Premier League — Matchweek 36

Looking good for 13th. Even I am getting optimistic.

Win next weekend puts us on 45
Wolves - Palace a; Brentford h - need 2 wins because of GD
United - WHU and Villa h and Chelsea a - need 2 wins and a draw because of GD
Spurs - Palace and Brighton h and Villa a - need 2 wins and a draw
WHU - Forest h and Ipswich and United a - need to win all 3.

And Seamus to captain and score.

That’s a red card all day long for Nicholas Jackson. A blatant elbow into the head of Botman. Can’t have any complaints whatsoever.

About time the referee got a grip with the they shall not pass attitude of this Chelsea side they are definitely masters of the dark arts of the game.

He'd left something on every challenge he made that Jackson. Idiot

I feel dirty wanting Chelsea to win this.

Bill, not sure what the Chelsea manager, Maresca, was booked for, but if he was complaining about the red card, then just imagine if that had been a Newcastle player on one of his own players, he would screaming blue murder for a red card. Some of these so called top six teams want everything to go their way but complain like mad when the same kind of incident goes against them.

If that was a red card why wasn’t Mings sent off for breaking Scott’s jaw? Or for that matter, when Van Dyke does that every game?

everything stems from the attitude of the manager Rob, they have some good players that need the same protection as other players but they have a core of, shall we say players, that play on the edge of, they shall not pass using fair or foul means to stop them. I don't know if that makes sense but I was not surprised they had a player sent off

Eddie is running a risky strategy sitting back for the counter. Chelsea are finding some space in the final third overloading to their right.

I honestly don’t care who gets into the CL spots. I’m just enjoying some of these games without having to worry about Everton.

First corner at Forest and ref stops it for “wrestling”. Brentford scored the 3rd time a corner was taken yesterday. Why don’t refs just blow for a penalty or free kick? That would soon put a stop to it

Yeah, but check my first post Colin - we could be locked in 13th with the right results today and win next weekend. Ancelotti days!

I'm just chanting my usual mantra, Phil -- "Finish above Uniiiiiited! Finish above Uniiiiiited!"

I remember HK Mk1 saying finish above Liverpool and we will win the league (1984). Sadly finishing above United these days is not so difficult but still satisfying.

Three more points on Saturday Mike and we could do that on goal difference.

Palace just had there goal chalked off. I'm watching Forest v Leicester. Connor Coady. only for Gibbs-White to equalise.

If Palace win that's 12th place mathematically out of reach, so just 13th to play for!!

And United go behind. Soucek, who's name has been discussed on these pages putting them in front.

Soucek and Norgaard (Brentford) are both goal scorers and both are out of contract in the summer. Just saying

Colin, Christian Nørgaard signed a new contract recently, tying him down to Brentford until summer 2027.

Early penalty for Real, 0-1

Madrid kicking it long and looking for 2nd balls. Tactical realism from Carlo

Bugger, Rob. I really like him.

I see Davide Ancellotti wants to stay in Europe if his dad goes to Brazil. Would Davey Moyes take him on to be his successor?

Well, that looks like Palace are out of reach.

We should now finish above the big North London club and Manchester United as it stands, although one of those two will win a trophy and be in the Champions' League next season.

Big goal for Forest.

We should try and get Mbappe on loan in the summer. He’s wasted at Madrid.

Could end up 5 all Madrid- Barca

Looks like another extraordinary Clasico. Best football in the world when these two meet up.

Differing schedulles would allow Carlo to watch while on the phone with him. 0-2. 1-2.

Do Lamine and Cole Palmer use the same hair stylist?

The level of skill shown in El Classico is astounding.

FFS I was about to to start watching El classico, but despite being a prime member. Robbing twat Bezos wants another £16 per month.
Suppose he has to und Katy Perry and another 11 minute 'space' flight

We should try to rehire Don Carlo and his son. And of course retain Charlie Adams.

What a goal from Lamine.

Either Man Utd or Tottenham will qualify for the Champions League. I think that shows you what a joke that tournament has become.

Liam, 5-5 looking a pretty good shout at this point.

That was nicely done.

3-2!

What a game this El classico is. Stick your PL

Definately an El classico here. This could be anything. 6-5 perhaps

Mental this.

If we could get Carlo and son back, Steve, I’d accept Charlie Adam being kept on as poker game manager or tea lady.

Arnaud Kalimeundo bagged two again for Rennes yesterday. Reminds me of the Yak. I wonder if we could identify someone like him or similar.

I find it strange a lot of stadiums in Spain don't have roofs.

Leicester square it. Brave.

Phil (1). ‘ Looking good for 13th’. Phil, I understand what you mean.

But what have the club done to us when we think 13th is success?

Ha Forest mugs. Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Derseved for chanting those shite scouser songs.

Im going to go out on a limb and say Yamal has a bright future

Paul H, isn’t that the Olympic (92) stadium?

Dive by Mbappe.

It is Colin.

It's quite sunny Spain

Not a pen

Tried to check, was immediately whaled. Looking for my eye drops now.

WTF Real?

4-2.

Terrible defence.

It's like a basketball game

4-2! Another Real collapse.

Liam, he does if he learns to pick his feet up under challenges, like Messi does. With the kicks he's taking he could wind up like Van Basten, done at 29 with a fused ankle.

Real need Doucoure for his work off the ball cos there are some lazy sods in that team

Both defences are shite. I hope they're not looking at our Jarrod.

Colin, put it this way, I'm really glad Carlo is leaving Real, because he would definitely be in for Branners this summer.

True, Mike. Maybe he’ll find a Brazilian ancestor in the Branthwaite family tree

Think even Branthwaite would struggle here. The Real midfield offer no defensive cover at all. St Jude being the worst of them.

Time this Playing On despite a player being clearly offside, was scrapped. Elanga was a good two yards offside, yet the assistant referee didn't raise the flag. Elanga broke, squared the ball to Awoniyi, who missed the ball but clattered into the post. The assistant then raised the flag for offside.

Awoniyi was clearly in pain, and could have suffered a serious injury. I can understand if an offside is close and therefore let play continue and if it leads to a goal, let VAR review it, but If it's a clear offside, just raise the flag.

Is there anyone more self satisfied and smug than Chris Sutton?

Liam, they've never replaced the Kroos - Modric partnership in midfield.

Also, Madrid have lost a few defenders like Carvajal, Rudiger etc… Alonso has a lot of work to do. Vinny Jnr and Rodrigo are also vastly overrated imo.

NuNo No Europe Santos

Or did the 5th CL spot get 7th place in Europe?

Amen, Rob. Not the first time we've seen an injury from this keep-the-flag-down idiocy. M

They're so deathly afraid some linesman is going to raise a flag at the wrong time that they've subverted them to VAR. Definitely time to change that procedure.

Maranakis having a go at Nuno. Awful.

The Galactico nonsense is their downfall, Colin.

Can't play with half the team not running. Look at the difference in PSG now they'd jettisoned the superstars.

What a nob the Forest owner is. Smelly prick.

Colin, I half disagree with your last. I think Vini Jr. is one of the best in the world. The guy is virtually impossible to tackle.

He's talented, Mike, no doubt about that.

I just think he's greedy, his decision making is iffy and he's not (imo) a team player.

John #41 - given the last four years and given where we were when DM took over - yes, I will celebrate 13th.

But next season, that is a different matter.

And 3 points next week will seal it.

Visibly pissed off.

Nuno available in the summer?!!

Who the fuck does the Forest owner think he is?

Forest have had a great season and have qualified for Europe next season, but let's get one thing straight here, for me it will not happen again next season for Forest.

Jeez, you'd think they had been regulars in the Champions League for years, instead of spending 20-odd years down in the Championship.

Quite clearly the only thing interesting Pavarotti is the money being in the Champions League brings.

Nuno? No thanks.

All that group hugging makes me want to throw up. Plus he's a whinger.

Barca could get double figures.

Real resemble Tottingham under Ossie Ardiles.

Looks like that Forest owner has given up his shares for nothing…

63 - supposedly not involved with Forest, and re-signed as a director to meet Uefa rules about Forest and Olympiacos if they both end up in the same Uefa competition.

This clearly shows he's still heavily involved.

Hope they expel the fat prick out.

Why are clubs subject to this guard of honour thing? They've had two now. They should scrap it.

Brutal counterattack

Well, they've confirmed European qualification, Dale, it just depends which flavour now.

The 40th anniversary to the day of the Bradford fire tragedy, with another 40th coming up on the 29th of this month.

Food for thought, although I've never had an issue with pitch invasions myself, 25 Hamburg supporters were injured yesterday, one life-threatening as they stormed the pitch celebrating promotion back to the Bundesliga.

One to think of for an emotionally charged Goodison next week.

75 - should be sponsored by milk board.

"Milked it" would be the sponsor.

Amusing that Chelsea had to form a guard of honour last week when playing the newly crowned champions but guess who had to form a guard of honour (did they?) to acknowledge Chelsea being newly crowned WPL champions.

Ian, Paul,

Not the same scenario, but would that be similar to Usmanov not officially being involved with Everton directly or having any shares?

Yet his brand was all over Finch Farm, he had first call on the new stadium naming rights and funded us?

I'll be honest, I didn't really know a lot about it at the time.

Danny, Keep out of the city on the 26th - full of plastics waving blue flares 🤭. 29th will probably pass with not even a mention or acknowledgement from that tone deaf bunch.

Glad we are moving to BMD, the smell of that place being so close is enough to make you puke.

Phil, I'm still running off adrenaline from yesterday and enjoying the weekend.

But now I've punished myself and I've got them on in the background.

Just when I don't think they can make me despise them any more, chanting "where's your European Cup" to the Arsenal supporters just raised my blood pressure.

Bravo to the ref. I'm for Barca, but giving this pen would have been absolute insanity. His arm is hanging down by his side and the ball is hammered from a yard away. Well in ref telling VAR to go shove it.

Var killed the football star

I think different Danny. He re-signed as a director ahead of 30th April to meet uefa rules.

And then is on the pitch giving it the big un, which clearly shows his involvement is still there.

Our dodgy Russian just sponsored a club, and withdrew it when Ukraine/ Russian sanctions came in. And did his bit for under paid bang average footballers/managers.

Great chance for Madrid to equalise. Awful miss

Suppose that's what happens when you bring a 12 year old on

Mbppe massive miss.

Brilliant final goal.

What. A. Game.

Well done champion Barca.

Phil @ 81. I’ve contacted the club to ask how they plan to commemorate Heysel. To date ……..no reply. Also the Echo and Granada news. Again, no replies.
North west tonight said they will feature it …….if there’s anything to report !

Ruled out. Astonishing.

Barca were all over them with their speed. The two mistakes that led to goals in the first half were Carlo's undoing. They couldn't press their way back into it with that lineup. Never understood the Cebalkos selections.

Les@89. They do have something outside the ground to remember the tragedy. They remember it every year apparently. Just don't report it. How it should be done in my opinion.

Ah well, guess that’s the end of the football for today. Still warm and sunny, so might go and sit in the garden for an hour or two

Accurate point on Usmanov Ian.

It's all dodgy as hell isn't it.

When we qualify for Europe, I suppose it will affect us if we come into direct competition with Roma?

I didn't catch El Classico, but it sounds like a great match. Interestingly, I don't really have any leaning towards a Spanish team like I do in Germany with Schalke and Italy with Roma.

If pushed, I'd probably say Atletico.

Ways around it id think, but it will need different boards.

Can't be just a pure ownership thing , as I guess redbull teams have been in champions league.

Holy Pope. That's some stat. The shite have not lost at the high tin hut since 2009 when leading at half-time.

Khaki shorts, bermuda shirt, and hanky on yer head Rob?

Good example (Red Bull), Ian.

They own clubs in Germany, Austria, the US (our own Tim Cahill played for New York Red Bulls) and Brazil.

Interestingly, RB Leipzig had to adapt that name due to Bundesliga regulations not permitting teams to be named after a commercial entity. They get around it by labelling themselves as RB (RasenballenSport).

I'm not sure how it works for Bayer Leverkusen. To my knowledge, still owned by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company they take their name from?

Hard to think that in their current guise, RB were only formed in 2009 and they are disliked in Germany due to how they have allegedly manipulated their 51-49 share rules.

It's a murky world. I'm sure it's not restricted to the beautiful game.

Paul#92.
Just a shame it took them 25 years to get round to it.

Mine are crossed Brian.

Lol, booing the home hero and one Conor Bradley

Danny, Athletic please. Bilbao. In a 'murky' footy world, Athletic still have some dignity and decency.

Wow, those boos.

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!

Hilarious watching the Liverpool fans boo their homegrown player.

Why are the RS so bitter?

A history of throwing bricks and bottles and now booing their own player!!!

I have to watch the rs games with the volume down as I can’t stand the endless gushing the commentators do.

I was more thinking the Madrid team Paul.

Although it goes against the grain, strange reaction for their number 66. Okay, you could point the finger at us for the Rooney reaction, but he's been part of a club since a very young age and helped them win trophies.

I won't lose sleep over it, but harsh treatment.

Without googling, do Bilbao still follow the self-imposed Basque player rule? You've just answered it as I was editing.

Colin, at half time "the red arrows strike Arsenal". Fortunately, the Gunners have hit back.

I look forward to Slots difficult second season

I know Danny, but I have always had a soft spot for the Basques who play only Basques.

I think salad and VD will be off in January. They got their big contracts and the shite will get a few quid from the Saudis for them.

Knobhead challenge

Raya looks like a young Troy Deeney

I think the reaction to the number 66 is poor. He's given them everything for 20 years, won trophies and cost them nothing.

Their beef over a local lad, not giving them a £20-50m transfer windfall is a joke.

Why on earth are supporters caring over that. Liverpool are making record profits and have a very strong balance sheet. If you want to moan over not getting a fee, blame the owners.

'Ees a rat, lad'

Athletic still only have Basque players but they also had our greatest ever manager.

Stat from our kid today. 1922 and the announcement of Pius X11 and we lost to Villa the following Saturday. Since then, 8 new popes and we have not lost our first match after the conclave.

So Arsenal get a draw for the 2nd season running.

Did they win the league???

2 games to go. 2 points better than last year
Arsenal - 15 points worse.
City - 20 points worse.

Likely to be lowest number of points to win the title since Leicester.

And just discovered I was on the back row of Gwladys Street Stand 62 years ago today. Didn't understand all the fuss other than Everton beat Fulham 4-1 and Roy Vernon scored 3. Then the team appeared in the directors box on the old Goodison Road stand and my dad was very happy. I'll let you work it out
https://www.evertonresults.com/

I watched the Bootle Evertonian's post match comments.

Defending the supporters reaction, saying that you have to understand the city of Liverpool and what it means to play for Liverpool.

Hopefully his Royal Blue passport has been revoked. He gave it up years ago anyway.

I know he's had to be professional, both as a player and as a pundit, but I just can't comprehend how you can turn to that degree. Alien to me.

Forest owner Maranakis explaining his loutish and insulting behaviour to Nuno as "passion". Why do they trot out that pathetic excuse every time they can't control themselves? Must use that next time I lose my temper with someone (not that I ever do. Hum)

Have a foreign manager, but only local players is a bit odd. Why does it not apply to the manager?

The club that won the EPL this year were actually pretty poor in a season when their opposition collapsed badly.

For us to recover, we need to stop taking that club as seriously as we do. We need to forget Heysel and stop being bitter about it and see Mordor as a ground that we can win at if we can improve our play and attitude.

For me, Liverpool are no more than a club that has for a while been run better than us and that we can eventually better by becoming better ourselves.

I understand both the city of Liverpool, and how the brains of a lot of Liverpudlians work, Danny.

From 10 PM on the 29th May 1985, the blame for Heysel was already being shifted between the National Front and Chelsea fans, by none other than the very senior figure of Peter Robinson.

Actions speak louder than words, Joe Fagin, resigned as the Liverpool manager heartbroken, but it wasn't long before those witty kopites were (wittily 🤮) flying the Steau Bucharest flag on the Kop.

Every single club in the country has a few idiots in their crowd, but when it comes to making excuses for them, the sycophants in the red media are exceptional at shifting the blame away from those self-entitled Liverpudlians.

If we can learn one thing from Liverpool FC, Martin, it has got to be their sheer professionalism, which means that absolutely nothing gets in the way of trying to win.

Forest are guaranteed European football next year, but I hope they miss out on the Champions League.

They cheated last year, plain and simple. That gained a sporting advantage and somehow they were given a lesser punishment to ours.

It came up yesterday, Martin, and we discussed in a sensible way. It's difficult, if not impossible to forget. We were denied and punished for something we didn't do. I am convinced that team would have won Europe's top trophy.

There are other factors, but that set us back significantly.

That Steaua Bucharest taunt is shameless and callous. First and foremost, 39 football supporters lost their lives. But their attempts to airbrush it from their selective history just sums them up for me. Mention it and you're accused of being bitter. I have a lot of red friends and family in Liverpool. I can't even talk to them about it.

Fagan done the right thing. I also think Dalglish was severely impacted by it. I have a lot of respect for him, both as a player and the work he and his wife have done for charity work in the city over the years.

I'm not bitter, I'm just like an elephant that never forgets.

But not only that Danny, Kendall left, Trevor Steven left, Gary Stevens left and the replacements that Colin Harvey made were not as good.
Reading Kendall's autobiographies, he was quite ruthless in selling players. I think Colin was too nice. If Kendall had stayed, I am sure we would have kept going at the top for longer.

Colin Harvey, was suited to coaching on the training ground and was never really cut out for management, imo Phil.

If I was David Moyes, I would probably ask Wayne Rooney to become a first team coach at Everton.

Wayne has been unsuccessful in his managerial career, but he loves Everton, and has worked with Moyes, a couple of times, and it just might be possible that he could be a much better football coach and also suited to the training ground, rather than being a football manager?

Tony, it was interesting to hear Duncan in the forum with Neville, Keane and Wright and how he trained the kids based on the fad of tippy tappy. Seemed a bit foreign but that was how it was. He also felt a bit unlucky with FGR being a basket case and ICT being bankrupt and the lack of a goal scorer being the difference.

A lot of difference between helping kids become decent footballers and team selection and tactics. Rooney was the same. The new Birmingham owners wanted them to play like Barcelona whereas playing with 8 men behind the ball would have probably got better results.

Question with WR is whether he could be bothered to have that level without being the manager.

One thing I don’t get is Everton fans watching Liverpool matches.

Bugger that for a game of cricket

I'm sorry but people have short memories.
So the shite fans boo a local player for leaving for a free.
Let's not forget Calvert-Lewin was given the same treatment for going off injured with a fractured cheek bone.

I'm sorry Steve (128), but so many people have selective and programmed memories don't they?

To compare the kopites and Trent to Villa Park is like comparing Ghandi to Trump.

On 606 today/yesterday three of them said that well over half the supporters were booing and it was resilient and loud and continued whenever he touched the ball. One of his team-mates said that he was 'devastated' at what happened and that it had a direct negative impact on every player.

There are blues in the 3000 Mr. Cleary who said that they heard hardly any booing at Villa Park and that includes two of my dearest friends who never miss a match.

I suggest Mr. Clearly that you ask Rob Halligan of his memories of that 'event' that you, fuck knows why, want to elevate out of all proportion.

I heard boos, a smattering of boos. Over half of the 3,000? Absolutely no way. As my mate said the fella next to him was giving it to an 'adolescent' boo-boy telling him to shut the fuck up and of course he did, straight away (perhaps that adolescent was from the same spotty adolescent group Mr. Cleary, also at Villa Park a while back, who were laughing their heads off with their oh so funny and smart new song to the tune of 'Cum on Feel the Noise' - ' ... Moyes loves the boys, he's a pedophile' - until one of them got smacked.

Nice work Mr. Cleary. I've rarely heard such bollocks as the 3,000 gave DCL 'the same treatment' as the red fella got today/yesterday.

Again, why the fuck would someone who supports Everton, I assume you do, come out with false hyperbole like that for what or to do what?

Keep riding that high horse fella that keeps taking wrong turns.

Ryan, I can only speak for myself. I'll watch any game of football. I live for Everton, but I love football. I think most are the same. It's how those who like to speculate on potential transfer wish-lists come up with their preferences.

I grew up in a period when Liverpool were dominating European football for two decades in a way that a younger generation will remember Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

It was tough, but I don't remember it being as tough as watching the media gushing coverage of them now. Their supporters have changed too. I no longer see the ones who, as mates, Everton and Liverpool, we would travel to the derby together, go our separate ways, or sometimes stand in the same end, and then travel home together.

For those who remember it, playing Everton v Liverpool "kerby" on the street, with the outcome being celebrated like a victory at Goodison or Anfield!!

I don't like what they've become. Media influence and the influx of external support, certainly their match day attendees. I want ours to expand beyond the city and there are already many dedicated Evertonians around the country and the world. But I don't want us to become them.

Dominic got a good reception on Saturday, with his name chanted when he briefly came on.

On Trent, there are similarities with Rooney in that he is moving for his career. The differences are the circumstances. We now understand that Everton were selling the Croxteth kid and had him lined up for Chelsea, but once it was made clear, he decided where he was going.

We reacted badly at the time, but made our peace, and he never stopped being an Evertonian (unlike Spitty). He brought his kids up as Evertonians despite them growing up with him being an international superstar with Manchester United and he still attends matches at Goodison.

Alexander-Arnold has made his own decision. I could bring myself to understand the frustration amongst their supporters, but that treatment was out of order. A child-like tantrum because the nasty man doesn't want to play for Liverpool and labelled as a mercenary. I am sure he will be financially rewarded, but I don't feel he has made the move for money. He could have got a Salah or Van Dijk style contract by staying.

I had to keep this separate in respect to the White Pele, once described as "a beautiful footballer, this boy" by the famous commentator, Kenneth Wolstenholme. ("They think it's all over… It is now!)

Colin is arguably the greatest Evertonian to have represented the club at all levels. Supporter, player, coach, manager.

He was a coach at heart and not cut out for the old style of football management. He belonged on the pitch and the training ground.

In the modern game, he would have been an ideal head coach, looking after the first team under a DoF, taking care of business and dealing with the board.

And let's not forget, he was the one who convinced Howard Kendall to go and have a look at the Liverpool reserve because "he can play a bit". I won't mention the name, but you know who I mean.

I'm sure that you have seen this Danny et al, but just in case:

Away-End Chaos in Comeback Win | On The Road: Fulham v Everton

Sorry if I came over harsh on The White Pele but I was a brilliant #2 in our purchasing team but hated the thought of being #1.

And as for watching – the famous one: If Liverpool were holding a training session in your back garden, would you watch? No, I would draw the curtains.

You didn't come across as harsh, Phil. Just an honest assessment as have others about Colin Harvey on this thread.

Paul, I like those features that the club put up. It makes the club feel closer to the supporters. Stepping away from the match itself, some light-hearted observations:

Some players still wear shin pads. Not doing so frightens me, but I'm talking as someone who has broken both legs and both ankles over the years.

Those training / warm up tops are horrendous and not easy on the eye if it wasn't for sunglasses. Change them. I don't know who our kit sponsors will be next season, but I would like to see us finally have an Adidas one.

Leighton Baines's barnet is still looking good and defying his years.

Dwight McNeil always has and plays with a smile on his face. Football is to be enjoyed. Us supporters can do the worrying.

That is obviously the biggest question, Phil. My own opinion is that Rooney, would probably be a very good coach; although he had all the ability in the world, his biggest asset was that he always played for the team.

Tippy-Tappy is just a phrase, we used to play two-touch football every day, and my own view is that, if you can teach kids how to play football, then you won't have any trouble teaching senior professionals – just as long as you have both the inclination and also a strong personality.

If Colin Harvey had became a manager before he became a coach, then he possibly would have been lost to the game even though he was a fantastic innovative coach and it just might be possible that this is where Wayne Rooney has gone wrong?

Danny @130, the similarities between Arnold and Rooney end very quickly when you consider that one has ran down his contract and refused to sign another one, and the other didn't really want to leave Everton until he found out they were negotiating with Chelsea behind his back

Kenwright played everyone, allegedly phoning his mother and putting on the crocodile tears. Then he sat back happy, knowing that the fee received was going to keep him in charge of Everton Football Club.

They say all is fair in both love and war; Mr Kenwright definitely knew how to act like a politician and kid a very large part of the Everton fan base, and this is why I don't see any similarities at all.

Tony, tippy-tappy and goofball are phrases.

On the field of play, you are often coached and coach to other players on one or two touch.

The first pass is often the best one, be that short to keep possession or a long pass or through ball into space.

See it, play it. Don't think to hard about it.

“Some players still wear shin pads.”
Are you saying some don’t,Danny?
I thought shin pads were mandatory?

If they do Mark, they must be thumb nail size looking at the socks down look that many have adopted.

We can argue all day about Harvey's ability as a manager or coach but he is among the most stylish players that I have ever seen and I'll include Georgie Best in that. He was blue through and through and a massive credit to the club. I will always remember the goal he scored against West Brom at Goodison to win us the league in 1970. He was truly the White Pele.

Regarding Colin Harvey, I often think would Everton have had those great four years if Howard Kendall hadn’t had the sense to appoint Colin as his assistant.

They ARE small, Danny, I have a pair myself.
I don’t think it’s a league rule as such but something the clubs insist upon the players to protect their valuable assets. It may even be an insurance clause, but I’d be very surprised if ANY pro didn’t wear them.
UTFT

I meant hoofball, not goofball earlier!! Bloody autocorrect without checking!!

Back to Colin, yes Dave. Easy answer. No, it wouldn't have happened.

If you watch the Howard's Way documentary, the great man's tear jerking walk along the Gwladys Street and explanation of what it meant for him to support and play for Everton and passion for the game is there in spades. I defy anyone not to well up watching and listening to him speak.

He talks of the the conversation he had with Howard when our soon to be most successful manager was on the brink in the 1983 Everton winter of discontent.

It was in a pub in Liverpool (I think the Tiger?). Kendall told him he was thinking of throwing the towel in. Colin told him not to and ride the storm. That's when they mutually agreed that Harvey would step up alongside Kendall as the first team coach. His words from the blue mouth, not mine.

The moral of the story? All great decisions are often made in a pub, not the board room!!!

I don't think N'diaye or Grealish wear shin pads as most tackles that involve contact with legs or feet generally get a card.
Hence most savage lunges have been stopped

Ndiaye definitely does James. Tiny ones, but he definitely wears them. Google him and choose images. There’s a photo in the NY Times of him and another in The Baller in the away kit, and you can see the outline of the shinnies just above his ankles.

To have had Ball, Harvey and Kendall at the club at the same time was an apparent act of divinity. It could almost get me to become religious. 66-70 was an amazing time to watch Everton and then 83-87 in the absence of Bally. We have suffered very badly for many years but when we were good we were the best. In 1970 and 87 we were possibly the best club side in Europe or even the World and yet we managed to mismanage our way down from the top

Just watched MOTD 2
Some observations.
That Jackson is a fcuking idiot!
Anthony Gordon is becoming a serial diver.
That Merino is a wool.
Areola is a bit of a tit.
And Lavia is a bit of a fanny.

Mark glad you doubled checked the spelling on thta last post LOL

Shin pads are mandatory at every level from junior football up. 'Laws of the Game state that shin-guards/pads are a compulsory piece of equipment.'

There are attempts to try to ban the mini shinpads at grassroots level as they offer little to no protection.

My son who plays semi-pro level was holding his shin pads after it fell out a couple of weeks ago. Ref gave a free kick against him from which the opposition duly scored!

That'll learn him!

Life is often about learning the hard way Liam.

I was religious about shin pads, with built in ankle pads due to the injuries I suffered.

I can see Mark in his cricket pads for extra protection, even for old man walking football.

Didn’t know Mark played walking football! 😂😂

I do Rob, I do. Although it’s mostly trotting to be honest.
I’m 66 mate - what’s your point?
👴🏻

Mark, you would see red for a 10 yard "sprint" and a two-footer!!

To be clear Danny, and Rob, I play five a sides with similarly aged guys. We split into two groups. One group plays walking football, the other normal 5 a sides.
I play in the latter group and run for the full three games of 20 minutes each.
I’d love to play vets football still, and probably could without meaning to be immodest,, but the younger age limit is 37 and some of those lads, including ex county players, would kick the shit out of me these days.
Anyway, it’s mute as I have a knee injury at present so have to make do with the cricket.
UTFT

I see the forest striker injured on Sunday has been put into a coma.

I really hope he gets better.🤞