Does ToffeeWeb matter? Part 2

TW has been somewhat superceded of late by other outlets that post Everton stories pretty much daily, some of which end up on here. Mostly made up tosh as we know but we read them anyway don't we? If TW disappeared tomorrow then, would I miss it? Absolutely I would. It's a hell of a round trip from NZ to Goodison park. I challenge even Danny on that one.

As for players reading ToffeeWeb I think a lot would be flattered more than those upset, it's all about opinions especially players opinions about themselves, some are natural and down to earth with a lot of humility thrown in while some are egotistical who think they are a lot better than they are, put your own players names in those lists.

I think the first list would contain a lot more players from those who played a lot earlier than now with the second list containing plenty from the last twenty years up to now.

I think the manager should read the fans comments so he understands how we feel.

This site is second to none and it is an essential place to go if you want Everton news and opinion.

My only criticism is that it tends to be overly negative during bad spells (which is a lot of the time) and that sentiment can change too far the other way to predictions of us winning the league on the back of 3 good performances.

I don't think it matters, as such but sometimes it's almost cathartic to read other fans' views after a game. The players would learn a lot by reading it but I think that sometimes, fans' views at the game can get to players and it adversely affects the performances. Goodison can be a bear pit and the 12th man but it can also have a negative effect on the team when things start going wrong. The Bournemouth game was a classic example whereby when they got 1 back, you knew were it was heading.

Like all Blues and ToffeeWebbers, it would be nice to see what these pages are like after we've actually won something.

The Echo is linked to 'Reach' who also publish the Everton matchday programme, so clearly there is often a 'conflict of interests' for any reporter. If they are too critical, the club can and has banished them from access to the important people within the club.

Although, judging by some articles published in the Echo, they do read ToffeeWeb and other fan sites, and know what the general mood of the fans on these pages are thinking, and sometimes their opinion pieces reflect that.

Unfortunately, X and other platforms have overtaken much of the media and indeed fan sites like this one, as a place for people to express their views, often in short badly spelled emotional outbursts, with little substance or critical analysis.

At least on here a view can be challenged and in general even the most ludicrous views are supported by some critical analysis even if it might be seen as flimsy to some readers.

Long may ToffeeWeb continue, and hopefully one day, it will be full of optimistic views rather than the current pessimistic ones; that will only happen if Everton begin to win more often than they lose.

TW is part of my daily routine having left the city (and country) many years ago and yes I would miss it. The names of regular posters are familiar to me, so much so I can almost guess the tone of their posts when I see the name at the top! I feel as though I know many of them although I don't post much myself these days.

Lyndon and Michael deserve a great deal of credit and I would like to take a moment to pass on my sincere thanks. Good piece Andy.

Do the players ever read ToffeeWeb?

In my opinion? Not a fucking chance!

I hope not anyway because there's so many moaning negative fuckers on here the players would need therapy.

The knob at Euston would have reinforced any players'
belief that social media is to be avoided because shouting abuse and talking shite is even easier when done remotely from behind a keyboard in a dark basement.

Good post reminding us of how important ToffeeWeb is to us ToffeeWebbers.

It is a point of therapy and frustration all in one such is the diversity of posts and opinions sometimes not even about football.

I am always amazed at the wealth of knowledge and intellect, and it is refreshing to read some well thought out and researched posts.

Of course, the mood changes with our matchday experiences and some posts border on suicidal or driving you to it anyway but for me it has become an essential daily feed and read (apart from yesterday, lol).

Good article, Andy.

This website has brought a lot of people together, whether virtually or when we meet in person.

Hopefully catch up with you this season.

Been barred from site, annoyed but to me the sense and shite we talk is what makes our site.

Bottom line?

A great mix.

In the end. regardless what crap we may say, bet we would defend any TW contributor.

And there lies why TW is ours.

I felt bereft. What was I supposed to do for the 30 minutes I spend drinking coffee prior to work? — read a book or magazine for God's sake!!

Reasons for this are partly a general depressed state at the situation the Club has put itself in – you can only be exposed to this for so long before it drains you of positivity – and mainly because ToffeeWeb has just become a moaning fest in my eyes.

Premier League football has turned into a Farmers League, the leadership is blatantly corrupt, Everton have got almost everything (except the new stadium and appointing Dyche ) wrong in the last few years to boot.

It's something I don't want to expose myself to as much these days. It's becoming a bit embarrassing being an Evertonian and that should never be. Seeing the disappointments on my 13-year-old son's face week after week is hard to take and ToffeeWeb is a reflection of all of that. So I avoid it, even though I know lots of you mean well, I just find it depressing. Sorry.

I know for a fact at least one former player reads it as it got back to me via a journo connection something he'd read on here set him off on a rant. Although he's a local so may be more tuned in than our many stars from elsewhere.

"Does ToffeeWeb matter?" is quite a profound question. Earlier this week, every time I tried to login, I got an error message so I assumed I'd be banned and emailed Lyndon to ask why. It was a glitch.

But having been on this site for 25 years, I can attest to the fear of being exiled, living out here in the US, it suddenly made me feel quite alone, isolated and sad as an Evertonian.

So it matters to me. It's a place to chat, debate and even create friendships online that evolve into real life with the likes of Jon Oppenheimer and Neil Copeland.

Does it matter to the players, managers and owners? I'd suggest it had a role in galvanizing the fan forum squaring up with Moshiri, probably got under Kenwright's skin as The Echo called on Lyndon once or twice as a pundit.

I doubt the current team read it as the younger folk can only handle short form TikTok but I think, for us as fans' mental health, and galvanizing fan movements, it serves a valuable role.

So ToffeeWeb opened up the inside track on actually what was happening.I think it's main benefit was to allow views to be expressed which could be discussed. I don't think any of us expected that many of our worse fears would prove correct and contribute to the consciousness that would bring into question the Management of the Club.I believe this is what ultimately will save Everton. Where collective views are accepted warts and all forging Evertonians together to influence the Club we loves future.

Out of frustration and despair both transient things a person is reborn with new words and new powers.

Great article Andy

ToffeeWeb helped me get the inside tr

Unsurprising as it seems the same handful of names post over and over both here and that really weird forum GOT.

Perhaps that's why it's all so insular.

We must indeed move in different circles!