Everton spirits high as results start to reflect player's efforts

And don't look at the league table until after Christmas. That will tell us where we are.

We can climb higher. The performances and attitude are showing that.

And we have two cup competitions to compete for.

1) Oddly, I believe the break will do us a favour. We all know how we have struggled in our home performances. Especially after an away win. The expectations being much higher than the reality in front of us.

2) Goodison is eerily quiet for huge swathes of play, especially after such a victory. The tension clearly transmits to the players. As soon as the Goodison Roar starts there is a noticeable improvement and suddenly we look like a winning team again. If a huge boiling cauldron of an atmosphere can be created from the off to the end v the mancs, Everton can WIN.

3) December may be one of the most negatively significant for the club in living memory. Both on and off the pitch. With a flurry of formidable fixtures facing top six teams in 5 out of 8 next league matches (I include Newcastle and Chelsea) and then Villa on New Years day with a wafer thin squad it is going to be a difficult time. The clanking of metal on metal and scraping of whetstone across blades has already begun. The detractors can be heard sharpening their knives, and not for carving the Xmas turkey I fear.

If we come through this with period with a half decent buffer above the drop zone, then I will consider that a positive.

Off the field, we have the trial and tribulations of The Premier League wanting the most draconian of penalties issued for an offence(s) most of us are still very much in the dark about.

With no facts at hand, it is still tough to see how the incompetence of Everton's owner (and Soviet shadow) and (now mainly) ex-board members (both dead and alive) will manage to present something solid, legitimate and above all … true.

Being a Blue means you need to have superhuman resolve. And we have that in abundance.

COYB 💙💙💙

It looks like he is a very good football manager.

Next he'll be referring to them as “the boys”. We are Everton and we should shun these terms of familiarity. It's not right.

But seems some of our fans have decided that Onana and Garner is our best pairing. Having read all the posts under both Lyndon's and Michael's articles, there is very little praise for Gueye and even more surprisingly very little comment on how easy that Eze turned Onana on the goal line.

In fact a lot of the discussion on these threads was if Eze dived or not. But the real question should be: How did Onana get beaten so easily? I could well imagine what most of the threads have been about if Gueye had let Eze turn him so easily and Onana had scored the goal.

It will be very interesting to see our midfield for our game with Man Utd. Surely you have to start a man who scored the winner in the last game, don't you?

Whilst I understand what you are saying, we have seen week after week that Gueye concedes possession too easily, too often. He had a storming game on Saturday and I hope that gives us confidence in him when he is needed. But for me, that does not make him part of our best midfield 3 yet. If he plays like that whenever he is called on, then he will make himself undroppable.

Sticking to the positives. It was asked of me, what is your left-back doing so far ahead of your left winger in the first minute?

To me it looks like we have developed the Pienaar - Baines pairing with McNeil and Mykolenko. Both are playing as left-wingbacks. When one bombs on, the other covers. They seem to relish playing off each other. it makes them difficult to defend against.

Goals from all over the team is what good sides do. 10 different scorers so far this season. We just need to keep doing it.

I nodded my head in agreement when you pointed out Onana's lamentable effort trying to stop Eze on the byline. He did exactly the same when playing for Belgium, think v Germany earlier this season.

But fans continue to highlight his good points and forget to mention his deficiencies and there are always plenty of them in every game he plays. Yes, he's had two better games recently — after a long spell of average and poor games.

I don't think we are on our own regarding Onana, Brian.

Bit of a headless chicken for me and lucky if he can find a teammate from 10 yards. Lots of running around and that seems to be enough for some.

Big Nev in goal, Ratters, Mounts and Psycho Pat at the back. Sheeds, Tricky Trev, and Brace in midfield. Sharpy and Inchy upfront.😁

I suppose they could have gone for Dano! I probably wish I hadn't said that, but I have now!

Onana had one of his off days. He is still inconsistent and that lets down the talent within. But without consistency, desire and commitment, ability can almost become irrelevant.

Against Palace, they were fearless, and it looks like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. There also appears to be good camaraderie, great scenes after the Gana winner, especially.

I think Tarkowski has been a superb acquisition, and in the absence of Coleman, he it is who is the strong personality, as well as a very effective central defender. It is great to watch him tutoring young Jarrad in the "dark arts" and that partnership is now one of several burgeoning partnerships through the team which are paying dividends – hallelujah.

My key worry is around injuries: The squad is wafer thin, and it would be wrong to expect the likes of Garner, Young and McNeil to have to fill gaps all over the pitch, we need new blood, but that will largely depend upon what, if any, business the club are allowed to do in January.

You might be right but there is also a chance that you might be wrong with that observation, mate? Dyche is showing everyone that he is a very pragmatic manager, but I'm also sure he is easily capable of getting his team to play a much more expansive game in the future. We will see.

I think Colin, is taking the piss, but I think a manager using nicknames for his players, just shows you what type of man that he is. I might be wrong again.

Great point, Niall, about the size of our squad, although it does finally feel like we have come to the end of our total mismanagement days🤞

Sean Dyche has to take enormous credit for this. Just think if only we had Calvert-Lewin and/or Beto for those opening games, we could justifiably be on 23 points now.

I like Garner's enthusiasm, he has fitted in really well, and with Onana and Doucouré putting some good shifts in we look very competitive. Coupled with a strong defence and the ability to create and score goals, and a system that suits the regular starting eleven, our future looks brighter.

It did happen late in the game but there was a determined aspect to it. We may not be able to create possession early but Gana advancing late into spaces where he can find Doucouré or a winger for a recycle is a crucial need for us. It may work to free up space until they begin to mark him then he should drop deeper. He will get a few unpressured touches before they start tracking him.

I know it sounds crazy but some successful touches between Doucouré and Gana could free up other runs and allow some possession to be maintained where we usually go direct.

It was Derek Temples 85th Birthday this weekend.

How fitting we get a winner to win 3-2 to mark the occasion?

Yes indeed, we have proper management, coaching and rehab systems in place for the first time in a while.

We are starting to see movement in terms of the squad refresh also, with options for sales and possibly loans for fringe players, hopefully allowing Dyche and Thelwell to strengthen with new players who fit the system.

All of this is subject to the usual caveat as regards independent commission findings and whether sanctions are imposed.

There is no game on New Year's Day. The Villa match is on Sunday 14th January.

Some fans think Pep or another manager with an exotic sounding name could get these players playing to the level Man City are at!

Dyche is doing a good job slowly week by week getting stronger, more organised, more belief, and more points.
What's not to like??

I'm not sure but someone will probably know: When was the last time we lost a lead twice in an away game, but still come back to win?

Now he is doing that, it would be daft to suppose we have cracked it. I doubt anyone will be clearer than Dyche about the pitfalls which lie ahead, most obviously in December.

I think the manager will be pragmatic enough to understand which games should be prioritised and rotate the squad accordingly. Assuming we are still in a safe mid-table position, the cup tie against Fulham must given precedence over the games the following week against Spurs and Man City.

Youngy? Give me a break.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3772494/everton-v-fulham-carabao-cup-ticket-news

Ashley Young, has got league winner's medals in both England and Italy. He's won the FA Cup, the Europa League, and has most probably won the League Cup as well, so I hope he rubs off on our present squad for obvious reasons.

Hopefully this can only get stronger as the season kicks off again after the international break.

We haven't won a trophy,
we haven't won a trophy,
we haven't won a trophy since February 24.
Since February 24,
February 24.

We haven't won a trophy,
we haven't won a trophy
We haven't won a trophy
Since February 24.

And repeat!

It keeps me awake at night.

Persecuted and laughed at by our horrible self-superior condescending neighbours for most of their lives, then who do you think they would enjoy beating the most at Wembley? Especially when they know that a lot of the phoney bastards would simply not be able to handle it.

Give us Liverpool at Wembley, because we have definitely got to beat them in a cup final at least once in my lifetime. 🤞💙🙏

Well done and credit were it's due, and with belief and upbeat spirits, into a tough festive period of fixtures.

What a difference to 12 months ago, and 2 years ago.

UTFTs!

Thanks, I'll be out early in the morning to get mine.

Colin & Paul. Keep believing.

Not wanting you to have a wasted journey tomorrow:

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Thanks Barry, Wednesday it is then, saved me a journey.

Get where you're coming from but, while they are still in the competition, I won't rest easy.

I've got this feeling that we are going to meet them in the final and I think most of us know how that usually ends.

Anyone thinking we can beat them is dreaming I'm afraid but it's the truth.

I hate myself for thinking like this but that's what Everton have done to me all my life.

Heart ruling the head left years ago re Everton and Liverpool; their best effort in terms of ability and mentality is on a different planet to ours.

Big games sees them at full chat while we mostly curl up in a ball in the corner. The idea they might not show allowing our top game to prevail is a desperate delusion. I don't understand why people do it.

A semi or final involving the 2 clubs would be another catastrophe for us and party time for them.

I understand people frothing at unpalatable truth but the fact is fans beating their chests in indignation won't make a bit of difference.

We all know who wins.

I want us to win it so we can sing "you haven't won a trophy since 2022!" :-)

I understand your feelings, Andy, but they will never scare me mate, and if they give me 20 minutes, then Stone, Woan and Dyche will definitely go into the game with a lot more confidence. I'd tell them how to break their red hearts.

With regards to playing the other lot at Wembley, I don't want it to happen ever again. I'm with Andy on this, Maine Road 84, Wembley 86 and 89 still haunt me.

I'm 53 now, and if I'm honest, I'm sort of inured to the heartbreak our club gives me (us) on a seemingly regular basis.

I don't want younger Evertonians, who turn up in droves, home and away, to suffer that. They really don't deserve it.
Apologies for my negativity.

Forget Maine Road, I still remember the Alan Hansen handball at Wembley that was ignored.

And despite everything that has happened over the past few decades, 10th May 1986 goes down as probably one of the worst days in my Everton life. The Ian Rush lead 5 - 0 drubbing at Goodison sits up there too.

But I will never fear them. I never do. If we get the chance to face them at Wembley, we go loud and proud and when we beat them, Wembley won't have experienced anything like it.

I never told any of them about this, preferring to let them carry on talking shite, but when you have been scarred for life then I believe it's only natural to want revenge, and that's why those red bastards will never ever scare me!

I believe in Dyche, that he has not only assembled the nucleus of a decent squad/team from the ashes of despair, but instilled a team spirit that has been missing for far too long. Results breed confidence, but not over-confidence, I don't think he will allow that to creep in.

Sorry for banging an old drum, but these International Breaks which seem to be increasing, are just getting in the way of a sustained run, and the possibility of key players picking up injury. I suppose a morsel of comfort, is in, that it is the same for all Premier League Clubs.

My only beef with Dyche, who I think is doing a sterling job with the squad he has inherited, and the limited movement in the Transfer Windows, is his timing and use of Subs !

This is starting to sound like a cricket commentary, Rodders.

I share your views on the amount of international games that are played now. But the fault lies firmly with FIFA and UEFA, as they have increased the number of internationals.

Infantino wants 48 clubs in the World Cup Finals, which will add at least another week to complete the World Cup. UEFA have added the Nations Cup to an already busy schedule.

And it's the clubs who have to deal with the pressure on their players playing extra games, so the clubs are having to rest players for league games, because of the amount of games that the players are being asked to play.

I think it's next year the Champions League moves from groups of 4 teams to a mini-league were all the teams take part, again increasing the amount of games players have to play, and that's without taking in the extra amount of travelling these changes will incur.

As regards playing the RS in a final or semi final, not for me, as it's just too painful to take after all the heartbreak. Yes I would love to beat them at Wembley but it's them isn't it. Devil's curse and all that.

Semis in 1950, 71, 77 and 2012. Finals in 1984, 86 and 89.

2 draws and 7 defeats. 7 goals for and 18 against, I think. It's a curse!!

But we do them in my dreams every night!

For me, it will be very, very interesting reading TW through the holidays. Losses are sure to come – no team runs the table, and our fixtures are difficult and come fast.

Will TW remain calm and see the bigger picture? Or will it melt down and say Dyche is a dinosaur, protects leads too much, doesn't preach or focus on possession, and is ineffectual?

I, for myself at any rate, will back Dyche through this upcoming tough period if results fail. He's worked miracles thus far in my opinion. The Club was a train wreck. We look a very well-drilled side now and the players are playing hard. That's all down to Dyche.

Additionally, Dyche's no bullshit approach I adore. He's a straightforward man and manager, and I appreciate that immensely.

I hope the throng on TW holds its powder through the holidays. The upcoming weeks are gonna be tough.

I suspect you know the answers to the questions you pose in your third paragraph. Fickle football fans will always be with us. As someone mentioned earlier, the knives will be kept sharpened by some in readiness for the next defeat. Big picture thoughts are usually submerged by the flood of weeping and wailing in the aftermath of a defeat.

Thankfully the majority of match-going fans, if not those on TW, will acknowledge the progress being made and accept that the improvement path can never be smooth. Newcastle fans are learning that lesson again.

‘But we do them in my dreams every night.'

I score every night as well as beating them, great isn't it?

I didn't realise the dire record in semis and finals against the shite went all the way back to the 1949-50 season - it beggars belief

I would have said the deadly virus started in '71, when still boasting The Holy Trinity, we managed to get nailed by yard dogs.

Hope died in 1986 when we were far better than them giving it "oles" at one-nil up and taking the piss. Brucie gave Beglin a slap they were so fucked up but we still managed to lose.

You can't fight those odds; you have to be a masochist to want to play them in a semi or a final.

I understand where you and other posters are coming from but we have to end that run sooner or later. I am with Tony on this one. If we are ever to win a trophy again I don't want it to be because some other outfit did to them what we couldn't.

The day we knock them out of a competition will be the day we regain our honour as a football club. They thrive on our fear - they are like vampires and they will not go away until we see them off. A wooden stake through the heart is what is required.

No - “you've gotta pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues, but you know it don't come easy”.

Everton ranks as the #5 most improved club in the Prem on a points-per-game basis... and #2 most improved in xG.

He cites Branthwaite, Garner and Doucouré as the most impactful players based solely on their increased playing time compared to what they were getting under Lampard at this time last season.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/insider/insider/story/_/id/38891976/premier-league-most-impactful-players-2023-24-season

Totally, John Raftery. We may not dominate possession, but gradually, we are looking a lot more organised and that gaping hole of a midfield looking a bit more solid.

We still sit a bit deeper than I care for and it gives me kittens. But, play to your strengths with what you have. That is what the manager is doing and it is gradually paying dividends.

And the players are working incredibly hard, you can see that. It's been a while since I've been able to call Everton tenacious. I think it was the Brighton match when they looked absolutely knackered by the end, but you can't knock hard work and effort.

We won't win every game, no team ever does. This team won't. But we are seeing progress with this bunch that we have and if we keep this up, we will be on course for a steady finish. There is a real spirit about the team.

And the cups. Oh to beat them at Wembley.

Now that is something I dream of and also score imaginary goals.

Keine Angst as they say in German.

Everton's plight was almost Titanic, and it doesn't just change in a few weeks, so fair play to Kev, and long may it last.

Dyche told me that he thought Kevin Thelwell had done an incredible job despite having no money to spend this summer, which indicated to me that they must have a very good working relationship. Long may it continue because it's so important for the manager and his DoF to be on the same page, after the diabolical way we seemed to have been operating under Walsh and Brands.

I thought we were dead and buried when we didn't bin Lampard before the World Cup. I began to have hope when Frank went and Dyche came in.

Definitely not saying it wasn't a very close run thing nor that I was confident that Sean would get us over the line... I just felt that survival was at least much more of a possibility.

Thelwell is the unsung hero though, because it wouldn't have been possible without his input, especially when I remember the three points Maupay's goal got us at home to West Ham.

I'll eat humble and repeat myself (again).

I viewed Dyche as an Allardyce type manager who I loathe the day that fraudster ever managed our club.

Far from it. Respectful, straight talking and honest.

As Tony says, regardless of whether you watch Everton in the stadium, at home or from abroad, it doesn't matter.

But those who watch wherever they are can see that we are playing some decent stuff. And it is a relatively young squad with a few experienced heads. Also unified as a team.

Credit to Sean Dyche, but Tony, can you tell him to stop dressing like he's going to a funeral every match?!!!