On a Hiding to Nothing? 2021-22 Season Preview
In many ways, a merely competent first season could be enough for Rafael Benitez to match Carlo Ancelotti's 10th-place finish; a better-than-hoped performance from the Spaniard would yield improvement. But with none of the much-needed quality additions materialising this summer, it's hard to see Everton troubling the top six places in 2021-22
The arrival of Farhad Moshiri and his millions in 2016 heralded so much and the British-Iranian businessman's ownership of Everton may one day deliver. Certainly, the breaking of ground this week at Bramley-Moore Dock to begin construction on a new £500m stadium is a historic milestone that would not have been possible without his investment but, on the pitch, another half a billion pounds in expenditure on incoming players has actually seen the club move backwards.
The Blues approach the 2021-22 season with arguably as few prospects of cracking that frustrating glass ceiling to the top four or ending what is now the longest stretch without silverware in the club's history as ever under Moshiri's stewardship. Indeed, perhaps not since the days of David Moyes in 2004 or those couple of years of austerity under the Scot between 2009 and 2011 has optimism ahead of a new season been so low.
The departure in May of Carlo Ancelotti plunged Everton into yet more managerial uncertainty and whatever search there was for his successor led to Rafael Benitez, maybe the most divisive appointment imaginable outside of Steven Gerrard or the return to Goodison Park of Sam Allardyce. The former Liverpool boss will be the target of disapproval from an intractable section of the crowd when he takes to the dugout for the first time this weekend against Southampton, but even among those willing to give him a chance, few will have been excited by his arrival.
However, it's the worrying lack of business done to date this summer in the transfer market that is, perhaps, the greatest cause of concern among Evertonians. The likes of Theo Walcott, Yannick Bolasie and Muhamed Besic may finally have moved on along with fringe personnel in the form of Beni Baningime and Matthew Pennington but only Bernard's departure for the Middle East has realised anything by way of a transfer fee and that was around £750,000 at best.
Article continues below video content
With the club right up against — or maybe even over — the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability limit, Everton have had to sell before they could buy in any significant fashion over the close season, but a combination of bad luck and unfortunate circumstances have exacerbated the challenge of offloading unwanted players amassed over what has been five years of enormously costly and slipshod recruitment. Cenk Tosun has twice been loaned out with the hope of making a permanent move but suffered serious knee injuries on both occasions while another player is currently suspended indefinitely amid a police inquiry, thereby robbing Benitez of a playing resource or Director of Football, Marcel Brands, of a potentially sellable asset.
It means that the three acquisitions that Brands has managed to complete this summer, for a grand total of £1.7m, will not form the foundation pieces ahead of grander, higher-quality signings but will, as things stand, be the only new players in the squad when the campaign kicks off on Saturday. What happens before the transfer deadline beyond remains to be seen but none of it has set the pulses racing or given Toffees fans much hope that a top-six tilt is on the cards or even possible at all under current circumstances.
While Asmir Begovic, a free transfer from Bournemouth, will provide solid backup and competition for Jordan Pickford, he is not expected to play a significant number of matches this season. Andros Townsend, who also arrived on a free, and Demarai Gray, picked up on the cheap from Bayer Leverkusen, will be heavily involved and, on the evidence of Everton's three pre-season games, they could prove to have been savvy additions.
Townsend brings years of top-flight experience from his time at Crystal Palace and Newcastle as well as an impressive work ethic and positivity to the dressing room. He is also an underrated provider of ammunition from the flanks so his link-up with Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to be a fruitful one.
Gray, meanwhile, injects that vital ingredient of pace into what has arguably been one of the most pedestrian sides in the Premier League and that, if nothing else, will offer a valuable attacking outlet for a side that struggled going forward last season. The 25-year-old has yet to fulfil the rich potential that persuaded Leicester City to edge Everton for his signature in 2016 but he is expected to be relied upon heavily this terms so will get plenty of opportunity to prove his worth.
Prior to last Saturday's shambolic friendly defeat at Manchester United, the early indications under Benitez looked encouraging. The Blues looked useful at times against Millonarios and Pumas, matches they won on penalties and 1-0 respectively, with the new boys all putting on positive displays. Gray, in particular, was impressive and did everything to bolster assumptions that he will be in the starting XI when the real action kicks off.
Defensively, the team was caught out badly at a set-piece against the Colombians and were disconcertingly porous against United but Benitez will, at least, be building on one of Everton's strongest facets from Ancelotti's only full season in charge and the return of Yerry Mina following his duties at the Copa America can only help.
Mina's compatriot, meanwhile, is one of the biggest question marks hanging over the team on the eve of 2021-22. Will James Rodriguez still be at the club on 1st September — the assumption at the moment is that he won't but suitors appear to be thin on the ground — and if he is how long will he stay fit and just how motivated will he be? The 30-year-old admits that he only signed for Everton because of Ancelotti, he has a chequered history with Benitez from their brief time together at Real Madrid, and he recently intimated that he wasn't wanted at Everton. If he isn't able to secure a move away before the deadline, how committed a player the club will have on their hands remains to be seen.
Obviously, a fit and “up for it” James, of the kind that started last season, would be a dynamic component to the team and if Benitez can massage his ego and harness that talent, he could end up having a good campaign at Everton and finally experience Goodison at its raucous best. Ultimately, if he does stay, how happy Rodriguez is will probably come down to how well the team is performing as a whole. His demeanour in the pre-season games — he was mostly on the field when things weren't clicking from an attacking perspective — didn't augur well but time will tell.
As is so often the case when the transfer window remains open for two or three weeks into the new season, it's difficult to fully assess Everton's chances given that there may be further activity in the market before the end of the month. Perhaps the most pressing need, that of a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman at right back, remains unfulfilled and there is still no reliable alternative up front to Calvert-Lewin. Moise Kean is still a Blues player but remains unproven in England.
Amid strong links to Norwich's Max Aarons and PSV's Denzel Dumfries, it seemed almost unthinkable that the right-back position could be allowed to fester beyond this summer but it does look as though the soon-to-be 34-year-old Coleman, with Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate as alternatives, will begin the new season in the role.
Even without further additions, the squad that Benitez inherited, with the two outfield additions made since he came on board, is a capable enough outfit, if one still depressingly short on genuine quality and flair. With crowds returning, the Spaniard has very little hope of repeating Ancelotti's feat of 11 away wins but he would be hard pressed to do worse than his predecessor at home.
Ultimately, if he can retain that resilience on the road while significantly lifting the team's results at Goodison, Benitez has a good chance on improving on last season's 10th-place position even if flirting with the top two, as Ancelotti was doing as late in the season as Boxing Day last term, feels a little fanciful. Given the financial shackles placed on Everton by the Premier League and, to a lesser extent, Uefa, incremental improvement would still be progress even if it is a far cry from where Moshiri's ambition and investment was supposed to have got us by this point.
With Aston Villa in the process of wisely spending their proceeds from the sale of Jack Grealish by adding the likes of Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey, a player Brands had scouted extensively over the past two years, it feels very much as though, following the strides forward Leicester have made, the Blues are falling behind yet another club promoted from the Championship within the last seven years.
Benitez would do well to finish above either team while West Ham under Moyes can be expected to be stern competition for the top seven places as well and both Tottenham and Arsenal will be looking to improve on their below-par performance in 2020-21. The top four, where Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have strengthened further, feels so far away as to barely warrant a mention in terms of previewing Everton's season. That,. essentially, is how badly we've screwed things up over the last half-decade and it feels as though given Benitez's position behind the eight ball at the outset of his tenure, he is on a proverbial hiding to nothing in his first year.
Still, football being football, there will be ups, downs, surprises and meltdowns, opportunities and pitfalls for many sides. The key is to avoid being the one that falls apart and, instead, develop an inner strength and siege mentality to ride through the campaign regardless of what is going on around you. That is said to be a Benitez strength so fingers crossed he can get some momentum going, particularly with what is a fairly favourable run of fixtures to start the season, and prove a few people wrong.
Predicted final position: 9th
FA Cup: 5th Round
Carabao Cup: Semi-finals
Top scorer: Calvert-Lewin

Reader Comments (175)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 10/08/2021 at 22:58:08
Hopes.
3 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:15:21
4 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:21:27
5 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:25:37
A squad totally devoid of pace and heart.
No left back cover.
2 X bang average wingers bought for 1.5 mil and a free.
No guile and skill in Central midfield.
Hamez will be gone by Oct.
Richie will be gone by this time next year
DCL will be gone in next 2 years if we don't make Europe.
Our director of football is directed by the foolish interfering owner.
We've blown it. The board are utterly useless, the mega rich owner is utterly clueless throwing his cash around like monopoly money and the playing squad are bang average to a man with zero depth.
In last 6 years we've had 8 manager's !!!! We're an utter basket case of a club headed in one direction.
A fool and his money are soon parted, and Mr mosheri is a fool and he's half a billion quid light as a result.
6 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:37:07
7 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:41:13
Townsend and Gray look good additions improving the pace and hopefully the final third play. As lyndon says additions are needed. I think we do need a right back and a attacking midfielder.
Gbamin staying fit would be a exciting bonus. Alan and Doucoure are key performance wise and hopefully Holgate can get back up to speed. Still think Everton need a professional finisher up front, but I think the emphasis will be on more scoring options instead.
Everton will play similar to the Ancelottis defensive formation. Maybe Benitez will be able to give offensive play a boost and stop a walk through Everton midfield.
This is the season when Everton get Real. Thats my prediction.
8 Posted 10/08/2021 at 23:51:54
There comes a time in every adult's life when you just have to realise you're being repeatedly shafted by treachery and/or incompetence and simply put false hope aside to for once look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Is this what my life has become?"
Possibly melodramatic admittedly, given we're only talking about a football business, virtually everybody but those in charge thinking of it as an intimately inclusive band-of-brothers/sisters though, but that's where we are - considered muppets by the boardroom, endlessly paying, decade after decade on the face of never realised hope.
Roll on the new season - as if, because aged 66 I've "got" Everton since 1963, but have had to do for the past thirty years under a non-existent rainbow of hope.
Who's the one boardroom incompetent present throughout those thirty years folks?
Might that bugger bear responsibility, whilst we now otherwise muse of the capabilities of DoF's, managers, coaches and players all of whom for decades have been signed under his ownership/chairmanship?
9 Posted 10/08/2021 at 00:04:12
Spot on
Its so sad and so depressing. We are so utterly shite
10 Posted 11/08/2021 at 01:06:36
Nick (6) - "Im absolutely done with Everton. Cooked" You'll be missed. Yet given you're here and on other recent threads, you can't know how much we truly miss you, if you won't FUCKING LEAVE. All the Best, Hugs and Kisses, etc.
Don (8) - 2 notes:
"repeatedly shafted by treachery" made me laugh. Nice phrase. Good stuff.
But this one, "under a non-existent rainbow of hope." Sweet. Cap doffed. Hope that wasn't cribbed, rather it came off the top of your head. A song could be written around that one.
Jerome (7) - Should have responded to yours first, just couldn't pass up the hysterics around your post. Anyway, agree on all of yours.
11 Posted 11/08/2021 at 01:46:15
13 Posted 11/08/2021 at 02:22:13
15 Posted 11/08/2021 at 04:31:55
While I don't foresee us being worse than last season, it's hard to see significant improvement, especially when the top half of the league is more competitive than ever. But you never know what might happen.
16 Posted 11/08/2021 at 05:46:02
17 Posted 11/08/2021 at 07:09:52
I think Benitez has signed players relatively well in the circumstances, but the squad has deteriorated from last year overall while most of the competing teams seem to have signed well and addressed some of their problems, which could only increase the gap.
A top 10 finish would be success in these circumstances.
18 Posted 11/08/2021 at 07:53:24
At the moment, we look like a mid table team at best, but virtually the same squad hovered around the top six most of last season, until floundering in the last ten games or so.
The damage has been done by previous managers and their choice of players, some of them moved on now, and some others to be moved on in the future.
What isnt acceptable to the club and fans, is players downing tools and not trying. They should give their all.
Im looking forward to this season. Who knows Benitez may bring about some silverware after years of us waiting for some.
19 Posted 11/08/2021 at 07:59:48
20 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:23:10
However on reflection
This time last year all TW posts were optimistic with new additions and proven manager. If memory serves me right I think we still had realistic aspirations of top 4 finish but ultimately lack of stamina/committment led to some very poor home losses.
Whats changed:
Bernard has gone (replaced by 2 better plates (IMO))
Better back up goalkeeper,
Kean back as backup/addition up front
JPG back to full fitness (hopefully)
Overall guile and pace added to squad.
Experienced Manager who is hands on and knew he was taking on a poison chalice and still was up for challenge.
Based on the above we have significantly improved the squad so why was I so apprehensive. Maybe reading too much TW threads
21 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:28:09
22 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:29:14
You don't necessarily need stars but you do need fitness, team spirit and work ethic.
If Benitez can instil those 3 qualities in the very many players coasting their way through an Everton career he will have done very well indeed. Not for next season particularly but for the longer term good of a club that has seriously lost it's way.
Whatever the case, we're a 6th to 12th sort of side, with the likely finishing place being 8th to 10th. Whether we go higher is, sadly, more likely to be down to how few goals we concede rather than how many Rodriguez creates (if he even stays at all).
23 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:39:24
Heart, character, work ethic, team spirit and possibly some clever tactics are whats needed for a successful season and none of us has a clue how those things will pan out. One thing Id say is that high wages and big transfer fees seem to have a negative effect on them.
What we need is for Benitez to boringly do his job. It lacks excitement, but a return to the Moyes-like days of 6th-8th and quarter-finals would be an improvement on what has happened since he left.
The Moyes teams were not expensively assembled, but they added up to more than the sum of their parts. For the last five years or so, weve added up to way less than the sum of our parts and decent players have looked really poor. Nearly every player in our squad can play a lot better than they did last season. If that happens, perhaps things wont be so depressing.
Either way, positivity will be more useful than negativity.
24 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:48:31
If you think youre beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you dont.
If youd like to win,
But you think you cant,
Its almost a cinch you wont.
If you think youll lose, youre lost,
For out in the world youll find
Success begins with a fellows will,
Its all in the state of mind.
If you think youre outclassed, you are.
Youve got to think high to rise.
Youve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Lifes battles dont always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or later, the man who wins,
Is the one who thinks he can.
–Walter D. Wintle
25 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:49:59
26 Posted 11/08/2021 at 08:51:12
How was this allowed to happen?
Read Don (8), he sums our current situation up very well.
The Chairman has overseen our 30 year demise.
Give Rafa a chance, hes already got one hand tied behind his back.
27 Posted 11/08/2021 at 09:00:35
We are the ultimate footballing box of chocolates - you never know what you are going to get.
One game at a time.
28 Posted 11/08/2021 at 09:09:01
If we can achieve that, we will finish in the top 6 and possibly be knocking on the door of the top 4.
29 Posted 11/08/2021 at 09:09:45
Leicester. Probably still the ones to beat and challenge the top four but for how long?
West Ham. We'll see if they and Moyes can repeat. Both have form of doing an Everton even better than Everton when there is expectation.
Tottenham. Who knows how it will go with Nuno at the helm and talisman Kane on his way out?
Arsenal. Scraped above us late on last season by 2 points. Jury still out on Arteta the manager and back at a fan-half-filled Emirates (even though they always declare full attendances every week when it clearly isn't!!). If we think we can go toxic early, they do it weekly.
Leeds. Second season syndrome? Sheffield United anyone?
Villa. Some good signings and a good team. But lost their talisman in Grealish. And more expectation on their manager now. Previously it was just survival. After last seasons 11th place exploits despite what they've spent, there is much excitement (those who know, know I have family). Another crowd that has big expectation because of history and can go toxic quickly.
So, contrary to the majority and before a ball is kicked, I'm not as pessimistic as some. None of those clubs are dead certs to finish above us. I'm drinking another cup of optimism, but it's all to play for as they say. Roll on Saturday.
30 Posted 11/08/2021 at 09:46:26
Lots of teams have strengthened or have settled sides who understand the system their manager wants them to play. So as well as the obvious candidates to finish above us I would potentially add Southampton, Brighton and Burnley to that list. Im not being a doom monger just a realist and would expect us to lose Richy and Kean before the close of the window also. The club is in some kind of fiscal crisis due to its previous profligacy and hence Benitez has been appointed to keep us in the PL until BMD gets built. I can think of no other reason for his appointment unless Moshiri has a perverse desire to piss off a large proportion of the fan base.
As always I will be cheering the team on (if they ever issue my season ticket). I cant ever see Benitez being lauded or accepted by the majority of our fans for a whole raft of reasons. I find it curious that some posters seem desperate that ‘we welcome him with open arms when 12 months ago they would have viewed his potential appointment with scorn and derision. Ancelottis reign was far from perfect but this turn of events feels like going to bed with Sophia Loren only to find she has pissed off and you are waking up with Bella Emberg.
I sincerely hope I am wrong and Benitez succeeds and prove his Evertonian credentials by doing a dance of joy at Anfield to celebrate a win for us, then I remember he is a
Kopite lover and always will be.
31 Posted 11/08/2021 at 10:27:38
Same squad that threw away a great position and crumbled against hard working teams last year will do the same again without additional character being found.
Uninspiring signings that we are pinning our hopes on that all of a sudden they look like quality players when for years they have been average at best.
Star player allegedly being told that he is surplus to requirements.
Brazilian striker hasn't had a break from footy in about 2 years.
Getting humiliated against United in a pre season game where the goalie looked like a headless chicken and players where beaten after 10 mins.
Purse strings pulled in after 5 years of waste.
New manager that 99% of fans didn't want.
Rival clubs continue to strengthen whilst we don't.
Face masks advised in stadiums.
Despite all of the above can't wait for the season to start!
32 Posted 11/08/2021 at 10:35:36
Hopefully Kean's transfer will release some funds to secure incoming players. Still seem light up front and clearly need a right back and left sided midfield.
33 Posted 11/08/2021 at 10:38:53
Top 8 IMO would be an achievement, we have a manager who actually wanted to manage us. Not a come for the money couldn't give a fuck mercenary.
We need solid battle hardened pros to turn this club around, something that HK realised when he signed Reidy et al.
We missed a trick with Ings IMO, much better finisher than DCL who appears more interested in dressing like a circus clown with his mate TD than football.
34 Posted 11/08/2021 at 10:52:15
35 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:15:49
Some may say that Benitez's influence on Finch Farm allowed the perennial pre-season holiday mode to raise its ugly head during preparation for the Man Utd match. But what the Florida Cup showed was that Benitez's coaching benefits from competitive play. I expect the team to be better when involved in competitive play.
It is good that Benitez got a taste of a lapse at Finch Farm in pre-season and will be on guard during International breaks. The longer he can keep Everton in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, the better. Benitez has the advantage of an increase in dependable, less injury-prone players in the dressing room, to counter any turns in loyalty and effort, which previous managers found themselves on the receiving end of. Benitez is not the 'laissez-faire' manager that Ancelotti was, as Lyndon correctly described.
36 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:24:22
It does feel a lot like the 2004/5 season. We'd sold Rooney - on deadline day for an initial £10m so no time to reinvest etc.
Opening day given a hiding at home 1-4 by Arsenal, live on Sky although I was watching from Asia. By the end of that season I'd be watching Everton in the Barclays trophy in Bangkok having finished 4th (I got to see Kroldrup play!).
Looking at the results that season, we went 3rd in the league on 19th September, briefly sat in 2nd (after the Carsley derby) but never dropped lower than 4th despite 1 win in the last 5 games (including the 7-0 hiding at Arsenal when Moyes joked they were still pissed from clinching 4th)...
Of course if there are more significant outgoings than incomings between now and the end of the window, it might be different, but maybe not having high expectations won't be such a bad thing.
37 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:25:58
The dealings Mr Brands manufactures in this short time frame will go some way to shaping our season especially with regards to making a serious challenge for the top six.
Kean,Rodriguez,Iwobi,Gomes,Delph,Kenny, maybe even Mina may be sold if he wants a move and we have a pacy quality replacement lined up.
If we can do outstanding business in the next 19 days the situation could look completely different. Its “watch this space” time.
Its crunch time for Marcel Brands, he has to to really earn his corn. Whats he made of?
38 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:35:38
39 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:37:21
40 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:37:26
I wonder if we have reached a commercial peak for football. With most the Spanish and Italian clubs largely in turmoil, there is a big reduction in clubs competing for transfers. Barca can't even afford to keep Messi on half his wage, let alone shell out and buy. It's a near impossible time to do what we are trying to do, offload players to create some income.
As a result, I'm with the consensus of somewhere around 10th. Any better than that and Rafa will have earned his corn. But I think the greater chance is player and fan unrest and somewhere bottom half. Hopefully not too bottom half. Maybe the poster above, who said going into a season with so little hope, at least leaves room for an upside
41 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:38:46
Can the others take a leaf out of his book and step up from their timid, pedestrian, unimaginative football?
42 Posted 11/08/2021 at 11:50:41
On the other hand, I can imagine us winning a trophy under Benitez. He's got form in that regard.
43 Posted 11/08/2021 at 12:00:34
Where we should be, had it not been for idiots spending like the proverbials drinking in a brewery. Interview with Rodgers on SkySports site today. Interesting that he also mentions that quite a few signings he doesn't even see or know about beforehand. Gives a profile to the recruitment guy and hey ho!!! Sound familiar? So why could/can we not manage that? The money we have spent should have set us up for years, if spent wisely. A fool and his comes to mind!
44 Posted 11/08/2021 at 12:02:54
I have far more respect for the managers who try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, the likes of Sean Dyche et al.
If Benitez manages to galvanise this mob hats off to him.
I hope Madrid have a terrible time of it this season coming. Ancelotti needs to go and put his feet up. He showed whilst with us that he is past it.
If we support this team well and give them a chance to gel, who knows
45 Posted 11/08/2021 at 12:06:00
46 Posted 11/08/2021 at 12:27:17
Like all Blues, I hope JPG is the player we hoped wed signed but Ive got a bad feeling that hell be another disappointing recruit. Very harsh, based on a few cameo roles, I know, but it ‘s just a gut feeling I have. Hope Im wrong. Id equally love Moise Kean to adapt and be like a new signing but, again, theres been too many false dawns to have any hope there.
I dont think Josh King or Bernard is a loss or the other one we cant mention. We must have saved wages from these three.
To not have a right back signed last year was a mistake. To have made no progress on this a full season later is madness.
I looked at the starting XI for the team which lost the final home game of two seasons ago to relegated Bournemouth. Pickford, Keane, Digne, Gomes, Davies, Coleman, Richarlison and Kean all started. Branthwaite, Sig and Walcott were the others. Were not radically different now to then and that was one of the most woeful performances I can remember.
I hoped to see the back of Holgate. Keane, Gomes, Delph and Iwobi.
47 Posted 11/08/2021 at 12:43:43
48 Posted 11/08/2021 at 13:01:11
Absolutely farcical management at all levels of the club. It's compounded by, in typical Everton fashion, winning a derby behind closed doors and then waiting for the fans to return before launching what looks like the most miserable campaign in prospect for well over a decade.
This season won't go very well because it has virtually no prospect of going well. I'm actually not sure that the FSW err incumbent Everton manager could succeed even with tremendous amounts of resources and a long and distraction free pre season here.
Benitez prospects for even modest success after the shitshow of a summer we've had and the players we've (not) signed aren't very high in my view. Scarily, all the profligacy and poor decisions of previous years are really starting to come hometo roost and at a wholly inopportune time. Someone somewhere mentioned us being in the early stages of doing a Sunderland, and I can't really satisfactorily refute any of that either. The parallels are there.
Many Evertonians have sort of written the year off in their head and have sort of placed us tenth or so and playing essentially KITAP1. I'd like to gently point out that might well be midtable hubris at this stage.
In the situation we're in - in terms of financials, the largely unchanged playing group and the alarming lack of managerial continuity - it's not hard to imagine a set of circumstances where things are just instantly not very good and then get a lot worse. Indeed, you can almost see it, anticipate it if you like.
Indeed that's my prediction. I rather suspect things will go badly, and then very badly and will quickly spiral out of Benitez control. And then all bets really will be off. There won't be any more champions league winning managers in the Everton seat for a long time after Benitez goes, put it that way.
If the Benitez card does fail, then I'm really not sure what cards - if any - the present ownership structure would have to play. So this really has to work. But it won't.
49 Posted 11/08/2021 at 13:05:03
50 Posted 11/08/2021 at 13:09:01
COYB!
51 Posted 11/08/2021 at 13:09:46
Your full of gloom and doom and may I add misinformation.
Where did you get the stat that 99% of fans didnt want Rafa
You are certainly a glass half empty person and pouring whats left down the drain.
Im a glass half full see post #20
As it stands now we are a stronger squad heading into this season compared to last and remember the optimism then.
If Rafa achieves instilling the 3 qualities that Rob identifies which were sadly lacking under Carlo why not be optimistic.
52 Posted 11/08/2021 at 13:57:26
As I now live in the East Midlands, I will spend my little time and energy on supporting my local club, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, a community owned club in the Southern League!
However, I would enjoy a surprise successful season as when Rooney left!
53 Posted 11/08/2021 at 14:33:06
More aggressive, switched on defending.
More line or through balls instead of the breath-taking cut back.
More quick pass and move play in transitions.
I think we'll stay this time - 6th.
54 Posted 11/08/2021 at 14:46:30
Even a knife to a gunfight is more useful than a big gun that only fires blanks.
Our FFP ineptitude means that Rafa joins just as it seems that we are about to resume our old 'small club' status. Oh, the irony.
55 Posted 11/08/2021 at 15:04:49
Jump forward 2 seasons and it may well be Everton in the same scenario under the management combo of Ferguson & Unsworth in the hot seat.
56 Posted 11/08/2021 at 15:06:16
But just maybe... It's pretty much the team that started so well last season and then didn't really string a consistent run of games together from about October. Plus Godfrey. And Townsend and Gray, who I think add to the squad. The starting XI this week could be the same as started against Spurs last year.
Coleman is a year older, but then so is Calvert-Lewin, so is Godfrey, so is Davies. Sigurdsson is less available, but Gomes is another year beyond his ankle injury and Gbamin appears to be fit.
So the difference is that we signed an ex-red manager?
I don't like that, but he can't be worse than the last guy?
57 Posted 11/08/2021 at 15:35:19
Our big weakness has been a lack of goalscorers throughout the team. I hope the adversity gees the players up, particularly James.
I have a feeling the season will not go as badly as some think and we will end up around 8th.
58 Posted 11/08/2021 at 16:28:27
Having improved the squad with a second goalkeeper, a freebie, and another at an astronomical £1.7M, that does appear most likely. I really don't remember the last time when I didn't at least think that the unlikely does sometimes happen.
Mediocrity? Unfortunately, and may be even at best.
59 Posted 11/08/2021 at 16:46:38
For most of last season, Everton were boring to watch and, in my view, were lucky to finish the season where we did. So, largely with the same squad of players, I fear more of the same this season.
My one positive thought concerns the appointment of Benitez, who I think in time will at least bring some much-needed organisation, even though that was sadly missing on Saturday. I would, however, like to offer the manager two simple suggestions:
(1) Please play with three midfielders so that we are not constantly overrun. I would be happy to see Ben Godfrey moved forward.
(2) Please promote young Branthwaite, as soon as he is fit and ready as I am a great believer in having a balanced right- and left-footed centre-back pairing.
Do that, Rafa, and things may look a little better.
60 Posted 11/08/2021 at 17:25:22
While I don't think our away form last year will carry over to this season, I'm hopeful that our home form picks up and we take points at home from the teams we should be taking them from (Brighton, Burnley, Brentford, etc...)
Overall, I'm a bit pessimistic about our season.
61 Posted 11/08/2021 at 18:48:18
I'd like to see Doucouré build a solid partnership in there with Gbamin, probably with Gomes. If the backwards and sideways passing starts again this season, I expect the crowd to turn nasty very quickly.
Defence is a major problem: erratic goalkeeper, slow centre-backs, and over-the hill right back. I think I'd prefer Godfrey to partner Mina here as Keane is a liability – I've never seen a professional footballer flap so much with the ball at their feet, also turns like the QE2.
Walter Smith days are here again.
62 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:13:56
63 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:18:15
64 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:20:37
65 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:27:48
I thought Keane had a generally fine season last year, and I heartily disagree that he's a "liability".
66 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:34:58
67 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:39:34
Potentially we can judge Gbamin to see if he is the midfield commander we need rather than the injury prone player we know.
I'm expecting a more settled team and formation so we can judge the partnerships, tactics and general game management.
For me this is Pickfords make or break season. Great if he proves himself as a mature commanding presence otherwise he's a gonna.
Godfrey and Holgate prove they are 1st choice or simply squad players.
James and Allan will leave if not already departed. Delph, Siggy likewise.
We may see some youth player's step up but I'm not expecting Rafa to be generous in giving kid's much of a chance.
Other than that we save money by not splashing the cash and stay within financial restrictions.
Or my preference..
We challenge any punishment the league tries to hand out and go for broke bringing in quality players in key areas we desperately need.
RB, CM, CAM / creative forward.
Other player's can still be judged ie Gbamin and Pickford, but in the knowledge we have a better 1st eleven and squad than we currently do so it's less of a rebuilding job.
Staying still is akin to a backwards step. We all know it.
I'm happy with Grey and Townsend. Exactly the position and type of players we have needed for a very long time. Pacey, energetic, attack minded.
I'm hopeful of a few more.
68 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:47:47
69 Posted 11/08/2021 at 19:55:10
Experience has taught me that every senior player on the books is disliked by someone. I openly admit that there are some players I favour more than others, but I've never vilified an Everton player, nor will I in the future.
I may well show frustration and disappointment but, as long as they're wearing the Royal Blue shirt, I'll do what supporters do, and 'support them'.
Hoping your family are all well during this dreadful period, and I'm looking forward to sharing a bottle of Guinness with you.
70 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:04:56
Just done this on the BBC website - here is my prediction for the upcoming season:
https://ranked-list-images.files.bbci.co.uk/premier-league-table-2021-final-8e0922eb60de6979beeca42d5bd70fd2.html
71 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:05:45
Predicted final position: 9th
FA Cup: 5th Round
Carabao Cup: Semi-finals
Top scorer: Calvert-Lewin
Yes!!!!!!! That'll do. Magic! Brilliant!
72 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:09:27
https://ranked-list-images.files.bbci.co.uk/premier-league-table-2021-final-180c925314e6e18fbbef49e12f3777da.html
73 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:10:20
And that's because the only consistent thing about Everton teams for at least a decade is that we are the least committed team in the Premier League. We lack application, the will to win, a system, and team spirit. Whatever is wrong will not be solved with money – it will be solved by clearing out Finch farm.
74 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:13:50
75 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:23:54
I couldn't disagree more with your assessment of Michael Keane's performances during his time at Everton.
Keane can't tackle (he is far too nice), panics in possession, reads the game poorly, can't carry the ball out of defence, and has got to be one of the slowest defenders I've ever seen. However, on the plus side, he is good in the air and has a smart haircut. Godfrey should be made captain now and installed at centre-half with AN Other (but not Mason Holgate!).
76 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:33:52
Bill #73 - "What is consistent at EFC? It seems we are dire regardless of the manager, the money we spend, the players we recruit, the teams we put out."
Well I can't think of anythi...oh wait..
77 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:35:49
For me a diehard Captain, verbal who kicks arses on the pitch is needed in any football team.
Rafa knows hes got a very tough ask, this season but lets not write off the season yet.
Mentality is key but so is game management.
Im positive that this season Everton will work harder as a team with and with out the ball.
But what they do in terms of shooting and working the goal keeper will be a concern as in my book Everton the last few seasons are guilty of overplaying in the box and miss opportunities.
But being potentially written off before the season starts and it will be a tough season, as it always is, will be too early.
Hope eternal.
78 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:35:51
We need to lobby for a trophy for being mid-table and binned early from the cups – what an end of season that would be!
79 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:42:57
If I wasn't already feeling pessimistic enough, this thread has made me totally depressed.
80 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:46:00
Now you can well argue that defending deep is absolutely essential when Keane is in the side; he is by no means quick. However, we played that way many times last season and I thought he was excellent.
I expect, hope, our tactics will be flexible, maybe even innovative, this season. I doubt we will play a high line against Man City or Man Utd or actually against many teams, so, Keane defending deep and hitting Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin with half-decent passes will come as quite a relief.
Certainly easier on the nerves than our lamentable knocking it round our own half, passing it back to Jordan who lumps it up field to start a new attack for our opponents.
81 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:48:54
I'm absolutely shocked given the money they have now that Burnley haven't improved their squad.
82 Posted 11/08/2021 at 20:51:23
If you don't score, you can't win; if the opposition scored first, we were always struggling.
It's shaping up to be a 'stay in the Premier League' type of season, in which I fancy Benitez to ring the most out of what he's been dealt. He might not be flavour of the year but I think he's a good manager.
83 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:02:46
Mark 44. Ancelotti leaving pulled the rug from everyone. We have all been misled on 'the project'. I honestly thought that we had a genuine chance of closing the gap with Ancelotti in charge. If Benitez closes the gap without money he will be a miracle worker.
Utft
84 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:09:34
Just wondering if they'll keep things low-key on Saturday or will it be a full on..
"LetzgiveabigGoodisonwelcometothenewmanagerRAFFAAAABENITEZZZZZ!!!"
(fireworks/lasers/whatever)
I mean I wouldn't dream of booing or anything but I can't see myself responding with any real passion.
'YEAH COME ON ON RAFA LAD!!" would just sound odd coming out of my mouth.
Actually I had a look round the Everton 2 shop in the week and asked an assistant "are there any Benitez t-shirts?"
85 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:09:55
Just as we began to get it sorted, we lost Gueye and Zouma, and I dont believe Everton have been able to really play on the front foot sine then, except maybe for the first few games of last season, and then it was play ugly, defend deep, and scrape a draw or a win, but even the poor teams had to much for us, if we even thought about opening up.
86 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:27:54
Rafa will improve the players, he has to. Boom and bust every season needs to stop! I believe 3 more signings will be made before the transfer window closes. Players will go as well which is right!
The fans will be key this season. We can make goodison a fortress with an atmosphere that is positive and gives the players belief! no booing at matches at our players! Don't come negative!! Rafa is a top manager, get behind him! No expectations, my backside, top 7 in the league and semi final in the FA cup!!!
87 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:36:18
UTFT
88 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:42:33
Allan, Iwobi, Davies, Doucouré, Gomes, Gordon and even the defenders don't chip in with enough goals where the teams above can score from pretty much anywhere on the pitch. The game plan is get the ball to Calvert-Lewin but, as last season showed, when teams man-marked him out the game, we had no Plan B or focal point and looked like headless chickens.
Our squad may have cost £250M+ but the value of it is nowhere near... which is why literally nobody is buying the players we're desperately trying to shift. It's a squad with little end product with players that fit different systems but don't work well together.
89 Posted 11/08/2021 at 21:53:59
90 Posted 11/08/2021 at 22:12:38
91 Posted 11/08/2021 at 22:16:26
You know, like the good old days when we would pull a last minute rabbit out of the hat with the likes of Segundo Castillo, Philippe Senderos and Denis Stracqualursi.
92 Posted 11/08/2021 at 22:19:16
93 Posted 11/08/2021 at 22:23:32
"Royal Antwerp right-back Aurélio Buta is wanted by Celtic, whose hopes of luring him to Glasgow have been dealt what can only be described as “a blow” by reported interest from Everton. The Angola-born former Portugal youth international is reported to be available for less than £5m and is apparently viewed by Everton scouts as an upgrade on Jonjoe Kenny, who is currently first in line to Seamus Colemans right-back throne."
The Fiver has been uncommonly accurate in the rumors it has reported, so this might be worth some weight.
94 Posted 11/08/2021 at 22:33:29
Mina has given us 6 in three seasons, Keane 8 in 4, Holgate 2 in 5, Godfrey zero.
Life would be so much easier if we could count on just one goal every three or four games from a corner. We have GOT to do better in that particular area.
Jamie #91, the Strac is still gettable. He's playing third division in Argentina right now. Somebody should call Brands.
95 Posted 11/08/2021 at 23:29:43
That was what the Leicester fans did when their team were in dire straights not so long ago.
96 Posted 11/08/2021 at 23:40:00
Just booked meself in for therapy after your post!!
We had hope last season and nothing!! Football has that way of surprising us! Strange most of you will be telling ya mates "couldn't care less", "no good".
Well, all of us will be watching Saturday from the ground, getting up middle of the night to watch or listen to the radio around the world, sneaky look at ya phone shopping with ya families at the score!!
We can moan all we like but we are stuck with them till we die!! Too late now!! Just cheer the lads on, goals will come, players will come good!! They need us more than ever!! Give a thought to those who won't be returning back to their seats on Saturday! RIP fellow Evertonians!! How lucky we are!!
97 Posted 12/08/2021 at 00:30:22
However, Everton being Everton, have let every man and his dog know we are close to the wind, with our FFP. It reminds me of the Warriors film, when the girl in the subway says, "Those over there," where he replies, "I know they are there, but now they know I know."
A bit like what Everton have done, letting the Premier League know, instead of blagging our way to signings, and acting all innocent, after the event.
98 Posted 12/08/2021 at 01:27:11
Don't forget last season, just the mere of thought of being at home, even without a crowd, was enough to put our snowflakes off their stroke.
We're the ultimate footballing box of chocolates - so who knows what we will get Vs Southampton and how the crowd will react to it.
I'll be getting my spec early, bus fare home in my shoe, in the digital Boys Pen, aka, The Live Forum.
Strange days indeed.
99 Posted 12/08/2021 at 01:34:47
I genuinely admire stoicism and you seem to exhibit it in spades. However, the boardroom is stuffed with people now only bothered with appeasing the psuedo-football-"intellect" of the world's least successful major club owner, whilst creaming him to the max on their exorbitant contracts.
Without wanting to seem condescending at all, I respect your sentiments.
100 Posted 12/08/2021 at 03:26:17
101 Posted 12/08/2021 at 05:00:53
Does that mean we are just behind the "Big 6" or in "The last four"? This really is today's Everton; Nil Satis Nisi VII.
102 Posted 12/08/2021 at 07:59:18
11th-14th place finish. Watch this space, exciting times.
103 Posted 12/08/2021 at 08:50:29
The points tally would usually have got us into the Europa League spots.
104 Posted 12/08/2021 at 09:02:30
105 Posted 12/08/2021 at 09:08:32
I worry that not signing a replacement for Coleman threatens to undermine the balance of the team, in much the same way that having no back up for Baines warped the entire approach and made us vulnerable at the back and limited going forward.
I never wanted Benitez and feel his appointment is a measure of the industrial strength incompetence this club has endured for a very long time. The only positive I can take is that he is not Allardyce or Gerrard. So long as he is not an idiot of the magnitude of Silva, Koeman or Allardyce he can only be an improvement: the safe hands required to maintain premier league status.
To reflect on the turbulence of the last few years is troubling and I constantly make the mistake of comparing the world of football with the real world. I can only imagine the signing of Iwobi as similar to delivering a bowed movement to my bosss drivers seat and being thanked for my efforts.
106 Posted 12/08/2021 at 10:25:46
2 hours trying to get it into the Google Pay app without success
170 in queue on phones
Email query will be 'replied in 28 days'
Utter carnage on Saturday trying to get in.
107 Posted 12/08/2021 at 10:34:50
I expect at least a couple of loan signings shortly. If we can't find a buyer for Kean, I think he will go on loan as he doesn't seem fussed about staying here. That will reduce our wage bill hopefully enough to bring in a loan player or two. One of the other players might also go on loan to allow us to bring in a striker and a right-back. I'd love to see an attacking midfielder come in but that might require James to depart which seems unlikely given his wages.
The squad is not that bad albeit there are a lot of “ifs” against players' names. If Pickford performs like he did for England, he will be an asset.
We need a right-back and will be weak on that flank if we don't get one. Digne is as good as most and Nkounkou will hopefully be given more time by Rafa. Our centre-backs are decent and I just hope Rafa settles on a pair rather than constantly rotating like Ancelotti did.
Midfield depends a lot on Gbamin. If he stays fit, he will be a huge plus for us as he looks a really good player to me. Doucouré and Allan need to get up to speed and it will be interesting to see if Davies continues to progress in that deep-lying role. The boy has plenty of critics but, with a settled team around him and with Gbamin to help, he could become a very good player who cares about the club.
Richarlison needs to up his game from last season and I think he will with Gray around as he will cause trouble for defences and open up gaps. Calvert-Lewin will score 20+ again and Townsend could be the bargain of the season if we can give him enough of the ball.
James?? I'm not a fan because of his apparent attitude to hard work and showing some desire and guts but, if he can play like he wants to prove he still can, then he transforms the whole team.
We have a few youngsters – Dobbin, Simms, Nkounkou, Onyango, Whittaker, Branthwaite – who might just break through this season and I hope Rafa gives some of them a chance.
We have a better and more committed manager than last season who will be desperate to do well. Most important will be us! We can help the team to win tight games if we make an unholy racket and cheer our team. Booing, negative chants, anti-Rafa crap will only make the players buckle and then we will be in trouble. Positive support and very noisy might even get James to play.
Reading what I have typed, it is full of “if” and “ might”. Hope springs eternal and all that but you just never know!
108 Posted 12/08/2021 at 10:50:31
109 Posted 12/08/2021 at 10:55:32
My thoughts are also with the lack of goals because we are going to ship some for sure.
I know Reid and Bracewell hardly scored but they allowed the others to flourish because of their hard work, skill and intelligence. We have very little to offer in the middle or out wide. 😟
Richarlison will burn out given the amount of footy he has played and DCL will be feeding off scraps again I think. Big season for him because he also has to be better in the one on one situations and also learn to put his foot through the ball when the chances come.
My biggest concern of all is with Moshiri. This guy may have a few bob but he knows absolutely zero about football. He may well be the one who gets us the new stadium but I feel he is responsible for the mess we are in.
I would have a lot more respect for him if he kicked Kenwright out but the fact that the teary one is still around fills me with fear that Moshiri is not getting better at his new job.
110 Posted 12/08/2021 at 10:55:32
Given the delayed issue of these tickets, I suspect that there is a background issue. How very everton.
111 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:00:49
'We are aware of an install issue for Android users when attempting to download their Season Ticket into Google Pay. The cause of the issue has been identified and all users affected will receive new links via email today.'
Honestly, I remember they sent everyone someone else's season tickets a few years back and now this. The lack of attention to detail is shocking.
112 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:06:35
113 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:12:31
Less than 2 days before a sell-out match and they still have thousands that can't access their tickets. Absolutely ridiculous. It will be chaos on Saturday, I'll be getting there early!
114 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:35:47
115 Posted 12/08/2021 at 11:50:11
Despite our once fabled nickname, football is not a science and full of ifs, buts, maybes and thank gods interspersed with moments of magic.
It's why we love it and will all be there on Saturday, be that in person, in spirit from afar and, for those who have passed, in soul.
I'm up for this season. I think the manager is from what I've seen. I hope the players are.
That's the other one. A game of eternal hope!!
116 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:16:45
Youre not that positive!
No doubt you have found fault with Alex Young and Kevin Sheedy for not bombing around for 90 minutes as well. Any manager with an iota of intelligence would be ensuring James wanted to stay as he is quality footballer and was one of the few reasons worth watching us last season.
117 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:21:42
Good post, better to look on the bright side of life, especially since a ball hasn't been kicked in earnest yet. it seems the only problem will be getting into the ground to see anything of what we've waited 18 months or more for!!
Obviously Kenwright's and Little Miss Dynamite's fault!!
118 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:24:49
I also noticed he has got more comfortable playing the ball out of defence against a higher press.
119 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:28:54
In some games he was very good but in others he clearly didn't enjoy it. I understand the comparison with Young and Sheedy but they played in sides which were good enough to support them – indeed Kendall bought Pat van den Hauwe to shore up the left flank so that Sheedy could do his best work without exposing the defence.
I would be happy to see James to just play a positive role but not disappear for an hour or wimp out of the physical stuff. It could be that if (that word again) GBamin stays fit, it could be just what James needs.
120 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:46:02
Wonder if James will be given a start on Saturday. If he does and plays behind Calvert-Lewin will he stay there or keep dropping deep?
Richarlison and Gray either side. Allan and Gbamin behind. And l would also play both Mina and Keane. Had enough of hearing they are not fast enough. Didn't hurt ltaly playing 2 slower players.
Starting the season with lower expectations. Whether that suits or not is anyone's guess.
121 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:46:34
https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2212661/doucoures-new-midfield-role
The stats when he played last season were played 29 won 15 drawn four. I think there is room for improvement with Doucouré, playing more advanced will see him more effective for us.
Formation wise does that make a 4-2-3-1 a certainty?
Pickford
Coleman Godfrey Mina Digne
Allan Gbamin
Gray Doucouré Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin
122 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:51:00
I feel Benitez is on a hiding to nothing anyway.
He's inherited a quite lazy average group of players that for many now have failed under several managers but we are told they are class players.
No for me now we've had too many managerially changes for the problem to be the manager, the problem lies with the players.
We can spend any money and unless we offload wastes of space like Moise Kean, Mason Holgate, Cenk Tosun, Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes to name a few and take in a good amount of money, then our new managers hands are already securely tied.
Regardless whether it was Ancelotti or Rafa starting this season, it's a team that looks like it's going to struggle badly for goals again.
All we can do is get behind them, after so many years now of mundanity supporting Everton, it is hard yes but it's either support them or get a new interest in life isn't it?
123 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:55:12
124 Posted 12/08/2021 at 12:58:46
Interesting call, given all the other midfielders combined scored 4 goals between them (I've included Gray and Townsend in that number based on their stats last season). There must be a term for that strategy, but I am struggling to think of one that isn't rude.
125 Posted 12/08/2021 at 13:01:26
126 Posted 12/08/2021 at 13:08:03
If only...
127 Posted 12/08/2021 at 13:32:34
Maybe if Rafa plays 3 at the back we could try for Hudson Odoi on loan.
128 Posted 12/08/2021 at 13:49:19
129 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:17:22
Delph is still training away, Richarlson looks to give the squad a massive boost with his presence. DCL looked to be training by himself
130 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:23:55
Rafa finds himself in a similar position to that of Moyes when he got the West Ham job for the first time. I am absolutely certain that he will get more out of this squad than Carlo did, indeed, I am pretty sure that Carlo gave up the ghost on the current squad well before the final game of last season. His CV never suggested that he could improve the players he was working with having spent most of his recent managerial career in Madrid and Munich.
So lets get behind the manager and the team over the coming months and come next May, hopefully, we will have made progress and be in a position to say goodbye to more of the awful signings whose contracts have expired.
To those who say that they are done with or had it with Everton FC, all I can say to you is "once a blue always a blue"
So, 60 points and a top 8 finish.
131 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:24:54
Is it the physical card you are awaiting or the digital download to your phone? I would think the physical cards have all been sent out by now.
Apparently only 1 in 3 fans opted for the digital type season ticket with the rest paying the extra fiver for a physical card.
This either tells us that the age of the average visitor to GP is pretty high, or we have the most sceptical fan base on the planet - I paid the fiver by the way!
132 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:28:18
I have a not so cunning plan, Everton to beat everybody home and away not including the sickly six or Leicester City and we'll end up with 72 points - Simples!
133 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:40:32
Certainly looks like Richarlison will start and DCL wont. James, Kean and maybe Gomes being discarded perhaps.
134 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:47:42
135 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:49:26
Another instance to illustrate my point that anything can happen in football, is the 1984/85 season when we lost the first 2 games and won the League by 13 points which = 6 wins and 1 draw. I suggest that relegation talk should be put on hold until a little bit later in the season.
136 Posted 12/08/2021 at 14:54:54
Difficult to see where we are significantly any better than last year so I predict a similar position perhaps 8th with the new manager effect.
137 Posted 12/08/2021 at 15:20:27
Tony (121), that is a very good starting XI, with the option of Gomes, Davies, Kean (if he stays), Townsend and Gordon to come off the bench. However, the glaring weakness is Coleman, IMO. We all love the guy, but he was past his prime and no longer a top quality RB 2 seasons ago. No way should we be relying on him this season. That Buta lad looks very promising on YouTube, and he is cheap!
138 Posted 12/08/2021 at 15:30:06
It's the season ticket card. It never came in the post, so went to Goodison Park ticket office. Supporters queuing for 4 hours, apparently the system is down, according to supporters in front of me, the system was down yesterday. Not worth emailing the club, they don't reply. Friday tomorrow and supporters are in no mans land. I'll have to go again tomorrow.
140 Posted 12/08/2021 at 15:35:30
I could understand having teething issues with the new system, but it's unbelievable that they are struggling to get the cards out to fans, they really need an overhaul of how they do things.
Unable to buy merchandise where it's wanted, unable to stream games to folk, and worst of all messing about the fans who fork out good money for season tickets. Oh and we still await to sign Coleman's replacement three years after we realised we needed to.
141 Posted 12/08/2021 at 15:39:43
This is potentially worse.
142 Posted 12/08/2021 at 15:46:42
I just have to accept the present reality or every season will prove to be very frustrating. As much a we would like to we just cannot have the same expectations such as winning the Premiership. However it is realistic to expect the team to provide "GOOD" football. Other than the early part of last season we played the worst and most boring football imagineable.
At the least I honestly have hopes for an interesting season where we provide the fans with exciting football. It is fair to expect much improved "Home"results, hopefully not too many boring 1-0's. It is fair to expect a couple of good cup runs. It is fair to expect that we beat some of the so called top teams. For me it would be more than fair to expect us to beat the RS twice.
Yes I would be extatic if we won any trophy, but realistically we are not financially equipped to do so. Perhaps in the not too distant future we may be backed by an influx of cash. Unfortunately it is an indictment of the present football system that "MONEY" is such a major factor. I just have to accept such a fact.
My fellow Evertonians have to realise and accept that the present Premier League will never again be won by a team that does not have "MEGA" money. Personally I just want to have a season where we win more games than we lose and play football that is pleasing on the eye. Perhaps I am being pessimistic. Up to the last ten years I have always had the highest expectations and winning the Prem was a realistic goal. Now my inner self says "GET REAL".I just want to beat Burnley, Brentford, Palace and Newcastle etc etc. OH and of course Liverpool.
143 Posted 12/08/2021 at 16:02:49
If they don't sort it, it's going to be chaos on Saturday.
Will the phone lines stay open till its sorted?
Will the ticket office stay open till its sorted?
No way. 5 pm, CLOSED.
Big club with small club administrators.
144 Posted 12/08/2021 at 16:08:09
They have had the best part of three months to carry out a dry run and test the process.
Shouldn't really be a surprise, no planning, no contingencies whatsoever.
In any corporate world, people would be held liable. Not EFC do as you please, no respect for fans and treat them with utter contempt.
146 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:14:05
147 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:15:42
148 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:17:29
149 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:56:59
150 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:59:13
I don't think they had any trials before their games either, though I suppose a pre season friendly could count as a trial. It's a new system which no doubt is bound to encounter a few hiccups, but yeah, let's all knock the club for implementing it.
151 Posted 12/08/2021 at 17:59:36
Wonder how that went? The RS had to delay their two recent friendlies by 30 min and 15 min to allow supporters in using the digital tickets but then again they haven't given an option of physical cards so it's 100% smart phone entry. Like many others I've stuck with a card, what could possibly go wrong with that!
152 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:03:37
153 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:07:59
154 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:20:33
I brought the previous seasons season ticket to a game once (don't ask me how!!) and had to pay the full price for a paper ticket. I did get a refund when I went and produced the correct season ticket card to the box office.
155 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:22:02
156 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:29:11
It's understandable to be pessimistic given the weird events of last season and also what has happened since.
All most of us understand is that, despite a fairly good start to last season, everything started to crumble somewhat on the back of some pretty mediocre performances, particularly at Goodison, and Ancelotti just couldn't get things on track.
The question is, why are many fans already writing off the this coming season just because Rafa is now in charge?
A little bit of cautious optimism is normally the order of the day until at least 7-10 games in to see if he can change the mentality of some of these players and get a more solid defensive strategy, especially the closing down in front of the back line which was so weak under Ancelotti.
The infusion of Gray, Townsend and Gbamin may help out especially with James, Delph and Sigurdsson arguably having uncertain futures.
I am worried, however, that any injuries to Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison may cause a lack of serious offense unless Kean can do the necessary under the new gaffer.
157 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:49:44
158 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:59:16
Regardless, I will be in my home city for the day, see my brother and cousins, go to the Goodison Supper Bar and worse case, sneak in for the last 20 minutes when the open the exit gates!!
And then travel back home on the back of a 2 - 0 win!!
159 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:59:39
Coleman said: “In terms of setting long-term targets, weve done it before. I personally would like us to come in every day, give 100%, make sure were doing all the right things on a daily basis whether thats coming in on time, little things like that we need to do to make sure we work hard weekly.
Romelu Lukaku is apparently officially a Chelsea player again.
160 Posted 12/08/2021 at 18:59:41
To glass-half-full and pessimistic, we need to add hysterical bleating.
161 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:03:09
163 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:11:56
164 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:19:52
165 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:29:48
166 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:30:14
The fellow who wrote that post needs to be medicated. But this one piece of it was brilliant. What a description!
Why I always say, "Read the threads."
167 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:34:45
You've made me laugh too, I'd forgotten how it was phrased.
168 Posted 12/08/2021 at 19:54:08
I don't like the feel of it all, and fear a mighty backlash sooner rather than later.
169 Posted 12/08/2021 at 20:35:47
Fans booing the manager and players is a sure way for us to have a poor season, its not Benitez fault the squad looks lacking or even the players themselves for most of them not being top 6 class.
If anyones to blame its some of the previous managers and others who have been recruiting the players.
Looking at the strength of the team now, we are a probable 9th-10th finisher, I cant see us finishing higher. Sure I'd like us to but we have too many weaknesses in the make up of the squad.
170 Posted 12/08/2021 at 20:57:34
171 Posted 12/08/2021 at 21:46:11
All clubs have their share of idiot supporters, but from what we have seen over the years of the majority of RS support, it is the phoens that are smart, not the supporters.
I expect an intelligent group like the EFC supporters on here, using smart phone apps, to glide through the turnstyles, without a hitch.
172 Posted 13/08/2021 at 01:10:08
How did he impress Ancelotti during training? The clue is the tactics employed last season. 1st 10 games play like a team then pass it to DCL. next 10 games pass it to DCL but keep possession at all costs. Hence the turning back to our half and passing back which teams quickly picked up and we start losing with 60%+ possession. Then came injuries and a third change Richy and other strikers try and score more goals but keep possession and keep your positions for the defenders.
Personally I blame a lot on Ancelotti for bad tactics and lack of options due to sending players out for 'experience' thus leaving only Iwobi left to play in that position. DO NOT PLAY IWOBI his passing, crossing and lack of control spread defeat, doom and pessimism throughout out all the team.
The good news. Rafa is putting players who don't want to be there or who are not fighting on the sidelines. This is important, loaning players out is not the solution it is part of the problem.
The solution is obvious any one not playing well and wanting to stay for their massive salaries from the motherlode needs to be kept away from other teams then they will realise if they don't take a paycut they could end up being the 'forgotten men.
LFC did this with Brendon Rogers (BR) when he was sacked he was NOT offered the remainder of his full salary he was given 2 choice one off payment less than he would have earned or his yearly salary while still tied to the club. Eventually after 1 year BR resigned and took the Celtic job, LFC saved £2M.
If Tosun was still at finch farm unseen by other clubs do you think he would staying to the end of his contract - no way.
Keans way out of EFC is either take a salary cut NOT a transfer fee cut OR play really well for us. Wake up Kean, PSG cannot afford you after Messi, Inter will want you for peanuts and Roma have no money just the ability to stir up unrest in our squad. The same applies to Richy.
So where will we end up this season. Rafa was not my first choice but he has sound tactics. Defence starts at their goal line. He wants fast unpredictable play and determination. He has so far being trying to build a team the DANGER is that if you have too many new players nothing works. The EFC players apart from one (Iwobi) are technically sound and fit but they need new and better tactics. If Rafa avoids the mistake Moyes made when he had a massive clear out and the baby went out with the bathwater and we had to rely on reserve players (Osmond) only staying in the top flight by goal difference on the last day of the season. So don't sell Kenny for £5M UNLESS you have another back up for Coleman.
Final position 7/8
173 Posted 13/08/2021 at 01:23:26
174 Posted 13/08/2021 at 11:07:32
It was Osman I was talking about and the season was 2003/4. We finished 17th but up until the last 2 or 3 games we were in deep trouble and it was Osman (who I am told does sing very well) who scored most of the goals that got us out of trouble.
175 Posted 13/08/2021 at 11:15:48
My recollection of the 2004 season is that we were mathematically safe by March. Moyes then told the players running out of contract that they would not be renewed and our form dropped dramatically culminating in a 5-0 thumping at City and a 17th place finish.
I do recall a young Osman being the one bright spot during the run in.
176 Posted 13/08/2021 at 14:55:04
If you look at the match report from the April Newcastle game (click on the link below) you will see we were deep in the relegation zone and we gained 13 points from January (midpoint of the season) to the end of the season, out of a possible 38.
That season was the only time in 50 years that I really feared for our top-flight existence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003–04_Everton_F.C._season
177 Posted 13/08/2021 at 21:24:15
178 Posted 15/08/2021 at 08:39:06
179 Posted 15/08/2021 at 08:50:45
Either way they were dark times.
180 Posted 15/08/2021 at 08:58:35
We should have had a free-kick. They get one moments later. Then they rolled the ball forward and least 10 yards from where the alleged foul took place.
And to cap it off, our keeper, Coco the Clown, fails to keep out a pretty harmless strike from distance.
I'm positive. I had a great day yesterday!!
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
1 Posted 10/08/2021 at 22:51:40
Some hope!.