Allardyce crows as Tosun comes good

Saturday, 17 March, 2018 108comments  |  Jump to most recent
Sam Allardyce feels vindicated in his decision to hold Cenk Tosun back from Everton's starting XI following the striker's match-winning brace at Stoke today.

The 26-year-old put the Blues ahead in the second half against the 10-man Potters and then headed home the winner following Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's equaliser, taking his tally for four in three games after being reintroduced the side.

Tosun was handed back-to-back starts following his transfer from Besiktas in January but was then dropped back to the bench as Allardyce and his team elected to work him back in gradually.

"I think his confidence is gained by us taking him out early doors when everyone was going: 'Why aren't you playing him?'," Allardyce said.

"You know, it's the usual rubbish you get from outside the football club. They say: "You pay all that money and don't play him, why not?" That's because they don't know. I do, they don't.

"We wanted to get him fitter, and more used to the players he was playing with. A lot of the training and extra training he's done, especially in Dubai, has paid dividends not only for us but for him and long may it continue.

"I think we deserved to win, with them being down to 10 men and us dominating possession, but they gave us a good fight.

"We had a goal scorer at one end who was clinical and turned the game in our favour with the first goal and when we sloppily gave a free-kick and gave a goal away he pops up with a second which was a wonderful finish and a wonderful cross."

 

Reader Comments (108)

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Si Cooper
1 Posted 17/03/2018 at 22:14:09
Allardyce really rams it home when he thinks he's got one over the doubters, doesn't he? It looks like good judgement when things work out but it's still all ‘what ifs'.

Personally, I really don't get how his development would have been impaired by 20 minutes from the bench every game since he got here. He might even have sneaked the odd goal to help us.

John Davies
2 Posted 17/03/2018 at 22:14:58
Mr Big Head crows off again. All you bow down before him. What a wanker.

Fuck off, Allardyce. Get out of our club.

Jack Convery
3 Posted 17/03/2018 at 22:25:19
World class bullshit from Fat Sam.

You can Issue his P45 now, Mr Moshiri.

Lawrence Green
4 Posted 17/03/2018 at 23:01:24
Phil Kirkbride in the Echo says:

But those 3,000 Blues in the away end today will know Everton were desperately poor for long periods -– even taking into account conditions that were awful – and made hard work of a game should have been dealt with easier.

Tosun, as it says in his job description, scored the goals to make up for that but the question is whether his heroics simply paper over the cracks for his manager.

I wonder if Phil has some inside knowledge about Big Sam's future at Goodison or is he just reflecting the general mood of the supporters.

Everton Verdict

Peter Mills
5 Posted 17/03/2018 at 23:19:17
Can someone tell me who sloppily gave away the free kick for the Stoke goal please?
Andrew James
6 Posted 17/03/2018 at 23:23:51
Sorry Sam no, Tosun must play because he is the most expensive forward we have.

But I look at the subs and they were safety first in a scenario where dropping back in slippery conditions was a bad idea. You removed our width on the left for the habitual introduction of the hapless Schneiderlin.

Then you realise we're dropping further back – against 10 men – and bring on another defender.

Same happened against Brighton, you remove the width and the out-ball has gone.

You have the personnel now who will paint over your limitations as a coach. It's the most richly assembled and experienced squad you will have ever been near.

Hopefully that close proximity will end very soon.

Trevor Peers
7 Posted 17/03/2018 at 23:34:55
Phil Kirkbride supports the RS Lawrence. At this stage of the season it's not about how well we played, it's only about results, to suggest otherwise is naive and arrogant.

When this manager wins he's crowing, when anybody else wins it's fabulous, where's the logic in that ? He'll be gone in the summer, he saved our bacon, but don't give him any more credit than that, hes a useless fat hippo head after all.

I'm not an admirer of his but after saving us, don't be surprised he sticks around till 2019, he's probably earned it.

Lawrence Green
8 Posted 17/03/2018 at 23:42:45
Trevor (#7),

Yet another RS in the media, surely the Echo can find some Everton supporters to cover the club?

I'm still hoping that Fonseca is the man to replace Sam, and we still have time to get him as the Ukranian club fixtures don't end until April 17th at the earliest.

I also think that the TW headline is more about Sam's eagerness to show he was right in phasing Tosun into the team rather than his claiming the credit for the victory.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

9 Posted 17/03/2018 at 00:05:30
Andrew @ 6.

That is an absurd stretching of the 'truth'.

"You removed our width on the left for the habitual introduction of the hapless Schneiderlin."

Schneiderlin came on for Rooney in the 87th minute, a like-for-like swap in central midfield. Nowhere close to 'removing our width on the left' as you present it.

"Then you realise we're dropping further back - against 10 men - and bring on another defender."

Holgate came on for Bolasie in the 92nd minute, with just 2 minutes of injury time to play.

Why do people feel the need to invent such easily disproved invented bollocks when there is more than ample 'real' topics to discuss?

Stephen Williams
10 Posted 17/03/2018 at 00:07:31
It's all about him: always has been, always will be.

Clearly the fans who turn up in their thousands every week, home and away, including those like me who today froze their arses off supporting the club they love, are those that come up with ‘rubbish outside of the football club'. What an odious, arrogant prick.

Fans aren't always right (as witnessed by the often heated differences of opinion, not least by residents of this parish!) but they pay good money and care so deeply that their opinions can't be dismissed so shabbily.

Although grateful for the 3 points, I wouldn't be in a hurry to be so gushing about today's performance. We were so far off the quality of a good side with decidedly iffy passing and movement to make me relieved to win against a really poor, relegation headed, side who played an hour with 10 men. It is this that this fraud should, but won't, understand.

Bottom line, which he won't recognise, is that those talking ‘rubbish outside of the football club' have watched so many more higher quality football teams than he has ever managed. My fervent hope is that his stain on the club is quickly consigned to history and in time we can move on in a different and much more satisfying direction.

I also hope that, given the hand grenade that my post in another thread set off, my grammar is acceptable!

Barry Lawler
11 Posted 18/03/2018 at 00:18:05
We should have scored 5!! Davies's header, Calvert-Lewin's poor first touch when clean through, and Walcott's poor control/shot. Davies, Calvert-Lewin and Bolasie aren't good enough and never will be. The bench, the squad is really really poor. It's not up to us, the fans, to decide if Tosun could have played more – it's the managers.

Strange comments on here, must be season ticket holders, I'm glad I actually played football.

Steve Ferns
12 Posted 18/03/2018 at 00:18:29
Phil Kirkbride is a blue. Where's this RS nonsense come from? He does the Blue Room podcast for The Echo with Prentice, Tony Scott and formerly Greg O'Keefe. They're all big blues. But they seem unwilling to upset the club too much, so little controversy or any real inside knowledge is aired.

I agreed, Lardiola is talking out his arse. All he's doing is trying to be even more divisive. There's no need for I told you so's, especially when he can't take it when it comes back the other way.

James Flynn
13 Posted 18/03/2018 at 00:21:44
All along the way, every single thing Sam said about Tosun has shown true.

Tosun himself hasn't disputed he had to get up to snuff. And so he has.

What's to argue?

Stephen Williams
14 Posted 18/03/2018 at 00:45:15
James, Fat Sam's comments had nothing to do with Tosun's development; they were solely a failed, sad attempt to quell the increasingly deafening roar of disapproval of him from those that matter – the fans.

Don't let yourself get confused and drawn into his nonsense. To do otherwise makes you do his bidding for him.

Pete Clarke
15 Posted 18/03/2018 at 01:51:31
We paid a small fortune for Tosun so it is only to be expected that he gets a goal or two but I personally don't see a top player in him yet. Strikers generally need pace and he has little of that but he does have lots of willing and courage and that's what got him his goals today.

Let Big Sam have his praise but it's not like he got him on a free transfer or anything.

Nicholas Ryan
16 Posted 18/03/2018 at 02:41:57
As I've said before, Tosun has about the same level of pace as Gerd Muller and Paolo Rossi... so he should turn out okay!
Pete Clarke
17 Posted 18/03/2018 at 03:06:56
That is a high level of expectation to throw on his shoulders, Nicholas!

I would be more inclined to mention him along with Jelavic, Kevin Campbell or even big Bob Latchford and he has a long way to go to even match any of them.

We had loads of space yesterday because Stoke had 10 men but the way we generally set out with Allardyce in charge, our striker will be isolated in most games but hopefully the new manager will change that.

Talking of hope, I do hope Moshiri is not falling for Allardyce because of a couple of wins. The next couple of games are likely to be different and may drag us all through the depths of despair again and Big Sam will blame all and sundry.

Steve Brown
18 Posted 18/03/2018 at 03:14:53
Putting the usual drivel from Allardyce aside for a second, I thought the Everton away fans were magnificent yesterday. Hardcore.
Steven Jones
19 Posted 18/03/2018 at 03:19:28
Just plain and simple – very good management.

Sees Cenk needs more time to settle in – good call, Sam.

Now reaping the rewards.

Ernie Baywood
20 Posted 18/03/2018 at 04:29:53
When it works out, as a manager, you get the credit. When it doesn't you take the blame.

He's scoring goals. Simple. Sam can have the credit for that.

Crowing about it though... I'm less impressed. Typically classless stuff from a bloke who claims credit for every win and blames others for every loss.

James Hill
21 Posted 18/03/2018 at 05:51:14
Can't see why he is crowing? God, some people just nit-pick. We could win the next 20 in a row and still Sam would be wrong.
Pete Clarke
22 Posted 18/03/2018 at 06:17:36
Big Sam has been around the block a few times and is streetwise. He knows the supporters are not behind him but he is definitely trying to work his streetsmart onto Moshiri for a longer deal. If h e can squeeze another couple of years contract out of the boss then he knows it's his last big earner before he retires.

As for the football, he doesn't really care whether we like it or not; if he gets sacked, then all the better for him. The whole deal with this Neanderthal being at Everton is just plain wrong.

Duncan McDine
23 Posted 18/03/2018 at 06:55:43
I don't see why he wouldn't say these comments TBH. If I was slagged off by the majority, I'd be only to quick to give them a bit of stick when it things go my way.

You won't hear me singing his praises from a mountain top... but he's come in and done his job.

Before he took over, we took 15 points from 14 games.
Since he's been in charge (not counting the West Ham win obviously), we've taken 25 points from 17 games.

Hardly world beating stats, but a marked improvement, and Premier League status secured with 7 games remaining.

Karl Meighan
24 Posted 18/03/2018 at 07:10:32
Well said Barry @11 I couldn't agree more and I would add Gana to them three although he would be usefull against better footballing teams than us mainly the top six or seven.

Sam takes nothing but shite so, when a decision pays off, as it has with Tosun, who could blame him for pointing it out? Maybe the dogshite midfielders who actually play and create fuckall game after game should take more of the bile handed out.

Ernie Baywood
25 Posted 18/03/2018 at 07:28:54
Sorry, but exactly how are people okay with the following?

"You know, it's the usual rubbish you get from outside the football club. They say: "You pay all that money and don't play him, why not?" That's because they don't know. I do, they don't.

Okay. So he can have a crack when he finally gets something right. Evertonians reserve the right to call him out every time he gets something wrong.

I think we'll be busier.

Trevor Peers
26 Posted 18/03/2018 at 08:14:29
Karl (#24);

For my money, Davies is not ready to play on a regular basis; he's one for the future at best. We should sign Wilshere – he's a quality player, only 26, and would add cohesion to the midfield.

Bolasie also needs replacing; sell him in the summer and sign a winger who can cross the ball and score a few goals. Zaha would be a great signing but he's probably Chelsea-bound.

Brent Stephens
27 Posted 18/03/2018 at 08:44:47
Barry (#11),

“Strange comments on here, must be season ticket holders, I'm glad I actually played football“.

Very strange comment about season ticket holders. My guess is most of us on here played football (and some played soccer).

I think you write off Davies and Calvert-Lewin too quickly.

Amit Vithlani
28 Posted 18/03/2018 at 08:48:13
James Hill

"Can't see why he is crowing? God, some people just nit-pick. We could win the next 20 in a row and still Sam would be wrong."

Yes, and we could have our arses handed to us and you will be nowhere to be seen on these boards.

Jim Bennings
29 Posted 18/03/2018 at 08:48:34
I'd been saying for a while that the likes of Davies and Calvert-Lewin arent Premier League quality right now but people take it that you can't criticise players as they are a certain age but I simply want the best out there for the Everton first team – right here, right now.

We had the same problem and people with Barkley saying give him time give him time whilst three years ago I said the same on Barkley about him not having a football brain or awareness to make it as a top, top player; three years on and he's not further down the line, nor was he last season at Everton.

Davies to me doesn't possess the touch to control midfield or the power and pace and you can't rely on him next season if you are wanting to build a team capable of charging the top 6.

Calvert-Lewin is hopeless in front of goal and regardless if he's aged 20 or 30, he should able to do the basics of trapping a ball and he also has the weakest shot I've ever seen from any Everton striker. The lad never seems to connect cleanly when striking the football, the four league goals he has scored have all tripped over the line.

He was damn lucky that Tosun was there for that first goal to save his blushes yesterday after a miss from one yard out!

Ian Bennett
30 Posted 18/03/2018 at 08:53:04
Pleased that he's come good. Seems a more agile/harder working Jelvavic.

His lack of pace or strength is a worry. He's going to need to keep improving when defenders/managers work him out to prove he could be long term.

Dave Abrahams
31 Posted 18/03/2018 at 09:13:53
Sam's come and done what he was asked to do, without impressing many of Everton's fans, including me. I never saw yesterday's game so can't comment.

I think Sam will go and will not be unhappy at going, getting 18 months pay for around 6 months work. He's not really as thick as he looks and talks, especially when it comes to money; he knows he's on the way out.

Liam Reilly
32 Posted 18/03/2018 at 09:23:38
Allardyce does himself no favours with comments like: "That's because they don't know. I do, they don't."

Arrogant tosser; can you tell us why the team played shite against a Stoke side bereft of confidence and with 10 men? Because we don't know that either!

Karl Meighan
33 Posted 18/03/2018 at 09:46:13
We don't need Allardyce to answer that, Liam: most of the players we have are not good enough – regardless of what they cost.
Grant Rorrison
34 Posted 18/03/2018 at 09:52:59
40 Points. Achieved what he was brought in to do. Take a complete shambles to safety. The players we've been signing are nowhere near good enough to break into the elite Premier League group. Questions have to be asked about our transfer policy.

If we manage 7th that's about right. It will show how bad the rest of the Premier League is if a club in turmoil, changing managers twice in one season, and with a motley crew of expensively assembled but, by and large, completely talentless losers, can still finish Best of the Rest.

John Davies
35 Posted 18/03/2018 at 10:11:58
Steven (#19). Please tell us you are just pulling our leg.
Ray Roche
36 Posted 18/03/2018 at 10:52:40
Dave (#31),

Dave, I watched the whole game on my PC. It wasn't the sort of game a purist would wax lyrical about, that's for sure. The conditions were very poor, one half of the pitch covered in a dusting snow and the other half green. But that was the same for both teams.

I thought that we conceded possession far too easily: Gana, Davies, Rooney were all culpable and our midfield was lacking in imagination. It wasn't a particularly bad performance; if you compare it with recent away days, it was an improvement, but Stoke are next to bottom and had 10 men for an hour... so, with that in mind...

Baines has brought us balance, though, and we are a much better team with him in it. And a better team with Williams out of it. Baines and Coleman brought us more width, too, and I was again disappointed in Bolasie. Vlasic should at least be in the squad.

Still, with Man City and Liverpool to play in the coming weeks, it'll be interesting to see if Lardyce is still crowing after those games. He was at it again yesterday, mentioning the Newcastle win "after I got here". Buffoon.

Steve Brown
37 Posted 18/03/2018 at 10:59:37
Karl, you're just an apologist for Allardyce. You were trying to spin this line in the live forum as well. No-one on here bar a couple buy this line about "What do you expect Sam to do with players like this."

No-one doubts that there are 5 players who won't wear an Everton shirt after this season, or that some of the recruitment has been woeful. But the football served up since he came to the club, his tactical negativity and pure cynicism make him the worst manager Everton have had in my lifetime.

Danny Baily
38 Posted 18/03/2018 at 11:11:15
Certainly seems like he was having a pop at the fans with these comments, bit unnecessary.

I'm interested to see who we're linked with under Sam this summer. If there are some younger, relatively unknown prospects (aged 20-25) linked alongside the veterans and busted flushes, then I'll be happy.

Steve Pugh
39 Posted 18/03/2018 at 11:11:27
As an Evertonian, I see myself as part of the club. Those outside the club are, in my opinion the pundits, commentators and journalists that try and destabilise our club.

Maybe there are some on here who don't feel a part of the club which is a shame and there are certainly some who want to be offended by everything that comes out of the club which is sad. But don't take what people say as personal unless they use your name – it will make your life so much better.

Yesterday's game was poor. But at least we won. For now that'll do. Next week, I want us to do better. It's called improving and that's what every Evertonian should want. See us improve in some way every week and, one day, we'll be good enough.

Finally, why does everyone criticising the substitutions ignore the first one. When Tom went off, did Sam go negative with a defender? Was it like for like? No. He brought on an attacker.

Winston Williamson
40 Posted 18/03/2018 at 11:21:54
This manager will never endear himself to Evertonians. It is blatant that he does not want to either.

He is the type of manager who believes he's bigger than any club he manages. The question is, has he earned that right?

He talks about (and expects Evertonians to buy into) gratefulness of saving our club from relegation. Mid-table is to be applauded.

To an outsider looking in, it would appear as though we were routed to the foot of the table, with League Two standard players when he took over??

Yes, there were problems. They were most definitely not insurmountable problems though. Look, even the great Allardyce has partially covered over the cracks!

Taking credit when we win, and blaming everyone else when we lose... pure unwarranted ego! Me, me, me culture...

That's fine, maybe, but not at Everton... where not one person is bigger than the club. (Although this guy's ego could probably fill two Goodison Parks!!)

Lawrence Green
41 Posted 18/03/2018 at 11:36:27
Steve (#39)

Spiritually we may actually be the club – for what is a church without a congregation? However, as an employee of the club, Sam's comments would seem to suggest that anybody outside of the coaching staff at Finch Farm and moreover Big Sam himself, have no idea as to why decisions are made relating to fitness programs, team selection etc. In some respects, that's probably true for the majority of us and there is some merit in the manager's words.

Big Sam does seem to want to distance himself from the fans; he has paid little attention to what we may have to say and he has made little effort in winning us over. That doesn't matter if his players do his talking for him on the pitch, but when they don't, positive results or not, we as fans are justified in criticising him and his players.

As many people have observed on here and elsewhere, Everton FC and its team has a far better chance of being successful, when the players, the manager, the board, and the fans are all on the same side. When any of those elements are pulling in a different direction, then the chances are we will underachieve or indeed fail – particularly if it's the manager who is seemingly alienating an important section of the club.

Karl Meighan
42 Posted 18/03/2018 at 12:23:29
Steve @37,

Players make teams – not managers; fitness, organisation and effort gets you so far – after that, quality is needed. Three people have been in charge of the squad we have this season, yet all have failed to produce attack-minded – what I would consider good-to-watch – football; surely that's not all down to the man in charge?

The worst manager in your lifetime? – Then you must be very young, as the two before him were as bad, if not worse. And, just out of interest, who are these players we have that are capable of playing this quality football we would all like to see?

I'm not interested if people agree with me on here or not; I can judge for myself what I see on the pitch. As for spin if you think Calvert-Lewin, Davies and Gana are top players then so be it but I don't see it.

William Cartwright
43 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:09:49
Why on earth are we arguing so much about Allardyce as the facts which we generally all agree upon, speak for themselves:-

1. He has got a reputation for being able to save teams from the drop. Well there's a surprise. Sam does that by focusing on dour, defensive football, and accordingly delivers the result to be expected.

2. Relegation-threatened teams are not usually blessed with talented players. Neither are Everton??? Seems so, if you judge players by performances, either collectively, individually or both. Harsh reality.

3. Sam is not gifted in presentation skills. All agree... but the importance or relevance of that is questionable in a wider sense.

4. To cope with his point #3 shortcomings, I think Sam 'plays up' his flat cap northerner style? May work for some but not for me; but hey – whatever gets you through the day... and it is relatively harmless, even if embarrassing.

5. Sam has or has not earned respect from the players? That's a difficult question. After his England crash and burn, and the way players look after their own interests (who can blame them?) does it really matter anyway? Seamus, Leighton have my total respect, followed by Sigurdsson who has come through a difficult season, and Jagielka probably in his last season, have my total respect. The rest? Without knowing them personally, no reason to judge (but Williams and Schneiderlin may be exceptions to that). Interestingly our 4 probably most respected players seem to be doing well under Sam...

6. Sam appears not to respect the fans? Well, bugger me – who can blame him if the feelings are mutual but multiplied thousand fold?!?

7. He's only here for the money. Correct, no argument there.

8. He has not been responsible for the summer influx of poorly balanced new players. He has, however, added Walcott and Tosun who both have to be acknowledged as good additions thus far.

9. He takes excess credit when some is due, and he likes to duck responsibility for negative results and / or performances. Erm, noted... but honestly isn't that just another facet of his not-endearing personality???

10. He has made himself a very wealthy man by maximizing his talents (meager or otherwise) and has / had a far more interesting job than me. We are jealous... Well, I know I am!

11. He took advantage of a business contract position when the other party dropped his pants. Who wouldn't and who shouldn't? At least he owed it to his family to do so.

12. As a result of #1 to #11, he has contributed to a dismal season for Everton and upset the fans in the process. Noted and agreed by all, but the actual extent of his contribution compared to those of Koeman, Walsh, Kenwright etc., needs to be seen in comparison and context. We don't have all the facts, unfortunately... but, like most if not all of us, I believe like most we have good reason to be upset.

13. Should he stay on next season? I doubt it. I don't want him to; I believe we can do much better and I am hoping for a new beginning. However, if by some miracle or about-turn character transplant (that seems unlikely!!!) and he stays on, then Moshiri must have a wider gameplan that I don't understand...

14. Does he merit personal insults? Possibly, but they are cheap shots, they have been done to death, and show us up to be a mean-spirited group on the whole. We should be better than that, show a bit of class, and just let him go with what he engineered, and what Moshiri and his commercial and legal advice recommends, and shift the mood to a positive frame.

15. We should focus our efforts on identifying with good reasons and clear logic, a short-list recommendation to Everton's board (or the decision-maker) and increase our chances of replacing Sam and his motley crew with a management group that Everton and Evertonians truly deserve.

COYB

Dave Abrahams
44 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:18:54
Ray (#36), thanks for your summary of yesterday's game, much appreciated.

William (#43), a lot of sense in that post.

Jay Harris
45 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:19:01
To me, Sam Allardyce is an average manager in the Moyes mould. Steady, pragmatic but unspectacular.

In fairness, he has done the job he was brought in to do and has had to contend with unwarranted abuse from some fans.

Let's be fair to the man – we were headed on a downward spiral which Koeman and Unsworth were unable to stop and nobody better was available or wanted it so we ended up with him.

I didn't want him – nor do I want him next season – so I am not a so-called apologist (a term I hate which is only used by those who try to force their opinion on others).

John G Davies
46 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:27:40
Jay (#45),

Your post sums up the situation perfectly. ICould not agree more with the last line. A foolish term.

John Keating
47 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:38:16
Fully agree, Jay.

How many wasted seasons have we suffered since probably Martinez's first season in charge. Allardyce has done what he was brought in to do.

We have to hope that next season, under a new man, we finally see some improvement; if not, I'm sure he'll be given the same abuse as Allardyce.

Mike Price
48 Posted 18/03/2018 at 14:42:37
I'm just relieved that we've had a fair slice of luck this season and now appear to be safe.

Finally, we can relax, consign this season and hopefully this manager to history, and just hope that the RS don't win the Champions League.

Have a nice summer everyone!

Ray Smith
50 Posted 18/03/2018 at 15:08:07
It's being referred to as ‘crowing'; I call it ‘hypocrisy'.

Sam Allardyce says he was holding Tosun back to get him fitter!

Well, when Seamus came back, he kept him on for 90 minutes. What happened? Seamus sidelined.

When I posted about Seamus being on for the full 90 mins, some ToffeeWebber's said that he knew what he was doing!

Well, you can't have it both ways. Sam is an autocrat masquerading as a Democrat. He has been disrespectful to the fans again by saying we don't understand what he's doing.

Well, he's done what he was brought in to do, but the cracks are still there. Please go, and take Walsh, Kenwright and Co with you.

Paul Tran
51 Posted 18/03/2018 at 15:30:50
Yesterday morning, I watched the extended highlights of our 3-0 win at Stoke a couple of years ago.

By half-time, we were three up and had hit the woodwork twice. We cut them to ribbons and it was great to see us out-footballing the 'hard-working' team.

It wasn't like that yesterday. Hope the next manager can produce football like that.

Sean Patton
52 Posted 18/03/2018 at 15:51:09
To be fair to Allardyce, his signings are far better than his predecessors.
Ian Hams
53 Posted 18/03/2018 at 16:07:38
The conditions yesterday were atrocious and can't of helped at all but the simple truth is we haven't kept possession well all season.

I personally think Gana is great at breaking up play but offers nothing else Schniederlin is at his best a good passer (although we havent seen it this season at all). Rooney tries too much, too often trying to force passes which aren't there. And Davies may well come to be as good as we hope he might.

Walcott and siggardssun are looking good and as for Bolasie the last two matches I've been calling for him to be hauled off just minutes before he made the cross to break the deadlock.

So in summary what does this prove .that I probably know not a lot about football.

William Cartwright
54 Posted 18/03/2018 at 16:33:41
I've just watched highlights of the Redshite demolition of Watford. That Salah is some player. The derby should be interesting.

What happens if by some miracle we beat Man City and the Redshite on our own turf? Will Sam get a contract extension after all...?

Brent Stephens
55 Posted 18/03/2018 at 16:59:35
William, I drooled at the skills of Salah in the Watford game (and not only that game). Oh for such a player. Must be a nightmare to mark.
Alan Bodell
56 Posted 18/03/2018 at 17:12:51
JD (#2), yeah, exactly what you said, it must have been due to the phychobabble bollox the fat man dazzled the dressing room with... Surprised he didn't linger on that post-match but, then again, he is such a humble man.

Time's up, big man, take your undeserved wedge and go dazzle some other clubs with your brilliance.

I just hope his son Gregg is still not a football agent or I fear we may get more action on that front before the day we all (most anyway) are longing for.

Ajay Gopal
57 Posted 18/03/2018 at 17:33:18
Brett (#55), the RS got Salah for the same money (roughly) we got Schneiderlin, Klaassen & Bolasie – take your pick. It hurts me every time I see Salah play, and compare him to our donkeys.

On top of that, he seems like a really nice, down-to-earth, likeable guy! Unlike almost all others who played for the RS before him.

Hope he buggers off to Barcelona or Real Madrid in the summer. I can see them lot being crowned champions of the Premier League if Salah stays one more season. (Shudders!)

Brian Williams
58 Posted 18/03/2018 at 17:59:36
Hardly roughly the same money. He was £37.8m.
Lawrence Green
59 Posted 18/03/2018 at 18:06:38
Ajay (#57),

According to the Roma website, the RS paid €42M, rising to €50M for the latest in the world beaters that they seem to have signed in the last umpteen years. I will see how he fares in a month's time as that will be the only time I will see him in the flesh or on TV whilst he plays over the park.

Depending on what the exchange was at the time he was purchased, I think that his fee is far in excess of any of the individuals you mention.

http://www.asroma.com/en/news/2017/6/roma-and-liverpool-agree-salah-transfer

Jason Broome
61 Posted 18/03/2018 at 20:36:33
Allardyce was brought in to save us from relegation. His mission is complete. He was never brought in to win the Premier League.

If Moshiri has ambition then a manager with a league challenging philosophy needs to be appointed.

If Allardyce is here next season, then that will say a lot about Moshiri and his so-called ambition.

Si Cooper
62 Posted 18/03/2018 at 20:57:55
William (#43), but he ain't just here to get us out of a hole, is he? He came out of retirement to have his big chance of genuine success and he ain't going anywhere unless he's forced out.

For some reason, his meagre talents and average record have been built into some kind of mystical reputation. Our players are not that bad that we should have been in any danger of relegation this season.

Koeman plainly had some bizarre plan to take the team in a radically different direction this season and the ‘experiment' just never got going. Whether the hugely unbalanced squad was down to his distorted vision or whether he was let down on the recruitment front we will never know, but there was still all sorts of options available to the club other than the panicked grovelling to Sam to come and save us.

Allardyce gets credit for Walcott and Tosun because they are playing and producing the goods, but what about the youngsters who are now further away from the first team squad? Potentially more importantly, what about players who may be put off by Big Sam's apparent preferences? We were surely looking at more players in the transfer window. How many decided they didn't fancy a season and a half under Allardyce's tutelage?

We don't know, just like we don't know if there was a way to utilise Tosun's eye for a goal whilst he was settling in. Doesn't mean we can't speculate about it though.

Barry Lawler
64 Posted 18/03/2018 at 23:10:16
Si (#62) that's exactly why he was brought in, to get us out of a hole. Not to coach kids and make them better but to stop us getting relegated. Plus the kids aren't good enough but that's another topic.
Ernie Baywood
65 Posted 18/03/2018 at 23:22:03

Liverpool have a clear view of how they want to play. Then they signed a player who fitted that perfectly. Salah has the enviable benefit of being played to his strengths.

Us? We change our playing style as often as Sam changes his opinion on who is accountable for performances. We'd play him out of position and wouldn't have him doing the things that make him such a constant threat.

After years of terrible transfer dealings, the other lot seem to have got their act together. I wonder how long before we manage it?

Peter Gorman
66 Posted 18/03/2018 at 23:26:29
Plus the kids aren't good enough" ... yet!,"Plus the kids aren't good enough" yet,Turned on,michael.kenrick@gmail.com ,1,23:25:46,,217.43.253.165,monitored,15262,03/18/2018 23:25:46,PeterGorman,monitoring,, 906158,36137,toffeeweb,18/03/2018,Dick Fearon,bluebyu 28@bigpond.com,"Our off-pitch Squad par excellence:

Lyndon. Michael, Paul T and Ken B. Halleluja!

Andrew James
67 Posted 19/03/2018 at 01:02:26
@9 Jay

Yeah because Rooney and that useless dressage pony are like for like. Really?

But perhaps I did get my sub timings wrong yet he did remove our out-ball yet again thus bringing on the attacks.

Allardyce just invites trouble with his subs. Or is desperate – like Calvert-Lewin and Bolasie in the 80th minute at Watford.

Andrew James
68 Posted 19/03/2018 at 01:11:43
Ernie,

We bring in a manager with a plan, tell Walsh he's a scout and not in charge of senior player purchases. New manager brings in 3 players – a pacey striker, left-sided player, and a more technical defensive midfielder.

I would go with Tadic on the left and Joe Allen in the midfield. No idea about the striker.


Robin Cannon
69 Posted 19/03/2018 at 01:39:09
Jay (45) - Honestly, Allardyce's most impressive achievement has been convincing so many people that we were on a downward spiral to relegation that only he could save us from. And thus that his mediocrity is somehow "job done" in a way that will keep him here over the summer and to start next season (which I have no doubt will be the case).
William Cartwright
70 Posted 19/03/2018 at 02:15:44
Si @ 62. I fully agree. I too believe it is 'job done' and we can move on without Sam as I noted in my (too lengthy) summary. The main gist I feel is we 'generally' all agree or at least acknowledge Sam's limitations, and his sphere of operations. Being successful in a limited field does not in my opinion qualify anyone to be promoted beyond their comfort zone unless to shake them up a bit.

I also agree we are all entitled to our opinions, and that is part of the joy of ToffeeWeb. However, with Sam, he is actually uniting the supporters (majority-wise) with his tactics and general behavior, and yet we seem to spend so much time and energy moaning about him in a very offensive manner, which I have been guilty of several times.

Our energy would be better focused analyzing the alternatives and putting that message across to the Board as strongly as possible.

COYB

Ed Prytherch
71 Posted 19/03/2018 at 02:52:29
Humble Sam probably saw the movie "The Producers" where two guys plan to get rich by making a terrible film.

I agree with Trevor that we should sign Wilshere. He has the same role as Davies and he is much better in every way.

Alan J Thompson
72 Posted 19/03/2018 at 03:21:45
Not overly fussed what Allardyce says but the evidence of my own eyes is that Everton were not very good but were playing a side just as bad who were reduced to 10 men.

Where does the fault lie? Who was employed to fix the problem? Should that person's aim just be to make you not the worst? For me, it's not just winning but the style in which you win – and I've not seen much movement on that front.

Pete Clarke
74 Posted 19/03/2018 at 08:41:39
Sam's appointment was purely desperation to make sure we did not get dragged into a relegation battle. We did not get dragged into it because most of the others at the bottom kept dropping points and we eventually creeped away.

He has done his job and, for most of us, he is now surplus to requirements. However, the longer he lingers on, then the realisation that he could become our permanent manager will scare the hell out of most of us whilst leaving the Moshiri legacy as worse than Agent Johnson and Bullshit Bill.

It would also leave our neighbours and probably the rest of the Premier League laughing at us.

Tony Everan
75 Posted 19/03/2018 at 09:00:43
Regardless of all the bile being spewed from Sam, we need to decide whether he is the man for the project, for the next 3 years.

The scraped wins are welcome, but the performances are well below average. Sam has done what he was asked to do, by hook by rook and with a fair bit of luck.

Now I think it beyond doubt, and crystal clear (to 96% of us anyway) that Sam most definitely is not the man for the next 3 years (or more!).

Keeping him on would create unnecessary instability to the club . Similar performances and results would see him sacked in October and leave us once again rudderless.

A thank you and cordial goodbye will happen in May.

The new regime must kick in June 1st.
.

Chris Gould
76 Posted 19/03/2018 at 09:29:15
Brent (#55),

And to think that Chelsea had both De Bruyne and Salah. Watching the two of them now must be an absolute killer for Chelsea fans.

With regards to Sam: Ron Marr has put up an interesting link on the matchday thread which shows how the league table would look if the season began on match 15 (Sam's official first match in charge).

He's only gone and broken into the top 6!! 2 points adrift of 5th place Chelsea?!!

It doesn't matter what kind of negative spin you put on it, you can only compete with the other 19 teams in the league, and he's doing very well on that front.

Seb Niemand
77 Posted 19/03/2018 at 09:57:20
Tony (#75) – The next 3 years? He isn't the man for the next 3 minutes.
Brent Stephens
78 Posted 19/03/2018 at 11:25:12
Chris, watching the two of them is a killer for us as well!

Yes, very interesting league table that Ron Marr produces. Okay, I'm joining the 6%!

Greg Hasbrouck
79 Posted 19/03/2018 at 11:34:43
Can Sam explain why we shouldn't believe Tosun wouldn't have been scoring goals all along had he just started him in all the games he sat him?
Tony Waring
80 Posted 19/03/2018 at 12:26:33
I don't know the guy's name but Moshiri should get on the next plane to Leipzig and get their manager/coach signed up as soon as possible. He's welded a squad of players nobody has ever heard of outside Germany and they showed Bayern the door yesterday, even without Lookman. Whilst he's doing that, persuade half of their squad to up sticks and get over here as well. They are a joy to watch.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

81 Posted 19/03/2018 at 13:11:17
Andrew @ 67.

"Yeah because Rooney and that useless dressage pony are like for like. Really?"

Pay attention to the detail, Andrew.

YOU were the one who originally made the evidently erroneous claim in your post @ 6 that the manager "removed our width on the left for the habitual introduction of the hapless Schneiderlin".

I correctly pointed out he did nothing of the sort. He made a like-for-like change of the onfield player playing the deep-lying central midfield role with a player who plays the same role in the 87th minute.

In your reply, you distort that to make yet another false claim that I am saying Rooney's and Schneiderlin's footballing styles are similar. I said nothing of the sort.

As to this: "perhaps I did get my sub timings wrong yet he did remove our out-ball yet again thus bringing on the attacks".

Three points. First, you totally ignore the very positive substitution of Calvert-Lewin for Davies which made us more attacking before the hour mark. As a result, frequently in the 2nd half, we had 5-6 attackers moving in unison towards the Stoke goal. That we didn't make more of this was down to poor passing, vision and control at critical moments.

Secondly, I saw Stoke have a decent 5-minute spell after we took the lead, which resulted in us giving away unnecessary free kicks close to our area which eventually led to their equaliser.

Thirdly, you actually made no reference to the timings of the subs in your original post. It implied that the manager's substitutions came earlier in the game, thus resulting in 'inviting' Stoke on to us and withdrawing our width in attack.

The subs clearly came so late in the game to be of no significance. Yet you continue to claim that the manager, by introducing Holgate for Bolasie in the 92nd minute, with just 2 minutes of injury time remaining, "did remove our out-ball yet again thus bringing on the attacks" which is nonsensical.

I repeat, their equaliser came long before either of the subs you claimed were responsible for this.

As I mentioned post-match, this was as much down to poor game management by the players on the pitch rather than anything the manager did.

Steven Astley
82 Posted 19/03/2018 at 15:48:05
If nothing else, Allardyce and his team have come in and done a job. A job that Unsworth was failing to cope with, don't forget. We needed Allardyce more than he needed us.
Dave Wilson
83 Posted 19/03/2018 at 15:53:46
Schneiderlin's role is to stop opposition playing, whereas Rooney is the most creative player in our squad.

It's wrong to deny Big Sam any credit at all, but its equally wrong to describe taking off our most creative player and leading scorer for a guy who offers virtually nothing going forward as "like for like".

The two players are polls apart in their approach to the game. I have no problem with defensive substitutions when they are called for. This was one of those times, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking or claiming it was something else.

Danny Broderick
84 Posted 19/03/2018 at 16:33:23
For me, Allardyce had to do two things if he wanted to remain as manager next season. Sort us out on the pitch, and win over the fan base.

There is an argument that he has achieved the first one, although it would not be unanimous. We have got some results, but we have been absolutely awful at times as well, but as we are currently 9th, I would probably give him that one.

He has not won over the doubters however. He is a difficult man to warm to. When we lose, it's not his fault. And when we win, it's all down to him! There's an arrogance in his character, and statements like this don't help him.

If he is not our manager next season, it will probably not be because of results on the pitch – it will be because he hasn't won us over.

Lev Vellene
85 Posted 19/03/2018 at 17:06:36
I'm actually of two minds here! Having watched Allardyce revert to his 'maybe nick one' vs even the most woeful opposition because he has no faith in his overall team, have made me have serious doubts about him! And yet, he said he wanted this season to stay up, and then an opportunity to build his own team to show all doubters are wrong about what he can do at a good club...

I very much doubt a leopard can change his spots, but I must admit I'd love to see anyone (Big Sam included), do just that! Only Everton could aid in that, after all!

But I doubt SA will be able to ditch his defensive mindset! Yet, if he can get the team to 7th with some good results for the last part of the season, I can't really see Moshiri firing him...

So I'll either have to hope for a (partial) humiliation for EFC leading to a greater good with a new, youngish manager, or watch a striped leopard for the first time in my life! Ack, choices... ;D

Danny Broderick
86 Posted 19/03/2018 at 17:14:37
Would it be the end of the world if Allardyce stayed to fulfil his 18 months?

The reason I say that is because we have a load of deadwood we have to shift. I fear another manager coming in and giving these wasters (Schneiderlin, Williams etc) another chance to prove themselves when we all know they need moving on. Aa

The other reason is that I don't see an obvious manager out there that is suitable to replace Allardyce. The last thing we want is to appoint someone else, only to have to sack them 6 months down the line and then we are back to square one again.

Decisions, decisions!

Paul Tran
87 Posted 19/03/2018 at 17:42:17
It wouldn't be the end of the world, Danny, but it would signal the end of 'the project' as we know it.

Moshiri saw Koeman as a big name manager and will be looking for what he sees as another one.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

88 Posted 19/03/2018 at 18:07:37
Unless Sam is offered a contract extension (TW goes into meltdown at the mere thought...), the world and his wife know, come the summer, he has but 12 months left on his contract.

The players on the books know this. Possible summer targets know this. Who is going to pull their tripe out for a manager who currently, at best, has just 12 months to run on his existing contract?

What quality of player, both talent and ambition-wise, would seriously consider an approach from such a manager stamped with a known 'valid to' date?

In the latter scenario, I would say only mercenaries and slackers and we have more than enough of them at Finch Farm already.

That is a further 'double jeopardy' we place ourselves in if Sam is allowed to see out the full term of his contract. Potentially, yet another year lost in development and incremental improvement.

Simon Dalzell
89 Posted 19/03/2018 at 18:54:44
I was willing to give him a chance, but I now loathe Allardyce. Basically, a horrible person with the most negative attitude.

We all know that if Cenk Tosun played every game from when he arrived, he would soon be in the groove.

So nauseating that Moose Head is taking credit for keeping him back. Unimaginable that he will be here next season. Please, Nooooo!!!!!!

Ian Bonnette
90 Posted 19/03/2018 at 19:06:28
Personally I think it's nailed-on Silva will be our manager next season. We cannot go into a season with the manager only having 12 months left on his contract for some of the reasons stated above. So what do we do? Extend it! I bloody hope not.

The week Silva was sacked, somebody up top should of been meeting him with a plan. The plan being a 3 year contract telling him to take the rest of the season off planning the next 3 years of Everton FC on the park.

To go and learn as much about us as possible and endear yourself with the fans from day one.
To go and research the players you want to start the season with.
To go and take in as many games abroad to research.
To go to the World Cup with our blessing.
To go and plan a proper preseason so we start hitting the ground running.
To go and find some proper back prom staff.

Basically to come back to us with a plan, something we don't seem to have ever had and will not progress without.

I'm not saying Silva is the right man for us but he has to be better than what we have. Only time will tell if he is a success, but if the above is carried out he has my blessing.

Phil Walling
91 Posted 19/03/2018 at 19:18:06
I'm not a Sam supporter but I fail to see how Silva is a better manager than the fat man. More personable, perhaps, but since when did that win anything?

We are on the way to nowhere!

Ian Bonnette
92 Posted 19/03/2018 at 19:40:02
For the fact we were going to pay £10M for him only months ago and can get him for nowt now is the main reason why I think he's coming. Somebody up top wanted him so why wouldn't they now? Again, time will tell.
Alan McGuffog
93 Posted 19/03/2018 at 19:50:13
Ian, no disrespect intended, fella, but have you been following Everton long?

Planning?
Learning?
Researching?

If Silva becomes our new saviour, he will be appointed in mid-September with a remit to go out and sign Dean Windass for £15M plus.

Kevin Tully
94 Posted 19/03/2018 at 19:57:38
Pulis, Pardew, Hughes, Moyes, Bruce, we can go on hiring this type of 'steady Eddie' manager and stay precisely where we are now. They will all deliver the tripe we are subjected to most weeks. Never troubling the big boys, but performing at home to keep most happy. Add in one of my favourite pre-season shouts v "A good run in the Cups." (WTF?) and we can go home happy.

We need to take a chance, we need to break the mould. The club needs to try something completely different, starting with dismissing the people who clearly are not delivering. I wouldn't let 'the Koeman experience" put us off. If we continue to accept the awful performance of those behind the scenes, then we will never just magically witness things falling into place on the pitch. If Moshiri doesn't begin to get ruthless, then expect another 23 trophyless years. We don't yet know if his hands are tied by the man with tears in his eyes, but we should find out quite soon.

For now though, I'm sure we can look forward to "a good run in the Cups", just like an ambitious Championship side.

James Hughes
95 Posted 19/03/2018 at 20:02:27
Ian (#90), nice idea... but in reality, it can't happen. Football is a small world and if he was given that brief, it would quickly become common knowledge.
Ian Bonnette
96 Posted 19/03/2018 at 20:07:53
45 years, Alan (#93). Seen it all but forever the optimist. You wrote my next post for me there.
Tom Bowers
97 Posted 19/03/2018 at 22:01:21
Okay another couple of wins against Brighton (big deal) and 10-man Stoke (big deal) doesn't make Allardyce any more acceptable than he was 3 weeks ago.

If we can beat one of the top teams especially Liverpool then just perhaps he may get some credibility, however that has little chance of happening this season.

Whilst the return of Baines and Coleman has helped things with Funes Mori waiting in the wings, Allardyce and most of us fans can be forgiven for thinking that there may be redemption in the rest of the season but the reality is such that the team as it is at the moment is not of a high enough quality to enter next season with any optimism.

A new man at the helm, such as Silva, may be the catalyst that gets them to the next level.

Mike Doyle
98 Posted 19/03/2018 at 22:05:50
Just noticed that “Allardyce” is running at Clonmel tomorrow.

Do any TWebbers who follow the geegees reckon it's worth a punt?

Martin Nicholls
99 Posted 19/03/2018 at 22:08:13
Mike (#98) – wouldn't back it to make top six!
Mike Doyle
100 Posted 19/03/2018 at 22:15:18
Thanks, Martin. I'm still hoping for advice from a successful punter. I wonder if Lee Westwood is on TW? Is he, Lyndon?
Ernie Baywood
101 Posted 20/03/2018 at 01:12:41
Is Allardyce a Mare?

Unlikely to show up for the Derby.

Keith Harrison
103 Posted 20/03/2018 at 08:05:32
Mike (#98), he'll take it very easy for the first few furlongs, and finish with a barnstorming walk. This after drinking bucketfuls of gravy before the race to keep his odds up for when he runs on his home track.

It will be his useless jockey's fault (de Boinville) that he finished last in the race as well.

Martin Nicholls
104 Posted 20/03/2018 at 10:02:53
Astonishingly, wins against Brighton and Stoke have gained him some further support here on TW – the "keep him vote" is up to 7%! The mind boggles as to who could be convinced by those two performances that he is the man for the job! Allardyce out!

ps: Autocorrect on my tablet changed "Allardyce" to "malpractice"! How apt!!

Chris Jones [Burton]
105 Posted 20/03/2018 at 10:52:24
Martin (#104), so you are astonished.

Must be hard to credit when other people's views differ to your own. How can anyone dare to take up a position contrary to your opinion? It beggars belief.

I'd make the point that these website polls should be called 'poles', because there's rarely a "don't know", "not sure" option. Seems like things have to be black or white, to polarise opinion perhaps and promote discussion? Can't we have a "maybe"? But then you'd probably tell me I ought to be sure, and give a definitive response – one that accords with your own view.

Martin, and others, please allow people their own opinions, and don't berate them when they express their views, even if they are 'wrong' in your opinion.

Justin Doone
106 Posted 20/03/2018 at 11:21:37
3 points, we'll done, Sam's a genius!

Our play, both as an attacking and defensive unit has been poor for the last 2 seasons. Many many reasons but, despite that, I see Davies and Clavert-Lewin as having good seasons where they have both developed. Not easy to do in a poor team playing in the Premier League.

Like Burnley and Huddersfield it's often the defensive players that have been given plenty of chances and practice to showcase their talents. However, what for many seasons was our strength is now our weakest area.

Sam has failed to improve our defensive frailties. I'm sure Dyche or Wagner would have done better with the players we had available.

Obviously either would be an improvement but I want the best not just a few more clean sheets.

I'm hoping Moshiri does too. Get Mancini before he becomes a Socceroo. NSNO

Dan Nulty
107 Posted 20/03/2018 at 12:32:52
Sorry, Andrew James, Jay has you bang to rights. What you need to do is take a step back and think, apologise for writing utter nonsense and move on.

To continue down a path where you have been proven to be talking rubbish makes you look foolish, I am afraid.

I am firmly in the get rid of 'Big Sam' camp.

David Graves
108 Posted 20/03/2018 at 12:43:11
Mike @ 98.

Allardyce to "win by a head" perhaps?

Brian Wilkinson
109 Posted 20/03/2018 at 19:27:12
So having bagged 6 goals in the Champions League, he was not ready for the premier league, to get him use to the cold conditions we take him to Dubai for a week, now selected he is scoring and Sam says it is what Cenk needed.

What a load of bollocks, he was banging goals in, in Turkey, what Sam failed to mention was that during his early days here, Niasse was scoring and made him undroppable.

There is no doubt, had Tosun started in January, he would certainly have more than 4 goals to his name.

What he has failed to mention is that since he has taken over, he has dropped our top scorer Rooney to a more defensive position, our bright spot under Unsworth's limited charge was Beningame, now nowhere to be seen.

It is easy to say not playing is now paying off with his goals, how the hell does he know that played earlier, he would have adapted quicker and no doubt scored more than 4 goals.

If a player is good enough, he will sniff a chance out, with the quality Cenk has, will pop up with a goal, so sorry Sam, putting his form down to not playing, does not wash with me.

Martin Nicholls
110 Posted 21/03/2018 at 07:18:34
Chris Jones (Burton) #105 – in your haste to respond to an individual who holds a different view to your own, you have completely missed the point of my post #104.

I did not say I was astonished that anyone would support Allardyce, more that two "sketchy" performances were enough to produce something of an upsurge in support for him. Of course you and the rest of the 7% who support the man are entitled to your opinion, as are the (near) 11,000 others, myself included, who do not.

As to your views on how website polls (specifically those on TW) are conducted, if you feel so strongly why not take the matter up with Michael and/or Lyndon?

Karl Meighan
111 Posted 21/03/2018 at 16:18:41
Simon @89 "We all know that if Cenk Tosun played every game from when he arrived, he would soon be in the groove"

No chance he would have played 8 or 9 games without scoring whilst losing confidence?

We don't know what might have happened had he played more games; what cannot be denied is Tosun has bagged 4 goals in 3 games so my guess is he would agree with the manager's decision to leave him out, get used to his teammates, the change in conditions and style of play.

Matthew Williams
112 Posted 22/03/2018 at 12:58:36
Maybe a shrewd move would be to make Big Sam the Director of Football instead of Walsh, and have Shakespeare and Unsworth take over first team duties next season. After all, Sams signings look to be coming good and the best 90-minute displays by the team have come away in Cyprus and at home verses West Ham (Sam wasn't in charge on those occasions).

Just an idea, Blues... don't shoot me down yet!

I read Tosun has asked for more training time in order to gel into the team; looks like those Turkish journos weren't lying when they said this lad will graft in order to make it at our great club... You've got to admire that in this day and age.

I only hope that most Blues see a decent player emerging in Tosun, like I did back in September!

Oh yeah... can we please sign Ben Pearson next?

Paul Cherrington
113 Posted 23/03/2018 at 12:22:05
Let's face it – Sam Allardyce could win every game 10-0 and every trophy going but it still wouldn't be enough for some Everton fans. They would still prefer to ignore the hard facts to throw ill-judged personal insults at a man they don't actually know.

But it really is time to put prejudiced, irrational arguments to one side and look at what he has done since arriving here. Because, if you do, that shows he is a pretty good manager who deserves some support and respect.

The facts are that, before he arrived, we were in serious trouble and going down faster than a knackered lift. Some fans want to dispute this now or re-write history but check some of the comments on here around that time if you don't believe me. We weren't scoring, weren't defending and had zero team spirit. Added to that, we were not picking up points and hovering at the wrong end of the table with no rescue in sight.

The situation after his arrival is now far better. This is not my opinion, it is fact. Check the table and the points we now have – you will see we are higher in the league with more points than before he arrived which shows he is a decent manager who is not as bad as people want to make out. We also actually have a team now and play with some fight. Plus we have practically guaranteed Premier League survival too.

But of course, he has a big head and isn't a fancy foreign name so let's get rid?!! You couldn't make it up – and you wonder why he laughs at some Everton fans. he must read the rubbish some write on here.

I know that annoys some fans but consider this – if you had a section of people at your own work giving you constant abuse daily for no real reason, would you not treat them with contempt? Would you not laugh at their childish behaviour when they don't know what goes on and you do?

As for the managers people are desperate to have instead, that is even funnier. Let's get Howe in who is Martinez Mk II and whose Bournemouth team finishes below us every year. Or let's get Silva in who hasn't completed one full, successful season in the Premier League yet and just got sacked by another Premier League club for being rubbish. Or better yet let's have an untried manager from a poor foreign league who will magically walk into Goodison and sprinkle some fairy dust around to make us great again. You couldn't make it up – and they say Everton fans are the most knowledgeable

This really does remind me of when our last great modern manager, David Moyes was here. All some fans wanted to do then was make jibes about his hair colour and nationality while seemingly being outraged that he finished high up the league every year.

Yes, we all want to win the Premier League, the Champions League, and everything in-between, but guess what? You won't do that when you are in the Championship or League One. That's what Moyes and Allardyce understand – get safe first then push on as much as you can.

I actually thought Jose was talking about our fans at his now infamous press conference recently because he is right. style of play does not win you games or put points on the board. You can have all the ideas and ideologies you like but it is about winning.

Style of play and seeing 7 goals every game doesn't mean anything if you are losing 4-3 every week. We tried that one with Martinez and quickly all got fed up of it.

It's time to stop the childish name-calling and deal in facts. When you do, they show that Sam Allardyce deserves our support and has done a good job so far.


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