It’s a weirdly strange mix of opinion on here.

One says our current position means we won’t get relegated . Hmm, maybe I’m too bucket half empty when I think, even if it’s improbable, it’s not exactly impossible.

The someone says we cannot win the League Cup (or whatever it is called now) because we have to get through the RS and City. I suppose that’s logical but this bucket half empty fan would like to have hope and worse teams than us have beaten both of them. It’s possible.

Then mention of a tough run of games against sides likely finishing above us. Top sides then, a mismatch, knife to a gunfight job. Then I see Brentford and Brighton in that list. Well sure, they have been playing very well but seriously, and no disrespect, are we content to think small clubs like that will invariably finish above us. My bucket is filling up.

Finally the optimistic talk that TFG might fund a serious January window to push for Europe and my bucket empties again. Not happening, guys…

as i’ve seen previously here on tw when asked who exactly these ‘top sportsman’ are this spoofer goes quiet

end of chat

be careful phil – the eternal ultra optimists can be quite hostile to anyone who casts any doubts on their beliefs like rabid maga supporters.their opinions are all that matter. !

No, Michael, that’s YOU, hoping that we’re in trouble come next May. Why the actual fuck would any so-called Everton fan look at where we are now and go “oh we might be relegated”? Get a fucking grip of yourself.

Moyes teams played some great stuff in his first stint too. I think it peaked in the 07/08 season, but 08/09 was also good.

You never answered my question Ian.

Again.

Grealish-gate is the best thing that ever happened to Moyeses selection process and the current position shows it.

But a quick look at the table shows only 7pts between 6th & 17th.

Lose 2 games and if the results go against you you’re down amongst the dead men in the blink of an eye.

If United get a bit of New Manager Bounce they’ll be up with us just as quick…or we could pass them going the other way.

10 games is too early to call things now – we were sitting in 8th(?) at game 31 – then came those last 7.

I think the dynamic of the team has changed dramatically since George has played on the left wing. His first instinct is to run at the defender. In addition Harrison, Rhol, Dibling, and Hackney are starting to get starts or decent minutes on the pitch,

If he keeps playing these younger players they will become a force to be reckoned with. The stats will change dramatically then.

I think the dynamic of the team has changed dramatically since George has played on the left wing. His first instinct is to run at the defender. In addition Harrison, Rhol, Dibling, and Hackney are starting to get starts or decent minutes on the pitch,

If he keeps playing these younger players they will become a force to be reckoned with. The stats will change dramatically then.

Playing the team way, actually makes it sound like we have got our own discernible style Pete.

Has Alkaraz, started 40 games for Everton, Brian, or are they substitute appearances as well. I’m sure I’ve seen him score goals for Everton, with his left foot, his right foot and with his head, but I might be wrong. If I’m not then the list you have provided isn’t quite right Brian!

michael k .this dixie60 pop up thingy is getting on my threepenny bits…

The same fixtures last year yielded 3 more points than this. We are 14th in terms of comparison with last year. I don’t think we are doing that well.

yes

Paul

Seems to be based on the number of "likes" and reples

You can only beat what’s in front of you, most would have had us down to get 0 points from Arsenal, think we let ourselves down against Chelsea with the setup.

The up and coming period will be a test, four out of the next five games are Brentford, RS, Villa and Brighton. All likely to finish above us. Let’s see how we fair against them.

Also, injuries and suspensions have yet to kick into a small squad.

If we can stay in the mix until the end of the year then it’s all eyes on TFG and seeing if they do spend in Jan to kick us on.

The reply box has a character count? Don’t recall that in the old system.

Ian Everton have been inactive in the market for at least 4 seasons so bringing in 6 players and finally getting rid of the rubbish i think is good buisness.

Also are luck might be changing if Balogun had signed then maybe Barry might not be doing so well .

I hope january will be good so we can move on again lets hope

good chance of being in the semi finals thats it….

but you have’nt answered my direct questions so i will repeat

please name these ‘top sportsmen and women ‘ you know ?

and how well do you know them ? OMG i’m not scared of city or the rs but i know someone who is !

Because it didn’t go far enough Mark. The side needed a complete overhaul, not just a new carpet and front door.

Quick question.

Is there a character-count maximum in how much one can type?

Its what people do john. Theyre professional managers, they play to their strengths.

Their strengths arent scoring scoring are they ! Theyre neat footballers, that work hard. Tim howard described them worker bees in his time. Probably right now.

Hackney will play more as the season goes on.

Alcaraz is a minor-leaguer, which is where he will wind up next season. He has a couple of nice little moves, but is small AND slow.

Dibling, the only things "criminally wasted" were the pursuit of/money spent on him. His only "good" game was a cup game against minor-league opposition. He doesn’t show anything close to accelerating pace, nor does he show foot quickness when faced up by a defender. The real question about Dibbling is who in the organization looked at him and thought, "Oh yeah, this Dibbling kid. Gotta have him.".

Graham played 3 games in the National League Cup against 5th-6th tier opposition. He scored Zero goals. I suggest we stop touting him for 1st Team minutes. He’s done absolutely nothing to indicate he deserves any.

Graham’s just turned 19 a couple of days ago. I’d also suggest that if Moyes had a normal-sized 1st team squad, Graham would be loaned out, which is what he (and the Club) really need to happen.

very true dave , tough games coming up . although tiago should be out for brentford , its still a tough ground to go and get a result

liverpool at home will be tough just compare the 2 squad costs ! having said that 2 of their + 100m signings look more like 20m so lets get into them …

and michael as i have recently been made aware , if you don’t know any ‘top sportsmen’ you cannot comment on everton f.c. and especially theirno b. no matter if you’ve been watching everton for over 5 decades – if you don’t know any ‘top sportsmen’ then jog on !

Fluff Michael.

No evidence at all to back it up. Every team will do a balanced training session of defending, ball retention, attacking, finishing etc. When theyre working on the defending, the other players will be providing the attack! Moyes spoke about Barry specifically doing striker training with Baines, or are you disputing that given your regular training visits?

Yeah George now tracks back, and his team mates would have said that both goals againdt united could have been prevented if he had offered more. Or are you happy that he only needs to attack? Perhaps Trevor Steven and co never tracked back either, er they did…

My reply is Michael – one hour ago .

The point I was making was that we high up the league because we have mainly gained points from poor or average teams when we play the better teams we don’t do very well especially when we play away and Moyes has a very poor record when his teams play away from home— I wonder why— I think most fans know why!

James we have signed good players since the TFG took over we’ve also got rid of some complete rubbish why are you slagging the recruitment if just makes no sense.

Ian, the evidence is right there before your eyes in the way the players are playing.

Take Tyrique George. He was full of it and would drive at goal and have a pop. That’s how he’s made. It’s his natural game. That’s what he wants to do.

But over time there’s been a change, and it’s obvuious what has happened. Moyes has told him not to do that. He’s told him to track back, to use all his energy to man-mark when we don’t have the ball, to become part of the defence, to block, intercept and challenge… to play it backwards or sideways conservatively when we do — not scamper forward to try and score.

Sadly, the life and zest for attacking football has been disciplined out of him. Hence no goals. Simples.

Aw fuck! Not pop-ups TW, come on.

Phillip you’ve not answered anything of my post.

Also are you scared of city and liverpool OMG back your team for once these are the worst city and liverpool teams for nearly 10 years wow.

Be nice when we walk out at wembley i hope you think back to your negative comments .

UTFT BARRY BARRY BARRY.

Ian,

Who set that ruling up?

"You play to your strenghts"

Armstrong,Hackney,KDH,George,Johnson,Barry.

Are their strengths in defending?

l

I think this is the case for every manager John, and if I’m being honest I don’t think we are doing enough defensively at times mate. I looked at Friday night and our three midfielders all had decent individual games, but I don’t think they always compliment each other because of the big hole that sometimes appears in the middle of the park. When Hackney replaced Armstrong, I thought he was going to sit and make us try and keep the ball a lot better, but he played very high, rather than deep, which left us wide open to the counter attack at times. We have got loads of energy in there, but sometimes I’m not sure we are protecting our two central defenders enough?

Illegal promotion.

"This isnt a moyes issue, its the same issue that has dogged Everton for decades. Shit finance and pisspoor recruitment."

Needs more up arrows.

The recruiting team is poor and has been for a long time.

Sorry. Ain’t I allowed?

You play to your strengths.

Our strength is keeping it tight, as we arent blessed with lots of goal scorers or a team that will score a lot over a season. Whoever the manager is.

I wouldn’t say training is based entirely on defending. It is, and always has been Moyes priority though.

Michael, would you list the favourites Moyes always picks against what you believe the team should be. You make an outrageous statement that you think Alcaraz would score some fantastic goals if selected. Don’t quite know what made you think Alcaraz would score some fantastic goals well his last 3 clubs Juventus played 10 times 0 goals, Flamengo 15 games 3 goals Everton 40 games 2 goals.

The reason why they don’t score as many goals as they should is because the focus in training is almost entirely on defending, so they are not being trained properly to play attacking football.

What is your proof of this? Do you sit in most training sessions, or is it just some bias you’veput out? It is garbage Michael.

The reason they dont score many goals, is because most dont have it in their locker.

Mykolenko isnt a goal scorer. Armstrong going through and missing, is his ability. Obrien isnt a goal scorer. George & Dibling for all their ability, cant hit the target.

Most dont have it in their locker, as goals cost money. And thats been a scant resource, bar one season, in the last 5 years. This isnt a moyes issue, its the same issue that has dogged Everton for decades. Shit finance and pisspoor recruitment.

Pete Ambrose… any chance you could change your Display name???

Moyes has definitely set the team to attack and the only factor stopping more goals being scored is Barry who still struggles to put clear opportunities into the net. Moyes himself has said he wants to see the squad scoring more. He doesn’t set up defensively if he wants goals.

There’s a few problems with your analysis. Firstly, I think the way we played against Coventry in the first half, and in the second half until they scored, is a very clear and accurate representation of the way Moyes sets the team up to play — and it’s definitely not to attack — it is to defend at all costs.

But they let a goal in, and they know that Moyes will be livid. It’s at that point the players finally started playing more attacking fooball. The reason why they don’t score as many goals as they should is because the focus in training is almost entirely on defending, so they are not being trained properly to play attacking football.

That’s a good point, Dave.

But, if you flip to the other side of the same coin, those exact same teams have been denied vital points that would have seen them higher up the table precisely because they lost to Everton!

It’s a funny old game…

Unless you happen to mix with ‘top sportsmen’. Then ‘Alles Klar’ in the words of top sportsman / photographer, Merlin Röhl.

Rob Beattie… is that you? Or Kermit the Frog?

See if you can click on Account and please change your Display name to Rob Beattie. Thanks

Was meant as a reply to MK who complains about Moyes picking his favourites. He doesn’t say who or,who he would put in their position..

Moyes has definitely set the team to attack and the only factor stopping more goals being scored is Barry who still struggles to put clear opportunities into the net. Moyes himself has said he wants to see the squad scoring more. He doesn’t set up defensively if he wants goals.

If you saw how Moyes did in his first term, he gets players playing the team way before introducing them permanently. City have always done it that way, so to have Liverpool. It ensures consistency and style. Look at dibling, he is being introduced slowly because he still isn’t doing what’s asked of him. George is getting close but still lacking. Hackney should be getting more time but who do you drop to put him in ? Garner,Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall. Hackney is midfield so where would mk play him ? On the wing maybe haha.

COYB

Well, if we have a 7-point lead over the second-place team with two matchdays left to go, then I’d certainly like to see that happen. 😉

rrr

Michael 8 minutes ago

Yes everything was half cocked at Goodison then and when Kenwright took over if things weren’t broken Billy Boy really fucked them up for good!

There is no chance of us getting relegated now.

Might have to file that one away, Steve, in case you just happen to be tempting fate.

Still a long long way to go to get to 40 points…

It may have been a last-minute thing, Dave. And Finch ducking out for phone calls, presumably with Joe or Johnson, just adds to the chaos because Finch hadn’t been given or didn’t have the decision-making authority to carry it through.

Yes, you can point to failings that just wouldn’t happen at a well-run club. But it is not always as simple as that out there in the Real World.

Mind you, it helps if you know a top sportsman. Then everything becomes clear and you also have a unique window on the future, nevamind the ancient past!

I think it is worth mentioning that 90 % of the points gained have been against teams in the bottom half of the league and near the bottom of it— it makes a big difference.

Well surely Michael if Joe Royles wife was , unfortunately I’ll with a serious illness, there should have been someone taking Joes place while he was looking after her especially as it was known that Nigel was very keen to join the club.