As Everton looks ahead to their move to a new stadium, there’s a sense of excitement, but also lingering concerns about past struggles.
One of the benefits of a fresh start could be leaving behind the ghosts of missed opportunities at Goodison Park.
As magical as the iconic stadium has been for the club, manager David Moyes will be hoping the team’s tendency to throw away leads doesn’t follow them to their shiny new home.
A Disappointing Trend
Everton’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich marked the third time this season that they have squandered a 2-0 lead at Goodison.
In other matches, they’ve dropped points after scoring first, and even managed to hang on by the skin of their teeth after racing into a 3-0 lead against Spurs.
For striker Beto, who scored a brilliant header to give Everton the early advantage on Saturday, there’s an underlying mental fragility that seems to creep into their game when things go well.
Beto’s Reflection on Mental Fragility
Beto admitted that there’s a psychological aspect to the team’s struggles, saying, “Maybe when you are on the pitch we think too much about this; the ghosts from the past come, I don’t know.”
He emphasized that the team is aware of this issue and must push forward.
“Next time, when we’re 2-0 up, we need to hold onto that result,” he said.
“It was a huge disappointment for us and the fans. We should have won.”
The forward made it clear that Everton needs to treat this as a learning experience to ensure they don’t repeat the same mistakes in future matches.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Despite the frustration of letting the lead slip away, Beto remains hopeful about Everton’s potential in their new stadium.
“We are capable of doing whatever we want in the new stadium if we put our minds to it,” he confidently declared.
It’s a sentiment shared by many, as the club prepares to leave behind its old home, with the hope that a fresh setting will bring a new mentality.
The Game Against Ipswich: A Missed Opportunity
Everton looked to be in control during their penultimate match at Goodison Park, racing into a 2-0 lead in the first 35 minutes thanks to goals from Beto and Dwight McNeil.
But the mood shifted once Ipswich’s Julio Enciso scored with a stunning 30-yard strike.
The nerves started to show, and it wasn’t a shock when George Hirst equalized with a header in the 79th minute, handing Ipswich a well-earned point.
Liam Delap’s Controversial Season
Meanwhile, Liam Delap, who was substituted after being booked for a 12th time this season, had a combative outing.
Delap, who has been a standout for Ipswich despite their relegation, got involved in a few tussles with Joey O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old forward, who has a £30million buy-out clause, could be an attractive target for top clubs this summer.
However, concerns over his disciplinary issues might make some teams hesitant to take the plunge.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna acknowledges that Delap plays “on the edge,” but he believes the striker is aware of the lines he shouldn’t cross.
What’s Next for Everton?
Looking ahead, Everton needs to address these recurring issues with dropping points and focus on building a more resilient mindset before their move to the new stadium.
There’s talent in the squad, but a more consistent mentality could be key to avoiding the same fate in the future.
Only time will tell if they can turn the page on this chapter and write a new story in their state-of-the-art home.