09-03-2017, 20:40
![[Image: DSC_0187.jpg]](http://s10.postimg.org/j3bhaghll/DSC_0187.jpg)
Robson in the rain: Goodison Park, September 1981
Following an afternoon best forgotten against Crystal Palace last weekend, we enter a stretch of tough fixtures this Saturday with a visit to Goodison Park. We've managed to stay in touch with seventh-placed Everton over the past couple of months, perhaps more by accident than design, and the result of this game will go a long way towards determining our (pretty unlikely) chances of nicking 7th spot. If the Palace match was a sign of performances to come, it could be that we'll end up having to fight off a slide down the league rather than charging any further up it, but still, last season gave us a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at Goodison under immense pressure, so hope springs eternal.
If nothing else, an improved performance and signs that we're not entirely done for this season would be very welcome.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley