Everton Fans and our home form

[WarringtonBlue]

The best way I can describe Goodison is that support isn't given, it's granted. The ground will go silent when we let one in but when players start moving forward and trying to make stuff happen the place lights up. Also as it's so close to the pitch you hear everything far more than the modern stadiums and this accentuates the negative.

There are some absolute idiots in the last 2-3 years who've just stood there moaning though and that can't help but have a negative effect

 

[Smudge1985]

I think it is a problem that's everywhere these days, partly down to ticket prices (the more you pay for something, the more you feel you deserve your money's worth. Losing isnt fun whatever you've paid, but its a hell of a lot easier to take when you've only paid a fiver for it as opposed to 40 odd quid) and partly down the internet and blanket coverage. Everyone has a platform, and generally the irritating know it all dullards are now multiplied in number.

In general though, the atmosphere at Goodison has indeed been pretty poisonous lately. And no it isnt just because we're losing, its because a certain section of our fans seem to have turned into overexpectant Kopites after Martinez's first season. The first time I really noticed it was QPR at home last season, a game we were 3-0 up in and cruising to an easy victory, and then a pretty large section of idiots decided to boo Jagielka for passing the ball backwards instead of going all mental and gung ho looking for more goals. Since then, its like being at a rugby league match where I sit these days when every single time we're in possession, they all feel the need to shout 'forward' and start kicking off like we've just conceded when they dare pass it backwards. That affects players, you could see it a few times, the defence would get the ball and get closed down, and you could see they didnt want to play it back to Howard because they knew what the reaction was. Likewise Kone. Yeah he isnt playing well at the minute, but going mental before he even receives the ball and just waiting for him to make a mistake is anything but productive. The same happened first half against Sunderland, 2-0 up in stoppage time and just seeing out time and the crowd start kicking off demanding forwards. Defender sends the ball long, it comes straight back and Defoe gives them a lifeline. At the end of the day, you have to go backwards to go forwards sometimes, and only a complete idiot who has no understanding of football in the slightest would think otherwise.

We've always had scapegoats, Beattie was one. Even when he had a half decent season and scored a few, the boo boys couldnt wait for him to start screwing up again so they could have their scapegoat back. Currently it's Howard and Kone. But that negativity is breeding all over, hence the kind of abuse Im still hearing the likes of Stones, Barkley, Deulofeu and Lukaku have been getting recently too. And these are our best and currently in form players.

At the end of the day, whats the point in getting on a players back every single time he makes a mistake? Its not going to undo the mistake, and if you keep putting that pressure on him, he's more likely to do it again.

 

[AndyC]

I think it is a problem that's everywhere these days, partly down to ticket prices (the more you pay for something, the more you feel you deserve your money's worth. Losing isnt fun whatever you've paid, but its a hell of a lot easier to take when you've only paid a fiver for it as opposed to 40 odd quid) and partly down the internet and blanket coverage. Everyone has a platform, and generally the irritating know it all dullards are now multiplied in number.

In general though, the atmosphere at Goodison has indeed been pretty poisonous lately. And no it isnt just because we're losing, its because a certain section of our fans seem to have turned into overexpectant Kopites after Martinez's first season. The first time I really noticed it was QPR at home last season, a game we were 3-0 up in and cruising to an easy victory, and then a pretty large section of idiots decided to boo Jagielka for passing the ball backwards instead of going all mental and gung ho looking for more goals. Since then, its like being at a rugby league match where I sit these days when every single time we're in possession, they all feel the need to shout 'forward' and start kicking off like we've just conceded when they dare pass it backwards. That affects players, you could see it a few times, the defence would get the ball and get closed down, and you could see they didnt want to play it back to Howard because they knew what the reaction was. Likewise Kone. Yeah he isnt playing well at the minute, but going mental before he even receives the ball and just waiting for him to make a mistake is anything but productive. The same happened first half against Sunderland, 2-0 up in stoppage time and just seeing out time and the crowd start kicking off demanding forwards. Defender sends the ball long, it comes straight back and Defoe gives them a lifeline. At the end of the day, you have to go backwards to go forwards sometimes, and only a complete idiot who has no understanding of football in the slightest would think otherwise.

We've always had scapegoats, Beattie was one. Even when he had a half decent season and scored a few, the boo boys couldnt wait for him to start screwing up again so they could have their scapegoat back. Currently it's Howard and Kone. But that negativity is breeding all over, hence the kind of abuse Im still hearing the likes of Stones, Barkley, Deulofeu and Lukaku have been getting recently too. And these are our best and currently in form players.

At the end of the day, whats the point in getting on a players back every single time he makes a mistake? Its not going to undo the mistake, and if you keep putting that pressure on him, he's more likely to do it again.

To take you up on the QPR game last season... Yes, we were 3-0 up and cruising and yes, some did boo at a back pass from Jags... because we should have kept the pedal to the metal and buried them. QPR were ripe for a roasting of biblical proportions and we eased up, relaxed and let them back into it. Yeah, yeah I know it ended 3-1 but the point is, it could and should have been six or seven-nil... in exactly the same fashion as Slumberland could and should have been at least 8-2 and Aston Vanilla could and should have been 8-0... Bournemouth should have been beaten, Norwich should have caved in under a deluge of goals.

We're all loving the attacking football of recent weeks, we're all (probably) enjoying the way we play out from the back rather than the hoof ball of recent years... but and it's a big but, we need to develop and maintain a true killer instinct. If the opposition are there to be slaughtered, do it and do it with relish.

If they're garbage, that's not our problem.

Had we beaten Watford, played and beaten a rank bad opposition rather than the occasion in the Derby, won at Bournemouth and continued for 90 mins the way we played the first 45 at Norwich, and had we not blown points in just two or three other home games - Leicester and Stoke at home - we'd be at least fifth, and the rest of the Premiership would be fearing us.

None of this excuses overt negativity towards the team either individually or collectively, but Everton simply have to improve 10% all over the pitch and the glory days will return... the proviso being we keep the lions share of this squad intact and find a new Southall.

 

[Smudge1985]

I know all this, and know we have underachieved this season and last. But creating a horrible home atmosphere wont change anything. That QPR game also came on a Monday night, when we had Southampton away on the Saturday and then the quick succession of the Christmas and New Years games. It doesnt hurt anyone to start taking it easy when a game is won sometimes. Personally Im more concerned about the games where we showed no killer instinct at all, like Norwich away or Palace at home, than with games where we did win and win comfortably. The fact you're complaining about not beating Sunderland and Villa by more when we put 10 goals past them says it all for the attitude problem thats being talked about in this thread.

 

[Khalekan]

To take you up on the QPR game last season... Yes, we were 3-0 up and cruising and yes, some did boo at a back pass from Jags... because we should have kept the pedal to the metal and buried them. QPR were ripe for a roasting of biblical proportions and we eased up, relaxed and let them back into it. Yeah, yeah I know it ended 3-1 but the point is, it could and should have been six or seven-nil... in exactly the same fashion as Slumberland could and should have been at least 8-2 and Aston Vanilla could and should have been 8-0... Bournemouth should have been beaten, Norwich should have caved in under a deluge of goals.

We're all loving the attacking football of recent weeks, we're all (probably) enjoying the way we play out from the back rather than the hoof ball of recent years... but and it's a big but, we need to develop and maintain a true killer instinct. If the opposition are there to be slaughtered, do it and do it with relish.

If they're garbage, that's not our problem.

Had we beaten Watford, played and beaten a rank bad opposition rather than the occasion in the Derby, won at Bournemouth and continued for 90 mins the way we played the first 45 at Norwich, and had we not blown points in just two or three other home games - Leicester and Stoke at home - we'd be at least fifth, and the rest of the Premiership would be fearing us.

None of this excuses overt negativity towards the team either individually or collectively, but Everton simply have to improve 10% all over the pitch and the glory days will return... the proviso being we keep the lions share of this squad intact and find a new Southall.

Bingo, Block.......brilliant post.

And BTW......IMO the booing at the QPR game speaks well of our fans.

We are not merely passive observers......we live and breathe the game.

Just because we are winning doesn't mean we will applaud needless back passes from one end of the pitch to the other on bitterly cold winter nights when the opposition us at our mercy.

We boo when we're winning......

 

[AndyC]

I know all this, and know we have underachieved this season and last. But creating a horrible home atmosphere wont change anything. That QPR game also came on a Monday night, when we had Southampton away on the Saturday and then the quick succession of the Christmas and New Years games. It doesnt hurt anyone to start taking it easy when a game is won sometimes. Personally Im more concerned about the games where we showed no killer instinct at all, like Norwich away or Palace at home, than with games where we did win and win comfortably. The fact you're complaining about not beating Sunderland and Villa by more when we put 10 goals past them says it all for the attitude problem thats being talked about in this thread.

With respect - codswallop.
What the hell has the schedule got to do with it ?
If a team is there to be buried, bury them - END OF !
Taking it easy is for when six clear.
We need a sustained killer instinct, it needs to be the pre-requisite, a necessity, part of our DNA.
I've been watching and following the Blues since the 69/70 season, so I think I've got a pretty fair view of our lack of killer instinct over time and my attitude on footie is a + b = c where a equals winning, b equals playing with panache and style and the C is therefore the epitome of The School of Science... if this equation is a problem for you, then you've got the problem, not me... with respect.
@Khalekan

 

[TheHumbleEgg]

With respect - codswallop.

If a team is there to be buried, bury them - END OF !

That, all day, sadly I don't think it's a lesson that's sinking in...

On the whole 'support' subject. I reckon we're a patient bunch for the most TBH, but when it needs a shout that's what they get and, in turn, deserve, but what rankles - and whatever your opinion - is some of it is just bilge and makes us sound like 'one of them'. I read on TWITTER the other day, couple of whoppers bangin' on about the abuse HOWARD was getting, and how 'funny' it was... and how 'EVERTON' & how 'SCOUSE' it was when he was on the end of '...I hope you die you Twitching Tw@t', followed by raucous laughter... That makes me uncomfortable TBH, whatever you think of him, because it's heard, it's heard by other players, it's probably discussed and it must make some of them DREAD the idea of having a stinker in case the same is applied to them. Bit grim really. I'm not even a fan of HOWARD, he's been dire for a while and shouldn't really be gettin' a sniff at the moment but, y'know, it's not that long ago that his WORLD CUP perfs made us kinda proud he was a blue. But things change eh, as a football fan you are fickle by nature, that said, there's being fickle and there being a bad [Poor language removed], which doesn't hlp anything really...

Anyway, onward...

 

[AndyC]

One of if not the biggest reason I simply will not consider joining Twitter - pathetic how it's used and abused.
@TheHumbleEgg

 

[Steam Engine]

@BlockHead

"I read on TWITTER the other day, couple of whoppers bangin' on about the abuse HOWARD was getting, and how 'funny' it was... and how 'EVERTON' & how 'SCOUSE' it was when he was on the end of '...I hope you die you Twitching Tw@t', followed by raucous laughter..."

You've nailed so much of this with that sentence. I find a large section of our support very contrived with Evertonians trying to act like how they think an Evertonian should act. Or perhaps more specifically trying to act how they think a Scouse Evertonian should act.

Actually it may have been @TheHumbleEgg who posted that, either way, spot on.

 

[James McCarthy's Scissors]

I say yes, unfortunately the under thirties are badly letting us down and crying like spoilt little bishes.

My first year as a season ticket holder was at 15 years of age and ended up in the last game of the season against Wimbledon to stay up. The football was absolutely dire but at least we got behind the team.

This season offensively we have been brilliant to watch and all you have done is moan and whinge.

The way we support the team we deserve to be relegated.

Agree with all of that. Kids today don't have a clue. Can't get their mouths off their mum's tits without crying over one thing or another. I blame reality TV and mobile phones.

 

[EFC78]

Bingo, Block.......brilliant post.

And BTW......IMO the booing at the QPR game speaks well of our fans.

We are not merely passive observers......we live and breathe the game.

Just because we are winning doesn't mean we will applaud needless back passes from one end of the pitch to the other on bitterly cold winter nights when the opposition us at our mercy.

We boo when we're winning......

It doesn't. It's petulance from a crowd where a significant amount of them have transformed in to some of the most pathetic and embarrassing set of fans in the country since Martinez first season.

We were seeing out the victory in that game against QPR. It was about the 90th minute, we were 3-1 up with no reason to throw everything at it and the booing was pathetic and unhelpful. Just like the crowd against Dynamo Kiev at home where they rattled McCarthy after about 10 mins which led to us conceding instantly. We could do with more games like the QPR one where the players actually see out games rather than letting teams beat us who have no right to. Take Stoke for example where we should have seen out the 3-2 win but instead let another 3 points slip.

Goodison is not only the home of the worst atmosphere in the country these days, but now has some of the most clueless and knee jerking fans to add to it.

No one is happy with the underachieving at the moment. Taking the piss out of Howard and screaming at Kone before or after he's made mistakes doesn't help either. It creates more of a division between the players and fans. Our players fear playing at Goodison these days and I don't blame them.

As bad as the players have been in recent months, the support at home has matched it too. How many times do our fans chant and get behind the team even at 0-0? We don't. Everyone sits there in a mood because we're not 3-0 up after 10 minutes and then they all jump at the chance to bitch and moan when one of the players make a mistake. Some of our fans revel in the poor form.

 

[Khalekan]

It doesn't. It's petulance from a crowd where a significant amount of them have transformed in to some of the most pathetic and embarrassing set of fans in the country since Martinez first season.

We were seeing out the victory in that game against QPR. It was about the 90th minute, we were 3-1 up with no reason to throw everything at it and the booing was pathetic and unhelpful. Just like the crowd against Dynamo Kiev at home where they rattled McCarthy after about 10 mins which led to us conceding instantly. We could do with more games like the QPR one where the players actually see out games rather than letting teams beat us who have no right to. Take Stoke for example where we should have seen out the 3-2 win but instead let another 3 points slip.

Goodison is not only the home of the worst atmosphere in the country these days, but now has some of the most clueless and knee jerking fans to add to it.

No one is happy with the underachieving at the moment. Taking the piss out of Howard and screaming at Kone before or after he's made mistakes doesn't help either. It creates more of a division between the players and fans. Our players fear playing at Goodison these days and I don't blame them.

As bad as the players have been in recent months, the support at home has matched it too. How many times do our fans chant and get behind the team even at 0-0? We don't. Everyone sits there in a mood because we're not 3-0 up after 10 minutes and then they all jump at the chance to bitch and moan when one of the players make a mistake. Some of our fans revel in the poor form.

I begs to differ.

I sat freezing my ass off that night watching what I consider to be the most boring 3-0 match in my long history of going the game.

(I am pretty sure it was well before the 90th minute, btw)

The only thing maintaining any hope of excitement was the prospect of further goals against possibly the worst visiting side I have ever seen at Goodison for a league game.

So I freely admit to joining ing in the boos when the ball made its way back to Timmy from the edge of the opposition box.

And if that don't meet with your approval........sue me

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Even when we win we still have fans trying to find something to whinge about.

 

[EFC78]

I begs to differ.

I sat freezing my ass off that night watching what I consider to be the most boring 3-0 match in my long history of going the game.

(I am pretty sure it was well before the 90th minute, btw)

The only thing maintaining any hope of excitement was the prospect of further goals against possibly the worst visiting side I have ever seen at Goodison for a league game.

So I freely admit to joining ing in the boos when the ball made its way back to Timmy from the edge of the opposition box.

And if that don't meet with your approval........sue me

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ews/david-prentice-everton-fans-right-8316564

"No. The player booed was Phil Jagielka, for retaining possession in the 90th minute of a match Everton were leading 3-1. It beggared belief."

As I said, it was the 90th minute, we were closing out the game and the captain was booed. Pathetic support.

On a different note, I think the sarcastic applause for Howard is wrong, but think the frustration at Stones messing it round with it on his 6 yard box was justified. He needs to learn when to just get rid and the anger at that was justified in my opinion.

 

[AndyC]

I begs to differ.

I sat freezing my ass off that night watching what I consider to be the most boring 3-0 match in my long history of going the game.

(I am pretty sure it was well before the 90th minute, btw)

The only thing maintaining any hope of excitement was the prospect of further goals against possibly the worst visiting side I have ever seen at Goodison for a league game.

So I freely admit to joining ing in the boos when the ball made its way back to Timmy from the edge of the opposition box.

And if that don't meet with your approval........sue me

I beg to differ along with Khalekan.
My ass damn near froze too.
The boos were well before the 90th minute !!
QPR were the gashest of the gash with knobs and bells on to boot !!
Yep, I too wasn't happy with the back-passing and easing up.
I left GP fuming like a good 'un that night, whereas t'other week, I though the draw v Palace was about right - good game throughout.
Ideally I want us to win every game, but that win over QPR was tainted by a lackadaisical approach after going 3-0 up.
and finally @EFC78 , to quote Alice Cooper... "if that don't suit ya, that's a drag..."