Manchester United vs Everton

Even the hope is diminishing with turning wins into defeats.

Absolutely pathetic, isn't it?

We were particularly poor in the corresponding fixture last year and our left-back, now right-back, had a horrid time.

We could do with a lift as things have been difficult and joyless, since just before Christmas.

Let's not forget, under Ferguson, they built an almost unbeatable dynasty that took the baton from that lot.

Beating them 5-0 at Goodison. Mountfield's equaliser at Old Trafford with Southall saving a penalty. Beating them 3-2 in 1989 (I think). Upsetting the odds to win the FA Cup.

Anything is possible.

I have no fear whatsoever.

Burnley with Dyche did win at Old T afford though.

Crystal Palace at home, West Ham at home, we got a draw against Brighton but 2 points out of a possible 9 is not good enough, and that's down to the manager's strategy being negative.

Also, Thelwell's average transfers, Beto and Chermiti not being able to replace a very poor Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

We can't go into games and say, "Oh it's okay if we get beat because we're winning the easier ones." With the threat of a further points deduction, we have no cushion,

A strategy I'm pretty sure is nowt to do with the manager!

Regardless of Man Utd's average state since Ferguson left, we still invariably lose more than we get results in against that lot.

Our away record at venues like Old Trafford remains a mind-boggling mystery, when you consider the likes of Fulham and Bournemouth go to those places and regularly come away with 3 points.

I know we won at Anfield and Emirates during the Covid season but it felt like it was unlikely to have happened with full houses there. Maybe just me but based on what's happened again since and it reverting to type, I find it less likely.

I believe we paid a decent wedge for his loan fee, plus wages. There won't be much left of the season if he returns. He didn't provide much when he played, he's like a bleedin' mini Gomes at the end of it.

You always go into battle believing you can win!

I forgot the final nail in Moyes's United coffin.

We are due a win and can get something from this.

A point might be squirmed if the devils are complacent otherwise a great excuse to crack on with hanging the double gates.

I'd like to see if McNeil could do the No 10 role, he has the vision and would have better shooting opportunities next to Doucouré, supporting Beto. Maybe a 4-3-2-1:

Pickford
Mykolenko
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Coleman
Onana
Garner
Harrison
McNeil
Doucouré
Beto

Man Utd are up and down week to week from what I've seen of them this season. Sadly for us, they have lost a couple in a row and will be looking to make amends on Saturday. I thought we played okay against them at Goodison, got burned early by the goal of the season from Garnacho and then conceded a dubious late penalty if memory serves.

They're not all that and we can beat them with a good performance and a bit of (good) luck.

I read that, Mike.

Cosa Nostra, sleep with fishes and horses heads on the bed for fans of the Godfather films. He'll know people to sort it out. I would imagine that, if found guilty, he'll get a fine like Ronaldo. Messi, who did get sentenced, but had it reduced to a fine.

Even Liverpool's probably future manager, Alonso was under investigation, although he was a bit more transparent.

A bit like the current P&S investigations, you wonder how many are at it.

Greed breeds greed.

Time for a 1-0 win to break this ugly spell.

Anyone who thinks we lost against West Ham because the manager was negative is mistaken. We created plenty of chances but failed to capitalise.

Once the game entered the final minutes, we should have shut up shop and settled for the draw. Instead, we were still throwing players forward into attacking areas, allowing West Ham space to counter.

We should go to Old Trafford full of confidence.

I do every single match, even though they frequently give me anxiety attacks!

Dyche will play the same players who continue to pass back to our playmaker Pickford for the customary hoof to nobody up front. Harrison will continue with his record of having every single cross blocked by the opposition and we will all look to every team below us losing to maintain our league status.

Watching Everton is like waiting to see the dentist, you don't want to but you know you must. Can't wait for the international break to have a rest from it all…

Either Harrison or McNeil, or both, need starting from the bench, give them the last 20 minutes, give Dobbin a run out, start with Coleman right-back and put Garner on the other wing, I would go with Onana, Doucoure and possibly Young midfield, at least that starting 11 has a fighting chance.

But I have a feeling we will go with the usual starters, where Man Utd will pick us off then Dyche will throw subs on after the horse has bolted.

Please, for once, Dyche, surprise me.

Pickford, Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthworthwaiteingold, Mykolenko,
Patterson, Garner, Onana, Dobbin, Doucoure, Betonhimtoscore.

I've stopped going to or even watching any matches and contributing here and, as the season winds down, I hope to limit my interest to at most looking at the result after a game but possibly not even that.

I'm into 6 months of stopping drinking and feel now that stopping being a football supporter and getting a life will be just as good for me in terms of personal well-being. I'm bit by bit stopping reading or listening to any news and see this as a similar improvement in life quality.

Good luck to you wonderful true Evertonians, you deserve much better.

Betonhimtoscore (I like that one) also but not from the penalty spot!!!

Actually, thinking more about it, if he'd scored the header before the, penalty, he'd likely have scored from the penalty spot.

0-1 to us. 2 red cards for Man Utd and another 4 points penalty for us for daring to win a game!

Battered before a balls even been kicked!

Come ON Paul lad, NEVER write off the Blues either

Seriously though one of the few things I agree with Michael K about, is his disdain for that awful website Goodison News, but I had to agree with something I’ve just read on that site, that puts the finger on things perfectly.

The premier league is currently doing something a lot worse to Everton than the points deduction, it said, with the most cynical amongst us, starting to believe that it might just be a ploy?

Onto Old Trafford, a game in which we have nothing to fear, just as long as we deal with the ball over the top, a lot better than we dealt with it the last time we played at United, and also that flat track bully Fernandez.

Keep writing Martin and keep following the blues.

Frank, for the supporters that aren't Merseyside based, it's a ridiculous early start. As it will be for a lot of United supporters.

I see they've given us other evening kick offs at Newcastle and Chelsea.

Regarding us, well, fed up being optimistic every game so realistically it'll be a case of hoping our goal difference doesn't get crazy.

Dyche has made mistakes that's for sure but it's about time the real blame was put firmly and squarely on the players.
It's not Dyche that's missing chance after chance every week.
All this XG shit is a joke. The only thing that matters is putting the ball in the net. We are creating chances, some really good chances, but the players are not taking them. Not Dyche, the players.

We can't keep making excuses.

Keep looking in on ToffeeWeb Martin, you kept a lot of us on our toes and created debates, nearly every time you came on, I never thought there was any malice in your posts you just spoke your mind and posted what you genuinely thought and I knew you loved Everton FC as much as any of us.

Stay strong and healthy Martin, very best wishes.

I would also rest Harrison and give Dobbin a run out. Both of our wingers look like they haven't got much left in the tank, the 3 week break should do them and us some good.

United have assembled one of the most expensive squads in world football so should be hot favourites meanwhile our rag tag bargain bin squad is running on empty but as the old saying goes it's not the size of the man in the fight but the size of the fight in the man.

We need this break to get some energy and focus back into the players. Since our little winning streak the edge has gone out of a couple of players games.

Man Utd home: W7, D1, L5. Away: W7, D1, L6. Goal difference both -1. Points per game at home: 1.69, PPG away: 1.57.

Everton home, W3, D4, L7, away: W5, D3, L5. Goal difference home: -3, away: -5. Points per game at home: 0.93, away: 1.38.

So we're marginally better away from home points-wise, our PPG is definitely better away, yet our goal difference is worse away from home.

Our shot conversion rate is shockingly terrible (surprise!), and ultimately the one stat that's destroying our season other than points deductions. Overall it's only 9%, home it's 8% and away 11%.

My guess is more of the same tomorrow - Utd will likely beat us by a couple of goals, we'll again have a few decent chances but fail to put them away, and although I don't make predictions, I will predict we get nothing out of the game as our trend continues for another week.

In my view, our season hangs on the 6 to 8 game period where we play Burnley, Chelsea, Forest, Brentford, Luton and Sheffield Utd. Add into that the RS at some point, and Arsenal away last game and I believe we need to be safe before the Arsenal game - if we need something at the Emirates last day of the season, they'll relegate us.

Patterson up wide on the right would give us better chances of getting crosses in and doubling up with Seamus, with one covering for the other would help if
Seamus can last the full game.

It’s all about opinions Dave and only Sean Dyche picks the team!!

I don't envy Sean at all. He's not got much to play with and I accept your point re Onyango. I just can't believe that our youngsters are so poor that none of them are considered ready to contribute to the senior side!

When we are talking about a 36-year-old coming in to energise the right flank, it shows how bad things are. We badly need Harrison and McNeil to come back from the training camp fully refreshed. A fully fit and refreshed squad is well capable of staying up.

I agree wholeheartedly with everyone who advocates the recall of Seamus. Not least for his presence on the park. But will it happen? Somehow I doubt it.

Yes, give Dyche appropriate plaudits for achieving some stability in difficult circumstances and with limited resources. However, that must not be allowed to hide his very obvious limitations and resistance to change. No optimism about tomorrow. Fearing a miserable lunchtime.

When at Goodison, I want to see the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal in their true colours not some sort of Banksy like creation.

Sorry, I digress. Let's try and avoid breaking any further records tomorrow.

Last 3 games could have been three wins but for missing chances and gifting soft goals away. Tomorrow, who knows which Utd or which Everton will turn up. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we get a draw. We seem to play better away and it matches the teams set up better.

More important game is probably Palace - Luton and worryingly Brighton are playing Forest just when they seem to have badly lost form.

As long as Luton and Forest lose I'll take any Everton result. Sad but it's come to that.

I don't think it's sad to be thinking about other teams results – the same theory is applied whether you're at the top, middle or bottom of the table. It's a natural consequence of league-based sports.

Ten Hag was on borrowed time and talk of gardening leave before the away game at Everton, we will save him again because, if Man Utd get the first goal, it's game over.

I used to have a pop at posters writing us off before a ball was kicked but, from what I have seen – particularly the last 10 games – if we go with the same starting 11, we will be playing with two passengers after half-an-hour, Harrison and McNeil, both running on fumes.

The only hope we have tomorrow is the team tweaked, Patterson, Coleman and Dobbin getting a start, but it will not happen. That's why I am less than confident tomorrow. Man Utd will pick us off midway through the second half, then fire a couple in late on, unless we have McNeil, Calvert-Lewin and Harrison to come off the bench to counteract it in the second half.

After that debacle last weak in the dying moments it's hard to envisage anything from tomorrow's game. Everton just don't seem to have the resolve to stand firm when they have something to hold on to.

We seem to be dependent on Luton and Forest losing games but we all know Everton have to get a few wins.

Like everyone else, I will be glad when this shit season is over and we get to fight another day (hopefully).

But I'm not being greedy, just the one- or two-nil victory will do for me.

Young will appear on our right against his old club and hopefully Seamus will reclaim the right-back slot. If we avoid defeat, it would be a handy point and give the lads something positive to reflect on during their little break.

Hoping we nick a win 1-0..

I don't know the amount but it was for a bonus that was due to him in his contract.

As he left of his own choice, I don't believe we paid any compensation.

Furthermore, he would be easy to replace. We're still waiting and we will wait many more years before we see any striker anywhere near his standard playing for us.

We'll compete for 60 or 70 minutes and then the Man Utd goal will eventually come, soon to be followed by the killer second goal 5-10 minutes later.

Job done for them and more misery for us Blues.

I'll sleep through this one folks and just hope that other results go our way.

Tony, I think he had a case that Moshiri did not honor his side of the agreement which prompted the exit.

Man Utd could tighten up if we stay in long enough. After losing to Fulham, the crowd could get frustrated and the team doesn’t seem mentally tough. We could settle in a bit and be a problem after 20 minutes. That first 20 minutes will be a test.

If results conspire against us, we could be back in a relegation spot before our next game.

Needs to get his priorities right now at 34 and keep fit for the team that pays his wages.

Just saying.

If my confidence is eroded, I guess it must be for the players too. This is where it is down to the coach. Sean Dyche, inspire them and us!!

But some of the pessimism on this thread makes you wonder why 3000 supporters will bother tomorrow.

Well, they will, joined by countless others around the country and globe sat on the edge of their couches. Some behind them!

But I can't for the life of me understand what some people get from predicting shite and moaning on the live forum when it's still 0-0 after 40 minutes (I'm being generous -– some of the shit starts after 5 minutes).

I'm not a happy clapper by any means but why do people want me to join them in their doldrums?

Everton’s luck will change and those whom believe will see success tomorrow.

Man Utd are not in the best of form and Everton can cause the upset tomorrow.

UTFTs!

I doff my cap Danny, a real inspiration to those lucky enough to be able to get the game tomorrow.

I cannot say we will roll Utd over tomorrow, not with what I’ve witnessed these past 10 weeks, same formation, same 11 starting that’s fit, subs too late, same result, only I am basing my thoughts on what I have seen.

If being honest with my opinion makes me negative, I will take being negative on the chin.

0796 600 7546

dannyefc26@gmail.com

Brian, hopefully the blues cheer you up tomorrow. Like all of us regardless of opinion we are all part of the Everton family.

Dyche constantly rewards underperforming players by continuing to pick them after a defeat. I know he doesn’t have much to work with - we can all see that - but look at the performances of our wide players last week. They are both really struggling and that was magnified when you compare them against the 2 wide West Ham lads.

I’m not sure what Lewis Dobbin has to do to get a start.

I’m not sure what Jack Harrison has to do to get a blow.

Usual dull Old Trafford shit show will follow I reckon.
God I hope I’m wrong.
God we need a win.

This is something that I will never understand, although I lob grenades at the three baldies on the sidelines and individual players when it seems reasonable to do so. But - initials only - JB, BR, DA and the rest of the misery guts brigade (they have a new apprentice now, I see, DW, who really needs to work on articulation) seem to exist under an ever-present black pissy cloud.

How do they get any satisfaction from their incessant doom and gloom drumbeat, but they can't wait to pop on with a "told yer so". But they will run for the hills or toss off a one-liner if you ask them to provide something of substance to back up their vacuous generalisations. And Jeez they will push the boat if ever offering a little bit of "history" to jazz up their bleak pontificating. "We aint won there since. "; "not since [fill in the year] have we won there"; "we usually get beat by these", and invariably it's just wrong. JB is the Phil Foden of this.

United: set up in a way that ought to suit us; have a team that is a faint shadow of SAF's last season (and the one lad who was on fire is crocked); define the word "inconsistent"; have a knobhead between the sticks; change their defence sometimes on a weekly basis; do not like being frustrated and contained.

I'm realistic about our chances. We can beat them if we play well and they are not at their best. Let's face it if they turn up and play at their best we are in for a long afternoon, which is the case when we play any of the top 7-8 teams.

That's not to say we don't have a chance, stick with beto let him build some confidence and understanding with the rest of the team.

Early kick off maybe a plus for us, they might just expect an easy game, so if we on it from the start it may suprise them.

We are due a win, and a bit of luck, let's make our own luck with hard work and commitment.

This one ended Alone Walk Never. Jo (my wife) got really annoyed with me when I answered "OFF FUCK!!" Rather loudly…

If there are Evertonians on here who reckon it will be another defeat for us tomorrow (I include myself), then I think it's fair enough.

I can guarantee that I for one will be over the fucking moon if we win, but I just can not see how we can.

I'm sure the team will put in a shift but it will be the same story.

I'd rather walk alone. On hot burning coal barefoot.

Spirit. Forever.

Sorry. In the zone.

He's on loan and should be dropped for one of our lads now. If you're out of form you shouldn't be an automatic starter.

I'd rather Patterson played there. At least he can cross a ball with his right foot!

Phil, I'm also deeply concerned about Harrison and have come to see his selection from one week to the next as a sort of litmus paper test for Dyche.

Pickford
Coleman Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Doucouré Onana
Chermiti Calvert-Lewin Dobbin

Along with bringing back Calvert-Lewin, these for me are the only realistic changes from last week's team. We seem to have been undone by wonder goals against just recently. Let's hope our luck changes.

Best Wishes. It is important sometimes to look at life and even better to have the strength to make changes. You will be better for it.

Everton are the way they are and have been mismanaged through no fault of any of us.

Good Luck, Martin and look after yourself.

I want to see our Onana dictating play throughout and use this as his shop window. A one-nil to us and defend like our lives depended on it will do for me.

Here I go, dreaming again… but I live in hope. I have four sons who are Man Utd fanatics and for once I'd prefer to not hide behind the couch when they visit.

For once, I completely agree with Jerome... enjoy the "retirement".

You will be missed.

Churchill had it right: Never never never give up!

I remember when we scored and won about 4 games on the trot, with them coming from all departments. Basically the same group of players… headscratcher – nothing new there then!

“ At least he can cross a ball with his right foot!”.

For me. that is the number one reason Patterson should start instead of Harrison.

My second reason is we need someone to get up Fernandes's nose and put him off his game.

Pickford
Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko
Patterson, Onana, Garner, McNeil
Doucoure
Beto

Get the ball out wide and ping it into their box. Sooner or later, we are going to win a game. Why not this one?

Up the Blues!!!

Then, a wonder goal in the first few minutes which was like a stab to the heart! It all became overwhelming and Man Utd just pushed the ball about and took the steam out of the hype. Good tactics.

Despite that, we got back in the game and, though there were a couple more goals from them, I thought we didn't deserve to lose.

I've a good feeling in my urine for today — or is that my enlarged prostate beginning to give me jip?!

That said, I fully expect you to be back one day, and, despite our past skirmishes I look forward to that. If that is not to be, enjoy your retirement.

Foakes out, 113-6, what a knobhead Stokes looks now with his gung-ho cricket. Mind you, not as big a knobhead as mouthy Duckett.

I think we'll need to go for it today and hope for the best. Sitting back is just waiting to be picked off.

I've been really good, I'm not wearing anything remotely resembling red and I haven't had a ham shank in years…

I've done my bit – it's up to Dyche and the boys now. UTFT

Put Sean Dyhe on your list of misery guts people: he is reported in The Liverpool Echo today saying, “If any of the young lads at the Acadamy were good enough, I would have picked them.”

He singled out Branthwaite and Dobbin as being good enough.

I thought McKenzie Hunt was looking like a decent player but then got the shock of my life when I read he was already 22 years of age.

What are 22-year-olds doing still playing uncompetitive football? Or more to the point, how is anyone involved in trying to produce players for the first team actually allowing this?

Like it!

He sees the squad a lot more than we on here do and whether we agree with his choices and tactics or not, he is a professional, experienced Premier League manager who should, and almost certainly does, know much much more about this squad's capabilities and limitations than we do?

With respect, as I know you and Tony do now what your talking about, but I'd be worried if Dyche picked his team and tactics based on the thoughts of the well intentioned but ultimately unqualified majority of TWebbers, including my own 4-3-3 with Chermiti and Dobbin with Calvert-Lewin. In my head, it's worth a go – but it's never going to happen and would probably be disastrous if it did.

Hoping for some tactical change from Dyche, we have generally played reasonably well, but can't close a game out from a winning position.

Substitutes always left far too late, and not always the right ones, in the situation. We even played well against Man Utd at our place, but that early Worldie floored us, plus a twat of a referee. Beginning to think there are no decent and fair or unbiased referees at all!

I'd say he was correct as I was pointing out over one of the not so young players in a post yesterday and as Dave Williams said on-another post that he didn't envy Sean Dyche the job of selecting the team each week with the squad at his disposal.

I think we can get a result at Man Utd today provided we take the goal scoring chances on offer — that has been the difference in getting points or losing them, as most of us realise.