Match Preview: Fulham vs Everton

Sadly, we've been a soft touch under the Moshiri era, some players drawing a huge wedge for very little return.

New ownership and structure now, the likes of Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin can seek to get those lucrative contracts elsewhere.

Regarding Calvert-Lewin, he's in no position to justify another hefty contract – the Club has to look at the return they've had over the last 3 years or so.

These players need to understand that the fans (home and away) will get behind them 200% but equally they need to do the same.

Doucoure like Harrison run around not offering much. I trust Moyes to find the right players to fit his way of playing – he's done it in the past it's just a case of who's available who'll come and what we have finally to improve the squad.

As for Doucoure, if his contract is up then he either already has a better deal on the table and if not is in no position to make demands.

Hopefully the new regime has gotten harder nosed in its dealings.

We don't need a win, but I want one. I want three from the next three.

I think it's now one win in the last 9 or 10?

I'm looking forward to a day out in the west London sun on the Thames and meeting up with a few.

Who we may or may not sign isn't of concern right now. The players who cross the white line tomorrow are what matters.

Not about the club. All about the money. Thank you and goodbye to you. We can do a lot better for less.

Doucoure will probably take less to stay, he's going to try and get as much as he can. We will see.

It's easy to say get rid but you have to find better for not a lot of money. Likewise Harrison, he's costing us his wages, we have not had to buy him.

If anything.

Of the people who will make the decisions about who stays and who goes, only one is even employed yet by Everton, and that's Davey. Our new CEO isn't officially aboard. Our new DoF and chief scout haven't even been identified yet, let alone offered the positions.

What happens on the pitch is all that matters right now.

And for me, it's all about finishing above Man Utd. I would be smiling all summer if we could pull that off.

That would be a respectable platform for the rebuild.

I would like to see Calvert-Lewin starting tomorrow, would suit us better away from home.

Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin and Harrison to put on a bit of a show for their future playing careers at Everton? Nah.

Roll on the final game at Goodison, at least we're not panicking about relegation.

Danny @ 8. No, we don't need to win but wouldn't it be nice, and a good example, to take wins against Fulham and Southampton to the new stadium with us? So Moyesie and the boyes you know what you have to. COYB.

I'm all for TFG taking some time to identify key management/board appointments but it's also a concerning state of affairs. With so much riding on summer in-goings and outgoings they surely need to get a move on.

Can't all be left in the hands of Davey surely? He'll still be dithering in the third week of August!! ;)

I agree about Doucs and Harrison (The Haircut). Bit more on the fence with Calvert-Lewin. Still think he's the best No 9 at the club.

If anyone on here happens to know of one going, I'll be at the ground about 2pm tomorrow. Pretty please with cherries on top! :-)

We have an excellent heritage crest, which we should use as our main crest starting next season.

I'm avoiding any Jim Bennings or Wooly Paul Hewitt predictions and hoping for a tonking victory!

UTFT on my favourite away day of the season!

Not having a DoF or a chief scout is more concerning. From all reports Dan Purdy was supposed to fill that latter job, and his decision to leave the club instead was totally unexpected. Hopefully they can recruit the right guys before the window opens.

And, let's face it: He ain't that good anyways!

Is he available to play in the last few games???

A sudden surge in injuries might see him on the bench, perhaps, if he's eligible.

I'm familiar with one or two of those named, very best wishes for a great day.

Mike Gaynes 22: 'Dan Purdy was supposed to fill that latter job, and his decision to leave the club instead was totally unexpected'.

I know that Armstrong is very highly regarded at Derby.

Whether or not he is available for our remaining games is irrelevant. He's at least five years too young to be on Moyes's radar.

I'll go for a narrow 2-1 loss, sadly more than likely Iwobi will score against us... probably the winner!!

Please prove me wrong, eh, Blue Boys!

I'm going for a decent performance and a win. Mark and me have been a bit of a lucky omen when we've watched together and it's winnable.

That's the most caveated lucky omen twosome claim I've read in quite some time.

But it doesn't sound like we'll be seeing him until pre-season.

There's a good interview with him on the official website after signing a 3-year contract this week.

Sounds a very level-headed young man at the age of 18.

Returning Armstrong 'Excited' By Everton Future

Okay, the mature men are is probably more accurate. We will enjoy the day as if we are the teenagers we still think we are.

Martin. A pleasure and I look forward to seeing you again.

Come on Everton. In this week of all weeks, do it for Everton's travelling Dad's Army.

And Billy Shears? GTF - go have a drink with Jim and Hewey in your own dingey pub - we're winning this!
UTFT

Hope to see you, Mark, Martin, Rob et al.

Love Fulham away, cracking fixture and as Rob says, pretty good recent record there.

I saw that. Not sure it constitutes a great interview but I am holding out great hopes for the lad as he seems to have had a great loan spell at The Rams.

The next stage of his journey will be critical. Will he be integrated into the first-team squad on the strength of a good loan spell at Derby County, and given game time to develop as a Premier League player with Everton?

Or will he be farmed out for more loan play in the lower leagues, where so many of Everton's Academy players ultimately find their level?

Moyes has history holding back and failing to make proper use of our greatest Academy talent, which I have never forgiven him for.

I'd be interested in how many academy players made it under Moyes in his 12 years, and how that compares in the post period.

I suspect Moyes has the better record, but yeah let's bash Moyes...

What a load of shite.

I personally would rather see him involved with Everton's first team squad next season and getting game time with us.

Interestingly, he seems to have been used in a holding midfielder role with Derby, whereas I saw him more forward thinking in the few times he played for us. In his own words, he sees himself as box-to-box. He certainly has the energy levels for that.

The reality is, at 18 years old, he shouldn't be restricted or fixed in a position at this stage of his development.

Could save the club a fortune if he can.

It's hard to think that Rooney is still not even 40 yet, when you consider Gana & Ashley Young as well as James Tarkowski.

Anyway, there will unlikely be any academy players on the pitch tomorrow unless one or two are on the bench and get a cameo when we're winning.

The Ipswich game indicated to me that Ndiaye needs to go back on the outside and either Charly or McNeil need to play in the #10 role. If Calvert-Lewin doesn't start, I would like to see Chermiti play. Beto may put himself about but he has no link-up play as he is unable to control a football.

For me, Tarkowski is a huge loss and the last few games have shown how important a player he is, especially given his understanding with Jarad. To be honest, I think O'Brien will come good as a centre-back but again we have missed his presence and speed at right-back.

Having said all that, if I was a betting man, Doucoure, Harrison and Beto will all start at Craven Cottage.

Tarkowski, although a bit ropey earlier in the season (who wasn't, and I suspected he was playing with an injury), has been pivotal for us.

We need to start thinking about a successor to the leadership role he plays. Often a one-man band, discussing or arguing decisions with the officials, usually surrounded by a sea of opposition players. Maybe Branthwaite in time, there have been signs already.

Right now, other than the captain, we have a void in leaders on the pitch.

Anyway, the sun is shining here in London, there isn't a cloud in the clear blue sky, and there is a good service on most of the tube network. It's all set for a good day. Over to you Everton.

Bring your sunglasses.

Fulham are a decent side and we need to be at our best to win today.

Come on, boys.

Nice one, Ian.

BTW I still haven't found their real father …😂😂

I feel you, my son is also a Man Utd fan and I have the exact same wish just to see the smile on his... I mean, my face!

Haha, Derek, yeah I won't be out that late, not at my age!

If you and Colin are around, there's a few of us about. Although sometimes it's like heading cats, me being guilty. Just on my way into London.

Sean, I think I could have treated United. I genuinely don't know how I would have reacted if it had been Liverpool. Fortunately mine is blue.

Hope those who got tickets enjoy a great day out at Craven Cottage — one of the last great old grounds and home to a decent group of proper supporters (not tourists).

Everton to sneak a 4-3 win in an end-to-end entertainment fest in the sunshine. 2 for Beto, 1 for Ndiaye and Seamus Coleman, on as sub, with a last-minute winner from 25 yards.

Coleman scores = riot. Not that I approve of violence.

Calvert-Lewin is still worth a new contract. I hope he stays.

I'm disappointed he didn't give Dixon a chance at full-back, he looked good in the only game he played at Spurs.

Do I think Moyes will try it? Not in my experience so back to the almost long ball game to the lone striker or just get wide and cross it to the same as we don't get enough support in the opposition box.

However, that won't happen because the same old crap will get the starts and the same old crap will be just that-crap.
Nothing for us to be gotten at Craven Cottage unless we can unexpectedly get another Forest result.

Losing Capt.Tarks has upset the defence and although Obrien may be the replacement down the line I fear Branthwaite is missing the great partnership he had with Tarks. after shipping 2 goals to relegated Ipswich.

The Southampton game is important for obvious reasons so let's at least leave Goodison on a high note.

The problem with the youngsters is that Armstrong can't play and Dixon isn't involved. I don't there is anyone else.

I don't see much of a change from last week unless he brings Doucoure back.

I like the idea of playing Calvert-Lewin and Beto together, even for 20 minutes. See what happens.