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James Flynn
1 Posted 07/04/2022 at 02:18:37
I love Richy. If he turns out in Everton Blue come August, I'll be delighted and surprised. 5 years in the league, these last 4 with us, he'll be 25 knowing he has to look to his career. Because it's not going to happen with Everton. Not over the length of his prime years it's not.

A real shame.

Paul Kernot
2 Posted 07/04/2022 at 02:20:48
I have learnt nothing!
When the second pen a) was actually given and then b) it hit the net, I got excited. Here we go. Six points away from the drop zone & we're gonna be ok. 10 minutes later when Richie hit the post instead of completing hit hat trick, it was no longer here we go but here we go again. Did I learn nothing from the West Ham game? A
This team has absolulutely no spirit. No belief. Nothing to call on when we're in a fight.
David Currie
3 Posted 07/04/2022 at 03:44:48
What a chance we had tonight and we blew it, 2-1 up with 30 minutes left and we don't even get a point.
I really don't see how the players recover from this and think we are down. We have 2 days to be ready for United who have had all week to prepare, they have to win to have a chance of top 4 and will relish attacking our nervy mistake ridden defenders. Burnley and Watford have both got very winnable games. We have now lost to all 3 teams below us, tonight was our big chance to stay up and create a decent gap and we blew it.
Jim Bennings
4 Posted 07/04/2022 at 06:44:58
If ever a group of players deserve to take a club down I'm sorry but yes it's this group at Everton.

Worst group of absolute shitbags I've seen playing for the club, not one of them has a born football brain and you look at more than half of them and wonder how the hell they even made it as footballers.

I suppose when we do go down half of them will somehow con a move to Premier League clubs.

Someone will be insane enough to sign DCL, frankly forget £60 million I'd take offers of £20 million if anyone is nuts enough to offer that for such a limited skillset striker that can't dribble, can't shoot with power and does everything powderpuff.

He's utter shite and it's a total myth that he's all this and that.

Richie will go, at least he probably just about warrants a decent fee, he's a better player than Calvert Lewin but that's not saying much really.

The rest I'm not even arsed anout, Pickford is replaceable, the whole defence is pathetic anyway and our best defender by a country mile (Yerry Mina) is never fit.

The midfield is the worst I've seen since 1997/98 and apart from Anthony Gordon, and even he has no real end product despite the hard work, I'd just banish the lot of them if offer come in.

The whole club from top to bottom is a disgrace and it's nothing that any manager can come in and solve anymore.

This is the reason Carlo Ancelotti left because he seen what was coming towards the back end of last season, add to the fact he knew our financial restraints, nobody should blame him for leaving.

I don't even think the stadium will be finished when we go down, what's the point ?

We might as well just sell the land.

This club is dead and it's going the same way as a Sheffield Wednesday or a Sunderland now, it's staring us in the face.

Sad thing is it's been on the cards for a good few years since our bundling buffoon of an owner and his group of cardboard cutouts on the board have been here buts it's never been addressed by anyone at the club.

Jim Bennings
5 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:22:35
You have to laugh also when you hear people say we have 9 games or whatever left to stay up.

One of those games is completely unwinnable at Anfield, let's face it.

Arsenal away on the last day is close to the same.

We have won three football matches since September, taken just 2 away points sine August, yet fans think this Everton side will get enough points with 9 games left to somehow stay up?

It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.

Mal van Schaick
6 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:28:03
Brazil number one forward playing for Everton in a relegation battle. What does this say about the rest of this Everton team.

We just look disjointed in midfield, prone to errors in defence, and lacking quality creativity up front.

All we can do is re-group, get injured and suspended players back into the squad asap, and work hard in training. Then it’s up to the manager, his team selection and tactics.

Other teams around us still have difficult fixtures as well as Everton. It could go down to the last game? Who knows?

Rick Tarleton
7 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:40:23
At the end of the season, whether we survive in the premiership or not, we will have to try and raise some cash. I believe Everton in their usual cavalier fashion never negotiated salary deductions in the event of relegation, so savings on salary per se are not going to happen.
You then ask who is sellable? Richarlison works his socks off, he's committed, but not the coolest head when it comes to finishing, Calvert-Lewin, worth perhaps £50 million a year or so ago, now, I doubt if he's worth half that. Pickford? England keeper, but I wouldn't put him in the Premier's top ten keepers. Gordon, he has potential, but is far from the finished product. And the rest a job lot of £ 10 million would just about cover it.
I weep for Everton, he is dead,with apologies to Shelley.
Ian Bennett
8 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:47:57
We crawled back to a 2-1 lead. And then 3 powder puff attempts in tackling from Calvert Lewin, Gordon, and Kenny allow them to come away down the right, and roll it unmarked for a finish.

The same on the third. Awful botch by Godfrey. Kenny has to see him out on the dead ball line. Cross comes in for a totally unmarked finish. Why not mark you man? What the fuck are you doing unless your marking your man.

I read somewhere that it's one mistake is killing us. It isn't,it's multiple mistakes are leading to the goals. Multiple things above coughed up the goals.

It's kids football to continually have that much space free to finish in the box against a bang average team. We don't get it.

Danny Baily
9 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:49:36
Mal 6, a Brazilian forward who couldn't hit the proverbial barn door from open play. Strikers that can't score is a big part of our problem.

And Rick, Pickford is too error prone to play at any level of the game. We should have cashed in after his first season. The Joe Hart route beckons for him.

Tony Mace
10 Posted 07/04/2022 at 07:58:37
Dyche only had to state the obvious at half time

"Everton do not know how to win!"

The rest (including our top flight status) is history

Barry Hesketh
11 Posted 07/04/2022 at 08:28:37
Jim @5
Not counting Leicester City, only Leeds outside of the current top 7 have failed to beat Everton at least once this season, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal will likely get their single victories to add to the number of clubs who have beaten us and of course it's unlikely that Leicester City won't beat us at least once in their games with us.

Defeats like last night's against the other sides around us, has and possibly will cost us dearly as even draws in those games against Norwich, Brentford, Watford et al, would have given us enough points to make a fist of fighting off the dreaded drop as it is, we are looking odds on for relegation.

Of course nothing is a foregone conclusion, but sadly, it is very difficult to make a case for Everton getting enough points to ward off the drop.


Pete Jeffries
12 Posted 07/04/2022 at 08:40:49
The mistakes and lack of quality continue.
Surely Doucoure must be dropped. He staggers around like an old cart-horse giving the ball away all the time.
Gray looks scared coming on the pitch, no confidence.
Kenny another big liability.
Only Richi and Gordon give 100%.
We battled Man U over there and were unlucky not to win.
On Saturday we need a repeat of that performance.
Lee Courtliff
13 Posted 07/04/2022 at 08:43:25
I'm as disappointed as anyone, more so considering I have to live with Burnley fans who won't let me hear the end of this!!

But, the fact is, without some comical individual errors we would have picked up 2 points on the road over these last few days.

At 2 apiece, we were in the ascendancy and should have made more of our dominance but the last pass/shot just wasn't up to scratch. We've been far more competitive than in our previous away defeats.

We simply have to remain positive and support these players all the way. We can't just give up!

Burnley are nothing special and will drop points themselves during the run in. Same with Watford. If we can use the Old Lady to pick up 6 points from next 2 games then we're in with a good chance of survival.

United have been poor and Leicester have nothing to play for, they're comfortable in mid-table. We can still pull this off.

John Raftery
14 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:00:39
We collected fourteen points from the opening seven games, but only eleven in the last twenty two. Realistically taking even just a point per game is now looking well beyond this squad.

We are a very poor team with too many players not up to the standard required. Contrary to what is often said there is no shortage of effort or ‘spirit’. Every player last night gave everything on the pitch. Some of it was misguided, such as back four players running up the field with the ball when their priority should have been holding their defensive positions. Getting a draw last night was more important than a win and we should have played accordingly. For that failure Lampard is culpable.

Burnley are also a very poor team. Watford are as well but they look the best of the bottom four.

Alex Carew
15 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:16:39
I can’t help but think they just want it too much at times.

There is no composure at all and everything is panic stations, they need to take a step back and gain some positional sense all over the pitch and do the basics properly, play into space, don’t let the ball bounce, use row Z and actually shoot.

At the back we are all over the place and yet at the front we just hit a brick wall when we reach the final 3rd because we are too slow, don’t use the width and just hold the ball too long.

Crossing has been awful for close to 6 years now, with the exception of Rodriguez last year. Corners and free kicks are pointless.

As someone posted previously, there is all that effort but at the end of the day we just lack the quality (and confidence), when strikers get a chance against us recently they generally hit the target (and score), when we do actually get a shot in (hardly ever), it’s either weak as piss, over the bar or into the side netting.

It’s all very worrying but the headless chicken approach isn’t helping us.

Chris Donnelly
16 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:30:03
What a poor excuse for a team!!! How can Holgate, Iwobi, Keane even take their salary. Why does these pretenders even get picked!!! And why the fuck has Lampard not even tried Alli, he has got to be better than Holgate and Iwobi in the middle of the park!!
As a player I rate Ben Godfrey, one mistake should never mark his card. He gives 110% every game and is a shining light in the darkness of Goodison.
We have been absolutely shat on this season by refereeing decisions and VAR and the inconsistency of VAR for the so called big six.
The Premier League is a hotbed of scandal and fraud and bias. Maybe a season away in the Championship maybe a good thing for us, after all we might have the chance to win a trophy!!!
I just wish that the players would respect the family that Everton Football Club is, the honest hardworking fans that follow the club all round the country, those that still follow even though this country is fucking them and their families over, the kids that save their pocket money to buy the merchandise of the club, supporting their hero’s. Think of the kids at school, who for their heart and soul support the Blue side of Liverpool, the shit they get everyday from the red shite fans because the fucking spineless c**ts that claim to be players can’t do their FUCKING JOBS!!!!!!!!! THE CLUB SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. The fans are the lifeblood of the club, and they are getting shit on every fucking day!!!

SHAME ON YOU MOSHIRI, AND THE PLAYERS THAT HAVE ZERO FUCKING SPINE

Bill Fairfield
17 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:31:54
Sums Everton up. Ifs,buts and maybes. This squad of players is going where it deserves to go. Man United maybe struggling for form, but they’ve got more than enough to beat this team of deadbeats. That defence would struggle in non league football. I’ve got very little hope we can survive now. Absolute nightmare of a season.
Alex Carew
18 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:34:49
I have always rated Godfrey but realistically, he makes a lot of mistakes, not just the one. His positional awareness is shocking and he gets caught out way too much, that’s why he’s better at left back. He has definitely not been the player we first bought but I think confidence has a lot to do with all these players.
James Newcombe
19 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:37:02
Signing Alli and El Ghazi when we needed a CDM with legs, and a proper CB is stuffing us. We’re unlucky to have injuries to our two other RBs - Burnley knew to target Kenny… We’re just going to have to do it the hard way
Barry Hesketh
20 Posted 07/04/2022 at 09:38:37
Chris @16
I'd agree with you in general about VAR, but last night Everton got the benefit of the doubt, not once but twice and the team still couldn't manage to take something from the game.

Brent Stephens
21 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:07:36
Lyndon "The return of Allan will be a welcome boost to a midfield lacking fortitude and invention but it might take more tinkering with personnel in order to get a tune out of the squad."

Injuries and suspensions have cost us dearly. But I just wonder whether, despite all that, we should have been going with a more settled formation if not tactics...

Players have been finding themselves in a different position, often in a different formation, week in and week out. I wonder whether our players have the versatility to be able to cope with playing in constantly changing formations.

Another side not a million miles away plays the same formation every game, and that surely means players don't need to rethink, every game, where and how they individually are meant to be playing; all that becomes second nature.

But I do acknowledge the part injuries and suspensions have played in disrupting a settled approach.

Christopher Timmins
22 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:10:01
I fear that Danny's canine pals will not be in a good place this morning. You laugh as there is no point crying at this stage. Week in week out the same things happen, individual mistakes cost us. A different day and a different set of names to blame for the loss.

We got the breaks last night, two penalties given and scored to put us in front. We were simply not good enough to see the game out after that. Every team that plays us, no matter how bad they are, feel that if they hang in there that the mistakes will happen and they can get something from the game.

Given the week that's in it, Koeman being reappointed as Dutch coach, Silva on the verge of promotion with high flying Fulham, Carlo on the verge of the Spanish title and a Champions League semi final and David Moyes in with a shout of bringing West Ham to the Europa League semi final, the book just has to stop with the players and with the individuals who signed them.

11 points from the last 22 games, we average 0.5 point per game over that period, more than half a season. The table does not lie and while we are by no means down and out it will take a major upturn in performances to save us now. Watford and Burnley have more winnable fixtures between now and the end of the season and should finish above us.

We will become a case study on how not to do things. Kenwright will regret his comment about other clubs wishing to copy the Everton way. There are very few clubs
with directors who are thinking what Everton would do in this situation unless of course to rule out a particular course of action.



Colin Bell
23 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:17:43
65 years of age and sat here, tears filling my eyes. I attended my first game back in 1960, almost coincidentally against Burnley. This is desperately sad.

I have read on here that Iwobi isn’t good enough. I don’t disagree but in his last three appearances, has put in the kind of performance we all hoped for. Kenny has never been good enough, Keane and Holgate always have a mistake in them and whoever made the decision to bring Alli and El Ghazi on board are culpable if the unthinkable happens. They may be decent players but we’ll never know until they are selected to play.

All the talk of playing the youngsters could destroy them, not a great position to be in when we need them next season. We’ll need to sell the likes of Pickford, Richarlison and DCL, and others, to stave off FFP sanctions. Someone needs to think very carefully about the contracts that are up. Mina is our best defender but can’t set foot on a pitch without getting injured, Delph is another one. We have had an horrific season with injuries and needed a squad to help us. I never thought I’d say that I’m missing Tom Davies.

I’ll be there on Saturday in my seat and end up hoarse getting behind the team. We have to believe. It isn’t over yet, it is looking perilous but COYB! Wiping the smirks of RS faces will be as good as a trophy. Can someone slip something in the tea for Ronaldo, Fernandez and Pogba? They’ve been useless for weeks but, Welcome to Everton Football Club. Belief Blues, belief.

Jim Bennings
24 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:26:47
Godfrey is not a good defender, he's a fine athlete but honestly I don't know whoever told him to earn his trade as a defender.

He's got the heading ability of a pigeon and his reading of the game is nonexistent.

Good defender's, Dave Watson, Alan Stubbs, Richard Gough, Davie Weir, thats what a defender is.

If Godfrey was tidier with the ball he may just pass as a defensive midfielder but he ain't.

It's just another example of modern day footballs clamour for athletism over actual technical ability.

Steve Brown
25 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:29:22
Injuries and suspensions have killed us, however I agree with Brent that there have been too many tactical, formation and selection changes in the last few weeks. We have definitely played too high a defensive line away from home and pushed the full backs forward too aggressively. You can play that way with a confident, settled side - we have neither.

The other thing that has killed us are the individual errors. They have been spread right across the team, so it is not even as if you can drop a single player.

We have actually played quite well at home against the better sides, therefore all hope is not lost. Focus on the home games, starting on Saturday. Five our remaining nine games are at Goodison and that is where our survival in the PL will be decided.

Mick O'Malley
26 Posted 07/04/2022 at 10:51:42
It’s alright saying he needs dropping and so and so needs dropping but we’ve got absolutely fuckall to replace them with, bar trying the young lads this shower have been tried in all sorts of formations and positions and they still let us down, they are bar a couple, a group of mediocre bang average players who struggle with the basics, you can’t trust them to even put their foot through the ball to clear it as they usually miss hit or slice it, every headed clearance lands at the feet of an opponent, it’s actually quite shocking how poor some of these players are, and appointing a new manager on the eve of the transfer window was ridiculous,it gave him no time to assess the squad and it’s many deficiencies
Nicholas Ryan
27 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:08:55
Lyndon, I usually agree with you over just about everything, but not this time, with your praise of Richarlison. Yes, he is a player with great natural ability; Yes, he [usually] puts 100% effort into every game. Yes, he tracks back and is all over the pitch for 90 minutes. Yes, he has often been played in a position which is not his best or favourite.

However, his finishing is woeful. He could not, as my late Father used to say, Hit a barn door with a cow's arse from 3 feet!

And each time he hits the post or scuffs the crossbar, look how many times there was a colleague perfectly placed for a tap in!

Nick Page
28 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:18:33
KENWRIGHT OUT
Alex Carew
29 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:44:36
Jim (24) and Nicholas (27) I couldn’t agree more. Two players who have let us down a lot over the season doing the jobs they are supposed to be doing but yep, let’s just blame Iwobi, Keane, Holgate and Kenny. For me, I don’t really feel any player has played consistently well, even Gordon is only raved about because he’s a scouser and supposedly gets it.
Brent Stephens
30 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:44:57
Steve #25:

"The other thing that has killed us are the individual errors. They have been spread right across the team, so it is not even as if you can drop a single player."

Yes, this is our problem, isn't it – it isn't as if we have a significant pool of players who can step in and make a difference.

Exclude the U23 players (apart from possibly some minutes at the end of a game) – they had a decent game against the likes of Chorley pre-season (and I know they've developed somewhat since then) but that's a million miles away from playing Vardy, Salah, or Eriksen in the EPL.

Exclude those U23s and we're left with dregs to replace dregs.

Peter Dodds
31 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:47:54
Is it just me who finds myself shouting at Richarlison “pass it!!” as he embarks on yet another attempted dribble through a forest of opposition players and legs? It’s like the Charge of the Light Brigade - team mates to the left of him, team mates to the right, into the valley of death goes Richarlison - desperately trying to do everything himself, head down, with no clue how he’s going to exit his chosen route with ball intact.

To be fair he did lay off a couple of passes last night.

Mal van Schaick
32 Posted 07/04/2022 at 11:52:14
It’s not personal, but Holgate should not be in our squad at all. When I watch him play, I am waiting for another calamitous mistake that will cost us again. Agree with some others Doucoure is a headless chicken.

If it’s not working Frank, change it! Drop players, try a different formation, but at least make it look like the players know what they have been instructed to do.

Alex Carew
33 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:01:34
Peter #31 Gordon does exactly the same when he gets the ball. It’s typically head down and then just run and wait for a tap and do a triple somersault with pike. Wish he’d pass more too.

However, I wish sometimes they were greedier and actually shot at goal but just put there foot through it, head over the ball as I am sick of every shot flying over the bar, these are professional football players.

Gary Jones
34 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:06:54
Alex, that the same Gordon who won us a pen AND other than a world class recovery from Tycowski would have scored too?
Brent Stephens
35 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:19:56
Mal #32 "If it’s not working Frank, change it! Drop players, try a different formation,"

I suspect a big part of the problem for us is actually changing too many things when not forced to through injuries or susopensions. Unsettling.

Alex Carew
36 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:21:38
Gary #34 Yep that’s him, I personally think he’s overrated. As I’ve said to friends, I’ll be happy to be proven wrong but to me the hype is because he’s a scouser and is one of us.
Tony Abrahams
37 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:22:03
A world class recovery, or someone who was flying across the pitch, desperately trying to get a block on the ball, and something a more confident or clever player, maybe could have exploited with a little feint?

I like Gordon, I knew we’d miss his defensive work the minute he left the pitch, but sometimes I want Anthony to be more clinical, although I’m aware that it’s not easy playing in such a struggling team.

Alex Carew
38 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:26:17
I will say though that when we took him off for Grey I was not happy and it later proved I was right. That substitution changed the game, a very bad managerial decision.
Ray Jacques
39 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:27:00
Since Lampard cam 2 months ago we have lost the same number of games (six) as Liverpool have lost in three full seasons.

What a fiasco of a club.

50 years of support and I now hate the place.

From the owner and his 'dealings' to the phoney halfwits on the board down to the hapless players relegation will be richly deserved.

How not to run a football club, a model lesson, that is EFC.

Disgusted and ashamed.

Jerome Shields
40 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:33:49
Agree Lyndon, Richarlison really tried.
Shane Corcoran
41 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:45:07
The saddest thing about this is was happening to any other club, I’d be saying they deserve everything they’re getting.

What neutral would want us to stay up? Big spending Everton or gutsy Burnley?

But it’s not done yet. From out of left field I backed Brighton to go down at 130/1. They have points on the board but on a brutal run and three away games in a row coming up. Newcastle also slipping back down.

Alex Carew
42 Posted 07/04/2022 at 12:51:05
Shane #41 you are kidding yourself if you think we’ve got 9 more points in us to overtake Brighton. We will be lucky if we get 5 based on what we are seeing lately.
Shane Corcoran
43 Posted 07/04/2022 at 13:34:19
Alex, I made the bet a few weeks ago and it was 130/1 so it’s not something I’m banking on.

They’re a mere 75/1 now.

Dave Abrahams
44 Posted 07/04/2022 at 13:36:57
Regarding Richarlison, he gave plenty of passion, had the nerve to take the two penalties but he keeps doing what he been doing since he came to Everton, passing when he should shooting and shooting when he should be passing, there has been no improvement in his game in the four years he has been here, he hasn’t got a football brain but because we haven’t got any forward better than him doesn’t mean that is a very good player, better than average yes but no more than that.

Dominic offered very little last night and should have substituted after the hour mark for Rondon who was ridiculously brought on with four minutes remaining but still nearly scored with his effort on goal, more than DCL had done all night and no other substitute was used, a common occurrence under Lampard.

We are not done yet but who or what is going to stop the decent into oblivion?

Ian Hollingworth
45 Posted 07/04/2022 at 14:25:11
Its come to something when there is a call for Rondon to replace DCL.
It is something that I never thought I would hear or read but sadly it is a good call as DCL has been woeful and offers no goal threat whatsover. He appears to have the lost ability to jump and he is weak and feeble when trying to win the ball back.

Whatever happens we the fans should not let the clubs mistakes be forgotten or brushed under the carpet. We are here due to an inept board, terrible recruitment and a meddling owner.
It must start with KENWRIGHT OUT

Jim Wilson
46 Posted 07/04/2022 at 14:42:41
Lampard must be removed immediately if we are to have any chance of staying up.

We need to bring in someone who knows how to make us hard to beat. Playing this suicidal 'open game' week after week has destroyed the team.

The constant mistakes are a direct result of constant team changes and the defence being completely exposed by lack of cover from the midfield.

The concept of the wide men or wingers protecting and helping the full backs is completely alien to a young manager who is completely out of his depth.

Lampard has failed miserably and we don't have any time left.

Kenny Smith
47 Posted 07/04/2022 at 15:45:43
I thought the ban after Hysel was bad enough in terms of the damage it did to Everton. Something we had no hand in and has left a bad taste in our mouths ever since. Losing the manager and best players as they wanted to play in Europe and some poor decisions made at board level cos us and led to years of shite football. This though is different, it’s entirely of our own making. I thought we were going down after the Brentford away game despite having about 20 odd games left. Moshiri wanted Benitez. I get that but the board are week as piss and should of stopped it from happening. We’re a joke of a club on and off the pitch and are run like a stall at a car boot sale. Our fate is sealed, last night was the final roll of the dice, forget Watford away it was last night that mattered. I don’t know what the answer is to this fucking mess but Kenwright has to fall on his sword and fuck off now. If Moshiri had no money left I’d say the same about him. There’s absolutely no guarantee you’ll see us in the premier league in the next 10 years. Anyway I’ll still support this club even when we end up in the business houses league playing the dog and duck pub on a Sunday morning.
David Currie
48 Posted 07/04/2022 at 16:42:45
Colin Bell @23,

Any chance you can play on Saturday, lad?

What a player you were!

Mark Palmer
49 Posted 07/04/2022 at 17:27:51
I'll honestly lose no sleep if we get relegated. We'll all still support Everton so what's the difference?

When's the last time we had anything apart from the odd win to cheer about? We can't live off passed glories. Those days are gone and they'll only return with rebuilding.

We'll probably have more to celebrate and get excited about every weekend in the Championship instead of hoping to hang on to the coattails of teams scrambling for European places whilst throwing hundreds of millions at the attempt. It's immoral.

I don't want a club that uses a business model that relies solely on being owned by a billionaire owner.

I'd rather start again, build a team of young players (local lads preferably) who want to play for us and would be proud to do so. I want a team and a club to be proud of.

Top flight football has moved on and we've been left behind.


Barry Hesketh
50 Posted 07/04/2022 at 17:40:47
Mark @49,

I wonder why all of those Championship clubs care so much about getting promoted to the Premier League? Could it be for the Kudos, Money, fame, TV coverage?

Everton have spent so long in the top-flight, we are all guilty of taking it for granted; however, I can assure you that relegation will alter the fortunes of the club forever.

And the fans, particularly the kids who haven't yet started attending will take little or no notice of us. I only pay a passing interest in the Championship and rarely bother to watch the games live on TV.

If it happens it happens but it will have a profound effect on the club and its future. I'd much prefer to struggle on a few seasons in the Premier League for all of its faults than spend even one season in the Championship.

Lee Robinson
52 Posted 07/04/2022 at 18:08:33
This side is so frustrating to watch. An absolute patchwork quilt of headless chickens with a terrible mentality.

This isn't new either, it was just as hard to watch last season but we had a bit of quality in the final 3rd (Sigurdsson, James and Digne) and we KITAP1 most of the time away from home.

I've never known a bunch of players who can't pick a pass; they play it behind so the receiver needs to check back, they can't cross...

Why is it we give away corners consistently and we can't defend them? Everyone against us is on the money yet with time as space no one can put a ball in?

We concede the same goals every week. The amount of times someone cuts it back and there is a player there unmarked while Godfrey runs the other way, not one of them looking where the danger is.

This team will not pick enough points up ,I'm afraid.

Bill Fairfield
53 Posted 07/04/2022 at 18:45:44
What are the odds this crazy owner will push the panic button again?
Gerry Western
54 Posted 07/04/2022 at 19:10:31
Lyndon your right to single Richarlison out for praise he was everywhere last night, it takes some nerve to step up and take two penalties especially when there's so much at stake.

We have to hope he doesn't succumb to injury. If so, the precarious situation we find ourselves in will become impossible to overcome, he simply offers so much all over the park.

I'm amazed at how he and Gordon just keep going when so many others are ready to throw the towel in. It can't be easy to persevere when you look around and witness teammates downing tools at the drop of a hat.

It was clear he was goosed going into the final 10-15 minutes, as his contribution began to wane so too did our hopes of getting anything from this fixture.

Defensively we are a shambles. Kenny had a disastrous night and Ben Godfrey, who has pace to burn, shows great tenacity in closing opponents down but sadly is found lacking in technical skills, his passing is quite poor and positional sense is questionable.

Perhaps his greatest weakness, however, is his lack of heading ability which is a must for any central defender. For that reason alone I doubt he will ever be able to perform that role effectively; however, I do believe he has role to play as a utility player – assuming of course he‘s prepared to accept that.

Gary Jones
55 Posted 07/04/2022 at 19:29:38
Bit “left field”. like, but I'm wondering if we could convince Richarlison to come back into a midfield 3 like Howe did with Joelinton? At least until we get out of the shit. His work rate is great, and he's a natural up and down the left anyway.

Whilst we need his prowess up top, it might allow Rondon, Dobbin or Dele Alli to go alongside Calvert-Lewin and add something different up top too. Richarlison could still get up on the attack at times too, so not massively different than his 4-2-3-1 position, just with more discipline to stay and work in the middle.

Maybe for Saturday:

Pickford
Godfrey Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Iwobi Allan Richarlison
Dobbin Calvert-Lewin Rondon

Long diagonals from Godfrey and Pickford towards Calvert-Lewin, Rondon and Richarlison ganging up on McGuire and whoever's is their right-back, with Dobbin looking for the flicks.

Be sad to see Gordon lose a place, but plenty of scope for him and Gray to come on later against tired legs maybe.

Ultimately, I just want to see something different tried, because keep doing the same = we are down.

Howard Sykes
56 Posted 07/04/2022 at 20:20:02
So Calvert-Lewin has said in an interview talking in GQ about going to Arsenal in the summer? So that explains why the girlie is playing like absolute crap – he's trying to run down his transfer value and to hell with Everton.
Will Mabon
57 Posted 07/04/2022 at 20:49:07
Howard, I can find nothing current of any substance (such as that ever is) to support these Arsenal rumours. Even within the GQ article which itself mentions only rumours.

Not to say I haven't missed something – it was hard enough to find what I did find amidst the search results, defaulting as they did to skirts and handbags features. He's been a busy boy in that world, and now lauded for his fashion fluency among other things.

Just the dynamic we need to commit to the battle, 'cos he is apparently comfortable enough in his own masculinity and identity.

May as well blame Kenwright, I guess.

Howard Sykes
58 Posted 07/04/2022 at 20:54:59
Lets just hope he can concentrate on the day job for the rest of the season. He seems to be spreading himself a little thin imo.
Tamhas Woods
59 Posted 07/04/2022 at 20:55:02
Pfff. Arsenal can have DCL. Hope he enjoys sitting next to the touchline chair that says "Reserved for Frannie Jeffers"
David Graves
60 Posted 07/04/2022 at 21:19:13
Howard have you read the article?
Like Will I can find nothing other than a reference to the rumour that he may go to Arsenal.
DCL says nothing about it.
Steve Carter
61 Posted 07/04/2022 at 21:29:27
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZgkIqU15WO0&feature=share
Ed Prytherch
62 Posted 07/04/2022 at 21:34:49
I read that Doucoure ran out of gas because he is observing Ramadan which goes on until May 2
Bill Gall
63 Posted 07/04/2022 at 21:46:53
He may fall over easy, but his work rate at Burnley could not be faulted, it is a shame some of his teammates cant at least put the effort in that he does. I changed my opinion of his effort's for the club when against Newcastle when he was substituted, he stood behind the coaches and was willing Iwobi to score and when he did he dashed back across the field to congratulate him.
Brent Stephens
64 Posted 07/04/2022 at 22:11:56
I noticed several times that the ref allowed Doucoure to take on some energy drink or whatever on the sidelines.
Tony Abrahams
65 Posted 07/04/2022 at 22:29:39
Ben Godfrey, who has pace to burn and shows great tenacity in closing opponents down? I thought he was an absolute disgrace for their second goal, and couldn’t understand why he never went towards the ball? instead he just gave one of the few Burnley players, who are decent on the ball, all the time in the world to “wait” for players to get into the box, under no pressure to rush, because the nearest defender Godfrey didn’t try to close him down.

Maybe Holgate could have also tried to do more, but I personally thought it was on Godfrey, along with a few other players, and again for the third goal, the biggest thing lacking is the concentration levels.

The better the concentration levels, the better the defender, is something that should be constantly getting drummed into these very young defenders, from both the manager and the goalkeeper, with my own thoughts being, that part of the problem could be the very erratic goalkeeper?

Andy Crooks
66 Posted 07/04/2022 at 22:43:20
John, @ 14, I think you are right to a point. They put in physical shifts. Schneiderlin and Siggy dripped sweat, they pissed perspiration. They all do. It is mental endeavour we miss. The pure sweat required to be available for a pass, to take a chance, to risk boos, to be prepared to look bad.
Most of all... to think, if we are relegated I have a responsibility. I am am stuck in the Championship, my career is on hold. They don't.

If we are relegated there will be a line of them walking away, but hoping to walk away with our blessing. Who could blame him, he at least put a shift in, it's a short career, he deserves premier league football etc.
If we are relegated it is down to them. If they want premier league football, play better. If they want European football, play better still.
If this collective pack of c**ts do a Martinez ( relegate us and fuck off to greener pastures) they should be held in contempt for the rest of their days.
Stand up and be men.

Martin Mason
67 Posted 07/04/2022 at 23:13:28
Do we really understand the implication of last night's result? The team below us took 3 points and at half time they were told by Dyche not to worry because we didn't have a clue how to win away. Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?
Laurie Hartley
68 Posted 07/04/2022 at 23:40:56
Richy is my favourite Everton player. In my opinion he puts his heart and soul into every game but he needs a manager to tell him that his best position is not centre forward but wide left and that is where he will be playing - full stop, no argument.

Frank should have brought Rondon on 4 games ago. If he doesn’t start on Saturday I will loose all confidence in his ability as a manager.

Bollocks to massaging egos - pick the players who have the mental fortitude to dig in and play for each other and the shirt.

Jim Wilson
69 Posted 07/04/2022 at 23:52:59
Remember how shambolic the Everton defence was against Wimbledon in 1994. It was horrific.

But once Joe Royle took charge and got the team organised properly the defence with the same players became one of the best in the business.

In 1994 there was nothing in midfield to stop the opposition from taking charge of a game. In 1995 Joe Royle turned the midfield into the 'Dogs of war'. Parkinson was a central defender with very limited ability. Joe Royle turned him into a ball winning midfielder.

Remember how bad Gary Ablett was against Wimbledon and then remember his great run and cross for Amokachi a year later in the Spurs Semi Final.

In 1994 the players confidence was shot in 1995 Joe Royle had the same players playing with confidence.

The right manager could do the same with this team.

It is not the players it is all on the manager to pick a sensible formation (451), stick to it, motivate the players and give them the confidence to go out there and perform to the best of their ability.

Dave Lynch
70 Posted 08/04/2022 at 01:01:27
Rondon is a must start.
DCL has lost all interest in playing for us, at least Rondon will stick his head in where it hurts.
Phil Gardner
71 Posted 08/04/2022 at 12:30:58
DCL must be fit as he’s being picked to start. He was abysmal against Burnley. No hold up play, half hearted pressing, no aerial duals won and no movement off the ball. I’m no mind reader of course, but it really looks like this kid has believed his un-earned publicity after a burst of form under Ancellotti. He needs dropping. His attitude absolutely stinks…we carried him the other night and this is no time to be showing up with ten men. Fuck him off.
Danny O’Neill
72 Posted 08/04/2022 at 14:49:46
I've been quiet this week after my comments after the West Ham game, which I attended. Partly as I have been away again, partly as I have never felt so worried about Everton after Wednesday night. I genuinely had a restless night to put it mildly. I didn't - couldn't - watch it and shut myself out from it.

Some would say it was sooner, but we are genuinely at a defining moment. Having calmed and reflected, I don't think Wednesday was make or break. Lost and we are right in the mix (we are). Won and we are safe (we're not).

But (and this is the real last chance saloon), we still have it to play for.

Watford, Brentford, Leicester x 2 and Crystal Palace. Plenty of points to be had there.

Ignore United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

On paper, that's how you would look at it. Knowing Everton, they'll do something totally odd and 180 degrees to that but somehow still scrape through.


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