Besic calls for togetherness and eyes cup glory

, 18 April, 82comments  |  Jump to most recent

Muhamed Besic has become the latest voice from the Everton camp to call for supporters and players to stick together as the Blues look to progress to the FA Cup Final.

The Bosnian says that the players have become a little afraid of playing in front of their own fans which might explain why they have fared better away from home where there is less pressure.

"It is their choice," Besic said of the increasingly noticeable frustration at home games where only Aston Villa have a worse record this season. "That is the fans. They are always right.

"Away is a different game. We have to defend more, the opponent[s] have most of the ball but here we have to take the ball and play.

“Here we have to take the ball and play. That is maybe the difference this season not that we are afraid to play at home."

Roberto Martinez's side are winless in six Premier League games and haven't won since dumping Chelsea out of the cup in the quarter finals, a run that has kept them in the bottom half of the league table and sparked protests in the form of banners calling for the manager's dismissal and a one-man pitch invasion on Saturday.

Besic played the full 90 minutes of another disappointingly flat performance at home to Southampton by a much-changed line-up that strongly suggested that the competition for places at Goodison Park might not be as fierce as Martinez has claimed.

With six changes from the side that drew at Crystal Palace in midweek, Everton lacked attacking threat for most of the game but still managed to take the lead when Ramiro Funes Mori fired home via a deflection off Saints fullback Ryan Bertrand in the 68th minute.

Sadio Mané equalised eight minutes later to earn a point and Everton's thoughts turn now to the Anfield derby on Wednesday and the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. It's the Blues' second semi-final of the season and Besic echoed his manager's claim that being in the last four of two cup competitions is evidence enough of a good season despite their poor league record.

"I just think we have to keep together," Besic continued; "All the fans, the players, the staff to reach the final and maybe win the cup. We always give our best. You can't say the season is all bad. We've got to two semi-finals."

"Maybe in the league we will not win so many games but it is important if we win the cup it would be a good season."

Editor's Note: This article has been altered to better reflect Besic's quotes, which were mis-represented. Some comments below are a reaction to words that were attributed to the player in error. See explanation.

 

Reader Comments (82)

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Mark Andersson
1 Posted 18/04/2016 at 07:40:18
More excuse, does Martinez write their sound bites and say, go on go and say this, they like you Mo, they think you're one of them.

Well I have just lost respect for Mo Besic, man up and play the game. Earn the the respect and the fans will give you everything. Go missing like you did on Saturday and expect moans and groans.

This is getting worse by the day, this is all a veiled attempt to blame the fans, once again for this woeful season. No excuses how many games have we won away from home, how many games have we drawn after being in front. BAD BAD time to be a Blue. So fucking what we have got to two semi-finals that is not a achievement. Who won the final after knocking us out, I don't know cause I don't care about other teams.

The scary part about this daily depression is that it's not going to get better anytime soon. Time for this long suffering born blue fan to find something else to do, as reading TW is bad for my mental health.

Good luck to the faithful. I wish you all good health.

Martin Nicholls
2 Posted 18/04/2016 at 07:48:47
Very sad that yet another player has been trotted out to blame fans for shocking home form.

Well Mo et al, on Wednesday and Saturday of this week, you've got the perfect opportunity to prove your point. I for one will be delighted if you do so.

Trevor Peers
3 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:05:58
I thought this guy was the new Peter Reid? Your having a laugh, he's form and fitness have been awful since we bought him.

The manager dictates the tactics at home, why not just come out and say we're not good enough? Reid certainly would have.

Blaming the crowd for our lack of ideas and form at home is unheard of since I've been watching football, that's going back to the 1950s.

Phil Walling
4 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:13:41
Besic was the only outcome of Roberto's World Cup scouting mission. He said he saw something 'very, very, special' in the lad but has never trusted him with a regular place.

If anything, the kid has gone backwards in his time here and recent form belies all those opinions that he was a true throw-back to the Dogs of War. Puppy, maybe!

Jim Bennings
5 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:14:36
Why doesn't it seem to bother Liverpool players playing in front of an emotionally rocking Anfield??

It's funny how they never seem to go missing in the face of expectations and pressure isn't it?

Our bunch just drag out the book of excuses.

Colin Glassar
6 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:15:32
This all sounds like a coordinated effort to try and avoid taking responsibility for a poor, poor season. So it's okay to shift the blame on to the fans but when a player (Bainsey) points the finger at his team mates, and himself, he is crucified in public? Un-fucking-believable.
Martin Nicholls
7 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:23:25
Good point Colin. Seems to be a case of "say what you like so long as it's not inwardly critical".
David Greenwood
8 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:23:32
At the game on Saturday, it certainly was not a toxic atmosphere. I was very surprised at how little grief the players and manager received. I think the players and manager are getting off lightly. I've certainly been in stadiums where it's been a lot worse. God help the poor lambs if any of them were at Blackburn a few years ago when Kean was in charge.

Leaving the ground it was just silence, no protest, no anger. I think this may have been different if Moshiri had not arrived. At the moment we're kind of in limbo waiting for something to happen. If it was just Kenwright on his own in charge I think it would be much more hostile.

Anyway, the supporters will do what they always do and get behind the team. There will be no lack of support for the players and manager to blame over the next two games. Time for the players to stand up and be counted. No point in asking or expecting that of the manager.

Phil Walling
11 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:27:02
Well, Colin, they can't blame thee and me because neither of us go near Goodison these days. And I'm very sure they don't read the tripe we argue over on here!

Perhaps if all newspapers/websites were shut down and they tried playing behind closed doors they would remove the problem. Worth a try?

Tony Twist
12 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:31:23
Any excuse, the crowd need very little to make them vocal and support the team, they just ain't getting it from the players. Players today seem to have no stomach for the fight.
Anthony Dwyer
13 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:49:50
Unreal, the manager and the players should be ashamed of themselves.

Blaming fans for there poor form is a cowardly triat.

I'm embarrassed for them.

From Besics side I can't help but feel its just a easy way to endear the manager to him, in an attempt to get on his good side with the semi looming.

Ray Roche
14 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:50:57
The atmosphere on Saturday wasn't toxic. There WAS no atmosphere. One excuse after another, some of these players need to have a good look in the mirror, then grow a pair and tell Martinez to take responsibility for a crap season and stop blaming the fans.

Before the match, and being a bit of a petrol head, I walked around the players car park. It's easy to get pissed off when there are cars worth hundreds of thousands of pounds parked there, driven by beauts who don't really give a toss and who prefer to shift the blame for their ineptitude onto us fans.

Jim Bennings
15 Posted 18/04/2016 at 08:56:39
If the players think the atmosphere has been a tad difficult so far this season at Goodison then if we have massive failure in these next two matches just wait and see what that atmosphere will be like against Bournemouth on the following Saturday!!

That really will be toxic.

Dave Lynch
16 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:04:14
They must think where fucking idiots to swallow that excuse.

Multi fucking millionaires can't do what they're paid to do because Alf in row A of the Gladwys Street, who has worked long hours in a factory to buy his ticket, keeps shouting his disapproval at the shite they are churning out.

God give me fucking strength...

Martin Nicholls
17 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:10:42
David (8),

I too was at the match on Saturday and agree 100% with your summary of the atmosphere both during and after the game. It might understandably have been flat but in no way was it toxic. I never boo our team but others that do certainly cut them some slack on Saturday!

If Mo thought Saturday was bad, I fear for him at the Bournemouth game should he and our other precious players follow the season's pattern by letting us down again over the next 6 days.

Martin Nicholls
18 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:13:53
Jim (15) - sorry, hadn't read your comments before submitting mine!
Jim Bennings
20 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:34:03
No need apologize, Martin.

I reckon the Bournemouth game could turn out equally as toxic as that Tottenham home game in November 1997 when the demonstration against Peter Johnson reached a new level.

It's sad to see Everton like this, it's miserable being against the manager and even so many of the players now but it is what it is, thanks to inept results and too many woeful home performances in the last two years.

As I say, they have two games now this week to save face with the vast majority of Evertonians otherwise there will be no way of overturning the damage for Martinez and many players.

Every single player picked to play at Anfield and Wembley has to leave his last ounce of energy on that pitch.

Patrick Murphy
21 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:42:31
Away we have to defend more, that may or may not be true, but I saw a great deal of Everton defending on Saturday, we barely got out of our own half for long periods of the game. How we managed to take the lead is a mystery given the paucity of attacking play.

Besic has joined a growing list of the first-team squad that appear to have gone on strike because the audience have put them off their game?

I hope these players realise that they are actually paid by Everton FC, that whether they like it or not, they represent the supporters hopes and dreams and that it is their responsibility to give their all to try and win football matches. The two youngsters seemed happy to put their foot into a tackle and attempt to pass the ball to a colleague with enthusiasm and seemed to enjoy their experience of playing at home, that won't last long if they are infected by the negativity from their elders and so-called betters.

I can't remember in all my time of watching the Blues such a disconnect between the manager, players and the supporters. Evertonians have witnessed many poor teams over the decades, and have seen some truly bad players, but never have they witnessed such a spineless group of players for such a long period of time and never have they seen a manager who is capable of sending a team out with such a lack of passion for such a prolonged period of time.

Wait until the stadium is half full or worse Mo, then you will know how difficult it is to play at Goodison Park, how Bill, Elstone and the rest are able to sit back and watch this circus unfold without saying or doing anything is beyond me and I do wonder what is happening at Goodison both on and off the pitch.

The Steve Miller band had a song called 'Take the money and run' circa 1976 if it had been penned today as a tribute to the current Everton players it would have to be re-named "Take the Money and don't run"

Jim Bennings
22 Posted 18/04/2016 at 09:54:20
Patrick

I agree with that point.

I also can't remember the last time it felt like there was such lack of connection between fans and the team/manager.

Even in the bad times under Moyes we still had cult players that gave everything to the team like Tim Cahill or Lee Carsley or fan favourites like Arteta and Fellaini, even just seeing the seriously lacking talent Denis Stracqualursi running himself into the ground for the team, it meant something for the supporters.

Barry Pearce
23 Posted 18/04/2016 at 10:06:22
Blaming the fans. FFS.
Brian Harrison
24 Posted 18/04/2016 at 10:22:16
Well seeing as RM has already reprimanded Baines for his lack of chemistry comment. I hope he makes Besic make an apology to the fans. Fan who turn up in great numbers home and away and have had to watch the most mind numbing football we have had to watch for decades.

As for Besic who in his first outing in a blue shirt tried the most audacious back keel against Chelsea that led to a goal. He has done absolutely nothing so far in his career with us, and probably gave the most inept performance I have seen from a midfield player against Arsenal were he was dragged off at half time.

Ernie Baywood
25 Posted 18/04/2016 at 11:32:46
Sadly I don't get to attend Goodison these days but can well believe the apathy. In my adopted former British colony home I've only ever fallen asleep during two games in the last 10 years. And it was the games against Southampton and Watford.

And I don't buy that we were ever thrilling under Roberto. We played "great football" but it was never too exciting, what made it great was taking it up to teams and competing on their level. I'm confident that anyone expecting a famous, passionate, high tempo Everton performance in the next week will be left waiting. That's not to say that we won't win one or both games – but it certainly won't be blood and thunder stuff.

Steve Richards
28 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:31:40
This article is misleading, inaccurate and very damaging in a vitally important week for the club. If it was in any other publication, I would put it down to an attempt to add fuel to the fire ahead of the Derby match and a semi-final.

A Liverpool Echo article “Everton's Mo Besic Calls for Harmony Ahead of Defining Week in Season“, on which this story is based, is a call for club unity in a challenging and important week. It quotes Besic saying “Away is a different game, we have to defend more and the opponent has more of the ball. Here we have to take the ball and play. That is maybe the difference this season not that we are afraid to play at home”.

The story is then reproduced, with a different spin, in the Mail and the quote becomes “…That is the difference maybe this season in that we are afraid to play at home”. The journalist adds his own opinion saying that the atmosphere at Goodison,…is becoming increasingly detrimental. There is little positivity from the crowd and any mistake is greeted with groans. That isn’t in speech marks and isn’t attributed to Besic.

By the time this ToffeeWeb story is written, the Echo article is disregarded in favour of the Mail version and Besic himself is quoted directly as saying "There is little positivity from the crowd and any mistake is greeted with groans.” Cue the anti-Besic comments from TW readers.

We are all entitled to an opinion, even if others vehemently disagree, but those that shape opinion have a duty to make sure they report accurately. For the sake of the club, get it right ToffeeWeb.

Damian Wilde
29 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:33:40
There was no atmosphere on Saturday. Martinez has zapped the life out of the team and the fans. When we equalised I didn't move a muscle, still on my seat. I felt nothing. Sad.
Charlie Lloyd
30 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:38:43
Well said everybody.

It's just embarrassing what the players have come out with. It's all talk then no action.

They follow the manager in one respect then.

Tony J Williams
31 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:39:27
Could have closed this thread after Colin's post at No 6.

Overpaid primadonnas suggesting the fans are affecting the players and Baines, unsurprisingly having an injury after pretty much telling everyone we are playing shite and it's not right.

One game and then suddenly it's a minor injury, it's almost as if Bobby thinks he can fool us by giving him one game and then binning him.

Now where's that tin foil?

Eugene Ruane
32 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:54:47
Damian Wilde (29 - 'When we equalised I didn't move a muscle, still on my seat. I felt nothing. Sad.'

Couple of things.

1) We didn't equalize, they did (you sure you were there?)

2) If you are talking about when we scored, well I understand there is currently a kind of 'look how hurt I am' arms race going with some of TW's drama-queens, but my response to any Evertonian saying going a goal up elicited no response whatsoever, is as follows..

Link

Joe Clitherow
33 Posted 18/04/2016 at 12:55:03
There definitely is not a toxic atmosphere. However, he is correct about one thing in that there is a fear factor at Goodison.

I shit myself every game Martinez is in charge.

David Hallwood
34 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:02:49
Dear Mo

You don't mind if I call you Mo do you? But I've read your and other players comments on 'the fear factor' at GP and, if I may make some observations.

A) I'm paid to do a job and sometimes I don't feel like doing it because hangover, can't be arsed etc bet hey oh someone's paying so put a shift in. Now I'm led to beeline that you and your teammates get paid 10s of thousands if pounds a week so surely as you're a well paid professional why do you or can't you put a shift on regardless of the 'atmosphere'

B) I understand that the majority if the team are fully fledged internationals and as such are not only well paid but vastly experienced players who should be used to playing in hostile environment. For example I would imagine that a game between Bosnia and Croatia would give the hostile atmosphere in Goodison Park a run for its money.

C) I understand that a number of your team mates are making it known that they're Champions League material (not you to be fair) and they're far too good to be swannin around mid table. Perhaps you should encourage them to show that talent they're bragging about off at Goodison Park to prove their superiority in deeds anther than words.

In conclusion you, and other players shut the fuck up and walk it like you talk it. Take your £90k a week, I don't begrudge you as long as you go out and sweat blood for the cause. When you're getting outclassed by Soton, run, close down don't give them a second on the ball.

But this really shouldn't be happening because we're a top side packed full of internationals and Champions League players should it?


Dave Richman
36 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:12:08
Eugene .... You're correct. Our goal on Saturday elicited a sort of 'guffaw' from me – best way to describe it would be a semi-positive snort of derision, and that was probably due to knowing that the equaliser was due any minute... My wife keeps coming in to check if I'm actually watching the Everton match these days, due to the complete absence of noise from me.

I reckon the last time I actually cheered when we scored was Lukaku against Chelsea.

Brent Stephens
37 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:17:38
Either he's not telling the truth as he sees it, in which case shame on him. Or he is telling the truth, in which case we've got a load of no-hopers. "Nice" guys, maybe, like Roberto (sign / retain / play players in your own likeness?) but not what we need. We need fearless battlers with a fearless leader (and that's not incompatible with skill).

Sin miedo, you can come out now.

John Keating
38 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:23:44
Yet another arsehole who should keep his trap shut.
Liam Reilly
39 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:28:52
Don't go Mark # 1; not when we're on the verge of something phenomenal.
Rob Baker
40 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:35:20
Our press officer must have drawn straws for Besic this time as there's been a stream of players talk now. The sad thing is no words make any difference. Martinez Out.
Damian Wilde
41 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:37:02
Eugene (32) you love a link, eh. I was there, but wish I wasn't. I've been all over the country and Europe for many a years and have always been someone who goes bananas when we score.

But on this occasion, this is how it is. This is how I felt, I can't change that and why should I. If you celebrated, congratulations.

PS Drama Queen...bit of projection there :D

Mark Rimmer
42 Posted 18/04/2016 at 13:56:55
This just shows we have absolutely no steel in our team whatsoever! Afraid to make a mistake at home because the crowd might "groan"! how pathetic! We've barely had nothing to cheer at Goodison this year and plenty to groan about, so surely they have to take some responsibility for that!

Did anyone hear about Jags storming off the training ground recently in protest to something?

Mike Goodwin
43 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:02:17
Eugene (#32),
When the scores are level and we score, in theory, we are 'taking the lead'. However, in practice, we are just scoring an 'equaliser' before the opposition draw level, 3 or 4 minutes later.
Eugene Ruane
44 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:08:40
Thank you Damian 'Norma Desmond' Wilde (41).

"I am big! It's Everton who got small" (closes the blinds, puts shades on)

I suggest you give away any remaining tickets you have for games this season, rather than put yourself through that level of pain again (I'll be honest, I'm in floods just thinking about what you're going through).

And yes, I do love a link

Link

Mark Rimmer
45 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:20:53
Just another note, I'm with Damian@29, I haven't celebrated a goal for a while because I KNOW the equalizer is coming. What a goal achieves is to make the opposition angry/play a different way which we simply can't cope with.

There is no point in the game where I now expect to win after scoring a goal; if we take the lead with 10 seconds to go, the opposition will equalize, and maybe even add another, it's inevitable. Goals for us make it slightly harder for the opposition to win, hence the draws.

I will cheer if we are ever leading and the ref blows the final whistle, but I'm afraid that just doesn't happen anymore. No drama there, in fact a serious lack of drama!

Damian Wilde
46 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:28:20
Eugene, no bold this time, surprised.

You're a card you, E, you crack me up :D

Amit Vithlani
47 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:32:02
Not only do I not celebrate whenever we score but I no longer sing Happy Birthdat at my wife or my kid's birthdays, or wish my wife a happy anniversary, or partake any form of convivial, jovial or any activity which would in some way detract from my tub thumping anger.

Bah Humbug!

Kevin Tully
48 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:37:54
There is no doubt TWeb has descended into a competition for "The award for most outraged, hard done to, or generally had a complete breakdown goes to......" that the site is funny to read. I knew the Niasse thread replies before I even had a chance to scroll down the page, but that's how fans feel I suppose. If typing the same thing over and over stops you from kicking you family pets, then go for it.

Personally, I think it's over for Martinez, the players don't trust him so there is no way back. That won't stop me enjoying every matchday, in spite of what's occurring on the pitch. I have to say though, this season the football has taken a distant back seat to the social side. Not getting too upset is the key. Imagine if you had to traipse around town with the Mrs shopping? Try a medicinal half a dozen large scotch before the game – works wonders for me.

Phil Walling
49 Posted 18/04/2016 at 14:50:56
With respect, Kevin, I don't think your post exactly goes against the mould you rail against. Of course we've seen it all before but to many of us TW provides therapy and relief from 'The Outpourings of Martinez' !

It provides a social service - and it's freeeeeeee !
If you don't like what you read, don't read.

Problem solved ? Now I heard this bloke who..............

Lyndon Lloyd
Editorial Team
51 Posted 18/04/2016 at 15:43:23
Steve (28): "This article is misleading, inaccurate and very damaging in a vitally important week for the club... [T]hose that shape opinion have a duty to make sure they report accurately. For the sake of the club, get it right ToffeeWeb."

You are absolutely right, Steve, and I'm actually indebted to you for pointing out my error on the one hand and a key, misleading change to Besic's quote in the Mail's article on the other.

If there are two sources carrying the same quotes and one of them is, say, a local source like the Echo and the other is a tabloid with dubious ethics then I will, of course, put greater faith in the Echo for accuracy. Even more so, of course, if the Echo is actually the source of the quotes themselves which, in this instance, I didn't know

The piece published on MailOnline is actually under a Press Association byline which is usually an indication that a given paper has syndicated the content and I made a quick assumption that Besic's comments were being widely quoted from an interview given to the media in general.

The difference between what was carried in the Mail article and what was, I assume, the actual quote in the Echo is, as you rightly point out, Steve, is vital:

"That is the difference maybe this season in that we are afraid to play at home because we feel maybe it is better to defend and play on the counter." [MailOnline]

"That is maybe the difference this season not that we are afraid to play at home." Liverpool Echo

It's unfortunate, because that was the thrust of the headline I chose which made it worse. That was then compounded by another error of mine which was to include a sentence from the author of the PA piece – the one about fans groaning at Goodison – that should never have been attributed as a quote to Besic at all.

Again, an unforgivable oversight on my part, particularly given the role that ToffeeWeb can play in shaping opinion, one that I'm ashamed of and offer this open correction and apology, both to our readers and Besic himself.

Damian Wilde
52 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:07:37
Let's do the RedShite and the Mancs. COYB.
Alan J Thompson
53 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:10:12
The orchestration of players backing the manager's view that the fans at Goodison worry the players out of performing well seems to promote the view that this manager is vindictive enough to drop anyone who does not tow the philosophy line.
Steve Richards
54 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:14:24
Lyndon (51). Good on you for accepting the errors and for making such a gracious and public apology for the oversight. Perhaps we, as supporters of our great club, can do what Besic asked us to do and all get behind our team this week.
Phil Walling
55 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:14:39
Lyndon, are we to suppose that Steve Richards is the Club's appointed monitor of ToffeeWeb ?

I had always thought your site to be totally independent albeit with a duty not to be deliberately misleading of the club and it's spokepersons' statements for which you give the requested apology.

Patrick Carty
56 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:20:11
To much talking not enough action, like most of our players this season. Bar a couple of good appearences what has besic done for us.

I think some people are getting carried away with Besic.
Steve Richards
57 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:23:14
Phil (#55) – I am a lifetime Everton supporter, a season ticket holder and nothing whatsoever to do with the club, the Echo or ToffeeWeb. What prompted me to comment was the realisation that a player had been vilified following publication of an erroneous piece on ToffeeWeb. In a massive week for the Club, a bit of unity might just help us all.
Jamie Barlow
58 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:27:27
How do you know if you don't like what you're gonna read before you've read it?
Kevin Tully
59 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:31:06
I didn't say I didn't like what's being posted, Jamie. It's just a rehash of every other comment from every other thread. Rinse & repeat.
Phil Walling
60 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:33:48
Jamie, as in 'I don't like the crap in the Daily Mail so I don't read it!'
Jamie Barlow
61 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:36:21
I was responding to Phil's post @49 Kevin.
Kevin Tully
62 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:44:18
Sorry, Jamie. I can see your point now. We did have the same discussion last season on here. We all know Martinez will be chatting a pile of absolute nonsense at every presser, so I've long since stopped taking any notice of anything he has to say. Why some posters are still getting upset every time he speaks is a surprise.
Dan Davies
63 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:47:50
I'm pretty sure players in this day and age have Media Training, which is why a lot of the time it's the same usual sound bites about learning from mistakes, etc and so on.

At times like this especially you shouldn't be surprised that coaches and players are briefed as to what they should and shouldn't say. It doesn't help this time Besic seems to have been misquoted. Even so he still spoke about playing home and away and there being a difference.

Besic is towing the line in this interview I feel. He is still far from a senior player so he's trying not to rock the boat with our manager, unlike Baines who went off script and spoke his mind.

I think the players are between a rock and a hard place, on one hand keeping the manager placated whilst on the other trying to keep us onside.

What a mess.

Paul Andrews
64 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:52:41
Humble pie anyone?

Some fans are too quick to sieze any opportunity to beat the players and manager.

Take a deep breath and think before posting.

Lyndon, an easy mistake to make. I reckon with your personal representation of all things Everton one lapse can be forgotten.

Lyndon Lloyd
65 Posted 18/04/2016 at 16:57:10
Phil W (55): Lyndon, are we to suppose that Steve Richards is the Club's appointed monitor of ToffeeWeb ?

I'm not sure why you would suppose that, Phil. I'm just assuming that Steve is a concerned reader who has eloquently pointed out a couple of huge errors on my part. [In any case, the club would contact us privately if they objected to anything to that degree.]

Unfortunately, if you do this for long enough (almost 20 years in my case), you're bound to slip up from time to time... and when you do, it's in front of many, many thousands of people. I'm glad that there are people out there to "keep us honest" and pull us up when we make a mistake. I'm also more than happy to hold my hand up and admit when I've been sloppy or inattentive.

Brent Stephens
66 Posted 18/04/2016 at 17:11:44
Well spotted, Steve Richards. Gracious response from Lyndon. So much for the outrage in earlier posts – mine included!
Eugene Ruane
68 Posted 18/04/2016 at 17:53:24
Damian (46) - 'Eugene, no bold this time, surprised'

Er..how observant.

That's right, I use the bold on certain key words, to give them emphasis, should I feel they need it.

I think it really helps get a point across (and is probably why TW gives us the option).

By the way, experts believe Shakespeare would have undoubtedly used a bold option many times in Othello, but as it was printed in 1623 and bold wasn't a printing option then, he used italics for emphasis instead (no doubt some local turnip-smelling, pox-ridden serf who had just been let out of the stocks was on hand shouting 'Hey Bill, still using the italics - hur hur').

Anyway whether it works or not is subjective I suppose, but I'll tell you what, I'll let you judge.

Here is the same paragraph twice, one bold-free, one with a few carefully selected words in bold for emphasis.

Which one do you think gets the job done?

1) Damian is a flouncy, it's-all-about-me drama-queen, who says he went to the match on Saturday but thought Southampton scored first. Then he says he did nothing at all when we scored because he was 'sad', but now, two days later, is crowing we 'do the shite and the Mancs' and is now giving it 'COYB''

2) Damian is a flouncy, it's-all-about-me drama-queen, who says he went to the match on Saturday but thought Southampton scored first. Then he says he did nothing at all when we scored because he was 'sad', but now, two days later, is crowing we 'do the shite and the Mancs' and is now giving it 'COYB''

(be honest - it's the second one isn't it)

Phil Walling
69 Posted 18/04/2016 at 17:53:26
Lyndon. It was the eloquence of Steve's post that had me thinking this was a Club Spokesperson taking you to task. Before your explanation, I was not aware there were two 'versions' of Besic's statement so the alleged misrepresentation was not obvious to me.

Sincere apologies to Steve (although it might do the Club a bit of good to engage him!) and to your goodself for questioning the independence of this excellent site.

Graham Mockford
70 Posted 18/04/2016 at 17:59:39
There was a very strange moment in the second half which about sums up the fractured relationship between the crowd and the team.

On about 70 minutes where other than a goal against the run play we had largely been chasing shadows since half time, Barkley and Davies actually started passing the ball to each other and around and about for about two minutes. Not much came from it but at least we started exerting a little control. Cue groans of 'fucking get it forward' and Funes Mori strode forward and twatted it about 20 yards over the cross bar.

I point this out not to point blame at the crowd but that the patience has gone, not surprisingly given that in our last 19 home Premier League games we have lost 10, drawn 5 and won only 4. It seems pointless to me to ask fans for 'togetherness' when actually what they need to do is just get fucking stuck in, look like they are giving a shit and win a few games.

Peter Gorman
71 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:07:00
Graham, I'd say the patience has well and truly gone and I'd echo that the elusive 'togetherness' may start to coalesce once we see the players start visibly giving as much of a shit as we do.

What disturbs me most is the complete lack of self-belief amongst the players. The only few I can think who possess any of this quality are Besic, Deulofeu and my main man Brendan Galloway (all young and yet to be jaded by years of underachievement I suppose).

Born winners don't need the crowd to inspire them to perform. The evident lack of born winners amongst the squad make me doubt our prospects of ever achieving anything.

Eugene Ruane
72 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:11:00
Graham (70) - Can you imagine if this feller had to watch Everton instead of Arsenal?

Blood.

Link

Keith Harrison
73 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:23:51
He should have cracked the interviewee over the friggin head with that microphone to show the pidgin speaking idiot what blood actually was.
Jamie Barlow
74 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:02:04
Ha, did that go on all interview? I couldn't listen for more than 30 seconds.
Helen Mallon
75 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:24:52
It just goes to show that all the fans who write on here and were at the game did not sing Martinez out, did not have banners and did not protest.

This team need a fans revolt before anything gets done.
Martin Middleton
76 Posted 18/04/2016 at 21:22:30
Ernie (25), both those games sent me to sleep too...... unfortunately I was watching the Sunday morning 'Match of the Day' highlights!
Damian Wilde
78 Posted 18/04/2016 at 22:11:07
Eugene, thanks for your vacuous, waffling drivel, fascinating as always. You're an odd fella.

PS You use the bold to say 'look at me everyone, I'm all bold and great!' Zźzzzz

Eugene Ruane
79 Posted 18/04/2016 at 22:23:47
Damian (78) - 'You're an odd fella.'

Fair enough, I imagine I would seem odd to you.

For instance, I cheered when we went one-nil up on Saturday, rather than sighing, sitting on my hands and feeling 'sad' (I know, weird right).

Ray Smith
80 Posted 19/04/2016 at 00:08:57
Helen 75#

Banners were not allowed into Goodison on Saturday.

I have never known the crowd so quiet.

The silence was deafening.

If Martinez didn't pick up on that he's dafter than we all think he is.

I didn't shout like I intended and nobody around me shouted.

Dan Davies
81 Posted 19/04/2016 at 00:25:55
A banner ban? So Goodison has now turned into North Korea. Unbelievable.
Dan Davies
82 Posted 19/04/2016 at 00:30:07
Well I'll say this... I would love Everton to beat the RedShite and the Mancs but if that don't happen there's no "banner ban" at either Anfield or Wembley.
Eugene Ruane
83 Posted 19/04/2016 at 00:56:44
I saw McManaman being ushered into Goodison on Saturday and at the same time, thought I heard a club official shouting 'back a banner ban!'

He just had a very bad cold.

(here all week - ithangYEW!)

Dan Davies
84 Posted 19/04/2016 at 01:05:55
Considering McManaman was a blue, I'd definitely ban him and his hairdo.... but seriously if a "banner ban" is true then we do need a revolution soon as, Eugene.
Grant Rorrison
85 Posted 19/04/2016 at 01:20:00
Positive fella as he appears to be. He should see this as an ideal week to win over some doubters. Wins against the Kopites and the Mancs in quick succession would silence quite a few of his critics. Losses in both games, well that's probably that.
Dan Davies
86 Posted 19/04/2016 at 01:49:31
Night shift Grant? As much as I would love to see two wins I just can't see if happening mate and I would consider myself a positive poster on here!
Jay Harris
87 Posted 19/04/2016 at 03:10:55
Bill sure knows how to control an audience.

He turns the media and other supporters onto dissenters.

Stops AGMs when embarassing questions are asked.

Has a banner ban when it suits him.

And I am sure there is a Rotten Tomato ban at his theatre productions.

Mick Davies
88 Posted 19/04/2016 at 03:43:01
It doesn't matter how it was worded, this pathetic outpouring of 'woe is me' and all my teammates is enough to make any sane person blow a gasket.

I'm fed up of player after player moaning to the press about how difficult it is to kick a football under pressure! These privileged young men are earning more in a week than most nurses earn in 2 years: how would they like to be mopping blood up off a stab victim on a Friday night, while a drunken thug is threatening to kill everyone in earshot?

That's fucking pressure, and if they haven't got the guts to come out and say 'Our manager is to blame' then they ain't worthy of that Royal Blue shirt.

Damian Wilde
89 Posted 19/04/2016 at 10:44:11
Very well said, Mick (88).
Damian Wilde
90 Posted 19/04/2016 at 11:47:07
Not sure if you seen the latest player article, Lyndon, but they're at it again! Step forward Gerard Deulofeu:

"The manager's work is so good,” he told Sky Sports. “We need to stay altogether and all take responsibility, because the manager does not play on the pitch."

Terry McLavey
92 Posted 19/04/2016 at 18:53:43
Goodison was so quiet that you could hear a fan scream, "Wake up you (something something) shite! "It could be heard on the stream and others on the forum heard it!

Did they wake up? The jury's out!


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