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    From Dour to Dreaming Again (Part 2 – by @JDavies1878)

    As part of our guest contributor slots we have an article from Jamie Davies who runs the Tower On The Hill Blog, which is a specialist blog dedicated to the mighty Everton.  Have a read of part 2 below and make sure you give him a follow on twitter @JDavies1878

    Part 1 can be found here: http://myevertonnews.com/from-dour-to-dreaming-again-part-1-by-jdavies1878/

    From Dour to Dreaming Again (Part 2 – by @JDavies1878)

    Wednesday 5th June 2013. After weeks of speculation as to who would take the mantle Moyes had left in such a disrespectful manner, a seemingly reserved, warm and friendly Spaniard took his seat alongside Bill Kenwright in a defining press conference. Here, according to Bill, he had promised to get Everton in the Champions League (although, admittedly, hadn’t quite impressed as quickly as Moyes!) The immaculate, shiny cheeked, man to Kenwright’s side, according to some sections, shuffled awkwardly in his seat as though uncomfortable with such a revelation. They needn’t worried. Martinez isn’t aiming for 40 points a season, and if by any miniscule chance he was that day, he most definitely isn’t now. As he has embedded himself in to the Everton philosophy he has obviously become aware, if he wasn’t already, of the sheer size of our great club. The titles, the silverware, the players, the ‘uniqueness’ that only Everton allows one to feel.

     

    A small taste of what was to come arrived on the last day of the transfer window when Everton signed Romelu Lukaku. Far from the finished article at this stage, he is still regarded as one of Europe’s top talents. As is young Gerard. A lot of fans thought to themselves ‘could you imagine David Moyes signing them?’ No. You couldn’t. Whereas Moyes’ style revolved around utility players that could fill a number of positions and were hard to beat, Martinez goes for the throat. Gone are the days we arrive at Old Trafford seeking a lucrative draw or descend on Anfield only to stand still and let out a slight dribble amidst the ‘world famous’ Kop atmosphere. No, forget that.

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    Many blues my age are now seeing, for the first time, a sample of how those fortunate older blues had the pleasure of watching total football that graced the ‘School of Science’. Pass and move, flair, technique and vision. This from a man who simply believes the notion that every match is winnable – a world away from the infuriatingly cautious Moyes, Round and Neville. That Arsenal game was months in the making; the moment Roberto’s brilliant concoction so devastatingly fused together. The belief in the players is evident, especially Ross Barkley, as he has been given a free role to express his outstanding talent and is now undoubtedly one of Europe’s leading potentials. That feeling has emanated beyond the ageing dressing room walls and everyone associated with the club has been struck with a violent case of positivity and belief. Going the game, now, is like being transported back to your first ever time at the Grand Old Lady; the strikingly green, perfect grass so many icons have played on with the dominating Main Stand behind as the blinding floodlights illuminate the surroundings and create that magical atmosphere every blue relishes. The butterflies have returned as you pass the graveyard, enter the confined turnstiles and skip up the steps as a footballing utopia opens up before your eyes and you think, as the greatest number 8 of all time, Alan Ball famously said, “I want this place forever…” Confident you won’t be leaving your second home on tge back of a defeat (someone say Sunderland?!) and, added to that, you were going to play football the new way (or is it the original, Everton way?) Not that it ever went away as such, but that bond is back firmly with our club.

    I just love this place. I want this place forever. – Alan Ball

    For the first time in my lifetime, I’m hearing a manager saying we should be aiming for titles! It’s absolutely fantastic and no one could have envisioned such a positive mindset and sense of hope and pride under Moyes. New contracts for Baines, Barkley and Coleman only reinstate Martinez’s future plans. Get ready blues, this sleeping giant is tossing and turning for the first time in nearly two decades and when it wakes, Bobby is hell bent on keeping it that way. Even if we don’t quite reach 4th this year, there’s no doubt we will have tried our utmost to do so and, eventually, under Martinez’s helm, we’ll get there. No doubt. With a bit of luck, youth building and the right investment, 4th may even be a mere foundation.

    Evertonians have adopted a saying that is most definitely fitting to this Everton side – ‘Sin Miedo’, or ‘without fear’. We’re Everton, we’ve always been Everton. But now, in a strange twist of fate, we’ve gone back in time; much like the great sides gone by, the fear factor has gone, the inferiority complex has gone, the School of Science has opened its doors once again, silverware seems a legitimate possibility and, perhaps most importantly, the belief is back.

    There will inevitably be bumps in the road but it’s where that road is heading that’s exciting. No longer are Everton stuck on the roundabout of mediocrity…

    The School of Science has greased it’s creaking hinges and the lights are on. Enjoy it, embrace it, our time is getting closer than ever under the guidance of our Catalan chief. The shoes, the coat, the celebrations, the positivity. Moyes is gone, well gone and we haven’t looked back. Being an Evertonian is boss.

    Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Sin Miedo.

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    Comments

    1. Another nice read – Thanks. I take it Bally’s statement was before he moved to Arsenal? I think that settling for 4th is a bit premature,until Easter when it needs reappraising,why not look at winning the whole damn thing? Arsenal and Chelsea have some hard fixtures upcoming and Man City are somehow soft at the core.Guaranteed to score a bagfull against teams at the Etihad but ever likely to slip on the proverbial banana skin. There are no other real contenders are there?

    2. Mate

      My wife came in and saw me – you owe me a beer. Tear in my eye reading this because I could have written it word for word (not as eloquently though). It is like being young again. I love it and I love Bobby M. I love our style – I love our focus (most times) – I love our aggression and wanting to win. For me, at the risk of some fans – I would rather lose like this sometimes than win under DM. We are back in the general area, I reckon we can hit 4th with a bit of luck as you state, but it will be tough. IF WE COULD GET IT, imagine the extra money, imagine the new players, IMAGINE 3rd, 2nd, 1ST. Christ here I go again. Good article and maybe the younger fans will now understand what we have missed for so long

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