If You Sit Too Deep

Thanks for the report Danny, always a good, well balanced, read.
This was one of the very few games I’ve not managed to see even on a “dodgy” link as I was attending the annual charity game at my old vets team.
So can only comment on the MOTD highlights. We played some decent stuff at times and if O’Brien had been more alert when Tarkowski hit the post he might have smacked that in. Branthwaite could’ve perhaps done better with his header close in but he wasn’t to know where to keeper was.
I think you may have mixed up Branthwaite and O’Brien in your report. It was O’Brien who headed the goalbound shot wide.
My cunning plan for a Southampton ticket has been thwarted and I’m struggling for away tickets at the moment so I’m probably done now for live games this season. I WILL be outside Goodison for the end though so hopefully see you and other familiar faces before hand and then have a big son as I watch you all head off to the end game.
UTFT

A big soB FFS!

Nice report and an interesting read as always, Danny. Moyes certainly got his substitutions wrong, but I thought he was at least giving it a go. However, the skill gap between the City players and our own is enormous and, with the likely loss of Tarkowski for the rest of the season, I fear a number of tricky games.

I didn't anticipate seeing Calvert Lewin again but given how blunt our attacking players looked I am now hoping he might be fit enough to play before the season's end.

Finally as you say, full marks to our supporters who applauded Kevin De Bruyne. On yesterday's showing, he still looked a class act to me.

Another enjoyable read, Danny, as we drift towards season's end. Mathematically safe now, so thoughts are focusing on The Grand Old Lady more.

Gutted for Tarkowski if his injury denies him playing in the last game there. Ipswich will be my last game there and a fond, sad farewell will be the order of the day for me to bring my 55-year journey to its end.

Having attended the 2nd Test Event in the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, I look forward to being a part of the start of that new era in that magnificent stadium.

Some new blood in the squad, and as always, dreams and aspirations for our club to achieve great things. We have 5 games left before that begins, so a few more points would always be welcome .COYB.

A little more perspective is needed by everyone, I think. That City team cost north of £500M, our own team, let's be realistic, is a collection of free transfers/loan deals and bargain basement buys.

Pep had the luxury of selecting from real quality on the bench; what did we have in comparison? The two City subs, who were both influential in their goals, Doku and Kovacic, cost £90M alone.

When Pep had the opportunity to 'turn up the heat' on us, he did, simple as that. It was always a long shot, getting anything from that game, in my opinion.

Now were mathematically safe, the real work starts at the club. We know there will be wholesale outgoings but recruitment in the summer will be absolutely key.

Onwards and upwards.

I was talking to my son about that earlier Steve. A huge difference in the options from the bench available to Pep in comparison to Moyes.

They can make game changing substitutions. We did, but it changed it in the opposite direction. A stark reminder how far we have to go, but we can get there. Maybe sooner than we think, and hopefully surprise a few next season.

I do have to correct myself. At the time, I quoted it as being Branthwaite as clearing De Bruyne's goal bound shot with the instinctive header. It was O'Brien with the benefit of having watched the television footage. When watching live, I can't tell the two of them apart from the stands. It's like they are twins. It will be worse now that we can expect them to be playing alongside each other in the centre. Unless the manager goes for Keane that is!!

I ran that scenario past my son earlier, and just got one of those looks.

I'm not quite Michael Kenrick, but I do make mental notes when watching and then try to write them up as quickly as I can, before I forget.

Ace Reporter does it again. I agree with you that we looked goosed after 60 odd minutes. A shame about Tarkowski, the timing is awful. However it gives Moyes a chance to do some experimentation at the back. I'd like to see Patterson, O'Brien, Branthwaite and Mykolenko as the defence for the rest of the season. I'd also like to see Charlie and N'diaye on the pitch at the same time, with Chermitti up front. Tim needs to show Moyes what he can do in midfield, so give Doucoure a rest and use McNeill as the midfield sub.

So for the rest of the season: 4 - 3 - 3.
Pickford,
Patterson,O'Brien, Branthwaite,Mykolenko.
Garner, Gueye, Tim ( sub McNeill ).
Charlie, Chermitti, N'Diaye.
Let's see what this XI can do now we are safe.

Keep up the reports Danny, I always enjoy reading them and your never ending optimism !

Danny, when Euston is closed you can get a train to Birmingham Moor Street from Marylebone, then it’s a five minute walk to New Street for a Liverpool train

I've used that line a lot Chris as Marylebone is just as convenient for me as Euston. It's okay for when I go to see the in-laws in the West Midlands, but those trains can easily be a 4-plus hour journey up to Liverpool with 2 or 3 changes. Euston is on average 2 hours 15 minutes direct.

The drive wasn't actually too bad, but that was due to the time I travelled.

Really good report, Danny.

Strange end to the season. Nice to have so little to play for, for a change.

I hope Moyes uses the opportunity to try to develop the playing style further (albeit he hasn't done a bad job) and give minutes to the likes of Chermiti, Graham, Patterson, Iroegbunam and Dixon (all of whom probably need to be on loan next season along with Armstrong). I don't blame him at all for seeing what he can get out of Broja though (maybe with a view to another loan). There's talent there but it could really take some time given how much football the guy has missed in the last 3 years.

I also don't blame Moyes too much for the defeat yesterday. Yes there were tactical issues and maybe question marks over the substitution, but there were no stellar alternative options available - and whilst people will say Man City were poor yesterday and we could have attacked further, it was us making a good side in good form look poor.

It was Guardiola who had a poor day at the office - but still got the points because of the quality available and luck (the decisive injury to Tarkowski).

A lot of these "brilliant" managers do very well from the players at their disposal.

It was good he made changes (one forced) Robert, the only real eyebrow raiser was bringing Michael Keane on.

Yes, not much at his disposal, but as you say, to have a better look at what he's got. And play Alcaraz in the No 10 position.

Ancelotti as well as Pep Robert.

Every time city come to Goodson they
play most of the game on the edge of the Everton eighteen yard area passing side to side and we inevitably end up defending for most of the game. Not exactly exciting to watch.

We did okay until Tarks went off, and with regards to the substitutions Moyes should have put O’Brien in central defence and brought Coleman on. What Moyes did do was like for like and he will have learned what he has left on the squad for next season.

However, given the out of contracts and changes with players leaving and new signings, I expect that will on itself bring Moyes new challenges for next season. Let’s hope he and the board get the recruitment right.

I think the difference between the teams was only the quality of subs available. I remember turning to my neighbour well into the the second half, observing that it was the first real shot City had had on target.

When Tarkowski went off, I think City collectively felt "Right, we've got an opportunity here", and so it proved.

Thanks Danny, anyways look forward to reading about your match-day and the game itself. Keep it up. COYB