A soft penalty gives Everton another point

Especially Charly — that's if it's not too late!

About as much use as an ashtray on a Harley-Davidson!

Unbelievable.

Harrison & Doucoure

Shocking selection.

Moyes has previous!

Doucoure's energy seems to satisfy the manager. I'd have started Alcaraz but perhaps he's been a bit under the weather or the manager thinks he can cement a win in the second half with some impact from the subs' bench?

Yes, I agree Doucoure starting again is weird… but hopefully he will be gone in the Summer.

Arsenal have rested some key players which is odd but can Everton step up and use that to their advantage.? Having said that, Arsenal have squad players who are among the best.

My question is why did Arsenal have an extra day's rest and also Liverpool?

How's that saying go, "I could do dat, giz a job, lah".

Get stick in Everton and get a result 👏

We were doing OK until Gana's ridiculous header put them away, did he need to head it? Then as has been obvious for a while the defence continue to back off when the last man could have stepped up and put the scorer offside or at least delayed his run. Tarkowski had words with Gana after.

And the bias continues with the RS commentator saying that O'Brien followed through causing the clash of heads when it was obviously the Arsenal man arriving late, the ball had gone.

Somehow we need to understand where are players might be when we put in crosses as it just seems hit and hope and it looks like we have finally given up on the corner that looks for Tarkowski beyond the back post. Arsenal look a lot more confident on the ball despite what looks like our higher press.

Which broadcaster was that? They both competed for same ball at the same time.

We need to be able to keep possession for a while.

Also a very odd one where Trossard fouled Branthwaite, the referee thought Trossard fouled Branthwaite, but he allowed play to go on until Pickford made the save. (And what a save it was!)

What would have happened if Trossard scored? Presumably VAR would check it but would be deciding whether it was a clear an obvious error to allow play to continue, despite the referee obviously believing that it was a foul. He should never have let play go on – Pickford bailed him out of a very tough situation.

I wonder how many Rednoses would have been happier if a weakened Everton, without Tarkowski, would have lost today?

Whilst I am loath to slag off our players but Doucoure is even worse in the flesh.

Good point though.

Again, lots of effort but not much in the way of scoring chances and we'll all be glorying in a home draw against a top-placed side.

Which commentator, Beglin.

It was a penalty.

Alan, I also thought they would find a reason to disallow it.

So don't put the team down!

Harrison clearly dives after there was insufficient contact to bring him down.

Very lucky for the Blues. Or we'd be looking at another miserable defeat.

I can only assume the instruction to VAR was, "We've taken a few off them Blue fuckers, so be lenient this time when you have to make a call!"

Thanks, Mr PGMOL!

But at least he's going to go and visit the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock this week!

ps: It was never really a penalty. It was a gift from PGMOL.

The Gunners did capitalize on an error but good defending kept us in the game and the penalty was reward for the endeavor.

You knew Arsenal would try to use the bench to good effect but Everton's bench did well. Good moves by Davey.

This point basically secures Everton's position but may have scuppered Arsenal's faint hope of catching Liverpool.

The rule is that if it continues inside the box then it's a penalty. I'm not convinced that it did.

Mind you, I don't understand half the decisions they make nowadays. And we've had a couple chalked off that defied every bit of footballing common sense.

The chant of "you don't know what you're doing" has never been so apt. They've really fucked up a pretty simple game.

Lots of changes to come, exciting.

Not one of my favourite ex-Everton players but he knows his stuff about the club, recent and current situation, and talked well, I thought.

Delighted to see McNeil back, but the last time Chermiti came on, he made a huge difference, and I'm surprised he hasn't got a game time since?

In that situation, the centre-back has to take control. Branthwaite should have given the shout and, if necessary, gone through Idrissa.

Ndiaye was excellent for the 70 minutes he was on the pitch. Our midfield looked more effective after Garner came on for Iroegbunam, who is still learning how to play at this level.

We can't just allow the season to peter out in these last remaining games because there is money to be had from league placings not to mention self respect.

We are at least harder to beat at Goodison Park now which was always important going into the last days at the Old Lady.

Midfield that started today was crap let's have it right, Doucoure is now a player that is in his dying embers at this level while Iroegbunam is nowhere near ready for this level consistently.

Harrison will go back having offered very very little end product in two seasons.

A good point, we move on but we need to be better next week, much much better.

Where I was, the Arsenal supporters were nervous enough and glad to see the ball cleared up field. But Moyes did not try to get more control of the midfield and there didn't seem to be any plan for a forward attack. Garner did help, but keeping Doucoure on and winging Charly I thought was weak. The final ball in was poor.

He then brought Williams on to ensure the point and needed an outstanding save from Pickford.

On a different note, I bumped into John McFarlene Snr, he asked if I would put something on ToffeeWeb for him. He went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago and was informed he has cancer and to just enjoy the time he has left.

He has asked me to let those who know him know and also asked if any of the lads can pop into the Harlech Castle pub before the Man City game so that he can see as many as possible.

Sorry for the bad news but I was asked by John to let you all know.

Pragmatic, pragmatic, pragmatic… He's done great to keep us up but I don't think he's brave enough to take us to the next level.

Doucoure's work off the ball is like a kid in a school yard who just keeps following the ball, he's crap.

Fuck off, Moyes.

And I'll certainly see him at the Harlech before the City Game.

Being stubborn is a trait of modern managers. It's so obvious Arsenal need a striker. With Isak, Kane or maybe a Delap they will challenge. As it stands, they are all very good footballers who knock it around very well and are well-versed in the dark arts.

Like it or not, Doucoure is our only midfielder who can run for 90 minutes. The work he does off the ball is why he gets picked every week. Alcaraz is by far the better footballer but needs to know what to do when not on the ball.

Harrison should be phased out of the team now that McNeil and Ndiaye are fit.

As expected, the ref didn't give us much after the tackle of the century was missed on Wednesday. I was amazed he gave us a penalty.

Moyesy again telling the press how shite we are and how great everyone else is, when will he learn?

Today's game was a hard watch, we're hard to beat but we struggle to create much; we never really have sustained periods of pressure – just spasmodic moments.

Good to see Ndaiye back, he tucked his penalty away brilliantly. Harrison put a few dangerous crosses in and did well defensively but Doucoure was awful, he's a non-stop runner but very clumsy on the ball at times; we need better.

Tim Iroegbunam didn't look fit, second to the ball, sloppily giving it away numerous times. Alcaraz is wasted on the left.

The squad needs a big uplift in quality for next season; whether we can is another matter… and our set pieces were shocking again today.

I thought the manager tried to give every player available a spin and I thought his substitutions were spot on.

I really despair at the grousers who are still moaning about the manager's selections each week. They seem to be shallow-minded in not "getting" the fact that this is not the manager's team! It's one that he has inherited, he hasn't yet even seen all of them play together until today… yet people still aren't happy.

Next season, when the team has been reshaped, then we can see what the manager does, but try and show some gratitude for our league position now compared with what it was when he arrived!!

It was a penalty (doesn't matter where it starts as long as it continues into the box) but definitely on the soft side because it was more about balance being disrupted than an obvious trip.

Bit of a flat, patchy performance but the early start and quick turnaround between games was probably a significant factor.

I'm also wondering how ‘disruptive' the glut of key players returning from injury might be. A lot of integration or re-integration having to occur over a short period of time…

Thanks for letting us know the sad news about John Mac, I'll do my best to get to the City game and have a drink with John.

Getting that information from the doctor but still carrying on doing what he has done most of his life —supporting the Blues, and in the company of his grandson and best mate, Josh.

Prayers and best wishes, John.

I wish John all the best, a true gentleman.

Gratitude for his efforts so far of course. But let’s not forget it’s now 6 without a win. He isn’t our long term future and what we are seeing now is exactly what we will be getting next season

I doubt we will ever see Ndiaye and Alcaraz on the pitch together in the remaining fixtures. Our manager isn’t known as Dour Davie without good reason

Very sad news about John Mc Snr, who is a fine gentleman. I can't make the City game, so I would be very grateful if someone would pass on my good wishes to him.

It seemed very flat today and I thought Arsenal were there for the beating. Too many aimless punts up field and not enough width. Harrison was awful again, I thought.

I thought Arsenal would convert one of those free kicks on the edge of our box. Not too unhappy with a point but it felt lethargic and laboured today.

Really sorry to hear about John. Always loved reading his contributions and views. Thoughts are with him and I hope he gets to see some good performances from his beloved Blues.

We are a limited team, and the surgery needed on this team is vast.

To keep Arsenal and Liverpool to a goal is progress. That might be hard to accept for some, but we just don't have the technicians to get a bigger share of possession. They don't give it up on purpose, they do as they lack quality.

Harrison was poor on the right again. Patterson got through it just on the left but I struggle to see him remaining with us. Iroegbunam is a talent but is going to need to up his stamina to make it and stop losing it in bad areas.

O'Brien is playing well as a makeshift right-back, and Doucoure and Beto are limited other than workrate. That's half the team with a day less rest.

I'd like to see Alcaraz and Ndiaye in the same team, but getting the balance right elsewhere is still a stretch the way the midfield and centre forward give up possession.

Plod on get 1-1 0-0 2-2 bore draws and yawn back to the start of the season. Started off like a breath of fresh air that's turned into a stale fart!!!

Totally disagree. Look where we were when he took over, and we're scoring goals.

With Dyche's tactics, we never had a chance. I definitely believe Moyes will bring in quality in the summer!

Another point against the top 2, Moyes is doing a good job with what he has to pick from. The squad is not Top 8 quality but they have done well, saying we were struggling to keep out of the Bottom 3 not long ago.

I doubt we will see many costly players bought next season so I think plenty of the current team will be retained.

He's still got nothing more from Harrison even after asking. Lindstrom's injury puts him out to try and prove a point! Maybe another loan to prove a point maybe needed.

Let's see if we can get some more wins instead of draws – other teams can do it! Everton are the only team opposition go against and can be shit and all of a sudden they are Real Madrid. For me, football should be like boxing: no respect until the end. Give the players the mindset that they can beat anyone. False hope is better than no hope.

Where else would you be today but The Old Lady? Fabulous. Don't be surprised at the number of mates who show up at The Harlech.

Bill G (15), I'm not sure that we did hire a set-piece coach, mate. I thought that Moyes gave his old mate a job.

Iroegbunam still has a lot to prove to show that he deserves a first-team place at the dock.

That is, or was, the magical number.

What is your starting XI today?

Why Moyes persists with Doucoure and Harrison is beyond me, and he even said Doucoure was excellent today… I don't know what he's watching half the time

On another note, I really hope Mr McFarlane gets to see the Blues at the dock.

Sad sad news and I'm sure we will all say a prayer for him tonight.

Who the fuck is Williams?

I worry about you, Jerome.

Yes, I'm pleased that we are more or less safe… but don't let's get too carried away with things.

We will see how things pan out over the first 3 or 4 months of next season to get the true picture of life under Moyes.

We're safe. Well done, David Moyes and the team.

Onwards and upwards.

At least Jerome referred to someone called Ashley who has played for us, rather than just coached.

He's destined always to be the bridesmaid, never the bride. His shrink has a job for life.

Reminds me of the old saw: if at first you don't succeed, bomb disposal is not for you.

I don't think football management is a path to contentment for you, Mikel.

For a moment there, I thought I was going mad.

As I said when we met by chance after the game today, stay positive, mate, we are all routing for you.

Brian, thank you for sharing the news.

Why can we attack like they do with pace, skill and attitude.

There are reasons for it, like we all know, but the hatred is doing no good.

My endless and humble thanks to Tony Abraham for making this possible and for sharing his educated football wisdom during the game. Those of you slagging off Moyes and the tactics need to get real – we did well there – we were never going to rinse Arsenal but we gave a good show.

Personally,, I enjoyed that game and I'll take that as my last. This week, we took on first and second in the league and gave them both a fucking good game. I'm proud of my team!

I've already booked one of the banquet/party suites in the Titanic Colin. You, of course, are invited.

Lovely post that Brian (78): we all need to be told that once or twice (and hopefully no more) in our lives.

On the back wall at Stockley Park, there are 5 wheels, 2 for the rs, one for penalties they want... 49 yeses and 1 no pen and one for penalties against them... 49 No pens and 1 reluctant pen.

1for the other 18 clubs...25 of each, yes, no, yes, no, yes etc

2 wheels for us - which are the opposite of the rs wheels.

They spun our 'penalties for' wheel and waddaya know - the 50-1 shot actually came up...probably because the rs needed Arsenal to drop 2 pts.

George McKane and you are always top Blues for me, keep it going.

Brian (36) Thanks for letting us know about John Mc Snr. All being well I will be in the Harlech before the City match to see John.

We don't have squads of the value that the top two teams have and I am pretty happy about how we have done.

Never say never, Mark. I'd be doing the same as you if I was over there, being there with or without, but I bet something works out for you.

Very nice post about your feelings when you left the Old Lady today. I should have asked you to say a word for me.

The fact that we have so many players playing out of position shows that lack of depth, balance and quality in the squad - Young at right back (LB), Harrison wide right (LM), Lindstrom wide right (striker), Ndiaye wide left (No 10), O'Brien right back (CB), Patterson left back (RB), Alcaraz wide left (No 10).

We have also lost our main attacking threat for extended periods through injury – McNeil, Broja, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye, Chermiti.

On a more important topic, my thoughts and best wishes for that fine gentleman John Senior.

It's not 49 no pens and 1 reluctant pen for the illegitimates; it's 49 no pens and 1 send him to the monitor.

I can't be at the Harlech, but I will be thinking of you and will say a prayer too. There is still a lot to look forward to, new memories to make and share, every day is precious so enjoy the last few games and Goodison and look ahead to BMD!

You may be far away from here, but that's only in distance. My Best Wishes for you, Sir.

As for the match, a point is a decent result but I thought it was one of our poorer performances admittedly against a good team. We seemed very disjointed and unable to put together many passes, especially in first half.

Iroegbunam has talents but has things to work on and would be best served by starting 30+ games in the Championship next season. He loses the ball too often and leaves gaps.

Great to see Ndiaye back, hopefully this summer we can find a pacy right winger to help stretch the pitch and give us more balance. There's a massive reboot required this summer and I'm slightly nervous as to whether we have the cash and the staff to pull it off.

Old Evertonians never die,
Never die, never die
Old Evertonians never die
They just fade away

Your Blue spirit will live on forever.

John Sr is uppermost in our thoughts in our ToffeeWeb community but that's something to say to everyone.

We are effectively playing a 4-man midfield against 5 nearly every week. Tim did okay holding but lost the ball a few times.

I thought Garner made an impact when he came on and was unlucky to be dropped in the first place. A draw was about right.

The referee's performance was nervy at best. What was O'Brien's yellow card all about? If it was a foul, then bring the play back for the foul — don't book our player at a throw-in!

Talking to Patterson after 5 minutes but not talking to Trossard after multiple fouls… I was amazed he gave the penalty.

Blowing for full time, then realizing there was 30 seconds to go and then blowing with 10 seconds remaining. Weird.

The outstanding play of the game was the moment of genius from Pickford with a world class save from Trossard — it brought the park end to its feet.

John McFarlene Snr. Stay positive mate. You no doubt have loved ones around you. There are lots of friends here on ToffeeWeb wishing you all the best.

I sometimes find that supporting Everton is a challenge to the maxim in itself!

Brian “Don't give in — never give up” You know the score, Brian — brilliant, mate.

"Arteta turned into a whingeing, irritating, slightly petulant, unhappy little paranoid man, believing the world is against him."

Also Rob Dolby @ 94… yes, I was wondering what the incident was that Mikel Arteta saw Jake O'Brien commit which should have seen him shown a red card?

I guess he must have been referring to the yellow card O'Brien was shown well after an Everton free-kick in the 16th minute, when the ball in bounced back off O'Brien's chest just 1 yard out.

Looking at the replay, it was during the follow-up after the ball had been half-cleared by Arsenal and Ndiaye won it back near the corner flag.

O'Brien returned into the Arsenal area, where Ben White barged him or blocked his way and a split-second later, before the ball came in, Jake appears to put his arm around White's neck and pirouettes him to the deck in one swift movement that Mick McManus would have been proud of.

I don't think the referee would have seen it directly (he was looking at play toward the corner flag), and it was only after VAR had taken a look at the incident and advised Darren England that it wasn't worthy of a red card, that O'Brien was then spoken to and shown the yellow card, just as he was about to take a throw in, with White getting back to his feet gingerly.

But later the Premier League Match Centre [Who are they?] would say that England booked O'Brien on the advice of his assistant, not VAR.

Hmmm... maybe poor Mikel had a point. Lovely things he said though about Goodison and his time at the club.

Secondly, yeah the penalty was a bit soft. I wasn't in my usual seat in the Upper Gwladys, but down the other end in the disability section high above the Park End stand, so couldn't really tell either way, but it did look like to me that Harrison was fouling Lewis-Skelly first. Still, we'll take it after one or two stonewallers being turned down recently.

Thirdly, and my last say on the Tarkowski incident last Wednesday. I was speaking to Jimmy Comer, a club masseur, before the game yesterday. You all probably know his daughter, Jodie Comer better. Jimmy was on a day off from masseur duties and was in the taxi club near the ground. Jimmy is a close mate of the mate I go the games with and they had arranged to meet up before the game.

Anyway, Jimmy told me that Tarkowski fully expected to be sent off for his challenge on Mac Allister, and was surprised when he wasn't. Tarkowski had no intention, however, of trying to injure Mac Allister, despite what many think. Also, everyone, players, manager, backroom staff were adamant their goal should have been ruled out for offside.

On the game itself, I think a draw was a fair result. First half was very lethargic, probably due to only having 62 hours between the game ending on Wednesday night and the kick-off yesterday, but a much-improved second-half performance securing the point.

If we had any decent squad depth, all three would be out on loan next season, along with Harrison Armstrong. Since we don't have any decent squad depth, we might need to keep some of them – even though it's not good for their longer term development.

On other points, I don't believe for a moment that Moyes is resting on his laurels having achieved safety. It's much more obviously a case of a limited squad running out of steam after Moyes's unexpectedly impressive initial impact.

Moyes could, of course, field a less pragmatic First XI, commit men forward and "have a go" – but the reality is that we'd have our arse handed to us on a plate as we see with the Bottom 3, week-in & week-out this season. Player for player, these three teams are absolutely not that far behind us at all – and Ipswich for example possess much greater attacking players than we do.

I suppose it depends whether you prefer a fairly uneventful 1-1 draw to a more exciting 4-2 defeat. Experience says that those asking for excitement also moan like stink after any defeat of any nature - so as ever the manager can't really win unless he coaches an injury hit, crap group of players to eye-catching victory against a much, much better side.

On the penalty – why is it soft? There's loads of penalties given like that and rightly so – because you're not allowed to foul opposition players in the penalty area. It's more a case of a very talented but defensively naive Lewis-Skelly getting his positioning wrong and Harrison getting his right. I can never understand the inquest on here when things finally go our way?!

Anyway, most important thing right now is John - and we all wish you the best. Take good care.

I liked Arteta as a player for us, but as a manager he is destined to be a nearly man.

It was not just his comments yesterday that irked me. It's a consistent pattern. Unless he wins, after every Arsenal game he follows a similar script, usually blaming the referee and/or and directing people's attention to some isolated incident.

Whenever he is interviewed, and especially after a game, I switch off. You'd get more sense out of a couple of gerbils trying to explain the intricacies of anti-matter.

I have no evidence for this, but I would hypothesise that his post-match sentiments contribute to his team's failings. When bosses blame everything else on external factors, people start to believe it is all bad luck, rather than trying to pinpoint shortfalls in their own performance.

That Arsenal team were snide, petulant, full of gamesmanship and a mirror image of the best little Spaniard we know, when I remember his time when he played in the centre of midfield for Everton.

I liked Arteta when he played wide because he generally tried to take the ball forward and commit players, and he was also a lot more exciting to watch when he played like this imo.

When he played centrally, he used to try and slow the game down a little bit too much for my liking, and when I look at the talent in the Arsenal squad (I'm aware of the injuries) ,my overall opinion is that Arsenal are a lot more boring than exciting, and would be a much better team if they were not so methodical.

All opinions, I think we have seen the best of what David Moyes can offer over the last two games against strong opposition, with Everton being strong, disciplined and physical.

A big summer awaits with regard to how many decent players we are allowed to sign, but I'm worried that he can't find a place for Alcaraz playing inside. I can understand the people who are sceptical about David being able to change his spots… We will soon find out.

This cynicism seems to have carried on into his managerial career and maybe that's why Arsenal have become one of those teams well versed in the dark arts. Arteta never seems to get a hero's welcome at Goodison, so maybe others in the crowd feel the same way?

For a player with his skill, and God knows we've had so few in recent years, he doesn't get the adulation you might expect.

One of my favourite moments yesterday was when Ndiaye went down with cramp and the Arsenal fans were howling at the ref that he was time-wasting! The Park End responded with ironic cheering. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

How he stayed on the pitch for so long I found very strange, as his deliveries from dead-ball situations are as inept as his general play.

Talking of dead-ball situations, we recently hired Charlie Adam to improve our lack of creativity at dead-ball situations, yet so far I have seen nothing. When you consider we have in O'Brien and Branthwaite, two lads over 6ft-5in, added to Beto, Doucoure and Tarkowski all over 6ft… yet we never get a clean header on goal from corners or free kicks.

I think yesterday highlighted our lack of quality in the front players, Ndaiye apart. Beto is a willing runner but lacks quality.

Moyes said on Friday that he was looking to try and play both Ndaiye and Alcaraz more centrally, but suggested that Doucoure's work off the ball were very helpful in our pressing game. But we need goals and assists from our front players – not just runners and workhorses.

I thought for most of yesterday we were second-best and that's understandable when we are playing the 2nd in the Premier League; it just highlights how expectations have risen since Moyes came in that I now maybe unrealistically expect them to compete with the top sides, especially at Goodison.

Despite the brilliant job that the 1878 group do with their display of flags, which was brilliant again, the atmosphere seemed a bit jaded as did our players. Maybe the early kick-off and the quick turnaround in games contributed to that.

Pickford and Branthwaite were our best performers, along with O'Brien and Gana, except for the mistake. Like everyone I jumped up and shouted for a penalty at the game but, after watching it again on MotD, I have to agree with Arteta — it was never a penalty.

So much contemplating for Moyes and his coaches to mull over on who to keep and who to let go at the end of the season. Just one wish from me: Please, please send Harrison back to Leeds.

We need stability next season. He can't buy established stars but can put a team together to start looking to break into the Top 10. If he can do that over the next two seasons, then he will have served his purpose and we can then look for a younger manager to take us forward.

At present, we lack quality. We all know who those players are but he is using them because they give maximum effort and cover up some of our deficiencies by doubling up on the opposition.

It will be fascinating to see what the squad looks like come August but Moyes needs time. He built a decent team last time and has started incredibly well this time. Give the guy a chance – heaven knows where we would be without him!

My best regards to John Mc, I've enjoyed a beer with him and he is a grand fella. Much aggrieved at his treatment on ToffeeWeb by the hierarchy and maybe a thawing of that relationship could be contemplated in the current circumstances?

Nice to see the Arse playing in their proper shirts for the final visit to Goodison. Also good was the rapport with the Kevin Campbell tribute.

A pity the team is full of cheating time-wasting bastards. The ghost of George Graham lives on, whilst we have the real David Moyes.

It would be nice to move on next season… but it won't happen.

Bless you, and all your family and friends.

Regarding the game, well another point, that's about it! Big Tim had a shocker unfortunately. Harrison, well, back to Leeds in a few weeks thankfully. Things just not happening for him here. Doucore… time up, I think.

I reckon we have to accept that all our remaining games will result in the media and pundits finding fault in everything we do, from sendings off to penalties to everything else we get or don't get.

To be honest, looking at the April fixture list, I wasn't expecting a point; so, for me, yesterday was a great result!

Whether he intended to or not, Lewis-Skelly's body weight prevented Harrison from getting to the ball and clearing the roof of the Gwladys Street stand!

I could even argue that, as the ball was there for the goal attempt and Lewis-Skelly was last man, it could've been a red card. But that would be very harsh indeed. Deffo a penalty though.

Another funny moment I saw was when Tarkowski and an Arsenal defender bumped in the Arsenal box and the Arsenal player went down too easy. The ref did the usual, utterly meaningless, eating to pack it in (or else what???) and the pair lined up again.

Tarkowski made a sudden movement pretending to go to push him and the Arsenal player almost jumped out of his skin. Tarkowski almost pissed himself laughing. They again reset and guess what? The Arsenal player went down and the ref gave them the free kick.

Absolute joke.

UTFT

I rest my case.

That gerbil and anti matter comment had me rolling around 🤣🤣🤣👏👏

I was gutted when he told me, but anyone who knows John will know he took it with a pinch of salt and it will not keep him away from Everton that's for sure, he always asks about everyone so I said you can be sure ToffeeWebbers will know.

He got to go the test event, but knowing John he will fight and get in the new stadium for our first home game, his stories on here were brilliant, loved reading his comments.

One of the kindest and most genuine guys I ever met, and hopefully will see him for as many games as possible.

If you are reading this John, I hope you can feel the love from all the posters, keep going mate and see you in the Harlech castle before the Man City game.

You're a star John.

Dave W (104): terrific post on the footy, even better on gentleman John.

I'm very sorry that John feels "aggrieved" at the way he was treated on here. I remember it all well on so many occasions. Some of it verged on appalling. I was also hoping that "the hierarchy" might have said something to John at this time, not least because he still feels indignation to this day.

Could he be set up with a password that you could email him.

I do not know why John cannot get onto ToffeeWeb, but if you have an email for John, would be lovely if he could get back onto ToffeeWeb.

Not sure what you can do your side of ToffeeWeb, but any help for John would be appreciated.

Many thanks, Mike.

That they clearly are a liability and provide zero in the way of ability and game play. Yet manager after manager persists in playing them!!!

Doucoure and Harrison are terrible. Yet Moyes, like Dyche, cannot see this. What on earth are they seeing???

Running around the pitch isn't a team need. The team need players who can pass and move and support as a team. Not just run around. And Doucoure doesn't do a lot of that. He certainly fails to support Beto and passes frequently to the opposition.

Harrison was fouled for the penalty. However, despite the hard effort he does put in, his ability is the opposite to this.

It is unfathomable why these two started. We had players available. So we were two down from the beginning.

Moyes's decision to include Tim Iroegbunam instead of Garner would have met with much agreement. Sadly, this backfired.

Moyes has a shit, wafer thin squad, blessed with non-scoring players, so he has to get something out of nothing, like his predecessor(s). This has to include choosing a strong starting XI and utilising the many substitutions allowed.

He appeared to have done this at the start of his 2nd tenure and changed his old ways. But now he has reverted back. So the honeymoon period is certainly over.

On a more positive note, for the imminent future and forthcoming season, Mr Moyes is correct in convincing the new owners to bin the ineffective and money-wasting DoF role. So he can bring in who he wants. But I can't see him being the future for more than next season.

"But I cant see him being the future for more than next season."

Many confidently predicted this season would be Moyes's limit.

Ignore previous message, Mike K.

"Moyes has a shit, wafer thin squad, blessed with non-scoring players, so he has to get something out of nothing, like his predecessor(s). This has to include choosing a strong starting XI and utilising the many substitutions allowed".

I think you've answered your own question regarding Harrison and Doucoure and Harrison. Ndiaye and McNeil injured, but on their way back. All he possibly could have done yesterday might have been to start Alcaraz, probably instead of Doucoure.

We've done the debate on DoF many times. Some agree it's necessary in the modern game, others don't like it. I personally how the owners would allow one person, the Manager, to pick the players he wants if, as you say, he won't bere in just over 12 months time.

In 1951 I cried my eyes out when Everton were relegated, but I was lucky enough to go to Oldham when we were promoted in 1954.

I feel sorry for the younger fans who have not seen what we older supporters have, but I believe that the future will be as good as the past.