As part of our guest contributor slots we have an article from Mark Ellis who runs the a blog about Evertons Golden Era, which is a specialist blog dedicated to the mighty Everton. Have a read of his article below and make sure you give him a follow on twitter @MarkTheBlue
Goodison Passion Key To Champions League Pursuit by @MarkThaBlue
“Walton doesn’t experience much earthquake activity but lets hope the scientists are reaching for the Richter scale on Sunday.”
As we head into the crucial game against Arsenal this weekend the overriding feeling is how important the Goodison crowd is going to be. The players of course have to play at their maximum – and play with real quality – but I truly believe the raw passion from the Goodison faithful can make a huge difference come Sunday.
I have been fortunate to witness some great games at Goodison and some even better atmospheres, this weekend is were Evertonians have to be at there most passionate. Nobody sitting down waiting for something to happen; this is gonna take every blue believing right from the word go that we can take Arsenal.
The memorable games such as Wimbledon 1994, Coventry 1997, Man Utd 2005 and Fiorentina 2008 all had that quality that I love most about Evertonians. A sense of defiance and true determination that the game was going to go our way and all but Fiorentina did, with Everton cruelly losing out on penalties after a sensational high-tempo performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=586JDNl_pv0
In a season where Roberto has embraced our history, it would be fitting to see a Bayern Munich esq performance from the crowd on Sunday. Sucking the ball in Andy Gray style as we seize the moment of this hugely promising season.
We have to turn up on sunday expecting to win. We have lost 5 games all season, played some great football and have amassed 60 points over 31 games. Highlighting a truly wonderful first season in“transition” under Roberto Martinez.
It is worth noting that no team has ever had 60 or more points after 31 games of a Premier League season and failed to finish in the top four.
This is a huge chance for Everton.
Goodison Lift Off
Let’s hope Goodison Park is lifted off its historic foundations on Sunday. No settling for 5th blues, we want Champions League football so lets show it, the time is now.
Walton Road doesn’t experience much earthquake activity but lets hope the scientists are reaching for the Richter scale on Sunday as 38,000 Evertonians roar an ever improving Everton side on against an increasingly nervous Arsenal.
Our record against the Gunners is admittedly poor but this will be different on Sunday. A sense of destiny is in the air, a brave new dawn under Roberto Martinez needs another iconic win to cement our belief we are truly going places under our Zeus like manager.
I believe the tempo can be set from the crowd. When the players walk out on Sunday they simply have to hear not just noise from the crowd but belief. I’ve heard fans saying 5th would be a great achievement this year and I probably would have been happy with 5th myself as we entered a season into the unknown, as it was last August.
Now things have changed. For me 5th is nowhere now; it would guarantee European Football back at Goodison, something for us all to get excited about but we have a golden chance for 4th. A chance to dream of playing Real Madrid and Barcelona at Goodison. This opportunity is now at our door.
We have to invest all of our emotions and passion. No more Library-esq atmosphere at Goodison. I know fans pay their money and it’s entirely their choice on how they support their team, but from my own personal experience our best results have been when Goodison has been at its angriest, most ferocious snarling best. Quietness is just not an option anymore.
Our season is reaching is thrilling climax and as fans, just like the players, we have to give it all we have now – in our quest to join Europe’s finest.
Sunday demands that we live the experience of the occasion. We’re not just there to watch and hope for the best. Goodison is never justified when silent. Evertonians are the most passionate fans around and the best fans in the business.
Biased I know, but we have a quality about us that sets us apart from the rest. Always decent and welcoming, selling out every away game come rain or shine with breathtaking regularity.
We deserve to be in the Champions League to watch our team match up against some of the very best.
Having experienced what Goodison is capable of when in full rage and passion, I am convinced we can positively contribute to a winning outcome against the Gunners. Arsenal know they can’t afford to slip up, and we have to let them know they are not getting out of Goodison alive.
I would dearly love to see a return to the orchestra of passion that reverberates around Goodison Park. Greeting the players onto the pitch as if we have just scored a goal.
I realise we have 6 games after Arsenal and we have a lot of work to do to make 4th, however, the momentum and belief the players will receive by moving within a point of Arsenal with a game in hand will be huge.
The chance for us to make an impact on our ambitions starts now. A fiercely competitive manager is taking us right to the top. Qualifying for the Champions League will be the tip of the iceberg for us under Roberto.
We just have to believe it. We are on the verge of something very special under the talented Spaniard.
We have won the last five and are capable of winning the next seven. We have quality players, all fit and ready, and a manager who has no intention of staying under the glass ceiling.
Football is all about seizing the moment, and our moment is now.
I think we need to push ourselves. I do feel that as a club we should be in the Champions League. Is that realistic? We need to earn that on the pitch. And we have shown on the pitch we can compete with the top teams.” Roberto Martinez
Now is our time to believe. We can not only compete against Arsenal – we can finish above them.
Sin Miedo
Mark Ellis