Ancelotti critical of Everton's spirit and work-rate

The players and manager must feel very lucky. No crowd and these performances week in week out. Something has to change before the start of next season!!

We need a crowd in not only to intimidate the opposition, but to put a rocket up the arses of many of these complacent players we have!

They don’t want it enough.

Works well away from home, but no good at Goodison. A home crowd won’t stand for all these negative sideways short passes and backward thinking.

Next season we won’t win anything like 10 away league games so he needs to find answers to this problem now!

Whilst I think James is a fantastic player, I'd also love to give the skiving git a damn good hiding. I'm not advocating for the days when Smith loaded up Ball who was injured with tranquilizers, but James makes Sturridge look like a tough guy. Seems like a complete wimpy prima donna. I'd sooner have a Cahill or a Soucek than a latter-day Futre or Radiciou cowardly wimp. Shape up or ship him off to the beach football summer league.

Just noticed too — some cheeky fucker changed Sturridge's Wikipedia page to “former football player”. May as well do that for James, pitiful whinge bag.

Strange and disappointing. Another awful result from a poor mid-table side.

How many have we thrown away at home, 6? and it's not as if we were playing Man City every other week either, Burnley, West Ham, Leeds, Newcastle, Fulham... Now Villa.
Even draws not losses and we would be laughing... and probably in a false position too - we're dogshit poor and getting worse.

Yes, the loss of James was disappointing but, even at that stage, he had options. He made the decisions.

Defensively we were shambolic and were lucky to be level at half time. Where were the obvious changes to address our shortcomings? Why was the manager incapable or unprepared to change the personnel and tactics?

From my perspective, the moment the same 11 players emerged for the second half, what remaining faith I had in the manager disappeared. The second half was truly predictable. My phone very nearly disappeared through the TV screen when Delph began to warm up.

Yes, criticise the players for yet another horribly poor showing. But start the inspection and review with the manager who seems to be incapable of actually doing what his role requires of him. My WhatsApp conversations with my 2 sons prior to kick-off and throughout the game evidenced all the above. If I can see it from my armchair and relying on my years of experience watching my beloved team, and the truly horrible experiences this season, then why on earth can't he?

Look, I think I'm becoming used to it now: we are a pretty rubbish side with pretty one-paced crab-like rubbishy players.

I never really looked at our squad and saw enough quality or hunger and desire to challenge 4th place, so frankly I'm not fussed.

Our squad is thrown together by a mishmash of pedestrian players that we are constantly told are international class, like Gomes, Sigurdsson, Richarlison etc but I fail to see it.

Our manager is very pragmatic even with limited options he seems unable to develop a cohesive unit that can put a meaningful passing move together.

Also personally I think the football now is as bad as it was under Fat Sam.

Your two South American signings have been poor value for money as well as being patently unfit. Allan looked like a 50-year-old chasing the ball. Same as James – when he plays. Chasing and running after the ball is a big part of the game... they can't do it, Carlo.

All the while, a young lad, who you heaped praise on early this week, was left sitting on the bench, while Sigurdsson, Delph, and Gomes once again proved to all of us what we already know – they are past their sell-by dates, and we are stuck with them until their contracts are up.

Carlo, you've had it very easy from Evertonians, mostly because we are not there to show our disapproval. But we are watching and taking it in, the players are not doing, not good enough... are you, Carlo? It's time to start earning your huge wage and shaking this squad up on and off the field.

Look at Chelsea pre and post Lampard, same players but what a difference in performance. They now have a manager who has a vision and has a style of play where everyone has a defined role. A good coach/manager improves players, makes difficult decisions, drops players who fail to perform.

I would say Anceĺotti is a lazy predictable manager because we all know beforehand what substitutions will take place.

And on a separate note, Villa have built a squad very well. We're lacking what they've got plenty of – square pegs in square holes around the pitch, aggression and personality. Forget the likes of Coutinho and Isco this summer. I'd happily forego some of the silky skills to get a bit more heart, drive and legs into that team.

Time to shake the club up from top to bottom. Every player available for a move if the price is right.

Take a long hard look at our Academy. Get rid of this "family" club ethos ffs.

Forget about Bramley-Moore Dock for now. Take a punt on a young British manager for a change.

God Almighty... anything rather than accept continuing and continual mediocrity, without question.

Our best central midfielders have been Allan and Doucouré. With Doucouré out he has to be replaced by Davies who has been next best.

Sigurdsson is a no 10, full stop, he should not be deployed in any other position or it's asking for failure.
Same with James, he's a no10, we cannot play both together without damaging the teams balance. It's one or the other.

Richarlison is best on the left, Premier League centre.

Then we come to the right-sided midfielder/forward. A nightmare. I'd rather have Coleman than Iwobi there and that is a damning statement for Iwobi. Even Bolasie or Walcott would have contributed more from that position this season!

Anthony Gordon is very young, but we would be doing no worse if he had been blooded properly into the team since Christmas. Anyway, we all know, and Carlo too that this is one of the key positions to sort out in the summer window.

We still have too many players on massive contracts that we need to find clubs for. The club is still waist-deep in quicksand with these players. Most of these players contribute no goals, no assists, no tenacity, no pace, no real desire, and are regularly injured.

Brands has to do much better rebalancing in the summer, replacing slow , flat players with players with energy and desire — and it's far from easy.

If you don't think you can take the team forwards, walk away now.

At all of the clubs he's been at, he's had world class talent (proper world class talent not what we proclaim like Allan and Gomes ect).

Those players have self managed at the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan.

We can't give him players that Man City have, we can't sign Kevin de Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes, we can't sign Salah or James Maddison, they wouldn't come and we could not afford them.

So what we are left with is a manager that is, at 62 years old, completely out of his comfort zone and clueless as to what to do with a seriously limited group.

We slagged off the likes of Moyes but what he had a canny ability for was putting together a limited budget to sign hungry players that at least played to a pattern and in the main fought for a top 6 place.

With Martinez, it was inevitable that failure would arrive but for 15 months even he had a pattern and clear way of playing even if it did frustrate.

But with Carlo it's like giving a man that can't drive a bloody Ferrari (Carlo being the Ferrari).

He's been a high maintenance appointment, high standing in the game but sadly it's looking more and more like a Mourinho to Spurs, a Benitez to Newcastle job.

Perhaps what we needed was a hungrier manager that had experience working with a crop of limited players but could get everything from them.

I believe, once the fans are back at Goodison Park, Carlo will be gone within months. Nothing will change because he believes in this group of players.

Those who question Moyes's or Allardyce's style of football cannot question the desire and work rate they demanded. Some of you have questions about Carlo's tactics, subs etc, but I believe he changing the players to install more fight, movement, motivation. That's a massive worry if the case and only one outcome for Carlo.

It may take big Dunc to have a word with his boss and say "Look, Boss, when the fans are back they won't tolerate this crap." If true and Carlo believes we only need two players, then – unless he can motivate his players more – I see no different next season.

Oh yes, please Sky or BT stop showing us on television. I can't watch anymore of the dross served up. Rather watch a Championship match!!

I thought that we were the better team in the 2nd half. We created half-chances around the edge of the box but didn't have the quality.

Villa got a similar opportunity on the edge of our box and scored a great goal. We have 2 players in our entire squad that can finish like that, Rodriguez and Sigurdsson. The rest of them can't kick a ball straight.

Keane, Mina and Davies should have all started last night.

As the season goes on, we look worse each game. I can't see where the next win is coming from. There isn't any spark to our play. No will to win.

Godfrey and Holgate may be quicker than Keane and Mina but they are nowhere near the same footballers.

For the rest of the season, I would play the 4 centre-backs. Digne and Coleman as left and right midfielders with Davies and Allan as centre-midfielders. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison up top. I am fed up of watching our midfield get battered week after week.

This is a big summer for the club – and for Ancelotti.

Other than the start of the season and Spurs in the cup, then every time Everton have moved away from playing a defensive game first they have been beaten, and mostly by the teams who are lower than us in the table.

I thought we had a good spell at the start of the second half but Villa just dropped an extra man back into midfield, started to outnumber us, and that was the end of Everton once again.

Before the game started, the warning signs were there with Richarlison in head-down mode as Everton lined up. It became more obvious from the start of play when Everton, in defensive mode, were like a sieve on every Villa attack.

Gomes in particularly with his poor passing could have been thought to be playing for Villa. There is no doubt he was showing his weakness when being pressed. Holgate was in dreamland. Villa, attacking on both the right and left, were finding players in open space with passes. Coleman was bypassed and Holgate was off the pace covering Digne.

Barkley had free rein and looked as if he was on a training ground. Going forward, Iowbi was peripheral, joined by Sigurdsson in the second half. Attack-wise, Richarlison still had his head down. Calvert-Lewin has benefited from his break with being in the correct position most of the time, but his lack of shooting ability was clearly exposed. Ancelotti must have known what he had on the bench would not change things, so substitutions were delayed; he was right.

This is all as a result of the culture that exists at the club. They all thought they had arrived when they beat Arsenal. No delayed gratification existed for the job in hand to challenge for a European place. . . which is typical of Everton Football Club. I wouldn't be surprised that they attempt to down tools at Finch Farm in remaining matches, trying to get Ancelotti the sack, as they have done with previous managers. Typically trying to get the manager the blame for their lack of motivation, spirit and workrate.

We all have been here for years. I notice the word 'surprise' has not been used in any posts.

Pickford played well, but had too many saves to make. he was all over his area trying to defend as well.

Aston Villa deserved to win by more than one goal.

What frustrates me most about our current incumbent is his unwillingness to be bold and innovative and his continuing insistence in shoehorning in the overpaid, overrated and underperforming squad members.

So many of us are mystified why Tom Davies is now overlooked despite becoming one of the more effective and committed players and having been lauded by the Manager. He is flawed but his recent performances have been a whole heap better than most around him and surely to goodness justify his inclusion if and until his levels drop or someone else better can oust him. Shame he is not foreign. He would be a shoo-in.

There's no quick fix to decades of mismanagement at every level. He's not a stupid man and surely can see this level of performance is not good enough and has to be addressed. He has to be given more time to rectify it.

I have been Carlo's biggest fan this season and I have defended him to the hilt. But bringing on Delph last night, not starting Tom Davies, and not taking Holgate off at half-time was a dereliction of his job.

For the first time since his appointment, I am now questioning his ability in making sound judgment calls. But those players, especially James and Holgate, should hang their heads in shame this morning.

Everyone and their cat can see we cannot play out from the back... so don't do it!!! I would rather we lost possession in their 18-yard area through not winning a header from a goal kick, than loose possession in our 18-yard box.

As for James, that lad is made of glass and I don't care how talented he is, if he's not playing, he's no use to us... and he's always bloody injured.

He is not blameless of course, but he is correct.

We the fans are the 12th Man. A crowd can lift performances. It can also impact performance.

Generally our home form is better than most whilst our away form in the Premier Leagueis terrible. This season, it has turned on its head.

Winning 10 away games would give our travelling army of fans their best season since we last won the league. The standard of football overall in the league this year has been poor, Man City being the exception due to their squad size.

Playing a season during a global pandemic has been a welcome distraction though the offerings at most of the games is below standard. A game played nearly every day of the week has blunted the spectacle.

The lack of fans and pandemic are outside factors that has impacted the game league wide not just ourselves. Hopefully we will be allowed back in next season. Our home form will improve and our away form plummet.

Back to the game itself. I feel like I am picking on Iwobi but he is the one that should be at Preston on loan whilst Gordon learns his trade here.

Earlier in the season, we hit on a defensive formula that yielded results. We should stick with it until we buy better players.

Man City are walking away with the Premier League, most of the time they play without a striker. That's how important it is to win the midfield battle. I would take almost any other teams midfielders over ours.

All teams are affected by lack of home crowds as you have said, but we are an exaggerated case.

We are 4th in the ‘away league’, and 15th in the ‘home league ‘, by some way the worst disparity in the league.

We are all hoping that things will 'click' just like they did for Howard Kendall's team in 1983-84. What do we do?

Definitely, Aston Villa should have won by more in comparison.

Expect two transfers in and little change at Finch Farm. Future Planning consisted of one spin of the Z-Cars record. Hopefully Ancelotti may be able to manoeuver some changes by himself. Anyone who exoects any different does not know Everton.

Iv'e lost faith with Carlo.

The only thing that will stop us developing.
The same panic we have shown historically.

Would not last a season. Ask Big Dunc, he knows.

It was a poor performance and poor result. This is a 3- or 4-year deal to fix years of neglect that we are 16 months into.

Everton is a club 'full of love', 'Everton feels like home, I want to stay longer' — all this garbage.

You could see in the opening 5 minutes that we didn't have a pattern of play when we had the ball. The midfielder would look up, see nothing, and turn backwards. That's down to the coaching.

And if the rumours are true, and he brings in Coutinho and Aguero, I'm not sure I'll bother watching next season, cos lessons clearly aren't being learned.

I noticed that lining up in the tunnel. The body language was not quite right at all. Looked like a bunch of pensioners waiting for a 10 minute late bus. (Albeit in nice shiny trackies.)

Then Allan came out and looked a bit more up for it, saying something like ‘Come on, lads!'

The players and the manager have to take responsibility. The manager is pathetic for criticising players for a lack of effort and motivation because it is part of his job to send them out motivated and prepared to fight.

As we all know, this is a bunch of passive individuals who in the main are not up for a fight or giving maximum collective effort at all, apart from the odd occasion. James really doesn't seem to fancy it a lot of the time though I would not include Allan in this criticism yet as he needs to play with a decent player alongside him so we can see if he still has it.

The glaring lack of pace and athleticism in the squad is alarming and it really does beg the question as to why this has not been addressed. The English game has moved on over the last few years and players are now required to have pace, strength and stamina together with a fighting spirit which separates the great from the good. A skilful player lacking one of these attributes is going to struggle and we have James, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Bernard, Delph, Keane and Iwobi who all fall into this category – basically half a team. To bring on Delph instead of Tom Davies really does ask questions of the manager: What did Carlo think Delph was going to achieve?

Okay, we are 8th but we could so easily have been anything down to around 14th to 16th on performances. This squad is weak both mentally and physically and Carlo's aversion to younger players is a worry. We need some guys in their early twenties who are physically strong athletes, not some 28-30 year olds whose best days are gone and will not be able to compete physically in this league.

We can all see the problems – we may view certain players differently but we can all see the basic problems. The physically fragile players have to be ditched as do the ones who don't really care that much. I know it's difficult to shift them but that is not a reason to play them in the first team.

Give us a squad to be proud of, who want to win as much as we fans do, not a bunch of wimps who only play when they fancy it.

Ancelotti cannot be put in that bracket unless he fails next season. I honestly think most of the damage was done by Koeman, his tactics and recruitment were terrible. I hope Ancelotti can turn this mess around as we deserve better.

Koeman appears to have turned Barcelona into the Spanish Everton in a very short time.

So I'm really not sure about that one.

In truth it may take the next two summers to really sort it out but the Club need to back one of the worlds great managers; if they don't we will not get another manager of his calibre willing to take on the challenge of our basket case of a Club.

Last night was horrendous for all the reasons others have mentioned. Players like Holgate are legends in their own lunchtime and he looks like he thinks he's Beckenbauer reincarnated but he's a Champoinship player imo. Last nights error (which he actually repeated later in the game so proving he doesn't learn) was not the first time he's done it this season (in fact he missed the first few months having done precisely this in the pre season friendly). Why he is in ahead of Mina, God only knows.

Any hopes of a Europa placing were extinguished last night despite what Carlo says. I'd bin some of these players now for the rest of the season and let a few of the young lads have a run.

Whilst I'm on it, what the hell has Josh King done that precludes him from meaningful game time? Richarlison is having a poor season and was awful last night, so King certainly could have done no worse and it might have given Richarlison the kick up the backside I think he needs.

Doucouré is a massive player for us and it's no coincidence we've only won one game with him missing as without him there is a vacuum of pace in our midfield. Allan did his best last night to be progressive with the ball but it's difficult when you are playing within a team of tortoises and crabs.

The season can't end soon enough for me which is a sad sad thing to admit. Hopefully we can be back in the stadIum next season to provide this bunch of sloths with some much needed urgency and backbone.

The only fella who got it and realised the playing side needed disinfecting as a matter of urgency was Martinez but without real money it inevitably went tits up. Since Roberto the reincarnation of Moyes has taken many forms now we're on the Italian version.

Lovely fella is Carlo but he's finished here

After that many knew the weaknesses that were making Everton a mid-table team but Carlo has stumbled along without really improving things.

DCL is still finding the net but Richie has been a big disappointment and the Joshua King move was just a waste of time.
James is also becoming an expensive failure despite the obvious talent he has and the other ''offensive'' midfielders have generally been a bust apart from Doucoure who had played some really good games before getting injured.

The rest of the midfield are just not up to snuff and if Carlo keeps them, then next season will be more of the same disappointments.

At the back Holgate is a liability even before yesterday's howler and the others just can't seem to keep it together as a tight unit.

All in all a pretty dismal season despite the fact they may still creep into Europe for whatever it 's worth but there not good enough to a make a bold show in that competition anyway.

Some may point to injuries being partly to blame but almost all the Prem. teams have had their share so that's not a valid excuse.

A lot has to be done by the powers to be to change this situation and Carlo has had his ''apprenticeship'' season so next season we shall see what he has left to offer if anything.

It's becoming more obvious every week that our players aren't superior in any way to the players in the teams that have triumphed at Goodison this season or indeed last season.

What these teams have shown is that they are able to pass and move, work harder as a unit and have the mental determination to carry out the managers' wishes for the whole game.

Meanwhile, our lot, seem dazed and confused, many of them are arrogant enough to believe that they don't have to work hard, particularly at Goodison and if the manager has given them specific instructions they seem to do their own thing or lazily go through the motions doing the bare minimum with little conviction.

Despite all of those points gained on the road, with some impressive points gained at places we hardly ever win, our current total, is akin to having taken 4 points off each of the sides outside of the 'Super League Six'.

Carlo can point to having the same number of points, with five games remaining, as last season's final total, whilst that is true, this season has felt like a poor one.

Despite breaking many hoodoos, and winning so many points on the road. It seems that the manager and the team has missed a golden opportunity which may not come around again anytime soon.

James is a luxury player who will only turn out when it's 70 degrees and sunny. The sort of player who you can throw on as an entertainment when you're 3 nil up - if you're Manchester City.

The limits on squad numbers mean that you can only afford to have one such player in any squad otherwise you will struggle in the EPL. However, we also have Siggy, Delph and Gomes, not forgetting our Brazilian fart in a bottle Bernard.

Add into the mix Richarlison's collapse in form and Iwobi and any team would struggle big style. Who the f**k scouted Iwobi? Was it Stevie Wonder and Alex's mam? There's not even the qualities expected of a League 2 player in him.

We could have got Maddison for less than half the money spent on Sigurdsson - a number of posters on TW were keen for us to sign him before Leicester made their move.

We need 10 more Godfreys - young ambitious players who want to play for Everton and not just pick up a fat wad every week. Adding more ageing sick notes whose clubs are desperate to offload them is just pouring petrol onto the flames of squad apathy and indifference slowly burning our once great club to ashes.

Was watching on hesgoal, only got a glimpse of them in the tunnel, took a while to work out that it was Everton. Your observations doing surprise me. Only noticed Richarlison as they lined up, none of them looked enthusiastic. Like myself outside a Exam hall knowing that I could have prepared better.

I am sure Ancelotti did his job in the dressing room before they came out. The attitude and motivation must have been determined at Finch Farm during the time there since the Arsenal match. It lead to players being poorly prepared and it showed in their many of there faces prior to the match.

It is a theme of the modern game that even experienced Managers with clear tactics can find difficulty in consistently motivating their players. At Everton we see it happen often against lower League opposition, after a international break and after miletones such as beating Arsenal at the Emirates.

Maybe it is because many at Everton are comfortable as they are and have little interest in progressing. Many here think a cleanout of the Squad will changes this, even a new Manager. Most fans who have supported Everton over years know that it goes deeper than that and is not a quick solution. There have only been piecemeal attempts to change, but decisions are still being made to maintain the comfortable status quo.

The enduring feature of EFC is that we expect a quick fix. We kid ourselves every time - even AVFC have built from the basics, have a system and only play those who have pride. We have absolutely none of that.

A lot of the training seen on film shows Dunc in the mix but I wonder if it's mostly Ancelotti Jr.'s baby now.

Talking of training/coaching, watch again the first Villa goal when Holgate lost the ball. Happens quickly in real time and we have the benefit of hindsight and replays etc. Holgate's fault, but watch Gomes.

He isn't Mike Walker. We aren't getting relegated this season. We aren't the worst team in the Premier League.

Hyperthetical question: If Ancelotti gets the sack or walks away from the job tomorrow and Pep Guardiola is appointed, how long do you think it would take Pep to turn us into a Europa League team, then a Champions League team, then title winners?

Would patience run out after 18 months because we would still have Allan, Gomes, Mina, Bernard, etc etc?

Could it not be put down to a decision taken after consideration?

It is not blind faith. It's the reality that a Experienced and Tested Manager does not change a deep seated Culture that produces poor motivation and work rate, just as up and coming Managers where not in the past and maybe even added to the problem.

What this tells use is that no matter who the Manager is they will have the same problem with this unchanging Culture. My worry is that Brands has become a part of this Culture and the sustaining off it.

IMO changing the Manager will not make one iota of difference. This time next season we would have this very same thread.

The only chance is that Ancelotti manages to get Everton into the European Conference League at least, which means that Everton would have extra games right into the second half if next season. This would break the routine of a easy second half of the season where in the past as this season Finch Farm with less games seems to go down a gear in preparation. Of course all involved are getting there wages, which few of them are worth as we can testify for years, in the second half of successive seasons.

Finishing in the Top 4 is the ultimate goal, but to stay there a team has to be able to aleast be able to play in two or more competitions. The next thing that will happen is a Everton player will be wheeled out to say it has being a long and exhausting season for players. Give me a break you have really only been in one competition you lazy pack of @#%&+*.

Ancelotti is trying to get into European to introduce new dynamics into Everton and break the existing Culture of poor motivation and work rate mould. The Extra money of a higher League position and Europe would really help Ancelotti.

Of course there is resistance to this change in dynamic, because it gives more power to the Manager and will result in bigger demands and work for the same wages for those involved. They do not want to get into Europe. How many times have there been reports of wanting to get into Europe from anyone else other than Ancelotti? None.

Success in any walk of life comes with hard work. You only get out what you put in. No, we are not going to win every game but what I want to say to my fellow fan is "We couldn't have worked any harder!" "Ability beat us – not workrate!"

The manager needs to look at himself and his coaching staff and reflect on the messages they send out to the players. This is not the first time Carlo has questioned the workrate of his team. If certain players don't feel motivated at this club, then move on. Top teams win with hard work first. Get this right and we will have the foundation to build on!

Add that to Richies loss of form and we can see where our problems are.

We do not have the quality of players that Chelsea, the RS and Spurs have let alone Arsenal who are having an even worse season than us.

All those people wanting Carlo gone are not being realistic.

Let’s get the squad overhauled and then see how we go.

I know how frustrating we are now but the answers are in the transfer market not the squad.

Managers who have genuinely punched above their spending power are fairly few and far between. Pochettino, Moyes, Rodgers and a few others. Dyche is doing it now season after season.

What most good managers do is finish at or around the level of investment (transfers and wage bill). Managers get sacked when they fall below that level. Not many managers propel teams up the table beyond their level of investment, beating of teams with much more expensive squads in the process.

But every player should at least play with heart and be able to pass to a team mate? Yes, but in truth you could say the same thing to Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham etc. Unfortunately players with heart who can find a forward pass are a rare commodity who soon get bought by richer clubs.

But we pay Ancelotti a fortune, we can expect more? Yes, but if Newcastle got in Mourinho now and gave him £15m a season without investing more than about £60m into the squad where will they finish?

I think there are different ways to approach squad building than accept it is solely about money. That involves a different way of going about things to most other clubs. Something along the lines of what Leicester are doing - and Leipzig too.

For those who disagree, that's fine, but what those people are really saying is that it can't be done. Without proper money we've got the same glass ceiling we had when Moyes was here.

Perhaps Carlo secretly knows Europa Conference League football would stretch this squad even further, so is happy to swerve it. I hope he is giving Gomes, Delph and even Sigurdsson some game time merely to convince some sap to buy them. If not, the manager has no idea.

Perhaps his years away from the Premier League have resulted in him thinking Delph is still the steady player for Aston Villa or the Mancs. Davies should have started, and not to bring him on was incredible.
Big Dunc is sat there like a lemon, he must be as frustrated as the rest of us. Is he actually learning anything from the great one?

Nothing will happen regarding Carlo. The club will see 8th as decent and we shall have to hope for some inspired signings. If we see more Euro has-beens rolling-up for easy money, then we are fucked. Can Brands find some hungry young lads willing to sweat blood?

He’s had one full season, one real transfer window. He needs another to shift the balance away from the past.

In his favour are the away wins, and the league position is still, even now, an unlikely platform to achieve a top six finish.

To his detriment this is the worst non-football I have seen Everton play for 40 years, since some dirty nights in the very early eighties, when I trudged to the match not to expect a win but just to support, with hope of a better future.

The scales of opinion are now in equilibrium. There’s totally valid arguments both ways.

I am still coming down on the side of trust for him to get it right, helped with this summer’s watershed of a window.

The reasons are the players that Carlo and Brands brought in last Summer. Doucoure, Allan, Godfrey and Rodriguez. A better class of player.

This next window with the Brands influence of bringing in three or four younger more “Godfrey type “ to the essential positions of right sided forward, attacking dynamic midfielder (2) and a right back. This can change things.

Then I think that this team will be truly forged in Carlo Ancelotti’s name.

Then he can reap the glory or suffer the consequences of his decisions and managerial contribution.

I am praying it’s the former.

Tom Davies has been left out and overlooked, despite consistently being one of our best performers when recently selected to start, and replaced by those whose recent performances have not been up to par or proven. The very obvious contradiction and inconsistency is of note and of concern and I would love to hear an explanation.

It does appear to call into question what many of us would judge as effective management.

Twenty six years without a trophy, four managers in the last five seasons, a disastrous recruitment policy when we came into some money, a club that had basically lost its way.

I know we are talking about the first team, but the bigger picture must surely come into view here. Players getting big and long contracts at cost little Everton, and once something becomes to cosy, it definitely takes time to change things around, especially in this modern game where the players have all the power.

I was reading that Everton intend to start fast-tracking the younger players now, and again although it’s below the first team, it’s hopefully the beginning of getting rid of the comfort zone that exists at finch-farm.

The manager has his faults, but his biggest asset appears to be his calmness, and that’s what’s needed right now.

The players looked unmotivated before the game? We had just had to replace Rodriguez, with Iwobi, and everyone can see that Alex Iwobi, has got very little heart, desire, belief or motivation, and never seems relaxed in possession of the football, so basically a player just going through the motions? (So why fucking play him then? I agree!)

If there is any truth that Ancelotti (Jnr) is indeed doing most of the coaching, then it is a very expensive apprenticeship, paid for by Everton through Mr Moshiri.

I wouldn't have thought it likely except for the fact that very strange things have happened in the last few years at Finch Farm... and it is Everton, isn't it!!

In today's world, it's unusual for managers to stay in jobs for a few years so for Carlo to hope be at the new stadium as manager is maybe pushing his luck, but could see him there in some capacity.

Carlo is either good enough or not, time will tell.

The days of "building" teams over several seasons are long gone I just don't get how people keep ignoring the evidence of clubs everywhere operating this way. The elite teams do it more than any even though they appoint from the upper echelon.

And fans proffering names to succeed is a parlour game a pointless exercise having no bearing on the performance of the present incumbent. What we can say is what we feel is necessary which, in my opinion, is a street savvy motivator who can inspire the ordinary to be extraordinary and be courageous.

But the likelihood is that man is presently an unknown as per Wenger pre Arsenal. One can only hope Brands is secretly scouring the planet for him.

CA will get this summer but I am reconciled to the idea he lacks the urgency and understanding of what MUST be done.

I agree. Every poster who refuses to name their choice of new manager have no problem at all with offering names of who our new forward, midfielder or defender should be. What is the difference?

That's simply not true. Most just say the player isn't up to it, with proposed alternatives seldom figuring in the same sentence.

He loves playing for his country, so if he’s denied the chance to represent them this summer, we will probably have a very unhappy player, but this summer is also very important for Everton, so maybe something might give?

People offer opinion on players they like us to buy which is a completely different idea to saying criticism of Davies, Gomes, Siggy, Pickford, Keane, Mina, Richarlison, DCL etc MUST come with a proposed alternative. Which was your actual point.

You would benefit from understanding REAL football opinion just doesn't work that way

By the same token the idea that critique of CA has to come with a named alternative is equally mindless. In fact it appears a shithouse diversion from the desperate to subvert criticism of our illustrious eye brow raiser.

I assume you mean Richie. I actually share the sentiment. But when I think about it, I'm not really sure who we'd slot in and how, given the shallowness of our squad.

On a related point, a couple of times Richie was head down advancing towards goal against Villa (and in other games), with his path blocked by one or two defenders, and didn't see, or ignored, the opportunity to play in a team-mate out wide in more space. The ability to see the wider picture as well as what's at your feet and immediately in front of you is what seems to separate James from Richie - the number of times James releases a deft short pass or a longer raking pass, while under pressure and having only just received the ball, is really impressive.

Pace isn't always in the feet. Always nice to have a combination of both in a team and squad.

I tend to agree. He's been out of sorts, kind of hit and miss but with the squad we have now, I don't see us not starting if Richarlison is fit. What options are there?

Centre back (Koulibaly), Right Back (Aarons seems a popular choice), Attacking Midfielder (Sabitzer please) and forward. On the latter, do we give Kean another go?

I think that's a wonderful expression of it, Danny - slowing the game down in your own mind.

To date, Richarlison is frustratingly inconsistent, so he is proving to be a good player, but not a great one.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

And I think this one has been his "least best", Dave. Including his disciplinary record – he's had fewer yellows!

Delighted you abandoned your ill-considered bluster it really was indefensible nonsense even allowing for your notorious issues. But if you need further help with basic reason, please don't hesitate.

Darren 106

Many thanks.

Spurs will appoint Benitez when this season is over.

If you are owned by Dubai, you can afford to buy 11 top names and 11 squad players while paying top dollar to bring in the #1 coach to bring you trophies. While you are a billionaire with limited cash in the pocket, you need to do things differently.

You need to pick a manager who enthuses your players and knows how to get them to do what you want. You need to bring in mid-priced players who your coaches can work on to bring out that extra bit of performance from to turn them into stars.

Moshiri has no strategy, like Kenwright, he is the 10-year-old fan who wants Messi and Neymar and M'Bappe but doesn't think about balance and team spirit and supporting players and then finds himself with a crap squad with some big names and limited abilities to pass to each other or move the ball quicker than old Granny pace.

How I long to see Southall to Reid to Stevens to Gray to back of the net agai; instead, I get Pickford to Keane to Mina to Gomes to Digne to Gomes, to Keane to Mina ad infinitum.

Anyone just seen Sam Allardyce making a sub in the first half when he saw his shape wasn't working. Our genius sat on his hands and did fuck all for an hour. I don't even care if they just conceded. He tried!!

We have no other choice but to stick with him... but he has chosen to write off this season because he has wanted to try a different formation every single fucking week.

During the game time forums we always see posters picking on the same players. Delph? He played quite well, settled us down a bit but it was too late. We should be controlling the game from the off and it's impossible without a style and formation to build the play around. The only player I will pick out is Iwobi.

I'm done with this season, just like our manager has been. We needed to win at all costs, no matter what. He has had all year to fix this. It's like winning the lottery getting these manager positions in the Premier League. I could do a better job.

If a manager is judged as not up to it, there is no mitigation other than to sack him and hire a replacement. Hence why Thomas always demands the name of a better replacment for Ancelotti when posters on here advocate firing him. Of course, the real reason why these posters are reticent to offer a name is that their candidates would be met with derision.

My respectful suggestion is that you lhink with more clarity before you post.

Europe next season. . . . . Very unlikely, and honestly, I don't think it will be missed. I would rather have a season focussed on the League and Cups with more growth and build-up to be in parallel with Bramley Moor Dock :-

G'KEEPER:Pickford - He has turned a corner and should go from strength to strength. Olsen + Virginia all OK.
R'WING BACK: New face likely. Does anyone know how Jonjoe has fared performance-wise lately?
C'BACKS: Mix and match from the existing crew, plus Koulinally?
L'WING BACK: Digne
MIDFIELD: Allan, Docoure, Davies, Siggy?, James + Another?
ATTACK: DCL, Richy, + Another.. . . . . . ? and Kean back in the fold would be interesting but that ship might have sailed. . . . .
SUBS? We should look out for a utility player (Remember Sandy Brown. . . !)

The above plus more inputs from the Finch Farm lads and I think we will see a new season with departures being as important as new faces.

I suspect Carlo's quiet approach is a smokescreen for a very thoughtful approach to man-management. He may see more urgency, more new faces, and departures than I have suggested.

That is the best 'spin' I can put on an awful season.

PS: Hats off to Moyes. Got to admit he has had a great season with West Ham and next week will be a very interesting game to see exactly where both clubs are going, at least in the short term. . . .

I

He's on the wind up.
The masters apprentice.

"If a manager is judged as not up to it, there is no mitigation other than to sack him and hire a replacement. Hence why Thomas always demands the name of a better replacment"

The latter part of your post has no bearing on the first. If the incumbent is not up to it naming a successor makes not a shred of difference to the fact and people are allowed to say as much. This isn't North Korea.

" the real reason why these posters are reticent to offer a name is that their candidates would be met with derision."

You hang yourself with your own petard. Of course this is a consideration those so pained by their inability to put up argument for the incumbent will vent against someone giving factual criticism because that's just the way they are.

"Clarity"is important but does not supplant reasoned thinking which leads me to respectively suggest you read your musings several times before hitting the "enter" key. You really did nail yourself here - better luck next time.

My petard is probably just about long enough to accomplish that,"You hang yourself with your own petard."

My petard is probably just about long enough to accomplish that,,,1,18:08:17,,213.205.242.65,ok,23848,05/04/2021 18:08:17,Tomrichards2@outlook.com,reader,,,no 1152562,40750,toffeeweb,04/05/2021,Brian Murray,Br.murray5466@yahoo.com,Ian Post 575. I’m sick of us always ending like Becky after the Gatlin boys got what they wanted ! Usually well and truly rodgered ! ,Ian Post 575. I’m sick of us always ending like Becky after the Gatlin boys got what they wanted ! Usually well and truly rodgered ! ,,,1,18:26:14,,77.103.154.139,ok,17916,05/04/2021 18:26:14,Waltonsfinest,reader,,,no 1152563,40752,toffeeweb,04/05/2021,Matthew Williams,mw8797826@gmail.com,"The clues were there, folks... Our genius Gaffer admitted that he'd never heard of Ben Godfrey???

I still remember last season's 1-0 away win at Norwich,Godfrey played in it for the Canaries!!!.

27 back passes to Pickford in that game... I wonder if that's a Premier League record?.

Laugh out loud funny on several levels.

Mathew

Not strictly true....I heard Carlo was confident that he would have been able to pick Godfrey out in a police line up...All he would have need was 2-3 guesses

,"Of course the real reason posters are reticent to offer a name is that their candidate would be met with derision"

Laugh out loud funny on several levels

,,,1,19:00:34,,2.216.171.221,ok,13643,05/04/2021 19:00:34,dashin@cheerful.com,reader,,,no 1152568,40750,toffeeweb,04/05/2021,Danny O’Neill,dannyefc26@gmail.com,"We've been talking about that hole in the middle since October Tony, so how the manager doesn't know it is there is beyond me.

The lack of use of King is equally odd. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a big advocate of bringing him in, but having done so and then not to use him is strange.

What if Mosh says to Carlo...there's no more dosh for transfers, improve what you have,after all your supposed to be a world class manager.

Earn your fucking wages!.

I hope they have got the first four right mate

I get that people don't like or want Ancelotti anywhere near the club. Too old, last big pay day, can't manage average players, dinosaur tactics, busted flush is my favourite.

Is 18 months the correct amount of time to say without doubt that he should go?

if for arguments sake we sacked him tomorrow and took a gamble on the next Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson do you reasonably think that 18 months is enough for a new manager to weave his magic whilst still managing Gomes, Iwobi, Davies, Sigurdsson, Kean, Keane, Bernard, Holdgate.

Give that one a miss.
He will be on a zimmer frame next year

Rob #137,He'd probably still waste it on foreign has-beens or crocks... although Tony at Brentford looks very promising.

I get all the concerns but not long ago we gave Moyes 11 years without a sniff of winning at Spurs, Arsenal and the shite nevermind a trophy.

I do think 18 months is too soon. If we where in the bottom 3 Moshiri will give him the boot. Regardless of how bad the football has been at times. I do see improvement especially in resolve and pragmatism.

Unique circumstances during the Moyes years it was the only era in our history when existence supplanted ambition so he got away with a decade that averaged 7th to 8th without ever challenging in any meaningful way. Once Martinez shook the old lady to the core and the memory was jolted there was no turning back just a shame Mosh arrived too late to properly fund his first season revolution

No manager will enjoy the excuse fest that allowed Moyes the freedom of merely staying in the division at this club again. It's why CA is presently being questioned

We aren't entitled to win stuff. We have fallen so far behind the top clubs in spending, paying wages and competing.

The money Moshiri has ploughed in is a drop in the ocean compared to Chelsea and City. If Moshiri wants to seriously compete we would have broken our transfer record year on year. We bought Sigurdsson for 45m 3 years ago. City buy substitute full backs for 50m. That is the size of the job Ancelotti has.

Trust me, on TW you're a one-off, thankfully.

I think Carlo is entitled to expect Brands to boost the squad with a better standard of player in the summer.we have to be patient.

Don Alexander

Nice to see your obsession is still more important to you than football chat. No wonder he mocks you.

I look at your malicious attacks on junior coaches who's roles you cant begin to explain and ask myself is there anyone more vindictive poster on this site.

I don't think so.

This squad will win diddly squat.

It’s the chicken and the egg question that Neil, some players are obviously not good enough, but the hole in the middle of the pitch is that big sometimes, and that is very worrying at “any level” of football, and definitely not acceptable at professional level.

Is Carlo exempt from criticism absolutely not, I think he chops and changes the team and the formation too often, as many have said he has taken over a poor squad of players and has brought in better players in Allan, Doucoure, James and Godfrey. I think its quite obvious he didnt want King and this is the problem when you appoint a DOF, the question is who buys the players. So I hope that when this summers transfer window opens then its Carlo who has to select who we buy. I think I would only be upset if Godfrey left but as for the rest I think there are very few I would genuinely miss seeing in a blue shirt.

As for the other one, he is like the dog hanging round round the dinner table trying to be noticed. But no-one pays any attention anymore no matter how often he yaps.