Diminishing options on the listing ship Everton?

The interim appointment of Unsworth may have seemed sound at the outset but Everton's worsening plight will surely force the Board to act quickly now

Lyndon Lloyd 27/11/2017 172comments  |  Jump to last
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

It's five weeks since Ronald Koeman was dismissed as Everton manager and the club is gearing up for one of the most important few days in its recent history with no permanent successor in sight. It's a situation that wouldn't feel quite as desperate and badly managed if, in the interim, the Blues' fortunes hadn't taken a significant downward turn with two awful results in the space of a few days.

As last Thursday's 5-1 hamming by Atlanta has been followed by a horrible 4-1 reverse at a Southampton team who, prior to yesterday, had only managed 10 goals all season, Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright have been accused of overseeing a farcical managerial search.

There's a case for arguing that such an assessment is overly harsh, however, and it's largely to do with the limited pool of available managers from which to choose.

The plan, as it appears to have been, was a fairly simple and understandable one. Thanks to massive failings on the recruitment front — failings he was at the very least party to if not responsible for to an unknown degree — Everton were unravelling under Koeman and, after the defeats to Lyon and Arsenal, his position had become untenable.

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As a measure of appeasing the supporters and warding off rising discontent, toxic atmospheres and protests at Goodison Park, the decision was taken by the Board to relieve the Dutchman of his position. Few were in disagreement.

Not unreasonably, it was felt perhaps that replacing what some reported as Koeman's arrogant air with the sunnier and more positive disposition of David Unsworth could reap some short-term dividends. At the very best, the rising head coach of the Under-23s set-up might spark a revival in the team's form and maybe even make a compelling case for making the big Everton job his own, even if only until the end of the season; at worst, he could at least buy the hierarchy time to land their top managerial target elsewhere. Ultimately, the rot had set in deeper than the inexperienced 'Rhino" probably expected.

In the interim, however, having successfully prised Koeman away from Southampton last year with a tempting salary and compensation for his employers, Moshiri might have been confident that the same model could land him his first-choice pick this time around. Unfortunately, Everton's major shareholder has discovered that having a large check-book and a big project to sell to would-be managers isn't enough.

The overly long chase for Gylfi Sigurdsson over the summer was, ultimately, about throwing down enough money; where Watford and Marco Silva were concerned, it was more complicated than that, largely because the season was already in full swing and, just 12 games in, the Portuguese was making a rather good fist of things at Vicarage Road.

Indeed, though his Hornets side are the only scalp successfully taken by Unsworth since he assumed the helm, Silva has surely only intensified Moshiri's longing for his talents since with back-to-back wins that have solidified Watford's position in the top 9. Short of giving the Hertfordshire club a wedge they simply couldn't refuse or persuading Silva to put everything on the line by resigning — he risks a legal fight over his contract and potentially being put on garden leave — that avenue now seems to be closed, though.

Apart from reports of an approach for Sam Allardyce, have the club actually approached anyone else? If not, is that evidence of heel dragging, incompetence, a reported split at Boardroom level over what type of candidate to pursue, or simply a reflection of just how few viable candidates there are? Again, it's hard not to have some sympathy for the dilemma. Fans and pundits alike have been screaming “sort it out” but whom exactly do you hire? The massive stakes mean it's incumbent on the Board to find an answer to that question and quickly.

Carlo Ancelotti — does the urbane Italian oenophile's image and penchant for jobs at the biggest clubs in European football really jive with a years-long project building a team in the grittier environs of Goodison Park and the English northwest (granted, he would no doubt retreat to the leafy milieu of Cheshire like his new charges, but you get the picture)?

Thomas Tuchel — the “football hipster's” choice whose quirky ethos might provide a foil for his equally unconventional compatriot across the Stanley Park but he is patiently waiting on the call from Bayern Munich and his credentials when it comes to dragging Premier League teams away from a relegation dog-fight are precisely zero.

Sean Dyche — increasingly the obvious choice for Everton as heavy defeat begets heavy defeat but he was one of the less appealing options at the outset and the Board probably shouldn't be criticised for aiming higher than the relatively untried boss of a provincial Premier League club with modest aspirations and a functional squad. Now? He's an attractive option if only to fix a defence featuring a badly under-performing Michael Keane!

A relative unknown in the vein of a Silva, Pochettino, Puel or Pellegrino? Surely the scope for risk has been dramatically narrowed now.

Martin O'Neill, Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew… all would have been lumped in with Allardyce in a pot of undesirables when Koeman was sacked but of the lot only Fat Sam is regarded as the kind of “fixer” who could reliably come in and stabilise the club. There are no guarantees, of course, and this Everton team will be a test for even the most no-nonsense of bosses.

Ultimately, if the worsening results do force the club into hiring someone as unpalatable as Allardyce — a man fired in disgrace by England for corruption and as un-Everton a personality as any manager out there — it will stand as a damning indictment of the criminal negligence that left the team without left-back, centre-back and striking cover, not to mention the questionable acquisitions of some of the club's most expensive signings over the past year.

Evertonians can but hope that it if they are required to lower their sights in this way, it would be a short-ish-term appointment but beggars can't be choosers. A few good results would radically alter the picture for the Blues and lessen the panic around an imminent relegation battle – are there nerves of steel in the Blues' boardroom? – but when it's unclear where the next win is coming from, sometimes what appears to be the safest option is the best one.

Whatever the original strategy was, whether by deliberate planning or blind faith, Moshiri and the Board have run out of wiggle room. Good grief…how did it come to this?

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Reader Comments (172)

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Amit Vithlani
1 Posted 27/11/2017 at 06:38:00
When Ronald Koeman was sacked, a properly run football club would have done one of two things:

1. Have a replacement lined up. It is not as if Koeman's sacking was unexpected. It had been coming following a series of capitulations.

2. If a replacement was lined up but not immediately available - for example negotiations would have taken x or y weeks to complete, then give the caretaker manager a clear mandate of 10 or 15 games to take charge. If Unsworth was on the short list, why the fuck give him a game to game mandate to audition for the role? How can he truly stamp his authority if the players know that 2-3 defeats and he is on his bike? Either way Unsworth needed a set period of time to stabilise the ship after Koeman's departure.

As for Walsh, words fail me. I have no comprehension of what he has achieved. The catatrophic transfer policy of the club is well documented.

You would have also thought that one of the things a DoF would bring is stability in between the hiring and firing of Head Coaches. As Walsh clearly has no role to play in this, he is only a glorified Scout. We know he did not have control over transfers. He has not proven adept at scouting either. If he was a proper scout whose judgement was respected, we would not have bought Sandro Ramirez or Davy Klaassen. Meanwhile, Ishak Belfodil - a complete no mark he proposed acquiring, which Koeman rejected, is now floundering in the Bundesliga. We dodged one bullet there atleast.

The leadership of this club is rotten to its core and we are seeing the full extent of the appalling set up in play.

Throw in a spineless squad populated by the likes of Mirallas and Schneiderlin, who have not shown anything remotely resembling a team ethic this season, and we are seeing the complete disintergation of a proud club in record time.

Stewart Lowe
2 Posted 27/11/2017 at 07:34:07
The longer we don't get a manager in, the less unlikely our board are to go out and buy what the new manager thinks we need, and have time to bed then into his own system. Come in guys, we should already have a manager in there, with contracts for all the players we need ready to be signed on January 1st.
Denver Daniels
3 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:22:49
I agree, Lyndon. We've waited too long. And the only sensible option now is a short term fixer. Someone to right the ship till the end of the season.

We can get a "project" manager in for the new season.

We've ballsed it up no doubt. Time for Moshiri to take his medicine and do the right thing.

I just hope he wasn't bullshitting when he said we were close to hiring someone a few days back.

Iain Love
4 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:31:49
If you look at things from a perspective manager's point of view, who are you working for – Bill or Farad? Off-putting to say the least.
Rick Tarleton
5 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:37:49
Dyche, Wagner, Hughton, they all look increasingly attractive. It is obvious that our proactive Board had no plan when they were forced into sacking the incompetent and self-serving Koeman. Tuchel, Ancelotti, Simeone were fantastic names, but did they ever see themselves managing Everton, a great name, but no real status in modern European football?

Where did these names come from? Were they merely a smokescreen to confuse the gullible faithful into believing that we were really a big club with grand aspirations.

To be honest, I doubt if any English manager with any self-respect, would allow himself to take the job. After five weeks, they would feel they were never the first choice and possibly if they have future ambition in football, they may feel that taking over Koeman's mess could only damage their reputation and career prospects.

We are in a large hole and the Board keeps digging. Bill , the actor, may want Rooney as player manager, Moshiri may want Simeone, in reality we've got Unsworth. God help us.

Andy Walker
6 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:40:27
We were going for Allardyce and if a large proportion of fans hadn't reacted as they did to him (he's not good enough for us) and the stupid Board hadn't listened to them, we'd have him.

That ship has sailed now, so we are looking at lesser managers. Pulis, Pardew, O'Neill. We've really blown it and will suffer as a consequence.

Michael Mcloughlin
7 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:41:34
I can't see an appointment coming in the next week. But I do see Everton making a grovelling approach to Sam Allardyce. To be honest the club at the moment needs someone of that ilk. The whole team is all at sea without a rudder to guide them through these turbulent waters. I'm afraid Unsworth isn't that man much as it saddens me. But some steel needs to be applied to the team as they are without any in any quarter.

I have my doubts as to Moshiri has the necessary acumen to run a Premier League football club. To leave the team floundering for so long following the sacking of Koeman is at best negligent.

Looking at the team I don't see how any manager can change things. The rot has definitely set in and we are missing the types of player to pull us out of it. Losing Barry was massive for me, as he would have had the experience and leadership on the field to put the team back in line. I honestly don't see a way out of this before the transfer window opens. Gloomy horizons ahead

Mike Hughes
8 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:43:09
The words and phrases used here are interesting when applied to some of the less heralded managers:

“Less appealing”
“Unpalatable”

But to those “hipster” types (whatever that means) I would add the word “inappropriate”.

Those supposedly superior managers would not be a good fit for EFC 2017 / 2018. Or for the next couple of seasons i'd suggest.

The candidate search should be narrowed down to someone used to a blood, snot and elbows approach. A pair of titanium testicles would also help.

I'd offer Allardyce or similar a 3-year contract today.

Ernie Baywood
9 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:47:04
I'd argue that we've more chance of playing our way out of trouble with a few January signings than trying to suddenly turn this team into Dogs of War.

We're about 11 players short of having enough starters for the Dogs of War option.

What an absolute shambles.

Derek Thomas
10 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:50:47
Nerves of steel, Lyndon? We have the TInman, the Cowardly Lion and the Scare Crow in charge... all waiting for the arrival of our new Wizard of Ev to pull them from the clutches of the Wicked Witch of Relegation.

Everton, aka, Leeds in slow motion; seems these days it cost £140M to push a Fast Forward button.

Rick Tarleton
11 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:51:33
Dogs of War? Schneiderlin? Klaassen? Sigurdsson? They are not even Yorkshire terriers.
Dennis Stevens
12 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:57:59
We don't have the players for Allardyce / Pulis, in fact: we don't have the players!
Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:58:12
When Alladyce was suggested, ToffeeWeb did a poll of whether he should be the man to rescue us, only a fifth of fans wanted him, if we went for him now I suggest a lot more fans would agree today that Sam is the best bet.
John Keating
14 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:59:20
We should have given Allardyce the job until the end of the season bloody weeks ago but apparently we were too good for him and his like.

We were happy to give Koeman £6 million a year so I'd grovel back to Sam with a £3 million offer to the end of the season and a £1 million bonus if we stay up – which even for Sam will be doubtful.

He is the one who would give us the best chance of staying up and that is the ONLY thing that matters now.

Please do not go anywhere near the foreign managers you've mentioned.

The only short term foreign manager that might have a chance with our clowns is Gus Hiddinck but would he want his name tarnished at his age?

Michael Lynch
15 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:00:21
There's still a lot of games to play this season. We're not adrift at the bottom, we're a couple of lucky wins away from the top half. The main problem, as I see it, is that the manager – whoever he may be – has very little opportunity to lick the squad into shape until January.

We have two games a week (at least) until the end of the year so, with recovery days thrown in, there is hardly any time for drilling and coaching. We have long-term and short-term injuries to key players, and a massively unbalaced squad. In hindsight, we should have given Unsworth til the transfer window at least.

We should probably still do that, take the heat out of the search which seems to be going horribly wrong at the moment. In January, we need to buy a few Championship style gnarly defenders who can kick the fuck out of everything that moves, shore up the defence, and try to pinch whatever points we can.

Richard Lyons
16 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:01:07
I've been an Everton fan for over 50 years (thanks, Dad & Uncle Phil!), and I have never felt so negative about the club as I do now. 1994 was low and 1997 almost as bad.

I think the difference between now and then is that things got really bad later in the season in both those years. At the time Kendall resigned in December 1993 (?) and Royle in March 1997, we were not considered relegation candidates (unless my memory is deceiving me), and we had at least built up a fairly solid cushion to enable us to survive the dreadful runs of form which followed.

This season, the rot had already set in before the start. I like to think of myself as a glass-half-full kind of person, but right now I'm really struggling to find a single remotely positive aspect to our situation.

God I'm depressed...

Andy Walker
17 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:09:00
We’ve now got Unsworth openly criticising the players in the media. That will not help, but Unsworth knows he’s not the man for the future, so he doesn’t have the motivation to discipline himself and take all the heat. Easier from his own personal perspective to point the finger at the players.

Get him out before he does more damage.

Ian Burns
18 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:09:14
Each day I read the posts on TW, follow the threads even though I don't often post myself – only occasionally. Today I find myself reading Lyndon's article which is like reading my own mind, bemused; confused; even angry but certainly the most depressed I have been as a Blue for 60 years (the days prior to the Wimbledon game apart). To whom do we turn next?

Whoever it is, he knows he's not the first choice, not even a unanimous choice of the board if reports are correct. How will that lift the players' confidence?

Silva's boat has sailed – Dyche, Wagner– even old red Rafa himself, who knows? What a mess.

Andy Walker
19 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:12:01
Dave 13, yup. We as a fan base got it so wrong 2weeka ago (and the Board listened) but HMS Allardyce has now sailed and we're left with 3 men in a boat, Pulis, O'Neill and Pardew. We reap what we sow.
James Byrne
20 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:22:02
Michael (15).

You raise a vital point when you mention bringing in a defensive structure to the current team in January. I don't personally think we've got that long!

I can't for the life of me understand what Unsworth now and Koeman in his latter days were thinking of with this team as regards to team selection and a game plan. Surely the most fundamental thing to do is to stop conceding goals. We need either Rooney or Calvert-Lewin up front alone with the rest of the team in a defensive role. I don't even care if we keep 10 players in our own half for the whole game. Just stop conceding goals FFS.

This one course of action will slowly bring back some confidence and help us build on something. The team is shot of any ideas and certainly confidence. If we can get the next 3 or 4 games ending in 0.0 we'd be getting somewhere. Going out to play football with this current team is fucking suicidal.

Mark McDonald
21 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:22:33
Yeah, well said Michael Lynch, I could not agree more.

If the players especially the senior players, need to step up and be counted then we, as fans, need to do the same and stay positive, I know it is hard at the moment but we cannot keep resorting to negative comments. Someone needs to get behind the club/players. Is that not what your fans are for? I know we all complain about this or that player or the manager's substitutions etc but it is not all doom and gloom yet. We may be a mess in the boardroom, at Finch Farm and on the park but we still have 25 games to go and as Michael says with a couple of lucky/scrappy wins we move into the top half of the table.

The Top 6 is already sorted with Burnley and Watford fighting for 7th and 8th. As for the rest of the league, well pick any three from the rest for relegation and I include us in that but I feel it is not ready to push the "panic button" just yet and appoint someone like Allardyce.

I commented last week that I do not want Allardyce and still stand by my comments just because we lost 1-5 and 4-1 in our last two games.

Jerome Shields
22 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:26:20
I was unimpressed with a Koeman's performance last seasons and his failure to address the weak areas of the team, I also think it was obvious that key players had a problem with him, which spilled over into the media. His failings had been previously well documents.

The decision to employ himself seemed to be based on watching football highlights on TV and the assertions of pundits. This is the process that has continued in the recruitment of the new players. Walsh didn't check the job description before he took his role and now finds the only word on it was anonymous.

The recruitment of Rooney was the turning point when it was obvious that the ambition to become a top 4 club was not a serious objective.

It has been apparent for sometime that the best transfer targets don't see Everton as a suitable destination and good existing players want away. What we are left with is the off loaded remains of clubs, and agents with over the hill players, who see the opportunity to cash in on our new wealth.

Koeman who was a tactical and management nobody in really, has damaged the club by exacerbating these weaknesses. There are little bases of the Everton backbone for the tradition Evertonian Management type, Unsworth, to work with, such has been Koeman's legacy.

The watching highlights and pundit advice process has continued into are search for a new manager and the main contenders are the ones who see the opportunity of big contracts, in which they will gain off even if we are relegated.

The Jim White, with his stupid yellow tie, role shows us that the damage has reached epidemic levels. The only good thing that has happened is that Koeman has gone. This was a good start. Now we need someone on the board who knows something about football and actually watches full games in the rain.


Eddie Dunn
23 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:30:37
For those above who are saying we should have offered it to Allardyce till the end of the season- it has been reported many times that Allardyce wanted a three year deal on £9m per year and wanted to bring in a whole bunch of staff.

Everton had wanted him just till the end of the season. Whether these facts are exactly what was offered doesn't matter- the basic idea was that we rejected him and he didn't want the short term deal.

Just because he has been good at keeping teams up doesn't mean he would do it again. Koeman was rightly sacked, but events have caught our board on the hop and now we are looking at an ever more desperate scenario.

We just need a name manager in ,on a 2-year deal with the authority to tell the players what to do. Unsworth has been sold down the river.

Dennis Stevens
24 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:36:49
I'm not sure any of the usual old lags are the answer, either for this season or beyond. I'd still rather see an appointment based on hope rather than desperation, although I do appreciate that the longer it takes the Board to move the Club forward from the current sense of nothingness, the more desperate things will feel.

Ridiculous as it maybe to be talking about actually winning matches at the moment, it should be noted that a win yesterday would have seen Everton up to the heady heights of tenth. The important point here being that, as bad as things undoubtedly are, we are not adrift - clearly we are at risk of the drop , but so are about half of that League - we are somewhere in the middle of that mini-league of relegation candidates, imo.

Unfortunately, however, we are currently the worst performing of them all & I can't see that changing in a hurry, although a bit of leadership from the Board by way of a decision may help. At the moment, the empty, soulless, spineless displays on the field of play are a mirror image of the same level of performance in the Board-room.

Charlie Lloyd
25 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:48:21
Mark @ 21

I applaud your positivity but let's talk reality.

The fans will always grumble when results aren't good but it's the manner of the performances. Confidence can be low, I accept that but I can't accept highly paid professionals playing as they are. Their failings are well documented. Not saying Davies, Kenny or Calvert-Lewin are playing well but I do see a willingness in them to at least have a go. It's the senior pros that are really letting the club and the fans down.

That debacle yesterday was totally unacceptable. The fans have a right to voice disapproval for that performance (never mind the several others recently).

Craig Walker
26 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:55:37
Goodison needs to be like a bear pit in the next two home matches. It's only when it is like this, that we have any chance of winning. Unfortunately, the players are incapable of getting us off our seats. We absolutely need to get points at Goodison because we are less than useless away from home and have been for quite some time.

I'd like to apologise for ever moaning on these pages about Moyes, Martinez, Barkley, Lukaku. It really is a case of being careful what you wish for. In fact, I'd like to apologise for ever criticising the likes of Hibbert, Osman and Kilbane. Quite frankly, I'd take any of those in this Everton team at the minute. I'd even take a Phil Neville type at the minute. There have been some dark days but this is the nadir for me. Do you know what the worst thing is?

We have a lot of players who think they are good footballers but are either past it or have never had it: Schneiderlin, Mirallas, Williams, Calvert-Lewin, Baines, in fact just about all of 'em. Why, oh why, are the first two in the starting XI when they were sent home from training recently? They should have been made to sleep out at Goodison with the U23s to get some grounding and get their feet back on the ground.

John Keating
27 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:00:36
Eddie

Allardyce, quite rightly, started playing a bit hard ball when the Club started talking about all these fancy foreign managers. Had we acted immediately after Koeman was sacked then more than likely Allardyce would have come on a short term deal, probably similar to Moyes at West Ham.

Money talks in this game and given the right deal and a bit of humble pie maybe Allardyce would reconsider. Though let's be honest had Allardyce came in the day Koeman left we might be in the same situation as today, who knows.

However, getting someone in like Allardyce would have at least given us a fighting chance. In a perfect world Allardyce would never have been mentioned for the job but just look where we are today.

Beggars cannot be choosers

Dale Rose
28 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:01:25
I've tried to remain optimistic during the last few months and hope things would somehow fall into place. This hasn't happened and the game yesterday was probably one of the most appalling games I've ever seen. Siggy's goal I thought might have been the catalyst to start something, but not to be. We made Southampton look good yesterday, because they have struggled like us.

I don't know where we go from here, it needs an independent eye to look at things and come up with a solution. The players are there.However we have been missing some key ones, Coleman and Barkley in particular, and Funes. Sometimes when situations like this come along, you have to raise the drawbridge and take stock. I would have loved to see Unsworth succeed, but sadly he hasn't. He was left a bucket of the brown stuff by Koeman, morale was shot, and we were a rudderless ship.

The situation will improve, but it will cost money, a lot of money. We need a clear out, sadly the defense is poor, they give of their best but age is against them. We had a good little defender in the shape of Galloway, where is he?, Kenny seems to be covering for everyone. All credit to the lad, he is starting to do a good job and step up. If we stop leaking goals things will improve.

Midfield should be our strongest place, but is nowhere near. Schneirdelin, wasn't got rid of by Man Utd for nothing. He hasn't come close. Siggy, is too inconsistent. Klaassen I haven't seen enough of to offer any judgement. Rooney, should dictate the midfield but seems to fall in and out of favour. Up front Mirallas just not doing it, Calvert Lewin, on his own too much to be effective. Vlasic, is not being played enough. Lookman a lot of potential should be used more. Beni, why aren't we using him?. Sandro, where is he?.

A team is about consistency but we are being consistently crap. We need to pick a hardcore squad, and get them playing as a team. This isn't happening and needs to, this isn't the time for personalities, its the time to dig ourselves out of this hole, because at Christmas it will be too late. I look at the fixtures and look to see where the points may come from, and its a famine out there.

Unsworth has done a great job with the Under-23s and I hope he goes back there. Its not his time yet.

The board, I don't know. I don't doubt the passion they have for the club, but this is a cut throat business, and Mr Moshiri, is a cut throat business man. You don't make that kind of money through being stupid. Bill Kenwright is a good man, but its time to step down, he could be a club ambassador a job I'm sure he would relish, and be very good at.

The next four weeks, are going to be the difference between the last game in May, teetering on the edge or the start of a revival.

Jonathan Tasker
29 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:02:27
The Watford match was Kevin Brock in reverse.

Just try to get Allardyce in. Avoiding relegation is all that counts. If we can't appoint a full time manager, get Royle in instead of Unsworth.

Paul Kennedy
30 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:02:44
A lot of things have become apparent over the last few weeks. Unsworth is not the answer so many thought; he's great at U23 level but not Premier League. He appeared shell-shocked, blaming the board, the club, senior players etc.

Jonjoe Kenny again is not the solution in defence. Removing Williams underlies how poor Keane has become this season. Tom in midfield – headless chicken comes to mind.

We really are in the worst place I have ever known in my life time and I have supported them since the early 60s... very very upsetting. (Do you think the club will refund the money I have spent on Sky subscription this year?)

Tony Everan
31 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:15:57
I feel like locking myself in a sensory deprivation chamber until June.

How has it come to this? We were close to finalising the manager appointment on Friday. It's all gone quiet again.

More disagreements, more prevarication.

At the moment I bet they can't decide whether to have chocolate bourbons or custard creams at board meetings.

Act! For gods sake, for the good of our club.

Lose to West Ham and we are in the relegation quick sand.

Ian Hollingworth
32 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:32:29
It tickles me how we respond to some of the managerial candidates.
We act like we are above them. Time to wake up guys the football world does not see us as a big club. We have not won a trophy for 22 years. We are currently in deep shit.

We need a reality check or we can just carry on with the Kenwright model and leave it all in the hands of Evertonians.

Jay Griffiths
33 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:33:29
Got a day off work after yesterday's debacle so TW it is.

Mark #21 using the words 'if' and 'lucky' is what we're posting our hopes on then we may as well use a bingo machine. You know, uber arbitrary. You're positive approach is laudable mate but I need a little more certainty.

The nay-sayers to a 'fixer' in my opinion, are hurting our club. When Wellington defeated Napoleon we enlisted the aid of Blucher and his Prussians to do the job. Germans effectively.

For WW1 we had a entente cordial with the French. Same again WW2.

Sometimes these compromises have to be made to win the war. Call these allies what you wish, mercenaries, fixers, frontliners.

I care little about the moral compass at this point. We need to make a pact.

Steve Cotton
34 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:39:49
I would consider offering a couple of 'out of contract' players deals until the end of the season.

In particular a centre half, a left back and a tall no nonsense forward. If we wait until Jan it may be too late.

You might say that if they are 'out of contract' then then cant be any good! well just for the record the 11 we currently put on the field have exactly the same problem.

Michael Farrelly
35 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:45:05
This is my darkest most depressing hour as a lifelong Toffee supporter, anyone know what subscription I need to organise so as a I can watch them go around in the Championship from Australia next season!
Dennis Stevens
36 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:46:32
A good point, Steve. However, surely Walsh would have been exploring those options right from the moment the transfer window closed & were there any suitable candidates they'd be here by now. It's not like Everton are the sort of Club to allow these situations to drift along aimlessly with no effective plan as to how to address our shortcomings, is it? erm
John Charles
37 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:47:25
What exactly has Allardyce done to be so highly regarded. Stopped teams being relegated? So has Pulis. Both play negative boring football.

I don't know who the manager should be and if all we are aiming for is survival get Fat Sam or Pulis in but don't be surprised or moan about the turgid football on offer. Both make Moyes look like Guardiola.

Michael Farrelly
38 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:48:32
I needed fucking trauma counselling after sitting through the Southampton game this morning, apart from the slim glimmer of hope that the very fortunate Siggy goal offered, it was rank fucking ordinary.
Michael Farrelly
39 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:49:33
If you offered me 0-5 in the derby I would bite your hand off now!
Dennis Stevens
40 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:49:43
Too right, John – and don't be surprised if we still go down a season or two after they've left with their barrow loads of cash!
Tony Everan
41 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:50:01
Jay, additionally to a manager who can fix it, we need to deploy all our resources as a club to stabilise and keep us up.

We need the fixer, whoever that may be, and we need to get behind him for this season, come what may.

We need Moshiri to spend whatever it takes to get the players in than we so desperately need.

You're right, It is a war, a relegation battle. We must do whatever it takes to get us out of this hole.

Then, and only then can we look forward, with lessons learned.

Dennis Stevens
42 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:51:38
Au contraire, Michael! Don't you see the trend of the last two matches? If we only lose the next match 1-3, I'm putting a fiver on us to win the derby 1-0!
Colin Malone
43 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:53:54
Unsworth has lost the dressing room – no-one can argue with that. Until a manager is brought in, Joe Royle should be put in charge immediately.
Tony Everan
44 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:54:50
Does anyone know who we were “close to appointing” on Friday?
Are we still negotiating with the same man?
Michael Farrelly
45 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:57:26
I'm shitting myself thinking of what Salah and Mane will do to us .oh wait Williams and Jags will sort them two out!
Michael Farrelly
46 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:59:31
Tony, I have it on good authority it will be Ange Postecoglou.
Jay Griffiths
47 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:03:49
John #37, not all we aim for mate, just short term, pragmatic regrouping.

Allardyce is not highly regarded as a football man but when it comes to stabilising then he does have a track record. I still feel the nay-sayers are hurting our club.

At the ground yesterday the fear from players and fans alike was palpable. I want that fear to go away.

Michael Farrelly
48 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:05:25
Is Otto Rehhagel still alive? We need him big time. Greece won the Euros with him. I can see the similarities with our squad of run-down never-wasers.
Mike Hughes
49 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:09:08
Silva and O'Neill now at 2/1.
(Ange Postecoglou is 66/1).

But who knows?

Disjointed thinking from a dithering and fragmented board could lead to anyone showing up.

Russell Brand would not surprise me at this point.

Tony Abrahams
50 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:10:55
Tony @44, has Jim White, ever been told or said anything that has came true? If we are waiting I fear AVB, simply because he’s got a cup final to play before he leaves his Chinese team, whereas everyone else is available until they turn us down?
Colin Glassar
51 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:11:04
Martin O'Neill is now expected to stay with Ireland. Like I said a few days ago, we will end up putting an ad in the papers. How lower can we fall under these crooks and clowns who supposedly run the club?
John McGimpsey
52 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:11:32
Strange the way we as fans seem to sing to the same song sheet but no-one has mentioned Blue Bill and his millions. It's always Moshiri who has to dig deep, buy this, and yet the charlatan who has never put a bean in is passed over.

We contribute by paying for tickets etc, through thick and thick, yet this snake gets a free ride. Start the protests again, fly the plane with the banner... I'm expecting slaps from the luvvies now.

Tony Everan
53 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:16:20
I hope Moshiri and Kenwright are putting everything else on hold.

Everton needs 100% attention at the moment.

They need to get into the nuclear bunker and lock themselves in until it is sorted.

Eddie Dunn
54 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:18:12
John Keating,

If Allardyce came now, I would be happy, ditto, O'Neil (either one!), or Pullis. I would prefer Dyche to all of them and ideally would go for Silva, but essentially we need a manager.

Offer a 2 year deal and if next season we want someone else, we can afford to pay off the incumbent and get in another. There is so much dosh sloshing around from the TV deal that we just have to pay.

The delay suggests that the board are split. Is it a power struggle. A penny for thoughts of the very pensive Rooney marooned on the bench at St Mary's.

Lawrence Green
55 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:20:16
It's the fans fault all over again is it? Most said that Allardyce was not the manager they wanted to see in the Everton dressing room and I agree with them, it's not snobbery or thinking that Everton FC are too big for him or any of the other reasons put forward, it's because he's an odious man who has been shown to be greedy and self-centred and if it had have been a straight choice between him and Moyes I would have chosen Moyes ahead of him and Moyes has long been crossed off my Christmas card list.

Pulis who has a similar philosophy to Allardyce is a possiblity but will the backs to the wall mentality work with this group of players, probably not.

I just hope whichever manager Everton / Moshiri decides to give the job too, they are capable of inspiring and cajoling performances from the players.

Without the players being fully focussed and willing to do the hard graft as well as display their footballing ability we as a club are doomed no matter who gets the job.

Terry Underwood
56 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:20:29
IMO, we need somebody who doesn't know the club and doesn't give a flying fuck for tradition or the "Everton way" I was very against Fat Sam, but have come around. He has been a survivor and as a no nonsense centre back by trade will know how to coach our defence.

A short-term (till the end of the season) contract, may just save us and give some time to line up a suitable replacement. Nobody is too good to go down, the question is, are we good enough to stay up?

Dennis Stevens
57 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:23:23
Ange Postecoglou? I wouldn't put it past our Board to appoint a Liverpool supporter!
Jon Withey
58 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:31:08
Relegation seems quite likely at the moment – poor recruitment and the Europa League have done for us.

I think long-term we might want to think about a manager who can bring us back from the Championship should that happen – so maybe Dyche isn't such a bad option.

Or if that really is unthinkable then I don't see much beyond Allardyce if Silva isn't available.

Regardless, right now we need a manager and a decent coaching team.

Nicholas Ryan
59 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:36:38
The thought of Sam Allardyce makes me cringe; however, the evidence, and history, suggests, that he is THE man for a crisis. He is also a canny bugger, so he has said NO to a part-season contract.

We have 2 options; first, give him a 3-year contract, where both sides know he's going to be sacked at the end of this season [but we'll have to pay the compensation]. Second, offer him a contract to the end of the season, with a £1m bonus if we stay up. Unpalatable, I know; but needs must

Keith Johnson
60 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:36:59
This is unbelievable. West Ham and West Brom took 4 days to appoint manager and we are still waiting after 32 days – what the hell is the board waiting for!!!! Maybe Everton to become a Championship team when we get relegated?

At the moment, we are playing like a team that would be more at home playing in non-league football.

Colin Glassar
61 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:37:45
Tony 53, I would hope the same but one is a tax dodger who lives in Monaco and the other is an incompetent fool who has run the club into the ground over the last twenty years. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Sean Randles
62 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:43:56
Seems the marketing department monitor social media to give feedback to the board on what the fans think. Think its fine to do that when we are debating things like the club crest but not when we are discussing the manager.

Allardyce had a 75% negative rating with the fans and that put paid to his appointment because they were afraid of what the fans might think. One of the reasons Koeman was fired because he had lost the fans. Frankly, fans normally live in a world of fantasy and don't see the bigger commercial picture.

We cannot afford to get relegated so the board must bring the right person in to keep us up .The fans shouldn't be listened to when it comes to managerial appointments.

The board should be strong enough to make its own decision. That's the priority – and if that means Allardyce, Pulis or O'Neill, so be it.

Colin Glassar
63 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:48:20
Everyone keeps harping on about Big Sam and Pulis being our possible saviours as they've never been relegated well, this is Everton. We are the duck breaking club par excellence.

If a team is on a losing streak they'll beat Everton, if a players has had an extended goal drought he'll score against Everton, if a manager has never won a midweek game he'll beat Everton on a Tuesday night etc...

So go ahead, appoint one of them and see us get relegated.

Bobby Mallon
64 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:50:39
We should have given Sam Allardyce the 2½ years he wanted and let him bring in all his own back room staff and got rid of all the Everton connections.

Farhad Moshiri should take full control (it fucking baffles me as to why he won't) and get rid of Kenwright and all his cronies. We will go down if this is not sorted soon.

Kev Johnson
65 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:55:09
It's a shambles from boardroom to pitch side. Make no mistake – we are not too big to go down. My mate, who is a Sunderland fan, says you are worse than us. Didn't know whether to laugh or fucking cry...
Kevin Turner
66 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:04:03
Where do these rumours come from ? Fat Sam asking for £9m a year and a 3-year contract? Cheeky bastard.

I'm amazed at how some of the posters on here are like Brexiteers now wanting to change their mind now the shit has hit the fan and are countenancing Fat Sam or Tony "Twat In The Hat" Pulis.

I've supported the club for 55 years and I'd rather be in the Championship than have either of those two impostors.

Iain Johnston
67 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:07:12
Montella just sacked by AC Milan.

Give it an hour and Jim White will be telling us that Skybet have him as 4/5 odds on favourite.

Gary Grant
68 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:14:50
I'd take Dyche all day long now. Allowing for the fact that when relegated, his then Burnley team were the weakest on paper in the Prem, his track record is one of success everywhere he has been. Players clearly like and play for him. Plus he'd jump at the chance of a move – he knows he's gone as far as he can with Burnley.

Yes, he's no fancy name like Tuchel or Silva but I'm not sure fans realise just how close to relegation this team is looking. Now is not a time to be fantasising over names we clearly won't get (and Lyndon explains neatly why we won't get them). We just need someone competent to keep us up and relieve the hopeless Unsworth of a role he's utterly out of his depth in. Yes, I wouldn't want the fraudster Allardyce either, but saying things like "we are Everton, we shouldn't be appointing the likes of Pulis"? Well, put it this way, if we're near the bottom of the Championship this time next year, Pulis would turn us down.

The priority right now is staying up, and then we can have pipe dreams about top European coaches once the club isn't an utter basket case and is semi-attractive to a decent manager again.

John Keating
69 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:20:22
So Colin just as I mentioned on another thread.

If you were getting into money trouble would you wait until the bailiffs come in before you reacted?

If your missus was lying ill on the floor you wouldn't let the guy next door treat her because he'd been struck off a year before?

Sorry, Colin, whilst supporters think that we are too good as a Club – a Club that's been run by charlatans for 20 years by the way – to employ the likes of Allardyce, Pulis etc on a short term deal to TRY and prevent us going down then we really are fucked.

But hey, not to worry let's bring in one of your fancy managers. By the way, who do you want here? Then we can stick to our Everton Ways and Principles when we're at Barnsley next season.

John Keating
70 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:34:01
Doesn't matter how long anyone has been supporting the Club, though just to make a point well over 55 years in my case, the fact is I cannot believe any right minded, sane, rational supporter would rather see us in the Championship than employ a so called shite manager, Allardyce and Pullis were named. Fucking ridiculous.

To all these supporters who are quite happy to stick to so-called "principles" forget the money involved dropping out the Premier League, look at what you're going to do walking around town, going for a bevvy and the stick we will never escape from, never live down, the embarrassment. What about the kids and the grandkids at school?

Fuck the money and the "principles" – the only thing that matters is keeping out the relegation dogfight that we are in and if that means a double act of Allardyce and Pulis then so be it.

Kevin Turner
71 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:39:27
John (70) the point I was making is there must be other options than those two shysters. It's part of our DNA that we are better than the rest. A clue lies in our motto. Money before principles eh? Each to his own.
Peter Murray
72 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:39:51
I just cannot understand, how anyone cannot comprehend that "our" team is just not bothered!!! Can you imagine a Cantona, Barton, Gerrard etc accepting defeats like our gang of so-called "players"??

Weekly they are just laughing all the way to the bank, with totally no worry or character, on how much harm they are enforcing on hardened, desperate supporters. When you consider our luck against Watford – penalty etc & all round "performance" – luck does not begin to explain it. Regardless of what manager we get, Unsworth definitely deserves better, heart, endeavour, not just turning up!!!

West Ham on Wednesday just the tip of the iceberg; surely our European journey was a clue. We could not organise a piss-up in a brewery??

COYB – PLEASE - APPEAR AS COLLECTIVELY YOU GIVE A DAM!!!

Colin Glassar
73 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:40:00
John, right now I would probably accept any of that bunch if they could guarantee us premier league survival (sad but true) but like I said, this being Everton they would probably experience relegation for the first time.
Mike Hughes
74 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:44:18
Well said, John.

For someone above to express a preference for relegation over appointing Allardyce / Pulis has to rank as one of the most fuck-witted comments ever on TW.

(I think it is a prankster / someone having a bad Monday because I honestly think relegation would be a one-way trip for EFC.)

John Keating
75 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:51:42
Kevin what good has our "DNA" gotten us over the last 20 years? In fact there's an argument that it's actually held us back.

The situation we are presently in and the form we are in, you tell me in your opinion, who is realistically available to give us as good a chance of survival than the 2 you mentioned?

Our principles – what actually are they by the way as we've been managed by mass lawnmower buyers based in the Virgin Islands for years – haven't been an issue before.

Principles in football exist in the eyes only of the supporters. As you say each to his own.

Me personally, unlike you, would rather employ Allardyce or Pulis in order to save my grandkids going to school every day and talking about how we just failed to beat Rotherham.

Colin Glassar
76 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:55:54
I understand the nervousness of some wanting a Big Sam or Pulis to save us from our board’s incompetence but hasn’t Pulis just been sacked because his team was nosediving down the league whilst playing horrible football? Surely this disqualifies him.
Antony Matthews
77 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:57:24
Iain (#67). I noticed that too. Italians are well organised defensively so maybe he could enter the equation.
Ray Jacques
78 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:59:39
Relegation would be a disaster. We would be stuck with the shite, lazy bastards on the pitch who got us relegated as they are on Premier league wages and wouldn't move. The Sky money would be less, shirt sales, club profile, attendances down etc etc.

We would be turned over by Championship teams as they would all raise their game to play us, and we would still have the same shirkers on the pitch.

Just appoint a fuckin manager, this is a farce. I don't care who it is to be honest anymore but we need to do something and act. The board have had 5 weeks to sort this (not including the sounding out they should have undertaken of candidates before sacking Koeman) so surely any appointment now should be well considered as its not as if they haven't had the time to think about it. Smacks of a rumpus in the boardroom.

Avoiding relegation is all that matters this season, there is no getting away from that.

Alan McGuffog
79 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:11:46
Ray totally spot on. Their are still people on here who see us as a major force that can pick and choose highly thought of managers. Very good chance of our being relegated and if so we will NOT bounce back quickly.
Oliver Brunel
80 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:14:46
Ray (#78) I honestly believe these players would bottle it in the Championship; they are physically and mentally weak. I will be honest and say I don't know which Manager would be suitable, I really don't. It is such a depressing mess. Unsworth was given no chance.

The next Manager must be given a remit to choose the team without interference, to identify replacements and purge the old guard. Mosh needs to act and rid the club of all hangers on and sack all the existing training staff. If the players are not fit at this level-its dereliction.

John McFarlane [Snr]
81 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:24:58
Hi John [70] you are absolutely right in saying that the length of support is of no significance, [in my case 69 years] and I share the concerns of every fan young or old.

There are names being put forward, some more attractive than others, it's just as well that my opinion carries no weight, because the Board of Directors will make the decision, and we can only hope that it's the right one for the Club.

I have learned over the years that there is no guarantee that any player or manager, can reproduce any success he may have enjoyed at his previous club. I have always believed that any such appointment could be the best or worst thing, to happen to Everton FC.

We all have our preferences, but unfortunately some of us will be disappointed, no matter who gets the nod. One thing the new Manager, [whoever he may be] will get from me, and I hope every fair minded Evertonian is full support.

In closing may I say, that I experienced the despair of relegation in 1951, [as a 13 year old boy] and I don't wish to see that happen to my 13 year old Grandson, I feel that we must get behind the team on Wednesday night, and hope for better days.

Roy Noon
82 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:42:45
This time, or thereabouts, last season we were pretty awful. The emergence of Tom Davies, improved form of Ross Barkley and the goals of Lukaku saved our season. The point I am making, surely the Board must have thought, "maybe Koeman isn't that good"? It must have at least caused some concern?

So, to this season. I get the impression that we are more disjointed as a club than I can ever recall. Moshiri, for all his business acumen, seems to have little football nous. This first became apparent, with the nonsense he spouted to Jim White after the failed Sissoko bid. So what does Kenwright do now?

I must admit, irrespective of his over enthusiastic theatric gushings over all things EFC, I like Bill, and after the Johnson debacle he saved our club. However, I get the feeling that any managerial or even transfer decision has to be approved by our major shareholder. Perhaps this is why, a once well run club, now appears to be in a rudderless mess.

As for messrs Elstone and Walsh, particularly with regard to the latter, I am left scratching my head. No balance or adequate cover in the squad. A clear lack of due diligence with regard to over priced, inadequate players. What exactly does Walsh do? And while i'm at it, what exactly has happened to Ross Barkley?... hamstring problem?? Yehhhh rightttt.

So where do we go from here. Manager appointment is imminent, so says Moshiri? Does anyone really accept that statement as factual??? I wish he would keep his gob shut until he has something concrete and certain to report, and tell his TalkSport buddy Jim to sling his hook until further notice.

My only hope now, is that Sean Dyche is appointed before Wednesday, though Burnley wont let him go without a fight. At least we will have a straightforward no nonsense character who will organise, motivate and show some commitment and kick the arses of those who don't.

What an unholy mess we are in.

Jim Lloyd
83 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:43:13
If our Board have been waiting to take a sounding from the fans before a) acting to sack Koeman and b) to choose (or not choose) a manager, then I think we are likely, no, very likely to carry on with this nosedive into relegation candidates.

There is no case whatsoever saying that it was a tad harsh of fans blaming the board for the indecision, inaction for over a month in getting in a manager. Some fans, probably many fans have looked on in despair as one disaster after another is leading us into a pit we'll find extremely hard to get out of.

We are in the process of building a stadium on the Liverpool waterfront and it is only one part of a massive massive development. It is silly to argue that the stadium can be put back until EFC are ready to start building. That will put back the whole development and yet again, we will have seen our chances of a fabulous future, go down the pan.

That's how important it is, let alone our proud history and the chance that our football future will look extremely murky if we get relegated. I cannot believe that this Board will have taken even the faintest risk that we will get relegated

But there before us "in front of our very eyes" as Arthur Askey once said, we are left rudderless, with a team/squad with only the dregs of morale left and having to massive games at home, this week.

Someone said, "if we win these two games then we'll be in the top half" Well, if's have never won tiddly boo! If I was rich, I'd be going to Greece for my holidays. As it is, it's a good job I like New Brighton!

That will be two more games closer to the drop and still no sign yet of a manager!

Just for the record, I've been going to Goodison since 60 something years, it was in the late fifties and we looked to be heading for downstairs then until we got Bobby Collins and began to improve.

That doesn't make me a better Blue than any else but I'd be mortified if, because of inaction, we find ourselves in danger of the drop.

Ever since it became apparent that we had not had the foresight to plan for another manager to take Koeman's place, I've thought that, Unsworth with Joe Royle advising, could take over in the short term but that we needed a manager in and preferably, before the international break.

I thought then, and still do, that the man best able to keep us up, was Sam Alladyce. I also thought, and still do, that if not him, the Sean Dyche would be a good choice.

The roars of outrage, offended dignity, and downright moral outrage that I've seen on ToffeeWeb, make me wonder if there are those who would rather see us relegated than take a decision to keep us up.

To me, we need a manager who already knows who can fill the positions we are disastrously weak in and would go and get them on the first day of the January window.

We need a whole back line, we need two midfielders who can fight, cajole, encourage their team mates and will run all day long for any so called lost cause. We need at least one centre forward who has a reasonable record of scoring regularly in the Premier League and we need a left winger who can supply crosses for the C/F all day long; and every one that we recruit would, I hope, be one right snarling, in your face, fighter.

I think Allardyce or Dyche will have a top knowledge of the players who can do a job for the positions mentioned and can also organise a team based on the ability within it. Our number one priority , I hope, is to avoid relegation.

So Allardyce or Dyche seem to me to offer us the best chance of staying up.

And get one or the other in pretty bloody quick.

Paul Birmingham
84 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:46:57
Usual schtum from the boardroom at Goodison Park whilst the perma-rot eats away the heart and soul of this club, which is the supporters.

If and when this fiasco is resolved, the better... After all these years of suffering the lack of concern and respect for the club and the supporters, by the board, raises serious doubts about their being...

For me salvaging survival this season and staying up, is more important than Bramley-Moore Dock and a new stadium. If they don't act soon, no doubt this plan will be scuttled too.


John Keating
85 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:47:11
John,

you are spot on. There is no guarantee that any manager can get us out of our present situation. We just hope they can.

I never thought that when Catterick came in we'd go on and produce such a fantastic team in 63, or Kendall would come up with the mid 80's team. However, like so many things in life you look at a problem and do something that you think is right to correct or achieve.

Right now this Club and team are in dire straights. Some people refuse to accept it and believe it'll kind of sort itself out. In my opinion and experience that just won't happen. A new manager, whoever it might be, is a lottery but we must reduce the risks as much as we can and, in my opinion, these foreign managers being mentioned, in our present circumstances are too high a risk.

In an ideal world Allardyce would never get mentioned but sometimes needs must. I can't remember when we went down in 51 and can't imagine what it would have been like but those days our friendly neighbours weren't exactly setting the place alight.

Can you imagine what it would be like nowadays? It would be bad enough for us but what about the Grandkids. I've read some posters on here saying relegation would be a good thing to clear out all the dross, start afresh and come straight back up etc etc as if we would. I can't believe any of them come from town.

Some are on about our DNA, motto, School of Science etc well since Johnny Carey I think we've had a lot more School of Cookery than School of Science. A bloody lot more shit times than good.

We just have to hope the next guy in does the business but to dismiss managers like Allardyce just because, according to some, he doesn't fit our profile is nonsense and they need to look at our recent School of Science history and get a reality check.

Gordon Crawford
86 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:02:31
Colin all that’s coming sense would not deter Burt and Ernie from making stupid decisions. My advice is to buckle in tight, as this is going to be a one bumpy flight. The sick bags are in front of you and the oxygen is above your head.
Tony Hill
87 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:02:48
Villas-Boas has been cagey in answering questions about his future and seems to be suggesting that he might be on the move. All hugely speculative, of course, but I think he would be a very exciting appointment who could give us the big boost we need and could unite the fan base as well as lifting the players.

Cue him signing a new contract at his existing club.

Christine Foster
88 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:03:31
I posted this in another thread but it's as relevant here too...

Whatever happens, this week or next, one thing is certain: the days of Kenwright are over at the club. Stay up or go down, if Moshiri took his advice on anything to do with this club before, he won't again.

He will probably see £100 million wiped out of the club at the next January sale. He will want a Director of Football who works with a manager directly on player purchase, team set up and planning the just in case scenario... Doing what every other business does... operational and strategic planning.

Right now we need to get out of the crap... quickly! I said a while ago one has to be pragmatic, that future planning is great, but tomorrow needs fixing today. We ARE are a high risk of relegation, THAT comes first.

Whatever or whoever is needed to fix that even short term is demanded. We do not have the luxury of a foreign coach given time to find his feet in the Premier League. Direct situational experience required. I would take Big Sam right now till the end of the season and start again.

Make no mistake, the blame for where we are is with the previous manager, the management of the club and the players... in that order.

I think this will be Kenwright's last season... it should be.

MarkBurton
89 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:05:01
No manager will get us out of this hole without a recognized centre forward who will score goals. So my thinking is that we need to address the scoring before getting in a manager that will do nothing more than Unsworth.

Niasse tries his best and gives everything in a game but just doesn't have the final touch. We need a centre forward who can hold up and not give the ball straight back to the opposition for them to attack our geriatric defence. Any manager now is likely to encourage hoof ball to stop the defence from leaking.

Get a recognised striker then look for a decent manager. Money spent now on a manager without a good striker would be like buying another Schneiderlin.

Gordon Crawford
90 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:14:08
We have a recognised striker in Rooney, he should be played up top. He should also be told that if he drops into midfield then he will get a huge kick up the ass and a weeks wages deducted.

But we need a manager first. Do you think Unsworth has that respect that all managers should have? As I don't. Why would you listen to guy who is potential going to be back at the U23s or even out the door. It's sad but true that these players need a good kick up the arse and of course so do the board.

John McFarlane [Snr]
91 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:16:12
Hi again, John [85] Bill Shankly if he's quoted correctly, was wrong to say that "Football is more important than life" but I understand his sentiment. Anyone saying that relegation would be the best way out of our current predicament has obviously never experienced it.

What saddens me most about our situation is that it's turning Evertonian against Evertonian, some of the exchanges on the threads are vitriolic, and the sender and the recipient probably don't know each other. We all have our opinions and should be able to air them without having to suffer the height of abuse.

what I attempted to point out in my posting, was that we as supporters, have no input regarding the selection of a new Manager, and we achieve nothing by arguing over something that's beyond our control.

Colin Glassar
92 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:19:07
After two and a half unsuccessful appointments, does anyone really trust Tweedledee and tTweedledumb to make the correct decision this time? Those two are the ones that really scare me shitless.
Oliver Brunel
93 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:28:39
Colin, who are tweedledee and tweedledumb? If its Kenwright and Moshiri I agree with you. Too many cooks, not enough Chefs.
Jim Lloyd
94 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:28:42
We cannot afford to do things back to front (although we're having plenty of practice at it) If we bring players in (although we'd have to wait until the transfer window anyway) before we bring a manager in )assuming we are actually going to bring a manager in, is putting the cart before the horse
thinking.

If we are going to get a manager (big if) then we must give him the authority to bring what players he wants in, who will do a job he wants them to do. To give us any chance at all in avoiding relegation we must give that manager full authority over the recruitment of and choosing the playing staff.

Before anything else, although I toi will be glad to see the back of Kenwright, everything must be geared to avoiding relegation.

Tom Bowers
95 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:39:46
There were a lot of optimistic feelings when Moyes went but then quite a bit of disappointment when Martinez was appointed and as it turned out quite justified.

However, I think most were full of expectancy when Koeman came in and that turned out to be an even bigger calamity than the Martinez hiring.

There are no guarantees in football either with managerial appointments or big name players being bought. All of Everton's big name costly players have flopped somewhat in recent seasons save but a few like Lukaku who they at least they had loan for a while before investing.

The lesser name players have been the ones who have gotten the club along somewhat respectably such as Tim Cahill, Seamus, Jags, Baines and Barklay arguably but others such as Fellaini and some from the present squad, Klaassen, Schneiderlin, Sandro and Williams have been very poor.

Gylfi, despite his goal yesterday is also not performing. Yesterday early on he was pushed off the ball so easily it almost led to a goal. Mirallas showed abysmal ball control to miss a wonderful chance of scoring just a minute before Southampton did score. We know what talent Rooney has but alas his best days are gone.

Now, in a nutshell we could say that the whole squad has been affected by the Koeman syndrome and things have gone even further downhill since he left certainly defensively.

Every game is frightening now as we know what to expect with no light at the end of the tunnel.

I don't think any team in the whole of England is playing so badly.

It remains to be seen who will be kept at the end of the current season or even in the next transfer window but a new man at the helm must surely weed out some of those who continue to under-perform.

Brian Harrison
96 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:41:13
Alan Myers has just tweeted: "I believe things are moving on, can't say anymore as I want to be accurate."

He still has plenty of reliable contacts at Goodison, many have asked is he English or give us a clue but he hasn't said anymore.

So I guess we will all know soon enough... never know – could even be today.

Shane Corcoran
97 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:43:56
Allardyce now back as favourite at 8/11.

I've been vocal on how we should ignore the betting so forgive the hypocrisy. I'm just looking for any little hint of interest from the club.

Gary Grant
98 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:47:37
Villas-Boas an "exciting appointment" who "could unite the fan base" Tony (87)? Are you taking the mickey or are you smoking something you shouldn't?

Failed at Chelsea. Failed at Spurs. Most recently, failed to win the league in China despite spending hundreds of millions and substantially more than the opposition. And that's CHINA, that renowned hotbed of football talent and quality.

The only way AVB would unite Everton fans would be to get them all down the bookies putting their money on imminent relegation.

Joe Foster
99 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:52:14
I would go as far as to say this ship is sinking more than listing.

We need a manager in ASAP. Someone needs to take control of the ship and start bailing out the water. This is a ridiculous amount of time to get a new manager in and time is against us.
Tony Everan
100 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:58:38
Sean Dyche is the man, young, hungry and on the up, I think he would embrace the challenge.

He could be a good fit for Everton to get us back strong again, and who knows push on from there.

Would be my choice every time before Allardyce.

Tony Hill
101 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:59:57
Oh well, Gary, there we go. I think he could be pretty good actually. Anyway, I'm really an Allardyce man. Now there's someone who will bring us all together, if Shane's odds are telling the truth.
Tony Everan
102 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:00:28
Villas-Boas could be a suicidal choice. A record of failure in the Premier League and out of touch with it.

This is no time for a re-introduction.

Pat Kelly
103 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:01:35
Everton always take their time to get things wrong.
Bren Connor
104 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:01:42
Allardyce now favourite.
Oliver Brunel
105 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:02:22
I really would prefer Dyche over Allardyce. Why on earth would Villas-Boas be considered?
Kim Vivian
106 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:02:57
I think we may hear something on Wednesday, and I think we might hear the name Silva.

Unsworth will get a heads up after Tuesday's games and the new man will have 4 clear days (3 after our game) before we go into our next game on Sunday for a bit of familiarising.

Peter Cummings
107 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:12:17
Said it after the 5-1 debacle v Atalanta...

In my opinion, the best option for manager from the bunch of no-marks mentioned would be Benitez. Some TWebbers said he shouldn't be considered because of past anti-EFC remarks and, implied 'insults';, can I remind them of a time when a certain Everton player deserted the club he Idolised and really DID insult us with with his badge kissing antics, at Goodison of all places.

Not forgetting Moyes who downgraded the club verbally and in print while trying to sign our best players, in that context all clubs, including EFC have been guilty of snide remarks insults and supposedly 'poaching' players.,

While some of these incidents seem to be unforgivable, time heals most wounds, we should remember that it is now sadly part of the 'Beautiful' game, so a 'legal' approach to a tried and tested Premier League experienced manager like Benitez I think could be considered.

Colin Glassar
108 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:12:39
Big Sam can now demand a 5 year contract on £1m p/w plus tips and bungs. Well done Everton. Superbly played.
Jim Lloyd
109 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:13:03
Is this a bit of mystic Kim, or has something been heard? Hope it's true but I hope it isn't Villas Boa.
Andy Stevens
110 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:13:25
I remember reading an article that stated Moyes always spoke to a players former managers and team mates, before signing them, as he wanted to get the right "fit" for the team and club. This type of approach seems to have been disregarded under recent managers and we've ended up with money grabbers and mercenaries.

It's a sad state when you need Big Sam to come in and kick everyone up the arse but that's exactly what we need.

Shane Corcoran
111 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:18:32
Allardyce has shortened further in the last half hour to 4/9.

I'm surprised that Hiddink hasn't been mentioned much. He's now 20/1, about eighth in the betting.

Steve Brown
112 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:20:23
The problem with hiring Big Sam, apart from the fact that he is appalling. January is a critical window and we need a permanent appointment to attract the right calibre of player to improve the team, noting that we will have Coleman, Bolasie, McCarthy and maybe Barkley back. That means offering him a permanent contract.

Allardyce signed 18 strikers during his time at West Ham; that's one every 9 weeks. Given our goal drought that is an interesting stat. Do you trust him to spend our money well? And I know we blew £155 million, but let's not follow up criminal ineptitude with insanity.

Ray Jacques
113 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:29:48
Its not easy to pick a candidate who will please all the fans due to the preconceived stereotypes, ie, the swarthy continental who plays silky football or the Neanderthal Brit who favours blood and thunder and hoof it up to the big man.

Well, we have had both in Martinez and Moyes respectively and Mr Koeman who was meant to be able to 'multitask' and play total football. None were able to impress the ToffeeWebbers, me included.

How about someone who did well with a lesser club (Swansea) and then wasn't too bad when he took over a money club (they haven't improved since he left despite having a supposed 'world-class top-three manager') in which I mean that lot across the park.

Brendan Rogers wouldn't be a bad choice for me but doubt if 3 envelopes would be sufficient. Let's be adult and look past the RS past and the 'has to be a true blue bullshit'.

Tin hat at the ready.

Minik Hansen
114 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:35:08
Talking about how unattractive this Everton job is, a risk for reputation if you take the job and not succeed...

The way I see it, a brave manager will want the job and prove that he can turn things around. If not, he will have some excuses that it didn't work and still have his experience to go with to get another job. So what I'm saying is, we can attract a more or less top manager. It's still before January, and that helps BIG time.

Andrew Ellams
115 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:35:31
Still Dyche for me but I suspect Kim Vivian is right and it will be Silva who I won't be too disappointed with considering where we are and who else is available.
Brian Harrison
116 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:39:14
Sky confirm Everton in talks with Allardyce. I bet he screws Moshiri for every penny. Probably more than Koeman was on and probably wants a minimum 3-year deal; so, if you sack him in 13 months, he walks away with a shedload of money.
Ray Jacques
117 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:41:54
Lukaku gets away with a kick; if he still wore a blue shirt, he would have been banned.
Kim Vivian
118 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:42:39
Optimistic speculation Jim. That's all I'm afraid.

It just kind of fits. If Silva is going to walk (and I think that is probably the only option) it would be very disrespectful to do it until after their game against Man Utd tomorrow. He's being very non committal in interviews, and we know that Watford have a possible contingency plan with this Ace Ventura guy (whatever his real name is). Silva I believe is gettable if we can just hold our nerve.

Must say Sam is looking more and more likely unfortunately due to the panic that has set in, but if I'm right – you can call me 'Mystic'.

Brian Harrison
119 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:42:49
Sky also saying he will bring Shakespeare with him, and teaming up with Walsh what can possibly go wrong.
Kim Vivian
120 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:48:58
Oh, Jeez.....Oh, well
Rob Halligan
121 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:50:15
Ray, I've just seen that. The Football Association referred it to three ex-Premier League referees to independently review on Monday. They each had to agree it was a sending off offence for action to be taken and that was not the case.

From the footage I've seen it looked a clear case of not once but twice that Lukaku kicked out at the Brighton player, yet no further action to be taken. Niasse is clearly impeded yet is done for simulation. The FA are corrupt as fuck, who always take side of the so called big clubs. The sooner they all Fuck off and form their own little Euro league, the better.

Tony Hill
122 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:51:36
If we do appoint Allardyce then I hope the fans get behind him regardless. If they do not then the prophecies of doom will be self-fulfilling.
Jackie Barry
123 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:52:04
Right now, Everton are appalling, so they are the right fit for each other.

The question is: Are we more appalling and therefore appalling Sam will save us?

Brian Harrison
124 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:57:06
Moshiri told us we needed a Hollywood name to rival the other northwest managers in Guardiola, Mourhino and Klopp so he gets us Allardyce.

Seems like the other northwest clubs are driving Ferraris and our man is struggling to move from his horse and cart.

Jay Harris
125 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:57:11
Allardyce it is then. What an embarrassment. This could have been done 4 weeks ago and we would not have wasted that time amid poor results.
Colin Glassar
126 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:00:04
Big Sam it is then (by the sound of it). I hope the board are proud of themselves for completely ballsing up our once great, proud club.

I wouldn't trust any of them to run a fairground raffle tbh. Both of them are complete amateurs and who can blame Sam if he takes them to the cleaners? Sad, sad days.

John Pierce
127 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:01:09
Sad as it is, anything or anybody other than Allardyce.

Even the Tub of lard from Have I Got News For You would do, even Rooney.

Never Allardyce. It just reflects that how poor the board are.

Craig Walker
128 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:04:05
Where are these Allerdyce rumours coming from? Can this situation get any worse?
Andrew Ellams
129 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:04:31
Allardyce is as dodgy as hell, we are as desperate as hell and our Chairman and CEO are both imbeciles. What could possibly go wrong?
David Pearl
130 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:05:34
Fantastic news. The only option, has much to prove in the biggest job of his career. Maybe he will teach Keane he has to have the same desire to reach the ball as the attacker. Now let's get behind him and the team.
Tony Hill
131 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:06:14
Colin, John, I understand why you and others are so depressed at the prospect, I really do. But, if it's true, I think you are all going to be pleasantly surprised. We must live in hope.
Frank Crewe
132 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:06:22
We're jammed up shit creek without a paddle yet there are still those who think we should be going after some big name manager. Wake up and smell the coffee. Beggars can't be choosers and right now we need a manager who has been around the block and knows his stuff.

Think about it for a minute. Any manager who has been around will have had success at some clubs and not so hot at others. After what Allardyce did at Bolton we would have been happy to have him. At this moment I would be happy with him. We need someone who can put some backbone into this team of jellyfish we have right now.

Phil Walling
133 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:08:13
Well they wanted 'a big name' and now it looks like it will be 'Big Sam'! At least we'll never be off the Telly!
Kim Vivian
134 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:08:13
I tell you what lads – he ain't gonna be scared of the RS. That could be interesting.

Craig – switch Sky main event on. They're all over it.

Alasdair Mackay
135 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:09:28
Allardyce rumours are intensifying.

I keep thinking that things can't get worse, and then they do. The list of managers I would prefer to Allardyce is long and many of them are unemployed:

The order goes:

Eddie Howe,
Roberto Mancini,
Dave Unsworth,
Sean Dyche,
Slaven Bilic,
Laurent Blanc,
Aitor Karanka,
Thomas Tuchel,
Alan Stubbs,
The Postman,
Clive (my neighbour's cat),
Roberto Martinez,
an egg,
Sam Allardyce,
Ronald Koeman.

Kim Vivian
136 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:10:59
I'd take the egg, Alisdair!
Shane Corcoran
137 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:11:08
And now into 1/5, the exact price he was a fortnight ago. Hilarious.

Maybe Bill is in on this gambling scam.

Colin Glassar
138 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:12:58
I'd take the neighbour's cat.
James Lauwervine
139 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:13:48
I'm so disappointed things haven't worked out under Unsworth. I really thought he would get the players up for it and playing a lot better. After a few reasonably positive early signs it's just clearly not working. Really gutted about that and will he ever get another chance at the job I wonder.
Colin Metcalfe
140 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:15:03
I think a lot of fans will turn their back on the blues if big Sam is appointed, we all know the type of football he likes to play and we all know Everton do not have the players to play that type of football. As Colin G has said in the past "a team full of Ents", it's a recipe for disaster and imo relegation will be a certainty!
Jackie Barry
141 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:15:09
Actually after seeing his win/loss ratio against other manager I'm feeling really ill now. What are we doing?
Simon Hermansen
142 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:15:23
Really hate saying it but after yesterday dire effort, it's probably time to dance with the (gum chewing) devil.
Craig Walker
143 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:15:53
Alasdair, I'd go for Mike Bassett myself.
Kunal Desai
144 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:17:42
Bottom line is that no manager wants the Everton job. It's not the club of the 80s.

Been shite and mediocre at best for 30-odd years. A shite club (we have become through ownership) deserves a shite manager. Both go in tandem. You reap what you sow.

Tom Bowers
145 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:17:51
So now, desperate, Everton have opened the book again on Allardyce which I suppose means Big Sam can dictate the terms. Frankly he is probably as qualified as any but of course after Koeman how can any club be guaranteed success.

All we want at the moment is an immediate upturn in performances as recent games have been embarrassing.

Jim Lloyd
146 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:22:44
I think we're between a rock and a hard place. I don't see us having the luxury of choosing from a list of galaxy type top managers. We're, in my view fighting for survival in the Premier League.

This appointment should have been made weeks ago, even before the international break. If we can't get Sean Dyche and we can get Allardyce, then at least we have a chance of staying up.

I thought when when got beat by Middlesborough in the Cup under Walter Smith, things were bad; but this series of dire results, Atalanta 3 bleedin goals in 20 minutes and then 3 more in about 5 minutes, and plenty more scrapes we've had; all point to us becoming the strongest team in the Premier League.

Unsworth volunteered to do the job and no blame attached. He's tried all he can to get some semblance of a team out of the players he has.

Whoever comes, must be soon...today if poss, but we are still going to need an influx of players in January, to fill the gaping holes in the side. We need a manager who can identify the players and bring them in asap.

I'd rather the club accepted they've seen an appalling mess develop; and now do whatever it takes to stop the rot and try and keep us up.

As many have said, there is no guarantee we'll stay up, whoever is chosen; but I think the nearest to a guarantee we will get is relegation if drastic action is not taken now.

Andrew Ellams
147 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:24:22
The idea of Allardyce and Moshiri's check book terrifies me. When he was at Bolton his transfer policy was bring in as many as possible and they never recovered financially.
John McFarlane [Snr]
148 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:30:49
HI Alasdair [135] if you scroll back to my comments at [91] you will see my view on the appointment of the new Manager.

As I stated, we have no influence on the outcome, we can only hope that the Board make the right decision, and that whoever they appoint gets the backing of the supporters. I think you will agree, that we are rapidly running short of time, and inaction can only worsen the situation

Alan McGuffog
149 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:33:09
The Championship kinda terrifies me, Paul. Don't give two tuppeny turds who keeps us out of it because, as a number of us have pointed out, we go down we stay down for a long feckin while. You can forget about shiny new stadia.
Soren Moyer
150 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:38:48
Forget Silva. Ancelotti, AVB, Mancini, Tuchel, Dyche, etc. They are not coming. Right now we need Allardyce to manage this useless bunch until January, then asses what we need and bring in the much needed enforcement during the upcoming transfer window. Even if that means he gets a 2-3 year contract.

For the sake of our club's survival in the Premier League, this is the only option. He will get a striker in. Do not ask me who he will get as I am not a Director of Football nor a talent scout!

Andrew Ellams
151 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:43:52
Who's going to play for him? Which strikers is would he appeal to?
Jackie Barry
152 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:51:20
He signed Anelka I think?
David Pearl
153 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:56:13
Big Sam will sort out the team, make them hard to beat. He is underrated and was ahead of his time with sports sciences etc. Hopefully he picks that neighbours Cat to play right back.
Colin Glassar
154 Posted 27/11/2017 at 16:59:53
Great memory Colin M, 140.

McNulty now saying Walsh is behind the appointment of Big Sam. I’m disliking this fella (Walsh) more every day. If true it means the coup has been successful and Moshiri is just an ornament.

Eddie Dunn
155 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:06:02
I feel sick. Walsh looks like some kind of slimey insurance salesman (sorry to all of the nice ones on TW) and it is becoming clearer that Jabba might well be our man. So much for projects, new grounds and good football.

If it is true, then it would suggest that Dyche and Silva were not keen enough oh how we have slipped down the pecking order. Still, if Sam it is, then we have to hope he can sort out this demoralised bunch of losers.

Jay Harris
156 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:10:28
Colin, Walsh was apparently pushing for Allardyce and Craig Shakespeare from the start but Moshiri wanted better and went about pursuing Silva and we all know how that went.

BTW did anyone see Lukaku kick out at the weekend and the FA panel cant agree that retrospective action will not be taken. What a corrupt place the FA is.

Jackie Barry
157 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:18:35
How the hell is Walsh dictating who gets to be the next manager, doesn’t make any sense to me, especially when there were all these rumors about him facing the sack.
Colin Glassar
158 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:25:33
Walsh, Big Sam and Shakespeare – the three stooges reunited.
Kim Vivian
159 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:26:03
We really are turning into a dog's fucking breakfast.

(ps: I think I might have exhausted my 5 post limit with comment. If so I'll go elsewhere for my fun!)

Lawrence Green
160 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:34:35
I'm pretty sure I read in the Echo that it was Moshiri who wanted Allardyce at the start of the search, but it was the board who were reluctant to back that appointment due to the furore it caused among some supporters.

I also read in the week that Koeman was dismissed that Walsh did suggest that Allardyce should be the Everton FC manager. If those scenarios are correct then it would seem that Walsh is Moshiri's man and as long as Moshiri is calling the shots Walsh will be his go to guy on football matters, for better or worse.

Tom Bowers
161 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:36:06
Big Sam taking over from Big Ron? Well only time will tell. Sam has done reasonably well over the years and would still have been England manager except for a misdemeanor. I for one rate him a lot higher than idiot Southgate.

However, Sam produced a really nice team at Bolton years ago with some experienced pros ,one of which (Jay Jay Ococha) was a terrific player for a season or two along with a few others and they were a tough team to beat.

If appointed, he may just be able to kick-start some of these experienced pros at Goodison.

Sid Logan
162 Posted 27/11/2017 at 17:54:41
If Moshiri can negotiate with Allardyce and agree a contract until the end of the season – probably at some cost – then he will have done well. He has in theory the £10M he didn't have to pay to Watford to secure Silva's release.

If we end up having to agree to a longer term we will have to kiss goodbye to Silva; Boas or any other decent long term appointment then Moshiri will have failed massively. It will mean, quite simply, he is not, by a long chalk, the man we thought he might be!

Jack Convery
163 Posted 27/11/2017 at 18:19:27
"SSh Sam, over here – got a great weeze – right up your street. Tell the press you're no longer interested... then we wait til your odds drift right out and we put a big wodge on. Then we give you the job. We split the proceeds 50 /50!"

"Hey, I like your thinking - my kinda fellas. SSh, and we tell no-one ok?"

"Defo, Sam – Mum's the word."

Tony Mace
164 Posted 27/11/2017 at 18:41:33
Two things need to be done without delay:

1. Rooney – out. His appointment and subsequent arrest incident have not only sent the wrong (I couldn't give a fuck) message to team mates. If a so called 'true blue' doesn't give a fuck, then why should the other players? Sack for Gross Misconduct and let him concentrate on his marriage and the pub he is apparently building at the bottom of his garden. This would hopefully make a start sending out the right messages that the club and supporters do give a fuck and Prima Donnas will not be tolerated. Do this today.

2. Get Silva or Dyche in. Silva looks improbable so go get Dyche tomorrow. Save Unsworth the undeserved malaise which has been thrust upon him by those above who have become almost silent on the issue. The poor fella is being hung out to dry.

One further thing in January transfer window:

Give Dyche a decent budget and between now and January it will give him time to assess and get rid of the deadwood who also couldn't give a fuck and get a decent striker.

This cant wait any longer. Hopefully not Allardyce but if it is we need to give him full support. Worst I've ever seen – Born an Evertonian in 1966, I've seen from bad to sublime and this is as shit as I've ever seen.

COYB

Gary Grant
165 Posted 27/11/2017 at 18:45:34
Jim (#146) you say "if we can't get Sean Dyche".

The man is the manager of Burnley (average Premier League attendance 20,000). If we can't get Sean Dyche, we may as well give up and go home. Mind you, we failed to get the Watford manager

I see what people are saying about relegation being a disaster from which we may not recover, but I'd rather take a chance on Dyche than compromise the club's integrity by appointing a crooked charlatan in Allardyce.

Feeling like you want to walk away from the club if he's appointed isn't necessarily disloyalty, or a failure to see things pragmatically, but merely an acknowledgement that EFC should stand for something more than appointing a man who'd sell his own mother for hard cash, and has an obvious track record of corruption.

If he comes, I too won't be back at Goodison until he's gone. Some things just matter more than performances on the pitch.

Frank Bortoli
166 Posted 27/11/2017 at 19:02:50
I cant remember a time like this and can only compare us with Sunderland last season, be it they didn't spend £150million on total dross. The only signing who has worked so far is Pickford.

I feel sorry for Unsworth for being thrown into the deep end and who couldn't turn things around. I doubt whether the likes of Big Sam or any other manager can do so without a lot of time and fresh money. We need a serious clear out of those spineless senior players who couldn't be bothered to defend but quite prepared to take the big fat pay cheques.

Letting Barry go was also a big mistake as we probably lost the only leader we had.

We also need to look at how incompetent our board were to let things drag on for the time they did and also question what the hell Steve Walsh was doing during this debacle.

This season is over for us, lets just hope we can avoid relegation and re group for a proper campaign next season. COYB

Jack Convery
167 Posted 27/11/2017 at 19:08:25
In 57 years this is the cherry on the crap moment. Panorama suggesting the money at the club could be crooked and a manager who some say could be crooked. Good it isn't.
Simon Dalzell
168 Posted 27/11/2017 at 19:50:21
The ship has started sinking. I never imagined this situation, but I will be pleased (rather than delighted) if we get Mr Allardyce before the massive West Ham game.

As long as he's wearing our colours, you may hear what sounds like a desperate 53-year-old man shouting his name from behind a post in the main stand.
Brent Stephens
170 Posted 27/11/2017 at 19:51:44
Good evening, Nigel. Had to respond on this thread as I'm up to my limit on the other one!
Dennis Stevens
172 Posted 27/11/2017 at 21:06:51
Twelvety
Lev Vellene
173 Posted 27/11/2017 at 21:22:23
As was asked at the end of the original article: "Good grief…how did it come to this?"

I'm an Evertonian, and I've moaned and groaned to prove that...

Given our main squad's performances this season (+ the last half away from home last season...), my only answer to that has been that we'd better try to do what Man Utd did 25 years ago. Suffer humiliation, but then do very well with a team mainly made up by youngsters that got blooded by losing a lot early on!

Koeman is gone, and Unsworth is hanging by threads for now! A new manager is seemingly inevitable, and the January window is always fickle, so I hope any new manager is able to work with young, emerging players for now!

Matthew Williams
174 Posted 28/11/2017 at 12:35:55
We appointed a Championship Manager when we were in the shite back in 2002... we survived & pushed on.

There's a BIG clue right there!


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