As was the SEJ from what I saw. The Family stand was probably 25% full at best. Seeing my 3 empty seats made me feel like Arthur Scargill in 1985. There was a big group of Everton fans in the corner between away end and SEJ stand. The police just left them there and kept an eye on them. Probably easier than trying to cart a couple of hundred out.
Agreed-and not quite the extra 5,000 that was mentioned in a number of posts beforehand and on the Grand Old Team forum
Like a few others, when I saw the team I thought I would be leaving before half time but credit those that played because at least the effort was there. Not as many Everton as in the home end as predicted. Half decent atmosphere for the last 20 mins. Everton were very loud especially with their song with high pitched WOOOOOOOOO in the middle although they were pretty quiet for the last 20 mins. Their team though were absolutely dreadful Foster - Made one excellent save from Richarlison but that aside had very little to do Ngakia - Would be ok next season if Kiko left and was decent last night. Samir/Kabasele - Would be a good partnership in the Championship next season and were relatively untroubled last night Masina - Beyond awful. I left before the end and I saw somebody mention he looked quite emotional as he was going round the pitch at the end so maybe he is off in the summer. I think that's a good thing Kayembe - Was ok without really doing anything of note. A more one footed player I have never seen. Sissoko - Did ok and tried to get us up the pitch when he could. Probably won't be here next season but would be great if he was as he would a huge asset in The Championship Gosling - MOM. Not as bad as everyone said he was. Clearly not Premier League standard but would be a decent squad player next season Pedro - Tried his hardest but had no support. If he stays it's a big season for him next year as with his talent he should tear that league apart Kalu - Worked hard and lack of support when we got forward won't have helped but never felt he knew what he was doing Sema - Can't fault his effort but he is basically not very good For some reason quite an enjoyable night and it was certainly nice not to lose!
The whole ground was half empty aside from the away end. It had the feel of an early season league cup tie in terms of watching the reserves in front of a half empty stadium, and very few people caring about the result.
Doucoure was shocking for us during his last season. Every attack broke down when he received the ball because it would come off his shin and roll out of play. It’s no surprise this has continued to be the case at Everton.
To think we managed to get £25m for him. Daylight robbery. As you rightly point out, Capoue carried him for years.
Would make sense, he doesn't have any place in a 3412 system. I'm hoping we keep Kamara, but even Sema would probably be a better option as a backup in that role, he's at least looked lively in his last couple of appearances.
He was one of their better players last season and looked back to the decent level he'd mostly shown with us. Their whole squad's ability seems to have taken a nosedive in this one, similar to ours in our relegation season.
Their fans also said he'd played well this season up until he was rushed back from an injury. His level definitely dropped in his final season for us but he was no way near as bad as some people like to make out and still did a lot of work mopping up loose balls and providing energy in our midfield. Relegation season Doucoure would easily be one of our best players in the current team.
Had a quick look at that this morning and one of the most (inadvertently) amusing posts on there was by a fan who quoted the paragraph about Everton going down in our match preview along with the comment “their fans seem to be getting the message”. And, yes, he did mean that seriously .
Quite pathetic effort really from Everton. Their cup final really, judging by the send off their team got from that cesspit down to glorious leafy Hertfordshire the day before the game...... Selling out the away end and taking tickets in the home end, only to be out-sung by a half empty Vicarage Road, watching a reserve side play who have just lost 11 straight home games and have already been relegated. And to top it off they're the only side not to score against us at the Vic this season. F**k me, even Naaaarch managed 3 goals. Joke club....
