Evertonians know what is required tonight – now let the Hill Dickinson roar

Let’s be very clear from the outset: this is an unashamed clarion cry and one that, in truth, is probably not needed.

Evertonians are acutely aware of the opportunity that awaits their team against Newcastle tonight. I just felt the urge to get this down ‘on paper’, for no other reason than getting it off my chest before settling down for what could be a very special night at the Hill Dickinson.

There have already been some cracking atmospheres at the Hill Dicky. Chelsea last season immediately springs to mind. But the consensus is that there is still another level for Evertonians to reach in their new home and, frankly, what better time than tonight?

The 1878s will be doing their bit, with flags and banners helping to set the scene before kick-off. There will also be around 9,000 Geordies in the ground, so the gauntlet will automatically be thrown down.

Evertonians have to match them – and then some.

Let the sirens begin

The ground should already be a cauldron before the sirens begin, but hopefully they will provide the trigger for a noise the like of which the Hill Dickinson has not heard before. Then Z-Cars kicks in. Evertonians don’t need telling what has to come next.

Hopefully, by the time Tarky emerges from the tunnel and sets foot on the turf, the hairs on the back of his neck will be standing to attention. Let that feeling work its way along the line, through Jordan Pickford and every blue shirt, hopefully all the way down to Jack Grealish.

If so, part one of the job is done.

Part two begins when referee Farai Hallam blows his whistle, and it needs to be accompanied by a wall of sound from minute one until 90-plus. Do that and Evertonians have played their part. Then it is down to David Moyes and his players to deliver. I’d love to see some of the spirit of the Dogs of War of the 1990s. Tackles won. 50/50s won. Duels won. Intensity unrelenting.

There is, of course, that small matter of keeping the ball when they have it and not coughing up cheap possession for Newcastle to counter-attack with. Passion alone will not win a cup tie, but Everton should at least make sure Newcastle know from the opening exchanges that they are in one.

Let’s hope they treat it as a bona fide cup game and avoid the sort of sterile, practice-match tempo we saw at Anfield last night.

Everton have a genuine opportunity here. Beat Newcastle and Fleetwood Town await at Highbury, with a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on offer beyond that.

Wembley – and perhaps even silverware – no longer feels some distant, abstract thought. So let’s hope the players treat tonight with the reverence it deserves.

Evertonians will.

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