Everton coach welcome to return for Thursday's game

Alright misery guts, I think it's a good idea. It might evoke the spirit of last year and give the players a bit of a lift. No harm in trying.

Wherever we are next season, I'd prefer not to have him in charge.

We need to do a 'Montezuma' in Newcastle's Water, that'll get them running, hopefully in the wrong direction.

Why can't these lazy bastards lift themselves?

I'm sick of making excuses for them.

I hope it works – but if it does, how will we know it did?

I hate to be so negative but we had a poor team last year that only just survived. It's been said many times that was our lucky escape. But we just didn't learn from it.

The team now without Richarlison, Gordon (before his head was turned) and Calvert-Lewin was much better than what we have now. Gordon should have been sold to Chelsea and that plus the Onana money should have been spent on a couple of decent centre-forwards, Ings for one.

I think we will lose against Newcastle and away at Leicester. Very sad but this could have been avoided.

That, plus Doucouré back, Calvert-Lewin starting and, hopefully Onana in the line-up, should make Everton a very different proposition to our last home game.

Mike (14), we know all this and can't change it. It's 11 v 11 on Thursday and 11 v 11 next Monday where Leicester will be feeling pretty fragile themselves. Desperation can do funny things and we're not dead yet.

COYB!

I'm glad you're not anywhere near the players. With your outlook, we may as well all go away for the summer tomorrow. If there are points to be gained, we have to believe, until such time as it's impossible not to reach safety.

We've got some important players coming back, we are at home, the atmosphere will be full on, the players will rise to the occasion. Leeds are poor, Leicester not much better. It's all to play for, we fight for it and see where it gets us.

Spirit. Forever. Marching.

Whether or not it motivates the players, it will certainly motivate the fans and create a great atmosphere inside the ground.

We need to be the 12th Man out there on Thursday, put Phil Spector's Wall of Sound to shame… the rest is down to the players.

The Leeds - Leicester game shows how important it is to get a point.

Mike#14 – It is never over until the fat lady sings.

I forecast another point against Newcastle and then yet another point against Leicester to keep us on our toes, staying up with a win against Bournemouth in the dying seconds of the last game.

You simply have to hand it to Kenwright for such a nerve-shattering stage performance, for all this nail-biting Dramah.

Come on, you Blues.

People say fans need to do their part... then get mad when the fans are given the best possible opportunity to do their part?

Go out and give everything... not because you care about the club (most of them don't) but because we care about the club.

The lazy bastards should lift themselves but history suggests they won't. Ultimately it shouldn't make a damn bit of difference if you're playing at Goodison, Anfield or on Mars. Or whether you get a warm welcome or a hostile one.

But, somehow, the weak-minded seem to need the psychological boost of a rowdy welcome in order to show up. Therefore we must do what we can to help.

Also, as Lyndon and others point out, it gives the long-suffering fans a lift – even if it's the difference between being somber or having a craic at a wake.

Let's face reality. The fans will play a massive role in these last games.

They pushed the players over the line, and will need to do so again if we are to survive.

It is different than last season, when it was thought that survival would provide an impetus for change, but that was incompetently botched on what seems like a continual basis up to now.

The Fans now have a chance again to express their loyality, but they also collectively have more power to effect change than ever before.

Though reading through Colm Kanavangh's Twitter feed, with evidence supplied, the fight began in earnest in 2004 at the AGM, and there is nothing overnight about the build-up we are about to witness.

Managers can set teams up with formations and tactics but ultimately it comes down to each individual player and their commitment and mentality. Our problem over the last couple of seasons has, in my opinion, been mentality.

We've had numerous managers with different ideas who have all failed. The only constant are the players. Are they really any worse than Wolves, Villa, Palace, Bournemouth players?
I say No but, for whatever reason, collectively they can't get their heads together.

I fear the worst.

However, the whole atmosphere around the club is so, so, different from 12 months ago - And this year's Newcastle ain't last year's Palace. The real test as we know will be on the pitch. We have no Richie, no Gordon - no on field talisman as someone mentioned above. I mean, who will be our on field "flare carrier" this year?... DCL?... Iwobi? Can't see it myself.

Unless they are drugged or comatose the players must realise that the support is truly amazing simply from the noise in the ground, home and especially away, but the noise around the club is so loud this year I just hope that they all, to a man, can rise above that - And get a fucking result.

I still reckon we will draw tonight but if we can win, then last nights Leeds/Leics result will look the best outcome. Failing that a Leeds win would have been the better result. I still see us safe with Leics, Forest and So'ton gone.

Leicester on Monday is going to be huge - a real nail biter, and no coach and flares to help. I think in 5 days we will pretty much know our fate.

COYB - UTFT - NSNO Lets have the game of the year tonight and set the tone for the run in.

JUST EFFING DO IT.

This team lacks in every single department from technical ability to tactical awareness. We have players scared to put their bodies on the line and fight for the cause. If bringing back a team bus can give them all a much-needed kick up the backside to at least fight for the shirt, I'm all for it.

The question has been asked whether to stick with Sean Dyche at the end of the season. I'm not sure myself as I'm not sure he knows when to make substitutions. How he continued with Holgate against Crystal Palace was mind-boggling and why he continues to play Maupay just seems farcical.

Just a tip for any incoming manager: There is an Everton fan who's a striker who knocks in goals for fun and could certainly play at a higher level than he is and that's Paul Mullin of Wrexham. I'd have him in my team before any of our strikers.

Lampard won everything with Chelsea but was blown away with the love that the Evertonians have got for our club. Once Dyche witnesses it for himself, then it should make him realise how far he's come in the game to be managing a club like Everton; this will hopefully give him an extra incentive to succeed.

The other clubs do not have Finch Farm. Imo, the source of the current mentality of most of the players. This has been supported by self-serving and incompetent club management which has added to its ranks by similar mentality
staff and players. The less time the team spends there with less breaks between games, the better. Which fortunately is happening now.

Finch Farm seems to shuffle into the background when loyal support applies pressure. It is remarkable how quickly a player brought in can conform to the Everton type and it is no wonder that so many young players want out, commenting on their time there as not being healthy.

In this run-in, the 'holiday mode' we got prior to these last two seasons would obviously not be appropriate to chance with Evertonians on the warpath.

Other clubs have similar set-ups. Spurs and Chelsea come to mind. The Spurs players gave the away fans back their money after the Newcastle debacle. Which was big of them, having got rid of a manager they did not like.

Actually, I would suggest that Paul Tran in his day-of-the-game player ratings, should include a percentage deductions in wages. The total bill then could be sent to the players on behalf of Evertonians.

I hope to see blue smoke, I hope to see passion, and I think we all know in our hearts that, if we survive, it will be due to the fans yet again. This board doesn't deserve us.

Oh, I see, he was just lying to the media, week-in & week-out… I just hope it lifts them.

The likes of Labone, Kendall, Harvey, Bally would be laughing:
"Why do they need this incentive?" they'd ask, "they're playing for Everton, for God's sake! What more do they need???"

[Apologies, woke up a little bit cynical this morning.]

Derek #9, very funny. I understand the principle of getting behind the team and urging the players on to demonstrate the importance of our current position and the need to get to wins and points on the board. However, it may not necessarily transfer to the players and onto the pitch.

Newcastle are streets ahead of us in the league and in their quality of players. Our players need to turn up for this game. All 3 points would make a massive difference to our league position and give confidence going into the remaining fixtures. Dyche needs to stress this to the players, and set up the team for a win.

Tactics will play an important part in this game, combined with players remaining calm but playing with passion and for the win. My heart says 3 points, but my head says we may get battered.

Last season, didn't Frank say something about having to perform for those fans, once they had given you a reception like that?

One other effect is that it should intimidate Newcastle.

I just hope we don't go a goal down early doors. Nervous as hell! UTFT!

I was thinking the same thing. Dyche does not inspire me to move this team forward – regardless of Premier League or Championship.

Can we not find a seriously hungry, modern manager abroad, a De Zerbi for example?

I hope I am wrong and the fans welcoming the team bus will have the desired effect.

I worry, also, that the team may inwardly feel so pressured by the combination of their own past two performances, Newcastle's figurative dismembering of Spurs, the fans' expectations, the grim reality of the precipice, and the situation that the whole club is in, that as Brian says, they simply freeze.

I don't know how they're going to do it mentally but somehow this game has to be played like the Battle of Rorke's Drift – but who is going to be our John Chard?

Still think we'll draw though.

I'm assuming that those moaning about welcoming the coach do go to watch the Blues? It certainly won't do one bit of harm when the fans show their love of the club to the players arriving at Goodison Park – and it most certainly did help the team last season and definitely when the game started. The fans were the prime reason we stayed up last season and we are keeping them going this season.

Moan as much as you want as long as you roar the players on during the match.

We stick with him, regardless – give him a chance to build something out of the husk of a squad he inherited after so many years of abysmal recruitment and chronic mismanagement. To do otherwise is lunacy.

As you try and get into a calm, focused zone before a game, wouldn't you be intimidated by a gang of mad, baying scousers setting off blue smoke against a background of a cacophony of sound?

One of their players even did a runner after a single person chased his car once.

The power of Goodison at night should never be underestimated.

My gut feeling is Everton will survive and Forest and Leeds will drop with Southampton. I suspect it may go right down to the very last game where I think we have a favourable fixture compared to Leeds and Forest.

We could really do with picking up a point at least against Newcastle!

Here are the remaining fixtures of us and our rivals:

Southampton Fixtures:

Bournemouth (Home)
Newcastle Utd (Away)
Nottm Forest (Away)
Fulham (Home)
Brighton (Away)
Liverpool (Home)

Nottm Forest Fixtures:

Brighton (Home)
Brentford (Away)
Southampton (Home)
Chelsea (Away)
Arsenal (Home)
Crystal Palace (Away)

Everton Fixtures:

Newcastle Utd (Home)
Leicester City(Away)
Brighton (Away)
Man City (Home)
Wolves (Away)
Bournemouth (Home)

Leicester City Fixtures:

Everton (Home)
Fulham (Away)
Liverpool (Home)
Newcastle Utd (Away)
West Ham (Home)

Leeds Utd Fixtures:

Bournemouth (Away)
Man City (Away)
Newcastle Utd (Home)
West Ham Utd (Away)
Tottenham Hotspur (Home)

As for recruiting a DeZerbi, its interesting that there's a correlation between good managers and well run clubs with good players.

It's also interesting that if you put similary lauded Potter in charge of completely dysfunctional club like Chelsea (with all their riches and huge quality squad), he suddenly becomes a poor manager despite doing so well at Brighton.

A DeZerbi isn't the answer - Better recruitment, player development and club management is the answer.

Being more bereft than last year we need Leeds to be annihilated over the coming games allowing escape via a few draws which is all we're capable of.

Can't see it myself the die was cast when Frank changed the team and lost impetus in the Brentford cup tie.

Ah well, bollocks to it

It does look as if it will go down to the final minutes of the final games.

I always find it strange when pundits talk about the “football club” or Liverpool football club in the context of a football conversation.

Anyway, carry on.

He doesn't do what he's told or what I expect. He frustrates me most of the time when he's off doing his own thing looking for squirrels or foxes and ignoring me and my concerns.

But I love him unconditionally.

That sounds all too familiar.

The team will be welcomed tomorrow. They will be supported passionately. They will know how much you all care. I hope they care as much.

Personally, whether it was on the football pitch or in professional life, pressure drives you to perform.

Otherwise, you go through the motions not being concerned.

Again, it depends on individuals, but in my opinion, winners thrive on pressure.

At this stage the team almost selects itself and final selection will have much to do with who is fit and available. If and when changes have to be made please stick to those who have been a partial success, Coady, Mina, and Simms, and maybe Godfrey. Remembering for this game only a win will do.

And I think the pressure is getting to some of the supporters.

That said, and I'm sure the consequences for this board will be catastrophic even if we do survive, we are still in with a very slim chance of pulling it off and as long as it's statistically possible then there's still hope.

But we both share the same passion. We all do. It's all we know and ever have known.

When we met before the Palace game last season we were nearly in tears before the match, let alone how it felt after.

I know that the characters and personalities on this website don't represent all Evertonians.

But tomorrow, we all come together. We always do, just as we did at Selhurst Park several days ago

Dave Abrahams and John Senior who are the wise ones. The Gandalf and Dumledore of Everonianism.

Tony Abrahams with his wisdom and knowledge of football.

Tony Everan with his balanced view.

The Brians Harrison and Wilkinson with their calculated and detailed opinions.

Mark Murphy, Martin Mason, Dave Williams and those blues who put in the miles.

Christine, Mike G, Bill and all of those following from thousands of miles away. We will all be there in some form or other.

Lyndon and Michael for making the website available.

Chris Williams who I communicate with daily.

Me being the blind fool who just follows like I have done since I can remember breathing.

And Rob Halligan, who can tell you a thing or two about Everton and what it means to be a big club.

All of you. Every single one of you. If I missed anyone, I apologise.

Let's go an show Newcastle that tomorrow. Big club Rob's arse.

Now I despise our board and owner but at least they don’t have their hands covered in blood like the real owners of Newcastle fucking united do.

They are sport washing at its worse. MBS is a bloodthirsty tyrant and that Staverley bird, and her creepy looking fella, can’t disguise the fact that they are a front for this murderous and repressive regime.

We might not survive this season but at least we can dent those c**ts chances of getting into the so-called champions league.

C’mon Everton, let’s fuck ‘em up!!!

I was trying to figure out my reaction to the Leeds-Leicester match last night. After all, we are going to at least partly rely on the shortcomings of our nearest rivals. In the end, I decided it was probably the best result for us, it keeps both of them in the mire. A Leicester loss would have given Leeds too much breathing space, then left us with a literally mustn't lose game v Leicester.

I hope the barcodes of the first 25 mins on Sunday don't turn up. We've subsided to a lot worse than that form this season. It is alarming to see the latest bookies odds. I can't recall a point when we have been worse than evens to go down. Now we are odds on, as low as 8/11. I guess that is the bookies reflecting on how the last week's events have shifted probability. We need to do something to reverse that, pronto..

Another card we have and can play is Sean Dyche on the touchline. He brings a level of animation and possibly even intimidation with his shouting and body language. Frank was a nice guy but we don't need a Mr Nice Guy at this stage.

Trevor (#60),

You are absolutely correct. We only just survived last season and the team is patently weaker now.

And then again on Monday at Leicester for an 8 pm kick-off followed by a 5:30 start at Brighton the following Monday.

Thank you, Premier League, for considering supporters.

Be there with the travelling blue army, Pete.

Who could have have called that win against Arsenal, the Draw away to City, the passion against Spurs, for whatever reason, Everton seem to raise their game at Goodison, when the opponents are expected to win.

Put it this way, I would prefer to be playing Newcastle, rather than say a mid table team, I know sounds daft, but for whatever reason, we just seem to give that bit more fight against the bigger teams at home, especially under the lights, and a roaring crowd.

A point would not be a bad result, a win even better, but I just think it is going to be one of those memorable nights tomorrow night.

I just hope and pray we get a fair crack with the ref and var, the rest is down to us Evertonians, the players and the manager.

But yes as the Beatles once belted out from the rooftops

I’ve got a feeling, a feeling deep inside, oh yeah.

Up the Toffees.

Wednesday, I have to go have a skin cancer removed from my left leg and I'll feel good if I have seen the Blues win that game first. I can't get up there for the Newcastle game but these two games could just see us clear. Or?

You should've said at Palace – I was offered a ticket for Leicester but I can't make that one – I think it's gone now. I've asked for a Wolves Ticket – want to tag along??

UTFT!

Good luck with your search for a ticket and especially for the hospital visit on Wednesday.

It was obviously good to see Leicester get a point at Leeds, but they did look a decent team in the second half . Hopefully Iheanacho will not play after he limped off. COYB

Thanks Simon. It's SCC which isn't the worst but I'd prefer to float in after a Blues win that keeps them up.

Thursday could be a turning point for us as a club. It is so critical that any help whatsoever is going to make a difference.

We can also intimidate the opposition and hopefully influence the officials. It would make a nice change to be given some decisions.

Days and memories I will never forget.

At the end of the match I would love to see the fans turn to the empty directors seats and chant, raucously, WHERE ARE YA, WHERE ARE YA, let the beggars feel our spite for them. COYB

– Last League Championship, 96 years ago;
– Last domestic trophy, 68 years ago;
– Last trophy of note, 53 years ago.

All of a sudden, they get a few quid and they think they are one of the so-called top teams!

Brian # 68, I know sounds daft but, for whatever reason, we just seem to give that bit more fight against the bigger teams at home, especially under the lights, and a roaring crowd.

Thing is, Brian, we're not playing a bigger team, we're playing Newcastle. They are fuck all, and we will do them tomorrow night. We are a far, far bigger club than they will ever be!

UTFT

For me, if Coleman, Onana and Doucouré start along with Calvert-Lewin, it gives us one hell of a fighting chance.

Naturally, it would have to be the Skunks crest along side the crest of Spurs…

Big clubs? My Arse!

The Leicester game is the real decider IMO.

There's very little chance we'll take it to the last game, but we're in it until Monday.

I have a feeling you are right. But I think that the players have to have the mentality to last to the end of the season now.

I see the run-in as two stages:The three matches prior to Man City and the matches after that.

To be in contention, Everton have to get two results: one last Saturday and one this Thursday. I do think they are up for getting that, helped by fan support. But the third match in the sequence against Leicester is crucial in that the team need to be focused.

In the Man City game, I would give Mina a run-out, play three at the back and pack the midfield, hound De Bruyne. The final games need sustained effort.

Danny # 61 – I am inspired by you every time I feel low about the situation we are in with the club. I live thousands of miles away in a small town in South India. When I read all your posts, I realize that the physical distance is immaterial as we come together as one driving force behind this team.

I will be up at 1 am tomorrow for the game – hoping, praying and sending my best to you all and to the team. Feeling overwhelmed by my emotions this morning... COYB