A Bridge Too Far: Black and Yellows Edged By Chelsea in the South West London Sun

I'd say that we had the best future of any world club team, owners, manager, etc. What happened?

I mostly agree with your individual player performances (I watched all the game at home on TV), but my feeling is, until we can control the game in midfield to a large extent, we will win few games away from home.

Chelsea, for the most part, particularly in the first half, simply dominated play.

Sadly, currently we simply don't possess enough goal threat, not just in the final third, but from midfield in particular. When was the last time any of our recognised midfielders approached double figures?

All moderately successful teams spread the goal tally around. I really hope Moyes and his background team recognise this, and despite not being able to compete with the recognised Top 5, and their European financial rewards this season, we can unearth some either home grown young players, or relative 'unknowns' from abroad, who have the potential to be regular goalscorers for us.

I agree wholeheartedly about Branthwaite, he is maturing into a really accomplished centre-back (whisper it locally, but he reminds me of a young Alan Hansen).

If we were to keep him for another full season, I would be both pleased and surprised, but any top club with real ambition would quickly realise they could benefit from such a young player who would fit seamlessly into their team for the next decade.

I too, agree with your view on Alcaraz. Why Moyes doesn't recognise the creativity he brings to this current Everton team is beyond me, particularly when Doucoure, who for my money, was largely anonymous yesterday, and is just a passenger if I'm honest.

I remain optimistic for next season, despite the frustrations of yesterday; we just need to be smarter and cleverer on the recruitment side.

Onwards and upwards.

Top scorer was Trevor Steven on 14 league goals. All competitions, Jesus Christ (Sheedy) and Adrian Heath on 16 all competitions. Only one of those 3 was a forward.

That side spread the goals around, as you mention. That's our current downfall, the midfield don't weigh in with enough goals.

For years, we've needed physically strong, mobile players with pace and a genuine eye for goal. Look at Palace yesterday – a midtable team with players that make them entertaining with a puncher's chance.

Very little punch or pace in our current squad. That's what has to change.

I've said my bit on the game on the other thread, basically our players are not as good as theirs and I wasn't too upset at getting beat. That said, I think they are underperforming. They have some very quick and skilful players not reaching potential?

I don't understand the Garner flack. Those around me in the packed corner upper shed were praising him throughout and most I spoke with thought our MotM was between him, Branthwaite and O'Brien.

The chants for Davey Davey Moyes were very loud in our section but I got the impression I was sat near his fan club.

Some funny banter as we were near the home fans and there were two stunning Latino brunettes in very small tight-fitting Chelsea shirts who kept getting up posing models style for photos.

The cheeky scouse wit was cacophonous and, to be fair, they loved it. Such lovely teeth I've yet to see. Other parts of their anatomy was also very impressive…

I didn't join in with the Marching, nor the Grand Old Team. Neither are to my taste. When the whole end was in unison, it got very loud but the problem at Chelsea is there are virtually two separate sections, upper and lower, that don't get in sync.

I was very pleased though that we stayed behind them right to the end and gave them a good reception. I've been to aways pre Moyes this season when 1-0 down was enough to quieten us.

The day on the whole did have a ring of end of season, nothing to play for. Even the usually Neanderthal locals were quite friendly. I didn't hear any of the usual "Sign on" shite from where I was and leaving at the end the only animosity came from some of our younger dickheads singing about Chelsea rentboys.

The thin line of work experience youngsters that separated the exiting opposition fans were not required, thank god. I've no idea what they would be expected to do if it kicked off and I thanked a couple of them personally for their protection, which they grinned at.

Let's get some better, younger ambitious players in and see where we can go from there. Then a forward-thinking manager when David Moyes stands down, having stabilised us, as seems to be his role.

With the new Everton Stadium and new owners, I'm quietly excited for the future. I see beyond set backs like today — there are positives.

Whilst I don't condone the Chelsea chant aimed at their fans, is “Sign on” not a discriminatory or an offensive chant? I see on the official website a club statement saying nine Everton fans have been dealt with by the Met Police for their part in the rentboy chants, and both clubs are looking into any others who may have been involved.

As for the day itself, apart from the match, we had a good day out. An early train, 07:40 out of Lime Street, arriving in Euston at 10:05. We were in a Wetherspoon's near Victoria underground station by 10:30 which was rammed with Palace fans, a few Villa fans, and a few Chelsea fans.

We had some good banter with the Palace and Chelsea fans. It was a unanimous verdict that the whole country hates the RS, certainly by the Chelsea fans.

Following the game, we headed straight back to the Wetherspoon's near Euston, which was by now full of Villa fans and a few Forest fans. We had a good few in there before heading for our train at 17:45.

Upon arriving back into Liverpool, we expected the city centre to be full of RS, but there were none! Had a pint in Wetherspoon's opposite Lime Street station before catching a bus home, getting home about 21:15. These London games seem to be getting more and more exhausting each time!!

Martin, @1. I can't comment as I never saw him play, but ingrained in my mind is that Colin Harvey is the greatest Evertonian ever to represent the club.

Boyhood supporter, player, coach and manager.

But most importantly, one of us.

My day was great, but the Blues played only a small part in it. To Southport for a 9:00 am kick-off for the under-11s (a 4-0 win), to Hightown for the under-9s (a tough 5-1 defeat), on to Marine where our match was on the telly. I have to admit I paid only cursory attention to it as I, too, thought some of the players had their flip-flops on.

The Marine game was excellent. They have had a very difficult first season in the 6th tier, partly because their centre forward, Bobby Grant, had a serious injury pre-season. His return to the side in early February brought about a great upsurge in form for the team.

He has been very restricted in his movement, but his presence has been vital. Having been forced to retire, yesterday was his final game, which he marked by scoring with a superb diving header before coming off to a standing ovation on the hour.

It was also the final game as coach for Neil Young, who has overseen 2 promotions, 2 Liverpool Senior Cup wins, and the historic 3rd round FA Cup tie with Spurs.

It was quite an emotional day and, as usual, the Club managed it, and the post-match seasonal awards, with great style.

More and more, I am thinking I will be spending my dwindling football watching days at this cracking lower level.

Have you got shares in Wetherspoons?? See you at the Soton game, ticket or not, I'll be in the pub beforehand (but not the Spoons!)

Dave, this city is ours and we will never let it go.

I carried the blue baton from my father's and grandfather's generations.

Your grandson Sonny is showing that the blue torch won't go out.

It's been a fabulous 2025 for the Mariners.

I suppose apart from Brentford and perhaps Fulham, Chelsea is the shortest journey for you in London? When I lived in the capital, it was one of the few grounds I never went to because I heard about their fans being particularly unpleasant.

I wasn't expecting much from this one as I'd forgotten how dreadful our form is there. But it was frustrating that Moyes took so long to make changes.

Brentford is the closest to me, but even that is tricky.

I don't find the Chelsea fans too bad, and didn't when I was sat amongst them yesterday.

If you push me on London supporters, I'd say the ones I am wary of are Tottenham and West Ham. But I would differentiate between going to their ground and travelling with their away supporters on the train to Lime Street, who I generally have a good crack with.

But the worst I have been to is Millwall. It starts at London Bridge and never gives up and we're even talking 10- to 12-year-olds on that estate.

Very puzzled by the severe negativity around Jimmy Garner and Mykolenko that seemed pretty widespread yesterday.

I have no doubt you will enjoy those days watching Charlie and Sam then onto the Marine games… not so sure about watching our team.

Congratulations to Charlie and commiserations to Sam for their games on Saturday — I think I've got them in the correct order!

Regarding the 'City Is Ours' stuff, I was in Liverpool a few weeks ago to see my Dad and brother and it felt to me like Everton's presence in the city is at an all-time low — half a poxy shelf of Everton books in Waterstones, no customers in the Everton Two shop while the Liverpool version was packed out and idiot tourists were all taking selfies outside.

I began to feel that the colour red was everywhere, it felt like some sort of conspiracy.

While I don't particularly like the look of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, and think if they flatten Goodison it will be a criminal act, the presence of such a stadium on the edge of the city centre and right next to the river will hopefully give Everton the chance to elbow its way back into greater significance and visibility. Winning more might help a bit too...

We definitely need to increase our presence in the city centre. It should be in your face as you leave Lime Street on that big advertising board on the facade of St John's. "Welcome to Liverpool, the Home of Everton Football Club" as you leave or enter the airport.

That Everton 2 effort in the Liverpool One complex is a poxy effort. Out of sight, out of mind. I'd build something right opposite theirs in Williamson Square.

We have the support base in the city and region, we just need to be louder, prouder and visible.

I think you will always see more Red around the City on the streets, shops and pubs.

But, if you listen to the chatter, especially in the pubs, you will realise that the Blue voices are as plentiful as the Red ones and giving them loads to think about.

Although it takes more time for them to let it sink in because their superiority doesn't apply to their brains!

But we can't ignore the fact that winning the European Cup as it was then definitely increased their profile and the more times they won it, the bigger their fan base increased, mainly from Europe.

I probably think Everton have more born and bred scousers going the game than they have. We didn't push on after Catterick and, after Shankly resurrected them, they then appointed Paisley who wasn't as charismatic as Shankly but was probably a better tactical manager.

I don't know how the majority of times they get their managerial appointments spot on and we don't.

But I cling onto the fact that, with a new stadium and new owners, we can turn this club around, we can start competing for trophies, but we have to be united as a fan base.

Look, I know many don't want Moyes but hopefully he will move us away from the relegation zone and then we can look for the manager who will take us trophy hunting.

I was brought up by my Dad to view Liverpool FC as tatty and cheap with yarddogs like Tommy Smith and scallies like Terry McDermott wearing their shirt.

We aspired to be the elegant ones, which is why we all went mental when Duncan McKenzie started nutmegging a few players and Andy King blasted his shot into the top corner in 1978.

But LFC currently overwhelm the city's identity. Even the hotel I was staying in sent me a welcoming email with a picture of Anfield on it! I complained, aggressively.

Good luck, Moyesie, and the Friedkins – you've got a hell of a job on your hands.

Okay, the last one might be a stretch (but not on the basis of the orcs I see in the crowd at Anfield). Does anyone think the bandwagon merchants from Oslo and Tunbridge Wells are going to stick around if the RS go into decline?

Everton need a trophy as success builds followership, but let's start with a great marketing strategy that introduces the brand of the club to a wider international audience.

There is huge potential there.

John, Duncan McKenzie was probably my first Everton hero and that Andy King goal my first real derby memory. I was probably about 6 years old.

Brian & Steve, the potential is limitless if we start to belief again. We are a big club. We just haven't behaved like one for far too long.

Dave, it never ceases to amaze me how different we are to them considering half of us are related and from the same city. I often liken them to trying to have a football conversation with a 6-year-old in the school playground. With the exception of one or two decent ones I know, they can't see past the end of their own egos and arrogance.

I've always found that our red cousins, when they are 'discussing' footy, call us all kinds, but they are only having a laugh... whereas, when we say something about them, we're bitter!

Great notes as ever, Danny, Ta!

It's no big secret as to how they appoint good managers. They work harder at it than the clowns who used to run our club, in particular Bill Kenwright.

They knew who exactly they wanted after Klopp handed his notice in.

It's called 'succession planning', all well-run large companies operate the same way. It's the same with player recruitment, they rarely get it wrong, I'm sad to say.

If you look at Man Utd, they are just a larger version of ourselves. They paid £70M for Rasmus Hojlund: 14 goals in two full seasons. That's £5M per goal.

Let's hope the new American owners are much smarter; I think they are…

Rogers didn't do a bad job, taking them very close in the Slippy G season followed by them choking and throwing away a 3 - 0 lead at Palace to draw 3 - 3.

Okay, he was on a bad run, but I still maintain that once they got a sniff that Klopp was ready to end his sabbatical, they moved swiftly before someone else did.

As you say, succession plan. We should be doing it now, regardless of how well Moyes does next season. Have someone lined up rather than waiting for several weeks in a Vatican style white smoke over Bramley-Moore Dock saga, should we part terms for whatever reason.

We've had some torturous ones of late. The Benitez drama that was unfolding seemed to take forever even though we knew what was coming and when I heard we were considering and did appoint Allardyce, I was dismayed.

One yesterday had a go for me blaming poor coaches (I mentioned Dyche, Beneathus and Allardyce) and he went off on one about that being a convenient excuse?!

They are shameless though and really not the brightest.

He was sacked mid mid-April by Alan Pace. Burnley had won just 4 league games all season.

The world and his wife knows it's the worst brand of football with Dyche also.

I know it's your own opinion and you are free to make it, but no Red Shite supporter if they had just built a new stadium would put it out anywhere that they did not like the look of it.

They hate the thought of us going to Bramley-Moore Dock, let's not give them any food for thought.

Leaving Stamford Bridge on Saturday, my cousin (Chelsea), mingled with the Everton supporters as they left the ground onto Fulham Road.

A group were obviously getting ready for the next day and the Satanic Worship that was to unfold, bringing everything up, including Heysel!! It brought a smile to my cousin's face as we chatted to them.

I think we've got friends amongst the Chelsea supporters.

He's trying to get tickets for Chelsea v Liverpool next weekend. I'm travelling home and, if he can secure them, I'll give them to my son's girlfriend. Her family all support Chelsea.

And I told him, if I went, I'd stand more chance of getting evicted than any Chelsea supporter!!

End of an era at Marine.

Watch this space.

Here's an interesting short read from 2022. Basingstoke Town, then in the 8th tier of English football and their DoF.

Mike Gilham: Director of Football in the eighth tier

I had to make do with Trevor Steven, Peter Reid, Paul Bracewell and Kevin Sheedy. Not exactly a hardship.

Not a bad midfield to have to put up with, would be great to have that type of quality today, not to mention Gray and Sharp up front.

As good as that midfield was not sure how many would get into Everton's best midfield. Certainly Harvey, Kendall and Ball would be hard to replace, but for me Tony Kay was the best midfield player we ever had and Bobby Collins wasn't to bad either.

Yes go along with Tony Kay, what a career he would have had, including a place in the 1966 World Cup squad. So unfortunately Colin Harvey or Howard Kendall would have to lose out... meaning Colin would be the loser, for me.

Bobby Collins wasn't bad either! I understand you there, Brian — what a tough little and marvellous player he was who demanded, like Alan Ball, that they gave their all throughout the game.

My father always mentioned Tony Kay. Apparently a complete midfielder. A shame. He got a lifetime ban from football whereas today, for the same offence he probably would have got a severe fine and a suspension.

I always ask about Bobby Collins as he seems to have been popular and created Alan Ball like dismay when we sold him, but I obviously can't speak from experience. I asked John Mac Senior about him in the Harlech at the recent Arsenal match. He rated him highly.

Link

Very symbolic version of in the Poppy Fields for me. Every year is a memorial for me and marks some sort of anniversary. I'm just glad I came home at got back to the family and Goodison.

I love learning off older and wiser Evertonians about players I never saw. It's educational.

I love imparting my limited knowledge of what I saw and witnessed with my own eyes.

I love watching the next generation with pride and who have as much passion as I will have until I stop breathing whenever the great Evertonian in heaven decides it's my day.

They will have their day and I can't wait to see them have it. Maybe then, they will understand my emotional Everton ramblings.

I'm sure there are many on here who like hearing your take on life, we occasionally drift into personal memories but they all seem to come back to the Blues. Keep it going...

Bobby Collins was a gem and loved by all Evertonians of that era. Tony Kay was also a gem, possibly the best defensive midfielder of that era and not a direct comparison with Collins?

I saw Kay when he came and he was truly great. Banned for a misdemeanour.

Without hesitation he said, "Bobby Collins, he changed everything".

Please don't disrespect the white Pele. For me, I'd take Harvey over Kendall, good as he was. Okay, I really love them both as much.

I grew up in a big Man Utd supporting area and, to a one, my United friends drooled over Harvey. Can anybody remember his burglar bill tackles where he stole the ball before the player with it knew and always without a foul?

To have had two players like that and to have stolen one from under Shankley's nose? It doesn't get better.

We have an opportunity now and I think we will take it and that Moyes will be the Messiah with a little help from his friends?