blogs

About the author

Radio City's Alan Irwin

Posts: 61

Alan Irwin is the Voice of Everton for Liverpool's Radio City 96.7. An experienced radio journalist, Alan commentates on all of the Blues' matches and is well placed to provide insightful blogs on the progress of the team.

View articles

Five league games in and It's Derby day already!

Too early I say, why can't we re-programme the fixture computer to ensure it's November at the earliest when we're truly settled into our stride? Or would that matter?

Obviously you can sense I'm not ready for this. We're not ready for it. Forgive me if I'm wrong but wasn't Wednesday's game at Blackburn supposed to be a cup tie? Some of our lads must have been under the mis-apprehension that the Carling Cup is a competition we can do without.

Not for me. It's the one that probably held the most hope of us making a trip to Wembley! Our first half performance was somewhat apathetic, highlighted by their goal. The second half improvement had to happen although it still wasn't sufficient to trouble the home side and if we'd played until the early hours of Thursday morning we'd probably still be awaiting a goal.

Let's hope then that it's out of the system ahead of the big one on Saturday. On the plus side we conceded less than two goals for only the second time this season! Clean sheets have been consigned to our history books so I'm hoping our derby debutant comes good.

Louis Saha again emphasised on Wednesday that he has real quality, he's only played a game and a half but looks class both inside and outside the box. He has to figure against Liverpool, hopefully from the off again. There'll be no better way to introduce yourself to the Goodison crowd than netting against that lot! And just wait until he is fully fit!!

We've also got Tim Cahill, who missed both of last season's games against them. He is Liverpool's nemesis. And don't worry about Mike Riley.......he was in charge of 4 Everton games last season, we didn't lose any, winning the last three!

See.......a few hundred words in and my optimism has returned already............that's what Derby Day does for you...........it re-ignites the passion, fuels the desire, restores the belief, and re-affirms the commitment. Liverpool couldn't even beat Stoke City. Only managed one goal in two games versus Liege! Bring it on !!!!

2-1 Blues and off to Belgium we go where we truly do need a Stellar performance!!