Everton fans created a terrific atmosphere on Sunday for the Merseyside Derby, and before the teams even walked out the tunnel the grandstands were buzzing.
The intense roars from around Goodison Park could have been boosted in some part by the introduction of a siren before the drums kick in for the pre-match rendition of Z Cars.
Either way, fans created a wall of noise throughout the latest clash with the red half of Stanley Park, and supporters have since been discussing on social media the long-term use of the siren ahead of kick-offs.
The debate mainly focused on three sticking points. One, should the siren continue to be used for the pre-match rendition of Z cars. Two, should it be used for every home fixture. Or three, should the team only be welcomed out to it when we come up against a ‘top’ opponent.
Naturally, deciding who the ‘top’ opponents would be could spark further debate, as there is an argument for every game being ‘big’ as no matter the opponent all that is on offer is three points or progressing to the next round of a knockout tournament.
But, for now, here is how the Goodison Park faithful have responded to the suggestion of the siren’s continued use…
Night games shut all the lights off before it, make it as intimidating as possible
— Kevin-John (@MrKevJH) March 4, 2019
Everyone has said that Goodison ‘needs to be like that all the time’. Even Silva said it! Only having siren for ‘big games’ defeats the purpose. It needs to be EVERY game. Also who decides on what’s a big game? ‘Oh its only Burnley, the crowd doesn’t need to be up for this one’.
— UpperGwladysBlue (@UpperGwladysBlu) March 4, 2019
Should just let all the people stand up all game in the lower Gwladys that’s what makes the atmosphere ????????instead of stewards telling everyone to sit down and shut up ????
— James Ireland (@jamesireland39) March 5, 2019
Every game, make goodison a real fortress. We all shpuld be up for every game not just the big games. Thats how you win things and improve.
Sirens, straight into Z Cars- team out jobs a fish
— Paddock View (@Paddock_View) March 4, 2019
No pause though and full volume
— Baz (@Barry1878) March 4, 2019
Every games a big game – keep it I thought it was class
— craig (@chubberoo) March 4, 2019
Problem becomes who decides when it’s a big game ? Every competitive game should be big. We shouldn’t flatter the sky 6 by only playing it for them .
— Dan McNulty (@DanMcNulty21) March 4, 2019
Also if it’s only big games it will have a negative effect. Fans haven’t been up for the so called lesser games for years and naturally it’s had a negative effect on the players.
We want them fired up and motivated for every single game. It’s our job to help them— RG (@RyanG78_) March 5, 2019
Keep the siren and them big fans what we set up to make it windy in goodison
— Nate (@17nate_) March 5, 2019
Every home game – each one is an event. Fans go GP on average twice maybe 3 times a month, they are all big games and someone mentioned it ‘a celebration of EFC’. We get 3 points regardless of who we are playing and I think the penny is starting to drop with our fans. Keep it
— RG (@RyanG78_) March 5, 2019