Peter Reid has been to midnight mass to say his prayers. He confesses an allegiance to Manchester City, the team he played for and managed for three years, but it’s his other great love, Everton, he fears need divine intervention today.
‘I had the choice of going to the Etihad or the caravan in Abersoch,’ he says. ‘The caravan won. I’ll be watching the game there, through my fingers. I said my prayers last week but I’m not even sure the Big Fella up there can help Everton on Saturday.'
Of course, Reid the player would never write off a game but, after witnessing Everton’s worrying slide towards the relegation zone, there’s a sense of foreboding as they face the machine that is Manchester City.