talkSPORT pundit tells Everton what they must preserve ahead of Goodison Park exit

Everton must try their best to retain the “difficult” Goodison Park atmosphere after their move to Bramley-Moore Dock, Aaron Lennon has said.

Speaking on talkSPORT (9 December, 9:24am), Lennon argued that traditional stadiums like Goodison and modern new-build arenas are night and day when it comes to the contrast in atmospheres.

Suggesting that the “intimidating” nature of Goodison provides the Toffees an edge on their opponents, Lennon was hopeful that their new home on Liverpool’s waterfront would become a difficult place to go.

Lennon said: “I think they’ll miss it. You’ve seen it when teams do move to these so-called ‘new’ stadiums, the bigger stadiums – is the atmosphere the same?

“The other clubs are coming, going ‘look at this big fancy stadium’, whereas some clubs go to Goodison now and they don’t feel that.

“Tight dressing rooms, tight tunnel, tight little pitch – it’s a difficult place to go, and you go to these new stadiums and I don’t think it has that same intimidating factor.”

Everton Stadium move must retain spirit of Goodison Park

Although every Toffees fan the world over was looking forward to facing Liverpool on Saturday in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Storm Darragh forcing its postponement could have a silver lining.

While there have been few better times to face their arch-rivals this season – coming off the back of a 4-0 win over Wolves – the conditions in the North West may have detracted from one hell of a spectacle.

Come rain or shine the Goodison faithful are always loud in voice, but going up against Liverpool amid a category-three storm would have surely dampened the atmosphere somewhat.

After this season, the Toffees’ home matches against their city rivals will be played in the city’s dockland area, and fans will be keen to make the 52,888-capacity venue feel like home as quickly as they can.

An official rearrangement date is yet to be confirmed, but if the Blues end up facing Liverpool on a still evening under the lights at Goodison, it will be a fitting way for the Grand Old Lady to bow out.

In other Everton news, Jason McAteer was left gobsmacked by what Richard Keys said about his allegiances on Merseyside.

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