David Moyes focuses on the positives following loss to Man City

Nothing personal against Michael Keane, he seems like a class fella, but every time he's on the pitch in defence, bad things seem to happen. It's always been that way, whether it's been partnering Holgate, Godfrey, Mina in the past, or Tarkowski more recently.

We need this season over. It's been a bit of an upturn since Moyes arrived, we've definitely looked more attacking than the first half of the season when Dyche was killing us, and not softly either.

But the same old problems always seem to rear their head at this club. The lack of goal threat, the lack of striking credentials, the inability to find anyone anywhere in the squad with any real pace.

It's been a poor final season at Goodison. We have given the fans very little to shout about in the majority of the 17 home games played thus far, with only the late euphoria of the equalizer against the Redshite being the standout highlight.

The Cup ties at Goodison saw us go out on a whimper at home to Bournemouth and Southampton way back in September's League Cup tie.

We need to seriously reset things this summer and as I said a while ago, I want to see what the Friedkin Group are really made of.

I'm 67 years old and never felt I should leave the game any time before the final whistle. Believe me, I've wanted to, I've seen some dire stuff.

But I've never insulted the players by walking out on them.
At least it meant the train into town from Kirkdale was only half-full.

Yet sadly we still get the ungrateful moaners, who seem to have a vendetta against him and try to suck the life out of the relief that we have of securing yet again Premier League status.

Yes, it's unsatisfactory to be celebrating survival, but survival we have; we can reset, bring players in, and let the Manager have a pre-season.

If there is no progress this time next year, then I can understand the moans… but right now, how about a bit of gratitude?

He get's credit for doing well and if we perform well, even when the result go our way. The recent derby was a good example of that.

If we don't play well and the performance isn't what we want, he will get criticism, just as any manager or player(s) will.

It's not moaning.

No sentimentality. Players who are right for Everton and the right age!

That was exactly what has happened, and it made me laugh.

We are the only team to have made a player trade profit over that time. It is a miracle we are in the Premier League at all, and results since January are far better than we can reasonably expect given the staggering disparity in team investment between us and our competitors.

So well done to Moyes, Dyche, Thelwell, and all of the players and staff at the club for their remarkable achievements. I really hope that match-going fans are treated to a few final triumphant Goodison memories to cherish in the remaining games.

Everton supporters are the best and we have gone a long time without much reason to hope for better things to come. I have got faith in Moyes to strengthen the first team and squad depth so that we finish higher next year, even if the outlay on players is still under some, hopefully reduced, constraints. I'll take any improvement next season, alongside the return of belief that Everton really are on their way back.

Losing to the Premier League Champions from 4 of the past 5 seasons, with a net spend of £320M isn't a particularly meaningful point of reference.

There is lots to be positive about.

It doesn't come across as moaning... but there's a not too far buried dislike of Moyes on ToffeeWeb that doesn't want him to do well and it surfaces more often than it should.

For the life of me... I don't get it.

I think it's a different conversation in person, certainly the ones I have, be that with family, friends and at the match.

Most want Moyes to do well. Some, myself included, harbour reservations, but ultimately, if he does well, Everton do well, and that's what we all want, whoever the manager is.

What's important to some, is less so for others, and vice-versa. When I watch Everton, I want to see us compete, perform well, and excite the crowd and supporters. Do that and the results usually follow – as well as maybe a trophy or two and European qualification.

I can't remember many successful teams who did so by setting up not to lose. And like most, I do accept where we are right now. I'm just impatient!!

Very good balanced perspective, Josh.

I was one of those in January that backed the return of Moyes: right man at the right time… and I'd love that see him get this club a trophy to end the trophy drought.

You've never read a post and thought... "He just doesn't like Moyes"?

Yesterday was unfortunate and I am sure the injury to Captain Tarkowski lost the game. However, I think we all agree that, until they get some real class up front, they will continue to be a mid-table team.

At the moment, Moyes has a very moderate bunch to choose from up front and we all hope that funding will become available to change that situation.

The only ones that seemed to unify the majority in their discontent were Allardyce and Benitez. Once I got over the shock when we appointed him, I was willing to give Benitez a chance. It didn't last long and it went toxic early. As for Allardyce, I like to try and forget he was ever our manager and associated with the club. I think the feeling is mutual.

As I say, away from the keyboards, we can have a more sensible conversation even if we agree to disagree. Same with players.

I hope so Tom, and he will be given the opportunity to prove us wrong. If he wins us a trophy, I won't care if he's David Moyes, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola or the spirit of Howard Kendall. Do that and I am just going to sit back and watch this city erupt.

None of those guys have come back for a second bite nor got it in the neck so early?

Unlike Kendall, who unfortunately and sadly, came back for a third bite, when the club was starting its descent from grace, he mostly retained the fans' backing because we remembered what he achieved as player and manager.

Moyes won't be held in that regard by a large section of the support base or have that level of sympathy or, dare I say, time.

He's got a chance. I just genuinely hope he grasps it and does not, repeat does not, play down expectations, like he did previously. The slightest sniff of that will be pounced upon, as we saw recently.

I hate it when Evertonians are divided. Of course we won't always agree, but want the same outcome for our club. And we should never forget, it's our club. Long after managers and custodians have been and gone, we and our descendants are still here and always will be.

I honestly understand both sides of the Moyes divide. I've got it amongst close family. And it is a divide. It splits opinion. The best thing that can happen is that the owners and recruitment team (or whatever they're going to call them), provide better players to improve us and he takes us to the next level and beyond. Otherwise, he'll be gone sooner rather than later. I hope not, because that will mean he failed. None of us want that, because it means Everton will have failed. And Everton is most important.

Sorry for the late volley. I've had about 8 hours sleep in 36 hours, so my body clock is all over the place.

The Freakin group played it safe. Moyes will be gone as soon as we have a bad run. The squad is not that good, and will take a few years to strengthen. I will be surprised if next season we finish mid table. It's imperative that we get off to a good start in the new stadium.
I'm back in the UK next week so intend to see BMD and say good bye to the old lady..

Keane was thinking of his Summer Holidays when he unexpectedly was called upon.It showed when he played.

I have no comment to make on Moyes nothing after game presser.Expecting a reset in the Summer is a long shot, Everton should be on the front foot now.Hopefully TFG is , because Moyes isn't.

There are eight games till the end of the season and they should be made use of in terms of preparation for next season

Keane is a pro. He's just an aging, slow pro who hasn't played much Premier League football in a while and had to join a right game against one of the top teams in world football.

Why doubt his professionalism when there's already a completely obvious answer?

As for the team relaxing after Man Utd... they didn't look relaxed at Forest last week?

Josh #12, good perspective. There are certainly positives to take from the season, first and foremost the fact that we have real, credible, financially stable ownership for the first time in decades.

I would also highlight the influx of youth into the team. O'Brien, Alcaraz and Iroegbunam appear to be core players for the near future.

The most positive thing of all, however, is that it's April and my guts aren't in a knot fearing what might happen in May. It feels so good not to feel so bad.

Danny #14, agreed.

It will depend on TGFs KPIs as to whether he's failed.

If they expect him to win the league in his 2.5 years contract and he doesn't, then he's failed.

If they expect him to come in, steady the ship, achieve top 10 next season and be in European places the season after, i.e. do what he did last time, then achieving that will mean he's been successful, for TFG.

He will only have "failed" in the eyes of the supporters, and as you've witnessed in many posts there are many that will berate him for that...again.

There are a lot of comments here wondering what TFG’s goals, investment and KPIs will be - their corporate comms strategy seems to be based on telepathy so don’t expect any quick answers to these questions.

I would anticipate that 8-9 players minumum will depart - DCL, Lindstrom, Broja, Keane, Holgate, Young, Begovic, Harrison with Mangala already departed. There will be decisions on Gueye, Doucoure, Seamus and Alcaraz.

That is a lot of change to a playing squad that is already weak.

I figured he'd probably played his last game but you would expect some updates, rumours, news.

Beto and Broja have probably improved the offer Everton would make. Or has he already signed for someone? That would slip out wouldn't it? It all seems a bit odd.

It was unprofessionalism that caused the goals. Last week Everton nicked a win against a under strength Forest side that allows teams possession.Though any win is welcome.

Everton do look improved in attitude and effort, but it going to take more than that to progress next season. I do grant you it is a improvement on Dyche though.

But after over 30 years of underachievement

and with a new well financed and professional regime , we all should be expecting more.Moyes is amongst the top five Premier League Managers in pay terms.If we settle for that performance from Moyes and the team against so called top teams that will be the performance we will get.A defeat which Moyes cherry picks.

Steve#28

It will be more a structural change.There will be some semblance of a DOF set up.

Moyes objective will be as little change as possible.He isn't a Manager who has dealt with alot of change.He will be aiming for what he knows in the face of so many changes.It was mismanagement previously that allowed so many contracts to end at the same time.Joe Royle was not able to cope with a lesser situation in the season after winning the FA Cup.

KENDALL AND CARTER MUST GO; FORTY THOUSAND STAY AT HOME FANS CANNOT BE WRONG - said the leaflets, and there was also a bit of graffiti on display.

Everyone wants Everton to win, (I usually write, imo, but don’t feel it’s necessary on this subject) and I think it’s ludicrous to suggest anything different Brendan, no wonder you often keep your thoughts to yourself when you’re sometimes asked for examples because coming out with statements like that on an Everton website, genuinely doesn’t make any sense (imo) mate!

Keane can be blamed for a lot, but never, ever unprofessionalism. For months he played through a foot infection so severe it could have crippled him and had to wear a boot two sizes too large -- never missed a game and never mentioned it publicly until the following season. And he came back from a skull fracture in less than a month and immediately stuck his head in fearlessly.

He ain't much of a player, but he's 100% pro, and IMO you're flat-our wrong to say otherwise.

Michael Keane has definitely shown his bravery at times but I’m definitely not taking that story as gospel, and believe it’s got to have had a few bevies thrown onto it!

Iroegbunam in particular looks to me like he’s not at PL level yet, at least not in any deeper midfield role where he seems unaware and prone to letting runners past him regularly. I’d say he badly needs a loan move and a run of starts to up his level or maintain his sale value.

Alcaraz had a great start in our win over Palace but has not done a great deal since. £12m would seem like a good deal for him and personally I think he has talent but Moyes hasn’t started him in last 3 games and with McNeill coming back too it may not be obvious where the Argentine fits in.

They say I’m shite but wait until they see how much money I’m going to earn out of my next contract!

It wouldn’t surprise me if Dominic gets himself a £20 million signing on fee, and a £7.5 million x 3year contract on top,, but maybe I’m delusional and I’m just talking telephone numbers.

If I'm wrong and I am being delusional, then my belief is that the lowest he will earn for himself is £25million over the next three years? The money in football is absolutely obscene.

I have thought that Moyes, might not fancy Alkaraz, as much as a lot of Evertonians, Sam, because I don’t believe he has given him enough trust or game time when I look around our team. The kid Tim, shows little glimpses of talent but is miles away from being a consistent midfielder in the EPL, at the minute, imo

The ins and outs will define any positive effect for the remaining players and incoming players, but these are pivotal moments for the future of the club in terms of progress and challenging for European places and trophies. Let’s hope that Moyes and co get it right.

A man who for years was played out of position (winger). A man who has always given his all on the pitch. A man who has been consistently starved of any kind of adequate service to play to his strengths etc…

I hope the lad leaves and, like Lukaku, goes on to better things. If he can stay injury free I can see him getting his England place back and winning trophies., something which is unlikely to happen anytime soon at Everton.

How many would Wissa have got for us this season Rob B #38. About 8 is my guess.

Until there is a style of play which suits the striker - and players of pace and quality across the team - our strikers will continue to disappoint

And nicking a win…….well I suppose it was “Nicked” in the sense that it was deep into injury time when we scored, but, in my opinion only one team wanted to win that game last week, and it most definitely wasn’t Forest.

All against the backdrop of difficult economic times, which hit the city of Liverpool particularly badly.

Fortunately, the club held it's nerve and when we got into the New Year, we never looked back. "tell me ma to put the champagne on ice" as the song went. Five months and two cup finals and a trophy later, we were in blue heaven. And it was only the start.

That's why I never stop believing Everton can rise again, now that we have the obvious off our back.

Totally Rob. Nicked maybe in the context of time of goal, but without stating the obvious, no game of football finishes until the final whistle has gone.

Colin & Robert, as a collective (not everyone), supporters of all clubs seem to have targets.

Calvert-Lewin right now. Moise Kean you mention. He was 19 years old in a foreign country in the glare of the Premier League at a struggling club. His CV includes Juventus, PSG, Everton and now Fiorentina, who are pushing for European qualification. He's still only 25.

We've done it over the years. Tom Davies came in for a lot of stick, as did Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert before him.

I don't mind criticism and criticising a player for performances, but it should never get personal.

I think he'll stay at Brentford for now, sadly if he leaves it'll be for a bigger club.

He won’t join us this summer. We don’t have the money. I suspect he’s too expensive for anyone to seriously consider - about £50m to £65m. But may well leave next summer on a free for a Champions League club / contender.

Moyes won't change. His team will always be well organised, hard grafting and safe. Flair players will be the exception. However, that should allow is to be competitive in all matches and always retaining the prospect of a positive result. I don't think it will ever be especially pretty, but if gets us up into the top half with the prospect of decent cup involvements, it will be a huge step up from recent years. Not for everyone; many of you understandably want to see more expansive play, but that requires a radical revision of the playing staff and, almost certainly, a new manager. I am reasonably content for solid progress, stability and more than a fair share of good results so that I can get back to looking forward to and enjoying matchdays and the conversations afterwards. Onwards to BMD and the end of miserable footie.

I would also suggest we need some pace in midfield and definitely in attack. With the new stadium will come increased revenues and that will also give us a chance of putting together a decent squad. I would love us to be able to get Watkins from Villa and Bowen from West Ham, yes I know if either move it will be to one of the top 6. But for me they are exactly what we need pacey and both have good goal records. Mind I wouldnt turn my nose up at Mbueno or Wissa but again 2 probably destined for higher clubs than us at present.

They all had potential but did not thrive here, and earned the TW "championship at best" tag from many.

A mid table team either needs a 20 goal striker or a midfield who scores 7-8 each per season. We have neither. A top side like we were in the 80s needs both. We have neither.

With Moyes' teams he had Cahill, Osman, Fellaini, Gravesen, Artera so it was a bonus to also have Yakubu or Saha (and Coleman, Baines and Lescott)

Somehow I think Moyes prefers the goals from everywhere model as the striker option is more expensive. Going the goals from everywhere route will (with the same tight defence) take us to the fringes of CL, and then the added money and profile will allow the purchase of the £75m 20 goals a season striker.

Still can't get my head around they are going to let Michael Keane leave 🤭🤦‍♂️🤣

The manager cant really be expected to challenge those top clubs consistantly without elite players.
I think we place too much importance on who is our manager at the time. Ok it makes for good discussion but I think we are looking in the wrong place for our shortcomings.

For the life of me I don't get it"

Well Why would you ? if ToffeeWeb is the prism through which you view Everton, you will have no clue about why so many Evertonians have a deep resentment of Moyes and his caution.

Its easy to get carried away with the propaganda surrounding who the media portray as "plucky Everton" The club which has no right to expect anything better than a manager who has achieved respectability and even won several manger of the month awards. Not for winning stuff mind, but for getting the club to "punch above it's weight".

Moyes and his now departed chairman had not only convinced the media that this great great club was a plucky little outfit doing better than it should do. They convinced many of our own fans all over the world of it too. A prophesy which was to become self fulfilling.."Good old Davey. he has restored pride"..."How on earth can fans not be grateful ?"...Grateful ???? Get me that fucking bucket again.

Those who missed family occasions. Regularly upset the Mrs and and spent all their hard earned cash travelling around the country to watch an Everton side fail to take a single big scalp at any of the top grounds in well over a decade will see it differently. They couldnt just shrug their shoulders and switch on BGT or strictly come dancing. They couldnt go to the local pub and have a few drinks with their friends. They were stuck on a train, a coach, or in traffic and were often not going to get back well after midnight. They had plenty of time to reflect on the disappointments of following a manager who has badly let them down by being less than brave.

I'm not saying that ALL Moyes's critics are match goers, or that the fans who cant be there arent as crushed by a defeat, but it would seem to me that the majority of his critics are people who have attended too many defeats where their team has capitulated all too readily.

A Manager of the month award and the ensuing praise from RS supporting pundits can cloud and sway a fans judgement, but a long miserable journey home after another surrender will always focus the mind.

Its ok saying give him a chance, but in the absence of a Crystal ball we only have Moyes's previous by which to judge him. The notion/claim that Evertonians want him to fail is beyond stupid. A Davey Moyes success = An Everton success. We all want it.

He's got a second chance The ball is in his court

He’s a pragmatist before anything. Safety first then let’s see

He's two years left on his deal, and if he's hitting 'the glass ceiling', he will be moved on.

Second guessing if he's going to be great or shit is a bit of a waste of time. We need some stability & green shoots that is bringing in a better class of footballer. The first 4 months has been better, and the summer window should indicate where we are.

If it's then him or someone else that takes the club forward, then at least we have broken the previous cycle.

I think you have to buy into the Friedkins getting it right, and buy into them knowing what they're doing. This isn't Kenwrights trainset of Moyes or nothing, and no money/no vision.

Branthwaite was denied by an instinctive piece of goalkeeping and if that had gone in we may well have been celebrating a draw or even a win.

I was against Moyes coming back. He's a man for the relegation struggle, but, as last time, I can't see him taking us up to challenge for a European place.

This team is solid, but creativity is at a premium, and as for the strikers, they aren't likely to turn into fifteen goal a season men.

The transfer window will be interesting. Who will we attract and who can we afford? Everton's status, except to those of us who can remember league titles and cup wins, is fairly low.

Moyes has taken us away from the relegation zone, whether he's capable of advancing us to the top six is very debateable.

Phil @51, I think a 20 goal a season striker will get you higher up the table than mid-table. But as with any striker, they have to have the supply and support.

Dave @52, without really seeing him at centre back, I think O'Brien is better than Keane already, but I've not rated Keane since he signed for us. I've given him credit when he's played well, but it's not been often enough.

I agree with your point on seeing what he and Branthwaite, and Mykolenko for that matter are like without the leadership and organisation Tarkowski brings to those young players. That's my only concern for them now, but with any lingering relegation fears confirmed, now is the time to give them the last few games to stake their claim.

Be it centre backs, a forward pairing, centre midfield or the full backs and their wide midfielders, football is about partnerships and understanding, as well as those pairings being able to connect with the rest of the team and play between the lines, as they call it now.

They are still young for central defenders, but the prospect of Branthwaite and O'Brien together for several seasons to come is as good as any team in the top flight could wish for. I don't say that lightly and they are still learning, will make mistakes, but the potential is without question. When announced, we need the new Pontiff to anoint them in Holy Water to keep Satanic forces and any other would be suiters at bay.

Alan @53, I am quietly optimistic that we now have tougher talking negotiators at the helm should we need to sell or simply get an offer we can't refuse.

You did make me think of Manchester United post-Ferguson. For years he built teams. Yes, he spent, but spent wisely with a good blend of youth development. He left and they abandoned those principles and tried to buy their way back to success, which has steadily not worked for them compared to where they were.

Hope Tarks isn't out for too long, brilliant leader and reader of the game, he will be sorely missed. Scant consolation but better it happening near the season close, than at the beginning !

I hope we don't go all sentimental and start dishing out new contracts to players that are done now at this level or start trying to coax DCL into a new deal, for me that's something else which is dead now.

There are better strikers out there than DCL and we've been too loyal now to the injury prone one for too long.

We need to speculate to accumulate and I'd be disappointed if we are not studying players in the Spanish, German and Portuguese leagues as well as in South America where hidden gems are often found.

In Germany, the main options include Kliendienst (linked) and Burkhardt (just back from serious injury). There's a few more with reasonable but unspectacular goals records this season - like Harres (Kiel), Machino (Kiel) and Hollerback (Berlin) but they don't scream Premier League quality. We've also been linked with Woltemade of Stuttgart but he doesn't look like a good fit for us (he's a very tall, lanky dribbler / support striker).

In Portugal, the main options are Pavlidis of Benfica (linked in January) but I think he'd be a poor fit for us and expensive too. The only other strikers of Premier League quality are Gyokeres and Samu - but both are miles out of our league.

In Spain, only Thierno Barry of Villareal looks remotely Premier League quality of those available to us. He's likely to cost £30m or more.

The point I am making is that our scouts will be well aware of all of these players and more. There's aren't really any hidden gems hiding in these major leagues - and the ones in more minor leagues take time and patience to develop (often on loan for one or more spells). Almost all of the good players from age 16 onwards are hiding in plain sight in international youth tournaments and well know to anyone who watches too much YouTube, let alone professional scouts.

The reason we don't sign them is primarily lack of money / pulling power. There's also been a very muddled recruitment strategy although Thelwell had been sorting that out.

Personally, I doubt we we can find a striker who could score more than 12 goals next season. The best "gettable" option for this is probably Evan Ferguson - although his 1 goal in 20 games this season suggests it could take him some time to hit form, despite being talented.

There is a small handful we could get that might start slowly though - but within 3 years develop into 15+ goal strikers and maybe break the 20+ barrier. Ferguson is one of them.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-308410/Gerrards-U-turn-threats-family.html

DCL is better in the air than Beto but quite honestly I don't think either has what it takes to get Everton to the next level.

Chermitti may come good next season but it appears Broja is not required along with a few others. We shall learn soon of those who will be up for offers etc.

It's happened over the years at Goodison, likewise, when the opposition score a "world".

Sportsmanship and recognition.

I think RW, RB and Attacking Midfield are the key positions that will be decisive if we are to score more goals - because it allows us to create chances (and weigh in with goals too).

Our day will come again.

That's how I read it Mark. He has to start 9 games to trigger the compulsory transfer or he's up for grabs. I was hoping we could add up minutes played to make the sum tally.

I recently had a run in with one of their delightful fans on social media and - following chemo for a brain tumour - quite a lot of my hair has gone. He wished me a painful death.

Always the victims.

It doesn't excuse it from any human being.

Same city, different breed, as they say.

More importantly, I (we all on here) wish you the very best for a full recovery mate. Make sure to let us all know when you get your cancer-free diagnosis.

I hope your recovery continues and wish you all the very best.

I will be wishing you the very best in your continuing fight. Please keep us posted.

We got a good couple of years out of Gareth Barry. I think de Bruyne would have a big impact on our whole team.

However, two stumbling blocks.

1. his current wage is £400,000 per week.

2. he could take his pick of Champions League royalty across Europe - include Real, Barca, Bayern, PSG etc etc - and any club in Saudi.

Taking these two things together, I think you can pretty safely conclude he won't be joining Everton.

As a club, we need to shifting our attention to players age 16 to 22 who could be the next Kevin DeBruyne. This is hit and miss, of course, but starts with buying players with Champions League technical ability - albeit no track record to point to.

Indeed, we could very easily have competed for Kevin DeBruyne when he was stuck in Chelsea's reserves and went to Wolfsburg.

But, as Robert say, his wages would be a stumbling block.

I think he'll go to the continent, probably Germany, although the strongest rumour I've heard is Beckham's Inter Miami.

Whilst we're on the subject experienced players (I prefer experience to "old" looking for a club in the summer, Thomas Muller is leaving Bayern.

Also it is a moot point because for any number of reasons KVB will not be remotely interested in signing for Everton.

It is much, much better to recognise where we are as a club - and sign players with a view to competing in 3 to 5 years. There’s no shortcut.

I know you're firmly locked in to your "Squad value equals footballing success" model, but you claim:

"… with a view to competing in 3 to 5 years. There's no shortcut. "

So exactly why can't we do a Nottingham Forest and leap up the table in just one season?

You know you're going to start me off.

Chicken and egg scenario. Do you keep chasing the rainbow pot of gold? Or be brave, believe and go for it? I know which way I lean.

Why can't we go quicker? Relegation "certainties" Forest just have. Tony and I, along with others of our generation witnessed us come from nowhere to dominate for those 3 glorious years.

We can compete and noone will take my expectation away.

To bore you with a military analogy, speed, aggression and element of surprise always wins, even when the odds are stacked against you.

I told you this would trigger me. I'm already in next season!

If you've burnt through a load of losses, id imagine an expansive transfer policy is harder for a club like Everton than someone starting with a clean slate.

I love Southall, but he was advocating buying players instead of a new stadium. Great in theory,but practically impossible to implement.

Forest are still competing for top 5 at the business end of the season, so that keeps the dream alive for those outside the Rich 8.

But as others have said, Forest have been building up to this (like Bournemouth) through substantial year on year spending over a sustained period. Fair play, good managerial performances too (especially from a failed Spurs manager).

Us? I don't think we've been building to anything really. The building starts this summer and, like Forest and Bournemouth, will probably need to include some heavy spending over a sustained period.

I don't believe there are any shortcuts - but if there are, I'll be delighted.

Every Manager of the Month wins stuff, games, more than any other manager that month, hence the name of the award.

All the very best for a speedy recovery Andrew. If there is a God then rest assured that he won’t be on the side of that lump of excrement that’s for sure. Sad, twisted, bitter, excuse for a being. Use his pathetic and cowardly words as your inspiration to a fast and full recovery mate.

Anjishnu Roy@ 112

‘offended at everything, ashamed at nothing’

Like it mate, you are learning fast.

Who told you the MotM award automatically went to the manager who won the most games?

God bless you mate. You have enough on your plate to be worrying about fucking idiots.

Go fight the fight. For every idiot hiding on the internet, you will find ten thousand decent people rooting and praying for you.
I know from experience that support like you are receiving on this thread can be an absolute game changer.

Good luck and get well soon.

In my experience they troll Social Media. Particularly the Red Echo.

I also don't think Delap is worth taking a chance on for big money: before Ipswich signed him, he was average, on loan in the Championship. One season in the Premier League, because you stand out in a few games, is a big gamble?

Why did he play a centre back who played against Spurs earlier in the season and watched the ball sail over his head resulting in a goal against us?

Why did he blame, the only player in his squad that he actually signed, for a loose pass as the key reason for conceding a goal?
I am positive that the owners will ask him these questions. These are not Moshiri the new owners know football and expect decisions based on good football sense.

I don't dislike Moyes and he has a lot of positives he has also learnt a lot since his last term with us but there is still a massive gulf between Moyes and Guardiola. The key important thing is that I have never heard Moyes take the blame for a bad decision it has always been some one else's fault. Bad passes, not the possessing the right players, injuries, poor player performance etc.

Last Saturday Moyes made the wrong substitutions he should have moved O'brien to centre and brought on Patterson.

Branthwaite, Mykolenko and O'brien have all played with Keane and I think they do not trust him. So when the first goal was conceded Garner and Gueye stopped attacking and concentrated more on defence. I would be amazed if O'Brien is not played in the centre against Chelsea.
There is still a lot to play for we can still finish in the top 10 and this would mean an extra £16M+ or we could equally drop to 17th if we decide to try and go for draws for the remaining games. Either way I am positive he will be asked on his results and final position. Moyes is now on over £12M so he is not cheap.

I also positive that Moyes does not realise that Chermiti is a lock opener just like Naismith used to be for us. So just like Naismith he could force a penalty or even get a goal from nothing. He is very creative and against Chelsea he is worth at least a 25 minute chance.

Too expensive.

Consider DCL 7 goals in 23/24 for £5M means £700K+ per goal and 24/25 goals 3 goals and 1 assist means £1.25M per goal. De Bruyne would probably top that.

Peter #104
Andrew #83, best wishes for a full recovery. Pay no heed to the words of a fool.

Isn't that a bit contradictory? 🤔

While he might have been a great player in his prime he is definitely not one to inspire us to greater things IMO, irrespective of the cost.

How would you rate the 35 year old Gana-Gueye this season? I'd say he is odds on for player of the season.

De Bruyne is still only 33.

Let's not kid ourselves, as it is not going to happen, but recruitment should be about whether a player can improve the squad and is better than what we have. De Bruyne ticks both of those boxes.

A squad is always a balance between emerging potential balanced with experience.

He's not the player he was for sure, but on a free transfer any team in the top 6 would take him.

If I was Arne Slot, I'd take him all day long as a better James Milner. Still good enough against most champion league sides, and play him in the Premier league to rest others, win games you expect or change a game you need to.

I'm not saying I wouldn't want him btw :) I think Charlie will be our 10 next season and I think he is going to become a bit of a cult hero for us.