Midweek GW 15: How Do I Get Onto a Zoom With My Boss And Keep The Game Volume Off
- Thread starter OCST
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Everton out of the relegation zone. Just call Sean Dyche the British DJ Khaled because the man never goes down
Yeah, I'm not even mad. NUFC aren't getting back to the CL anyway, and Everton deserved that.
And for counseling patience when they showed good form early, especially at home, but didn't translate into points.
Confidence and composure is still not what it could be or should be. I believe that's why the away form has been so much better. Away from Goodison, the pressure is off, and the players are buoyed by the Everton traveling contingent, who always sell out their full allotment and usually out-sing and out-carouse the home crowd. At home, the crowd gets antsy and the Toffees tighten up.
I could *feel* it, viscerally, in the game I went to - Everton 0-1 Wolves, second game of the season, Wolves got an excuse-me goal in the 87th minute to win a game that Everton had dominated. Everton had a goal waved off, executed set pieces poorly, put several shots just wide, and were the victim of several great saves by Sa, including one on a looping header from Doucoure that is one of the most improbable feats of athleticism I've seen in person. After each miss, each dumb giveaway, each cross to no-one bouncing harmlessly out for a Wolves goal kick, the murmur would start rumbling through the crowd and I swear you could see the pressure on the players' faces.
That was there today. Calvert-Lewin missed 3 or 4 good chances, including two absolute gimmees on the goal line, and you could tell he was pressing. Of course Newcastle have quality all over the pitch and in the second half they came out fighting. But the commentary was on point - Newcastle started to punch themselves out, they lacked intensity and creativity, the Toffees were well-organized, and they rarely troubled the Everton goal. But Everton still lacked an edge and there was a feeling of oh-shit here we go again - until McNeil picked Trippier's pocket. I was watching that game on my phone in a bar, eating lunch, and I pumped my fist as soon as McNeil gathered up that ball because I *KNEW** he was going to smash it past the keeper. He runs hot and cold but he has a ruthless streak when he's in good form, which he now is.
Once they scored, I knew they were good value for a crooked number. It's like once they get the first one, the pressure's off and they can attack with composure - like Beto did, nutmegging Dubravka for his first PL goal following many smashes into the thirtieth row.