Golden rules for Lampard

Whoever is fit Lampard must put a couple of fighters in midfield for this game.

Whether they are youngsters, makeshift or Van De Beek is fit, this game is all about fight.

90+ minutes of hard work in a 451 formation.

We must not get beat.

Get rid of Pickford whilst we may be able to get a decent return. A 5 year old would have positioned themselves more centrally in the goal for that free kick. A good free kick but Pickford gave himself no chance of saving it.

Get rid of Keane. ebay - 99p no reserve.

'What defined Lampard’s Chelsea, and has already become clear at Everton, is a general philosophy of high pressing, an expansive shape, and short passing out from the back – with an emphasis on adventurous attacking football.

But unlike other managers who broadly follow this idea, Lampard teams do not appear to be coached in detail. Chelsea were hopelessly open throughout his 18 months in charge; vulnerable to counterattacks, pressing without structure, and attacking in a seemingly improvised manner.

This is perhaps unsurprising considering Lampard spent his entire playing career under managers with a hands-off approach – and who do not fit the modern necessity of structuring attacks in minute detail.

Having become a manager himself within a year of retiring, Lampard is highly unlikely to have received the teaching needed to coach to the required level, be it the intricacies of defensive organisation from within a high line to the positional specificity of the ‘automatisms’ that make up on-the-ball routines.

Where Everton are struggling
Given that this led to passive, individualistic, and Swiss-cheese football with a team as strong as Chelsea’s, it should come as no surprise Lampard’s problems are even more acute at Everton.

Aside from short waves of intensity that are more psychological than tactical. Everton consistently look flat both on and off the ball. It is a side effect of low confidence, but largely a result of being given too few instructions.

Worse still, Everton are easy to play through due to the disorganisation of their pressing. Players are charging down in ones and twos and without a discernible pattern, which only serves to create holes in the system and further destabilise the shape.

They are also very open between the lines, decompressed in a way that speaks to the freedom Lampard gives his players in attack. They spread out when on the ball, which means opponents can easily counterattack after winning back possession. Again, it is the sign of a coaching problem.

This was seen most poignantly in the 5-0 defeat to Tottenham, who were allowed to play their natural counterattacking game because of Lampard’s accommodating high defensive line and an absence of concerted or organised pressure on the ball.

In this match, and most others under Lampard so far, the distances between the defensive and midfield lines has been far short of what is required in the tactically-complex Premier League of 2022.

This disconnect is just as much an attacking problem as a defensive one, because the players are not close enough to each other (and lack any pre-set moves to enact) to build with speed into the final third.

Formation changes are further destabilising. The chief problem is in central midfield, where Lampard has often selected a two and watched as they a) become isolated from the defensive and attacking lines and b) passively shuffle across, unable to control the match.

This has not been helped by a trial-and-error approach to selecting a formation. Lampard has deployed four distinct formations in just nine matches in charge and generally decides to stick or twist depending on the most recent result – rather than as a reaction to the upcoming opponent’s specific threats.

It has been clear for a while that without the tactical sophistication required to make Everton a coherent hole, Lampard at least needs to settle on one system so that his players can begin to work out their own patterns and relationships.

And it has also been clear that the system needed to have three in midfield, as per the Newcastle game.

The only way for Everton to improve is to become more conservative, finding compression between the lines by dropping a bit deeper and pressing with less frequency'.

Jerome, I had hoped Lampard had learned from his lessons from Derby and Chelsea by hiring Clement. Clement was a bad manager but had a v good reputation as a coach and I presumed he would do the details and address Lampard's glaring weaknesses in organising a defence.

People have said Lampard needs to be cut some slack as he hardly had time to figure out the squad.

In my view, he didn't need to do any figuring out. Ancelotti had done it for him.

As well as the golden rules Ancelotti taught us that we can pick up a lot of points (away in particular) by defending very deep and pinching goals on the break / set pieces.

None of these are complicated. That's the point. This low confidence group needs very simple instructions at the moment, not more instructions.

By all means Frank Lampard, impose a better footballing identity once this awful season is over, but don't be so vain as to think you can get this lot to play their way out of trouble.

Sorry to hear you have Covid.Haven't got got it myself yet, but it will probably come.Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I did think your article was constructive and right.This article gives it further assurance. But Lampard has his own opinions and I
just put forward a analysis by a Professional Coach to show this.

I agree with you on the priorities that Lampard should have, but that second goal is a example of the Professional Analysis which was published after the Newcastle game.

It does feel that luck has deserted us. Refs var injuries. I even think the fixtures have come in the wrong order too. Brentford and Burnley early on in Lampards reign and I think it would have been 6 pts. It feels like the luck has turned on us.

Maybe you have to earn good luck as a manager by picking the right team and coming up with the right tactics.

Tomorrow night should be 451 and fight for the badge more than we have done all season.

COYB!

And Robert, do get well and recover completely. We need you man!

Totally agree with your points Dale.

Yes I'm hoping Godfrey and Myko will make a difference.
We are equipped to catch them on the break and surely Richy is due a goal or two.

I see the ref for tomorrow has been named as Mike Dean.

It’s like banging your head against a brick wall supporting Everton. Ancelotti knew how to get away points, 11 away wins !, with most of these players. 451, keep it very tight and grab a goal. It worked, ok it was Covid times, but still it was earning points and security with a limited squad. It’s all been tried, nothing else works with our current squad.

Any manager at all, even ones more experienced than Lampard, would need a few signings and a pre season to introduce different systems with full understanding and effectiveness. At a minimum.

I’m certain that if we’d stuck to that Ancelotti (and dare I say it Allardyce) proven formula we’d be ensconced mid table, in our normal inconsequential state of inglorious also-rans. Oh, how we can now dream of such lofty aspirations.

A small caveat to the golden rules, Gomes has had his best games coming on as a sub when the game has slowed a bit and there is a little more space and time for him. If he can’t be sold this use of him is still an option.

On second thoughts, no, scrap the caveat, stick to the rules.

Tomorrow is a must not lose game for Everton.

Every player in the squad tomorrow must play for the shirt.
Burnley will play as they do, Everton must keep their cool and bide their time and take any chances.

If they play the big Dutch lad, then if Everton can stop the feed and crosses, it could help stem Burnley’s game plan. Do they have much else aside from McNeil?

But tomorrow every player in the Everton shirt must give their all for the shirt.

This is the basic minimum ask in every game.

Everton, please turn up for 95 minutes tomorrow night.

I thought that regarding Clements, but was not impressed with him flicking through a plastic folder, like last minute exam revision, as he instructed a sub on the sideline before the p!ayer came on during the Wolves match. . A complete waste of time. I think Frank has a open attacking style of football and Clements defensive ideas have to fit in, with that, which is impossible.

Everything you have suggested and Jim has elaborated on should be part of the tool kit, but Clements is not being allowed to use it. What Frank achieved over the International break was improvement in the implementation of his system, but the flaws where still there.

As you say the remedies are simple. That should be the focus in a relegation dogfight.

Get the simple basics right first then slowly introduce your own ideas.

I was hoping Clements would get all the basics right for Lampard from the off but it didn't happen.

Not sure how Delph can be match-fit for tonight. If Delph starts, Lampard must have a Plan B if he is struggling, whether it is bringing on Price or Kenny or moving Holgate into the defensive midfield position.

4-5-1 for me tonight.

COYB, fight for your lives tonight for the full 90+ minutes!

You got your answer tonight. No plan B. Robert and your toolkit completely ignored. Open attacking football, no change anytime during the match. Clements was not involved. No attempt to manage the game at any stage.

The International break was about open attacking football, not a relegation dog fight. The substitutions were to maintain the same strategy, but were far too late to even do that.

Actually, Jim, if he had played your formation Frank would have won the match but he didn't and gaps and players out of position abounded.

With such a weak midfield you could see how it was going to inevitably end.

Kenny and Mykolenko were poor but were left completely exposed all night. 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.

At 2-1 and especially 2-2 I would have had no hesitation in putting Seamus wide right and Putting Delph in midfield as an extra man.

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

The worry now is that the home form will drop and there is no time left to wait and see.

My feeling is we need at least 4 more wins and I cannot see us getting them under Lampard. I can see more humiliating results though.

So it's whether the board bite the bullet and gamble on boring Sam working a bigger miracle than last time, the Dunc or preferably both of them together. They will probably decide on that foreign manager though!

I don't care how bad the football is I just want us to stay up.

Jim they are finished if they go down, because of FFP Rules, look at Derby.They have to change the formation and Lampard won't.That is exactly the situation now, with Big Sam or Duncan needed. Duncan for the next immediate match and Big Sam for the remains away games.

It is a sad and desperate situation we are in and it is all a gamble, but gamble we now must.

Yep, if we go down, it really does look grim so we have to give something a try. One last throw of the dice using a bit of common sense!

Like I say we need at least 4 wins out of 9 and I just can't see it happening with Lampard.

I hope I am totally wrong.

And I hope the Utd game doesn't prove to be the tipping point beacuse that will mean we need 4 wins out of the 8 games left!

Maybe my thinking is a bit desperate but playing Gray as a second forward running off either Rondon or Calvert-Lewin, with Gordon and Richarlison playing either side, might just bring us enough goals to beat the drop?

It's still hard but, with Branthwaite playing alongside Keane or Mina, pushing Godfrey out to fullback, and playing Coleman in the other fullback position, then Holgate (who else can sit naturally?) alongside Allan, and effectively keeping a back six, whilst letting the other four just get on with it (Sam Allardyce style) might just bring us enough points.

I agree with using Gray as a flexible Number 10 behind the striker.

Branthwaite playing well gives us something to build on although the result was difficult to take.

We still have Watford, Brentford and Palace with Chelsea and Leicester not looking in top form. Get right and settle up your emotions for now we have some decent chances to turn it around.

Allan is back and that will help the back line immensely. Not going down! UTFT!!!!!

That is the formation that is needed. But you will not get that from Frank up to now. Maybe there will be a radical rethink after the latest result. I will wait and hope. Really any suggestion on replacing Frank is based on changing the present formation.

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.

Frank should definitely have closed the shop at half time: 433, keep it tight and Nick an extra goal. 3-1 and we would have been home and hosed.

We needed an experienced manager to replace RB and instead we got a young manager earning his spurs.

It’s so typical of this completely inept board

Moshiri was literally the worst thing to EVER happen to Everton

I love these optimists too though I totally disagree with them. My solace is that I cashed in all my stock three years ago ahead of the crash that hasn’t yet happened. I also still have a dusty old notebook from 1998 with me and my mates plan to evade the Ebola pandemic by fleeing to Northern Finland. Point being, I’m the fellow with the End is Nigh sandwich board and I hope to be proven wrong again

Have those 3 fully fit all season and perhaps a decent manager and I reckon we’d be safely ensconced in mid table mediocrity. Which I’d bite your arm off for at this point.

Lampard has had us far too open from day one. A few weeks ago,I listened to Talkshite and Murphy said that the first thing we needed to do was close the space between our defenders. He mantioned that it was a simple adjustment always implemented to prevent goals. We have seen nothing, just switching guys around due to injury or unavailability.

Reluctantly, I think Lampard should be sacked pronto as he had little idea about us prior to taking the job and is making all the mistakes of our former coaches which any of us could have warned him about on day one.

On Saturday, if he has the same approach, we will lose again. Time to release him, he has got most things wrong and shows no sign of sorting out the defence. Sorry to say it but it's clear.

I would put Duncan and Unsworth in charge until the end of the season.

I think Holgate has helped close the space that you mention, but the other problem is that our defenders keep constantly dropping deep, and this creates the gap again, but “never” do you see Pickford, coming off his line talking to his defenders, and trying to get them to hold a higher line.

I’d argue that the other major problem all season, has been the lack of communication and concentration, and that’s what gifted Burnley, all three goals on Wednesday night.

Nobody taking charge for the first goal, a catalogue of errors, for their other two goals, and it was the same on Sunday, when we had West Ham, were we wanted them, but then Keane’s lack of composure and concentration, gave Iwobi, a pass that he wasn’t expecting, instead of remaining calm, and not trying to force the play.

It is now salvage time.

As Tony says the Everton defenders drop deep creating spaces( Always have).But Frank has a gung ho approach once possession is got adding to the spaces and gaps.In the Premiership lower table sides are onto this straight away and compact midfield to turnover possession.Add to that two in midfield and Dyche's 'they don't know how to score' with the addition of Calvert Lewins poor final third play.- The opposition defence can push up and exploit the weakness in Lampards tactics.Top4 sides actually give Everton more time in midfield but a would not count on that remaining so.

They had a chance to correct things once Ancelotti departed but they, between them, somehow made the worst decision possible in the club's history to bring in a much-disliked ex Liverpool manager.

This guy was always going to be highly divisive for both being an ex-red and also being very much a non-football playing type manager. He was never going to have a team full of highly decorated players who could win something for us so there was only one way it was going to go and that has led us into this situation now.

There was hardly a clamour of top managers in the running for our top job so, in the end, there was some made-up meeting in London to decide who it would be. In my view, it was the supporters who made that decision.

Given that Ferguson was one of the names in the hat, and the fact that he has never put his name forward for the job, it makes a mockery of why he was actually there.

So we end up with Lampard as our manager. A man who, in my eyes, will be a top manager in the future. I don't think he quite knew how poor our players were and it has really gone badly for him and us because of injuries and suspensions.

So here he is left with the remnants of a squad that has failed the past few managers. Ancelotti got as much out of them as could be possible but even he would struggle with the actual team that Lampard has had bestowed on him lately.

If people want to have this club move forward, then we must suffer before we get going. Kenwright should be forced out immediately and possibly Moshiri too because they are total fuckwits. It's no use chopping and changing managers with the same inept leaders running the show.

If it was a ship with these two in charge, they would have been thrown overboard a long time ago.

Big changes are needed and the supporters must force that but, in my opinion, Frank Lampard should be left to get on with the rebuild.

I think there where a group of players who backed Digne, and a group of players who saw that as offensive against an established manager (whether they liked him personally or not, they may have believed you put faith in him as that’s your ‘duty’ as a player). I think Greys downturn in form is a good example of the latter group.

I think the fans then exasperated the situation, with maybe 30-40% booing him on his return, and then one tit trying to bottle him (albeit Digne should have been bigger and avoided celebration). If your work treated your mate like that, would you be pulling up trees for them any time soon?

I think Ferguson and Baines being relegated into the deep back by Lampard team (whether you think it’s good or bad), and even Marcel Brands sacking has also caused some bad taste with some of the players too.

There’s likely a lot of bad blood and general negative energy about, and whilst they are trying to lift themselves out of the “depression” (not a term lightly used, albeit the word trying might be) it’s much harder to play a game you should otherwise enjoy playing when morale isn’t right.

Think whatever happens this year, we just HAVE to have a fundamental squad reset in the summer. Whilst it’s not without its own risks, moving on the likes of Pickford, Keane, Kenny, Holgate, Doucoure, Mina, Gomes…..and even maybe (or certainly if we go down) the likes of Richie, Gray and DCL too.

Start next season with freshness and youth. Take a judgment about whether Lampard can be a “positive father figure” who can get the team playing without fear and with fun. If not, find someone who can. Get rid of Kenwright by hook or crook, and have a fresh start at Under23 levels too.

Put Patterson, Brantwaite, Myko, Warrington, Dobbin, Simms, Price, et al into the first team to cover the losses in numbers. If we’re lucky enough to attract them, go get the Gallaghers, Brereton Diaz’s, Adebayo‘s, Piroe’s too. Young, hungry players with lots to prove and very few chips on their shoulders

Happy Clappers, what a ridiculous term to use for fellow Evertonians. Fans have NO power to remove any employee from the club, they have no power to force an owner to sell, they can't choose the make-up of the board. When will the unhappy Evertonians realise that the only power they have is to pay to watch or not pay to watch Everton.

Psychologically the club belongs to the fans, reality says it belongs to Moshiri.

- Mix it up, hit long, play through the middle, play down the wings.

Tomorrow I’d try something like

Begovic
Godfrey Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Doucoure Allan Richie
Dele
Rondon DCL

Richie works hard and could do what Joelinton did at toon, and shore up the middle. He could get forward, and gang up with Rondon and DCL on weakest part of United defence.

Did they though? They certainly helped remove various managers at various times, but the ownership only changed when those owners got themselves and the club into financial trouble and that financial situation forced them to sell-up, the removal was also helped by the various media outlets putting unrelenting pressure on the owners, including the Echo. Being who they are also helped them to escape liquidation due to their close alliances with very important groups and people.

Link

I'll stick by my premise that the only meaningful way to change anything is to remove our financial support to the club and even that doesn't necessarily mean they would change anything if they don't want to.

“Be careful what you wish for” also became a very common phrase, because nobody wanted us to be the next Leeds, Forest or Wednesday. City and Leicester both went down two divisions, Leicester went into administration, but came out a much more professional club on the other side, whilst the once mighty Everton, became Plucky, and even managed to punch above their weight for years? (Look at some of the unadulterated shite we’ve just accepted)

The next few weeks are vital, and the only way we are going to get through it is by uniting imo. Save the real arguments for later, because Everton’s immediate future is definitely on the line right now.

Pickford
Coleman
Myko
Brantwaite
Keane
Allan
Iwobi
Doucoure
Gordon
DCL and
Charlie

It's easy to make a case for not starting a number of those listed above but given injuries and suspensions I think they offer the best opportunity of achieving a result.

All is not lost and hopefully the 12th man will make the usual impact and we can get some much needed points.

We have to unite until the end of the season and fuck Dyche and his "Alehouse" football and just focus on ourselves.

Lets leave reviews and recriminations to the end of the season and lets have Goodison rocking.

With the home games, we need to rely on Goodison advantage. We can beat Man Utd.

We just need someone to say this to Lampard and for him to take it on board. And if it doesn't happen he should go.

Same with Mike Walker in '94. He was full of coaching tactics but didn't get the basics right (the golden rules) so the team struggled. Joe Royle came in and got the basics right. His dogs of war were slated by Roy Evans but we got that point at Anfield in '95 then we beat them the following year.

If we can turn up against City we can beat Utd. COYB!

Benitez was appointed to actually change the power base within Everton. An impossible task and never a substitute for actually reorganising Everton at every level, which Moshiri should have done via the proper channels.

The reason Lampard was brought in was because of a power struggle between Kenwright & Co and Moshiri & Co. Again, Moshiri won and selected a manager. He turned out to be a nutter within a day of being selected, so Kenwright & Co got Lampard in, the only other available candidate, who was originally last on this list.

Next move will be the temporary appointment of the old guard totally loyal to Kenwright & Co. Temporary indeed, because no-one in comfy Everton will want to nail their colours to the Everton mast.

So we have a Manager selected under these circumstances, with a bolstered Kenwright & Co running the club. And Fans wonder why there are problems???

As for games left:

9 games left
8 games left
7 games left
6 games left
5 games left
4 games left
3 games left
2 games left
1 game left

A countdown to relegation, without. . .

Robert #31 is right turn ugly away and fight for everything at home. Every game a final, push everything to the limit, fair and foul.

According to Paul The Esk on his recent podcast, first team players were briefing a chief football journalist for a national newspaper on the morning of the Burnley game, saying they thought Lampard was not up to it.

Alarming on many levels if true.

That's hilarious. These wise sages can make that determination. I seem to recall them complaining Koeman's tactics were too complicated, Fat Sam was too focussed on KPI, Silva had poor tactics, Rafa was an asshole.

The only one they didn't whisper about to the press was Carlo. And how did his brilliance combine with their untold talents? Oh yeah, they were still crap.

The club should investigate this and find out who these players are then immediately sack them for breach of contract and Lampard should sue them for defamation of character.

That says more about the players than it does about Lampard because it does not matter who is in charge really – they should do as they are told. I'm sure Frank doesn't tell them to mis-control the ball and pass the ball to an opponent.

I've just watched the Burnley game and that first goal for Burnley could be attributed to four different Everton players with Pickford in my eyes being the biggest culprit.

The highest level I ever played was for the Yankee Clipper and I would be embarrassed with that defending. All we got paid was a few free pints after each game.

Also, I just watched Lampard's press conference and I have to say that he looks shot but is putting on a brave face. He's absolutely correct in what he says and we all saw it ourselves. We lost the game because of poor defending and poor finishing.

We need a leader on that pitch to control the players and keep them in shape. Have we got one at the club?

Lampards tactial failings now in part could be explained by lack of comittement to preparation and some half baked performances on the part of the players.

Lampard could be the victim of calling out the players on committement. I did wonder how they would react. They are not prepared to take any blame and blame the Manager.It shows what scum they are to allow their petty grievances to get rid of the Manager, jeopardise the Clubs future.

I can imagine Bill calling Mason Holgate: "Hey lad, Frank says you've no bollocks. Do you think that's something David Unsworth ever have said?"

"No, Unsie says nice stuff like 'Morgan Feeney is the new Dave Watson. Beni Baningime is going to be a first-team starter, Josh Bowler is a star.' He never said anything mean."

"Don't worry son, I'll have a word with Prenno. He'll get it out in the media and Moshiri will sack him. You know like when I got rid of Koeman for you, and Sam when he was holding Tom to statistics and performance metrics. Don't worry lad, you and Tom are the lifeblood of the club."

Unbelievable if Paul the Esk's podcast is right. Can't see Paul the Esk say that without a reliable source.

Utd did have chances though.

But I think Delph and Allan made the difference and I hope we can put out the same team against Leicester, can be even tighter as a unit, and maybe DCL sharper than he has been so far since he got back in the team.

Hopefully another good result against Leicester and then we can go into the Derby with a determination and confidence that I could never have hoped for only a few days ago.

Calvert Lewin was very weak for what ever reason, and could have caused problems if Man United had decided to compact midfield, which they didn't.

These seems enough players to contribute to the open attacking football style, which hopefully will negate. the flaws. I was so glad to see that today. Playing the top half of the tables team, who give Everton space in midfield could be a good thing.

Wonder who the players are who briefed against the Manager prior to the Burnley game are and whether they were playing?

Outlining the weaknesses in his tactics and the players who are not playing well enough. But I am hoping that Frank, being a Young Manager, will get the chance to turn it around. It also could have been the case that some players may not have been prepared to work with him.

Fortunately there are some players today who where prepared to back him on the pitch. This is all against the background of relegation, which maybe difficult for Everton to recover from financially.

I thought we looked more compact, wisely ceded possession and defended fairly deep.

Seemed like a good tactical number against a Man Utd side that huffed and puffed but didn't have enough class to break us down.

Far fewer individual errors but maybe the error-prone individuals were less exposed than they have been.

More of this, especially away, will stand us in good stead.

But it could be or almost certainly was the case that players briefing against Lampard was pure newspaper tittle-tattle. However, for some reason, you're always drawn to the more sensationalist explanation. Anyway good day... let's hope we have many more.

May the brief be with (or should that be against) you!

I'm just hoping whatever has been going on has worked in the team's favour.

Leicester is a must win, so here's hoping our luck is back, big time!

The source was Paul the Esk first-hand.and Everton are in a relegation dogfight, fighting for their financial future.

The key player was Delph, with the help of Allan IMO. He was given space by Man Utd though. Hopefully not like Gomes against Brentford.

Lampard did drop Holgate and Doucoure and Delph and Allan were a lot more professional. Frank kept going with his opening attacking football.

Lucky Man Utd did not take advantage of another Dyche's 'They do not know how to score' performance from Calvert-Lewin and push up to compact midfield.

Burnley were tactically better than Man Utd, but Everton had a operating midfield trio, which Keane did not have to risk pushing up into.

All credit to Lampard in unleashing Iowbi in the Wondering Angus role, which he was made for. His right position now is everywhere.

I do hope Everton survive, because their young manager has a lot of potential. Even better if they survive on his terms, though I will be on the end of my tether watching. He has a small core of players who have bought into his thinking, as the game against Man Utd showed. Hopefully they stay fit to help him.

Anyway, he will be encouraged now, which means a lot for the next game. Dissenters in the club will have to shut their mouths in the short term after the Man Utd result.

I wish he would follow your and Robert's advice, but Frank is determined to learn the hard way on his terms. I have a son like that. My wife tells me he will always land on his feet,.

Totally agree with you on Man Utd's tactics and I wonder whether Leicester will be more difficult to play against.

Surely against Liverpool, Lampard will know the team will have to give them no time or space whatsoever.

I would like to see the team unchanged for the next 2 games. I am sure this will help.

Just curious, does your wife think Lampard and Everton will land on their feet?

As for the team in the next two games I would like Van de Beek used to interchange and deflect from Delph being targeted. I can see Richarlison leading the line.

I am of the opinion that Premier League teams, not effectively at Everton, analyse every team and act to vary tactics to negate any areas that can cause them problems. They are also are quick to follow successful tactics.

Ancelotti could vary tactics three times in a game. You could never predict a Ancelotti line out at the start of a game. He was well aware of the above.

Leicester City are the bogey men in the remaining fixtures and Rodgers is unpredictable, but never quite makes it. Everton have to be well organised.

As regards Delph and Van de Beek. Do you mean Delph starts and after so many minutes Van de Beek replaces him or they both start and interchange positions/roles?

After yesterday, I had actually forgotten about Van de Beek!
I thought he was excellent in the Leeds game. He looked like he had a tackle, a good pass and enthusiasm so when he was withdrawn from the West Ham warm up with Allan already missing it was a massive blow.

With regards to Richarlison leading the line against Leicester, I'm torn between two thoughts:

1. After a bit of a break, Calvert-Lewin will come out firing on all cylinders
2. Play Richarlison up top and we have more options behind him.

You wouldn't want to be a manager, would you!

I still think a new captain is required. Seamus has been a great servant and still has a bit to offer but I have thought for a while his form hasn't been worthy of the leadership this team needs to stay disciplined when necessary.

They need a man of steel in the middle of the park, someone who isn't yet with the club.

They do have inconsistent performers and sick note players which needs to be sorted soon otherwise we are not going anywhere.

If new investment is achieved and maybe from the US then hopefully they can start to get the kind of players that were attracted to RS when they got big US investors.

I also think it has affected some of his performances. For example his mistake in the Goodison Derby was nothing to do with his aging years but the sheer pressure/resposibility that was on his shoulders. Not forgetting he has been brilliant in some games this season too.

My reasons are simply tactical. If you like, not giving the opposition preparation any structure.

I would play Van de Beek first, bringing in Delph for the attempt at the beginning of the second half to push up. I would prefer Rondon leading the line than Calvert-Lewin, so as to prevent pressure on midfield. I don't think Frank will though, so prefer Richarlison. His left foot has improved.

Last season, Ancelotti's 'one touch' had the desired effect to get Calvert-Lewin in position. On Ancelotti leaving, he poo-pooed the idea that this had helped. Injury has clouded the view of progress.

But Calvert-Lewin, in his appearances, has not attacked the near post, got in front of his man, been near the position he should be in, held up the ball, laid off to effective supporting players (only once to Iowbi), lead or pressurise the line... and as for one touch, it is non-existent. His ball control and shooting have always been below par.

Some put this all down to fitness. I put it down to poor coaching or a player who is not buying in. I think Dyche's comments of “They don't know how to score” was based on observing the above. It's technical and tactical, rather than physical, IMO.

Players don't have to have the armband to be captain. Delph could have been one of them, he is constantly talking and urging the players on during the game and I hope he can stay fit for a lot of the remaining games. Everton should feel the benefit if he does.

They really are a shower at Everton.