Toffee-tiam Talk ; Bring it On


(Extracted from the Malay Mail : http://www.mmail. com.my/Bring_ it_on.aspx)

Bring it on!

The much anticipated double derbies coming over the following week, has finally come to reality.  To the premiership neutrals this is an important derby which will ultimately decide Liverpool’s fate in winning the Premiership after 19 years of underachievement. 

Similar to Merseyside, the local kopi-shop bantering between the blues and reds continues as I was having a kopi-break with some colleagues (3 Reds – seemingly odd as the numbers suddenly grew, a Devil, and a Gunner).  Indeed all of them agreed this will be a BIG match where all of them will be watching.

Everton will be one of the most supported club cometh the week match days.  Support from other teams i.e. Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal and some Villains are backing the Toffeemen to dislodge the Reds from the top of the league.  

Similar to their cocky manager Mr. Benitez; confidence is running high among the Reds and its fans.  To “them” the Merseyside derby isn’t considered an important game as “they” feel that they own the right to win which “they” feel is forthcoming.

When asked about our chances of beating or even drawing against the Reds, my humble reply was, “it doesn’t matter as we are playing against all odds”.

What are the odds?

Anfield was never a good stomping ground for the Toffeemen.  Our last win at this hole was more than a decade.  The best we ever did was a draw.

Odds are bigger if we include the Carra and Stevie G factor.  These boyhood supporters of Everton are a confused lot.  Again they will be our nemesis in typical playacting, career ending tackles and psychic influencing of referee decisions.  These “confused” individuals will run scot-free for all their evil antics through protection from the men in black.

It will take 10 career ending tackles by Stevie G to gain a warning compared to a mere tackle by anyone in blue.  Carra’s rugby tackles will be deemed legitimate compared to a rough “tickle” by a Toffee.

Will the referees will be against us?  No but pure biasness.  The home ground factor may influence their decisions similarly to the “confused” players’ psychic prowess. Indeed a “Big” match referee will be selected and if I am not mistaken, Howard Webb will be the FA’s 1st choice.  

Judging by his recent performance at Old Trafford, my revelations were true as he seemed to be more favorable towards the home side vis-à-vis the visiting Blue Londoners.  What more if we do get the infamous Clattenburg to referee the derby?  The bigger the referee the worst it is for us.  It will be a one-sided colorful card day for the blues.

Physical nature of the toffees will not help either.  Our flanks are small, our wingers are short.  Our tallest midfielder is out for 2 games (again a conspiracy which we will dwell later) and we are toothless upfront without a match fit striker.  Compared to the bigger average 6 footers the Reds, physically we are out-muscled.

In terms of squad value and players networth, the entire starting line-up of Everton will drown in the pennies cast unto them by their Red opponents. For I believe, the Reds will throw whatever at us to ensure victory even if it belittles their (or any) integrity.

The conclusion over kopi-talk would normally end with a bet.  The Reds offered an even game for which having so much against the Toffees, it would seem evident that they be granted some handicap.  

In return I offered that at least one Toffee will be red carded and the game will average at least 5 yellow cards or more.  I further upped the ante that Tony Hibbert, Tim Cahill or Phil Neville will be red carded. All in return for them to wear blue for the whole week.

Needless to say, being proud Red fanatics they will never accept such a challenge.  I left the kopi-talk knowing I have massive support from the other clubs’ supporters as they are just as eager to see Liverpool falter.

Bantering with other managers.  Listing down other’s incapability.  Belittling other “small” clubs.  Never admitting to own faults.  These cumulated negative attributes does not harness well in the world’s beautiful game.  Humility is lost, and they have garnered support to see them falter.  

To me it doesn’t matter if we are fighting to win the league, a cup and relegation.  As long as Everton can get a result against the Reds, we will be celebrating.

Tuesday morning will be interesting.  A draw is good.  A win is sweet.  A double win will be fantastic. Bring it on.

By Biing Wen Yin

 

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