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
Derby Day Nerves-What Nerves?
Playing Liverpool usually is a day filled with dread,and all the nerves of a best man speech,a driving test and a job interview rolled into one monster stomach churner, today i feel a calm and confidence about tonight instead.
This is 100% the Martinez factor,his desire and courage immense, I truly believe we have enough in the team,albeit affected so deeply with key injuries at this moment, to win tonight
I realise this blog will look stupid if we lose but even a defeat will not crush the feeling that something very special is happening at Goodison Park,We have more than enough to claw back a 4 point deficit should we lose but that is Moyes talk,like every challenge thrown in front of Martinez this season,i believe he will come through this one,such is his tactical ability and confidence.
Liverpool are playing an Everton team playing with nothing to lose,we wont be crippled by fear from a negative manager,this makes us very dangerous,we have players who can hurt Liverpool,and they know it,we should have hit double figures against them last November
Mirallas and Lukaku will be key tonight,Mirallas has played the best football of his Everton career in the last month,I sense a desire in him to be the main man,with Barkley and Deulofeu close to first team football,Mirallas will want to make his mark tonight
The era of dominance in the 80s was signified by a 1-0 win at Anfield,i believe we have a team close to that,even with the injuries,there is an underlying confidence coursing through the players veins that will give us a hell of a chance tonight,the performances at Old Trafford and the Emirates show we don’t need to be fearful
This is a brave new era for our club,we are on an upward curve and victory tonight will add some serious belief to a multi talented Everton side, It has been a hugely enjoyable season so far,were only going to get better with a fiercely talented and ferociously determined manager
Howard Kendall’s side of 84 had the same belief something special was happening,they didn’t go to Anfield on 20th October 1984 and freeze,they seized the moment with a never to be forgotten thunderbolt from Graeme Sharp,I feel the spirit of our greatest side is ingrained in this side,the revolution is starting
Our moment has arrived,the glass ceiling is about to be smashed, the sky is the limit under Roberto and this special season is ready for a new highlight,the chance is there for us tonight
We have to believe and trust our quality,very important that Barry and McCarthy return to there best form ,we have the forward players to seal a memorable night at a ground where we have given the home team far too much respect in the past
Martinez “We have incredible values as a group, as good as you get. Those emotions are genuine. This group is ready to achieve something special”.
Nothing but positivity from our infectious manager, it is something we went without for so long under Moyes,time for everyone to realise a new exciting dawn is upon us and we have nothing to fear tonight.
Liverpool will fear us because we are no longer scared of them. They will slap us tonight, Ive no doubt,but we will hit back harder
This team and manager will not be denied,destiny is upon us and there is simply no room for fear, No better place than Anfield, just like in 84 to announce our arrival as a major force in English football.
RM “This season we have been tested in that respect: going to the Emirates and being able to perform how we did and going to Old Trafford and winning after 21 years means as a group we are ready to go anywhere and be ourselves.”
We are coming for you Liverpool , Time for the Evertonians to go berserk
Mark Ellis
Have a look at Mark’s blog post here: http://marktheblue.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/derby-day-nerves-what-nerves/