'Proud' Ferguson stresses all focus is on Chelsea game

Friday, 6 December, 2019 92comments  |  Jump to most recent

Updated Duncan Ferguson says he never hesitated when the club asked him to step in as caretaker manager following the sacking of Marco Silva yesterday.

The Scot took his first press conference as interim boss at Finch Farm this afternoon and he he expressed the pride he will feel standing in the dugout as manager of the team he represented with such passion as a player during two stints in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“It'll be an incredibly proud moment for me,” Ferguson said. “Everybody knows how I feel about the club and I'll be emotional, nervous, excited and obviously looking for a positive result.”

The 47-year-old admitted that he wasn't entertaining thoughts of taking on the managerial role at Goodison Park on a full-time basis, expressing that he doesn't feel ready, and he repeatedly stressed during his presser that the focus was all about tomorrow's match against Chelsea.

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Ferguson is tasked with rousing the players following Silva's dismissal and a damaging defeat in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday evening and he admitted that while the team was going through a difficult time, sending a positive message would be really important.

“It's not nice for a manager to lose his job. We all felt for him, everybody at the club supported him as best we could and it's unfortunate that he's lost his job but results determine that, don't they?

“[The reaction from the players has been] mixed as you can imagine …. but we've got try and pick them up now. That's the great thing about football — there's always another game.

“We've got to go on the training ground and make sure everything's positive and try and get the players lifted.

“And, of course, we're a good team. We believe we're a good team; we've got good players in that squad so they've got to believe that as well.

“We've got to go into the game believing we can get results and that's what we're looking to do — just build their confidence.

“Of course, we're in the bottom three and there's hiding from that but we've got plenty of time in the league, we've got plenty of games ahead of us so we've just got to crack on, start picking up some points and we'll start climbing the table soon.”

Blood and thunder

Away from the cameras and behind closed doors with the press journalists, Ferguson betrayed a little more emotion and explained that the message to the players would be one around the need to acknowledge the gravity of the situation facing the club and to give everything for the badge.

Ferguson was asked whether Everton falling into the bottom three had hurt the players as much as it did him.

“Is that possible?” he replied. “Well, we all hope it is, don't we? That is the kind of message we gave the players. We have to bleed for this club. We have to bleed on that pitch.

“I am looking forward to the team talk. Rallying the troops, no? There is not a lot you can do in this situation, a short period of time. You keep the message simple.

“There will be a rallying cry to get blood and thunder, but we also have to be sensible because we know how good Chelsea are. They can hurt you on the counterattack, so we need a good defensive balance and then take it from there.

"I believe in this squad. I believe they can turn it around and I believe that is what we will do. I have my ideas. I know what I am going to go with. My message is clear.”

 

Reader Comments (92)

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Paul Hewitt
1 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:43:39
Came over very well. You can see what it means to him to manage Everton, even for one game.
Pat Kelly
2 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:47:14
Maybe he'll be ready in 18 months time.
Kase Chow
3 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:48:03
Get us a win Big Dunc

Please

Iain Latchford
4 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:53:50
Who knows how this will play out. Maybe he saw things he wanted to change but didn't have the power to do so.

I know a lot of people give him stick on here, but we all have one thing in common, in that Everton should be a club we can all be proud of.

I wish him all the best.

Darrel Pugh
5 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:56:44
Feels like a little bit of the identity of the club has returned in the last 24 hours. All of a sudden the tasks in hand (getting 30 odd points) just seem that bit more achievable.

I’m all for being a Man City, Chelsea and god forbid one of them in terms of trophies, but it strikes me that Everton just don’t seem to work in the same way. We needed a major shift in how we are all thinking, and I hope we have got one now.

I think attitude and motivation mean everything in all walks of life, hopefully we have got ours back.

Colin Glassar
6 Posted 06/12/2019 at 17:57:52
Good luck Dunc. Drop Iwobi and Walcott (send them back to Arsenal if possible) and you’ll be fine.
Dave Williams
7 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:02:07
I know many on this site think he does nothing but he will have been under the direction and control of his boss ie. The manager, and not allowed to take a role on the touch line
Now it is him and it will be very interesting to see who he selects and how he handles players who don’t put in the required effort.
Good luck Duncan!!
Albert Veldhuizen
8 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:05:10
Can't wait to see him standing along side klopp and give klopp a paul ince treatment.
Steve Carse
9 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:06:27
Colin (6). Drop Iwobi? The most creative player we've got, witness the two perfectly weighted through balls at Anfield, both of which should have resulted in goals. Meanwhile Sigurdsson produces 90 minutes of absolutely nothing -- literally for a 17 minute spell in the second half according to stats when he never touched the ball. But presumably you rate him?
Adrian Evans
10 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:09:58
If Duncan throws up some sensible blogg comments on the dinning room wall at Finch it might just catch their attention.
We where No joke before Moyes left,might not have been the best,but at Goodison Park every Premier League manager,player gave us the respect.
We earned the way they set up so we didnt batter them.
That allowed us to play.
Yep fitness levels,standards have improved,but for four years teams have been taking the piss even at Goodison Park.
So at the very least lets get the Stadium rocking make bloody intimidating again 12 th man again.We gotta be off our seats breathing down the oppositions necks,not ours.
Big Duncan knows what it should sound like,not the morg!!!
It might work,we have had some shocking luck so maybe,have a go but in a sensible way,so a point is a point three we shpuld play for always.

Come on you Blues.

If he wins, keep him.
If he wins, draws against Utd the same.
Nothing to lose, sign the manager of course but if Duncan gets the reaction keep him in the seat as long as the points are coming in.

Sean Kelly
11 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:17:51
I’ve wondered for ages what Duncan Ferguson brings to Everton. I hope I get my answer vs chelsea. 3 points please and a passionate display on and off the field. I don’t have anytime for the Frank love in. No Snead’s or Siggy please Duncan
Joe Edwards
12 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:18:36
I hope the players react to Duncan being in the hotseat, he has survived 4 managers, all of whom had very, very one-dimensional approaches to the game and who ultimately paid the price for their inability to adapt or change. I hope he introduces some of the young blood who must be rearing to go (Anthony Evans) and goes 4-4-2

Drop Pickford, Sigurdson, Walcott & Beningime. I wholeheartedly wish the big man every bit of luck and hope he galvanises the players to a produce a great performance. My team:

Lossl
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Richarlison Davies Iwobi Bernard
Evans Keane

Subs: Pickford, Walcott, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Keane

Colin Glassar
13 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:42:30
Steve, admittedly Iwobi did pass twice to teammates successfully, every other pass went astray. He was awful. The gooners told us he was awful. They celebrated his leaving and laughed at us for buying him - same as Walcott.

He’s quick, I’ll give him that, but technically, physically, tactically he’s about as strong as a wet paper bag. Ffs, he couldn’t even foul their player to stop the 5th goal going in. He’s crap and should be sold in January along with Walcott, Tosun and all the other tossers on our books!

Neil Lawson
14 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:48:06
Tomorrow's result may be defining. A good performance and win might just speed the return of David Moyes with Dunc and Timmy as his assistants. Conspiracy theory maybe. but as much as many of you want nothing to do with Moyes, it may be seen as a good fit and bringing stability. Unless Pochettino is prepared to sign up there is no one out there that doesn't present as a significant risk. The last 4 have all failed.
Most important though is a win tomorrow and some confidence restored. Here's hoping.
Steve Ferns
15 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:49:04
Colin, Leeds are in for Tosun. Let’s wrap him in cotton wool!
Derek Knox
16 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:57:16
Duncan was recently heard at Finch Farm after watching ' Paint Your Wagon ' and singing the following:

I talk to the cones
But they don't listen to me
I talk to our stars
But they never hear me
The breeze hasn't time
To stop and hear what I say
I talk to them all in vain
[Chorus:]
But suddenly my words
Reached someone else's ears
Touch someone else's (fanbase majority) heartstrings, too
I tell you my dreams
And while you're listening to me
I suddenly see them come true
I can see us on a December night.

Come on down Dunc the Time is Right!
You know I have a good feeling about this and the Board they need to know!

Whether this will pan out longer than one match who knows, but he is the only one apart from Unsy, who has the Club at heart, that has been given a real chance.

I think Dunc has more skilled players at his disposal, than Unsy did but do they have the fighting spirit?

Mark Guglielmo
17 Posted 06/12/2019 at 18:59:50
Colin @13 I'm wondering what goes into your evaluation of player talent, since you've made it clear that you don't rate Iwobi. Is it just that you rely on your "eye test" and disregard actual performance metrics? Genuinely curious.

Does failing to dribble past a defender negate a gorgeous through pass?
Does creating a key scoring opportunity get wiped out by an errant pass?
Does not tackling much stand taller than high passing percentage?

Iwobi was 21 for 29 passes on Wednesday, btw. He also created 3 of our 6 chances. So if he's bad, what does that say about the other 9 position players on the pitch?

Final question: if he sits, who do you play in his spot & at what position?

James Marshall
18 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:11:48
I think the main criticism of Iwobi on Wednesday was that he gave the ball away 18 times. At least that's what I read.
Dave Evans
19 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:21:17
Good luck Dunc.
Colin @13 I didn't want to get into this at this time but It's a travesty to say gooners celebrated Iwobi going. Did you read their sites and feeds at the time?

The board and Moshiri are fair game. But let's leave the slagging off of individual players till after the Chelsea game eh?

Bill Gienapp
20 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:22:01
Wouldn't it be something if Ferguson went on a Solskjaer-like run and we didn't have to worry about the managerial search until the summer? Of course, knowing our luck, like Solskjaer, we'd give him the permanent job and then everything would immediately go into the toilet.

Re: Iwobi, I think he's getting a little too much stick on here. Yes, he's wildly uneven and it often feels like he produces one great pass for every 2-3 poor give-aways... but at least he's producing those great passes. On a more clinical day, he might have had multiple assists at Anfield. He's the one player who always seems to be driving us forward and, like Mark says, if you drop him, what then? Sigurdsson?

Also, claiming that the gooners were laughing at us is inaccurate. I'm sure some of them were, but I know plenty of Arsenal fans - and saw plenty more on social media - who were genuinely upset that he was sold.

Bobby Mallon
21 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:23:50
Collin @ 13 I’m the 3rd person to say your evaluation of Iwobi is horlicks. He should always be in the team
Steve Ferns
22 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:24:59
AGM ANNOUNCED: Link
Bobby Mallon
23 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:25:08
Oh and Collin who would you play once we have sold most of our first team
Mark Guglielmo
24 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:25:56
James, any idea where that may have come from? I pull all my (ignored) statistics from a couple of widely respected sources (Understat, WhoScored, and the Stats Zone app), and I believe the accurate number is 13 (which includes errant passes, failed dribbles/take-ons, and times dispossessed).

But even so, are we judging our players simply on the basis of their last game? That seems...well, dumb IMO. Sidibe had a terrible 30 minutes against Liverpool, does that wipe out his clear-cut MOTM performance against Leicester? What a fickle bunch!

Oh, and my favorite piece of evidence that Iwobi-haters cite is: Arsenal fans hated him! I had no idea that they had such a critical eye when it came to evaluating talent!

Wait, what's that? Oh, Serge Gnabry is on the other line? Yeah put him through. Sorry, gotta go!

Bobby Mallon
25 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:26:33
Steve@ 22 any inkling what may be happening
Steve Ferns
26 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:34:37
Bobby we have it every January. But this one will be fireworks for sure. I half expected it to be cancelled. If Moyes is there, the fans will give Kenwright everything. Even if we have a new manager Kenwright is going to get slaughtered.
Jamie Crowley
27 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:34:42
Piling on -

Iwobe was great when he finally got moved to the 10, and he's been great since.

Everyone (just about) had a poor game at Mordor. Throwing Iwobe into the scrap heap after that game is a bit too much, for me.

There's a player there, for sure.

Steve Ferns - Leeds are in for Cenk?? Whaaaaa???? Just, why? Bite their hand off!!!

Mark Guglielmo
28 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:36:31
If Leeds are in for Tosun, you have to admit it calls Bielsa's talent evaluation skills into question.
Chad Schofield
29 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:41:33
I hope it goes well tomorrow. Regardless, they'll be those saying he's not good enough, as they did with Unsworth.

I'm a Big Dunc fan, so it would be amazing in my eyes if it worked out. I still think how Unsworth was treated was shocking though. It doesn't really matter what he does, as long as we don't get smashed... and even if he went on an unbeaten run for a month (even with the fixture list), a slip up at Brighton would work up the "not good enough" brigade.

Reading about Vitor Pereira doesn't fill me with confidence. The idea of Moyes makes me nauseous, I like Howe but the defensive frailties Bournemouth show just makes me me feel there won't be any progress.

Feom the list, Marcelo Gallardo is who I'd like to see... but whomever comes in I will back them.

Michael Lynch
30 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:47:00
I think Dunc's interview on the OS and his press conference were impressive. He came across as fluent, realistic, determined and enthusiastic. A real breath of fresh air. But then we've had Silva and Martinez in recent years, so we're not used to a manager who doesn't talk unintelligable bollocks.

I reckon the atmosphere will be brilliant on Saturday. At first anyway.

Nick White
31 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:50:55
I’ve cheered more watching his highlights clip on the OS than I have in far too long at the actual games😂
Bobby Mallon
32 Posted 06/12/2019 at 19:53:05
Cheers steve
Derek Knox
33 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:10:58
Steve @ 22, duly noted, it is I presume, not open to a General Gallery, but hopefully we will get some Feedback on these pages, both as to the Agenda, the points raised, the responses, and the general feeling of the Attendees.
Colin Glassar
34 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:13:55
I stand by every word I wrote about Iwobi. He’s a poor mans version of Theo Walcott who’s a poor mans version of a former footballer. A bit of speed but no football brain. Big Dunc needs to have a word with him.
Mark Guglielmo
35 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:18:20
Well at least you answered and addressed the points and questions levied your way, Colin, so no one can dispute your reasoning.
Colin Glassar
36 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:22:27
I can at least pass the ball to a teammate who’s right next to me, Mark. Something Iwobi seems to struggle with. Watch the game, he was absolutely useless, or not? Answer on a microdot.
Robin Cannon
37 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:22:32
It's always easier to talk eloquently about positive things, and potential, @Michael (30). Martinez was perfectly eloquent, and in a second language, until he had to start justifying increasingly disappointing results and performances.

I'm not reading too much into Unsworth's role. Having been a caretaker manager himself, it probably makes sense not to have him alongside Dunc for this game, and have the potential confusion that might cause.

Was curious about Dunc's coaching qualifications. Looks like he's got all the UEFA badges - B, A, Pro, so it's not like he's just been sailing along without showing a genuine interest in learning more.

Every club has members of the coaching staff who are constants, and stay there throughout different managers and those managers' core coaching team. Nothing wrong with that kind of stability, I don't think any of us knows enough about his role to make any judgement on his abilities yet.

We'll at least have some enthusiasm tomorrow. I think we'll have a different team lineup. And go from there and see if we get a worthwhile new manager soon.

Derek Knox
38 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:24:17
Mark @ 28, Tosun has come in for a lot of stick on here, and from myself included, but if he plays alongside another striker he is more than capable of finding the net, with any knock-downs, rebounds loose balls in the box etc.

Admittedly he is far too slow for the pace of the Premiership, but played correctly which he has rarely been afforded whilst with us, he can score.

In all fairness to Cenk he was head-hunted by that genius we had the misfortune to have as Manager, Lardiola!

Getting back to Bielsa, he is considered a genius himself, not my words, but has been endorsed by Guardiola and the likes, but I think he is probably at the wrong age to take on a difficult project such as we are at the moment.

Which is even more annoying when you consider what has happened to us in the last four years, the money wasted, not to mention time too, but I could imagine Tosun doing alright at Leeds.

We need a younger man with ambition and an ability to se the long-term picture, with a strict but fair regime and above all patience.

Mark Guglielmo
39 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:26:22
Colin, "I can at least pass the ball to a teammate who’s right next to me, Mark. Something Iwobi seems to struggle with. Watch the game, he was absolutely useless, or not? Answer on a microdot."

I already refuted you, feel free to go re-read. /fin

Derek, I was trying to make a funny comment in a concerted effort to condense my posts. Way to ruin it :-D

Liam Reilly
40 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:29:58
Hope he goes 442 and gives Kean a start tomorrow with Richarlison upfront. There's goals in those two if they can get the ball to them quickly.

Question - if Duncan wins a couple of these games and a new guy is still brought in; who's going to tell him? Might have to be via a phone call from Monaco!

Jamie Crowley
41 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:31:27
Just watched the Dunc interview on the OS.

If I close my eyes and just listen, I heard a man who's coached about 500 Premier League games, and knows what the hell he's doing.

Of particular interest to me, was when he gave Chelsea credit for their attacking potency, and said Everton have to press, but they need to be intelligent when deciding to press.

I read that as code for, "No more high lines, as long as they let me run this ship."

Good.

Derek Knox
42 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:33:47
Mark, sorry I am flitting between insanity and reading the plethora of posts and comments, and dodging that scantily clad nurse, who has been waving a hypodermic syringe with some thing in it's vial to make me normal again! 😂💙🧨
Tony Hill
43 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:34:05
Colin, Iwobi was instrumental in the Keane goal on Wednesday, put in Calvert-Lewin with a superb pass for the penalty that should have been, and then put in Kean for his miss.

He needs to gather confidence and to take a breath and with that will come better concentration and focus, but I think he's a potentially excellent player for us.

Jamie Crowley
44 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:34:50
To tag onto my last comment, everyone agrees this team has talent (most at any rate).

If we actually play to the players strengths, I think we'll see a marked improvement.

For me, that starts with the two CBs in Mina and Keane. They are not built to stop counter attacks, nor are they built to play a high line. They aren't mobile enough. But they are, both of them and they've both shown it before, good defenders.

Start playing them a LOT deeper, making sure the game is in front of them and they're not chasing attackers and back-peddling, and watch how quickly their form changes from gash to damn good.

I think Big Dunc sees this.

Mick Quirke
45 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:37:32
Thought he spoke very well. If we can pick up some points through sheer ‘cojones’ in these nightmare games we have coming up, he’ll have done well. Think Goodison will be rocking tomorrow.
Mark Guglielmo
46 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:38:07
Jamie, I'd just tell Mina to sit on the left post, and Keane to sit on the right post. Even Pickford can't miss if he only has 65% of the goal to cover.
John Pierce
47 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:39:44
Ha! Both my sports teams Everton and the New Jersey devils without a coach ATM.

Both had coaches so far out of their depth they were anchored to sea bed. Both teams sank.

Both had talented squads but could they fook find a way to get a tune out of them.

Both have novice interims whilst they find their man.

Both play teams beginning with ‘Ch this weekend

I’m grasping at straws that aren’t even there.

Please win lads.

Dermot O'Brien
48 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:41:02
Good luck Big Mon!!
Pre match team talk: I went to jail for battering a player. Don't fuck this up.
Half time team talk: I went to jail for battering a player and I'll do it again!!!
Full time: well done lads. Let me tell you about my pigeons.
John Pierce
49 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:41:16
Iwobi is boss. Fight me!
Jamie Crowley
50 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:43:57
Sir John -

Bring back Martin Brodeur behind the bench! Team legend! Then the parallels continue!

Mark -

If that's what it takes to get 3 points, I'm on board!

John Pierce
51 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:49:13
Sadly Jamie looks like MB30 wants to go the GM route. 😞

So much offense in that Devils team, got to be unleashed. Two no.1 picks, Hall, Palmeri, Gusev.

Hynes has them playing like Athleti. It was grim and dour.

Mark Guglielmo
52 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:51:59
Jamie, maybe just stack 9 players in a line with Pickford in the middle and they can take turns booting long balls to Kean.

Ugh, just when things can't get worse I have to read NJ Devils talk. ;-)

Jamie Crowley
53 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:57:59
Sir John -

Historically, that's the Devil's way. They practically invented the trap. Scotty Stevens, Broduer in between the pipes, no one could score on them. And it was the most boring hockey ever.

They won a few Cups though.

Back to the footy.

John Pierce
54 Posted 06/12/2019 at 20:58:56
You have to admit, Mark, Everton and the Devils are a grim combo. 💙👿
Rob Marsh
55 Posted 06/12/2019 at 21:09:56
Good luck Dunc and I'm praying the job is still yours come the end of the season, due to the improvements you will bring about.
Paul Birmingham
56 Posted 06/12/2019 at 21:18:24
Dunc will get a positive reaction from the players tomorrow, as they are playing for this Everton careers.

Hopefully the team will keep its shape and take the chances that we make.

Brent Stephens
57 Posted 06/12/2019 at 22:19:41
Goodison is going to be an absolute cauldron tomorrow. Duncan in charge. A team that is whipped up by him. A crowd that is whipped up by all of them. Can't bloody wait. Imagine the impetus if we get a win out of this.
Peter Roberts
58 Posted 06/12/2019 at 22:46:15
Gutted this is on BT Sport rather than Sky now. Listened to every word that press conference and you can tell this is an incredibly proud moment for him and he wants to do the best for the club that has served him best in the past and defined his career the most.

A win would be momentous.

Andy Crooks
59 Posted 06/12/2019 at 22:51:20
I think tomorrow will be a good day.
Andy Veitch
60 Posted 06/12/2019 at 23:17:37
Just heard his press conference. What a load of bollocks. Most clubs when sacking the manager get rid of the coaching staff as well.

If he's as passionate as he says he is, he would've told Silva what he thought obviously he didn't so he would keep his job.

“Legend”? My arse!

Ian Linn
61 Posted 07/12/2019 at 00:08:27
Andy Veitch - sack 'em all?- who would pick the team, the kit man?

Ever told your boss what you thought and how he's doing it all wrong? If so, how did that work out for you?

Derek Knox
62 Posted 07/12/2019 at 00:14:34
Andy @ 60, give the man a chance to fail, or succeed, before you condemn him, and before a whistle has been blown, and the ball being kicked.

As I have said on here many a time, and I reiterate that, in we don't know what goes on behind the scenes, so it is unfair through my blue tinted eyes, to surmise without being in possession of the facts.

Oh, and your Leg End is near your arse, how very true!

Bobby Thomas
63 Posted 07/12/2019 at 02:46:19
Derek #38,

I agree on Tosun. He'd be a good signing for Leeds and would slot quite a few in the Championship, which is about his level.

Neil Young
64 Posted 07/12/2019 at 03:30:33
Go Dunc! Everton through and through...
Andrew James
65 Posted 07/12/2019 at 05:24:58
To think that all those years back as a kid he joined us on loan before slaying the RS and becoming a legend in a game we were told we had no chance of winning.

He reinvented himself as the 12th man in the side that finished 4th and now he is back in charge albeit for one match.

He loves Everton and I hope the players realise that and don't let him down. I suspect the youngsters will fight for him as the likes of Tom were toddlers when the big man was a talisman for us. Just hope the others get this.

If this is Duncan's only game as a coach, our players must give everything for the fans and for him to feel proud.

Phil Wood
66 Posted 07/12/2019 at 06:32:50
Good Luck Big Man.
A tough game to start but who knows. We have played well against some big name sides this YEAR at home and we can do it again.
100% for the Team. No slagging.
COYB!
Colin Glassar
67 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:02:27
Big Dunc might turn out to be a disaster but he’s an Evertonian to the core. Something we haven’t had since Joe Royle was our manager. Ever since Big Joe we’ve had a series of underwhelming mercenaries in change, bar Unsy.

Great article in yesterday’s Guardian by Barney Ronay. The club is a dysfunctional mess from the top down beginning with Moshiri and his sidekick, Grima Wormtongue, whispering in his ear.

If Moshiri is serious about turning this ship around then he needs to carry out a Saint Valentine’s Day massacre at board level

Tony Abrahams
68 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:17:46
Iwobi has got talent, you only have to read Mark G’s stats to understand this, but do stats measure bravery Mark? Because sometimes people see a talent, or think to themselves that a talented player is just not suited to their team because he isn’t quite brave enough?

That’s how I see Iwobi, a decent player, who could become a very good player, if he really wants to, maybe?

Now on to the main man, a man that can hopefully generate the passion inside Goodison that has been missing forever. I’ve criticised Duncan on these pages many times, but the people who read posts more thoughtfully, will know it’s been more about what I perceive as the unprofessional nature of the club, rather than just a dig at our caretaker manager.

Good luck Duncan, I hope you have a great first day in charge of the team mate, and even if you don’t it won’t be for a lack of trying, because you are definitely a true blue Evertonian, who obviously loves “our club”

Colin Glassar
69 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:35:09
Tony, Iwobi is just one of the many “talented” cowards we have in this team. None of them have a leadership bone in their bodies. None of them can tackle, or even try to. None of them have the nouse to commit “clever fouls” like most teams can do. None of them show any passion or pride in their profession.

Talent is of no use if you don’t know how to apply it. Most of our players have it they are just too fucking clueless to employ it. I hope Duncan can change this pathetic, weak-kneed, gobshite attitude prevalent amongst this gang of overpaid morons.

John Keating
70 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:43:02
For today I just want Ferguson to try and impress upon the players the importance of passion and commitment to the Club and supporters, and themselves.
If he can get 100% out of everyone we have a good chance of a result today because if the players give 100% for sure the crowd will.

Hopefully he picks a team that can give their all.
Personally I'm getting fed up hearing all these stats. As Tony says can stats measure commitment and pride, which are as important as all the shite stats people come out with.
G rating, miles run, pass completion etc etc etc. All mean shit. I'd be happy with Iwobi or anyone else ballsing up 20 passes as long as one results in a goal for us.
Why can't we play 442 ? Why do we have to go after all these nomark foreign managers. Because it's the latest fad? Maybe I'm just wishing we could step back and go back in time.
Maybe we do need a committed Blue just now to get us out of this situation

John Keating
71 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:43:15
For today I just want Ferguson to try and impress upon the players the importance of passion and commitment to the Club and supporters, and themselves.
If he can get 100% out of everyone we have a good chance of a result today because if the players give 100% for sure the crowd will.

Hopefully he picks a team that can give their all.
Personally I'm getting fed up hearing all these stats. As Tony says can stats measure commitment and pride, which are as important as all the shite stats people come out with.
G rating, miles run, pass completion etc etc etc. All mean shit. I'd be happy with Iwobi or anyone else ballsing up 20 passes as long as one results in a goal for us.
Why can't we play 442 ? Why do we have to go after all these nomark foreign managers. Because it's the latest fad? Maybe I'm just wishing we could step back and go back in time.
Maybe we do need a committed Blue just now to get us out of this situation

Robert Tressell
72 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:44:45
I think Iwobi would be good in a team where everyone has clear roles, there is culture of working hard and there's good movement around him. I see someone who looks a bit lost but at least has the courage to try and create. A good manager will create an environment in which he can show his stuff.
Eddie Dunn
73 Posted 07/12/2019 at 08:52:49
Colin @67. It is interesting noting the way the Silva sacking eventually occurred.
It took a long time for the board to decide. Not after Norwich, the bottom club, won at Goodison and not after our late defeat at Leicester. Then the interminable wait after the derby humiliation.
If this is the way that things happen then it begs the question just how long will this shower take to get the stadium built?
Steve Ferns
74 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:06:35
John, I think we probably will go 442. With the crowd at maximum volume, Ferguson should be also able to motivate the players to the fullest and it should be pure blood and thunder. 442 would be the way to go to achieve a result today, if the players are all switched on and desperate to win.
Tony Abrahams
75 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:06:38
John K, you have just hit the nail on the head when you talk about Iwobi, and how you wouldn’t mind him ballsing up 20 passes, as long as one results in a goal for us.

Obviously don’t want players constantly giving the ball away, but obviously do want players constantly trying to get on the ball and make things happen, because that’s how I measure bravery.

Players who constantly want the ball and are therefore not scared of getting kicked, are how I determine bravery, players who want to make things happen, instead of hiding behind their mates, waiting for someone else to do something, and hopefully now Duncan has got his chance then maybe his nature will rub off on to some of our players? Now wouldn’t that be a great way to start!

Tony Hill
76 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:13:38
Tony, both Iwobi and Sigurdsson pulled out of one on ones on Wednesday. As Colin says, that’s what we need to alter in our mindset. Every moment, every contest has to count.
Dave Abrahams
77 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:22:27
Tony (75), I think your last paragraph rules out Iwobi, I don’t want to be negative on a day when we all should be positive and raring to go,Iwobi has a few good points but let’s himself and more importantly the team down with his failure to try and win every ball in order to get possession and then utilise his passing ability. Lets see if he is fired up today, we need eleven players, for once, showing their passion and earning their wages.
Steve Brown
78 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:24:30
Of all the that you could pick out Colin to criticise this season - Sigurddson, Schneiderlin, Walcott, Keane, Pickford, Coleman, Tosun, Digne - you pick one of the few bright spots of the season? Iwobi has a lot to learn, but we are a more dynamic, quick and threatening team with him in the line up. Silva's perseverance with dreadful senior pros like Sigurddson instead of Iwobi was one of the reasons he had to be sacked.
Steve Brown
79 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:27:27
Tony @ 75, I agree. When I think of cowardly players who never take responsibility, try a progressive pass and hide, then Iwobi is the opposite.
Colin Glassar
80 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:29:53
Eddie, the signs were there after the Villa game. 11 men walked onto the pitch and did sod all for 90 minutes. No pressing, no fight, no clue. I think we could’ve gone 4th if we’d won that game instead it started a slow, downward spiral.

Even when we won (4) games we looked brittle and nervous. There was never any confidence in that team. Players looked lost and confused. I could see it and I’m sure many on here could see it as well, but Dumb and Dumber couldn’t see the warning signs even if it smashed them in their respective gobs.

Big Dunc, or whoever the next manager is, has a Herculean job trying to install some belief and backbone into these players. But he’ll also have to manage the owner and his board of incompetents. That might be his most challenging task.

Joe McMahon
81 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:30:09
If there is any improvement keep him until a proper manager is in. We don't need anyone else who has done wonders in the Malta league.
James Marshall
82 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:36:19
My tuppence on Iwobi - he's a trier, and if there's one thing Evertonians love, it's a trier. He has a fairly useless football brain, which is a long-standing problem at Everton. We buy far too many players with low footballing IQ.

We also have a habit, due to our low standing in the game these days, of buying players on the way down, rather than the way up. We have a HUGE amount of players who we bought from *ahem* bigger clubs, who couldn't get a game at Arsenal, City, Utd etc so they come to plucky mid table Everton for a guaranteed start, but lack the motivation to succeed.

These are 2 of our main problems in my view. We can't attract the best players, the ones with footballing IQ and workrate, and as a result the players we do attract lack motivation.

Of course someone will counter that with Moise Kean as an example, but he's the exception rather than the rule. We sign a lot more players on the down than we do the up.

Colin Glassar
83 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:43:07
Steve 78, I agree, they (the above mentioned) are all awful. Out of that bunch I’d only persevere with Pickford and Digne.

Sigurdsson has been a massive, massive disappointment. As for the rest I never had any high hopes for any of them. Schneiderlin was good at Southampton but has deteriorated ever since.

I chose Iwobi because he was particularly useless against the rs. He constantly lost the ball, missed easy passes, ran into cul de sacs, chickened out of tackles, clueless when in possession, never looks up etc... I might be wrong, there might be a player in there. somewhere. But Royston Drenthe and Theo Walcott come to mind ie speed merchants with no end results.

I’ll give Iwobi the benefit of the doubt but so far I haven’t seen anything to make me feel differently about him.

Brian Williams
84 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:44:58
Jesus I wish you hadn't started on cowards Tony!
Every home game that Walcott and Schneiderlin play the poor lad next to me must be bored shitless of my use of that word.
Walcott backs out of 50/50's on a regular basis and Schneiderlin very cleverly positions himself, time and time again, behind an opposing player so he can't receive the ball when his team mate really needs an outlet.
I'm not making this up I've watched Schneiderlin closely and he does it again and again.
Some may say "Oh they're playing with fear though because of the Goodison crowd" but I'd just say if you've not got the balls to take chances and try your heart out, basically, get to fuck!


Colin~83. Agree about Sigurdsson. He just needs to stop smoking the 40 a day he must be smoking to be blowin' for tugs like he is after a short run!

Phil Greenough
85 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:46:15
Love the team talks, Dermot. ;)
Colin Glassar
86 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:50:24
I hate it when Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin are on the pitch together. From a distance I can’t make out who’s who as both are physically similar and both are (currently) shite!

Where’s the Swansea Sigurdsson and the Southampton Schneiderlin? What makes good players become utter shite at Everton?

Steve Ferns
87 Posted 07/12/2019 at 09:54:12
Colin I can understand Sigurdsson to an extent. The side was built around him. Pace wide, big man up top to head in the free kicks and corners, runners in midfield to cover behind him. The was a luxury players and they indulged him.

Schneiderlin was a hard working player for Southampton. He was box to box. At United they tried to make him the new Carrick, only he was shite! So we took him. There’s no reason for the decline of Schneiderlin other than what’s in his head. He just seems to have lost his desire.

Phil Sammon
88 Posted 07/12/2019 at 10:00:44
I loved Sigurdsson at Swansea. I thought he was going to be great for us. I’ve always thought we never gave him enough support with the way we play. Lately I’m thinking he just isn’t as good as I thought he was. Snipes at his fitness are unfair though. The stats show he runs further than almost anyone else. Fuck knows where he’s running though, because I never see him on the pitch.
Dave Williams
89 Posted 07/12/2019 at 10:25:17
Siggy is a strange one. Hailed as a dead ball specialist - am I right that he has not scored yet from a free kick for us? A lot of his corners are poor too.
I recall Catterick back around 1968 saying that the temporary drop in form of a few players was because they were married in the close season and how this usually had a negative impact. I appreciate times have changed but Morgan was good until he got married and splashed the photos all over social media and I think Siggy was married before this season started.
May be nothing to do with it but sometimes settling down can just take that competitive edge from a player without them even realising it.
Brian Hennessy
90 Posted 07/12/2019 at 10:45:29
Dave you are right about Sigurdsson's corners. They either don't clear the first man or, if the reach the middle of the box, are looped in and don't have enough pace.

Oh for an Andy Hinchcliffe - now there was a player who could hit a corner.

Dave Williams
91 Posted 07/12/2019 at 10:59:28
Agreed, Brian. I do wonder if Digne could convert to the Hinchcliffe role and bring in another left-back or even see if Baines can still hack it.
Dave Evans
92 Posted 07/12/2019 at 11:13:11
The team need to reconnect with supporters by showing more aggression, intensity and team work.

Confidence is also key. So I do Ferguson won't be telling the players they are 'utter shite' on the morn of battle. It doesn't work.

The crowd will get behind the team today. Chelsea at the moment aren't exactly old Stoke on steroids, so with more of the above plus a bit of movement, we will beat them.

In recent years most supporters have learned to live with faults with he team but fragility will never be one of them.


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