Your last campaign was a bright one, no doubt, and it started some tongues wagging around the idea that there might be a few Toffees good enough to make the jump over to Arsenal. Lukaku. Martinez. Barkley. Ultimately, though, we calmed down a bit and came to our senses. Yes, Martinez has you playing some positive, attractive football, but you can no longer sneak up on folks (tricksy habit), nor can you count on such carefree salad days.
People are going to expect things from you, bigger things than last season. However, that’s a Damoclean sword dangling over you. Last season, you were the plucky upstarts punching with the big boys (and landing a few hay-makers, I’ll admit). This time through, you’ve been pencilled in as a top-four contender. The ‘underdog’ label is gone, and with it the naive freedom that allowed you to ignore the pressures. Not sure you agree? What happened then in the run-in? While our attention was split between the FA Cup and the Prem, you could focus on the Prem. Even fighting the ghosts of our nine-year trophy drought, we also had the grit to reel you in and finish fourth.
Fifth, though, is no mere door-prize, not when the top three spots have already been all but auctioned off to the highest bidder. However, you’ve also incurred the curse of Europa, and with it accursed sojourns into far-flung footballing backwaters. Long trips. Harsh, unforgiving pitches. Consonant-strewn, vowel-deprived opponents. Long may you toil there, and many Prem points may you drop as a result. I never wish injury on an opponent (well, maybe I did it to John Terry, but exceptions and rules, eh?), but I do foresee fatigue and possible injury becoming more regular companions to you.
We have our own travel-woes, of coruse, having returned from Turkey, land of clubs with that little curlicue in their nameş. Beşiktaş battled us to a draw, hacked Arteta to the ground, and forced us to treat our second-leg next week like a cup final. You see the dilemma? Despite my vows that we put you in your places, we may not be able to pull it off. We’re a bit…distracted. It’s not that we underestimate you—quite the opposite, in fact. It’s just that we have little choice but to focus keep one eye on Wednesday’s clash, a few players have already picked up knocks, and our German contingent may not be available after winning the World Cup.
Am I prepping a few excuses in case we lose? Yep.
Truth be told, Toffees, I’m pulling for you. Just not today, of course. I’d love to see you finish above the Spuds and Kopites, the Chavs and Mancs. Just not above us.
i don't know, Jon, I think you overestimate Everton. I think they played great last season, but I don't think they're going to repeat that this season. You tease them about it but end up sounding like you really think the'll go one better than us. they've not done any real transfer business other than signing Lukaku and there's not really anyone in the squad who has gone through a season littered with so many fixtures or knows how to sustain them through a title-tilt, Europa or not. That might not matter today, but it will over the rest of the season.Everton 1-2 ArsenalCOYG!
And as a Toffee I've always appreciated (well, since Wenger at least) how the Gunners have played.You list last season's Cup 4-1 as a spanking. Um .. I think you got a little fortunate ending up with that score line. The others, well, yes …As far as getting too big for our britches – it's not as if we've never been a regular contender in our history – we're not a Chelsea or City whose reputations are built on vast new money being pumped in. And as far as Spurs go – despite outspending us hugely for so many many seasons we continue to more than compete.Martinez has changed our philosophy from Moyes's negativity to one of optimism and self belief. We have a great youth programme and some funds are now becoming available to land some classy imports. When we go to the so called big boys now it's not turning up 'with a knife to a gun fight' as wee Davie used to state – but with an expectation to win. That is a 180 degree change for us – and one that we fans love to see.When you'll really fear us is when some big sugar daddy finally takes the plunge on us. Ok, it might not happen, but if it does you best be wearing dark shorts.In the meantime it should be a cracking game between two good footballing teams and I think, with the home advantage, I may just be the happier of the two us come the final whistle. Regardless, good luck in the CL.
Thanks for taking the teasing so well. I worried I came on a bit too strong at the start. I'm looking forward to a great match and season for us both!