I know the answer will not be easily sought, but why on earth did our Everton players not seize the best opportunity they will ever have to beat the reds on Saturday at Wembley? I know a shoestring budget can only be stretched so far, and it's virtually impossible now to compete for any sustained period with the billionaire brigade, but they were there for taking and our team simply blew it.
Why can the Blues manage to beat them in earlier rounds of the FA Cup, and yet continually come unstuck when reaching semis and finals? Our team went into the game in superior form, above them in the league table, and supposedly fired up for the occasion. They were even leading an admittedly patchy game 1-0 at half time.
They simply needed to keep on playing the way they had in that first half, and a place is the Final was assured. Victory was in their grasp, and was carelessly and recklessly tossed away. They failed to build on the lead, seemed to lack composure and confidence, and paid the ultimate penalty for sitting back.
The opposition's third string keeper was given an easy ride, when in reality he should have been tested at every opportunity. Particularly in the second half, far too many of our players failed to perform as they can and, no matter what anyone may try to say, yet again the Evertonians were let down by their team. They simply do not get what they deserve.
The one shining light to come out of the whole occasion was the support of the Evertonians......It's very hard to find sufficient adjectives to adequately sum up how magnificent it was. There's no doubt that being a Blue gives you a respect of so many things in life, and I'm proud every day of my life to be an Evertonian. I couldn't even contemplate for one second being anything else.
From early doors on Saturday, the Blues started singing and they never let up, despite another harsh disappointment. I felt so deflated, but being with the best people in the whole world is the perfect tonic in providing a lift for the spirits. The streets of Wembley were awash with Blues, and when we went into the Bear Pub in Wembley High Road, on Saturday evening, I could hardly take in everything I saw there.
The place was absolutely booming with Evertonians dancing, singing and chanting. There was a huge circle of Blues in the middle of the main bar, and the pure, undiluted, 100% collective joy and spirit coming from them was something I will never forget as long as I live. I was bursting with pride. I wish it could've all been recorded on film, and I wish the Everton players and directors had walked in and witnessed it. They couldn't have failed to understand then, what this Football Club means to us.
It was in sharp contrast afterwards that, as we made our way to Wembley Park station, we saw small pockets of straggly reds wandering around aimlessly looking like they were on their way to a funeral. There is simply no comparison between their fans and our supporters.
And, there simply isn't any justice!!! Ronald Ragin
