Dismal draw sees more precious points trickle away

Typical Sky, totally ignoring Everton & Villa. 😡😡

Decent line-up, just hope that Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have their firing boots on.

Yes, it is harsh on Tom Davies, the other option could have been to go 4-3-3 with Davies on for Holgate. Going forward, Carlo sees Seamus as a wing-back only – not play him as a right-back for the full 90 minutes.

We need a win to remind them that's where we can finish too. I am expecting a result tonight.

A fit Doucouré just has to play, he is the link between midfield and the front two, no-one else has got the legs to get up past our forwards.

Decent enough line-up... surely Holgate is due a decent game.

Davies 0 prem goals - 1 assist

Not sure of the stats in the cups.

That's why Sigurdsson plays when James doesn't.

I like Davies and think he shouldn't have been dropped either. But picking Sigurdsson makes sense when James is out.

My bet for tonight.

If Davies plays, Allan and Doucouré play higher up the pitch – so they are the players the assists would come from.

I don't mind Sigurdsson playing, but your logic is flawed.

Personally, and I know they've been poor, but I'd love Iwobi and Bernard and a bit of an attempt to do something creative with the ball. I feel we just look like a workhorse team.

Whatever are our problems, I don’t think Iwobi is ever part of the answer (or Bernard for that matter).

Really not a lot to choose from between the two teams. Other than Mings's header, they haven't really threatened our penalty area where we have got into good positions but likewise, nothing threatening.

Doucouré's slipped nicely back into the team. Playing well.

I just wish Richarlison could recover his touch and maybe look up and see what is around him now and again.

Was there even a moment that would qualify as even remotely exciting?

Such a hard watch...

This squad drain all the oxygen out of plenty of stadiums they play in. Definitely no entertainment in this game, down to both teams to be honest.

Never mind VAR – there should be be no VAT added on for this bleedin' game.

I'm not sure why people are ragging on Sigurdsson for always being picked when Richarlison can stink the place out time and time again and still play. So why would he try to improve? He's guaranteed his spot anyway. Might as well bench him and put King on for a few games. He got closer to scoring in 5 minutes than Richarlison did all game anyway.

Allan is playing like it's a practice match, and Richarlison is playing for himself. If these two players can change their attitude, then I'm sure we can come out on top.

Oh, it's Martin Atkinson – that's how!

However, looking at the bigger picture, our clear lack of goals must be a major worry because we are very very blunt, a second season in succession where we fail to hit a modest total of 50 unless we bomb Sheffield Utd and Wolves.

We can't really challenge the Top 4 in this era, in my opinion, unless we carry more goal threat.

At least we got a point is about as positive as I can get.

Another waste of time.

Yes, we improved with substitutions and more ambition in the second half but we got what we deserved.

Not one of the manager's best nights – nor the team's.

Difficult to fathom, even more difficult to watch when, with a little more effort, that game could have been well won.

A draw that feels like a loss.

If we don't strengthen this squad, we'll be destined to mid-table.

Doucouré was poor today – he underhit several passes. We need a proper right-back to free up a place for another midfielder. Coleman can be a backup, nothing more. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison do not play well together.

Utterly frustrating – but we are just not good enough right now.

I wish we had some midfielders who could shoot and keep their heads. Iwobi is one of the worst players I can remember. He offers nothing. The delivery from the wide areas was woeful.

How many must-wins have we had where we are just hoping something will happen but see lacklustre performances? We're not a Champions League side!

Extremely high boot. Nowhere near the ball. Catching the player full flush.

Most definitely seen serious foul play called on VAR and red carded for less.

Still we have the tales of 60s and 80s so I shouldn't be disappointed (huh). The club has not only stalled — it's gone backwards, it's approx 2003 again.

Statistically, Tom is slower than James. I know it's hard to believe but, based on opta stats, Tom is the slowest, while both are among the slowest in the Premier League.

Beat Sheffield United and Wolves is a must and we could sneak in? Man City away is a free hit!

Loads of good possession was wasted during that game because international footballers couldn't pass the football, and hopefully the manager's thoughts have been that, if you can't be good, then at least be pragmatic. But Everton really do need to sign a few good players this summer.

Hahaha, that was utterly tedious once again. You just had a sense it could have gone on for months, like one of those old never-ending series of FA Cup replays.

Looking at the remaining games, we will likely have to win the next two just to hold onto 8th.

I was hoping against hope for a Tim Cahill moment at the end but honestly just couldn't even convince myself it was going to happen.

Allan is a complete mystery to me. The only comparison with Reidy I can see is the same turn of pace as Peter had at 50 years old. "Roll around Richarliaon" has been found out – what dreadful control the lad has for a Brazilian.

Calvert-Lewin is okay, Digne is fine, and I can see Sigurdsson contributing in a decent set-up and, despite incessant criticism, Iwobi could be useful in a forward-thinking team.

Huge summer coming up!

Mings should have been sent off. Ref let Villa interrupt the momentum at the end, by not clearing the area of a supposedly injured player. Europa Conference League if Everton are lucky. Resigned to a points climbing of the table not happening, as usual.

Thought Holgate played well partnering Godfrey. Villa limited to fewer shots on target, or not nicking a goal, since the gift route was cut off.

Godfrey was MotM. Thought Allan was fine and looks fitter. Shame that Gomes cannot shoot but at least he has the best head of hair in world football.

We may get 4-6 more points max from the 3 remaining games. Now expecting us to finish around 8th (7th at best).

Sigurdsson... waste of time being on the pitch.

How many times did McGinn turn Allen?

A wasted season and apart from Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin – the rest need to stay back after school!

Our passing is amateur... in fact, that's an insult to amateurs.

Such a good start to the season. Hopefully we don't qualify for Europe as it'll be an embarrassment.

I was of the opinion that when a player is treated by the medical staff on the pitch, he has to go off. And come back on by the bench area. Or was the ref making up his own rules?

Why does Sigurdsson take the free-kicks??? He hasn't scored from one in the Premier League for Everton!

To mitigate that loss of creativity, we needed to get some killer crosses in when we had the chance. The passing in the final third was poor and errant, but the quality of crossing from Digne was average and from Seamus was very poor. Calvert-Lewin was feeding on scraps again.

We perked up for the last 10 minutes or so, Iwobi did okay, I thought, in at least getting three or four crosses in from the right and Digne as well in this period.

Goals from midfield are needed, Gomes could have had two, but fluffed them both. We need better offensive play and shooting from these positions. Imagine that! A central midfield who can score!

We need other players chipping in with goals; at the moment, it's Calvert-Lewin or bust.

Elsewhere, a midfield player who can score, score and score.

Ancelotti can only use what material he has. Which leads to the team we've got: defensively sound (now) but little creativity.

I’d rather have old codgers like them than useless buggers like Iwobi and Gomes.

Massive summer ahead, hopefully. I can't take much more of the dross we've served up this season. Only for Calvert-Lewin's goals, we wouldn't be far off the drop zone.

Another chance to get above the red shite spewed yet again. There is still a chance of European football... but do we really deserve it? Our poor home form has cost us big time.

Get rid of the dross, whatever the cost, and start again. Another season for Ancelotti. If there's no big improvement, we could be looking for another Messiah.

Poor game; let's hope the next two are better... but I'm not holding my breath.

But 12 months on, a full crowd and a repeat of this shite on a regulssr basis...hmm?

But that won't happen will it? Nah, Brands will work his magic, Ancelotti will gell it all together and onwards to glory we go...or something.

Dogged defending but appalling going the other way and, when the ball did finally drop or bounce for us in a dangerous area (Gomes twice and Calvert-Lewin twice in the 2nd half), nobody watching or playing in blue believed we would score.

Dominic got to the back post from Digne's cross being the closest we did come. In fact, the Digne overlap is our only plan. That's why Digne has so many assists and Dom goals.

I've watched every game this season. No movement or flow to the football. The players receive the ball static and then play it straight to the feet of a static teammate ad continuim. We never build up momentum or pace in our attacking play, relying mainly on Digne to overlap and centre for Dom.

Allan, by the way, is just a really good Sunday league player at this stage. Offers little in any department. The opposition just run rings around the chap.

Doucouré has legs?? No, he's crap too, average player who does almost nothing of any quality, just runs. His passing is terrible, doesn't score, assist or "dominate" the midfield. £20M about right.

As the saying goes. If this Moshiri lad has the dough he says he does, then we want Mourinho... Okay, so no thanks to Mourinho. But, if he does have the money to bring back the glory days, then he needs to start bank-rolling world-class signings and not the average shite we sign, year on year.

Davies was very unlucky getting dropped. Doucouré looked average at best. Gomes underlined why we need more quality.

It looked like a draw after about 10 minutes. Villa happy to waste time and keep their physio busy all game. Puzzling that in the first half the trainer was on at least twice, their goalie got warned for time wasting but the ref played 1 minute extra!

We need to change the formation for the last couple of games. Get Richarlison back on the left wing. Davies, Allan and Doucouré in the middle with Coleman on the right. Play 4-5-1. Believe it or not it could have been worse!

All has been said and it’s proof that the team hasn’t got the strength in depth to play over 90 minutes and dominate the game.

There’s still a mathematical chance but with Everton’s very poor home form, can they etch out back to back wins at home, beat City away, and then hope results go our way. Disappointed, but it’s a way of life. Getting decent new players depends on getting into Europe.

I hope the results go our way starting tonight.

Circa 60 points would be still seen as progress under largely what is the same group of players from last season. Three of the four signings have been out form significants parts of the season.

Roll on the summer, bring in the four/five players we desperately need to go up a gear.

Other observations: Ross seems to have bought a one-way ticket to oblivion.

Agree with Tony. What was Allan doing? He looked like he has never played the game. Leaving the hole behind is rapidly becoming his Trade Mark.

Sort it, Carlo!

Oh I'll still watch, because you never know, I might see something worth watching... but the season's done. Has been since the Anfield derby tbh, we peaked and got out the holiday brochures.

Wasn't an argument dear sir, just a point of view. As said, I didn't think Davies should have been dropped! Yes the 4 of Davies, Doucoure, Allan and Sigurdsson could play together. I was just pointing out why Sigurdsson was playing to previous posters, in my humble opinion; context!

However, wow - I aged during that game!!!!! Where was the creativity!!??

I don't agree with a lot that Carlo does on team selections, subs and a lack of clear forward vision in terms of long-term style of play but he has inherited a mish-mash of a squad and needs better tools before we give up on this.

I am concerned at the style of football – not the time to start over again though.

Does the malaise begin with our players when they are told they are joining a “family club” and not a football club?

While we struggle to make it into the Europa Conference, fooking depressing situation.

We are still in with a good chance of securing European football, and indeed our highest points tally in several seasons, and all the majority of you can do is overreact hideously.

Yes it was a bad game to watch, but it's a clean sheet away to a team in 11th, with some good players. Unfortunately, we have a weak squad with a few brilliant individuals, and when those individuals don't perform (as very few can EVERY week) we don't win.

For those that are slagging off Carlo, you are poison. He is the best thing to happen to this football club in decades.

Get some perspective and give this man time. We are making great progress on and off the pitch.

Your comment is so silly its barely warrants a response, but here I go nonetheless.

Richarlison, our 24 year old Brazil international, with 3 years left on his contract, has no sell on value?

Barcelona offered £85m for him 14 months ago.

(But I'm sure you'll have a great reason why he is now worth less than the £35m we paid for him. )

Anthony - 122
Well, (and lets remember not to judge players on a patch of form and look at the bigger picture) I would argue Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey, Allan, Doucoure, Rodriguez, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, are all worthy of the shirt.

Unfortunately Moshiri now seems to be cut from the very same well-out-of-date, shabby, unwanted cloth.

I suggest we have maybe three players of interest to any CL aspirational clubs. The rest merely want to stay with us for every last minute of the lavish contracts they were awarded (and that ties at least one hand behind his back for ANY manager).

The last thing these players want is better players being signed because that means they play less and that reduces the size of their next contract as and when it becomes due.

It's a sick, vicious circle, and no club operates it with more dedication than we do, and have done for thirty years minimum.

All we had to do was pick up 1 point at home to Burnley, Newcastle, Fulham, Leeds, West Ham, Aston Villa and we would be well in the hunt for CL.

I'm not calling for CA to go, he should have another season but for God's sake let's have some honest perspective.

Ancelotti's CV has got nothing whatsover to do with what he is doing at Everton. Mourinho has won tons of trophies and been sacked by Spurs.

Wow. I have read some real shite on this comment board tonight, but congratulations, you have absolutely taken the biscuit.

NOW ITS FARHAD MOSHIRIS FAULT! FARHAD - WHY DIDNT YOU BRING YOUR BOOTS TONIGHT AND COME ON INSTEAD OF IWOBI? YOU'VE LET US ALL DOWN. INVESTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF POUNDS IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Oh, and 3 players of interest to Champions League clubs?
Richarlison? Digne? Godfrey? Allan (who has played CL football the last 5 years?) James Rodriguez?

There's five straight away.

It is not about entertaining football. He has inherited this squad and is playing in the most efficient manner to pick up POINTS.

Does it always work? No. Does moaning about it and causing a horrible atmosphere amongst the 'support' help the club we 'love'? No.

I was as dissapointed as anyone about the home games in which we should win on paper.

Let's just be patient. We can't keep on the merry go round of managers - we have a great one - we have the one who we need to give time.

Lets get behind the man for god sake or we will take more steps back.

We cannot make ignorant assumptions about their injuries.

Yerry's height is utterly irrelevant. Tall people get injured too.

Given James Rodriguez was signed on a free transfer, I have no doubt we can afford his wages. Perhaps he is on a pay as you play deal, we just don't know.

I'm unsure why they are your object of frustration though given they were 100 miles away from Villa Park tonight?

Well we could debate the definition of 'brilliant' or 'good' all night. I think they are good enough to help Everton get Champions League football, with a few additions around them.

Ian - you need to remember not to vent your pent up frustrations of daily life onto this football club, because you have posted a lot of crazy stuff tonight. Go have a bath and maybe we'll get some sense out of you on Sunday.

lighten up mate, you're like hybrid of Tony Marsh and Richard Dodd. I was joking in 107, but since you ask, I can't see anyone paying 35 million for Richarlison in this market. No one has any money and those who do will be reluctant to spend that kind of cash on a 6 goals a season striker.

Also get off your "I am ashamed" high horse. Even, Ian Edwards whose hyberolic in his negativity is fairly restrained in this thread. And poor old Don? What did he do to ruffle your feathers?

You must have me confused for someone who needs to 'lighten up', Indeed I would suggest I am the brightest spark countering all the stupidity I've read since our shameful 0-0 draw.

If you don't think theres a club in world football who would currently take Richarlison for more than we paid for him, it's really pointless us even debating, since you must be impaired.

Why don't you go get some shut eye and we'll have another chat after the Sheffield United game? Nighty night Ki.

Sick to the back teeth and Old Nick conspires again, by a twist of fate..

Looking for a show of character from this squad. Jekyll & Hyde... surely Sheffield United can be beaten on. Sunday?

With all due respect if you think we have got a few brilliant players you must be watching different games to everyone else.

Failure to do so will mean, it will be very difficult to get any reliable decent players in, and thus another cycle of mediocrity will start again.

But let’s hope that in the last three games the results fall for Everton, unlike today.

I support the club I love by giving them my money, by taking holidays to follow them all over Europe and the USA. If they are not fulfilling their part of the contract I am entitled to express my opinion.

If you are happy to roll over and accept what we have seen this season then great, I'm sure the club will love your accepting non critical attitude, but you are not helping. You need to be realistic in your support.

I haven't called for CAs head in fact I have supported the case for giving him at least 1 more year. But that does not mean I am not allowed to be openly critical of his methods, style of play and lack of man management skills when I feel it necessary.

I do hope whoever gets a ticket v Wolves lets the manager and the players etc know exactly how we feel about them wearing the blue shirt and leaves them under no such delusions about what we think about they threw away all those home games and the atrocious lack of goals this season

You make some fair points. I think the big disappointment tonight is that we’ve finally run out of games in hand and that goal difference has finally caught up with us. Other than Spurs the teams above us have an easy run as do Arsenal. So the European dream is suddenly looking like a long shot. Like yourself I’m not blaming Carlo, I think he’s done the best he can with this bunch. It’s more than I’ve got years of frustration and here’s another reminder of all our wayward expenditure with the RS there to rub it in.

Seriously what club do you see buying Rich for 35 million or more? The top clubs in Spain and Italy are insolvent. Inter can’t even pay their wages. The Chinese gravy train is over, and elsewhere in Europe only Bayern and PSG spend that kind of cash. I doubt he’s good enough for either at that price. I don’t see any of the big six viewing him as an upgrade either. So outside of some random team like Palace going for broke, I don’t see where that kind of bid based on his form would come from.

Whilst we got results from the first four games we could have been forgiven for having cautious optimism that Carlo was weaving some magic.

Enter the next four games, the illusion was shattered and the season has been similarly up and down all season.

I had said early that the performances were those of a mid-table team and so it will prove as they will finish probably outside the top six.

The highlights have been few save for taking 4 points from RS, the performances of bargain buy Godfrey and the turnaround in form of DCL.

Carlo has a lot of work to do if next season will see a big improvement.

Some players just don't have the speed, skill on the ball nor intensity on a consistent basis to get good command of many opponents.

Ancelotti has managed to be unbeaten against the shite, spurs and arsenal this year. We haven't won so many away games since we last won the league.

We are at the end of a pandemic and people are advising supporters to vent their fury when we allow fans back in!

We are watching pragmatic results driven football played out by relatively strong defenders, abysmal midfielders and decent strikers with no strength in depth in the squad.

At least we have something to play for at the end of the season which is more than can be said under Silva, Koeman and Allardyce.

Too negative ? I don’t think so but then how stupid am I and you lot. I was watching very few nibs for the Wolves ballot result and made up when it arrived with a positive. Why? It’s just the way it is supporting this club. Cannot change the fanatical stupidity. Depressing isn’t it. Staysafe everyone this bloody Indian variant doesn’t sound fun at all. But then I had my first Latte outside today after 15 months shielding, and a sly sausage bap. It was sensational !

Being more adventurous without our first choice 11 has resulted in defeats.

I just hope we buy players with pace and guile in the summer as we are light years away from the top teams. We have players that would struggle getting a game for sheff United but we are stuck with them.

Of the regular players Seamus, Digne, Davies, Allan, Godfrey and Gomes have yet to score this season. Iwobi and Doucouré have three goals between them in league games. Six league goals have come from the centre backs, principally from set pieces. That leaves the majority of the goal scoring burden falling on the front two plus Sigurdsson and when he is fit to play, James. Unless and until we can add more fire power from the squad as a whole we will struggle to achieve comfortable wins. Virtually every game we play is fraught with difficulty, decided by one moment of quality or a mistake by the opposition. Comfortable victories seem beyond us.

Sunday’s game against already relegated Sheffield United is an opportunity to interrupt the trend with a convincing win.

Without Rodriguez we have no creativity and little flair. To be successful we have to be defensively sound, as we were tonight and sieze the few chances we create, which we couldn't. Therein lies the season. Ancelotti knows all this very well. If we push forward and play expansively we would still fail to score many and leave ourselves totally open. So this is the best solution, unfortunately.

Motm for me was Allan, followed by Godfrey. Richy looked dangerous without actually being dangerous, again. DCL tried hard but it didn't come for him tonight. The defence was solid, Pickford untested. Coleman was awful early on but improved. Doucoure took a while to get into the game, I thought he'd get pulled for Davies on the hour mark, along with Gylfi who was stale. But, when you're sending on Iwobi and Gomes to try and salvage a win then you're short on options.

Ancelotti's reluctance to use his bench speaks volumes as to the true strength of the squad. This is no surprise to anybody watching us the last couple seasons and shows the scale of the task to bridge the gap to where we feel we should be.

Rarely (if ever) did I succeed, but my bank balance took a real hit, ergo I realised I was a deluded prick who'd merely proved to anyone interested (as if!) that I hadn't a clue as to how the mating game worked.

But I wasn't even old enough to vote at the time.

By the time I was, I was richer and, generally, sated.

So it took me a year or so to sort out the fundamentals admittedly, but I'd have expected a bloke now as old as me, and wealthy when he bought in, with years of close association with Arsenal's boardroom shenanigans to boot, to have got to grips with the reality of Premier League football clubs way quicker than five years.

If Moshiri keeps spending and listening to those who beguiled him in the first place he'll just end up getting screwed, again and again, in the very last way he wants (or we need/deserve).

Ciao!

Sorry to hear that, Don. I got plenty and spent almost nothing ;)

In fact, going further, it’s probably down to Unsworth, Jeffers and the rest of Bills Ball park chums that we ever got to this mess in the first place!!!

Seriously though - 170 posts and no ones criticised Davies or a Holgate, that must be a record.

Yes that is about right. Two home games against lesser league teams and Man City away.

I once knew a Butcher and Breadman who owned a greyhound called Scurlogue Champ. They celebrated when a Englishman bought the dog which they reckoned was a ejitt. Scurlogue Champ won every race it was enter into after that from last place on the final turn , until it was up against Ballyregan Bob. It decided as it had done with them to turn round and wait for the hare to come round. They both celebrated.

Wonder what they think of the above being both Everton Supporters. I

You Tube Ballyregan Bob v Scurlogue Champ

He must be getting close to double figures. for his career to date.

Aston Villa, like a week ago, where there for the taking and once again we fall short. The players simply are not good enough for Everton let alone Europe. Subs were shite. And makes the night worse with that shower of shits winning. Spawny bastards.

There is a reason why Andre Gomes has only scored once in three seasons. And today proved it with them chances. Especially the first one. James or even Sigurdsson dare I say buries that. But dopey arse puts it in row Z.

For me it would be a mistake to give Sigurdsson a new contract. Even with lower wages. Take any offer that comes for him. Delph and Iwobi can just fuck off anywhere to be honest.

As much as I like Richarlison. This has been his worst season since being here. A year ago. Barca wanted him for £80 million. Fucking hell based on this season who would want to buy him.

Coleman, again as much as I love him. Shows that if he is the starting right back for the first game of the season. Then it is not a good sign from Brands.

Just fed up of football lately. Everton boring the life out of me, officials who are as corrupt as broad daylight and the commentators. I mean has the Everton squad tag teamed Hinchcliffes missus or something? Throws a few petty digs at us the prick. Then again who doesn't.

No but wherever we finish this season we finish. One of them. This squad needs to sorted out ASAP. However we don't win our final two home games then this squad really is as bad than what I thought they were.

It wasn't until the last 5 minutes (+ injury time) that we looked as though we wanted to win. Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin were having their every other game of not knowing what the other was doing. If Davies had had the game Doucoure did then the usual knockers would be calling for blood or having him sold off, we seem only able to play through Digne and the hourly substitution seems to be written into the playbook.

Difficult to criticize any of the defence and Allan and Sigurdsson had good games but nothing up front that overly worried Villa.

Season over, just the numbers to be rounded off.

Four points from six away to West Ham and Villa would have been decent if we hadn't screwed up so many home games.

Anyways I’m going to be controversial, but I think Ancelotti isn’t good enough and will be sacked By the end of next season

Yes he’s been a success in the past, but I fear he is past his sell by date in terms of where Moshiri wants us to be long term and deserves for the level of investment he has given into the team

In the modern game, you need to be on the front foot more than ever, you need to have intensity, athleticism & pace to compliment the likes of James. Obviously I’m only stating the obvious and you guys will say he’s been dealt a harsh card with the squad we have here.

But so many of his decisions have baffled me. Today Tom Davies should have stayed in the team, with Allan and dacoure ahead. We don’t have a right sided player with games missing and Walcott out on loan, but I’m sick of him bringing on iwobi only to play him out wide right when he just isn’t suited to it. I know he’s the whipping boy on here for most, but for me he’s never ever been given a run in his position, today I’d have preferred him to siggurdson, behind rich & Dom, him being the link player & at least he has legs and cub run. Gilfy is good for certain games but wasn’t the right pick for today.

I said it last time, but I seriously think it is Ancelotti’ training methods that are causing so many muscle injuries this season. I know we’ve had our usual serious injuries that u can’t do much about, but go and read why he was sauced at Bayern. Robben said his kids training was more productive, and 5 players went against him, and Robert lewandoski (however u spell his name) mentioned he blamed Ancelotti for his training methods for the muscle injuries

I do think if we had James Allan and doucs fit most the season, that we we would have been a lot better, but unfortunately for us, James and Allan I’m sad to say will for me never go a full season staying injury free, Allan has so much miles on the clock, due to his age now and the nature of his aggressive play, and James has always been injury prone.

We need to invest more and more, on players who are young hungry and athletic, like Godfrey. As Moyes use to make. These players tend to eb durable and we can’t afford to have so many luxury players like we have. I am so so bored of watching us. It’s so tedious. I feel so sorry for josh king. I truly think he’s been truly underused, especially not giving him at least half hour run outs in games. Yes we can nick games and have fantastic away results against the big boys playing the Ancelotti classic Italian smash grab footy, but there’s a reason why we struggle when we need to be on the front foot against the small
Boys

I said I won’t type an essay and here I am. I don’t know what we do. We can’t keep sacking managers I know. But I just think the modern
Managers like Klopp pep Tuchell will always be a step ahead of Carlo now. Maybe he can bring a coach in who can help him, and him being a more of a figurehead and to attract the big names. I don’t know. But if you see players yes worked with in the past, what they say, they all say he’s a nice guy as great man manager blah blah blah, but then all say he more or less left them to it and let trusting players to sort out the tactics

What I’d give to now even have dealafou on the right and lookman on the left. I actually miss Kevin mirrals lol, for me he’s far far far more talented than Richarlison.

Richarlison & Dom have proved to be excellent signings, but they for me don’t have the technical ability vision awareness etc to ever be elite. If we could get 80 odd mill each for the pair fo them, like we have at times, seen linked with other clubs, I’d snap their hands off

Anyways I’m sorry guys, it’s silly o’clock and I’m just not that good at articulating what I want tk say, I end up waffling as I have but I tried and I hope you guys got the gist of what I’m saying or trying to

I’m an Evertonian from London, who has bros who follow Arsenal & Spurs, and have had mickey taken saying we was to small to not be asked for the super league etc. I mean Spurs…it hurts!

I’ve followed us since 1992 and I don’t know any Everton fans here, and always fighting a loan battle for us. So this is my fave site to come and interact with you guys, but only lately I decided to post messages

Farhad#187

Your post is a year too late.

Farhad (187) Your fourth paragraph is correct. The signings of Allan and James were essentially short term acquisitions with proven ability. They were designed to lift the team into the top half of the table. Had they stayed fit for more of the season quite possibly we would now be sitting comfortably in the top six.

As regards Ancelotti’s training methods some players, generally the younger ones, seem to have no problems. Those who have repeatedly broken down, most notably Mina and James, have had longstanding problems which cannot attributed to Ancelotti.

When Ancelotti said that the performance was good in the post match interview I knew he was thinking more in terms of motivation for the remaining games. He was honest when he said Everton have to get nine points from the remaining games to get European Football, though a tad unconvincing.

For me, the decision over Sigurdsson's contract will be very telling. On the left wing most play had to go backwards , because Sigurdsson did not successfully get in front of his marker, most of the time hiding behind him making himself not available. Watched him all game doing this. Even if he had been available he would have passed backwards on receiving the ball.

Colman was knackered from the start. Got three opportunities, in two cases because of good play by Holgate, to whip in a cross early on and ballooned everyone of them. Allan and Doucoure where outplayed by Maginn in midfield and where lucky that Bartley was lethargic.

Everton defence was afraid to push up, because they where afraid of being caught for pace. Villa had space all day to play in front of them, except for last period of the second half. Being on the front foot has disappeared after the West Ham game. It was noticeable that rare injections of pace by Godfrey really troubled Villa. In the first half the Everton spirit was half hearted, making a poor Villa team look good.

Richarlison has to come inside onto his right foot to get a shot away. Villa in the two games successfully had a back up marker to prevent this. They gave him space all day long on the his left to run into a blind channel. He does do alot of pressing, but does not have the ability to make a final third pass, which is extraordinary for a Brazilian. .

Gomes is a second tier Spainish player and never will be any more than that. There was worse on the bench. Having beat West Ham Everton have now handed them European qualification.

Ancelotti's last hope for change is the European Conference League and this squad looks not up to qualifying for it. Roll on into another season of hope seems the most likely. Ancelotti won't be happy finiishing out of the top six for the second time in his career.

Personally, it has been an extremely frustrating season, one in which we promised so much early on but delivered so little.

Usually our issue has been against the 'top 6' sides but bizarrely we seem to habe more success against the better sides and struggled in games we should be winning.

With a better squad where we can manage the workload of players like James and Allan we should kick on next season.

Farhad, I do agree with you on Richarlison, he isn't a 50m player at the moment, he frustrates the life out of me. So much potential but I detest how miserable he looks at all times. He looks like he thinks he is better than being at Everton whereas, in my view, he currently isn't good enough to be anywhere else.

I'm hopeful of a good summer window.

Like I said a few days ago on another thread, I will be glad when this season is over and we can start afresh, with some new faces and new tactics and ideas, we have become so predictable to many sides in the Premiership.

Richarlison, looks like he wants to be sunning himself off in Spain most of the time, his inept finishing has been a major reason for a lot of our dismal performances, his petulant attitude stinks. Carlo has a massive job in front of him if he is to find the right players to turn us into a team that can compete with the top teams, we are light years away at the moment.

Tape this weeks save you watching the sheff utd game

Cautious Carlo indeed... in fact, very cautious Carlo.

The last few minutes of the game was a very big indication that the game was winnable with just a bit more adventure as was shown with a lot more positive effort. Even Michael Keane jumped over his safety barrier and joined in with a couple of runs out of his safety net and made a couple of good passes forward.

Too little, too late; a bit of a trait of yours, Carlo. Another black mark against you and your tactics. again whatever they were, although Moyes would have given a nod of approval to them, keep it tight and Knick one, your tactics are well known Carlo, we had 11 years of watching and suffering with them. Not good enough, I'm afraid, are you able to change them?

Go on, Carlo, have go, you'll have to change them for the Wolves game, only 6,000 attending but they'll soon give your ears a bashing if you play this sleepy-time football.

Was it because of fear of losing the 1 point to a counter-attack? Too conservative.

We are drowning in mediocrity. My hope is the fans coming back next season will inspire all concerned and inject some passion and urgency. It's badly needed.

Villa are no mugs. My booze addled mind seems to recall them trying to stretch us and us keeping our shape nicely and repelling them quite easily as well. A broken play that gave them a good chance to Mings was the only defensive blemish I really remember. I also dimly recall Atkinson booking Traore for diving and thinking Atkinson was going to have a good game for once!

As I said, I was bladdered. As drunk as a lord.

I thought McGinn was absolutely enormous for them, and they really started to turn the tide for a long spell in the second half. Set piece after set piece, and then I thought Ancelotti made the right changes to give us a foothold back in the game. Indeed, the last ten minutes we looked by far the most likely, probably evidenced by the horrid time wasting the Villans put on to lock up the point.

It just seemed as if we concentrated so hard on not getting broken down or conceding we didn't really look adventurous enough to go and win the game. That was a little odd, there was very little to lose, but the chances we started to engineer towards the end seemed to indicate an earlier adventurous approach may have yielded results.

But really, I saw two very evenly matched teams largely cancel each other out. I thought we shaded the balance of play but by no means deserved to win, a draw was more than a fair result. On a drizzly May day where virtually none of the players looked remotely interested in being there - honourable exception Godfrey and Seamus - it wasn't an unexpected result or a particularly poor performance.

Make of that what you will I guess. For my part, I will aim to be just as pished the next time Atkinson refs one of our games. The alcohol certainly helped me stay calm on that score. And as I said, I was under the impression that we actually played alright albeit with ultimately little inspiration or end product.

TL:DR – Drinking a fifth of top shelf before the game makes Everton much easier to watch.

For sure, we are playing a defensive game; but we have a terribly unbalanced team to play a back 3. We have full-backs, not wing-backs, and we are short of specialist wide midfielders.

We have a gap between the defence and midfield and our two forwards and that is why they are looking so poor. Having Doucouré back really improved things but we need new blood to make this poor midfield unit a functioning Top 6 unit.

Liverpool looked right back at their best last night and Man Utd will spend big in the widow so Top 4 for us next season is a really big ask.

It really looked like a work in progress. Carlo seems to have low expectations after trying out every permuation and I think it is clear that he doesn't think we have enough quality to challenge higher than 7th or so.

He seems intent on not losing and really not risking losing a point (which I think he went there to get). He has worked out that 6 points from our remaining 2 home games will be enough to get European football. He had better win them then.

To add insult to injury, the football end product is dire.

You couldn't make it up – but, year-in & year-out, we do. Either through having no money or, when we do have cash, wasting most of it on poor signings. We always end up trophieless or 'just out of the running' at best.

Posters will point to successes against Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal, but even the relegated clubs can usually point to one or two scalps against the Sky 6 over a season. We are showing a 'small club' mentality big time.

Last night's limp display just about encapsulated the season.

As usual, we will soon have a transfer window to look forward to, followed by the inevitable disappointing season. Another groundhog season on the way. I only hope that we can hold on to Godfrey, but fear that it is the likes of Iwobi and Delph who are more likely to be on show in August, plus a couple of injury-prone overseas acquisitions to excite the fans for a few matches.

Like a number of older Blues, I am increasingly asking myself why I bother. But we have the ultimate 'Everton that' fixture to look forward to on Sunday. A relegated side that can't score. You know what happens next. Can't wait.

As usual, bad lack of quality. Usual suspects guilty of being wasteful and not being good enough.

See where sacking another manager gets us, see who can make shit players better.

As usual, the majority spend so much time over-rating shite like Gomes when it dawns that he's been here too long and we have had another frustrating season.

Like Schneiderlin (hardly dawned on anyone Man Utd don't sell class to us, it's the other way around) the "Rolls-Royce" shout was about and, before that, McCarthy covered every blade of grass... blah blah. Hyped up thoughtless shite from fans that love to blame managers.

So let's get another in, sounds a great idea. Get him to polish some turds, send Richarlison to Oz for a brain and make Sigurdsson's legs move quicker.

One that can control Calvert-Lewin's feet when there's a one-on-one – surely there's a manager in this day and age that can do that?

One that can accept a shite signing like Iwobi and make his feet more curvy for a decent cross.

Always the same old manager bullshit while comparing average performers to other average performers over and over again.

Fans who call Allan a non-footballer when he plays more forward balls than the rest of our midfielders put together.

Ironically, a few weeks ago, the same fan said we should have celebrated the return to football after playing well in the game, same game Allan returned – you couldn't make that shite up.

Blame Carlo coz fans who thought Gomes and Schneiderlin were class and argue the toss over Tom Davies by comparing him to average players, say Carlo is useless.

With another season almost done and nothing to show for it, one wonders if Carlo really has anything left to offer this club, despite his tenure elsewhere.

I am tired of seeing a timid approach to most games which sees the opposition play with as much freedom as they do.

There are weaknesses everywhere that need strengthening but will things change? I am not so sure.

Watching yesterday did nothing to show they have improved since Day One of the season with the same old ploy.

Yes, they should have won in the end but they didn't show any intensity until they realized time was slipping away.

You just know the next game against the Blades will be another ''borefest'', even if they win it, but the horse has bolted and so has the Top 4.

The only positives for me now would be Chelsea to win Champions League and finish 5th with the RS 4th... if that was to happen, the 4th place team drops down to the Europa League so Chelsea could defended the Champions League. The Europa Conference League place would then go to 8th...

I know I am sounding totally fucking desperate!

When we broke, where was Sigurdsson? Alongside Allan. Give me Gomes any day of the week.

We get the occasional highs but overall the standard is not good enough. Quite simply, there are too many players who do not have the quality levels needed for us to push on, regardless of who the manager is.

The honest assessment is that we were never really in with a real shout of the Top 4. We have improved the quality this year but not enough to impact the team enough plus injuries etc.

Interesting summer ahead (hopefully).

Grealish comes on for Villa and looks exceptional; when you see their win ratio when he is in the team, you realise what a difference he makes.

We haven't got a deadly winger or a deadly striker, we have a good winger (off form at present) and a good striker. The trouble is that good will keep you in mid-table and exceptional will get you in the Top 4. We have just had only good players for too long.

The defence is fine but the midfield needs two exceptional players to play, week-in & week-out.

Also, our entire organization needs an overhaul. When I think of great sports franchises in America it is almost always the same ones in every sport that are at the top - year after year. Here every league has a cap on how much a team can spend on players so you cannot outspend your competition by a large degree.

These teams are constantly in the hunt for titles because these organizations are the best run:
They have a culture that demands excellence from the boardroom, to the team to the players and coaches to the people who clean the bathrooms.
They will not add a player who does not measure up to the culture and get rid of those do not fit.
They fully fund the most advanced scouting and analytics departments.
They provide the best medical care and training facilities.
They have a long-term plan for winning year after year.

I see you use the dreaded word (hope) twice in a very short post.

How about we start a campaign to replace the club's Latin motto with a new one:

“Non est quod te interimet spem”?

I couldn't have put it better myself. The manager is doing a good job with the pieces he's got to work with. Most of them absolutely stink.

Does anyone actually think that many of our players would get into the Wolves, Southampton, Leeds, Arsenal starting 11s? Might be a good exercise actually for a separate thread. (Build combined starting 11s from some of the teams below us and see how shit our squad really is.)

There's only so much polishing of turds you can do.

At least 2 more years for Carlo for me, and then see where we are. If it's still 8th-10th, then maybe we could look at changing direction. Sacking him any time soon will accomplish nothing.

That may be the get-out card. It is desperate times to keep Ancelotti on track.

Mike #216,

That is probably the motto of most posters on ToffeeWeb. This squad of players are more persistent than determined though. The difference being between status quo rather than improvement and adapatiblity. All we can do is to hope for positive change. Ancelotti has tried hard, but you can only flog a dead horse for so long.

I end up resorting to what I am ranting about, which is the same old opinion same old story.

Its like nobody learns or demands the best we can possibly get. The calls for Aarons and Ivan Toney, imagine paying £30M for Aarons. Toney has less pedigree than West Broms forward.

It's soul destroying and lacks ambition. We bought players with good pedigree last summer and that should be the standard. £30M for Aarons is just ridiculous (if that is the fee, of course) but thats what the quotes and rumours usually say.

We are always going to fall short with desires like that.

James, Godfrey, Allan and Doucouré have been the best things about this season. Imagine how excited they must be hearing our faithfull call for some more Championship players.

You can't argue with 4 points from two away games but it does feel underwhelming. Would love to win the home games and then spoil the city party. We will finish somewhere between 6th and 10th.

Buy players to add winning to the defensive rigidity and we can do something next season. And put Richarlison back on the left. His contribution was miles better there.

We chant the same old mantra towards the end of every season. At least the fans are consistent, just like our team: consistently bad to mediocre.

God Bless the fans for enduring 25+ years of misery.

Opinions on Allan's performance last night seem to vary. I'm in the “I thought he had a decent game” camp. Though if Tom Davies had been playing, he would probably have got forward more often. Also, I'm still not convinced he's fully fit.

I thought Allan and Godfrey were the only 2 players to put a decent shift in last night.

We all have our favourites but Holgate is so passive lately that I didn't even notice he was playing until after the 30-minute mark.

When Davies was playing against West Ham, we saw a different, better Allan who challenged higher up the pitch knowing there was cover behind him. I don't know why Carlo seems reluctant to try Davies, Allan and Doucouré in the same side. Allan and Doucouré would press high up the pitch which would create space and opportunity for the front 2 or 3.

Playing Sigurdsson in midfield is pointless, he becomes a passenger for 80 minutes.

He lost out on no fewer than 12 of his duels, the most lost out of any player on the pitch. He failed to record a single clearance or interception, and he also lost possession of the ball on 8 separate occasions in the match, earning him a very measly 6.4 overall rating on Sofascore, the lowest out of both sets of players.

I saw him abandon the defensive line and go forward on several occasions, and get caught forward, where he displayed the turning circle of the Titanic and was passed easily by the breaking Villa midfield.

The surprise is that we did so well last night, not so badly. Were I Tom Davies, I would look for a move; we insult him in how we treat him.

Poor game from Allan, I agree.

If you think Tom is a better player, you should both look for a move.

A perversely fantastic last paragraph. I can almost feel your pain as you typed that. Golden.

On reflection, over the years Everton have had far too many who flatter to deceive and after a few games they fade far too easily to just being average and pocketing the big wages.

Gomes and Allan are the ones that come to mind this season, even allowing for the injuries they had, and it just seems that Richarlison is another whose star is fading.

We could also pencil in James and Mina who, because of niggling injuries, are both missing too many games.

Does someone do homework on players before we sign them to ensure their previous injury record hasn't been much of the same or is only after they sign for Everton that they continuously need sick notes?

It is hard for any manager to get a settled formation when these injuries occur but when you have a really deep squad of class players (like Man City), you can still be at the top. Everton, however, do not.

I believe that we are no better now than when Moyes left or, say, the last few years of his tenure. None of the managers since have done better, the general standard of players we've bought are no better, and our development of players has become worse. This is despite getting a massive injection of cash.

We have wasted millions on incompetent managers, players and Directors of Football... and for what?

What has been one constant throughout this absolutely tragic period in the club's history. Bill Kenwright has been in charge throughout and the buck stops with him. I've defended him many times and for good reason (at times). I don't believe that there's any other club without the income of Man Utd that has wasted so much money they didn't have.

The poison at Everton starts right at the top and the only answer is a purge from the top down, and not only Bill Kenwright but every other one of his ex-Everton cronies still at the club. Kenwright is a great bloke and the ex players who he's provided jobs for are legends but the Premier League is a professional league and we are still an amateur club.

A case of identity theft surely? Has someone hacked into your account?

Sorry for the sarcasm, Martin, but I agree (unbelievably) with about 90% of what you say. I have to disagree about getting rid of Brands because, if you employ a Director of Football. you have to give them time. It is an absolute nonsense to do otherwise.

The other thing I disagree with, maybe not in transfers spent, but there are simply about 17 to 25 top-flight teams with an equally depressing recent history (let's go with 30 years): Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leeds (okay, not 30 years), Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland... etc.

Andy @242, When the same things keep happening, no matter how much money you spend and whoever you appoint as manager, then it seems logical that there's something inherently wrong at the heart of the club?

We need to get back to a 5 man midfield which at least should see us compete for the 2nd ball better.

Pickford
Coleman Kean Godfrey Digne
Dukes Allan Davies Siggy Richy
Dcl

I don't have a clue how Kenwright is personally, probably a total asshole as people in his position usually are. It was just a lead-in to say, despite that, he certainly isn't a truly professional in terms of what we need him to do now.

I think that he did a wonderful job keeping the club running when we could have gone down but he isn't what we need now. That isn't an opinion (:-)), it's the track record of the things that have happened since we became a club that wasn't constrained by cash.

I think it's fair to say that what I say is opinion unless stated otherwise. I'd hope that I'd always justify any opinions. I really hope that they make a twat of me and prove me wrong.

The football has been, on the whole, poor to watch: KITAP1, but Carlo is playing the deck of cards he is holding, and he is playing that hand as good as any manager would be able to.

At the very least, I think it is fair to give Carlo the benefit of the doubt and let him have another window. He's already alluded to knowing the shortcomings and what he wants. Taking on the Everton job was not an instant fix at all, I think all would agree. This season has to be viewed as a stepping stone.

Next season, I am confident that Ancelotti and Brands will have three or four new first-team players that will see us improve again, both in terms of league positioned quality of play.

Ian E, I can understand your frustrations, we all share them, but Carlo deserves a bit of faith and the club needs togetherness for a change.

Give Carlo this window, get behind him and the team, and reassess next season where we are at.

Does Carlo have any imagination?

Not with you there. What is the difference?

Everyone would like to see gung-ho out-and-out attacking football but you need the players to do it. Everton don't; once injuries start coming, the squad is weak.

Everton are starting to get one of the strongest defenses in the league; with a couple of new players, they will become stronger. We still need more strength on the right-hand side of the attack.

We may not get many in at the next transfer window but it will be interesting to see what type of player is brought in. It will be more interesting to see who they can sell or give away.

And what has happened to our star strikers, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison??? They have turned to utter shite under his teutelage.

Sorry... but NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

I agree.

Michael

"Sorry... but NOT GOOD ENOUGH" – That's YOUR individual take on it. All down to opinion.

I still believe he needs two more (summer) transfer windows to turn this team/club around. We have too many heartless, soulless, cowardly players who need to be moved on and replaced by people who are not only skilful but brave as well.

Richarlison and DCL will improve once they have to stop coming back to their own box looking for the ball.

Your opinion, that's all... but mind you "Not good enough" isn't even an opinion as it has no standard to judge it against.

Michael, you are really part of the Everton problem. How you are a part of a platform to discuss Everton issues rationally is beyond me.

And if anyone thinks Doucouré should be in that list, then you are delusional. The worst player I have seen for a very long time. Nothing in his armoury apart from looking busy; can't pass, can't tackle, can't shoot, can't stay in position... Apart from that, he isn't too bad.

The whole strategy needs to start again. That's even if they have one... it's not evident in the players we have bought to date.

One more loss out of the next three and Leeds and Villa will finish above us as well... embarrassing!

We bought ready-made talent in the hope they would have a galvanising effect and immediate impact. To finish outside the European places will be just not good enough, cos none of those boys will be as good next year. Allan will be 30, James... god knows, and I really can't see Doucouré having the lungs to charge around the way he did this season.

So £50-odd million quid spent, and the value on those players in a couple of years will be zero. Moyes wouldn't have bought any of them for exactly that reason. If he brings in another bunch of late-20s Fancy Dans... we are in the shit.

WHEN???

Come on, Kevin!

Something to build from. I think, though, they could do with competition, so if we can find one, bring them in.

Maybe, I'm suffering from Moyes-esque limited expectations but we are in the mix for a European place, so I'm not as unhappy as I might be. If Ancelotti secures one, he's a success; if not, he's a failure... and I don't imagine you'd need to tell him that.

I'd still give him a go next season, but think again next season if he's been given the players and hasn't managed it. Personally, I think he's alright.

JEEZ!!

Funny, I feel exactly the same way about you, Martin. But that only shows how magnanimous one of us is.

He is aged 24, young for a top flight centre forward. He has scored 21 goals this season. He is a level-headed lad with a great attitude. He has improved every season, there is no reason to suggest he won't continue to do so.

We have watched him develop, and had to live with his shortcomings during that time. Why on Earth would we to see him go now?

I was pointing out that we have not bought players who will improve in performance or value. Unlike in previous years. It was high risk and it hasn't paid off.

How he hasn't won anything, given the magnificent squad he was left with, is beyond me.

My own view was that he was absolutely awful, but trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, has still got me worried about his physical capabilities now, because it genuinely took me back to my Sunday league days, to try and remember the last time I saw a central midfield player, get caught on the wrong side of his opponent, as much as Allen did on Thursday night.

Yes, he was gambling like mad, just reckless. And when he missed, he was leaving the whole field behind him. And worst of all, having messed up he wasnt busting a gut to get back behind the ball.

On another note, I just read Carlo is on £223k a week!! That's almost £12M a year!

Any midfielder who is not busting a gut to get back, after being caught on the wrong side, is either called Schniederlin, or must be shattered.

That's why I couldn't understand why Davies, never got brought on the other night.

He looked like an old man to me in the home game v Villa. Then he was very good at West Ham and was good in parts v Villa away but also woeful in others. He's got two years left on his contract for me to make my mind up.

Thomas (283), do you remember reading that about Ugly in the pink Echo?

My apologies for not being clearer in my DQ post. When I say you are part of “the platform” I mean that you are part of the team that runs the site (much appreciated too): I'm definitely not part of the platform, just a mere poster.

You are of course entitled to your opinion but I'm sure you agree that you tend to drive a negative agenda? As part of the team though, would it not be better to do this by being as balanced as possible in articles and putting your reasoned views across in the threads as they develop?

I would say that most contributors aren't irrationally negative (as I believe supporters should not be) and I believe that it is, or was once, board policy not to be so?

That is not that we should not be critical; well-reasoned constructive criticism when due is essential. I hope that you take this as constructive criticism and thank you for being so magnanimous.

I do mate.
Still laughing at your reference to him in the pink every time I think of it.
Many, many years ago Dave.

Your reply to Smiths column something along the lines of
"thats all ok. Why have you got a photo of Rumpole of the Bailey at the top of your column"

😂 😂

I thought that was probably what you meant but found myself unconstrained in responding as posted.

And that's obviously the problem here. I say what I think about what I see and what I hear and what I read. You label that as "a negative agenda". You'll accept "balanced articles", "reasoned views", and – this one always tickles me pink – "constructive criticism" but you can't abide the dreaded "negativity" about our beloved club, its players, its manager, its coaches, its board...

I can only assume you are being a little playful on this thread, what with your strange character twists and turns that would do Jekyll and Hyde proud. So I'm not sure how seriously to take this nonsense but the "negativity" tag is usually wielded seriously by those who believe its poisonous agenda as a blanket label to silence the unpalatable truth.

I think the barometer should be calibrated not for negativity or balance or reason or constructiveness – it's really more about honesty. Are you being honest in what you are saying? I know I am.

I think when pressed you'll agree (well, perhaps not on reflection) that all means you just want to see stuff that fits your agenda. Well, you probably know already that's not going to happen.