Everton hold on for a great win at Elland Road

I hope the game time Digne has played since his return is getting him back up to speed, because he has been off the pace since his return.

When we need a response to the Newcastle debacle, step forward our inspirational captain full of passion and energy - errrr Sigurdsson.

Leeds are likely to go man to man, we’ll start the one player who can find space against anyone - on the bench.

I only hope this is 4 at the back with Digne in midfield and not the dreaded 5-2-2 (purposely leaving Sigurdsson out of this formation.)

Let’s hope he knows what he’s doing...

He has called them out, now hes giving them a chance to redeem themselves.

The jury is out on Sigurdsson.
Iwobi is showing improvement.
Gomes is struggling to regain his form after the injury

I can only hope he is going 4-4-2 with that team selection.

Someone said before , this is Everton. You never know quite where you stand. Expect the unexpected.

It either he’s clueless or the ToffeeWeb posse are, because nobody predicted or expected that line up.

Strange stuff

Godfrey on the other hand is looking great. Richie seems better too, maybe a bit concerned that King might be after his spot.

Goal and an assist from Sigurdsson, by the way.

Please let’s maintain it.

Slag off your team first so no one else gets there before you.

Then pretend you didn’t when the team / ‘deadwood’ players actually play well.

It’s tough being an Evertonian, but it’s harder reading the ToffeeWeb comments.

Most important thing tonight was to show some bloody effort.. that box has been ticked.

Sigurdsson more comfortable in the advanced position. Still a couple of tragically misplaced passes at the back but at least we look like we care today.

Siggy is still struggling a bit in open play but good for the goal and some nice crossing/corners.

Gomes is being his usual self, but the old Gomes. His ball retention has been great and his passing on point too.

Goal for Richie would be nice as he's really trying, but I wouldn't find much fault in Dom bagging a couple more either

That’s the best half of football Gomes has played probably since his injury. Dovetailing well with Doucoure. Gylfi a little on the periphery despite his goal. Good to see Dominic back among the goals.

Amusing to read some of the above comments, none more so than 32 and 37.

This is a crazy season. How can we (and seemingly everyone else) be so up and down?

Soooo much better than the fayre they offered v Newcastle.

We are not playing that differently from the home game against them. In that game, Carlo also had his centre backs carry the ball through their lines. Something that Mina and Godfrey both have done.

The difference is that DCL, Siggy, Richy and Iwobi are doing a better job pressing their back line which in turn is coughing up the ball to the likes of Doucoure and Gomes to start a new wave of attacks.

Other than the header Olsen turned over the bar, they really haven't threatened our goal. Everybody playing well. Dom perhaps could have done better on his shot from the edge of the area, then laid in the frantically overlapping Richy. But very alert for his goal.

Gomes and Siggy making everyone look mugs. Other than a suicidal pass across his own penalty area by Gomes and one loose back pass from Siggy, both are playing very well.

Lovely ball by Gomes to release Digne down the left for the cross for Siggy to tap in. Excellent corner from Siggy for the Godfrey-DCL combo on the second goal. Sublime control and turn by Siggy on the stroke of half-time to earn us another free kick around their penalty area.

The pitch is a bitch. I'm expecting it to claim an 'assist' at any moment.

There could be more in this for the Blues IF we maintain these levels of application and concentration.

The key difference? Quality? No.

Energy, passion, desire, work-rate. Those things Ancelotti highlighted were so absent against Newcastle.

Leeds really do run like they've had a pint of espresso before teh match, and fair play to Doucoure, Gomes and Siggy who matched them. And Holgate and Godfrey too really giving us the energy needed.

Quality by Gomes and Digne, anda return to DCL's poaching ways put us in charge.

Here we go...we're in for a wild ride

Hang on - LEEDS HAVE SCORED. Don the tin hats lads. Tedious indeed.

"Shit team picked!! I cannot believe what a crap team he has picked for this game. Gomes and Sigurdsson in midfield???!!! They are gonna trample all over us. WTF??!!"

"What the hell is that team??"

"My god what a midfield. It could only be worse if he had swapped Doucoure for Delph. I feel we have lost before we have even started the game! Prove me wrong Carlo but at the moment I think you are clueless."

Do people, like... rehearse this stuff or what?

Kellys on early

They see yet they do not believe. Blessed is he who does not see yet he believes.

Maybe he has focussed too much on getting those headers right.

If I were Carlo, I wouldn't let anyone run the rest of the week. Every practice would be tactical. I'd not even play small sided games. They have to be exhausted.

Great effort by every single player out there. I thought we'd see a response to the New Castle shit. We did.

UTFB

Hats off to Godfrey, Mina, Gomes, Doucoure, and Sigurdsson who were all excellent.

Richarlison dear dear. Worse than his limited impact is his sulking like a child who's just been sent out of the classroom. The lady's got to toughen up.

Great to see DCL back scoring. Could/should have had 2. Saving it for Utd.

Your Honour

Touch and go for the last 15 minutes, but dug in and got our payback.
COYB

I really like Rich, but man did he act like a self-absorbed tit. Spoiled child.

Someone needs to pull him aside and tell him to completely knock off the diving (New Castle game was embarrassing!) and that it's a TEAM game.

Acted like an ass. Grow the fuck up, son.

Andy

spare a thought for Bobby Mallon took 16/1 for 2-0. I thought that was looking very good at HT, but at least he still wns

Goals change games and conceding as early as we did in the 2nd half changed the whole dynamic.

Leeds played well. Don't take that away from them. But we didn't half make life difficult for ourselves.

Mina is growing with every game and he had another fine game tonight. But also, he was chasing the ball and the player a bit which resulted in some cheap free kicks or leaving gaps in the middle of defence.

Mason Holgate had some good moments, but he has been nowhere near the standards this season that he attained last season. Yeah, a difficult ball to deal with on their goal, but it could have been dealt with better.

Nice to see Dom score again, but he didn't have a great game otherwise. He had a couple of golden opportunities to put the game to bed, either by scoring himself or playing in a team mate.

I understand a striker needs to be selfish and in most situations take on the shot himself, but tonight Dom could have helped the team more by lifting his head and playing in a team mate rather than take it on for himself as he did.

Godfrey immense in his natural centre back role. Digne back to something like his best. Gomes, Siggy and Richy all played well. Iwobi more peripheral.

What a triple save from Olsen preventing them from equalising.

But MoTM for me was Doucoure. I thought he was outstanding. Best game in an Everton shirt for me.

Amazingly, that's the first time in Everton's PL history that we have won four consecutive away games.

Good bounce back from Saturday against a dangerous opponent.

Doucoure also superb and we need cover for him because without his legs in the engine room we’d have a real problem.

The Don is coming on the telly

You mention the much-maligned Gilfy Sigurdsson in your kudos comments.

I couldn't agree more.

Sigurdsson has played under some really shit managers for Everton and some really shit teams. But that guy, despite many limitations and errors, gives 100%, 100% of the time.

Yes, his free kicks can shit the bed. Yes, he can make poor decisions. Yes, he isn't gifted by the gods. BUT!

His effort alone should be applauded loudly. He's a Viking Warrior, and his effort often goes under-appreciated.

Whenever he misses a chance, he doesn't pull a face of frustration, anger, or determination. He pulls a face of a child who's sulking because it isn't going his way.

Now I don't know, he's a very amiable and down to earth fella by the looks of his social media. And maybe he's a bit down - we all are - not seeing his family and friends who are unable to visit him - Brazilians in general are very very close to family.

But something seems off with him. An in form Richarlison could really push us into the top 4 but currently he shouldn't be in the team.

One thing that did concern me - Leeds were out early and warming up furiously for the second half. We strolled out and we all no what happened next. Something no quite right about that as far as I am concerned.

I think his frown is down to the fact he's a fierce competitor. The kid runs his socks off - from that counter where he should of gotten the pass from DCL, to his millions of lung-busting back tracks that save our ass.

I have zero problem with his competitiveness and his effort. He can snarl and sulk all day long, if that's what motivates him.

But when the coach pulls you off, you go off and encourage your substitute as they enter the game. You don't whine and bitch. And you certainly don't act like a douchbag when your team is winning 2-1. Makes you look completely me-me-me self absorbed.

That's where that young man needs guidance and maturity in my opinion. He does a lot of embarrassing things, this isn't the first time we've seen it.

Carlo has to stand up now and stick with his inform goalkeeper in Olsen.

Barring the first 20 minutes, I thought Sigurdsson faded into his usual anonymity. But credit where credit is due, he did have a good first 20 minutes.

The biggest plus for me was Gomes. Although Godfrey and Doucoure played better, Gomes actually covered a lot of ground and played like a central midfielder rather than the passenger he has done recently. I also thought Richarlison was much better and Olsen looks solid.

I just wish that, at 2-0 at half time, we would look to put games to bed rather than defend leads.

Olsen was Big Neville almost, with those 3 back to back stops, great atheletiscm, and composure and focus.

That was a European old school away win, which some better thinking and composure could have seen Leeds out the game, by half time.

No complaints from, any away win is good and st an old bogeyground, even better.

It’s in the mind and if Digne can get in position to play some of these early whipped in crosses, then Everton, have a.p chance of a European place.. But the same aptitude must be shown in every game..

Consistency, but tonight Everton held firm and for all Leeds possession, they didn’t cut us up too bad, and all in all, a good fighting performance.

I hope the ghosts of 1984, can float into Old Trafford, on Saturday night, and Everton, can get a win.

Play the early crosses, then we have a chance but, there’s improvement in terms of anticipation, and smelling blood in the opponents box.

Our forwards are doing ok, but the percentage chances where early anticipation, and body shape makes you time and space to make the difference, need to be converted.

Enjoy the night and all stay safe and well.

The biggest problem with Siggy is he’s been played too many times in the wrong position. He’s neither a holding or central midfielder. He has to be played in a front 3. He has always had an eye for goal, he can spot a pass and his dead ball delivery is often good.

I’m not sure he’s a first team top 4 player but he’s certainly not as bad as the mob like to portray.

Great day. Especially if BHA hangs on.

But I think both of those thing s are fixable by coaching; he needs to watch the replays of what he did wrong there and drill himself properly in training to make sure he does better next time he's in either scenario. Otherwise he's going to stagnate as a player; his position as central striker is nowadays a very specialist one in any team, just like goalkeeper; the margins for error are ultra slim for both positions, so these specialist players - for want of a better term - need to be 100% on top of their game if they are to advance or to stay elite.

Great win today.

Callum Wilson really bullied our defence at the weekend it the return of Ben Godfrey made sure that didn’t happen tonight. I think we are now at a point where Godfrey should start every game and we pick the other 3 next to him accordingly.

Is he the most talented player we have? No. But he’s the most assertive, aggressive and dominant by a long way. He drags others along with him, as he did with Mina tonight. He’s a very rare commodity in the modern game. What a signing.

Otherwise we did a very professional and efficient job. We were not the better side but we came to take 3 points and we did. Thank you very much.

Each test is your next game.

Jay - I've slway5felt for a while DCL needs some specific advice/work from a ex clinical finisher. Someone like Shearer, Wright et al. Even work with Kane when in England camp.

You're a better man than I. I actually encourage my sons to join TW.

None have had the guts or inclination to do it. I think they're worse off for it. ;0)

Some very good performances there, Godfrey - brilliant, Doucoure - equally as good. Hard work and effort got us the three points tonight, and also contributed to making a very good game of football, for a change.

"3 saves from Olsen (which while they looked good, I think he could have done better to push the ball out of the danger area. None shouldn't have been saved)".

Go watch that segment of play again Fran, you are doing the guy a disservice in my opinion.

The next few games will show if he really has found the answer or will the dreaded normal service be resumed?

If Gomes carries on like tonight then it will solve a lot of problems. Apart from the famous performance he put on against the RS, that's the best I've seen him play for us.

Four points off 4th with two games in hand.

Coyb

However feeling a tad better I am going through the comments and trying to piece together what I unfortunately missed, and am over the moon with the result. I must admit, I felt that the best I could have hoped for tonight after Saturdays abject showing was a draw, but realistically felt that was a long shot.

How do they do it? Going from being almost no hopers at home, to a gritty and deserved win by all accounts away, in the space of a couple of days? Hope has been restored, but for how long? Come on now, get a result at Old Trafford on Saturday, and not only will that boost our points tally but, will give us a realistic chance to push on for a Euro, or dare I say it a CL place.

Their defence isn’t the best but they along with City, are the best at countering fast.

Good deliveries in to theirbox, and some belief to shoot from out side the box, gives us a chance, but discipline and composure.

Ben Godfrey is playing like the next Captain, in my view, if he keeps, his form going.

But the next game is what counts.. Win on Saturday it’s a new perspective, and a draw is a good perspective. Gonna enjoy and savour, this win, tonight.

“Whats Our Name?”

Ermmm

Made up DCL got on the scoresheet but could have had, and maybe should have had a hat trick.

Dead funny reading the negative posts pre-match.

Why is it that, in most games, VAR call games back for decisions long after incidents and yet tonight totally ignored a nailed-on penalty for us?

Well done the whole team including management. No doubt the anti-brigade will still find faults

Back to the match; we have a good side. Great sides hate losing, really hate losing and they show it week after week. That is what we miss, week by week relentless determination. Giving all after being publicly rebuked by the coach is quite enlightening.

I actually think we can get a result at OT if we are fired up.

Seriously though, I said the other day that sometimes we look miles away and at other times we don’t look that far away, and different parts of tonight’s game, showed both sides of this argument imo.

Man City
21 14 5 2 26 47
2
Man Utd
22 13 5 4 19 44
3
Leicester
22 13 3 6 14 42
4
Liverpool
22 11 7 4 18 40
5
West Ham
22 11 5 6 6 38
6

Everton
20 11 3 6 6 36
7
Tottenham
20 9 6 5 13 33
8
Chelsea
21 9 6 6 12 33

Not too shabby for an over the hill dinosaur

Spot on at 170. It's really a matter of the effort.

And yes, TW is far, far less expensive than a Military Academy. I'll have a word [again] with the boys.

Well done, Everton. If there was a way to bounce back from Saturday, that was it. And I always look beyond the result. On Saturday, the performance was dire. Tonight, we got a performance. If you perform, the result is more likely to follow.

To the players. Firstly, I have to call out the keeper. Olsen was outstanding with his triple save followed by another one after that. The defence are much more assured with him behind them as well.

The two center-backs were immense; both of them, but let's call out Ben Godfrey. Take a bow son; absolutely outstanding.

Big shout out to Doucouré. Gave us energy and always looking to go forward. Backed up by a very good performance from Gomes who was nice and tidy, and when needed took the sting out of the game to try and control play. Very composed.

The much-maligned Sigurdsson also put in a great shift in my opinion. And Digne. Some have criticised of late but come on, he is there for the delivery he provides that led to the first goal for example. Similarly, Sigurdsson's delivery for the second goal with Godfrey's flick-on. To get the best out of Calvert-Lewin, we need the flanks and Digne is an important part of that.

My only criticisms (and this is being massively harsh). Mason for the goal and giving a stupid but dangerous free-kick near the end for shirt pulling. And Calvert-Lewin should make that 3 -1 at the end. The difference between him being top drawer or just a good Premier League striker?

Great win. Good performance. I'm sure there will be massive debate on here, but in previous years we capitulate on conceding so soon in the second half. Maybe we give the managers and players some credit for their mentality and resilience?

His 4 goals, and countless assists/pre-assists make him a 'luxury' we most can afford.

Take no prisoners on Saturday, battle and get into Man Utd. They don't like any team getting into them or closing the space.

UTFT!

What a great night. More of the same at Old Trafford please!!

James needs rest. He's not the kind of player you chalk in every game.

This was always going to be a high octane game. Not for James. He's the "unlock the opposition" type of [gold] player.

I'd be stunned if he's not in the Man U game.

James has more talent in his pinky finger than most of our players. You just need to identify where he can be most effective. Tonight against Leeds wasn't for him in my opinion. Smart move by Carlo.

Besides, on that ice rink of a pitch, he'd've blown a hammy.

Also, Olsen gives you so much more confidence at the back (speaking as a fan!) than Pick-it-out-ford has ever since the gift-wrapped howler at Anfield, an act his career has never recovered from.

He's a snarky little fuck. I hope he is completely shut down this weekend. If he's tackled hard or pulls up with injury, I won't shed a tear.

Leeds defense leaves space open. But awful? The energy, enthusiasm, pace, and work ethic is immense. And they have some quality mixed in there - Phillips and Rafinha would be great additions to our team.

But they are more than the sum of their parts. And fair play to them. And they are relentless.

They are hard work.

There is a reason they are mid table, but not a single club has 'enjoyed' playing them.

Shame on you, Jamie, half-wishing achieves nothing.

Sue me.

I thought Iwobi was dreadful all game, I just don't see what he brings to the team. Rodriguez will slot in for Iwobi against United.

Calvert-Lewin got his goal but, other than that, did very little.

Some good performances from Mina, Digne, Sigurdsson and Gomes but my MotM was a close call between Godfrey and Doucouré, I just give it to Doucouré as he showed a bit more intelligence with his passing than he has done previously.

Does Keane get back in for Saturday? Godfrey has to be first name on the teamsheet for me. If Coleman doesn't play, I would also make him Captain.

Yes. Absolutely spot on. Leeds = Blackpool on steroids and cocaine.

Andy @ 192 - HA!

He is that player who everyone hates...except the people that matter, those of his club.

I wish we had a Bruno Fernandes.

Shit stirrer. Cheating fucker. Match winner.

What is your opinion of West Brom and Sheffield United?

If Leeds are awful, I can't think of adjectives, but please tell.

Loved that gritty performance especially Godfrey, Doucoure and Mina. All were superb! Holgate also has a bit of devil in him which I love! Bench was stronger today too!

On a negative, if we'd taken even 2 or 3 points from Newcastle (h and a), Leeds home or West Ham home, we'd be right up there!

It'll be interesting to see the line up v Man Utd? Well played boys 👏

What is it with the relentless negativity on this site? Why wouldn’t we have a good chance against a moderate Leeds side? We have the better players; is there a Leeds player you would say we must buy if possible?

Let’s try to lighten up! We have a good team and a good manager! We will be top four if we win our games in hand.

With a simple clearance, those saves aren't necessary.

I wonder what that would be like – stereo odds and cocaine...

Only live once and all that... no, I don't think that would agree with me!!

People get hysterical because they obviously know better than the manger.

We all have opinions, but there's a difference between how your selection performed on FIFA 2021 than in reality.

Calvert-Lewin missed a couple of chances, but when he's scoring it makes a huge difference to his confidence. Olsen cannot be dropped even if Pickford is fit for the weekend. I wonder will Allan be back?

I agree about Godfrey. His pace and strength are amazing. Was good to get a chance to see him more central.

It is no coincidence that City have the deepest squad which is better equipped to play every three or four days. The rest are up and down from game to game.

It was interesting to see no issues tonight regarding the level of fitness among our players. Leeds were relentless but we matched them.

Everton in excelsis!

Okay, I don't know Latin but we were on pope puns earlier.

As for our game, I'm totally drained. Great first half, I thought we got right in their faces and deserved the two goals. To concede so early in the second half meant for a nervy 43 minutes, but yet again the defence were superb. Ben Godfrey was immense, as was Doucoure, but for me Gomes was our MOTM.

Special mention for Robin Olsen. How the hell did he keep that shot out, not only the shot but to get up and keep two further efforts out. Great goalkeeping, and deserves to keep his place.

Something happening here folks!

It's gonna be a bumpy ride to the end of the season, but it is all to play for.

3 points at Old Trafford? Why the heck not

One of my favourites, DCL, struggled throughout. But his winning goal was superb, it would have been so easy for him
not to be there at that back post.

Dubious players, like Sigurdsson and Gomes, did very well. Doucoure was excellent, so was Digne. MOM was undoubtedly Godfrey. If Olsen doesn’t retain his place it will be most unfair, and also it will weaken our team.

There was a lot going on in a fascinating match, and overall I reckon our past-it manager got the better of his Leeds counterpart.

As for the thought of Coleman coming back in on Saturday. I shudder at the thought.

You knew Leeds would throw the sink at Everton particularly after the break and it's a pity Everton couldn't keep the 2-0 score a lot longer but they defended well and did the job.

After the Barcodes game tonite's performance was the difference between chalk and cheese. Go figure !

Been a lot of strange results lately and funnily enough all the away teams won today but there is little home advantage with no fans present.

Apart from Fulham there are three top teams to take care of this month so let's hope they can keep it together.

I got picked up over my spelling of Shankley last night. In the age of txt speak I think you know who I mean.

Anyhow onwards to United next game up. I would man mark little Freddy mercury with our next captain in Godfrey.

Utft.

Olsen was okay... not the saviour made out to be. The combo saves was down to his weak clearance in the first place. He was slow to get down for their goal. He parries shots that are straight at him. Are we calmer with him back there? Probably yes. Will Carlo bring back a fit Pickford over a loan signing? Probably yes.

Will we beat Man U on the weekend? Hmm they outplayed us twice this season... but in this crazy season, who knows.

I think he's being rested at times as the games come thick and fast and we have a thin squad. And yes, Mina and Keane - what an improvement this season.

Odd to see four Leeds defenders completely static, but doesn't detract.

Great play from Mina, Doucoure and Godfrey. Digne, Gomes and Sigurdsson alot better. Holgate has not got back to his best of pre injury. I had more confidence with Olsen. Iowbi still recovering from his rest and King needs some training to get fit looking and up to speed. If he does Calvert Lewin and Richarlison could have problems.

By his attitude and committent Mina looks as if he can now finally understand what Big Dunc is saying.

_______________

Because we were beaten by a shite Newcastle side a few days ago.

People are entitled to their analysis of the selected team before a match. We won, and the first thing some people do is rush to berate others for fairly justifiable comments.

Wise up and enjoy the win.

I’ve said many times on the TW forums, he’s Everton’s, next Captain, in my view, if he’s mentored, and based on his passion on the park, it’s not not far away.

But now for United. What if...

It’s achievable, if Everton, believe, it can be done, and Id keep Olsen, in goal on merit, for his saves and composure, and to improve his clearances from dead balls at Finch Farm.

of course always room for improvement, but the biggest thing addressed tonight has been the biggest problem IMO; commitment and spirit. A proper team performance.

Quite simply, we almost always do well with it - and lose without. I can't think of a game we lost this season in which we could be said to be unlucky, the losses were all due to that strange flatness and lethargy, lack of coordination.

What a difference tonight. If that can be maintained and built upon, we will have no worries.

Big decision to leave out James but it worked. He’s not an automatic starter every match. Depends on the game and tactics

Good to see DCL back on the score sheet (albeit he didn’t have a great game)

Also nice to see Siggy score from open play. Pleasantly surprised we held out when under such pressure

I’m surprised they’re even showing the other games and not having a one hour memorium for Liverpool

The media, have it seems a fixation, with The RS,, United and the London teams.

Fekk, them all.

Strange that we got just the one corner, they're a big opportunity for us. Just the way it goes sometimes.

Important thing is: We have 11 wins from 20, joint 3rd in the league for games won with 2 games in hand.

We may lose (6 defeats), but we have learnt to win games. How long did we draw when we should win? No matter what you say or think about Ancelotti, he has brought to the club a winning mentality, and that shows with the results this season.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but we really could get top-4 this season. Not because we're better than the other teams, but we are better at winning games than most.

Been mentioned but when we are willing to fight and scrap with teams I don’t think there’s many that could handle us.

I can’t be bothered to go back and look for the comments but I seem to recall a few posts questioning Godfrey’s ability after the first couple of games at right back.

ToffeeWeb is nothing if not entertaining.

Makes it infuriating that we lost home games to West Ham and Newcastle due to complacency and laziness!

I hate when players give away needless free kicks, charge too far out of position, go to ground or generally over commit.

Holgate played well but as a defender he needs to stay up and defend better. More like Godfrey, Iess like Mina. The drag back for the yellow card was stupid defending.

Olsens kicking and distribution was better and more consistent than Pickfords. Plus if it means we play more forward balls and less back to the keeper that's another bonus surely!

It makes a mockery out of possession stats but like the Leicester and Newcastle games, we gave away too many free kicks and corners. We've got to stop tackling with arms. Some are soft but as soon as the ball isn't won, any touch results in a free kick.

Gomes ran all game. I would never have believed it. So why can't he do that every week. He was appalling second half against Leicester, not even trying.

On reflection leaving James out was a good call. He would have got over run and frustrated.

Ric better as a defender than a forward again, but did an excellent job for the team.

DCL needs to learn when not to close down a keeper and 2 defenders by himself. Good attitude but just sitting near a defender is sometimes more effective.

Siggy did his closing down the passing lanes to Philips very well. This is a definite tactic as he did try doing that to Teilimans and Shelvey but it didn't last. Philips maybe not as smart to find the space and dictate play.

Brent - that goal difference may be trouble later on. Despite tonight, we haven't been scoring enough since the early weeks.

The test, this Saturday and some massive games, following on, within days, which with heart, soul and belief can be won, by EFC.

The time for sticking together, onwards, Evertonians!,

The doom and gloom merchants are here Before every game with their usual pearls of wisdom over team selection. Well after tonight, hopefully (tho I doubt it) they’ll give it a rest when Saturdays team is announced.

Feel free to criticise after the game when appropriate but slagging players off before the game has even kicked off is now getting beyond ridiculous

In defence of pre game posters I think I was the second to post on Lyndons preview yesterday and I’d said we would win 2-0... which proves. nothing really but thought I’d just try and take credit for the win lol

I would also bet that the universal opinion here will not be shared by Carlo -- if healthy, Pickford gets the call. Olsen played well, but Carlo sees Picks as the starter. At least that's my best guess.

When you say you bet half your mortgage, it sounds like you’re trying to encumber us with your debt if your wrong. That’s a total Bill Kenwright move.

Olsen was an obvious standout, as was Ben Godfrey. What a signing?! Gabriel, who?! Watching him tonight at CB reminded me of Des Walker when the Forrest fans used to sing "You'll never beat Des Walker". He has to play in that position more often now Digne's back. It's hard to decide who would make way out of Mina and Keane.

Everybody else performed ok, not great, but ok...I don't think DCL has a dink over the keeper in his repertoire. Iwobi seemed a bit 'withdrawn', not wanting to commit himself forward, 2 or 3 times in the 2nd half, the run into the far post was on and he hung back - acting under orders possibly.

Olsen just won the photo for MotM with his barrage of saves. If I was he and I got dropped after that, I would be doing a Bernie Wright after the manager.

All in all, a Bright(on), if a tad nervous, start to my morning.

Edit; Kevin Malloy @224; very well put - my cornflakes went everywhere

These are good footballers, but not world beaters. If you ask them to do things they're not comfortable with then they will look poor.

I saw Sigurdsson criticised against Newcastle for not being a tackler. Well that's not something he has ever traded on is it?

Today was a great example of that all round. Gylfi got a job he was far more comfortable with. So did Doucoure (who escaped criticism against Newcastle while doing absolutely nothing).

Godfrey really shone in the centre, and his pace allowed us to play further up the pitch and as a result we saw DCL more involved in the game than we have in weeks.

They're not suddenly world beaters. And they weren't crap players last week. Just played to their strengths rather than weaknesses.

2. Ben Godfrey will be England captain within 2 years.

3. Andre Gomes is the real thing, after all.

4. The job of a striker is to put the ball in the net. A good PL striker gets a goal every 2 games. DCL has 12 in 19 appearances. As the Americans say: 'You do the Math'.

I’m no fan of Gomez, but while I won’t go as far as your statement on him, he did well tonight, maybe his best game for Everton.

I was the same, I thought the team was spot on. I was pleased James wasn't playing and I knew we'd win. Its heresy to criticise James, but I thought he was actually one of the problems against Newcastle.

When he plays central or as the 10, DCL gets no service and we lack threat. The possession is samey - all in front of the back 4 - and there's no variation as everything goes through James.The players almost defer to him. We end up compromising the shape and balance of the whole side - offensively and defensively - to accommodate him having a nice time scheming away whilst the rest of the side fails to function. When he plays wide, its an open invitation to target that flank as the full back is exposed and isolated.And one nice curler over 2 matches does not compensate.

Sometimes (perhaps more often than not?) we are just better off without him in there. We pick up more points. The balance is much better and the rest of the side can breathe. We're beginning to see the reason managers keep getting rid of him. He's incredibly difficult to fit him into a into a side without compromising it. I don't think he'll be here beyond his deal and may become increasingly peripheral as time goes by. I hope so. It will mean we're progressing.

This was a crucial win in the context of a season that looked like it was about to go backwards after a disappointing draw v Leicester and a shambles v Newcastle. Get something from Old Trafford on Saturday and suddenly things look back on for a top six or even better finish. Incredible, actual progress, real progress, is within touching distance !

I'll predict the exact opposite of you. As his teammates get more comfortable taking advantage of James' genius -- and he gets more accustomed to them amid our still-transitioning style under Carlo -- he will become even more important to our success.

The key to the CL for us is building a more sophisticated attack in which James will be increasingly prominent, not peripheral.

I think you're wrong. I'd say the route to the Champions League is to build a young, athletic side that plays with verve and tempo. Not one centred around a static schemer that can't run - and by modern standards he absolutely cannot - and who's almost certainly had his best days, dictates the system and compromises the side whatever position he plays.

I'd have a young, modern, mobile playmaker such as Maddison or Grealish over him any day of the week.

For me, the buck stops with the manager when we lose or play ugly and the credit goes his way when we play football and win. Huge pat on the back for Mr Ancelotti.

Couple of observations: I feel our defenders are far more composed with Olsen behind them and I don't just mean when we are under the cosh, Any defender posting on here will tell you how good it is to have a good talker between the posts. I noticed Olsen never shuts up. I have a strong suspicion (I don't know) that the instructions he is barking making a little more sense than the stuff they regularly hear coming out of Jordan's mouth – just a suspicion.

James sprinkles the stardust, but we are undoubtedly a physically stronger team when he is sitting down. I'm a football lover so it pains me to say it, but I think we are seeing why he struggled to get many games in just prior to coming here. I think he will be spending a lot more time on the bench waiting to be brought on to change games which are going away from us.

Keane (even for us doubters) has thus far been our player of the season. He really has been immense, but spent much of that first half playing 5 yards higher than we have been doing. That allowed us to get more bodies into the Leeds half than we did when we played them at the Old Lady... I don't think they were ready for that.

Godfrey: I never feel you are 100% qualified to judge a player, especially a defender, until you have seen him live, in the flesh, with the full panoramic view. I haven't seen him except on the box, but my ears pricked up when Peter Mills took time out at an earlier game to post on here that he saw Des Walker-like qualities in him. I can't wait to get back to the game and Godfrey will be getting my full attention when I do.

Most players are either quick off the mark over a short burst. Quick once they get into their stride, or just plain powerful in their running style. From my seat (nod to Ken Buckley), this lad looks as if he has all three qualities.

Calvert-Lewin really should have put the game out of reach and it is missing chances one on one with the keeper and not putting in Richarlison that gives me a nagging doubt.

Holgate looked to be out of position and unsettled at right-back while Godfrey and Mina were very good and, for me, Gomes was our best.

I didn't say he was "a genius" -- I referred to his genius. He has touches nobody else does.

And oh yes, the frequently repeated fairy tale to the contrary, his defensive effort isn't bad either. Did you know he has as many tackles as Mina this season, and more than Keane, Davies or Sigurdsson?

As for preferring Maddison or Grealish, gee, what a leap. Good luck with that.

Y'know, you're right. Who needs James? Sigurdsson and Gomes were just fine as our playmakers last year. If Zidane dumped him at Real Madrid, we should too.

Jeesh.

Roll on to the following week, Gomes has a great game, Sigurdsson scores and does well... So my question: What the fuck happened to make them step up (so well, I might add)?

And if it was purely motivation (or lack of), then why or where for the love of god has it been?? Fear perhaps? A few stepped up to the plate last night, a welcome sight!

Thanks for that, I was under the impression and I assume most others were too, that it had to be 48 hours before a player was eligible to play for his new side.

Sick to death of the empty Ancelotti critics now. Again, the proof was there (in a win) that we lack quality. If our leading scorer added quality to his game, he would be frightening.

Only a silly lapse in concentration allowed Leeds a bit of hope from our well-controlled performance last night.

We have a manager doing the right thing for a win now. Real game management. Not afraid to tell his star man we need physical attributes away from home, not afraid to let players know they need to do more.

Without this manager's nouse and calmness to relate what is required to these players, we'd be much worse off. Keeping them confident has taken some doing and 3 previous managers here have proved that is where Ancelotti is smart and just what we need.

In 3 years, he may have left us a squad the next Nagelsmaan can coach but stick with what he is doing because he is smarter than most.

Good post overall but I'm puzzled by your Keane analysis? Keane didn't play the first half, came on as a sub late in the 2nd??

I won't do that again.

Bravo Carlo!

I also thought the selection of Gomes was wrong, but I am happy to hold my hands up with him and give him credit for the performance he produced. That was possibly his best performance for Everton, he was involved in most things and driving us forward.

We defended really well again apart from their goal. We'll need that and more to get anything at Old Trafford. It was good to see Calvert-Lewin getting a goal, and Richarlison was more involved also. Let's hope the good Everton turn up on Saturday!

Olsen is better than Pickford; if Godfrey played across the park, the BBC would have put a statue up in his honour by now; we need better end product from the right, and Calvert-Lewin is not a top striker from more than 10 feet out.

Oh, and if we played away from home every week, we'd win the league by Easter.

Leeds came out early for the second half, chomping at the bit almost and looking determined to right things that had gone against them first half, namely, two goals. On the other hand, we stroll back out, and as they have done in other games this season, appeared to ' have taken their feet off the gas. Next thing, Leeds are back in it, so a sense of response kicked in to maintain the lead.

I have noticed this in many games already this season, having scored early, a degree of complacency seems to creep in, and a lack of 'killer instinct' generally allows the opposition back into the game. They start giving them too much space and room to attack, rather than closing them down. Maybe it's just me, but I'm sure others have noticed this trait too.

Godfrey was superb along with Duke. Iwobi from the off looked decent and when he plays well he offers so much, I'd say he was the best along with Sigurdsson of our forward players.

Holgate was our weak link silly fouls on the edge of the box could have cost us.

He had a reasonable game last night, didn't pull any trees up, but for me, he gets nowhere near that No 10 spot in our best eleven.

I expect Rodriguez to start there on Saturday.

It will be interesting to see the selection on Saturday, but different demands could mean different players/roles.

Sure enough, I tuned into MotD and there was no mention whatsoever of the incident. Conspiracy theory, or am I just paranoid?

At the same time we should go there with the same attitude Sheffield Utd did. Once again Ancelotti will have to come up with a plan. If the squad need motivation for this game, we're doomed to mid-table obscurity.

Carlo knows this but, until we can phase most of them out, he can't drop or really slaughter them Jose-style.

The system and or team will be different vs Man Utd. We have never had a boss who has the ability to think along them lines and yes sometimes it looks bad when he's let down.

They can be trusted to do it away from home it seems, but they can't be trusted to do it at home. I wonder why?

That's 4 straight away wins on the spin. First time we've done it in the Premier League.

I would be saying he had a decent game... because he did. He was the 31-year-old version of Gylfi Sigurdsson – hard working, good control, decent ball use, always capable of creating or popping up with a goal, but limited in terms of pace and strength.

Sometimes, he gets the chance to show his abilities; other times, he highlights his deficiencies. In this game, I thought we saw more of his strengths.

I will guarantee you, however, that if he hadn't scored, there would be people on here claiming he was dreadful.

Considering plenty on here are adamant that he's crap, they have sky-high expectations of him.

The latter is not that noticeable in the cut and thrust of games, but is a very effective form of defence (because the opponent might be able to keep the ball but can only go sideways or back).

Against Man Utd, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sigurdsson start ahead of James. We might even dispense with a Number 10 altogether and go with Doucouré, Davies and Gomes.

I'll bet it would have been reviewed if it had been Man Utd at Old Trafford – or doesn't it work like that?

I must admit that the use of VAR has me genuinely baffled – did you see how long it took to review and subsequently strike off the Southampton goal on Tuesday night. Job done.

I do feel we have as good a base to work from than we have had in a long time and we do have some cracking players. We need to just get them all fit and in-form at the same time. Calvert-Lewin just seems to be lacking a bit of confidence, hopefully the goal will give him some.

I really don't like the look of Richarlison. His attitude stinks the place out a bit currently and he is woefully out of form. I can't see any club in the world paying what we would want for him – let alone as much as we paid for him even.

Hopefully he can find his mojo, he can be devastating on his day.

Andrew - this only adds to the conspiracy theory. They’re all against us!!

When the European competitions restart later in the month, we might get a bit of a break to recharge the batteries.

We have every reason for optimism on Saturday and hopefully we will register a 5th consecutive away win.

Firstly, the Mina - Godfrey partnership was excellent and should be our regular backline going forward. Many have given Keane a lot of credit this season but, for me, his top performances have only come because we have played like Burnley and had two banks of four or a low block of seven making him look good but to the detriment of the team getting up the pitch. It's no coincidence that, when Allan plays and he has played further forward, he looks the player of last season. There is a big difference in being a great defender and defending great.

In the summer, I suggested Godfrey would prove our best signing but I never thought he would be this good so soon. And big Yerry was heroic last night, continually driving his team on and dealing with Bamford superbly. This just shows that Brands, for all the stick, has brought some good assets to the club and his two signings have outshone Carlo's much more heralded arrivals who were both absent for different reasons.

I'm absolutely thrilled for the manager who was lambasted by his own. The midfield pairing was not a strange or a stupid choice, it is his best at the club in my opinion and, although Tom Davies is equally excellent in midfield, against Leeds, we had to keep possession and Gomes's quality was perfect for a game like this. Some of the doubters must have missed his exquisite passes in the build-up to our last two goals or the two assists previous with his weaker foot.

To emphasise my point, Doucouré has to play because of his unique skill-set making him our most indispensable midfielder. This season, with Doucouré playing, our midfielders in the Premier League, points per game is as follows;

Tom Davies: 2.4
André Gomes: 2.33
Allan: 1.66
Sigurdsson: 1.5

Obviously these figures don't include Tom at right-back, Andre at left-wing or Sigurdsson in the front three. Had I included the Leicester match for André, when he played two-thirds of the game, it would be 2.42 while Allan would decrease further.

Now on to the unfair criticism of Sigurdsson. Carlo has stupidly played the Icelander in a midfield role where he is poor. However, this is not the player's fault as he doesn't have the tools for the job. Carlo has only played the guy four times in his Number 10 role this season. Sometimes, he is up front or wide but as a Number 10, we have won three of the four games.

Carlo's decision to play him was exactly because he wanted to help André and Doucouré from getting over-run and, had he played the Colombian, this may well have happened. Carlo was spot on and this totally negated the effect of Phillips.

Much nonsense has been spouted on these threads about the Italian but last night was truly tactically impressive and, yes, fortune favoured the brave but it was a performance I really enjoyed and full vindication of the manager's bravery.

When you describe Sigurdsson (the 31 year old version who should be in his prime!) as “... hard working, good control, decent ball use, always capable of creating or popping up with a goal...”, I’m afraid that’s just plain wrong. I posted Sigurdsson’s Premier League stats this season on Twitter last night, and it backs up my view of a player going through the motions. His stats are awful. Prior to last night:

18 appearances
15 shots
2 goals
2 assists
Average 25 passes per games (453/18)
35 tackles made (16 successful)

I’m sorry mate, these are not the stats of a player who is always capable of creating or popping up with a goal. They are even more damning when you think he takes a lot of our set pieces as well. A tap in last night will not change my view of a player averaging 25 passes per game despite playing in the heart of the team - most of them sideways and backwards no doubt. His stats last season were no better. It’s a disgrace that this guy gets to wear our armband with what he produces...

Pre-match doom mongering because a favourite player hasn't been picked or our own particular scapegoat has is like taking a punt at the bookies. If the "prophecy" comes off, smugness and "told you so" all around. If it turns out to be wrong, hysterical foot stamping, eat humble pie.

Just as the season wasn't over in October, or a dead rubber and going backwards after last weekend's dismal showing, the match isn't doomed to failure when the team is announced just because we don't agree with it.

I've been a scratched record since October. Bigger picture, outside of individual performances and game by game analysis, it's about staying in the game and within touch of our target of European football. We are.

Sigurdsson played well last night for most of the game.

It may have been a tap-in, but he had to anticipate and make a timed run to make that an easy tap-in. What he done off the ball made that look simple.

And he didn't just take a corner, that was great delivery for Godfrey to flick on. How many times do we bemoan for not clearing the first defender?

I appreciate Sigurdsson has not been consistent and frustrated many of us, but last night he contributed well to a good team performance.

Another on here that will never give Sigurdsson a good shout. I love Rodriguez but I'm afraid games like last night don't need Rodriguez type players. He would not have done the work that Sigurdsson does.

Sigi last night played very well and Carlo should not change the team against Man Utd. They are at home, they will not use their usual counter-attack game at home. Play the same team and we will win.

Do not, Carlo, change the keeper.

Why do you say Sigurdsson had a good game last night? Is it because he scored? If he’d scored against Newcastle would you have said he had a good game then?

For what it’s worth, I remember him having a shot apart from his goal, not a great shot but at least he had one. But I don’t remember any through balls? Or him switching the play? Or any one twos? Or dribbles?

Is it because he ran around that he had a good game? I can’t remember any tackles that he won, or interceptions. I remember him giving a foul away when he won a header.

I get that he always runs around a lot, and he points a lot, but genuinely, why do you feel he had a good game?

For me, scoring a goal doesn’t mean you’ve had a good game.

Sigurdsson did what he can do best providing accurate passes and adding a precious goal. His critics are ludicrous in thier expectations, no other player from Iwobi, Richarlison, Gomes or James is subjected to such intense scrutiny, without justification, because generally he works hard and adds skill to the squad, that's all that matters.

Olsen was the hero last night with a string of magnificent saves, surely he must keep his place barring injury. Godfrey was obviously outstanding his energy and drive are invaluable.

Firstly, the people doing the pre-game meltdown because Davies wasn't starting hopefully saw how Leeds, after about 80 minutes of flat out running, were able to swarm him and cause him to do his infuriating signature move of a 360 looking for a pass when he had a good option before anyone was near him. Imagine 90 minutes of that.

Secondly, I'm happy for Calvert-Lewin to break his duck but more happy that it meant Everton won the match. However, my word he is such a wasteful striker. At the start of the season, I was willing to eat my words of the past few seasons as I've always thought he was a terrible footballer. I really do think his purple patch was the exception rather than the rule. Without hyperbole, he should have had three goals minimum in this match.

The little bit I saw of King showed me at least the difference between what we used to have and a proper fit-for-purpose Premier League player. Iwobi for one will be looking over his shoulder...

I concur with many here, that Olsen should be ahead of Pickford, but I won't go as far as to eat any season ticket, judging by how Ancelotti makes his own decisions. : )

Godfrey looks like a steal given the fees that we have paid for Mina and Keane, who I think most would concur that the transfer fees paid for them, all things considered, are not a waste of money (given that Godfrey costs less).

It seems that there is that eternal debate between how much flair players our team can handle, eg, James, Sigurdsson. And then there seems to be that almost preference for British players rather than continental ones. Even the supposedly highly regarded (maybe not to many here) Richard Keys felt that we will do better with Troy Deeney than James Rodriguez.

I think if we want to compete at the highest levels, we will need to find ways to build teams where flair players can thrive. It's about balance ultimately. Ancelotti was able to fit in numerous flair players (the artists instead of artisans) in a team that many do not consider possible.

Consider his AC Milan team of Kaka, Seedorf, and Pirlo in a midfield of four (where Gattuso is probably the only enforcer / defensive midfielder).

He managed the BBC in Real (ok, some can argue that they were not that successful) and how he managed that star-studded midfield as well. It's about balance and hopefully, Ancelotti's Midas Touch can continue to help transform our club.

Strikers like Kane, Mane, Vardy, Rashford, Ings or Son would have buried at least two of those chances and those are the levels Calvert-Lewin needs to aim for; I'm not sure he'll get there.

Like that one Terence.
His tactical set-up last night was spot on.

I'm not creaming my pants about James "genius" so we must have been absolutely fine with Sigurdsson and Gomes as our playmakers last season? Zidane got rid of him at Madrid, so must we? Erm, no. I think you're leaping a little higher than me.

You appear to be intoxicated by the novelty of James, as many Blues are. As I said, its heresy to even raise the possibility he may not be all that for us.

Fact is, when he plays the 10 we don't create, there's little threat and DCL gets no service - especially at home. You saw a masterclass against Leicester. I saw a side that didn't function properly from an attacking perspective. Against Newcastle, under the influence of his genius sat as the 10 the side laboured with and without the ball.

I've seen it all before. He's a conundrum as old as the game. The talented playmaker who is also a bit of a liability. Putting it bluntly, he's a massive pain in the arse to fit into a side, and when he does the overall effectiveness of the side is often compromised and what he produces doesn't compensate.

I think he can play a handy role here as squad, being influential in some starts and cameos off the bench. I don't think that influence will stretch beyond this contract. He may get a 1-year extension. After that it'll be the MLS.

Oh come on, you know who I'm talking about, the one attracting praise from numerous managers and pundits around the country, the one who holds the ball up beautifully and is fantastic in the air with rocket heels. That guy.

Seriously, get a grip some of you. He is still young, his finishing has improved a great deal, nearly all his goals have come from one touch. He is a rare commodity to have and he is ours, get behind him, we are lucky he is here.

Villa, Leicester and even West Ham play some excellent football, as we did early on, but as we couldn't stop leaking goals, we've moved to a team which predominantly needs to defend and ride some luck.

We defend deep, because as Carlo said we don't defend well with space behind us due to Mina's and Keane's inability to turn quickly, but what it does is isolate Calvert-Lewin as also Richarlison ends up defending as well. We then only have Doucouré with the legs to support. It doesn't work and invariably the ball is lost and we are under the cosh again – Leicester, Newcastle and last night's 2nd half. A fit Allan won't solve that problem alone.

Ancelotti has got to somehow get Holgate back in last season's form and pair him with Godfrey and Mina or Keane somehow in a back 4 or even 3. Yet we have to retain Digne somewhere, as its his assists we need desperately – and he doesn't want to play as a wingback!!! It's time for Coleman to accept a bench seat I'm afraid.

Midfield, it's got to be Doucouré, Allan and hopefully a completely fit Gbamin (if not, then a new purchase in summer) with then Sigurdsson or Rodriquez as the playmaker, depending on who we are playing.

Upfront, I'm not surprised Richarlison is totally peed off, he has to track back so often, and very rarely gets a defining pass from Calvert-Lewin. To be a truly great forward, a "Kane", Calvert-Lewin needs to not only score, hold up play, but also crucially to create for others around him. Last night, after 25 mins when we attacked on the break, a pass to Richarlison 10 yards to his left and fully open was a golden opportunity he completely screwed up and you could see Richarlison and Ancelotti go beserk with Calvert-Lewin. But unfortunately he's doing this regularly. Let's see can KIng put pressure on him.

We are getting there with Ancelotti but I don't think our squad contains enough runners, enough pace... but it's definitely improving, If we get a Top 4 place Ancelotti deserves a knighthhood.

Calvert-Lewin's hold-up play is excellent generally; true, he has looked more isolated lately and didn't play well yesterday. Trust me, the issue is not Calvert-Lewin's hold-up play. I agree with you on the other hand, if we defend further up the pitch then we should see a change in our play for the better.

I wonder if Godfreys performance last night spells an end to this tactic and we rotate Keane and Yerry?

How many thought that Gomes and Sigurdsson in the same team would play like they did? They've seldom, very seldom, done it previously. Likewise, Carlo got it right last night, the team and the tactics; he got them wrong twice last week. IMO, they were honest enough to state their opinion; easy and obviously better to give them after the game.

The match was very satisfying for most of us, although they made us bite our nails in the second half. Very good displays from some of the players but I thought four of them had poor outings, including one of my favourites, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, even though he got the winner, and yet we still pulled through.

As one poster said, why can't these under achievers give their all every week? And as another said, give Carlo credit when he gets it right, which he did last night, and give him stick when he gets it wrong, which he has done and will do again during the rest of the season, because he hasn't got a strong squad.

Leaving Ben Godfrey out last week was one mistake most of us wouldn't have a made. A young strong fit player who loves and thrives on playing football, he's not James or Gomes and maybe Allan, who have to be nurtured very carefully.

On to Man Utd, what have you got in store for us? The first name on your team sheet will cause plenty of comment; I hope you pick the right one... I'll give you a clue: many of us hope he's not English.

Total nonsense to suggest his game can't be improved. He has done great, not one person takes that away from him, but, if you don't think there is room for improvement, you must be blind.

We haven't won anything for years so I don't get the heart for denying obvious ways we can improve. For 4 years, he's been getting picked and his feet are no better. Composure and balance is way off where he'd want it.

But, just in case you think I want him sold, I love the lad and hope he does get to where he'd like to be.

And we are far from lucky to have him. What happens in football is, if the like of us have a great player and Man Utd want him, they bid, we offer a new deal not as good as United's, he talks ambitions of Champions League blah blah, then goes.

Don't be so sensitive, Blues — we can always improve and enjoy a win too.

1) He is the best player to wear an Everton shirt since Kanchelskis.
2) 4 goals and 7 assists in 17 league games make him the most productive member of the Everton squad this season.
3) His movement on and off the ball is excellent.
4) If we aspire to be a Champions League side, then he will play most games from the start.

Frankly, comparing Maddison, Grealish (or Sigurdsson!) to James is like comparing a Gregg's pasty to a Gordon Ramsey Beef Wellington.

Most of his goals this season came from chances that were almost impossible to miss. Last night when it needed a bit of work, composure and thought he came up short three out of three. His weak shooting has been a criticism since he came into the team and was evident last night.

The evidence will be at the end of the season when you look back at his stats and see how many goals he scored after October vs how many he scored in the flying start to the season that he had.

I do like Maddison though football-wise. He seems an arrogant self-centered snob off the pitch but skill-wise he is great.

I think their 3 Englishmen are their heartbeat and inspiration.

Surely no-one is naive enough to think that his early goalscoring run could have continued? Strikers go for periods when they don't score. That's the nature of the game, yet he has still outscored the likes of Vardy, Rashford, Jesus, Mane, and Stirling. In fact he's only bettered this season by Salah who has scored 5 penalties.

How about judging his goal return at the end of the season? If he finishes the season on 20+ goals, he will have had a great season and I'd suggest 25+ would represent an outstanding return.

It's as if they never watched any other striker. All strikers miss chances. Cavani, Ronaldo, Kane, Aguero and beyond, all of the best strikers miss more than they score, it's just the nature.

What makes a great striker is getting the chances, repeatedly, and not letting missing a chance weigh you down. 'Missed one, no worries, another will come.' That's the mentality of the best strikers.

Calvert-Lewin may have missed a good chance to put the game to bed, but did you see his run to get that chance? He looked like Usain Bolt. Fantastic movement, unbelievable pace. Not surprised that, after pelting it half the pitch at 40 miles a hour, he didn't quite manage to get his foot around it... must have been knackered.

And his goal was a great demonstration of his anticipation and quick movement plus aggression. And his goal won us the match. Again.

And yes, he can still improve, and he will. He's just 23, which is very young for a top striker. Rare is a striker who reaches his peak before 27/28.

With his physique, if he keeps developing, he could well be our No 9 for a decade to come.

I may well be worth a tipple on him becoming an Everton record goalscorer in post-war football.

For example, he didn't play the same role against Newcastle. And Everton didn't play anything like the same style. Personally, I thought he did well in the first half against Newcastle (or at least no worse than many) and then struggled to make an impact in the second half in what amounted to solely a defensive effort. He didn't dazzle... why do you expect him to from a deep midfield role?

I know what I see and he's capable of a goal. Moreso then most in blue. If you gave me the opportunity to place an Everton player 20 yards out with the ball – I'd pick Sigurdsson. Competition from James - but who else? He's very capable.

The tap in was anything –but. He came a long way – got beyond the Leeds midfield and went in between their center-backs. When it looked like Digne couldn't hook it back. He took a gamble... again, who else in blue does that? It's not a long list.

Going back to the point I started with – I'd have Gylfi out of the team with the right replacement. He's not what he was, and he's never done it consistently for us. But I'm not going to slate him regardless of how he performs or regardless of the role he's asked to play. If Allan is in the team then we've got enough midfield stability to support James. Without Allan, we need to find other answers for individual games.

Nail on the head my friend. What I like about him is that he is brave on the ball, and he makes other players look better with the quality of passes he gives them. This is in addition to his goals and asist stats. Get legs in the team in and around him and he will make us tick...

How about he is working harder to get into those situations? There's been lots of analysis on how much his movement has improved within the box and the runs he is now making, so this is hardly happening by chance. If it was so easy to score in the Premier League, there'd be a lot more players who have scored as many as Calvert-Lewin this season.

Reality just goes out of the window and people become either too soppy or overhyped and there is no need at all.

The ones who say things like (in a spolit Veruca Salt voice) we cant even beat Leicester at home but Leeds go there and beat them blah blah.
Imagine how stupid they feel not even a week later.

Its almost gossip.

Like Godfrey had a good game last night and he has performed well, but what is with all these awful nicknames hes been getting?

Let the lad knuckle down and fuck the soppy stuff off. How can anyone still fall for that the way players leave clubs these days? Giving them pet names. Wow.

Oh shit the cardinal wants to leave, or when "The Duke" gets roasted by someone poor?

Gary Lineker.

Only an Evertonian could whinge at a one in two goalscorer

Reminds me of them tits reffering to Fowler.

Been following the progress of two blues here.
Warms the cockles.

I went to Cardinal Allen. Can I call Allan the Cardinal?

It’s only a slightly different spelling!

I can see the players putting a shift today and battling hard. The first half is great to watch.

I have no problem to defend the lead in the second half. But I am disappointed not to be able to transition better to counter-attack when we won the ball back. So many times we gave away the ball straight away to Leeds. I'd have thought the team would be drilled how to break such press.

I am a big fan of DCL. Happy that he grab a goal today and as always work hard for the team to defend. But as someone had pointed out, he still need to work on his shooting and composure in front of goal. If we keep on playing defensively, such counter-attack 1v1 opportunity need to be scored to seal the game. Wilson did that twice to us this season.

Delighted with the three points, made up with Godfrey, and pleased that Gomes had an influential game.

Big decision for Carlo about who starts in goal from now on.

Leeds are admirable I think. Young, gutsy and have a winning mentality.

DCL is a top striker. Instead of trying to deny it, in the style of the flat earth society, just get a grip on reality and embrace it. If he left us tomorrow, you’d soon learn about not appreciating what you’ve got until its gone.

Godfrey is a phenomenon. In a year or so he will be a fixture in the England side. We had better start winning silverware or he will get poached.

DCL is what he is.

He's a poacher and not a Harry Kane or Aguero type. If you put him one on one with a goalie he'll probably miss 7 out of 10, he just doesn't have the nerves for it.

However he as some cunning and good positional sense, he's athletic and has good stamina, this serves him well.

It's ironic really, but I believe Tosun would have put that chance away where DCL was through on the keeper last night, but firstly he would have needed DCL's pace and athleticism to actually get into the position where he could take the keeper on, this pace he didn't have.

I actually think he is quite Kane-like, in that he is an excellent footballer, not just a goal-scorer. His link-up play and ball control is as good as Kane's and he seems to have a similar footballing brain. Plus he never gives up. There's loads more to come from him and, just to cap it, he comes across as a great lad and looks really happy at Everton. He could become one of the Everton greats.

Mike indeed he did. We were there at the same time but he was about 3 years ahead of me. School captain he was, and a nice lad. Playing for Everton B even then.

Pity it was a rugby school!

Haha it’s perfect in its irony

Lewin wasn’t great yesterday, but he does put in a tremendous amount of work for the team, and its why I praised him for winning that corner, because I think most other players would have given up the chase.

I actually thought Richarlison done a few good things last night, and he was getting stronger by the minute imo, so hopefully he’s gonna come back into a bit of form, because we really do need him to start performing.

And since the first four games we’ve won 2 of 10 and won the last 5 straight when he hasn’t played.

Now he’s obviously a talented footballer with a lot to offer and it’s a pretty small sample but it does feel that we are much more robust defensively when he doesn’t play.

Also to claim he’s the best player since Kanchelskis on the back of 14 games is ridiculous

Her team had studied Pendleton's victories and came up with what they thought was a winning strategy. However, Meares was also worried about her mental approach and someone recommended she speak to John Eales the former Wallaby rugby union captain. He spoke to her about playing the All Blacks and how doing the Haka had them ready to go both physically and mentally. He had reckoned that to stop it giving the All Blacks an advantage that the Oz team should wear their full tracksuit gear and when the Haka finished they should throw the ball around a bit before taking their time removing their tracksuits. He said it took all build up and superiority out of their sails and made them a lot easier to play against.

I don't suppose any TW contributors from Crosby have seen Mr A on a bike, the pedaling variety?

I can't be bothered, so I'll ask you. Do you know against which teams those 5 losses were the James played in?

I mean, if he'e in games again Man U, 'them', Chelsea, etc. [read tougher teams] it is slightly understandable the team record will be worse-looking. If he's resting against bottom teams and Carlo is saving him for the big guns, surely the record will be less attractive looking?

Likewise, Dominic's movement and anticipation enabled him to be on the end of a flick on from a great delivery. Great forward play but I was disappointed he didn't wrap it up at the end. But, still young and will learn to finish those.

On the debating the team, I didn't earlier mean to criticise the fact that people do. Or that they should not have a view on the selection. We all have opinions and on match day and throughout the week talk about different selections and formations, me as much as anyone. I just don't get the pre-match hysterical melt down when a team is announced not to someone's taste or liking. It's not changing.

I've mentioned this before, but a Tottenham supporting colleague who lives out East Anglia way tipped me off that we had bought a gem when we signed Godfrey and he was gutted. I had no idea as I'd not paid any attention to him or Norwich last season. So far he's on the money.

Southampton,, Man Utd, Leeds West Ham and Newcastle. In fact our record against the better teams is alright this year.

The games we won without him were Chelsea, Arsenal, Leicester, Sheff U and Leeds

I did admit it’s a small sample and doesn’t prove anything but it supports what I think I’m seeing is that we are less resilient especially when he occupies a wide position.

I think we have to find a way to accommodate him That probably means him occupying the role Siggy played last night which gives more pace in wider positions

What does bemuse me is the absolutism some express based on the one single game. The game just played.

With this limited perspective, as this thread shows, we get:

* Olsen is a better keeper than Pickford because of his triple reflex save, his clearer shouted commands and the greater calm he exudes.
* Like the Romans, what has Siggy ever done for us? Apart from his tap-in goal and creating the winning goal from his corner, that is.
* Richy is a sulking infant we would be well rid of.
* DCL, in spite of scoring the winning goal (again) is Championship level at best.
* James is a luxury and a liability we cannot afford to play.
* Tom Davies is reviled for the game-defining 6 minutes he played at the death.

On this thread there are a good number of posters who, after Saturday's meek surrender to Newcastle, called out the team as bottlers whilst simultaneously declaring that 'the season was over'; 'just blown the chance of a European place'; 'we'll be lucky to glean another 19 points from our remaining 19 games'.

Scratched me head on that one. Just who are the true bottlers in that scenario? Such claims look a bit silly just one game on, don't they?

Carlo is called out for rotating his keepers rather than sticking with one 'because he doesn't do that with the outfield players'. Oh yes he does. He did it with Keane and James last night. Carlo's rotation of the keepers is keeping both on their toes and reassuring the fans that we have good cover in that position.

It evidently chokes some to admit it, but Siggy is playing well of late, wherever he is asked to play. Last night it wasn't only about his contribution to our two goals, but also how he and the rest of the time helped stifle Phillips and Ayling, both of whom hurt us in the reverse fixture at Goodison.

Richy had a much better game last night in a season where he has been largely poor. Personally, I pay no heed to the pseudo-science reading some indulge in with regard to 'body language' and 'facial expression.'

Richarlison ALWAYS wears a frown when playing (other than when he rejoices when we score). It's his game face. He is extremely intense and concentrated on the game in hand. Not happy at being subbed out last night? Halle-fucking-lujah! Give me a player who wants to play, rather than hide. Not a negative for me at all. I imagine he fancied himself to score last night and being subbed out denied him that chance. And we need Richy scoring again.

Dominic's all-round game was off last night. But...he scored the winning goal with predatory instincts whilst defenders didn't react to the danger. Repeat that for the rest of the season - Dom scores the winning goal, but doesn't play well - and I'll take that all day, ta very much. As I fancy would the manager, his team mates and the player himself.

In this thread Dominic is the prime example of posters looking for confirmation bias to trot out their devaluation of the player. He is SUPERB at holding up the ball. He has EXCELLENT tight control. He has PHENOMENAL pace. He RELISHES the physical side of the game and can more than look after himself. He has a FORMIDABLE leap and is an extremely accomplished header of the ball. His predatory instincts and one-touch finishing have markedly improved.

Last night there were perhaps 3 occassions his shot selection, his finishing, or game awareness - playing in a team mate rather than shooting himself - could have been better.

There hasn't been a footballer born, nay! A human being born, that has never ever erred. Dom erred last night. His goal won us the game.

As for those questioning James' contribution to the team, per-lease! Football is not only about having XI Duracell Bunnies on the pitch. It's not solely about pace and power. Standing still and taking up the best position is also a gift. The ability to see and play a chance-creating ball is a gift. James has it. In spades.

If fit (and he was on the bench last night, so no indication he is injured), he will be back on Saturday v United. As will Michael Keane. Last night Carlo's selection had half an eye on the upcoming fixtures. I fully expect James to feature v United then again in the cup v Spurs.

As for the gratuitous bashing of Tom Davies and his 6 minute cameo, I recall 3 plays by Tom. First, he gave away a simple short pass on the half way line. He received the ball in a tight situation, hounded by 3-4 Leeds players, half way into our half. He turned and shielded the ball from all those snapping at his heels and laid the ball off to an Everton player who was able to launch a counter-attack. He aided and abetted Digne to get out of a tight situation close to our left hand corner.

Since we beat Chelsea our PL record reads:

P 9 W 6 D 1 L 2 F 11 A 7 Pts 19

Only 4 teams have better form - City (on a club record 13 consecutive games winning streak) 26 points from 10 games; United 22 from 11; Leicester 21 from 11; WHU 21 from 11.

Very little in it then. And Everton has played two games less than all of them, apart from City, one game less.

Not for the first time, I'll repeat again.

We're doing alright.

By my eyes only, I think James is a massive asset, and has more talent than just about all his teammates combined!

Carlo will figure out a way to utilize James' strengths and play winning football over time. I think not playing James yesterday against a run-and-gun Leeds, saving him for Man U, was brilliant.

We'll see how the record progresses as the season does, and as James' career as a Blue continues. It'll be very interesting.

IMO our only real striker is / was Tosun. But he didn't have the athleticism or strength to play a lone striker role.

Ric goes to ground too easily which is why he doesn't play more often as a striker. He's a better dribbler (currently off form) than Dom and better facing goal than with his back to it.

King is somewhere in between Dom and Ric but with more experience.

Kean is similar to Ric. A better striker of the ball but better facing forwards than turning.

Goals alone Calvert-Lewin is up there with the very best, and no player in Europe has scored more headed goals this season, than Calvert-Lewin.

Calvert-Lewin is fighting a lone battle in attack, winning almost every ball played to him, the guy can do no more than he is at the moment.

His shooting will improve overtime.

Yes he had two good chances, yes others may have put them away, but on another Day Calvert-Lewin would have buried some of the chances, some of those other mentioned have missed, and trust me, everyone of those players you mentioned, have missed easy chances this season.

I don’t disagree at his vision and passing ability, top drawer but on the flip side he lacks pace and physicality.

It’s about systems and blend of a team. If he plays out wide teams will target that in my view.

Unfortunately some Evertonians, after the years without a trophy, have taken a negative, defeatist attitude.

Understandable.
I think we are getting ourselves into position to stop the trophy drought, I am very happy what I am seeing overall.
Bound to be a few hiccups as we progress.

Sorry Graham I got that wrong mate, but I’m sure it’s still an illustration of how valuable such a talented footballer can be!

The classic for me is "Carlo is not the manager we need".

Personally I believe Carlo is doing a magnificent job, dragging certain players up while putting the young lads on a development program with constant calm and collectiveness unlike the lunatic over the road whose head explodes every time something goes against them.

And as you say in your closing statement "we're doing alright".

I don’t disagree, I certainly don’t think he lacks bottle but he definitely does not possess pace and power. It’s not his game.

All I’m arguing is he needs to play in a different position than occupying a wide position where he leaves our full backs more vulnerable.

David #351, spot on. DCL's massive improvement this season is down to anticipation and hard work. (He can learn to shoot later.)

Jamie #393, great post. Graham #396 et al, I think you will see the best of James next year, when we have pace on the flanks that we currently lack (I have faith that Marcel and Carlo will buy some wide speed this summer). We've seen a sampling of his crosses -- thus the 7 assists -- but you'll enjoy even more watching him play thru balls into space as he did in his initial seasons at Real Madrid and Bayern.

I don’t mind Sigurdson, he’s always been a better player closer to his opponents goal, but one thing I would criticise him for, is how many nearly passes that he hits, because there comes a time imo, when it stops becoming unlucky.

DCL, I wouldn't say it's impossible to improve your shooting skills in your early 20's, but as a top flight pro if he doesn't display it now, it's unlikely he'll develop into Pele. Go to any park on a Sunday in Liverpool and watch the kids play, you'll see a few who just "have it", they control themselves and the ball under these pressure situations.

What he really needs is contol of his of what's happening in his head, he's snatching a shot or taking the easier option in these one on one situations.

You have played to a good standard mate.
As you say the run makes the passers decision making easier.
Still have to have the ability to play what you see of course.

James is quality mate.
We are lucky to have him.

What's the story with Ferguson holding up the electronic board for the substitution?

That is a very valid point ^^. James is really better off occupying a traditional 10 role, with license to roam wherever he wants. In that position, he doesn't leave the fullback on an island.

OR! Put him in front of Holgate on the right. Mason isn't a marauder by any stretch, tell him to stay home and just defend.

That being said, I like the "Irish Rover" #10 position. He's played the Irish Rover, let's hope Carlo doesn't say, "No never, no more."

I'll get that cap thingy hanging on the rack and quietly dismiss myself now.

My point exactly Thomas, because Sigurdson’s creative passes usually get cut out, but I think Rodriguez’s passes will usually get to where he’s intended putting them.

Perspective on TW? About as likely as my impending engagement to Eva Longoria.

Those bleating about pre match "negative" comments have the opportunity to counter it. Most of them hide in the shadows instead, frightened to make a comment that may prove to be wrong. If it was up to them there would be no point in a pre-match thread.

If you havent made a positive pre match comment, don't embarrass yourself by taking people to task after we won, because you sure as fuck wouldnt bother if we'd lost.

I don't ever belief we we wont win a game. I have never ever predicted a loss and I barely criticise anybody when the game is on..thats how I see it. Does that make me a positive ? No does it fuck. Thankfully. I have a mind of my own ad after the game all honest assessment is fair. Right up until the day until the day of our next game

Those bleating about negative comments need to go back and examine thread and look at how positive they were BEFORE the match. What you posted to counter it ?

Please, please save us from the rabid self proclaimed positives.

E.g. was this when Pickford was dropping clangers? Was this when we had Coleman, Digne and Allan injured?

It’s clear as day to me, we are a better team with Rodriguez in it. We may need to get the balance right, with legs around him. But Sigurdsson isn’t fit to lace his boots, as the stats show.

You were nice and positive this morning 😁😁

What happened today?

With regards to the issue of comments. I think all comments are valid and welcome here as long as they come from genuine Evertonians. It's a cliché but following our boys is a roller-coaster. When we lose we spit feathers, when we win, we wax lyrical. That's what being a fan is all about. Passionate comments arise from a healthy passionate love for the club. ToffeeWeb would be a boring place if it were full of bland comments (like mine!!).

Spot on mate.
I'm struggling to think of a better footballer who has played for us since the 90s

There will be a time when we all make a bad call or change our minds about something but I will always try to stick with my principle which is I support Everton before anyone or anything else.

In my thoughts or opinions i'll try to think of the experiences we have had or discussed which include everything from rumours to reality.

Therefore, cute pet names for any player, including an Evertonian is a no no for me personally because we have all seen players turn on us and walk away, plus in general we call footballers mercenaries don't we?

No player deserves love anymore to me, its just enjoy them while they are here. There are no Le Tissier's and Southalls anymore.

Also, in being an Evertonian first and foremost, if I see something obvious that I feel needs improving or eradicating to improve my experience as an Evertonian, its getting said.

I think DCL is great because of what he gives us while clearly being manufactured and not a natural finisher. That is clear as day.

He is a fantastic athlete that as Jay says above, improved in his touch and awareness a great deal and become a better target man.

That doesn't mean for one minute he can't be criticised and it doesn't mean he is not good enough. He can still get better. Why people are offended by the thought of that I will never know.

We had a striker that has gone to Man U and Inter Milan from us and the majority couldn't wait to slag him after a hat trick. It was fashionable to find something Lukaku didn't do right.

My support is fully behind Calvert Lewin and always will be because he is a fabulous professional that wants to get better. This season has been brilliant for learning his trade.

Thanks for replying without feeling offended too Dave. I have noticed you and your kid man up many a time on here and its a pleasure chatting to any blue above all the bitter bickering.

He was born in 1989 and is a Moyes-enia (sorry my pathetic attempt at an Everton version of Millennia). I'll order a taxi, get my coat and promise never to try and be funny again, but before I do.

Using him as a stereotypical example, we have a generation of fans, who through no fault of their own, believe trying to not lose a game is the default over going out to be brave and win. That every goal conceded should have been saved or could have been prevented.

That is something not just restricted to Evertonians mind. We have a generation of fans who have grown up on FIFA and Sky with a tendency to over-analyse every action.

He has improved his game in many aspects and, as an old duffer who was still playing until the latest lockdown (60 years old), I can honestly say that you can improve certain aspects of your game, even at my age.

Clearly Calvert-Lewin lacks clever footwork and we rarely see him blasting (Latchfordesque) from 25 yards... but he is amazing in the air and has learn't some cute little flicks and pokes in the box. His hold-up play has also improved and these things can continue to get better.

Already he has been told to abandon running the channels and (with such a compacted fixture list) is concentrating on his main goal (excuse the pun). In a year or two, I think he will potentially be England's main man.

We must move heaven and Earth to keep this kid. We must stop selling our very best players... only then will we be serious contenders.

All the engagement and debate you do with fellow blues will stand your views well in the future because you don't get offended and are not afraid to learn.

Darren Hind has taken some stick lately and I have found some of his views baffling but I can't help respect his principles and the fact he is not influenced by the crowd.

It's crazy to assume someone is a wrong un for a few constructive football opinions and, come May, I hope we are all on the same page full of positives.

There is a saying that it is better to say nothing and let people think you're an idiot than say something and prove it immediately. To post at the start of a thread something that the poster knows could be exposed as ridiculous later on is not only negative but a particular nutty version.

It is so easy to make the same post in a positive manner so why not be logical and positive? Positivity doesn't preclude criticism; in fact, it breeds healthy criticism.

Negativity is ant-fucking over irrelevancies, positivity is seeing the whole world.

Darren, THATS positively!

He plays in a front three, I reckon I could name at least 10 Premier League players I'd rather have in my front three.

There is nothing wrong with anyone's views on the team selection, whether they are "positive" or critical, be that through disagreement or a raised eyebrow when the team selection is announced – I have those. But some of the downright hysteria at this player being in and that player not is equally eyebrow-raising.

Rodriguez is a joy to watch. He is part of a squad and the manager is, well, managing him – just as he is the squad. My son (born 1994) believes he is the best player he has seen in an Everton shirt.

Thats illegal with Calvert Lewin for some reason. I loved Lukaku but I still admitted he wasn't as good as Kane in his peak and didn't do the team game well.

He was the best goal scorer we had since Lineker though and I put up with the rest in admiration for his finishing.

Thousands were happy to see the best striker we had in years to go to a team one place above us and those people were never called out.

And don't get me wrong he wanted to go he made it clear but even during the service he gave in goals loads wanted him to go.

Jamie #409. No. Nay. Never.

I’m sure we’ve been here before but that lazy bastard has scored 241 club goals and 57 international goals at the age of 27.

If you want Shane Long he’s probably not your man but if you want someone who can score at a ratio of more than 1 in 2 he probably is.

You just have to let him do what he’s best at which is not pressing defenders but popping them in the net on a regular basis

I'm with you. I respect Darren's principles but I also do respect his views and agree on occasion. Delivery? Maybe not my way, but then I'm not Darren. His initial post on this thread demonstrated what you finished with Paul; all Evertonians and want the same thing, especially come May.

I know you're in the room Darren, so excuse for talking about you in the 3rd person!

Sometimes I see a footballer and think, if he could just do X-Y or Z, a bit better, he could be one of the best, and that's how I felt about Romelu. He showed me how good he could really be, but only in patches, and this was only because of a lack of work-rate imo, and nothing to do with ability.

Ferguson with the board; something to do with Covid I think. No idea what but I think it's that.

I recall him running with the ball while carrying a full back hanging off his shoulders. Best game I saw bim play for us.

Then he went back to being a nice lad. Bullied by Blind at Wembley etc. Good goal scorer but too nice for me.

If Liepzig play in England first, Thomas, it looks like they'll still have to go into quarantine, so I can't see this happening, but hope they might move the fixture to Switzerland?

I could not believe it when I read it earlier.

New here but been following ToffeeWeb for years.

I thought we showed the desire last night that we all knew they were capable of... and, in my opinion, that is the minium requirement in every game. I don't mind losing if every player gives 100%.

Godfrey is a find indeed – his energy is something else. If we get some points from our games in hand, we're in the mix... and that's with a few players out of sorts. Why can't we dream? We have waited long enough!

Siri give me the definition of 'hyperbole'.

I mean, I admire your loyalty to the club but you're like the Kayleigh McEnany of TW – but seriously, he's not even one of the best midfield players in Merseyside.

He was never replaced after Koeman told him to join a bigger club.

We both agree on the relative merits of Rodriguez and Sigurdsson.

I hope Calvert-Lewin becomes a better player than Rom, he definitely has the attributes to do so. But goals are currency as a centre-forward and he has a long way to go to have as much in the bank.

Remember just before he left, he said; “Staying at Everton is not an option!” This from a player we had paid almost £30 million for, and who we were paying handsomely!

The second gripe with him was his work rate, him being lazy. I think some of this stemmed from him always thinking Everton was a stepping stone for him. I was never sure he was 100% committed.

I remember seeing him at Leicester away on the opening day of the season. Although Martinez was in some way to blame for not giving him a minute in pre-season (it was after he had played for Belgium in the World Cup), Lukaku was blatantly overweight and unfit! He did one through run then was doubled over!

The commitment issue just wouldn't go away. He would have been spared the last jibes if people had felt he was committed to us, I'm sure. That was never the case. He made his own bed with the fans, he could have been seen as a hero, like someone like Tony Cottee was. Instead, most were glad to see the back of him.

Same happened at Man Utd. He seems a better player now at Inter and he seems to have knuckled down a bit. Shame the penny didn't drop earlier in his career when he was in England...

I think you have a point, but there's a difference between being a fans favourite and a world class footballer.

I think he joined Man Utd at the wrong time, a team in decline but he still kept knocking in 20 a season. He's better when he's the main man, probably because he has a bit of an ego. But whichever way you look at it there are only a handful of strikers currently plying their trade who guarantee as many goals. Salah, Kane, Aguero. Levandowski, Neymar, Mbappe and those other two.

They all have different strengths but they all have the same common denominator. They keep on scoring goals.

It's not the debate that's being criticised, it's the nature of it. Where do I stand in my view of 'Anything can happen in a game of football'? I did what you suggested and there were posts that read:

"Just cannot believe the team he has picked, just handed the match to Leeds in my opinion, has Carlo lost the plot."

"Can not believe it, they are going to trample over us."

"We'll get over-run in midfield with that line-up."

"Carlo, at the moment I think you are clueless." [I haven't written the full post – just the punch-line.]

I ask you again, Darren, because I don't offer any pre-match opinions: Do I qualify for your 'Rabid self-proclaimed positives' label?

Wasn’t it during half-time, in one of Belgium’s knock out games during the last World Cup, that Eden Hazard stood up and said to Lukaku, that they couldn’t continue to play with ten men?

But goals win games Graham, I know, and my favourite Lukaku performance, was when he scored and also threw Sackho everywhere against Liverpool, in a one all draw, although I’d also agree with Thomas, because that goal against Chelsea, was probably the best I’ve seen at Goodison in my adult life, so it wasn’t all bad with the lazy Rom!

As an athlete, he's getting close to Ronaldo. He's cut a frustrated figure last few games, not being within 30 yards of a midfielder most of the game, so I was made up to see him get some support last night.

Brave for the goal as well, colliding with the post would be in the corner of his eye and you see those missed as a result, so not as straight-forward as it seemed.

The chance he snatched at near the beginning of the first half was poor though. He needs to work on his left foot or could have shot into the other corner on his right foot.

There is a worrying trend developing on here to disparage anything which isn't hygienic and "positive". If it carries on, then the site will turn into pap. Polite and unwaveringly supportive, no doubt, but nothing like real football chat.

I'd forgot about that game at Leicester, and just when I thought Everton had the makings of a very good team. We were too good for Leicester but they got a draw because Martinez never replaced an unfit Lukaku with Mirallas imo.

And then we absolutely murdered Arsenal the next week at Goodison and they scored two late goals because Roberto was trying to be too clever, and a season that offered plenty had got off to a dreadful start.

Such a shame... and a real missed opportunity for Everton; we had quite a few talented footballers in our team around this time.

I wouldn't disagree; he has his faults. I'm not sure it's laziness but, when things don't go right for him, he can go into his shell. Maybe it's a lack of self-confidence. But at Everton, he had some of the best performances I've seen by an Everton centre-forward and I've seen Royle, Sharp, Gray and Ferguson.

The Chelsea game was a good example but I was also at the Bournemouth game where he got 4 but his best performance I saw was in Berne where he got a hat-trick. He was absolutely immense.

But, as with most centre-forwards, they don't really reach their prime until their late 20s and you can see that with the goals he's scoring for Inter. Add to that his international record, 50+ goals in 80+ games.

Of course he's one of those players that needs to be in a good team. The really great players are great whatever is around them.

IMO, Harry Kane is the best striker England have had since Rooney and Shearer. Think of Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, Cantona, Wright, hate to say it Fowler, they could all smash a ball with Power. I really do think the Everton training camp need to work on Calvert-Lewin and shooting.

If goals and assists are your only measure of James vs Sigurdsson then fair do's. I have yet to see a stat for the “assist before the assist” such as James's ball to Seamus away to Palace, for example. I've also yet to see a stat for “stand static with back to goal” – see Gylfi on any game he has played.

Your underlying observation is fair. Some posters are OTT on James and some are on Gylfi, including one who seems to only comment on how shit they think he is. But the same can be said of others on their polarised view of Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Ancelotti etc.

I guess we all see different things in a player. Take Mina. Many posters have lauded his performance last night. I see a player who can look top drawer but makes an error in or around his own box most games, then loses his head trying to make up for it. Like last night, misjudged the flight of the ball, they score, then spends the game charging out to try do something noteworthy to make up for it, but invariably slides in and gives away cheap frees.

That's also true about what it would be like in a pub Tony, mate!

I try and be positive, whilst also understanding those who are not so positive, but my biggest issue with the negativity at the minute, is that never inherited a decent squad, and although he's definitely got some things wrong, he's also got to be given time, and also a few more players to work with?

Newcastle might be a turning point (maybe I'm being too optimistic) but I was glad that he questioned their spirit and attitude because it also had a tone, that was maybe asking the players, if they really understood themselves?

Watching Spurs v Chelsea, and I'd also like to ask these refs, if they also understood themselves!

Given our erratic form, I think you will have to be really brave to put money on an Everton win although Carlo's muddled selections are always likely to spring a surprise!

The Lukaku debate is interesting. I did not always buy the lazy tag given to him. I judge strikers mainly on goals as that is what we want them for and it seemed that for the first time in a long time, we had a striker who scored goals more than he ran the channels or chased a corner flag. Most good strikers I played with were selfish, moaned a lot, always blamed you for the ball not being were they wanted it. And also the players who generally always needed an arm around the shoulder and a cuddle to make them feel loved an important!!

BUT, I get the commitment thing. I know that sounds contradictory to my previous point about him not being lazy. He wasn't committed enough at Everton. A lack of commitment will impact on desire and effort resulting in playing to full capacity only when it suits, therefore giving the impression of being lazy.

Interesting on the fitness side as well. I thought he really struggled for whatever reason at United and went through a period where he looked totally out of shape and more overweight than I ever remember him whilst at Everton.

Rodriguez is a better player than Sigurdsson, end of. But stats are important – especially when it comes to goals.

I also agree about Mina but he's been a different player since October. It's a nice place to be where we have four centre-backs who we can be confident in especially as two of them are equally comfortable at full-back.

I note what you say about fine margins separating Sigurdsson and Rodriguez, but I think they are chalk and cheese in terms of what they produce:

Sigurdsson’s PL stats:

19 appearances
3 goals
2 assists
Average 25 passes per match (474/19)
Shots 17
Tackles 35

Rodriguez’ PL stats:

14 appearances
4 goals
3 assists
Average 48 passes per match (667/14)
Shots 25
Tackles 42

I’m seeing a player (James) who is beating Sigurdsson in most measures that I care about. Rodriguez has played less games, but made far more shots and passes. I wish we could see how many of those passes were backwards and sideways, as that is a measure I am confident Sigurdsson would win.

These stats are taken from the infogol.net website. But stats aside, in Rodriguez I see a player wanting to get on the ball, wanting to create, wanting to score. Never hiding.

In Sigurdsson, I see a player going through the motions. Doing half the passes per game that Rodriguez does. Having less than one shot a game. He runs around more. He points more. Mike G said that he’s really good at anticipating passing lanes? Really not sure about that but if that’s what the stats say, so be it. But I want my creative midfielders to be involved in the game. Rodriguez has even done more tackles than Sigurdsson in less games!

One was a free transfer. One was a record transfer. One is a new player to the team. One is the captain. My eyes don’t lie to me, like Roy Keane would say. The fella wearing the armband is stealing a living, even if he does run around and point a lot...

We were full of hope that day at Leicester away after a great previous season. With the benefit of hindsight, that was the start of our recent dark days. Martinez taking over a well drilled Moyes team had been a match made in heaven the previous year.

A Martinez pre-season was never as good as a Moyes pre season, the fitness and defensive organisation disappeared. The rot set in then, Koeman, Silva, Allardyce etc followed. Only now do we seem to be recovering (keeping everything crossed!)

My personal first choice was last night's pairing, but you are correct, what a nice problem to have in that in this area of the pitch we are comfortable with any 2 of the 4, or indeed, all 4 occupying the entire back 4.

You must have missed the post where I said James is a better player than Sigurdsson. But, if he is such an awful player, then Carlo selecting him every game is a terrible misjudgement.

Look, I think the problem with Sigurdsson is we have played him in the wrong position. He's not a central midfield player, he's not a holding midfielder, and he's not a wide player.

He's a No 10; play him off a striker and you get the best out of him. Like last night.

I also think James is a No 10 and would be my first choice in that role.

Also, neither player had any role in how much the club paid for them.

In his last season with us, he scored 25 goals and we finished 7th. Know where we would have finished if he hadn't scored a single goal? 7th.

His performance in the semi-final against Man Utd was a disgrace. Missed two one-on-ones and a penalty and didn't give a shite.

Trying to steal that goal from Tom Davies. No matter what anyone says, he meant it.

Just not a very nice human being.

In reality, Gomes had a great game, and Sigurdsson scored the opener. I'm obviously not a fan of Sigurdsson, but credit to the team and Carlo for getting the result.

In terms of us fans, there is no right and wrong. It's like politics. We can have different opinions. None of it really matters in the end. It's just chatter, and we all want the best for EFC regardless of our opinions.

If Sigurdsson scores the goals that get us in the top 6 or get us to win the FA Cup, I'll be as happy as Larry and admit I was wrong (not that I think I am currently mind!)

All the best guys.

Guess where we would have finished if any single player in the squad hadn't scored a goal. That would be relegated. The most ridiculous argument I've ever heard.

Fancy despising an Everton player... you need help.

One thing I always found bizarre about Martinez was that he was obviously a student of the game - yet he refused to practice set pieces. He totally neglected that set pieces are massive in England, defensively and offensively. Who knows where we would have ended up if he had just been a bit more diligent on both of these aspects?

Carlo certainly hasn’t neglected them. I do feel that we could do with a back up midfielder to Allan and Doucoure, and a back up striker to DCL. If we can finally get shut of some of our deadwood in the summer and make 2/3 decent signings, our squad will be better balanced than it has for a long time. And yes, Godfrey is looking like a steal. Some people are comparing him to Des Walker. Remember the Forest fans used to sing “you’ll never beat Des Walker?!” I hope we can sing that to Ben Godfrey when we get back in the ground, he’s been outstanding and looking unbeatable...

Well seeing as it caught my attention. I agree, James is clearly the better player. For me he is my first choice in the Number 10 and would love to see him flanked by Richarlison & King ahead of Doucoure & Allan with Calvert-Lewin upfront. Sigurdsson has done much better in that position of late and played well there last night. In an age of necessary squad rotation, for now, having both is good with me.

Other Danny @475. Couldn't have put it better myself.

I saw that you said James is the better player. My point is that, not only is he the better player, he also produces more. He's involved.

Sigurdsson is often on the periphery. The ball is like a hot potato to him. He receives it and often gives it back to the player who plays it to him. I think it's a responsibility thing – Rodriguez wants the ball, Sigurdsson doesn't. That's why it kills me that Sigurdsson is our captain.

We go to Old Trafford on Saturday. Based on the stats, Sigurdsson will do a pass every 3/4 minutes if he plays. He might have one shot. He might do 2 tackles.

Carlo knows infinitely more than me, and it worked out last night. I hope it works out again on Saturday. But I want our captain to be a leader, an example to the others. Not necessarily the best player, but someone we can depend on who won't go missing.

Michael Keane would be my captain, or maybe Lucas Digne.

As for Dominic Calvin Lewin I like him a lot and have supported him since he broke into the team, he has worked hard and improved every year and he will continue to improve, because he wants to, he has played all over the place for the good of the team without a whimper, just gets on with it.

Since Carlo has started player deeper it has increased Dominic’s work rate, ploughing a very lonely field up front on his own, winning plenty of headers and having to chase them because there is no one up there with him, must be very frustrating for him, hopefully King will give him some help as another outlet with his strength and pace, he didn’t play well last night, that didn’t mean he never stopped working from start to finish, I think he is well appreciated by a large proportion of fans including yourself and he deserves to be.

Richarlison is a left-winger, maybe not playing well but his work rate and back defending time after time.

Danny mentioned Roy Keane wearing the armband, totally different player, I know, but a captain who led by example, shedding blood sweat and tears. Is there no bigger incentive, being the leader of the team? Maybe times have changed?

We agree on two things: James is the best No 10 at the club.

But football is a squad game these days. Sigurdsson has a role to play and has done in every game bar one this season. He has his limitations but he's never struck me as a player who hides and doesn't give his all. And he's always got a goal in him or an assist.

I also agree Michael Keane would be my captain.

When Godfrey starts at center-half we will play 10-15 yards further up the pitch. We did it last night as you know.

That in turn gets the midfield and Calvert-Lewin closer to each other, closes the space and gets rid of the wide-open spaces we have between the lines.

Gets the midfield closer to Calvert-Lewin.
I wouldn't move Ben from center-half.

Most of the time, he was a lazy good-for-nothing who took the easy option. Doesn't it frustrate and annoy you that such a talented footballer chose to steal a very substantial living from us?

No, I was happy on every 87 occasions he scored for us.

Michael Keane wouldn't even be in my best first eleven, proving football is a game with such diverse opinions! And I'm going to bed before yers reply!

Ben is a future captain too, see him talking, urging and instructing his teammates last night, from start to finish. He also gave James a bollocking in his first game versus Liverpool for a stray pass, gave him another one two weeks later for the same thing and, if he's not doing any of the above, he's leading by example.

He wouldn't be in mine either.

Peter @489,

We have robbed this lad for £20 million.

I was definitely more frustrated by Beattie, Johnson, Jo, Stracqualursi, Kone, etc, etc cos they never scored as many goals.

That's the only place 87 goals in 166 games wouldn't matter.

As you said, all about opinions... but that's harsh on Keane given he's been flawless this season.

Haha. Cat among the pigeons springs to mind!

Spot on, mate. Definitely a future captain is Ben. A leader of men.

Keane is a decent edge-of-the-box defender. Everything in front of him. The space behind is his problem. If we push higher, he gets badly exposed.

But, if you are happy having the piss taken out of you, that's fine with me.

Everton's Oumar Niasse "exaggerated the effect of a normal contact to deceive the referee" and win a penalty according to the written reasons for his two-game ban for diving.

They were both exactly the sane.

I fully agree about Godfrey, but would want them both. Sometimes that means dropping Mina, something that means playing Godfrey on the left. The goal Leeds scored last night is the kind that Keane usually prevents.

I admire his calm analysis, indeed need it. My wife compares me to Bulldog in Frasier. Through the roof instant rage, then days of reflection, an apology or two sometimes, then back to bearing the cross of being an Evertonian.

That is one reason why I avoid the Live Forum, I would get arrested. Another reason is that I couldn't watch the game and comment. I watch the game like my life depends on it.

Just like to ask all Toffees, hand on heart, do the benefits outweigh the downside?

Stupid question really... we are all slightly deranged.

My 11-year-old just texted me, right now because he didn't see the entire game against Leeds due to school and soccer practice:

Ummmm dad why did Everton sign a player from AFC Bournemouth?

I replied:

Cover. He can play multiple positions.

I like the comment "Anfield is such a difficult place to win at". Ask Liverpool

Simple tactics and strategy against Man Utd. Try to score more than them and it's a guaranteed win, so easy.

However the second is, we played our strongest 11 in both Competitions.

The game may have speeded up, but so has the fitness of footballers, who look after their bodies better, and a better diet.

With three subs allowed, 5 in the FA Cup, there is no reason whatsoever to rotate: play your strongest 11 and go all out to try and win the cup. That is where have gone wrong over the past years.

Fair play to Carlo, he has played a very strong starting 11 in the FA Cup.

Against Spurs, we have to play with those players, with the exception of Allan returning, stick with the team we put out against Leeds, none of this rotating.

Let's get a bleeding cup in our trophy room.

Andy, you can post and still watch by using the mic icon.

I'd pay real, serious money to see you on the Live Forum. One Andy rant is worth 1000 negative posters crawling out of the woodwork when we concede.

Try that mic feature.

Describe in minute detail why you don't rate or even hate an Everton player past or present. Or select your go-to whipping-boy and repeat what you say in detriment after every game.

Or point out perceived failings of some and over glorify others (soon to be future whipping boys when the wind changes.)

Thankfully the majority on here abstain from trolling.

What he wants and needs is a partner to play one-twos with. Someone that has the extra pace and strength he lacks so he can quickly mix up the short and long passes.

He's a top class player no doubt. I like stats but never go looking for them when it comes to watching and judging football players.

I'm looking forward to who Carlo can bring in to fully support and get the best out of James. Hazard is on my wishlist.

Lukaku wasn't lazy, but he's naturally a powerful sprinter, not an athletic middle-distance runner. Martinez allowed the forwards to become lazy in terms of chasing back or closing down. Barkley, Mirallas, Deulofeu all suffered from the same apparent laziness.

What he was and is, is a top player and goal scorer. A proper striker. His weakness and my main moan about him was always his often poor first touch and inability to play a 10-yard pass to link play. It didn't improve. Whereas I see Dom improving all of his game, his holding / link-up play is good.

Once Rooney left, which I was gutted about but completely understood the reasons, in my eyes all players became less Everton. It's a job, a career and they want to win and enjoy playing at the highest level. Lukaku was our best player, he's ambitious and for me simply the best Everton striker since Lineker.

one player and several managers started to turn me negative. Schneiderlin and his many chances to demonstrate what he must do in training. I just didn't see anything to his game that Davies or several other youth players could probably do but better.

Like Klaassen, he had some ability but didn't show anything and was the backwards pass master. Thankfully both gone.

As some of our own supporters were critical of our performance against Leeds, I decided to watch that game, mostly the second half as after their first goal, I was that nervous because I thought we were going to loose; I couldn't concentrate on the game and, like other supporters, I believed we were rubbish the second half.

So, knowing the score at the end, I concentrated more on Everton's performance. The two mistakes were the only times that Leeds troubled our keeper: the first when they scored and the second when Olsen made the saves.

Olsen done another smart thing when he called the trainer on to calm things down. After that, despite their possession, Leeds never troubled Olsen, and Everton had better opportunities to score, and I thought overall we controlled the rest of the half.

I guess watching a game knowing the score puts a different view of a game.

Players are rightfully slagged off before a game, if they have played garbage in previous games.

Everton will be up and down all season. We have no consistency. We'll roll over at Man Utd, followed by a sad exit from the cup. We will then win one or two games before another slump.

I disagree with Ancelotti's team selection many times – and after watching some of the players' performances they are rightfully criticised.

Sigurdsson took his goal well, but what else did he do in the game? Thankfully Pickford was injured, otherwise Carlo would have selected him, and we would have lost the game.

Remember the old saying: one swallow doesn't make a summer.

Ed #515, "constipated serial killer"??? Pick me up off the floor. I assume he's constipated because it's a high-fiber serial? (See what I did there.)

Sean #514, if you're right that "we have no consistency", then "We'll roll over at Man Utd, followed by a sad exit from the cup" constitutes consistency, does it not? Maybe you need some high-fiber serial too.

Present company excluded.

I have shown you nothing but respect on these pages. Every time I speak of or to you, it is with respect, but I have noticed you taking me to task on an increasing basis recently. You either ignore or don't see the abuse I take (in the name of "positivity"). This time, you take it further. You seem to be actively seeking to be offended.

Out of respect for your age and service to our club, I will not become embroiled in argument with you, but there is a couple of things I would like to point out to you.

These people who scream and shout in protest of what the claim is negativity are total hypocrites. There are about a dozen of them who come on here demonstrating all the emotion and reason of a cat. Nearly all have done what they angrily accuse others of doing.

The guy telling you Gomes is one of the best midfield players in Europe hasn't quite worked out the difference between positivity and pie-in-the-sky. Nor has he realised that others have posted on here as long as he has... and they will remember him for wishing the death of a thousand screams on a previous manager. Of course, he was seeing the "whole picture" back then...

There is another who hated Silva so much, he predicted and wanted him to lose every game after Christmas. He labeled those who want us to win as delusional and, after being totally pissed off with the marvelous form we showed in that period, announced he was fucking off to watch Hibs.

I've seen these posters and a hardcore group who think like them desperately trying everything to shout down criticism of this current manager. Anyone not applauding Zombie Football is attacked in numbers.

I have seen one of the most balanced and informed posters on this site shy away from posting because he was worried he was causing too much angst among the rabid.

This group will monotonously defend (in numbers) any criticism of their hero. I've seen them repeatedly trying to shout down Ian Edwards for simply stating the blindingly fucking obvious about our spoiling tactics... Boring they call him – oh, the irony!

In recent weeks, one poster has informed me that I want the team I have supported for 60 years to lose. I could have argued, but I chose to treat his comment with contempt. Just as I treated his apology with contempt by ignoring it... When he repeated his accusation again the week after, I treated that with contempt by ignoring it too.

I have seen one poster insinuate my criticism and that of another poster could be construed as racist (a fucking horrible, snide insinuation), but the knowledge that my mams mother was born in the same region of Italy as Carlo gave me the strength to treat that with contempt too.

If I wanted to stop posting on this site, I would simply do it, but I don't. I enjoy it... So when this week, somebody made the half-witted claim that I have on numerous occasions threatened to "leave this site", I could have called him a liar and asked him to prove it. I didn't because he already knows he is a liar and he had no earthly hope of proving it, just as the foolish gigglers who jumped on his bandwagon.

My view is balanced. No other poster posts more positively than me on a pre-match thread. If the manager gets a win playing attractive football, I am fulsome in my praise. If he sets out to spoil a game and we don't win, make no mistake – he will be getting both barrels from me. I do it so often because he does it so often.

There are about a dozen people on this site who will apologise for everything. They will defend spoiling Zombie Football to the death and they will do it in the name of positivity. No balance, have they? They are not free thinkers.
So anyway John. If you see me throwing out comments of the "If the cap fits" variety, don't be in such a hurry to try to squeeze it over your head. It's just me standing my ground. by holding up a mirror to the self-proclaimed "positives", I'm simply letting them know I won't be shouted down.

I know who the cap fits. You, sir, have no worries on that score.

It's like a Bette Davis movie...

Keep posting, Darren, because you add real debate, and I'm sure that's why we all come on ToffeeWeb, to debate about our team.

I was about to tell you that you were talking shite but three quick-fire responses from people flagging themselves up...

Seems the cap really does fit in some cases!

Even if he wasn't my mate, I would still find it as disagreeable as Tony clearly does. Nearly everytime I come on here, there is a pack of you all over every post he does. I find myself struggling not to intervene.

Like Tony. I seriously wonder why he posts at all.

Up the Blues!!!

I didn't say you did flag yourself up.

Give it.
Take it

Stuart says it amazes him that people wouldn’t pick Keane, but I was amazed at how many third tier passes, down our sides against Newcastle, caused us so many problems.

I’ve played in midfield with eleven men defending their own half, allowing defenders to defend deep, and I didn’t mind it one, bit because it left your opponent very little space to pull you around. But I’ve also played in midfield when my team haven’t defended from the halfway line, but my defenders have still played deep, and it’s a bloody nightmare, because even bad players become decent with space.

If Everton are to evolve, I’m certain it will be by playing higher up the pitch, and I’m not sure Michael Keane can play this role? He’s surprised me already this season because he’s definitely improved beyond recognition imo, so maybe he can surprise me again, especially because I’m beginning to sound like I pick the bloody team, not that I’d ever be ruthless enough!!

I agree with your analysis of Keane. Last season, I thought that one of his major weaknesses was when he gets turned and the ball comes over his shoulder. To compensate for this and his lack of pace, we started to defend deeper which, as you suggest, creates massive spaces for the opposition to move into.

I think that he is a good defender when teams take a line from the edge of the box which is why he did so well at Burnley and there is no doubt that his passing has improved this season to the extent that he looks good on the ball.

But perhaps the pairing of Godfrey and Mina allowed us to close those big gaps across the middle of the pitch and allowed Sigurdsson to play further forward?

I've been a huge critic over most of his time here. It isn't just his lack of pace, it was his lack of anticipation and reading the game to compensate for that.

But, he is vastly improved this season; no doubting that. Because the system and way we are defending suits him. As soon as we go to a more expansive game higher up the pitch, I suspect those traits will again be exposed, although in fairness, even in a deeper defence, he is reading the game better now.

All fit, Mina and Godfrey for me out of the 4. Not that I pick the team either.

Lukaku is hands down the best striker this club has had in about 25-30 years and majority of his mentions on here for his entire stay were negative. Some people are saying they'd rather have Calvert-Lewin... that boggles my brain.

There's been some absolute doozies too even before the Lukaku chat got started. "Any top 4 team would love to have Calvert-Lewin." If a "top 4" team wanted him they'd have him, or at least there'd be noise in the media about them trying to get him.

The one I love the most is along the lines of "Carlo picked this team and they beat Leeds away but he picked a team at home to Newcastle and they got battered." Does anyone seriously think that any of Newcastle's starting XI are better players than their opposing number? Maybe current-day Coleman is the exception. Carlo picked a side more than capable of winning against a dreadful team in dreadful form. The players dropped the ball there.

A full-back though is loath to do that, he doesn't want to leave the whole flank wide open, so when James drifts infield, normally it allows him the freedom to pick up the ball in space.

There are over 500 posts on this thread, ranging widely in diversity of opinion, subject matter, positivity, negativity – you name it. If the wide-ranging discussion is not to your liking, then sure – take your ball home.

I can assure you that you will not find anywhere on ToffeeWeb any single comment that uses the phrase "aren't Everton enough". Not sure why you would need to make that up. But if made-up phrases are driving you away, so be it.

While you are on your way, you can also take your not-so-thinly disguised racist and xenophobic garbage with you: "a large proportion of Everton fans truly dislike non-British and Irish players" I don't believe you can produce one tiny scrap of evidence from posts on here to support such utter drivel.

And I see that you have previous for playing this underhand racist card, which I'd not caught at the time: "I do wonder how fans would feel about Moise Kean if he were British." — What the fuck?!?! So we're all racist except you?

The hindsight merchants, the Parinoid, the Cumudgoens.
The "Stats tell it all" mob.
The novel authors. The single player determent obsessives.
The "I only respond to my select group of friends or enemies" party.
The "Why don't they play like they did when I was a kid and assault the opposition, must be cowards or lazy" faction.
Happy clappers and many more.

A real and healthy mix for endless entertainment and passion-stirring debate; love it and hate it at the same time. Long may it continue.

I wont get involved in debating with you again. The fact is. I have never seen anything addressed where you have had to "take it". You hide in the crowd and simply give it, Nobody attacks you personally but then you know that already that. Dont you.

I'm taking my own advice and jibing this site. You and your gang are like a bunch of old women. You have not got a football debate in you.

See ya

Justin (511), always read his posts and learn from, well worth the time, and Andy Crooks, loads of posters like Andy's posts, if you had the pleasure of meeting Andy you'd like him just as much, maybe more. (Make sure your Missus reads this post, Andy, and pick her up after she faints.)

To see Andy going to watch Everton is to look at an excited 10-year-old Bluenose wrapped up in a middle-aged man. He can't wait to get through the turnstile and lap up every second of being inside Goodison Park. Watching, enthralled by his fellow Evertonians, Andy is from Belfast but his soul came with Everton wrote on it. He could learn plenty of Evertonians how to be proper Blues.

Another post came from Darren (Hinds) – love them, don't always agree with them, but understand and like him even though I've never met him. Another great Blue. I don't have to tell you Darren but keep on posting !!!

Without sounding like I am making excuses for Keane's early form for us. He was playing with a bad foot injury for a while plus he suffered a fractured skull. Also having to play behind some half arsed midfield performances and Silva's non marking from set pieces made the whole defence look poor.

Ancelotti and the coaching staff have improved the whole defence.

I am a fan of Keane's and was happy that we bought him. The lad will run through a brick wall for us.

All players have weaknesses, it's limiting the exposure to them that's key. Defending a little deeper, midfielders closing the gaps and trying to prevent runners.

Both CBS have been helped out a lot this season with the likes of Doucouré and Allen protecting them from being run at from midfield.

It's also the first time that I can remember us having so many quality centre backs at the same time. If we are to kick on we need the same competition in midfield and up top.

"I could not turn down playing for Everton and learning from a manager like Carlo, who has won what he has and with his experience. He is a big, big name in football."

If you give it out dont come across all offended if you get it back

Watch the door doesnt smack your arse on the way out.

See you next week

You have been called out again. You can exonerate yourself of the second accusation by putting up an example of where you were on the receiving end

I wont post again but I will check back in to see an example of were anybody has "given it out to you"
The fact that you haven't so far, would suggest you cant.

Btw: you do know it is ME who is offended by your nasty lies. Nobody else is complaining.

Toodles

You little tinker

I’d say when Ancellotti questioned their spirit, (as reported in the press) I reckon privately he would also been questioning their intelligence, and asking the players why do they think they’ve been on a very good run in the first place?

Two things will make Everton successful imo, when the players really begin to understand themselves, and when everyone at the club are United, none of this players or manager, but everyone working together for the same goal Roman?

Was a good of press conference, again. He is very clear and speaks without bullshit, which is refreshing.

The key issue I saw was him saying "if we play like we did the last times, will will lose. We lost the last times we played them, so we must do something different, try something different"

He said there will be more changes. I am curious to what he'll do.

Utd are especially dangerous as a counter attacking team. And when Bruno Fernandes has space. Rashford and Shaw down their left is also an area where they can devastate teams.

Iwobi will probably play with that role of protecting the right side. I wonder if maybe Godfrey will move to there in place of Holgate. I'd be more confident with Godfrey Vs Rashford.

Doing a job on Fernandes/Pogba will also be vital. Expect Davies, Sigurdsson, and Doucoure.

I think we may see Richarlison rested for James also.

Will be interesting to see what Carlo's plan is.

P

Helps that DCL and now Mina and Keane are not so timid anymore. That comes from wanting to impress the manager, they have bigger balls this season. Of course having Godfrey helps too. Gomes is also starting to get the bit between his teeth again. The spirit of the blues. Someone should write a song about that.

I'll begin by stating that the respect is mutual, and in an earlier post I said I admire your passion although I don't agree with all of your comments, and I would love to share a bottle of Guinness or two with you, although my doctor might frown on that.

I believe that we are both victims of misinterpretation: I wasn't seeking offence, I was merely seeking clarification of your statement. I, like many others, steer clear of the Live Forum, in my case because I'm at the match when Everton are at home, and listening to the game when they are away.

There have been many occasions when I have been disappointed with the performances but I don't single out players, I just shrug my shoulders and say "We weren't good enough."

ps: You're still on for that bottle of Guinness as long as you're paying, all the beast.

@Graham. As with any game for me, midfield holds the key. Especially with Fernandes. In his short time here he is beginning to look like one of those annoying players who particularly likes playing against Everton.

Hopefully we are becoming a different prospect.

And sorry to correct you on the league defeat v United this season. The returning Holgate partnered Keane that day, not Mina. And it was Mason, more than Michael, who was all at sea. He looked well off the pace and didn't feature again for a number of games thereafter.

It was a game (or three) too soon for Mason. In truth, he hasn't got anywhere near the standards he played at last season and I would say Keane, Mina and Godfrey are all well ahead of him for a centre back starting slot.

I don't think John Mc insults people purposely. Our ages come into account too and we all have different tolerance.

I try to convince myself that a person I am arguing with over the internet and never laid eyes on them could be the same person that saves your life or does something great.

That just about saves me from going all out rant and rave. 🤫😂

Team formation can win the game Saturday. We all know that if Carlo changes too much it can take a few games for them to catch on. So will he keep the same 11? I doubt it. Not sure Holgate has been good enough to keep his spot, and Keane was surely rested for this game, along with James. I have a sneaky feeling Carlo may opt for 3 at the back, in Keane, Godfrey and Mina. Left obs Digne and right side l'm thinking Coleman over lwobi. Allan, if fit would be a big plus to partner Doucoure. Ahead of that l'm not too bothered as long as the foundation is right and balanced.

Anyway, it might be easy to tell l've just got the new FM21. After 9 games l'm in 3rd. So a lot like Carlo... only skint.

What I am sure about is the absolutely zero negativity against Irish players. I have never made any secret of how much I enjoy Irish lads doing well at our club. In fact, back in the day, and Brendan McLaughlin and Cairàn McGlone will remember this, there was a ludicrous suggestion that ToffeeWeb was dominated by an " Irish Mafia".

Keep posting Roman, all life is on here.

Our connection with Ireland is longstanding.
Seamus is the latest in a long line of Irish lads who have given great service to the club.

Roman,

I'm not having the racist insinuations. I have never read anything on TW that could be deemed racist. As you have seen from the reaction, the eds would not allow that, and rightly so.

Many, including me, thought he'd amount to very little until this season.

Lukaku was brilliant. When a player is brilliant then him being a lazy sod makes it more infuriating regardless of his nationality, skin colour, hairstyle or views on the underground jazz scene.

I thought the accusation back in the day was that ToffeeWeb was being dominated by an "Irish Ma" Fia and couldn't understand why as I'd never come across any of her posts.

How is this thinly disguised racism?

If she was ever to read this, I would be dead, by the way.

"I've seen a large portion of the vocal fans rabidly support and defend underwhelming players – Hibbert being the prime example"

Are you serious? It's been a running joke on here for years that every week someone blames Hibbert for our problems as a jokey reminder of the days during his long career when he was absolutely slated every single week. Nobody every rabidly defended him.

At best, a minority of level-headed people might say things such as "he puts in a shift, he's a true Evertonian" etc. It was a matter of talking up for an unfortunate guy who was horribly treated by most.

I do recall that... although I was a little more belligerent in those days..

However, anybody who has a go at St Tony Hibbert will have to answer to the Irish Mafia..

I think it might have been QPR at home some time around 88 or 89 where he ended up in confrontation with fans in the Paddock who were slating him.

Hi Jeff [566] from my seat in the Park End it was plain that Lukaku made numerous runs anticipating a forward pass that he could latch on to, I think that on occasion he gave up running, and they were the times that a forward pass was executed, I believe it's termed 'Sod's Law'.

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

That wasn't the racist bit.

Hibbert was a stalwart servant of the club, good in defense on occasions, but little better than a journeyman overall. Those who expected better from their Everton players expressed as much.

Lukaku was a good striker but was also lazy and had behavioural traits that frustrated some Everton fans who expected better of their star players. Apparently, a similar thing happened when he got his dream move to Man Utd.

Calvert-Lewin has improved and is doing a better job at goal-poaching in the 6-yard box but is still missing far too many of the other chances that are created for him, mainly because he doesn't seem to know how to shoot. The Everton fans who expect him to do better are rightly expressing that opinion.

They're all Evertonians providing their own assessments of the players. Allways have, allways will.

"I do wonder how fans would feel about Moise Kean if he were British."

Anichebe was British, scored more goals for us than Kean and how was he treated? Andy Johnson "couldn't hit a barn door" became almost an addendum to his name on here.

A traditional defensive full back who would have looked great in some of Ancelotti's recent set ups dare I say.

At the time he played, the good teams were starting to succeed with overlapping attacking full backs. Hibbert was not that player so took stick for it.

But a very good right back and, as Michael says, a fine servant of Everton Football Club.

I feel the same about JJK. He reminds me a lot of Gary Neville who won everything at Utd in the 90s. That being said, I think he could have success at Celtic in the current era

You are on for that bottle of Guinness

On one condition; You bring Dave A along. I promise I'll shut up and listen for a change.

Casho ?

An outraged "storm out" ? - Although I loved that the Gauntlet you threw down, before you went is still sitting on the table... True worth exposed

Anyway. Man United tomorrow,

“My view is balanced. No other poster posts more positively than me on a pre-match thread.”

The first sentence is, frankly, subjective in the extreme. The second... well, I’m not sure how or why you continue to swing so regularly and proudly from pre-match optimism to post-match gloom. You claim your view is balanced - but your outlook seems anything but. I mean a horrible cynic might suggest that you deliberately post in your pre-match upbeat manner just to hedge your bets a bit in case... shock, horror, scandal... we actually play well and win. That way you can at least point to your pre-match post - where you might have even gone as far as to say that you’ve taken on the bookies such is your optimism - to indicate how you’ve successfully managed to sit on both sides of the fence simultaneously. Is that how you manage to achieve such great balance?

However, anybody who has a go at St Tony Hibbert will have to answer to the Irish Mafia..

Hibbo is a Demigod in my book.

Also, for what it's worth (this one probably not too much), back in the day when I started copious research into which Premier League team I should adopt, the Irish history of Liverpool, along with Everton having a long history of signing Irish players, was a major factor in me grabbing the knife, slicing my palm open, and letting the blood drip into a royal blue bowl.

The (debunked) assertion that due to signing these Irish players contributed to Everton as being the "Catholic" club also was something that, for me, factored into my decision.

All these historical things play a part in the identity of any team. Everton's history with Irish players, the city of Liverpool and the Irish immigrant population during the potato famine, paralleling the Irish influx in my USA, the stories recounted about how (generally) Evertonians never gave a shit about Catholic-Protestant leanings (read Dr. France's insanely fantastic book Everton Crazy), etc. They all add up to wonderful.

It's not my place to say, but if Everton ever started a show called "This is Us", the above I'd think would contribute very heavily to the content.

I will never, ever grow tired of Andy, Ciaran, Brendan, anyone, discussing the history of Everton and how the Irish influence is part of the "DNA". It's fascinating, and superb, all rolled into one package. The surnames associated with many TW comments, for this dumb Yank, aren't discernible from where they come - Liverpool, Dublin, Belfast, dare I say Boston ;0). Clearly there's some connection?

Sorry to bleat on, probably to no one. But this Everton dynamic is probably my favorite.

Anywho beat the Mancs.

The gauntlet was more of a mitten to be honest.

I stand by my previous Moise Kean comment, too. The vitriol he got from some posters from his first match to his last was far worse than I've seen for most new, young players. I do believe he were British then fans would have given him more time. If that upsets some people then they might need to take a look within themselves.

My "aren't Everton enough" was a composite sentiment you seem to get from a group of posters. In the modern game players are mostly mercenaries who will play for the highest bidder. Expecting players to be blindly loyal to the club just because we are only sets you up for disappointment.

Apologies if my comments upset, but it's honestly how I feel and I've loved commenting on ToffeeWeb for the better part of a decade now and I felt like bringing it up.

BTW.; Theres Some weight in that mitten lol.

Sorry to hear that mate. I think most on here are decent folk. I remember a young lad from Nigeria posted on here some time back about how he became an Everton fan after Amo, Yak, Yobo etc and everyone who commented thought that was great and welcomed him to the fold. But sadly there will always be the odd w@nker who decides to get nasty.

Pat Nevin, now there was a tricky player. Not the best but at times good to watch. I agree with you, maybe better in and around the box than stuck out on the wing? A number 10 before we called them that? In those days, if lightweight, you got put out wide put of danger.

Good to see you back on here by the way.

He has been played more due to his price tag not his colour.

The lad obviously has talent but the premier league looked far too demanding for the young man.

Fingers crossed he comes back more prepared for the rigours of the premiership as the blues need more quality competition up top.

We have often unperformed like Everton many a time and sometimes I think theres not enough subs in the game..joking

She does have me singing the blues sometimes.

In terms of isolation, you just look after yourself John and keep posting your civilised views. Its not easy stuck at home and I have found ToffeeWeb and its posters to be a little entertaining over the last few weeks.

Embarrasing bigging up of the "weight in the mitten".

If the mitten doesn't fit... don't put it on.

Not sure which side I'm antagonising or supporting,.. not even sure there's a side (hope not) just a quote from Darren Hind that strikes a chord and a good one.

Ah, the good old days!

Just going back over some recent posts here, and I know they're not all on the Emerald Isle:

McLaughlin, Crowley, McFarlane, O'Neill, Keatley, Corcoran, Molloy, Hartley, and on and on it goes. To my untrained eye, and though I know it's not accurate, that's a lot of Irishmen!

Then there's Crooks from Tipperary. 😂

I'm afraid that you'll have to translate that for me, I'm completely baffled by it. I appreciate it may leave me with egg on my face, but I feel that I really have to know if it's a compliment or otherwise.

I thought for a while that I would have to stand on the naughty step, and I didn't know what I had done wrong. I'm just slipping out of panic mode.

And just as he may not have been the greatest crosser of the ball, then although Russell was not much cop dealing with the gearbox on a small family Ford, he couldn't half explain the existence of God.

Every man to his trade.

Cheers, bud!

It worked for OJ Simpson.

You're a much better man... don't claim that defence.

Slainte

I wouldn't have much argument with you over your views on football matters, as you say.

What concerned me was this: There are views expressed by other fans on Romelu Lukaku and Moise Kean that you don't agree with and cannot accept. This leads you to claim that those views are driven not by a fair assessment made on their abilities but are determined instead by the player's national origins.

And you don't see a problem making that accusation?

Go raibh maith agat (you're welcome).

Hope I haven't crossed a line I didn't see.

Thanks Brent.

Go raibgh maith agat. Thanks, buddy, I will keep that one on my phone to use.

Line?
Sorry mate?

Nice gaelige... only meant I hoped I wasn't offending you by bringing in the OJ Simson reference

Funny thing is, my Celtic supporting Scottish cousins hated Everton in the 90s. After we sent Steven and Stevens up north; then brought in Smith, Spencer, Durrant, Ferguson; Cleland and Gough, he viewed Everton as the English Rangers.

It goes to show that, after almost 150 years, we're a broad enough club that people from Glasgow, Ireland, Nigeria, USA, Australia, Russia, Belgium and wherever can identify with the club through different individuals and eras.

Always an interesting debate. I don't think you can align Everton and Liverpool to Celtic and Rangers as many try to.

I come from the south of the city where I always felt it was more red whereas Everton's heartland was in the north. Liverpool, although similar to Glasgow, was never as sectarian or divided. We have always been a beacon of how to disagree but get on. Just look at this site!!

Back to your point, personally, I always felt Everton connected more with Celtic than Rangers. That did get skewed in the 90s because of Walter Smith and Duncan Ferguson. And I would add the obvious; both play in blue, which outsiders pick up on.

Many try to link the Merseyside clubs with Glasgow but, in my opinion, it isn't a straight match. They are divided by religion; we are not. Celtic sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" but also "It's A Grand Old Team".

Personally, I'm Celtic but as much as people have always tried to compare the Liverpool clubs to Glasgow, you can't.

And besides, we're Everton. No club compares.

Now I limit myself to streams of invective on the WhatsApp group I have with my sons whenever the names Pickford and Sigurdsson appear in the team. Makes 'em laugh to have their old man going mental.

Have a read, agree or disagree but have a think

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2020/07/new-study-finds-evidence-racial-bias-football-commentary-we-cannot-ignore-it

The Gaunlet was downsized to a mitten in one guy's mind because it was far too big for him to pick up. let alone try it on.

The Gauntlet, or Gauntlets on this occasion, being a very public invitation to a poster to prove he wasn't lying through his teeth. Gauntlet, Mitten... who cares? A bottle job, is a bottle job.

I'm sorry my old mate has decided to exit these pages, not just because he is smarter than your average bear, but because even though he is as big a Carlo apologist as I have met, he would always feel protective and dive in to even up the numbers. He's become a sensitive soul since he left Scottie and Liverpool lol. He's better of out of it.

He still had far too much for Tom (Pepper) Richards though and left with a Game, Set and Match in his arse pocket.

Obssesive.

Have you got any gauntlets of your own?

Or do you always rely on your mates to try to bail you out?

An OAP shit-stirrer.

Very rare thing.

I remember back in the '70s & '80s, after the Everton result, you'd always look for the Celtic result. Even back to the '60s, Everton were always seen as the Catholic Irish club; I know things have changed since.

Jamie Cowley #583, loved your comment.

Andy Crooks definitely not a Tipperary name. I do question you when you say you were appalled by the football in the south? I never saw anything bad. I remember being at Lansdowne Road for the World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland, and the abuse we got was shocking.

I was also behind the goal against England when they started ripping out the seats and throwning them at us, the game was abandoned, even Big Jack had a go at them. Our supporters were respected all over the world.

I say that living amongst them these days. It is not a nice experience watching a game of football amongst them in a pub on a Saturday afternoon. And when it's Everton, even worse. Many a time I have been threatened and approached for being guilty of nothing other than supporting my team. As for when England play, I just can't stomach it. Still singing songs about bombing Germans and the not surrendering to the IRA. Honestly.

It makes me realise what an educated footballing fan base we have. These pages demonstrate that; both those I agree with and those I often don't.

I said I was stereotyping and there are good / bad apples in every batch, but as a collective, we are streets ahead and that is not even me being biassed.

That's an interesting read.

Growing up in the '70s and '80s, racism was very overt and I suppose straightforward in a way that it isn't now. Times have moved on and things are different and, while I find the concept of micro-aggressions etc... a bit overwhelming, I do think that it's not enough to say Ron Atkinson's not on the telly so everything must be okay.

Like with lots of things, I guess that recognising there's a problem is the first step in solving it. Is the way we talk about Dominic Calvert-Lewin different from the way we'd talk about him if his skin was a different colour? Do we have a more positive attitude to Seamus Coleman because he's Irish? Was the way commentators used to bang on about his fee, a way to diminish him? If we're honest, these are difficult questions to answer.

On a more positive note, that the debate on racism has moved on is a good thing. Hopefully, it will be a thing of the past within our lifetimes.

Regarding Lukaku, I was always a big fan, so naturally resented any criticism of him. Moise Kean was a bit inexperienced to make the transition to the Premier League. Perhaps, he wasn't suited to the physical side of it. At the time, it didn't seem like a move that had been particularly well planned. In general, there seem to have been a lot of haphazard signings over the last few years although it seems to be settling down now.

Has the treatment in these comment threads of these players been influenced by their skin colour or nationality? It probably has. The science seems to suggest that we as human beings operate with a degree of unconscious bias. Does that mean that behind each of the keyboards of those typing comments questioning Lukaku's work-rate, there is a hooded white figure? Obviously not. Should we examine our views for bias? It's probably not the worst idea in the world.

You notice the problem that I see with Darren's philosophy: most of his posts are riddled with this. My main problem though is that he is condescending to other Evertonians based on what seems to be a feeling of superior knowledge that he identifies with extremist negativity to differentiate himself from the fictitious happy clappers.

Being condescending, like being irrationally negative, though, is a character fault – not a sign of reason. Darren needs to take the difficult step of realising that he is no different to all other fans; nobody accepts that much of the play that we see is acceptable, everybody wants to see better. Darren accepts this play as much as we all do because, as fans, we can't influence what the club serves up.

I have nothing against Darren personally and I apologise for personalising a couple of posts. I will do my best to stop doing this.

I give you one name to chew on: Dimitar Berbatov. Laziest fucking footballer ever, stupid talent. "White" fella.

And I could name 100 black players who run their socks off.

It's a player-by-player dynamic. It has nothing to due with pigmentation, and everything to do with heart, desire, motivation, and dare I say how a kid was raised.

File under stereotype, one that is long dead, thank God.

Graham - I've not read that article but will later. If my comments aren't in context, I apologize.

What the article points to is research that black athletes are much more frequently talked of in terms of physical attributes as opposed to white athletes.

Lazy tends to be attributed to black players much more readily. Another example not in the article is describing a player as a beast.
Again there will be examples where it will be applied to white footballers it’s just not as common.

People using such phrases are not being directly racist as Gavin in 630 quite eloquently describes but there undoubtedly stereotypes at play.

As I mentioned I’ll read the article later, but I’ve never been so happy or relieved from a clarification!

I love that somebody who pursues my posts around every thread desperately seeking a response and looking for support from others can come up with a pathetic whining claim... Three short post reminding that you that you were still bottling the invitation to prove you are not a serial porkie teller...an obsession ??? Haha from the fella who regularly posts between 50-100 times patrolling the match day threads like a guard dog ?

When it was pointed out by Casho that you hide in a crowd. it was just another fact delivered to you with pin point accuracy. The way you unraveled while having to go it alone demonstrates that you cant handle even the tiniest taste of your own medicine.

Dont worry. I can see how desperate you are for this to be put to bed, so I wont be revisiting this point again.
Unfortunately You made the mistake of crossing swords with somebody not prepared to ignore you constant haranguing like I do. You were weighed, you were measured and you were found wanting.

Feel free to go back and attack from within the safety of the pack..and I'll go back to ignoring you

Khasi

Number one