James Garner shares dressing room aspirations for next season

He's gonna be disappointed if he was hoping for a corner seat!

I hope Gana gets an extension, playing the best of his time with us. I am fairly confident Moyes will make the right choices in player recruitment.

I'll take up knitting and sewing buttons on hard-boiled eggs if that happens! :-)

Few world clubs aren't looking for a good manager.

Despite overseeing a remarkable turnaround in Everton's fortunes, I don't think any of the monied clubs would be particularly interested in him at this stage.

I always thought Moyes was the old-fashioned type who, once he's signed a contract, feels obligated to see it through.

I just saw how funny it could be if we were to have given him no security of tenure (if that is true) that he takes a good job offered on the basis of what he has achieved so far.

Sometimes, a good team can be the result of chance occurrences that happen. such as us becoming a decent side despite not having good Moyes type wide players or a Moyes standard forward.

I still remember the looks of absolute horror on the faces of the Old Trafford faithful whilst travelling blues taunted the living daylights out of them when Martinez did (at the first time of asking) what Moyes had failed to do despite numerous efforts.

"Stuck with Moyes, Stuck with Moyes Man United. Stuck with Moyes, Stuck with Moyes I say!"

The annual title-winning party was over for the Mancs and they knew it. Moyes had been exposed. Taking away his glass ceiling was like taking a comfort blanket away from a child.

I'm sorry but your post shows a very narrow lack of understanding of what he took on, the difficulty of the job, and why he wasn't (as every Man Utd manager since) incapable of success.

Some do understand the issues and you can probably educate yourself well on the issues if you look. That isn't meant to be derogatory but "he does badly so he must be hopeless" isn't a logical cause and effect — what really matters is "Why".

You sound like Moyes himself when he was bleating about the treatment he got. Seems the Blue Army didn't show enough gratitude for all those memorable wins at Stamford Bridge. The Emirates. Anfield and Old Trafford.

Why don't you educate yourself instead? Look back and count the wins he got at the big clubs. Only then can you understand why all those Blues who were there that night were right... and you are wrong.

I hear some criticism of James Garner, but I like him. He is working well alongside Gana Gueye and has an eye for a forward pass. In some ways, and only from a football perspective, he reminds me a bit of Darren Gibson.

Unfortunately, we never got the best out of the latter, partly due to injury and partly due to lifestyle. At the time, when he did play, he seemed to be one of the few we had who could pass a decent ball forward. Wasted talent.

Garner, despite his slight frame, is not shy of putting in a firm tackle and his work rate is good. Still only 24 as well.

And those aspirations must be more than "don't get relegated."

I despair of comments posted on ToffeeWeb. I feel qualified to rant as I have experienced managers of the club since the days of Theo Kelly. Now there is a manager of whom you can moan.

Leave Moyes be.

First, Harrison was exceptional when he was on the pitch. Second, Doucoure had a very good game and scored a superb goal that gave us 3 points.

In the end, the team played very well with Ndiaye providing that necessary magic. I think we may see Doucoure and Harrison in the squad next season and I think that is good for the squad.

He was out of his depth, as every other manager they tried was out of his depth – including the present one?

With regard to the two you mention, I think Doucouré is an awful footballer, but as on Saturday, he can contribute to the team effort and, on sensible wages, I could see him remaining as an important squad player.

Jack Harrison is different: frustrating, yes, but he does have some good footballing skills, and a good attitude. I think he really needs to be played on the left, and if there is no transfer fee, I could also see him in the squad for next season.

Finally, I would like to give a shout out for Beto, who I really thought was hopeless and a complete waste of money; however, I have changed my mind. I now see him as a hard-working and valuable member of the team and think he should be our Number 9 for next season, when he just may turn out to be our Chris Wood.

I was massively annoyed at Bill giving him his leaving party, but you cannot argue with what he has done since coming back.

Maybe Forest are shot, but I think it was an exceptional performance considering who we can currently field. Harrison was excellent and the whole team put a shift in.

I'll judge Moyes on his current performance. We were dead in a ditch in January. Garner has tried his balls off and, if he wants to dream, fair enough. Forest signed so many players that Nuno had a chance to find a winning team.

Still Jordan Henderson and Nicky Butt and others have shown how far hard work and a good attitude can take you. Stick at it JG.

David Peate (13): "Silence! ... Leave Moyes be".

Can someone remind me if this is an open forum or not? Who on earth are you Mr. Peate to demand "silence"?

Oh sorry, you're "qualified" because you go all the way back to Theo Kelly. An equally bizarre statement. Why don't we just give people the permission to say anything they want when they get a bus pass?

But what qualifies you to categorise fellow Evertonians view on the manager based on age? And your "silence" quote is a bit misplaced and dictator like, suppressing the people who voice murmurings of doubt over the longevity.

The first Everton manager I remember was Billy Bingham. That doesn't give me the right to dismiss younger generations, who to many, Moyes is their benchmark of relative success. That goes for friends of a similar and older age. We debate it and agree to disagree.

Anyway, before this turns into another Moyes v Moyes thread, back on track.

Robert @18, I agree with you on Garner and he still has time to get better before he hits his late 20s, by which time most players have done their developing.

Likewise with the players you mention. I would add Phil Neville. Won the lot being a squad player with Manchester United and was important for Everton. Not the greatest footballer, but his leadership and presence was missed when he wasn't on the pitch.

He was great against Forest Bob and it's not the first time this season he's caught the eye.

Has it returned with a former manager or is it because we've started winning and have more confidence that players will go along with it whereas previously these sort of releases seemed to feature Mr Dyche only.

Similarly, newly signed players are usually seen sat at a desk with pen in hand wearing an Everton shirt and scarf, never saying who got them ready or if their Mum let them go out like that.

So many players ending their contracts. Moyes will take the path of as little change as possible.Some one year extentions and loans, even continuing loans , a few hardened professionals hopefully a : Maginn,Madison or Bowen type, if Everton are lucky.

Aspiration is to stay in the Premiership and get to the top half of the table.There will not be the depth or resilience for any Cup runs and therefore European aspirations are dead in the water before they start.

Moyes will never say that a Club of Everton's stature should be challenging to win the Premiership and European competitions.He does not believe that and will drops such hints to the end of his contract.There is not a queue of aspirational Clubs even thinking of Moyes as their Manager.

When Moyes starts winning regularly against the so-called big boys, then you can climb back on your high horse.

So let me get this straight. You, along with many other Moyes supporters, are suggesting we can't judge Moyes until he has built his own squad. Yet you claim the current Man Utd manager has already become a failure, even though he also has not had the chance to build his own squad.

Personally, I hope Amorim continues in the same vein and United continue to struggle. But it's double standards to give Moyes a free pass until he brings his own players in. Then call Amorim a failure without giving him the same chance.

I think you missed out “Skill, Composure, Passing and tackling ability” when you talked about James Garner –another underrated player at Everton like Dwight McNeil.

I'm an Everton supporter so I want Everton to succeed no matter who is the manager but I think it is better to wait and see how Moyes carries on rather than base any judgement on fourteen games.

Mind you, this last game has certainly lifted the praise on Moyes and Doucoure who, despite his last-minute, well-taken goal, had another poor game.

I once used the fail accusation to a poster over Ancelotti, regretted it and apologised.

Garner is a good player, Dave. I've always been underrated, but I know what you meant, McNeil is too.

I forgot to mention Amorim in response to Martin's earlier post. Yes, possibly out of his depth too, but then, like the last several Everton managers, he's surrounded by a pantomime running the show.

Dave #31

Spot on re Doucoure's performance.

In the proper context what we got against Forest was hardworking Dycheball with Wingers and the hoped for forward getting the right connection on the ball.

The best play of the game was McNeill's assisted pass.

He's a decent enough player though, imo.

I'm looking forward to making the long trip from Australia, with my wife (a Geordie unfortunately) and my youngest son, as me a 100% Blue, to take in a game in September or October 2025 at the new stadium, subject to International Breaks. It would be great to catch up before whatever game it is.

I think Colin Harvey was a top class central midfielder. If my memory is correct, he scored 18 league goals in nearly 400 games for Everton.

Oh before you tell me, one of those goals got us to Wembley in 1966 with the winner v Man Utd in the semi-final final and another was the clincher v WBA in the 2-0 win when we won the league title in 1970.

I'd ensure he's signed up on appropriate wages rather than lost on a free in the future.

He then either steps on to deliver in the pitch, or becomes a squad player that's ultimately replaced. McNeil similar.

Interesting.

Garner is right in his comments. There's no reason for us not to look up rather than down, and have a bit of ambition.

Moyes v Moyes is just reference to the inevitable divided opinions this appointment was always going to generate. One side won't sway the other and vice-versa. I prefer to keep it civil.

Normally got a lot of time for your posts, but that was in bad taste pal.

He's done wonders for us. In a short space of time.

I have reread them all and I cannot see any.

Spot on.

Those who disagree must have some kind of mental block. Are they forgetting that Moyes inherited a team needing a complete rebuild? Added to that, over £1 billion has been spent on players since his departure and look where they are now!

Oh and I nearly forgot — they have had more managers than players Moyes signed since he left.

Some ungrateful sour posters on this site.

Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Alcaraz, Ndiaye.

Fill in the gaps and add depth.

As I have said many times previously, let's see what next season brings before going overboard about a manager who has won one trophy in his entire career.

Not only that, a manager who the West Ham fans wanted out, despite winning said trophy.

If we do get a reinvigorated Moyes, all well and good. But if we get the old "glass ceiling" Moyes, then we will have little to look forward to.

Just so we're clear, anyone disagreeing with your opinion is an idiot? Maybe you should take a long, hard, look in the mirror?

Come back with something more constructive to say to back your opinions.

I was happy to see Moyes go to Man Utd, even though I thought that, when he departed, he had left us a decent squad that was just a little bit short in numbers; otherwise, I'm sure they would have qualified for the Champions League on a couple of occasions.

He never had to win at Everton, which maybe meant he generally concentrated on trying to come 7th, rather than prioritising the cups on a more regular basis, which definitely would have been more befitting of a club like Everton (club, not chairman) especially because he definitely had a team that was good enough to go and win the odd cup.

Moyes looked like the cat who had just got the cream, when he got the Man Utd job, and whilst every interview talked about how Sir Alex had invited him to his house, I don't think I read any interview that talked about the importance of winning trophies. Like you say, that should have been his only thought, with it being obvious to many observers that, even though they were Champions, it did look like United were on the wane? (I'm hoping for similar for Slot, next season!)

Moyes definitely deserves next season now, but casting my mind back to earlier in the season, we relinquished two-goal leads in consecutive games, and we nearly threw a three-goal lead away when Moyes got his first victory, and this makes me realise football, is sometimes more about the players.

Get your money out, TFG, because most teams in England seem to have lacked consistency this season, and a few good additions could really help a manager who knows how to beat certain teams in the Premier League?

I hope that there is a plan in place by TFG that will lead us to a great group of entertaining players, who will bring success to the club. I have no problem with Moyes being in charge, as long as he realises that it's a results game and mediocrity may not be good enough.

In terms of who remains amongst the players that are currently in the squad, I think that there are seven or eight players to retain, some will be released and we will obviously recruit. Let's hope we get our targets, have a good balanced squad and make progress in the league.

The barrel was well and truly scraped when Bill Fairfield (29) erm “commented” that some of us want Moyes to fail because we “dislike …the man”.

Is that it? Is that how intelligent it gets?

Who did you have in mind BF? Can you point to the posts that you believe validate your position/ post?

If you do not do this, then some could be forgiven for thinking that your post was absolute bollocks based on what: your prejudices, hyperbole, inability to read other posts with enough care to understand their meaning, pro-Moyes suspension of critical faculties?

Doesn’t sound like the words of a manager happy to settle for mid table mediocrity….is it possible the Moyes detractors are still tarring him with an old brush?

IF IF IF... he stays healthy. Only 24 and three back injuries already. That does concern me.

With them he won sod all but usually kept us top half, occasionally qualifying for the wally end of European football. We never beat a top team in the Premier League throughout his, ahem, much vaunted 500 game career with us. No other club matched that level of inadequacy.

So, he's back, and to be fair we're well free of relegation as a result.

Next season, if he gets financial backing to enable him (at his age) to go out and pick the players he wants (Hmm?), he'll have a real test to show his worth as a manager given that we'll effectively be playing away for ages as we adjust to our new stadium.

It's a tall order for him - all dependent for success on money, recruitment, squad heart/skill, savvy game management and, if they're all in place, ambition to beat the so-called best in the manner of Leicester years ago and Forest this year.

If that all comes to pass not only will Everton break new ground, but so will 62 year-old Moyes on the back of 1100+ games-as-a-manager, with one tin-pot trophy to his name.

I ain't holding my breath.

As a Moyes sceptic I am all in because this is a healing period and we need all the goodwill the players can take in, fans too. It has been a good ride and I suspect it will last for a season. At some point, Moyes will assume the full responsibility of outcomes even if he has a few of these left due to finances. Then it will be a less speculative discussion and Moyes' results versus the top 6 will be the yardstick.

I predict Robert Williams 51 will enjoy that discussion even more.

As usual I hear plenty of whingeing about his record against the top 4, and it's totally true that is pretty poor over his career (ranging from 0.64-0.66 ppm vs Arsenal and Liverpool to 0.73-0.77 ppm vs Man Utd and Chelsea).

But then again, I foolishly believe football competitions are judged on overall points/results across the season, and the average of 1.54 points p/g over his half century plus of matches seems the main relevant achievement. That, and an almost constant position in the top 7 or 8 of the league challenging for Europe (for 9 out of his 11 full seasons since 02/03), for a massively underfunded club through his first tenancy.

Curiously, when it comes to championing any of the eight managers we've had in the 11 years since DM, who've done a better job in terms of results, league position or bringing in ambitious world-beating players using the sizeable Moshiri money injection, 'It all goes quiet over there!'

I must have missed the point were Ancelotti, Koeman, Allardyce, Martinez, Benitez, Unsworth, Silva, Lampard or Dyche showed the 'ambition' to transform the club into serial winners... weirdly it looked more like they collectively pissed away hundreds of millions and aided a steady descent back to the relegation-battling situation we were in at the time Moyes arrived in 2002 after Kendal III, Walker and Walter Smith*.

(* N.B. Joe Royle gets a pass for the cup win and a 6th place in 1995-96, before he too departed 'by mutual consent' in 96-97. Sadly I haven't been able to look back to ToffeeWeb comments of the era, but if this season review is anything to go by I suspect the fanbase would have been critical of his style also...
https://www.ToffeeWeb.com/season/96-97/review.php)

I get that this is a forum for discussion and everyone's welcome to their own opinions and aspirations...just not their own facts. And the sad, but undeniable fact is that Everton's glories are primarily historic and we have been a struggling as an also-ran club for the last 35 years. We've spent as much, if not more, time battling relegation fears as we have vying for honours or CL spots.
By far the most promising period since the mid-late 80s, in terms of results, league position, form and overall status came under the management of Mr Moyes, who put us into European contention almost every season.

Notably, since he's returned, taking on a team that looked set for it's 4th relegation battle in as many seasons, he's again got them delivering form that would put them in the top 5 or 6 of the league, with 5 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats in 14 league games, and up to his average points per game of 1.5ish. If we hadn't have been robbed of that United penalty, it would actually be 'top 3' form just behind Arsenal!
The manager has got a previously despondent looking team going into every match feeling they can get a result (both attacking-wise and defensively), and never looking outclassed, despite some clear holes/weaknesses and against much more expensive/established sides. He was also involved in giving me an incredible farewell memory of the Old Lady in THAT final Goodison park derby! What a night!

Ultimately, Moyes looks genuinely delighted to be here, is winning praise from experts across the football world for results and methods (see articles like this: https://www.premierleague.com/news/4244159) and secured manager of the month for February. Indeed it seems pretty much the only people who don't seem able to agree he's doing a great job or think he should be given a chance to take Everton forward again are a subset of fans on this forum...

In response to your question, Martinez's first season. Usually 72 points would have been Champions League qualification. A freak of a season just as much as actually qualifying on 61 points in 2004-05.

Some decent signings that year too. Lukaku (initial loan), the experienced Barry and promising James McCarthy, who just never improved.

You are obviously a Moyes advocate, others aren't even though recognising what he's done so far. But for many, the jury is still out as to whether he is the one that can match our aspirations.

No bashing here, just different opinions on his ability to take us higher than 7th or 8th. Everyone at the club should have higher ambitions than that and not talk it down.

The list of gets longer and it looks like a thesaurus is now being deployed.

And what has got them steaming? A reflective discussion whether David Moyes is the long-term solution for the club.

The reaction is very disproportionate to a balanced discussion.

The Derby game was a great night because of Tarkowski’s goal, but I genuinely enjoyed the one last April, a lot more Chris, on a night when us Evertonians, celebrated actually watching us beat Liverpool, whilst ramming “you lost the league at Goodison Pk” right down their smug, self entitled throats.

I haven’t read all the posts, but some posts do show me that it sometimes stops becoming a debate, although I like the last sentence of your post Chris, and don’t think many people actually disagree with you.

A few people might have reservations about Moyes long term, but I don’t see many deriding him.

"what???? What kind of sycophant are you?"
after a pause,
"erm, what kind of sycophant would you like me to be?"

UTFT

I don’t see anyone hating Moyes, I just see people giving reasons why they don’t think he his the long term answer.

He has definitely been the short term answer though which means he’s going to get longer, and I don’t think many people will be disagreeing about this at the minute.

Emery flopped at Arsenal.

Nuno Santos flopped at Spurs.

Some get lucky. Roberto Di Matteo won a Champions League for goodness sake.

For the next few seasons at least Moyes looks like an excellent fit at Everton.

If he fails to win a trophy or get past 7th place that is almost entirely down to the financials (which presumably will remain tight).

That kind of contradicts my feelings on Moyes, who definitely helped Kenwright stay in charge without being under any real pressure for so long, but the reality is Arsenal, built a new stadium because Wenger had the talent to keep qualifying for the champions league, with a lower net spend than David, and a lot of impatient fans, blamed the wrong man, imo

BTW James Garner is one player we could sell for more money than we paid for him.

Another player some of our fans wasn’t good enough for Evertons

We don’t know how long any of us have got on this earth

Takes the biscuit that one, and a quality chocolate covered one at that.

I keep saying the same thing and that is simply that I think Moyes, will be given the job, but if he his going to genuinely improve us then he’s going to have to be given some money

There is a here an now, I accept that, but foundations are needed to compete on a sustained basis.

But the bigger picture is that Everton, along with all the other dross have a shit away records at Chelsea, United, Liverpool, more recently City.

I think for Everton its one win at Chelsea in the Premier league era, 3 at Liverpool, 2 at United and 2 at Arsenal. Not exactly just a Moyes issue.

But neither is it confined to our club. Since Moyes was appointed in 2004 Liverpool have not been beaten by 28 teams. Everton 1, Spurs 1, West Ham 1, Leeds 1, Newcastle 1. Despite Liverpool being shite for large parts of that City have only won 3 and United 6.

The top 4 for a large periods of time were losing 1-7 games a season, invariably against each other - and that was home and away. Therank and file of the EPL rarely, if at all won away at these places.

Blame Moyes, but the tide ain't going turn without having a better squad.

We have been a badly run and poorly resourced club for the entire Premier League era. Hence we have not had the best players and haven't won a lot of matches.

What’s wrong with my comment

I'll go into next season, as always wanting us to win a trophy and to qualify for Europe. It needs summer investment, but why shouldn't we expect?

I read somewhere West Ham have had one win at Anfield in 62 years. We are of course bigger than West Ham, but that is what we are up against that neighbour.

If Spurs are going to Champions League cup final and have pretty much finished way above us for 10 years plus, but have the same shit record at Anfield, an outsider would ask what are you expecting? Conte, Potch, Mourinho etc. These are top managers, way above Moyes, and guess what, they've all come up short at Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Why can they not do it either?.

Whats the alternative? You could experiment and play gung ho football. Accept most times you'll get an absolute good hiding, but you might get a few victories on a sunny day. Would that be progress getting spanked 5, 6, 7 nil - but a couple of wins.

At what point do fans call it naive or suicidal. Is that what Martinez was doing when we had enough and called him a clown, fraud, fake?

Glad you brought up Ancelotti.

I remember the feeling on here when he left was, generally, that he couldn't be blamed for not turning down an approach from Real Madrid.

Seems he wasn't approached by Real Madrid for anything other than advice on prospective candidates and who they might hire as their next manager. He, allegedly, said "I'll do it."

That came straight from Gary Lineker.

Changing the subject Saturday's game arrangements look interesting.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-turn-back-clock-plans-31434110?fbclid=IwY2xjawJsmC5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHji-KYd02LaHnrGUoA5eOGGBnzF-z-I2RKpTF9B88TJkVb6cKEYB8qo-A503_aem_6yNtnEfHZ81WYlxLbJUk7A

Dear Daniel,

As our move to Everton Stadium draws nearer, we'd like to offer you a unique opportunity to help name one of our premium social spaces at our new waterfront home.

As a valued Season Ticket Member, you are invited to take part in naming the pub located in one of the premium areas of the West Stand in Village Street.

Why This Matters:

Village Street is set to be one of the most distinctive areas at the new stadium, blending traditional matchday atmosphere with a modern, fan-focused vibe. The new pub will serve as a social hub and a meeting point for its members, a place where history and modern Everton spirit come together.

Learn more about naming of the pub, the fan vote and how to register your interest in match-by-match opportunities at Village Street by clicking here.

Vote for Your Favourite Name:

We have shortlisted six names, developed in collaboration with our supporter groups and future Village Street members. The choices are:

Toffee Tavern

The Royle Oak

Eddie Cavanagh’s

The Southall Arms

The Prince Rupert

The Giants Taproom

Each name, chosen by Evertonians, pays homage to different aspects of Everton’s rich history and identity - from legendary players and local landmarks to classic pub culture and fan folklore.

Please complete the form below by entering your supporter number: and selecting the name you believe best represents our proud heritage and bright future.

CAST YOUR VOTE

Voting Details:

Vote Opens: Today.

Vote Closes: 11:59 PM on Monday, 21 April.

The winning name will be revealed before the end of the 2024/25 season.

Members can only have one vote per supporter number.

Thank you for continuing to be part of our stadium journey. We look forward to unveiling the winning name and celebrating another Everton Stadium milestone.

We just have different ways of expressing it.

Whilst we’re on the subject of marketing the club, I’m sure some of you will have recently watched the TV series This City Is Ours which is being vaunted as the ‘Scouse Sopranos’. I loved it but, regardless, it’s proven VERY popular and multiple future series are in the offing.

Probably the right time for whoever deals with such things at the Club to put a phone call in to the producers and offer our state-of-the-art new waterside stadium as a location for filming. I can imagine the arty shots of the city, taken from the stadium, as a backdrop to some top gangster lingo (“where’s da fuckin’ lemo, lad?!”) and the odd gunshot.

Also, it’d be great for OUR stadium to feature in a series called ‘This City Is Ours’…

Time to get our foot in the door and show the city’s brightest new piece of architecture to the world.

Obviously every situation is different, managers under Moshiri had ostensibly more cash to flash but were afforded far less patience to properly build a team and ethos. But all that aside, he's unarguably been our most successful 'sustained' manager post Kendall (or post Royle anyway).

I don't have any axe to grind against any manager in particular, although I don't recall Bobby Brown Shoes being particular well regarded in these parts either.

My point was really more defending Moyes and saying that I think its just a bit stupid, or at least unrealistic to be railing against him.

TBH, if it doesn't go well the Friedkin group aren't going to have Kenwright's loyalty, he'll be out on his ear, so why not just get behind him and give him a chance to start a new legacy.

P.S. Still love Champ Man! ;-p

On Ancelotti, I seen him interviewed and he speaks fondly of Everton. I guess we'll never know the ins and outs. I have three takes on it, purely based on reading at the time.

He was affected by what happened to his family and life in Liverpool. I'm not convinced by that. He managed in Napoli. For those not familiar with the city, it makes parts of Liverpool look like the Royal Borough of Kensington-Chelsea.

He was possibly offered the opportunity to return to Real Madrid which he couldn't turn down. I enjoyed every one of his 40 goals for us, but don't care too much for what the highest paid BBC presenter and pseudo socialist working class hero Lineker has to say personally.

Or, he could see the shit creek Everton were heading down, threw his paddle away and swam to the shore to save going over the waterfall.

Ryan @89, have your view by all means, but be a bit more constructive than that. What you think sounds more like what you want. That's fine and you're entitled to it, but you come across as being antagonistic, seeking attention and a reaction.

This City is Ours is a good watch. Build the Blue Mile from the Pier Head to Bramley Moore and adopt the title.

“But he joked they’ll be happier with him following the victory over Liverpool when reflecting on his return to Madrid and the phonecall when he was offered the job.

“That’s right, I wasn’t expecting the offer,” he told reporters. “Real Madrid had phoned about other things and then I was asked if I wanted to come back.

“You can’t say no to Real Madrid, it is impossible. Everton weren’t that happy of course.“

Ancelotti was told a pack of lies to persuade him to join, as were Benitez, Lampard and Dyche.

They all say the same thing after they departed - they had no idea how bad things were when they agreed to be manager.

What a prick.

Steve, I wouldn't expect him to admit that he wasn't actually offered a Madrid return and that he "asked" to return under the circumstances Lineker stated.

I guess we'll never really know for sure.

Billy # 94………I can’t see anything in the Red Echo about what you say. Do you have a link for it?

Scott, if you haven't watched it, check out Howard's Way. As well as making you pine for that all-too-brief period, it alludes to Neville's tea totalled-ness.

What a deep, articulate, intelligent, incisive, and thoughtful post Ryan. You really nailed it with those explanations that have enriched our understandings.

One line of meaningless trash in response to a fairly longish reasoned post by Jerome with some good points whether you agree with them or not.

Says it all really.

Oh, Ryan (89): ToffeeWeb is already extremely "interesting" and it most certainly does not need you for it to be "interesting".

Following on from Alan (90): Has anyone seen that new production (play) of Boys From the Blackstuff? I see it was at The Empire March 25-29. Ah crap, it's. Bill Kenwright Limited.

I thought it was a great show and it often reminded me that William should have stuck to what he knew best, but I’m certain he made a lot more money out of Everton.

I thought your post@72, was the most sensible thing I had ever seen you write Ryan, until I saw your contradiction later in this thread!

Listen to Neville.

If the Colin Harvey clip doesn't dust the eyes, then I'm not sure what will.

Pat Van den Hauwe on his Pyscho tag. But in his own words, "I played to win".

And Sheedy. Just Sheedy. Made the game look simple.

Some great 80s music to go with it as well.

It was short-lived and what could have been was taken away from us. I'm not ashamed of getting nostalgic. I.was glad to have witnessed it and like generations before me, that's why we go on about expectations we have for Everton. I hope the younger generations have memories they can pass on to their kids.

Yes I wear blue tinted glasses, but I'm not naive enough to criticise when we don't meet the standards or expectations I want and believe we can achieve.

Jerome’s post wasn’t factually correct. As usual when he makes his comments.

And he doesn’t need his lap dog to defend his views

I'm sorry that you've decided that I'm so fucking myopic that I think anybody who veers from my opinion is an idiot. But I certainly do think that people who abuse folk they've never met are idiots.

Moyes is doing a fine job. I hope it continues. If it doesn't, then he'll rightly deserve criticism. But I think there are a lot of people focused on his first tenure, projecting their anger at his "failures" in the past and ignoring the right now, which is really what matters. He probably isn't the man for the long term. But after years of mediocrity and surviving in the league on the basis of there being three worse teams than us, I'm okay with mid-table mediocrity. RIGHT NOW. Certainly not three years from now.

A 62-year-old man has received an “indefinite ban” from attending Everton matches over a video which appeared to show him not paying for food during the first test event of the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The clip, which circulated on social media, purportedly showed a man ordering food during the game on February 17, when Everton’s Under-18s played against Wigan Athletic’s youth team with 10,000 fans in attendance.

In the video, the man filming was brought his food by a member of catering staff. The man then asked for a “black coffee with sugar,” and laughed when the staff member turned his back, saying “adios amigo” and walking away with the food, seemingly without payment.

In a statement on Wednesday, an Everton spokesperson confirmed the 62-year-old has been banned, saying: “Following enquiries into a social media clip showing clear theft of food during the first test event at Everton Stadium (17 February 2025), a 62-year-old male from the Rainhill area was identified as being responsible.

“The matter was referred to Merseyside Police and the individual has been dealt with by means of an out-of-court disposal. As part of this resolution, he has agreed to make a donation equivalent to the cost of the stolen items (£12.75) to Everton in the Community.

“In line with the club’s zero-tolerance approach to such behaviour, the individual has also been issued with an indefinite ban from Everton Football Club and his seasonal membership has been revoked."

We don't all have to agree with each other on our views about the one thing we do all agree on, if that makes sense?

I'm more impatient than you, but it shouldn't stop us airing views, locking horns and talking about the one thing we love. Everton and football. Okay that's two.

Keep posting, stick by your principles, as will I. We'll probably agree on more than we disagree, because we all want the same outcome.

It's been great on the Champions League thread this week. One day we'll be discussing Everton in that company.

But for now, I'm just glad I will be at Goodison this weekend, amongst friends, family and Everton.

An indefinite ban for a bit of stupidity, but what a fool videoing himself. There’s no fool like an old fool, especially with the levels of zero tolerance that are beginning to exist for a lot of social media posts nowadays.

Rumours that Starmer successfully defended people wanted for “mass genocide” in Rhawanda, helping to keep them on there shores, but be careful what you say, because this might end up getting you jailed, in Starmer’s Britain.

Sorry for going a little bit off thread but an indefinite ban for being a fool, whilst not really hurting anybody, is definitely over the top imo

In other parts of the world people have been deported to El Salvador for less.

Yes, give the bloke a rap on the knuckles, but there are worse out there, so it doesn't require a lynch mob.

You know my views on politicians of all flavours Tony. I sincerely hope it's not true that Starmer is going to Goodison. Those two seats could be taken by Evertonians on a monumental and emotionally charged day in our clubs history.

Tony the phoney took us to war on fabricated "truths" so he could be Bush's lapdog.

30,000 to Ukraine? To do what?

But to be clear...

"in a world with Putin, Trump, Orban, Netanyahu, and other horrors,"

He's far from the worst... by a considerable distance?

The fella recorded himself thieving from the 1st official event at bmd.

Oh and get me a black coffee, to the young black lad serving him more than suggested a hint of racism.

As I said above, scousers get a bad enough name without old gobshites filming themselves robbing the club.

I am glad the club have banned him, I don't think it's ott at all. It's just not acceptable.

Am I out of touch with things that are acceptable?. Is it ok to rob stuff and brag about it and then post it to the world.

Ok he isn't invading Ukraine but he is a proper gobshites and should be punished according.
What a prick.

And am I getting this right? Starmer should not attend Goodison but the elderly ripoff social media darling should be able to attend BMD?

And smiling assassin Danny? That’s just embarrassing.

Would you care to list these factual lapses so that we can discuss them rather than simply trot out yet more unsupported general dismissals in your usual style????

"And he doesn’t need his lap dog to defend his views".

How pathetic!

😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣

Try and say something of substance on this Mr. Holroyd. That might actually require you to go beyond one-line fluff.

More money to sign better players will surely be welcomed by him - but who knows what he'll make of that given the presence above him of a DoF?

And what will "more money" amount to, if it comes at all, against the better spending power of so many other properly-run clubs in the EPL?

To me right now Moyesy will be 100% focused on what's best for him alone next season - unless our current owners present him with financial opulence (whilst still within the absurd, ever-twisting rules promulgated by the so-called EPL leaders of course) to actually buy big-time to the awe of other moderate clubs chasing trophies in their dreams.

I ain't holding my breath.

Don, I think Moyes will have input and be a member of a recruitment or transfer committee, but won't be acting autocratically and wielding absolute power.

I've mentioned this before, a bit like what I saw work well watching a documentary about Manchester City, when the cameras were allowed to film a pre-season committee meeting discussing types of players the manager / head coach needed in order to set budget and likely targets.

If this structure is successfully implemented at Everton, he will still be able to have a voice and influence, but it's become to big a job for one person to control. This type of structure and with the academy being looked after, will enable the manager to primarily focus on the first team, whilst still being in touch with transfers and the U18s / U21s.

Dinosaur and busted flush, although I think that was more individuals' perception of his style of play.

I know it's a different environment being manager of Real Madrid, but after leaving Everton for whatever reason (take your pick), he won several more trophies, including the Champions League. Everton didn't, or couldn't grasp the opportunity of having a serial winner (player and manager) in charge in my own opinion.

Danny aged 53.

If Mark is considered 37, that must make me 22 Paul?

Only the man himself could truthfully say if asking for a black coffee, had racial undertones but either way an indefinite ban is completely draconian to me, but like you have proven, not everyone else.

Who knows what and whom Starmer defended when he was a human rights lawyer Steve, and when “I read” between the lines, I often wonder why he waited for Jimmy Saville to die before opening a fresh enquiry?

Most people who become head of the CPS, end up being knighted, as I turn on my iPad and listen to Roger Waters singing….. The powers that be!

I think he is more of a nugget than strips!

Link

I just thought it was a bit odd that another politician I cannot stand, Nigel Farage, spoke about Southport, being the biggest cover-up, in the history of our country, at a time that there was a lot of rumours on the internet about Starmer and Blair, successfully defending people wanted for mass genocide in Rhawanda, many years ago, and then Farage suddenly went quiet.

Hillsborough was a bigger cover-up imo, unless there is more to the story that suddenly seemed to go very quiet, and suddenly the story changed to the murderers mother, having family connections to the Rhawandan government.

There are a lot more rumours that just add to the conspiracy, but going back to Starmer, I simply cannot stand the man.

I’d have thought the stick that he must be getting everywhere he goes would be more than enough punishment, James😂

Carrots and sticks

They like fear and loathing

They like sheep's clothing.

They like blacked out vans

contingency plans

They like death or glory

They love a good story.

Those lyrics could have been written about Starmer and his sidekick Reeves.

What a treacherous pair of backstabbers those two have turned out to be. They make Bill Kenwright look like George Washington

Tory weasels wearing red rosettes

Rob, your post made a lot of sense to me apart from one absolutely ridiculous line.

Oh and get me a black coffee, to the young black lad serving him more than suggested a hint of racism.

Sorry mate but that's just,...............well words fail me!

It’s in the eyes Chico, the eyes never lie, especially when they’re constantly telling lies

As for politicians is there any one of them anywhere in the world who is worth listening to?

Just to be clear what Hamas did in October was atrocious and Israel were right to seek retribution, but this has gone way past that stage.

My Father was a Sargent in the Paratroopers and was in Palestine during the 2nd World War. He didnt talk much about the war but I do remember him saying that what happened to Palestine as it was then having to give up the land they had lived on for hundreds of years to create the state of Israel, wasnt fair. During that conflict the Israel terrorist group hung I think 3 British soldiers and we were helping to create the state of Israel. Quite rightly we are supplying Ukraine with weapons, but to see what we are allowing to happen in Gaza breaks my heart.

As a human rights lawyer, Starmer represented criminals overseas sentenced to death in caribbean countries because he was opposed to the death penalty. He also represented 2 individuals being sued by McDonalds over a pamphlet pro bono. Not to mention he was the human rights advisor to the Northern Ireland Police Board.

As the Director Public Prosecutions he imprisoned terrorists, paedophile gangs, organised crime groups, MPs over fake expenses, 2 of the killers of Stephen Lawrence and a government minister.

He WAS involved in a genocide hearing but it wasn’t related to Rwanda. He represented Croatia against Serbia claiming the actions of the Serbs in the Balkans war represented an attempt at genocide.

And, I didn’t vote for Starmer or Labour by the way in the last election.

You have referenced Southport and the riots before as a justification from your dislike for Starmer. The rioters who were fast-tracked through court deserved to be there and got sentenced for trying to use the tragic death of children to spread hatred and violence.

It might be worth looking to the parents of these lost children if you want to restore your faith in humanity.

Link

When Mr Aguiar says the community has been so kind, he is not talking about the rioters.

It’s Starmer’s eyes, or assassin smile, and the increase in employer NI contributions was crime against humanity.

Meanwhile Putin’s invasion has resulted in 1.4 million casualties, 50,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, Trump has tanked the global economy and he plans to deport 2.6 million migrants. He has even resorted to reporting 6300 living migrants dead to remove them from the social security system.

But Starmer is the main hate figure in the world in the 10 months since he came to power?

I didn’t vote for him, don’t like him much and don’t think he is settling the world on fire as PM, but do me a favour.

The supposedly right wing media, might actually be wrong, but at least they are coming out and saying things which they must believe, which doesn’t happen often with the legacy media, who I genuinely believe either brush things under the carpet, or try to push their own narrative on to us.

Seriously Steve, I just had a massive feeling that Trump, had won the American election around 24 hrs before the vote, after reading the guardian and then watching the ITV news.

The Guardian which appears to hate Trump (not without good reason many of us will say) were claiming without any real evidence that he was losing and then I watched the ITV news because it came on after a programme I had been watching finished, and I thought to myself, has all this information been taken from The Guardian?

The next night after the programme finished, I decided to watch the BBC News and this seemed a lot more neutral (giving an impression that it was doing what news is supposed to do and report on facts, rather than agendas,imo) and I went to bed thinking Trump, was going to win.

The right wing media, that are astounded by Tommy Robinson’s treatment, which doesn’t appear to be in line with his human rights, for what he was charged with? (Just like the left, for Trumps treatment of some immigrants)

I was talking to a lad who was sentenced to 28 months for Southport, because he was already out on tag, (released after six months) and yet they are making sure Robinson, does half of his sentence because it’s political.

Robinson is in isolation for his own safety because the jails are full of Muslim gangs, so why don’t they just put him under house arrest?

Does having this option make me sound far-right? It will to some but not to others, and as for myself, I will just continue to treat people with respect, just as long as they treat me the same way accordingly.

I also think Starmer is pretty much insignificant on the world stage, because it is currently being dominated by two men whose countries hold a lot more power.

You don't like Starmer, fine. You'll get a vote soon enough and you can choose whether your use it based on fact or conspiracy theories. That is the beauty, and at the same time the weakness, of a democracy.

Jimmy Garner says we've got a team to finish in the top half next year. Controversial enough in my view. Who'd have that it would lead down this rabbit hole?

On Saturday I think we will have a good chance of winning even though City finished the game well last week v Crystal Palace, but they started badly in that game and still look very vulnerable defending——mind you so do Palace with ten against them in the last two games!

Farage is a politician who said that Southport was the biggest cover-up this country had ever seen, and like I said I disagreed with him.

Why would a politician say this, when there has obviously been much bigger cover-ups, in this country?

To stand up for himself because he was scorned upon in parliament, for criticising the initial lies that these murders were not terror related, when everyone in Southport already knew that they were maybe?

I just found it intriguing that Farage suddenly went quiet, even though he’s a career politician, who would be foolish to go against a Government, that has been voted for democratically.

I too have little time for most politicians, which ever colour they wear.

Brian, I've personally experienced political incompetence and ventures into campaigns they can't, or don't have the will to see through. I know we sign up and our place is to serve, not question, but sometimes you were looking over your shoulder wondering what the strategic plan was. I could go into detail, but that can be one for the Harlech.

I've met a few politicians and member of the Royal Family over the years and could tell some stories. Nothing scandalous, just interesting insights to the characters.

Right, I'm getting back to Everton and football.

We are all Everton fans on here. That is what unites us. We all have our own beliefs and views. This is not the place to spout them on.

Let’s stick to the remaining games of the season and look forward to the next one.

I have seen him and his Thatcher clone Chancellor break pre-election promises to right a Tory wrong which saw thousands of women cheated out of tens of thousands of pounds in state pension. A pension they had contributed to all their lives.

I have seen them cut aid to starving people in war-torn countrys.

I have seen him break cast iron promises to post office workers who were wrongly accused and prosecuted for crimes they hadnt committed. Stonewalling their appeals for action. Standing by while they were offered compensation as low as 18% of what they actually lost.

I've seen assurances that they would not target the pensioners and their heating allowance before election evaporate just as soon as they were elected.

I've seen them caught red handed taking kick backs and back handers for just about anything they can get their grubby little fingers on.

I could go on here but my fingers would bleed if I listed all the things these disgusting back stabbing bastards have done to the very people who elected them.

The Tories might have been vile self serving pricks, but at least they had the courage to admit they are Tories

can we just argue about how shit we have been for 30 years

To be honest Belfit is well before my time but I'm guessing he had a certain Brett Angell quality to his play.

Does having this option make me sound far-right? It will to some but not to others, and as for myself, I will just continue to treat people with respect, just as long as they treat me the same way accordingly.

It’s based on a true story, and made me feel that because of the way certain cultures live, then I think it will be near on impossible for everyone to live side by side in perfect harmony whilst adhering to the same rules.

Give it a try, because it’s both very sad, and it’s also very educational.

I also watched The City Is Ours, but I can’t find the one that is based in Dublin, Brendan, which I’m sure would be better than the scouse version mate!

Watched Honour. Unsettling but well worth a watch.

The Dublin show is called Kin and should be available on BBC IPlayer.

The title is quite clever as it's about a family of drug dealers but there's also the infamous Dublin drug cartel... the Kinahan's.

I have watched a little bit of Kin, but was put off by the name, because of the obvious connection - this brought, and I will have a look at Bluelights, to see if it’s better than Blue Moyes - Ryan, and wonder if it will be as good as Love - Hate?

I like to watch a lot of subtitled programmes because they get me tired and this help me sleep, and I think the best one I’ve ever seen is an Italian show called Gomorah, for anyone who is intrigued by the Italian mafia.