Ferguson keeps the reins for Man Utd clash

Wednesday, 11 December, 2019 160comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton have confirmed that Duncan Ferguson will be in charge for Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

The Scot oversaw a pulsating 3-1 win over Chelsea last Saturday in his first match in temporary charge of the first-team and he has been entrusted with leading Everton again when they face improving Manchester United this weekend.

The club are said to be seeking a permanent successor to Marco Silva who was sacked six days ago following a run of eight defeats in 11 games but appear to have few options, with only Carlo Ancelotti and former boss David Moyes in the running.

There were reports that the Everton hierarchy were keen to get a new man in place before Sunday's game but Ferguson will now be able to prepare for his second match as caretaker manager, no doubt hoping to earn the chance to oversee three successive home games that would follow.  



Reader Comments (160)

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Tony Hill
1 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:02:06
Excellent.
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:02:26
Never mind the manager... has the club arranged that one-game loan with FC Copenhagen for Oviedo Baby?
Steve Croston
3 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:07:07
Excellent news. I think that it is far better to take our time with the next appointment and keep Dunc at the helm until we find the right man.
Names being bandied about like Perreira, Ancelloti, Emery etc do not fill me with confidence at all. They all smack of desperation.
Anyway, I hope we smash the mancs on their own patch, we are capable and Utd are not all that. I look forward to seeing Dunc running up the touchline at OT on Sunday. Up the blues!!!
John P McFarlane
4 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:11:22
Good news for Sunday, however, if David Moyes was to become Everton manager again, there's no way, he would want to start at Old Trafford.
Aarron Stobie
5 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:13:16
This is great news. Ferguson will inspire the team and hopefully we can beat Manchester United on their own patch.

If we win then I think Duncan Ferguson should be a candidate for the job until at least the end of the season. He is our Simeone. COYB

Jack Plant
6 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:16:40
Great, if we get a good performance and a point I'd give him at least a few weeks. We aren't going to achieve much this season so if Dunc can keep us up let's stick with him until the summer when better candidates may be available
David Greenwood
7 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:17:28
This is very good news.

We have no need to rush any appointment.

Give Duncan at least the next four games, depending on how they go, he could get plenty more.

Any appointment this week,/early next week will just kill the good mood and feel good factors going around just now.

Kunal Desai
8 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:18:38
Hopefully this is panic over. If Moyes was to be installed this would have been done once Silva was given the boot.
Reckon Brands is in the process of pulling a rabbit out the bag and going to catch us all out.

See him sitting back in his chair with a big ol cohiba smirking away saying 'I love it when a plan comes together'

Pete Hughes
9 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:20:01
Steve Croston, Man utd 'not all that'? Have you watched them recently? They are in a rich vein of form having beat spurs quickly followed by an excellent performance at the Etihad! let's hope the 'not all that' don't turn up on Sunday then!
Brian Ronson
10 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:20:36
Think they should name him for Leicester game as well. Players/ supporters would respond giving us better chance
Graham Coldron
11 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:23:56
This makes eminent sense in that the spotlight will not be on a newly appointed manager and will give the Club more time in which to appoint a new manager and this also should also sit well the players.

Anceloti is the slight favourite with the bookmakers and Talk Shite are getting indignant that we are actually intending to talk to him at all.

Stan Schofield
12 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:27:31
Pete@9: Steve is right. Both City and Spurs are currently well under par. Utd might be on a good run, but even if they play well on Sunday we could beat them so long as we play well.
David Milner
13 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:28:44
Sensible decision no need for a panic appointment before the New Year. 2 banks of 4 with 2 strikers against Man Utd should get the result. If the team play with the same enthusiasm as against Chelsea that should be enough.

We are not too far off 6th. place & have a Carabao Cup quarter final next week so it makes sense to keep things stable. Duncan, John Ebbrell & Frannie Jeffers may surprise us all yet.

Tony Hill
14 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:31:37
Quite, John @4. That's a slight concern. Anyway, let's just enjoy Sunday.
Bill Gienapp
15 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:33:38
Thank God for that.

The doomsday scenario remains frighteningly plausible though. We're clearly sounding Ancelotti out, but when he inevitably turns us down, I could see the board acting as if they're out of options (because two whole targets didn't pan out) and turn to Moyes.

Have to just pray that Ferguson continues to produce results.

Kieran Kinsella
16 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:38:24
Pete 9

True but the last two games Utd have counter attacked effectively against two possession heavy teams. They can’t play that way versus Everton so they’ll have to change it up which could disrupt them

Charles Brewer
17 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:38:46
There appears to be no good reason why DF should not continue for the foreseeable future. If he can inspire the players and crowd and get performances like Saturday's after the previous dire rubbish, then there is (finally) something going right at Goodison.

His selection of 4-4-2 to combat Chelsea was astute and effective against what is clearly a pretty effective opposition.

I'd have thought persevering with a successful manager who knows the club, players and the competition has got to be more sensible than desperately running off in all directions trying to find a manager somewhere in Europe or South America who's won some minor trophy in some minor league.

I'm reminded a bit of a music producer I worked with in Barbados who told me that, prior to being "discovered" by an American producer, all the locals thought Rihanna Fenty was just another local singer who had ideas above her station. Of course, after selling a quarter of a billion records, "everyone had always known" that she was going to be a huge success.

Just because it's under your nose doesn't mean it's not a diamond.

Tony Abrahams
18 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:39:55
Can’t see Everton getting anything at United, with the pace of Rashford and Martial exposing Michael Keane, unless Mina, is fit to partner Holgate, but I’m glad Duncan Ferguson is to remain in charge, and also hope he’s still the manager when Leicester come to Goodison next week. I just hope Bill is going to give him more than a brass farthing, for the pleasure of managing Everton!

Tony J Williams
19 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:43:21
Steve 3 how is Ancelotti desperation?
He would be one of if not THE highest profile managers we have had in 20+ years.
Paul A Smith
20 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:50:59
Keiran 16 I said the same today at work. United have to come at us. Its about keeping your cool and taking your chances at old trafford. And the correct message to the players.

Even in the build up the players need not be told "we don't expect to get anything there blah blah". United are beatable.

Lets go and try to win. If that is the message and all the players are up for it, we have a better chance in everything we have to do.

If Sidibe and Walcott are as switched on as V Chelsea, that is where we can get at them.

David Pearl
21 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:54:46
We don’t seem to have a choice. It will be a hard game but if we can frustrate them and hit them on the break. I’m liking Richarlison being in the middle. I agree that we need DF in charge for the Leicester game at least. Home crowd will be rocking. Same team, let’s get some momentum going.
Paul A Smith
22 Posted 11/12/2019 at 17:57:42
Tony, I agree there mate he certainly would be. Do you see it happening though?

The man has managed in the champions league for about 20 years. He usually manages household names.

I just can't see us wasting our time hearing these things from his agent?

Stranger things have happened but I doubt he is involved in the running as he would need drastic improvements that are unlikely to happen in January..

Mark Andersson
23 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:04:32
Big Dunc to inspire a good result and the blue army limp back to Goodison to take on Vardy and co...

Orr we get beat and hey ho the announcement we all dread comes in...

Meanwhile the press still has us gussing and biting or fingers to the bone...

My team for the united game is what ever Dunc picks is good enough for me...

Jer Kiernan
24 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:07:53
First of all I am delighted with this if it staves off some of the horrendous names we are being linked with right now

And to be honest I don't know what the hell to expect for Sunday!! I am kind of, ,,I dunno excited !!!

We could just as easily do them 2-0 we could be well beaten, we could get a credible draw, Saturdays events have kind of thrown me a bit to be honest and to some degree question what I thought I knew about the modern game/players etc, Ole may well not know what to expect either, lets hope he is unpleasantly surprised

Maybe it has been the monotony of Silvas predictable team selections,subs,style of play etc and the contrast in some of the players vs Chelsea and its only one game I know, but I am actually looking forward to us going to Old Trafford under Big Dunc

If we show as much commitment and again have everybody pulling in the same direction we can go there and win no probs

COYB

Steve Ferns
25 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:22:02
That’s something of a relief as Big Dunc fights off the spectre of Dour Davie. Crossing everything he beats the Mancs and can see Dour Davie off for good. We can then let him have the gig for a bit longer and see where the land lies with the likes of ten Hag and Leo Jardim.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

26 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:24:13
The spectre of seeing the Grim Reaper back at Goodison Park just receded a tad.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

27 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:25:45
Talking confidently ahead of the United game is Dunc, as you would expect:

Link

Neil Lawson
28 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:26:21
There is a consistency of opinion that Dunc should remain at the helm until Christmas at least. I agree. I fear though, that the euphoria of Saturday will diminish rapidly if we don't get results in our next two games. I desperately hope that we do. There is a real buzz around our great club at the mo and long may it continue.
However, I seriously wonder if the board are equally anxious for positive results. Dunc, by his own admission, is not yet ready. but Dunc and Moyes could well be a scenario that the board would love to sell and whatever many of you may think of Moyes ( I am saying nothing !) arguably it makes more sense than some fancy dan foreign manager playing tippy tappy stuff. Let's have blood and guts and let's have Goodison rocking week in week out. Under Moyes ? I don't know. Under Moyes and Dunc ? Well maybe.
Interesting times for us all and I doubt we will ever agree but that is the beauty of being a committed fan.
James Hughes
29 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:30:21
A good decision by the club. With Dunc on the sidelines we will see some fight from the team.
Jer Kiernan
30 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:43:30
@Neil 28
Sorry Neil I cannot have it (or RS Rafa for that matter), Even if Davey arrived with John Lennon, Elvis, The map to Jimi Hoffas burial site, and a pot of Gold to spend on players I still don't want to know !!! Is a NO for me

Besides I think his appointment would undermine the Big man and turn him into little more than a cheerleader

Lets be patient and see how things unfold

Jason Broome
31 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:50:32
Play like we did before and that is all I ask.

In Ferguson I trust.

Paul Hewitt
32 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:53:58
Give Moyes the job, with the understanding that Duncan has to be his assistant. Let's get him ready to be manager in say 2 years, unless Moyes is doing really well.
Jimmy Hogan
33 Posted 11/12/2019 at 18:56:12
Big Dunc has a good record against Utd. Let's hope it stays that way.
Mike Gaynes
34 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:04:25
Good plan, Paul #32. After two years of Moyes we'd be mid-table in the Championship, which would certainly ease the pressure on Dunc as he took the reins.
Peter Mills
35 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:05:49
Jay#27- he speaks well, doesn’t he?

Now, we’ve all met people who can speak well. Sometimes we can see through them instantly, sometimes it takes a while, and a few we just have to acknowledge that they are impressive people. I’m enjoying watching Duncan Ferguson, he has certainly moved up in my estimation by a number of degrees.

There was plenty to admire last Saturday, but the moment that really struck me was when he substituted Tom Davies for Richarlison. Whatever the merits of the change (I thought they were sound), his focus was on Davies, not the guy coming off, who was a little petulant.

I’d like to see a bit more of him in charge, then decide who we want.

David Donnellan
36 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:14:42
This Man U side are miles away from the Fergie sides of old & Old Trafford isn’t the fortress it once was back then.
Absolutely we can get something from this game & it is even winnable. Although they are on the back of a few good results & it will still be a tough task for us, as stated above & I agree, they aren’t all that & I work with a Man U season ticket holder & even he doesn’t think they are all that either. Lets see where the feel good bounce under Dunc will take us on Sunday. COYB!!
Mal van Schaick
37 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:15:44
Pleased for Dunc. He will have a game plan against manure. If CL can hold the ball up and we can counter atttack, I’m hopeful we’ll get something from the game, but Utd are in form and playing well themselves.

If we get the performance and passion of the Chelsea game, no one could complain.

Christy Ring
38 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:23:52
Glad to see Dunc in charge for Sunday, and there'll be 100% effort, if he gets a good result, it'll definitely put pressure on the board.
Paul Tran
39 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:28:58
Good news. I am of the view that if it was going to be Moyes, it would have been done by now.

I don't believe that Moshiri & Brands, like any sane individual, would consider a manager who hasn't managed for x years and has been sacked from his last four jobs due to non-achievement.

Ancellotti, in my view, will use us to get a better deal from Arsenal. Our interest in him has all the hallmarks of a rich owner looking for the 'big name' that is a poor fit/past his best. He is interesting nonetheless, though he would be a better candidate when we are settled in the top six and looking to go further.

Unlike virtually every other manager, Ferguson will have a residue of goodwill, regardless of results, for now at least. To me, he is a cheaper, more current and better version of Moyes. Makes more sense to keep him in temporary charge until he emerges as the obvious candidate or is palpably out of his depth.

Hugh Jenkins
40 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:29:23
Paul (32).Why two years? If he's ready, then he's ready now!

As he says himself, he's been a coach a long time - and that is what it is all about nowadays. We have a DoF to identify the targets and negotiate the prices and contracts for the type of players the coach / manager says he wants for various positions.

The coach / manager picks the team, trains the team and sets the tactics on a game by game basis.

I think Duncan more than adequately showed he is capable of that last Saturday.

Cristobal Aguirre
41 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:32:21
Good news! In Big Dunc I trust. COYB!
Ian Linn
42 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:44:11
People are putting a lot of faith in Ferguson after 1 game.

Let's see what pans out at Old Trafford.

If we get thumped (and I hope we don't) will everyone still want him as the new manager - seems he has a majority vote on TW right now.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

43 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:53:45
Peter @ 35.

You echo my thoughts Peter.

We all know about Duncan's media blackout as a player so very few know his thoughts about football, or even as an orator, full-stop. He's always praised as a speaker and funny guy at fans' events and the like.

Since returning as a coach and doing club videos, whilst remaining rare, he always comes across as clear, concise and very quick-witted. You would expect the latter as a son of Glasgow, living most of his adult life in Liverpool.

How he decluttered minds and emotions in such a short span of time;
how he made small but critical formation and tactical tweaks which the players could effectively apply;
how he managed the in-game substitutions and further tweaks;
how he orchestrated and galvanized the crowd simultaneously.

It was Messianic-like, transforming tens of thousands of doubters and sceptics into fully converted believers in the space of two hours.

It is a gift granted to but a few. It is something beyond the overwhelming number of us. The aura of great leadership.

The players must love his directness and clarity. There is no flannel. But there is a great deal of pragmatism, basic common sense and sound tactical reasons behind his few words.

A fine example of this was in one of his post-match interviews, when asked why he played two strikers together up front when it is so uncommon these days. No deep protracted justification from Dunc. Just a firm blue-eyed stare and two word question thrown back at the interviewer in reply:

"Why not?" Why not indeed.

I also noted like you how the substitution of Tom Davies for Richarlison played out. I liked all aspects of it. Richarlison was pissed at getting the hook, but not in a bad way. He wanted to stay on and fight alongside his team mates, rather than sit out the final 20 minutes. He to me appeared to continue to sulk whilst sat on the bench, but again, that's because he is a winner who was frustrated at not being in the thick of the action.

And as you say, Duncan was Howard Kendall-like in not being in the least concerned for the feelings of the subbed out player. His focus was on Davies who was joining the fray.

If Statler and Waldorf watching in the stands could not capture the mood, could not see or feel the events of the day beyond the final whistle when they gave Dunc the thumbs up and big smiles, if the Grim Reaper's name is still on the table for a possible return, then they are both dumber than dumb and playing a very dangerous game with the club's position and confidence still precarious and fragile.

A new manager is not coming in before Sunday at the very earliest. Even then, they would not be able to effectively prepare the team effectively for next Wednesday's vital LC quarter-final clash with Leicester.

The management should have already said Duncan will have the Leicester game - even possibly the Arsenal game. It's really poor management IMO that they haven't done so already.

Denis Richardson
44 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:54:16
Good. At least that’s a minimum 3-4 days of definitely no Moyes.

I’d say give DF the United and Leicester games at least and just take the time to sound out decent options. The 3 points from Chelsea buys us time, even if we lose to untied. We then have another week till the next league game.

Praying we get a result at OT so Moyes can sod off.

Mark Pringle
45 Posted 11/12/2019 at 19:58:26
Long journey home from work made worthwhile by watching this again from sat. Something in my eye every time!!

https://youtu.be/otif97IWJXI

What this club means to Dunc is written all over his face and whilst I know it's only one result and he may not be the long term answer, he deserves a few games, at least, to prove or disprove that. He gave us and the players a huge lift on Sat and hopefully that can give us some momentum.
Got tickets for Sunday and travelling down from Scotland for the game with my father in law who supports the Mancs. Praying for another bit of Dunc magic!! Was lucky enough to be there when Oviedo baby scored in Robertos days although nearly got killed for celebrating in the Manc end, the away end looked amazing that night, hopefully the same again on Sunday.
Personally I would take Ancelotti as he is a top class manager but I'm also intrigued by Gallardo but not sure if he speaks English. An absolute never to Moyes coming back, would rather see Dunc have the rest of the season.
Anyway, apologies for the ramble but great to get that proper Everton feeling back again, it's been missing for so long!!

Martin Berry
46 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:00:11
Dunc will have us very competitive which is a big plus when going to Old Trafford.
He will no doubt be aware of their counter attacking style use the pace of Rashford and James, however that could work in our favor to play them at their own game.
Fascinating to see how this one pans out and we may just nick it.
Martin Mason
47 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:01:29
Duncan should progress to 4-2-3-1 to cope with United.
Marcus Leigh
48 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:19:01
I for one hope the Club gives the Big Man a chance to show what he can really do.

Yes, last Saturday's result can, of course, be put down to the so-called 'halo effect'. But if he can continue to inspire the team like he did at the weekend, even if it's just for a few matches to get us up into the top half of the table, then why not? If nothing else it gives the Board more time to sound out credible alternatives. The last thing I reckon any of us want is then same panicked, knee-jerk reaction that saw Fat Sam take the reins last time we were in this predicament.

More of the same at Utd please, Mr Ferguson. You truly know what it means to be an Evertonian and I have no doubt that the lads in the dressing room will be under no illusions too.

Bring 'em on.

NSNO

Mike Hayes
49 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:30:39
Marcus Leigh # 48 - bring in that other Evertonian Tim Cahill to add his love of the club to the dressing room?
Tony Hill
50 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:46:03
Jay @43, I have the same inkling about Ferguson, that he may just be gifted with winning charisma and the capacity to electrify us as a team and a club. That he's been sitting waiting for now. But I daren't let myself dream. His whole performance and the way he conducted himself on Saturday was inspiring.

There have been indications that he doesn't want to manage us permanently. Where has that been reported reliably?

Jerome Shields
51 Posted 11/12/2019 at 20:54:15
It will be I interesting to see what Big Dunc comes up with for this fixture.

Apparently peop!e who know him say he has matured a lot over the years.

I agree Jay that it is poor management not to give Big Dunc a clearer indication of his fixture plan for the week ahead.

Frank Sheppard
52 Posted 11/12/2019 at 21:05:28
Good news, lets hope he gets them up for it, as he did on Saturday, and we get as many tackles in.

It is of course the club making "a virtue out of a necessity".

But good luck Big Dunc, make us proud.

Jerome Shields
53 Posted 11/12/2019 at 21:52:49
Looked at Jays link of Duncan talking about the Man U game. Comes across as someone who knows what he is about, and has a latent type confidence. He has no fear of going to Old Trafford as manager of Everton and given an air of immediate command, with an eye for detail.

Quite frankly, I am impressed. As I said earlier. On Radio 5 the pundits who know him for years having played with him, says that the transformation in Duncan's character over the years is remarkable.

Anyone playing under him as manager is going to know the performance that is expected of him and immediately know if they fall short. I am now sure he will work with Brands in the loop. Any player who shirks his responsibilities or swings the lead is going to get nailed immediately.

Jamie Crowley
54 Posted 11/12/2019 at 21:54:00
End of business day, just logged on YES!

Thank you, God.

Paul Birmingham
55 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:02:19
Great news and tonic, and I've got the belief of bygone days back in the veins.

It's the tonic that hopefully will become standard in view of what EFC, must deliver consistently.

I've not done a match bet yet but I'll be backing Everton to win.

Any one checked the fixed odds yet?

Steve Ferns
56 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:03:06
Jerome, he's worked under a variety of coaches. He was a player under Moyes when he pushed the boundaries for fitness, then worked alongside Martinez where he says he had his eyes opened with Roberto's coaching and possession game. Then Koeman's pragmatic approach. For all Koeman's failings, Ronald is a master tactician and Duncan will have seen first hand the amount of changes Ronald made in a game, most spectacularly in the 4-0 demolition of Guardiola's City. He's then seen and admired(!) Big Sam's approach with his focus on defence, shape and his attention to detail, and the use of statistics with his massive reliance on ProZone. Also, he saw how Big Sam had a huge staff and brought computers back into football (our only other stats obsessed manager was Moyes). Then onto Silva and his preparation and attention to detail.

Duncan's seen so many different approaches and styles. If he's been a sponge over the last five years and picked up the strengths of these managers who have all done well in periods, and he can put that all into one package, with the best of each, well he would be the best manager in the league. It will certainly be interesting to see what he has learnt. Hopefully he has not picked up any bad habits.

Eddie Dunn
57 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:35:33
At the moment, our stats fans can reflect on Duncan as having a 100% win ratio. The guy can do the job. Let's just see what he can get out of this squad. I think anything is possible.

It's a big game at Old Trafford on Sunday, followed by Leicester's visit next week. Let's just see how it goes.

Surely all will be up for a trip to Man Utd and, after losing in such harsh circumstances at the King Power, our boys, know that they can match Leicester on the pitch and are owed a result after being robbed down there.

Plenty of incentives for the team to go out and prove it wasn't a flash in the pan.

Jamie Crowley
58 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:36:55
Man Utd are playing well. My wife and I watched the Manchester derby in McGreevey's Pub in Boston - anyone with a trace of Irish needs to treat themselves to a pint at McGreevey's, but I digress.

Man Utd knocked the pants off Man City, for me. They looked very good counter-attacking.

It's going to be very interesting how Dunc sets up the team against Man Utd. I think we're really going to see what Dunc is made of as a manager with the way he approaches this one, and how he handles in-game adjustments.

If we win, he has to be given more time.

If we lose, I honestly won't be bothered too much... IF we play with the passion and intensity we did against Chelsea. Dunc has restored my excitement and pride. If he continues that, and I've no reason to doubt he can, he'll have my support to continue on.

I honestly think Saturday may have been my single best Blue day. And that's saying something over 13 or so years. I haven't been that happy with Everton in a long, long time. So roll on, Duncan Ferguson, roll on.

Jerome Shields
59 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:55:10
Steve.

There is a lot more to Duncan than we were aware of. He actually volunteered initially to join the backroom staff, eventually taking up a position on the lowest rung of the coaching ladder, gradually progressing through the ranks and getting his coaching badges. He seems to have quietly dedicated himself to learning his trade.

My visualisation of Duncan is at the back of the dugout, coming forward to move kitbags and prepare players to come on, showing quiet Loyalty and dedication to supporting the manager in charge.

What's more, he has experienced the highest of a footballer's life and the lows of the aftermath, but kept at his coaching role. He has probably gone through years of financial hardship before being declared bankrupt. What's more, he is still standing. Imagine the toughness it takes to work with players earning mega-money like you once did, who probably weren't as good as you were, and now be on a fraction of their wages? He only reacted once to fan flack to say his hands were tied.

Duncan has got to the Caretaker Manager role the hard way and seems to be determined to keep himself focused at the job in hand as he has done for years, with all he has observed and learnt. He really has transformed himself.

John Davies
60 Posted 11/12/2019 at 22:56:17
A sound decision. Common sense prevails. Let Big Dunc take the side again & see how we go. The same passion, effort, tempo & commitment as we saw against Chelsea gives us a chance of getting something from the game. We MUST guard against their incredible pace up front so it will be interesting to see how we set up & play.
COYB !!!
John Reynolds
61 Posted 11/12/2019 at 23:20:49
Like everybody else, last Saturday was a huge rush of joy and celebration for me and my immediate response was to give Dunc the job immediately whether he wants it or not.

I’m on the same page as Jay 43 on this. Only time and a run of games will tell whether we’re right.

There are no obvious candidates out there. Ancellotti, fine, but despite his many successes, he hasn’t stuck around long anywhere in recent years. Remember Ancelotti got the boot from Chelsea after being beaten by Moyes’s Everton at Goodison? But Moysie back, no thanks.

Nobody knows for sure who’s drawing up the shortlist or making the final decision on the new manager. It would behove everyone at Everton to take a deep breath and allow themselves the time and space to get this right. Give Dunc a run to the end of the season (or at least the year). State it publicly and let’s see how we go. It will hardly be worse than it was under Marco surely.

I loved the comparison to Rihanna earlier. Who knows, Dunc may turn out to be our Only Boy (in the world).

Brian Wilkinson
62 Posted 11/12/2019 at 23:26:09
No more than he deserves, get a result Sunday and Goodison will be rocking for the cup game next week.

Have a feeling though we will get something Sunday, then all the good work will be undone, if we bring in a new Manager For the cup game.

Let Dunc have the cup game, then and only then bring in a new Manager, if needed.

Mike Gaynes
63 Posted 11/12/2019 at 23:28:08
Jerome #59, that's a very thoughtful post. I'll admit I hadn't given much thought to the path that Dunc has chosen in recent years, but then I've never been an admirer of his, to say the least. I didn't mention it in my 2017 account of my first trip to Goodison, but I was actually offered the chance to meet him outside the ground, and I declined.

Rebuilding yourself and climbing up from the bottom takes both courage and humility, and you can't fool the people around you when you're doing it. The way the players responded to him last weekend was informative -- clearly he has their respect. And what you've written has given my brain some food for consideration as well.

Thank you.

John Reynolds
64 Posted 11/12/2019 at 23:42:22
Excellent post Jerome 59. I referred elsewhere to the general underestimation of Duncan that I felt was wrong. It seemed to be based on his earlier playing career and some easy assumptions. He always struck me as a deeper, more complex and intelligent character based on what he actually said, (though he largely avoided the press).

Your presentation of the obstacles he’s had to overcome to get to where he is now is compelling and only adds to my affection for Dunc whatever happens over the next while.

Anthony Murphy
65 Posted 11/12/2019 at 23:44:07
I've mentioned it before, but maybe we have accidentally stumbled on to a solution - if not long term, then certainly for the rest of the season:

Why not focus on surrounding Duncan with the very best coaches and other backroom staff and let the big man lead the troops?

I would be keen to see someone like Lee Carsley join Dunc and who knows, maybe by May 2020 we will have a nice dilemma on our hands.

Derek Cowell
66 Posted 11/12/2019 at 00:01:17
Much as I love the euphoria and excitement created by Saturday's game and result, I just cannot see a win at United. People are forgetting our totally abysmal away record that's been going on for years. I just hope to see a fighting performance but sorry I just cannot see a win due our terrible away form.
Andy Crooks
67 Posted 12/12/2019 at 00:21:22
Jerome, I like your post @ 59. You see footballers as people and not as £100k a week dickheads.

I have never been motivated by money (what a fucking saint I am). So I get how much Silva was hurt. When you have all the money you need, it is your reputation that counts.

I have revised my view of Duncan Ferguson, the Everton manager. His joy was uplifting, so uplifting.

Derek Thomas
68 Posted 12/12/2019 at 00:31:50
Players, Fans, Board, Management:

One game at a time, please – it's the only way, you know it makes sense.

Ian Pilkington
69 Posted 12/12/2019 at 00:35:07
A wonderful afternoon last Saturday after all the misery, and Duncan thoroughly deserves the chance to continue as caretaker manager until a permanent appointment is made.

Most worryingly, Kenwright still appears to be advocating the ludicrous prospect of the Moyes returning. Yet this is no more ludicrous than Moshiri allowing Kenwright, the man with a record of 20 years of failure, to still have a position of influence at the Club.

Rudi Coote
70 Posted 12/12/2019 at 00:46:14
Ian @69,

Yep, 20 years of failure and still in place. What a joke.

Bill Gienapp
71 Posted 12/12/2019 at 01:42:31
Ian (69) - what's baffling and infuriating, is that Ferguson rising like a phoenix from the ashes last weekend should literally be Kenwright's all-time wet dream. And the fans are on board!

And yet, rather than take a beat to see if maybe – just maybe – we captured lightning in a bottle here, he'd sooner throw it all away, and for what? So he can agitate for David freakin' Moyes to return? It's lunacy!

Paul Ferry
72 Posted 12/12/2019 at 02:35:10
Jay - 65; 'The management should have already said Duncan will have the Leicester game - even possibly the Arsenal game. It's really poor management IMO that they haven't done so already'.

It might be that for once the 'management' is thinking through things a little more clearly than we are used to. Perhaps, unlike the ridiculously inflated opinions by more than a few on here, the 'management' is not going to rush to judgment based on 97 minutes or so. Some of the hagiography on here beggars belief.

Before Saturday, most comments on Ferguson on here were to the effect of 'get rid', 'does anyone have a clue about what he actually does', or 'wondering why our forwards are so poor, just saying like' ( can't bear that 'just saying like'). Now he walks on water on a par with a real Everton legend, Big Bob. I get it, things were so dire, we needed some sunshine and we got it. Just like back in the day some people hero-worshipped him and Lordy declared him to be a 'legend' at a time when things were dire and we needed some sunshine.

I hope with all the hope that I might have that we batter United this weekend and Leicester after that and Arsenal after that. If that were to happen, if non-legend Ferguson pulls that off, then thinking things through thoroughly, I might begin to think of him as a possible gaffer. But not on 97 minutes. Geez, we even have one poster on this thread pleading the case to put the ginger turncoat in the hot seat with the 97-minute wonder as his number two. That might just be the most absurd suggestion of the post-Silva period, sorry days. If Ginger had the slightest drop of dignity, decency, and self-realization he would not give a second thought to coming back to the club he let down so badly.

Albert Perkins
73 Posted 12/12/2019 at 02:37:58
I really hope Moyes is not being saved the ignominy of being beaten at Man Utd in his first game back as manager of EFC, then hailed as the new savior as manager on Monday.
Mark Andersson
74 Posted 12/12/2019 at 04:00:31
Some great posts and insights into big Dunc...

One thung seems certain is most on here don't want Moyes back... I'm all for big Dunc to have a few more games..

I would not even want Moyes back as a defensive coach or number two never mind a 2nd chance of being number one in our proud club

Derek Knox
75 Posted 12/12/2019 at 04:23:15
Totally agree Duncan has earned the chance to carry on in the position, and possibly beyond the United game, who else could have got the players so need up against Chelsea?

I hope he can have a similar effect on Sunday, I keep reading in various places that Duncan is not keen on being permanent Manager, but who do you believe?

If that is the case I suppose Ancelotti would be a statement, but I still would like Gallardo or Duncan.

Phil Head
76 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:11:30
Absolutely keep him in charge for Man Utd and Leicester. It's our best and only hope of getting anything from those fixtures. After that, for me, there is only one candidate and he's head and shoulders above the rest and that's Rafa Benitez. A proven winner, an expert at getting the best out of shit players, premier league experience, immediate family settled in the city already, the Chinese league season is now completed. The final piece of the Jigsaw for me, was watching him on sky, desperately trying to back track on his 'small club' comments, which proved beyond doubt he's interested in the position. I think it's imperative we get a manager in place earlier rather than later though, so the new boss has plenty of time to realise, that half the squad are stealing a living and so can have a plan in place come the end of the season. In all reality though, the chances of Everton finally getting a piece of recruitment correct, is slim to none.
Peter Neilson
77 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:11:42
Very pleased that Duncan will lead us out and not Moyes. I’m now looking forward to the game and going there with hope. Hopefully the team will feel the same and remain positive rather than travelling as underdogs.
Adrian Evans
78 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:42:15
Moshiri and Kenwright 5%,like all Premier League teams don't need the gate receipt revenue to survive.
So they treat 33,000 season ticket holders,7000 on a waiting list like idiots.
However, they could be made to listen if this latest debarcle goes wrong, or Moyes is wheeled out Monday.
Its gone on for 20 years at the hands of of Bill Kenwright,he never let go, re developed the ground or found the money to allow us to keep pace with the RS,Utd others.
All we could do on mass is not show up to a game or two to highlight our annoyance if its Moyes.
But that would have to mean at least 80% of us not wanting David Moyes.
If its David Moyes with Duncan Ferguson and a backroom staff we understand I suspect 50% would go with it,more.
If Duncan asked us all to give it a go 70%might trust him.

But to wheel out Moyes, with a free reign, his backroom appointed by him.No, i will seriously consider what I do.

But I am hoping Duncan can get something Sun,Mid week and Sat and Boxing day.
5 points is ok given where we are.A Cup win, any how.
Go to City play really well, maybe get something and go to the RS play well don't get battered.Get them back at ours.
If Duncan come through, demonstrates tactical savvy,different ways of playing with the squad he has ???why not.

Such a tricky time on and off the pitch.

If its a top winner,new manager a role for Duncan then go with it.

But hope to god its not Moyes,a disaster.They will hear Moyes out,Moyes No.

Dave Williams
79 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:53:51
A win at OT will really put the cat amongst Duncan’s pigeons!
A lot of panic re Moyes but I really wouldn’t get too worked up at the moment. The papers have to speculate to sell copies to our supporters and the only one which will have any insight will be the Echo as they are so close to the club. If I started an Arteta rumour and put it out on social media it would be seen as fact in no time. I could see Bill giving his opinion but the compensation money comes out of Farhad pocket and it will be he and Brands sorting this. If Moyes was in the frame for anything other than a caretaker should Dunc fall apart he would have been appointed by now.
I hope!!!
Laurie Hartley
80 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:54:09
A very sound decision to let Duncan Ferguson lead the players out at Old Trafford.

The performance of Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin really impressed me versus Chelsea - they looked like the glue that held the team together to me.

The thought keeps on coming into my head that the players may very well want Duncan Ferguson to remain as their manager. If that is the case they will give United one hell of a game this weekend.

The Mancs will not be relishing this encounter despite their win against City. A Duncan Ferguson team will present them with a very different challenge.

Adrian Evans
81 Posted 12/12/2019 at 08:55:55
Oh,if we play the same way we did against Chelsea Utd will be well rocked.
Put their back two,four through the wringer in the air,in their box.
Dont let them play the way they are used to.
Be physical,go aerial route when it suits then change it up on the deck when we decide.DCL,Ricky 5 out 8 with his head.

Play it around all game, low intensity,no physicality they will kill us.
So its up to us.Big Dunc understands that.
We do have quality on the deck, but we need to knock them out of their comfort zone,so just mix it up force mistakes.
Maybe no pretty breaking it up,frustrating them.
But needs must and just sad we don't have an Andy Carol,Crouchy type.
Even the lad Keiffer Moore at Wigan.He plays in Euro's for Wales at a really high level.
£4 million ???cheap option to have him for minutes when we want to go play that way for half hour.Play him alongside DCL,Ricky floating about.What an aerial threat.

Not a purist way but its a results business at times,certainly away from home.

Its not rocket science.

Dave Abrahams
82 Posted 12/12/2019 at 09:41:50
Jamie (58), what were you drinking in McCreeveys? I only watched the second half of the Manchester Derby game, but City, chacing the game, mauled United, IMO, City had most of the game, United packed their defence and defended their goal like their lives depended on it, yes they looked dangerous on the breakaways because City were throwing everything into their attacks, City were by far the better team but couldn’t get the goals their play deserved. Not as much but a bit like the Everton / Chelsea game.
Paul Kennedy
83 Posted 12/12/2019 at 09:43:30
Funny when you see any comments from Arteta regarding management he always talks with feeling for Arsenal. Did he not like Everton or the time he was with us?
Paul Jeronovich
84 Posted 12/12/2019 at 11:20:21
Same again please Dunc, again there is nothing to fear in this game - just 11v11.
Bob Parrington
85 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:16:47
Phil @76 It won't be Benitez. He's too well paid in China.
Meanwhile Duncan for the next few games or even more while those in the decision making for the role toss the coins about.
For me, it must be a person who has all of the fire and brimstone of a Big Dunc, winning over the fans, full of passion from the touch line etc etc. If no other contender can come close then take Duncan on for the rest of the season.
Bob Parrington
86 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:23:32
Paul @ 84. Succinct but true!!
Jamie Crowley
87 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:37:14
Dave @ 82 -

Bloody Mary, pint of Guinness, and a pint of a fantastic small local Boston beer I can't remember the name of.

For me, Man U just gave the ball to Man City, they did indeed pack it in, but I thought their game plan was perfect, their counters just deadly, and they created a ton of chances on those breaks. Possession and number of passes meant nothing - they did exactly what they wanted to and played a game plan to perfection.

I hear what you're saying about Man City controlling the game. And don't forget Dave, I'm prone to being a bit dramatic. Throw in three drinks? You might have a point.

I was simply impressed at the execution of the Man U plan, and the deadliness of the Man U counter-attack.

We're going to have our hands full. What's really funny is we could have a game where no one wants the ball!

Tony J Williams
89 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:44:18
The biggest worry is going to be fitness.

They have been trying to play tippy tappy possession football for a few seasons now and the blood and thunder approach will sap their energy quickly.

It was the same with Kippity at Mordor when he first came, but he got their fitness levels up and it's now playing dividends.

Steve Ferns
90 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:49:38
That's not correct Tony. Silva was a counter attacking manager and he brought in Bruno Mendes to improve the fitness. IF you saw lots of "tippy tappy possession football" then you are probably referring to the game against "lesser" sides who sat back and let us have the ball as they all knew we could be hit hard on the break and that was our Achilles heel.
Jer Kiernan
91 Posted 12/12/2019 at 12:52:36
To note people TODAY is very important historic day for democracy, If you don't do anything else today ????? DO this one act and have YOUR say

So Please all remember to cast your vote on the TW Moyes IN/OUT Poll :)
EVERY vote counts,This stuff leaks onto social media and will send a CLEAR message to the board Elites etc etc !!!

I have of course cast my NO vote and in fact I read the question THREE times just in case, I don't even do that with referendums !!

Brian Williams
92 Posted 12/12/2019 at 13:04:21
Ffs we ALL saw tippy tappy football.
Daniel A Johnson
93 Posted 12/12/2019 at 13:04:38
Chelsea was free pass for Big Dunc.

Utd away will be a stern test for him looking forward to see how he sets us up and applies himself.

Jerome Shields
94 Posted 12/12/2019 at 13:14:16
Mke#63

I too have had to revise my attitude to Duncan, I knew people who attended the University of Dundee who to!d me about his time there and wasn't impressed with his £33, 000 per week wage at Everton when he joined. Even then he was considered a high risk transfer. I loved the wonderful FA goal against United, but disappoint by my perceived attitude to him, which on reflection was a difficult time at Everton. I have been one of the leaders on ToffeeWeb on attacks on Finch Farm, often asking what Big Dunc is doing. I now realised that emerging from the tuf and uncompromising world of the football backroom takes some character.

When Duncan was appointed to the role It did not even register with me, and I read nothing about him prior to the Goodison game or any ToffeeWeb thread that mentioned his name.

On the day of the game I expected some type of rebound, but got a Everton team moulded by a leader who knew exactly what was required, aware of all weaknesses and had all players willing following his instructions and highly motivated , apparently after half a day's preparation. Though it was a outstanding performance, I was concerned that the old guard (Kenwright &Co), which I considered Duncan to be part of, where getting the upper hand at Everton and Brands was getting isolated.

On looking more closer at Duncan helped by inciteful posts and articles on ToffeeWeb and hearing the opinion of those that have known him for years on Radio 5 and listened to his press conference I have now came up with a totally different attitude to Duncan.

Duncan will never say he wants the job, for him his peers, fans and the players have to acknowledge his fitnesses for the job. This is the high standard he has set himself at Everton Football Club. He has been placed as Caretaker Manager, because no-one else wanted the job and his focus is on the immediate job at hand.

His interview consists off Managing Everton against Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester in the bear pits of Goodison Park, Old Trafford, and maybe even Anfield.

Good Luck Duncan.

Abb Dhanani
95 Posted 12/12/2019 at 13:15:27
Dunc, if you can orchestrate us to score the winner in the 97th minute we can redefine "fergie time"
Frank Fearns
96 Posted 12/12/2019 at 14:49:55
C'Mon Duncan show these overpaid nomadic mercenaries how you do it. We're all with you -- well I am. COYB
Ajay Gopal
97 Posted 12/12/2019 at 16:35:08
Just read Dunc's comments on the OS about fitness concerns: Digne is still not fit ('we hope he will get fit'); Delph, Coleman and Mina are still working their way back to fitness. Walcott is unlikely to be fit.

So, likely Dunc will be forced to make at least 2 changes - Baines and Bernard for Digne and Walcott?

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Keane Baines
Bernard Siggy Schneiderlin Iwobi
Richy DCL

We will up against (from last weekend's lineup versus Man City)

De Gea
Wan Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred James
Martial Rashford Lingard

Apart from De Gea and Rashford, I don't see any players outstandingly better than our XI. If Dunc can get the team to frustrate United and be patient and let the nervousness build around Old Trafford, then we can get Richy, DCL, Bernard, Iwobi to get at their Back 4 and create them problems.

Tony Waring
98 Posted 12/12/2019 at 16:42:00
In line with most TWrs I hope DF is given at least until the new year to move us u the table. Moyes would be a retrograde step and Ancelotti, as others have said, doesn't really fit the bill in my opinion. One guy who hasn't been mentioned is Marco Rose at Borussia Monchen Gladbach. He was previously at RB Salzburg and seems to have done quite a good job there. Does anyone know more about him and his credentials ?
Tony Abrahams
99 Posted 12/12/2019 at 16:48:57
Steve@90, maybe Tony, was talking about Everton’s approach to the game, and the demands that it takes on the body until a footballer truly adapts to it. That’s how I saw it last week, first with my own eyes and then some incredible stats for the statisticians?

A hard running and tackling game, is a lot different from what we have played for years, but maybe it was that basic, you might have missed it mate!

Robert Williams
101 Posted 12/12/2019 at 17:38:17
JK 91 Like you I hate 'referendums'. Having spent time having Latin punched into me at school something must have stuck because I consider the plural of 'referendum' to be 'referenda'. The other reason I dislike referenda probably has something to do with what we are voting for today - "Brexit' - like 'get me out of here'.
David Thomas
102 Posted 12/12/2019 at 17:44:50
Tony 89,

I would agree and they never looked fit enough for me under Silva, which is probably one of the reasons why we started conceding late goals.

David Thomas
103 Posted 12/12/2019 at 17:44:53
Tony 89,

I would agree and they never looked fit enough for me under Silva, which is probably one of the reasons why we started conceding late goals.

Ed Prytherch
104 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:02:49
I was pleased when Silva was fired and Duncan became interim head coach and I want to see what he can get out of the team against ManUre and Leicester. However, the more I learn about Ancelotti the more I would like him to become our next manager. He has succeeded all over the place, he has been a winning manager in England and he speaks very good English - his wife is Canadian. Even if we have to pay some compensation to Napoli it should not be more than $5M. It was reported earlier today that he has signed with a London based agent. I hope that Moshiri and Brands have called them already. At 60 he is not too old. Most of the people who are serious contenders to be the next president of the USA are significantly older than that.
Kevin Jones
105 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:09:50
Said to wife this morning, “See Duncan’s got the Reins Dear” chortle
Brent Stephens
106 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:15:47
Kevin, a joke like that is grounds for divorce.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

107 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:26:45
Justifiable manslaughter more like, Brent.
Derek Knox
108 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:31:02
Kevin @ 10, I know, the weather has been crap here too mate! :-)
Kevin Jones
109 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:38:50
That’s a bit Rude olf you Jay and Brent.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

110 Posted 12/12/2019 at 18:55:28
Where do you live, Kevin?

I'm willing to take the jail term instead of your missus!

Neil Wood
111 Posted 12/12/2019 at 20:44:00
Can anyone get me a ticket for the cup game against the RS ?
Kevin Jones
112 Posted 12/12/2019 at 20:50:29
Like to Sleigh me would you Jay.
Minik Hansen
113 Posted 13/12/2019 at 02:51:49
In other news, Magaye Gueye scored in the last minute for Qarabag in Europa League. Forgot about him for a sec. I had high hopes for him, Saha being his mentor at the time.
Mike Gaynes
114 Posted 13/12/2019 at 03:47:30
Minik, when I attended the July 2013 friendly in San Francisco between Everton and Juve, there was a pre-game party (where I first met Lyndon) and an older gentleman there was actually wearing a Magaye Gueye #19 shirt. I remember thinking "Geez, talk about a short sell-by date -- that shirt is gonna be obsolete in a year."

Turned out it was 11 months.

Never saw a harder-working guy... with less talent.

Simon Dalzell
115 Posted 13/12/2019 at 04:17:38
Anceloti meeting Everton hierachy later on today.
Mark Andersson
116 Posted 13/12/2019 at 05:28:04
As long as Moyes don't meet with the hierarchy I will be optimistic
Bill Gienapp
117 Posted 13/12/2019 at 07:04:09
Can't someone tie Moyes up in their basement until this all blows over? I'd do it, but I'm not local.
Mark Palmer
118 Posted 13/12/2019 at 09:21:26
Haven’t had time to read all the comments but just to stick my oar in; the idea of another foreign mercenary coach fills me with dread.
Everton are a million miles from where we were in the 80s and have no right to expect a top coach to come and sort the mess out then leave and give us no platform for the future. In fact, why do we want one? Someone who’ll be around for a couple of years and then move on to the next lucrative contract?
We need someone with an affinity to the club, the city, to the country, to the premier league.
We need our identity back. We need to build. Hey, we’ve won nothing for a generation so we’re not in a hurry - nothing to live up to.
David Moyes would do me just fine for now.

Dave Abrahams
119 Posted 13/12/2019 at 09:30:23
Jamie (87), yes we all see the game differently, but you carry on supporting Everton the way you do, I always get a lift from the cavalier way younsupport the Blues.

Feel very down this morning with the result of our election, maybe the way you felt when your American Liar won your election, all I need now is for another Liar to get Moyes into the Everton managers seat and that will be the fuckin’ end of me. Come on Jamie gis one of your ‘ buck me up’ posts.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

120 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:18:23
Ho! Ho! Ho!

Everton to finally submit a planning application for BMD on Monday 23 December.

Link/

Another promised deadline in the process met, possibly to the chagrin of the doubters and sceptics.

Brian Williams
121 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:20:26
Christmas on the 23rd this year lads and lasses!!!

To the doubters.....baaaah humbug!

Ray Roche
122 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:23:48
Brian, Jay,

The club have fucked up again. They’re only supposed to release good news to conceal a disaster on the pitch. They can’t get anything right 😁

Brian Harrison
123 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:37:33
This board have made an art form out of being totally inept, we according to the press have spoken to heaven knows how many managers, yet are still no nearer making an appointment. Given this will be our 5th managerial appointment in 4 years its hardly a job were you are allowed to build a team, so maybe our track record is turning people off.

Seems that they are finally planning to submit the planning application, after endless consultations and discussions with locals and businesses. Lets hope that it sails through the planning application and we can get on and build it. I think this just epitomizes the indecision within the club, I am sure with the extensive work they put into the original consultation they didnt need to delay by having a further consultation.

John Keating
124 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:46:30
And so he should be given the United game and Leicester too
He has said he doesn’t want the job full time and, if true, should be respected

Who know’s how we will get on against United but as long as Duncan can get the same effort and commitment out of the team then we will get what we deserve

Steve 59 good post mate but you had me in stitches when you mentioned what Duncan would have got from Silva

Ray Roche
125 Posted 13/12/2019 at 10:55:23
Brian, Since the turn of the century Everton have had six permanent managers, not including Ferguson or Unsworth, obviously. Smith, Moyes, Martinez, Koeman, Allardyce And Silva.


Liverpool have had six. Houllier, Benitez, Hodgson, Dogleash, Brenda and Klipperty.

These things never seem to get mentioned on talkSport do they? We’re of as if we’re Watford.

Brian Harrison
126 Posted 13/12/2019 at 11:53:32
Ray,

Yes you are right that since 2000 we have had 6 managers and so have the other lot, but we will be appointing our 5th manager inside 4 years all since Moshiri has been in charge. Also the managers you name for the other lot in the last 19 years have won a lot more than our group who collectively have won nothing. Because of their Champions league record they can attract the very best managers, were nobody seems to want this job.

Chris Mason
127 Posted 13/12/2019 at 11:59:13
It’s all in the timing Jay, that’s what keeps the punters rolling up.
Derek Taylor
128 Posted 13/12/2019 at 12:02:31
What's the odds that Everton becomes the first club that Ancelotti fucks up at ?

Footballwise, everything Moshiri does goes pearshape. I think Arsenal put a curse on him when he moved his money north.

Ray Roche
129 Posted 13/12/2019 at 12:05:46
Good points Brian, I was merely pointing out that, although we've had a rush of managers since Moyes, including stop gap Allardyce, the media act as if we're the main partners in a managerial merry go-round. And as for banging on about "how much they've (us) spent''. They never mention nett spend.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

130 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:00:19
Chris @ 127: "It’s all in the timing Jay."

The club re-affirmed in November a previously stated timeline, set months ago, that a planning application would be submitted before the end of the year.

Today is December 13. The planning application will be submitted in 10 days time on December 23.

When else should they 'time' this announcement, Chris?

John P McFarlane
131 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:02:27
Ray #129 The media will always pander to their core target audience, it's only for that sole reason that they tend to amplify the negative sides of any particular facet of an Everton story in order to keep their readers/subscribers happy.

Red Shirts Good - Blue Shirts Bad, has been the accepted narrative for the media for decades, it's not going to alter any time soon.
But what annoys me more, is that some of our own supporters, regurgitate the very same mantra but incredibly, in a far more hard-hitting and viscious manner towards the Blues and in the most complimentary and deferrential way towards our city rivals.

One club on Merseyside can apparently do no wrong and the other is a basket case. Even if that might be true, do we need to re-inforce and amplify the media's stereoptypical outlook ourselves? Do we need to accept the idea that we deserve to be an also-ran, that should know its place?

Pride of Merseyside we used to sing loudly and proudly. Now some people seem to be ashamed to call themselves an Evertonian or if they do they tend to put in a caveat that acknowledges that we are not very good or do so in an apologetic manner.

Duncan showed us, even if it was for only one match, that Everton is far more than what is often portrayed in the media or what some of our more negative supporters would have us believe - we may not have covered ourselves in glory during the last 25 years, but we still have the same ambition as the supporters of the other major clubs in England and those ambitions shouldn't be a source of shame but rather one of inspiration.

Days like last Saturday will be fondly remembered for far longer than the words of pundits and journalists. With some luck, we'll have far more of those types of days in the future, that's the reason that most of us stay interested in the club and the more days we experience that are similar to last Saturday, the more chance we will have of seeing the dream scenario of an Everton captain hoisting a trophy aloft in the future.

Whatever happens in the future, Everton FC is our club and no matter how frustrated and disappointed it may make us feel, we should always retain our pride of being Evertonians. Duncan Ferguson gets it, but does every single Blue get it too?


Rob Halligan
132 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:09:33
Didn't know where to put this, so put it on here...Planning application for Bramley Moore Dock to be submitted on 23rd December.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-stadium-bramley-moore-breaking-17415090

Kim Vivian
133 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:10:25
Excellent, John P.McF, Excellent.
Ray Roche
134 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:13:12
If I can echo Kim’s post, excellent post John.
Rob Halligan
135 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:16:45
Ooops, sorry. See this has already been mentioned above. Can't wait for all the doom mongers to appear.
Steve Ferns
136 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:24:48
Rob, they’re all too busy wallowing in the misery of last night.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

137 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:33:06
Rob, I know someone who can do a great Scottish accent, in which case it would be:

"We're doooomed, aye tells ye! We're awl gonna die (from boredom)!"

Footage of a training session ahead of the United game here:

Link

I appreciate it's a very limited sample to compare to the typical training sessions under Silva, which seemed to be largely based on big groups of players standing in a tight ciricle playing one-touch passes between them with two 'piggies in the middle' chasing to turn over the ball.

Here, we see Jeffers and Ebbrel leading more game-based exercises in which players receive and return passes 'marked' by those static metal-framed silhouettes.

In the 'game' play shown, Coleman and Mina can be seen participating, but if they are both up to speed for a full-blown PL game on Sunday is a different matter. And after last Saturday, why would Duncan drop Sidibe for Seamus any way?

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

138 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:35:34
Steve, "...wallowing in the misery of last night."

Don't tell me we've ended up with Boris Johnson as our next manager???!!!

Phil Greenough
139 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:37:14
John P. If "stickies" were allowed on ToffeeWeb, yours should be one of them. Well said.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

140 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:41:44
Dunc's presser, live, NOW!!!

Link

First up, Theo out for 3 weeks, Schneiderlin out for 2 weeks.

Eek! Thin cover.

Adrian Evans
141 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:47:28
Would it be to much to.hope that Caralotti is fed up with simply being a mercenary,a hired gun.
It would seem he hasnt settled anywhere since his nine years with Milan.
Could he see coming to Everton might offer him the chance to become immortal if he breaks the RS dominance of the City.
Could Moshiri offer him more than money???He is football through and through.
City,Utd, 35 miles away,rivalry, the RS half a mile.

Just maybe he is exited by a project to make us into one of a four club super set of four.

Has he still got it if he takes us on with backing.Would he worl with Brands??Paul Clement??come with him ??
Where does that leave Duncan.

Are we allowed to think this way that he isn't just in it for the money????

Jerome Shields
142 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:51:41
Jay#137

What you think of Seamus playing with Sidibe playing in front of him, in Walcotts role?

Rob Halligan
143 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:53:50
I think Bernard will come in for Walcott, and Tom Davies for Schneiderlin
Christy Ring
144 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:53:59
We could be struggling for a defensive midfielder tomorrow with Schneiderlin out, Delph is still doubtful, don't know if Beni is fit?
Brian Williams
145 Posted 13/12/2019 at 13:55:21
John P. Well here's one Evertonian that's never apologetic or reserved about being a Blue.
In fact I'm proud that the club mean so much to me despite all our troubles.
It's very easy to be a fan of them lot over there isn't it?
Could never imagine having anything but feelings ranging from mild disdain to sheer hatred towards them especially to a number of their season ticket holders I was made aware of recently.
It's common place, and there're plenty doing it, for some of them to sell their individual match ticket, unofficially, for hundreds of pounds to a guy/s who sells a "package" to foreign fans (Norwegians in particular, no joke on the way) which includes flights, a hotel room and a ticket for the game for two to two and a half thousand pound a pop.
No wonder the pubs are always full of the parasites on match day.
Embarassed to be a Blue?
As Jim Royle would say. "My arse."
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

146 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:04:19
The feed was cut prematurely short and didn't return.

Coleman, Mina and Delph completed light training. Digne also carrying a knock, but no decision taken yet on whether he can play on Sunday.

Resources beginning to look stretched continuing into the busiest playing month of the season.

Hard to identify all the players in the training video clip as they were all wrapped up well against the cold, but it appeared to me as though Banimgime, Adeniran and Markelo all took part in 1st team training (as did other academy players on the fringes of the 1st team).

The squad is definitely looking stretched in some areas, particularly central defence and midfield.

Rob Halligan
147 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:04:59
Brian, I was in the pub me and the missus go to in woolton village, (Friday evening) about three weeks ago. There's about four of the RS who sit at the bar. On our way out I said to them, "see you're getting your seats early for tomorrow then"? (The shite were playing at home the next day) "What do you mean", they replied. Well, it's common knowledge, I said, "Scouse blues go the match, Scouse reds go the pub"

I believe the pub is rammed to the rafters for every game them bastards play!!

Rob Halligan
148 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:13:21
Jay I was watching the presser when it was lost. I think the last question we heard was the one when Duncan was asked about having a decent record against United. His first appearance at old Trafford was the one when he scored two goals against them to put us 2-0 up before half time. I was at the match and his first goal was an absolute belter. The game ended 2-2.

Let's hope his first appearance at old Trafford as a manager has a similar outcome, although a victory would be massive for us.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

149 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:20:34
Yep! That's as much as I heard Rob before the feed was lost. There were evidently more questions coming from journos.

I really enjoy Duncan's clipped, uncluttered, direct responses to all and any questions. Acknowledges United are picking up, that Everton have a lousy record there, BUT! Still displaying his 'Why not?' philosophy: why can't we go there and win? That's what we will be aiming for.

Neatly swerved questions on what he knows about the name of the next manager, whilst saying he does have ambitions to be a manager 'in the future', that the Chelsea game showed him he can manage at this level, but that it was 'just one game'.

Jamie Crowley
150 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:26:09
Dave Abrahams at 119 -

I played a trump card (no pun intended) this morn and decided to sleep in a bit. I woke at 8:30 and the first thing I see on the ‘ol IPad is Borris’ victory, then another news blurb how Brexit is now fast-tracked.

It’s weird, humanity. I’m old enough now to recognize trends that happen and have occurred before, that sweep seemingly around the globe. The peace movement of the 60s, the conservative wave of the 80s, and now this in 2016 to present - this odd wave of the “rebel” or “anti-government” mindset sweeping so many “civilized” countries.

I’d say I actually run upstream with most political minds on TW. I’m more conservative than I am liberal to be sure, with some liberal leanings. But I was a member of our Republican Party here my entire life until 2016.

When Donald Trump won our Florida primary, the very next day I went to the county offices and withdrew myself from the Republican Party and became an independent. Why? I just don’t like The Donald, don’t like the way he approaches other human beings, his bombastic approach, etc.

Now you have your Borris and I don’t blame you for being down. He’s a manipulative showman, who lies frankly worse than Trump.

Our two countries are a mess, for me. So I can’t cheer you up today, Dave. What I can say is that as long as there’s reasonable people on both sides of the political divide, we can hope for the best.

And that’s all I’ve got for ya Dave. A dark day for me, too.

Take refugee in Everton. Oh! And at Mass, too. ;0)

Things will get better.

Steve Ferns
151 Posted 13/12/2019 at 14:32:39
Jay, it looks grim for Sunday. It's a case of the team being last man standing.

Pickford
Sidibe Keane Holgate Baines
Bernard Davies Sigurdsson Iwobi
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Dave Abrahams
152 Posted 13/12/2019 at 16:10:06
Jamie (150), things will get better? Well I certainly hope so Jamie, for Everton, as for mass, it is a dying way of life for the majority of people nowadays but I usually find plenty of comfort in my religion.
Ray Roche
153 Posted 13/12/2019 at 16:10:11
How about a disciplined Sidibe in midfield and Seamus at right back?
Jerome Shields
154 Posted 13/12/2019 at 16:23:50
Ray #153

I was thinking the same? Seamus hasn't the legs he had and Sidibe wants to get forward at every opportunity. What more Sidibe more incisive and flexible than Seamus in his support play. Has set up quite a few opportunities for forwards in recent games. Seamus and Sidebe would also tie up United on right flank.

Ray Roche
155 Posted 13/12/2019 at 16:33:47
Jerome, I wonder if Sidibe has it in his locker to play the Schneiderlin role if not the wing back? I fear we’ll be doing some defending on Sunday.
John McFarlane Snr
156 Posted 13/12/2019 at 16:43:22
Hi John [131] welcome back to 'ToffeeWeb' it appears that you have mellowed a little, I have never doubted your loyalty to Everton Football Club, but then again it can only be expected from a member of an Everton mad family, that traces its roots back to the formation of the 'Football League'.

I often think back to the days of the 'Everton Travel Club' £1-50p a week to travel home and away,[those were the days]. To explain my reason for posting at the moment, I agree that there appear to be present-day posters who seem to get their kicks from Everton's misfortunes, and lie low when things are going our way.

Stan Schofield
157 Posted 13/12/2019 at 17:04:47
John@131: Good post, putting things into perspective.

I think there are, to put it simply, two types of Evertonian on this site.

The first type are younger ones who've only ever experienced mediocre Everton sides. To them, Liverpool have been 'successful' even though they've never won the Premier League but by mere virtue of finishing consistently above us in the table. To such supporters, even Spurs are seen as successful!

The second type of Evertonian are older ones, like myself, who were brought up on the great Everton sides of the 60s when we dominated the football world through the sheer quality of our football in conjunction with three top trophies. In those days, Merseyside was the centre-of-mass of football, with Manchester a close second, and we were the top club on Merseyside. Of course, we were also dominant during the 80s, via the Kendal link to the 60s.

For the second type of Evertonian for whom being the best is 'in the blood' (in fact 'in the DNA'), even Liverpool's quantity of trophies historically cannot compete with our historical quality. Quality over quantity is always more memorable. They cannot compete historically with the quality of the 60s sides.

Now, the elite clubs in the modern era are City, Utd and Chelsea. In comparison, the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal are '2nd tier', clubs that have habitually been contenders without winning trophies apart from the occasional cup. Liverpool appear to be on the rise, but even if they win the PL and/or CL they'd have to do it repeatedly to be in the bracket of the 'three elites'. City in particular are the modern-era counterpart of our 69-70 title winning side.

Liverpool supporters have been very frustrated, and absolutely hate being told the above, and telling them is very enjoyable. They have no answer, apart from "you're shite", a true but crude statement that we already know but which isn't really an argument for their lack of modern-era trophies.

Posts on ToffeeWeb that overly praise Liverpool belong largely to the first category of Evertonian not used to success. They fail to capture context, and lack perspective. I always see them as pathetic and symptomatic of the losing mentality of Everton that's existed for nearly three decades.

If the Everton board have such thinking, god help us.

Peter Neilson
158 Posted 13/12/2019 at 18:03:32
Ray (155) From what I’ve seen up-to now I can’t imagine Sidibe having the positional discipline needed to play a defensive midfielders role. Let’s see what Duncan comes up with.
Jerome Shields
159 Posted 13/12/2019 at 19:25:48
Ray#155

Putting him it a role that he hasn't played before would be a talk ask, whilst on the wing he is to some extent ready made. Man United concentrated a lot of attack on a perceived weak right flank.

Schniederlin will be first choice in defensive midfield, because he will do exactly what he is asked to do, as has been the case under four different Everton managers, hence his selection, much to ToffeeWebbers derision at times.

Ray Roche
160 Posted 14/12/2019 at 09:27:02
Peter,Jerome, I was under the impression that Sidibe had played a defensive AND midfield role for Monaco when required. I did qualify my earlier musing with a ''disciplined'' Sidibe! I appreciate that, when he gets the scent of water, he tends to stampede down the right and neglects his defensive full back duties. Doubling up with Seamus on the right might give us some extra defensive stability and not reduce our attacking strength. It might offer more defensively than Theo would. (if he were fit) It depends how defensive Dunc decides to be.
Richard Dodd
161 Posted 15/12/2019 at 16:51:06
Great point today. I think Big Dunc's brief has been to prime the lads ready for the return of Davey next week. We can but hope !
Alexander Murphy
162 Posted 16/12/2019 at 17:08:26
"Great point today. I think Big Dunc's brief has been to prime the lads ready for the return of Davey next week. We can but hope !".

Just what the fuck were you drinking/"using" when you wrote that drivel Richard ?

Seriously ? "We can but hope !".

Please, do not include others in your delusions, if that's what you call hope then fine, but to implicate others is really taking the piss to boiling point.

There is a poll on this very website which might just hint that a return of the ginger turd is a prospect viewed as a tad less than hopeful by an overwhelming majority.

I sincerely hope that you were just being a cheeky scamp, now away with you !


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