The performance was abject and the optimism low with regard our expected fortunes against the blue side of Liverpool.
As so often in football, the reality was much the opposite.
The contrast in feeling arriving at work on Monday morning was as contrasting as the performances served up by the Latics. A little over a week ago we allowed a fired up and determined Liverpool team to dominate us and control possession whilst at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon we didn’t allow the Toffees sign nor sight of the ball until it was in the back of the net.
The football on show from Martinez’s players wouldn’t have looked our of place at the Camp Nou, we we’re hitting the levels witnessed at Reading a fortnight before, and in the final nine survival games (of which we won seven) of the previous season.
David Moyes and his team arrived safe in the knowledge that they only need turn up to quality for a Wembley semi-final, after-all it was only little Wigan Athletic standing in their way. The result is another matter and the under estimation of the Latics by the entire staff at Everton can be added to a disappointing long list of managers, players, and clubs who have underestimated us over the years.
We’re used to the national press berating our small band of away day travellers, and we’re use to be told that this is the season we’re going to go down.
Eight years on from our fist season in the top flight and our first major cup final, and we’re on the very of another, this time in a competition that holds a serious prospect of European football.
This is a moment to dwell on and to enjoy, certainly a moment to saviour and remember. I started supporting the Latics shortly before our present manager joined as a player. We’ve borne witness to some terrible football and some embarrassing ridicule from the supporters of some of the national biggest clubs.
In this column a few weeks ago my piece was a sultry article bemoaning the lack of dreams a football club can hold, particularly when it comes to league football, after all what chance do we have of winning the Premier League title.
The FA Cup isn’t a dying competition, it is rather a serious piece of silverware where those teams who for the budgetary reasons I moaned about three weeks ago can compete over 90 minutes to take home a historic piece of silverware.
We’ve proven in the past that we have what it takes to go toe to toe with the best in this country, perhaps not over 38 games, but certainly over 90 minutes. Shaun Maloney’s goal last season contributed a huge amount to Manchester United’s downfall and Manchester City’s title win. We beat United in a game they were desperate to win.
With a favourable draw (check) and the right performance (fingers crossed) we’ll make our first ever FA Cup final and continue to make history as a football club.
Long may these feel good factor continue and hopefully filter through to our league performances.
Fingers crossed this could be the year where we grow another level as a football club and not only remain in the Premier League but also as some silverware to the trophy cabinet.
One dares to dream.