No more breaks. No more international distractions for the players. A huge seven games remain and we are all wondering whether we grab a fantastic opportunity to cap off a season of relative calm.
I have spoken countless times over the course of the past few months about European football and what it could mean for the club. The fear of it being too soon was certainly in my thinking a short while ago, whereas now the excitement of what it may offer has overtaken any concern.
Since David Moyes' arrival at the club 15 months ago, he has reminded the current crop of players that Everton is a club that belongs in Europe and once our relegation concerns of last season were dealt with, that was the aim.
It is refreshing to know the days of suffering are long behind us and the manager is well aware of where we expect our football club to be.
Our final seven games are tough and none more so than this weekend's trip to fellow European dreamers Brentford. Only above us on goal difference, the game may go a long way to deciding both clubs’ final league position.
It feels like a 'dare not lose' game, simply from a momentum and confidence perspective.
Beyond that is the small prospect of the inaugural Merseyside derby at our new home. Given Liverpool’s disastrous title defence, there is a real prospect that we will be battling with them for league supremacy come the end of the season.
It is a mouth-watering end of the season for all the right reasons at last. Where we finish and what we achieve remains to be seen. One thing is for sure – it is much more enjoyable than the anxiety of recent seasons.
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