Everton: Alan Brazil shares what happened to him at Goodison Park live on talkSPORT, ‘Couldn’t believe it’
Alan Brazil has revealed that he used to enjoy playing against Everton at Goodison Park after receiving a positive reception from the supporters.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday (25 January, 08:55am), the host said he “couldn’t believe it” when the Toffees fans applauded his Ipswich Town team off the pitch when they secured a 4-0 victory on Merseyside.
Also speaking on the show, Neil Ruddock revealed that he didn’t quite receive the same reaction when playing for Liverpool at Goodison as he admitted it was a “very intimidating” place to go as it felt like the fans were “on your back” because they were so close to the pitch.
“Which fan group made you feel the most intimidated, who were the fans that used to give you pelters?” asked Brazil.
“I used to get pelters everywhere, Al, but I think the Merseyside derby at Everton,” replied Ruddock. “I mean, that old ground. We both played there, it feels like they’re on top of you, it feels like they’re on your back they’re so close.
“So Liverpool away at Everton, very intimidating place and they didn’t like me for some reason, can’t believe it. When the ball went out for a throw-in, I never went and picked the ball up.”
“I used to enjoy Goodison,” said Brazil. “I thought if you got a result there, well obviously not Liverpool at Everton, but with Ipswich we went up there and won 4-0 one day and they applauded us off, which I couldn’t believe it.”
Gracious
The Everton fans have been known to be gracious in defeat on a few occasions over the years when they know their team has been well and truly beaten.
While they may not have been too impressed with their own side’s performance, they can accept when the opposition deserves credit for playing well.
It’s always been known as a tough place to go for away sides as the crowd get right behind their team to try and give them an edge in their games.
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to hear Ruddock suggest Goodison is the most intimidating ground he’s played at because the stakes are so much higher and the atmosphere is boisterous for the Merseyside derby.
The Toffees will be hoping that atmosphere can help guide them to Premier League safety once again as the club finds itself entrenched in another relegation battle following the 10-point deduction this season.
In other Everton news, red tape has emerged on one player’s potential Goodison exit this month.
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