Carbone should be getting a game or not whilst bleeding them dry on his extortionate wages. At Goodison, the top left corner of the Park End is full of ‘characters’ and a clash ensued on Saturday. This took place in the ‘row of death’ which has previously witnessed some pushing and shoving between 2 blokes who both thought Unsworth was shit (we all did that day) but differed on whether this fact should be spoken aloud. This time Phil Neville played a pinpoint 60-yard pass to James McFadden, which was pilloried by what can only be described as ‘a gobshite’. He was swiftly corrected and then a boisterous war of words ensued. It’s a shame this season is ending, coz this one is going to run and run. Rest assured, Real Life Blues will keep a watching brief. In the end it kind of calmed down, but don’t assume any stewards got involved, we’ve seen Princess Di up there more times than a ‘club official’ in a luminous tank top.
As for today, well 4-1 seems on the cards really. Yobo and Ferrari will get a chance to show they are the long term answer at centre half, which they could be, but we could be the ‘guests’ at a big cockney knees-up, evoking memories of Highbury 1998. To draw parallels, expect to see John Terry scoring a screamer a la Tony Adams. In fact, they have a lot in common, captain, local lad, talismanic leader, centre half, England international, happy to piss in a pint glass at the bar etc.
What we need is a gutsy display and the players who were shining a month ago, Faddy, Leon and Beattie, to show us that form again.
Comments
The inevitable tonking by Chelsea - we seem to play the perfect foil in any championship or relegation game that doesn't involve our own necks. Is it me or do we seem to lack professionalism? I'd love us to send both Brum and West Brom down just because we can, rather than because I hate them (although that's always a factor).
Sounds like fun in the Park End - there are some right tits about. We all shout shit at times but it's the constant sound of it that drives people to the edge. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum should apply to the stands as well, although may as well ignore it here as well.
Great blog, however think you should just get over 'the gobshite's' seeming words of wisdom... as for the war of words - just keep it that way eh? no need for violence now - maybe you should move next season if you can't handle other's opinions?
Yeah we are easy meat to anyone who needs anything, good point.
As for the relegation matters, Birmingham's the one I'd really like to go, with our help of course.
Turning to Park End based shenanigans, the idiots should move to leave the reasonably reasonable to 'enjoy' their pain.
IMD