Recent Reader Comments

• The reason Cox, probably sings the praises of Dick Bate, is because if I had to take a guess then it’s probable that the man was a real innovator.Mike Bate, was behind the group who started the National School of Excellence in the mid eighties, taking young kids away from home to board in Lilleshall, and learn the beautiful game. This was seen as very innovative but looking in front the outside, because I possibly refused the chance to go, then although the first bit was innovative, I’m not sure about the rest because the coaching seemed very methodical, (when I close my eyes and think about the players they produced) and my own view is that if you really want to improve young footballers, you have got to coach them right?...
  Tony Abrahams in Absolutely criminal penalty shoot-out from Everton
• "unreal" no, Jim, not even potent, in those earlier games. But those 3 players in a settled line up make us a much better team than weve seen since Afcom and KDH' injury. I fully agree that even our best 11 is not going to threaten the top 6 places but then surely none of us imagined that so soon? I DO believe our best 11 can qualify for Europe and we can attract better players on the back of that. As I've said before, the new stadium is a massive game changer for us, European qualification would boost that. I also believe our current best eleven will NOT be our best eleven this time next season. A whole new back four (Branthwaite and O'brien included) at least one pacy winger who can cross the ball (I don't think Jack will be with us beyond this season, nor am I sure he is the answer if we want to change - and I'm worried NDiaye will move on to "bigger and better") and, of course, a striker who can beat a stationary keeper from 12 yards at least. For the record - I do...
  Mark Murphy in Everton’s promising season is starting to unravel
• Paul/Stu, I hazard a guess that Ben White and Donyell Marlens would make a massive difference to this squad for the remainder of the season. ...
  Steve Brown in A Year of Moyes Mark II, but is it stagnating?
• "Steve, it wasn't Everton fan discontent that saw off our old board, it was the new ownership." Great piece of revisionism, Mike. The previous board were never able to attend a match again after their defamation of the fans before the Soton game. At that point, the club effectively stopped having an functioning executive leadership team - they exited the building. The fans did that, and also saved the club by their fanatical commitment to supporting the team through successive relegation battles. TFG should count themselves very lucky that they were able to step into that situation and take advantage of it. I think that you lack a full understanding of the ethos and personality of the club you support. And you definitely do not understand David Moyes if you think he has not been vocal with the ownership about the need for reinforcements. His despondent shrug of the shoulders and repeatedly muttering "unlikely" tells its own story of his interactions with Kinnear and t...
  Steve Brown in A Year of Moyes Mark II, but is it stagnating?
• I've read all the posts above. I agree with some, disagree with some. I remember the Colchester game but the semi final tie that was next up I still believe is a game that defined Everton for the next 15 years to a sustained period of failure and disappointment. We are a mid table team from 10th to 14th, we are no better than this. It is however progress from the last 5 years of constant struggle near the bottom. Injuries, suspensions etc are all part of football and have to be accomodated and dealt with as the season progresses. AFCON didnt just happen from November, it was known about for months so complaints about missing those two players are not a viable excuse from the club. The most distressing aspect of the good ship Everton is that despite the above and complaints about a threadbare squad and the quality of players used as replacements, there is a deathly silence on potential transfers. The ridiculous penalty efforts by Barry and Beto must surely set alarm bells ...
  Ray Jacques in Everton’s promising season is starting to unravel
• Mark We struggled in many games they've appeared in though right? How about the West Ham home game? The Spurs and Newcastle home games when we barely created anything? All I'm saying is we haven't exactly looked unreal even with them fully firing....
  Jim Bennings in Everton’s promising season is starting to unravel