‘Wembley is in our dreams’
Final fling for Steve
SAM ALLARDYCE cleared his desk at Goodison Park yesterday still claiming the majority of Everton supporters did not want him removed as manager of their club.
The former England boss gave a lengthy interview in which he defended his record in his less than six months in charge of the Merseyside club.
But, with the clamour for his removal growing on a weekly basis towards the end of the season, it was Allardyce’s statement that he still maintained the backing of the majority of supporters that provided the biggest surprise.
“I would say most of them didn’t want me out. Not everybody has the same opinion as some few,” claimed Allardyce.
“That has obviously built up, that happens today, I accept that.
“Everton need to go and build a team on the field and move forward that way to cope with the new stadium that’s going to be built in the next three or four years.
“We bought Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun who added to the goal tally and added more flair to the team. That improved as time went on.
“But it wasn’t enough for the Everton fans who at the time were showing some discontent.
“There were more fans that were happy with what we were doing and going in the right direction than there wasn’t.
“Those who show discontent are the ones who are more open and vocal.
“The ones who are satisfied don’t really say too much.”
In his defence, Allardyce made an instant and vital improvement to a team that was embroiled in a relegation battle under his predecessor Ronald Koeman and in the disastrous interim reign of youth coach David Unsworth.
But Big Sam’s style on the field and off it never won Evertonians over and there were rumours of a rift with talisman Wayne Rooney.
The former England skipper looks set to move to the US this summer to play for DC TOTTENHAM legend Steve Perryman’s career is on course to end on a high at Wembley.
Exeter’s director of football twice lifted the FA Cup for Spurs there in the early Eighties.
And now Perryman, 66, can look forward to an emotional return in the League Two play-off final, which will mark his last game in football.
Exeter striker Jayden Stockley, volleyed in his 25th goal this term, in the 27th minute of this second leg, semi-final.
Lincoln had an Elliott Whitehouse ‘goal’ ruled
EXETER LINCOLN
EXETER WIN 3-1 ON AGG out for handball, which sent Imps boss Danny Cowley into a rage.
Hiram Boateng, above, then put Exeter two up, just after the break, and Ryan Harley made sure with a long-range third goal.
Matt Green pulled a goal back for Lincoln, but too late. Exeter will meet Notts County or Coventry at Wembley. NOTTS COUNTY boss Kevin Nolan admits his Magpies are dreaming of Wembley ahead of their showdown with Coventry.
County host the Sky Blues in tonight’s League Two play-off second leg, locked at 1-1 from the first game.
County lost just twice at Meadow Lane in the league this season and beat Coventry 2-1 at home in April.
Nolan, right, felt they were “robbed” after a controversial Marc McNulty penalty denied them a first-leg victory. He has called for one last push to reach the final.
“We’re dreaming of Wembley now and we need everyone to be on our side to help us realise that dream,” said Nolan. “More often than not we are better than the team we are playing against here at Meadow Lane. But while we’ve made it a fortress, that doesn’t matter on Friday. It doesn’t mean anything to us or to Coventry.
“They will put everything on the line to make sure they are celebrating going to Wembley. We’ve got to match that and if we do then it gives us a good chance of getting to the final.” Coventry boss Mark Robins believes the Sky Blues must be prepared for extra-time and penalties.
“It might even go all the way,” he said. “We played really well in the first leg and only made one or two mistakes, but sadly that cost us.
“The prize at the end of it is great and we have to make sure we get it right.”