Another Ancelotti away masterclass as he takes Moyes to school

That said, I think we can win this – possibly by sapping the life out of the game and pinching the win. To put it another way, to out-Moyes, Moyes.

The one change I would have liked, however, would have been to play the tea lady in place of Richarlison. On his current form, certain to have made a more positive contribution and to provide a better blend.

Contrary to those given to using the in-vogue buzzword of playing a high line with (allegedly) speedier, more complete centre-backs, Carlo has resorted to his best centre-back pairing this season of Keane and Mina. Two players who can pick out a pass forward, who can win headers in the penalty àrea and who CAN block shots.

Holgate unsurprisingly not even retained at right back with Seamus trusted there instead. Could be a flat back four, or a flexible back 4/5 Carlo has used with Godfrey making up the 3rd centre-back and Digne covering as left wing back as necessary when out of possession.

In James's absence, I am personally relieved that Carlo has gone for Sigurdsson over Gomes, rather than fit in both. With Doucouré presumably just missing out, pleased to see Tom alongside Allan.

No kids on the bench other than Nkounkou. Just players with first team experience.

Looks sound and sensible to me.

I only gave my thoughts on this as a fashion statement.

Complete nonsense.

I think it will be a very scrappy affair and we will nick it with a set piece goal, a header from Michael Keane, big Yezzer, or Dominic Calvert -Lewin.

Surely even a half-fit Doucouré is better than him!

And I think Davey will do what Davey does – bottle it. He"s now entering choke territory.

COYFB

Then you are an extremely poor observer of the game, Alan.

Here's to victory today for Everton.

No point in engaging with someone with such an absolute opinion on a player, manager, team or tactics when Tom has most certainly played well in his most recent performances, never mind in distant memory.

That line-up means endless faffing around at the back.

A clear back 3 with the two wing backs pushing up high, but Allan and Davies doing a good protection act in front of them. And not just that. Winning, carrying and playing the ball forward well, switching flanks and the line of attack.

Richy a bit more like it. Godfrey played his best pass in an Everton shirt for our goal. Great run and composure by Dom for the finish.

Preferred Lanzini to have stayed on - he was very anonymous - rather than see Bowen come on. The sub has the pace, trickery, crossing and sharpness to trouble us.

Now Blues, don't give us Mr Hyde in this second half having played Dr Jekyll in the first.

KITAP1

Fully merited.

Tom and Allan in CM were excellent, the central three rock solid but for me Coleman was superb.

No progress whatsoever.

3pts and something still to play for this season.

Getting into Europe will make the difference to what level of player we bring in during the summer transfer window.

🤞 3 or 4 quality additions

Happy Sunday

Allan just deserved his MotM though everybody put in a good shift.

I did spot something a bit worrying though, which I've seen a couple times recently and wondered about. Calvert-Lewin had the perfect chance to put Richarlison through with only the keeper to beat and just wouldn't pass to him when the pass was obvious and straight-forward. Just wonder if it's a bit of tit for tat with Richarlison not having his passing boots on lately and not setting up Calvert-Lewin when he could or should have. Just something I've noticed lately.

Godfrey my MotM for his pass leading to the goal and his fantastic tackles. Holgate did well when he came on – he generally does when Ancelotti plays a back 3.

Liverpool are away to Man Utd, West Brom and Burnley – again, all three looking for points – for different reasons.

Spurs have the easiest run on paper – home to Wolves and Villa and away to Leicester on the last day.

In my view, both of them work hard, when selected, but need to improve their decision-making around the box, as I reckon we'd have had at least another 10-14 more goals this season between them.

All inconsistent, all capable of cracking results and all capable of looking like a shower of shit in games they should easily win. Spurs and Liverpool are under-performing relative to the investment which is why Mourinho has been sacked. Klopp won't survive another season like this.

Seamus was my MotM.

Another dogged away win though, only 32% possession, but the much more comfortable team!

Gotta go get hammered Let's just enjoy this one.

Each player's contribution to the season should be evaluated and the injury prone need to be shipped out. We can't keep carrying these crocks.

Davies proved again why the knives are no longer out for him on a constant basis.

Calvert-Lewin is the most complete striker, along with Kane, in the Premier League, not just for his goals but for his all-round play.

Still hugely frustrating that we sat on a lead for 45 minutes. On another day, they could have scored as a result and the mood on here would be totally different.

Let's see who is available for Villa and to beat them. Let's focus on Everton, and try and win the next game.

Maybe too much expectation at home and they freeze, who knows.

King should never play for us again. He didn't even try to impress and missed a sitter.

Still it's progress. On course for our best points total since Martinez's first season.

Thought Dom was great today. Scored the winner, created chances, always a handful.

Godfrey, Allan and Seamus stood out as well.

Still four players away from competing for the Top 4.

I wasn't impressed with Richarlison's reaction to being subbed, I might be wrong but it didn't look as if he acknowledged Joshua King, because he was in such a tizzy.

I do hope that Everton don't 'cash in' on Calvert-Lewin as he could be one of Everton's best players in the coming seasons. Just watched a few snippets of his post-match interviews and he comes across as a genuine type of person and doesn't have his head in the clouds like some we could mention.

I like Richarlison but his sulking is not becoming for a player who has the talent but that behaviour does raise question marks over his temperament

17 away games played, 36 points put on the board, but only 22 points taken from the same number of home games – go figure!

I've mentioned to Ian before about him not posting when we win. He assures me he does.

I'm sure he'll be along shortly to make many posts offering his well done and congratulate Carlo on his tactical masterclass.

With as many posts as he would do if we had lost...

Not the world class forward he likes to think he is. Work ethic great, generally but lacking in that extra touch of class.

Take a look at the pass from Richarlison which led to our penalty against Liverpool at Anfield..

No-one had a bad game but the pick of the bunch, for me, were Davies, Allan and Godfrey.

Richarlison continues to be an enigma. He has a fantastic work ethic but rarely plays a telling pass, in crucial positions, when others are better placed.

Liverpool have an easy run-in but Spurs and West Ham look vulnerable

Seamus was fantastic, his closing down was amazing, what will we do without him?

It's not pretty but it's effective and there's no denying we have made progress – argument over for me.

Too defensive in the second half but strangely we could have added a couple more goals in that half if players had screwed their nut. Digne was Man of the Match for me but it could have gone to three or four players and I had no grumbles over the TV MotM going to Allan.

Nice to be put into a good mood on a pleasant Sunday evening.

Annika,

I thought Tom was anonymous today.

James and Doucouré will be very welcome for the final stretch. Even Delph has looked steady. We will need all hands on deck.

Hope Carlo Ancelotti isn't lulled into a false sense of security with this crew, they still need shifting en masse. Odd results here and there don't disguise the lack of challenge they represent. Not doing the necessary again in this window will be the signing of his own suicide note.

Fucking Moyes though... 🤣🤣

Just going for my second walk around the block, breathing the atmospheric Norris Green air. There's nothing like it, think it's full cannabis... I always come back singing.

We do well away because, without biased home fans, we are getting an equal rub of the green on ref's decisions. Most teams are finding the same.

I believe the real reason though is that away we play an unashamedly defensive game that we couldn't play at home, we play the defensive game far better than our expansive home game because our midfield is simply not good enough to get the ball quickly from defence to attack.

It is just ridiculous how well Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin do with such dreadful service. We played a back 5 until Mason came on yet we have only full-backs not wing-backs. We played much better after that and Mason played well.

Were we awful to watch? Not for me, several of the team had very good games, such as Digne, Coleman, Calvert-Lewin, Godfrey and Allan, none played badly.

Richarlison deserves not MotM but an Oscar for his scowling and tumbling. He is world class though, never ask if he is good enough for us – only will we ever be good enough for him. Great 3 pts and here's to Villa on Thursday with Doucouré and perhaps James. Davies must play too.

Great!,"..takes Moyes to school".

Great!,,,1,19:30:21,,82.2.50.200,ok,19747,05/09/2021 19:30:21,overdrive,reader,,,no 1153501,40773,toffeeweb,09/05/2021,Martin Mason,masonmart@aol.com,"Kieran @92, as long as they keep the boo-boys out.

Gives me hope that next season we'll be watching the same doggedness in defence, but with a much better midfield and therefore a much more entertaining team.

Just hoping I get the call in the ballot tomorrow – would be great to see a game at Goodison before the end of the season.

"We are not a possession team."

I took the same out of the interview. Carlo can't say it in public but I would wager the conversations in private would be revealing.

"Tom was anonymous today".

If you had turned over channels from Despicable Me 2 and watched the game properly, you would have seen Tom as clearly and as prominently as the bright yellow Minions and just as valuable to the happy ending.

I had to abandon straight after the goal with a problem and missed the game. To that point, the commentators seemed impressed with Richarlison.

Reading reports, it seems Mina made a difference.

Great goal and a (to me) relief of a result.

All Evertonians are happy with a win and you are the same.

I may have been harsh on you in the past but you are definitely a half-empty merchant.

4th still in play if Leicester get a draw or two, ridiculous as it seems.

Next two are still are winnable, an away game and then the worst team in the Premier League for a long time. James and Doucouré fit too. It's the two games after that which are anybody's guess.

It's a forum, don't feel sorry for yourself. It's not a great look.

Davies was alright btw, he's just not good enough to be in a Top 4 side.

Isn't it amazing that some of our fans can't see that glaring deficiency. In fact we do amazingly well for a team that can't play possession football. We manage because we have an amazing defence.

What should we do then, accumulate points by playing defensively or possibly lose every game going for it?

I not sure anyone is saying that. We've scrapped a lot of points this year. I think the point is we are going to have to improve a lot creatively if we are to make progress.

Allan had possibly his best game of the season, top-notch midfielder. Seamus, with the exception of being caught inside when they had their chance in the first half had a great match, showing once again that he can play wingback very well indeed, though not fullback anymore.

Richarlison's movement gave them fits and Calvert-Lewin was immense in the air. Both put in a huge shift. Gutted for King not to score, brilliant impact off the bench to create that chance.

The sort of game that Ancelotti has specialized in getting a result in this season, very tight and with things falling just on our side of the equation. West Ham cut a frustrated unit late on.

A deserved win and keeps us very much in the frame for Europa League. Hopefully Doucouré and Rodriguez will be in the mix for Villa and revenge for the reverse last time out at our gaff.

Some excellent individual performances. I thought Richarlison was very good in the first half, but I agree with previous comments that there seems to be a lack of chemistry with Calvert-Lewin.

Allan played well, I also thought Tom Davies did a very good job.

Criticism of the manager is understandable given the awful home performances, but the away record is magnificent.

Let's finish with a flourish, see where we end up in the league and plan for next season.

I've never met a poster who's more self persecuted but there you go. We are all happy tonight.

Carlo reckoned Seamus was MotM, mind you, he did put a good shift in, as did a few others, Godfrey and Keane, and Allan deserve a mention too.

Let's hope the doubters lay off the Manager and players and stay positive for the rest of a strange season.

Carlo will say different opponents pose different challenges, don't you know? No wonder we'll finish 8th!

I thought our manager was quite animated in his interview, pumped up, not just shrugs and eyebrow athletics. It was good to see, I hope it demonstrates his commitment to the cause.

I love the guy, but can understand why others are more sceptical.

Ian, you were okay on the live forum today, certainly not your usual negative self. The wilting flower routine doesn't suit you.

Poor team selection is a major factor in why we will finish outside the Top 6.

I like Allan and Davies in midfield together – the side looks a bit more balanced. They make life tough for the opponents. Makes me think that Doucouré could play a bit more advanced with these two covering. Could be a very effective midfield three.

For me today, Davies barely touched the ball in the 2nd half and had no shots, no forward passes, nor created any chances, but ran into opponents and lost the ball. Yet some had him down as MotM.

Coleman @ 32 years old leading by example, loved the moment he called out the cheating West Ham player – "Fuck off, get up", wonder how many times he says that to Richarlison in training!
COYB.

ps: Michael @ 75,
Didn't know Moyes was "Miserable Presbyterian fucker"!

I'll give Seamus credit for trying to make things happen. Early on he made a great run then had to turn back as no-one was ahead of him. He ran into dead ends a few times and got crowded off the ball but he kept getting into space, demanding the ball and trying to drive forward. He was courageous and set a good example.

From the start, Everton appeared to be on the front foot, and everyone was putting in a professional performance. Defence was good. Allan and Davies really worked well together. Ancelotti has been able to get them to play together.

Doucouré was good for just coming back and Calvert-Lewin took the goal well. Richarlison put a great effort into pressing and retaining possession. Both Calvert-Lewin's and Richarlison's final-third passing isn't good.

Ancelotti back on target to get a Top 6 finish. Hopefully, Everton will have a point to prove against Villa. A great result.

Moyes in the end was never going to be up to it.

I've watched the Blues for many decades. Seamus is in my Top 10 all-time favourites.

Not the best technically, not the quickest, but just as an epitome of what can be achieved through determination and dedication.

The next 3 games are all winnable which would take us to 64 points going into the final game away to Man City. That would be a brilliant but unlikely end to the season given our inconsistency.

As for the Blues, it really looks painfully slow our progress because this group has proved it can't be trusted to step up, so a big summer ahead. Still, a wins a win. Coyb

It was Richarlison's run from a central position towards the flank, taking one of the central defenders with him, that created the space for both Ben to play his excellent through ball and for Dom to bend his run into that vacated space to get clear of the other central defender to score.

That play doesn't open up without Richarlison's run.

Doucouré didn't play. Allan and Davies therefore were outstanding.

Jay #159,

That is one area where both Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have improved a lot. Making runs to draw defenders out of position, with the aim of confusing and making space. The goal against Arsenal was a similar type of play. Playing percentage football.

I remember when he was playing on loan as a winger at Blackburn. Trevor Steven pointed out his technique but said his tenacity meant he could be a great right back. He hasn't disappointed

When other results have been in Everton's favour in recent weeks, they have ''choked'' with the poor home games; otherwise, we would be firmly in the Top 4 by now.

If they don't choke again, then there are certainly points to be had in the remaining games.

Davies showed a lot of energy today but just lacks that edge in passing when it matters and the absence of Holgate was a plus.

Every player put a shift in, and our defence was immense, restricting the mighty West Ham to, erm, well, no shots on target. Defending is a very important part of the game, though some don't think so, and think we should be all-out attack.

MotM difficult to pick for me. Seamus, Godfrey, Allan and Calvert-Lewin all deserve the award. Top 6 still very much on the cards.

We do seem to struggle to keep our passing fluid and neat when in tight spaces or under real pressure. Same malaise strikes Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. It could be blinkers whilst running with the ball but I think Richarlison does just believe he's capable of waltzing through the defence as easily as it would be to interchange a couple of passes. It is highly annoying when he ignores some great opportunities.

With Dom, I don't think it's quite the same thing. He's just more wary about making sure the pass goes as planned and loses options whilst dithering a bit instead of playing the pass at the first opportunity.

Lucas Digne was a bit luke warm today but fortunately, Seamus was red hot and so they couldn't dominate us down both flanks. Centre of the pitch was clogged up nicely which I think was our big plan to neutralise Lingard who was hardly in the game.

Unfortunately it tends to get you a yellow card these days, Tom, and that's sad when you're so skilled at it.

Glad we picked up the three points!

Moyes is the same, and today for all their possession of the ball, West Ham, basically done, sfa with the ball.

How many saves did Jordan Pickford make today, in context of this game?

Did anyone else think Josh King looked jaded five minutes after he came on?

I agree and disagree with many other posts but to try and simplify I'll start with the forwards.
Both work extremely hard for the team. Closing down players, channels and minimising space between themselves and midfield.

Siggy is good at this as a forward but not as a midfielder. He's gets drawn out of position to easily.
Ric can moan as long as he's putting a shift in. He looks knackered but keeps going.
His and Dom's link up play is generally poor. Both guilty of not playing simple early balls trying to run with it. That's why Siggy or James are important.

Midfield inc. wingbacks, Can I request they stay on their feet, every time they slide in free kicks are given away. All had good defensive games and very few backwards passing. Play forward with pace and momentum Seamus looks terrific. Start playing backwards putting each other under pressure and they crumble. Why Seamus didn't shoot first time I don't understanf.

Defense. Holgate had to be dropped after his needless clanger last week. Just stop playing backwards and half the mistakes are eradicated. All played well, stayed strong and deep to keeps space minimised and prevent Pickford from rushing out needlessly. Godfrey great ball.

After initial momentum was lost his defensive work rate and positional sense was lacking.

He looked tired but I think half of it is a lack of match fitness and the rest lacking desire.

That's when you appreciate Richarlison's work rate.

But King is a good attacking player; if he was staying beyond the summer, he would try harder. He's currently playing trying not to get injured. Mentally not fully focused. But that's a management decision... still very strange.

Solid spine throughout the team today. Keane and Mina, Allan and Davies, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison

Godfrey played a pass for our goal that I didn't think he was capable of.

Seamus my MotM for his all-round effort.

Brian @173. Yep, I agree, I thought King looked unfit and unmotivated.

I agree on that “foul” and at the other end of the spectrum I thought Watkins red card for Villa was also ridiculous.

Mike

Good luck with the move. Is it local or are you leaving Oregon?

Reading some of the comments from West Ham supporters and they all mostly saying... conveniently ignoring (not unlike us) what could've been, as their season stutters to a finish... what a season, can't moan at that, etc.

Moyes and West Ham – made for each other.

I thought the Watkins dive was a great call by the ref. Cheating's been plaguing the game for years and has been refined into an art form by the Dark Side.

If you watch it again, you'll see Watkins is already starting to fall forward before the goalkeeper makes the slightest of slight contact.

He is excellent in the air and very good at holding / link-up play. It baffles me why people here don't rate him. For me, he is one of the top strikers in the country already, at only 24.

Maybe but how come it's only the likes of Watkins and Niasse who get such calls. Compared with any Salah “foul”, Watkins was positively poleaxed.

Josh King though. I have wanted to see more of him, but now I have I understand why he doesn't get on. Looks heavy. Had a good impact straight away then jogged around watching the ball.

Calvert-Lewin in the same spell ran tirelessly even after the shift he had put in.

Coleman was incredible. What a performance. He doesn't do it every week but, when he's on, it's a joy to watch. His “fuck off” to a perceived dive was a thing of beauty!

The guy has not had a reasonable run since he arrived. Why, I don't know... but there it is. He was half a ball width from scoring with that header, and some good movement from what I've seen (early on, as you say).

It's as if the management and coaches have been disappointed with him in training - or perhaps a nagging, lingering part injury. Unexpectedly underused.

Godfrey is immense and his pace is a joy to watch and what an assist for the goal.

Seamus does not look ready to surrender his position easily and, as an experienced head, contributes more than just a wing-back.

Pickford has looked more assured than ever recently – maybe the psychiatrist was just all he needed.

The first part of him to make contact with the ball was his knee, not his foot. When they change the name of the game from football to ‘kneeball' is when I'll consider that challenge as anything other than throwing yourself at the ball.

Full marks for bravery / effort, minimal for technique!

Godfrey was my MotM. I didn't notice him at Norwich but what a player. Just as well that I am not a scout.

I can't comment on the game. What I can say is after the Villa game I was all, "Fuck this."

Now, I'm like, "Here we go again, hope springs."

I just know I'll get kicked in the nuts in the end, but I still take the bait.

We win Thursday, Man U beat el poo, three games left to push to possibly heights unseen.

Hope. Kills. You.

UTFT.

Although the goal, they worked it well. Richarlison went towards the passer to pull Diop out of position, then Calvert-Lewin made an inside dart to get ahead of Dawson. I think Richarlison is desperate for a goal, so he can try to carry the ball too far himself on occasion.

Coleman good but, with a back three, there were caps on the right.

Personally, I hope he is gone at the end of the season and we bring in at least one midfielder with pace and creativity. Saying that, Sigurdsson has improved over the season, just not enough to warrant another contract for me.

More of the same at Villa please

Untrue and unfair as well. I've even seen one of them get a round in, although it was many years ago.

Now he urgently needs to formulate an attractive winning style at home, which is his biggest challenge. Maybe with the help of a few new attacking additions in the summer window, he can achieve this, if so we may be onto something really good.

Of course some comparisons in this game inevitably focused on David Moyes, he did an important job for us in the past, so I don't get the obsessive negativity that always surfaces at the mention of his name.

Not getting too carried away with our potential points total in the remaining few games, because of previous false hopes, and qualification for a Euro spot, which even if all good, is still dependent to a degree on other results too, and then there is that GD to haunt us. It's worth a point if good, and there is no way we can make up lost ground, and I can't see us winning any remaining games 5,6, or 7-0!

Important result, effective and efficient performance. We're still in the mix for the European places.

Godfrey and Seamus rightfully getting the plaudits in a very good defensive performance, even though we got off with a couple, but that's football; we hit the post too.

Allan and Davies look good together. On Allan, we credit him with ball hunting, breaking play up and leadership on the field. What I also like about him is what he's shown in the last 2 wins. When he gets possession, he wants to go forward.

Ed (188), I too had not seen or heard much of Godfrey, but when we signed him, an east Anglia based, Tottenham supporting colleague was genuinely envious and told me we had a gem.

Michael K, on the hoofing it out of play from kick off, how many of us old enough to recall remember Howard Kendall's 80s team's standard diagonal into the channel from the start?!!!

Goal difference and inconsistency probably means we'll finish a place or two outside of the European places but only by a couple of points maybe.

That's progress and a platform from which to build.

However, there will be a pack of 6 other clubs with similar ideas. WHU, the RS and Spurs remain strong - Villa, Leeds and Arsenal really aren't far behind.

It will have to be a good summer to keep ahead of all of these clubs and take 5th next year, let alone overtake one of the top 4.

It also seems unlikely all 3 of the RS, Spurs and Arsenal will be as bad next year, especially when crowds return to sway the already partial referees.

Huge challenge ahead.

Yes, big summer ahead.

The tackling machine was our most creative midfielder yesterday.

My only criticism is that for most of the game I feared that I would see a defensive mistake or, as time went on, an equaliser that would come too late to rectify.

I think Carlo got his subs right (for a change). Delph solidified our left flank and King (despite some moans above) brought something different and was unlucky with his header.

Moyes was a little too defensive himself(no surprise there) and his team missed Lanzini's craft after he went off and of course Rice/Noble who bring more bite to midfield.

Seamus and Godfrey(and later Holgate) did well to keep Antonio quiet and all of our lads played well.

I am though looking forward to us having a player or two who can control a game and put it to bed as this one-nil stuff is raising my already-high blood pressure.

Imagine lots of changes as it doesn't do to make players feel they 'own' a place in the team for that only breeds complacency !

And on the subject of Tom Davies, some really pathetic comments at the top of the thread. I think he was under strict instructions by Carlo to not venture too far forward, so he would scamper back as soon as he crossed the halfway line. He and Allan effectively closed the midfield space for the likes of Lingard, Bowen, Soucek.

Compare that to last week against Villa when we were getting overrun and Pickford was MotM to keep the score down to 2-1 instead of 4-1 or 5-1, and then you realise the value of Tom Davies. A midfield 3 of Davies, Doucoure and Allan would be very solid, but that would mean Carlo would have to drop one of Coleman and play a back 4 or Sigurdsson and lose his dead ball delivery.

Allan looked busy and still working hard in the last minutes and Calvert Lewin took his chance well. That is exactly what I want Calvert-Lewin to add to his game and it was great to watch.

If by this time next year we are still relying on the same set-up to gain victories, then the project will not be going to plan. With some more quality additions during the summer, expect a more attractive product and less blood pressure issue.

Just 4 more blood pressure-induced games to go!

We shouldn't point the finger too much, we have form in that space!

Keane has had an improved season since we started playing the tactics like we did yesterday.

If we want to be more expansive and get higher up the pitch as a formation, we can't rely on players like Keane. Tactics like that work on occasion but, as Christopher says, if we are relying on them continuously then it won't show further progression.

Right back, central midfield and right winger still seem the priority to me – if we signed Aarons, Soumare and Pereira in the summer, I would be delighted.

West Ham are going to drizzle out 63 pts, Leicester and Chelsea have an eye on the cup(s): both 68 pts, Tottenham 59 pts.

So, 3 wins and 9pts needed for 5th and 64 pts. That would be remarkable as we have generally been a shower of shite to watch since the New Year.

It's pretty pointless having a sluggish midfield and rapid centre backs.

Holdgate and Godfrey are still learning the game at centre back and could be a future pairing for years to come. Whereas our midfield is held together by sticking plaster players.

Tom Davies played an exceptional game yesterday doing exactly what he was tasked to do: keeping the defensive shape that enabled us to win. He had a fantastic game tackling well and pressing and didn't put a foot wrong. He should be a firm starter for Thursday. He's a credit to the club.

I had noticed quite a few posts suggesting that Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison do not gell as partners. While they can both play very positively and direct as individuals, statistics certainly support such a fact.

Here are some comparisons with other strikers:

Kane has 21 goals & 13 assists
Vardy, 13 goals & 9 assists
Bamford, 15 goals & 7 assists
Fernandes, 17 goals & 11 assists

Calvert-Lewin, 16 goals & 0 assists
Richarlison, 6 goals & 3 assists

This seems to clearly show that our front two are hardly working in unison. It is even more surprising that Calvert-Lewin has "0" assists all season.

This is not meant to be critical of their individual abilities. They have both played many great games, particularly Calvert-Lewin this season... but all things are not perfect.

Agree on the midfield Rob, although I would like to see the 3 of Davies, Doucoure and Allan together. A bit like what I think we tried to play earlier in the season but Gomes didn't really work and we kept leaving that gap between the defence and midfield.

I think the much improved Davies can sit between the back four and Allan / Doucoure, which I feel is our best midfield right now.

But that's this season. We do need another midfielder and wide player to give the midfield more dynamism for next season to get us further forward more often. But that also needs our defence to be higher. Last summer and before his resurgence, I was all for a cheeky bid to get Stones back. He's almost been playing like a midfielder recently.

I believe that Spurs are the team we are most likely to overtake. Look at the difference an extra 2 points for us, and 1 less for them, would make to the table.

I am also concerned about goal difference. Perhaps we will beat Sheffield United 6-0? Oh, but we are at home...

Our goal difference says it all.

That's a wonderfully flawed post.

How was Davies picked over Gomes yesterday if the fee counts? And Doucoure?

Are you a doctor?

It is quite unbelievable that we can turn in such dramatically different performances game by game. Surely we have some sport psychologists who can analyze why we are so poor at home. I think Carlo has to approach these last 4 games with same line-up (plus a fit Doucouré) and not rotate even if we are playing 4 games in 12 days.

I thought Mina made a huge contribution yesterday and physically manhandled Antonio till he went off. I didn't see if he had picked up a knock or Carlo was managing his playing time. But credit to everyone, this was one of our best performances of the season.

Whatever we think about the merits of European football, it would be very satisfying to crack the Top 6 or 7.

And just for good measure, Watkins should be missing on Thursday!

I get ya. But he was only on for 10 minutes or so. Don't need full match fitness for that.

I appreciate he is a different player, but he looked well out of shape.

He's a guy I have liked for a long time, and was excited to see sign.

And yet he picked Tom yesterday?

His maths must be terrible because he keeps picking Holgate and Coleman too.

I might be more enthusiastic if we sign another four or more top quality players the likes of Digne, Rodriguez and Godfrey. If we don't, we will fall between the two stools I'm sorry to say.

It's all down to Moshiri's finances I suppose, I'm guessing they wont be looking that rosey at the moment and the European competition will bring in some welcome dosh as a consolation.

Davies has been repeatedly overlooked in favour of those who have either cost more money, or who are on bigger wages all season. He is also the first to be hooked in most games, regardless of performance. Pointing out one game where he started ahead of Gomes doesn't eradicate the numerous times it has happened all season.

Tom isn't good enough to play for Top 4 team unfortunately. If that is what we are looking to challenge for next season, he won't get a start. Same goes for Holgate, Keane, Gomes, and Coleman.

Looking back at Carlo Ancelotti's entire tenure at Everton, at the end of last season it was very easy to identify who the Italian named in his starting XI, if fit.

That was Pickford, Sidibe preferred to Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Digne, Gomes, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. Holgate impressed the manager and fans so much that he (and Dom) were awarded extended and improved contracts, with many supporters calling for Holgate to be made skipper this season.

When the pandemic-interrupted season resumed, due to injuries to both Mina and Holgate, Michael Keane became a regular starter and was arguably our best player in the completion of that season.

Pre-season, Holgate injured himself again and Keane remained a fixture alongside Mina, continuing as he left off the previous season in excellent form. Carlo added to his 'go-to' men of the previous season Allan, Doucouré and James. Another new boy Godfrey started playing, covering for the injured Coleman.

Carlo's preferred XI was extremely effective, but inevitable injuries in a compact season means it could never be maintained. The backline, including Mina and Keane at centre-back, did play a higher line in that set up. Both are also good on the ball and capable of playing accurate intelligent forward passes, besides their outstanding defensive heading and blocking abilities.

They displayed that again yesterday v WHU. Yerry didn't give an inch to the muscular Antonio. Michael mopped up the rest. Not one shot on target all game. This against a team that has scored the most goals in the Premier League from corners this season, who is equal with Everton on the number of headed goals scored this season – 14.

This season, Michael is 4th in the all-comers PL list for both headed clearances and foot clearances. In the top 10 for blocks (Ben Godfrey is 5th). For the position he plays, Michael is very rarely injured. Indeed, he (possibly foolishly) hid a very serious foot injury in his first season and played through the pain. In his second season, he returned as brave as a lion after fracturing his skull at Brighton. Bravery and determination he doesn't lack.

The way you and others present it is that both Michael and Yerry are liabilities, hindering the way we play. Yes, both can be potentially exposed when faced with pace. I acknowledge Keane can get skinned either side by a clever pacy forward, but to date this season I can only recall two matches when that happened. Once in the home game v Leicester with Vardy who got beyond Michael, but nothing came of it. And once v Son in the cup tie v Spurs. Again, no goal threat resulted.

In his day job then – central defender – Michael is outstanding. To that you can add both he and Yerry carry far more of a threat in attacking plays in the opposition's penalty area as evidenced by their goals and assists than either Godfrey or Holgate.

You, like others pedalling the buzz phrase 'playing with a high line', advocate pairing Godfrey and Holgate at centre back. Now Holgate last season most definitely, for me, showed he is already capable in that position. Godfrey, for all his good performances this season, does not yet look as assured there as he has done at playing full-back.

Due to injuries to Mina and Keane, we've just seen how it works with a centre-back pairing of Godfrey and Holgate, v Arsenal and v Villa. In the Arsenal game, there was no difference in the default position of our defensive line. And the hosts were so inept there was little or no threat to repel.

Against Villa, they were shambolic, playing neither a high nor a deep line. Well they did, but never synchronized together. At times they were 15-20 yards apart in depth and simultaneously 15-25 yards apart in width. Ollie Watkins in particular exploited this. Even when 10-15 yards off him when Holgate received the ball, Watkins hunted down the Everton man to pick his pocket which, of course, on one occasion, resulted in a goal.

Both Holgate and Keane were deemed culpable for Harry Kane's brace against us in the league. I'm more forgiving. On the first goal it was a very good cross that just eluded Michael's attempted headed clearance. Mason was poor in leaving Kane unattended. The second – Michael's header ricocheted off the unsuspecting Mason into Kane's path. A 'shit happens' moment.

I don't subscribe to the opinion expressed by some that Mason is a cocky loudmouth gum-chewing wannabe without merit, when just last season many canvassed for him to be promoted to captain on both his performances and... because he is cocky and a loudmouth. A leader, confident in his own ability with an edge to his game.

The same with Michael. Without knowing about his serious foot injury until he revealed the story nearly 12 months on, Michael puzzled me in his first season in which he went from a 7-8 out of 10 player every game to a 3-4 out of 10 player who didn't merit a starting berth. Since then, he is consistently back to being a 7-8 out of 10 player every game.

We already have in situ 4 very good centre-backs at the club with their different strengths and weaknesses. We have another couple of quality teenage centre backs out on loan in Jarrad Branthwaite and Lewis Gibson (although the latter may be slipping down the pecking order). There is some genuine talent progressing well through the academy in the position.

Now you, Danny, have lobbied hard to recruit Koulibaly from Napoli. An outstanding player who Carlo will know well. Personally, I don't see signing him being as transformational to the team as you evidently do.

The defence is largely sound. The least of our problems. What we chiefly lack is pace and a playmaker. Pace does not necessarily mean pace over the ground. Speed in running. To me, it rather means having players in the team who, like other teams, can maintain a high pace in a game with rapid one-touch short passing which both moves the play forward and has the opposition chasing shadows.

For that, you need technically superior players capable of both playing and receiving such rapid-fire passing as well as showing greater positional awareness and movement.

Personally, I will be disappointed and concerned if this isn't the area of recruitment which is prioritized over and above central defence as you lobby for. That, and more quality firepower to complement and compete with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison up front.

An improved midfield and forward options will determine our defensive setup IMO. Not the other way round, as you suggest, Danny.

Although Digne isn't back in form the wingbacks were much more useful getting the ball out of our half. Seamus even made a good go or two of his usual tireless runs. This is a system that looks to work on the defensive side and getting out of our half. The final third play when not on counter-attack is obviously a work in progress.

Spot on re Keane. Anyone who can't fathom the benefits of playing 15 yards up the pitch than we currently do needs to study the subject.

I like Mina. My current preferred first choice central defence partnership is Mina and Godfrey. I'm not sure where the Holgate piece came from. Not from me. And Mina and Keane get the vote before Holgate for me.

I don't dislike Keane and have said here and elsewhere, very much improved. But he still has that moment in him with the ball floating over his head. It's not just his lack of pace, his lack of awareness and decision making sometimes. I appreciate all players get that and that he has been mostly great for most of this season.

I don't mean high line or defending from the half way line. I mean the ability to play higher up the pitch more often. When we've tried with some of our current defenders we get exposed.

I do agree. The defence is generally sound and isn't a priority over the areas of the pitch we have all mentioned. But if I had the opportunity to improve it with top drawer quality I would. But I'm not the manager, just giving opinion.

I have felt for some time our defence only requires a Coleman replacement and, like others have said, a quality, pacey wide midfielder, plus a midfield general and help up top, is what is required for next season.

Never get the sharpness without the fitness. Something definitely hasn't gone to plan for sure. Marginal injury, I'm guessing.

Koulibaly and Demiral would probably make us better, I accept that. However, I don't see that a new and improved centre half would have made the difference in the games we've really slipped up in. The problem there is pace, energy and quality in midfield, wide and attacking positions.

And having a potent attack helps move the team up the pitch a bit anyway if a high line is what we're after. You don't necessarily need two exceptionally quick centre halves.

Holgate? No.

Holgate to any top club is way off. This last week we have heard some super ex-players and some still playing, speaking about how good a manager Ancelotti is, how detailed and dedicated he is and it doesn't resonate with his critics.

Some summer job journalist throws Holgate's name out for a big move (which didn't happen) and that is the gospel word, resulting in substance for anyone who over-rated him in the first place.

World Cup winners speaking highly of Ancelotti must be liars.

ps: I think Mina is a great Centre Half but he is unreliable for a prelonged spell in the side. He is the only regular international centre-back we have.

Kevin, I am a bit sick of these Tom Davies arguments; I find it ridiculous. Like 90% of our midfield he is not the answer to our problems, neither is he the problem but don't you think by now he should be grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck?

Look at the youngsters in the league with less experience than Davies having far more influence in games. Saka at Arsenal, for instance, puts his mark on most games; Leeds have 2 or 3 doing the same.

It's a tough job for Davies and he's a great tryer but he's not doing enough after making his debut 4 years ago.

The team is clearly not good enough; if Davies and Allan got 20 games together, they'd do okay... but I'd still want better than both.

I can't think of the other centre-backs at Leicester to be honest, but all the above at least play for those teams you mention. Michael Keane is not the problem that Everton need to address - he's decent enough.

Luiz plays for Arsenal, didnt mention them.

Zouma cant get a game. Would Keane get in before Rudiger and Christensen?

Is Phil Jones still at Utd? Dont think he has played this season if he is.

Keane a better player than Stones?
Wouldnt get many agreeing with that one Mark.

Johhny Evans is a far better player than Keane.
So is the Turkish lad who is his partner (Soyuncu?)

Him and Godfrey would be a great pairing against any side that plays on the deck more often than not. Not that we'd get him but you wouldn't see 2 fitter centre-backs.

Koulibaly would be fantastic for Godfrey. Learning from him for a couple of years and having some of the pressure taken off him.

Carlo Ancelotti is using Tom Davies as a defensive mid in the Italian mode, and therefore he doesn't grab the game by the scruff of the neck; that's for players further forward.

Makalele, Gana Kante all far, far better than Davies, but without knowing the stats I'd be astonished if they had 30 goals and the same with assists between them. To repeat, it just ain't their game.

I think we are a much better team when playing defensively, so it's intriguing to me to see what type of players we are going to try and bring into the club this summer. When we play like yesterday it does seem that the base is already there, but when we move away from that defensive base, things change, and that's the conundrum for Ancelotti?

The point was that Carlo picks players who cost more over Davies – which he routinely does.

As for the Tom Davies arguments you're sick of, when Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Gomes, Richarlison and Delph get the same amount of column space as Davies does – because they have all performed significantly worse for large parts of the season (or 3 games in Delph's case) – then the Tom Davies arguments might subside. Look at the opening posts for the bias there.

Regardless of how well others who we have signed play - Tom, and now Holgate, will always get it in the neck.

Regardless of how well Tom performs, Carlo is usually likely to start others over him and will usually sub him off first.

Don't like the arguments – change the record then.

And, we really could have a star partner for Godfrey in Branthwaite. Sticking with what we have for another season or two gives him a clear route to the first team.

A massive job to change the unbalanced, poor quality Ancelotti was landed with. It will take three summer windows to turn around imo.

Can you expand on what you think our limited transfer budget will be please? I hope and think we will spend a decent amount this summer.

I don't often play the record. I know what Davies is and isn't and I don't get into trying to level his performances against players who also aren't good enough. For one reason or another we have managers that trust seasoned players over players that have never had ten good games on the run.

The game is harsh on a lot of our players because we have deficiancies were the best sides don't. Sigurdsson is a very good footballer with too many flaws and not good enough.

It's the story of our side if we want to reach the top. Some fans didn't expect us to finish near the Europa League places so they might rate players higher than I do.

Dave Hallwood, grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck is far from an attacking definition. Gareth Barry knew how to do it, Kante does, Allan trys to, Coleman has done it plenty over the years. It's about taking control and dictating where you want the ball to be.

Better luck with injuries might of helped Carlo this season. Priorities must be a right back, a speedy winger that can both cross and score, and a better, quicker version of Sigurdsson or Gomes.

I'm in no hurry to get rid of too many players from our squad that plays (apart from Iwobi, obviously). More to come perhaps from Delph and Gomes... we would struggle to move them anyway. I also want to see more of Nkounkou but Carlo doesn't seem to trust him. And we have not seem enough of King either.

What I have seen enough of is the diamond midfield. Fingers crossed we stick to the 3 centre backs. For once, I was impressed with the starting positions of our wingbacks.

"They are both becoming whipping boys"

In a nutshell, typical of the reasons why we are not challenging the top.
Sentimental bullshit.

I've zero evidence to support my theory! Eternal optimists might have other ideas...

I think he could do a lot of damage with £100 mil plus. Time will tell, mate.

Goodison is one frustrated place. A lot of good reason behind it and some groans come out of passion but we do lack patience in general.

Tony Hibbert played on eggshells running down them lines at goodison. Osman took a lot of stick. I remember a fella in the Gwladys Street stand so eager for a Rodwell mistake his neck was like a swan and he almost lost his glasses when that small mistake came.

Not sure that Digne is suited to playing in front of a back 3 seems his only option going forward is to put in crosses, never see him cut inside and have a shot these days. Seems Carlo loves bringing on Delph late on in games... is this to show possible buyers he is still fit or does he misguidedly believe he can do a job for us. There is very little link up play between the front 2, ending up with both completely ignoring the other for some reason. I think if Richarlison is adamant that he wants to play in both the Copa America and the Olympics for Brazil then I think Carlo will have a decision to make, as it would mean no break for him going into an important season for Carlo.

I hope the rumours are true about us being interested in Toney. I would also like them to sign Ebreche Eze from Palace, he looks and plays like a young Zaha.

I don't and never have booed any player in an Everton shirt but I have no problem putting out my opinion. If anyone boos them simply because they are local or players brought through, then that is stupid.

Michael Keane is a brilliant deep lying centre back, if you sit deep I'm not sure there are any better, but the gap that leaves in front of him means our midfield has no chance of a high press. I love Allan, and DoucourΘ, but they are wasted if they are pressing so deep, imagine if they were doing that 20 yards further up the field with a strong defensive midfielder sitting behind them.

I'm a big fan of Mina (when fit) so I was surprised to learn this week his stats show he is actually slower than Keane, both are in the bottom 25th percentile for Premier League centre-backs. If you want to play a high line, challenge further up the pitch, ultimately both have to go.

Holgate, decent, but not the long term answer. He's too small to play alongside Godfrey, and whilst a more than decent back up, it provides the insight into why we would want a Koulibaly type player.

A new right-ack and decent centre-back would allow our previous midfield signings to really flourish.

Three tough-tackling midfielders ahead of them – Allan, Doucouré, AN Other – and suddenly we are a very dangerous attacking team, which is in direct contrast to what we are today.

In attack then you need three pacy, hardworking players, with skill. I wouldn't want to lose James, but he'd have to really earn that place; Allan St Maximin would bring something very different.

My wish list: Koulibaly, Arrons, Rabiot, St Maximin – £140M

Sell: Kean, iwobi, Mina – £80M

Caraboa Cup etc a big squad is needed and we wont have five 200 grand a week players on the bench so theres always places in the squad for the likes of Davies and Sigurdsson for bottom 6 games and cups.

I think what you state is vital though and the Super League blag proves where you need to be. I won't lie, I don't want to see this squad in the Europa League. Go for top four or don't bother showing any ambition.

I weigh this up all the time and its hard to find clubs of our level that can win the Europa League or have a Europa League campaign and finish top four.

It's virtually impossible for us to do the latter. Look at the Europa winners for the last 20 years. Well-built squads with well built teams and often fallers from the Champions League first phase are in the last 4 places.

Sadly, we are nowhere near the bracket of recent winners we don't have any of the quality them sides have and, although it's not impossible to win, I think our best chances of Champions League football are over 38 games with better signings than we have in the side now.

Any squad is going to have inferior players outside their first 11, neither Davis or Holgate are natural starters but they are local lads/youth who are coming in and outperforming more senior higher paid players.

How anyone can direct anger toward Davis ahead of Gomes or Delph is beyond me. I want them all to do well, but two are earning £100k and one is the local lad. Which one would you keep because, based on current form, Carlo isn't picking on salary/name.

Delph has hardly covered himself in glory since he arrived, btf I think he did well yesterday, when a sub comes on for the last 15 I want them to run and show freshness above everyone else which he did, the exact opposite of King the live forums hero.

We need quality players in reserve, and Holgate and Davies will be the envy of most clubs in that respect.

Can we expect a large queue to form to buy them when they are relegated to the bench, Andrew?

Your statement re keeping the "local lad" is indicative of my point. Why would you keep anyone based on where they were born?

Mark M.

That's what its all about mate. Differing opinions. Long may that continue.

I'm not Holgate's biggest fan, but who would you rather have in your squad – Eric Dier or Mason Holgate? One is average and is in the England squad, the other has potential and is arguably better. I believe Dier should be backup for Spurs, but as such he'd cost twice as much as Holgate costs us.

I don't believe Darren Fletcher, Phil Neville, or Wes Brown were good enough for Man Utd to be a global dominant force – but they were good enough reserves to do a job when called upon.

All I'm saying is look where the money is spent, base your opinions of value for money, rather than judging everyone equally, and then aim your anger at those that don't represent value.

For me, Davies and Holgate would have a lot of people ahead of them before they got my ire.

If you listed Davies, Gomes, and Delph at £10m each, I believe Davies would be the first to be snapped up.

So, yes, I believe clubs would be queuing up.

We know our priorities, I'm just saying if you get the chance to improve in any position you do it.

And Europe or not, we need depth all over the squad, as this season has proven.

Exceptional? I think it might be time for a perspective check. He did nothing in the game - bad or good - that could be described as 'exceptional'. There is so much wanting him to come good amongst his supporters that an average performance results in this sort of unhelpful hyperbole.

Andrew (272) - Who knows, but I think the fact that Holgate and Davies are considerably younger would be a significant contributing factor in terms of desirability to these hypothetical suitors of yours. What would you pay for them if they were at other clubs? If Holgate was available for £20 million, then I'd consider that a good acquisition. And if we had £10 million to spend on a midfielder, then I'd probably not spend it on Tom Davies as I believe there are better players available at that price.

The players that the club have invested in heavily are bound to start at this point because Davies is neither here nor there when comparing him to Gomes.

There is no major difference for Brands to sit down with Ancelotti and ditch players we need a bit of value on and the likes of Sigurdsson is not guaranteed to have a bad game. I can't believe some people can't see what we have got to work with at this point in our progress..

Think how much Brands and Ancelotti have to do to keep some value in a squad we desperately need to improve. Brands's job is to get us where Moshiri wants Ancelotti and the team to be and between them all it really is the business end of the season from January onwards.

Brands obviously won't pick the team but to juggle the squad he may want £10 million for Gomes. Gomes might need a certain amount of minutes to be of that value.

That is just a scratch at what their meetings may be like. Stuff we don't see and nobody can say there's a player not getting games that makes a massive difference to the value of the team.

Not surprising I suppose given that (according to many) the MotM was his much derided "tackling-machine", Carlo-acolyte (according to Dazza), Allan.

Personally I thought Davies (Dazza's favourite) out-did Allan as a "tackling-machine" though, and all credit to him, as I said above, but Allan did far more with the ball.

I'd be grateful for his take on a well won game. Shouldn't be beyond him surely, given he's had yonks to think about it?

Or is he unwell? If so, get well soon, owd son, and get with the keyboard again.

His pass success was 88% including 2 excellent long passes, 3 tackles out of 6, overall rating 7 out of 10 on a par with Allan. That is exceptional for me based on our woeful midfield standards and compared with the irrationally negative view that some have of him.

The stats say nothing about his positioning and discipline in keeping our very good shape and keeping West Ham out. Correct that a perception check is needed but are you sure that it's mine?

They've gone from “Championship at best” to “Not top 4 material”.

Imagine what it will be next year

“They'll never be a Ronaldo or Messi!!!”

I get the impression Ancelotti is giving him the rest of the season to show whether he can be a good partner for Godfrey, long term. If not, then he will probably be sold.

Any thoughts on this player?

There lies the problem, if a player doesn't fit a fans so called team dynamic then they have to go. Why would you want to weaken our side?

Mina and kean are fine defenders. But they can't play a high line. Well they should be used for away games when we play a counter attacking game and Godfrey and A N Other play home games and the high line.

Once we have that dynamic, then the midfielders need to be able to transition from a counter attack midfield away from home to a more attacking at home. We do need to let go certain players but Keane and Mina? No. We should be adding another quick defender in the Godfrey mould. We should be adding a right-wingback like Aarons and definitely a Mason Mount type midfielder.

I would sell, if possible, Gomes, Holgate and Iwobi. I think we will have a couple of youngsters coming through who can complement those that go. Branthwaite and Onyango. Let's add to the squad – not get rid of our better players.

Onyango is going to be out for a long time with the injury he sustained recently which could easily put his development back another year beyond that.

Let's imagine we not only get into it but actually won it!,and just say it happened to be the final game of a certain Irish Captain we've all loved.

Seamus lifting the trophy up to the fans would go down as a beautiful Everton moment in our history... I'd be in fucking bits and am sure I wouldn't be alone neither.

Winning Cups is all that matters, folks, always was, always will be.

Good form can last some time, and so can bad form. When a player performs well during good form, it's very naive to write him off and want to sell him just because he's subsequently in a period of bad form.

You have to see the bigger picture, with less of this erratic short-term assessment that changes frequently.

I know everyone is entitled to an opinion, but some opinions are simply shite.

I've been as guilty as any of writing players off and equally overrating players who didn't live up to expectation.

The problem with football is that we all have an opinion, especially in the moment, but we never really know.

That's what keeps us hooked and rightfully so.

Of course, Allan was also exceptional. The statistics can only give a guide as to how the player played in reality and I explained why in my last post. I quoted the stats only to show that he was in no way poor as many have tried to say.

Amusing that you admit to being fickle. Despite what any football supporter tells you how honest they are in regard to support I think everysupporter is fickle. Not only are we all fickle but we are all absolute "liars".

Proof in such comments as:

1... "I will never watch that lot again." During a lifetime of support, you have made the similar comment about 492 times.
2... "I never said he was a bad player," I just said, "I will not watch the game if he is playing."
3... "I don't care what Liverpool do."
4... "After that load of rubbish, I just don't care what Everton do!"
5... "I know far more than the Manager" – only said when we lose.
6... "The man is a tactical genius"... usually said after beating a team 1-0 despite them having 95% of the play

I admit to having been a lying "Fickler" and an Evertonian for many eons. Supporting Everton actually requires what I can only describe as "Loyal Fickleness", along with constant mood swings and delusional anxiety. Presently I am on a three day high since we beat West Ham. I hope to remain in this state at least until late Thursday. but: if we don't beat Aston Villa, it will result in a return to fickleness and I will threaten to strangle the cat and any RS who gets near me. Yes, I should have mentioned that even the mildest of supporters may become violent, well, at least until we win again.

We get frustrated, we get fickle, we get annoyed with football and Everton in particular.

But my word, we forget that very quickly when they give us those moments of joy and elation.

I take my dogs to the park at 6 am and talk to them about Everton whether we win or lose. They nod and agree with me; well I think they do. I find it therapeutic!

Not really similar players but I'd go Pereira (West Brom) or St Maximin (Newcastle) since Anguissa does track back well. On the other hand, it is difficult to score talent in a yo-yo team.

To all cat lovers, all my cats are mythical except for the last one. It was constantly whining and I wasn't surprised when I found out it was a Liverpool supporter.

If so keep the little shit locked indoors on match days.