Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Friday, 10 January, 2020 205comments  |  Jump to most recent
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With the hectic Festive programme out the way, Carlo Ancelotti has finally had a full week with the players on the training pitch

Everton turn their focus back to the only remaining business of the 2019-20 season and that is making a concerted push for the top six over the remaining 17 games of the Premier League campaign.

The Blues made the meekest of exits from the FA Cup at the hands of their arch rivals from across the Park last Sunday and must begin the process of making amends with their long-suffering fans with the visit of Brighton this weekend.

The fallout from the cup derby defeat to a largely young and inexperienced Liverpool side has been predictably sobering but while the players were given a dressing down by Duncan Ferguson the immediate aftermath and Director of Football, Marcel Brands, held counsel with a small group of concerned fans outside the gates of Finch Farm, the most important work will have been done by Carlo Ancelotti on the pitches and in the video room of the club's Halewood complex.

Having taken over at the height of the Festive programme, this has been the new manager's first full week on the training ground with the players where he could not only manage the response to the latest Anfield debacle but also impart his ideas and methods to the players in earnest.

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The manner of the defeat will present a stern test of Ancelotti's renowned man management talents but he will also learn a great deal more about the character of the team he has inherited over the coming weeks.

If Ancelotti was as shocked as reports suggested he was by Everton's performance at Anfield, his first move would, ordinarily, be to make a number of personnel changes to the starting XI this weekend. The continuing lack of options, however, particularly in central midfield mean that the Italian's scope for making wholesale changes is still limited.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Morgan Schneiderlin were paired together against Liverpool and proved to be a spectacular failure as a partnership, with the Frenchman emerging with little credit from his return to action after three weeks out and Sigurdsson being substituted after about an hour for the second game running.

It would be hugely surprising to see the same players line up together again against the Seagulls and there is merit in deploying Mason Holgate in a midfield role once again and recalling Michael Keane to central defence, even if the England man's form has been decidedly iffy this campaign. Tom Davies will also be pushing for inclusion while Fabian Delph might argue that he was only on for the last half hour against the reds and could make the case that some experience is needed in the middle of the park.

Ancelotti also has decisions to make regarding both full-back positions. At left-back, Lucas Digne looks exhausted and completely unproductive at the moment, perhaps because he hasn't fully recovered from the groin problem he picked up five weeks ago. Bringing Leighton Baines back in would seem to be a “no-brainer”.

At right-back, Djibril Sidibé has had an awful start to the new year but was arguably Everton's best player over the preceding month while Seamus Coleman seemed to have a mini-revival form under Ancelotti but he, too, has been taken off in the last two games so much will depend on whether or not the manager opts for his three-man defence, with Sidibé in a wing-back role again.

Further forward, Richarlison has looked dead on his feet but will have benefited from the six-day break and is almost certain to start playing off Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Despite missing good chances, the two attacking players were, perhaps, deserving of what little sympathy there was to go round on Sunday given how poorly the team used the ball and got it forward on the day and there is definitely something to be said for now turning to those players who appear to genuinely care.

You could add Bernard to that list, another player who is deserving of a start having recovered from the knock he picked up on New Year's Day and with Theo Walcott having demonstrated how little he now brings to the team, there is definitely scope for starting Anthony Gordon on the opposite flank. He may be young but he can't possibly be worse than the former Arsenal man.

Everton will be coming up against a Brighton side that has won just once since their 2-1 win at Arsenal a month ago, with their head-turning early-season form under the equally impressive Graham Potter giving way to three draws and three defeats in all competitions in that time.

The south coasters are well organised, move the ball very well and are difficult to beat, though, and, as such, will not be easy opposition for a Blues side needing to show a significant response to the events of last weekend.

How Ancelotti's men respond will be key in what could be an uneasy atmosphere in the early going. It will be incumbent on them to ignite the home support through commitment and deed on the pitch as that will be quickest way to get Evertonians back onside and fully behind them for the rest of a season that is by no means over yet despite the gloom of the past few days.

Kick-off: 3pm, Saturday 11 January, 2020
Referee: David Coote


Last Time: Everton 3 - 1 Brighton

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Baines, Delph, Davies, Bernard, Gordon, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin

Quotes sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Report page



Reader Comments (205)

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David Price
1 Posted 10/01/2020 at 07:40:03
field the under 23 team, fuck the lot off them I can honestly say that as a life long Evertonian I feel sorry for Carlo as he now realises what a huge task he has on his hands.
The irony is that this may prove to be the catalyst for a complete clear out of the overpaid non committed clowns that we currently have at the club.
Brands must also take responsibility for the signings,keen being a classic example, the kid is out of his depth and although he may have potential we should be buying the complete player to get this club where it should be.
on a positive note I don't think we will go down !! lol
Robert Leigh
2 Posted 10/01/2020 at 07:46:56
Agree with your lineup Lyndon, only change I might make is Keane in for Delph (Mr talkative) and Holgate into midfield.

Big game - big response required.

COYB

Jim Bennings
3 Posted 10/01/2020 at 07:54:35
You might as well say there 13 games left that we have a chance of winning, we still have to play Liverpool at home, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs away, history at this football club tells you Everton don’t win these fixtures and nothing ever changes here.

So I have little doubt they will turn up and win tomorrow.

The problem is the mentality of our players, they’ll win tomorrow and think they have appeased the supporters but then they will have the next two weeks off and turn in shit shows.

As I say, that’s the mentality of player we have harboured at Everton for too long.

John Zapa
4 Posted 10/01/2020 at 07:59:01
Very harsh words about Walcott, I think he was the best player on the field in the first half in the last game.
Andrew Merrick
5 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:01:52
A clear out is long overdue.
Wont happen over night.
Tom Davies on main site sharing some of the expected training insight from his new boss.
Carlo has to get the most out of a dysfunctional group of players.
Expectations are at an all time low, who will stand up and stand out?
Jim Bennings
6 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:15:13
John

I don’t think it’s really that harsh on Walcott.

He’s deteriorated rapidly since his first six months at Everton when he actually started brightly.

His end product is woeful, nearly every ball misses its intended target and he no longer poses any goal threat (he hasn’t scored all season) not helpful when you are crying out for goals from midfield.

I could not quite work out the team selection last Sunday, why it included Walcott, Sidibe AND Coleman, it has to be two from that three at the very most, and no more.

Our entire midfield has done nothing all season, nobody creates, nobody scores, we have wingers that don’t run at fullbacks.

Even Gomes before he got injured was having quite a subdued season, I just don’t know what it is with midfielders at this club anymore, they don’t seem capable of getting involved in matches.

Steve Shave
7 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:16:08
I really hope he does start Gordon, what a chance for the lad. I honestly think if Schneidershite played this week he would get booed again, such is the current level of animosity towards him. I think they will raise their game in general (again) this weekend and we will get the 3 points its what they do after this that makes us so...Everton.
Eddie Dunn
8 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:20:03
It must have been a rather flat atmosphere at the training ground especially after the Delph business and the criticism from the fans on social media.
A tough job for Carlo and Duncan to firstly castigate the worst offenders at Anfield but somehow try to muster resources and rally the troops for a very important league game.
Obviously, there can't be wholesale changes due to injuries but I'm sure that very few people want to see Schides and Siggy on the same pitch when in the same team.
Rudi Coote
9 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:21:04
It's hard to be positive after last Sunday, it's also hard to be bothered also. I don't think anything can appease the fans during the rest of the season. Not even a win over the RS. The cup game should have spurred us on, created some excitement, maybe even reached the semis.

The whole place would be positive with the threat of relegation gone. But now we face the reality that this is the year of the drop, from which we will take a hell of a long time to recover. Another false dawn, an Everton dawn.
Bill Gienapp
10 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:40:04
I really hope the FA Cup fiasco doesn't completely torpedo the genuine momentum that was starting to build in the wake of Silva's dismissal. The Burnley and Newcastle wins (now largely forgotten) weren't barnstorming victories, but they were efficient, controlled performances aided by Ancelotti's astute tactics and substitutions. We have a run of five winnable fixtures coming up and need to get back into a positive headspace.
Martin Berry
11 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:57:06
It will be fascinating to see what Carlo does bearing in mind with injury problems and possible first team promotion of some of the younger players.
Kevin Prytherch
12 Posted 10/01/2020 at 08:59:10
I have a feeling he will start with that team, but with Kean up front, Richarlison on the right and Gordon on the bench.

I would like to see Gordon joined by Adenerin (or Baningime if fit) on the bench. Completely drop Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin. I would say completely drop Delph as well, but other than Holgate there is no other viable central midfield option.

Franny Porter
13 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:07:39
Slightly off topic but adding to Kevin's point (A12), does anyone think Moise Kean looks extremely unfit?

I don't just mean the way he puts his hands on his knees to get his breath back, he's also got a massive arse for a 19 year old footballer!

Mark Dunford
14 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:10:03
I'm fed up with Delph's histrionics and feel he has proven to be far more trouble than he is worth. Squabbling with a fan on social media and screaming curses at teammates during.a match are both unacceptable even if he had contributed massively. Given that he has yet to do much worth noting on the pitch (beyond making a fool of himself), I'd be inclined to get rid of him at the earliest possible opportunity. We won out with Barry and lost out trying to repeat earlier success.

At this stage, we just need to pick up points to maintain direction of travel in the league. Given Delph's attitude, I'm not sure his presence will help pull the team together. With that in mind, I'd drop him alongside Sigurdsson, Schneiderlin and Walcott. On the other hand, nothing to lose in playing Gordon so - certainly - give the lad a chance

Dave Williams
15 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:15:31
I agree with Kevin #12. So much depends on the first few tackles as the players have to get the crowd on side quickly- a toxic atmosphere will not help and we badly need three points. Carlo has to select players who care. I’d only play Delph if Davies isn’t fit- otherwise Tom and Mason in CM unless Beni or Alex are ready.
Jim Bennings
16 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:33:28
If Brighton score first it’s effectively game over as we still haven’t come from behind to win since Big Sam in December 2017, we rarely come from behind to even draw.

Franny 13

I agree with that because I touched on it myself a few weeks ago, young Moise looks a little top heavy and like he’s carrying a tad bit of timber.

Lukaku was always a big chunky physical lad at 19 but he was extremely strong too, albeit inconsistent, he did really bully defenders when he was on his game, I’ve yet to really see that in Kean.

Jonathan Tasker
17 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:37:45
Why would anyone feel sorry for the manager ?Seriously, he’s being paid a fortune and surely his due diligence would have indicated he was taking over a very weak squad with perhaps only Richarlison up to the required standard. Plus based on previous performance the Everton hierarchy will already be planning to sell him anyway.
That’s the Everton way. Sell Rooney, Arteta, Barkley, Lescott, Lukaku, Gueye and replace them with Walcotts.
Tony Waring
18 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:41:22
Can't understand the fuss about Delph and the irate supporter. If somebody insulted me on social media I would respond in kind. The problem per se is "social media". Seemingly it's anything but "social". I don't subscribe to it' If I have something to say to somebody I say it to their face. Of course ideally the best cure would be to ban social media - especially for kids - it's a waste of time.
Charles McCann
19 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:41:44
That predicted lineup is exactly what i'd like to see tomorrow. Wouldn't even want to see Sneiderlinn, Sidibe, Walcott, Tosun etc on the bench. That lineup has players who are all comfortable in possession and so would allow us to play ball out from the back and through midfield instead of the long ball stuff. The players I mentioned have had enough chances and are at an age where they will never get any better. Adeniran has been good for the u23 's this year so at least get him on the bench. Time to give some of the youth team a chance to shine.
Ray Roche
20 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:46:42
Tony, I’d like to see Delph show as much spirit and fight on the pitch as he does against some unseen keyboard warrior who could be a twelve year old for all he knows.
He’s a complete bellend for getting involved.
Steve Ferns
21 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:57:07
There's some interesting things ahead of this game to be learnt from social media. First and foremost a new face on the training photographs. Matthew Foulds. The pictures included Carlo Ancelotti and first team players in the shots so as to confirm that Matty was indeed with the first team. Matty has reposted them to his personal Instagram account.

Matty Foulds is a left back. He was signed for an undisclosed fee a few years back. He is just shy of his 22nd birthday. He was meant to develop into a centre-back and his playing style fits in more with a cultured centre-back than a flying fullback.

Foulds is more like a cross between a left footed Mason Holgate and a left footed Tony Hibbert than Lucas Digne, Leighton Baines, or Seamus Coleman. His career has not progressed to plan due to him not quite getting the inches needed to play centre-back. I am unsure how tall he is but would guess around 6'0". He's certainly smaller than Feeney and Gibson and noticeably so. He is not a good crosser and would not get forward with confidence. He might suit playing on the left of a back 3.

The other usual suspects were there: Gordon and Adeniran. No sign of Gibson (injured) or Baningime (injured). Gordon was not in the u23s squad on Monday, whereas Adeniran was. Feeney has returned for the u23s and this meant the team had a better look about it. Astley was back at right back, john was back to right wing, Adeniran therefore came back inside to DM with Markelo alongside him. Evans in the 10 role and Mampala on the left wing.

Gordon is sure to be featured. Whether or not he starts is the question.

John Hammond
22 Posted 10/01/2020 at 09:57:24
We hit rock bottom after our visit to Anfield in December and put in a performance against Chelsea at Goodison the following game so no reason why we can't do it again.

Delph can do one. I'd rather have Holgate and Davies in the middle.

We have to rest Richarlison at some point so I'd start with DCL and Kean.

Steve Ferns
23 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:02:04
Delph did this in what's called the "Direct Messages" or DMs as the kids call them. It was not in public domain. The people arguing with Delph then proceeded to plaster the messages on social media in the public domain.

But Ray is quite right, Delph should have just ignored it. More Everton players use their settings so fans cannot comment on their pictures, only their "friends" and their DMs are available only to friends. Delph should have switched to this as well. As an Everton player, you would have to expect abuse from the fans of rival clubs, and some people would give the likes of Messi grief never mind our crappy players.

Michael Lynch
24 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:07:20
I wonder why we expect footballers/managers to act in a way that is different to any other creative sector employee or management level appointment? You get offered a job, it's paying loads, it's a company you've heard of, they give you the spiel about how ambitious they are, and you join them in the hope that it will work out and knowing that if it doesn't you can get another job somewhere else.

I doubt that Ancelotti had done much "due diligence" before he took the job. He was unemployed, the PL is the best paying and most successful league in the world, and Everton's owner is a billionaire. Judging by the look on his face during the second half at Anfield, he's probably wishing he had looked into the set-up a bit more carefully, cos it's a fucking nightmare scenario for a manager like him.

I'm not expecting much for the rest of the season, just more mediocrity and a few wins to gets us a top half finish. If there isn't a massive clear out in the summer, then it'll be more of the same next season. Ancelotti can't get a silk purse out of sow's ear, no matter how many glittering titles he's won.

Sam Hoare
25 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:08:20
What i'd give for Gueye. Or any midfielder with a bit of pace and dynamism. Delph, Davies, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson must surely be the slowest midfield combination in the league.

Davies and Delph to a degree at least show for the ball.

I'll go with Lyndons team as the thought of Trossard and Maupay running at Keane gives me kittens.

We mustn't expect too much of Gordon. He's only a kid who's struggled at times to make an impact in the U23s but at least playing him would give the crowd the lift and I really think the players will need to feel supported tomorrow (not that they deserve it).

A win tomorrow and we'd be W4 D2 L1 in the league over seven matches which is pretty good. We could still make a run on the top 7 and if we could get into Europe for next year then that may help convince better players to come here in the summer. We must try to move on from the humiliating affair in mid-week and hope Ancelotti can begin to get a sweeter tune out of these players.

Steve Ferns
26 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:09:55
Franny, no.

Moise Kean has a weird gait about him. He does not have an elegant walk. Another who has an unusual walk is Jonjo Kenny who walks like a lot of the young lads you see in the city centre, kind of a scouse strut. It does not hinder Kenny in the slightest as he bombs up and down the wing for Schalke. I do wonder though if Jack Wilshere has issues related to his unusual walk affecting his knees and back, if this would effect Kenny in anyway. I'm sure the medical experts would be all over it if that was the case.

Anyway, Kean looks, walks, and runs the same way he did for Juve. And his big arse is part of his strengths as he uses it to shield older and stronger players from the ball.

Martin Nicholls
27 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:41:41
Anyone know what's happened to Iwobi?
Jim Bennings
28 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:42:31
Steve

Certain players do have strange gaits to running, Aaron Lennon had a spider like run about him but in his first year or so with us he wasn’t absolutely brilliant for us.

Kean, like Mina a bit has a weird running gait yes, they don’t run in a straight line lol.

I’m waiting to see what Moise can do and personally I’d just start him up front now every week until the end of the season with DCL and see if he’s going to cut much here.

Derek Knox
29 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:49:29
Yes it will be interesting to say the least, when we see the actual team-sheet on Saturday, and I may add, who the substitutes are. We can draw our own conclusions as to what has gone on at Finch Farm since Sunday's embarrassing departure from the only Cup accessible to us for this season.

While I never like us to go out of any Cup, and especially in the manner that we did this time, AND against a much ' weakened ' opposition, it may however be a blessing in disguise.

There are obviously a lot of problems behind the scenes, apart from overpaid, overpriced underperforming and ageing playing staff, that needs to be sorted out. I was happy when Marcel Brands came onboard, and thought at long last we a Footballing man on the Board and who would also be involved in buying players.

He has however blotted his copybook in my eyes with a few very expensive incomings, who have yet to prove their worth, ie, Iwobi, Kean and to a lesser degree Delph. The others he couldn't have envisaged serious injury in Gomes, Gbamin, and the downturn in performance of Digne.

So let's hope the players have been left in no uncertain terms at Finch Farm this week, after serious words from Duncan, Carlo and possibly M Brands too, as to where they stand and what is expected as a minimum in EVERY game.

For the match tomorrow, Brighton have surprised me recently since Graham Potter has been in charge, with a couple of good acquisitions in Trossard (ironically we were linked with him) Jahanbakhsh and Neil Maupay, who individually and collectively are capable of inflicting damage IF given the space and opportunity to do so.

It won't be easy by any means, but not impossible either, I find it hard without knowing who will be playing to even hazard a guess at the scoreline, but equally worrying where the goals are going to come from?

Len Hawkins
30 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:56:36
I think the consensus is that a LOT of players need shipping out but unfortunately the majority of PL clubs are not as easily fooled and as gullible as Everton, who the hell except some foreign club who do not watch the EPL is going to take them. Unless of course we just throw them in the sea where eventually all our garbage seems to end up.
Eddie Dunn
31 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:58:28
Franny - there's nowt wrong with having a big arse.
Steve Ferns
32 Posted 10/01/2020 at 10:58:33
Sam, spot on, particularly with Gordon. He did struggle last season. Just one goal. He got promoted from the u18s to the u23s, but dropped back to the u18s mid season. He vied with Bowler for the Right Wing slot. Gordon is not a right winger and so his versatility saw Gordon feature at left wing or in his favoured number 10 slot, when everyone was fit, he tended to end up on the bench.

Anthony Gordon is a very fast player with incredible speed with the ball at his feet. It's one thing being fast, it's another to run fast with the ball. He has great close control. He can shift direction without losing speed. He has all the tricks and flair you could hope for. His position is a number 10. So I would say he has similarities to James Maddison. The part of his game he needs to improve the most is his passing as for a number 10 he needs to be more insightful, although he does appear to have the vision. This ability on the ball, the pace he has, and the ability to beat a man has seen him often shunted out wide.

He has actually played most often as a left winger, as the more technical right footed wingers find. He has scored a lot of goals by ghosting inside from the left and smashing it home with his right. Those who have not seen the Mansfield goal need to do so again. Remember, this is the Football League Trophy, it is a professional match against professional opposition in a lower league competition and is not a youth match. Link

In the u18s Gordon tended to play in his preferred number 10 position. He could run the game and he was prolific, scoring 15 goals in 22 games. Last season he struggled as Sam says scoring just once in 14 games (out of 22) and dropping back to the u18s for a short spell. He was back with the u23s midseason and figured off the bench. He finished the season mostly on the bench starting only 2 of the last 5.

This season he has been the main man. He scored 5 in his first 5 games, as the u23s were at the right end of the table. His form slowed of late, but he has not played many games due to first team commitments. We also need to remember that Anthony Gordon has not trained with the u23s at all this season. He trained the whole season with the first team. This means he cannot work on things with his teammates and most of their success has been just give Gordon the ball and watch him go.

I think the fans will be very patient with Gordon. They always were with Rooney, with Barkley and with Davies. It's when the youngster moves from emerging youngster to first team regular that people question sections of the crowd. I think Gordon in from the start will give the crowd the lift it needs after Sunday and can allow Gordon time to grow into the game and more opportunities to get the ball in full flow and to run at the Brighton defence.

If you look closely at Brighton, then they have a giant left back, Dan Burn. But sadly he got injured against Chelsea and went off injured. I would love to see Gordon running at the guy, he's 6'7" and wouldn't be able to handle Gordon's speed and trickery. That said, he has done well this season against other fast players, but Gordon would surely relish the match up. In his place is likely to be Bernardo. Dunno too much about him, he's Brazilian and was first choice left back last season so I have seen him play, but I think he was left wing.

Derek Knox
33 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:04:46
Sorry but meant to add to my list of dubious 'buys' involving Marcel Brands, the name of Jonas Lossl, who technically was on a ' free ' from Huddersfield and allegedly paid £28K/week which then doubled when given a two-year contract with us.

The lad, without being injured to the best of my knowledge, has rarely even appeared as a bench-warmer of late, with Stekelenburg being preferred.

Whether there is any substance to it, but we are allegedly looking to bring another keeper in? When Record Losses are about to be announced this Financial Lunacy should be forensically examined and serious questions asked!

Derek Taylor
34 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:08:44
I read that at neither Napoli nor Chelsea did Ancelloti ever ' play to the crowd.' Neither did he favour 'big rants' at players immediately after the game ( Fergie beware !). So we may well see him utilising an 'up yours' strategy by retaining the same team and tactics against a less mobile Brighton. Expect a 2-0 win just to prove how little we know !
Simon Smith
35 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:14:18
Slightly off-piste here, have people heard that lookman could be back in the premier league this month? Newcastle!

His move obviously didn’t go well.

Steve Ferns
36 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:22:00
Simon, he hasn't played at all. Nagelsmann blamed Everton for him not being fit enough. This was a smokescreen to buy him time, and now he should be fit enough, he is clearly not good enough. Remember Leipzig are at the top of the Bundesliga and so should have a higher standard than us and it would be more surprising if he was in their first XI with any regularity. The fact he is on Newcastle's radar shows just how badly it has gone as they only go for cut-price bargains.
Rudi Coote
37 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:23:12
Nice to see a Coote on the pitch, albeit refereeing. 💙👍
Derek Knox
38 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:27:01
Steve @ 36, another lack of fitness related story, what the hell has been going at Finch Farm?

It is not the first time that this has been raised either, and it was in evidence on Sunday in all departments!

Steve Ferns
39 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:44:50
Derek, it's a smokescreen. It's nonsense. All managers do it. Keoman said he needed to get our players fitter. He had all pre-season to do it. He was talking nonsense. Allardyce said it. Silva said it. They were talking nonsense too. They had all the time they needed to get professional athletes fit, except Allardyce who did not have pre-season but he needed less games not more fitness. We're not talking the local weight watchers football team.

Nagelsmann wanted to buy Lookman time. He did just this by saying he was not fit. The reality is he was a signing made by the Leipzig Director of Football who clearly rates him. Naglesmann does not play wingers. So Lookman has played up top and he struggled. 3 games, 131 minutes in total, in the league and another in the Champions League. He is available for a cut-price fee otherwise Mike Ashley will not be in for him. That tells you everything you need to know. I would question Mr Lookman now. He is 22 and still yet to make the breakthrough.

Denis Richardson
40 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:53:34
Regardless of starting XI, anything other than a win will be a disappointment. Brighton are barely a premiership side and also don't travel well.

Hoping for a positive reaction from all players picked after Sundays debacle. Additionally, 3 points here will put fears of relegation to bed so we can start looking up not down the table (we'd only need about 9 points from 16 games to stay up).

Really hope Ancelotti can get a tune out of Kean. Just hasn't worked for him so far and I think a goal wold do wonders for the kids confidence. He has pace and just think he needs that little bit of luck. Otherwise we may need to cut our losses whilst his stock is still relatively high back in Italy.

Richard Cusworth
41 Posted 10/01/2020 at 11:58:19
Don't know what to expect from team selection tomorrow. He might say here lads, you guys created this mess here's your chance to put it right... Out you go again and I'm not exposing those not responsible to any crowd reaction. This in my opinion would be the wrong decision. On the other hand he could quite easily drop 6 or 7 on the basis of Sunday - very much doubt it though. I'd certainly like to see Baines, Davies, Kean, Bernard and maybe Gordon for a tired Richarlison come in. If I was a betting man however I think there maybe only 2 changes at best and that will be Delph for Scheiderlin and Bernard for Walcott Maybe Baines for Digne. I would be surprised if Kean or Gordon did start as he might see it as too much pressure given the atmosphere. Will be an interesting one. We need to win this no matter what to at least start to move on from this sorry sorry week
Raymond Fox
42 Posted 10/01/2020 at 12:33:52
We are not in a position to be pitching in an inexperienced lad like Gordon. I fancy it will be more of the same players but with a lot more effort.
If you dismiss the FA cup game we have been doing ok in the League, more of the same should see us beat Brighton.
We are 9/10 favs which looks generous to me, as I think the players will surely be up for this game.
John Boon
43 Posted 10/01/2020 at 12:52:35
Lack of football talent is not something that can be significantly improved upon. However lack of fitness is completely unacceptable. I can only go by observation having watched every game. I also question the general fitness of the Everton team. During many games the players often look lethargic, slow and leg weary, particularly toward the end of the game.

To me Walcott is something of an enigma. I agree with John (4) as I thought he played better than most in the first half of the Liverpool game. Kean needs to start and finish a game to prove or diprove his ability and fitness. Hopefully Ancelotti has now had time to assess his options and should be able to get the most out of all his players. I think we MUST trust his judgement and let him pick the players to play against Brighton, even those that we feel should be banished to the sidelines for the rest of their careers.

Derek Knox
44 Posted 10/01/2020 at 12:59:59
Steve @ 39, can't quite go along with the smokescreen theory, although it does, as you say get used often by Managers as way of an excuse.

My reason being supported by perception alone, as some players seem to be ' blowing for tugs ' and that's only just after the warm up!

In addition I watch many matches (whole) or highlights of most in the Premiership and European and South American Leagues, and to the untrained eye, players from other Clubs, irrespective of Country, seem to be a lot fitter and more mentally aware than we have been of late.

Dave Abrahams
45 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:00:50
Steve (32), hold on with that ‘ he has similarities to James Madison’ Madison is already a street wise nark of a footballer who takes control of Leicester’s midfield. Antony has a great deal of talent but he also goes missing plenty of times in the younger teams, doesn’t, seems to me, relish the heavy tackling, granted he looks very good with plenty of the dribbling, passing, taking corners and free kicks, but if he plays, he will be coming into a senior side with little confidence, at the moment, in themselves, never mind guiding and looking after a young player just starting off.

Put Antony on the bench by all means and if we have a compfortable lead, give the last twenty minutes or so.

Steve Ferns
46 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:06:14
Dave, you're right. Probably a bit carried away with young Gordon. I think Gordon lacks the passing side of Maddison's game. But he is similarly built and plays a similar role, which is why Maddison gets shunted to the left wing. I'm not comparing the personalities, just the styles. Maddison is not as fast as Gordon. But both can dribble through the middle of the pitch and make things happen. Both have great touch, control and awareness. Both have good shooting ability.

Gordon does have a tendency to go missing, and if you take the first five games of the u23s season from him, then his stats take a real battering. Even in the u18s he scored most of those goals in a very short period where he was well past 1 per game at one stage.

I would start him though. It's time and Brighton is one of the sides you would pick for a young footballer like Gordon to make his first start against. Them or Norwich. You know he's not going to get kicked up and down the pitch.

Tony Everan
47 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:10:05
Would like to see the fluid 4-4-2 come back, they players seem more at home with it and know what they are doing.

Pickford

Seamus Keane Mina Baines

Sidibie Holgate Davies Bernard

Richarlison/ Calvert-Lewin

Brian Wilkinson
48 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:19:04
I disagree Dave, I think it is the right time to give Gordon a chance, we have 4 winnable fixtures and something fresh could do the trick, just a little tweak.

We have the big fixtures on a run again after these four games, so for me, if we are going to Gordon a run, then we need to do it now while the fixture list is a bit kinder to Everton.

Steve Ferns
49 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:26:52
Derek, sorry but you’re wrong. We were third for distance covered last season. We were 5th for sprints. Can’t find up to date stats for this season but we were 5th in October.

Carlo Ancelotti said we had good fitness levels. Duncan has them running more, but that was to unsustainable levels. No player can sprint all match long. As for the teams ahead of us. I would ask serious questions about the fitness of the fittest team in the league, we all know who, and I wonder if they have signed a certain doctor from team sky.

Colin Malone
50 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:28:58
Lyndon, Ancelotti hasn't been here a month and already we are demanding that he doesn't play him and get rid of him. Ancelotti has said that he wants to see what he has at the club before going into the transfer market. I don't want to see another Ronald Koeman scenario.

Whoever is on the field tomorrow, let's get behind them. It seems your team selection was picked in anger.

COYBB
Nicholas Ryan
51 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:35:48
Much is being made on this thread, about Moise Kean, his unusual running style, and his [apparently] unusually large behind. Also, about the players' fitness.

1. Michael Johnson - 4 Olympic golds, 8 World Championship golds - had the worst technical running style ever seen [head back, arms high and stationary]. As he said sarcastically at the end of his career: 'If only I'd had proper technique, I might have won something'!

2. Freddie Trueman - the late England fast bowler, in response to a remark about his unusually large behind, said: 'Aye, lass …. but you need a bloody big hammer, to hit a bloody big nail...'!

3. I've said this before, but the fittest people I've ever come across, have been elite oarsmen. Have Everton ever thought of asking for advice on fitness, from Sir Steve Redgrave, or Sir Matthew Pinsent? If you win multiple Olympic golds, at rowing, you are, by definition, amongst the fittest people on the planet!

Jamie Crowley
52 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:37:16
Anyone who says Theo Walcott was our best player the first half last weekend, is correct. And isn't that a damning indictment of our performance, and not a praise of Walcott??

This one is so, so easy for me:

Pickford
Seamus Keane Mina Baines
Bernard Holgate Davies Rich
DCL Kean

Bench - Digne, Delph, Tosun, Gordon, Lossl, Gordon, some other kid

All the other pretenders shouldn't even make the bench.

Dave Pritchard
53 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:41:58
Jamie, you will definitely be partly wrong as Tosun has gone to Palace on loan.
Tony Everan
54 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:42:42
Steve, I think the whole country wonders that, such is the massive gap in intensity and physicality between them and the rest. It seems beyond the realms of normality and it beggars belief, especially considering the congested schedule they play. Innocent till proven guilty, so fair play to them or not as the case may be.
Jamie Crowley
56 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:49:06
Dave - when did that happen??? Thought they were still negotiating?! Wow.

OK, put a third I’d on the bench!

Steve Ferns
57 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:49:16
Yes Tony, I was saying it in jest, but I would like some assurance that they are receiving sufficient testing.
Niall McIlhone
58 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:49:47
Jim Bennings you are on fire with your posts today, but most pertinent I think in #6 -just what on earth has happened to our midfield? I cannot remember either the lack of creativity or goal return form the middle being so very bad in any of the last six seasons? Steve( Ferns) can yo do a stat on this?
I do wonder if the chaos in the middle of the park has maybe meant that our defence and forwards have come in for more flak than they deserve? We have had poor screening of the defence and a dearth of creativity all season have we not?
We sold Gana for say £28 M and replaced him with Gbarmin and Delph for a combined figure of around £35M, only to lose both to injury for the majority of the season so far. That is bad luck, but the under- performance of those drafted in is not. It's plain worrying.

We need to see a lot more of Bernard, and he, in turn, needs to come to terms with the fact that he is now our main source of creativity and play with courage. I feel he has dropped off since the bright start, maybe give him a go off Richalison in a number 10, we could do worse?

Len Hawkins
59 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:52:20
As far as fitness goes get Dave Brailsford, I remember Chris Hoy talking about the training on rollers and he said they were made to ride as hard as possible until their leg muscles filled with lactic acid and as good as seized upon which they rolled off the bike onto a mattress on the floor and were sick into a bucket.
Jamie Crowley
60 Posted 10/01/2020 at 13:52:26
Kid, not “I’d”
Kieran Kinsella
61 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:04:16
Lawro has tipped us to win which is usually a bad omen
Kieran Kinsella
62 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:08:16
I’ve a history of being called a sore loser in the US after years questioning the performance levels of Marion Jones and Lance Armstrong long before Balco. So naturally obviously I was completely wrong and have no thoughts on Liverpool.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

63 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:09:56
Interesting presser from Carlo.

Link

Fast forward to around the four minute mark to bypass the prelude of previous match highlights.

He deals with all the issues of the week head on.

Denies there was a dressing room bust-up post-match. That the players listened to what was highlighted about their failings. That he and the club spoke to Delph about his online exchange, saying that things are said in the heat of emotion and is understandable. That he heard about Brands meeting with fans at Finch Farm, saying it was very normal in Italy and that he himself would have no problem in speaking with them in such cases.

On preparation and training, the team continues to train well (separate video below of this week's training session):

Link

That he will adapt the team's play to the players he has. That he is very flexible and not stuck to one system only.

On being asked about Alisher Usmanov he replied in his recruitment he only spoke with Moshiri, Kenwright and Brands and has only met Usmanov once in a non-football capacity.

On Tosun leaving on loan to Palace, the player asked to go to a team where he can get games and he wishes him well.

On transfers, he repeated what he previously said, that they finally sat down to discuss the transfer market only this week after the cup game.

He spoke of 'a name' he is particularly interested in, but naturally did not reveal it. He said it is a name that NONE of the media has associated with Everton.

When pressed on what position he deflected it wasn't a goalkeeper because we have one of the best in England's national goalkeeper. When pressed further and asked 'central midfield', he smiled and said 'could be'.

He also spoke of the importance of the fans and the atmosphere they created in his first Goodison game against Burnley and that the side need that again tomorrow, but he understood their disappointment and frustration.

A good honest interview.

Derek Knox
64 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:11:56
Nicholas @ 51, Funnily enough Sky recently did an article on how the Olympic Rowing Team trained in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I didn't know it was so intense, the training they do at altitude as well, they are driven to almost inhuman levels of tolerance, where they are literally writhing on the floor in agony, as they are gasping for breath, and their muscles begin to spasm.

They have to eat 8 times the normal calorie intake just to fuel themselves for the gruelling challenges beset them. So you are right in saying they are probably the fittest athletes, next to Triathletes and Marathon runners.

Our lot like completely cosseted namby pambys in comparison, come to think of it

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

65 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:20:02
Talking of fitness levels of other sports, in the old Superstars TV show in which athletes from different sports competed against each other, maybe my memory is playing me tricks, but I seem to recall that rowers did well and featured strongly, but boxers also.

Wasn't our very own John Conteh crowned UK's Superstar champion once?

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

66 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:23:39
Forgot one other interesting snippet from Carlo's presser.

Andre Gomes will be back in training next week, but no mention as to how soon it will be before he can play.

Rob Halligan
67 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:36:45
People going on about the way Moise Kean runs. Have you seen the way Raheem Sterling runs, like an penguin flapping its wings in a vain attempt to take off and fly. Doesn't seem to have done sterling any harm though.

Feel sorry for Kean. A nineteen year old kid, who can't speak a word of English, moving abroad to a club that (as far as I know) doesn't have anybody at the club speak his language. I really believe he only needs one goal to get his confidence up and running. Anyone remember his run and shot against Lincoln, where he turned the defender inside out only to thump his shot against the post. Had that gone in, then who knows what he could have gone on to do. And I know it was only Lincoln before any smart arse says "yeah, but it was only Lincoln"

Now that he has plenty of fellow Italians at the club, hopefully he can settle down, notch that first goal, tomorrow will do, and show us what he can really do.

Rob Halligan
68 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:43:14
Jay, I'd be very surprised if we see Gomes again this season. Let him fully recover, have a good pre season and come back stronger next season. I'm actually quite surprised he back training so quickly, but I suppose that's just doing weights to strengthen his leg / ankle. I doubt very much there will be any running involved.
Dave Abrahams
69 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:43:16
Brian (48),fair enough, if you think he is ready. If he gets a start I hope he does well.
Derek Knox
70 Posted 10/01/2020 at 14:46:40
Rob @ 67, I 'm pretty sure our Manager knows a word or three in Italian. :-)

Jay @ 63, thanks again for the links, very encouraging, but the video of the equivalent fixture last year, showed some great and quick build-up play which was wasted by diabolical finishing.

I just hope and pray that Schneiderlin is nowhere near the first team or the bench for that matter, and is sent to Blackpool to spend the afternoon with the other donkeys. He may learn a trick or two from them that will help him at his next Club.

I know I will be accused of Schneiderlin bashing, so what? I feel I am not alone and stating what I believe to be the case, but most of our good play in the past has come when he has NOT been in the side. Coincidence or Conspiracy Theory?

Rob Halligan
71 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:00:05
Derek, I'm pretty certain he can as well, hence my final paragraph. 😁😁
Steve Ferns
72 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:00:41
Nail, there's plenty of stats to support that. Anything in particular you would like to know?

Surely the most damning is that Sigurdsson passed back to Pickford more than he did all of the forwards combined. There was something similar for Schniederlin. Your man for this kind of stuff is David Hughes of the Liverpool Echo who posted a passing map highlighting this on twitter and in the Echo.

Jay,

"it was very normal in Italy and that he himself would have no problem in speaking with them in such cases"
The Italian Ultras are far worse to their own sides than we could ever threaten to be. Ancelotti probably finds our fanbase very passionate, but tame. I'm sure he would have no problem whatsoever addressing angry fans, who would probably be very star struck and very respectful. I heard they were nothing but respectful towards Brands anyway.

Rob, regardless of whether we see him this season or not, the fact that he is ready to begin even the lightest of training is great news. This is the crucial part. If he is able to twist and turn without issue in the coming weeks, and has full range of movement, then he should make a full recovery, although there will be a period of worry when he begins full training and encounters contact with opponents. Fingers crossed for Andre.

Still no news of Jean Pierre Gbamin?

On the subject of using fitness knowledge from the Olympics, you must have short memories. We already got some American in to do just that, and he failed badly and was sent packing, all during the Walsh / Koeman era.

Team USA Olympic fitness guru

Link

Andy Walker
73 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:05:10
Derek, bit harsh on Schneiderlin I reckon. His return to the team at the end of last season coincided with the start of a string excellent results against the top teams.

Having said that he’s been poor this season, although I think Sigurdsson has been worse, diabolical in fact.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

74 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:06:01
Rob @ 68.

I agree with you on Gomes, Rob.

Better to get him right rather than rush him back too soon.

On Moise Kean not speaking English, I thought the same, so was pleasantly surprised to see and hear his post-match interview after the City game. This is a solid attempt at English.

Credit to the lad. A lot - especially his age - would insist on an interpreter and speaking his own language.

Link

Derek @ 70. Like you, it appears, I also checked out the highlights on the club site from last season's 3-1 win over Brighton.

Link

It features three memorable goals. The first, a wonderful breakaway after defending a Brighton corner, with Sigurdsson leading the charge out, interchanging well with Bernard before slipping in a delightful ball for Richarlison to hammer high into the net.

The second a low drilled scorcher from Seamus who, after scoring, made a point of cupping his ears to the crowd as he had been the recipient of some negative comments that he was no longer the player he was since his return from injury.

Then Richarlison picking up Dunk's wayward pass just inside the Brighton half, skinning Duffy and rounding the keeper to score a classy third.

More of the same on Saturday would be nice.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

75 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:11:19
Steve, the training session video link I added earlier. I presume that is Carlo's son Davide you can see and hear shouting instructions?

I know such clips will be clipped to avoid giving too much away in the public domain, but it is interesting that mostly what we saw from Silva's sessions was tight control and passing in small spaces, whereas since Ancelotti arrived we now see more replications of actual game situations, such as the two strikers running in on goal at the start of the video, either opting to shoot or pass.

Mike Gaynes
76 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:13:46
Rob #68, agreed that "back in training" just means that Gomes is in the gym and working out. If he's a quick healer he may be walking already, perhaps with a brace, but I'm sure that running is still some distance away. And there will be a lot of weight and flexibility work as well -- after two months in a boot, his calf will look like a croquet mallet.

Speaking of running, to heck with Kean -- the most hilarious running style on this club is Mina. He crouches over and gallops like a hyena, on his haunches. Has plenty of pace and always seems to get where he needs to go, but lordy, he looks funny getting there.

Steve Ferns
77 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:14:07
Jay, did you not see the foodbank video? It was Kean and Iwobi. I thought at first Iwobi was doing all of the talking as Kean cannot say a word. Then watch as Kean was reading labelling on the food and sorting things and clearly demonstrated English skills. He was clearly conversing even though we could not hear what was said. He then said a few words in English.

The thing to remember with Kean is that he his mother is a French speaking African. This is evidenced by Brands handing her the shirt with the French term "Mami" on the back rather than Italian. I've do doubt that he speaks French to her. This would also mean that he can converse without too many issues with our French speakers. Communication should not be a problem for Kean.

Steve Ferns
78 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:16:01
Can't view videos at the moment Jay. I'll have a look later. But I would expect that by not getting a top class coach in, and with Davide's credentials, Carlo must have a lot of faith in his lad, so probably is.

As for what they show, I've no doubt at all that it will be heavily guarded to give nothing away. I know that Silva liked to run automatons drills. These are rehearsals for set movements in game. Usually beginning with a midfielder having the ball deep and wingers and forwards being taught to perform set runs. Much like watching an American football team "run a play". This is designed to make the spontaneous actually be planned. I doubt that any coach other than Bielsa would be happy with this being disclosed. He's the one who pioneered this kind of training and there's endless examples of this on YouTube. I will watch carefully to see if Ancelotti is doing this or perhaps trying to fix some problems that have arisen in the last few games.

Steavey Buckley
79 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:17:56
Everton have a very average squad of players to choose from for tomorrows match against Brighton Albion, whose ambition is to remain in the premier league. Everton will probably win, even though there is little pressure on players to do well, because they are on large contracts and hard to move on somewhere else.
Derek Knox
80 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:18:12
Rob @ 67, totally agree mate, I have seen there is definitely a player in there, and I also truly believe as with most strikers confidence is a massive factor, and once he gets his first, he will go on from there.

Let's hope that starts tomorrow, that is if he is on from the start. I think bearing all the situations you have already mentioned in mind, he needs to start, alongside DCL and Richarlison.

Coming on as sub with anything between 30 and 10 minutes to go, dependent on what the score is, is asking too much at this stage. Especially if we need a goal to win or draw. Heaven Forbid!

Tommy Surgenor
81 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:19:22
Following the news that Gomes will return to individual training, is anyone else alarmed at the lack of “updates” on Gbamin?
Nicholas Ryan
82 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:20:26
Derek [64] Many years ago, I did some rowing training at London University, who in those days, were not far off Olympic standard [they're not anymore]. There were 2 American post-grads in the group, who, if I remember rightly, both [later] made the US Olympic squad, and were here on rowing scholarships. One day, they took the rest of us through a US Olympic training session. It lasted 2 hours; at the end of it, I was on my knees vomiting, my eyes bulged out of my head, and I was 6 pounds lighter! It took me a fortnight to recover; I suspect that doesn't happen at Finch Farm!

I do remember the 2 boards at either end of the rowing gym. One said: 'Remember, in the middle of the Boat Race, you can't get out and f***ing walk'! The other said: 'Every minute you're not training, there's some Russian bastard who is'! Perhaps we could have them [or something similar] put up at FF!

In Carlo, we trust!

Mike Gaynes
83 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:20:44
Steve #72, Carlo told his press conference that Gbamin is working out in individual sessions, which means at least he's healing. Can't imagine he'll be doing much, however.

By the way, he's Jean-Philippe, not Jean Pierre.

Steve Ferns
84 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:23:38
Cheers Mike, I'll stick with JP in the future! And I blame Michael Kenrick, as he called him Jean Pierre, if you remember!!
Mike Gaynes
85 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:26:47
I'm good with that, Steve. As Michael will tell you, I cheerfully blame him for just about everything.
Derek Knox
86 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:29:38
Mike G @ 76, re Gomes rehabilitation hope all goes to plan and he is not rushed back, but Gawd we do need him.

With regards to the ' brace ' I wasn't aware he was receiving orthodon'tal correction as well, would have thought he was a bit old for that! 🤩🤐

Tony Everan
87 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:34:32
Steve/Mike

We could do with a 'Jean-Pierre' as well , for spare parts.

Mike Doyle
88 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:48:25
Jay 75] Just watched the training video. Is it my imagination, or does Siggy take much longer than the others to get from the door to the training pitch?. indeed does Carlo cover the distance quicker?
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

89 Posted 10/01/2020 at 15:58:24
The iceman and icebergs doth move slowly, Mike.

The actual training - and you can read absolutely nothing from the snatched clips - does show Tom Davies at one point turning Siggy every which way before laying off a nice round-the-corner ball.

James Marshall
90 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:09:59
Tommy@81

“Gbamin is working alone in this moment during individual sessions. Same as Iwobi,” Ancelotti continued.

He's already back in some light training by the sounds of things.

Jay Harris
91 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:32:19
For all the "tiredness" posts I have not seen one which mentions mental fatigue.

I am not defending the players but we all know there is a lack of mental toughness in this team and with the pressure of poor results, a number of changes of manager, playing with knocks to help the side out, coping with an unprecedented injury list and frustrated supporters this must all take its toll.

They may be physically fit but they are mentally drained.

Ancelotti has his work cut out to restore some belief and confidence and I hope supporters will be patient and supportive with the team he selects.

I know some will say poor dears on 100k a week or whatever but motivation and confidence are key to us finishing the season well and giving a platform to build on over the summer.

I always say players do not play badly deliberately but it was obvious some threw the towel in last Sunday and the management will know who they are and hopefully deal with it accordingly.

Brighton have a good first 11 and a good manager so wil not be easy in fact I wish we would have gone for Aaron Mooys on loan instead of the controversial Delph.

IMO Mooys is exactly what is lacking in our MF.

Lastly I would just like to say I like the look of Jamie Crowleys team.

Onwards and upwards (We hope) COYB.

Brian Wilkinson
92 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:40:22
Sorry to bring the name up Jay, but when Sam came in, he touched on this and said they need someone in to deal with this, not sure if Sam brought a psychological coach in, but for all the dross he served, he certainly hilighted this as a factor for the team.
Jamie Crowley
93 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:44:29
I’m relieved to see Rob Halligan and Derek Knox backing Kean.

I was beginning to think I was the only person on TW who thinks he’ll be a player and just needs patience.

I’d also mention I think Iwobe has come in for dog’s abuse, and I don’t think he’s near as bad as many make him out to be.

Ray Roche
94 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:45:09
Just watched the training video. Cenk appears to have forgotten to paint his head.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

95 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:46:16
On the question of Everton using a sports psychologist, I remember being surprised when Sam Allardyce mentioned the absence of one at Finch Farm.

I had presumed they were now commonplace and that a PL club of Everton's standing would have one already in situ or available.

As Brian @ 92 says, I don't know if this has been addressed at Everton since Allardyce called attention to it.

I firmly believe a sports psychologist would be of huge benefit to the club, its players and the manager, whoever they and he may be.

Mike Gaynes
96 Posted 10/01/2020 at 16:48:40
Jamie #93, agree and agree.

I think Kean's a star in the making. Just gotta be patient and keep the faith.

Tony Abrahams
97 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:04:05
The game of football is that hectic nowadays, that I’m sure you could only build up the fitness with killer sessions during pre-season?

Everton were tired at Anfield, especially mentally which comes on a lot quicker than physical tiredness, usually the minute something goes wrong!

The team is going to be very interesting tomorrow, I just hope Everton, start making the most out of what they’ve got, instead of waiting for certain individuals to let us down once again.

Jon Harding
98 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:09:19
I've liked our football best this season when we've played 4-4-2 with the two strikers being DCL and Richarlison.
I'd like to see this form the basis of team selections for the rest of the season - no need for any tinkering with no cup games to worry about.
And Kean on the bench as our supersub. He's got to score soon and it's gonna be a worldie!
Christopher Timmins
99 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:15:25
Just very nervous about tomorrow after last weekend. I am hoping for a performance but after Sunday's shambles it's hard to know what will go down.

i would be quite happy if CA went with the team set out above. Hopefully, tomorrow will be the start of the long road back!

Steve Ferns
100 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:19:21
Guys we do have a sports psychologist of sorts. I’ll link the guy later. It was our former doctor who left and has come back in charge of mental well being or something.
Sam Hoare
101 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:35:01
I think we will look a lot better when Gbamin and Iwobi return to the middle. Two mobile players who can pass and link play well and are not afraid to show for the ball.

Iwobi has not had much of a run in the middle (where I think he is best) but still has some our best creative stats from open play. He shows for the ball and is able to make things happen. In a team woefully short of creativity from open play he has been missed.

Dave Williams
102 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:38:31
Anyone around for a beer tomorrow chaps- my coach should arrive around 1
Niall McIlhone
103 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:39:34
Steve#72. Sorry, I should have thought it through. I guess what I was aiming at was the type if plays which lead to goals- both for and- against Everton. For example, maybe it's my memory playing tricks, but when we had (e.g.) the Barkley/Lukaku axis, I recall a lot of measured balls either into Lukaku's channel, or cut backs with the big man arriving late in the box, and normally finishing: Our attacking strengths now appear to be much less linkage with central midfield, I suppose crosses in to DCL or Richy ….and virtually no goals from distance since Siggy's form dissipated?

Defensively, and again, purely anecdotally, we were always strong on defending set plays under Moyes, but as the standards of personnel have declined since the likes of the imperious Lescott, Distin and Jags/Baines/ Coleman were at their peak, we have been very vulnerable to any form of set play, certainly since mid-term Martinez. Many goals against have been through very poor communication across the back four.
Tomorrow is going to be very tough: Brighton can vary their play a lot, Potter is beginning to develop a handy side there. It would be nice if we could see a similar "in your face" performance such as the Chelsea game, I am sure Carlo will have them motivated, but we will see if these players can cope with the pressure.

Jamie Crowley
104 Posted 10/01/2020 at 17:39:50
Jay Harris - thanks for the nod on the starting lineup.

Mike Gaynes - we literally agree, and have throughout TW history, on every single player that I can remember, sans one.

Now if I can just convince you of Tom Davies' worth to Everton, we'll be at 100% eye-to-eye ratio. 😉

Mike Gaynes
105 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:00:58
Jamie #104, Tom's gonna have to do that himself. I'm not saying he won't, just that he hasn't yet. Sometimes he makes me ecstatic. Sometimes he just drives me fuckin' nuts.

But I'm afraid we're not 100% otherwise, mate, because on the Tosun thread I strongly disagreed with you on the subject of Sidibe vs. Coleman/Kenny. I think Sidibe's the clear winner there.

Danny Baily
106 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:03:08
Who cares?

Just get to 40 points.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

107 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:03:56
Steve @ 100.

I may be mixing things up with a popular ex-physiotherapist at the club who moved on in a purge under Roberto Martinez, but I have a memory (but no recall of the name) of him setting up on his own consultancy, including a website.

It was a very holistic, almost quasi-religious approach, as he wrote about spiritualism and personal well-being also.

I look forward to you providing the name to confirm or negate this Steve if this is the same guy I recall or not.

Mike Gaynes
108 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:04:08
Sam #101, agree on Iwobi. I think his work in the middle has been surprisingly good. But we likely won't see either of those two players for quite some time.
Eddie Dunn
109 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:06:37
I must add my voice to those venerable stalwarts above in believing that young Kean will prove to be a very good player. The lad simply needs more minutes.
There have been a couple of attempted shots when the ball has been a little behind him and he has dragged both shots wide. One one occasion he didn't realise he had more time and on the other it was a poor pass to him and he was trying the impossible.
He is trying a little too hard, a bit like Tosun but there the comparison ends, as Kean has some pace and more physicality to his game.
He will also get a lot better if we are patient.
Kim Vivian
110 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:06:37
Steve at 100 - I hope/assume you're being flippant/ironic. " in charge of mental well being or something..." is not what we want - a damn good sports psychologist is though. This is a really important aspect of the set up.

I have posted on many (I was going to say numerous) threads that we should seek such a person out and have cited Steve Peters - British cycling, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and David Brailsford (cycling is my sport in case you wondered) among the beneficiaries of his expertise and testament to his methods - who was recruited by Liverpool about 7 or 8 years ago which (possibly coincidentally) aligns with the start of their current upsurge. A blind person could see the different mentalities between our two squads, not just this year but for some time now.

I am not sure if he still works with them but if we could find someone of that ilk to work on our player's mentality it would be a giant step in the right direction. I know nothing about our guy who you talk about - but knowing us he went off and did a night school course on sports psychology or something, and then headed back for the pay cheque?

Do you anything about the guy? You seem pretty well informed about most of our personnel but I would have thought we should be able to attract a pretty decent calibre person if we put a mind to it.

David Pearl
111 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:18:55
As little as Walcott brings to the team he still put in two players to miss sitters in the first half. How can one reporter say he’s been playing well and then the next will deride him? Pick a team to win based on form, freshness and tactical nous. Not too much to ask. No doubt we will win... and then back to asking if we can back it up. I’m glad I’m away... and l will also be for the months of May and June.
John Boon
113 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:21:57
Jamie (93). You have at least one more TW poster in total agreement with what you have observed. As a supporter since 1947 it is refreshing to have a succint, to the point assessment. Obviously at my age I get a little tired of those who feel it is necessary to deluge patient readers with far too much detail about their point of view over and over again.
We All care about Everton, but there does seem to be certain well meaning posters who feel that they must prove they are the TOP Evertonians ever by ceaselessly providing readers with endless observations.This is TW...a really great place to give your opinion. I don't consider it to be an advice column. Like Jamie (93). Get to the point.
Kim Vivian
114 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:22:31
Meant to add - I am at a loss as to what to expect tomorrow but feeling a bit glass half empty and not sure we are going to get the reaction bounce we hope for. Of course, much depends on Carlo's team selection and how the Goodison crowd respond to that, but I fear that we might only pick up a point. Brighton are probably licking their lips with their tails up a bit and our evident (hopefully temporary) disarray.

Let's hope for a clean sheet and two or three goals to the good but I am going 1-1 this weekend.

Steve Ferns
115 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:22:58
Jay, that's what I recalled too. Kim, for the reasons Jay said, I was being flippant. I would prefer a Bona Fide Sports Psychologist. No sure if Dr Peters is still with Liverpool but I would guess so. I think he ceased working with the Olympic cyclists to concentrate on the better paying work.

This is the official list of Everton staff: Link

The guy me and Jay were thinking of is: Link

John McKeown sounds like he should be our Sports Psychologist on that list but his linked in does not support such belief Link

Edit: fear not, it seems we do have one: Dr Martin Littlewood, this guy lists himself as such on Linked In where he says he has been working for Everton for 5.5 years which takes him back to the Summer of 2014, the summer after Martinez' good season. Link

Jamie Crowley
116 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:25:56
John Boon @113 -

As you've been following Everton since 1947, you're "up vote" counts for 20 people. TY.

And your post is, I promise, the only time my posts have been described as succinct!

John G Davies
117 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:33:59
Steve, Jay.

Martin works for Leicester nowadays

Dave Abrahams
118 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:35:40
Jamie (93), I’m with you on Kean, I think he will improve the more he plays, and that improvement will be quicker with better midfield players, when they are recruited.

As for Iwobi Jamie, the more you watch him the quicker you will wise up to him, in my opinion.

Neil Carter
119 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:38:44
As a season ticket holder I will be putting club above players tomorrow. I don’t care who they are/ how many international caps they have/ what they’ve achieved in the past/ how much they earn- tomorrow they play for the short of Everton-with passion/ effort/ commitment- if not shouting critics should be respected-I don’t buy support your club whatever crap- you so- called professional players have the honour of representing Everton- get out there tomorrow and show the fans you should have the respect you totally lost last Sunday.
Rob Marsh
120 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:40:00
Does it matter how any of them run? Providing they can run!
Mike Gaynes
121 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:43:11
Kim #114, BHA's tails aren't up any higher than ours. They were just as dismal as we were last weekend in getting dumped out at home by Wednesday. Their disarray is almost as bad as ours.

Dave #118, I just love his strength. Every ball he goes in for, he wins, and he enjoys knocking people around to do it.

Brian Hennessy
122 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:45:34
Some positive news at last on Gomes and Gbamin even if they are still a long way off full training.

I like the look of Lyndon's line up but would give Richarlison a rest and put J-Lo up front with DCL

Ray Roche
123 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:50:09
Steve@100

When you say this Doctor has returned in a mental health capacity this is for the fans, yes?

After Sunday we need it more than they do.

Mick Roberts
124 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:50:15
a clear out should start with brands himself his signings have been nothing short of diabolical
Mike Gaynes
125 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:51:20
Brian #122, J-Lo?

You mean Jonas Lössl?

Brian Hennessy
126 Posted 10/01/2020 at 18:56:34
Hi Mike #125 - I meant our Italian kid. Jennifer Lopez paid a fortune to have an arse like his...
Mike Powell
127 Posted 10/01/2020 at 19:05:13
Very worried about the game tomorrow,our midfied is the worst in the prem. They can't pass to a team mate, there slow and ponderess, we are just a poor team. Don't really want to bring Sundays game again, but to me that game sums us up
Steve Ferns
128 Posted 10/01/2020 at 19:06:21
Ray, they’d need about 10,000 of them!

Brian, someone mentions Kean has a big arse and next thing you’re talking about JLo?

Kim, missed the bit about you being a cycling fan. Did you catch the documentary on the BBC about Steve Peters. There was commendation after commendation for his work. Vicky Pendleton came across as a very fragile girl, a bit of a nightmare and yet he helped her be a dominant force in female sprint cycling despite having a small stature, so yeah, he came across like a genius. Until we got to Sir Bradley, load of old crap he said. It’s not Steve Cummings chimp, he said, it’s just Steve Cummings being a *expletive*. Typical Brad. Made me laugh.

Kim, if you’re north west based and do road cycling and fancy a good ride and a natter about the blues en route, let me know. I’m a keen cyclist myself.

Kim Vivian
129 Posted 10/01/2020 at 19:07:46
Ah right, Steve - I get it - It's the meditation stuff. Clearly Siggs and Schneid are still meditating once they hit the turf.

Messing aside - that sounds pretty half-cocked to me.

Christy Ring
130 Posted 10/01/2020 at 19:44:40
Andy @73 A bit harsh on Schneiderlin, are you serious? Apart from rolling around on the ground, which led to their goal last Sunday, how many times was he left standing, as the young players waltzed by him in the 2nd half? I hope Holgate and Davies are in the engine room tomorrow, and that Delph is nowhere to be seen, not because of his arrogance on social media, because he offers absolutely nothing in midfield.
Great to see Gomes on the way back, and Gbamin is doing individual training as well, both can't come back soon enough.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

131 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:10:51
Bingo, Steve!

I thought his dad was an ex-Scottish pro, but I had the name of Archie Knox running around my brain. A more diametrically opposed character than Walter Smith's former henchman and enforcer to the methods Danny Donachie espouses you couldn't imagine!

I wonder if Dr Martin Littlewood your edit listed is a kinda ad hoc basis, rather than full-time appointment, as his Linked-in page you linked to lists him as senior lecturer still at John Moores uni.

Interesting that he worked at Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s when a certain Sam Allardyce was manager there.

Like Kim, I'm not convinced that Danny Donachie, as good as he well may be in his own field, is the kind of sports psychologist we could benefit most from.

Andy Walker
132 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:13:42
So if we end up with 40-45 points that will be £10m a point. Money well spent Mosh?
Andy Walker
133 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:16:54
Christy 130. I was commenting on the statement ‘“but most of our good play in the past has come when he (Schneiderlin) has NOT been in the side.” As I said, he was in our side when we had the best run of the season last year (and probably the past 5 years).
Andy Walker
134 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:19:03
Christy I also said he’d been poor this season. See the difference? My comment related to LAST season. yours relates to this which I agree with.
Steve Ferns
135 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:23:33
Jay, if Steve Peters is the benchmark, and no one in sports psychology has a better profile, then he’s not full time himself. Steve Peters was working with Liverpool FC, British Cycling, Team Sky / Inneos, Some F1 drivers and others and writing books.

If our Lecturer guy is doing one day a week, then that sounds like as much as Steve Peters could possibly offer Liverpool anyway.

It could also be, and I’m speculating here, that the players might speak to the Doc over the phone. Maybe they go months without seeing him. Steve Peters spreads himself very thin so who knows.

As for the big Sam connection that’s how I found him. Big Sam, as you said or someone else said, was bringing a guy in. Only his linked In shows he was working with us before then. 5.5 years takes him back to summer 2014 and Martinez.

As for Danny Donachie. He’s son of Willie, Royle’s right hand man.

Jamie Crowley
136 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:27:15
Dave @ 118 -

Regarding Iwobe, he doesn't hide.

I mentioned on another thread, my new barometer for, "should they play / start", is now, "do they hide?"

Iwobe, for some faults, will always show for the ball, and he turns and goes forward with it 9 times out of 10. Yes, he's prone to give it away. But he has played some sublime "through balls" I can recall, that people who vilify him are conveniently forgetting. He's also being played wide, and for me he's much more effective centrally.

Until our midfield is healthy, or we add quality via transfer to midfield, Iwobe will do for me. The alternatives just drive me nuts. And I only feel bad about disliking one midfielder - Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Gylfi's form has dropped off a cliff. But I've never seen him give anything but 100%. He hides now, but not intentionally. I just don't think he's quick enough to get himself into good positions. He's not slow, and he covers a lot of ground. But his quickness has abandoned him completely it seems this season.

There's a massive difference between speed and quickness (read dexterity / agility) for me. They're both equally important. Poor Gylfi just isn't the player he was last year. Not even close in fact. he was never lightning quick, and now he's slow as tar quick. I think this is the first attribute to go when you age.

My eyes, yours may vary.

Cheers.

Mark Tanton
137 Posted 10/01/2020 at 20:35:28
Completely and utterly agree about Iwobi. He is always available, always gets his head up and constantly looking for a forward ball. Perhaps playing with some of the cowardly shites he has as teammates make it difficult to find the pass he wants.
Simon Harrison
138 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:05:30
Re Dr. Peters, he has setup his own consultancy company, which list Liverpool as a former client; whilst Steve himself is currently working with the England Soccer Team as of 2014. I don't know what his current remit is, other than working with UK athletics.

I'm going to write and submit an article, about my perceived issues with the problems, issues, and positive points regards EFC hopefully when I have time next week.

I think focusing on the players, although logical, misses the point that the structure is wrong on the investment/recruitment side (A player is an asset, I.e. an investment) Secondly, Finch Farm complex, although a "facility boasting some of the finest training facilities in the world", we don't own it. Surely, to write off revenue costs a plan to purchase it back from LCC would be a good idea? Get the cost of the books,write if off in one year, and then from that point it is an asset.

I'm surprised as well at the lack of fitness, skills and data 'coaching' that is used by EFC... Anyway, that is for the article.

I've also kept my powder dry regards last Sunday. Although a disappointment, several positives have come from it, namely the players have shown that they bottle it in big games, all of them lack the top 2" under pressure, they lack basic skills in some areas, though maybe it was the pressure as they showed well against Burnley and NUFC.

The other thing, even though the Red Orcs played their U23 team in effect, man for man they were better. A very sad statement of truth. If we'd won that game, we'd have been plastering over HUGE cracks in our club. It also revealed, that even Carletto can be temporarily affected by 'analysis paralysis', which is why he took so long to change anything I believe.

He'll have had a shock that will hopefully gee him up too.

I think we need to be wary against BHA, as they'll be smarting from another 'upset', at the hands of the Owls. I also rate Potter, and indeed elsewhere (Beeb HYS and others) stated if we're going to recruit a domestic coach, Potter is our man.

For me the team should represent a 4-4-2 and balance to adapt.

Pickford
Coleman-Keane-Mina-Baines
Bernard-Holgate-Davies-Gordon
Kean-DCL

J-Lo (or which ever keeper is rated as our #2 now?), Sidibe, Foulds, Digne, Richarlison, Adeniran, Walcott

This gives flexibility and pretty decent cover;
4-3-3
4-2-3-1
3-4-3

Jim Marray
139 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:11:01
Walcott was not the best player last week. DCL's first chance was because Walcott couldn't get the ball under control, the pull back was weak and fortunate and the cross for the DCL diving header was hit without once looking up to see where DCL or anyone else was.
Walcott is a headless chicken incapable of making good decisions but I bet he will be playing tomorrow.
Kean is 19 years old in a new country away from the familiar and trying to come to terms with this new situation. He will need a minimum of six and more likely 12 months before he starts to show us his best. However I would start to play him alongside DCL because they need to build what is likely to be a good partnership.
Christy Ring
140 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:15:24
Andy @134 Agree with your comment.
Don Alexander
141 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:25:22
Young Mr Donachie was one of the swathe of medico staff purged by Martinez when he decided his own knowledge of matters physio was better than their's, collectively or together. Our already poor record for soft tissue injury went through the roof immediately as a consequence. Kenwright was probably delighted though, on the wage saving aspect.

The (genuinely) inestimable Steve Ferns has at #115 included a link of Everton staff of director level and the like. If any one of us has trouble dropping off to sleep I recommend trying to read it through. We seem to employ enough of them to more than fill the Boys' Pen! Bizarre.

Steve Ferns
142 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:26:28
I challenge anyone who thinks this Everton side is unfit to prove it. I would wager that this is actually the fittest side we have ever had. I wish I had access to the Opta Data for KM run per game as it would prove this.

Every year premier league teams push the boundaries and run further and further and further. It’s not just total distance either. Players are sprinting more in games than ever before. Play is more and more condensed. Go watch an 80s game and you’ll see just how far apart the attack and defence is.

Last season Everton were third for distance covered and 5th for sprints. This season we were 5th in October. I cannot find up to date stats because Opta have them behind a pay wall.

The issue is lack of rotation. Our players are out of gas because of how much they have to run just to keep up with everyone else. If they did cross country runs with the great 80s side, do you really think the 80s side could keep up?

Honestly guys, fitness levels are going up and up and up.

Andy Walker
143 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:26:40
Problem for me Christy is who the fuck do we play in the centre of midfield tomorrow? I’d pick Bernard and A N Other, but really don’t like the options for the Other. As long as it’s not Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson...
Dave Abrahams
144 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:27:15
Jamie(136), you are correct Iwobi doesn’t hide, he pulls out of tackles in front of everyone, in some games he stays back when Digne has gone forward and is looking to see where he is, he’s stayed back keeping out of the action. Yes he’s a decent footballer but all the skill in the world is no good without courage and the will to go into fifty/ fifty challenges, Iwobi doesn’t, pulls out. He’ll run thirty and forty yards when a defender passes theball back to his ‘keeper, looks good, all bluff like Marcus Bent, never fools me. Tom Davies gets many things wrong but never hides, hopefully he will learn to slow down and think a bit more, he’ll never lack courage, Iwobi will always have that disadvantage, just not in his nature to fight for the ball, and to be honest he makes as many mistakes as Tom, but goes missing as well which Davies never does.
Steve Ferns
145 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:27:40
Andy, Davies looks fit in that training video. He has to start.
Brian Williams
146 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:35:02
Dave#144.
Am I glad I'm not the only one to have noticed this.
We must have the most tackle shy players ever.
Iwobi, Schneiderlin and Walcott all of 'em back out of tackles. Sickens me!
Jamie Crowley
147 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:38:39
Dave -

I'm going to start watching that closely with Iwobe. Appreciate your viewpoint.

I think a lot of what you describe could be seen live, and not on the television by me? (the bit about him pulling back when Digne bombs forward).

I'll keep an eye out for him pulling out of tackles (that's easy), and if he shits out when Digne goes forward - I think if I'm looking for that I'll be able to see it. Not all of it, but enough to know it's happening.

Cheers.

Rob Halligan
148 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:38:39
Steve # 142, you will not get one single response to the first part of your post, quite simply because nobody can prove it. Anyone who says this team is unfit, talks utter bollocks. It's a way of saying, " Listen to me, I know what I'm talking about, when in fact they know Fuck all. Quite simply mate, you're wasting your time.
Mike Doyle
149 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:41:02
Steve 128] though I don’t do much cycling these days I do follow the sport.
I think it was Brad Wiggins (might have been one of the others) said that one of the big changes that happened under the Dave Brailsford regime was a strong focus on ‘executing a plan’ that had been practiced at length - and not worrying about winning/losing. The effect was that riders did not arrive at the start line distracted/panicking about it being a big race/Olympic final etc - and underperforming.
Back to last Sunday. I think our players might benefit from being exposed to this sort of preparation (though a bit of fitness training wouldn’t go amiss).
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

150 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:46:42
Steve @ 135.

Yeah, it makes sense that a sport psychologist wouldn't be sat around FF on a full-time contract, but only on a 'as-needed' basis.

I knew I was on the right lines with my thinking about young Donachie, thinking of an ex-Scottish pro and former assistant manager.

Just got me Willie mixed up with me Archie, so to speak.

I agree with you on the fitness issue also. It's not poor levels of physical fitness. It's the mental fitness which is flakier and needs addressing by bringing in some right narks who hate losing at anything.

We ain't got any.

Don Alexander
151 Posted 10/01/2020 at 21:48:30
Steve (#142), for all that the fact is that other teams look more fit than we do and win accordingly. It's probably down to the totally uncoordinated "plan" Moshiri imagined up when he took over, and has paid exorbitantly as a consequence, as have we of course.

The players just, ahem, "soldier" on in their millionaire way.

Steve Ferns
152 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:02:15
Don, the question is how many of those other teams are doing it legally? I don't want to spoil anyone's article but do you guys have any idea of what you might find if you walked into a Premier League Dressing room at half time or full time? It ain't a group of players drinking tea, eating oranges and listening to the manager / looking a whiteboard.

It resembles a hospital in a war zone. There's more medical professionals in there than coaching staff. All kind of shenanigans going on.

In the past, doping in football was just dismissed. People just said, well there's no drug to make you kick the ball better, pass it better, dribble better etc. But look at it now. The powers of recovery of "some" teams is astounding. To good to be true. Teams run faster, they run further, and they recover quicker. So, is there really no issues with doping in sport.

And those who have no idea of this kind of thing, this is what leading professionals do away from the club: Link

And if you did not relaise how prevalent this stuff is, this is what the "Love Island" generation do to get over a hangover: Link

Darren Hind
153 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:02:21
No point in any protest tomorrow. The players (you would like to think) have got the message. The entire club needs a pick-me-up

I'd rather see a Wisconsin jump around. Get Crowley flown over to initiate it. The guys easily crazy enough

Kieran Kinsella
154 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:16:58
Steve

I remember in the 90s questions were asked about Juve seeming super human. There was eventually a mini scandal as it was found they’d been using creatin but if I recall correctly nothing happened because it wasn’t technically banned and because UEFA and Serie A are in Agnellis pocket anyway

Paul Tran
155 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:22:32
Big, big difference between physical fitness and having a sense of purpose, knowing what you're meant to be doing and believing in it. We've got the first, but only got the rest sporadically when we're not playing against a team that challenges us.
Steve Ferns
156 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:22:46
Don't recall that Kieran, but yeah, less said about the Agnellis the better. Which one was it at the time Umberto or Andrea?
Kim Vivian
157 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:26:15
Steve - sorry for the tardy reply. Been binge watching a bit of "Bosch" on Amazon Prime. Thanks for the twiddle and Blues related natter idea but sadly I am S East based these days, and a little saner than Speedo Mick, so Merseyside is a little too far for a peddle out on the bike.

I used to be into mountain biking a long time ago but found for some reason my right knee starting giving me gip so switched 100% to road (I think it must have been the geometry or something which caused the grief). Anyway I was a pretty keen club level time trialist down here for a while, 25s and 50s mainly, but have not done any racing for a few years now. Indeed it shows on my silhouette these days!

I did not see (I think) the documentary but followed closely the incredible success of Team GB, Sky, your aforementioned names et al under Brailsford (another hard bastard taskmaster - I wonder how he would get on in football) and Steve Peters. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a metamorphosis like that

However - if I am up that way for a couple of days, the weather looks nice and your around and still up for it, I could chuck the bike in the car and take you up on the offer. Cheers for now, and here's to tomorrow and a decent win!

Dick Fearon
158 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:30:32
Talking about players who always give their all I should mention the great Alan Ball who came in for a lot of criticism for his occasional bad pass.
Alan more than made up for his mistakes with a phenomimal workrate in game after game.
Currently we have few midfielders who consistently put that kind of effort into every game.
As mentioned we have Iwobi plus Davies and Holgate and Sidibe.
I am the first to admit that those players lack the ball skills of others for those places but each is young enough to develop further in that field.
On the other hand competitors for that role namely Siggy, Scneidy, the Oracle and Walcot can disapear for lengthy periods.
I do not think it wise to introduce youngsters into a side containing the above four dodgers.
I have visions of them exploding the lot of them simultaneously as with the Busby Babes.
Er' has the RS already stolen a march on us.


Steve Ferns
159 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:31:28
Kim, I love Bosch. Great show. I recommend Goliath (especially the first series if you like Bosch). I've never done any racing myself. A few sportives which are timed, but you're actively encouraged not to race. If you come up, then definitely bring the bike and hit me up. Any chance to get out on my Tarmac is a welcome one.
Dermot O'Brien
160 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:33:23
Steve #152, the way he wears that cap deserves a ban, never mind anything else.
Mike Connolly
161 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:34:41
I'm concerned about our mascots tomorrow. If they go nutmegging the players in the warm up it, could knock the confidence out of the team. More reasons not to play Delph, Sigg and Morgan. We need a good display and three points tomorrow. COYB
Kim Vivian
162 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:44:03
Ha - Big Bosch fan - started with the books. Very prolific novelist, Connelly, and the authentic location filming is brilliant.

My racing was not particularly spectacular but it is a sport where age does not need to hold you back with handicapping systems and so on, and I was reasonably competitive at club level at the time. I had a an ex pro-racer Raleigh which I bought from a sponsored guy in Nottingham nicked last year (uninsured because it was in my carport where it was usually hidden behind an old TR6 but that was out for a run), when some toerag chancer had it away. About £1500 worth spunked off for about £50 down a pub somewhere probably so the shitehawk could get his daily snort or whatever. So back on my (now retro) Specialised. I'd love a Tarmac!
So we'll see what is occurring in the Summer. I'd like that.

Christy Ring
163 Posted 10/01/2020 at 22:50:50
Dave @144 Agree completely about Iwobi, I've said it myself here on a few occasions, a skilful player, but don't expect him to put the foot in, and mentioned a couple of matches, where he pulled out of 50/50 challenges, which ended up with the opposition scoring.
Steve Ferns
164 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:00:06
Sorry to hear about your racer getting nicked. I feel your pain. I've had a few bikes nicked over the years. Got my Tarmac and my Allez secured by three locks anchored to the garage floor and always make sure the garage is locked with the car parked against it. No one is nicking that Tarmac. I did a test when I bought it, and the Allez is only marginally slower, however, the Tarmac just feels so much faster. I took it to Girona last May only to snap the rear derailleur on the Rocacorba about halfway up. Then after doing the other big one out there, I proceeded to overcook the tyres on the descent (inner tube exploded) and ate some road. Luckily the Tarmac itself escaped even the most superficial damage (just needed bar tape, scratch to the replacement rear mech, and the front wheel needed filing down where the tube blew), instead my helmet (always wear one) took the brunt of the damage along with my hip and shoulder.
Paul Birmingham
165 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:06:35
Interesting about the squads fitness, as based on preseason games, and a couple of weeks before in the friendliest before the start of the season, our squad, still look knackered after 60 minutes, compared to opponents.

In data, just a visual perception, but also physical fatigue and mental fatigue, and lack of belief, like last Sunday are traits of Everton, the last 5 or 6 seasons, in my view.

I’m likely miles off, but that’s my visual perception.

The under 23s, last longer, but that’s not as enduring at that level.

Carlo will change it hopefully.

Steve Ferns
166 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:14:02
Paul ever seen an u23s game? Very pedestrian. A lack of intensity is one of the reasons the league is in for so much criticism right now.
Kim Vivian
167 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:14:35
Oooof! That blown tube sounds nasty. Ditto re the helmet. I've had a few spills and plenty of road rash, but the real eye opener was on a level crossing down here (no train involved - just a crossing maintenance issue), not going very fast but my helmet broke into 3 pieces. That would have been my skull otherwise. There's a long tale attached to that regarding another guy who had the very same accident on that crossing. No helmet and brain damaged. Cost Railtrack about 1/4 million comp I think. My compo was about £5k. I was lucky.

And yep - Shoulders always take a hit, often from the bike itself. My old Spec'd is an Allez as well. MMC frame, campag group.

Steve Ferns
168 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:21:52
Sounds like you had a lucky escape, unlike your poor mate. No coming back from that, I guess, and the compo does not begin to make up for it. My helmet was cracked in three places, but stayed whole. I'd have scarred the right side of my face and maybe damaged my eye without it. Specialized do a crash replacement service, present the broken helmet and they give you a substantial reduction on a new one. Got Shimano on both of mine, Ultegra and Tiagra. Although the replacement mech is a 105, whilst I argue with shimano over the fact that a two month old rear mech snapped going up a mountain.
Kim Vivian
169 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:42:09
Yes indeed. Pretty lucky. The other guy I didn't know and it had happened a few weeks before. He wasn't vegetableised or anything, but did have to leave his banking job. Problem with the accident (for both of us) was the front wheel dropped into a slot between the levelling blocks between the rail tracks. That meant the bike (front wheel) came to a dead stop, and unlike a normal accident, gravity just becomes a spectator because you and the bike just rotate over the front wheel at whatever speed that was rotating when it hit the slot. Bang - you're on you head before you know whats happening. It's a bit wierd tbh because it's so unusual.

Anyway - enough of this. I thought this was a football forum.

COYB

Steve Ferns
170 Posted 10/01/2020 at 23:51:57
Well I enjoyed the Cycling chat Kim!

COYB!

Derek Knox
171 Posted 10/01/2020 at 00:00:57
Kim, On yer bike! 🚲💙
Peter Cummings
172 Posted 11/01/2020 at 00:50:48
Does anyone really believe that we can make a push for the top six starting tomorrow v Brighton ?? the idea, to me, a now 75 yr old supporter practically since birth, can only shake my head in disbelief.

There might be an outside chance should the impossible happen and we can win every game starting tomorrow by at least 2 goals, but those days are long gone as is the 'pie in the sky' possibility of it happening is the stuff of a clearly demented mind, the sad fact is that the reality that we could be on the way out of the Premiership, and that might not be a bad thing.

Andy Crooks
173 Posted 11/01/2020 at 01:07:59
I flounced off here in a strop. Really hurt by last week. I just needed a break. I will never be done with our club. I would urge every Evertonian to look a Steve's post at 152. He is on to something and he is right. By the way, Liverpool are the fittest team in the league.
Jamie Crowley
174 Posted 11/01/2020 at 01:17:39
Darren Hind @ 153 -

As long as they play this version:

Link

I think right after the siren it'd work a treat. I'd go apeshit. 😜

Derek Thomas
175 Posted 11/01/2020 at 01:35:25
Simon @ 138, best hurry mate the way things happen at this club events will overtake you. Could be a good piece to stir the pot for the week we've no cup game.

My thoughts are - the whole squad's physical and mental fitness seems woeful.

Fixing the first is a little easier than fixing the second, but both require the will to change. Then once you've fixed the physical there will be mental benefits...not a compete 'cure' but an improvement.

Re. the' legs going'; sometimes it just happens, nowt to do, get rid.

Though you can at least try to compensate, by not giving up...a forlorn chase (Peter Reid's pursuit of Maradonna in Mexico for one) is better than no chase.

Nearer to home I remember Rooney passing Tom Davies...who could well see where the ball was going to end up - in the net) and running half the length of the field to at least try to stop the inevitable. OK, he was blowing for tugs at the end, but he tried.

It's the apparent lack of caring and effort that pisses people off, not being crap...just ask The Straq, one man who'll never have to buy his own beer in the Winslow.

John Pierce
176 Posted 11/01/2020 at 03:04:24
Up in Ithaca this weekend. Any Yank toffees know a place to see us thrash the seagulls.
Albert Perkins
177 Posted 11/01/2020 at 06:40:34
John #176. I lived in Ithaca in the 90s and watched the 95 cup final in a sports bar with a bunch of Brazilians. That was sooo great. Just Google and hope you/we enjoy the game.
Kim Vivian
178 Posted 11/01/2020 at 07:39:51
Morning Steve. I did also. Was thinking about our poor readers logging on for footy chat 'though

Morning, Derek. Haha The older I get, the faster I was.

Bob Parrington
179 Posted 11/01/2020 at 08:08:07
Steve Ferns@32. I have zero knowledge of Gordon and so I'll take your summation at face value and say he should be in the starting line-up today. In some quarters, lack of speed is a major skill-set in our side.

I'm worried about Coleman at RB. He's been so quiet of late. If Sidebe is fit I'd play him in his place with Seamus in mid-field as the breaker. I'd leave Schneiders and Sigs out of the squad and give Pickford a freekin' good talking too but play him. Accept Delph because, at least, he has some spunk about him.

At Goodison Bernard will give 100% and I have no doubt that Richie and DCL will do also. To me, Holgate looks more suited to the DM position than the CD role. He is not slow either, particularly compared to Michael Kean.

So my team selection would likely be
Pickford
Sidebe Mina Baines
Coleman Holgate Bernard Davies
Richarlison DCL Moise

Bench: Walcott, Lossl, Niasse (to stir them up) and 3 youngsters

Gary Carter
180 Posted 11/01/2020 at 08:26:06
I’ve thought all week that this could be a really defining team selection for Carlo, he is a winner, winners are usually quite ruthless and I can’t see a Mourinho or Ferguson starting either Walcott or Sigurdsson, possibly schneiderlin if you don’t give him the benefit of lack of match fitness. So my ruthless line up would be
Pickford, Sidibe, Mina, holgate, Digne, Davies, Gordon, Delph, Bernard, Keane, DCL
My worrying “more of the same” line up would be
Pickford, Coleman, Mina, holgate, baines, Sidibe, Delph, Davies, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Bernard, DCL
On another note, what’s happened to Iwobi ?
Eddie Dunn
182 Posted 11/01/2020 at 09:19:49
Steve Ferns, are you seriously suggesting that players get plugged-in to drips at halftime?
Eddie Dunn
183 Posted 11/01/2020 at 09:38:09
To my amazement the BBC have put the following stats on the preamble to our game today.
Lucas Digne has created 46 chances in the Premier League this season. Among defenders, only Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided more.
Digne has contributed seven assists since the start of last season, more than any other Everton player.
I thought he had been having a fairly wretched time!
I would be interested on his defensive stats, if any are available.
David Hayes
184 Posted 11/01/2020 at 10:13:33
Very predicatable from some on here, the same chaps who hailed Delf as a strong, action man, vocal and detrerminded to lead just what we are crying out for. Now after a minor media pumped up story, the mans now a Gobshite and needs to do one. I don't know all the answers to getting this team consistantly winning but can see the impovement, since Silva was sacked. Why must there have to be Whipping Boys? yes we need to become a team unit with quality players but it takes the right manager to do this which I belive we have. COYB.
Clive Rogers
185 Posted 11/01/2020 at 10:42:20
Eddie, #182, think we must be on draught Guinness.
George McKane
186 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:02:08
Just getting ready - - have to leave early - - had a mad morning already- - Gosia to Yoga - - and car to garage - - so on the bus under the River - - off at Scotland Road and then onwards to The Dark House and Goodison with the gang - - they will all be there - - of course - - setbacks, pain, never going again - - heard it all before - - nothing - - nothing is gonna stop us from going to the game - - got to rush a bit this morning but still wanted to say “hello” and send those “posso” waves and cosmic grooves out of the window over my roof - -cross the River - - pick a few more up at The Royal Blue Liver Building - - grab some Bluetiful thoughts to fill my mind from Scotland Road - - Daisy Street and St.Alphonsus - - onto to the Dark House - - Shelter From the Storm - - sit with the gang - - put our bet on - - have a little moan about last week - - discuss today’s team and tactics - - some great Football Managers in TDH - - so going to blast myself with music and poetry before I go and fill myself with “possos” - - you know it’s interesting - - we can always forgive those we love - - its easier than forgiving our enemies - - we - - TWebbers and Evertonians are not the enemy - - we are the poets, the lovers and the artists.

Isn't it a pity?
Now, isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain?
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity?
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we're all the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn't it a pity”

Forgiveness is one thing but accepting being let down continuously it another - - but with Ancelotti in place and Ferguson I firmly believe today is the catharsis - - time to draw a line and move on - - and that’s not just up to us but also its up to Everton - - Management/Players and the whole gang of them - - have to - - cannot get stuck and wallow - - have to rub ourselves down - - get up and get ready - - I have a framed statement on my wall in my writing room written by a Great Evertonian

“Our greatest glory is not
In never falling but in
Rising every time we fall”
Confusius (Everton 62-63)

Just sitting getting some Beatles into my head:
.
“It's all too much, it's all too much
When I look into your eyes, your love is there for me
And the more I go inside, the more there is to see
It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around you
Everywhere, it's what you make
For us to take, it's all too much
Floating down the stream of time, of life to life with me
Makes no difference where you are or where you'd like to be
It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around here
All the world's a birthday cake
So take a piece but not too much
Set me on a silver sun, for I know that I'm free
Show me that I'm everywhere, and get me home for tea
It's all to much for me to see
A love that's shining all around here
The more I am, the less I know
And what I do is all too much
It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around you
Everywhere, it's what you make
For us to take, it's all too much
It's too much, it's too much
Too much, too much, too much”

I am sitting at my desk surrounded by postcards and photos of all the people and things I love - - Gosia - - my family - - Yellow House - - Everton - - Klimt - - Michelangelo - - Vincent - - postcard of a rainbow over Glastonbury Tor - - Sunflowers - - Le Chat Noir - - Stonehenge Calendar - - King Arthur.

Have to go soon - - friends - - o when I get on the bus and go under the Might River I will wash away any anger from last week and come out onto Blessed Scotland Road washed - - refreshed and free from and pain - - ready for a new day - - a new start - - a new game.

How can my spirits lie dead and miserable when I have to walk along Scottie and Smith Street - - onto Wessie Road - - I am immediately lifted by my own thoughts and my soul and my spirt - - this time last year I missed games - - I was recovering from heart surgery and having radiotherapy treatment for cancer - - I was stopped from going to the game - - and how I missed it - - all of it - - when the things you love are taken from you - - then you know how much they are worth - - how much you love them - - just going to sit and close my eyes and listen to Van and then go - - Hydnford Street - -reminds me and recalls beautiful memories from Great Mersey Street in the 50’s and 60’s:

“Take me back, take me way, way, way back
On Hyndford Street
Where you could feel the silence at half past eleven
On long summer nights
As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg
And the voices whispered across Beechie River
In the quietness as we sank into restful slumber in the silence
And carried on dreaming, in God
And walks up Cherry Valley from North Road Bridge, railway line
On sunny summer afternoons
Picking apples from the side of the tracks
That spilled over from the gardens of the houses on Cyprus Avenue
Watching the moth catcher working the floodlights in the evenings
And meeting down by the pylons
Playing round Mrs. Kelly's lamp
Going out to Holywood on the bus
And walking from the end of the lines to the seaside
Stopping at Fusco's for ice cream
In the days before rock 'n' roll
Hyndford Street, Abetta Parade
Orangefield, St. Donard's Church
Sunday six-bells, and in between the silence there was conversation
And laughter, and music and singing, and shivers up the back of the neck
And tuning in to Luxembourg late at night
And jazz and blues records during the day
Also Debussy on the third program
Early mornings when contemplation was best
Going up the Castlereagh hills
And the cregagh glens in summer and coming back
To Hyndford Street, feeling wondrous and lit up inside
With a sense of everlasting life
And reading Mr. Jelly Roll and Big Bill Broonzy
And "Really The Blues" by "Mezz" Mezzrow
And "Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac
Over and over again
And voices echoing late at night over Beechie River
And it's always being now, and it's always being now
It's always now
Can you feel the silence?
On Hyndford Street where you could feel the silence
At half past eleven on long summer nights
As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg
And the voices whispered across Beechie River
And in the quietness we sank into restful slumber in silence
And carried on dreaming in God.”

I thought it was worth the full treatment - -all the lyrics - - close your eyes and think - - We Are Blues.

I send cosmic grooves and “posso” waves to all “The Bluetiful People”
Your friend - - George

Dick Fearon
187 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:04:42
For my first ever prediction of a Everton line up. Actually more in hope than anything else.
Pickford,
Coleman, Mina, Keane, Baines,
Sidibe, Davies, Holgate,
Richo, Kean, Bernard.
with a couple of kids plus DCL on the bench.
Eric Paul
188 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:08:23
DCL on the bench ?
Bill Griffiths
189 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:18:32
Epic George, I beginning to feel a lot better after reading your post.
Brian Harrison
190 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:19:17
Well a grey cloudy day in Liverpool this morning, and a visit from Brighton to look forward to not the most exciting fixture to get excited about. Then factor in that most fans are still feeling humiliated and frustrated from last Sundays result. I know from listening to his interview the other day that the Brighton manager is well aware of our fans frustration, so he knows the longer his team can frustrate us given the mood of our fans it will work in his teams favour.

Now I am sure there will be quite a few in Goodison today, who will not hold back with their views if things don't start well today. But as humiliated and frustrated as we all feel, I don't think taking that frustration to the game today will do us any good. Duncan Ferguson according to some reports let the players know what his feelings were after the game on Sunday, and Carlo Ancelotti took the unusual step of speaking to the players after the game, something he never does. That added to the fact that some of our supporters turned up at Finch Farm to let the players hear directly from the fans and Marcel Brands took them inside Finch Farm to speak to them.

So these players will be very aware of the feeling running through the fan base. So what is needed today is if you cant cheer them onto the pitch which is understandable then once the game starts for 90 minutes we have to forget about last Sundays game and back this team to pick up 3 points and start the healing process. Because I believe if we let the atmosphere be toxic it could mean we draw or lose today and will make Ancelotti,s job so much harder going forward in 2 respects. Firstly it will make his job of trying to motivate this group much harder and if we drop further down the league trying to attract the players Ancelotti will need will become much harder.

So I hope today our fans look at the bigger picture, in that we need this group to pick up enough points to make us safe, then come next season I suspect those players who have annoyed our fan base will have left the club, so a win win situation. Then let our world class manager get on with his job with the backing of our magnificent supporters.

Anthony A Hughes
191 Posted 11/01/2020 at 11:35:19
I'm not so sure it's a lack of fitness I just think we have a midfield full of players with no pace who can't really run fast.
Schneiderlin, Siggi, Davies, Delph, Gomes to name a few are all very pedestrian.
Raymond Fox
192 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:10:51
It looks like the layers have lost faith in us, they make us even money to beat Brighton today.

Thats got to be a good bet isn't it!

Mike Corcoran
193 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:34:41
Looking at the table with Chelsea 4th on 36pts, 62pts would currently get you 4th at the end of the season! So we only need 37 more form 17 games. 😂
Tony Abrahams
194 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:36:17
How can my spirits lie dead and miserable when I have to walk along Scottie and Smith St, then onto Wessie Rd!

Brilliant George, I love your Everton spirit, and think we need to make a flag out of (Everton62-63) because that is what us Evertonians, are great at, taking it on the chin, and never giving in. Come on you fucking blue boys, I can’t wait for the team now, and hope the team selection allows me to go inside old and beautiful dilapidated Goodison Pk.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

195 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:43:31
Never seen the official club site do this before, but they have reproduced Carlo Ancelotti's full program notes on the site today:

Link

I'm not so naive as to think he 100% penned the words himself, but he talks up the positivity of the league results under both Duncan and himself and is very honest in his appraisal of the two defeats to City and Liverpool.

It reads as a rallying cry to get the faithful onside ahead of the game v Brighton today.

Phil Greenough
196 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:47:54
George, thanks so much for your "posso vibes" and general witterings. Your posts on match days should be compiled by Lyndon or Michael and put into an unedited book. You could possibly donate the proceeds to cancer research or Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital, charity. I would certainly buy a copy.
Tony Everan
197 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:47:56
Raymond, even money is a decent bet. There will be no half arsed messing about today from any of our players, they will be fully primed by Ancelotti to do the business. I can see a hard fought win for us today.

Everton 2 Hove and Brighton Albion 0

Alan J Thompson
198 Posted 11/01/2020 at 12:54:58
Fitness levels, I suppose, depend on if they are judged in competitive games or in the gym. Some years ago in Sydney, Australia, they did a series of tests on players of various sports to identify the most athletic and Basketballers were judged the fittest overall and in most sections while Rugby League (a big game in Sydney) players won only two sections, those being wrist wrestling and running head first into a brick wall.
Just as well Peter Reid was never asked to participate in such tests, or Roy Dwight or Beckenbaur wearing a sling.
Anthony Murphy
199 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:01:56
I had a look at that earlier Jay, did you spot the typo?

Some nice words - I hope the rallying cry is heard by the players too

Jamie Evans
200 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:17:38
I like Iwobi and want him to do well, but I don’t think he has the ability to pick a pass consistently I’m afraid.
Steve Ferns
201 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:17:55
Thought I saw Dave or Bill or others were meeting in the Oak. Just popped in and couldn’t see anyone so headed on.

Enjoy the game blues.

Dave Abrahams
202 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:18:48
You’ll be gone to the Dark House by now George, on your second pint most probably, or Shandy, but thanks for your post and years of memories, enjoyed them with you these last few minutes. Thanks for all of them.

So we start again at three o’clock, onwards and upwards,so 4-0 it is today. GodBless George.

Steve Ferns
203 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:20:10
Thanks for the inspirational words George.
Derek Knox
204 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:20:45
Ah George, Matchdays wouldn't be the same without your encouraging prose and words of hope and optimism, after recent displays, surely we have to not only to improve, but get our share of luck too.

I do genuinely believe that with Carlo and Duncan at the helm, we will, not only improve (not hard) but eventually get back to where we believe we ought to be.

Team selection will tell us many things really, that they will not tolerate lack of effort, or putting up with overpaid players going through the motions with zero passion or concern for the badge or the fans.

Come on Blues play out of your skins and show us and the rest of the World we mean business! 💙

Stan Schofield
205 Posted 11/01/2020 at 13:54:17
Jay@195: Thanks for posting that link to Ancelotti’s program notes. I know they’re only words, and we need better results more than good words, but I think that what he’s said there is very well-put and important after last Sunday. It’s plausible that he did write that himself, because the balance and diplomacy seem consistent with his style at pressers. Let’s hope that Sunday is now history and we get much better results starting today. We owe Brighton a sound thrashing after that VAR malarky at their place.

George@186: Great post. I reckon King Arthur was an Evertonian.

chris williams
206 Posted 11/01/2020 at 14:30:20
Everton, the once and future team, Stan?
Stan Schofield
207 Posted 11/01/2020 at 14:53:32
Chris, we seem to have been waiting as long for Everton to win a trophy as for King Arthur's return.
chris williams
208 Posted 11/01/2020 at 14:56:06
Yes Stan, we need to keep chasing the Holy Grail.

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