West Ham v Everton - the most pointless game of the season?
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Is West Ham v Everton the most pointless game of the season
When the new seasons fixtures are announced in the summer, there are always certain games you look for. Whos first at home Whats likely to be riding on the end of season run in And slightly less enthusiastically when are we playing Everton Answer: this Saturday.
I dont know why, but there seems to be something about the mere mention of their name that induces dizzy spells and confusion in West Ham players.
No matter how good a run we may be on, a trip to or a visit from Goodison Park somehow ties the teams laces together as, almost without fail, we fail to beat them. Why not think of the carbon footprint, save everyone the journey and just email them the points
Quite what the cause is remains a mystery after all, Everton and West Ham have a lot in common. Some Evertonians may scoff, pointing out that in the last 25 years, whilst West Ham have been relegated four times, they have played in three FA Cup finals and Champions League qualifying, but there are strong similarities.
For example an underdog mentality living in the shadow of richer, more successful clubs nearby (for Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, read Liverpool and the Manchester clubs), proud traditions of homegrown talent (for Lampard, Cole and Noble, read Rooney, Hibbert and Barkley), and deeply loyal, passionate fans who are capable of real rancour if it is not returned (for Lampard, read Rooney).
I would love to look forward to Saturdays game with a sense of optimism, but in all honesty I cant
Although Evertons record in recent years is better, as neither team is a likely Champions League contender or relegation fodder, they breathe the same air in the mid-table hinterland. But the stats will reveal that even the merest whiff of toffee seems to set West Hams teeth on edge.
Out of 34 Premier League encounters, Everton have won 18 to West Hams six, and included in those wins are 6-0, 5-0 and 4-0 thumpings. And on one of the rare occasions when we had a chance to improve that record, Paolo di Canio, in a great position to score the winner, went and caught the ball as a sporting gesture to stop play after an injury to keeper Everton keeper Paul Gerrard. Theres a time and a place for humanitarian gestures, Paolo and that was neither.
Oh for a di Canio up front today. West Hams shot-shy start to the season has been a major source of dissatisfaction for many fans, and in last weekends 0-0 draw at Southampton they looked like they were treading water.
I cant see that record improving this weekend, with the sight of Romelu Lukaku lining up for Everton, having rejected a deadline day loan approach from West Ham, sticking in the throat.
I would love to look forward to the game with a sense of optimism, but in all honesty I cant. The outcome seems a foregone conclusion. Have I tempted fate enough I hope so but I doubt it. Very likely a pointless fixture, in every sense.
When the new seasons fixtures are announced in the summer, there are always certain games you look for. Whos first at home Whats likely to be riding on the end of season run in And slightly less enthusiastically when are we playing Everton Answer: this Saturday.
I dont know why, but there seems to be something about the mere mention of their name that induces dizzy spells and confusion in West Ham players.
No matter how good a run we may be on, a trip to or a visit from Goodison Park somehow ties the teams laces together as, almost without fail, we fail to beat them. Why not think of the carbon footprint, save everyone the journey and just email them the points
Quite what the cause is remains a mystery after all, Everton and West Ham have a lot in common. Some Evertonians may scoff, pointing out that in the last 25 years, whilst West Ham have been relegated four times, they have played in three FA Cup finals and Champions League qualifying, but there are strong similarities.
For example an underdog mentality living in the shadow of richer, more successful clubs nearby (for Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, read Liverpool and the Manchester clubs), proud traditions of homegrown talent (for Lampard, Cole and Noble, read Rooney, Hibbert and Barkley), and deeply loyal, passionate fans who are capable of real rancour if it is not returned (for Lampard, read Rooney).
I would love to look forward to Saturdays game with a sense of optimism, but in all honesty I cant
Although Evertons record in recent years is better, as neither team is a likely Champions League contender or relegation fodder, they breathe the same air in the mid-table hinterland. But the stats will reveal that even the merest whiff of toffee seems to set West Hams teeth on edge.
Out of 34 Premier League encounters, Everton have won 18 to West Hams six, and included in those wins are 6-0, 5-0 and 4-0 thumpings. And on one of the rare occasions when we had a chance to improve that record, Paolo di Canio, in a great position to score the winner, went and caught the ball as a sporting gesture to stop play after an injury to keeper Everton keeper Paul Gerrard. Theres a time and a place for humanitarian gestures, Paolo and that was neither.
Oh for a di Canio up front today. West Hams shot-shy start to the season has been a major source of dissatisfaction for many fans, and in last weekends 0-0 draw at Southampton they looked like they were treading water.
I cant see that record improving this weekend, with the sight of Romelu Lukaku lining up for Everton, having rejected a deadline day loan approach from West Ham, sticking in the throat.
I would love to look forward to the game with a sense of optimism, but in all honesty I cant. The outcome seems a foregone conclusion. Have I tempted fate enough I hope so but I doubt it. Very likely a pointless fixture, in every sense.
