If you look to previous derbies over the last 15 years we seem to have been caught between two emotions. Fear and arrogance. It has led to the derbies becoming a wholly unenjoyable experience for most Evertonians. We've won 0 of the previous 12 or going further back just 2 of the previous 20 (or 4 from the previous 33).
At different times in that run, in spite of what the reds will say we have been favourites for the match. Whether that be being above them in the league, in better form or playing with a numerical advantage on the day, however we have not converted the advantage. I think there is now a mental bloc and a fear when paying them.
What I like about Monday is I have neither of those feelings. Possibly because I had written the game off post Watford. However I can't say I massively fear them or am arrogant enough to think we'll beat them, they are a very good team. What Arsenal showed us though, was a way of playing that suits our team. My focus is on seeing that sort of performance again and seeing if one or 2 of them can play their way back into contention with January looming.
There is no expectation for us in this game. They should roll us over. However if we can get to the level as we did against Arsenal it will be a competitive match. That should be all our focus is on. An objective that shouldn't really allow people to freeze, or look on as underdogs. Go out there, and focus on pressing, tackling, working hard without the ball and supporting one another. Going into a derby match with those feelings will be quite unique for these players and I'm hoping is a liberating feeling.
It was curious reading Barry Horne's column in the Echo who said as much. He played for Everton in a decade where we were rarely favourites, and in all honesty there was often more important things going on that just the derby match. Maybe it provided a freedom to inferior players knowing they had everything to gain? Unlike other tension filled 6 pointers it was a bit of a free hit and we could focus on making it as hard for them as possible. He's right and it worked. Our focus should be making it as hard as we can for Liverpool. They need the win. Going up top 8 points behind Chelsea, with Chelsea's upcoming fixtures is akin to waving the white flag. For us, outside of the FA CUP we have little to play for.
As I've indicated sequences can be reversed. Through the 70's/80's we has a run of just 2 wins in 31 games against some world class Liverpool teams. By the 90's though that had been turned on its head, we went 9 games unbeaten, lost 1 in 12 or just 4 in 21 in the 90's. Sequences are made to be broken and reversed. Likewise there's nothing inherently superior about Liverpool, or certainly this Liverpool team or club. DOn't forget blues that in the 1930's they went on a sequence just winning 2 games in 13. Or in at the turn of the previous century they won just 1 game in 19 (1899-1907) or when extended out it was just 3 in 26 or 4 in 31.
My point her is past performances, and sequences of bad results in the end aren't inherent. Both clubs have had good and bad runs historically. We are on a very bad run but it can be turned around. We have to play our game in the derby and not get bogged down in a desperation to win. I am actually looking forward to a Derby where we have nothing to lose. I just hope if we get be a, it's an Arsenal type effort not a Watford type performance.
