EFC vs MCFC Sunday 23rd August 2015: Preview

When I saw the fixtures come in for our early run of games the match against Manchester City was not one I was feeling positive about. Especially as it came after an away game against Europa League qualifiers Southampton. What a difference a game can make. Even as I sat in Lanzarote in the sunshine only a few weeks ago the future of the season looked a little bleak as an Evertonian. I do tend to be a positive Blue and did have a heated debate (we will call it) at half time of the Watford game about the abilities of Ross Barkley, but I admit a little part of me was thinking 'here we go again'. Thankfully Mr Barkley proved me right in the first two games of the season. And now I am very much looking forward to our home game against Manchester City tomorrow. 

Looking at the stats as I do, I think there are plenty of positives there as well. Everton have only been defeated twice in the last 17 home games against Manchester City. I am not sure many outside of Goodison would believe that with Manchester City's league success in the last few years. Our last win against them at home was a fantastic game to be at, back in March 2013 when goals from Osman and Jelavic saw the mighty Blues win 2-0. After a dry spell in front of goal from Jelavic the emotions ran high when he scored in added time, I recall my hubby was more concerned about me going into early labour rather than celebrating the goal that day!

As Roberto said in his press conference this week, the games between the two sides at Goodison Park have always been 'close encounters'. Looking at the last five games they look like this:

2014/15 Everton 1 - 1 Manchester City 

2013/14 Everton 2 - 3 Manchester City

2012/13 Everton 2 - 0 Manchester City

2011/12 Everton 1 - 0 Manchester City

2010/11 Everton 2 - 1 Manchester City

They may be close encounters but looking at those last five games recent results would suggest we are very much the favourites for a win at Goodison Park once again. The concern would be about Manchester City's current place in the league with two 3-0 wins under their belts and a very strong squad. But saying that a 3-0 win under Everton's belt should be considered just as significant. The goalscorers in that match, interestingly, were the same goalscorers in the 2013/14 game against City, albeit in a defeat. But if we can get those two players attacking on the break again then Everton will be potentially unstoppable, especially with a vocal Goodison crowd behind them. 

First home game of the season August 2015

With the first game of our 24th season in the Premier League looming ever so close it got me to thinking, what do we reckon the likely result might be. As always, being a statto, I had to have a look at the facts and figures to give me an idea! 

So as I posted yesterday on Facebook (Everton Page 1878) the last time we played Watford at Goodison, which happened to also be our first home game of the season, we beat them 2-1 with Andy Johnson scoring on his debut. Can we make it another win over the Southerners on the first game of the season?  Since that game back in 2006 it has been a pretty mixed bag of results for the Blues on the opening home game, from a 6-1 thrashing from Arsenal in 2009 to a very enjoyable win against Manchester United in 2012 beating the Red Devils 1-0. 

Last season and the season prior to that saw draws for the Toffees against Arsenal and West Brom respectively. Although I will say the 2-2 draw against Arsenal felt a bit like bad luck in a month where we went in front twice drawing both games 2-2! But that's the positive Evertonian in me. The most recent first home game defeat came in 2011 against QPR when the newly promoted side won 1-0. This is a statistic, along with our draw against Leicester last season after their promotion, that concerns me. These teams come up and want to prove they can play with the big boys. Getting a side like Everton as their first game in the Prem will make them want it even more. When teams that have more passion than EFC turn up at Goodison Park it tends to be when we falter. 

It seems looking at Roberto's first home game of the season statistics that this also rears its head for him as well, with a 4-0 defeat by newly promoted Blackpool beating Wigan Athletic in August 2010. Interestingly the month he signed Cleverley on loan from Manchester United. Whilst with Wigan Roberto never won any of the four first home games as manager with defeats from Chelsea (2-0, 2012), aforementioned Blackpool (4-0, 2010), Wolves (1-0, 2009) and a draw with Norwich (1-1, 2011). The same was true with his record at Swansea, with a draw with Notts Forest (0-0, 2007) and a defeat by the same team the following term (3-1, 2008). 

Spanish Bob's record next to Everton's doesn't make for much positivity for Saturday's upcoming game, however as my close Evertonian friends will know I like to be positive and I think we will be walking away from Goodison with at least a point. Albeit there have been a few defeats versus draws and wins they are few and far between for us Blues. I am hopeful we will take the full 3 points but with the prospect of a newly promoted team and the potential lack of our star striker, we could be in for a tough 90 minutes. 

Big Dunc 2nd August 2015

The day finally came that so many Blues fans had eagerly anticipated, the day that Mr Duncan Ferguson would grace the green grass of Goodison once more. Not as the coach that he has become, but wearing the badge once again on his chest as a player. As a result of his testimonial, the guys at the Everton Page 1878 and I got to thinking it would be a good opportunity to find out some of the fans views on the mighty Scot. I asked 20 fans five questions about Big Dunc and here is what they had to say. 

So the first question I asked was one that had recently been asked on the Facebook page, which Big Dunc game is the fan favourite? There was a mixed response but a resounding choice was famous games against both Manchester United and, not surprisingly, Liverpool. The United games were both the 1995 and 2005 clashes where Blues fans were treated to headed goals from Dunc at the Gwladys Street end on both occasions. The Derby games of choice came in the shape of his first and Joe Royle's as Everton manager back in 1994 when Gary from Ellesmere Port believes "he became an overnight hero". In the mix included a hat trick against Bolton in 1997, Leeds from September 2003 when Everton won 4-0, Newcastle on the first day of the 1996/97 season, and last but not least his final game against West Brom in 2006 with his last minute goal following a missed penalty. 

The second of the five questions was in relation to Big Dunc fitting into the current Everton side under Roberto. The feeling from the fans was mostly positive, one fan saying he would fit in "like he did when he played, when he was up for it (he was the) best striker around". Simon from Liverpool thought he "would suit Martinez's style of play". Margaret from Liverpool was also positive saying "he still has the skills to play with the young players". One fans view was that the current team could be positive for Big Dunc, "we'd bring out more of the quality Dunc has in his feet than in the sides he has played in over the years". Some of the negative views came in the form of, "would be more of a squad player than a first team", "average" and "not too good with the service Rom has been getting". I wonder now people have seen Dunc back playing again on the pitch whether the views would change on how they have answered this one! 

The midway question of the five asked was a little bit of provocative one, do people think big Dunc is a legend? It has been said by more than one fan that he maybe isn't quite a Kevin Ratcliffe or a Dixie Dean, so I was interested to hear what people had to say. The voting went with 13 fans saying 'yes', 6 saying 'no' and one 'almost'. Steve from Netherley, who was the almost, said "if he had helped us win a league then deffo". Of those that were positive about whether Big Dunc is considered a legend included Ian, who compared the Scot to Bob Latchford - "the only good things in their respective teams". Finally one fan said he understood the argument about the lack of medals however, "For blues of a certain age, like me, he was a beacon of hope in difficult times". Point very well made. 

Another slightly provocative question with number four was about whether people thought Dunc would be a future Everton manager one day. The sides were divided again on this one with 10 saying 'yes', 6 saying 'no' and 6 with either a 'possibly' or 'hopefully'. Robbie from Liverpool made an interesting comment which really resonated when he said: "I wouldn't want him to take the abuse from fans and media if we were struggling". I think in this day and age and with such passionate fans it is a real risk that he would be taking as Robbie so rightly points out. I think as Newcastle saw with John Carver sometimes it isn't the best thing to allow someone so close to the club to manage the actual team. David thought that "with experience from another team" he could do the job. 

The last of the five questions was 'of any striker in Everton's history who would the fans pair Big Dunc up with?'. A mixed bag on this one with the lead taken by Dixie Dean with five votes, next was both Cottee and Lineker with four, followed by Sharpy with three, Andy Gray with two, and Rooney and Alex Young both with one. A couple of people chose more than one however such as Kyle from Liverpool who said: "Dixie Dean or a smaller man like Andy Gray". Also Peter Beardsley got a mention but only as a maybe. One lucky fan in the form of Ste from Liverpool hopefully got to see his choice of strike duo on Sunday - Dunc and Wayne! 

So there it is, the fans views of the Everton great that is Duncan Ferguson. It was an outstanding turn out for him on Sunday, as was to be expected. A man that will always be in the hearts of Evertonians. 

Thank you to the 20 people who answered questions that contributed to the blog, I am sorry you cannot all be named. Look out for future surveys during the course of the new season for another opportunity to have your say. 

Footymadgirl

Chester FC Q & A 4th July 2015

On Saturday I asked a group of my Chester FC friends on Facebook if they would take part in a Q & A on Chester FC. The survey consisted of six questions, five relating to all things on the pitch and one off the pitch. Thanks to a particularly strong response to the latter, I have decided to do a separate blog on that topic so we will stick to on the pitch for today.

To get us started I was interested to find out what people's thoughts were on Steve Burr's summer transfer dealings to date. Thankfully nothing has happened since Saturday so I'm still being up to date here! In the main the fans were happy with the business we have done, although Derek felt that it was too early to tell and that he would "reserve judgement until I see them, no one can tell yet". It is more difficult with some of the players we sign in this league to have a real sense of how they play. Unless you have a vested interest in the team they come from or the team played against Chester, it is highly likely you won't have seen them play. Not like when a Premier League or even a Championship player is sold and the receiving team's fans will usually have seen the individual regularly on TV. Although on saying that, Grahame from Chester is very much satisfied with the transfer dealings saying, "they look quality", so I could be wrong in my assessment. Finally, I liked what Jim from Nantwich said when he commented that he is satisfied, adding: "I don't know too much about them but trust his judgement". Well said that man! 

The second of the five on the pitch questions asked the fans which of the new signings are they most looking forward to seeing in the blue and white next season. There was a firm fan favourite in the shape of striker Ross Hannah, with half the votes going his way. One fan said of the signing, "we need a goal scorer and he is proven". George from Chester concurred: "goals, goals and more goals", could not have summed it up better myself. The other half of the votes were divided evenly across three players, Ian Sharps, Jordan Chapell and Luke Geroge, who all received two a piece. To begin Mr Sharps seems to be viewed as the next potential George Horan or Matty Brown, with Steve from Flint choosing  the defender because "a leader was lacking last season" and another fan adding, "if he stays fit, will be a big player - make a good captain". Hopefully his 6ft 3in stature will be something to put the opposition off at least! Next up the 23 year old Jordan Chapell saw one fan say of the Sheffield born player, "sounds a quality winger rated by his previous clubs". Eric from Chester showed some further confidence in Burr that we had seen in the previous question, "seemed to lose his way at Torquay after a bright start. Got a feeling Steve Burr will get the best out of him". Last but not least we have former Southport FC man Luke George. Graeme from Deeside was first up with this choice describing the player as an "exciting talent". I think David From Bromley had guessed my next question with his answer "might be the combative midfielder we seemed to lack last season". 

Which leads me nicely onto question number three. This was about what fans believe was missing last season that can be improved upon in the next. The most consistent answer was about getting a "good fast start to the season" with one fan saying, "the last two seasons we had poor starts" and another saying they need to improve on "first half performances". There were a few who thought they knew how to get that good start, George thought it was by having "a strong holding midfield player to protect the back four". Other fans felt it was up front that was lacking. David referred to a "lack of another target man to supplement Hobbo is a worry". He also felt that "consistency" was something the team needed to improve on, concurring with the initial feeling among the fans. Jim from Nantwich feels Chester FC need "a fox in the box". With a goal difference at the end of last season coming in at -12 and goals scored against the blues being 76, you would think there had been more people answering about the defence, but only Ed from just outside Chester gave that as his improvement. 

Moving swiftly on, my fourth question moved the fans attentions towards the fixtures, specifically the Derby games. With the relegation of Tranmere Rovers FC, this season is set to be an exciting one where these four games are concerned. So I thought I would ask if people were with me on that excitement and they sure are! Nine out of the twelve people asked said Tranmere Rovers, with varying reasons. Steve and Grahame both chose the Merseysiders as "it's a good while since we played them". David thought it would be a bit better on the soul as we "can enjoy it a bit more as Wrexham is just too important". When you work at a place full of Wrexham fans I am inclined to agree with him! I quite enjoyed the next two reasons with Jim saying "Wrexham are so last year" and George commenting that "Wrexham are easy to beat". Let's hope they are this season. Of the three who didn't vote for the Wirral side, one of those didn't go with the "goats", as Eric put it, either. Ed says he doesn't "look forward to either. Prefer when they are out of the way". I can certainly see where he is coming from there, and I bet I am not the only one Ed. 

So, finally, of the five on the pitch questions the last was a bit of a provocative question asking fans did they think promotion is a realistic target. There was a resounding sense that they don't believe the blues can do it with only one fan saying "yes". One fan did state however, "possible if Steve Burr can wave his magic wand, but I'll be happy with a top half finish". Both David and Jim did think that the "play offs" could be a possibility, with George joining them in that belief on the basis that "much will depend on whether SB (Steve Burr) can strengthen the squad in January". Steve is certain that a "top 10 finish" is a realistic target with Grahame saying that he doesn't think Chester have "the budget" for promotion but he would "be delighted to keep out of trouble again". Ed had a similar view saying he "would like to see us further progress from last season. Think we can then have a real go the season after". And finally one of the last respondents said that they would be happy with "building a strong team"' adding "if that happens then promotion maybe". Let's watch this space.

So there you have it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who contributed and look forward to some more Q&A sessions in the future! For anyone who would like to be involved in the future, please get in touch.

Footymadgirl  

Q & A 27th June 2015

A few days ago we asked fans on the Facebook page Everton Page 1878 to answer some questions about the mighty Blues, all mostly topical to get their current thoughts and feelings. Here is a round-up of what they said: 

So, we asked firstly about fans feelings on the signings we have made so far, free agent Tom Cleverley and of course the one and only Gerard Deulofeu. A resounding positive view on this one with one person referring to them as "exciting" and another saying that it's "nice to see some more youth added to the team". The fans were all happy with Cleverley which honestly surprised me as there were a few moans and groans I heard pre-signing. One fan felt that "Cleverley will surprise a lot of people". I couldn't agree more and I really hope he does. Scott from Walton seemed extremely positive about Tom, "he wanted to play for us so he's very likely to give 110% and I've said it before it's all about the strength in depth so for Tom to come in on a free was a no brainier for me and happy to have him at Everton". Another fan felt "we need to be patient with Cleverley. He's clearly got bags of technical ability but is a confidence player. Goodison can be an unforgiving place if performances aren't up to scratch, but I expect us to get behind him. On a free, it's a good deal".

Again the feeling was positive for Mr D, "everyone loves Gerry" was the opinion from John in Liverpool. Scott again sums up the signing perfectly, "Deulofeu has the potential to be great and for him to turn down better offers to be an Everton player shows what we are as a club. He already has a special bond with the fans so I think we will see the best of Geri in our royal blue". Cardiff-based Evertonian Ian is "impressed by Geri as he gives us the X-factor we sadly missed last season". Gary from Ellesmere Port said of the Spanish signing, "Delighted to get Deulofeu back and on a permanent basis, although I think we need to be patient with him. He was effective off the bench during his loan spell when teams were tired and stretched. He now needs to translate that into 90 minute displays. If he does, then we've got a potential matchwinner". Only one person included Mr Henen when giving their views about the new additions, although the signing has not yet been officially announced, and this fan felt there are, "so many positives from him in the under 21's this season so more work with Unsy and he can break into the first team and hopefully he will get a game in a cup if we get a lower league team". However I have seen some speculation about Everton sending David out on loan once we close the deal, so time will tell whether we see him so soon in the royal blue (for the first team anyway).

The second question was about the topic of the 'new ground' and whether it would ever materialise. As was to be expected the answer was a resounding 'no' from all the fans who answered. Mike from New Brighton said he didn't "think that we'll move but will maybe look again at redevelopment of Goodison". Another two fans concurred with Mike about redevelopment with one stating, "we have too much history at that place" but questioned "if Liverpool can rebuild then why not us?" One supporter was concerned that, "given the amount of money coming into the game shortly we'll never have a better opportunity". A fair point I would have thought for the board to be considering. Another question for them from our fans was, "Who's going to pay for it? I'm afraid I can't see anything other than the board making it a hat trick of failed ground move attempts". And finally one blue raised his concerns of what we will do without a new ground, "I can't see us moving anytime soon but until we get a new stadium we won't be getting investment as nobody will want to give the stadium money and transfer money as soon as they join the club so hoping we can get a new stadium sorted soon".

Our third line of enquiry was about the boss Roberto Martinez and whether people still think he is the right man for the job. The group of supporters seemed relatively happy with Bobby saying, "Roberto Martinez is the man that will take us forward". Although some fans raised their concerns, especially around his ability to face reality at times and be honest about the shortfalls of both him and the team. John from Liverpool said, "I would like him to be honest and not talk s***, Evertonians are not soft". Mike picked up on his weakness stating, "Roberto is a confidence manager who struggles when he gets doubted". As Ian from Cardiff says, "I think he learnt a lot last season when the going got tough, I'd like to see that step change this season where he is proactive not reactive" and I could not agree more. Last season was his biggest test, he went from the high of winning the FA Cup with a team he had built up, to a top 5 finish with Everton in his first campaign. We could only expect it was going to be much more difficult last time around, particularly with Europa League. People were generally confident he can turn things around though and one supporter thinks he knows how he can fix it, "Needs to be more flexible when facing different types of opposition, and get back to pressing high up the pitch and having wide players playing out wide to support the full backs. Too narrow last season". Scott from Walton is also confident, "The man got the record points tally so why the hell he was booed at the end of last season was a disgrace in my opinion". With Gary concurring, "Deserves our backing after his debut campaign, and I'm confident he'll get it right next term". Come on Spanish Bob, you can do it!

Question four and we are back on the topic of signings, this time it was about what is still missing still from the signings we have already made to strengthen our beloved Toffees. Half of the respondents felt we need a new goalkeeper, and one fan has even chosen who he would like in the form of Kasper Schmeichel. Daniel from Liverpool felt that, "Tim is doing a fine job don't get me wrong but he is getting no younger so I think we get someone else (and) let Tim show him the ropes". Ian thinks it's not "desperately needed just yet but definitely in the next 12months we have to find a replacement for Tim." There was a full house for a striker, one supporter felt that we should offer Chris Long a bit more game time than just "10 minutes here and there" and another would like to see "Hernandez from United" gracing the pitch of the Old Lady. If I was answering the question I would be looking to see how we are going to cover the hole that Distin left but not all answers included a centre back in their list of signings. One who did, stated, "I would have Scott Dann but not for 15 mill". I am also in the sign Aaron Lennon camp joined by two of our respondents, one of which would like to "offload Mirallas" as part of the deal! I am not entirely sure I believe the nonsense printed in the Daily Mail. The man I met at the Hilton in Liverpool seemed particularly happy with Everton and Martinez, I mean to say, why would he encourage his best friend to join a team that has supposedly 'lied' to him? The other suggestions included a "Right Back to cover Seamus", "another wide player" and from two of our fans "a playmaker", as one them put it "oh for a young Arteta again".

A topic of contention it seems arose from the next question about fans opinions on the Kitbag deal. All of the fans asked were not happy with the deal describing it as, "a disgrace", "sh**e", "a terrible deal" and "very poor". One of my own bug bears is about the accessibility of other clubs kits, you can see this everywhere you go. I know we may not be as well known as some clubs, but even so close to the ground as Ellesmere Port (20.9 miles to be exact) you still see far more of any other team than our own. This fan sums it up nicely, "It's poor when you compare it to commercial deals secured by lesser clubs in our division and also very restrictive.". Both Ian and John both think they know why, "A classic example of the naivety that flows through our club- short term quick fix with no foresight", "it's like the club can't play the long game and they have took the quick money we're losing money hand over fist". Two blues are both concerned about, "how are we meant to develop internationally if the club kit isn't sold in shops world wide!" "For me, the marketing of Everton globally is poor. How have we not taken advantage of the hype surrounding the likes of Howard after the World Cup and Cahill before him?" Well said boys!

Lastly to round up our Q&A with the fans was the question, would you rather a top four finish or a trophy? All of our fans answered a trophy but I particularly liked the one who also asked for a week off after for the hangover! I may need a week off to get over the shock! Although Daniel from Liverpool thinks if we keep hold of the likes of Romelu, Stones, improve Ross and sign Luke Garbutt that we could do both!  Another fan more or less concurred with Daniel's thinking, "Trophies bring Europe which in turn will bring better players and therefore we can get into the top 4 so trophies is the most important thing right now." Two of the other views both aligned to the impression from the outside that a trophy can bring, "history in football doesn't record you finished 3rd or 4th, you win a trophy and it lives long in people's memory and club history", "This club should be winning cups. Despite the financial rewards, there is no guarantee CL qualification would turn us into a force. Look at Spurs. Also, a cup win would give the young core of our side that winning mentality we desperately need."

So there you have it. Six questions to six fans, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who contributed and look forward to some more Q&A sessions in the future! For anyone who would like to be involved in the future, please get in touch.

Footiemadgirl 

Lioness effect

Ok, so I tweeted on Saturday night with a bit of a rant at my Mother-in-law over her views on women's football and I am still reeling from it. My hubby and I love watching football whether it be our own teams, a team from another country or the ladies. In my opinion it doesn't matter who is playing it, it's still football and that is my passion! So maybe I am taking it slightly more personally than I should be but I do think a comment like "football is a man's game" really resonates deeper than just football. What about all those women that fought for us to have equal rights in the voting system, what about all of those ladies who have fought so hard for equal pay? It isn't just about the 11 ladies on the pitch in Canada it's all of us who want to be treated equal to our male counterparts. 

I mean let's be honest how many of us tune in to the World Cup and watch 11 blokes usually from teams we don't particularly like most Saturday afternoons and end up disappointed by the time the referee blows his whistle at 90 minutes? The passion I see in this World Cup is one I don't see from the blokes, from the minute they walk on the pitch they are somehow divided, they stand their like it's their God given right to represent their team, not because it is the one thing they have wanted to do their whole lives (I know not all of them are like that, I am generalising). I just don't sense that from the girls. Let's take the national anthem as my example of this. How many male England players do you see (or hear) singing the anthem of our country? When was the last time you saw them standing united, arms around one another in chorus? I can't remember a time so feel free to correct me if I am wrong on that. What I saw from the women's team was a whole new picture, a team united in chorus and visibly in their spirit. They looked like a team happy to be next to one another. Is that because of the media hype before the tournaments tend to make us all believe that the boys don't get on or is it that they actually don't. Maybe they are such mega stars they don't feel the need to be one team, who knows.

One thing that is for sure and cannot be contended is the results. Let's imagine Roy Hodgson's boys are playing at the World Cup in Canada and in the quarter finals they draw the hosts, what are the odds they knock them out? The girls did it. When did the men last get to this stage in the same competition of their own game as my mother-in-law put it, 1990 that's when. A child born in 1990 is now 25 years old. So maybe it's not just for men is it now? 

One positive I would take from this tournament as a plus to my concerns about sexism in the world today is the fact that these girls are setting an example for today's generation. A generation who will be able to see, maybe not the game, but the results the next day on their Twitter feed or on Facebook. I am glad to say the many people I follow on Twitter are very positive about it. I saw Gabby Logan tweeted saying her children were asking to stay up to watch the next game which is such a positive that children want to watch it. This is where I feel it is more than just about the game. If the women's England football team can be the catalyst for a step change towards equality then now is the time. They are showing the male and female population that it doesn't matter what sex you are, if you are willing and able to represent your country then you damn well should. And the manner in which those players in Canada have done it so far is inspiring. 

Being Footymadgirl

Seeing as we are out of season it does not leave a lot to go with football wise other than talking about the transfer rumours, some of which are now truths, but there is not a lot more that can be said on that topic. So, I thought I'd take it back to my original Footymadgirl roots and talk a bit about me. Being a girl who likes footy has its ups and downs and I reckon I can sum them up here.

1. Being a girl in a man's world

So recently someone described me as having the ability to be a girl in a man's world! You can probably take that one of two ways but I was quite happy with the statement, thankfully. I work for a company called Airbus, they are a manufacturing company who build aeroplanes for those who don't know with the site I work at concentrating on the wings. Anyway I digress. I spend a lot of my time around blokes and as a member of the management team you have to have the ability to be 'one of the lads' at times. I think being a footy fan helps a lot with this, the site is full of Evertonians I am glad to say but obviously being situated where we are there is a mix of Liverpool, United, Tranmere, City and tons of Chester and Wrexham fans! If you can break the ice with a bit of football banter it seems to stand me in pretty good stead. It seems to gain you a certain type of respect I don't see a lot of other females (and some males) get. Our Senior Trade Union team are a fearsome bunch to behold but being as most of them are Blues and those that are Red know how to take my teasing, I am on the right side of them shall we say when I need to deal with them in a work situation.

2. Shocking blokes with footy chat

I am in a queue at the sun beds (now he is a man in a girl's world surely!) and the bloke in front of me is wearing an Everton shirt. I can't help but bring up the mighty Blues, "what do you think about the Cleverley signing then?". The shock and dismay on the face that turns to greet me is hilarious. They start to engage in conversation and I usually get the impression they are dubious at first until we get chatting and they trust that I know what I am talking about and relax into the conversation. On a recent trip to Ibiza I ended up getting chatting to some guys who were stockbrokers from France. One of them was a PSG fan, he thought it was awesome that I could chat football with him! I was also pleased when they took us to a suite where they had the Champions League final on with a free bar and a pile of pizza (ok so being a girl helped in this situation!). Result.

3. Watching the footy with my girly friends

As you have just heard I managed to squeeze in a watch of the Champions League final whilst on a girls holiday and also at Ushuaia (a nightclub for those who don't know, in the above pic haha). I had warned the girls I would be watching it but I am not sure they believed me. On a previous girls trip away I hadn't been so successful in this type of situation. On a trip to Cardiff for a friend's birthday back in 2011 I had really wanted to watch the Conference Premier Semi-final when AFC Wimbledon played Luton to try and 'regain' their League status once again. Truth be told I had a little soft spot for the story of Wimbledon as it was so close to that of the reborn Chester FC who had won their first of many league titles to come only three weeks before to edge a little bit closer to where they'd been prior to the old club's well documented financial issues. My request to stay in the Wetherspoons we had just enjoyed a late breakfast in was met with much distain by the rest of the girls I was with and I had no choice but to leave at 0-0 and miss the excitement of a penalty shootout finish. How annoying! 

4. Blinding people with science

Although I sometimes enjoy surprising them, one of the tricky bits about being a girl who likes football when you are talking to blokes, in my opinion, is feeling like you are going to be tripped up. What I mean to say is that I sometimes feel I have to know all the facts to ensure they truly believe I know what I am talking about. I am a little bit like that anyway. I like facts, data, figures, information, it gives you what you want and it tells no lies. So I like to get myself geared up with facts, luckily nowadays you don't have to buy every Match magazine going to get hold of this information because it is readily available on the Internet and even better with Twitter. I was on the bus on the way to the United game this season and I was having a conversation with a long standing season ticket holder (feel the pressure) so I threw in a few of my usual facts about the players we were discussing and their performance for the team. At the end of the conversation he turned and said to my husband "bloody hell she knows more than me, she should be on the telly with her knowledge" - BINGO! My ploy worked, well it's not a ploy I do know a lot about my topic of choice but only because I sometimes blind people with science!

5. Being at the match

As I have said in my previous blogs I don't get to as many live games as I used to but now my little girl is getting older that is becoming a bit easier. One thing I have always noticed at both Everton and Chester is there are a lot more females than I expected to see. Usually these females are hardcore match goers not the occasional come to the Boxing Day match with the family types but season ticket holders who also know their topic of choice well. I am obviously in good company. This does not stop the reaction I get from blokes around me being one of hilarity. On the same day at the United game I took up my father-in-law's seat as he had been dragged to a family occasion he couldn't get out of. I had never sat by these two blokes in my life but we got chatting none the less. By half time the bloke to one side of me said he thought I was a very passionate fan! My father in law has at times said I swear like a trooper with a look of shock on his face. Maybe I give off a look that says meek and mild but as soon as the whistle blows for the start of a match I turn into Footymadgirl again and my whole alter ego changes. I love singing at the game, as you will know if you have read my other blogs, but I am also not afraid of a good shout (and a swear) but why should I not? Because I am a girl some would say but I think that may be a bit unfair. At another game this season, the Derby no less, I had been awarded a ticket in the lounge from work. There were four of us together who had all received the award. Me and three blokes. At half time one of them turned to me and said they had been chatting when I was away and had noted that they were expecting me to be quiet and reserved, as I was a female from HR, but found the complete opposite! There were no complaints but I do enjoy surprising people.