Toffees Trophy Ambitions ended with a dose of reality as Everton’s FA Cup hopes are dashed at the Emirates

[quote]I cant think of a more deserving club to win a trophy than us. We fill out every away game no matter where or when its played. As a fan base we have a class and decency about us. 19 years without a trophy needs to be addressed soon. It’s frightening that a whole generation of blues have not seen us win a trophy….[/quote]

Everton’s FA Cup hopes were dashed at the Emirates as the Blues went down 4-1 to Arsenal. It was a hugely flattering scoreline for Arsenal as we had been right in the game up until the 70th minute. Had Ross Barkley converted a great chance at 1-1 it could all have been so different. As with a lot of key games this season, missed opportunities have been punished with cruel defeat and on this occasion, has cost us a day at Wembley.

I’ve never believed more in an Everton side than I have under Roberto Martinez. Despite a record of not having won at Arsenal since 1996, I truly thought we could prosper at the Emirates. A gunfight that saw a positive pair of brown shoes enter the fray rather than a knife of negativity.

My optimism was replaced with despair on 7 minutes.

Everton made the worst possible start as Cazorla taking advantage of McCarthys slip, strode forward to put in Ozil who defied his recent lack of confidence with a tidy finish past the exposed Robles.

With Robles giving me palpitations by the minute and resembling a cross between Paul Gerrard and Richard Wright, it didn’t look good for us. However, with Ross Barkley growing in prominence Everton drew level. The goal came thanks to an excellent lung busting surge from Barkley. Such runs are often followed by disappointing crosses but on this occasion Barkley’s was anything but; teeing up Mirallas who should have scored only for Lukaku to be on hand to make it 1-1. Game on.

Everton Supporters at the EmiratesDisappointingly, we never really kicked on in the second half and were punished when Barry clumsily brought down Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box. Our Wembley dreams were over there and then in my eyes. Arteta made no mistake from the retaken penalty to make it 2-1.

The inevitable happened as we poured forward in search of an equalizer; Arsenal springing on us to score 2 late goals through substitute Olivier Giroud. The scoreline was harsh, the dreams were over for another year. Simply gut-wrenching.

Watching Everton feels like watching the same film over and over again expecting it to end differently. It never does.

The lack of squad depth kills us every season and it’s simply soul destroying.

The Everton board have to invest in the summer; and not just to replace loans and boost squad numbers. We have to sign players who will signal intent that we do want to progress as a club.

Some fans, in total fear of ending up like ‘a Pompey or a Leeds’ seem happy with the current set up. I’ll never be happy with a set- up that limits our ambitions. We are Everton FC!! Dean, Ball and Labone would not have settled for 7th place.

We have a manager who is mentally equipped and ready for the challenge of returning us to where we belong. Now after 14 years of let downs, lies and not a penny invested, I think its high time the chairman and his board show some support for our managers golden vision.

If once again they fail us in the summer serious questions need to be asked. Both by the media and by the fans. You’re not a kopite if you moan or criticize. Being an Evertonian generally means that we don’t question, we just accept and make excuses for the board and in particular Kenwright. It’s an approach that does us no favours.

The season has now shifted focus to qualifying for Europe. I would be happy with Europa League football. Goodison under lights, memorable away days and with the added incentive of the winners qualifying for next seasons Champions League, the competition now has plenty to offer.

The players are capable of putting a run together and upsetting a few teams before the season ends. I hope the pain of this defeat will spur us on to a really positive end to the season. Momentum is everything in football and we have to grab as many positives as we can.

The season, despite the disappointments, simply deserves a strong ending. Martinez and his systematic return to the ‘school of science’ principles needs to be rewarded with a convincing end to the season.

I cant think of a more deserving club to win a trophy than us. We fill out every away game no matter where or when its played. As a fan base we have a class and decency about us. 19 years without a trophy needs to be addressed soon. It’s frightening that a whole generation of blues have not seen us win a trophy.

There is no question Martinez is doing a fine job. The quality of our play has improved, driven by the Spaniards footballing philosophy. But it is clear Martinez needs better players now, and to get that he needs some serious money behind him. We were told they were waiting for the summer. Let’s hope the Martinez revolution receives a monetary shot in the arm.

I’m not holding my breath with this board, but we have no choice but to hope they come good in the summer. I feel flat writing this and it may come across like that, seeing us lose another big game is soul destroying, we deserve more.

Martinez told Evertontv. “We can focus on the league and we have 33 points to fight for.”

A great chance for us to end the season strongly and go into next season full of confidence, full of belief and full of new signings signalling intent.

To miss an opportunity in one season is unlucky, to miss it in two is careless, to miss it next year would be unforgivable .

Over to you Bill.

Sin Miedo

Mark Ellis