Fans left aghast as Everton end Deadline Day empty-handed

31/01/2023 892comments  |  Jump to last

It was billed by many Everton fans as potentially the most important transfer window in the club’s history but the club exits January weaker than before having sold Anthony Gordon and failed to make a single signing while the teams struggling with them in the lower reaches off the Premier League table all strengthened their squads.

When the deadline passed this evening, the Blues were the only club in the top flight not to sign at least one player since the turn of the year, a staggering failing that leaves new manager Sean Dyche desperately short of creativity in the wide areas and goalscoring threat up front.

Only Wolves have scored fewer goals than Everton this season but Dyche will have to engineer them from places that his predecessor Frank Lampard could not and he will have to do it without the club’s joint-top scorer, Anthony Gordon, who, like Richarlison before him, was sold without being replaced.

The day began with news from late the previous night that both Everton and fellow strugglers Southampton had has a £22m offer accepted by Stade Rennais for winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, with the player left to make a decision over which club to join.

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The Ghanaian opted for St Mary's, however, dealing a blow to the Toffees' hopes of making their first signing of the window.

The Mail also claimed that Everton are in talks with another Ghanaian in the form of Andre Ayew, who has just had his contract terminated with Al Sadd in Qatar. The story linking the 33-year-old former West Ham and Swansea forward to Goodison briefly grew legs in the evening but any talks were denied by Everton to Sky Sports.

Ayew, who featured for the Black Stars in the 2022 World Cup and scored in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal could still sign for the club after the deadline due to the fact that he is a free agent.

The club were also linked with Genk striker Paul Onuachu but he too went to Southampton while Coventry City completely ruled out selling Viktor Györkeres before the deadline. Reported interest in Union Berlin attacker Sheraldo Becker, Udinese striker Beto, Fenerbahce’s Michy Batshuayi, Reading’s Portuguese-born centre-forward Lucas Joao all came to nothing with their clubs or the players themselves rejecting the Blues’ advances.

After Nicolò Zaniolo's loan move to Bournemouth fell through, Leeds and Everton were said by Italian sources to have entered a race to sign the winger while a very late rumour had it that the Blues were trying to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace. A loan offer with an obligation to buy for Watford's Ismaila Sarr was knocked back and there was even a report from Italy saying that Olivier Giroud had rejected a chance to return to England with the Toffees.

Anthony Elanga, whose rumoured switch to Borussia Dortmund never materialised, with Erik Ten Hag not keen for his player to move to Goodison Park on loan and Everton’s interest in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Southampton's Che Adams was swiftly slapped down.

In terms of outgoings, U21s defender Joe Anderson completed a permanent switch to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and while there was an agreement in place for Reece Welch to join MK Dons on loan until the end of the season, that move fell through.

A report that PSV Eindhoven had lodged a £15m offer to sign Jarrad Branthwaite on a permanent basis was quickly quashed by Dutch sources.

 

Reader Comments (892)

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Jeff Armstrong
5 Posted 31/01/2023 at 05:45:25
Ayew??? We get rid of Rondon and possibly go for Ayew!!!

Unbelievable, surely Thelwell is not that daft, media shite stirred up by desperate agents.

Derek Knox
6 Posted 31/01/2023 at 06:27:13
Jeff, hopefully gossip by journos and those vulture people (agents) a disservice to vultures as they do what they do to survive not for pure greed.

Worryingly also, apart from leaving everything to the last minute again, those we are allegedly after, are preferring, or going, to Southampton, who are below us in the table. :-)

Jack Convery
8 Posted 31/01/2023 at 06:46:28
EFC need to tread very carefully over Kamaldeen Sulemana. His injury record last season was awful – back injury – were have we heard that before. He also very rarely plays 90 minutes.

His goals-per-game ratio isn't that great either. His club will expect £20M plus. Too much in my opinion, given that back injury. Plays left-wing or right-wing.

22-23:- 20 appearances. Completed 90 minutes once. Goals 1, assists 2. Missed 4 games through injury.

21-22:- 28 appearances. Completed 90 minutes once. Goals 5, assists 3. Missed 13 games with back injury.

Paul Onuachu, centre-forward:

22-23:- 22 games 17 goals. Missed 2 games due to injury.

21-22:- played 43 games, 23 goals and 2 assists. Missed 2 games due to injury.

Paul Hewitt
9 Posted 31/01/2023 at 06:56:19
I don't expect Everton to spend any of the money they got for Gordon. Maybe a loan, but that's it.
Derek Knox
10 Posted 31/01/2023 at 06:56:27
Jack @ 8,

One thing you have to give Moyes credit for in his time with us over transfer targets, he would research the likelihood of injuries, how players performed on and off the pitch etc.

Granted, money was a lot tighter then, and okay the odd one would slip through but the teatment room wasn't like Sauchiehall Street on a Saturday morning.

Let's hope it is a 'Ginger Trait' to be carried on.

Colin Glassar
11 Posted 31/01/2023 at 06:58:14
I doubt we will get anyone of significance today. I get the feeling that those in charge have either accepted the idea of relegation or just don’t care anymore.
John Bourne
12 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:00:39
The only signing I am interested in is Viktor Györkeres, our goal scoring record is appalling, just buy him!

If the reports are accurate regarding the training intensity employed by Sean Dyche then we will need another striker surely?

A creative midfielder would be nice, but I won't hold my breath.

Dogs of War will do for me.

Jim Bennings
13 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:00:57
Déjà vu from the August Deadline Day again probably.

Linked with strikers but fail to land any.

How on earth can we have left this glaring gap until the final day again???

Sean Roe
14 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:02:09
Just reading we are in for an 26-year-old Italian lad on a free transfer, Salomoni Rondonoli on a 4-year contract.

He looks slightly like a striker we used to have but it's definitely not him as this guy has a slightly bigger nose, a moustache and glasses.

John Bourne
15 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:02:45
Colin @ 11

I hope your'e wrong, but that thought had also crossed my mind.

Fingers crossed eh?

Alex Gray
16 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:08:44
I was honestly joking about Andre Ayew yesterday...

Christ Almighty, Everton!

Tony Everan
17 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:11:56
It's like the actual TV drama “24” today. Starring Kevin Thelwell as Jack Bauer in a mission to save us from the financial Armageddon of relegation.

Unless he can get two players in who can score or create goals, we are effectively blindfolded, tied to a post and await the final deadly report.

No amount of ‘sweat on the shirt' can disguise the fact.

Jim Bennings
18 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:12:22
Everton close to double swoop for Jason Koumas and Sean Davis.

They want to check if they still have Sean Davis's medical records from 2003 before proceeding.

Chris Donnelly
19 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:24:31
Jack @ 8, great research!!

Maybe you should be apply for Thelwell's job!!! Can't do any worse. As a director of football, he should have had all this done before the start of January. It's not brain surgery!!!

We got told that there was money to spend, how much nobody knows, but due diligence and targets should have been done prior to this window. We have had 4 games this month, and we should have had 6-9 points, but due to the inept management, we have ended up with zero.

This is a cut throat business, and missing a beat on every occasion for the past how many years has made us look desperate, and we have always ended up with bargain basement expensive flops.

When will this ever stop??? Everyone sees Bill mince along, and they rub their hands together and think it's Brucie Bonus Time. In all we do as a club we are a laughing stock.

Good luck to all Evertonians for the next 5 months, that is the only thing we have left, and as shown by VAR we only have bad luck, or is it a conspiracy against us by the Premier League and the officials.

If we don't sign a mobile strong striker and a winger that can supply for the striker we are doomed.

Can't mincer Bill go and see his bezzie mate from Spurs and ask if we can borrow Richarlison back?

Laszlo Balazs
20 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:24:48
Bring in Viktor Gyökeres! He's got all the skills a good striker needs and I believe he can meet Premier League expectations. Also, we will get all the media attention from both Sweden and Hungary. :)
Chris Donnelly
21 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:28:12
Get Gabigol in from Brazil he is a monster and scores goals for fun!!!

Sure he would love the riches he can get for playing for Everton!!!!

Ian Hollingworth
22 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:31:39
So here we are again, the same incompetent fools running the club following the same transfer policy of desperate hope.

It amazes me that some people still think there shouldn't be protests against these idiots.

They have ruined our club and unless they are removed they will do further damage.

Marc Hints
23 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:31:59
Also rumours doing the rounds on Twitter that the Gordon money is not available.
Colin Glassar
24 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:42:10
Is this the proof that absolutely no work has been put in since the summer regarding transfers? Months to line up targets (DoF's job, not the manager's), agree on budgets, talk to clubs and agents etc… but no, we wait until the final day and the mad scramble begins.

This club has not only lost its direction but it's become totally shameless. Sack the fucking lot of them Moshiri then sack yourself.

Marc Hints
25 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:47:30
Colin #24,

Couldn't agree more, all the teams around us have added one or two players to help the team, we have had all month to sort out signings. what does DoF, Kenwright do leading up to January, as you said they should have the targets, agents ready.

Kunal Desai
26 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:49:03
I will maintain my stance in that no-one is coming in. At the very least, it might be a cheap loan in the mould of Andre Ayew or Josh King, someone in the Rondon backup mould.

What a club, eh!

Marc Hints
27 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:49:58
We get rid of Rondon and now on Twitter with various sources we are talking to Andre Ayew, 33 years of age. If this is what we have done our homework for, then we are desperate and skint.
Marc Hints
28 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:51:34
Even if we put bids in now what team is going to let a player go on transfer deadline when they can't get anyone in.
Eddie Dunn
29 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:52:14
The narrative on our esteemed BBC is about us being a "broken" club. The image is one of wasteful spending by incompetent owners, fan unrest and a toxic atmosphere in which players and board members are afraid for their safety.

Now, with such a backdrop, the club have to entice players to our club, which is in the mire at the bottom, with a coach who will make payers sweat.

This week, I have seen little headlines with comments from various ex-redshite players. Souness and Carragher being two of them. These guys just love it when we are struggling.

I suppose it is a pleasant escape from their own club's underachievement. However, these lazy bits of journalism do nothing to help us get in our transfer targets. It's like a conspiracy to make us fail.

Forgetting the wasted millions, if the club had simply looked at the team and results before the World Cup and sacked Lampard (as most other clubs would have done after such a poor record), then the new guy could have been appointed and given 5 or 6 weeks with most of the squad.

I think they decided not to sack him then because they had arranged the Australia jolly and some of them probably wanted to go to some World Cup games.

The scenario of a new manager having one day to bring in our saviours is ridiculous, but the club have done this before. Apart from the Coventry lad, who might be desperate for a Premier League move, who would come here? I think a loan is all we will get.

By the way, Lewis Dobbin showed more than Rondon, Maupay and Calvert-Lewin have done in months, in half an hour last night for Derby County.

Chris Donnelly
30 Posted 31/01/2023 at 07:55:08
Make Onana the chairman!!! He is the only admirable person!! He has rejected all advances on him, even has the chance to join Arsenal, but wants to stay and fight!!!

Hope he is the catalyst to getting the rest of the money grabbing players on board. Get rid of limp wrist Keane to Southampton, it would help them get relegated.

A few Dyche rockets need to be put up a few arses this week!!! Fingers crossed!!!

Mick O'Malley
31 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:10:33
Honestly, if the rumours about talking to Andre Ayew are true, we deserve to go down, he is absolutely garbage.

We struggle to create and score so Ayew should fit right in. Honestly, it's embarrassing to be linked with such bang-average players. We have got to find some creativity and goals from somewhere.

Come on, Blues, surprise us and get someone through the door, for fuck's sake!

Garry Martin
32 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:20:05
Another deadline passes and EFC demonstrate their typical amateur and pathetic approach to give themselves a fighting chance in order to stay in the Premier League.

Can't help thinking this time though, that the board have resigned themselves to a relegation scenario. The EFC board are an absolute shambles!

Tony Abrahams
33 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:23:58
A very big 15 hours and 40 minutes in the history of Everton Football Club is coming up right now. The best thing to do would be to switch off until tomorrow morning but I can't see many Evertonians being able to do this.

Robert Tressell
34 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:24:37
£22M is a hefty fee for Sulemana.

Brighton paid £8M for each of Adingra and Sima, both raw but talented West African forwards. Sulemana is a very similar profile.

I can only assume, like Onana and McNeil, the deal is structured so we don't pay up front.

It might be more boring but better to go for someone like Willock from QPR who is out of contract in summer.

Steve Shave
35 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:36:17
Trying to remain calm and ignore the Ayew rumour. That might well push me over the edge! The little optimist tells me that at least Mills and Simms will get minutes but it's not really helping.

The Gallagher rumour stinks of a Kenwright publicity leak. It does seem that the market is quite fluid right now so we will see but the lad from Chelsea won't be coming.

John Hall
36 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:40:21
Definition of a shit show: "something (such as an event or a situation) that is chaotic, contentious, or unpleasant to an excessive or absurd degree".

Pretty much sums up the circus that we have become. Even Spit the Dog and a few other RS dinosaur's commenting in the papers over the plight of our club.

Panic mode really has set in now with nobody of any stature willing to take a chance on joining so we can expect the usual last-minute loan signing(s) to join the deadwood we already have.

Why announce a new manager 48 hours before the transfer deadline? Smoke and mirrors as per usual with an empty piss pot. I would hazard a guess that the late announcement was planned so we await the real reasons. I am sure the dumb cunt in charge already has his stories well rehearsed.

Dyche was desperately looking for work and I was one who recently called for his appointment just a few weeks back but no doubt was obviously stalling on signing his non-disclosure agreement before finally accepting the job.

Let's hope that the fan reliance is rewarded. I recently attended a game which is probably my last ever visit to Goodison and was amazed at the incredible fanaticism and support shown by the faithful. Pity the morons running the show have very little appreciation for their efforts.

Hope that "Billy Liar" stays away for the rest of the games due to his safety concerns along with the other three stooges who kiss his ass every day.

I live in hope and at 68 years pray that we are not relegated.

COYB

Michael Lynch
37 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:41:10
Like most, I'm thoroughly pissed off about all this. Why leave it so late? Clearly we will end up paying over the odds for the last turkey in the shop?

Dyche made a point of saying that the most important players are the ones we already have. He's right of course. Even if we bring in one great new player, there's always a chance he'll pick up an injury, so it's up to the lot that are already here to get us out of this mess.

This window, at this stage, doesn't have the importance a lot of people are attaching to it, in my opinion.

Craig Walker
38 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:47:40
Maybe we can bring in a Josh King, Eliaquim Mangala or even a Lacina Traore loan before the window shuts? Fingers crossed.
Pete Williams
39 Posted 31/01/2023 at 08:48:17
I bet all Thelwell's targets have said "No way, not them, get me anywhere else."

We are the dead man walking of the Premier League. No-one will want to come here except on loan or if there are no other clubs in for them, like Ayew. e need to look at bench warmers like Loftus-Cheek, Ryan Fraser or Iheanacho. Otherwise, I think we'll get no-one in, even loans.

Dyche would be tearing his hair out if he had any. Maybe he's now thinking oh crap, they are as bad as everyone said.

Bill Fairfield
40 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:02:32
What a club. It really is out there on its own for utter incompetence.
Tony Everan
41 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:11:53

£22 m fee reportedly agreed for Sulemana. It’s a huge fee for someone who is firmly the potential bracket.

Also it’s a massive ask for him to come into the furnace of a Premier League relegation battle and produce goals and assists from the off. Our scouts and DoF must be very positive about his ability to deliver straight away.

I hope they are right, they need to be. Thelwell nearly pulled off the coup of the summer with Kudus but he’s older and more experienced, so has he seen something similar in this boy ?

My tentative bet is we sign Sulemana, and pay another big fee and sign Gyokeres. A loan deal will surface later too for a midfielder.

Probably wrong on all accounts but please, please not Ayew , surely that a red herring so whoever we get we say ,’ at least it’s not Ayew!’

Benjamin Dyke
42 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:11:59
Bill's too busy answering the phone to people wanting to ask him 'How we do it' to get involved in transfers
Pat Kelly
43 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:17:28
Let's hope Kenwright has an adequate supply of shiny fax paper so we can do this proper.
Joe McMahon
44 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:24:33
Guys, it's absolutely shocking, disgraceful and embarrassing for Everton Football club to become an irrelevant joke of a club. But then again we have the Kenwright quotes, so why am I concerned!

What would Everton do

Why is Moyes being mentioned on this thread? He left 10 years ago and is currently in a relegation battle with a much better squad than Everton!

Brent Stephens
46 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:32:00
OK, Kenwright shit, DBB shit, Moshiri shit, Everton shit, farce of a club. Now I guess I don't need to repeat that ad nauseum today, do I? Every day?

Gallagher I would have liked, but not for £40m odd.

Oliver Molloy
47 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:37:33
Yeah, there is absolutely no doubt we are the last club anyone wants to sign for, even if they are desperate.
A real danger money will be wasted once again.
We need players who will make us better, for me I would rather we stick what we have other than make signings that we know fuck all about.
With respect to Sean Dyche, he isn't going to attract the likes of Gallagher but the real problem is, Everton, the owner and board have set the club back years and we are now seen as a club to steer clear of.
It's a fucking real mess.
Peter Carpenter
48 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:39:13
Should have got Vincent Aboubakar but he joined Besiktas last week.
Dermot O'Brien
49 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:40:56
Yes Brent, the situation is frustrating and it easy to get sucked in to negativity and bloodletting about the board. Here's to a few good signings and Dyche getting a tune out the current players.
Happy thoughts.
Sam Hoare
50 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:49:15
Leicester have bought in an interesting youngster from the US and Souttar from Stoke already this morning.

I wonder why we always seem to be scrabbling about at last minute. Is it poor preparation? Or more likely a belief from someone in the club (Kenwright?) that this is the best time to strike good deals (with clubs who are desperate to shift deadwood or need the money). It's a tried philosophy that has not worked out well so I am somewhat despairing that we are here again.

Simon Crosbie
51 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:49:44
The damage inflicted on the club during this window occurred through not sacking Lampard earlier. The writing should have been on the wall for the board after the second loss to Bournemouth, or at least, after the defeat to Wolves in late December. Instead they waited for the fans to become activated and force the situation. Decisive action might have curbed the anger, might have given impetus to new signings, and might not have put prospective players off wanting to join the club. Instead it is a mad scramble on the last day - no medicals, just sign who you can and hope for the best.

The leadership of this club appears to display wilful inertia coupled with a tragic inability not to change old ways. Rather than considered long-term planning and a willingness to adapt to the changing landscape, we are exposed to an endless flow of makeshift decisions, made on the run. In the past Everton was a go-to club. Not anymore.

Brian Harrison
52 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:55:04
I guess its no coincidence that the players we are interested in are the same players the other bottom 5 clubs are interested in. Even clueless Lampard identified weeks ago we needed more strike power and yet no striker signed.

For to long this club has relied on DCL for goals and with his injuries of late and his poor form we are now paying the penalty. DCL was never that good and I am not blaming him he cost virtually nothing and he has scored some important goals for us, but for me he was the luckiest lad ever to get an England cap. So we are now just hours away from the window closing and the prospect of getting in a decent striker look remote. I don't care how good a manager Dyche maybe without other attacking options this club cant survive.

What is our DOF doing, oh he is giving Dyche the guided tour of Finch Farm. He allowed Danjuma to sign for Spurs despite passing a medical here. He has been here long enough to have brought in some attacking options and he hasn't. When we get rid of the owner and the incompetent board maybe Thelwell should also be part of the clear out. Moshiri decided very early into his ownership that we should have a DOF well that's worked out well.

James Marshall
53 Posted 31/01/2023 at 09:56:49
I can't help but think we'll sign nobody today, at best a loan for someone over the hill, and/or out of contract looking for a payday. We're the least attractive club in the entire Premier League right now - you have to also remember that any footballer these days will only know Everton as some middle of the table/lower table team in utter turmoil.

The older players out there are what, mid thirties? So even they won't remember 1995 and certainly not the 80's. Years of neglect and our obsession with our 'istory are finally coming home to roost. We're absolutely 100% the museum that Moshiri waffled on about.

Conor Gallagher? Hakim Ziyech? Give me a break!

James Marshall
54 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:06:08
Joe Anderson sold to Sunderland. Sell sell sell!
Barry Hesketh
55 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:07:45
Perhaps, the reason they didn't want to remove Lampard before Christmas is because the board knew that, even if they sold an asset – Anthony Gordon – the financial position wouldn't allow them to replenish the squad.

It could also explain why Dyche's official announcement was delayed until yesterday. They might be incompetent but they ain't stupid and they'll do almost anything to prevent criticism landing on their doorstep, including it would seem, gambling with our Premier League status.

We'll see, but I'll be amazed if there are any significant arrivals today.

Peter Carpenter
56 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:09:46
Nobody wants to join a Cult.
Ernie Baywood
57 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:11:33
C'mon Peter, he's an old man and certainly not deserving of that lang... Oh, "Cult".
Ernie Baywood
58 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:13:52
Simon, we sacked Benitez a week earlier. Doesn't seem to make much difference.

In fact I might even suggest that again delaying an appointment until the last day of the window might not be a coincidence.

Jim Bennings
59 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:29:43
I know he's had injuries but since January 2021 (exactly 2 years) how many goals had Calvert-Lewin actually scored?

This is what's wrong with Everton, we keep hearing about needing a backup to Calvert-Lewin, what about a replacement?

Simon Crosbie
60 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:35:15
Ernie, a disturbing and not inconceivable thought.
Kim Vivian
61 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:41:37
James Marshall makes a good point which of course most of us realise, but as he points out 90% of the players today, especially abroad, will not know Everton as anything other than a mid-table unit often struggling with results.

Since squandering Moshiri's riches, other than the potential to be playing in a spanking new stadium, we really are not a draw at all. I remain pretty pessimistic about today, and our prospects tbh, although I do see Dyche as maybe the best person available to achieve the near impossible and keep us up.

It is really pitiful being a Blue these days but I am fighting my corner!

Ray Smith
62 Posted 31/01/2023 at 10:49:38
Re Gyökeres:

I've just spoken to a lifelong season ticket holder Brighton fan, who says that Gyökeres is very good, who got away because he didn't want to wait for his chance at Brighton! He thinks they also have a buy-on clause in him.

My question is this, if he's that good, why did he end up at Coventry? No disrespect to Coventry. However, I don't know anything about the lad, but he has to be better than Maupay! So, if it happens, let's see.

Allen Rodgers
63 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:03:06
Dyche as good as said yesterday we weren't signing anyone. He referred to improving our existing players.
Christine Foster
64 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:11:18
Looks like the Gordon money went into the same brown paper bag as the Arteta money and stashed in the mattress...
Tony Abrahams
65 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:12:53
I think the whole football world would have watched some of the scenes before during and after some of our latter games last season. The football world knows Everton and I'm sure loads of players would love to play for our once great club.

They make me think? Did our board actually try and poison the fans through the media, when they told their despicable lies, because there's no money to spend? (Crazy, I know…)

Is Moshiri prepared to gamble on staying up, whilst trying to straighten up the books for whoever takes over? (Crazy I know…)

Anyone considering buying Everton would realize it's impossible because the club is in a real financial and sustainability pickle, so the quicker these inept self-preserving amateurs get out of our club, the better.

How can Everton go into the second half of the season without signing a couple of forward players when you think about the recent injury record of Calvert-Lewin, whilst also remembering that the two forward thinking players who carried the fight towards the end of last season are no longer with us? Sold for £100 million…

James Marshall
66 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:17:39
With respect, Tony, the line 'our once great club' is a large part of the reason we're so fucked nowadays. Relying on history does literally nothing for the future — just look at the dinosaurs running the circus.
Eddie Dunn
67 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:20:09
Bill Kenwright and his pathetic board in their panic to deflect criticism back onto the fans by inventing the seriousness of so-called threats, along with the very silly fan confrontations with players in cars, has managed to depict this place as somewhere to steer clear of.

Imagine the wives of potential players responding to the chance to move to the area, sitting in the posh seats at the match, driving home from the game.

"Oh no darling, I don't want to go anywhere near those people!"

It has halved our potential signings. Only single men will consider us, and even those will have their mums to contend with.

Bob Parrington
68 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:22:57
Everyone of us knows that we need to sign up 2 goal scorers regardless of this or that manager. So, why has this dysfunctional club not signed up even one player during this window.

OMG, what a bunch of wankers we have in charge of this club!!!!

Terry Downes
69 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:26:06
Well, at least Onana likes it here, he seems impressed with something at Goodison?
Bob Parrington
70 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:27:21
We're gazumped on every single player we go for, for fuck's sake. So what's wrong with our systems?

Steve Byles
72 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:29:24
I think people are being very unfair to the club about transfer inactivity. We are a toxic club in the media, heading for almost certain relegation.

What player would really want this for their future? They would feel ridiculed by team mates, and then the hassle of finding another new club in the summer.

Come on, be fair. The only way we get any business is short term loans or massively overpaying transfer fees and wages.

Bob Parrington
73 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:29:57
Even £3M for Dembele and he signs for Southampton!????
Barry Hesketh
74 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:31:45
With regards to that Southampton game and the late-in-the-day announcement of it being too dangerous for the board to attend, somebody on another Everton fansite posed the question, could it be that because the MSP people were in attendance that day, it was in fact they who were the real and present danger to Bill and his cohorts?

Therefore the events of that day would hardly have showed the club or its fans in a good light and might have been enough to put off the potential investors, or at the very least fear putting one of their people on the board.

A bit far-fetched perhaps, but we've seen Bill do similar crazy stuff in the past in order to keep his hand on the tiller.

Dave Abrahams
75 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:39:37
Brent (46) and Dermot (49),

Like you two, I'll wait until the midnight hour tonight and see what transpires in the transfer window.

I can always moan tomorrow, if I have to!!

Kevin Molloy
76 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:40:55
the fact we haven't moved yet in the market does n't bother me. The deals in the window get done in the last 48 hours, twas ever thus. Clubs don't like committing until they know the curtain is coming down. but we have to get in a. centre forward, and hopefully a talented midfielder.
Brent Stephens
77 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:41:24
I might have to join you then, Dave!
Tony Abrahams
78 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:41:58
True James, I’d do anything to get rid of the nepotistic poison, mate. We haven’t been great for years, but we are still Everton, and still have a very passionate and loyal fan base, but it’s got that bad that these people would rather protect themselves than the good name of Everton football club. I can’t believe the bastards are still here.
Brian Williams
79 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:42:55
Is there a limit, I wonder, to the moaning, wailingand gnashing of teeth?

We all know what a bunch of cnuts the board are. We all know the club's in total dissarray.

But what IS it with all and sundry feeling the need to come on and post the same or very similar moan ad nauseam.

We're pissed off, all of us, but Jeez there has to be a limit to the posts which are basically pointless rants.

For what it's worth I think we're going down. I think the change has been left too late to save us. I sort of resigned myself to the fact a weeks or so ago so maybe I'm ahead of others in the stages of grief!

I've reached "acceptance" because the months of sleepless nights from last season took a real toll and I can't go through that again!

So, call me a quitter, a bottler, whatever. I don't really give a fuck!

And I have to say. I feel better at stage five than I did at the previous four!! ;-)

Marc Hints
80 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:51:02
Kamaldeen Sulemana has chosen Southampton over Everton - just in
Tony Abrahams
81 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:52:35
Finally a bit of logic Brian, but my anger is as much about the people who couldn’t see through these incredibly phony fuckers. I’m off, maybe when I return later everyone will be talking about the players we sign after dinner🤞

He didn’t even sound like he was there first choice Marc.

Brian Williams
82 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:54:48
Let's hope you're right Tony, mate.
Alan Brown
83 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:57:05
Why do they do this? Wait till the window opens and then sack the manager without a replacement lined up? Then start interviewing>

Any decent potential transfers lined up quickly change their mind. We sign no-one, we sell our best asset (not player in my opinion).

It's the last day of the window for goodness sake. We are scrambling around for any body now. When you could see all year what the team needs.

I hope that the new manager has a promise that he keeps his job if we are relegated. And has a plan to get us back up.

What will happen though he will be sacked in August. The board will faff about looking for a new manager for weeks then appoint some no mark just as the transfer window is about to close. And just after we sell Pickford and anyone else worth a few bob.

Bill Piscass
84 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:58:23
It's likely Everton get Che Adams then.

Ché Zach Everton Fred Adams.

Marc Hints
85 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:58:58
Also now reporting Everton move for Coventry City's Viktor Gyökeres is not on the cards.
James Marshall
86 Posted 31/01/2023 at 11:59:35
I have a feeling we're going to end up with Andre Ayew, and that'll be the end of it. By the end of it, I mean relegation obviously!
Tony Abrahams
87 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:01:05
I'm going now, Brian, but I'll be very surprised if you suddenly stop getting those sleepless nights just because you have resigned yourself to the unthinkable.

If the club can get sold and take the hit, I'd sooner be in Burnley's position this time next year, rather than in our own predictable position once again, but because you know what I'm going to say next, I won't say it!

Derek Knox
88 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:01:23
Marc @ 80,

We may have dodged a bullet there mate, I have been reading the pros and cons of this fella, and he is no stranger to a sick note, has rarely completed a full 90 minutes, so possibly a favour in disguise.

Besides, they are below us in the Table, and players are still choosing them over us. :-)

Stuart Sharp
89 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:01:36
The list of players choosing other clubs over us grows by the hour. Even the one club below us in the Premier League. It's a very sad reflection of where we are.

I'm still clinging to a bit of residual optimism, and am very happy to have Dyche, but it's hard not to feel dejected right now.

Ray Smith
90 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:02:42
Is there any vision in the hierarchy at this once great club?
Once great club is the point. We can't even challenge clubs that were once seen as below us. Sleeping giant is another misnomer?

I think somebody on high forgot to set the alarm, and whilst every other team are/were conducting business we are in sleep mode!

Wake up, you have until 11pm tonight to at least get us a recognised striker!!!

Marc Hints
91 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:04:26
Derek

Yes I have read the same, I was more interested to see the Coventry striker to come in as I think he is a good player.
But that now seems it is not going to happen.

I think we all know what is going to happen it will be Andre Ayew

James Marshall
92 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:08:08
Andre Ayew - another one of those pointless footballers who runs about a bit and does close to nothing.

He's the type of player who scores 4 goals in 5 games, then scores 1 more all season. Perfect fit for Everton then.

Brian Williams
93 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:10:08
Marc#91.
Marc I don't think the Gyorkes deal was ever going to happen.
His club's stance on him was, from the very start, was that he's going nowhere.
In the position they're in that makes perfect sense for them too.
More media lucky dip stories I feel.
Christy Ring
94 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:14:29
Rennes winger has chosen Southampton, don't know much about him, as for Ayew, I'd leave him in Saudi, worse than Rondon.
Marc Hints
95 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:14:36
Brian#93

Yes I did see that Coventry were insisting he was not going anywhere in January.
What is worrying though is it looks like the boardroom turmoil, fan unrest towards them and the fact they stayed away from the game the other week, players just do not want to come to Everton at the moment.

Bill Watson
96 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:16:01
What a shambles of a football club we are!
Bill Gall
97 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:19:48
Bit early to talk about transfers we will have to wait for the last 30 min to find someone who all the other clubs have rejected or cant sell,
Derek Knox
98 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:24:35
Bill @ 97, so the chances of landing some more shite is still alive ?

James M @ 92, Four goals against Arsenal and then again against the RS, could get him onto the Wall of Fame ! :-)

John Charles
99 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:26:51
Why would any decent player want to come to everton
A club in disarray
Probably going down
A fan base that does nothing except tell them they are shit and not fit to wear the shirt.
Mike Doyle
100 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:27:33
A few years ago our transfer policy seemed to be 1) identify target 2) agree terms 3) dither 4) wait for Spurs to arrive at the 11th hour and snatch the player from us.
Our new policy seems to be the same - but with Southampton replacing Spurs as the snatching club.
If we don’t get anyone I wonder if Thelwell will do the decent thing and resign? Or am I being unfair on him?
Pete Williams
101 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:27:41
I think the best we can hope for is that we don't make any stupid signings. Lampard got in Van den Beek and Dele Ali in January and they didn't help much.

Better to focus on Townsend and Garner being fit again. Simms can also be like a new player for us, particularly with the way Dyche likes to play.

So, as long as we don't do anything stupid, like sign Ayew, I think I can just about tolerate no signings today and hope Dyche gets the best out of what he's got. No more pass, pass, pass to nowhere. Aggressive direct football please, with no half hearted passengers.

Bill Gall
102 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:32:07
I just read that Everton have 3 medicals lined up today, must be for the new coaches.
Peter Carpenter
103 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:34:17
Yes, one for Bill, one for Bill's ego and the other for the guy who's just gone to Southampton.
Tony Waring
104 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:37:28
Is it true ? Sulemana to Southampton ?
Robert Tressell
105 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:37:46
The rumours are uninspiring but we may yet get some joy on decent additions as players and selling clubs' options become clearer.

I wouldn't rule out Gyorekes or even Ndiaye just yet.

Jim Lloyd
106 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:40:38
Brian (52),

I'm not so sure that the DoF is totally to blame for the mess we are in regarding the playing staff brought in during the Summer. And the playing staff NOT brought in, up to today.

I'm not so sure we are going to bring anyone in. Unless we can find players who we can sign on the never never, I don't think we'll sign anyone at all.

Thelwell brought some top players in for Wolves, so it seems to me he knows a decent player. My guess Danjuma is at Spurs, because of where we are and where they are, what we offered and what they did; and he got the offer (or his agent did) and scooted.

It seems to me that the last batch of players were brought in, because they were all we could afford. It looks to me that; even our board understand that we are in real danger of relegation. The only reason (beside sheer arrogance of the Chairman and incompetence of the Board) getting us here in the first place; is our financial state. It must be that we're up Shit Creek with our financial state. I can't believe that Everton Football Club have such lousy scouts, lousy coaches Lousy managers, and lousy DoF's, that we end up on the last day of the last transfer window in such a state.

A window which could have such a cataclysmic effect on our stay in the Premier League if we do not get (at least!) a good goaslscorer in. A good midfielder and a good creator/scorer wide man would be even better.

Listening to the interview with Moshiri, I'm sure I heard him say that if we need a goalscorer, we would get one! I didn't think we would be reading or hearing about a last day car boot sale choice (no disrespect to the players or to the DoF).

We'll find out after midnight, but it looks to me that Sean Dyche will have to make do with the playing staff we've got, plus whoever we get today.

I can only think that even Everton Football Club, would be so short sighted and amateurish, that our club could be left to face the last few months in the Premier League, fighting to stay in with so little firepower.

Oh, I don't know though...

Ray Smith
107 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:45:05
We can't even compete with Southampton! What does that tell you?

Well done Bill and co! again. 😡😡😡

Ray Jacques
109 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:46:32
Groundhog Day, manager appointed on last day of the transfer window, no time for new signings, battle to stay in the Premier League.

Do the cretins who run EFC not learn, we won't be so lucky this year.

Ayew!!!! For fuck's sake, I despair, why not just go and get Niasse eh?

Christy Ring
110 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:47:16
Just after watching Vinny O'Connor, seems we're getting no-one we want.

Not surprised, every other board have done their business near the bottom, not leaving it till the midnight hour. The Board are a complete embarrassment.

Jim Lloyd
111 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:47:35
Oops! Sorry. Derek, have you been on the mixture! :)
Ray Jacques
112 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:50:50
Christy, no point in me trying to stay awake until midnight then, just in case lol!!
Robert Tressell
113 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:51:38
The big fee for Sulemana might backfire on Saints. It's frustrating but that might have been a poor use of £22M.

One thing is clear though: other teams are blinking before us and signing players. That is not Thelwell that is finances.

We are unfortunately looking like the weakest team financially in the top flight – although who knows how big a gamble Forest, Saints and Bournemouth etc are now taking?

Brian Williams
114 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:53:29
Makes you wonder whether Moshiri has said, "I'll take that £40M Gordon money, thank you very much!"
Billy Fisher
115 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:53:52
Get Branthwaite and Dobbin back. Play 4 centre-halves at the back. Onana and Garner and anyone who can cross a ball on the wings. 2 up front and bring Keane on last half hour and play him up front... then keep fingers and toes crossed.

We aren't signing anyone of significance today cos no-one will come to this shambles run by clowns.

Bill Fairfield
116 Posted 31/01/2023 at 12:56:25
Looking like nobody’s up for the challenge. Who can blame them?
Mark Ryan
117 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:00:46
The cost of our fans chasing down Anthony Gordon and the "alleged" headlocking of our CEO might just have damaged us more than we'll ever know?

Are players thinking "Feck that, I'm not going to Everton"? Or do players not get bogged down in that kind of media nonsense??

It's concerning that we are doing such little business…

Jim Bennings
118 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:06:10
Mark,

Bear in mind players from other cultures have experienced much worse.

Have you seen some of what goes on in Turkey? Or South America? Africa?

Gordon getting chased by a couple of half-witted teenage ASBOs outside the ground is nothing compared to what some must have seen.

The fact that nobody wants to come is because they see we may well not be a Premier League club in 6 months time and they would be off anyway.

As for Gordon, I think his head was already gone in summer, long long before the recent incident at the Southampton game.

Kevin Molloy
119 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:08:23
Thelwell should resign or be sacked if we don't bring anyone in today.
Eric Myles
120 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:08:42
Bill #102, more likely for the coach drivers.
Jim Lloyd
121 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:10:10
I think that, if it's the case that we don't get any proper reinforcements; then Sean Dyche will get the best out of every player we have, including those currently on the bench; and the youngsters as well.

I'm sure he'll use them if he thinks they could do a job. Maybe get Tom Cannon back as well, and see what Sean makes of him. We'll have a better idea tomorrow but he could be an asset for us as well.

Bloody hell, desperate times; but the squad have our backing. The Board, they're useless and not worth bothering with until we are out of this mess.

Mark Ryan
122 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:10:13
Jim @ 118 fair comment
Fran Mitchell
124 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:11:53
As expected, the Gordon money was deposited into the same account as the Arteta money. Did any actually think that money was going to be reinvested?

The board have accepted relegation, and have got Dyche as a potential manager to get enough out of the current squad. But if we are relegated, hey ho, no bother.

Eddie Dunn
125 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:16:13
Kevin @119, m

It makes me wonder if Thelwell is any different from Lampard. He might very well have put his list of targets in front of Moshiri & Kenwright only to be told that it's loans only or crazy drip-drip deals that nobody wants.

Dyche already emphasising that there is plenty of talent in the squad was not a good sign.

Imagine saying to Pochettino or Tuchel, "Here is the job, the keys to Finch Farm and oh, by the way, we can't afford any incomings even if we sell one of our few goal outlets for £45 Million."

Anyone with other options would tell them to stick it, but Sean needs a job. It's a terrible state of affairs.

Geoff Lambert
126 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:17:10
To be honest I would rather we did'nt sign anyone if it's only nomark journeymen who want to come in. Why add to the pile of rubbish already here? Quality or no thanks.
Bill Gall
127 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:20:40
It is a sad state of affairs that players we would not normally look at prefer other clubs to Everton.

I believe that Everton will be better off going for loans like Hazard and Gallagher and The boy from Man Utd by offering an attractive bid as compensation instead of competing for less qualified players, we may not get who we want in a transfer deal but it may be more of an advantage going for loans.

I am not sure how loan deals are financed but we need help, and surely an experienced loan player would be better than an inexperienced player from another league. You can plan for the future when you are safe.

Anthony A Hughes
128 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:21:22
The stench of Everton seems to be putting off a lot of even bang average journeymen.
Thelwell needs to be some sort of genius to pull something together out of this rancid mess.
Michael Lynch
129 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:22:10
I wonder if Gallagher on loan is still a possibility? If Chelsea want to loan him out, then it would be to us rather than, say, Newcastle – who are rivals for a top 4 place.

Might it still happen?

Jim Bennings
130 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:22:34
It seems to me that Thelwell was singing from the same hymn sheet as Lampard.

I believe Lampard worked with Thelwell and they presented a plan last summer to the board about what was needed and they evidently failed to give Frank the tools he needed.

Lampard knew he needed strikers last summer, who's to say they wouldn't sanction the deals for some of those we wanted like Brereton Diaz,or the lad Guirassy was mentioned too and has done ok this season in Germany.

Lampard seemed peeved that Ings went to West Ham with a thinly veiled "he's a fantastic striker" when interviewed about Ings move.

It seems crazy that Dyche has taken the job on with no hope of being allowed to add to this squad which is weaker again.

Tony Everan
131 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:24:00
Why is everyone panicked? There's still 9 And a bit hours left.

This is all a meticulously planned strategy by Thelwell and our quality, professional board. They are going to act decisively and late in the window to get the two or three players in that will give us the essential goals we need to stay up. Other clubs will be in deferential awe of our boardroom yet again.

They are waiting like a hungry mantis to swoop when they can't be countered. I take my hat off in advance of the perfect execution.

Jim Lloyd
132 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:24:34
Mark (117),

Totally agree, the lads chasing one of our players in the media, on top of where we are, sacking our manager, our own board coming out with their allegations and being advised it isn't safe to attend.

Makes for players erring on the side of "Nah, anywhere else want me!"

Christy Ring
133 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:24:52
If we can't get a forward, sign Berge from Sheffield, we need a midfield enforcer.
Terry Downes
134 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:26:21
Can see it now: Ayew in £40M to Bill – good day at the office.

Now do we understand what Bill meant when he said Everton always get right?

Jim Lloyd
135 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:28:23
Jim, Crazy indeed! but believable. I guess he knows full well what the job will be and the tools he'll have to work with. Just hope the tools in the directors box have the sense to stay out of it for the rest of the season.
Marc Hints
136 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:31:44
Vinny O'Connor outside Finch Farm:

So Sulemana off to Southampton….regarding other players linked with Everton, we are told nothing happening with Victor Gyökeres, Thorgan Hazard, Paul Onuachu, Sheraldo Becker and Andre Ayew.

So we need players to get us out of this relegation scrap but end up with less players with Gordon gone.

Absolutely embarrasing from the board, they obviously want Everton to go down!

Anthony A Hughes
137 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:33:40
Sorry boys but I've got to ...

Riquelme spotted at Liverpool Airport!

Eric Myles
138 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:33:41
Fran #124, I was thinking the same regarding relegation, the board are not going to spend the Gordon money.

And I agree with Geoff # 126, why waste that money on more rubbish of the same calibre we already have.

Eddie Dunn
139 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:37:47
Rumours about Kudus for £45 million.
Darren Hind
140 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:38:39
Jim.

The directors will probably keep a low profile hoping the heat will cool a little, but if we avoid the drop you can be very certain Uncle Bill will be front and center looking for recognition for wonderful job he has done.

Eric Myles
141 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:39:16
Any possibility of 'out of the window signings'?? Any good free agents knocking about that might do a short term job for us?
Derek Knox
142 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:41:49
Anthony @ 137, " Sorry boys but i've got to . Riquelme spotted at Liverpool airport!"

Spot on there, I heard he had got the Job as Old Age Pensioners Liaison Officer !

Mark Ryan
143 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:42:49
Anthony A Hughes
144 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:44:05
Derek, the thing is he would probably walk into our team right now and show most of them up!
Iain Johnston
145 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:44:53
There's a young midfielder at Forest Green, Onyango I think, might be worth a punt?
Neil Lawson
146 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:47:46
Tony 131. Hungry mantis ? Don't you mean that Thelwell etc al on their knees praying that anyone is stupid enough to sign.
Feel sorry for Ellis Simms. He must have his bags packed ready to go back up to N.E. but may be screwed over by woeful incompetence of the useless tossers around him. Andre Ayew ? Heaven help us.
Craig Walker
147 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:48:24
If we're not gonna spend the Gordon money, then we must be more in the financial mire than I thought we were.

Maybe Moshiri is trying to leave the balance sheet in as good a state as possible so he can sell the club. He's probably factored in the probable relegation by not reinforcing this terrible squad.

That's THE thing that bothers me with changing the manager. All of the underperforming players get yet another chance. Don't get me wrong, we were right to get rid of Lampard but some of these players are now being assessed by Dyche when 40,000+ fans know how good/bad they are.

Mark Ryan
148 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:48:24
If we are lucky we might just get a Southampton cast off if they sign Suleman or whatever his name is. They might throw us a scrap and let us have Che Adams for £20 million
Iain Johnston
149 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:49:17
Eric @141 Isco is a free agent.
John Flood
150 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:52:13
I don’t blame the DOF or the scouts as they are operating with both hands tied behind their backs. We have absolutely no wriggle room with the PL profit & sustainability rules as we have stretched them to the limit. Sacking Lampard and his coaching staff meant that money needed to be found this month to pay them off or we were facing a 10 point deduction (and possible further points deduction next season). That is why Gordon was sold and the vast majority of that fee has already been accounted for. There isn’t a lot left over, and in all likelihood we are signing nobody today.
I’m afraid it’s cross your fingers time and hope that Dyche can get a tune out of what we’ve got. That said I think a fit Townsend will make a difference - he is a real Dyche type player who works his socks off, delivers decent crosses, and has a good shot on him. I am also hopeful that James Garner can finally get his Everton career going. The lad has been really unlucky since he came here, but living in Nottingham all my Forest mates tell me he is really good, and was the main reason they got promoted last season. They all wanted to keep him, but Man Utd said he was not for sale, only to sell him to us at the end of the window when Forest had already moved on to back up targets. They say he’s particularly good at dead ball pieces, so again that is something I can see Dyche looking to exploit.
Jim Bennings
151 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:52:48
Where's Josh King when you need him?

Anthony Gardner?

Still think Big Ant was underused by Moyes (actually never used at all) decent centre back the lad.

Jim Lloyd
152 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:53:26
Darren

Spot on :) ! He'll probably contract a musical to be wriiten on how he saved his beloved Blues!

Stephen Davies
153 Posted 31/01/2023 at 13:58:36
If Bielsa would have been appointed,he would have resigned by now !
Derek Knox
154 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:00:38
Jim @ 151, I heard he eventually became a Big Ant Exterminator, or was it a Gardner ? :-)
Dennis Stevens
155 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:02:18
Too true, Stephen!
Geoff Lambert
156 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:02:31
Maybe we are keeping it under the radar incase Spurs decide to gazump us again. I live in hope.
Anthony Flack
157 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:14:55
Rock bottom as now we are getting sympathy from Merson !
Danny O’Neill
158 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:15:49
Tony Everan, you had me aughing loud in a public place with that one.

Hungry Mantis? More like scurry mice scampering away to their hole to avoid scrutiny from the cats.

With the money.

Michael Connelly
159 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:16:38
Get the boys to roll the sleeves up Sean.

Fans 100% behind the team.

#We go with what we have.

John Pendleton
160 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:16:45
Deadline Preparation

Scouting - check
Finance - check
Medical team on standby - check
Purple dildo outside Finch Farm - check
Fax paper - Negative. Quick, who sells fax paper?
12 deadline passes without incident
Dyche ‘happy with the team I’ve got’

Alex Gray
161 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:20:15
Imagine being in a relegation battle and weakening the squad just before the window ends!

The board better get ready, I sense a storm coming…

Jim Lloyd
162 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:22:20
John (150) Good analysis of our plight! It sounds dire but sounds right. I agree with you about Andros Townsend and James Garner. Both really good players and just about ready to be considered for the first team. Andros will make up for the sale of Gordon; and I take the Forest supporters word on Garner. Sounds a very useful player for us...and boy, do we need them!
Michael Connelly
163 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:22:24
If the board were cute enough, they would have left Lampard in charge until the end of Jan to attract some players in, and then let him go in February. Board inept as fuck, however.

How on earth did Moshiri make money?

Tony Abrahams
164 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:26:00
Do you think it’s just the players, asked the never to be seen again director of football?
Tony Everan
165 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:26:29
We’re rumoured to have offered £25m + add ons for the Udinese forward Beto .
Matthew Williams
166 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:28:45
Maybe a cheeky bid for Benrahma,or a cheaper version with the Moroccan lad Chair at QPR.

Both decent players who score goals and create!

Kieran Kinsella
167 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:33:07
Controversial idea but we may have to say since you’re here anyway DCL, McNeil etc could you participate in games? Run around a bit? Try and take the odd shot on goal?
Michael Lynch
168 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:44:08
Beto looks decent on the videos, but £25m is possibly double his value. Still, it's not my money. Sign him!

Looks like a poundshop Lukaku, but that'll do.

Geoff Lambert
169 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:45:08
Just put sky sports news on again, Every time I look it's one of our rivals at the bottom signing another player to strengthen their squad. It's a Bill pantomime at our place.
Robert Tressell
170 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:45:16
Matthew # 166, could Chair be the sitting midfielder we need?
David West
171 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:46:08
I'd take elanga. He can't be worse than mcneil. No risk if a loan and the lads got a point to prove.
Gyokeres seems like best / most plausible striker option. But we will be getting held to ransom as clubs know we are desperate!
Chelsea got to off load a lot of players,surely there's some better quality than we have.
Thelwell, earn your wages lad !!!!
Terry Downes
172 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:46:28
What’s happening with Moura nothing bein said ??
Joe McMahon
173 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:49:25
Geoff@169, but Bill "Gets Everton"
Danny O’Neill
174 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:50:29
Don't Jim @152. I'm past speculating about who and who we won't sign.

But you've just given me a horrible thought about that musical. He gets Elton to recommission his song as the theme:

"Iguess that's why they call us Bill's Blues".

Apologies for the typos above in my previous post. I'm on a train Oxfordshire back into London and on the phone.

Kunal Desai
175 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:52:41
Bills dusted down his dossier of contacts and now made his way down to Brett Angell. He only has about 6 digits of the contact number. The number is unclear written in pencil.
Pat Kelly
176 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:52:46
We're bound to sign someone who wouldn't even make it onto Benitez's rolodex of 3,000 players.

Anthony Jones
177 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:56:02
Why do we employ a DoF if we are only ever linked with the obvious names, who we usually miss out on anyway.

Look at Brentford. Who are those players? Came from nowhere and are storming the league.

Equally, we never seem to interview promising managers. Mosh and Bill always want PL experience. Some experiences aren't welcome.

George Cumiskey
178 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:57:39
Leave Bill alone will you he's not involved in the transfer saga, he's too busy on the phone telling all the chairmen who've called to ask him what Everton would do !
David West
179 Posted 31/01/2023 at 14:58:15
I'm switching off till 10.50 depressing watching everyone else sign players never know might get a surprise
Will Mabon
180 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:06:17
David, I might switch off at 10.50. Almost daren't look.
Frank Crewe
181 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:07:36
@ Anthony 177.
Wasn't Moyes a promising young manager? What about Martinez, Silva, Lampard? We have had young, middleaged and old managers. Doesn't appear to have made any difference at all.
Paul Kossoff
182 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:11:52
Footmercato claim Everton have moved their attention on to Genk attacker Onuachu. The 28-year-old has been in excellent form in the Belgian league this season, scoring an incredible 16 goals in just 19 games.It follows on from an impressive few seasons in Belgium and was named the league's footballer of the year back in 2021. His form has begun attracting interest from all over Europe, but it's being claimed that he has his heart set on a move to the Premier League.Everton and Southampton are both said to be battling for his signature, in a deal that could potentially be worth around £18million. But if the Saints complete a move for Sulemana, it could give Everton a free run at signing the 6ft 7in tall striker.Here is hoping.

Danger is, Southampton get him and mug us with Che Adams! What's the bet?

Will Mabon
183 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:12:27
Frank, and world-class and relegation escape specialists. The whole gamut.
Will Mabon
184 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:14:46
Onuacrouchu.
Robert Tressell
185 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:15:59
Anthony # 177. I think our awful finances mean we are limited to players being made available to us through agents. We're not really in control of who we target because we can't pay up front.

That would explain Thelwell's activity so far - and the fact that every target seems to be someone touted around to many other clubs.

To put it another way, the club is being served a limited set of options rather than hunting down its own targets.

I am not sure how we resolve this - it seems in large part a finances thing but could also be part of wider mismanagement.

Iain Johnston
186 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:18:52
Beto? Yeah he's not too bad. It's his 25th birthday today. I wonder if he wants a replica shirt with his name and all the badges on as a prezzie?
Iain Johnston
187 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:20:48
Kalvin Philips on loan... Eh? who's made that one up, the M.E.N?
Jim Lloyd
188 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:23:34
Danny (174) We're all going to be in need of therapy by the time 11 0'clock comes.! Seeing all the ones we had feint hopes of getting, swanning off to other clubs!
Raymond Fox
189 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:38:45
Can we sink any lower, nobody up to now wants to join us and Dyche needs 2 decent players at least to have a chance of saving us.
John Cook
190 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:40:44
Just played Whitney Rose singing 100 shades of blue. just how I'm fuckin feeling right now.
Mark Taylor
191 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:45:56
I presume that if anything happens at all, it will be an eleventh hour signing of a player or two who are even more desperate than we are, and have no other suitors.

It is so sad it has come to this but like another poster, I've moved on to the acceptance stage. It's not the despair, it's the hope that kills you.

Stuart Sharp
192 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:52:07
Apologies if someone else has already posted this (I can't keep up!), but David Squires' latest cartoon in The Guardian is a belter. Of course, no matter how much a comic exaggerates or jokes about our hiring process, it's probably never that far from the truth...

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/jan/31/david-squires-on-bielsa-dyche-and-the-everton-manager-interview-process

Michael Barrett
193 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:55:00
Ricky Lambert just been spotted in the titanic I believe dyche is an admirer.
Dean Williams
194 Posted 31/01/2023 at 15:56:11
Sad state of affairs when Southampton are a more attractive offer.
Kieran Kinsella
195 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:00:10
Stuart Sharp

That cartoon is hilarious

Anthony Murphy
196 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:03:07
Likely we’ll finish the window weaker than when it opened - just unbelievable. Let’s be honest, this shit show is our own making and we deserve everything we get. We shouldn’t blame Thelwell - the problem can be traced back to November and keeping hold of a manager when others would have acted sooner
Mike Doyle
197 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:05:00
If the reports of a £15m bid for Braithwaite are true then expect him gone today as “Operation raise cash for the stadium build” moves up a gear.
Danny O’Neill
198 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:05:17
Jim, I think I'm going to be in need of marriage counselling and advice from the RSPA about my poor dogs at this stage.

Let's see how tonight goes. We must have something lined up right?

Terry Downes
199 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:06:56
Fkin hell every time we are linked with someone within seconds Southampton Leeds and now West ham are in the mix ?
Bill Gall
200 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:09:33
George #178.

I guess these chairman are taking notice of what Everton would do that's why they are signing players that Everton wanted

Stuart Sharp
201 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:10:51
Kieran - made me want to laugh and cry at the same time...
Dennis Stevens
202 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:13:08
At this stage, I think I'm more concerned at them wasting what little cash they have on Tosun/Rondon type signings than I am at the prospect of them signing nobody at all.
Jim Lloyd
203 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:13:57
Well done Stuart :)
Frank Crewe
204 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:19:01
When you think about it we have spent £500 million quid on players since Moyes left yet here we are. So why do we think spending a few million more on one or two will somehow turn this bunch of underperforming losers into winners? It's like we are buying players for the sake of it.
Bill Fairfield
205 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:21:39
New stadium, new manager. Same shit show in the boardroom.
Sam Hoare
206 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:22:13
What a mess.
Chris Jones
207 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:24:21
The high levels of incompetence displayed by our board are infuriating and each passing day represents a new all time low.

The fact that we are attempting to conduct transfer business during the last day of the window is a sad indictment and our board members are not fit for purpose.

Surely, an organisation with a vision has a succession plan in place when a manager is sacked and a player is released for a sum of £45 million. It is a total dereliction of duty and our supporters are fully vindicated in terms of peaceful protests.

Thelwell has not improved our recruitment one iota as due diligence should have been completed months ago and signings should have been completed at the start of the month. A striker was imperative in the summer and, as at 31 January, we are still waiting.

The sooner our great club is bought by a new investor and the current board is removed in full, the better.

Winston Williamson
208 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:29:23
I’d prefer us not to blow our wad on average players, under pressure, at the last minute.
Failing to bring anyone in could be used in our favour, if propositioned right…

Sean Dyche could say to the squad tomorrow, after signing no one, ‘right lads, we tried to bring in some new players, but they all turned us down. They don’t want to join a relegation-threatened, dysfunctional club, where the current players don’t seem to give a shit.
We need to show them we’re Everton Fucking FC. Play for the badge and fuck everyone else!’

Siege mentality!

Nah, fuck it. We’re fucked!

Kieran Kinsella
209 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:30:20
Terry Downes

Maybe our plan is to bankrupt our rivals by generating interest in over priced journeymen knowing they will swoop in? Much as we obviously need reinforcements, there haven't been any players we've been linked to that seem good buys either due to being crap or insanely over priced.

Christy Ring
210 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:36:51
Let's be honest, Dyche was expected to be unveiled as manager last Friday, wasn't confirmed until yesterday, 3 days later, a day before deadline day, and we sold Gordon for £40m+, and no replacement coming in. The board are a shambles, every club down near the bottom have strengthened in the last week. Didn't the board do the very same last year, waited and unveiled Lampard the day before the deadline also, amateurs.
Kieran Kinsella
211 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:37:01
Winston

You're right. The players here need to take some responsibility instead of always expecting someone else to come in and do the hard work. All of these jokers are well paid an many cost large fees. They need to step up instead of pointing fingers around at each other.

Mark Ryan
212 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:39:11
They'll say our number 1 target was Conor Gallagher but we couldn't quite get it over the line.
Truth, Chelsea won't sell to Newcastle and the player doesn't want to come to us so he'll simply stay there.
For Everton not to get a striker in is criminal. Thelwell wtf are you doing at our club apart from stealing a living ?
Kieran Kinsella
213 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:41:39
Kevin Federline or whatever his name is, obviously didn't have recruitment near the top of his 120 point plan.
Ray Smith
214 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:43:35
Let’s face it, nobody is coming, so let’s get on with what we’ve got.
Anyone coming in this late will be a low grade panic buy, as per previous windows!
I’m not sure how thick BK’s skin is, but why has anyone we were interested in gone to southern clubs?
Is/has BK been trying to ‘do a deal’, which has put any potential suitors off coming to Goodison.
It would be interesting to ask those 6 or 7 players why they turned us down?
I havn’t got a crystal ball, but I bet the answers would be very similar!
Have the Board (BK) no shame?
Barry Hesketh
215 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:43:57
Frank @204
That's the issue with this club under the current stewardship, we have bought players for the sake of it, but we did and still need quality players to add to the dross we have. Seven years is more than a reasonable cycle of the first team squad, we should be well on our way to building a fairly strong squad, but we're not. In the summer we will lose Pickford and perhaps other important players, that will further weaken the squad.

If we manage to avoid relegation this season, it will still be an issue this time next year, because in the last few years we have been unable to build a squad capable of competing in this division, that's because we haven't built a club that can cope with the competitive demands of the Premier League.

Much smaller clubs are now it seems able to outspend us. How can that be so? Who takes ownership for that? No wonder the fans are rightly upset, as they haven't seen anything in return for their loyalty or the money invested by the owners, but some people continue to blame them for the demise of the club. If the owner and board thought the scenes at the Southampton match were bad, I wouldn't like to see what they'll be like if Everton go down, because the board didn't act and failed to support the manager in this window.

Ed Prytherch
216 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:49:26
It used to be sell to buy but now it is sell to pay off fired coaching staff and to try to balance the books.
Bill Fairfield
217 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:51:14
Ah go on,bang a last minute bid in for Erling Haaland. Think how good it will look.
Rob Halligan
218 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:52:59
Christy # 210……..to show how totally useless this board is, Benitez was sacked on 15th January 2022, the day after the Norwich away humiliation. It then took the board SIXTEEN DAYS to appoint Frank Lampard, on 31st January 2022, exactly a year ago today. Jeez, I can almost even remember the time it was announced, around 16.00pm if my memory serves me correctly. That gave Lampard SEVEN HOURS to try and get someone in before the window shut.

FUCK OFF KENWRIGHT YOU FUCKING POISONOUS RAT! AND TAKE FUCKING L’IL MISS DYNAMITE WITH YOU!

Mark Ryan
219 Posted 31/01/2023 at 16:53:14
When Lampard signed I thought he'd bring lots of young kids to us from having good contacts at Chelsea and Derby and with a network around him like Ashley Cole etc I honestly thought he'd give youth a chance. How wrong could I have been ? He never gave any youngsters a go even right up to his very last game. What was bringing Ellis Simms back to Goodison all about ? Clearly nothing to do with Frank planning to give him a chance in the team. Anyone know why he was brought back ?
Christopher Timmins
220 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:01:41
We are Everton, super Everton, no one loves us we don't care!
Anthony Flack
221 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:03:08
Funny comment on one of the other sites

Everton make cheeky bid for Scottish U21 striker - Wee R. Gowin Down.

Anthony A Hughes
222 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:06:22
I believe we're signing that Chinese superstar Fuk In Nowan
Ed Prytherch
223 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:07:05
He will play alongside our new Chinese striker Wee Wun Won and the midfielder Tu Fuch Mukin
Julie Naybour
225 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:09:53
Cannot believe we have NO-ONE!!!!!!!!
Am sick of checking every half hour for some sort of hope!

Relegation signed, sealed, and delivered after today!

Sooooo depressing

Peter Carpenter
226 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:13:11
I hear we are making enquiries about the Serbian striker, Novak Ercomin.
Andrew Merrick
227 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:13:57
Laughter is the best medicine...
There's no fix for this now...
I guess that's why they call us the blues...
Dennis Stevens
228 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:15:53
Simms will probably have a stunning 2nd half of the season & save us from the drop - then we can sell him in the summer!
Sean Roe
229 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:16:13
Players should be lining up to come here. Long contracts, wages that far exceed any footballing ability and absolutely no expectation to perform on a regular basis. Money for old rope!
John Gall
230 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:16:27
I agree with Frank#204 Please no more players none us have heard of, all being flogged and promoted like cattle by dodgy agents. How many great players are out there? It's all a racket. And as if they'd come to Everton now? Fans in revolt, board hiding away, broken players, broken spirit. If Dyche is up to it he'll do what he was appointed to do - rationalise what's already here, work on new discipline and organisation, and devise new ways of scraping out some wins. Two strikers good in the air, wingers and full backs getting in good crosses, maximising what we do at set-plays, tenacity in midfield and fearlessness at the back. No more pointless possession, no more farting about, just fast and direct play. And no more foreign players that nobody has ever seen, other than on a dodgy agent's promotional video.
Fran Mitchell
231 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:18:25
it's like the board want to ensure the protests go ahead on Saturday. That way they can blame the fans once again.

if anything does happen, I could actually imagine it being last minute deals for Onana and Pickford being sold.

Colin Malone
232 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:18:28
Riquelme. Seen going in the wilmslow.
Paul Birmingham
233 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:23:51
Still time, for players in, but this is, the so called “Everton way”.

Ground Hog Day, as it is in most end of transfer windows past for Everton.

Let’s hope there’s some players on an Everton shirt this evening.

Barry Hesketh
234 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:25:40
It was all going terribly well until about lunchtime today, Thelwell was sent out to get three strikers but came back with a Fireman a Nurse and a Train driver!
Ray Roche
235 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:26:20
As ever, last minute scramble for Carlos Kickaball, only to be rejected as he prefers Rhyl FC. Completely useless, incompetent Everton, same every transfer window. I think they are planning for next season in the Championship and hoping Dyche can bring us straight back up.
Fat chance.
I wonder how much harm that Headlock Gate and the boardroom shenanigans has had on the club. Farcical.
Colin Malone
236 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:34:43
Looks like Yerry is going to play up front.
Brian Williams
237 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:37:46
I think the owner/board has accepted that we're going down and is/are planning accordingly.

With the £40M from Gordon and the circa £23M guaranteed from the sale of Keane at the end of the season that's a pretty decent lump to go towards levelling up the P&S situation and maybe making the club slightly more attractive to potential buyers (don't laugh).

Sorry state of affairs that I think even the average supporter could have prevented from happening had they been on the board.

Peter Carpenter
238 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:40:27
Are those medicals still available? I'd like a check up.
Tony Everan
239 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:40:38
‘The Athletic ‘ ran a story which said Everton made a call to Pochettino in November 2022 to gauge his interest. If we thought we needed a manager then, and Dyche & Bielsa were both available at that time why wait until 23 January 2023 to begin a manager search?

The club is so dysfunctional, no joined-up thinking at all at board level. No wonder we are in this really precarious situation.

Christy Ring
240 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:41:08
Colin I reckon he’ll try Michael Keane upfront.
Alex Gray
241 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:41:09
Wonder if people will still complain about the fans protesting…
Brent Stephens
242 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:44:06
We could try DCL up front. You never know.
Robert Tressell
243 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:44:36
Wow, it's not looking good is it. Bournemouth just spent another £20m+ on a talented young Ukrainian CB, Saints bought Sulemana and maybe Onuachu too.

We just can't compete as a top flight club anymore. Prove me wrong Everton, please. A few hours to prove me wrong

Barry Hesketh
244 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:45:04
Alex @241
I can't state this as a fact but apparently Graeme Sharp has said on Radio City that the protesting fans may have put off potential targets from joining Everton. Meanwhile, Man United fans have been protesting for about 15 years against the Glazers, didn't stop them signing players, didn't stop them winning stuff. I realise that the two clubs are very different, but fans are pretty much the same the world over.
Christy Ring
245 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:45:37
Zaniolo the Roma striker was on his way to Bournemouth, deal agreed plane on runway, but chairman backed out, said he spent enough, could we not do a deal??
Neil Copeland
246 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:46:50
According to FB we are being linked with the lad from Reading - Joao?
Danny Baily
247 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:47:11
If we're keeping our powder dry for the summer then fair enough. As long as that's what it is, and not just us being disorganised.
Sean Roe
248 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:49:13
Brent @ 242,

I'm starting to fear that may be our only option, albeit a square peg in a round hole.

Phil Wood
249 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:49:15
If we fail to bring anyone in in the last few hours of the transfer window then Sean Dyche should be renamed Saint Sean if he keeps us up.

He has been sold a pup by the Board if this is the case. Bringing someone in to manage with 1 day left is negligent and criminal.

What's new? This is a suicide mission for any manager.

Neil Copeland
250 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:49:32
Now being linked with Zaniolo also
Jay Harris
251 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:49:35
BBC are reporting that nobody will be coming to Everton before the window shuts.

If true this is disgraceful and who needs a DoF if he can't bring ANYONE in???

Si Pulford
252 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:50:23
BBC saying no incomings.

Unbelievable. I read recently that a symbol of how dysfunctional Everton's board are was a shortlist with Bielsa and Dyche on. The inference being that a club who knew their identity wouldn't have two such different, polar opposite managers on it.

After this disgrace of a window. I'm thinking "What do Bielsa and Dyche have in common?"

And the answer is that they've both taken clubs to promotion from the Championship.

The board gave up months ago and engineered a scenario to discredit the fans knowing that they wouldn't be signing anyone and wanted to strike the first ‘PR' blow…

Kieran Kinsella
253 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:51:09
Neil,

Mourinho quoted on Zaniolo "Unfortunately he is staying." Sounds like a popular guy.

David Bromwell
254 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:51:38
Sadly supporting Everton is no longer any fun, in fact it's depressing with so many things wrong with the Club and these last few weeks have been just terrible.

At the beginning of the season, there was talk of a 120-point plan and recent events have shown just how ridiculous that was. Quite clearly we haven't any plan at all and we have become something of a laughing stock in the press and within the football world.

The only positive at the moment is the appointment of the new manager, who by reputation is our best chance of getting something out of our ill-balanced, low-skilled, low-in-confidence squad of players.

I sincerely hope there is a coming together, and a backs to the wall approach for the next two games. Please, please no passing between our goalkeeper and numerous centre-backs, let's get the ball in the opposition half as quickly and as soon as possible.

Two points from the next two games would represent a great team effort and just possibly a better more productive end to the season.

Peter Carpenter
255 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:52:03
Ok, what's on telly tonight?
Jim Lloyd
256 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:56:15
Jay, (251) He's there to do what he can...but mainly to take the heat!
Neil Copeland
257 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:56:20
Kieran, sounds perfect for us – get him signed.

Didn't Moshiri say 2 or 3 days ago that he knows we need a striker and we will get one? Perhaps he means in the summer or once BMD has been finished and paid for…

Ian McAvoy
258 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:57:27
To beat the drop we need a proven goal scorer at the top level. Not too complicated. End of story.
Mike Connolly
259 Posted 31/01/2023 at 17:59:51
Sharp, when ask about a protest for the Southampton game on Radio Merseyside, he replied, "What! One man and his dog!"

Sharpie is so out of touch, he blends in well with the board.

Rob Halligan
260 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:09:06
Barry # 244…

If Sharp thinks the fans protesting has put off potential signings, then him, and the other cronies on that board, better turn up in a suit of armour this Saturday if we don't get any worthwhile signings in within the next 5 hours, because I think the fans will really turn on the board if nobody comes in.

Colin Glassar
261 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:09:07
After this latest disaster, we deserve to be relegated. What a shambolic club we've become. Dyche will need to be a miracle worker.
Danny Baily
262 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:11:05
Ian 258, we'd need more than a few signings to beat the drop from here. We'd need a Newcastle level of investment, and a manager with his feet well and truly under the table, not going into his first match.
Kunal Desai
263 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:15:18
Only glimmer of positive would be we don't see the sight of these clowns ever again in the directors box and they dare not think to come anywhere near the ground. Fucking fraudsters.
Dale Self
264 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:18:11
Just because Moshiri and tKenwright have adopted a strategy that shows lack of faith (and/or cash) doesn't mean we have to deal with the fucking downside before it happens. Everyone sees this for what it is and we will look better in the PR battle if we stay faithful to the team.

The creeps have been found out so we don't need any commentary from within. They have largely been absent or a distraction to on-field activities. So fine, you didn't buy anyone so we don't need to waste any energy on what is a bit of a black hole.

I'm not getting one in on the good people criticizing the club right now. Just saying there could be ample time for that in the future and we've still got a fucking chance against these other shits having a laugh. Let's make the most of what we have and get on with it. Not going down.

Phil McKeown
265 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:18:28
Hopefully all the fans who were sitting on the fence or couldn't/didn't want to protest will now finally realise 15 years too late they need to get off their arses and shift these cunts out of the boardroom.

Happy clapping mediocrity-accepting idiots.
Fran Mitchell
266 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:20:38
Hold a thought for the Arsenal fans that are in meltdown because they only signed Champions Lleague and Euro winning and 3rd place in Ballon D'or midfielder Jorginho as back up.

Poor guys.

Peter Neilson
267 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:21:55
Sad to find that Sharp on taking Bill's shilling has become a fully paid up supporting actor for this useless board. He had and still has the chance to attend the game and disregard the “advice” he's received.

It'd be an even more powerful statement than thousands staying after the match. Very much doubt he will though.

Bill Gall
268 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:22:48
How long has the transfer window been open, and at the same time how long have we known we need another striker and midfielder? Yet, with a couple of hours to go, our only business dealings have been to sell one of our younger prospects. Never mind all the paper talk why do we have a DoF if we cant sign any players ?

Do not blame a couple of nutcases chasing Gordon to make him want to leave, this happens at all clubs when they are losing, we just don't hear about it.

The problem is as plain as if you towed a banner behind a plane. Everton, your owner and board are a failure. We as supporters are asked to get behind the manager and players, why don't the Owner and Board do the same?

As a Supporter since 1954 and used to players coming to Everton as they were a top premiership club, it really saddens me that players will pick a team that normally finish in the middle or lower in the league rather than move to Everton. This is the most damning evidence of the scandalous position the Owner and Board have allowed the club to sink.

Do not blame the supporters, the only problem with them is they left it too late to complain about a problem that is obvious to everyone else except to the people that are the problem

Tony Everan
269 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:25:32
Ismailia Sarr now rumoured, we are offering £25m + incentives.
Charles Brewer
270 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:26:48
I'm sure Calvert-Lewin will be disappointed that Sulemana has gone to Southampton. Now that Rondon has gone, which other alleged striker is he going to be able to chat to during physiotherapy?

As far as I can see, there was only one player it would have been good to get into the Everton team at the moment, Lewis Dobbin. Having seen his super display at Derby the other night he looks to have the football intelligence and even the fitness which is so absent from the current team.

Mike Doyle
271 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:27:57
Rob # 260,

If fan protests really put players off, Man Utd (for one) would never sign anyone.

Personally, I never expected any signings of significance – other than maybe one on loan.

Still won't be that surprised if Branthwaite goes (always assuming the alleged PSV bid for him was genuine).

In other news, I see Cenk Tosun has scored again!

Peter Neilson
272 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:28:59
Dyche:

“There is quality in this squad. But we have to make them shine. That's the job of me and my staff.”

Best get polishing.

Dave Abrahams
273 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:31:28
Mike (271), wait til she sees him without his Irish jig.
Keith Gleave
274 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:40:35
I have said this before: Lampard and Thelwell we're meeting during the World Cup break to discuss transfer business. Lampard was sacked 3 weeks into the window. Additions to the squad: nil.

Dyche may not want some of the identified. We are told he was looking at players last week; who have we got? Jack shit.

The whole management of the club, minus Dyche, are a disgrace. There has been no policy on players or when to get them in. No policy on the style of football so you can get players to fit the philosophy. Today, we are a laughing stock.

Eric Haworth
275 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:43:21
Some have already touched on the most important aspect of our only way out of this crisis we find ourselves in, and that's the performance from this point to the end of the season of this existing playing squad.

Because, forgetting how unattractive we've become from those elsewhere for whatever reason, and there are many, it was never financially feasible that we'd be in a position to purchase the required quality in the required numbers.

We don't have to look very far from home to see how inflated the market is, when we can demand £45M for Anthony Gordon, and without getting into his merits or otherwise, as others have already done that to death elsewhere, he's far from the finished article. So we need to avoid this tendency of being led by the nose and attracted to below-average players we've never heard of, or rather I've never heard of.

This time last week, everyone was going nuts about this lad from Sheffield Utd that we were rumoured to have bid £20M for which was knocked back. I'd personally never heard of him.

But I got to see him at the weekend in the cup tie at Wrexham, and to say he was shit would've been kind and made the £45M the Barcodes paid for Gordon look like a bargain, in fact the scouse lad Mullin for Wrexham looked 10 times the player.

Also, this guy who we've just missed out on to Southampton from Renne that our fans have been going ape about. I've never heard of him before either and I doubt whether most others have either. I defo didn't know anything about him till I googled him.

What do you know: it seems he's another sick note and only started one game for them and hardly completes 90 minutes… sound familiar? I also looked at his stats and not exactly remarkable either with only 1 goal and historically nowhere near as good as Maupay's were during his Brentford and Brighton days.

So the point I'm trying to make is, just because they're shiny and new with an exotic name, doesn't necessarily mean they're an upgrade on what we've already got, unless you pay a helluva lot of money for the guaranteed upgrade in quality, and unfortunately those type of players have a habit of being the reserve of clubs a lot better than us.

That's not to say there aren't unpolished gems out there, which better run and structured clubs than us can still uncover, but that's another thread and gonna take a lot longer to put right than we've currently got with our latest crisis.

But getting back to the topic in hand, and that's focussing on what we've got and, as an example, I've already touched on Maupay's previous stats at both Brentford and Brighton. That's before he joined us and we tried to turn him into Calvert-Lewin lite, an unsupported target man, which was totally alien to him.

His previous stats we're almost identical in numbers of goals scored and assists to Richarlison. That's why he might be a better option than all these unknowns with stats that don't bear comparison, particularly at this level and in this league?

By playing him more to his strengths and teaming him up with Calvert-Lewin might be a better option than wasting millions on gambles who're statistically not as good and certainly not proven.

For fuck's sake, we're now being linked with Ayew coz he's free… 🤦‍♂️

I would suggest that the biggest task in hand is whether Sean Dyche can get a tune out of what we've got and whether he can keep them injury free. Despite all the criticism, we do already have some decent players and in the main better than most of the other relegation candidates?

We've also got the likes of Garner, Patterson, Townsend and Godfrey all on their way back from injury, so what we've got ain't that bad?

Providing Sean Dyche can get them better motivated, organised & playing as a team, which encouragingly appears to be one of his strengths, together with first and foremost making us more difficult to beat, then we've still got a chance with what we've got.

If we'd just got a single point from each of Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth, Leicester & West Ham, which should've been achievable with a better manager, we'd have 20 points now and not even be thinking about relegation.

It was Lampard's obsession with passing the ball to death playing out from back and through the lines and losing the ball before we even got out of our own half that did the damage... 🤦‍♂️🤬😤

Rant over.

Barry Hesketh
276 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:43:22
The supporters told BBC Sport they were protesting over a lack of investment in the football side and claimed there was no communication between the board and the fans.

On Tuesday, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust reiterated its calls for the board to outline the strategy and vision for the club, calling for "clarity and commitment".

Admittedly there were only around 60 folk who turned up to the Spurs training ground on the 21 January, to protest, but apparently, according to some of our fellow Evertonians, we are too demanding of our club and the team.

Imagine, if Everton were still in the FA Cup, with an outside chance of another Champions League qualification. Goodison and this and every Everton fansite would be bouncing.

Some Everton fans are meeting up at Finch Farm tonight at 7pm to show their unhappiness at the current plight of the club.

Simon Jones
277 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:47:28
Well, maybe there is a plan after all? Sign no-one, promote all the kids into a relegation scrap, that'll toughen 'em up for next season then?
Jerome Shields
278 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:49:33
Everton in football hasn't been thought as a good career move for a long time. Add to that a tight budget and the PR debacle by the club of setting fire to the club's reputation with fake news regarding fans.

Dyche has not been given much time to contact footballers that are loyal to him. Everton grasping at the last minute at out-of-reach players and not being able to secure loans is a bad look.

Dyche has probably copped on that the transfer procedure as described by Moshiri, who said it hadn't worked, is as bad as Moshiri said.

I expect that Dyche will be dependent on the existing squad. At this stage, it is close to impossible to think otherwise.

Dyche's strength is he has worked with Keane, McNeil and Tarkowski and his ability to organise with a priority to get the ball directly forward. I think Maupay will benefit from this also.

Ernie Baywood
279 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:54:59
£45M for Gordon starting to look worse and worse from a relegation perspective. He was capable of scoring a couple more goals this season. What now?

I think we're seeing the actions of club leadership who either:

1) Have accepted relegation and are planning accordingly; or

2) Do not plan to be at the club much longer.

I mean, a bid for Gallagher smacks of us having no plan or targets in place ahead of time. It looks like someone thought "Chelsea have just signed a few players, they must have someone going spare".

We're now asking Dyche to be a miracle worker which is pretty unrealistic.

Al Speed
280 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:55:14
That European Football expert on Sky says those 2 players Southampton are trying to sign aren’t as good as what Everton already have and certainly not worth the money plus the wages they would be demanding….
Jim Lloyd
281 Posted 31/01/2023 at 18:59:56
Dale, (264) I think you'll find that we will support the team, the squad and the manager to the end of the season. Unless something drastically improves in the next 4 and a bit hours. We are going to have a squad who have been left to get on with it.

What is happening now is the lifeblood of the club, the supporters, are realising right now that the Board and the owner have lied. "If we need a striker we will get one!" unless we get 2/3 players in of quality, Sean Dyche will have to get the best out of this squad that he can. We've done that in flashes so far. Now it's got to be consistent.

The Board are a bunch of incompetent, lying, charlatans.

I think he can do it. Whether we will be good enough, strong enough and fit enough, we'll have to wait and see.

My view is every supporter can see what's happening. We're on our own but the supporters will back our team.

A bit dramatic this, but I call it the "Great Betrayal" All the history of EFC for the last 70'odd years hanging on a squad with no reinforcements

John Pickles
282 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:03:12
The world's most relieved man, Marcelo Bielsa!
Anthony A Hughes
283 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:04:45
Get the Mr Sheen out Dychey, you're going have to polish the turd of all turds here mate.
Brian Hennessy
284 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:05:27
I honestly think the Gallagher 'bid' was made in full knowledge that it was never going to happen.

I think Moshiri and Billy the Liar have convinced themselves that we won't get relegated and Moshiri is not going to spend any more money as he wants to sell as quickly as possible.

If Dyche keeps this squad up he deserves a statue outside the new stadium.

This board and owner cannot be allowed to continue. We simply have to get them out of our club.

Anthony Murphy
285 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:07:14
We’ll sell Pickford and Onana in the summer - possibly DCL too - and try to rebuild for a quick return to the prem. That’s got to be the plan.
Craig Walker
286 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:07:48
I thought the window when we got Josh King was bad. This is shambolic. A club resigned to relegation. Moshiri said we would sign a forward. 4 hours left. We should have signed 2 forwards on New Year’s Day. Joke of a club.
Barry Hesketh
287 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:08:05
Brian @284
I believe the Gallagher deal fell through because Mosh wanted Noel and Bill wanted Liam.
John Graham
288 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:10:06
Hopefully we won't sign anyone now.

If we do it will just be panic buying at inflated prices.

We should have had our targets lined up and deals stuck in advance instead we get into price wars with the likes of Southampton.

Maybe everything was dependent on the Gordon transfer to give us the funds and when we finally got the money other teams had already sorted the deals.

Thelwell needs to get on the ball and earn his money now by lining up deals for the summer with both the premiership and the championship in mind.

If we haven't got the funds for known players maybe it's time to get a few new signings into the U21's which we can fast track into the first team over the next few months.

Proves one thing though,our scouting system needs a total overhaul and if that doesn't work the the man at the top needs to pack his bags.

Danny Baily
289 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:10:17
Anthony 285, that is most likely the plan. And it's probably the best option. Nobody wants a repeat of the Dele signing, and we're not staying up from here anyway.
Anthony A Hughes
290 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:11:18
I wouldn't be surprised if Thelwell resigns soon.
While Dyche tries to shine the turd Thelwell has to bake it and sell it to incoming players.
It fucking stinks at Everton
Peter Neilson
291 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:14:06
Bielsa stayed two days at Lazio. Can’t imagine he’d have lasted one day here with this crew in charge.
Ernie Baywood
292 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:16:45
John, if we sign no-one and Thelwell isn't sacked tomorrow then we'll know it was managed according to the owner's and board's wishes.

Moshiri keeps making it clear that Thelwell is the man who is accountable for the football side.

If they legitimately tried to strengthen then someone must have failed and needs to be held accountable. If they didn't legitimately try to strengthen the status quo remains until Moshiri gets a buyer.

I don't see any possible alternative now... unless the club shocks me by suddenly closing out on deals they've been working on for weeks.

Joe McMahon
293 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:19:36
Why on earth did Sean Dyche agree? He had even more money and a better squad at Burnley.

Anyone expecting Calvert-Lewin to stay fit and start scoring 25-yard screamers or the midfield to pass forwards, or clean sheets is going to be disappointed.

The buck stops with the incompetent board, and Kenwright, who have been here for years, messed up Kings Dock and brought in Moshiri.

To the guys who like looking back at certain years in the '0s and '80s, that's all we will have.

Derek Knox
294 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:19:44
Bet the Club Doctor hasn't said "Cough" once today!
Barry Hesketh
295 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:22:53
Derek @294
That's not true the doctor did say "Koff" when Bill presented him with the Electricity bill for the machinery he had been using in the medical centre.
Anthony A Hughes
296 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:23:48
Kevin you've got 17 pence to go and get us some players, oh and leave the change on the boardroom table lad.
Will Mabon
297 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:24:31
Scripted, this. Got to be.

It's too perfect, too repetitive, too relentless, too thoroughly destructive. I no longer believe in this degree of accidental incompetence pervading at this level for this long.

Decision made: Everton's turn.

Anthony A Hughes
298 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:27:00
You're right, Will, it's impossible for any organisation to be so inept.
Barry Hesketh
299 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:27:37
Will @297,

Of course it could all be what might be described as "mismanaged decline" or the owner and the board are so fed up with the supporters unrealistic demands – as they see it - that they have decided to put two fingers up to the fan-base.

Barry Robson
300 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:28:31
Will 297 that's exactly what I said to my lad a couple of hours ago.
This is orchestrated.
Colin Glassar
301 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:28:32
Suicidal this.

#SackTheBoard

#KenwrightOut

Dave Williams
302 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:32:33
This has all signs of the owner flogging assets to line his pockets in readiness for a sale. If no one is signed it will be scandalous and a total disgrace.
It should certainly unite Dyche and the fans against a cowardly board who should feel ashamed.
Barry Hesketh
303 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:33:47
Do championship clubs qualify for more funds in relation to ground improvements or building stadiums than a club in the Premier League? I was thinking that's why the board are blaming the fans because we should have gone down last season and the supporters spoiled the plan?

There has to be a reason for not having any sort of contingency plans. If Calvert-Lewin got injured on Saturday, we'd have to rely on Simms to fill the gap, which is doable but not at all ideal.

Mike Doyle
304 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:36:22
Anthony # 285,

You can add Branthwaite to that list – assuming of course that he doesn't go today.

Eugene Ruane
305 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:37:19
Absolutely convinced Dyche was told "Don't worry about relegation, you're here to bring us back up!"

This last day shite is – and always was – a load of utter bollocks.

Even under 'normal' (?) circumstances, it's basically leaving your Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve... at 11:30 pm.

Only in Everton's case, with about 70 fucking pence.

Kevin Molloy
306 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:37:30
Just a theory but I reckon Gordon has ruined our strategy. I reckon the plan was always to sell him, but Everton wanted to delay the announcement until the last few hours of the window. So that we could claim skintness to the clubs we were negotiating with.

But I reckon Gordon has realised that there was a danger we decided not to sell at the last minute if we couldn't get anyone in, and so went nuclear to force his way out. Hence Everton, being absolutely furious with him. I think that fury was genuine.

Peter Carpenter
307 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:41:16
Will the board be attending on Saturday?
Rob Halligan
308 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:41:16
Michy Batshuayi approached, and declined the offer as he wants a move somewhere with a more stable project.

KENWRIGHT OUT!

Danny Baily
309 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:43:30
Barry 303, that was Peter Johnson's plan back in the day; to fund our new ground out at Cronton using parachute payments (remember that?). I don't think it works like that these days.

There's no conspiracy. We spent big and unwisely a few years back. We made poor managerial appointments (Benitez and Lampard) and then wasted what limited resources we had in the summer on the likes of Maupay and McNeil.

Jerome Shields
310 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:44:36
Robert, #185,

Is it fact that money does not have to be paid up front in the case of players being touted around by agents?

Barry Hesketh
311 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:45:28
Peter @307,

"Enhanced security procedures and protocols are being put in place for the club's players and staff," and that, "the club can confirm that Everton's next fixture at Goodison Park (Arsenal on Saturday 4 February) will also be categorised as high risk."

Given that statement, I would expect the board to remain absent?

Ray Smith
312 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:45:38
Hazard to Dortmund!
What a surprise 😂😂😂
Robert Tressell
313 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:48:33
Jerome # 310,

No, I mean that presumably agents only bother approaching us where the selling club might accept money on the drip. Otherwise, there's no prospect of transacting. This will severely limit who is a realistic signing.

Brian Williams
314 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:48:52
Ayew incoming. Now if you don't see that as the board taking the piss out of the supporters there's something seriously wrong.
Oliver Molloy
315 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:49:35
Apparently we enquired about Michy Batshuay. He is happy in Turkey and would only consider moving for a more stable project!

I would just stop asking now, its getting embarrassing.

Barry Hesketh
316 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:49:46
Danny @309
I tend to agree and the wages that we have thrown at players has never been sustainable either, it has been a terrible waste of time and money this last seven years.
Tony Everan
317 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:50:07
We are now in advanced talks to sign Ayew according to LEquipe.

This is Moshiri keeping his word…’I told you we’d sign a striker’

Barry Hesketh
318 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:53:17
Exclusive: Everton FC to be docked 25 points for not taking the Premier League seriously, and for bringing the world brand into disrepute. :)
Tony Abrahams
319 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:54:06
The sad thing about these reports about players not wanting to come to Everton because it’s unstable, is that the board are probably getting their friends in the media to highlight this, just like they got their friends in the media, to highlight the pack of lies they told, before the Southampton game.

I am breaking a rule that I made when I was 15 years of age, and now actually feel sorry for Sean Dyche. He wanted the job, he’s going to get very well paid for doing the job, but this owner and his totally inept board, have driven a massive wedge between themselves and our supporters now, and it’s going to become brutal.

Instead of facing the fans, they told lies, helping to push a false narrative (except for a few stupid kids) and I expect things are going to explode very soon.

No love lost between the fans and Gordon, just like there was no love lost between Franny Jeffers, and the fans, and no love lost between Wayne Rooney, and the fans. Take a final bow Bill Kenwright, because you are surely facing the final curtain, you horrible, deceitful man.

Ayew might end up going to Forest, Tony.

Anthony A Hughes
320 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:55:08
Went past the new stadium earlier though, looking good.

Craig Walker
322 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:58:09
Our board are like the Tory government. Lying bastards who don’t like strikers.
Tony Abrahams
324 Posted 31/01/2023 at 19:59:18
Oliver@315, the fella who went on loan year after year, is seeking stability? I’m actually smiling, but surely everyone must be able to see through the bullshit that has existed at Everton, since Bill Kenwright became our saviour, many boring moons ago?
Peter Neilson
325 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:00:15
As Moshiri said in the summer: “There will be new signings and I would ask supporters to judge us at the end of the transfer window – not now.” Well done all. Over the two windows of 2022-23 – incoming signings £82M, outgoing £105M.

Moshiri and the board must be delighted and chilling tonight congratulating themselves on getting the hang of this footy lark. The nuance of the quality of incoming vs outgoing isn't their concern.

But then what does Graeme Sharp bring to the party? Bill gushed, “We were determined to have someone join us with not only great knowledge of Everton but also extensive football insight and experience. Someone who could support and challenge. And in Sharpy's case we've got this in abundance.”

The statement went on “In his new role, Sharp will utilise the wealth of knowledge of the game he has been amassed over more than four decades to provide valuable input into the Club's football strategy.”

The board can't get off the hook for this shambles.

Marc Hints
326 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:02:01
Everton are in advanced talks with Andre Ayew what a shambles, may as well kept Rondon. What a waste of wages
I give up
Paul Kossoff
327 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:03:34
I've said for a while that somebody wants us relegated, Kenwright the obvious choice, why I don't know other than he will be in complete control when Moshiri buggers off and leaves the lot to Uncle Bullshit.
Will Mabon
328 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:03:56
Well it seems crazy to think something nefarious, but I'm struggling with it. Feels all wrong.

Now our "project" is not good enough for Batshuayi...

Will Mabon
329 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:05:06
Ayew serious?
Ian Hollingworth
330 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:07:12
What a fucking shambles this club is. The complete fuck show has gone on under Kenwright's watch. Surely he can't be proud of where he has taken our beloved club?

KENWRIGHT OUT IMMEDIATELY

Protests must not stop against this dysfunctional board.

Billy Bullshit, it's time to go.

Tony Everan
331 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:13:31
A,aaayew yew yew, push pineapple, shake the tree
A,aaayew yew yew, push pineapple, grind coffee
To the left, to the right, jump up and down and to the knees
Come and dance every night, sing with a hula melody
Simon Dalzell
332 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:14:35
What Ayew on Tony.
Michael Lynch
333 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:15:03
Ayew? Have we learnt nothing from the Rondon debacle?

Andrew Kelly
334 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:15:13
As soon as we got Simms back from his loan I think we all knew deep down that was our new striker coming in for the rest of the season.

Got to just hope that Dyche can perform a miracle and make us hard to beat and pick up some points. Is that a flying pig I see?! Oh no it's Fat Bill on the first plane out tomorrow morning!

Allen Rodgers
335 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:16:18
Frank Lampard sat at home with a nice drop of malt thinking, "Thank fuck I'm out of that shit show!"
Michael Lynch
336 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:18:08
To be fair, Ayew was Ghanian Footballer of the Year.

In 2011.

Marc Hints
337 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:18:27
And now, rumours on Twitter saying we are not signing Ayew.
Tony Abrahams
338 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:19:30
Allen @335, wins the window, with that simple line.
Will Mabon
339 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:19:37
Funny, Allen, I was just thinking that.

Wouldn't you love a half hour chat with him.

Tony Everan
340 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:24:21
Thank god for that, just when you thought the bottom of he barrel had been reached. He looks too big after 2 years in Qatar. He'd be knackered in the Premier League after 10 minutes. Someone said ‘‘he looks like he has eaten Rondon”.
Peter Carpenter
341 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:24:35
On Saturday at Goodison we might witness the strange sight of a new manager being warmly welcomed as the last hope of the fans, whilst at the same time there are loud and angry demonstrations going on against the board.

My hope is that out of chaos comes some kind of backs-to-the-wall, fuck-you, last-chance-saloon inner strength that we didn't know was there.

Will Mabon
342 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:31:08
"On Saturday at Goodison we might witness the strange sight of a new manager being warmly welcomed as the last hope of the fans, whilst at the same time there are loud and angry demonstrations going on against the board."

Bananas, eh? Think I'm going to the game too.

Christopher Timmins
343 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:31:30
The guy who scored the two goals tonight, was he the guy we were after last January or was it his brother?
Andy Crooks
344 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:32:24
Will, I think you are on to something. I think it impossible that a group of like-minded incompetent fools could be thrown together and get absolutely nothing, not a fucking thing, right, year after year.

For every single thing to go wrong in such a spectacular manner is impossible. A group of chimps would, by accident, have done better. Something is wrong, something is strange.

Anthony A Hughes
345 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:33:31
The fans will have it, Peter, but those gutless fucking wasters on the pitch and boardroom won't.
Laurie Hartley
346 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:33:43
Eric # 275 - spot on.
Alec Gaston
347 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:34:12
Peter @341.

That is my hope to and to be honest our only hope – Shitshow FC.

John Graham
348 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:36:36
So basically we expect to go to Arsenal without any new signings and without Gordon and then our new manager is going to work miracles and get a performance out of a team that already think they are going down?

What a joke.

Let's hope that with Gordon gone he gives Stanley Mills a chance and maybe one or two others. Backs to the wall, 90 minutes of defending with long balls out of defence. Maybe a few bookings and a possible red.

It's not going to be pretty. Not looking forward to it. A bumpy ride a head.

Anthony A Hughes
349 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:36:56
One for The Twilight Zone, Andy.
Will Mabon
350 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:37:27
Andy, it's a horrible thought, but...

Christopher, it was him.

Dennis Stevens
351 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:39:28
No John, Arsenal are coming to Goodison Park.
Terry Downes
352 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:39:44
I fuckin' nailed this at 2 this afternoon. Ayew in, £40M for Bill (Arteta money all over again). Good day at the office?

Now do we understand what Bill meant when he said Everton always get it right??

Fran Mitchell
353 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:40:57
Wonder if Thelwell will actually stay on?

Part of me expects him to walk, saying his hands were tied. Or for him to be sacked (paid off) and the club have another scapegoat for the failure to sign anyone.

Mike Keating
354 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:45:20
So - we’ve been gazumpted by Southampton TWICE!
Unbelievable
Will Mabon
355 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:45:55
Fran, good point, we'll have to see there - no mention of his role from here, and who knows how Dyche wants to operate... or has been told to.
Tony Abrahams
356 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:46:16
I’m doing what I said we all should do just after 8O’Clock this morning Terry, but I can’t see myself having a good nights sleep though. Very worrying times.
Brent Stephens
357 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:46:32
Andy #344 " A group of chimps would, by accident, have done better [than the board]."

I think you might have found the answer to all our problems.

Michael Burke
358 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:50:05
Christopher @343, it was Sean we were after. His brother Matty has been farmed out on loan over the last few year. Sean has had a bit of a renaissance under Howe!
Tony Everan
359 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:50:21
Don’t worry folks, work starts tomorrow morning, 8am, on the summer transfer window. May need a new database though, all the targets in the old one are now in the Spam folder.
Pat Kelly
360 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:51:21
We were after someone from The Walking Dead. But he's had his head turned.
Mike Doyle
361 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:51:46
Fran 353] I’ve been thinking the same thing. Thelwell seems to have a good reputation in the industry and I’d have thought he’d want to protect it.
I don’t buy the suggestions of fan protests putting players off and We aren’t the only club in the relegation zone. Southampton and Forest seem to have no problems getting people in, so I wonder if we were ever seriously in for anyone. The Gordon money being used (with the Arteta money) to help with stadium funding.
Robert Tressell
362 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:52:52
Well we're just about down to the last 2 hrs.

You can now see why our managerial situation was so difficult.

And it now looks like Gordon was sold out of necessity, to save us from going under.

I do still think we have a chance under Dyche even without additions. It will be hard though. Very hard.

Christy Ring
363 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:57:12
Joke of a club, embarrassing. Gordon deal was last Friday, would we not have had a better chance trying to sign players 3/4 days ago? Personally I think it's a setup, never going to spend the Gordon money.
Sharp is definitely showing his Bill colours.
Peter Hodgson
364 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:57:37
Paul @327

Don't remember when it was but I posted on here that Kenwright wanted us relegated so he could pick up Moshiri's shares for peanuts and become our proud owner once again. Don't laugh. I meant it.. After another comedy show all we are going to get from the January window is broken glass in our faces,

No goal scorers, no hope despite the promising words from on high. I believe that too. We are totally shafted and the sooner everyone accepts that the better. If there are any signings they will be tokens only and trying to appease rather than meaning anything.

I feel very sorry for Sean Dyche who, if he manages to keep us up, deserves a medal and our wonderful owner must then do something decisive and get rid of the Chairman and his acolytes before they damage the Club even further.

Final note. Dyche and the players needs and deserves our full support for his task from now onwards because he isn't going to get it from the numpties in the Boardroom anytime soon so do your bit please.

Will Mabon
365 Posted 31/01/2023 at 20:59:36
"And it now looks like Gordon was sold out of necessity, to save us from going under."

I defer if you heard something concrete, Robert, but didn't we hear this after Richy went... and then look what happened.

Who knows - truth is becoming a rare commodity.

Anthony Murphy
366 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:03:39
Even by our recent standards, this is off the scale bad. I think those words by Dyche saying the squad was ok is very telling.

I hope no one blames those fans who have turned up at FF tonight - the club are to blame 100%

Tony Everan
367 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:04:25
Robert, there is a chance, but it’s going to rest on DCL being his best and not breaking down. I can see Dyche going 4411 packing the midfield and playing Maupey or Gray off Lewin. We may snatch some wins this way with fitter players and the team organised and playing to its strengths, understanding their responsibility better. If Sean Dyche can do what he does best to get us out of this hole it will be a massive achievement.

Simms will deputise for DCL and needs to be 100% ready to perform because we will be relying on him in this formation.

Trevor Powell
368 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:06:29
Every time a PL manager is sacked, the pundits come out with the manta that, "Football is a results lead game/business". Lampard and the managers before him have failed in the results business and have been sacked.

In the board room, they have completely failed in the results business and yet we are stuck with them, because Moshiri does not have football nous and yet he is a supposed to be a successful business man. I can not believe that FM has not sacked executives in his business.

Kenwright, to my mind, has only made three positive contributions:
1. Getting Peter Johnson out of the club
2. Signing David Moyes
3. Signing Roberto Martinez, who gave us out best PL points total and provided great entertainment in the short term.

Clearly, the inference is that Kenwright is leading Moshiri by the nose with a mantra of Football is not a results led game or is it a sad narcissistic sad luvvie paranoid about not feeling important anymore!

Christy Ring
369 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:07:19
I see where Thierry Small gone to St. Mirren on loan from Southampton, the grass is never greener on the other side!
Mark Taylor
370 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:08:43
Andy 344
No luck on the chimps, they've gone to Spurs, but I've got my hands on a few meerkats. Will they do?
Barry Hesketh
371 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:08:49
Anthony @
I read on G.O.T. that the event at FF was cancelled, as the club is alleged to have pleaded with them not to attend, the other rumour is that Spurs persuaded them to attend its training ground at the last minute.
Mike Gaynes
372 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:10:16
Here's two guys we ought to consider.

Fella named Enner Valencia, fresh off a brilliant World Cup, scoring four goals in 30 minutes for Fenerbahce, giving him 19 goals in 17 games, far and away leading the Turkish League:

https://www.beinsports.com/us/turkish-super-league/video/an-unstoppable-enner-valencia-scores-4-in-hal/2030824

And over in Serie A, a spectacular solo effort by the league's second leading scorer with 12 goals, including 7 in the past 4 games... Ademola Lookman:

https://eaglestrackerng.com/blogs/highlights/lookman-goal-vs-sampdoria

Life just totally sucks sometimes.

Alan Burnham
373 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:11:06
Whilst I understand the desperate optimism which prompts some to map out a way that Dyche keeps us in the PL what basis is there for thinking he can make this team score goals ? No doubt he will bolster the defence and increase the workrate but goals ?? Failure to buy in this window is just one more example of the incompetence and arrogance of those who run this club - they are taking the piss.
Paul Birmingham
374 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:13:39

The DOF, must also be accountable, but we’re his hands tied, effectively having no influence, in terms of his transfer strategy, as DOF, at EFC?

Hopefully Dyche will creat a dirty dozen, siege mentality with his squad and retune some of the players and they get their spirits back.

Massive challenge ahead for EFC, as it stands, in terms of boosting the squad, be it by new players in, or nurturing those we have to get better.

But in football, any thing can happen.

Will Mabon
375 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:15:00
Mike - there really is no realistic comeback to that...
Jerome Shields
376 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:16:58
Robert#313

Thank you. I have a better understanding of where you are coming from.I think you could be right.It is unusual the players that Everton are reported to be involved in negotiations with seem to be touted round a few Clubs and have a choice who they sign for.Also free of contract players seem to be also pushed forward.

Everton are not in the game as a Club regarding players they would seek. They are definitely not player on your or Sams list. Thewell as Director of Football has the job of being first contact, with a bit of Manager input with this merry go round. Then a requisition form is sent to the Chairman, according to Moshiri.


It really does make you wonder what planning goes into the selection of suitable players.It really imo looks that Everton players of value are touted about most of the transfer window to get profit in and then a scramble takes place to get a bargain loan or something on the cheap or on the drip.

Mark Ryan
377 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:17:18
Be interesting to see if Kenwright, DBB and Sharp attend Goodison for Dyches' first game. He deserves a 1-0 win. They deserve a 0-6 loss

KENWRIGHT OUT !!

George Cumiskey
378 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:20:44
It's gotta be official now Everton are the worst run club in the Pemier Leaague, not only this season but in history.
Will Mabon
379 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:22:59
Mark - another good point.

That would be a poor look were they to stay away for the new manager's first game.

Their actions have given the media endless options whatever they do.

Mark Ryan
380 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:24:03
We are an absolute laughing stock on Sky Sports News:

"Another player not going to Everton, Elanga on loan" and they all laugh.

Shame on you, Kenwright. We are a joke.

I call on the Holy Trinity to visit Kenwright tonight and simply say "What the fuck have you done to our once great club, you fucking bell-end?"

Danny Baily
381 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:27:40
Looks like the Ayew rumours were just that. Probably for the best.
Dave Abrahams
382 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:27:55
I’m off to bed, I’ve got a good book to finish, pity me I’ll miss all the fun of reading about the new players we were promised.
Denis Richardson
383 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:30:45
Honestly I cannot believe that, with barely a couple of hours left in the January window, we've yet to sign a single player, never mind a striker.

We've needed a striker since June. Failed to sign one in the summer (god only knows why we signed Maupay and McNeil) and now, having had the whole World Cup period to scout strikers to join on the 1st Jan, we're left at the 11th hour on the 31st with. nothing. Even a 6-month loan, anything, seems beyond us.

It's truly shocking to think a Premier League club is being run like this. Over half a year to sign one single proper striker. A 10-year-old can see from a mile off this squad lacks goals, yet we kept signing defenders and midfielders (but still ship goals).

I truly despair for this club. It wouldn't surprise me if the board failed to turn up to any remaining home game this season. They must surely know the game's up, the fans have simply had enough and many would happily take relegation if it guaranteed a complete change at the top. It really is a sad state to be in.

The only silver lining is that I believe the rubicon has been crossed and there's no returning for Moshiri or Kenwright. People want them both gone and it will get ugly if they don't move on before next season.

Robert Leigh
384 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:31:00
The fact Sky keep saying “Everton tried to sign [whoever] earlier this window, but we're thwarted” just shows we've nobody coming in. And that Moshiri is bleeding this info (fake) out now to try and appease us.

Sack the Board, Thelwell – resign if you're not backed.

Ray Smith
385 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:32:04
I won't be there Saturday, and hopefully Kenwright & Co don't attend either.

May I suggest one banner: ‘Just Go, Bill'. 😢😢😢

Mark Ryan
386 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:32:10
Southampton sign 2 strikers and the latest is 6'7" and been ripping up Belgian trees of late.
Bill Fairfield
387 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:35:04
It would be a brave board of directors that turn up this weekend. Stick will be merciless.
Pat Kelly
388 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:35:36
Dyche would have been told we were signing no-one. But he took the job anyway.

Who's going to turn down a multimillion contract when unemployed? If he wants to make the squad shine, he'd best get polishing turds.

Barry Hesketh
389 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:38:16
I think we have to conclude that Moshiri has lost all interest in the footballing side of the club, and he won't care what division we are in next season, if he manages to sell before the end of this season.

That's likely the reason he hasn't made changes at board level, hasn't acquired the forward he said he would, and of course has said nothing about the new manager – unless I missed it.

Tony Everan
390 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:38:28
Watford have rejected a late bid from Everton to try to sign Ismaila Sarr on loan with a loan fee of £2M and an obligation to buy for £30M if the club avoided relegation, as well as a £4M appearance bonus. (Source: The Athletic)
Terry Downes
391 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:40:37
Dennis,

We've needed a striker since Lukaku left?
Andy Crooks
392 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:43:31
George @ 378, an outrageous comment. Can you give the board no credit?

We are the worst run club in the history of football anywhere in the world. What they have achieved sets a standard of ineptitude that will stand the test of time.

It is the equivalent of a two-minute mile, climbing Everest in a track suit, swimming the Atlantic. It is awe-inspiring.

Will Mabon
393 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:45:22
Barry - kind of ties in to earlier...
Anthony A Hughes
394 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:46:39
The Premier League should do the fit and proper check into how these morons are running our club.
George Cumiskey
395 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:48:46
Dyche is in a win-win situation: he keeps us up and he's a hero; we get relegated and he didn't have time; sack him and he picks up millions on his contract.

It's tough life for a football manager.

Joe McMahon
396 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:50:11
Anthony, correct.

The board, including that tosser Sharp, have taken the piss out of the fans just too many times now. We are going down and not coming back up.

Karl Masters
397 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:50:36
I'm sure the Anthony Gordon incident has put many players off coming here. And who could blame them?

Some of our fans have a lot to answer for…

Anthony A Hughes
398 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:50:43
Football is at its peak and awash with money and our muppets are taking us down without a pot to piss in.
Mark Ryan
399 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:51:09
Can we have a Thelwell Out banner too for Saturday:

"Thell Well - Buy Poorly"

Anthony A Hughes
400 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:52:32
A banner with a lisp, I love it!
Ian McAvoy
402 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:53:08
So it's looking more and more like Moshiri lied to supporters about bringing in a proven goal scorer this window?

If it doesn't happen, then my trust in him as a well-heeled owner who has the best interests of the club at heart is toast!

If he does nothing between now and the end of the season, he needs to get rid of the board and replace them with proper commercial and football expertise.

Mark Ryan
404 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:53:49
Sky Sports reporting "Dyche has driven off from Finch Farm. Thelwell apparently hasn't and is still inside the building."

That's cos he's just been snotted by Sean and he's lying in a bin.

Paul Corbishley
405 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:54:53
We have had good times haven't we?

The board have failed the new manager and the team as much as the fans tonight. It should never have come down to this. Business should have been done, maybe it was dependent on finances but we have what we have.

It goes only 1 way now, the fans, the manager and the team coming together again and fighting like fuck to stay in this league with the players that the board gave us.

Fuck everyone including the board, siege mentality, we shall not be broken.

Protests against those on the board are right and long overdue but should not take away from support for the team to win games at Goodison.

Get right behind the team for the next 4 months but never let the liars get away with it!!!

Kevin Molloy
406 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:56:26
It's totally weird if we don't even bring in a loan. Inexplicable.

Even a journeyman striker would be welcome. I just don't understand it.

Will Mabon
407 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:56:58
Mark @ 399,

One of the day's best. If there's a better one, it will come at the end of the transfer window.

Andy Meighan
408 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:57:14
Karl 397.

I think you'll find it's the board and director of football that have got a lot to answer for while the fans have been exemplary.

They've had all summer and now this window to get players in and have failed miserably. Selling Gordon is just blatant asset stripping. That cash will now not see the light of day.

When we go in April or May, Onana and Pickford will be off and the Iranian will sell to the lowest bidder. Thelwell should be sacked for dereliction of duty. We'll get the usual excuses. Sick to death of it.

Mark Ryan
409 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:58:58
Maybe "Thell Well – Pocket the transfer money" would be more apt.
Jason Li
410 Posted 31/01/2023 at 21:59:14
With about an hour to go, I think the winner of this transfer window is Simms. Hopefully he gets good service and puts a few away.

And hopefully Townsend and Patterson get fully match fit soon. These two lads on form will make the squad much better.

Looks like the targets are for players in teams in a better position. Should of been a big list of targets from the Championship of players in teams with absolutely no chance of promotion so they are "gettable".

Brian Williams
411 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:01:02
To paraphrase a well-known quote: "Now this is not the beginning. It's not even the end of the beginning. But it is definitely the beginning of the end."
Jim Lloyd
412 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:02:29
Eric (275) you've made some really good points in your well- thought-out post.

I reckon Lampard and Thelwell had to make hard choices on who to bring in as last Summer's bargain basement choices. And I agree that we haven't made the best of what players we've got. Your point about some of the names (expensive names) we've been linked with, are probably not worth it.

I think where we've continued to fall down, is missing out on players that have cost a few million, like those that Brighton and Brentford and other clubs, have recruited, and are playing like superstars. We seem to have gone for expensive players who haven't really fitted the bill.

I think as well though, what we've been going to the match and watching for years, has not been anywhere near good enough. Why? a lot of reasons and already been through.

But this last season so far, and the delay in trying to bring an improvement has been extremely poor. Culminating in the antics by the Board members up to and including the last home game, and continued up to now, has just been atrociously ill advised.

There is a feeling among us that we have been kidded (I'm being kind!) by the board members, to the extent that many of us feel they have fallen in their responsibilities and that there is no plan to resolve this fall towards relegation.

I go along with you that we have decent players who haven't been organised to be able to use their talents more effectively. You mentioned the stats of Maupay while at previous clubs, can Sean Dyche get more out of him, I think he can. Townsend is a good player and will be back soon, Garner is on the way back to fitness, as you say.

So, I think we've got enough players to make a good fight over the next half of the season, to save us from relegation. I think Sean will give EFC as good a chance as anyone, to pull us away from the relegation places, with the squad we have got and giving the youngsters a chance.

However, I think the Board, led by Kenwright, are guilty of an awful dereliction of duty in running this club of ours in a fit and proper manner. And that's been going on for years, leading us to where we are now. So I won't be holding my breath to see someone come in who is a last-minute panic buy.

Simon Harrison
413 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:02:36
I've just read that Millwall have pulled the plug on the Reece Welch loan. Apparently, they have found a better 'option' elsewhere.

Reece has now gone off their list?

Simon Harrison
414 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:03:54
I wonder if Mr Dyche has left Finch Farm early to consult with his legal team?
Nick Page
415 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:06:17
When Villa went they didn't sign anyone in the Jan window. I think lost 13 of last 15 or something. However, when Villa went they didn't have the Worlds Biggest Villa fan on their board unlike Everton with Kenwright. They also had a ground they could redevelop.

We'll struggle to win 2 games after today. We're down, it's all over. Complete neglect from a board that shouldn't even be there. Next season there will be a fire sale of players to get the ludicrous wage bill – 96% of revenues – down, and more losses. All of these contracts overseen by the board. Bigger losses on the P&L means points deductions are very real.

BMD is now nothing but a pipe dream as we simply can't afford it given the financial structure that Kenwright - once again - has us in.

Unfortunately he sold everything else last time. No doubt Goodison will be failing it's safety certificate soon but at least we can ground share with Southport when we're in League 2. And there won't be another Moshiri to let him play God.

People will lose their jobs, Evertonians will lose their football club.

I sincerely hope, Bill Kenwright that you are thoroughly ashamed of what you have done do this football club. All for your own personal gain and ego.

But I won't hold my breath. There's always someone else to blame for your incompetence, including the fans which love this club more than you.

But at least you had some good times sat in the directors box rubbing shoulders with the great and good. Being chauffeur driven to and from games,'home and away. You are a disgraceful human being.

Andy Crooks
416 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:06:49
I don't ever recall such a united ToffeeWeb. The contempt for the custodians of our club is unanimous.
Jim Lloyd
417 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:08:27
Mark (380) Brilliant mate :)
Denis Richardson
418 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:09:30
Terry 391 - I stand corrected...seriously though, I thought I'd check on the striking legends the club has actually signed recently. I give you

Salomón Rondón, Aug '21
Joshua King, Feb '21
Moise Kean, Aug '19
Richarlison, Jul '18
Cenk Tosun, Jan '18
Nickola Vlasic, Aug '17
Wayne Rooney, Jul' 17
Sandro Ramirez, Jul' 17
Henry Onyekuru, Jun' 17

Other than Richarlison, our 'scouting' of forward talent really takes some beating. For such an important part of the pitch the lack of attention to signing a quality striker is quite stark.

The above list covers 4.5 seasons and 10 transfer windows. Richarlison is/was the only player who was of a decent age and proven in the top flight when brought in. The rest were punts, cheapies and just bad bad buys. (I don't count Maupay as a striker, albeit would just compound the dross listed.)

Paul Smith
419 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:09:51
Football players come from some of the toughest areas in the world they're not scared of our fans, it's the dysfunctional club having a terrible name that's putting them off.

Agents are greedy but they're not fucking stupid, they want to keep their clients on their books. Blame the fans and you're colluding with the owner and board.

Simon Harrison
420 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:10:15
Just seen Chelsea have got Enzo Fernandez, £105 Million, new British transfer record... And we have..?
Barry Hesketh
421 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:14:37
Earlier today, several Premier League teams were still yet to register an incoming deal this January.

But that has changed tonight - with Fulham and Crystal Palace sealing new signings.

That now leaves Everton alone as the only top flight outfit to not recruit a player in this transfer window. Source: The Echo.

That must be another first for our strange and wonderful club.

Jim Lloyd
422 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:15:06
Simon, We have... a whip round!
Simon Harrison
423 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:15:19
Jeezuz H Krhist!!!

Felipe to Forest!? Weren't we in for him at the start of the window?

Kieran Kinsella
424 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:15:45
Reminds me of The Alamo when they are waiting on Colonel Fannon's reinforcements and John Wayne's real life son rides in and rather dramatically takes a huge gulp of water before throwing his cup away and says "Fannon's men ain't coming. They were ambushed."

And Richard Widmark gives John Wayne a knowing look of "we're fucked" while Lawrence Harvey tries not to react and convey the idea it's no big deal.

So I am thinking this will play out at Finch Farm tomorrow with Kenwright as Harvey, Dyche and Thelwell as Widmark and Wayne, and our chief scout as Wayne's boy. And we all remember what happened next.

Christy Ring
425 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:16:30
I don't believe the Gordon incident is the problem, the statement from the board before the Southampton game, and all the sympathy they got from Sky, BBC and all the media, turned everyone against the club's fans.

Even though the police contradicted their story a week later and the pundits were embarrassed to say the least, the harm was done. Well done, Board and Sharp.

Nick Page
426 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:17:00
Couldn't agree more, Paul @419.

It's more duplicitous spin by Kenwright and Prentice – imagine blaming the lifeblood of the club for all their mistakes. It's so low it's untrue.

They're trying the divide and conquer tactics. Don't fall for it. It happens everywhere.

How many people saw what happened with Roma recently? Do players not want to join them cos they have “Ultras” who are far worse than a few lads chasing a car.

Get a grip.

Police called after angry Roma fans confront Zaniolo at home

Simon Harrison
427 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:17:01
Jim [422],

I take it you mean some bizarre form of self-flagellation?

Otherwise, I'm good for a fiver... :D

Mike Doyle
428 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:17:39
I see Dyche has left Finch Farm. I wonder if he’ll return tomorrow?
Tony Everan
429 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:18:30
We've now enquired for Mateta at Crystal Palace at the last minute, described as unlikely to happen.

I have never seen such a complete disorganised shit show of a transfer window from us. Absolute scattergun amateur madness. What an almighty mess.

Mark Andrews
431 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:22:00
Everton. A club chaoticaly run into the ground by oligarchs and clowns.

If you want to kill a club, Everton would be used as an example. Has this been a deliberate act of spite?

Joseph Walsh
432 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:22:22
Every day a new low for the club we love.

There's no coming back from this now.

This was our last moonshot to avoid relegation. We simply had to bring in new faces.

We have just sold our joint top scorer with three goals.

We sold Richarlison in the summer.

We needed new faces for the “bounce” effect.

We are the only club in the bottom half not to sign anybody.

They've accepted our fate, haven't they?

It was obvious for all to see!

Pep couldn't get a tune out of the lot we currently have playing for us who won 3 all season so how are they going to win 7?

Absolutely negligent on all counts by that shower of a board

There is no way they can ever show their faces at Goodison again / they sealed our fate today. Moshiri lied again with his FAB interview.

I know I'm venting but I am gobsmacked even from the point of view I thought they would at least try to protect their investment which will dwindle with relegation.

Incoming multiple headlocks if they ever have the brass neck to show their faces at Goodison!

Kevin Molloy
433 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:23:01
This is Usmanov. Has to be. It's his money, he's obviously told everyone 'No one comes in'.

Stupid twat.

Kieran Kinsella
434 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:24:02
Quick straw poll: anyone on here still have a favorable view of Kenshite or Moshiri?
Jason Li
435 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:24:55
I think the pattern looks like we are bidding for players that either the selling club or player won't find attractive. Hard to believe that many bids being made, and that many the club knew had a chance of going through ended up rejected. Looks like the cash is for the summer based on where the league standings are.

If Garner, Dom, Simms, Maupay, Patterson, Townsend can get going again anywhere near their potential, there is a tiny glimmer of hope.

Craig Walker
436 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:25:41
31 January 2023. The day our once proud club finally gave up.
Mark Ryan
437 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:26:06
With Chelsea getting their main man, perhaps they might throw Conor Gallagher out with bins and we can offer him a contract.

Here's hoping…

Neil Copeland
438 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:26:14
Apparently Giroud has turned us down yet again for what seems like the 300th time. Does his missus know the Eurovision is being held in the city later this year?
Simon Harrison
439 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:26:19
C'mon, Kev, you have Artem Dovbyk available for £17-22M depending what you read, and Moussa Dembele available for £3+M (But now Villa are sniffing after him)

For fuck's sake (and I don't normally swear!!), break the piggy bank, mug Bill for the Arteta money and get them in!!! Pay them what they want!

'Totherwise, we are well and truly goosed...

Andy Crooks
440 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:28:02
Take back 416. We are not unanimous, just checked the live forum. Usual suspect blaming supporters, lauding work of DBB. You couldn't make it up.
Simon Harrison
441 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:28:28
Mark [437],

Connor doesn't want to come here, even on loan (reported earlier today) and Potter won't sell him till summer;

And Potter doesn't want him here. Not good for his development apparently. Wise man is Graham methinks.

Kieran Kinsella
442 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:30:01
Neil

It's embarrasing. Do we just call up the same players every window knowing they will say "no"?

Simon Harrison
443 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:31:56
Craig [436] 15 November 12022, the day the Owner and Board left for lunch, and never came back...

KK [424] Glad you game back after you left us yesterday. Great analogy, unfortunately too close to the truth. Can I play Santa Ana in this scenario please? :D

Bryan Houghton
444 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:34:14
Mateta would, I imagine, a Dyche type of player – big, strong, raw but difficult to handle and definitely someone who, if comes good is gonna be a real hand full. Shame it's way too late to be taken seriously.

Now that I'm getting over the disappointment and anger of how bad this is, how bad this looks, and how much shit we are in – I am almost looking forward to hearing from the board why, and how we failed to get anyone across the line! (Tho my guess is they'll send Dyche out on their behalf.)

Whatever they say, it's just gonna make it worse.

Bill Fairfield
445 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:35:42
Judge us at the end of the transfer window.

Not now, Moshiri.

Kieran Kinsella
446 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:36:16
Simon

A lot of competition for that role

Peter Carpenter
447 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:37:35
We won't hear a word from these fuckers. Why talk to the fans? They have nothing but contempt for us.
Rob Halligan
448 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:38:25
Makes you want to throw your guts up. I actually feel physically sick with what this board are doing.
Jamie Sweet
449 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:38:28
I remember when we went 2-0 down against Wimbledon in '94. I'm even less confident of us staying up now than I was at that exact moment in time all those years ago.

We have been guilty of pretty mind-blowing levels of incompetence in the past, but this January has taken it to a whole new level.

To quote the infamous banner:

"Our expectations for you were low, but HOLY FUCK!"

Robert Leigh
450 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:39:11
Guess bringing Simms back is a striker…
Christy Ring
451 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:39:13
2nd from bottom, the only club to buy no one, and sell Gordon for £40m, something stinks.
Eric Haworth
452 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:40:40
Jim #412 I couldn’t agree more & although its deeply grating because there’s nothing I’d like more than to take it to Jabber the Hutt & his halfwits in the boardroom, and as you say it’s long overdue. We unfortunately have to put that one on the back burner for another day. Because first & foremost our priority has to be coming together as supporters, manager & players to save our club.

Starting with our home game on Saturday & then for every game till the final whistle draws this reoccurring nightmare of a season to its final conclusion & hopefully those who are the soul of this great club have done sufficient to preserve its legacy despite the treachery and incompetence of those halfwits who have no place at our club, and believe me come what may we will have our day.

Terry Downes
454 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:41:56
All we need now is for Dyche to resign tomorrow stating that Bill and Mosh lied to him saying he would get reinforcements in
Simon Harrison
455 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:43:25
KK - I understand, but my deal would be to let all non-combatants and ordinary soldiers go free. BUT

All high-ranking (I hope I spelt that correctly ;) ) officers would be taken out and executed after a prolonged, say 33 years, period of torture... To say it would be slow would be an understatement!

Will Mabon
456 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:43:43
17 minutes to go - scintillating.
Neil Tyrrell
457 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:43:49
Andy Crooks @ 440, you must be joking

Who could defend the Indefensible?

Kevin Molloy
458 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:44:09
if the manager goes on to keep us up from here he will have done quite the job on us. It looks like the word is abroad amongst the playing fraternity that we are currently a total mess. the decision of the board to announce their no show has put the capstone on it.
Still, we are two points from safety, and we are going to be one horrible team to play against once Dyche gets going, so never say never. the future may not be as bad as it looks, Farhad is going to sell up in the next 18 months, and then we can get back to some normality.
Tony Everan
459 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:45:06
Same here Rob, seriously, making me sick to the bottom of my stomach. They had an opportunity to deliver in the 31 days of this window , not just today , to give us a fighting chance. It will be miraculous if Dyche can keep us up now, considering how all around us and above us have strengthened. Probably the best man around to give it a shot , so as ever we live in hope.
Barry Hesketh
460 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:47:24
I was watching Toffee TV earlier and one of the lads who used to work at Everton, said there are about 4 times as many people employed at the club now than back in 2006, what the heck do they all do?

The female Everton fan on the show- I can't remember her name - said "Everton is an analogue club in the digital age", she also fears that we haven't yet reached the nadir, not simply our standing in the league, but she feels there is a lot worse to come. I hope she's very wrong, but the vibes we've been getting since before Christmas haven't been good and there aren't many signs of things improving. Over to you Sean!

Jack Convery
461 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:47:26
We are probably waiting to see who is released on a free tomorrow and snap up a few players nobody wants.
Neil Copeland
462 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:47:26
Kieran #442, unbelievable mate. Really struggling to actually come to terms with what is happening.

Rob #447, I am the same. Can’t sleep either and have little or no motivation for anything. I just feel completely betrayed.

Ian Riley
463 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:48:54
Christy#451, seriously what player with real quality and ambition is coming to Everton? The loan market was our best option and we couldn't do that.

It's pitiful but dyche must find a way. If not? Attracting players to play in the championship is another matter.

Night all

Andy Crooks
464 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:50:19
Eric @452, I understand what you are saying but is it not possible to get right behind the team and still keep Kenwright and his sycophants on the hook?
Kenwright must not wriggle out of this. Goodison Park should be out of bounds for him and his disgusting cronies. Now is the only chance, while the spotlight is on him. Doesn't mean not driving on the team.
Christy Ring
465 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:52:57
We've been totally mugged by our powers that be, hope Dyche doesn't do a uturn.
Simon Crosbie
466 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:53:47
Moshiri acts more like an absentee landlord rather than an absentee owner. His next letter to the fans will probably have the same effect as a 'we are putting the rent up' notice. The damage done to this club has been immense. At the back of my mind I am wondering whether the demise of Everton is part of a sophisticated accounting exercise where in losing the owners somehow win.

If a club is no longer in a position to attract players, if it is being called the worst run club in the country by mainstream media, if the disaffection of the fans continues to deepen to a point where it is irreconcilable, then there has to be a breaking point. How much can fans take?


Barry Hesketh
467 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:55:04
On that no confidence petition set up by the Shareholders Association, the current number stands at 14,250, I wonder if it will attract more signatories in the coming days?
George Cumiskey
468 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:56:06
Nobody will convince me that were going to sign any players, and that Dyche didn't know that as well, but was told to look angry when he went home for his tea.
Brian Williams
469 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:56:18
The pundits on Sky transfer show even making jokes about us now. It's official we ARE a laughing stock!
Jason Li
470 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:56:37
Maybe in training Simms and Dom, or Maupay and Dom looked the business in training, so Dyche doesn't need another striker. Although if 2 are up top, with 5 subs allowed, it's better to have two decent strikers on the bench. Unless Michael Keane is the 4th striker when it's desperate last ten minutes?

The gesture bids that were tabled knowing they are going to get rejected are a bit puzzling. Why not just say the squads been assessed and no need for transfers in. If transfers are needed, go big on the one player you want where they are really gettable.

Looking forward to the explanations...

Darren Hind
471 Posted 31/01/2023 at 22:59:53
Well we singing and we're dancing, but theres nothing really happening

And the place is deader than Heaven on a Saturday night.

So I lift my glass to the awful truth

Which you cant reveal to the ears of youth

cept to say it isn't worth a dime

And the whole damn place goes crazy twice

its once for the devil and once for Christ.

The boss don't like these dizzy heights

We're busted in the blinding lights of closing time.

It's closing time

Peter Carpenter
472 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:00:30
Jason, because that would require honesty, openness, truth and the desire to communicate with fans. The board is incapable of any of these things.
Paul Birmingham
473 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:00:57
10 minutes to go, and this is contempt of EFC, and in days gone by, would be High Treason, and Court Marshall at minimum. The board have forsaken EFC.

Sadly, dereliction of duty and total lack of care, by the Board, - Dyche, will need a few miracles, and more.

God only knows, what’s gone on, but the transfer strategy so called, has been rank poor in summer, and seemingly as dead as a Dodo, in this window.

Up to Evertonians, to deliver the mission this season..

Townsend, and Patterson, will be like new players in, and Dyche, Stone and Woan, will need to be brilliant to turn this Team, around.

But 17 Cup Finals, and perhaps at least 8 wins needed, to sneak a safe position, but hopefully Soton, will implode after tonight’s defeat, and so we live in hope of other teams being worse than Everton’s current form.

Nick Page
474 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:01:05
Loves Everton…. more like loves using Everton and the mugs (fans) that pay for all this so he can hog the limelight. Should be run out the place and the city for good. Fuck off to that London and stay there.

https://twitter.com/andytomo5252/status/1620551713404100609?s=20

Mike Kehoe
475 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:01:52
Direct, 442 and only those who are fully committed to the cause in the team. That is the only chance now. Survival in spite of a board with no acumen or integrity.
If it takes relegation to rid the club of these corrupt imbeciles then so be it.
Barry Hesketh
476 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:02:09
We could cope with the strikers currently on the books, if we had found a creative player to supply them, that's the issue and has been the issue all season. Obviously, Dyche won't play the same style as Lampard, and we'll likely become a long ball team in many games, but what will we do when opponents play deep and we have to break them down?
Colin Glassar
477 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:02:55
I hope this board rots in hell.
Jack Convery
478 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:03:45
Team for Arsenal

Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, McNeill, Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, DCL and Maupay. 4 4 2. God help us.

Si Pulford
479 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:05:41
Wow. How can the board come back from this. Ever. Seriously resigned to relegation.
Phil Rodgers
480 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:06:04
You're supposed to support your club through thick and thin but something needs to be done about this board. They have failed every Everton fan on the planet.
Mike Hughes
481 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:07:28
So, Denise, how is our strategic plan / review going?

Will Mabon
482 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:08:58
The plan continues...
Stuart Sharp
483 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:10:40
Jack 478
Why no Gray?
Kunal Desai
484 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:11:02
Gross negligence by those that perform a worse act than clowns do. Don't dare ever show your faces at again at the ground. Charlatans.
Neil Copeland
485 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:12:32
Will #482, coming along nicely and right on cue so far…..
George Cumiskey
486 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:14:18
What would Everton do Bill ?
Neil Tyrrell
487 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:14:55
On the bright side, at least we never sold Pickford...wishing Dyche all the luck in the world the rest of the way, but

In the bottom of our hearts
we felt the final cut

Matthew Johnson
488 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:15:15
What happened to that Furkan Nowhan fella, I'm sure people said he was spotted at John Lennon airport?

Did he end up at Southampton

Darren Hind
489 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:15:23
Good Idea Jack

Throw the shits up the Arsenal team before they even set off/

SSN reporting that Southampton and Bournemouth spent 100m between them

Bill Gall
490 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:16:22
Kevin #406
It is easy to understand, today the players hold all the cards and because of mismanagement, players do not want to come to a club that is flirting with relegation and is being run poorer by people that are too full of their own importance to realize it. Simple no thanks I don't want to go to a club in disarray is the answer from players, not how much will you pay me.
Barry Hesketh
491 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:16:26
Moshiri appealed for unity and reiterated both his commitment to Everton and his desire to take the Blues back to the elite by fixing the problems currently plaguing the club.

That quote taken from Lyndon's report about the FAB interview with Moshiri, just seven days ago, seems so much twaddle now.

Tony Everan
492 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:17:09
The last thing I want to hear is “yes we hear you, we tried”

They’ve had 31 days to get someone in, also they’ve had 6 weeks prior to that with the World Cup break to do the background necessary to get two players in who can score and create goals. This is not something that has crept up on anyone, we’ve known for months, since the summer failure to get a striker, that we need more goals in the team.

It’s just incompetent and inadequate for a great club like Everton. I’ve never seen such a complete mess of a transfer window, an unmitigated disaster by all concerned in our hour of need.

These amateurs have put our beloved club in jeopardy.

Neil Lawson
493 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:17:51
It is outrageous that, despite having the whole of Jan ( and earlier for planning) that a striker has not been signed. If there is any positive it is that we haven't paid silly money to sign someone average. So many arguments around those 2 statements. One thing is clear however, Dyche has been delivered a shocking opening hand. Whatever anyone may think of him, he now thoroughly deserves 100% support from each and every one of us. If he succeeds it truly will be a miracle.
Jack Convery
494 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:18:34
No Gray as Sean will go for workrate.
Neil Tyrrell
495 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:19:31
"Judge me at the end of the transfer window"

Guilty, m'lud. You might say the evidence before the court is incontrovertible.

Pete Williams
496 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:19:34
So, that's it. I thought my club were a bit useless, but this has been beyond pathetic. Thelwell must resign after this atrocious debacle. He couldn't even manage to loan Reece Welch to MK Don's! As my old dad would've said, about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

I think we are heading for total annihilation under Moshiri. What use a fabulous new ground if we get relegated. We will have been destroyed by the wet dreams of a clueless clown who had way more money than sense. I'll still hope for a miracle, but every other team is way better than us so I won't be surprised if we fail. Just need a miracle

Brent Stephens
497 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:20:27
The lack of action is either deliberate, or it’s incompetence, or it’s politics getting in the way of professional activity. Either way, it’s inexcusable.

Now watch where the fingers point.

Ben King
498 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:20:45
Aghast is the word

The directors must either a) be totally and utterly useless at their jobs (objectively speaking) and/or b) hate us fans for protesting and this is their revenge

I simply cannot believe the team that are bottom, struggling to score and winless for 2 months have weakened themselves. It’s beggars belief

Daniel A Johnson
499 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:21:26
I just quite simply can’t believe it. The club has become a laughing stock and takes us fans for mugs.

Fucking scandalous!

Welcome to Everton Sean Dyche good luck mate your gonna need it

Ray Jacques
500 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:21:44
Don't get it. Good luck Sean.
James Newcombe
501 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:23:40
What a club. All that time to identify targets and have negotiations underway... And we scramble around on deadline day, with teams unsurprisingly not willing to sell. It's actually unbelievable incompetence – it's got to be deliberate, for some reason.
Bill Watson
502 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:24:30
I've been supporting this club for over 60 years and tonight is as low as it's ever been.

Not only are we now unable to persuade even non top players to join us, we're now the subject of jibes and jokes in the media...and probably deservedly so. Because of the ineptness of the board we've become a total laughing stock.

If we get stuffed on Saturday it could get very, very ugly.

Bob Parrington
503 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:25:22
Unbelievable and unacceptable!
Bill Gall @ 268 - I've been a Blue for the same number of years. I'm finding this hard to come to terms with. I do expect we will go down this season -unless miracles do happen. I expect no charity from any of the other teams!
Sad times.
Daniel A Johnson
504 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:25:27
I never want to see Kenwrights fat bloaty teary eyed face in the Goodison stands ever again. As for Thelwell, Sharp and DBB complete waste of skin all of them.

Moshiri I just give up what a basket case he’s turned out to be.

Jerome Shields
505 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:26:04
In hindsight after the Summer window, very little was going to happen during this window, especially with Simms replacing Rondon.Once the loanee bolted that was that. Only Ayew wants to join Everton, we should adopt him as a supporter.

I suppose the consolation is that Dyche leaving early is not as bad as Brands walking his big dog.

As for our Director of Football, Thewell, why do I not have confidence in him developing youth. Braithewaite and Nkounkou back in the fold is something to look forward to.

But it just shows you why supporting the team and Dyche is vital maintaining pressure on Moshiri and the Board is essential.NSNOW.

Ray Robinson
506 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:26:12
Well it's not over yet but the early expectation of relegation has sucked the hope out of me. That fantastic night against Palace last season was based on a bloody determination on the part of the fans to not let the side go down under any circumstance. After this non-event of a transfer window, which was absolutely crucial for us, I don't know whether the fans will have any collective never say die spirit left to recreate the same atmosphere as the end of last season. Am drained of all fight.
Ian McAvoy
507 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:27:08
Dark day for this club. It’s clear that Moshiri has decided not to put any more investment in the team. The $40 will go back to him. It’s all about the stadium that has resale value before he sells up. I think I am done with this club now after more than 50 years of support. I wish the manager and the players the best of luck but the leadership can go #%^* themselves. I’m sad.
Rob Halligan
508 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:27:26
Well, definitely no signings then, as no deal sheet has been submitted. Fuck the lot of them all off. Saturday is going to be about as toxic as you can possibly get. BT Sport must be licking their lips at the thought of the showdown that is about to be unravelled to the world between fans and the board.

FUCK OFF KENWRIGHT YOU FUCKING RAT!

Bryan Houghton
509 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:27:45
i'm pretty sure we deserve a full explanation for how the entire window, let alone the last 72 hours has happened. A Full explanation of why it took so long to confirm Dyche. A full explanation of who decided that Gordon DNA'd training (him, or the board telling him to stay injury-free) A full explanation of exactly how the board has become so divided, so divisive, so inept, and now so disconnected, and contemptuous of its fan base.
I wonder whether they think we deserve a full explanation tho. Probably not. Perhaps thisthe biggest indictment, but also the strongest proof of their incompetence. Its actually not actually getting anyone over the line. Its not having the balls, the grace, the common sense and decency to tell us, to explain, to communicate with us.

Simon Harrison
510 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:27:51
Darren [471] I'll see your Leonard Cohen, and raise you a Nils Lofgren;

"My inside is sad

I like to forget my life

And find what you have found

But I wasn't blessed with that knowing

And I can't help sinking down

I give to you my heart my soft fun

I'm lying, crying, god I'm dying by you

My fear of being such a lonely one

It hurts me inside, that's alright"

Grin ~ Soft Fun

Ray Robinson
511 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:30:44
There's the dilemma Rob. The atmosphere will be toxic but none of the ire must be directed at Dyche and the team.
Barry Hesketh
512 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:34:43
Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, Holgate, Keane [Y:68'], Coleman, Iwobi, Doucoure [Y:82'], Gomes (46' Dele), Gordon (61' Gray), Richarlison (90' Kenny), Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Begovic, Allan, Godfrey, Davies, Van de Beek, Welch.

That was the team and subs for the Crystal Palace match last season, it might prove to be the last time that an Everton team would see Goodison in joyous mood, unless of course we manage to do similar this season or bounce straight back up next.

That '“This is the most critical time in our history and almost an existential point” remark by Moshiri, is still haunting me too.

Jay Harris
513 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:35:38
This has all the hallmarks of Kenwright.

Take the club down to its lowest value then buy it back at a cheap price and control the whole club.

Even if thats not true the whole board including Thelwell has to resign and be replaced by football people not amateurs with a self serving plot.

I cant put into words how enraged I am by this total incompetence.

Jim Lloyd
514 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:35:48
Eric (452) Yes. We have nothing else but us! That's Us the supporters, the team and the squad, and the manager. I don't think we'll see Moshiri back at the ground for the rest of ther season; and I can't see how Jabba the Hutt (aptly named' Eric!) and his crew can show their faces at Goodison Park again either. Although the fat fraud has probably got the brass neck to turn up, or do an hour long interview with the BBC to say how he single handedly saved the club from extinction.
You are right. We can support our players and manager, during the match. We can make Goodison uncomfortable for the opposition.

Barry. 476.
I agree, we can cope' and maybe James Garner can be that schemer. Gray Maupay, Townsend, Lewin, are all capable of scoring goals. Let's see how we develop with Sean's coaching.

Anthony Dwyer
515 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:36:35
Preparation for the championship begins with a lowered wage bill, no contract for Pickford, Mina and Davies out the door on free contracts.

The worst part is if we wasn't constantly lied to I could accept us not spending, I could live with the club saying Spurs never made a signing for 2 years when building a ground and Arsenal sold all there big names while building also.

Moshiri tells us whatever we want to hear but by the looks of it he's played his last hand.

Neil Copeland
516 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:37:09
Ray #511, spot on and Rob didn’t mean it that way and I don’t think it will.

It would probably be better for all concerned if the board stays away which I am sure they will. For me, resignation is their only out now and for Moshiri to sell up as soon as he can find a buyer.

Strangely, perhaps the fans can help by giving our undying support yet again and keeping us up and thus a better prospect for new owners.

Come on Sean, get the team into shape and fired up!

UTFT!

Simon Harrison
517 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:37:35
11:00 PM BT - Transfer Window is now shut

The January transfer window is now officially closed, and Everton (it appears) have not made a single signing to back the new manager Sean Dyche. Sleepwalking into relegation.

Kieran Kinsella
518 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:37:40
Betrayal as Rob put it is the best description. All the PR spin, lies, rumors and innuendo put out by Bill to turn us on each other. All the managers hung out to dry. Fans mugged off with pressure to buy season tickets. All the while the only thing that mattered was Kenshite keeping control. Forget Moshiri money, forget the fans, the community it’s all about Bill.
Jamie Sweet
519 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:38:18
I admit that I didn't have a lot of nice things to say about that little twerp Anthony Gordon yesterday.

But today, I get it. He's been at the club long enough to know what an absolute shower of shit we have become, and that there's only one direction we're heading under the ridiculous comedy fucking duo of Moshiri and Kenwright.

He chose to jump from a sinking ship, and I think that probably makes him smarter than the rest of us mugs who are still here.

Phil Smith
520 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:39:39
No words… well, maybe 1 - flabbergasted! Criminal transfer window where everyone, except maybe West Ham, strengthened their side. Still in disbelief….
Rob Halligan
521 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:41:09
That definitely won’t happen, Ray. I’m sure there will be a good reception for Dyche, and the support for the team will be something else. It will make the watching world see we are the best supporters out there, despite what one or two might say on here. The board had a chance to redeem themselves a little bit today, but have let us down massively. But one thing is certain, the supporters of this club will never ever let the team down with our un-paralleled support. Every game home and away, we sell out, no other clubs fans on this planet would put up with the shit we’ve had thrown at us, and still turn up in vast numbers. All those on here saying “That’s it, I’m done” well don’t worry as there’s always someone else to take your place, and you won’t missed.
Will Mabon
522 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:41:13
I say, protest all morning before the game, support the team in the match itself, sit-in afterwards.
Peter Carpenter
523 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:41:15
I can't believe for a second that the board think they should give the fans an explantation of any kind whatsoever. The suggestion would just provoke blank looks or laughter on their smug, arrogant, entitled faces.
Kieran Kinsella
524 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:41:30
Ray

Dyche deserves our support for being brave enough to risk his reputation on us. A few players deserve the support but the shirt they wear means all of them will get support. No idea if Kevin Federline is a fool or had his hands tie but the rest of the board deserve only contempt

Peter Carpenter
525 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:43:41
I'm with that, Will. Banners away as soon as Z cars starts. Out again on the final whistle. Full support for the team and manager in between. No other option.
Stu Darlington
526 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:43:42
Well this window is over now.No good whingeing about it,it’s done.
Only thing we can do now is get behind whatever team the manager puts out and keep the faith.
We are Everton,always will be,nothing will ever change that.Not this ownership and management, not relegation,nothing.
We will always be there.!
One good thing, I bet no Board members will dare show their faces at Goodison for the rest of the season and I believe this is the beginning of the end for all of them.
Too late for this season maybe, but they can’t come back from this,the fans will never wear it!
Ray Robinson
527 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:46:09
I agree Kieran but if the Board don't turn up, who do I vent my anger at? Any toxic atmosphere must have a clearly identifiable focus. Dyche has already gone up in my estimation - for just taking us on
Joe Corgan
528 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:47:46
I’m pretty speechless at the moment. Not angry or frustrated. More confused than anything.

The other clubs at the wrong end of the league must be looking at us wondering what on earth we’re doing. They’ll believe they’ve strengthened their squads while we’ve sat by and done nothing.

We’re reported to have been in for several players but the fact that no-one came through the door leads me to think that there’s something going on behind the scenes. Something we don’t yet have a full picture of.

Kieran Kinsella
529 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:48:05
Ray

I think it was Derek Knox before who suggested picketing the Liver building? But then again are Bill and Mosh ever there?

Gavin Johnson
530 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:50:29
What a disgrace! Criminal mismanagement! Sleepwalking to the Championship. Look on the bright side Maupay scored 20+ goals for Brentford at that level.
Will Mabon
531 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:50:51
Kieran, times being as they are it probably matters more where the media are.
James Byrne
532 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:52:42
We are now the worst run club in the entire EFL system.

In big business you get what you deserve when you let poor, unchallenged leadership do what it wants.

Don Alexander
533 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:53:38
The present-day club motto under our bastards;

"Nothing But The Worst Is Good Enough".

Phil Lewis
534 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:54:10
For the umpteenth time, when are people going to realise that it's impossible for a board to sack itself.

It cannot happen. It would need a new board in place first and then Kenwright & Co to resign. Otherwise liquidation of the club could occur, if I'm not mistaken. Someone please correct me if that is not the legality of the situation.

Kieran Kinsella
535 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:54:45
Joe

That’s the thing. You can make offers but are they credible? Sarr for example supposedly we wanted to loan with an obligation to buy if we avoid relegation. How would that appeal to Watford? If they want to sell him then they’ll sell him. They don’t want to weaken there team for six months and see if we might buy him. Beto, Giroud and others. Who is going to move from overseas with a few hours notice? You make such offers well ahead of time. They are not serious when made an hour before the window shuts. But we’ve seen this before when Blackburn agreed 8 million for Barry Ferguson then we offered 2 million less. Or Kuyt, Owen etc just bullshit activity so Bill can pretend we tried. We’ve had a whole month and even four or five days since we got the Gordon cash. If we had any serious interest we’d have moved before today. I sincerely believe the delay in appointing Dyche was designed to run down the clock.

Tom Edwards
536 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:55:28
Criminally mismanaged decline by a fruit loop with money but not an ounce of sense, accompanied by a corrupt sac of pus and his arse licking entourage. Goodbye my beloved Everton. I am glad my dad is not around to witness this shambles. It would break his heart.
Ray Smith
537 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:55:53
I wonder what’s in SD’s contract, and why did it take from Thursday night to Monday afternoon to announce his appointment?
Sell one asset for £40-£45m with a promise to reinvest all of it, and come up with nothing?
You can’t tell me that all the players linked to us, didn’t want to come, because if they didn’t want to come, why L3 FL were they touted?
Thelwell take a hike, on the face of it your are Kenwright puppet. Just go.
Sharp, just go and carry Kenwrights luggage on your way out.
DBB you don’t just get it, do you? Go hide under Kenwrights umbrella.
Kenwright, words fail me, please if your reading this just go, please 😢😢😢
Moshiri, get us out of this mess you entrusted to Kenwright.
I dare any of the board to turn up Saturday v Arsenal.
Joe Corgan
538 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:57:18
Kieran - Thank you. You hammered home my point for me. We have no way of knowing of any of the offers were credible. And let's be honest, that fact that Thelwell has had 31 days in which to sign players, and months beforehand to find and scout them, suggests that they weren't!
John Ronnie
539 Posted 31/01/2023 at 23:57:34
How on earth have we allowed Kenwright to stay a director of this club …. No other club would allow this, collective responsibility. We are all to blame and should hang our heads in shame

Barry Hesketh
540 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:00:25
All football logic goes out of the window now, we have nine games at Goodison and if we could win at least six, that might be enough.

Every team, regardless of its ability, which visits the Grand Old Lady in the next few months is the enemy and has to be beaten, none of this a draw is a good result because of who we are playing nonsense - although, admittedly Saturday's match is more than a tough fixture to begin with.

Now more than ever, we need to energise the ground and make it as difficult as possible for the away team, because, in reality the future of the club is at stake.

It's a lot to ask of the hard-pressed support, but we've done it before, we can do it again. Save your energy for the match and if you need to make your point to the board or the wider world, do it after the game, regardless of the result.

Cristobal Aguirre
541 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:00:26
The situation is too obvious Moshiri is trying to be refund all the money he invested. I am not worry with this windows because we will be relegated anyway no matter who players might have arrived. All our players apart from Onana and Pickford are just garbage, so it is impossible to continue be part of the EPL.
Bill Gienapp
542 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:00:53
Appalling. All we can do now is hope Dyche can squeeze blood from a stone - I mean, if he was getting ten-goals-a-season from Ashley Barnes, why can't he get some sort of tune out of Maupay? Gotta cling to what optimism you can find.
Jack Convery
544 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:01:58
I don't like to see people sacked - unless its Kenwright - but Thelwell has to go after today's non event. He's responsible for getting players in. If he can't do it, then he must go. If he's been hamstrung by the board, he should resign and say why. I'd have much more respect if he did that.

Dyche now has a free hit for the rest of the season, as he won't be blamed when we get relegated, as we surely will. No goals, no guile, no imagination, no pace and a a defence craking more than a really creaking gate in a farce 12 gale.

F Off Everton. F Off Kenwright and your minions.

Well thats me banned !!

Dave Lynch
545 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:06:41
Im telling you...something is not right behind the scene's, bankruptcy? Winding up order? Serious financial irregularities under investigation? I don't know, but something is amiss.
The silence from the board is telling, the one who winds me up the most is Sharp, he has become an arse licking sycophants, when the shit inevitably hits the fan he'll have to go and work for a living, because no one will employ him in football ever again.
Steve Brown
546 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:06:48
Richarlison and Gordon got 14 goals and 7 assists between them last season. This in a side that struggled to create or score goals. Yet we have not properly replaced either of them.

Same happened last season when the goals and assists provided by James, Sigurdsson and Digne were not properly replaced.

All we have left are a relegation squad.

Colin Malone
547 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:12:01
11.40 pm.
It is what it is. It's not worth asking for a statement, from the club, on why they never purchased a forward. Because it will only be, lying bullshit. Now is the time to forget what's happened in the transfer window and get behind the team.
I know Dyche will get a better tune out of these players. If needs must. Let put Coady, Kean or Yerry up front. Got to be better than that yard dog, at Man U. Just saying. So. Come on, the twelfth man.
UTFT.
Ed Prytherch
548 Posted 31/01/2023 at 00:12:54
You can probably get pretty good odds if you have a flutter on us staying up.

Moshiri and the board have shown themselves to be not only incompetent but also bare faced liars and I suspect corrupt.

Barry Hesketh
549 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:13:11
Everton are in talks with former Swansea and West Ham forward Andre Ayew. The 33-year-old Ghana international is a free agent after his contract with Qatar club Al Sadd was recently terminated by mutual consent and can therefore sign after Tuesday’s deadline. (Source: Guardian)
John Atkins
550 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:14:12
Posted at least 3 times now and nothing appeared all about Kenwright … are you censoring now ToffeeWeb !

If you are … then you’re as bad as him as you can fuck of my too … anger is through the Fucking roof

Shaun Lyon
551 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:35:41
It doesn't come naturally but I'm going to try and put a vaguely positive spin on things. Our squad as was is, I think, not as bad as the likes of Bournemouth and Soton. I think Lampard signally failed to get the best out of it, and it's JUST possible a new manager will have a bounce AND get more out of what we have. OK...deluded. But, let's see. Goals as ever, the issue.
Minik Hansen
552 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:37:29
Unfornately the unrest has turned arriving players’ heads elsewhere.. Probably if Lampard had been sacked earlier in January or even in October, things would’ve been different. Rock hard lesson learned from the club (and the few fans that had a go at Mina and Gordon? If they didn’t, we just might’ve seen some players incoming to this fantastic club with fantastic fans). I was gonna buy a shirt with whomever player that arrived name on it, but oh well.. I’m gonna buy one anyways just to support the club from afar. Already been doing that with an official membership.
Kenny Smith
553 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:38:54
At least we’re consistent…… consistently shite in every department.

I’m not surprised just angry, like I have been for weeks.
If we go down then there is absolutely no way we’ll come back under this group of creatures making the decisions.

Kunal Desai
554 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:42:19
"We will get a striker in". "The fans need to be patient". Do one you lying fradulent snake and take your sidekick puppets with you.
Colin Glassar
555 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:43:19
Dark days ahead my friends. BK’s master plan is coming to fruition. He will stop at nothing until he regains control of the club. Moshiri made him a very rich man so I think he doesn’t care if we go down or not. He wins no matter what.
Paul Kelly
556 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:44:25
Absolutely criminal. Mismanaged? No, managed perfectly by the club, see Kieran's post @535. Keeping every penny they can.
Simon Dalzell
557 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:45:57
Staggering. Total dereliction of duty. We know we're run by clowns and the bar is set very low, but I wasn't expecting zero signings, especially after Gordon leaving. We've even Out Evertonned ourselves today. Total laughing stock. It's hard to get your head around it. Angry. Massive opportunity to get out the shite, but ....no.
Kenny Smith
558 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:49:00
Where’s the Gordon money Bill ?
Bob Parrington
559 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:51:52
Phil @ 534. My understanding is that a limited company must have at least 1 director. I think it was Joe? Forte back in the days who, when asked "In your opinion, how many directors should a board have?", answered, "it should be an odd number and preferably less than 3."

Hopefully, this little piece of old humour will help us feel a little better.

Derek Knox
560 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:56:18
I appreciate the knee jerk reactions against Thelwell, but we don't know what goes on in those corridors do we ? I doubt whether Thelwell has any access to unlocking funds or sanctioning wages etc, so he may have contacted targets and been unable to deliver verbal assurances. I was impressed when he was appointed, with what he had to say, but since then, nothing seems to have gone right.

Either way, it would make his position untenable, and I would have expected him to speak up or walk. Then again, has he had to sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect the real culprit (s) ? I just hope we all can rally round and support Dyche to the hilt, but the players have got to step up and be more responsive on the pitch. On Sky Sports tonight we were almost a laughing stock that we were the only Club not to have had any activity.

However, Clinton Morrison, who I am not a great fan of, but fair does to him, he did believe that we would just escape relegation. No guarantees but the players have to do their bit, I 'm sure Dyche will try his utmost, and I think they are in for a shock with his training regimes.

Peter Moore
561 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:05:00
Well said Del. UTFT (I don't think we can credibly use NSNO any more can we). Shambolic custodianship by Moshiri and Kenwright.
Phil Lewis
562 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:26:41
I can usually laugh in the face of most of the adversity that life presents Bob #559.

But Kenwright and his 'Little Miss Dynamite' have stretched my endurance beyond it's limits. His rose tinted boys pen lies are as much a sham, as the present day whoppers he shamelessly trots out to us long suffering fans.

I hated 'The Pen' as a kid. You couldn't see a thing and were constantly fearful of the older bullies in there. The man is fittingly, a failed actor.

As for Baxendale, she knows little or nothing of footballing matters and even less of our history! Kenwright's appointment of her was a nonsense. A CEO is a crucial position at the head of any Company. Would you enlist as CEO of an oil rig for instance, someone who knows absolutely nothing about oil? Or CEO of a Bank, someone who knows nothing of banking and so on?

Its totally flabbergasting and would be laughable if the implications weren't so terrifying for the future of our club.

I believe that they are desperately hoping that Dyche's efforts will save their necks by avoiding relegation. I do not believe for one second that they share the devotion, passion or desperation of the fans of Everton Football Club.

Phil Wood
563 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:30:50
Good Luck to Sean Dyche.
You have shown some bottle to take this job on so late in the day and I assume knowing that the cavalry were not going to be signed to help come to our rescue.
COYB.
Kieran Kinsella
564 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:34:39
McNulty on Twitter

“Catastrophic failure by the owner, the board and Kevin Thelwell.”

Matt Law

“Unbelievable”

Alan Myers “Never would have believed it.”

Jonathan Oppenheimer
565 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:35:16
Derek 560 I agree that Thelwell should not necessarily be smeared before we learn the entire story, assuming we ever do. For all we know he wanted Frank out months ago, and by the time January rolled around he had to wait and see if Lampard would stick around before any transfers in and out. (All that said, I think we can forever hold him accountable for the McNeil and Maupay purchases.)

By the time Dyche finally came in, the club was clearly in shambles, the Gordon debacle was going down, and for all we know he had 10 targets lined up and they all chose to stay as far as away as possible. It would make no sense for anyone to come our way if they had other options, unless the money was obscene — and then we’d all be complaining that we’d been taken for a ride once again.

So we arrive on deadline day with all our targets gone to other shit clubs or telling us to fuck off, and I do see the silver lining that we maybe we avoided another Tosun or Walcott episode. That said, given where we are we might as well have coughed up £45 million for any attacking midfielder or striker with a history of scoring 10 goals/season in a decent league, even if they were worth £20 million less. What else did we have to lose?

So yeah, fuck the Board. I’ve never said it before publicly, because it felt shitty to feel that way, and because I don’t have the long history so many of you on here do. But they’re complete failures, all of them, and they sure as hell don’t deserve to be attached to this storied club.

May Sean Dyche be our savior, and may Calvert-Lewin find 10 goals up his sleeve in the next 4 months. So many thought we were done and dusted this time last year. Maybe God will reveal himself to truly be a Blue and work a miracle for us again this year.

Tom Bowers
566 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:37:57
This shows how low this club has sunk to.

Another manager, no money, no new signing and the real prospect now of hitting rock bottom.

Ain't gonna happen--right !!

If we had some real punch up front I would say we will get out of this mess but we don't and so the struggle to get wins will continue unless Dyche can get a bid improvement from what he has in other areas.

It tells you that even potential loanies couldn't be persuaded to join us and that is a really sad state of affairs.

I am dreading the next few weeks.

Christine Foster
567 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:38:06
Right Mr Moshiri, if you have confidence in the performance of the board, you are as culpable as they are, more so in fact. You have a duty of care to this club and they have just dropped you in it from a great height even on your go to channel on Sky we are a laughing stock. That fucking hurts..(that's twice in the last month I have sworn, I really am upset))
What happened?

Well in my view the perfect storm happened:
1. Lampard found the players he had couldn't play the way he wanted. We keep losing, he gets sacked, by which time we are in the bottom 3.
2. Kenwright and co throw the fans under a bus and blame them for their absence and assault, threats, none of which are substantiated or reported to police. The result is they leave the team and manager hanging out to dry at home in a vital match. We lose. But the smearing of the clubs supporters by the board makes worldwide news. The scene is set.
3. Transfer window opens, no activity, no manager. Finally, with just a day of the window left Sean Dyche is appointed, Gordon forces transfer, toxic and tears.
No signingings, targets look at club and say no, situation at club, turmoil, fans demonstrations, joint bottom of the league.
From a prospective players perspective, bottom club, not a high class manager, fans in revolt, poor board, look certain to be relegated.
Christ on a bike, who would WANT to come here?
So we end up actually weaker in the team but stronger manager ( we hope)
We have been shunned, never mind the money, no loans, no purchases.
It's so bad the pundits are laughing at us.
Disgraceful. Sickening incompetence. Shameful.
Just how low will you lot go? Are we at the bottom yet?

Rant over, have to move on.

What now?

The new manager has to inspire, focus and drive the players on. We have got enough to get out of this mess, but it will be graft. Anyone and I mean anyone, who hasn't got the stomach for this fight needs to be dropped.
This may not be pretty, but has to be done. It's the end of January and we are bottom of the table. Stuff the board, don't let them anywhere near the players.!
No protests before or during the game, 100% support for manager and team.
Post game, wave the banners, let Moshiri know, we are on a hiding to nothing, keep quite and we will be in the championship in a blink.That cannot be allowed to happen, we have to do our bit.
I am stunned, angry, but not surprised. But that was yesterday, today we have a new manager who needs our support.

Neil Tyrrell
568 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:41:44
Phil @ 534, it's Moshiri's decision, he can fire whoever he wants. Obviously the board won't fire themselves. Even if Kenwright has a clause that keeps him in his post, he can still be fired, and file a grievance regarding breach of contract thereafter and maybe get some severance pay at best. But he wouldn't get reinstated. It's up to Moshiri to make the call, but he's a fucking idiot and the next time he makes the right call regarding EFC will be the first time ever.
John Daley
569 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:44:15
Deliberately avoided all the deadline day shite as I’d resigned myself to nobody capable of making a real impact coming in but…like the majority of fans I guess…I’m a fucking naive fool who, deep down and against all good judgement, always retains a kernel of hope that the halfwits in charge could at least cobble something together last minute, whether it be a loan for a striker who has to drag his own leg in his hands like the mad Scorpio killer from Dirty Harry, or a journeyman midfielder who, when he finds himself in the opposition half, visibly freezes with indecision like Ed-209 faced with a flight of stairs.

Log on here to find no incomings whatsoever and genuinely hate myself a little for still feeling deeply disappointed, despite the scenario being exactly as I expected.

Still, there can be no doubt Thelwell turned up for work today well prepared, armed as he was with his trusty 120 point plan:

#117 (Transfer Deadline Day):

Switch all the lights off, shiftily peek through the gap in the blinds a good five or six times like you’re holding a room full of people hostage, settle down in your sleeping bag for the night with a big pack of salted peanuts, a safe and snug cocoon to reflect upon where you go from here…..before absolutely shitting yourself and thrashing about the floor wildly, rolling from side to side, squealing like a stuck pig whenever the phone rings like in that scene from Audition.

#118 (Day After Transfer Deadline Day)

See #117 (but REMEMBER to mix it up a bit, Kev. Big bag of Monster Munch instead of salted peanuts, perhaps).

Tony Abrahams
570 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:45:20
The board don’t deserve nothing, even though they get paid an absolute fortune. The deceitful chairman, has now seen his chickens, finally come home to roost. His deceitful sidekick who was looking for alternative employment 15 months ago, is still here, and still helping to perpetrate lies. The Everton legend, continues to destroy his legacy, if it’s true he’s getting behind his horrible deceitful boss.

It’s us against the board, who claim they are a shining example to most other clubs. It’s us against the self preservers, it’s us against the bare faced liars, but we can’t afford to make it, us against the team.

I don’t know how it’s even going to be possible to find the positive energy to back the team, but this is what we must try and do. Our supporters helped pull the football club, out of a massive hole last season, and this is something we have got to try and do again.

This will only be possible with resignations, so don’t hide behind your lies, whilst trying to switch the gear and turn Evertonians, into a bunch of lunatics, with the help of your friends in the sycophantic media, because it won’t work.

You have gone to far now, so for the good of Everton football club, admit your failings and your lies, or just go quietly out the door.

THE FANS ARE RESIGNING THEMSELVES TO RELEGATION, BUT IF THIS NEPOTISTIC BOARD, MADE THE CORRECT AND HONORABLE DECISION TO ALL RESIGN, WE MIGHT JUST FIND THE STRENGTH WITHIN US, TO TRY AND SAVE THE CLUB WE LOVE, ONCE AGAIN.

Ashley Roberts
571 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:50:32
In the nearly 60 years I have supported this club I can never remember a time when a player would sooner join a club like Southampton rather than come to Everton. It is just mind blowing how far from grace we have fallen and it will truly take a miracle to keep us in the premiership. All I can say is that Dyche will require a miracle or divine intervention. The only consolation to not making any signings, which is unforgivable, is that we did not buy or loan any of the bargain basement players that were being touted. I just hope some of those names were not reality as they were not even good enough to clean the boots of our legends like Ball, Harvey, Reid, Ratcliffe etc. Those days seem an eternity ago now.
Tony Abrahams
572 Posted 01/02/2023 at 01:59:49
The press are going to be writing so much shite and so many half truths now, but it’s simple really. Why did Bielsa say he would come to Everton, but only to coach the under 21’s?

Dyche must have known the score, so he will only have taken the job because he believes in his ability and he wanted to manage Everton. Let’s get behind him, no matter how hard this seems right now.

Mark Yeomans
573 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:01:38
Rip efc
This is utterly mortifying
The ONLY club not to sign anyone when the only club that really needed to
Ernie Baywood
574 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:01:47
To me it's now very simple. We either managed this situation or we didn't. If we didn't (ie the funds were available and we were trying to sign players) then Thelwell goes tomorrow for being absolutely incompetent. That's very straightforward. If he doesn't go then what we're seeing was intentional.

Personally, I don't believe that even our club could be this incompetent. We're seeing a deliberate attempt to mitigate financial losses despite sitting on the precipice of relegation. It's now managed decline of a football team - they've taken a view that there is simply no point investing in this club as it is going down regardless.

I'm not even surprised. It's partly what I thought would happen (I actually thought they'd save face with an insignificant signing).

The harder part to answer is where this leaves me, and I'm sure many others. I've had a lifelong relationship with this club. I've loved it regardless of what has been going on. I'm not too sure what I'm looking at now, but it's not my football club.

Dyche talked about everyone uniting. I'm sorry Sean, but it's completely and irreversibly broken.

Kieran Kinsella
575 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:08:28
Ernie

I agree. Colin Glassar has talked of manager decline for a long time. It seems Bill would prefer to let the club sink into oblivion when he hits the big time as if Everton was a long running show that the curtain comes down on

Neil Tyrrell
576 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:08:42
Tony 572, bang on. Dyche must have balls of titanium and the self belief to match. Hope he's right.
Kieran Kinsella
577 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:09:51
Tony

To your point I haven’t heard Dyche say a word about signings since he arrived.

Tony Abrahams
578 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:10:18
The Kenwright era = Managed decline. Nothing but the best is good enough, was replaced by the best of the rest, whilst the club stopped competing to win.
Don Alexander
579 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:17:53
To anyone minded to put the boot into Kevin Thelwell I refer them to Moshiri's own televised statement of last week;

He said, "Thelwell (note, not "Kevin") makes the football decisions and then submits them to our fabulous chairman who, if he agrees with Thelwell, then forwards them to me. If I agree, we sign/sell the player."

Thus Thelwell, reputation aside - albeit any employee of Moshiri/Kenwright will have no case to answer in terms of alleged incompetence in the future given the risible antics of those two in the world-wide world of football, is castrated as a so-called DoF by his very own employers in terms of benefitting the club.

He no doubt has long decided to just take the huge salary they swore to pay him, pending them booting him out with a seven-figure NDA pay-off.

Everyone employed by Everton financially benefits enormously unless you're a fan - or a dickhead owner, led by a self-aggrandising charlatan shyster of decades'-long notoriety to anyone with half a brain.

Phil Lewis
580 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:31:55
Neil #568

I think we're in agreement Neil. Maybe my wording was misleading.

You're quite right, it is Moshiri 's call and yes he can sack Kenwright & Co. The chances of that happening are remote and the compensation packages would be I believe, massive. Their resignations are probably just as unlikely.

I wish I knew the answer. They are taking us for mugs.

Pete Clarke
581 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:32:57
I’m am not one bit surprised at no new players coming in. Nothing should shock us with this owner and board who are now scurrying like rats but leaving all of the shit behind.
I’m convinced that the announcement of Sean Dyche as our manager was delayed so long because they had told him there would be no new players due to financial Fair Play and Sean had asked to look around at what he had to work with before signing. He was also told to sign an NDA which he probably knew was coming but in the end it was only his bravado and the obvious money involved which led him to sign.
This clown Moshiri has somehow managed to overtake Kenwright as the single worst person to have ever been involved at our club in its history. If the new manager bounce does not work against Arsenal and we get mulled then I see big trouble around Goodison.

Good luck Sean Dyche. Your going to need that thick skin of yours.
Christine Foster
582 Posted 01/02/2023 at 02:54:33
I am going to say it. Get Dele Alli back.

Because if master psychologist Dyche can get him anywhere like he can perform we will have another weapon to fight relegation with. He will be motivated, Dyche too because he needs players with skill. Stuff the cost.
Its gamble time.

Kieran Kinsella
583 Posted 01/02/2023 at 03:05:04
Don

Good post. Also as to Thelwell resigning in protest. I’m sure he’s well paid but no playing career of note, a few academy jobs, stint at Wolves. I don’t imagine the guy is loaded. Presumably he has a mortgage and bills to pay. And if he quits this mess, who’s going to hire him? He’s just another patsy

Kieran Kinsella
584 Posted 01/02/2023 at 03:17:47
Christine

May as well get them all back: Gomes, Gbamin, Dobbin. Moise Kean. How many relegattion threatened clubs loan their striker to Juventus? Like they can afford him anyway.

Imagine we are paying the majority of their wages anyway.

Ernie Baywood
585 Posted 01/02/2023 at 03:35:49
Looking at that list of names it's hard to believe that they couldn't play a part. I've been critical of all of them (except Dobbin) but we're so bare in those positions.

Alli will be trickier. He'll cost us money and we've seen that we're not spending.

Simon Dalzell
586 Posted 01/02/2023 at 03:42:52
Definitely Christine (582) I would get Dele back ASAP. Nothing to lose. That 2nd half v Palace he helped tip the balance. Worth a try.
Tony Hill
587 Posted 01/02/2023 at 03:43:48
Yes, Tony @572 is right. We do have the resources to avoid relegation if Dyche can organise and motivate, as I believe he can. All is far from lost, despite the absurd failings of the owner and “Board”.

Dyche won’t allow any doom-laden narrative to take hold in the dressing room. We should ensure that the same is true in the stands.

Living well is the best revenge and it is the best way to knock the smiles off the faces of those who are currently mocking us.

I expect Dyche, and the team he has chosen, to receive the most powerful welcome Goodison has ever witnessed on Saturday.

Barry Jones
588 Posted 01/02/2023 at 04:10:15
So we all need to get behind Dyche to perform a miracle. And what if he succeeds? We will have a smug Bill telling everyone that he knew we would be fine. We are caught between a rock and a hard place.
Ernie Baywood
589 Posted 01/02/2023 at 04:33:08
Barry - he might be that smug but he's beyond any kind of credibility now. Everton's owner and Board have exposed themselves to the media and anyone with at least a passing interest in football.

It's just a shame that a couple of Evertonians behaved rather badly, because all we needed to do was apply reasonable pressure and this lot would fall through their own incompetence.

Alexander Murphy
590 Posted 01/02/2023 at 04:34:00
I've said even before the New Year that We'd bring in not a single new face during January 2023.

All of My mates disagreed, admittedly most had very modest contradictions to zero. Maybe just two was the commonest assessment.

And here We are:

Zero new faces

Most money incoming

But the horrors of what comes next will not be laid at the door of:

The whimsical owner

The seriously ill Chairman(so much so that his vision is severely impaired, but still in post)

The first time, football knowledge free CEO

The Director of Football who still has not appointed a Head of recruitment

No.

Not their fault.

US, the long suffering diehard Fans.

Be prepared for "The Board" to deploy deflector shields in the run up, or immediately prior to Saturdays Kick Off.

Barry Jones
591 Posted 01/02/2023 at 04:40:46
As I sit here, submerged in utter despondency, I see the logic of bringing back all the loanees, if possible. Can we also bring back Alex Young and Alan Ball?
Matt Smith
592 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:04:24
What I really hope happened behind the scenes is someone said no to players that would have made the situation worse.

We have made so many desperation signings in recent years we would be better off without.

Paul Hewitt
593 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:18:48
Well atleast the club haven't gone out and spent fortunes on rubbish players, like we've done in the past, that's the reason we are in the mess were in. Maybe finally they have learned there lesson( bit late). I'm far more confident that we will stay up with Dyche than I was with Lampard.
Larry O'Hara
594 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:35:13
The thought occurs: not just that the headlock and other stories were BS but they were part of a cynical script whereby the Board knew we were going to sell but buy nobody. On this reading, the classification of Arsenal as a high risk game was part of the plan because the Board knew in advance the fan fury there would (and rightly will) be at the lack of signings. It would show that on this front, at least, there was a plan…
Ernie Baywood
595 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:43:02
Larry - fully expect words to the effect of "the players we talked to did not want to join the club, having witnessed scenes such as Anthony Gordon's vehicle being stopped".

To be fair, I'm pissed that those lads did that too. They gave the Board exactly what they wanted. Such a minor way to lose high ground.

Martyn Thickitt
596 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:44:41
I wrote on a previous post that this was the beginning of the end for EFC. I believe the end is now in sight.
Jeff Armstrong
597 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:50:59
We will end up with Ayew still signing, he’s a free agent.
Jim Bennings
598 Posted 01/02/2023 at 05:58:14
Can't say I'm shocked to be honest.

I've said for a while that I genuinely believe Everton's boardroom want relegation, I don't know the reasons but it seems they do.

They are planning for it and nobody at the club can have any complaint when we go down in May because we will have totally deserved it.

I'll bet Frank Lampard is massively relieved that's he's out of it.

Danny O’Neill
599 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:19:16
A lot of understandably emotive posts. I don't think any of us are anything but disappointed (unerstatement).

I think Tony Abrahams captures it now though. We have now choice to get behind this team and the new manager.

I can't contemplate going down. The board can wait until the summer as they aren't going anywhere just now unfortunately.

Bob Parrington
601 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:25:58
Phil@562 - OMG I hated the Pen. Felt like a caged rat. What F*whits designed that in to a stadium? Mind you, the atmosphere was incredible in those days. Everton fans have always been and always will be passionate. This is why we both love them and hate them at the same time. No indifference, which is the worst emotion.
I hope we stay up but if we go down, at least we might win more games than we lose. Is that a compensation for failure this year? No, not really.
We do need a new board. Time is up for those directors who hide behind another's failure as an excuse. Time comes when you can't blame the others for failure when you haven't had the balls to be critical.

I have experience in this in both UK and Australia. Diff country, same thing. Time for Mosh to stand up and be counted. Relationship between chairman and CEO stinks of under performance and so both should go or the board responsibilities should be reorganised.
The current model is dysfunctional.
Here's hoping Dyche can save us from the drop this year.

Jim Bennings
602 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:28:48
Danny


Unfortunately mate, Saturday will be absolutely toxic, it will be hateful and frankly horrible.

There were protests last night outside Finch Farm so Saturday brings more of the same on a far larger scale.

I don't feel sorry for Dyche, he's been around the block as a manager, he's a tough fella and prior to taking this job he'll have seen the situation at this rotten football club so I commend his guts for taking it on.

But to think there won't be a massive demonstration against Arsenal on Saturday is putting our heads in the sand.

This club is going down and possibly out of business before long, Moshiri and Kenwright need to know EXACTLY how we all feel.

Terry Farrell
603 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:32:23
Agree with the posts saying at least we haven't wasted more money on dross. It's an all out scrap now for points and that's all that matters. Love the fact onana didn't jump ship when he had the chance. Would love an explanation on moise kean. We spent £30m on him and have not been able to play him yet he rocks up at psg and juve! He would have given us something from what I've seen!
Jonathan Tasker
604 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:36:13
It has now got to the stage where it’s not will Everton get relegated but will we finish bottom?
I have said it before and I’m saying it again.
Maybe the only way to get rid of Kenwright et Al is to stop going altogether. Three matches of not going and we can force them out.
The alternative is that that fat bastard will stay until he’s in his coffin and that could be a long time. By then we will be a league one perennial
John Belshaw
605 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:36:19
Apparently the Finch Farm fax machine is broken then the transfer window slammed shut!

Yet another tragic episode in the Everton saga.

Terry Downes
606 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:42:57
What I would like to see saturday is if Kenwright turns up when he takes his seat we all rise as one and sing fk off Kenwright for at least 5mins get the place rocking with that tune and let’s see how thick skinned he is ? Banners are for show and the telly really time to give it him long and loud
Peter Hopkins
607 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:44:13
I want someone from the club to tell us why we didn’t sign anyone, no more bullshit. Don’t try telling us we tried, scurrying around on deadline day is not trying, players should have been signed on the 1st of Jan, everyone could see what we needed. And don’t try and blame the fans either, we have been extremely patient, too patient if you ask me, we have let Mr luvvie ruin this club for too long.
It’s an absolute disgrace, we are all on here hurting and all because of a few clueless running our club. Remember Moshiri, it’s our club, you may be the owner, but it’s our club and you and your gobshite pals our destroying it.
Have some balls and tell us why we didn’t sign anyone!
Sean Roe
608 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:45:49
Presumably the new signing to replace Gordon leaving is Townsend coming back from injury. If he can stay fit he is a better player anyway in my opinion.

The writing was on the wall anyway when we ''offered 45m for Gallagher but he didn't want to join'' and when Dyche said '' we need to work foremost with the players already here''

There was never going to be any new signings.

Barry Williams
609 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:47:15
I sent this to my football loving friends on whatsapp. When I read it back to myself - I just thought, wow!

Everton - bottom of the league (almost)

Since 2016 - Martinez, Koeman, Silva, Allardyce, Ancelotti, Benitez, Lampard - now Dyche. Not including Unsworth and Ferguson

3 directors of football

Squad now - brought in McNeil and Maupay - both on the bench

Viangre - loaned, never plays

Garner - bought injured

and now

in need of recruitment, sold another creative player - 45 million - but, no one in!

Did they not contemplate changing manager?

What does the DOF actually do? Is he allowed to do it?

Is it a managed decline as some are suggesting?

Richarlison and Gordon gone

Before that - Digne, Sigurdsson and James

all the creative players

wow

From other clubs points of view - risible!

Remember the guy from Villa who was loaned in and never played (Al Gharzi!?)

or Josh King!!!?????

Weirdly run club it has become (in Yoda voice)

And Everton have a striker on loan to Juventus - but cannot score!!??

You match going fans deserve a medal folks!

Danny O’Neill
610 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:55:28
I hope not Jim. We can leave that until after the match. The team needs us, then the board and ownership can have it.

Changing track, I see that Manchester United got Marcel Sabitzer on loan.

I watched him rip Schalke apart a few years back playing for RB Leipzig. He scored a screamer in the first minute and tore poor Jonjoe Kenny to shreds throughout the match. I wish we had made a move for him under Ancelotti and when we were willing to spend.

Jim Bennings
611 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:56:29
Peter 607

I wouldn't listen even if anyone at the club did come out.

Moshiri is a lying little sneak "we need a striker, we'll get a striker"

Well fuckin' show us one then halfwit?

Between him and cobweb head Kenwright, totally destroyed the club over this last six years.

Even since the Southampton debacle on January 12th every major decision they have got wrong.

We had SIX WEEKS while the World Cup was being played, to study a plan of what was needed regarding the manager, the incoming players for January, but they did absolutely NOTHING.

Right down to waiting a whole week to appoint Dyche, after the fella was unemployed, no compo needed paying but you wait until a day before the window closes before appointing him.

Dragging out the Lampard sacking when the writing was on the wall in November after the two Bournemouth shellings.

I wouldn't put Moshiri in ownership of a kids teaparty.

Ian Riley
612 Posted 01/02/2023 at 06:57:31
Buying on transfer deadline day is panic. Players other clubs don't want at inflated prices. One player change a season, a club so toxic at present. Also a quality player with ambition ain't coming here 2nd from bottom in the league!

Get behind the players and manager. Relegation is a cert if protests take over. Sadly bill and co are going nowhere yet. I fear the worse this season but Mr Dyche might keep us up. Stop wasting energy on the board. Let's all get behind the players. They really are our only hope!!

Danny O’Neill
613 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:00:28
Sorry, I don't know where to put this one but once again, I'm torturing myself with BBC Breakfast.

Excitement with the build up to hosting Eurovision, which is great for the City. But they only went and showed footage of people singing "that" song.

At least the Liver Birds were lit up in blue. The bird is blue.

James Hughes
614 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:01:35
I stayed away from the TV and internet last night because I feared the worst and it happened. One of the most baffling decisions and piece of inaction in our history.
The fact that Sulemana chose So't'on over us speaks volumes for how we are viewed. To make matters worse just watched the news and they showed Gordon sitting on ythe Geordie bench and grinning like a Chesire Cat that he is

COYB

John Raftery
615 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:05:16
Ian (612) My thoughts exactly.
Andy Duff
616 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:08:06
I see the narrative has started. So called Everton fans have appeared all over Facebook blaming the fans for attacking players, threatening the board and protests... "Who would want to join us I don't blame them for not wanting to come here. "

There will probably be a few appear on here too

The cynic in me thinks this is a Cambridge Analytics type approach by the club. The sad thing is you get blues agreeing with them.

It won't be long before one of the usual suspects King Maddock publishes a "club sources" that players didn't want to join because of fans protesrs. They had targets identified but they didn't like the toxic fans at Everton.

This board of cowards will never set foot in Goodison again and every single game the fans will be blamed. This narrative is going to be pushed even more.

The only hope left is Dyche can turn this around. I do think he possibly can, it's the hope that kills you every time

Danny Baily
617 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:16:59
Andy 616, I don't think there's any conspiracy at play here. We're just skint. And, I keep saying this, already relegated. I've had a few people tell me to change the record but it has to sink in with people at some point.

A rebuild is needed in the summer, not now. It would have been great to see Gyorkes come in, but it looks like we've spent what limited funds we had this season on Maupay, McNeil and Firing Lampard and his team.

Robert Tressell
618 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:18:10
The club is preparing financially for relegation. The money ran out 18 months ago or maybe longer. We've sold every player of quality and only DCL, Pickford and Branthwaite are left. They'll all go in summer whatever happens.

We can stay up. With Dyche it's not over yet.

But it is frightening to see us in a worse financial position than we were before the Moshiri acquisition. What a disaster he's been.

There was talk of us linking up with the owners of Augsburg and Estoril. I can see that happening. It at least gets us on the player development path (albeit about 5 years or so too late).

Chris Donnelly
619 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:23:59
There are a few free agents available for us to get someone in, Luke Skywalker(Andre Ayew), Han Solo(Edison Cavanni) and a Wookie( Artem Dzyuba)are still available. Plus some old hermit, Obi Wan Kanobi,(Peter Reid)

The force is strong with these!!!

Sean Dyche is Yoda

Matt Muzi
620 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:24:01
It all makes you think with Gordon's parting words that he hoped the club could reinvest the monies from his sale. Did he know something we don't, or that hasn't been confirmed yet.
I'm absolutely flabbergasted with it all.
And I agree with previous comments I fully expect a planned media campaign from the club that this is all down to fans confronting players, protests etc.
Dave Evans
621 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:25:16
This is a disgrace.
It seems like the integrity and passion of the average fan is being dragged through the mud and derided.

Our pride and loyalty violated.

This latest shit show is not just incompetence, it is self preservating design.

Bobby Mallon
622 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:29:10
Andy 616.
I’m glad we didn’t buy any players in this window and shelled out millions on shite players who will drain this clubs resources. Let Dyche do what we have all said do and give some of our younger u21/23s or u18 a game. Let’s be honest here, most foreign summer signings take an age to settle in and get up to speed in the premiership. At least our youngsters will run through a brick wall for the team.
I agree that fan’s chasing cars would not keep away players from joining this club but a clause in their contract stating their wages will drop if/ when relegated would. For me, that’s what all this is about contracts and if that’s the case well done because being stuck in the championship with players on mega wages will kill us.
Onwards to Arsenal and a well earned 2.1 win. REMEMBER THE NAME 😉
Lewis Barclay
623 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:33:04
Trying to find some sense in this:

Saving money in a hope the team avoids relegation, to spend big in summer?

No good options available, therefore avoiding repeating the mistakes made in every transfer window for the last six years.

Young players coming back from loans, as options - maybe they’ll fight for a place more than over paid players finishing their careers?

Help me out here …

Ian Edwards
624 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:37:04
The Club is actually stronger since the start of the window as we have removed a vastly under performing Manager and replaced him with a far more experienced one. The team will be improved with change of formation, selection, tactics and Subs.

Andy 616. Whether you like it or not some players will be put off by videos of players being chased and abused in cars. Fact.

Derek Knox
625 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:39:57
Christine@ 582, you don't half talk a lot of sense at times, normally I would jokingly say stop it, but should we overthrow this bunch of Charlatans, and we will, the Romans, The Mongols etc, all thought they were invincible but they all fell, to end their dominance. Apologies to any Romans, as you were at least productive.

You have my vote as Chairperson, when the long awaited revolution starts ! We do have the tools (excuse the pun) in our ranks, it is just getting the correct formation of those parts, a task that was glaringly beyond the much liked, but stubborn Lampard. A fully functioning Dele Ali, which we haven't seen yet would go a long way to that solution, and as you rightly believe as I do, Sean Dyche is most likely the Psychologist to effect that.

I know it's early days in his tenure but retrospectively (sorry Darren) we doubtlessly would not be anywhere near the shambles that we find our once great Club in, had he been the Helmsman. Still, turning clocks back, and reversing tides is an impossibility and far too late, but we could and should learn from this Board's mistakes, and forge a new way forward.

While we have enough games, and potentially enough points to guarantee safety, or survival, we still have to try and gain the maximum from every game left, no matter how futile it may appear, starting this, and next Saturday.

David, allegedly slew Goliath after all !

Dan Nulty
626 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:40:57
I genuinely never thought we could sink as low as this.

I really, really don't understand how we can have had no transfer plans in place and done all the leg work with the clubs and players ready for the January window. Where are our scouts? What are they actually doing on a day to day basis. They should be scouting leagues around the world, second divisions even. It is diabolical that we have found ourselves in this position.

Sack the board, sack the director of football who as far as I can tell has only used his influence to sign a reserve left back, sack the scouts (if we have any). Rip it up and start again.

How can we ever show ambition and drive to get to the top when our employment record shows we enjoy filling our academy with former midtable players and failures.

Ridiculous. So angry.

Colin Glassar
627 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:44:08
The only “positive” to come out of this is we probably won’t see the board at any home games for the foreseeable future. In fact, how can they show themselves ever again?
Chris Donnelly
628 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:44:33
Sean Roe @ 608……

There was never a £45m bid for Gallagher. This was all paper bullshit. This was a smokescreen, probably fed to the press from the same person who made up the threat against the board.

As a club, we have an amazing fan base, loyal, hard working people who love their club. But the owner and the board are using the club as a laundry service. This is barefaced criminal!!!

It stinks of Usmanov, and it should be investigated by the relevant authorities.
Whatever happens, we will get relegated, have sanctions imposed on us, and the drop to league one if we are lucky is just about to happen.

I really can’t see anything else happening. But one thing that won’t change, is our loyalty and love the for this huge community that is part of our lives. Owners come and go, but we are Everton!!!!

God bless our club!!
We deserve so much more!!
Love to all Evertonians near and far!!!
Nil Satis, Nisi Optimum

Iain Johnston
629 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:49:10
I don't know what to think.

On the one hand do we want unknown players with questionable performance histories from far less competitive leagues, simply buying for the sake of it, or do we hold back and only invest in those who'll make a genuine difference?

I always thought Lampard set the team up to be withdrawn and very indirect, far too passive with the team always looking sideways and backwards. It's the main reason why I wanted him replaced after the Forest game.

Not even Haaland will score goals with those tactics.

Taking a punt on Gallagher was, for me, typical Bill bollocks. He was attempting to say 'see we are trying'. Bullshit... if they were serious the interest would have been in Loftus - Cheek, a far more realistic target, a midfielder who can play wide on the right or in midfield.

I don't do conspiracy theories, there's nothing sinister, no hidden agenda. Just a bunch of numpties in the boardroom who haven't got the first clue on running a Premier League football club.

Kenwright is strictly League 2 calibre, he'd bask in the BBC David v Goliath 3rd round FA Cup tie coverage, analyse his soundbites as he runs his little club shelling out the odd couple of hundred K on 35 year olds who were famous way back for while.

Darren Hind
630 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:50:23
My thoughts go back to when I used to go and watch my uncle and his mates on Sunday morning. They were shite, but It meant you got to go to the alehouse afterwards and have a sneaky beer without your mam finding out.

What struck me was the mentality which these lads took into every game. They'd be getting twatted 4/5-0 at HT - Usually by some posh team from over the water who didnt even have to "borrow" their goalposts. Yet they would come out for the second half miraculously filled with a new found resolve. an illogical emotion brought on simply because somebody shouted "Right lads. We go again"

You'll all be here, or at GP for the Arsenal game - Yes even the ones who have officially resigned as Evertonians.

Your stomach will do cartwheels every time Arsenal get into our half (just the ninety minutes then) You'll kick every ball, you'll shout yourself horse and you'll be as knackered as the players come the final whistle.

We invest so much of ourselves in this club and we get less than nothing back... I don't know why the fuck we do it, but seemingly... Thats the deal.

Yeah Everton football club is four/five nil down at HT against posh fuckers who can affort their own goalposts, But come the Arsenal game, we'll all hear that voice whispering in our ear...and we'll go again

Dean Williams
631 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:53:31
Just read we offer 2 million to take sarr on loan until the end of the season. What a fucking joke of a club we are.
Sean Roe
632 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:54:19
Hi Chris,

Yes that's what I was getting at mate, a bullshit story to make it look like the club were trying to reinvest the money, which we all know was never going to happen.

Ian Bennett
633 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:57:13
Well congratulations Everton, I don't think you can find a more pathetic bunch of idiots if you tried.

We have been crying out for goals and goal threat for years, and whatever little we had has been released or sold.

To not use the 2 remaining loans, sell your 2 best players from last year, during a season that contained a 6 week break is frankly gross incompetence.

You reap what you sow Moshiri, and you'll get nothing for this club. That's on you and the weaklings you surrounded yourself with.

Joe McMahon
634 Posted 01/02/2023 at 07:59:51
I'm not sure Thelwell van takecall the blame. Anyone player worth having will only be interested in Bill's 60s pantomime if no other club is interested such as Southampton. Even players are prefering to stay where they are.

This is Kenwright ls slow death of Everton over many years. How can this narcissistic man show his face again. I stopped going to Goodison after the pandemic because of him. I just want him gone. Everton will cease under his watch.

Oh and another thing, anyone with fond memories of Greame Sharp, you have been let down, big time!

Phil Lewis
635 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:04:51
Moshiri, Kenwright, Baxendale and Thelwell should all make explanations directly to the fanbase regarding the inactivity of the club during the transfer window. Failure to do so will only incense the crowd further, prior to the Arsenal game. If they believe that their collective silence diffuses matters, they are either sadly, or more to the point frighteningly mistaken.

The lads who approached players cars, or remonstrated verbally with players, are being slated by some as the reason why players won't sign for us. That's nonesense. Players don't want to come to Everton, because we are a club in freefall. Its as simple as that. Although, I personally don't condone certain fans actions, I can sympathise with their spur of the moment frustrations.

I vividly remember when Harry Catterick was manger and he was allegedly jostled and kicked to the ground by a group of fans, for daring to drop Alex Young in favour of a young unknown 16 year old Joe Royle. The press had a field day at the time, but Catterick simply maintained his dignity and got on with his job of managing EFC.

Our press office put out fictitious stories of Baxendale's headlock, totally unproven, yet nobody within the club had the decency to come out and say that the incident was without substance. That was left to the Police to issue that statement. How pathetic can you get?

I'm not a conspiracy theorist as a rule, but I'm inclined to agree with some people's fears on here, that there are darker and more sinister financial elements at work within our club. The consequences of which could prove irretrievably devastating.

Let's get right behind Sean Dyche. He's our man now. Whoever he selects to pull on the Royal Blue, let's get right behind them. Each and every one of them, regardless of indifferent past performances. We are Evertonians. That is our duty,

Into battle once more we go! COYB.

Paul Tran
636 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:06:51
I normally have the view of the January window that no business is better than bad business.

Not this time.

The way we lost out with other clubs on players suggests to me that we were outbid on wages. The desperate last hours of daft offers suggest blind panic.

All told, this window shows the self-inflicted lack of finance and planning.

Time to stick with the manager and players. Time to hope Sean finds the nous and goals that lurk in this squad somewhere.

When we're safe/down is the time to go after this owner and board relentlessly.

Lee Whitehead
637 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:10:05
Ian @ 624
Good shout 💙
George Cumiskey
638 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:10:32
Didn't anyone smell a rat when Dyche said he's going to get the best out of the players he's got, and why they waited till the day before the window closed before announcing his arrival when everyone knew he had the job days before ? The board and Dyche knew there were going to be no new players coming in, that's why he probably got the job because he said he can work with the players he's got. That's my honest opinion I'm afraid.
Andy Duff
639 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:12:15
Ian do you seriously think that? I'm sorry even Lampard played it down at the time. There is no chance at all that had any bearing on it.

What my point is there are all of a sudden a lot of very similar posts so over Facebook fom so called "top contributers". Every single post the same theme I hope the fans are happy protesting caused this. We can't sign any players because the fans have scared them off. When you look at their posting history they always appear to back the board.

There is a definite deliberate attempt to shift the blame to the fans like headlock gate etc. The club will try and spin this to blame us.

Bobby Danny I agree buying for the sake of buying is pointless, however to not even get a couple of loans in is ridiculous. We probably are skint as a club. I also think my tin hat conspiracy theory might have legs. Why waste money on players if they are going to sell up? Why sell Gordon and bank the money, because we have not turned a profit for first time in years.

I think the club has looked at this and thought they have enough to stay up now Dyche is here so no new players. They may be right I still think we can stay up, the point is that's one very risky roll of the dice.

Steve Brown
640 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:12:50
Ian @ 624.

"Andy 616. Whether you like it or not some players will be put off by videos of players being chased and abused in cars. Fact."

No Ian, not fact but your personal opinion. Unless of course you have been on the phone to the players' agents over the last 24 hours.

Joseph Walsh
641 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:13:20
As Bobby @622 said
“ I’m glad we didn’t buy any players in this window and shelled out millions on shite players who will drain this clubs resources.”

After all, we’ve got enough of our own and the toilet is overflowing with it… from top to bottom… but it’s not just any shite… it’s our shite!

Andy Crooks
642 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:15:50
White flag flying over Finch Farm. Good post, Andy Duff. Sad to see some supporters spinning the board narrative.
Lester Yip
643 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:16:45
Simms has a time to show what he's capable of finally.
Nick Page
644 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:17:34
Here's Bill Kenwright ca 2010 having a go at the Blue Union for exposing his lies, his deceit and his total incompetence. This is what narcissists do when they get found out.

Unfortunately the majority of the fanbase couldn't quite fathom why some die-hard Evertonians were trying to make their great leader and saviour look like a conman and baulked at their endeavour.

Well, whoever you were (and are), I hope you're happy because he's strangled the life out of the club as we all knew he would in the end. Jobs will be lost, hearts will be broken yet Kenwright and his mates have made a fortune standing on the backs of Evertonians goodwill.

RIP Everton Football Club,
1878-2023
Murdered by William Kenwright

https://twitter.com/ThePeoplesGroup/status/1620682839577739264?s=20&t=kE8jqbYH1Z6p_VN3rY8taw

Ray Robinson
645 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:17:51
There is only one plausible explanation. The club are stymied by P&L rules, so why the club didn’t just come out and admit it instead of throwing up lies and smokescreens?

Those of you who want Dele and other loan players recalled, I’m afraid that it’s just not possible once the transfer window has shut. Only free agents can be signed now.

Terrible mismanagement.

Mick O'Malley
646 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:21:02
It’s alright saying “Im glad we didn’t waste money on shite”, but what happens when Calvert Lewin gets his inevitable injury, I mean he’s hardly had a shot on goal for weeks now but fans think his goals will keep us up, it’s criminal we couldn’t get a loan over the line, surely there was someone somewhere that could have helped us out til the end of the season, everyone else seemed to find one or two, Calvert Lewin and Maupay will not score enough to keep us up, there’s no goals anywhere else in the squad. Since James, Digne and Gylfi have departed DCL has scored about half a dozen goals, Maupay has one in 14 Ffs, I truly fear for us, The pressure must be kept on the board, but only after the game, we must get behind the team but it’s getting harder and harder to stay positive
Lester Yip
647 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:24:50
A reunion of Dyche, Keane, Tark and McNeil. Very positive. We'll see McNeil starts whipping the ball into the box from midfield and let Dom and Maupay to chase the scraps. Forget about the build up.
Mark Ryan
648 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:25:45
We just need to stick together and not allow this minor incident with Gordon in his car not to become the narrative. The club, it would seem have once again used the sale of a prospective Evertonian to balance their accounts. The accounts of a club which are owned by an accountant. We didn't sign anyone because he, Moshiri,mandated that and Kenwright, DBB and Sharp did not have the decency to come out and say that. They would rather watch us clamouring all over Sky Sports and Twitter to see which player we "nearly" bought. They are the narrative not a youth venting his spleen against Gordon. They, the board, are the narrative.
We once had the Holy Trinity but we now have the Three Stooges
I'll get behind Dyche and support the team. With us and with our full support the team might just survive this shit they have put us in
Jim Bennings
649 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:26:50
January signings can inspire if the people doing the deals have knowledgeable brains.

The signings of Jelavic, Pienaar, Donovan, Gibson or before it the likes of Brian McBride ect ect.

Even the likes of Aaron Lennon on loan back in 2015 when in Leighton Baines own words "shamed others into hard work".

Now we have a crop of players that have fallen flat, and frankly have no inspiration on that pitch to get us out of it.

Dyche will soon know what he's in for with this crop of players, he'll realise that he was spoiled when at Burnley.

Christy Ring
650 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:31:44
Ian#624 So we’re stronger now than before the window, and the fans are to blame for no one coming in. So nothing to do with the board? We sell Gordon for £40m, and no one lined up to replace him? Dyche deal done Thursday, appointed a day before deadline? Even the Sarr deal, £4m loan, and we’ll sign him if we avoid relegation?? You couldn’t make it up.
Dyche has been thrown under the bus, feel for him. There’s something toxic going on behind the scenes with the board. They probably won’t even turn up Saturday lunchtime, windy fuckers. They’d be right at home in the away end.
Colin Glassar
651 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:34:32
Stadium update today?
Jim Lloyd
652 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:35:24
I do think that the lads who verbally attacked Gordon, played a part in players decisions whether to come and sign for us, or not. But it is a part! The major part, is that what do players in other clubs, think of this club!
The players we signed last Summer were either on Loan, or paid for on the never never.

We escaped relegation with a game to spare last season. Our goals for, have been pathetic for years. This season is no better, probably worse so far. I think that Thelwell and Lampard had a lot of positions to improve with very little scope to pick up major improvements.

There were decent players out there this window and not to pick up one is ominous. I don't think Thelwell had the funds to go for any one of them.

It has to be Financial irresponsibility that has caused the plight we're in.

As Paul (616) as pointed out, there is nothing we can do to turn back the clock.

We can do what we do best, and that is support the playing staff (including the youngsters!!) and the manager. Nothing should divert us from that.

We have 18 games or so, to save ourselves from relegation.we have goalscorers, and we need to begin playing as a team who can provide them with chances to score. I think we have the best manager to get the team to do just that.

I think he will give Dobbin, Ellis and Cannon, if he'll bring the ones on loan back, (and Maupay) the chances to prove themselves. Gray and Townsend have scored good goals since they've come. They need to score more. But so do the team as a whole. If we can do it, we will escape relegation.
After that, then the Board, and the owner need to be held to account. This club deserves better than them much better!

Sam Hoare
653 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:35:54
It honestly borders on bizarre. If they had not sold anyone then you could feasibly put up the excuse of budget and FFP etc. But to bank £40m and then be (again!) scrabbling about about at the last minute for signings and then fail to land any is beyond incompetent. Do they WANT us to get relegated? Is that somehow part of the plan? To spend money in the championship and then move into the stadium with the feel good factor of promotion?! It’s all very perplexing and extremely frustrating.

Maybe Dyche will keep us up but we are second favourites for relegation and rightly so. Whatever happens the board will surely never be forgiven for their actions this season and something will have to give there. Again I’m not sure why Moshiri keeps on standing up for them?

If we are relegated then would that increase the likelihood of new buyers sniffing a bargain? Presumably Mosh would have to significantly lower the asking price. It seems like he’s checked out.

What a quite extraordinary thing to have managed to turn the long awaited injection of spending power, transfer funds and opportunity into an inexorable slide towards relegation and possibly worse.

Christopher Timmins
654 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:37:00
Simple really, get behind the team and manager, do what we did at the back end of last season. When the full time whistle blows we applaud the team for their efforts and when they have departed the stage we protest in a dignified way.

We still have more than enough to survive in my view so lets not talk ourselves into a relegation scenario.

John Graham
655 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:40:49
Do we actually have a DOF and scouting team ?
Not sure how Thelwell got the job or how he is keeping his job.
Surely we could of at least got a couple of loan signings in just to take pressure off the forwards.
If there is no money they need to be up front about it.
Time for Thelwell to hand in his notice and admit the job is too big for him.
Pete Williams
656 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:49:01
Darren @ 630

Thirty years ago I was in one of those teams getting killed every Sunday morning. Didn't matter. What's the point of playing if you don't give everything. That's what Dyche, the players and us fans need to do now.

We've all rightly had a go at the criminals who run our club. Now it's time to bin the protests and do our utmost to keep our club up. Then we can hopefully see the back of Moshiri et al.

Michael Lynch
657 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:52:24
It’s depressing, it’s embarrassing, and it’s inexplicable.

Has this squad got the ability and the mental strength to get is out of this hole?

Well the one massive plus is that we’ve got a manager like Dyche in charge. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but in the circumstances can you think of anyone better?

We’ve got to get right behind the team, with no booing or you’re not fit to wear the shirt chants, even if we get pasted in the next few games.

We can’t control the antics of a couple of knobheads, but we can make sure that the other 30-odd thousand of us at every game at Goodison make the place a bear pit. Get behind the team, get behind the manager. The rest is out of our control.

Ian Edwards
658 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:54:47
Cheer up... it could be Andre Ayew day... in all seriousness he does have a decent scoring record. Feed the goat and all that...
Lee Whitehead
659 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:56:12
Well said Michael @657 💙💙💙💙
Allan Corken
660 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:57:33
Yes it would have been great to add to the squad but not with the usual last minute fat kid i.e. the person picked last in the school playground cos no-one else wants him. We have done that too often in the past, so perhaps sense has actually prevailed this time. As for relegation, I have absolutely no doubt that we have enough "talent" to avoid that. There is too much doom and gloom on here, most of which is misplaced and some of which is just infantile. We need to bear in mind that we are 3 points off 14th spot with half the season left to play. We have also just rid ourselves of the joke manager Lampard, who was the biggest liability the club had. It never ceases to amaze me how much of an easy ride he got from some fans because apparently he "got" Everton. Yep he got us ok in fact he would have got us relegated had he stayed. As for the protests about the board, what a complete and utter waste of time! What will that achieve? Fuck all squared, that's what! And Moshiri? Yes the guy has made mistakes, a lot of them and I dare say his wallet is a lot lighter as a consequence. He is however, building a fantastic new stadium, which no doubt will make us a more attractive proposition for the inevitable takeover that will come about upon completion. At which point Moshiri will sell and the board will go with him. Then there is BK, the pantomime villain to some on here and somewhere between Jimmy Saville and Pol Pot to many others. It seems that buried deep in the human psyche is the need to have a devil a Beelzebub or a Thatcher, something to blame for all the perceived ills of the world. To those who subscribe to this nonsense all I can say is. coochie coochie coo, don't be so silly and eat all your vegetables then you might grow up into a rounded individual without a persecution.complex.
If the more excitable here would just take a deep breath they might realise that the world is not at an end, we will not be relegated and there are no demons lurking in the boardroom, just some very naughty boys (and girl).. As Julian of Norwich said- all shall be well, all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. (And no Julian of Norwich was not someone else we failed to sign before the deadline)
Andrew Ellams
661 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:58:00
Are people seriously still blaming the kids who chased Gordon's car? You're just enhancing the board's rhetoric.
John Gall
662 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:58:38
A culture has been allowed to ferment which is whipped up on forums like this. Everton have 18 games left, we have some good players who Lampard did a totally shit job with. I think part of the rage against Kenwright/Moshiri is from fans who bought into all the bullshit about Frank 'getting' Everton, when really he was just a polished communicator, a flatterer, as much a schmoozer as Kenwright has ever been. Our record with players bought in has been awful for ages (Kenwright's fault of course). I'm happy with Dyche to get stuck into the current group of players, and formulate new systems of playing which have nothing to do with pseudo-Guardiola pretty patterns on the pitch. I would have had no confidence that some no-mark from some club you've hardly heard of would have proved the great saviour. But this absurd hyper-aggression, the rages, the curses that the keyboard warriors (and the headline writers!) on this site generate is all part of the problem, and is brought into the stadium, and felt by the players. Why no new signings? Why did Gordon turn from hero to detested in a few months? It's toxic masculinity on steroids. It's either blue smoke in Goodison Road or sack the board rants. Fans either get behind Dyche and ease off on the hysteria, or we really are going down, and it will be down to Lampard's poor coaching, tolerated for too long, rather than any other cause.


Eddie Dunn
663 Posted 01/02/2023 at 08:59:49
It's not a conspiracy, it's not a "planned "demise, it's not preparation for relegation.
The owner will lose value if we are relegated and many people at the club will lose their jobs. There is no way that Bill Kenwright and the board, or any of the staff want relegation.
What we have witnessed is gross mismanagement. The owner is distant and has left most decisions to the Board but he just can't stop himself from poking his nose in and causing problems.
I presume that there has been a fall-out between Moshiri and Kenwright. They probably have to muddle along together for legal reasons and they probably have so much dirt on each other that they have to soldier-on until Moshiri can sell-up.
The result is a club that has been completely mismanaged. The Benitez appointment is a good example. Only Moshiri could have thought it was a good idea.
Then the very short shortlist when Benitez went.
Even then we could not attract a decent manager.
Rectuitment has been equally awful with only Onana, Garner, Tarkowski and the Coady loan looking decent but the Maupay, Gueye and Mc Neil moves looking poor.
To think that we wasted good cash on Maupay and Mc Neil is even more galling now.
The bad decisions and delay continued with them missing the chance to sack Lampard during the World Cup. There was the perfect time for change -even Bielsa could have had time to train the team in his methods.
Now it is becoming clear that the financial mismanagement is the biggest factor in our demise.
The owner is allegedly, an accountant but the sale of Richarlison, the subsequent sale of Gordon and the delay in sacking the Lampard circus smacks of financial problems.
We must still be close to the limit on the P&S rules.
We are now reaping what we sowed.
The Chairman and his cowboys and girl can try to deflect the blame for players being reluctant to join the fun, on us fans but it is clear that we could not offer wages of the size needed to tempt the mercenaries.
Nor could we offer enough cash up front.
There is some hope. January window purchases can often fall flat and the new manager and staff know exactly what we need.
The likes of Garner and Townsend shold be match fit soon, and all the palyers have a blank slate with Dyche. Perhaps he can get more out of Mc Neil and maybe Maupay too.
Domenic has been getting fitter and the visit of the league leaders will have everyone at it.
We need to back the team and Dyche to the hilt. Fuck the board, fuck Moshiri come on the Toffees!
Mark Murphy
664 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:02:30
I usually only feel like this on match days - especially after recent results against teams we should be hammering - but I'm trying not to despair.
Yesterday was an embarrassing culmination of a pathetic period since the Bournemouth games when the writing was on the wall. Before the world cup everyone could see what was needed - a change of manager and some additional firepower. The board have had ample time to sort this mess out, and we could've been at least 6 points better off now and strengthened in the positions that mattered. Instead the Board have played stubborn buggers and driven us further into the mire. To see us scrambling around in the last few hours of a whole month of opportunity to sign players most of us haven't even heard of just to at least get someone, anyone, in was beyond a joke and highly embarrassing and was, I hope, the death knell for the board. There's no way back for them and their continued sulking silence is just festering the wound. Personally I think (hope) that Dyche will make changes to the mindset and the system and "eek" (sp) the points we need. Maybe we'll see 4-4-2? Hopefully, Townsend, Patterson and Garner will be back soon and Simms will prove to be the back up we need for the inevitable DCL injury - probably in the warm up v Arsenal just to finish what's left of our nerves. UTFT and Sack The Fucking Board.
Danny O’Neill
665 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:06:22
Darren Hind, you have randomly reminded me of memories of having to wait and sit on the wall outside the Pegasus Pub in Speke, for those who remember it, Armed with a bottle of pop and a bag of crisps, looking down Western Avenue waiting for my Dad and godfather before eventually being escorted back to my Grandad's on Hale Road. But then having an inevitable last stop outside the Fox and having to sit outside again. I guess some would call it schooling!. Others child abuse!! Waiting patiently but knowing I couldn't go and ask for more or I'd get a flick in the ear and told to get out and sit outside until the grown ups were finished. Happy days I guess!!

Anyway, to your point, I can't get a ticket for life or money for Arsenal, but I will be there fighting in spirit. I'll probably be sat around many so called Arsenal fans who know virtually nothing about football. I'm used to that in west London. Don't talk to me about alleged Chelsea supporters and the life long Liverpool and Manchester United "supporters" I have to endure down here. I can tell them more about their clubs than they know.

I will comment as much as anyone on the problems with our club and I care passionately about our plight and deeply about Everton beyond anything I can explain, But come match day, they have me hook line and sinker. I just want 3 points.

Sorrry for the rant Darren. You kicked me off!!

Tony Everan
666 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:10:16
Something we may be able to do today is recall Lewis Dobbin from his loan.

I watched him when he came on at 70mins this week against West Ham. He was hit and miss, but what struck me is how confident and positive the lad was.

He was a live wire, constantly wanting the ball and determined to attack the West Ham defence. I’m not saying he’s going to be the silver bullet, far from it, but he would be a definite plus to be used from the bench. Offering a bit of pace and directness that tiring defenders hate. He’s looking to me like a young player with some upside given the right advice and chances to play.

With our abysmal failure in the transfer window this has to be considered today.

Anthony Murphy
667 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:11:15
Not much else to add that hasn’t already been said. I’ll just comment on something that I think has been overlooked and that is how the current crop of players will respond. I personally believe they are not going to get on board with Dyche and his methods - they have had enough just like the rest of us and (for some prima Donna types) will see his ways as out of step/too harsh etc. I predict an upturn in effort and some signs of improvement, but the players left to get us out this mess know just like us that we are f*cked and by mid march we’ll see a collapse of effort and energy once it becomes clear we’re not going to have enough.
Nick Page
668 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:12:25
Sorry to say but you’re absolutely dreaming if you think we’ll get out of this. We need 7 wins or 21 points to escape out of 18 games and we’ve lost to everyone around us, with Bournemouth putting 7 past us. This Frankenstein squad isn’t all of a sudden going to win almost 1 in 2 when you look at their record since Ancelotti H2 2020. It’s got Villa 2016 written all over it.

Get behind the team all you like but it’s a futile gesture. Most of these fucks don’t deserve to wear the shirt. We should be focussing 1000% on getting rid of the board and forcing Moshiri to act so that when we do drop we can regroup properly, IF there is a club still left. This set up won’t survive in the Championship.

Frank Fearns
669 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:16:51
Window is over. End of. Finished. Kaput.

MOVE ON.

Little point in whinging as we all know the state of the club and that's not going to improve all the time present incumbent are there and they are not going anywhere no matter what we say ( but happy to be proved wrong).

Let's start with doing Arsenal on Saturday!

We need a minimum of 23 points. Dyche can galvanise and get the best out of this squad. He can? It shouldn't be pretty but I don't care. Just do it.!

Mark Palmer
670 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:17:02
Allan @ 660 I agree. The last thing we wanted was the usual desperate signings that hang around on lucrative contracts. Why would a football mercenary want to come to Everton at the moment other than for a huge payday? No thanks.
Pity about Connor Gallagher, though - would have taken him all day.
Nick Page
671 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:19:57
Corken 660 - everyone pls read this post. This is the type of brainwashed halfwit that has let all of this flourish on and on, without question for the last 20 odd years. Absolutely and utterly unbelievable. It’s the insincere ramblings of a Kenwright acolyte. That is THE most arrogant and insulting post I’ve ever seen on TW and I’ve seen a few. You should be ashamed of that. I need a wash.
Anthony Dove
672 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:21:37
It’s never over while the old lady sings.
Ray Robinson
673 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:24:20
I'll repeat what I said earlier. I don't think we're allowed to recall anyone from loan when the window has closed. So forget Dele, Dobbin, Kean etc
Joe McMahon
674 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:27:10
Tony @666. Lewis Dobbin has scored 1 goal in league one, in over 20 appearances. He is playing the likes of Accrington Stanley, Morecambe and Fleetwood.

What am I talking about? He'd fit right in at Everton!

John Flood
675 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:27:24
Ray (645) is right, there was never anybody coming in yesterday because we are at the limit of the PL profit & sustainability rules. They hung onto Lampard so long desperately hoping he’d turn it around as the club couldn’t both pay him off and bring in new players in the window whilst staying within the rules. Once the decision to sack him was made, Gordon had to be sold to pay off Lampard and his coaching staff and stay within the rules, leaving no money for any incoming transfers. The so called bids for players like Gallagher were just spin put out to appease the fans, but have had the opposite effect in making the fan base angrier.

The club won’t admit it, but we are in a mess with the P&L rules and have stretched them to the limit, indeed lots of journalists believe we’ve already breached them. 96% of turnover spent on wages is not sustainable. The situation is entirely down to the mismanagement of Moshiri, Kenwright and board over the last few years in wasting a fortune in transfer fees, wages and paying off sacked managers and DoFs. We’ve blown our windfall and now we have to go back scrimping and saving to try to get the P&L under control like we did for years under Moyes. Dyche is not stupid and will have known the score when he signed up. We have just got to hope that he can keep the team up and go on to stabilise us like Moyes did when he took over. Relegation would be a disaster for the club in terms of lost revenue. The FL P&S rules are also far fighter than the PL so we could be facing a points deduction if we are relegated meaning there would be no quick return. It’s all on Dyche now.

Andy Duff
676 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:27:39
Alan 660 wow where to start.

i do agree this is not over and we are not relegated yet.

As for the rest. Do you really need a list of what Kenwright has done to this club?
Let's start with King's Dock the lies that led to us losing it

The Kirkby fiasco the lies that he used to try and force the move. Funny how Goodison still passes its safety certificate.

I could go on and on. The only constant in the 30 year demise of this club is him.

He found Moshiri the only owner who suited what he wanted namely to stay in control. He was not the best owner for Everton he was the best owner for Kenwright.

The club for years had tried to demonise fans. He uses his friends and contacts in the media to create the illusion he's the greatest ever blue. He's not he's a narcissistic parasite that gaslights idiot fans and the sole reason we are where we are now.

The fans definitely need to be united we will come together like last time for the club, we will no doubt save us. However the current owner and board must be run out of this club. They are destroying it.

If we go down this will be the end of Everton. They will be making Milk Borad adverts about us Everton who are they... exactly

Relegation means a fire sale. We then need to try and get promotion back with none of our best players. If we don't our loses will be higher than allowed a points deduction will follow. There is a very good chance we could down again.

Administration is a very serious threat again a further points deduction.

This is all on the owners and current board the complete mismanagement of the club.

Our only hope is we survive, is this possible? - definitely, has this been made harder by the board? - definitely. Do we need fans calling each other out and believing the club lies and planted stories? - no.

Jerome Shields
677 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:29:37
The only achievement by Everton this transfer window is the sale of Gordon, which was unfinished business from the Summer Transfer Window.Any player of value will be hawked of in the coming Summer Transfer Window.This has happened for years.Really don't blame Gordon. He probably realised that the reason that he didn't get the contract he wanted, was that he was up for Sale.

There does not seemed to have been a plan regarding the Transfering in of players.Of course they where looking for last minute loan bargains and did give lip service to bidding for players in demand they really did not want.

Andrew Myers
678 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:30:18
Alan@660

One of the most considered posts I have seen on here for years!

Yes we have got people running the club who could certainly be improved on, but the level of vitriol is crazy. I agree with him that the squad is good enough to survive if coached properly, which I'm confident Dyche will bring to the table. We will not become world beaters anytime soon, but realistically how many clubs are?

We will have a new stadium soon (which by the way no one else has been able to deliver before the current owner) which will almost certainly mean the club is sold, probably to some other dodgy billionaire or country with dubious backgrounds.

At which point, if we do not win the league, lots of other trophies, attract the world’s best manager and top top world class players, the new owners will also be ‘shite’…

How about supporting the club we all profess to love, through thick and thin, and give the players the belief to put in stronger performances and get us further up the table!!

Rob Halligan
679 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:30:20
Will people get this ridiculous idea of players not wanting to join us because one player was chased down a street out of their thick heads. I don’t think Yerry Mina was chased, maybe got caught in a crowd and couldn’t move, but when he got out I bet them few kids shit a brick when he did, and I bet if Gordon had got out of his car, those two kids would also have felt gooey stuff running down their legs. If you want to know how players feel threatened, not intimidated like Gordon was, then remember these two incidents? Didn’t stop potential signings going to Anfield or Old Trafford because of the fear of a death threat. After all, who wants to join a club whose fans offer death threats to their own players…………….

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-308410/Gerrards-U-turn-threats-family.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1322748/Wayne-Rooney-death-threat-Angry-fans-outside-home.html

Mark Andrews
680 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:31:20
Nihil nisi pessimus satis est.
Derek Knox
681 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:32:06
While I am as cheesed off as everyone else, by our lack of activity, one scant consolation, if you can call it that, with these other Clubs buying in, seemingly when they have large squads anyway, is it can work against them. Too many cooks spring to mind! Plus, any newbies to any squad take time to acclimatise and familiarise themselves with ethics, tactics etc, and that is if they even start.

The other side of the coin too, most players are greedy bastards these days, and if a new man joins on a much better deal/salary it can, and does cause derision. Remember we are not defeated until it has become an impossibility, and everything is possible.

We are Everton!

Paul Brierley
682 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:34:06
Not signing a striker before the season started has up to now been the greatest crime committed by the inept people in charge. It stuck out like a sore thumb from the opening day and it had a huge bearing on Lampard's demise.

To pass through another transfer window and not address that is just plain incomprehensible but clearly points to the utter mismanagement in the corridors of power at our once great club. Some think it is a deliberate act by the board but to say that is to assume they are strategic, can formulate a plan & execute it. That I am afraid is well beyond them as they have proven time & time again.

There is nothing we blues can do about the past right now, we have to move on & focus all our energies on supporting Sean Dyche & the team. It is still possible to avoid relegation, its going to be a bumpy ride but we MUST get behind & support this team with every ounce of energy we have.

Martin Farrington
683 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:34:20
Beggars Belief.
No shock now.

The mist clears.
Kenwright would only sell to someone who gave him all his money whilst retaining all his power (ie all the vital organs fed by the heartbeat of the club)
Enter Mr Moshiri.
Articles state owner cannot sack the board.
Kenwright has placed puppets around him.
Now Kenwright will never leave, sealed into the Everton sarcophagus.
Kenwright receives huge cash injection.
Kenwright goes about squandering dime after dime.
Kenwright states he doesn't trust Moshiri with the club.
Moshiri powerless to act in reality and admits so.
Moshiri's realising of a new stadium is now his The Sword of Damocles.
The showman has worked his magic.
Draw Curtains

Mike Price
684 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:34:34
John Gall #662 Agree completely, it seems like a handful of us recognise that Lampard's incompetence has led us down this path yet most Evertonians give him a free pass!

The owner has backed the club with his money, his mistake is listening to the wrong people. We all know the Board is a joke but that's a long term problem. Lampard in a year has done huge damage, walked away with millions and is still popular!

Mike Doyle
685 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:34:58
The suggestion that protests against the board etc have put players off joining us is patent nonesense (Man Utd fans have been protesting against the Glazers for years).

Similarly the suggestion that the threat of relegation deterred players doesn't stack up either. Apart from us, every Premier League team from 13th downward recruited at least 3 players in the window and the players joining know that 3 of those teams will be relegated.

A more plausible scenario is that we went for one player (the winger who decided to switch to the bench at Spurs after Frank was given his P45) and that was it. Chelsea report no bids (from anyone) for Connor Gallagher, while most of the player links that popped up yesterday looked like lazy media or agent creations.

The money from the sales of Gordon, Broadhead and Anderson – having been received before 30 June – will be used to improve the accounts. Expect to see us repeat the trick with the sale of Pickford during the summer.

Had Bielsa been appointed our manager, he would probably have resigned this morning.

Ray Smith
686 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:39:19
Nick 671

I’ve read 660 twice, and all I can do is concur with your observations.
Moving on, and that’s what we must do, what’s done is done, reducing us further as a laughing stock in the eyes of other clubs fans/supporters.
We are currently and have been heading on a downward spiral, whereby (and we will) we avoid relegation by the skin of our teeth.
One question I would like answering is; ‘why did it it take so long announcing the appointment of Sean Dyche? No doubt there is a gagging clause in his contract.
Let’s get behind the team and the manager. 18 games to go, 54 points to play for, sounds better already, albeit a sticking plaster over a gaping wound COYB

Andy Duff
687 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:39:20
Andrew 678. So are you saying fans that can see through the bad running of the club and call it out are not supporters?

It's sycophants like you that are part of the reason we are in this mess. You've got the Everton you deserve.

I take offence when the owners labeled me and my 11 year old match going son hooligan and toxic with this "club source" leaks to the media.

We go the game we support the team. All Everton fans want the same to support the team we love and see us successful. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see where the issues lie.

I will be there at the match on Saturday supporting the team, I'll also be at the protests supporting the club and trying to cure the disease at the top that is killing it.

If you want to bury your head fine, don't start crying when we are the next Accrington Stanley.

Jim Lloyd
688 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:40:02
Darren, Good post!

It brought back my memories of playing for a pub team (The Derby, Everton Valley) as a 20 something. We played in the Kirkby Newtown League, on a, very aptly, named Windy Harbour ground. The pitch was built on top of a rubbish dump and when it rained (it always rained!) oil used to work it's way to the surface.
We got beat every Sunday, got changed in a concrete building and it always seemed to be freezing, we got covered in oily gunge if we slid on the stuff, but we went the pub after it and talked about how we'd win next week. We never did, until one game. I scored, me mate scored and we won our only match in all the time we played there!

Thwe pub afterwards was the consolation though, selling spot theball tickets to help pay for the kits and getting them washed. We kept going, though, for years. Never learned any sense!,

I've been going to The ground since the late Fifties, when I was about 10 and luck enough to see the great sides of the Sixties and the Eighties, been to Wembley, think it was six times and see us win the Cup twice and League 4 times. Really lucky.

For nearly thirty years since this con man has become Chairman, we've seen us tread water, then start the slide to where we are now. He lost us the chance of playing at the Kings Dock, try to take us out the City and now presiding over our demise, as though it isn't happening.

My view is that our players and our manager are all that matters now. Where we end up in May, who knows, but the Board are finished as far as I'm concerned. I don't give a toss whether they turn up or not (though I think they might well stay away) We have the media, hovering like vultures, looking for the evidence of us Toxic Fans. Well they can sod off an all. It's our club at stake here, we support our team.

June Brennan
689 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:42:19
The headlock announcement put the club into disrepute. Gordon being mobbed did not help and gave him the perfect excuse to jump ship. No signings and I hope the new manager was not duped. Don’t let the games be about the board let them be about supporting the team. I get the fans boos when the players don’t put a shift in but it totally demoralises the players who to be fair must know they have had a shit game. Only way forward is to back the new manager and be the 12th man.
Tony Everan
690 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:43:27
I agree, nothing to do with the infantile scallies chasing the car. A factor will have been finance and clauses.

Moshiri talking about an existential threat sounds off the alarm bells , agents wanting cast iron guarantees of payment of long contracts despite relegation. All of which we wouldn’t do.

I think the claims of the board trying to blindside the fans with phantom 45m bids for players are right, it was a total smokescreen.

In our situation it was only short term four month loans that were acceptable to us or we were ever interested in.

Julian Exshaw
691 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:44:47
Surely the 'Gordon' money has sunk into the bottomless pit of debt that this club has and any attempt to buy a player was just a smokescreen. But as their is zero communication from the board it's anyone's guess. Just come out and tell what's going on!
James Marshall
692 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:48:31
I'm not sure why this is a surprise. As the least attractive club in the division, with fan unrest, supporters getting in the face of existing players, protests at games etc, clearly backroom turmoil and a mess from top to bottom, why would any player want to join lowly Everton? Perennial also rans for 30 years.

And if the answer is 'our istory' that just shows what a joke we are. Winning league titles before the advent of colour television doesn't mean a damn thing to anyone other than Evertonians.

Alan Johnson
693 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:50:25
Tony #690. Spot on. It was only ever gonna be loans till the end of the season. Richarlison and Gordon money is for Moshiri's Bank not Evertons.
Eugene Ruane
694 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:51:01
.
Brain-droppings...

If I was Dyche today, left with a bunch of players who, to all intents and purposes have proved they don't have the mental/physical toughness for the task ahead, I'd be sitting with the coaches/managers of our under 23s/21s/18s etc and asking. "who do you have who has no fear?"

I'd want to find 4/5 players from within the club who could be fast-tracked.

They wouldn't have to be the 'best' players, just those who despise (DESPISE!) losing.

A kind of 'pups of war' group (?)

The kind who'd run through their own grandmother to win a ball and maybe have a bit of a physical presence.

I'm not suggesting putting 4/5 young players into the side but rather bringing them into the group.

The next 18 games imo are going to require a certain amount of gambling and he'll need to try to repair the psychological damage results have had on the current mob

Just avoiding relegation will feel no different than going down by 20 points, so now is the time to go fo it'.

We need EVERY player to play for EVERY second of EVERY game.

We need to see players fight for EVERY second ball.

We need to press teams like they press us.

Physically we need to go shoulder-to-shoulder with opposition players and make sure it is them who come off second best.

We need players to stop being mutes - open their fucking mouths, scream at each other, scream at the refs, linesmen/women.

One of our players goes down in the box?

Everyone get in the ref's face.

And maybe most importantly, we're going to require players who say "give ME the ball, I'm NOT scared of making a mistake" (nb: all that pointless tip-tapping over the past few months, that's players basically saying 'don't give me the fucking ball, I don't want it')

I also think having 2 or even 3 up front will be just as effective a defence as anything else (ie: 7 at the back or...whatever).

If Dyche has a big pair of plums, now's the time to wave them about.

As Kenny Rogers said "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" (to be clear, Kenny was talking about cards not testicles).

Darren Hind
695 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:53:57
I'm amazed at the number of people who actually thought we would spend some of the 40m we got from Newcastle.

We are far worse off than this time last season. We are without the Brazilian number nine AND the "Dirty cowardly rat" who fought so hard to stay in the division last season, he was unanimously voted player of the year by his team mates - You know. The ones who were on the pitch with him.

Our board were clearly in talks with Newcastle. They clearly didnt want their 40m asset injured and they completed the hat-trick of snide moves by not spending a penny on the windfall.

But they will get away with it..Especially if there`s a kid to blame

Mike Oates
696 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:54:55
Not defending the board in any shape or form, particularly the last 3-4 years, but they did provide £500m for transfers and we managed to blow it all away, through a succession of managers. Some of the the managers were good, some poor, but between them all they blew it.

Newcastle have spent £250m in transfers in 2 years, struck lucky with a manager no one would take a gamble on, even us and it’s paid dividends - Wembley and top 4 in the league. And I have no doubt they’ll go on to be equal of City, Liverpool etc.

We’ve blown it for many years yet.

George Cumiskey
697 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:56:00
Nick Page @ 671 spot on mate, there's definitely shall we say influencers coming on ToffeeWeb to push the Kenshite narrative.
Brian Harrison
698 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:57:47
I think we were all desperately hoping we could sign a striker or 2 to try and give Dyche some attacking options, but for whatever reason we ended up as the only club in the bottom 6 not to strengthen the squad. I am sure Dyche when questioned at his press conference on Friday will have no option but to say I know the club tried very hard to bring in players, but just couldn't get them over the line. Even Sulemanna chose to go to the bottom club rather than Everton, and Thelwell couldn't even get Dunjama to sign even though he had passed his medical.

I did say the other day I hope with a new manager and hopefully a couple of new players that the lads organising the protest should maybe call it off, but in all honesty there is no argument I can put forward that could do anything but back the protest. I would just say look we al agree this owner and board have to go, and so far the press and TV are agreeing with those arguments. But lets make sure that the protests don't cross the line and don't let the narrative to change to no wonder they cant get players to come because of the behaviour of some fans. Dont go near players after the game, don't go on the pitch.

Somebody reminded me that when Villa went down they didn't buy anybody in the window and lost the next 13 out of 15 and got relegated.
I cant help feel a bit of sympathy for Dyche non of this was his making yet somehow he is expected to turn around a team that don't score and have won only 3 league games this season. I worry that the frustration and anger the fans are feeling could well turn ugly should Arsenal win this easily as form would suggest.
Finally we have to point the finger at Lampard and his coaches, they have twice managed to put this club perilously close to being relegated. I have nothing but contempt for him and his coaches, yes this board and owner are the worst. But you were given enough funds for us not to be anywhere near relegation.

Jim Lloyd
699 Posted 01/02/2023 at 09:59:51
Eddie Dunn, (663) That's areally good Post.
Tony Abrahams
700 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:02:10
Paul@636, I think what you write in your first paragraph is because you understand Evertonians, mate.

Ian E@442, says the club is actually stronger because we have replaced Lampard, with a new manager, but I don’t think he’s factored in the most important thing, about the fans, who will be absolutely fuming with this lying, self serving, totally inept board.

My own opinion is the people on the board should now become an irrelevance until the club is sold, but unless they come out with some kind of statement to either acknowledge this, and tell us they are going to stay away from the game, they should just resign, for the good of the club, they profess to love.

I’ve stated it many times before, because even though people don’t like to admit they have been completely taken in by a liar, the way the club has dealt with Anthony Gordon, has parallels with both Jeffers and Rooney, and has the smell of an egotistical nepotistic lying bastard all over it.

Phil Lewis
701 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:02:33
A second rate actor. Producer of second rate musicals.

Now he can add second rate chairman of a second rate football club/ team to his second rate credentials.

Andrew Myers
702 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:03:09
Andy@687

Not sure you read the post fully! I agreed the people running the club need changing. I also did not, and would not, accuse people criticising the board of not being dedicated supporters who want the best for Everton Football Club. What I did say is we need to all give the players belief that they can turn this around this season.
Until the stadium is complete there is little or no chance of Moshiri selling as he will not get as good a price - this is just economic sense. I don’t like or trust the guy and want him out, just like I wanted Johnson out when he was making pigs ear of it. I also want BK out, or at least in no position of power/authority. I am no sycophant and have certainly not buried my head in the sand. Things need to change but we just don’t agree and when that is realistically going to happen. Enjoy the game on Saturday I’m sure I will (well here’s hoping anyway!!).

Derek Knox
703 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:04:30
Well said Eugene, should pin that on the Dressing Room Door.

Glad you clarified the Kenny Rogers situation, I was almost wincing at the very thought of him folding them !

John Gall
704 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:06:39
Allan #660. Provocative! But I agree with what you say. I just pray some of the crap on here is never read by players or managers but I fear some of it does kind of creep through. It creates a vibe of aggression which is felt at the stadium. Why would members of the board sit there just to soak up the abuse from a little coterie of red-faced loons?
Steve Brown
705 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:08:14
Darren, the structure of the offer for Sarr tells the story.

2 million loan fee proposed and a commitment to buy him for 30 million if we stay in the premiership. I am guessing that was the basis of all offers we made in the transfer window and why we signed nobody. The 40 million from Gordon's transfer was to return us to profit, not to finance player deals.

Richarlison and Gordon got 14 goals and 7 assists between them last season. They were also our main saleable assets so they have gone and won't be replaced. We have no money and won't have in the future unless minority investors get on board.

However, I don't buy that our board were in early talks with Newcastle. If they had been negotiating early, Newcastle and Gordon's own agent would have told him to carry on attending training and sit tight. We were bound to sell at the right price.

More likely the board worked the same angle as they did on Rooney all those years ago. Privately agree to sell the player at the right price, act like they are desperate to retain him in public.

The player was badly advised by his agent, as Everton's board are grim shysters but they are not that sharp. Gordon could have attended training, pleaded his loyalty to Everton and still got his move.

Richard Lyons
706 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:08:32
I think the signing of Sean Dyche will prove to be the shrewdest bit of business this January.

At the start of the season, we were all full of optimism, we even had a few good results. So theoretically we have the players; they are in rubbish form now, but they don't lose form without a reason, and I think that reason was basically Lampard. Dyche is much more canny and is surely the right person to get the best out of the squad.

We need to try to look on the bright side - what else can we do?

Christine Foster
707 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:12:40
John Gall #662 "it will be down to Lampard's poor coaching, tolerated for too long, rather than any other cause."
Sorry John, whilst Lampard was tactically poor, the main reason we are in this mess has been the way the club has been run for a long, long time now.
Its resulted in a poor group of players, poor managers but atrocious decision making from the owner and the board.
Are fans expected to just sit and idly watch as our club goes down the pan? Do you really believe this site and other like it are to blame? How about the punditry on tv, Sky, Talksport, the laughter when Everton is mentioned? Of course we are angry, some more than others, but I have invested part of my life in this club, to see it ruined by a few incompetent people is ruining my life and thousands of others. If it doesn't make you feel that way, thats ok, you are lucky..
I feel shamed by this club, I will back Dyche and my team until the end and beyond, but as I have said often for the last god knows how many years, I do not support or believe in anything Kenwright says and never have and I am sick of explaining why.
Exactly what can fans do in your opinion other than get behind the manager and team? Forget the board, the owner? I would LOVE too, but their incompetence has affected which players we have. team performance, recruitment and management. The result is we are sitting at the bottom of the league. Thats been coming for years...
Dyche will get us out of this mess I have no doubt, even without more players. But we have gone in 18 months from a World class serial winner in Ancelotti to Dyche with nightmares in between..Don't even mention Benitez,,

No John, I absolutely agree, get right behind the team, but don't let the board and owner off the hook.

Dave Williams
708 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:15:54
What a crazy night- absolutely no new players even though we have £40m in our pockets. Did we really try to sign anyone- a lot of the rumours seemed unlikely to say the least and ever the optimist I am at least pleased that we didn’t blow the money on substandard players like we have in the past.
Is there a shady motive here? Has the owner just pocketed the cash pending a sale? Unlikely as relegation will devalue the club by more than that. Is it needed for the stadium build, at least in the short term while he gets his backers sorted out? Did players turn us down because of conditions in the contracts on offer which would reduce wages in the event of relegation? Possibly, but it didn’t stop Southampton did it?
Maybe word will leak out at some point but to coin that modern phrase, we are where we are and have to get on with it. Like many posters above I think we have a decent enough squad. We should never have got to this point but we have done because we have lacked a striker but more importantly we have lacked a structure which has suited the players. Midfield has been a shambles- creativity is poor, workrate hasn’t been great, not a lot of determination, huge gaps left in the middle of our defensive midfield which so many teams have exploited and the much vaunted partnership of Cody and Tarks has floundered.
Franks use/ refusal to use substitutes was so strange especially when he must have known his job was on the line. His reluctance to give youth a chance at least off the bench was plain daft and why send Cannon out on loan when he could have been on the bench and perhaps able to pop a goal or two( this was post Frank of course).
So what will Sean do? Hopefully he won’t quit in horror at what didn’t happen last night. He has some good players- Onana has shown good form lately and expressed his desire to stay and help. A fit Garner should play alongside him, possibly with a newly motivated Doucoure if Sean can get hold of him and sort him out. Likewise can Sean get something out of McNeil- a player with decent skill but no pace and at present who lacks aggression. DCL is so crucial- he is looking a bit sharper but Sean will get stuck into him.
If Townsend comes back fit then he will help us. I’d consider moving Ben to left back which is where he shone when he joined us, and Holgate to right back to give the defence a bit of pace and aggression- I think Thise two will respond well to the new manager.
I have my ticket for Saturday and with the early kick off my journey starts at around 4am. There will be 55 on the coach and no doubt loads of others who have longer or more difficult journeys to make. I expect to see an aggressive performance from a highly motivated and compact team and really see if we can shake up this fine Arsenal side. I want a coach on the way home where we can’t decide on a man of the match because they all tried their hearts out, not an abandonment of the man of the match vote because no one was worthy ( that has happened a few times!!).
Of course what we can control is the noise and the atmosphere. We need to get back to last seasons crowd performance, give Sean a great welcome and regardless of the score get behind the team. We can do this together but the players need us more than ever before.
Sod the board- let’s do this for the fans, and all those who are no longer with us- that’s the least we all deserve.
Mike Oates
709 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:16:31
Months ago I wanted Lampard and Thelwell to succeed, and even to the point of thinking we’ve got to give them 2 years to set a strategy in place.
Lampard then clearly demonstrated that he hasn’t got a clue, poor team selection ( albeit with limited players), poor team tactics and poor game management. Yes he had to go.

Thelwell unfortunately in my eyes is now demonstrating that he too is way short of the skills required to do this job. His ridiculous 120 point plan to make Everton ‘s Academy, Recruitment, Medical functions truly top class, shows a man who is just overwhelmed by the leadership qualities he needs to take this club forward. The 120 point is a plan to impress the useless board that he’s on top of his job.
Unfortunately he way off the mark, he can’t plan and execute recruitment as we’ve just seen, he’s kowtowing to Moshiri and Kemwright, he seems to a non entity as far as the rest of the football fraternity, a man who can’t sell Everton even to mercenary footballers.

Just give Dyche the whole of the footballing side to run, he can’t do as bad a job as Thelwell & Lampard

Tony Abrahams
710 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:19:11
Johnathon @604, he would fuckin love mate. I could just imagine him, Denise and Graham, sitting in the director’s box, telling each other nobody loves Everton more than them.

Sharp, will be nodding like Phil Neal, whilst Kenwright would be nudging Denise laughing, saying he still doesn’t know I’m a red.

Minder is just starting on itv4. It’s that bad, I’ve just had a mate from London, texting me to tell me I need cheering up, so put minder on!

Stan Grace
711 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:27:23
'Andy 616. Whether you like it or not some players will be put off by videos of players being chased and abused in cars. Fact.'
Ian, you claimed as fact on the LF last night that Everton had always signed players on TDD. As your statement proved not to be true, could I ask that you this time provide evidence to support your use of 'fact' above?
Kim Vivian
712 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:29:19
I wonder how many of our squad are on the treatment table this morning after a day of bleep tests yesterday.

Seany's here...!

John Bourne
713 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:29:34
Nick Page @ 671 - Correct Nick, to describe what transpired yesterday as anything other than a complete humiliation of the club, is nothing short of lunacy.

Anyone who thinks we are out of the woods based on the removal of Frank Lampard is living in cloud cuckoo land, he had plenty of faults, but Sean Dyche is set to manage the same set of players, these players are the common denominator in the demise of this club, aided and abetted by the miscreants supposedly running the horror show.

We all celebrated avoiding relegation last season, such emotional scenes, but just let that sink in, we were nearly relegated!

God help us.

Richard Lyons
714 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:30:17
Dave #708 - well said. After all the disappointment, frustration, anger: nevertheless, COYB! UTFT!
James Lauwervine
715 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:32:08
No surprise at all from me that we didn't sign anyone. The club is a total mess, the board are incompetent (to put it nicely) the manager changes every year (at the most) and the relationship between the players and the fans is at an all-time low. Who would want to come and play for a club where you face abuse to the level where it becomes personally and physically threatening? Whatever you think of what happened with Gordon and Mina, that's going to be the perception. We are truly in a dire situation, but I still have a glimmer of optimism that Dyche can do something with these players and save us.
Brian Harrison
716 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:32:31
Antonio Conte was asking the other week, why in this country is it only managers who have to go in front of the camera's. He said in all other countries where he has managed the DOF or a member of the board also has to answer as to what is happening at their clubs.

We watched last week as Moshiri answered pre prepared questions from a member of the FAB, why not let a sports journalist ask you questions or our chairman or our DOF. But no the manager who isn't responsible for any of this debacle will have to answer the questions that the press will put to him.
What a start to your role as Everton manager.

Sean Roe
717 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:34:23
We beat Palace last season to stay in the league, the only time we've really played well and comprehensively beaten anyone this season was against Palace. That suggests to me that a large part of our on field problems are mental issues.

We now have a much better manager in my opinion, and although the squad isn't the greatest in terms of quality, I believe that Dyche will turn it around. Anybody that thinks Dyche is nothing more than a disciplinarian should watch some of his interviews on youtube.

Mal van Schaick
718 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:34:37
Lampard failed and got sacked. How can anybody have faith in Thelwell after this transfer window debacle. Thelwell should go and I’m sorry Billy boy, you should go too.
Rob Baker
719 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:40:01
The lack of signings is a sure sign of giving up. I've looked into my crystal ball and we are down :-(

Everton v Arsenal LOSE

Liverpool v Everton LOSE

Everton v Leeds United DRAW

Everton v Aston Villa DRAW

Nottingham Forest v Everton LOSE

Everton v Brentford LOSE

Chelsea v Everton LOSE

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur LOSE

Manchester United v Everton LOSE

Everton v Fulham WIN

Crystal Palace v Everton DRAW

Everton v Newcastle United LOSE

Leicester City v Everton DRAW

Brighton & Hove Albion V Everton LOSE

Everton v Manchester City LOSE

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton DRAW

Everton v AFC Bournemouth LOSE

Lee Whitehead
720 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:42:59
Bloody hell Rob - I'm going to slit my throat 😂😂😂😂
Raymond Fox
721 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:46:23
We just stayed up last season with Richarlison in the side, Gordon the player of the season and DCL playing most games.

This season no Richarlison, DCL missing too many games and Gordon wanting to be somewhere else but its all Lampards fault, great logic that.

Thats water under the bridge anyway.

You have to feel sorry for Dyche and us of course - obviously he has the consolation of a very large influx of cash every week- us poor sods have not. We are now 1/2 to go down, going smaller each week.

Its going to take large miracle for him to keep us up now, we were poor last season and this and we are weaker now.

I don't think the bigwigs will be turning up at the game this week now do you, theres bound to be fresh protests.

To have any chance of staying in the Prem. the team needs our support more than ever now, even though going to games feels more like serving a penance.

Jim Bennings
722 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:46:49
Rob

Probably won't be as bad as that but we won't stay up I agree.

I see 3 wins and 6 draws so that won't be enough to keep the club up.

30 points is my prediction and I think we'll finish 19th.

I just don't see enough goal threat in our team.

Ed Fitzgerald
723 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:47:33
The hurt and anger is palpable in virtually every post on this thread. The vitriol directed towards the board is totally understandable, to call the tenure of BK, Moshiri and DBB et al mismanagement is an oxymoron as it implies there has been some form of strategy in place rather than chaos.

For those hoping Dyche is going to help the club avoid relegation, I admire your hope in the face of the grim reality. We would need the courage of Ives and Hiltz to even attempt to pull off a great escape, and sadly our players don’t possess that bravery. PS Ives and Hiltz didn’t escape

Stuart Sharp
724 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:49:15
Rob #719
Bit disrespectful to Fulham.
Derek Knox
725 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:52:14
Rob, if that attitude is allowed to enter the player's minds we all may as well not bother turning up. I don't think Sean Dyche sees it the way you portrayed it. Every game is winnable, no matter who the opposition is, and furthermore we are NOT RELEGATED till it is mathematically impossible to survive. We have to be optimistic right across the whole spectrum, well apart from those numpties on the Board that is
Raymond Fox
726 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:55:56
Rob I'd like a bet that we get many more points than that, the house would be going on it.
Pat Kelly
727 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:59:24
This is relegation for slow learners. There's nothing left of Everton except what fans hold in their hearts.
Brian Williams
728 Posted 01/02/2023 at 10:59:27
I've come to the conclusion that we were NEVER going to re-invest the Gordon cash.

I think Moshiri has put the brakes on bigtime in order to make the club (financially) a more attractive one to buy.

What he seems unable to comprehend is that a championship club is a much less attractive prospect than a premier league club.

Yesterday's performance (transferwise) just CAN'T alone be down to a level of incompetence beyond belief.

If they'd have brought in three of the academy players to handle yesterday they'd have managed to get a deal over the line.

I think there's not only a disconnect between the supporters and the board I think there's one between Moshiri and the board as well.

Either way I firmly believe that we're well and truly fucked.

We won't get rid of this board until the club's sold and by then we'll be in the championship.

Andy Duff
729 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:10:52
Andrew 702- Apologies I must have. Enjoy the game the eternal optimist in me is convinced we'll win. As they say its the hope that kills you in the end

The only way we survive is the fans supporting the team. If all the infighting can remain on social media all protests away from match itself we might just do it again

John Wignall
730 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:11:00
Typical Everton.

"We were after certain players" — you do your homework, get them signed up, don't leave it to the last minute and lose out.

Roger Helm
731 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:11:54
The players are not that bad, they are poorly motivated and organised. I think Sean Dyche will sort those problems out as well as being more tactically aware and better at game management.

I think we will survive — as long as the board keeps away from Goodison Park and the fans do their bit.

Kevin Molloy
732 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:17:00
I think after a couple of days people will calm down a lot and agree there's still everything to play for.

My take is that we did try to sign players, but they wouldn't come. We've been blackballed. Every agent in the land is currently saying to their client "Don't go to Everton". And to be fair, a white knuckle relegation ride with a fanbase at war with the board – why would you sign up for that if there are other options around?

So, when Moshiri comes out and says 'we tried' I'm not going to instantly dismiss that, particularly if it's backed up by Thelwell and Dyche. It is total fucking incompetence like, but that's not as bad as deliberately holing the boat.

Getting back now to what's important (and that ain't the transfer window), I think we've got the squad to stay ahead of Southampton and a couple of others once Dyche's proper coaching bears fruit.

Clearly we are lacking goals, but we only need one to win a game, and I suspect our work from set-pieces is going to improve significantly, and that we are going to be very mean defensively. It might not be pretty… but probably pretty effective.

Dave Abrahams
733 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:20:10
Heartbroken, truly, for all my fellow Everton fans – I never thought it would be as bad as this.

The Everton owner, Kenwright and his puppets have called time and last orders on the club. But fuck him and his puppets, we are having a “stay behind” that will last for the rest of this season and the future.

Get behind the team and the manager before and during the game. I'm not interested, now, in protesting against phoney bastards, just fuckin' blank and swerve people(?) like them, they can go and mix with other phoney bastards like themselves.

I'll be going to the rest of the home games cheering my team on. I know 99% of my fellow fans will be doing the same. Miracles happen, let's try and create one for The Blues.

Darren Hind
734 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:24:46
Steve

The transfer did not just happen. There was days of negotiation. We were told by Leighton Baines that the player was excused for at least one of the days. It's no stretch to then think the club excused the others because they wanted him in one piece so the sale could go ahead.

I see a lot of people pointing the finger at the player, but I believe that's born out of a desire to think the worst of a him.
Other than Bainsey correcting a reporter by telling him he wasn't AWOL... I've seen no statement from the club, the coaches or the player. No evidence whatsoever.

I only see a sequence of events which suggests to me that club were absolutely compliant with his absence.

Kenwright will be happy for people to point the finger at an outbound young boy. He always has been.

Peter Carpenter
735 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:25:09
It's after 11:00 am; hopefully at least 4 more players have thrown up in front of a laughing Dyche. He will have identified the fighters and given the first of many inspirational team talks.

Deadline day has gone and is now irrelevant. The battle starts here. It's not over yet.

Andy Duff
736 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:26:23
Roger 731, I agree.

When he was appointed I thought we'd get out of this. The lack of signings is a disgrace but we still have the quality to stay up.

The board should stay away not because of safety, but they will cause fan division. I remember during the Blue Union days the club deliberately put Bill's smiling face on the screen during a match. As you can imagine there were boos and claps and fan arguments and infighting.

If we are to survive, every home game needs to be like Palace last season.

Fans protesting before and after the game is fine as long as the players know they are supported.

I can however see the board intent on self-preservation trying to create fan unrest and infighting. If we fight each other, we forget about them. For this reason alone, they need to stay away and let us do our job after they failed to do theirs.

Jim Wilson
737 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:28:21
It is a disastrous window. We needed at least two signings to give us that extra lift we all needed.

But we do have some good players and, if Dyche gets the team playing a better system and gets them organised and motivated, we do have a chance. Staying clear of injuries and having a bit of luck would be a huge help.

But the biggest worry for me is the justified bandwagon about our terrible board. We need to put our hatred for them on ice and leave all protests until the end of the season. It is not doing any of us any good.

We can talk about getting behind the team but what is going to happen if Arsenal go 2 or 3 up early on? Some supporters could lose their heads. And we do not want anyone running onto the pitch.

We must get behind the team and stay behind the team during the Arsenal game, whatever happens, and stay behind them for the remainder of the season.

Now is the time for cool heads, backing the team, and then unleash the biggest protest in history at the end of the season.

Chris Donnelly
738 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:32:04
If this club had any ambition to get out of the relegation places, they need to bring in a few free agents. There are players out there that would come and put a shift in. What else can they do?

Just trying to find a positive to this whole debacle!!

This boardroom is being run by the lunatic asylum or by red shite wankers. After all this time, Bill was a red really. He is just poison!!! Along with his band of merry men!!!

Christine Foster
739 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:32:24
Dave 733# got it in one.. ignore and blank them.

The team need cheering, the atmosphere has to be a bear pit for the opposition.

The owner and board are nothing.

Joe McMahon
740 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:32:38
Darren @734, I fully agree with your post, but Anthony is 22 this month, he's not a young boy. My late dad did 2 years service in Malta at 18, he was a young man.

Apologies if I'm being pedantic, it's just the young players over 18 are men, not boys.

At the end of the day, we are all understandably pissed off. I'm concerned though that the Burnley team that was relegated last season had more talent and ability than the 2023 Everton squad.

Barry Hesketh
741 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:47:10
The Esk has tweeted the following in the last hour or so:

I've seen a lot of peiple(sic) asking is FM asset stripping? No, we are de-leveraging, reducing costs whilst attempting to reduce borrowings or reserve cash for future costs (stadium for eg). Usually considered to be prudent but in this case very high risk if it results in relegation

One of the results of de-leveraging is that he has to raise less cash himself personally or from a third party (new) investor in the future. A very calculated risk though as relegation is a disaster for the club & Moshiri

I'll be honest I have no idea about accounting or finance, but it would seem that any squad building has been sacrificed for the completion of the new stadium?

From that perspective, I believe that Sean Dyche took the job in full knowledge of the circumstances he would be working under, and I would guess there will be no expensive signings made in the next couple of years or more, even if Dyche keeps us in the top division.

Moshiri has always been about the money. He gambled wildly on transfers, not necessarily to improve the team, but rather to try and attract investors. The gamble failed, and world events have conspired to exacerbate that failure to such an extent that he's now decided to gamble on the club remaining in the top tier and is hoping there is enough gas in the tank for the club to limp to the new stadium; unfortunately, the petrol gauge is flashing empty.

Dermot O'Brien
743 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:51:20
The Board is shit, incompetent, useless, etc. They are. Utter shit.

But let's not relegate ourselves. There's so many surrender-monkey comments here, for fuck's sake.

We have a decent squad. Not great, but okay. Many would have thought Lampard should have had us mid-table at least with this squad, so it can't be that bad.

We have a manager who knows how to scrap. He's done it enough times, he'll pick the players who are up for the scrap.

We have us. The best fans in the world. Now we will show we are the best by dragging our team over the line in every game. We can do something about it on matchday. We did it last season and we'll do it again.

Sorry, Premier League. The Toffees are here to stay.

UTFT

Mark Murphy
744 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:51:31
George @ 697.

What is “the Kenshite narrative” and what is your honest counter to it?

I'm interested, not being arsey.

Anthony Murphy
745 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:52:42
Thing is, you can stay in the Premier League and not spend a fortune, but you need a strategy and professionals who know what they are doing.
Paul Cherrington
746 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:54:04
Really shocked and disappointed that we haven't signed anyone at all this window. Especially when pretty much every other team has and those around us look stronger than before now.

Almost like the club has given up already and won't even try to do all it can to avoid relegation. If we feel down about it, can you imagine the feeling in the dressing room? It can't be good for morale.

The failure to sign a decent striker and effective winger is now bordering on farcical. Everyone can see we needed more quality/ and numbers in some areas apart from those running the club it seems. The DoF role is a joke and a total waste of money.

I know it might be players turning us down to be fair, which you can't do a lot about, but there must have been at least one good player somewhere we could afford and who would come.

Shambles.

Rob Baker
747 Posted 01/02/2023 at 11:55:43
I want to be wrong about my predictions. For this to happen, Dyche has to turn around the shower of sh1te that is the first XI by injecting a winning mentality back into these professional sportsmen. We have to stop losing at home to teams around us and begin picking up points away from home. To do this, we need to shore up at the back and function as an offensive unit, probably with shooting between the posts more.

Dyche basically has 18 experimental games. If we can see seeds of something positive, then most of us would be happy. Relegation is a bigger threat than last year so if we have to rebuild in the championship, then so be it.

Dan Nulty
748 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:01:56
I think we get 15 points from the remaining games. I can't see that being enough.

On the plus side, chatting to a couple of friends who are Burnley fans, they are loving the championship and don't want to get promoted. Maybe we will enjoy it more down there.

Jim Bennings
749 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:03:04
Christine

The owner and chairman are the reason why we are in this position.

The atmosphere against Southampton was totally focused on the teams support, didn't help sadly did it.

The owner needs telling what we are all feeling.

Ian Hollingworth
750 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:03:47
I wouldn't expect much to change in the boardroom if we go down and those clowns will take us further down or stuck in Championship.

Relegation with these fools in charge is a nightmare scenario for us.

KENWRIGHT OUT NOW!

Craig Walker
752 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:11:00
I'm not mad purely because we haven't bought any players. It's Moshiri's interview which angered me, saying we would buy a striker and finish the window stronger and to judge us in the 2nd half of the season. All that did was get the fans' hopes up.

I'd have had far more respect if he'd have spelled out the dire financial situation and managed our expectations by saying we had to cut costs in order to finance the stadium. I wouldn't have liked it but I'd have respected that position.

Yet again, it all comes down to there being no communication, whatsoever.

Allen Rodgers
753 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:11:23
Dan @748 no wonder the Dingles are loving the Championship, they've won 18 games already. More than they usually win in two seasons !
Tony Abrahams
754 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:15:46
They told outright lies before the Southampton game Jim, and sullied the good name of 99% of their own people, which was a despicable act, and showed their only real colours.

This exasperated the fans, and signing nobody in the transfer window has exasperated people even more.

Sit in the stadium at the end of every game, and even rejoice that these phoney’s won’t dare show their face’s anymore, but I also think we should forget about them, because it’s obvious they have never been interested in us.

I’d love to get hold of Dyche, I’m not sure he would let me anywhere near the place, to give his squad a straight from the heart speech, (that’s his job) but blocks need to be built quickly between the players and the fans, because they are all we have right now, and we need them to fight for our shirt.

Mark Murphy
755 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:16:51
Dan, how will they view promotion then?
Raymond Fox
756 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:23:56
We are well stocked in defence, midfield is a concern but we have the numbers, its our attack where we are short of quality players.
Townsend could be back shortly but we know DCL is injury prone and injuries to other forwards would be a real downer.

Are there any other young forwards that might step up should we need them.

Dave Lynch
757 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:26:34
So no statement from the club yet?
Ray Robinson
758 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:28:41
Dan #748, my best mate is a Burnley fan and he too is loving life under Kompany, away from what he calls the "Greed League". But, I keep asking him, would he prefer not to get promoted? No, of course not is the answer - what is the point of even playing if you're not trying to win? He knows though that Burnley will struggle again next season, particularly as their current team consists of lots of loan players who might not be there next season. The moral of the story then seems to be that, if the worst comes to pass, just try to enjoy the Championship.

I'm sure Everton DID try to sign some players but the terms they were offering were not attractive enough due to the constraints of P&L rules. A result of incompetent management by an inept Board over many, many years.

As an aside, I wonder when the Premier League auditors are going to start examining Nottingham Forest's books (27 players signed this season) or Chelsea's (£560m spent in the last two windows)? Not going to affect us, I know, but it intrigues me.

Ian Edwards
759 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:33:09
We would be higher in the league after a new Manager bounce had Lampard beeb sacked after Bournemouth.

Lampard was hopeless in formation, selection, tactics and Subs.

The fan protests should have been solely aimed at Lampard after Bournemouth.

Going after the Board mid season served no useful purpose and anyone with sense would have seen that. The Board werent going to suddenly sell mid campaign

Going after Barrett Baxendale and Sharp when we were joint bottom with a Manager tactically stinking the gaff out was absolutely ridiculous.

The time for board protests was the end of last season or the end of this season.

The protests have just caused toxicity, affected player interaction ( cars) and in my view made us very unatttactive in the transfer window.

The Board are useless. But the protesting fanbase has made things worse.

That's my opinion. Many won't agree. No doubt the usual suspects will not address the issues or debate but just insult me. Or perhaps chase me in my car.

Marc Hints
760 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:33:53
Good listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJiGlgchv4E

Mike Doyle
761 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:34:39
Barry 741 ] I think you are right. The tone of Dyche's first interview suggested he wasn't expecting much incoming and was focussed on working with what little we have.
Joe Francis
762 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:34:55
I’d revert to the ultra defensive flat back four that did well under Ancelotti, but with Tarkowski coming in for Keane, then stick Iwobi as a number 10 behind DCL. Have McNeil and Gray playing on the left and right respectively, so that they can cross the ball.

Would be 4-4-1-1 / 4-2-3-1, both of which Dyche is comfortable with.

Pickford

Holgate - Tarkowski - Mina - Godfrey

Gray - Onana - Gana - McNeil

Iwobi

Calvert-Lewin

Jim Wilson
763 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:35:36
Tony @ 754 totally agree

I am hoping Dyche is the type who would let you talk to the players, and is on it all.

Like you say all our hopes are on Dyche and the players performing a miracle.

It can be done and the supporters should back the team to the hilt and forget about the rotten board, for now,

Good on you Tony. COYB!

Tony Abrahams
764 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:41:47
Ian@759, it’s very rare for you to debate imo, mate, but go and read what other clubs boardrooms are saying about Everton, right now.

Even under pressure, the board are saying nothing, but they are also sitting still, and now that Lampard has been replaced by Dyche, surely these lying self preserving nepotistic conmen and woman, should do the decent thing and resign?

I’m certain that this would give almost everyone, a massive lift, and it would definitely help the supporters, to pull themselves off the floor, to try and help the team, because now Moshiri has given up, we have got nothing. Except ourselves.

Pete Williams
765 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:46:18
Is it now any surprise that Bielsa told them to rip it up and start again? Dyche said he could do it with what he's got. Bielsa said accept you are going down and plan for promotion. I pray Dyche will deliver.

Time to focus on the next game rather than what we can't change. Only things that matter are the players, the coaches and the fans. Training had better focus on organisation with every player's attitude being checked personally by Dyche. Only those who will run through walls are allowed.

I can see Simms getting a game alongside DCL and Maupay on the bench. Defence of Coleman, Tarkowski, Coady and Godfrey. Midfield has lots of options, but maybe Iwobi, Doucoure, Onana and McNeil? Aim to grind out a draw minimum, but maybe nick one via long ball or set piece. Remember Man City.

Neil Lawson
766 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:47:28
Not sure Iwobi fulfills the Dyche brief. Too lightweight. Too fancy. Too ineffective. I think he will play Onana higher up and fill midfield with such " proper" midfielders that we have. 3 plus Onana with 2 upfront.
Hoping for a surprise or two. No point in trotting out the predictable failing 11. I think he will play Godfrey at left back. Possibly Mina for Coady. A youngster perhaps ? Price ? I am working on Saturday so cannot watch but my heart will be at Goodison hoping, just hoping, for a positive result.
John Gall
767 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:48:20
The team starts winning and all this nonsense will just melt away. And I think under Dyche they will, slowly, learn how to win again.
Terry McLavey
768 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:51:59
When Moshiri bought the club I thought great some money at last, talk about King Midas in reverse!
Last night showed how much ambition the club has, zilch!
The two clowns at the top and the board will go down in history as causing the demise of our great club, to say nothing about the jobs throughout the club that will be cut if (when) we end up in the championship.
You're just like politicians, totally oblivious to the people you are meant to serve.
Shame on you, shame on you that have brought a great club to it's knees !
Steve Brown
769 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:52:09
Darren, if that is the case then Anthony should share the truth with fans.

He owes the board nothing, especially if they are trying to spin the blame onto him by lying that he was missing training. Bill certainly has a long track record in this line of duplicity.

Unfortunately, he probably will just move on and look forward to his new challenge.

Anthony Dwyer
770 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:52:23
Anyone else think this is a slap in the face from Moshiri for asking for his head ?
He's spent £600m and built a new ground and fans asked for his head, maybe he's reminding us how it used to be before he came along.
This isn't me supporting his decision, or past decisions, but if you poke the bear and all that.
Danny Baily
771 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:53:34
Doucoure, Holgate, Keane, Davies, Godfrey; all of these will come back into the picture. I'm not going to say they will be like new signings but... they will at least give us some options.

Someone with pace in central defence would be a good start. That means Holgate or Godfrey to partner Keane or Tarkowski.

We're not staying up from here, but we have a chance to make it a respectable end to the season. It would be nice if we could cause an upset in what is likely to be our last derby for a few years!

Phil Martin
772 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:54:18
Doucoure will be like a new signing
Steve Brown
773 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:56:41
Not the way he's been playing he won't, Phil.
Eric Myles
774 Posted 01/02/2023 at 12:58:13
"can you imagine the feeling in the dressing room? It can't be good for morale"

It might just wake the fcukers up and they realise they have to put in some hard work to avoid relegation.

Alan McGuffog
775 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:00:24
Given the depth ( lack of) of the squad if Simms can't get some game time will someone please explain the point of our academy ?
Minik Hansen
776 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:01:01
I wish that this current squad with the injured getting matchfit - Garner, Townsend...) under the leadership of Dyche, will show the likes of Sulemana, Gyokeres, Arnautovic, Gallagher, that they should've opted to come here when we proceed our season, where the lads give it all on the pitch in a better way than what we've seen. Surely now the team knows all they got is themselves and therefore are willing to fight for each other and this club, there's no other way at this point. Wish and hope for the best.
Barry Cowling
778 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:01:49
Well, I for one am quite happy with our transfer window, we have replaced an under performing manager for a very experienced PL manager who is used to this kind of situation and is absolutely chomping at the bit to turn this club around. I am sure Thelwell would have tried to get people in but the quality of those and the fees are no better than what we already have, January is always a bad time to buy players. So I am quite happy to have a few quid in the bank come the summer. Now Dyche's teamtalk is quite easy, he will go for the Mourinho way,, the whole world is against us, just remember your playing for Everton football club, so get out there and turn this tanker around
Phil Martin
779 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:04:10
I believe the time for protests was 12-13 years ago. When Moyes had us banging on the doors of the then Big 4. Yet he was never backed with any decent amount of funds. That was the crossroads, and I even wrote an article on this very site suggesting that without some proper financial investment we'd eventually start to drift downwards. Sure enough City emerged to break the monopoly and our best players realised they would need to leave to play CL football.

The horse bolted years ago, and the legacy of decades of mismanagement is upon us now. The kopites or mancs would never have tolerated this for so long.

Alexander Murphy
780 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:04:19
John 767
It's hardly "nonsense" My friend, it's cold hard fact.

Winning games is what every Evertonian wants, it's what any fan wants for their club.

But scraping by, escaping relegation by the skin of Our teeth and merely existing is surely not what rational Evertonians want for Everton Football Club.

I'm afraid John that it's exactly the "Ostritch & sand pit" scenario which your statement embodies that allows the ineptitude of our Board. And frankly, I'm long overtired being told what to do by thumb twiddling lickspittles who display precisely none of the fighting spirit that Sean Dyche will require, if he is to pull off a feat of biblical proportions this season.

Ray Robinson
781 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:06:36
I agree with Neil #766. I think that Dyche will play two up top, bring back Keane, play four in midfield with Doucoure partnering Onana and order his full backs and McNeil to sling the ball in early without necessarily having to get to the by-line. Get the ball in early and try to win second ball. No place for Iwobi. We still don't have enough firepower to stay up in my opinion but we'll go down fighting
Stan Grace
782 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:15:32
'The protests have just caused toxicity, affected player interaction ( cars) and in my view made us very unatttactive in the transfer window.'

But didn't lead to a TDD without signings for the first time, eh Ian?

Jack Convery
783 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:17:06
I have looked at the stats of the teams that have finished 17th over the past 5 seasons. The average for the Goals scored and Points gained.

21/22 42 goals Leeds United Pts 38

20/21 33 goals Burnley Pts 39

19/20 41 goals Villa Pts 35

18/19 35 goals Brighton Pts 36

17/18 37 goals Southampton Pts 36

As we all know, EFC have 15 goals, so far. So to reach the average goals required - 37 - to finish 17th over the past 5 seasons we would need to score another 22. Unless we do a Burnley ie 33, then another 18 would do it. The present squad has scored 11 Premiership goals between them, in 20 games.

We have 15 points so far. to reach the average points - 36 - achieved by the team finishing 17th over the past 5 seasons we would need another 21.

So 7 wins or 6 wins and 3 draws would do it. Lose 12 of our next 18 games then we are surely relegated.

Miracles do happen and I can only hope we are the benefactors once again but it's not looking good is it ?

Nick Page
784 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:17:19
Here’s an article from 2004!!! Nothing has changed in nearly twenty years. One for the halfwits and the delusional happy clapper Kenwright brigade:

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2004/jul/17/newsstory.sport2

Mike Price
785 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:24:49
We need 9 points from the next 6 games, 3 winnable home games, one winnable away game and free hits against Arsenal and them.

I agree with Ian Edwards, Lampard is massively culpable and our fan’s ignoring his shocking tenure whilst focusing on the Board has created a negative spiral at just the wrong time.

The Board issue has to get sorted but it’s likely to be at the end of the season but our energy has to be completely on supporting the manager and team.

John Gall
786 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:28:45
I love the notion that it's only the crazies calling for Kenwright's head on a skewer who are the ones who care, the passionate ones, the dedicated puritans. I was born in Walton Hospital, went to Alsop Comp, grew up off County Road, I am rooted in all this stuff. The only thing that matters for the remainder of this season is results. If we go down then you might see changes in the board, so maybe this is the subconscious plan of the sack the board mob, undermine players' and supporters' morale to such an extent that relegation occurs and you get your beloved change, and the miracle occurs and Everton are reborn once again as greats of the English game.
Kim Vivian
787 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:29:16
I am a renowned optimist and despite the debacle of yesterday's business or lack of it, I have subscribed to the... "we're only 3 points from safety and Dyche will get more out of our squad than Frank" club. This I think is quite feasible with a little luck (injures,VAR. deflections et al) and a following wind.

It will, however have to be done at grass roots level - the fans, the players and our manager, without any interference from the top brass. Everton really is looking like the sporting equivalent of Blackadder so we just need to keep Lord Percy, General Melchett, Captain Darling and Nursie away somehow.

I have had a gut feeling since Wolves that we would pull off a shock win on Saturday - the start of the comeback.

Nurse!..My meds!

(Just reading back through the thread and echoing Roger Helm @731 here with this post.)

Eddie Dunn
788 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:36:23
Ian I agree that the big problem was Lampard and his team. The possession football, the playing out from the back, the space in midfield and the isolation of the lone striker.
Frank's lack of nous for a supposedly intelligent guy was surprising.
However it is not the critics of the board that are at fault but rather the blinkered fools who continued to back Lampard after months of utter garbage and the two Bournemouth games were the signal that he was clueless and unable to put it right.
Moshiri and Kenwright had their own financial reasons for hoping that Frank could turn things round but they wern't alone backing the likable millionaire.
I noticed how he milked every one of our wins, when other managers would have trotted straight down the tunnel.
The owner and Chairman have wrecked things and they appointed Frank in the first place.
So the heirarchy deserve the grief but so does Lampard.
At least with Dyche we have a fighter -it will be very interesting to see if he can get more out of a squad that a few weeks ago was considered by the media to be a mid-table group.
Barry Jones
789 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:39:43
I am actually looking forward to a more direct type of football. Lampard's brand was stagnant and infuriating and it was obvious that the players were totally incapable of executing it. Push everybody forward, knock it long and win the second ball. At least we get people in the box for a change. Simple, and at this point of the season, with the position we are in, its more crowd pleasing, especially if Dyche can inject some energy into the players.

Its worth a shot.

Anthony Dwyer
790 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:40:50
Frank failed where Bobby Martinez failed, both stupid enough to belive we could just start playing a more possession based game and we would all of a sudden turn into a top team.

As the old saying goes, you can't polish a turd.

Change takes time unless you buy players who are already used to playing a style a particular manager wants to play.

Christy Ring
791 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:45:41
Rob#679 Agree completely, there's posts on here believing that shit, and the propoganda statement our cowardly board sent out to the media before the Southampton game was pure lies and an insult to the loyal blues fans. Bringing in no one yesterday was the final straw. There was posts on here saying Sharp was on different network talking crap yesterday
Barry Jones
792 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:46:45
I think Holgate could be an asset as a deep holding midfielder. He has the pace, technical ability and confidence on the ball.
John Daley
793 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:49:08
First time poster so be gentle :)

Im as gutted as the next person on here following yesterdays transfer debacle but now we know where we stand (firmly in the s*it as we cant score/create goals) and we have to put faith in Dyche and get behind the squad. I'm confident Dyche will get the team fitter and organised - which I feel is something we have missed for several years under previous management, and therefore more combatitive. it may not be pretty but we need ponits and I don't care how we get them.

Mark Ryan
794 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:52:14
Good to hear Barry Cass and Peter McPartland from Toffee TV talking on Sky Sports about the window fiasco.
Well spoken, good interview
If we are all on that page we'll be okay UTFT's
Andy Duff
795 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:53:30
There's one positive we can take from this. The Dyche appointment spilt the fans. The lack of activity has united the fans behind him.

It seems all fans are now focused on getting behind Dyche and the team. He's now being lauded as the messiah that can lead us to the promised land of Premier league survival and "fair play to him for taking us on" etc.

If he fails it's not his fault its the board, if he succeeds he's saved us. It's a win win for him.

Jim Wilson
796 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:54:58
Ian @ 759 is right no matter how we feel about it.

Lampard should have gone after Bournemouth fiasco and we can blame the board for not acting then.

But demonstrating about the board mid season has brought us to this point.

It is now time for cool heads and biggest ever demonstration against this shocking board at the end of the season, not now.

Get behind Team and Dyche even if we are well beat v Arsenal and for the rest of the season. The only sensible option.

Cool heads and COYB!

Sean O’Hanlon
797 Posted 01/02/2023 at 13:59:20
What is all the fuss about? Do fans really think that by signing a couple of has-beens footballers will save our season? Any decent player will not come to Everton.
Has it ever worked in the past, apart from the odd flurry of a few victories before we hit rock-bottom?
From Everton's POV, the transfer window is a waste of time and money.
John Keating
798 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:00:16
Players confronted at Goodison. Shouted at by scallies. Booed off the pitch etc etc etc etc
Who’d want to play for us?
What a load of shite

Under pressure earning thousands a week

Go tell a few of my muckers lying in the Falklands and other shithouses around the world

I’d birch the fucking lot of them, especially the Board

Colin Malone
799 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:05:31
I reckon Dyche will go 4 -4 -2.
While at Everton. Maupay never played in a two. Franks fault. Maupay will benefit having DCL up top with him.
Midfield. No formation, no understanding. under performing players, kept their places, week in week out. Franks fault.
Sean Dyche. Will not tolerate under performance from any player.
Under Frank. Our midfield a total shambles, Sunday league, at best. This is where we will see the return of the dogs of war.
COYBB.
Micky Norman
800 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:07:13
Is any of this surprising? Stadium costs going up massively. Usmanov out of it and possibly pressuring FM to repay loans. Actually the whole USM thing has been very dubious throughout. Still working with a legacy of overpaid dross in the squad. To be honest, I’m surprised that Pickford didn’t go in this window.
But give up on Everton? Never.
Rob Halligan
801 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:09:38
Don’t shoot the messenger, but Andre Ayew is still a possibility. The red echo reporting that he’s flying over to England in the next twenty four hours for a potential free transfer.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andre-ayew-everton-latest-forward-26128327

Kieran Kinsella
802 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:14:34
It is astonishing that some people are so easily manipulated by the club. Today I am reading how it was a good window because we didn't end up buying any of the journeymen we were linked with. How about trying to sign good players? I don't think anyone on here wanted us to buy journeymen, so the fact we put in phantom bids for a few and failed isn't a "good thing." A good thing would be only attempting to sign good players in a timely manner.

As for Dyche, he deserves our support and needs it but let's not delude ourselves. The only reason we need him is because of board mismanagement. The only reason the board wanted him is because they people who can work miracles on a shoestring until they eventually cash in.

So nothing about this situation is good. It's ridiculous to lumber Frank with all the blame or to blame Gordon's alleged "strike." Yes, Frank was floundering but who appointed him? Who failed to back him in the market? Who talked up Gordon and fan protests then cashed in on him and pocketed the cash? If we are relegated the board will throw Dyche under the bus. If we survive they'll keep him around until there are the first whispers of discontent with his pragmatic style. The board are the root of all our problems and we must not forget that.

Alan McGuffog
803 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:23:10
When were you at Alsop, John ? Me, 64 - 71
Mike Doyle
804 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:25:45
Rob 801 ] Can you pop down to Calderstones Park and ask Deepthroat if there is any truth in it?. then when you get home pop up to the loft and get those old seat cushions (missiles) ready for Saturday.
Jem Bir
805 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:29:25
Well, we are where we are.
The board are - ehem - a tad useless, but they're not the club - that's a bigger thing that has been breathing for over a hundred years.

So, pause.
We are not going to go down.
We will get a new stadium.
FM will sell to someone with a bit more ambition.

It might be a bit rocky...

Mark Ryan
806 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:30:44
Rob @ 801 he might struggle to get a Work Permit as he now ploughs his trade in Qatar but whilst many would say no to a journeymen, right now I think given how glass-legged DCL is, he's a risk worth having. Right now I'd take anyone who knows how to put a football in the back of the net
Bill Gall
807 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:31:52
Hi Rob

Apparently Palace are after him as, well and they have the advantage as his younger brother Jordan Ayew is currently contracted to the Selhurst Park outfit.

Dont think we could fall any further in recruitment as players prefer Forest, Leeds and Southhampton over Everton. Wonder if this was what Moshiri meant when he said, judge me when the transfer window is over.

Mike Price
808 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:46:13
Kieran #802 You’re right it was the Board’s fault for appointing Lampard but two wrongs don’t make a right and backing him with even more money than the 70 million he spent along with the loans of Dele and VdB, must surely classify as good money after bad.
Dennis Stevens
809 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:46:25
Ayew? Is that the best player available who's out of contract at the mo?
Pete Clarke
810 Posted 01/02/2023 at 14:59:11
Ian. I am not having a go at you here and your not alone in thinking that the protests and the car incidents have played a part in our fall. I have my own opinion on it and that’s to say they are minor incidents compared to what this horrible bastard Kenwright has done to us. Headlock my arse ! The lying bastard was behind that for sure.
Fact is that everything bad that we have seen happen over the past 20 years is directly related to downright corrupt leadership and ineptitude at board level and ownership. The fans are rightly showing their anger. Laying down and being quiet is not an option. We have to force this issue and make sure change happens. Fans are turning away and only us diehard blues will force their kids to become blue. We know who the other kids will follow in the future. There have been no good times whatsoever under this fraud.
Most of the good things we have in life like standards of living, health and safety, Work and pay conditions, freedom of speech etc were put there on the back of protest and many people suffering Hardships because of it. Strikes just like protest are essential to force change for the greater good. Football is not as important as any of them really but try telling that to supporters whose hard earned money and important family time is spent every week following their clubs. They have a right to show every bit of built up anger.
A few lads shouting at a couple of players and showing banners of disapproval is hardly worthy of the media headline it got. We do however live in the modern world of righteousness and scrutiny. Alot of us would have been in big trouble if the mobile phones and cameras were around in our day.
My thoughts are simple and it should be on display against Arsenal.
Lots of banners showing our disgust at the ownership and board but at the same time the crowd gets behind the team. The players have fuck all to do with the banners anyway as it’s not against them nor Sean Dyche. Banners don’t make noises.
Dyche knows exactly what he’s up against and he’s accepted the challenge and will be paid very well regardless of results. He fits the Boll for this gig ( pardon the pun ). I’m sure he will will be telling the players to ignore any off field shit, concentrate on the game, fight for everything and earn their ducking money. It may not be pretty what we’re going to see but it’s the only way to survive.
I know we will all be surprised if we get anything at all from a very good and hungry Arsenal team. They will not care about our predicament and will in fact exploit it to the maximum as they should.
Lampard should indeed have gone after the Bournemouth cup tie but it wasn’t his fault he was not up to the task and left in charge. We went easy on Lampard just as we will with Dyche if it goes wrong on the pitch because the foundations were not put in place properly.
Paul Richardson
811 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:00:12
I agree with Brian's comment off the back of Conte's observation...this is a club, so why is the first team coach hauled before the press before every game as a spokesman?

He can only realistically answer the basic questions he gets (in one form or another) every time: Team news and line-up (the latter never supplied), injury updates, transfer news (also never supplied), verdict on the opposition, maybe wider questions about form/league position/some other topic related to the Premier League or football in general. And that's fair enough.

To expect that employee to answer questions about finance, ownership, strategy, the new stadium, the current stadium, any internal or community activities or investments behind the scenes is unrealistic.

So why not either have another employee (and don't forget the directors get paid) in the press conference to pick these other questions up?

As a club, Everton have the enviable reputation of being famous for a a great number of "firsts" which have shaped the history and future of the game. So why not create another?

Mick O'Malley
812 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:09:12
Alexander@780 absolutely spot on, Kenwright and co can go to hell, the second best paid board in the PL are delivering us relegation battles 2 seasons in a row, bravo, I remember when I got my first season ticket in 82/83, Kendall’s first season, I was 13 and I remember walking to the ground and me arl fella was saying he can’t believe we’d won nothing for 13 years, well it’s now 28 years and counting, this is what Kenwright has delivered, acceptance that just being in the PL is something to be celebrated, well I’m sorry but it won’t accept that, and the fans have every right to be angry and protest were ever and whenever they like, they travel the length and breadth of the country supporting the the team spending their hard earned in a cost of living crisis, I applaud every single one of them Kenwright OUT and take Sharp and DBB with you. Pete Clarke above, well said, I couldn’t agree more
Tim Welsh
813 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:18:35
I share everyone's disappointment and shock at the lack of any signings, but I really don't think any one player is going to turn our team around. Nor would a couple of signings. Couple that to the reality that we would only have been able to afford young or disaffected or unproven players, then I really don't think much would have changed at all.
Ten Hag has not let have Elanga on loan due to the atmosphere at the club, as testified by Van der Beek. This really frightens me. Atmosphere of what ? The terraces ? The dressing room ? The whole club ?
Dyche, who I have never liked, has got a lot to prove to me, but if he can galvanise the squad that we have and at least get the squad rubbing along well together and chalk up some decent performances, then it will be a good sign.
I can't help thinking that if DCL's shot against Southampton hadn't hit the bar, but gone in, things would be very different now. As we all know footballing fortunes turn on such incidents, and there could well be more before the end of the season.
COYB...and I am getting behind Dyche.
Phil Wood
814 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:38:06
Can never understand why people have to say they never liked somebody in their articles. Always adding" but I'll get behind them now". Is this just preparing the for the day things turn upsides down and you can justify any criticism by stating "well I was never a fan of his in the first place". Sort of in advance face saving position.
Sorry, just fed up like everyone else but you have to laugh.
Mike Price
815 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:51:01
I think it’s clear that around 100% of Evertonians think the Board are clueless and should be sacked or resign, most think Moshiri clueless but well intentioned because he’s invested a fortune.

Most think it’s our right to protest against the Board in order to elicit change.

The trouble is, in the short term that’s hurting our own club by creating an impossible atmosphere for the team and manager to rise above it all and perform to the standard needed to stay up. We’re cutting off our noses, to spite our faces!

Raymond Fox
816 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:51:10
I don't get some peoples negativity towards Dyche.
He looks and sounds like someone that says it the way it is.
The players will do it his way or else their out sharpish.
Whether we can find more goals is going to be the difficult part, defence wise I think we are ok.
Our midfield is a real grey area, they need to start retaining the ball better as well as producing openings for forward players.
The're key for me, but maybe their just not good enough.
Ian Edwards
817 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:51:51
Pete 810. I respect your view and your passion and I don't disagree with most of what you say other than timing of protests.
Karl Meighan
818 Posted 01/02/2023 at 15:53:01
Not really a option is it? Whoever is manager gets my support along with the team that walks out with that famous royal blue jersey on there backs come Saturday 3 o clock. These included Allardyce and Benitez who hardly came into a thriving Club with a top squad of players.
George Cumiskey
819 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:03:19
Had there been any kind of statement from the manager or board on the transfer debacle ?
Denis Richardson
820 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:03:24
Could it be that sanctions are biting Usmanov and he’s a bit illiquid at the minute? May have put a call into Moshiri to get some money out of the club - ie sell Gordon and wire me the cash.

Hence no new players and no money for Dyche.

We will never know as the going’s on at GP are shrouded in mystery. No one even knows who’s actually in charge.

Weekends gonna be interesting but I’m predicting a battling draw to get the fans hopeful, with not a single director at the match.

Mike Doyle
821 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:04:30
Bill # 807 ] It may not be a case of players preferring Forest, Leeds, Bournemouth, Palace, Southampton et all over Everton. I suspect the truth is that (aside for the winger who opted for Spurs after FL was sacked) we were never really in for any of them.
There was lots of noise about us being in for Conor Gallagher but Chelsea have said they had no approaches for him from anyone.
The whole window had a feeling of the time we were supposedly in for Alan Shearer - offering Blackburn a lower fee than they accepted from Newcastle.
Of course there is so much rubbish around that it is difficult to know what to believe (unless you follow Chelsea or Forest - who did appear to have tried to sign anyone who was available).
Barry Hesketh
822 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:19:26
Protests on Saturday and beyond will achieve precisely what?

Alert the UK and International media to the way our club has been run?

That's already been achieved, and the media are likely to stay on the case, and are probably digging for more dirt as I type.

Force the owner to sell up and move on?

Well, it could be argued that he has already decided to do that for himself, not necessarily to the timescale that some people want and he may have decided to do that well before, any fan protests took place.

Force the board to resign en-masse?

They are all too aware of the sentiments of many supporters and that doesn't look as if it will end in any individual resigning, never mind the whole board

I agree that the owner and the board are unfit to run a bath, but I can't understand what protesting will do, in the short or long term, what will we as fans gain from it? How will they help the team to gain positive results?.

Protesting for the removal of a particular manager may result in change and very often has.

Protesting for a change in ownership or for a change of board members is highly unlikely to result in any meaningful change, that is unless the parties involved find a buyer and decide to sell or the owner decides to sack members of the board or as individuals they step down.

Moshiri has already stated his belief in his board, and that he won't be forced into a knee-jerk reaction, when considering the make-up of that board.

If the owner and the board aren't fully aware of the supporters dissatisfaction already, I can't see how further banners and sit-ins will produce anything of note.

I'm not against protesting per se, but there has to be an achievable outcome at its core, otherwise it's mere barking at the moon.

Tony Abrahams
823 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:23:51
Mike I put it on another thread mate, that many different clubs have said Everton were in contact with them regarding players, but these clubs felt that Everton, were actually wasting their time and being a hindrance, because it was thought that they never had the money, to pay for the players they were enquiring about.

Tyre kicking, I just hope Moshiri is getting everything together before he sells the club and departs.

When Kenwright spoke at the Hillsborough tribute and said the government picked on the wrong city, then I’m wondering if he will ever see a game at Bramley Moore now, because once scousers turn, it takes a lot to reign them back in, but this liar deserves everything that’s coming his way now, imo

Iakovos Iasonidis
824 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:24:13
To be honest I was indifferent towards dyche during his burnley years, after this fiasco I am 100% behind him. It won't be nice but he is a hero only by accepting the role. Someone could say he is not doing it for free but truth is he has much more to lose. He could land a job in the coming summer and obviously he is not doing it for the money. I will support him whatever the outcome only by knowing he will put some pressure on this bunch of so called players of ours.
Jay Harris
825 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:31:54
Sorry to add even more misery to long suffering fellow Evertonians but I Just looked at our remaining fixtures and even optimistically I see a maximum of 16 points putting us on 30, certs for relegation.

So unless Dyche can produce a miracle changearound in performance and results it looks like we are doomed.

Michael McFarlane
826 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:48:59
Annoying we never landed a sausage.

In this post-truth era we're living in, who knows what's fact and what's fiction.

One fact is the squad is a man down for the fight.

However there is room for optimism with Dyche. He can get more out of each player. He'll have a system of play that is clear and executable. And build a team that is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Dyche has done it before. He's going to do it again. Lower mid table finish. COYB!!!

Mike Doyle
827 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:50:49
Tony # 823 ] Apologies I must have missed your post on another thread.
The club has previous form for this sort of thing - create the impression that we are active/serious players in the market and raising hopes while deliberately wasting everyone's time. I think most supporters are wise to this now. It didn't come as a complete surprise as I got the impression from Dyche's interview that he's accepted that his challenge is to get a tune out of the resources at his disposal.
Like many on here I'd love to hear something from Thelwell as to what his brief actually is.
Christy Ring
828 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:50:54
I don't think we could have got a better man than Dyche, in our present position. He never got a chance with a club at a higher level than Burnley, he comes across as a very knowledge and confident manager, who will take no shit. He deserved a helping hand from the creeps in the boardroom, but I still believe the squad he has to work with here, is definitely an upgrade on his previous club.
Brian Harrison
829 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:52:19
Dave Abrahams 733 and Barry Hesketh 822.

Absolutely spot on gentlemen to quote Dave " Get behind the team and the manager before and during the game. I am not interested now protesting against phoney bastards, just blank and swerve them".

Also as Barry has said Moshiri has no appetite to remove any of this board and they show no remorse by resigning, and we are wasting our time in trying to get them to do otherwise. I understand the anger of my fellow fans wanting to demonstrate against the owner and the board who are utterly useless. But let the demonstration be about the will of our brilliant fans, who saved this club last year, and will do their upmost to do the same this season. Dont even mention them by name don't give them the satisfaction of having their names on banners, they no longer represent my club, as Dave said ignore the bastards completely.

Let the press report only on the magnificent fans who are determined in unparalleled circumstances to rescue OUR club from the ashes.

Andy Crooks
830 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:53:23
Good post, Ian Edwards @ 817. I
Alan McGuffog
831 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:54:06
Best appointment. We've run out of time / games to avoid the drop but if anyone can inspire this rabble and get us back up, he can.
Andy Crooks
832 Posted 01/02/2023 at 16:58:26
Sorry, was going to add, Ian, no one is defending the actions you have referred to, I disagree with you on the impact they had, though.
If I was a player offered a move to Everton I would think back to how the supporters kept the club alive at the end of last season and want to be part of it. But, it's all about opinions.
I think we need to clutch at the straw that Dyche with the players we have is better than Lampard with them.
Darren Hind
833 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:01:01
Joe

Accepted.

it is wrong to call a 21 year old a young boy. In many walks of life he wouldnt even be considered a young man, but I do think he was a little red riding hood, to Kenwrights big bad wolf.

Steve.

It would be good. Rooney spilled the beans, but only after about 15 years. I guess anyone getting out of Kenwrights clutches have been too busy getting on with the careers to give him a second thought

Tony Abrahams
834 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:19:42
It’s all about the narrative being portrayed in the press Andy, and it’s very obvious who started that narrative, imo, mate.

Unprecedented and historic was how they described their decision to not attend the Southampton game, and although they are using their own rope, right now, mud sticks.

The kids were ridiculously stupid, but it’s still being spun very poorly by sections of the media, (and exactly how these lying, tyre kicking frauds, want it to be portrayed) who already had their stories before events unfolded on the streets after the game.

Yerry Mina, was shaking the kids hands, that’s how bad it really was.

George Cumiskey
835 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:24:06
There's a lot of posters on here saying we shouldn't vent our anger at the board and Kenshite in particular because it will do no good,l wonder if they're saying the same thing about the nurses, teachers, railway workers and any other strikers who are fighting for a decent living ? We're fighting for a decent club !
Tony Abrahams
836 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:33:46
Tim@813, this has got to be absolute pony, considering Van De Beek, was full of praise for the atmosphere Evertonians created, when he first wore the blue shirt.

He was injured or shite, so never played many games, but he must have been around Goodison, and saw the welcoming parties afforded to the players with his own eyes. If the player has talked about a toxic atmosphere at Everton, he can surely only be talking about something far away from what the fans are allowed to witness inside the club?

Christy Ring
838 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:45:54
Listening to Stubbs slating the board, and the guys from Everton tv saying the toxic board and Sharp should resign on Sky Sports, and Carragher whether you like or not, slating the board, hopefully it’ll sink in and they’ll resign.
Kevin Molloy
839 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:46:41
we have to realise that the press will be dying to cover protests at the weekend. they will run with it as much as we want. All under the banner 'Crisis deepens at Everton'.
There is no way we can unite to get out of this relegation bother whilst the fans and the board are at each other's throats. It's one, or the fucking other. But you can't have both.
So I say we park the protests til we are out of danger.
Will Mabon
840 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:52:14
"I don't get some peoples negativity towards Dyche.
He looks and sounds like someone that says it the way it is.
"


Disc beard envy.

Mark Ryan
841 Posted 01/02/2023 at 17:56:29
Get the tuna can out, I'm having a disc beard ha ha
Will Mabon
842 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:01:15
Get to it, Mark - a disc beard is the new Everton scarf for the committed fan.
Colin Glassar
843 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:38:35
Has the board resigned yet? What are they waiting for? Have they no sense of shame?
Brian Hennessy
844 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:40:39
Can anyone tell me if we can still recall any of our players out on loan such as Dobbin or Dele Alli or has that ship sailed now the window is closed?
Nick Page
845 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:54:01
Christy - was Ped or Baz on Sky? Didn’t see it. Ped has turned on them, thankfully. He usually gave them the benefit of the doubt but think he’s had enough like the rest of us. Difficult to motivate yourself running a fan channel with this club and it’s shocking behaviour.
Kieran Kinsella
846 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:54:18
Colin

The Everton website says nothing of the window but then again it's so out of date the main story is that we've signed Ian Wilson from Leicester City

Brian Denton
847 Posted 01/02/2023 at 18:57:51
Ian Wilson, the slowest outfield player I think I've ever seen. Don't give me nightmares Kieran!

PS would welcome him back now...

Brian Wilkinson
848 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:00:54
The only thing not broken at Everton is the supporters.

Stay strong.

Raymond Fox
849 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:01:51
On continuing protests, its a difficult one.
I understand people are angry, even more so after the nothing window but there is a danger of taking the spotlight off our dire need to win games.
Kieran Kinsella
850 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:04:36
Brian Denton

Wasn't Bilyaletdinov marginally slower?

Pete Jeffries
851 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:10:24
Not sure who to agree or disagree with on this one
The eternal optimists who think Dyche can miraculously turn a bad side into a team of worldbeaters
Or the pessimists cum realists who can see the writing on the wall saying Welcome to the Championship
It doesn't look good thats for sure but neither did half time versus Palace
As fans we must get behind the players wearing the shirt and do our bit at all costs And for now turn our negativity of the board into positive energy home and away for the future of the club
Thats the best we can do
Time will tell
Christine Foster
852 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:20:37
For those of you with heads bowed, look up and smile, for those of you who believe it can't be done, step aside. This is our team, our club. No matter who or what has been done to its team or reputation, it's our club.
Turn to your right, reach down and pull your fellow dreamer up, stand together, we are one! COYB!
Tony Everan
853 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:21:04
Current odds to be relegated.

Bournemouth 1-3
Everton 8/13
Southampton 5/6

Then

Wolves, Nottingham Forest 3/1
Leeds, Leicester 4/1

Sean Dyche will deserve a statue if he can save us. I think we need an unlikely morale boosting win in the next two games. If we can beat Arsenal or the RS at their place it may just seed better results. Optimistic madness I hear you say!

David Peate
854 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:25:04
Brian 847 and Kieron 850.
The slowest Everton players that I can recall are Eric Moore (full back) and Paul Bracewell (half back). The former made up for lack of speed by being quite 'beefy'. The latter disguised his tardiness by being a fine footballer.
Tim Barford
855 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:29:05
Christine Foster cheers drive, sentiments entirely and the outstanding comment out of near on 900. Wise words and ones that will see us through. ''For those of you with heads bowed, look up and smile, for those of you who believe it can't be done, step aside. This is our team, our club. No matter who or what has been done to its team or reputation, it's our club.
Turn to your right, reach down and pull your fellow dreamer up, stand together, we are one! COYB!''
Bobby Mallon
856 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:39:30
We are going to stay up starting Saturday
Neil Carter
857 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:52:11
Situation is clear-our alleged real owner is sanctioned and our official owner allegedly doesn’t want to invest anymore of his own cash-if it actually was his own investment?
Things have clearly got worse in last 12 months.
Caught between the desire to sell and not being prepared to sell without a profit.
=inertia on decision making a the board without real control. Any proof of alleged ownership by the government could lead to the Chelsea/Abramovich situation-assets frozen-just when we needed them to help survive.
Neil Copeland
858 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:57:30
Christine #852, cracking post.

Whether or not we, the fans, believe we can survive is not as important as our role in making the players believe we can survive.

Sean Dyche gives the impression that he believes and the very fact that he even took us on is strong evidence of that.

So, come on lads and girls, we have a critical role to play. Make Goodison a bear pit, put pride into our players and fear into theirs. Never give up and most important of all, instil belief.

We can do is if we stick together as one.

Bring it on!

UTFT!!!!!!!!!!

Kieran Kinsella
859 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:59:06
David Peate

Sadly by the time I was old enough to pay attention to football Bracewell had just been injured so I only really got to see him at Newcastle although he was still a tidy player

Ian Riley
860 Posted 01/02/2023 at 19:59:13
No new signings? Not strictly true. The manager has a squad of new signings. This squad is better than our position. They have just got used to losing. Time for them to shine under dyche's methods.

If we get relegated it will be due to the board not sacking Frank sooner.

Neil Carter
861 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:00:54
Only certainty about Everton anymore is the fans will more than do their part to keep us up
Ray Smith
862 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:02:29
Thorgan Hazard: no one from Everton made contact?
Thelwell answer that one?
Ray Smith
863 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:05:56
Sean if you did block Simms return to Sunderland, please play him, as the lad has talent.
Please don’t leave him on the bench 🤞🤞🤞
Ray Smith
864 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:09:49
Ayew? Why is he still available?
Lets go with what we’ve got 🤞🤞🤞
Ian Edwards
865 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:13:21
I really hope Dyche plays two recognised forwards up top.

I'd rather we died fighting and swinging rather than on our knees.

Neil Carter
866 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:15:02
Frank was a decent fellar-but thought we could play like City without the talent.
With wingers and wing backs doubled there was a big hole in the midfield all could see and a lone striker feeding on scraps and long balls.
Dyche’s style will address those tactical issues and with a bit of luck and confidence returning-things could change for the better very quickly.
Despite the lack of recruits-the players he has look more suited to Dyche’s approach.
Gordon isn’t a big loss right now-we have similar players who are more developed and we don’t have time and space to wait for potential to shine if it hasn’t peaked already? Plenty to be positive and pray for blues!!!
John McFarlane Snr
867 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:17:05
John McFarlane Snr
868 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:17:05
Hi Christine, [852] I agree with your rallying call 100%, but find it difficult to believe that Evertonian's should need encouragement, I'm sure that your uncle Tommy wouldn't.

Of course the situation is not what we want, but we can all play our part by backing the team to the hilt. I understand that you and many ex-pats are unable to take part in any way, but I do wonder how many of the critics of the club/team, are non attenders of games, and can be classed as website warriors.

If God spares me for the next get-together, I will raise a glass to 'Absent Friends' and although I never had the chance to meet your uncle Tommy, he will be foremost in my mind. Best Wishes John.

Ray Smith
869 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:18:54
Thelwell: are you being suppressed or haven’t you got the bottle to admit what is actually going on behind the scenes?
Man up or ship out, if your not a Kenwright acolyte!
Your CV is already tainted by association with our once glorious club!
You can leave, but we can’t!
Show some guts or take a hike!!!
Jim Lloyd
870 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:25:50
John, There are some, already posting that we are down, I'm getting messages via text and whats app from mates fearing the worst.

It is a dangerous time for our club, and calls to arms from Christine, and each and every one who wants to give that call, won't go wasted.

The rally for for fellow Blues and to our Players and Manager, won't go amiss.

Like those Blues who went and clapped the lads leaving Finch Farm, Like the reception thjey got each week home and away. It all helps enormously.

Ray Smith
871 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:33:46
I know the answer, but Chelsea have exposed the loopholes in the system, by introducing long term contracts.
Clever?
Not really.
We gave long term contracts to no hopers!, and where did that get us?
Nowhere, because we didn’t have quality players with sell on potential after they had fulfilled their purpose.
Chelsea et al give long term contracts for players way and above the current value spread over 5yrs which equals £20m per season minus future sell on negotiations, by which time they are still attractive to the likes (dare I say it) of ourselves.
Despite the above, although thoroughly disolussioned, we will pull through, just 👍
Peter Neilson
872 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:45:22
Ray I read today that UEFA is clamping down on amortisation being used in this way with a limit of 5 years on accounting regardless of the contract length. Doing this specifically because of Chelsea. They’ve been awarding 8 years to lower the yearly figure. Risky business.
Christine Foster
873 Posted 01/02/2023 at 20:46:11
John, 868# I fear my Uncle Tommy would be pulling his hair out and screaming both abuse and support in equal measure from his seat in Gwladys street!

Social media created keyboard warriors, many of whom will never be counted and hide behind the anonymity of the internet. I come from a different world, one that has experienced first hand the magnificence of Kendall, Ball and Harvey, the Golden Vision, walking on the pitch in front of the directors box as a wee nipper to see the league trophy held high, to see the World cup and FA cup paraded around our pitch.

Those keyboard warriors have never seen that, never known that pride, never felt tears of joy running down their cheeks. They know not what they do. But I do. And one day, so will they. It's up to fans who have experienced that joy to balance, to motivate and still believe.

God willing I will be at BMD and with you raise a glass to the many gone but whose epitaph starts "Here lies an Evertonian.."

Christy Ring
874 Posted 01/02/2023 at 21:15:39
Kieran #846 I remember when we signed Ian Wilson, he was bought to replace the magician Sheedy, after one game his left boot
wouldn't lace Sheedy's right.
Robert Williams
875 Posted 01/02/2023 at 21:20:59
Powerful stuff Christine - your uncle Tommy would be proud of you.
Ray Jacques
876 Posted 01/02/2023 at 21:25:11
Dyche has a free run with no pressure to the end of the season because of the ineptitude of the board.
EFCs troubles will really begin in the summer, the failures will then come home to roost.
Christy Ring
877 Posted 01/02/2023 at 21:39:32
Thelwell offered £23m for Udinese striker Beto, scored 7/20 for Udinese, 6ft4, 25yrs, has a release clause of £35m, but wouldn't pay the extra £12m, was it not worth a gamble NOW!
Andy Riley
879 Posted 01/02/2023 at 21:59:21
Christy #874 - I remember a great quote about Ian Wilson just after her signed “a very deceptive player - even slower that he looks!”
Neil Copeland
880 Posted 01/02/2023 at 22:15:00
Surely Isco is worth a punt on a short term contract?
Robert Tressell
881 Posted 01/02/2023 at 22:17:18
Neil # 880. Surely we have had enough broken down, washed up, overweight has beens through the door to know that dishing out a contract of any length to Isco is a bad idea.
Neil Copeland
882 Posted 01/02/2023 at 22:33:11
Robert #881, that’s a yes from you then!

Fair enough although I thought he was one of the better ones available on a free. Clutching at straws I know……

Neil Copeland
883 Posted 01/02/2023 at 22:36:04
Kieran Kinsella
884 Posted 01/02/2023 at 22:42:20
Onana posted a training pick on IG captioned “I ain’t leaving the ship.” Good attitude on the kid
Robert Tressell
885 Posted 01/02/2023 at 23:02:47
I've been doing the same thing Neil to fair. But more than anything I just want to see players working their bollocks off now until the end of the season. We've actually got a bit of quality. Players like Gray, McNeil and Iwobi do have quality. DCL and Maupay might do okay as a double act too. Onuachu and Sulemana would have cheered me up and got me excited to see some new faces. Are they better than what we've got? Not sure. I'm still cautiously excited to see whether Dyche can give Arsenal a game. Let's see what will happen.
Colin Malone
886 Posted 01/02/2023 at 23:27:59
What is done is done. We are, where were we are. By the way. Sharpy will always be a legend to me. So fuck off, you Sharpy out. protestors.

Pete Clarke
887 Posted 01/02/2023 at 23:28:24
John Snr.
I would hazard a guess that most expats and and ‘ keyboard warriors ‘ like myself, have earned the right to be taking part in online discussions and continuing our distant support of the club. Our rallying cries are indeed meant to help but to get things off our chest from a distance.
I followed the blues from a kid brought up a mile away and travelled as much as possible with the great away fans on many a trip for many years before choosing another way of life far away. The cupboards are full of Everton memorabilia which I have brought back or has been sent over to Auss for myself or my boys. I’m sure there’s lots of others in the same situation around the world who chose a different life. I miss the match more than anything so ToffeeWeb has been my greatest connection as well as tv football.
As for match day. You know as well as I do that the fans will all get behind the team when the truth is the the club don’t deserve the support. The biggest impact on this disgusting board would be to stay away completely but that tears at the heart strings too much for most fans so they go along with a mixture of deep loyalty towards our clubs name but also anger and resentment which has never been more apparent than now.
Kings Dock, Kirkby, Ban the AGM, Ringfenced money, Benitez Allardyce, transfer policy, selling off the assets including best players, totally inept appointments at senior level management and a Chairman who wishes to control everything at the club to suit only himself and so leaving us in this dire situation. What is the not to protest about regardless of the teams situation ? Just get the message across via banners.
Get behind the team but the greater focus has to be getting rid of the Parasite and his mates.
Good luck to you all and the team on Saturday. Sean Dyche is gonna need it for sure so best wishes to him.
I hope to be having a pint or two in the Winslow and watch a few games later this year regardless of what division we are in.
David Midgley
888 Posted 01/02/2023 at 23:43:17
I've read them all, nearly 900. From near and far.
Some made sense, some made no sense and some were nonsense.
Everyone was written with the love and passion that we all have for Everton.
The anger and frustration with the management for us having this situation being
allowed to happen. I
Some believe we are doomed. Some have even given up. I'm glad you weren't here
in 1940 looking across the Chanel facing the gathering storm. We would have been in
a pickle wouldn't we ? Nobody gave us a chance. We just had to get on with it.
It's no good going on about the board they've got a thicker skin than Katie Price, it will just suck the life out of you and make you really bitter. Swerve them, blank them.
I am optimistic, not mad, deranged or even fully confident. The season is halfway through. That's gone. Dyche, love him or loath him is the man, our man now.
He'll have it back to Fortress Goodison. They'll be organized, compact and have a plan, purpose and direction, something the haven't had before.
We'll be behind the players and the man.
It starts against Arsenal.
We start again.

Laurie Hartley
889 Posted 01/02/2023 at 00:01:39
David # 888 - another post that has cheered me up.

My five cents - the press and pundits have relegated and some of them are openly taking the Mickey out of us.

Inspired by David’s here is a Churchill quote which unfortunately I have had to use a couple of times in the last few years:-

“When you’re going through hell just keep going”.

Now a result against Arsenal would rattle a few cages.

Geoff Hind
890 Posted 02/02/2023 at 00:21:59
What I think is ironic is that if Burnley had kept faith in Shaun Dyche they may well have avoided relegation and Everton would have gone down.

Often teams that make a large number of changes are actually destabilised, it takes time for team members to work together. May be that having the same players is not as bad as it first appears.

Everton will be better in the second half of the season, more organised and tactically aware. Positivity is an incredible thing - ask any FACup giant killer.

Michael Penley
891 Posted 02/02/2023 at 00:50:33
I'm far from claiming any kind of expertise in how transfers work, but I still don't understand why Gordon and Richarlison were sold. We needed strikers. So we sell strikers and don't replace them. Does this make sense to anyone?
Steve Griffiths
892 Posted 02/02/2023 at 01:07:41
Michael (891) club A is skint, on the verge of financial meltdown & needs to keep the wolves (Premier League FFP) from the door. Buying clubs B & C put combined bids of £105m & club A well sell, simples?😀
Ian Jones
893 Posted 02/02/2023 at 01:18:17
Also, Richarlison wanted to leave to play at a higher level and although not sure of his contract, assume if he had stayed another year, the club would have spent on wages and received a lesser fee as he would have one year less left on his contract.

As for Gordon, imagine he thinks the grass is greener elsewhere and probably thinks he also has a better chance of trophies. Although he can't play in the Carabao cup, his new side do stand a chance of winning one already.

Good luck to him

Jonathan Oppenheimer
894 Posted 02/02/2023 at 01:39:44
Also, Michael 891, both players wanted out. Richarlison had earned the right to play for a half-decent squad, and for Gordon we were getting a fair price for a young player who was going to pout either way. Both good business. Had we re-invested like, say, Brighton would have, with 4 quality young players we would have been just fine.

Kieran 884, I’m a big believer in Onana. He’s young and has a bit to learn, and it’s not clear his best position, but with some good coaching I have no doubt he’ll be world class in a few years.

Neil, I like your thinking with Isco, but feels like another Gomes to me at this point. I’d rather ride with Iwobi, Garner, Onana, and Doucoure in the central midfield. With some decent organization they’ll be just as good as an aging Isco. Pretty sure the knock on Isco was that he wasn’t a hard worker, so not exactly what we need at this point.

Lester Yip
895 Posted 02/02/2023 at 01:40:44
Finally came to accept the fact that we've signed no striker in this window. Just watched the Dyche interview. I think he should be the one we go after in the first place. His emphasis on hard-working, organisation, earning respect, effective football are music to the ears.

Let's give the Gunners' hell this coming week. COYB!

Jonathan Oppenheimer
896 Posted 02/02/2023 at 02:14:27
I also just listened to the Dyche interview. Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m a believer. I knew nothing about him other than that he was able to get Burnley to overachieve all those years. Hearing him speak, whatever happens the rest of this season, I believe he’s the man to lead us into the new stadium in 18 months.
Kieran Kinsella
897 Posted 02/02/2023 at 02:52:32
Jonathan

I’ve admired Dyche for a while. People underestimate his job at Burnley. This was a team that almost dropped into non league not long ago. They could’ve been another Wrexham. He got them into the Prem TWICE and didn’t just survive but made them competitive for many years. He has a bit of the Moyes about him but less dour. I’m feeling positive about his appointment

Jonathan Oppenheimer
898 Posted 02/02/2023 at 03:15:32
Kieran, it seems like there’s near universal agreement that Dyche is the right man at this time and that we all need to fully get behind the team until and unless we’re mathematically relegated. That seems like a pretty good starting point given the depths of shit we’re.

I’d say that bar a few odd ducks on here we can also all agree that our Board and owner are a bunch of clowns, but the worry there is that the anger towards them could bleed into toxic feelings at Goodison if we don’t get any decent results in the next 4-6 weeks.

But for now, a little optimism amidst the despair will do.

Michael Penley
899 Posted 02/02/2023 at 04:38:40
@Ian Jones 893

Both players wanting out isn't relevant to their contractual obligations. I might want out of buying a house I agreed to pay for but that's doesn't oblige the seller to terminate the contract. If they need the money as much as we need a striker, why would they do it? Out of kindness? That's lovely and I'd honestly be happy if the club became a charity organisation instead of pretending to be a competitive sporting club. You can't be both.

Michael Penley
900 Posted 02/02/2023 at 05:05:20
But then if we assume we sold Gordon because he wanted to leave, why did we sack Lampard? I remember him saying he would never quit and the fact he was sacked indicates the dismissal was involuntary. Does the "give them what they want" rule only apply to players and not managers?

It's all a bit confusing to me.

Eric Myles
901 Posted 02/02/2023 at 06:34:58
Michael #900, Lampard got what he wanted. If he resigned he wouldn't get any compensation payments.
Michael Penley
902 Posted 02/02/2023 at 06:52:16
Okay. You don't think he would have preferred a job? Considering he's probably not short of money?
Andy Duff
903 Posted 02/02/2023 at 07:04:20
Colin 886 Sharpy tarnished his legacy. A true club legend would be Southall best player in his position.

Why is he not involved with the club he dared to speak out years ago. Banished by Blue Bill.

Sharp has repeatedly had a go at any fans that want better. He's done this for years back when they tried to force Kirkby on us he used Radio City to attack protests and spout the club less He is nothing but a club mouthpiece that enables Blue Bill do get away with things.

It's posts like yours that prove what his role is "he's legend he loves the blues what he days about the fans must be trye".

He is a sponger taking from the club Every single fan who pays to watch the club now puts more into than him.

Eric Myles
904 Posted 02/02/2023 at 07:17:22
Micheal #902, I think he would probably have preferred to have a job that he had a chance to succeed in.

But when Bill gave him an old box labelled 'Moyes' containing a flintlock duelling pistol with no charge, and a rust old pocket knife, he decided to show the board up for the clowns that they are.

Eric Myles
905 Posted 02/02/2023 at 07:34:32
Rightly said Peter #887.

And I'm quite shocked that John Sr. made such an implication regarding ex-pat supporters who get up at ungodly hours in the night trying to find dubious streams to our games.

Ian Jones
906 Posted 02/02/2023 at 11:26:56
Michael

Sorry, not sure I follow your logic. Apologies if I am missing something.

Don't know enough about contracts but don't think you can equate a property sale to sales of footballers. It seems, in theory, Everton maximised the sale of Gordon and Richarlison. I think 40 million for Gordon represents good business. Am not convinced he's as good as some think. However, at 21, he has plenty of time to improve.

We generally undersell players or let them walk away for free when the contract is up, probably due to their enormous wages as no other club wants to match it. Walcott springs to mind. With one year left on his contract, we loaned him to Southampton. So no fee but presumably off the wage bill.

I think there's alot that goes on behind the scenes with transfers than us mere mortals will ever know.

Football these days is a results business.

Lampard presumably got sacked due to poor results. Personally, I don't necessarily think that was the right decision.

Who knows, he might have wanted to leave. To be fair, who'd want to manage the club in our current state. However, the days of leaving by mutual consent are long gone.

Enjoy the rest of the season. I have us bet with a friend that we'll finish top 10

Colin Malone
907 Posted 02/02/2023 at 13:57:05
Andy # 903.
In all businesses. Everyone in Sharpy position are told to tow the company line. Would anyone on ToffeeWeb resign and end up unemployed ? Sorry Andy. But you don't bite the hand that feeds you, unless you can afford too.
John McFarlane Snr
908 Posted 02/02/2023 at 15:05:37
Hi Pete [887] and Eric [905] apologies for not making my point clear, I was not aiming at ex-pats, my post read, " I understand that you and many ex-pats are unable to take part in any way" on reflection I should have written " I understand that you and many ex-pats are unable to attend games".

We are all entitled to express our views on this site, but I consider that some are way over the top, and I am curious as to how many of the critics actually attend games. In closing, I would like to apologise again for not wording my post correctly.

Eric Myles
909 Posted 02/02/2023 at 15:21:25
John Sr. It was your following sentence that got me as I was riled up by a post on another thread basically saying if you don't attend games then shut up.

I took your post out of context as implying the same when I should know better from a supporter of your calibre.

Please accept my apology as I accept yours.

Pete Clarke
910 Posted 02/02/2023 at 15:22:25
Hello John.
All good on that mate as you clearly are a gentleman and I meant to say at the end of my post that I’d like to enjoy a pint with a few fellow ToffeeWebers like yourself should I manage to make it home late this year.
I have just posted on another thread that I would like a win on Saturday to give us all a lift and hopefully see some nice new happy threads on Saturday night.
We live in hope. COYB
Brian Wilkinson
911 Posted 02/02/2023 at 16:13:20
Ian893, in regards to Gordon and the grass being greener on the other side, the state our club is in, the old baseball ground Derby in the seventies, had greener grass than we as a club have right now.

Can you blame Gordon for jumping ship, or no one wanting to join us.

The board and owner have sunk our great club to the very bottom, only the fans are the last remains of any fight in this great football club.

Christine Foster
912 Posted 02/02/2023 at 19:05:30
John Snr,

I knew exactly what you meant, John, as I tried to reiterate in my reply, the internet created social media is an amazing tool to share knowledge, information and opinion. On its flip side, it also gives the contributor a sense of righteousness no matter what actual involvement or depth of understanding they have.

How their opinions should be judged is on the experience of the reader and the credibility of the poster. In situations like our very own, a lot of people comment after only reading headlines, not the details of any story.

So, like most things in life, balance and perspective are required, but we all have emotions and sometimes logic is replaced with rhetoric.

Passion inflames; anger results.

Alex Gray
913 Posted 02/02/2023 at 19:14:14
On the plus side, Ayew has just signed for Forest!

I thought Dyche handled questions well today (not a Dyche fan really) but there's been typical deafening silence since deadline day.

I was speaking with my old man about how we can change any of this. If we protest, we get vilified ...so surely the only other option is don't go the match?

We could go and just support the team, which I fully back and understand, but part of me is so resentful that this board just get away with it time and time again.

Paul Birmingham
914 Posted 02/02/2023 at 21:20:19
The horizon, is clear and the target is for this season.

No feeling sorry or hard done by, full fighting spirit by the Everton squad and all Evertonians.

The damage sustained this season on top of the sustained decline, over decades, has made this season, massive in view of the survival and sustainability of EFC.

Stick together, fight to the end and hopefully survive, and start with fresh hope in this summer.

Hopefully the Board will have been ousted or will have resigned.

The great Everton Book of Revelations, who knows aside from some outgoing transfers, from, Everton, were all the so called bids for players genuine..

But for now the fight for survival is priority, beat the Arsenal.

UTFTs!

Andy Duff
915 Posted 03/02/2023 at 09:11:50
Colin that's my point. He's doing a job, he's paid to tow the party line if he really cared about Everton and had any ounce of integrity he would.

Maybe he can't afford to retire, maybe he's paid enough to swallow his conscience who knows, he's essentially just a paid employee of the club he's now no more of a legend than Doris the tea lady.

True legends would fight for this club and speak out, he not only doesn't do that but he repeatedly attacks fans who do care and who ultimately contribute to his wages.

So I'm sorry but thanks for the goals Sharpy and winning stuff when Everton were a great team, and thanks for enabling Kenwright to destroy the club you won stuff with that is now your legacy

My gripe is with people still being up his arse when he's essentially used as a weapon against fans to enable Kenwright.


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