Welcome to this week’s Talking the Blues with Andy and Geoorge Costigan. We delve into Andy and George’s favourite game of the season (although inevitably not our favourite result).
We applaud the magnificent protest, outside and before the game – “Chapeau” to everyone who arranged and participated in a spectacular show of unity.
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As always – thanks for listening
Categories: podcast
Evening fellas,
We had a billionaire owner and we find ourselves saddled with more debt, more issues and fewer trophies than anytime in our history – you really wouldn’t bother writing it! The Dumb Billionaire – remember that conversation Paul? I still want 10% for the naming of that book!
I’m way too frazzled from Sunday to discuss the game – like many I fear I am exhausted with all things Everton.
One important matter of note. The so called “top six” in the so called “greatest league in the world” is only such because there are another 14 teams that despite their lowly status, are actually capable of giving them a game from time to time, and when they can’t, they are used as fodder to make them look good. So it’s only as good as it is because of the other 14 and not in spite of them.
Paul has heard me bang on about this but I’m getting tired of linking the idea of lawyers and KC’S to this whole situation. It brings with it an added dimension that EFC are somehow guilty of tax fraud, or criminal neglect or breached civil law of some kind and should be sued.
We have been found responsible for overstepping an arbitrary limit on spending set by an arbitrary “fat controller” running the equivalent of a private mens club. With a set of poorly constructed rules with pages of writing that all look very smart and legal like! But, having worked with criminal legislators for 15 years, they hold little in the way of real detail. Why, because despite their very powerful financial clout and position, they haven’t got the skills, staff or fortitude to oversee or forsee what their poorly constructed rules might result in. Why, because as long as it so grey and vague, they can pretty much interpret those rules any way they see fit to suit. And don’t you dare challenge them, because you all signed up for this.
Well, what choice did we have? We wanted to play in the best league in the world. We are founder members of the league and the PL but we have lost our position at the top table. We no longer have a first say on anything remotely connected with the governance of the PL. That is our misfortune.
Why I have any faith or hope in this ridiculous sporting sanction being reduced or properly overturned is beyond me, but we have no choice other than to put our faith in EFC making a decent fist of our appeal. God help us!
I want this sorted asap, we have to be swift and focused and force an early resolution. Then, perhaps we can create enough of a debate that will see those 14 others get a foothold in the future of the PL.
And we haven’t even mentioned 777. By the time this is all finished they could be close to owning the club by default with the shear amount of debt we are stacking up with them. 🤬🤬🤬.
Regards
Keith
Thanks as always for the discussion.
It was an emotional day. The atmosphere around the Brick and County Road was something to make you swell with pride, especially from those young supporters who have had nothing but scraps to live off relating to Everton. But they keep going. Total Respect.
I had said prior to the match I worried that the emotion of the occasion would get to the team. It eventually did. Despite the unbelievable goal and set back, they rallied. We finished the first half strong and should have been level. Then we faded in the second half and lost confidence and balance.
On VAR, I’m actually a supporter. It’s just that football has totally messed up its implementation. No transparency, no communication, no competence from the officials who often don’t look like they know what they are doing. Compare that to Rugby that has been running it for decades. Nothing will ever be 100% but they openly communicate and are competent.
It is time for the manager to change it. We missed Onana. We need to play Patterson otherwise he won’t progress and he can. And he does have potential. Backup for Mykolenko? I can only think of Godfrey right now unless we pull a blue rabbit out of the bag.
Doucoure is our latest enigma. But he’s what we have. Just keep him forward. As we’ve seen, he will get goals. It just didn’t come off on Sunday, but he went close.
On changes. I was vocal for the manager to make changes, but then I questioned myself. What options were there? Not many to be honest.
Integrity. The Premier League is probably so far up its own one that it isn’t sweating. But they should be. Most of the football community is behind us. You never go down without a fight. I agree that we just need to focus on football and points. But don’t leave this Everton.
If we think of Dunkirk, this is our Bluekirk(dale) moment. Sorry to get dramatic!
Lots of other points to pick out. It’s not how much you spend, but how you spend it. We have been reckless. We know that. But so have others. Ignoring Manchester City and Chelsea, if I was Nottingham Forest and even Aston Villa, I would be nervous now. There will be others.
On the Bundesliga, I follow Schalke, the Konigsblauen (Royal Blues). They are a previously successful club that has fallen from grace. They are named after the district in the north of the city where they reside. They now live in the shadow of their local rivals Dortmund who sing you’ll never walk alone and have links to Klopp. Sound familiar?!!!
The Bundesliga rule of 49%-51% looks good on paper and does regulate it better that we do. But it isn’t perfect. It you are a 49% shareholder and can influence others, you get the vote. It’s a bit like a coalition Government.
I hope this is a watershed moment for English football. It’s been too long with the Premier League self-regulating itself and marking its own homework. I hope Andy Burnham’s letter (who I spoke to briefly on a London Underground platform on Sunday) is the start of more scrutiny at Government level.
The result aside, it was a special occasion on Sunday, but now is time to get behind the team. Starting on Saturday at Nottingham Forest. If you are there, 0796 600 7546. I will more than glad to catch up with fellow blues.
I don’t think the protests should continue, but don’t be passive and submissive. Keep up the fight.
Sprit. Forever Everton.
Wolves were badly treated last night. Three key decisions being lost to poor VAR analysis.
The impact we have had already may not be the most polite one. But hearing Wolves fans chant the same “PL corrupt as ****” just goes to show that other football tribes (that’s exactly what we are), are watching and listening. The PL will be watching too and I would predict this chant will be used widely when VAR is inevitably questioned in future games.
I heard that Keith.
I think they (Premier League) has opened a can of worms for themselves.
Sorry to use my military background, but lead the charge Everton. Never back down even when the odds seem against you.
Just to raise a point
One of the brothers asked would the championship want Manchester City and can they refuse to take them
Well, if the Premier League deducted them 90 points they would finish bottom of the Premier League which would mean automatic relegation to which the championship would have to accept them