Everton embarrassed by relegated Fulham

Where is the tigerish intensity of the last couple of games? There is just no energy, no pace, to our game today. And very little joined up football.

At the back we are all over the shop. It's very disturbing how many overloads Fulham have had when running in on our goal.

Sorry, but unless and until we can comfortably twat aside teams like Fulham, we are never going to make a dent on the top 4-6 places.

Let's hope for a Chelsea-like 2nd half from an extremely lethargic, sleep-walking Everton.

Would feel worse if pretty much the whole of TW and their dog hadn't predicted it; Everton are nothing if not predictable.

These kind of blips needed eliminating asap if we ever dream to win a bean.

A FUCKIN GAIN.

I had a bad feeling after watching a poorly motivated Everton in the first half.

This was a game which showed the perennial problem for Everton. As soon as we are expected to win, we don't. That is because we lack mental strength still. It has been the case for a long time. I believe we will fix it with this management.

Finally, of course, it is confirmed - as if we didn't know - that we need two strikers (to include a proper finisher) and a high class game manager in midfield.

A very bad performance, of course, but I hope there will be no meltdown on here. Off you go.

We have been very good recently and today's result doesn't mean we are suddenly shit. It's football and it happens to every team. Looks like the other teams fighting for 7th are also losing this weekend. A missed chance, but I expect us to bounce back against Utd. We were flat and they were bang up for it. Players such as Mitrovic and Babel are playing for moves. Frustrating, but no games are a given.

"No doubt it's going to be busy on here tonight."

If it is, it will be for good reason. Equally, TWers could be left so apathetic by that showing that, like the players, they may not even bother.

There is no saving grace from that performance. None.

Fulham's last NINE games before today reads:

A Palace l 0-2
H Man Utd l 0-3
A WHU l 1-3
A S'ton l 0-2
H Chelsea l 1-2
A Leicester l 1-3
H L'pool l 1-2
H Man City l 0-2
A Watford l 1-4

That equates to:
P 9 W 0 D 0 L 9 F 5 A 23 Pts 0

They last won 4-2 at home to Brighton on 29 January.

Before today, they had kept just two clean sheets all season.

They were on easy street all game.

Where were our leaders? Who in a blue shirt galvanized the team? Who bollocked players for being so inept and lethargic? Who tried to take some initiative and wrestle the game back from Fulham's control?

There have been some nice halves of football by Everton in recent weeks. But quite evidently, it was far, far too premature to believe as some were too quick to claim that a corner has been turned with these players and the manager.

This will continue to be the case unless and until we routinely twat aside such hapless teams in the PL as Fulham. Without doing so, forget ever making any sort of inroads into the top 4-6.

There is always meltdown on here if we are beaten, the level of meltdown depends on the level of performance.

BIG...Meltdown predicted and long may it continue to be so.

It's what football is all about, take away the passion and you are left with complacency which has no place in football.

I just hope we don't think that the world has ended and that the other recent games count for nothing. Because that is the way of the long term loser.

I sincerely hope that was tongue in cheek and you don't have some concrete insider knowledge.

The last thing we need is that ego walking through the doors.

I can't even say Fulham were brilliant today, they were okay, don't get me wrong, but we were awful, and it wasn't just one player it was across the whole team. Just when you start thinking we had eventually turned the corner, the whole team the Manager were next to useless.

Why does Silva continue to fail to see that if things aren't working he leaves it too late for substitutes to get on and perhaps change the game?

Where was the wing play from Bernard and Richarlison that we've seen work so well over the past couple of weeks?

Both kept coming inside and were totally out of the game first half, we may as well have had 9 men... I don't care if Jagielka scored last week, Keane is 1st choice... or is he on his way to Arsenal as the rumours suggest?

I have a feeling the players don't want to finish 7th and start again in July.

Even more tiresome than the performance, however, is the fact that clowns who were nowhere to be seen after we beat Chelsea and Arsenal are already popping up on here like clockwork and screaming bloody murder. I have neither the time nor the patience for that, so goodnight.

Stop talking nonsense. Silva is going nowhere and there's not a prayer that dinosaur Mourinho is coming in. Or do you really believe a few brain-dead cretins on social media??

So he was there today... big deal! My mate was too — and they're not going to give him the job!

There's no meltdown on here, we're all very familair with today's performance. It's all about ambition and we ain't got none. We will always be mediocre.

Why hasn't the Russian Usmanov joined us ? He did offer to help us out after all. Unforgiveable that one.

It was like back to the really bad old days with half hearted effort and an inability to put 2 decent passes together.

I know Mourhino was there today but I hope reports of him sitting next to Moshiri are not true.

“On the beach” is a decent song by Chris Rea. It's a great album by Neil Young. It's not where I want our players to be mid-April.

Notwithstanding the FFP rules, Mourhino would only consider joining to any side where he has a very large war chest available.

Does his presence today (if it was factual, as I only have reports from this site to say he was there), indicate that we are about to get a large influx in cash, or, to put it another way, is Usmanov going to finally come on board?

I am sure with some clever sponsorship etc, the FFP rules can be overcome and if we have a pile of cash for new signings, only then would I believe that Mourhino would consider coming.

Or are you the sort to bang on doors before announcing "It is I!"?

Happens all the time in sport to the also rans. Unfortunately to often it's us. Nothing to play for but pride and we don't turn up.

It started at the back and spread through the team. Bernard a d Rich had run themselves into the ground the last few games. Today they weren't getting forward or back quick enough.

The focus and intensity had gone back into it's shell today. It wasn't terrible but it was poor. Subs to little to late.

Doesn't change the overall view of the season. Average but with signs we have moved on and progressed from last season. Lots of room to improve and big decisions to make to sort out the spine of our team for next season.

But we must stop ricocheting around as supporters, 6 days ago the mood was one of great optimism. I hold to the view that we have played some of the best football for years with this manager. That's a good platform and reason for hope; not for a stay of execution.

The last few weeks were enjoyable but if you thought that meant the problems were solved then you haven't been paying attention.

The team is decent. They'll put some good performances in and they'll put some bad ones in. Just like most decent teams.

Where this Everton team differs is their ability to grind out a result when they're not playing well. They just don't do it.

There isn't the leadership on the pitch, and there's nowhere near the tactical ability needed in the dugout.

We're a midtable team. Getting midtable things.

The worrying thing for me is that there's every chance we lose both of our central midfielders in the summer. If that happens it will be hard work just to maintain the level that we currently have. Sobering thought.

Everton had only Gomes in midfield in the first half while the Manager resorted to his previous tactics of having three wide on one wing and three on the other, in the second half we didn't even have Gomes and just launched the long ball or try to find Digne. Richarlison and Sigurdsson were almost entirely anonymous for the whole game while Gana was workmanlike but almost incapable of anything creative. And what did our super coach do about it? Absolutely bugger all!

If this was his attempt to justify his previous tactics then he should receive the same and be shown the door he'll be going through if it continues. Strangely we still have a chance of being as high as the giddy 7th at season's end when we will be presented with another years bugger all but will kid ourselves that it is some sort of justification, best of the incapable!

Are you just trying to cover every eventuality or can you just not make your mind up?

He's gone in post 19, he's staying in post 60.

Which is it?

A defeat or a horror show like today, Millwall away, Brighton away, Newcastle away always seems to be just around the corner.

Fulham are awful, so bad defensively that even I could have caused them more trouble today than our forwards, yet we witnessed signs of our impotence in front of goal last Sunday and at West Ham, today when a few chances did arise we couldn't take them.

I am forever left wanting more from Everton but end up never getting it.

As I say, an Evertonians season will be summed up on the last day of the campaign when we get beat at Spurs spanking new odyssey and the Redshite lift the title (highly likely if they win tomorrow let's be honest).

This is as bad as a cup upset given the quality of the opposition. Results like this suggest a manager who is out of his depth. I'm convinced that Silva was ignorant of what went right against Arsenal.

We'll win a couple more between now and May and probably finish 8th or 9th; a higher points total than last year being our goal most likely. The hard work for Brands and Silva will start after their holidays in June to ensure that performances like today are a thing of the past. So let's just draw a line under this one. Lastly,the club should think about giving those great travelling fans their money back, they deserved so much more.

I think subconsciously we eased off completely against Fulham. Mitrovic proved what a good centre forward can do, defensively we were lazy and forwards were all at sea. Silva will have to take his share of the blame and his managing ability can still be debated but he certainly should not be put aside as a useless manager because of this defeat.

It's true that he picked the same team today, but did he pick the same tactics as against Arsenal?

If so, were they the correct tactics for Fulham?

I don't know - and I'm not paid to know.

Marco is paid to know, I just wonder of he does?

I stopped going away in the Moyes era for the exact same reason, they should take a look at the away end and think to themselves.

'That lot have travelled hundreds of miles to watch us perform, for vast amounts of cash, lets have a go eh lad's.

Do not miss the long heartbreaking journeys home one little bit.

Don't these players realise how lucky they are to receive the wages they are on week after week, millionaires the lot of them, haven't they got any shame, I could go on but I'll get annoyed again around 10.30pm tonight when I hear a car door getting slammed and my next door neighbour, disabled, hobbles into the house with his mam,coming home from Fulham after watching that miserable effort from players who will earn more in a couple of hours than this lad will get all year, scrimping and saving to pay for his season ticket and fares all over the country to watch these feeble players.

These same feeble, couldn't care less players who will be cheered onto the pitch next Sunday, I ‘d love, for once, for them to come onto complete and utter silence.

Usual story, no heart, leadership, drive, belief, hunger and no striker who can finish reasonable and good chances.

Sick, to the back teeth again, solace, in that our rivals for the Europa league also lost, but it can't disguise that we can't stick extended unbeaten runs together.

Jags got picked on merit,for last week, but I'd have thought today that Keane would have been restored. It may have made no difference as they all stunk the place out, but it makes you wonder, and did it make much difference to Fulham's game plan?

JPs bad kicking habits, Keystone Kops defending, poor finishing, no cohesion, no ownership, today we got we deserved, and Fulham thoroughly deserved their victory, as they earned it.

Being honest and realistic today's loss won't help the quest to keep Gomes and Zouma, and attract new players.

If we are getting new players in this summer, I think it will be all potential and to build on the potential. Time will tell us whom MB has lined up.

Can we beat Manure next week? Of course we can, and it's seemingly that the last few years more than most, the teams only up to play well against the better teams.

It's also noticeable this season, we've struggled against most of the bottom half at GP, as well, so it's a very unpredictable Jekyll & Hyde, demeanour with the Everton first team.

You'd have thought they were knackered after a mid week game, but not the case, so why today versus one of the worst team in the EPL, for years, did Everton not turn up?

Now for a new era perhaps, but getting rid of the dead and drift wood, this summer, will be some challenge.

Let's hope we turn up next Sunday. Let's hope we can beat them next Sunday, but it will have to be a fully committed performance. No shirkers next Sunday!

I expect that Silva feels just the same. His recent comments about the relationship with the fans struck me as entirely genuine.

Paul @83, agree with every word.

The game might have swung round if DCL had scored his chance, but it would have been undeserved in truth.

Test of character now for the first team squad, and leadership qualities are needed from players and the management team.

Get them back in tomorrow at FF! Once upon a time

Fulham's problem all season is that once they concede, they fall apart. If only DCL could have finished one of those chances, I feel it would have been a completely different game. But as Mitrovic bullied pretty much our whole defense and midfield, while DCL was waif like.

I wouldn't be surprised if we put a bid in for him in the summer as Fulham don't have a chance of keeping him.

I can't wait for us to get a decent striker in the summer. DCL does his best, but he needs a season in the Championship. He's a 10 goal a season striker maximum at the moment. He also needs more support from Richarlison and Sigurdsson, who yet again, if they are not scoring, offer sod all.

Although I haven't been to away games for many years, I can remember the disappointment of defeat, and the long train or coach journeys home and the misery they entailed. I salute the fans who travel the length and breadth of the country, and I don't exclude fans of any other clubs, I admire there loyalty to the clubs they love.

On a brighter note, Josh's team clinched their League Championship today, Josh scoring both goals in a 2-0 win, the goals coming in the last three minutes. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the get together next Sunday.

I'm glad Josh made your day a lot better for you, I know how proud you are of him, tell him well done, keep it up and he could be back at Finch Farm next season.

John, I hope Everton play a lot better next week, it will not make up for today, but the ale will taste better if we win, see you then.

Give a little respect to Fulham, sit deep then hit them on the break not just play open football exposing both fullbacks constantly.

At half time he should have made changes to the formation as we were being overrun in midfield. Whilst his subs just replace like for like not really impacting the game.

The failings of Bernard and DCL were also present today. At this level chances have to be taken or at least make life difficult for the goalie. We need 10 chances to score once.

Roll on utd next week.

Everyone played badly with the exception of Richarlison and Sigurdsson, who weren't playing at all. We were second to every ball, lost every arial duel and couldn't even manage simple passes and ball control.

I was surprised to see players swapping shirts at the end. Who would want an Everton shirt? Why weren't the Everton players making an embarrassed beeline for the dressing room? If they had any self-respect they would compensate the poor fans who had to watch them.

To listen to those people on this web-site lauding Silva & Brands before this game, thinking we had turned a corner, and we're now on the way up. Get real, people! This is Everton FC. Our destiny is failure. Believe and accept it. We are truly garbage.

Today was painfully predictable and is a good marker of where we are still. Inconsistent.

Silva is able to get a tune out of these players as we've seen in the last month but till he can do it regularly then we will have no shot at top 6 and his job will not be safe.

It worries me that we have still not come back from a losing position this season. Let's see what Silva can summon up for these last 4 games.

Cue a dismal gut wrenching performance from players who were outshone by one of the worst teams ever to play in the Premiership. It wasn't much this, the chance to hope we can finish 7th and city do us a favour. But it was something. A mind of minor apology from a manager who has been poor most of the season, and a team who have under performed and often played like they really, really, didn't give a toss.

Raise the minor hope then smash it away in embarrassing shameful style, that's this Everton squad and I honestly don't think they get it, not all. The managers post match presser should have been one of absolute fury, but instead you'd have thought he was commenting on a pre season friendly. Where the hell is the passion. No idea how some might think this showing didn't matter. Like the equally pathetic Millwall defeat, this nonsense shows that we have zero mental strength and are way more loser then winner.

Chance likely gone now, can't expect others to have another Weekend like that. Gutted and yes I know it's a second rate way to get back into Europe but I think we badly need the exposure to European football. Absolutely dire.

On an earlier post there was mention of Mouriniho sitting with Moshiri. Not sure who it was, but it was definitely not Moshiri or Usmanov.

After today's drivel you have to wonder whether they're now scared of mere Europa qualification given the increase in matches that's then incurred.

Shameful, regardless of reason.

Another totally gutless, shambolic performance on a par with Southampton, Brighton and Millwall and I've been unfortunate, or stupid, enough to waste time and money on them all.

Conceding so early in the second half gave us, at least, 44 minutes to respond but there was nothing and apart from DCL's one that went the wrong side of the post their goalkeeper was virtually unemployed. There was 8 minutes added time and added time in added time but we never threatened at all.

When the side is as disjointed as it was, today, you look to the manager to address the situation but his substitutions were far too late and just replaced like for like in a similar way to the other dreadful away defeats.

For me, Silva's inability to react and change things out on the pitch is a major concern, if he is to remain. These abject away ( and some home) displays must raise questions on motivation and the way the side is set up.

The day's highlight, for me, was the stroll along the river to Putney Bridge and the walk back through the adjacent parks. I was home well in time for MotD but couldn't be bothered watching it.

Marco gets home from Finch Farm to be greeted by the wife;

Mrs Silva: How did it go today. luv?
Mr Silva: Not bad, luv, I've worked out who should play in goal and half the bench. Still, it's early, it's only Tuesday.

He stood and watched almost emotionless and when he decided to make a substitution he sent on like for like to continue in the same manner. If it's not at least partly, I think wholly, his responsibility then why is he there?

7th is still in reach and I expect us to beat United at a rocking Goodison.

Only Everton

I don't care how many points we get this season and am not judging Silva on what place we finish. Silva inherited a shambles, a bloated squad of little quality. Along with Brands, he brought in some very good players but it wasn't enough. The squad is still very poor, and we rely on players who have zero competition.

I will judge Silva next season once a few more of this squad are moved on and a few others of similar quality to last summer are brought in.

There's a reason that he brought his subs on late yesterday. He doesn't believe in them. Can you blame him? Walcott, Lookman, and Tosun are simply not good enough.

Silva has a lot to prove, but he's still developing as a manager and will make mistakes. Two wins against the top six, with an away win at WHU in between, is a fantastic effort and surely grounds for optimism regardless of yesterday's dreadful result.

Like I said in my previous post, it seems when one or 2 players are having an off-day they all seem to catch the malaise too, as if was contagious.

I can accept defeat reluctantly if we get beaten, either by a better team, a quirk of bad luck, or poor refereeing decisions. Yesterday it was none of those, although Fulham did prove to be better than us, in that they had a desire to win which was totally lacking with us.

This has been the tale of Everton over numerous years now, we have the opportunity to jump up the table taking advantage of other teams slip ups only to do the same.

I can only think they came out with the wrong attitude and the minute Fulham came at us we melted away. Silva is paid to change that and he failed at half time and with his substitutions. Personally, I don't think he is the person to take us forward but I am prepared to wait and be proved wrong.

It's not an anomaly, it happens every season. It just happened to us this time.

Nothing of course will change because this garbage is now tolerated, in fact, has become the norm, in a regime happy with wallowing in their cunning for making themselves fabulously rich while having to achieve NOTHING apart from staying up and they do it admirably year after year, achieving nothing that is apart from slowly killing the club.

This was a bad day at the office. Especially after Leicester lost to New Castle. When opportunity presents itself, Everton usually fuck it up.

Moving on.

A small-time team with a small-time manager.

No more 'big time'managers and tolerance of a 70% spend on players wages and many of us say 'so be it !' But in the spendfest atmosphere of today's Premier League, we all have to accept that a halfway finish is all we can expect for the foreseeable future.

In this climate 'a Moyes' would be a godsend and whilst I have no longing for his return, I shall not be surprised to see it should next early season see us at the wrong end of the table. His brand of 8th spot average would be a godsend to a regime who, up until now, seem like 'babes in the wood' !

I spoke to Josh this morning, he wishes to thank you for your kind words, he told me that he has scored 23 goals in 15 games, his team play their final league game tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to Sundays get together, when you and I can take the opportunity to put the world to rights.

One thing he did fuck up on is playing Jagielka. Last week should've been his Everton swansong. But he played him on the strength of his game last week and he got absolutely fucking steamrolled. I have no doubt they won't play like that next week against Man Utd.

One thing is an absolute must is we have to offload the dross we have at the club – even if it means giving them away. The next two windows are huge for the future of our club, make no mistake. Fuck that up and we are looking for another coach and director of football.

Being an Everton fan is emotionally draining. Buy Mitrovic and Loftus-Cheek in the summer and bulk the team up. These two players love a rumble and I swear we won't get bullied around like we did yesterday. We are far too weak in the middle and up top.

Before the previous 4 games the expectations for those games would have "reasonably" been; draw at WHU, loss to Chelsea, loss to Arsenal, win at Fulham resulting in 4 points. We got 9.

Sometimes you have to look at the big picture and not let disappointment cause you to over react.

A week ago "Silva's found his feet they know how he wants them to play, it's coming good."

Today "Silva's shit, can't motivate players, can't handle substitutions blah blah blah."

If only Zouma's twin had played, who was arguably the best of a bad bunch, the result could and should have been so different. :-)

Yesterday, we lost to a team already relegated but they strived to please their supporters, our team gave up the struggle, no supporter should accept that sort of attitude.

See you next week, John, tell Josh as long as he is enjoying the game, that's fine, he'll do well, when he stops enjoying the game that's a different matter,l ooks like our lot didn't enjoy the game versus Fulham.

I'm looking forward to next Sundays get together, and I would like to thank you for the time and effort you have put into the venture.

I doubt you were at the game, yesterday, but apologies if you were.

Silva selected a side that most would have picked themselves with the possible exception of retaining Jags. From the near own goal in the first minute it was an abysmal, shambolic performance.

It's not the defeat that's so hard to take it's the manner of the defeat which hurts.
A shambolic performance but the opportunity was there, at half time, to change things; Silva didn't take that opportunity.

OK, maybe the goal coming in the first minute of the second half negated any team talk, he may have given, but he still didn't react.
The substitutions were made very late in the game, not to change the tactical set up of the side but just on a like for like basis. It was too little far too late.

Earlier in the thread someone said that if he cannot manage the team, once they're out on the pitch, then what is the point in having him.

Indeed!

Unless you are going to the moon or Kathmandu John, you will not escape the news should they win it, you will need more than a two week holiday for the news to die down,

Still getting the 5 times after all those years ago.

Enjoy your Holiday, but spare a thought of us left behind having to suck it in for the next decade and beyond.

Even scarier if they land title and champs league, Jesus I need a lay down.

My point being: When was the last time an Everton manager apologised for another dire performance? And God knows there have been an abundance of them over the years... No, they aren't interested in the fans who follow them all over the country, spending money they have grafted for... It's just one sorry excuse after another and I suppose we'll get the usual soundbites from the players this week.

"Big game against Man Utd... blah blah blah." I was one of those fickle enough to believe we had turned a corner and predicted a 4-1 win on Saturday. How foolish am I??? Nothing shocks me with this club — and why should it? I've seen it all...

My life has been one false dawn after another. Sad being an Evertonian, it really is...

Compare that to us with our painfully slow buildup, physical and mental weakness, with our huge inferiority complex, lack of fight, balls, commitment, desire etc...

They have everything we lack including a manager with a personality not some Plato looking deep thinker on the sideline. We lack passion and heart and belief and fire in the belly, everything they have in abundance.

I still want City to win it though. Blue Moon!

I considered going to this (living in Kent it's an easy outing) but baulked at 𧴜 plus travelling for two tickets. I'm glad I didn't, and respect to you poor bastards that made the trip from wherever you were in the country.

I am at a loss as to our inconsistency.

Echoing Alan McGuffog (I think it was) on a thread somewhere - we do not appear to have anyone who can give the requisite ass kicking when it is needed. Look at all the "top" managers - I don't need to name them. Our lads should have had such a rocket pu up them at half time tat they daren't show their faces at the final whistle if they capitulated. The rest is history now, as they say.

Guardiola went ballistic at one of his crew when City let that Palace goal in from the free kick yesterday. Christ knows what sort of brain fart B Silva was having but as far as Pep was concerned it was down (presumably) to one of the coaches to make sure that sort of thing doesn't happen. He (B Silva) might as well have been wearing red and blue.

Monday morning and I'm still in a bit of a world of disbelief after Saturday. Hopefully we can get back into playing again by Sunday, and maybe rock Ole Gunnar's boat a bit.

But then I expect I will still buy another lottery ticket as well.

That has been the story on a number of occasions this season and that winning momentum and consistency is something that is sadly lacking. The level of team performances have been impressive in the past three games and really that should be maintained and not lost.

I believe in the team as we certainly have the quality and we can play attractive football, but still not convinced that Marco Silva is the right man for Everton. At home against Manchester United next, of which will be a difficult game and hopefully we can come away from this game with a positive result.

1. From kick off they were on us and we never matched their physicality and intensity.

2. We cant score. For all the DCL hype train how many goals has he scored recently?

3. Jags deserevd a second start but father time waits for no man. Too old and should be released in the summer along with Baines.

On a brighter note - Everton U23s are PL league 2 champs. Get in.

Everton, Leicester, Wolves and Watford are all in contention for what some have come to consider to be the poisoned chalice of a pre qualifying rounds of the subsidiary European competition. All of above contrived to lose their latest round of fixtures, thereby lessening their chance of starting their fixtures for next season in July.

Don't get me wrong, I along with many Blues love European nights at Goodison the opportunity for away trips to the continent. But the reality is that most clubs, Everton included at the moment, don't have squads with enough quality in depth to do it justice. Added to that is the often negative impact on league form of playing Thursday/Sunday. Burnley have only of late recovered from their Europa League 'campaign' and the Toffees have had some form issues during some of our European jaunts.

As it stands, with a manager, staff and squad in transition, it could be argued that 7th and a Europa League spot is not something we need. Notwithstanding the potential benefits of giving European experience to players and a Champions League place for the winner, I think it would be best avoided this time round. Maybe other clubs are thinking along the same lines.

Generally, until the Europa League is restructured, which is under consideration at the moment, it may remain something that some fans and clubs would prefer to avoid.