Sitting in the Upper Gwladys Street for Everton’s EFL Cup exit to Fulham last night was a strange experience, not least because I was forced to move about 100 seats closer to the centre due to a season ticket malfunction.
The view was largely uninterrupted, although was so far back that royal blue steelwork often blocked the goal at the other end.
Fortunately, all the action was down my end, and I witnessed Michael Keane’s own goal, Beto’s late equaliser and the penalty shootout right before my very eyes.
And whilst the cup exit stings, given what a huge opportunity it was to progress deep into a competition the Toffees have never won, it was the performance that came before the penalties which irked me.
After all, from my renewed viewpoint without the usual thick steel post impeding my visibility, I had a clear vantage point to watch Sean Dyche’s men fall into tired old patterns for the first time in months.
Did Everton deserve to beat Fulham?
A prerequisite for recent displays, which have merited some of the richest form enjoyed in years, has been hard work.
Their 52-year-old boss clearly demands it, as does the ever-loyal fanbase who were admittedly quiet last night despite the manner of the occasion.
However, as is often the case, those on the pitch gave them little to cheer, with a blunt, toothless showing reminiscent of the opening five Premier League fixtures.
In the league against Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Cottagers, Everton dominated but failed to find the net.
Although Beto did eventually score, the half chances and positions of danger that the home side found themselves in should have merited far more goals than they did.
However, and perhaps most frustratingly, periods of that game saw both the players and supporters devolve back to a depressing level that the tenures of Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard incited on numerous occasions.
How was the Goodison Park atmosphere?
The home crowd was flat, but perhaps more damaging was the nervousness that emanated from the stands and onto the pitch.
As a group who have been devoid of confidence in the past, such anxiety filtered throughout the squad, prohibiting them from peddling their free-flowing and direct play style with effectiveness.
It was remarkable just how long it took for the likes of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane to realise how big of an impact the elements were having, as long ball after long ball was swept up by the wind and ran through to Bernd Leno or out for a goal kick.
However, their failure to threaten left them with no other option than to revert back to a method that has drawn immense scrutiny in the past.
Dyche must find some way of making Goodison Park a consistently threatening place to come now, after taking great strides forward with wins over Chelsea and Newcastle United.
The biggest task will be ensuring that his players put in a performance worthy of getting the crowd onside against these smaller sides, which is where the real chances for progression emerge.
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