Everton vs Nottingham Forest

If you'd have asked me on Tuesday or Wednesday I would have been indifferent to it.

Now the dust has settled after that debacle on Monda, I'm more and only a tiny bit more optimistic.

The other part of me says 1 win in 15 and by god that stat makes me cringe. So I'm not getting my hopes up.

Let's be fair, Forest are no great shakes, but I said the same about Chelsea and we all know the outcome of that.

I'll go for a draw, but be over the moon with a win.

Forest will have the smell of fear and 3 points themselves. What worries me is they have some dangerous players capable of scoring, which we haven't!

Shit Creek we cleared 2 years ago… but this is now.

The pressure is on Everton, I think Forest will be less worried...
2-0 to Forest.

Pat also said, "Are we still in this?" :0)

This is it. This is the defining game.

The showdown at the OK Coral. Must win.

Say your prayers, kids, we lose this and it's curtains.

It's killing me that I'll be driving in Georgia back to Florida and have to watch on the phone, not able to be on the Live Forum. But that's honestly just personal, trivial things. We just have to win this game. Three points or we're in big, big trouble in my opinion.

The showdown at the OK Coral. The Alamo. Pick your thing, this is it.

The game against Forest is a mere precursor of things to come given that their incompetence will lead this summer to the loss of all of our competent players to the range of far better run clubs, namely everyone else.

Gana, Garner, and Gomes for a place in the team is the very least of the hideous problems inflicted on us by the two who've destroyed our viability and very existence.

What tactics can Dyche come up with now? Will it be Dycheball staying deep at Goodison with a lone striker, giving Forest dominant possession, which is dangerous, since they do have players that score? Or does he push up the pitch with a higher defensive line, after getting thoroughly taken apart for doing so by Chelsea?

His selections will be similar, like a bad habit – Young first on the team sheet. Gomes can look like a midfielder. Keane can't be risked at the back. Beto will start as I can't see Calvert-Lewin being up to it yet.

I think the game will be a goalless draw on paper, with us depending on other teams faltering to keep Everton out of the relegation zone. Need the run of the ball to do better. We really can't have any headless chicken players that's for sure. Everton to do okay somehow!

Put Monday night behind us, come out, fight, win your early battles and the right to play. And play with confidence.

The supporters will do their part if they see a reaction on the pitch.

As always, the Billy Smart's Circus off the pitch can wait. It's all about getting the result tomorrow.

I find a clarity that deserts me several hours later with sunrise, I daren't go out as my bad temper, bloodshot eyes and grumpy misdemeanour scare the heck out of the Sunday morning breakfast crew at Macca's!

Funny enough, after Burnley, I had a spring and a smile, until Masters and Co took another pound of flesh. It's been torture, nothing less... but I am getting a drop of scotch in because Winter's coming and it's cold at 2 am. Besides, if the game doesn't go well, I won't remember it.

Gomes only if paying at 10 instead of Doucouré. Garner will have to play wide right for this game.

I don't usually get into who should and shouldn't play as I do think whoever dons the shirt should play their guts out. However, I have to say Onana from my observation is totally useless.

He always passes the ball backwards or sideways very rarely looking to go forwards. He does not create space often close to a defender if not behind one. He strolls about looking the business but creativity is non-existent.

The other bloke I'd ditch is Pickford. His antics are not good for defenders. Constantly waving his arms and gobbing off and he makes more mistakes than any of them. His distribution has deteriorated, slicing the ball, going straight into touch or to the opposition. Virginia has an even temperament and is reassuring for defenders.

He actually said that. Speechless. There are no words.

It's horrible when professional dislike begins to seep into the personal. I don't like it.

He also said: "I try to speak in factual terms" and
"15 games ago I was the Messiah"… There are no words.

This summer coming is our most important ever and dumping Dyche is about the 4th or 5th ranking issue. But this embarrassment has to go whether we go down or he, erm, "saves" us.

If he doesn't start Gomes, drops Young, starts a fit Gana, drops or shifts Doucoure from the hole behind, all fingers ever so tightly crossed, Calvert-Lewin (and continues in the same vein), then the immovable frozen Dyche and the other two golf balls on the sidelines have to go as soon as possible in May, but they have to already.

I sympathise with your concern because no amount of analysis can calm the brains solving cycles regarding Everton. But as Evertonians, we have been here before and survived.

Dyche has to come up with something we can latch onto. For some reason, he does not connect with the terraces. There seems to be a feeling that events of the pitch are overwhelming.

At this stage, Evertonians would gladly have Moshiri sell Everton for two pigs, just to get clarity.and some type of starting point to go forward. I don't think any of us signed up for anything other than the football. Anything to get back to that.

Good Luck and best wishes, Christine.

Terry#16

I agree with your midfield and use of Gomes. Why he would play Young is difficult to fathom. Onana's play is for a functioning tactical midfield, which your selection gives a chance., He is lost when Dyche dicks about with that.

The team that doesn't score plays the team that never fails to concede. Looks like a fixture with draw written all over it.

You would pray that it couldn't be worse than Monday and Everton have a dazzling ability to defy expectation. More Brighton than Chelsea would be best…

Very strong rhetoric.

I struggle to remember the last time we actually played well? Maybe the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in early February? We are overdue a good performance. Hopefully the Chelsea result will have sparked a reaction.

Selection and tactics wise I’m not expecting huge change and to be fair the options are limited. I’d like to see Garner tried at right back but it will likely be Godfrey or Young, two pretty poor options as one offers nothing at all on the ball and the other can be a liability in defence.

I’ve defended Onana countlessy but he’s been very poor recently. Gueye will hopefully offer some consistency in the middle and where the hell is the Doucoure who looked so dangerous before Christmas?! Danjuma when fit can be dangerous so I hope he’s up for it.

Most of the players are playing beneath themselves at the moment. Whether that is due to fatigue, nerves, confidence or disharmony I don’t know but Dyche needs to sort it.

Win tomorrow and we’re four points clear of Forest with superior goal difference and them having only 4 games left. Make it happen. COYB

Heart says Wood plunders in a double.

I think Onana knows he is leaving in the summer and wants to avoid injury before the Euros.

Then he needs to speak to Tarkowski about his positioning in the back line which seems to have been all over the place for the last few weeks and I wonder if that doesn't have something to do with who we've had playing right back in the last 6 or more weeks.

I'd still start Onana in midfield as "only passing backward and sideways" probably has more to do with his team mates' positioning. Then Gomes for his ability to hold the ball and spot a pass and Gana for his defensive qualities although I'm not sure he has any others.

Up front it's a choice between DC-L and Beto and whichever play Danjuma off him for his pace.

This then leaves the two problem positions of right back and midfield. I'd rather that Young is not considered but seems to do no wrong in Dyche's view, the alternative appearing Godfrey who has not been outstanding, but who has, or chance Garner. In this formation is there any other option if Coleman and Patterson are injured. I'd probably put Doucoure on the bench which leaves us with McNeil, Harrison for the final spot or do we have any youngsters possessed of skill or outstanding pace or just ask Godfrey to buzz around for an hour(can't believe I just said that).

I'm not over confident that I'm any where near the actual choice as with those I suggest be dropped, there won't be any room on the bench for a second elderly keeper.

I was trying to come up with an English-based equivalent of the Alamo or Rorke's Drift.

My first thought was Hastings, but we lost that in time added on and then my mind strayed to Harold's victory prior to Hastings but that was Stamford Bridge.

Best forget the military analogies!

The enjoyment has gone out of the game – it's just a business now, not the game I have watched and loved for over 60 years.

I think Rorkes Drift was one of ours, Zulu? But perhaps with the hoofball we play, Agincourt.

Maybe a visit to the Garden of Gethsemene, will alter his perception there !

Admittedly we did go on a decent run without playing scintillating football, but picking up points. Now basically the same players, give or take, look like rank hammer-chewers, there must be some psychological factors involved here, or they don't care as much as we do !

It's impossible to predict what's going to happen, but one things for sure, another poor display and Forest have enough to take all 3 points.

So I'm hearing Dyche, and have an expectation that we will set up not to lose, hoping to grab a goal from a set piece.
A fine line between snatching a narrow win, or giving up 3 points right at the end in 90+ minutes.

Reality is telling me that, if we are still in the game with 10 minutes to go, then we may get a point. That's based on the last 15 games… I really hope I'm shocked by a comfortable win and Forest being poor on the day. UTFT!

Surely after the 6-0 hammering, professional pride will kick in and the players will start to realise the mess they have got us in and start playing with pride.

There's a very outspoken interview with Sean Dyche in the Echo.

I'm only seeing his press-conference blather and nothing that would constitute an interview with "very strong rhetoric".

Can you provide a link or just copy and paste the headline, please. Unless you are being cunningly sarcastic about the Echo's lousy coverage and the utter monotony of Dyche's drivel???

In which case... nice one. Hook, line and sinker!

Stating the obvious, we need to win the midfield battle. We need to play 4-5-1 – our usual 4 in the midfield will get overrun and we don't want that at home.

Pickford
Young Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Onana Doucouré Gana McNeil
Calvert-Lewin

I don't care how ugly it is, we need to control the game and nick a win.

I'm assuming this is the Dyche interview. He's telling the players that he won't be the fall guy, like all the other managers have been. Though, to me, it sounds like he's talking to the fans as well:

"Is it now just a cycle that the club is in? Every year you want a new manager, you get a new manager, you get a bounce then 6 months later it's: ‘Boo! We want him out!' and you just keep doing that? Is that where we are at?"

It's been painful watching what should have been a comfortable position erode over the weeks and months since December, but, in Dyche's own words, this team doesn't know how to win.

We must win on Sunday. None of this heroic going down fighting shit. Luton will beat us at theirs – we need 3 points Sunday – nil satis nisi less than that! UTFT

But if they bag one early, then it will be a real test of nerves. And you'd expect us to be found wanting.

Not expecting to enjoy this at all. Win, and it's probably a big sigh of relief. Lose and it will be a sigh of resignation.

I'd love to call it do or die. But this lot won't see it that way. Steadily unimpressive is the mantra from the top.

I glanced through that story but I didn't think it could qualify as an interview — just random crap from the pre-match presser. Another annoying Echo trait that they think is 'journalism'.

I've read all the posts.

Some have us down for defeat.

I can't have that. We go into tomorrow expecting a win. And then we take them on Wednesday. Send Klopp off on his last derby with his nervous Jack Nicholson the Shining smile.

Don't be beaten before a ball is kicked.

I agree with you regarding the Echo.Dyche has got some things wrong.Nearly every Everton Manager in the run in has publicly come out with something a kin to the Echos

random crap.I doubt any of them would have personalised it so.But I do think it is built into the walls of Finch Farm a attitude that is not helpful at this time of year regarding motivation.Whilst the Chelsea game was,a tactical debacle by Dyche some players were not blameless and I not blaming young Onana.So has been the situation at this stage of the season been at Everton for as long as I can remember, where Everton have gone into reverse whereever they have been in the table.

I want a win here. If there wasn’t so much riding on the result, I’d say we would win, but…I hold no trust in these players.

I’m hoping for three things-
Premier League survival
No new contracts to those expiring at season end
Promotion of 5-6 youth players, ideally scousers, with hunger, desire and who actually give a shit about EFC

Dyche has only ever praised the fans.

Maybe he was referring to the 17 points that the league tried to take off us?

Have you ever thought that these deductions have an impact on the whole club, fans, players, manager and owner? Even the rest of the league!

Nuno has already stated in the press, the deduction is playing on the players minds!

We have had more points and gone through this twice in the same season. The players and manager aren't robots.

We are continually being kicked whilst down. Dyche isn't perfect but he certainly knows the fans are behind the club.

It's not us fans who are beaten before a ball is kicked in the derby, it's the players.

I can't remember the last time we won a home derby… must've been the Cahill and Arteta game and my god how embarrassing is that?

Our players don't play the game – they play the name.

The funny thing is we are playing them at a good time irrespective of the Fulham result, because they look dead on their feet by all accounts.

No, it'll be the players that give them the push they need because that's Everton that, isn't it?

But I'll bring my boots, have a shave and fake my age!!

Rob, well put. His tactics may be questionable and we are still licking wounds from Monday evening,

But Dyche, to my knowledge, hasn't questioned the supporters.

Time for unity everyone, not division. I know it's hard to imagine, but I've seen worse as much as I've seen better.

We're shit. But I'm weirdly optimistic about tomorrow.

On corners leave one up top (Young). One up top for corners means they leave at least two back releasing a little pressure on the defence.

It is okay to play deep, but having one up top means no outlet having two means they leave back at least three defenders.

If you persist on playing two shit wingers let them alternate, give the defence something to think about.

We are so predictable every game, unfortunately I think we will also be that predictable this one around too. 😞😣

And I think we've seen enough of Beto now to know he's useless, so everything depends on DCL being fit to provide anything resembling a goal threat. (I'd play a wheelie bin ahead of Beto. At least it would get caught offside less and a shot might get deflected in off it)

Praying once again for the divine intervention of Alec Young to raise Everton from the dead and for a bus to run over the RS glove puppet Masters.

He is the only difference between the two teams.

Whoever goes into a football match, either as a player, manager or supporter believing you can't win?

I don't understand it.

I won't harp back to history and use a more recent example. Many didn't give us a chance against Brighton last season.

We battered them.

Time to stand up and fight.

Now is it the system that Dyche operates or just a team full of players who lack the ability to put the ball in the back of the net consistently.

You are correct though he is the man to watch and stop tomorrow.

It goes a lot further than just trust, imo mate. Look at the hush-money that has been paid out over the years to keep people quiet once they have left Everton. I think this might be what is stopping the sale of Everton Football Club to genuine reputable people. Once they start uncovering the cover-ups of the last 25 years, the best place for some people will actually be in the grave.

Tomorrow is a game of football between two teams who have both struggled this season. I think it's fair to say that this Everton team, would have been well clear of the relegation places if our club had been getting run by genuine professionals.

This mismanagement is coming back to bite us from a lot of different angles, right now, and it has helped create a lot of fear in the changing rooms, and this has now spread to the terraces.

Forest, have got one key player imo (Gibbs-White) and a couple of wingers, who blow hot and cold. A confident Everton team would have too much for Forest at Goodison Park so it's time for Dyche to pick a team that every other player knows they can trust to work and fight for each other tomorrow.

Play 4-5-1 (oh dear Ian Edwards, you can mention what Liverpool do all you like but the three front players you mentioned the other day would look ridiculous playing for Liverpool) work hard, close the space, and then look to break with pace because this will be the Forest tactics tomorrow.

Beto, Gomes, Harrison and the cheerleader, would start on the bench if I was in charge, and I would play Doucoure right, Danjuma left, and Garner, Gueye, with the very lucky McNeil, in a midfield triangle, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.

Danjuma would be my only worry because the other four midfielders will all run but he needs to play because he can do something a little bit different and god knows we need something a little bit different right now.

I used to queue up with my mates for ages before kick off. I think we only used to pay about £1.50 (my paper round money), but had to get there early to get our favourite spot on the lower Gwladys Street.

After that, my mother somehow managed to find money for a season ticket.

I could go back earlier as a real youngster, and I'm sure many have had the similar experience of being lifted over the turnstile, assisted by those charging at the gate to get in for free!!

Fighting for survival is pretty much all we have left, given we're up against the wall financially and one cannot change the mentality of a football club (the proper fans get it) overnight.

Needs a root and branch reset from the top down to clear out all the shite, the hangers on, the parasites etc etc, who use this club and it's amazing fans to fund their lifestyles. I don't want to see us drop through the leagues to force the issue but something needs to happen.

Forza Everton!

Forza - force and power in Italiano.

I hope the important fans, very important, are up for it as well. COYB.

Dyche will do his best with his negative outlook but it's time the players stepped up. The likes of Coleman and Tarkowski should lay down the law to everyone on the pitch. They should tell the likes of Onana, Harrison, McNeil and Pickford that it's 100% concentration and commitment required for the duration.

I've no faith in Dyche but the players should lock him and his spoofers out of the dressing room.

I think at the time the ground held more than 40,006 which was the official attendance.

Pickford
Coleman
Tarkowski
Branthwaite
Mykolenko
Garner
Onana
Gueye
McNeil
Gomes
Calvert-Lewin

God only knows what will transpire tomorrow but we absolutely can't afford to lose the game. If we recapture our pre-Christmas form, we will take all 3 points!

I remain a total atheist and he is deluded.

Lose this game at your peril, Mr Dyche. You won't be walking on water. You will be drowning in shit.

Probably not the best statement he could have made before a must-win game Sunday.

It seems that some or most of the squad are fed up and tired of his instructions with many waiting to jump ship.

11 guys should just go out and just give it their all. Play to their own strengths instead of being shoehorned into special and specific areas doing what he tells them to do which obviously they don't like or they can't do.

Sean has never been known as a master tactician and his hoofball style I doubt will keep us up. Football is meant to be played on grass and not in the stratosphere.

Hope we don't need binoculars again to watch this one.

I think our fate will be sealed by how many points Luton manage to put together, not Nottm Forest.

Of course a win would be a wonderful tonic for all us nerve-racked souls, a draw not the end of the world though.

We have to go to Luton, that's a bigger game than tomorrow's.

Whoever we play, we need goals, something we now seem incapable of doing; as we are, it's hard to fancy us to beat anyone.

Goodison needs to be a bearpit on Sunday. My head is saying don't expect too much; my heart is wishing for a scappy win.

Pickford
Coleman Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Gueye Onana Gomes
Garner Calvert-Lewin McNeil

To quote Monty Python, Dyche "is not the Messiah, he's just a very naughty boy!"

Free agent in the summer isn't he?

No FA involvement. A panel of four set up to discuss other matters surrounding leagues and a non-agenda question to the effect of, "Do you think scrapping FA Cup replays for clubs involved in Europe would assist them?" was met with murmurings of "Probably".

This then became the authorisation from the Football League (ie, all non Premier League clubs) to approve the removal. Much to their horror.

The reactions from managers like Pep and Arteta were telling. Like they knew way in advance that the fix was in.

Pickford
Mykolenko
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Young
McNeil
Gueye
Garner
Harrison
Beto

With Calvert-Lewin to come on to run the tiring defenders and Onana and Danjuma as reinforcements.

Spot on. When crooked kenwright slimed his way onto the board followed by his potless takeover, I was told by someone who knew him well that he was a wolf in sheeps clothing. That whilst handing you a fiver he was picking your pocket of the tenner inside.

He was wrong about our imminent decline however.

That took decades to mastermind.

As for Forest, their manager states that their players are in a fug due to the points deduction and lack of clarity.

The complete opposite of our players if you believe Mr Dyche on that one.

So theoretically this should be easy because we never choke.

My main concern is that we cannot score. We will miss about 3 glaring opportunities to kill off Forest.

Then they will counter. Our mainly non existent midfield (especially McNeil, Onana and Garner) will do the usual, fail to track opposition runners, one of whom will be unmarked six or seven yards out. One or all of those three will then throw their arms in the air as our net bulges from their first effort.

Old dogs new tricks. No way is Dyche changing the formation or tactics handed to him on the back of a fag pack, by a genial Sheepskin wearing geezer called Cluffy.

"Keep the same 11 always son. Making changes is a sign of weakness. Now with that priceless information, here's your £2 wages. Get to that bar and back in under a minute with a pint of best and whisky chaser".

Loads of us fans are angry and frustrated at the situation we are in. I hope the players are angry and frustrated as well and take it out on Forest tomorrow, Liverpool on Wednesday and Brentford when we play them.

Sack him or Back him? Surely that can wait until we finish this season, it will help if we support the team until then.

All we can do is get behind the team and manager, starting tomorrow.

I hope to enjoy your company.

I hadn't considered Danjumad inclusion, though I do think that Dyche will have to use all the available squad to get Everton over the line.Your midfield triage could work.

There is no doubt that what Dom said is true and is continuing to play out , but alot more could come out in the was regarding Kenwright &Co.

So hopefully he plays the most committed hungry 1st team players and the fittest players in this group first. In the 2nd half bring on the next most committed players on to replace anyone flagging - at the end like he always does. Forest don't have a great bench.

Maybe tactics will play some factor in this to win it, but desire will be a massive part to win this scrappy game.

So Garner and Gueye for me in the centre as they get stuck in and are proactive, if Onana is giving too chilled vibes. Bring him on in 2nd half when control is needed or the other two are flagging.

A lot goes on behind the scenes that we are never a party to, and we don't know the real reason for our poor performances of late. Lack of confidence, lack of direction etc. It would appear in many games that Dyche is as frustrated as we are, by his reactions on the side-lines, unless he's a good actor ! (aka Swan Douche) :-)

Aside from the impact of points deductions we are a club in turmoil with so much uncertainty hanging over the future.

We have players out of contract in a few weeks concerned about where they will be next season, on loan players who will be wondering where they go next and more than a few pondering whether or not they will be sold, and to whom, to help the club meet PSR rules. Very few will be feeling secure about their future.

We have nothing like their creative attacking options in Elanga, Reyna, Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White - which means it is so much harder for us to craft a goal from open play.

Even Branthwaite might not get in ahead of the impressive Murillo.

There isn't a perfect formation or set of tactics that can overcome this disparity in quality - especially in attack. The game is going to be difficult and will have to rely on us restricting the number of chances for Forest, while making the most of ours. But we will get chances because Forest are, like us, in horrible form and very patchy defensively.

Dyche and the fans will hopefully play their part in getting the team in positive mindset, because a good attitude, defensive concentration and hard work should see us to a win.

Criticism of Sean Dyche and the players at this critical juncture serves no useful purpose whatsoever.

6 points from the last 6 games should do it. If they can't manage that with 4 of those games at home then good riddance.

Take control Everton.

We can get 9 points without an appeal.

And a bonus against them.

Thanks to Danny and a few more for their realisation that moaning a day before the game doesn't help anyone even though I understand everyone's nerves are stretched.

Add to that an absent owner and a never-ending takeover saga, it's hardly surprising the squad looks bereft of confidence.

Up until the annual robbery at shithouse Tottenham, we'd played pretty decent stuff. Anger shouldn't be directed at our manager and coaching staff, who've done an unbelievable job under these circumstances, it should be at the Premier League and the club suits.

Everton Aren't We.

I have managed a couple of Sunday league football teams, and probably think I got more help than Dyche and his backroom team have had this season. But not everyone wants to give the manager any credit even though he's got the most difficult job in football.

As Dale says, in the words of Pat Kelly “just twat these”. We have been handed a boost by Brentford beating Luton but it will mean fuck all unless we win. Regardless of who plays or what instructions Dyche gives the players, just get the job done and win your duels.

For god's sake, just get it done before Christine turns into an alco or gets arrested for going nuts at her neighbours in the early hours. Stay sane, lass.

He kept Burnley in the prem for years, now he has probably the worst managers job in England, so if he keeps us up against the iddd, that too will be a win.

Honestly, people bashing Sean Dyche….have a fucking word with yerselves, fuck's sake.

UTFT

I would have a 3-5-2 with Calvert-Lewin and Danjuma up front instead of wide, that way he does not need to run back. He gives us something different and can beat a player in 1v1 situations.

Seize the moment, Everton

Finish on 33 pts. Luton would need 3 wins to get 34.

Win this game and it will turn the screw tighter on Luton and Forest.

But Masters may be planning some more shit tricks, so the aim is to get as many points and surety against any further points deductions.

Amazing how Everton have changed my thinking – when we lose, I'm not at all surprised; if we manage a win, I am surprised!

How far we have fallen!

We can't score from open play but at least we can control the game.

Dave, well said. Some people don't recognize the effect on the players and manager of 3 years of bad refereeing decisions, poor club management, selling our best players, and having a small weak squad – let alone the nonsense of PSR and the takeover pantomime.

If we can find a win (I know), not getting beat at Luton will probably see us safe.

Come on, Blues, win and let us relax a little.

A win tomorrow and we're pretty much there I think, I can't see Luton getting more than 6 points in the last 4, probably not even that (although Fulham will be on the beach last match when we play Arsenal who'll likely need to win to stay in title hunt).

TBH even a point vs Forest would be a decent result to steady the ship after the Chelsea debacle, but I would love it if we can secure all 3!

Time for the players to step up!! Dyche gets all the bashing but the players very little. It's a team effort.

I'm feeling strangely good about the game tomorrow – perhaps it's the wine speaking… ;)

Even with twists and turns, it is too much for Luton to survive. Burnley and Sheffield United are already relegated.

Even at the best of times without the ever-present turmoil, it was a big ask to make it work. The flashes of inspiration may have been few and far between this season, but the manager has stuck with his squad, the formation and even out-of-form players.

Our frustrations as we watch is due to the erratic ability of players to put it all together on the day and the manager's decisions in tweaking formations or dealing with injuries or form.

Confidence is paramount for the team, and the fans too. We have to believe we can do it and drive through adversity, poor form or baffling decisions. It's sodding hard to do so when things are being stacked against you by the Premier League and all of sundry. But the players and manager must do so, they are not to blame for points taken from us, it hurts them and us.

Through it all are the fans, fabulous, critical, head bangers and all, wannabe managers, we love the club, our pride immense matched only the sheer frustration of incompetence of ownership in team matters.

All of the above is today. The day we can lift ourselves up and pull each other out of the trench warfare that has been this season. No more "blue on blue" today – we stand together, from top to bottom. Our focus is to win. Our efforts all are with the manager, the players, the staff, the ball boys and each other.

Goodison Park. Its rafters have seen the very best the game can offer, in every wooden seat are etched the memories of those who inspired the greatest, Pele, Eusebio, The Golden Vision, little Alan Ball, white boots and all, the Spirit of the Blues, the noise, the tribal roar. She may be coming to the end of days but her proud heart still beats, her mighty roar inspires and our tears of pride will flow.

Once more to the breach dear friends, once more, so apt. Push all aside for today we stand together, the force of one. We have your back.

It was just one of many miserable performances this season although the scoreline was not expected.

Luton have once again given us the impetus to get something tomorrow and I think Forest are a much better team than Luton.

We need to have our minds put to rest for a change and any kind of win will suffice.

COYB

A comfortable win and 3 points to take us 5 points clear with superior goal difference and our relegation rivals struggling with only 4 games left.

How nice would it be to just relax a little?!

Paul the Esk has stated that, at the last Everton Shareholders Association meeting with the Club, it was revealed that the ex-Directors decided their own pay-off and that a decision has been taken to sell part of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

It seems that your predictions maybe already unravelling…

To watch MotD2 tomorrow night and not feel ill!!

I've a good feeling about tomorrow and think we will win but hey what do I know?

Once again Luton have done us a favour but surely we have to come to the party soon. Do us proud tomorrow please that's all I'm asking.

A defeat won't be the be-all and end-all but it'll feel like it.

Watching the match tomorrow with an Irish actor. Last time we watched Everton together was Bournemouth on final day last season so fingers crossed for a repeat (even though that match was far from relaxing).

We never got an imminent decline, Martin F, but it's definitely been very slow and even more painful, especially whenever we play Liverpool, and are reminded of our pathetic last 29 years, mate.

3-5-2, is one way of getting more players up towards the top end of the pitch, David, but it's not something I'd be starting with tomorrow because I'm not sure it suits Mykolenko and Garner to be playing wingbacks against a team that will probably play with two natural wingers.

Football, like life, is all about trust, so the quicker Everton Football Club can get rid of the enemy within, the better. Hopefully tomorrow will go a long way to sorting out our immediate future as a Premier League team and we might even go into the derby with a lot more confidence?

Dare to dream🤦‍♂️

Is the Premier League eating itself?

We got the tiniest of windows into the luvvy Garrick world.

Sam, you can't leave it as "an Irish actor".

Who the feck is it: Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy?

Are you meeting at the Club for Acts and Actors?

Spill the beans.

Did I ever tell you that I saw you in Breakfast at Tiffany's at the TR Haymarket?

Absolutely, Denis, we will win the deduction derby, but Forest will score.

Peter M: great to hear that people are flocking to still for me Rossett Park.

Two questions Peter:

Why is it called Rossett Park (I used to call it Road) and not College Road? It's on College Road not sleepy Rossett Road.

What was the fecking score?

Hope you're well mate.

You can rely on McNeill to try but he looked utterly drained at times against Chelsea. I'd be interested in Danjuma on the right and Harrison on the left (which I think he prefers).

Picking a side shouldn't have so many ‘ifs, buts and maybes' but we are still waiting for a team to emerge from whatever 11 have taken the pitch for the majority of the season.

So it's fingers crossed and ‘UTFT!'

What the hell has been going on and what the hell is going on now? Truly this is unbelievable. Moshiri appears to have had and still does not have control over anything.

Actually it is pretty unfathomable what is going on. The closest I can get as an explanation is 'the lunatics have taken over the asylum'.

Never mind, I looked it up. What a great season in Crosby. Well in, lads.

I know this club is an advert for how to mess up just about every facet of running a football club but somehow, we are still alive. We have been incredibly lucky with results again last night. We must win tomorrow.

Teeth gritted.

Up the Blues!!!

This game is, again as the last 2 years with Palace and Bournemouth, the game in my opinion. I will literally kill my wife and myself if I try to drive while watching.

I don't have a good feeling about this game. We've been awful lately, we're rudderless, and we can't score.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's the fans that will push this team on life support over the line.

Every single person going to the game – give it everything you have. I'll be watching from a tiny home on Lake Sinclair, Georgia, in "Bubba Land".

I caught over 20 fish today. Surely that's a positive omen??

UTFT!

We need to win 2 games and this will be one of them.

Rorke’s Drift, Agincourt, Palace and Bournemouth - read Dave A’s great post @ 78 and let’s get the Goodison Roar going.

I'll be up at 5.30 am Vegas time to watch proceedings.

Ps...it's firkin boiling here.

It is not only the severance pay-outs to Directors. I would query the absurd remuneration that Everton directors are getting.

https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/1926596/standings/c

But it won't last because I refuse to have red shite in my team.

I am sure today that Jarrad, Jordan and Co will get me a clean sheet - hmmmm - for a few more points, but more than anything else, just win, please. Give us something to smile about and let us let go a sigh of real relief.

2-1

I'm going to do all I can not to have any updates as to how the match is going so it doesn't ruin my day if things aren't going well…

Last time I did that was two years ago and we beat Chelsea!

Dave, 5 days in Vegas is too long for me. I can only take about 2 or 3. It's too much.But you enjoy.

I'm not a gambler, but on on my first trip, I went to the poker table with $100. At one point, I was down to $10. I recovered and got back to $110. That was it for me!!!

On my last visit, I seriously jarred my lower back and spent the next 3 weeks of a trip across the States walking like I had a fire rod stuffed up the proverbial and not able to sleep on a bed. I had to forward fold myself over a chair.

I know this isn't related to Everton, but some light humour ahead of today.

I hope you get a win, both in Vegas and at Goodison.

I've got every confidence that the players will be right up for it and will get the 3 points.

And yes, I am very nervous. COYB.

Sorry to hear your knee is still playing up, but also hope you can get some Golf in.

I won't spoil it for you, but may relay the good news (if any) after 90 minutes!

I am hoping I will be able to report on Tuesday night that, for the second season running, the Blues were knocked out of the Liverpool Senior Cup by the eventual winners as their conquerors, Marine, take on City of Liverpool in the final at College Road/Rossett Park.

For now, two matches for the boys this morning then straight to Goodison. Up the Toffees.

The FA have looked into this and are likely to respond with a further points deduction to Everton. Seems about right!

The Premier League isn't eating itself, Peter, it's getting stronger every single year. The greed of the beast kills everything eventually though, and now football has become such a saturated television sport, sustaining it will definitely be the hardest part, imo.

The Forest manager's game plan is to frustrate and silence the crowd, that's in our hands, let's keep Goodison rocking and lift the mood.

Peter (148), You are a very lucky man, I envy you going to watch Charlie and Sam, watching Marine yesterday and again on Tuesday, pure bliss.

I hope your grandsons have wins today, is one of them games a cup final? Marine win the cup on Tuesday to add to Everton's win today and you will have had a brilliant few days.

Why does Dyche persist with this cowardly clown?

A simplistic approach I know but following on from Lyndon's missive I think Hamlet Act III, scene 1 is more appropriate: we have been suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune for too long...

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

COYB

We have to roll our sleeves up (well the team does) and even grind out results if need be, on our own merits, limited as they are, over the next 6 matches.

COYB 💙💙👍

Oh, also got the winner in injury time, which the crowd absolutely loved as he's come through their academy.

If we're looking for a decent young left midfielder, he probably won't cost that much — assuming Cardiff would actually sell.

I know it has no effect but I will still be screaming instructions to the players for the whole game, I just want the season to be over and us to be safe.

I think we are fortunate that the bottom 3 in the Premier League are so poor that, even with our points deductions, we are still above the relegation zone. Today could be a very big day in achieving safety but, to do that, we will have to play an awful lot better than we have of late.

I hear some fans say the crowd were a bit quiet today, I just think that's brought on because we all know relegation would put this club in a perilous position and the fear of that when the team aren't creating a lot is I think the crowd go quiet at times.

Should we hopefully survive being relegated, this club needs root and branch reform but, from what I have read of our potential new owners, they don't seem the sort to want to tackle that important task.

Nottm Forest are set up as an attacking team and, if Dyche plays a defensive set up, they will truly hurt us; we have to show a bit more adventure today and play with 2 front men and 1 behind them.

5 across the back and 2 in the middle — anything less will give us problems. COYB's

"Please not Pickford! He'll give away one or more goals. Why does Dyche persist with this cowardly clown?"

Anyone going to bite?

Luton winning 2 of their last 4, and one of those is against us? Like I say, we win one and they'll really have their work cut out to finish above us.

That said, can we win a game? It's felt massively unlikely of late and I reckon today will be another nervy affair – we must score first, or we're goosed.

Forest haven't won many games since the turn of the year, but the big difference is they score goals and we don't. Interestingly we have the same goal difference (–16) but they've scored 10 more than us and conceded 10 more than us so it could be tight.

Can we actually manage a goal from open play? I still have very little faith we can, but hope springs eternal. Player availability, and not using Ashley Young from the start, will help.

Very worried for our once great club. COYB's

It'll be more of 4 midfielders 5 yards ahead of 4 defenders.

If we don't play attacking football we'll lose this against a current midfield & striker who have 27 goals between them.

They've scored 10 more than us, this is what Dyche will be looking at rather than the fact that they've also conceded 10 more.

I'm trying to look at the positives. We've conceded less than Villa, Spurs & Newcastle. We know our defence is good so why not use that as a confidence boost and push on a bit more?

Surely our forwards are better than Sheffield Utd's?

Sounded good until you mentioned 'pace', unfortunately Everton don't do ' pace' so he won't be coming to us.

Play like we did before Christmas and we win.

Expectations are at an all time low on the forum!

Onana will find it more difficult to hide and Doucouré will help stop their midfielders running through us.

What can possibly go wrong?

We won 1-0 at their ground earlier in the season with mostly the same group of players.

And we can get something Wednesday night under the lights. Why not?

Be brave Everton.