ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley took part in a Q&A session on the Royal Blue podcast
ECHO Everton reporters Chris Beesley and Joe Thomas took part in a live question and answer edition of the Royal Blue podcast this week when they were quizzed on a number of topics relating to the club.
Here’s a summary of some of Chris’ responses to host Ian Croll from the quickfire section of the show.
Do you think Everton will look to extend David Moyes’ contract beyond the end of next season?
I think they should do. You had that scenario with Sean Dyche – obviously a very different personality – was going into the final year of his contract and it’s not like players downed tools but it became an issue.
I think at the moment, given that they had those two great results last week beating Newcastle and Burnley and are eighth, they’ve shown incredible progress, so I’d certainly like to see that.
As I’ve said on here on many occasions, you could argue that he’s probably the only man in the modern era that has shown he can manage Everton successfully on a long-term basis. My only gripe is that he’s 62, I wish he was 42.
Which scenario would you prefer for Everton in the future? Champions League qualification or an FA Cup win?
An FA Cup win. A trophy - they need to win a trophy. They’re on the longest trophy drought in the club’s entire history. For me, football is all about those moments, the glory days, the day out.
At derby matches, Liverpool fans sing: “You haven’t won a trophy since 1995.” They don’t say: “You haven’t qualified for the Champions League since 2005, when you finished above us, when we won the Champions League.”
That’s the only way you’re going to stop that. There’s a whole generation of Evertonians who have grown up without winning a trophy.”
What’s your most likeable feature about Hill Dickinson Stadium?
The location. It’s now part of the city’s landscape, the waterfront skyline. I live in New Brighton, when you look across, and I see it most days, and I can see Goodison Park and Anfield in the background as well. If Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Hill Dickinson Stadium were both in the same place, Spurs’ is the best in terms of its specifications, and all that it brings, but because of where it is, that’s what makes Hill Dickinson Stadium the best in the country.
I’ve got to do a massive shout out though to Dan Meis and the way he’s designed it. Everything is set up for it being an incredible football stadium going forwards.
Hopefully it brings the best aspects of Goodison, but in a modern setting in terms of the intimacy and the way it’s so tight with the stands.
What’s the one thing you miss about Goodison Park?
It’s certainly not the pillars. It’s the atmosphere but a lot of that will come with Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton have just come through a near three-month winless streak at home and people were picking the bones out of the atmosphere and I think that will come in time. We’ve got to remember it’s the same people who are here and actually in greater numbers.
Those nights when Goodison was really rocking, and we also saw it in the final game with the 12 noon kick-off against Southampton, those real special moments in terms of the crowd. There are always going to be teething problems and some fans aren’t sat next to the same people after many years of being used to their spec.