Lyon finish strongly to end Everton's European hopes

Thursday, 2 November, 2017 338comments  |  Jump to most recent

Will DCL lead the line again in Lyon?

Everton's elimination from the Europa League was confirmed as they went down 3-0 in Lyon to three goals scored in the last half hour.

It was bitterly ironic for David Unsworth that his men had been having the better of the second half and had come very close to breaking the deadlock when Lyon opened the scoring at the other end.

Bertrand Traore set the French side on their way before Houssem Aouar doubled the lead and, after Morgan Schneiderlin was sent off, Memphis Depay finished Everton off with a headed third that condemned the Blues to yet another defeat.

Unsworth named a side mixed with youth and experience but one noticeably absent a striker in the starting XI. Ademola Lookman was, arguably, the most attack-minded of an XI that also included Aaron Lennon but Gylfi Sigurdsson was handed the striker's role, one he looked ill-equipped to fulfil.

Nikola Vlasic, seemingly overlooked at the weekend, was on the bench alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Kevin Mirallas while Sandro Ramirez, another potential option to play up front was once again ignored. Cuco Martina deputised at left back again in the absence of Leighton Baines who didn't travel while Mason Holgate partnered captain Ashley Williams at centre-half.

Martina picked up an early booking for dragging Cornet down as Lyon began probing down the flanks but the Blues also started to settle, with Lookman in particular looking lively. The teenager was constantly looking to drive the team forward but a lack of support would be a regular feature of Everton's game.

Nevertheless, good control by Lennon in the 17th minute gave Sigurdsson a half chance but his shot was charged down.

The best chance thus far fell the home side's way in the 23rd minute when a dangerous cross found Bertrand Traore whose flicked header was well saved by Pickford and the rebound was fizzed across goal by Mendy.

Lyon kept the pressure up, with Rafael in particular causing problems down the flank and one of his crosses was fired over the bar from a central position.

Lennon's foul on Fekir set Depay up for a direct free-kick attempt from 25 yards but Pickford was equal to it, pushing the ball over his goal. An awkward fall for Martina in aftermath left him down and needing treatment, however, and he had to eventually be stretchered off with a neck brace to be replaced by Muhamed Besic.

Marcelo out-muscled Holgate to meet a corner just before the 45 minutes were up but his header glanced wide before seven additional minutes of stoppage time were indicated by the fourth official. Traore tested Pickford again with a strong drive but the 'keeper parried it away as Everton finished the first period penned into their own half.

Unsworth's team came out from the break immediately on the front foot, though, and had a great chance when Lennon cut the ball back for Gueye but he couldn't beat the keeper or the defender on the line. It was a golden opportunity that might have been rewarded with a surer finish from the Senegalese midfielder.

Pickford made another low save and Fekir went down in the area a few minutes later but his appeals for a free kick were waved away by the referee.

More great work by Lookman set up another goos chance just before the hour mark. He drove to the byline but Sigurdsson couldn't flick home at the near post.

Unsworth's second change in personnel was by choice, with Calvert-Lewin coming on for Gueye while Fekir came off for Lyon with Aouar being introduced. At that point, with the Blues not only holding their own but looking the more threatening, there was a sense that perhaps they could sneak a victory now that a recognised striker was on the pitch.

As if to emphasise the notion, Sigurdsson bounced a good shot inches wide from the edge of the box but seconds later it was 1-0 to Lyon. Schneiderlin missed a sliding tackle in front of the back four and Traore seized on a fortunate ricochet, driving wide of Pickford to slot home with 68 minutes gone.

Substitute Mariano Diaz flashed a shot narrowly wide just afterwards but it was only another few minutes when Depay picked up a rebound from Pickford's save and he passed to Aouar who slotted into the far corner to make it 2-0.

Sigurdsson whipped a dangerous free kick that just missed the far post and two Blues players couldn't add a touch to guide it over the line at the other end before Schneiderlin's lack of discipline earned him an early bath.

The Frenchman, already on a yellow card for dissent, received his marching orders for a late and unnecessarily foul, realistically ending any hope of an unlikely comeback from the away side.

Depay increased the misery three minutes from time when he headed powerfully past Pickford and that was the final nail in Everton's Europa League coffin.

Three successive defeats under the caretaker manager can be added to the two suffered before that under Ronald Koeman to round out a miserable sequence of results that dramatically underscore the problems afflicting the team.

Focus now shifts to the Premier League and the visit on Sunday of Watford, a fixture that takes on enormous importance, not only for Unsworth's hopes of earning the manager's role full-time but for Everton and the players' confidence.

Kick-off: 6pm, Thursday, 2 November 2017

Lyon: Lopes, Mendy, Diakhaby, Marcelo, Rafael [Y:78'], N'Dombele (77' Ferri), Tousart, Memphis, Fekir (62' Aouar [Y:85'], Cornet; Traore (70' Mariano).
Subs: Morel, Marçal, Tete, Gorgelin.

Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina [Y:7'] (42' Besic), Schneiderlin [Y:57';YR:80'], Baningime, Gueye (61' Calvert-Lewin), Lennon (71' Vlasic), Sigurdsson, Lookman.
Subs not used: Robles, Feeney, Klaassen, Mirallas.

Article continues below video content


Referee: Orel Grinfeld

Attendance: 48,103

 

Reader Comments (338)

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Frank Crewe
1 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:09:51
Who is the striker?
Michael Lynch
2 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:11:05
4-6-0 formation. That's one way to deal with our striker problem
Dave Williams
3 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:12:37
What a weird selection. We will flood the midfield which we need to do with the back 4 he has chosen but where are goals going to come from and how will we build an attack?
I can understand resting DCL but surely Kev would have been worth a go as the main striker?
And why no Vlasic?
This is the strangest selection I can recall for a very long time - hopefully it is a masterful plan and will work.
Neil Copeland
4 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:13:00
Looks like Siggy or Lookman assuming Lennon is right wing.
Christine Foster
5 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:13:24
What striker?? A must win game and no striker?? What the... omg..
Dave Williams
6 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:15:41
If this is a crash and burn team then Unsy will kiss goodbye to his hopes of getting the job - it will either be a masterstroke or a disaster.
Christine Foster
7 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:16:24
Parking the bus is no good.. no outlet? Just inviting them to attack.. sorry David.. its a long shot, well it would be if we had someone in the team who was a striker..
Dean Cooper
8 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:16:54
Siggy has played up front for Swansea and can't play any worse there than on the left! Maybe he was RK's secret Lukau placement all along...
Charlie Lloyd
9 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:18:19
Team selection horrific.

Hope we win though and I’m proved wrong.

Neil Copeland
10 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:18:50
Are we aiming for 0-0 for 60mins then bring DCL on?
Nick Lacey
11 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:22:36
I am not agreeing with Unsworth selection but I will ask, who should be the striker? Niasse isn't in the squad and DCL seems to be a striker who doesn't score goals and probably needs a rest. Who else is there?
Neil Copeland
12 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:25:51
I am just praying that DU has tried something in training which worked well and is putting to the test. Does seem a very odd team selection though, Lookman is bit lightweight IMO to be an out and out striker so I am assuming it is Siggy upfront but where is the creativity if that is the case?

Love to see them win and remaining hopeful. COYB

Will Mabon
13 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:26:23
He rang earlier and asked me to play striker but I couldn't find my passport.
Neil Copeland
14 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:29:45
Will, you as well then
Mike Allen
15 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:32:02
The poor guy has been left with a shed load of nothing we can all pick a team on the outside give him some slack and just back him
Tony Abrahams
16 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:32:44
At least when we got destroyed at Benfica, it was because Moyes never really had any players.

I wanted Unsworth to be given a go at the job simply because he's worked with the kids, but he's just carried on from where Koeman left off imo.

people are worried, I can understand why, but you don't build a football teams confidence by chopping and changing, and it seems to me that Unsworth might be more of a coach than a manager?

Peter Jansson
17 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:41:47
Tony #16. Of course he carried on where Koeman left us. He has got access to exactly the same team and players.
And yet he has not put the same team out on the pitch as Koeman did. So what are you complaining about?
Will Mabon
18 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:42:18
Neil, sounds like there was a plan for a killer front two. Maybe next time.
John Hammond
19 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:42:57
Bizarre. Unsworth trying too hard rather than keeping it simple. Can't believe Mirallas not starting.
Jamie Sweet
20 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:42:58
This team would appear to be Unsworth acknowledging that we are very much in a relegation battle. Sad times.
Neil Copeland
21 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:44:44
Will, yes mate. I am busy cleaning my boots so I am ready next time. I was going to say get your passport out just in case but not sure if it will be needed.
Gavin Johnson
22 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:45:43
Sigurdsson or Lookman can play striker. Sigurdsson played as Swansea striker at Goodison last season...and scored! Interesting formation.
David Barks
23 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:46:13
You have to be fucking joking with this lineup.
Dave Ganley
24 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:46:25
Head in hands .cant believe that selection. 3 DMs and no striker .hope I have to eat a hearty dose of humble pie but I doubt it. How low have we gone.
Ian Jones
25 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:48:22
I like the team. We have 2 wide players. Ok. No one necessary in the middle as such but Lookman has played up front on his own before. Feel the manager has a plan..
Clive Rogers
26 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:50:26
Very worrying selection. Unless we have been told to forget about the Europa and concentrate on survival. What happened to playing on the front foot?
Jay Woods
27 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:53:35
So we're playing in a must-win game and he's not selected a striker?

Worrying...

Clive Rogers
28 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:54:03
Can’t believe he’s picked Lennon again after hawking him off in the last two games, the second one at half time. Things are getting weird.
Ian Linn
29 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:55:25
Well it's definitely going to be an interesting watch .
Kevin Tully
30 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:56:08
Come on people, we’ve gone there to give a few of the kids a run out and to try and keep the score respectable.

All efforts have gone into Sunday’s game already. Orders from up top. Surely?

Gavin Johnson
31 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:57:51
Should have picked Vlasic instead of Lennon but I think it's an interesting formation that's worth trying. Lookman or Sigurdsson can't be any worse up front.
Ian Jones
32 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:58:03
I still think we will win this. Have trust in the team.
Andy King
33 Posted 02/11/2017 at 17:59:13
Strange team selection no doubt about it, but if Lookman and Lennon are playing on the wings then we can break at pace. I've never been a fan of KITANO but maybe that's all Unsworth thinks we've got...
This Lyon side look very susceptible from crosses and set plays so let's hope there's something there for us. (I won't go into what we're susceptible to as I'd be here all night!)
Brian Williams
34 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:00:10
Ian I wish I had your belief, or your medication :-)
Brian Williams
35 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:01:55
Jesus, Robbie Savage co-commentating ffs!
Winston Williamson
37 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:07:00
Interesting, worrying, exciting...worth a go. Plus, players on the bench to change shape if needed.

Let's see how it goes before we condemn...

Simon Dalzell
38 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:17:50
Gavin #31 I'm prepared to give Sigurdsson a good go at being worse up front.Terrible selection.
Nik Ramsden
39 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:29:43
I know it's not important but can someone tell me why the change in sponsor for tonight's game. Quite like this strip - might be the best thing about this game.
George Cumiskey
40 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:43:52
Unsworth master tactician, Siggy centre forward you couldn't make it up !.
George Cumiskey
41 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:48:34
What the hell has Vlasic done wrong he's been our best player, Lennon should be nowhere near the first team.
Tony Abrahams
42 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:52:18
Peter@17 if you read my text again, you will see what I'm complaining about. He's carried on from where Koeman, left off because he's doing exactly the same as what Ronald was doing.

Football is about continuity, not changing the personnel and the formation every week. Not Unsworth's fault, but this team shows you how much real planning went into our summer recruitment policy.

Siggy upfront is crazy, he's getting treated like a young kid with no-one seeming to know his best position, and not like a fucking record signing. This is nowhere near the worst squad we have ever had, but it's a long time since I've seen a squad so badly managed?

Gerry Morrison
43 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:57:13
NIK. I think it has something to do with Uefa not allowing dodgy gambling outfits.
Neil Copeland
44 Posted 02/11/2017 at 18:59:02
Hopefully Martina is ok.

Also hoping that DU makes a change at half time, we are being overrun and although 0-0 is not a bad score line I can’t see it staying that way.

Steve McNally
45 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:06:37
People are questioning Unsworth's team selection but, it's obvious that the club have moth-balled any further interest in this competition because, and, rightly, they want to focus solely on staying in the Premier League.
Alex Mullan
46 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:07:27
The guts of 200m spent on fees and wages.

A centre midfielder up front.
Another centre mid at right back.
A right back at left back.

Cringe.

Tony Twist
47 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:07:44
Looks like Unsworth has been listening to big Sam and keeping it tight and trying to keep it 0-0. Unfortunately that was what he should have done in his first game not in a must win game. Nevermind, keep lookman on and add Sandro and Mirallas as the game goes on and we might snatch a goal on the break and a win if we continue to stop them scoring.
John Graham
48 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:11:04
Well I bet that team formation has kidded Lyon totally, as well as everyone else!
Great to have two wingers, but who will be in the middle when the ball comes in. Only forward thinking midfielder is Sigurdsson and he is too slow to run beyond anyone.
Guess it looks like damage limitations. Hope for a draw then at least Unsworth won’t have three straight losses on his CV.
Sad that we are running scared in a game which doesn’t really matter.
No center forward, no tactics, no ideas and no balls.
Sums Unsworth up completely.
Alex Mullan
49 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:36:30
Fuckin Sunday League defence
Geoff Evans
50 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:37:54
That's it then, good night and goodbye.
Anish Dosani
51 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:38:13
Shambles
Peter Laing
52 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:43:54
Commence operation Goodison exercise. Clear out required;
Steklenburg
Holgate
Williams
Jagielka
Baines
Besic
Lennon
Mirallas
Gueye
Martina
Nik Ramsden
53 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:45:35
I know you can say this about any number of players but surely Williams has to be out of the squad. He's a liability not a captain at the moment.
David Morgan
54 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:48:36
No way Gueye should be on that list, schneiderlin can swap for him...then yeah get them on a coach for Sunderland asap.
John Dyer
55 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:49:56
Passionate I always have but I am just absolutely gutted angry and mortified utter shit. What a mess we are in can't say anything positive!!!
Peter Morris
56 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:50:19
can this season get any worse? ANOTHER player sent off. ANOTHER second yellow card. How unprofessional is that? Absolute , embarrassing garbage. These players seem to go out every fucking game with suicide in mind.
Tony Hill
57 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:52:38
I tell you what this game is notable for: confirmation that in Baningime we have a hugely promising player. Always has space, looks to break the line with his passing (and often does), good touch and never panics. Wonderful, and nice to hear Savage recognise it.

Peter Laing
58 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:52:40
Hope Moshiri has deep pockets to clean up this toxic mess and underwrite the expensive failure in player acquisition
Matthew Svatos
59 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:52:52
Can not watch this garbage anymore. Every game you know what you're getting. No defence, no offence, no passion. Wake me up when we get relegated and then we might be able to win some games.
Eugene Kearney
60 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:54:21
Good God. 3 - 0 ;-(
Clive Rogers
61 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:54:52
Kenwright and Walsh should be sacked.
Ash Moore
62 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:55:29
This is a proper European hiding. My respect to any Blues watching this in France. You're better Blues than I.
Michael Morgan
63 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:55:32
Totally agree David (54). Taking Gueye off and leaving Schneiderlin on with a yellow card was criminal by Unsworth, as soon as he did it, I knew Schneiderlin would get sent off.
Ernie Baywood
64 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:56:25
Nothing that wasn't expected. We were practically out and have a massive game on Sunday.

If we'd gone full strength Unsworth would have been slated for it.

David Johnson
65 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:57:48
GET TO FUCK KENWRIGHT and take your jarg billionaire with you. You've bled this club dry you horrible old c**t. It's not Koemans fault it's not Unsworths fault it's all your fault just fuck off and leave us alone you horrible old prick.
Kevin Tully
66 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:57:56
I’ve never wanted Unsworth as manager, but he’s about as much to blame for these last three results as anyone posting on TWeb.

It was a joint failure, and someone needs to take names, take charge and fucking get a grip of the shambles we find ourselves engulfed in.

Jamie Evans
67 Posted 02/11/2017 at 19:59:39
Was it sensible not to play your top scorer, your club captain and the only available left back on the books ? Hindsight is wonderful I know but in all seriousness, was it ? Glad I never had a bet on you getting the job permanently David. A knife to a gunfight was bad enough but just to bring a white handkerchief is unforgivable.
Eugene Kearney
68 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:00:24
Total meltdown. What is happening to Everton Football Club?

Unbelievable.

Clive Rogers
69 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:00:39
Kevin, correct, it’s not possible for anyone to pick a winning team from this deficient squad.
Phil Smith
70 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:01:05
Sorry, Unworth has not shown his worth at all. We need someone with experience soon!! He'll not take us down but this whole season will be a struggle with him in charge. Utter shite today.
Ernie Baywood
71 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:01:21
Michael 63, Looked to me like Schneiderlin wasn't too bothered about being sent off.

Mind you he's not too bothered by anything.

I never understood the reviews he got last year. Complete waste of space.

Mark Riley
72 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:03:04
Needs to be an appointment soon. The state Koeman and Walsh have left this club in is disgusting. Not Unsworths fault but he's not got the experience to steady the ship. Five straight defeats, not seen as bad since Mike Walker days.
David Johnson
73 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:03:50
Where's the next goal coming from never mind the next win.
Ian Riley
74 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:03:52
Let's get one thing straight here. The next manager has a massive job here. Sam or Sean bring your own team. Let's have a clear out. Football director and remaining coaches.
Clive Rogers
75 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:04:57
KENWRIGHT OUT
Mick Conalty
76 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:05:13
The board need to come clean to the Everton supporters
and explain how they fucked up and turned Everton
into a laughing stock and a bunch of loses.
We deserve the truth. The buck stops with them.
Kevin Tully
77 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:05:38
Before anyone gets on his back, I’ve been told Unsworth was instructed to concentrate on the squad for Sunday and not to risk key personnel.

Which was quite obvious by who he left back.

David Johnson
78 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:05:58
KENWRIGHT OUT
Ash Moore
79 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:06:52
Five straight losses. One clean sheet in our last 16 games - and it came against lower division Sunderland in the league cup. One win - one! - in league and Europe since August.
We are in deep deep shit.
Neil Copeland
80 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:08:24
I really believed that DU wanted to win this game, bu his squad selection was strange and team selection very niaive.

I cannot fathom why, based upon a very good second half at Chelsea, he didn’t stick with the same team against Leicester and Lyon. We may still have lost both games but surely consistency is the key for the mess we are in.

I really want DU to do well but I simply can’t get my head around his approach to the Leicester and Lyon games. It may well be that the board had already made their mind up about the next manager before tonight or Leicester for that matter and DU knows it.

Very difficult to take at the moment. The game on Sunday is like a cup final now - we simply have to win.

Gavin Johnson
81 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:08:39
We look worse than we did under Mike Walker. Yes, we have better players within this squad but never in my time being an Evertonian has there been such a unbalanced squad. Bring in the new manager asap and hope that it's not too late to buy ourselves out of this mess in Jan.
John Keating
82 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:09:14
Personally I have no interest in what happened tonight, score, team selection, tactics. No interest at all.
Everyone should be focused on one thing and one thing alone, PL survival.
The only game of any interest should be Watford on Sunday, Everything should be geared up to getting a result even if we defend for 89 minutes and snatch a last minute winner. The only thing of interest is getting points fuck how we do it.
Jason Broome
83 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:09:38
We need Moshiri's money. Anyone calling for him to leave is knee=jerking.

Bring on January... It's going to have to be a massive month for transfers. In coming, out going... No Mercy!

Get a talented, winner, respected visionary of a manager in, (not some 3 year fucked up project) splash the cash and get us the fuck out of this mess!

Clive Rogers
85 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:10:56
Jason, nobody like that will want to come now.
Tony Hill
86 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:10:58
Without getting carried away, the other noticeable thing about Baningime is that he seems to be playing in a different rhythm to others on the pitch. Looks as though he's loping around but is never hurried. That awareness of space and the instinctive timing are hallmarks of the truly gifted in sport.

A long, long way to to go but it's lovely to watch now.

Brent Stephens
87 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:12:35
Beni passes forward. What a novelty.
Neil Copeland
89 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:13:03
Kevin 77, sorry I posted mine at 80 before reading yours. It does help to explain tonight a little. I still remain very perplexed at team selections though.

I live in hope that we win on Sunday and make tonight’s miserable showing worthwhile.

Ash Moore
90 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:13:29
I'm going to call it. Unless something drastic happens, and it probably needs to occur quite quickly, we are nailed on to be relegated. No doubt in my mind. Tonight was the culmination of months and months of absolute dross.
The problem is we're not that good. The attitude was there, the work ethic was there, the effort, the spirit - but quality? Very very little. It's a second choice eleven, yeah sure. One clean sheet in sixteen, five straight losses, one win in league and Europe since August, held scoreless in half our league games...the list could go on. I can't.
Steve Ferns
91 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:13:47
£6m a year, are you sure no one will want the job? That's more than twice want Real pay Zidane or Barca pay Valverde.
Kevin Moorcroft
92 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:14:51
I know things are bad but Koeman is to blame for shaping this team. I hate the people who are blaming Unsy (a true blue) and Bill (also a true blue). They've done so much for EFC in the past. Who can deny their loyalty?

I say I hope (it wont happen) we stick with Unsy til Xmas. Devil and deep blue sea scenario, folks.
Brent Stephens
93 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:15:11
I don't believe Unsy was out - thought by the Lyon manager. He just had worse resources.
Kevin Tully
94 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:16:26
No worries, Neil.

Ranting at Unsworth is akin to phoning a BT customer service operator to blame them for your WIFI being slow,

It’s not his fault. He is also not the answer.

Ian Lloyd
95 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:17:50
Tony 86

He wouldn't get a game in any top 8 team

I'm sick of people bigging up our players new young or old ! We need a massive clear out from top to bottom as our entire squad is clearly championship material a best!

Sick of this poison running through the club

Sick of it all - depressing

Steve McNally
96 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:18:02
Imo Koeman is the worst manager Everton have had in its long history. He's taken a decent PL team and destroyed it in little over a year. What makes this all the more galling, is that he was given the largest transfer budget of any Everton manager - in order to progress us as a club - and has done the reverse.

What would a manager of Kendall's standing done with such funds?

Btw, Houdini wouldn't be able to do anything with the mess Koeman has left behind, so, it's unfair to criticise Unsworth for the mess we're in.

koeman should NOT be paid a penny in compensation for his sacking because of his dereliction of duty.

Danny Broderick
97 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:19:04
John (82),

Correct. All that counts is Sunday. After that, the board must review our situation and make a decision. If we win, Unsie has a chance of being appointed. Failure to win will mean that we need to get someone in ASAP in the international break.

I’m going to nail my colours to the wall. I hope we win on Sunday and Unsie gets the job. We have had 3 tough away games, and there have been some positive signs. There’s no denying we need a clear out though. Schneiderlin needs dropping for starters. And we need some new blood up front.

Mike Berry
98 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:19:46
Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Holgate Beningime, Davies, Lookman, Vlasic, Lookman, DCL, Sigurdsonn.
build the future around these lads.
The other so called "senior" pros with exeption of Coleman and Bolasie, are past it and want shipping out.
The new boss has incredibly difficult decisions to make.
Someone like Gus Hiddink who has time for slackers, big time Charlies or peoples reputations, would sort it all out
Will Mabon
99 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:20:45
koeman should NOT be paid a penny in compensation for his sacking because of his dereliction of duty."

He should be sued for the wages back.,"koeman should NOT be paid a penny in compensation for his sacking because of his dereliction of duty."

He should be sued for the wages back.,,,1,20:20:24,,81.108.253.187,ok,19747,11/02/2017 20:20:24,Overdrive,reader,, 866665,35752,toffeeweb,02/11/2017,Joe McMahon,joe90_@hotmail.co.uk,"Jason (83) How exactly? - we are a nothing club, never been in CL league, no trophy since 1995, in a Victorian stadium. Remember the Wolves manager isn't even interested.

If Moyes comes back (sacked 3 times no one else wants him) I shall end my 42 year support.

Trevor Peers
100 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:21:35
One roll of the dyche left get an experienced manager in or we are screwed.
Tony Marsh
101 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:22:45
Guys I said it in July and I will say it again now.
Letting Lukaku leave was the biggest fuck up in the club's history plus it showed us all what we are really all about. Once Utd made noises on the Friday
Lukaku was packed up on gone on the Monday.That set the tone for the season. Small time club gets its bellied tickled again and under paid for it star player. Kenwright couldn't wait to let Utd have Romalu.Why not hold on until deadline day or until we had signed 2 more strikers? Keep the fucker until January if need be.

I still can't believe the way we conducted ourselves in the pre season. Now we are seeing the fruits of our Chairman's handy work. Please No one say Moshiri will step in and save us. Let's not forget Lukaku being allowed to leave like he did was on Moshiris watch.. Imagine Abramovich getting his arse smacked like that. Some big time Billionaire business man we've got at our club Didn't take BK to reduce Farhad to a Gobshite did it

..Fucking joke of a club our fans who went to France tonight deserve better than what they got out there.

David Connor
103 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:24:29
Same old same old. Will it ever get any better? I fear for the future of our once great club. Koeman. Walsh, etc have almost destroyed us in the space of a few months. Dark days...
Ash Moore
104 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:26:32
Have to agree Tony. Mosh is looking like the second coming of Randy Lerner. Getting gouged on transfer fees for shite - in their case Darren Bent in our case five Darren Bents.
Randy realised eventually they were fleecing him and turned the tap off. Had the last laugh too really. Villa are sunk like a stone

I think Mosh is being royally pick pocketed And once he works that out all bets are off .

Jason Lloyd
106 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:28:34
Kenwright, Walsh, Elstone have to get sacked and Moshiri needs to take full control NOW!
Phillip Warrington
107 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:28:49
This is a disaster Christ I really thought Rhino could do it but its clearly evident he cant, Everton need to spend big on a manager the likes of Thomas Tuchel. I don't think Allardyce or Sean Dyche are the answer their both surviving managers and sooner or later their teams want survive, we need to spend big and get a manager who is use to winning and winning trophy's.

A manager who has won trophy's attracts players who want to win trophy's as well, every game the team changes with some of the weirdest formations, its like someone at the club has decided to play every player out of position until they lose all confidence, christ Sandro and Rooney played one half of football together up front and Sandro set up rooney for a goal and looked good. Never played again together and really, Lennon over Vlasic? Schneiderlin should never be picked as a first team player he cant pass under the slightest bit of pressure Baningime has shown he can.
Ernie Baywood
108 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:28:51
Steve 96 Completely agreed. Koeman took an underperforming, half decent side, was given the ability to bring in signings and turned us into relegation candidates.

I can't think of a manager who has done a worse job, either inside or outside our club. Well take years to recover from that clown.

Colin Metcalfe
109 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:29:59
If either Moyes , Fat Sam or Dyche get the hot seat I walk away from Everton !!
Max Murphy
110 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:31:18
So much talk about losing Lukaku - but what about our defence??? I said it last year that Everton should have been after Harry Maguire. After watching him have some cracking games for Hull, I was amazed there was no interest in him.
Derek Knox
111 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:32:19
Will @ 99, and Trade Descriptions, impersonating a Football Manager, and someone who gave a fuck.
John Harrop
112 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:33:39
Despite the weird team changes enforced by the importance of Sunday's game, for just over an hour there was more shape, discipline and spirit than I've seen for most of the season. The late collapse was poor, but hard work on the training field and some sensible buys in the transfer window should put things right.

Although his run of games has consisted of tough away matches, it's beginning to look like the job is drifting away from Unsworth now. However, I can't believe that some on here are calling for Big Sam. Are you serious? Big Sam at Everton?

William Cartwright
113 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:33:42
Apart from the loss of the centre forward Everton do not have a crap squad, although they are playing absolute crap at present, as they have been all season.
Will Mabon
114 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:33:44
Tony, I agree. There was a "Savvy" attempt at a form of partial asset stripping or conversion, replacing what had been with a funding model version of Southampton... complete with take-no-shit "Class" manager. This is the world now, where billionaires are seen as gods above all else.

Tonight was the latest result.

Tony Abrahams
115 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:34:30
Tony Hill, have to agree with you about young Benni, he was by far are best player, and I love his calmness on the ball.

The games Unsworth has had, none of them were easy, but I'll keep saying the same things, because the only thing missing from any Everton line-up at the minute is repetition.

The longer this goes on, the worse the confidence will become, I've already had half a dozen texts off a couple of red nose bastards, and feel totally underwhelmed by Unsworth, who keeps trying different things, like he's auditioning for the fucking X-FACTOR, instead of trying to manage a fucking football team.

I know it's not easy, because if it was then we would all be doing it. The chips are down, we aren't getting the rub of the green, but if it's true you make your own luck, then the quicker we can instill some real professionalism into the squad, then the quicker we will become a team again.

We have been getting badly mismanaged, and when that's the case, most players will usually adopt an "it's not really my fault attitude". We need to pick our best eleven players now, and get them going right back to the basics.

Stay calm because we still have enough good players in the squad, but we just need someone to fucking manage us properly?

Colin Gee
116 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:35:02
It's like a stuck record

Can't score Can't defend

I suspect that it will be exactly the same on Sunday .

Dermot Byrne
117 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:35:16
God it is so easy to forget how crap the club is when other egotistical fans want to say told ya so. Bottom line is we may just escape relegation and then yippee.. .same again next season apart from the optimism finishing 6th will give us. And who will win things? Same old.

Beginning to think we are just stupid supporting a club that cannot do well anymore as the whole thing is just a set up.
Jay Woods
118 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:35:19
Wow, "Unsy" is making Koeman look like he actually had a clue.

BK et al could have stood firm over Lukaku and said "yer goin' nowhere, sunshine" but maybe they thought they were on to something selling him and using the money to keep the Premier League cash cow fatted.

Now they know we are headed for the drop. I can see them having no choice but to manage risk and appoint the relegation-avodiance specialist that is Big Sam.

In other words, now is not the time to fixate on our increasingly ironic club motto and other tripe about schools of science.

Andy Crooks
119 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:35:39
Tony Marsh, I agree. Liverpool and Southampton did not allow other clubs or their own players to bully them and call the shots. We have been spineless in our transfer dealing. We have had a small club mentality that Southampton do not.
Andrew Wayne
120 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:35:56
I had a bet with a work colleague that we couldn't keep it to 2-0 and someone would get sent off. I guessed it might have been Williams but hey. Absolutely poor from top to bottom. Wrote on here after Leicester that the squad we have is the result of 10 years neglect at very best. Needs a massive influx of players especially at the back just to get back to where we were never mind compete. Unsworth not the answer but then again who is with this mixed bag. Not sure it can get worse but we still have Sunday.
John Graham
121 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:36:06
Doesn’t matter if he was told to concentrate on Sunday or not. No one told him to put out such a bad team formation with no center forward and limited attacking options and start off with Mirallas, DLC and Vlasic on the bench.
He must have at least a small idea of what formation he wants to play and then as said before he needs to stick to it and get the players use to it.
The quicker we get someone in who is his own man and knows what he’s doing the better.
Tony Marsh
122 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:36:22
Colin @ 110
I feel your pain brother.I hate the thought of Moyes etc coming her but this is serious now and needs s specialist quick fix. Winston Wolf style.
I'm afraid only guy who fits the bill and will come is Allardyce..

BK has brought us to our knees.We need picking up ASAP..As much as it hurts it has to be done.Nit fucking Moyes though.or we will definitely go down.

Kevin Molloy
123 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:37:58
Before this season started we needed two good quality strikers that could score 25 goals between them. We got Zip! We have no way of outscoring our opposition we know it they know it so as soon as they score it’s game over. You can see the whole team deflate as soon as we concede. Our defenders are either to old or to young. We really are in a relegation fight and as we stand we are the worst team in the league by some distance. Fingers crossed for a change in fortune, we need a new manager ASAP! Get behind the team lads this will go to the wire.
Jay Woods
124 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:40:29
Kevin Molloy, 100%.

Best fighting trousers on, lads, because we're on a war footing now!

Gavin Johnson
125 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:40:46
Colin #101

Prepare to walk away because its going to be Dyche or Big Sam.

Gus Hiddink was mentioned today. I think he'd be the most exciting interim manager we could get right now. The guy's 70 though. I'd be worried about his health trying to sort that shite out.

Btw, I think you're being very unfair on Sean Dyche. A good manager who is the type of guy we need right now. He's as good as it will get for a long term appointment right now. There's no way Silva will leave Watford, and he's the only other realistic contender. Maybe David Wagner, but would he leave Huddersfield for Everton mired at the bottom and risk ruining his reputation so early in his premier league career. Same as Silva. No, prepare yourself for Dyche or Big Sam.

Neil Copeland
126 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:41:33
Based upon the board telling DU not to focus on tonight I am assuming that he has been told a win on Sunday will at least extend his position further. I don’t think he will get the job full time until he can prove himself over a longer period.

The problem with that of course is if things do not work out we really will be in deep. Possibly too deep to salvage even with someone like Allardyce (god forbid).

I want DU to succeed as much as anyone, my biggest concern is timing, being prepared for the Jan transfer window and getting enough points between now and Christmas to get up the table.

Steve Ferns
127 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:42:02
Koeman fucked this season up. He is the one to blame and he is gone. But it will take a while to coach the squad to play better football and two months for the window to open.

Last season we had a half decent side for sure. We finished 7th with ease. There was a solid enough back 4, but things were less assured once Funes got injured. Koeman knew we had old defenders but he let Oveido go to Sunderland last January and then didn't buy a replacement in the summer, what's worse was that he let Galloway go on loan and didn't register Garbutt.

The midfield was working well as a trio - Schneiderlin, Davies and Gueye. But he dropped Davies and brought in Klaassen messing about with what worked and changing from stability and players who pressed.

The front three were Lukaku, Mirallas and Barkley. forget unlucky with Barkley's injury Koeman was driving him out. He also forced Mirallas out the side and sold Lukaku. So he got rid of our front three.

He should have been looking to replace Lukaku. He should have kept the make-up of the team, the structure the approach, the way the team plays exactly the same, but he changed everything. He then signed Rooney, knew he was coming for ages, we all did. But then he insisted on Sigurdsson too. And that was after we signed Klaassen. This is where it all went wrong. Up to Sigurdsson signing it was all looking good. But it was looking good on the basis that we would sign a striker.

Giroud didn't come. Koeman had him in the building he said, but that was not deadline day, that was three weeks before deadline day. Walsh was out trying to get others but Koeman turned them down. Not good enough he said. Maybe he was right, but the end result is what we have now.

This is not Walsh's fault. Read what he has said, when Koeman was here, he had to CONVINCE Koeman to sign players. Koeman had the last word. What did Koeman say after the cockup? He said he would leave it to Walsh in JANUARY, as it would be mid-season and he would need focus on the side. They are both telling you whose fault this all is, Ronald Koeman.

Koeman neglected to sign a striker. Walsh had a list, he lined people up, Koeman said no. Koeman changed everything about the side. Koeman was talking about Lukaku being too good for Everton in the press. Koeman was driving Barkley out. It was mistake after mistake from Koeman.

He had had steady progress in that first season, after a poor run up until Jnauary and then he had turned it around. But Barkley was at the fore. But where was his driving force going to be this season? Sigurdsson? He looks incapable of driving a team forwards. He dropped Davies, and he cost the midfield it's energy.

Koeman has fucked us up big time. And you can blame the board for appointing him, but how can you blame the board for the transfers? What they meant to do, not trust him? If they signed a striker and he didn't authorise it, he'd resign, claim breach of contract and get the contract paid in full. And you know he would have done it. Were they meant to sack him with barely a ball kicked, bearing in mind we were limping along before the window shut in midtable and progressing in the EL cup?

It's all well and good trying to make the board a scapegoat here, but they appointed the man they thought was capable. They made him the SEVENTH highest paid manager in WORLD SPORTS and they backed him in the market. £200m + spent on transfer fees alone. You can add another 20% of that in agents fees at least. You can add in more agents fees for failed deals.

The club is in a mess, but it is in a mess because it trusted the Dutchman. How does it prevent this again? You increase the powers of the Director of Football, you make it so that he signs players, even if the manager says no. So that when we fail with Giroud, and if Bas Dost (god forbid) is all we can get, then we still get him. The Director of Football should also have refused to sanction the Sigurdsson deal on the basis of having two number 10s already, and needing a striker. no one else was in for him. We could have got him for much less in deadline day, if we still had money left.

Want a scape goat? It's Ronald Koeman.

John Keating
128 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:42:51
Unsworth is in - quite righty - now until the Watford game.
After the Watford game is another matter. We have to get points on the board from this game.
It doesn't matter who comes in we need a guy who knows what's going on and has been in this situation before. Getting another "named" manager in the state we're in will definitely see us down, no doubts.
Joe Foster
129 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:45:24
Resurrecting this team is one massive task. Who could do this or who would want to put their reputation on the line only God knows.

I can not see the January window saving us. We are going to be praying on other team results all season I reckon.
Ash Moore
130 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:46:14
Steve Ferns, you are a nutter.

Who gives a fig about who is to blame. It's done. What do we do about it now? How do we agitate for the changes necessary?
The blame game is pointless pal. We actually need to start playing survival football.

Lawrence Green
131 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:46:40
I honestly thought that the players put in a good shift tonight, but the usual issues raised their ugly head again, no natural goalscorer on the park or within the squad, mistakes at the back being ruthlessly punished by all and sundry and a late collapse which makes the scoreline unflattering but unsurprising.

I can imagine a few potential managers blocking Moshiri's number in the next few days and weeks as nobody will want the job, apart from fall guy Unsworth and a greedy Fat Sam (who will smell the opportunity to enhance his bank balance and will be in a position to extract every penny out of the useless people who run the club and that includes Mr Moshiri.)

What other club in world football would try to compete in one of the most competitive league's without a striker?

What other club would spend so much money without seeing a return of any description out on the pitch?

Are there people at the club who are responsible for this mess and does it suit their agenda?

Will we hear any news on the potential stadium save soundbites from ITK people on here and Mayor Anderson?

Those ITK people who post on this site can they please give details of their knowledge about the stadium's progress?

It's going to be a bitter winter, but we are where we are and can but hope that something changes for the better and soon.

Steve Ferns
132 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:47:13
People are blaming the board here, read up Ash.
Mark Riding
133 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:47:42
Andy Crooks. Suarez ? That's enough for the RS. Saints ? Bale, Walcott, Ox chamberlain, waynyama, mane, Lovren, Clyne, Lallana, Fonte, Schneiderlin, chambers.. Be here all night.
Ash Moore
135 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:49:43
Steve, you said the other day you didn't feel we were in a relegation battle I believe. Do you feel that way now?
Not having a go , serious question.
David Hallwood
136 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:49:52
Spot on Neil(#80) why didn't Unsy pick the team that finished strongly vs Chelsea for Leicester and/or for here, given that we've had so many changes we're crying out for a settled team.

I'd stick with Unsy though. Now's not the time to panic, didn't see the game but by all accounts it was a lot better, it's just that horrible collapse in the final 20 that needs addressing.

Last word on Lukaku: that looks like a gentleman's agreement all day long. When RK came to the club, he obviously promised him CL football, in a 'stick with me for a season and if nothing happens you can leave' sort of thing, or Koeman just didn't fancy him-as he scores goals and does very little else.

But it's the crocks at the back that worry me more than not replacing Lukaku-that's where the money should be spent.

Tony Marsh
137 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:51:16
Steve Ferns I agree but If you were BK the guy who stood in the boys pen and weeped when Dave Higson passed away True Blue from birth and bleeds blue blood would you not of intervened when you saw your money being sponked against the wall by Koeman?

If BK truly is this Amazing Evertonian and loves the club he owns how come he let a cowboy like Koeman destroy his beloved Everton when all of us could see it going tits up? I would definitely of told Swansea to fuck off over Siggurdson..player we didn't need getting financially raped for.

John Graham
138 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:51:40
Mike Berry #98
Even better my team would be Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Keane, Kenny, Lookman, Lookman, Lookman, Lookman, Lookman, Lookman.
Would have the opposition running round in circles.
Mick Conalty
139 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:52:43
Would Evertons present situation have anything to
do with bulging brown paper envelopes.
Ash Moore
140 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:53:07
Follow the money Tony Marsh. The reason we ended up with three number tens is someone was getting fat off it. And was planning on getting fatter by buying the expensive striker we will get raped for in January.
Mosh is getting fleeced, by some old hands at doing it.
Steve Ferns
141 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:53:41
Tony, if RK was my man I would have to trust him. If you start meddling then the guy would walk.
Steve Ferns
143 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:54:16
No ash. We’re not. It’s November.
James Morgan
144 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:54:25
Sorry but we can’t be fussy about someone like Big Sam! We are up shit creek without a paddle I’m afraid folks! We can’t defend and can’t score for shit. Ancelotti and Tuchel will laugh us out of town!
The first fix of sorting any team out is keeping it tight at the back and scraping the odd goal and win here and there, exactly what we need and what Allardyce does.
Get him in on a contract heavy on bonuses and start again next summer. This season is a write off so we may as well get short term fix and approach the whole scenario again next time round.
2017/2018 is a season to forget.
Dean Rolstone
145 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:56:45
I'll be going against the grain here but I thought that we'd played a lot better than we have this season until their opening goal went in after another slice of bad luck with what in essence is our 2nd choice XI, agreed that it all fell apart afterwards though.

I didn't initially want Unsworth as our next manager, but with the names currently linked to us he is my preferred candidate, and please not Big Sam in any circumstance.

My feeling is that those in power will leave Unsworth in charge until the transfer window opens and then appoint a saviour specialist. This is because we do not have a target man up top to hoof it to and this is how the names linked to us like to play. If any new manager loses a few games before they can bring their own players into the squad, my opinion is that the crowd will quickly turn on them and Kenwright and Moshiri will have another decision to make to appease the Goodison faithful.

Christian Watson
146 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:57:05
We all know we're in this deep. As such I'm avoiding stating the obvious. My post is driven by my sympathy with our fans. Why, because I've been there and done it, Bucharest, Florence, Lisbon. Each trip cost a fortune, promised lots and delivered nothing (except for a split lip in Bucharest). I'm not romancing, but we do have the best fans ever and frankly we deserve so, so much better. We follow like lambs to slaughter and I feel sorry for this year's I'll fated blue army. Yes I have fond social memories of my sorties but when I peel it back, I was / we were, and still are let down the and again.
John Harrop
147 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:57:40
Well said Steve. We are not in a relegation battle at this stage of the season.
Matthew Svatos
148 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:58:04
I don't know why this loss has hurt more than others this season, but it has hit hard. The more I think about it, the more I think the best way forward is swapping the under 23's and first team. Unless you've proven you deserve to be in the big league, down you go. We may lose games, but at least those kids will eventually become better players and be a better team. Such a huge change of dynamic will also give the fans something to cheer on instead of sitting their angry at the shite that's being played by "established" players. I know I would tune in to watch the kids play, because at the moment I just can't bring myself to watch the current drivel anymore.
Steve Ferns
149 Posted 02/11/2017 at 20:58:26
We played well up until the first goal Dean. And to be fair the heads didn’t drop they kept running but the shape had gone.

We lost the shape when he sent DCL on and Sigurdsson moved backwards.

Tony Marsh
150 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:00:31
I have thought all along that the Klassen deal from Ajax had a hint of old pals favour attached to it. A bit of these pricks are loaded and daft get Davey lined up. I think it's the 4th biggest fee ever paid for a Dutch player..Just behind Wesley Schneiderlin and Ayan Robin. Klassen cost more than Suarez to Liverpool ha ha ha..

Definitely stinks to high heaven that deal.I wonder how and when Big Ron gets his cut. Believe me this sort of thing goes on.

Joe Foster
151 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:00:42
I don't know if I am being paranoid but part of me feels this has been done on purpose. I mean what else could explain the transfer dealings. Does someone want us to get relegated.
Ash Moore
152 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:01:24
Fair enough Steve. I don't agree. The numbers are terrifying.
One clean sheet in sixteen. Sixteen!

Colin Glassar
153 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:01:47
Under Ronald I felt angry, then disillusioned, then empty. Now I just feel sad.

If I was Unsy I’d give Kenwright the keys to the office back and tell him to take control. He is Mr Everton after all.

Steve McNally
154 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:03:18
Steve Ferns I couldn't agree more with you. Certain young players have been taking flack, the board, Unsworth etc but the way I see it, is the Koeman has turned everything to shite.

Also, an interesting point you made, is that Koeman overruled all the recommendations put forward by Walsh; which, would explain why he is still at the club.

Koeman has been found out as a person and a manager at Everton. I don't see him getting another job in football anytime soon.

John Harrop
155 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:03:35
You're right Dean #146.

Tonight I finally saw some shape to the team, not enough, but some structure to the play. I also saw more fight and spirit in the players, and a manager on the touchline coaching and yelling at his players, not sitting slumped in the dugout.

James Macdonald
156 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:05:00
I have concluded the real issue is central defence which is not place for rookies or those over the hill. If Williams had been on his toes goals 1 and 2 could easily have been prevented. On goal 3 Kenny should have get in ahead of Raphael on the right and then the ball would not be crossed in (in fairness I think Kenny did pretty well). A lot of good work going forwards and impressed with Sigurdsson, Lookman and Beni tonight. Schneiderlin also was doing well before he lost his head.
Joe Clitherow
157 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:05:30
Where are the goals to keep us up?
Where are the clean sheets to keep us up?

I fear for my club

Steve Ferns
158 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:05:59
Klaassen is not a dud:

"Cruijff declared in his weekly column for De Telegraaf that Klaassen can be compared with Xavi and Toni Kroos in terms of how comfortable they are on the ball and suggested that Klaassen – once a support striker and used as centre forward for the Dutch U21s – be used as a ‘controlling’ midfielder deepest among the trio for Ajax. Cruijff noted that, with Klaassen’s ability to retain the ball and great passing, the speed of Ajax’s game would be largely increased. However, De Boer’s opinion is that he has more qualities and depth to add and they would be curtailed in a deeper position. He has a great – previously mentioned – awareness of goal and offers a threat in attack. He is best suited to the role he already plays in and could truly flourish in a time where a ‘complete’ player is absolutely precious, especially for a team such as Ajax."

Klaassen is a bad fit for this team who do not utilise his sublime skills as a one touch footballer. We play to his weaknesses and none of his strengths. How did Koeman not see it?

Andy Finigan
159 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:07:50
Very well written Steve Ferns, I think you some it up very well.
Neil Copeland
160 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:08:48
We should play Klaassen and Sandro in the U23s to at least give them game time. Anyone who scores 15 goals in La Liga and captains Ajax must have something going for them. DU should explain to each that it is not some sort of punishment and they remain part of the bigger picture but need game time in an English league to help bring them closer to Premier League readiness.

If he were to do this now we may have 2 better prepared players available sometime from Jan onwards.

Incidentally on the subject of Lukaku, I see Mourinho had asked the United supporters to show him more love

Mike Keating
161 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:10:27
I want Unsworth to make it but two games on the trot he has made strange selections and then he subs Gueye when Schneiderlin was on a yellow - bizarre.
Thought Kenny played well on both flanks.
Bring on Watford
Can't believe this could be a pivotal game for us but we need something to build morale and we don't need Fat Sam.
Hiddink might be worth a punt
Steve Ferns
162 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:10:33
if you take what Cryuff says and apply it to Everton, then play Klaassen alongside Davies, deep in a midfield two (as opposed to Schneiderlin and Gueye) and then have Sigurdsson just ahead. You would then need pace on the wings and a mobile striker. We could then speed up our passing and try to control games.

But at the present time we need to stop shipping goals first and foremost.

Laurie Hartley
163 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:10:35
Tony # 116 a you have got it spot on. Keep all those reds texts tucked away for when it's your turn because I reckon very soon we will have the manager we need. A big ugly, horrible, hard nosed sod who knows how to go 15 rounds.

It might cost us a few fellow blues for a while but they will be back when they realise he has taught these players what it's all about.

Paul Birmingham
164 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:14:00
IMO, we done pretty good containing them and made a few decent chances but scoring goals is now a lost art with this team.

Benni B looks good and done well and I hope him and Lookman get more chances.

Now I sense it will be th SS in charge, in the near future - Big Sam and Little Sam. How only EFC could enact this farce.. Its an air of despondency and Sunday is massive.

The club is in a mess and will we recover from this abyss? For me the worst season by far so far in my lifetime based on the wasted money and VIP transfer strategy and so for me SW should also walk th walk to the job centre, as we are devoid of any real hope of improving. But we can't give up so we live in hope.

Now to drown the woes.

George Cumiskey
166 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:15:21
Terrible team selection, terrible tactics, terrible performance, sorry David you are failing the audition drastically.
Please please please don't come on and say he was saving his best team for Sunday !.
Paul Birmingham
167 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:16:59
Also Scheneiderlin should be dropped and sold, for as a senior professional, he let his team down bad style tonight.

His hiding and lack of stamina and guile can't be sustained any more.

Victor Jones
168 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:17:21
This is rough on poor old David Unsworth. With this bunch of players ( all out of form) at the same time. And this run of impossible fixtures. It’ just impossible for the guy. So on to the must win Watford game. It’s not Unsworth we need. It’s Paul Daniels , assisted by Houdini. Now that would be magic.
Brian Harrison
169 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:19:13
Tony Marsh 138

the player who BK refers to was Dave Hickson not Higson.
How does the song go " if you know your history"

Jason Broome
171 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:20:38
November 2nd and people are saying "we are a nothing club." and "Who would want to come to us?" Seriously?

We have the money to buy key players.

We have the money to find the right manager.

We have the time to bring him in.

We have 7 months to fix this and survive.

Short of 2 pacy goalscoring forwards and a left-back in January we also have Coleman, Bolasie and Barkley to come back.

All is not lost. We CAN survive this!!!

Chelsea, Leicester (away) and Lyon have all been formidable champions over the years. Did we really believe that in our current state of mind that we were going to beat them!?

I believe we could entice Carlo Ancelotti or someone of his calibre to the club in the short term. Money, a challenge and the Premier League talks. Fuck Moyes, dyche and allardyce. Not worthy!

Long term, scout the planet for a number 2 at a world renowned, successful club. A manager who is ready, wants to define his own legacy and who has been around the block with the best for many a number of years. A student of the game... Someone a hell of a lot more seasoned than Giggs!

He would be hungry, fresh, inexpensive, loyal and determined to put his own stamp on his vision for the club, and will be prepared to sacrifice anyone who doesn't live up to the standard of a Champions League competing mentality, because that is all he would have known.

We can buy young up and coming players from Barcelona but we can't sign a rising talented manager who wants to prove his worth in the best league in the world!? I don't believe that.

Right now and for the future we need to have a little realistic patience.

We will survive.

Tony Abrahams
172 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:22:14
Steve Fearns, that was a really good post until,you got to the director of football bit imo mate. A manager should always pick the players he wants, and he should watch them constantly, so that if he buys them, he knows exactly where he's going to play them?

We signed Vlasic, we played him wide, then after pushing him inside against Brighton, Koeman, thought he might be a better bet playing there. Not enough thought as gone into anything at Everton this summer, and we are really suffering the consequences because of it.

Derek Knox
173 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:22:28
Paul @ 168, what do you mean let the team down bad style tonight ?

He has in my eyes, done that in virtually every game he has played, what a waste of money, a ball watcher, and an over-rated player, not to mention, his propensity for picking cards up.

Alas, he is not alone either, there are a few who have cost a lot, and give us less.

The only positive from tonight, that in Benni, we have a great young lad there and definitely my Mom. Having said that, I still believe we do have some decent players to build on for the future, but there are some like Schneids who should be ushered out as soon as possible.

Jon Withey
174 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:23:18
For sure our form is relegation form - November or not.
Michael Lynch
175 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:26:27
Remember the good old days when we used to slag the fuck out of Stones, Barkley, Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu? Ah, to turn back time
Mick Conalty
176 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:26:35
Next season Channel 5 on Saturday Night. Then into the pub just after 10pm. We will most probably be last on
because there were no fucking goals.
Gavin Johnson
177 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:26:37
Neil #161

On Lukaku, I bet some of his haters on this forum would show him some love if he could come back for the rest of the season.All the shit about his lack of effort means fuck all when the team can't buy a goal.

Anthony Lamb
178 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:27:04
This is without doubt a truly dire situation. Those who keep looking towards January as offering a solution are I think seriously mistaken. The dire nature of this current team, its inability to defend, it's almost, no, I will say complete, inability to threaten teams offensively, allied to imbalances etc mean that unless it can scramble some points in the here and now then by January they will find themselves well and truly cut adrift from the mid table safety region and ensconced in a bottom four / five battle to stay in the league.
In my 65 years of active support it is hard to recall such a spectacular decline in so short a time. Only in football can people responsible for this, walk away without a care in the world other than to ensure that their millions are properly secured in their accounts. They should be prosecuted for dereliction of responsibilities.
People elsewhere have spoken about wanting a manager to be installed in order to get us to 7th or 8th! If only managers had magic wands! The next management team have one objective in mind this season. To get us to 7th or 8th from bottom would be one hell of an achievement in light of the current situation.
One final reality check. Having watched the speed, creativity, cohesion, skill levels, sheer exhilarating football shown by City and Spurs shows just how dire the current malaise is, and how we are light years away from getting anywhere near such a level of performance. Deeply sad though it is to admit this.
Then to see their respective managers and their obvious in depth knowledge, insights, etc as to how the game should be played adds to our woes. With the greatest respect to David Unaworth and his success with his Under 23's we have basically a reserve team manager, and a coaching team with such limited experience, and I think, no success at any level whatsoever to speak of.
The situation is dire, forget everything else, including the FA cup. Whoever is appointed must be someone who can grip these overpaid charlatans and demand some professional responsibility from them. It is their job to get this club out of the mess and they need to be driven to recognise it, apply themselves, and get their act together. It is a disgrace in every area of the club. We can only hope we can get to 40+ points somewhere along the way but my heart is genuinely fearing the worst such is the almost complete lack of evidence for the team having the resources to prove otherwise.
Derek Knox
179 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:29:37
Type or paste your comment here. PLEASE capitalise initial letters of proper names and use proper grammar. No txt-speak; all-lowercase posts are likely to be deleted
Chris Corn
180 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:32:27
Moshiri is getting away with murder. He's supposed to be a ruthless business man but according to some on here he is getting fleeced by good old Bill. In my eyes he is a chancer who likes the idea of running a premier league club but does not want to take any responsibility for the day to day business.

Another fraud in a fraudulent regime.

Neil Copeland
181 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:33:14
Gavin, 178 - yes, spot on oh how we miss him at the moment
Kevin Tully
182 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:34:16
I used to ask the "last of the Koemans" what would happen when we eventually clicked, and all these new signings got used to playing with each other.

40 years later, it won't click, will it? It's just a load of a old bollocks. Kids, big money corner takers and piss heads on £150k a week.

We deserve the championship.

James Macdonald
183 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:36:06
Why did no Everton players support and check on Cuco Martina when he was down, whereas a number of Lyon players showed concern. I saw Williams and I think Pickford but no one else. Perhaps there is some rationale explanation but I wondered if this was an indicator of some kind of malaise? Really hope turns out not to be serious but didnt look good
Paul Tran
184 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:37:15
Steve Ferns, I could see what Koeman was trying to do, the likes of Sigurdsson, Klaassen, etc moving the ball quickly, interchanging and feeding/feeding off the striker/targetman. The thing is, Koeman clearly couldn't explain it to the players and couldn't bring in the striker either.

For an hour, we had a good defensive shape, but if you play the game in your own half, you're a mistake/bad break of the ball away from conceding and that's what happened tonight.

Whoever the manager us needs to decide on his team and stick with it for some continuity.

Phil Walling
186 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:40:05
Just a reminder of Randy Lerner's words at Villa -

'You are only ever one bad manager away from disaster !'
How right he was .

Simon Dalzell
187 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:40:45
Klaassen HAS been the DUD of all DUDS so far.I care not that the system doesn,t suit him,he looks like he has never played before.Never mind sublime skills !!!! Average would have done for a start.Hes been ( Expensive ) Garbage.
Derek Knox
188 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:41:54
Editorial Staff, Sorry about 'post' 180, my next page button is right by Submit, when at bottom of the page.
Colin Malone
189 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:42:10
With no disrespect to Unsworth. How did he come back to the club?
Put Joe Royle in charge and we will beat Watford.
Neil Copeland
190 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:44:25
I thought Moshiri joined us because he wanted more control at a big premier league club. He had, apparently, become frustrated at Arsenal because he had no real say there. So, assuming this to be correct, I don't understand why he has not bought another 2% shares (or whatever the figure is) and taken full control. It can only be a lack of self confidence in his premier league knowledge meaning that he needs BK to guide him. If this is the case why did he invest in the first place?
James Ebden
191 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:44:51
Jason Broome, you are in cloud Cuckoo land. You are seriously calling for Anchelotti, and think he would seriously consider us?! When, ever has he fine to a team fighting relegation?!

People like you make me laugh. Banging on about how we should get the best and look at top 6. Unless you hadn't noticed, we are shite, and can't buy a point. You think Sunderland last year said after the first few games, I know, let's get a world class manager and push for top 6?

Most of you on here seem to think we are still the force we were in the 80s. Wake up. We we are mid table mediocrity at best. We have no divine rite to get the best and finish in the top 4, just because we won a few things 30 years ago.

We are fighting for survival. Accept it

Derek Knox
192 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:45:18
Phil Walling, where does that leave us?

We have had two on the trot, following a safe but boring mediocre one!

Gavin Johnson
193 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:46:09
We miss Lukaku and we're also missing some of our loanee's. Letting Callam Connolly go out on loan is looking like a very naïve decision now. A much better option than Cuco Martina.
John Pierce
194 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:46:11
In amongst the fire & brimstone of this thread I saw a team low on confidence given a plan.

They rode their luck for 45mins granted. First 15 of the 2nd half almost got the goal we craved.

A mistake, then the collapse then the usual stupidity from a player who knows better.

In all three games I've seen a plan, I've seen mistakes, and most importantly I’ve seen Unsworth learn.

The steps have been baby ones, but through the carnage I can see it. Thats 10 times more than under Koeman.

Question is under the firefighter we might appoint surely it would take just as long? That would be with little goodwill too.

Couple of notes on players. Pickford needs to chill out, his desire to affect the games makes him err in decision making. Best keepers are calm keepers!

Lookman did okay, best moments came from him. Still looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders but decent I thought.

Sigurdssons quality starting to show. Some very good free kicks tonight.

Ray Jacques
195 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:46:37
Unsie has had 3 games and sorry but if some people see three defeats as an improvement then I find that strange. We lost to Chelsea's second team, were beaten inside 30 minutes by Leicester and lost comfortably tonight with one shot on target.
We are in a relegation fight so 'promising' performances and showing heart and effort but still losing is a total waste of time. Equals going down.
Team selection changes game to game, we cannot predict the team so god knows what the players think they should be doing or what system we are suppose toi play.
Whoever the manager is going to be he needs to take stock of the dross we employ as players, find a system that he thinks they can play to and then select the team and drill them to play to this system. At present we appear to be moving players about, changing the line up every game and hoping we stumble onto something. That's not managing, its guessing and wishing something may click .

Big Sam is not the manager I would want at Everton, I thought we would be above his ilk, however our form, situation and predicament leads me to believe that unfortunately a manager such as him maybe our best hope.

Whatever the board decide to do, it needs to be decided by early next week after the Watford game. At the moment I havent a clue how we will line up on Sunday or the system we will try to play so god only knows what the players must think.

Tony Abrahams
196 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:47:56
I hope you are correct Laurie, and we can get a manager who can change things mate. I can understand the People who don't want Allerdyce or Dyche, but I don't think either of these two will have us watching football, as bad as what Koeman, has had us watching for over 16 months?

I can take the stick of red noses, some make me laugh, but most of them I laugh at, because I've never met such a phoney bunch in all my life. A true red has just died, he seemed like a good man, a character who loved his club, he used to give every new manager a silver salver wishing them luck, from him and his long time match partner, who was deceased. Klopp said he treasures that salver as much as anything he's ever won in football?

I know this might upset some people, but only a fucking phoney could come out with something like that, even if it's possible the man was just trying to be nice. That title I won for 80,000 Dortmund fans, didn't mean any more than the silver salver I got off a fan when I joined Liverpool?

They call us bitter, because they don't like to acknowledge are honesty!

John Hughes
197 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:52:39
James Ebden192. Absolutely spot on. Can’t believe some of the nonsense on here. Quite frankly, if we can persuade Dyche to take the helm we will have done well. Ancelotti, Hiddink etc. You’re havin’ a laugh.
John Harrop
198 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:53:13
From The Independent:

"In March 2014, Allardyce’s West Ham were fighting to avoid relegation so you would think beating Hull City, albeit a 10-man Hull City, 2-1 at Upton Park would have been a source of jubilation for the supporters. Not so. The performance was so dire, so guileless, that the players were booed from the field at half-time, despite being 1-0 up, and at full-time, despite winning".

Is this what we want to see at Everton?

I think not.

Barry Williams
200 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:54:25
I have been watching and following Everton since the Gordon Lee era and outside of Mike Walker I cannot remember a worse team than this. The thing is Royle came in and fixed the Walker problem as there were the players there to do it. I am not one for grandiose statements, I can't see how this will be fixed. Whoever comes in still has no out and out seasoned striker, no left centre back, no cover at left back and no seasoned right back. How the hell did it come to this?

The January transfer window is not our saviour, we could conceivably be adrift by then, who'd want to come? Discount the injured players, they are long term.

The real problem for me tonight was the lack of anyone really seeming to care, get angry, berate players. I watched Martina lay on the floor for 7 minutes and cannot recall one Everton player coming over to see if he was okay. That is absolutely unbelievable, it really really is unbelievable. Schneiderlin didn't look bothered about getting sent off and far too many of our players are spineless, with no passion, desire or drive. How this drivel that has been served up lately can be in the name of Everton football club I know not.

I don't blame Unsworth one iota for this either. Over-paid, bloated egotistic mercenaries seem to have suddenly infected our club and tonight I was saddened, not angry.

Paul A Smith
201 Posted 02/11/2017 at 21:59:51
Barry 201 my cousin said the same during the game to me about the players during the Martina incident.
Barry Williams
202 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:01:19
Paul A Smith - 202

I don't know if I am right or wrong, but that is how the game left me feeling! I have been very wrong about several things this season! But yes, he was surrounded by Lyon players, not an Everton player in sight!

Julian Exshaw
203 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:01:30
There was a hopelessness about us tonight that was deeply depressing. Even on the 2 or 3 occasions when we actually threatened, I expected the referee to blow for a free kick or an offside. And this sums up the mood of most fans I know. Our hope and expectation have gone. We are resigned to defeat before the game even starts and this is criminal. No matter how we try to reshuffle these players, nothing works because of the mistakes which were made in the summer. It is embarrassing to be the worst English team in the -albeit fledgeling -history of the Europa League. It is embarrassing to be bottom of a group which includes a team from Cyprus ( no offence intended). I sit there and wonder how bad is it going to get. We are falling and failing. No manager can work with such an unbalanced group of players. I rejected the gloom and doom merchants who prophesied failure in recent weeks but now I see they were right all along. We are sinking fast. I have no idea who can get us out of this mess. My final feeling after yet another defeat tonight is not anger at BK, Steve Walsh, David Unsworth or anyone else. It is simply sadness; sadness to see what is happening to the club we love.
Derek Knox
204 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:01:42
Tony @197, Managers come and go, as do players, but is we fans that suffer in the long run, with the exception of a few, they move on with inflated bank balances, with little or no remorse, for their part in failure.

I really don't know what the answer is, I wish I did, but at least there is something to salvage from the wreckage.

Yes, I do believe we have some decent players, and possibly more young potential to build on, obviously need a few more come January to stem the ebbing tide.

The good thing with an ebbing tide, it can only go so far, then comes back in again.

Tony Everan
205 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:02:52
Home wins are essential now , or we will go down.

We must play our only 2 scorers on Sunday. Niasse up top with Rooney behind him.

Sigurdson looks like he’s got a goal in him so he must play too.

Tony Abrahams
206 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:02:52
Same thing happened with Martinez, when his team were three goals up at Goodison. It was for me the real turning point in his time at Goodison, and I'm sure some of his players started to question his methods after this happened.

Did Allerdyce bring West Ham up from the Championship the year before? I think he wants the job because he believes he can do something at Everton, but maybe I'm being naive, because the way he behaved after getting the job of his dreams, maybe showed us a lot more about the man?

Neil Copeland
207 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:03:14
Martina was concussed and complaining of pains down his neck apparently. He is being kept in hospital overnight for x-rays and observation. Hopefully he will be ok and wish him a speedy recovery.
Charlie Lloyd
208 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:06:38
John @ 198

I echo your sentiments.

This is the reality and many need to wake up fast.

Liam Reilly
209 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:07:03
Schneiderlin's a disgrace; anonymous for most of the game then didn't stay on his feet for the first goal,ball watching for the second instead of getting back to cut out the pass and finally gets sent off for a shocking lazy foul.

I noticed Unsworth didn't even look at him on his way off.

Shouldn't be near the first team.

Paul A Smith
211 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:09:27
Barry 203 Near everything about the club has been wrong for a while mate.
Charlie Lloyd
212 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:10:44
I’m not going to knock the application. I actually think most of them are giving it a something like their best. Obviously confidence isn’t high.

The biggest worry then is that they (the players) are just not good enough.

Neil Copeland
213 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:17:11
Charlie, I think the players are good enough but there is no consistency in team selection and tactics meaning they are not gelling together. As others have noted, there some positive signs but we need consistency. Find a formation or team that works (ie Chelsea second half) and stick to it as the starting eleven for at least a few games.
Nigel Munford
214 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:17:26
If Championship managers agree turning us down we really are in trouble.
Nigel Munford
215 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:18:36
Are^
Tony Hill
216 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:20:12
Incredible, really, that there are still so many who can't see what's in front of their eyes. Waffling on about managers who are never going to come to us, about tactics that have no relevance whatsoever to our wreck of a team, standing absurdly on notions of honour and integrity as though the whole fucking game wasn't corrupt from top to bottom and as though we were the Old Etonians.

There's no point telling them, of course.


Stephen Brown
218 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:21:49
It’s quite bumusing how bad Schneiderlin is !! He offers nothing at all!
I’m hoping McCarthey is fit again soon! Along with Barkley!

Need to set a team up soon and stick with it !! We’re all focussing on the lack of striker and goal threat but I’m more concerned with our complete inability to keep clean sheets ! If we could sort this out then at least we’d have a chance of grinding out wins?! Schneiderlin's Offering nothing towards this !!

James Stewart
219 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:22:47
Another Everton match, another disgrace. Can we please put DU out of his misery now and actually appoint a manger who can get us out of the very deep pile of dogshit we are upto our necks in.
Ray Smith
220 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:24:58
Charlie 213

I believe the players are good enough, but not playing as a team.

I am really at a loss as to where we go from here. I’ve been through the highs and lows since 1964, but cannot remember a period where we seem totally rudderless.

If Sam does come, how long will he stay?

Ian Jones
221 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:25:12
Brian Williams. Re my medication. You should try it. We will beat Watford on Sunday
Rick Tarleton
222 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:25:47
Haven't got BT, so couldn't see the game. Unsworth has failed the audition. I don't want Allardyce, I don't believe Ancelotti would be interested or capable of mounting a relegation fight.
That leaves Dyche or Wagner if they'd come. They may value their reputation too much to risk it with the dross that Koeman has assembled. This unbalanced squad of old men and inexperienced kids has not the expertise or the nous to take on a relegation battle.
This is as bad an Everton squad as I can remember and I go back to 53-4 season.
Jerome Shields
223 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:26:33
All the ingredients where there last season, as Koeman started to mix up Everton. He went into overdrive at the last transfer window. It's all his mess.

Hope Unsworth can sort it out. He is our only chance. Can't have any confidence in the board to bring in a Manager, who won't do more damage.
Peter Gorman
224 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:29:26
Unsy's team selection was plain stupid to be frank. Siggy up front? the lad is so static it is unreal and has shown about as much fight since he joined the club as Alex Nyarko.

He said after the Chelsea defeat he saw something he could work with but I fail to see what that is.

Jason Wilkinson
225 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:29:51
Did anyone see Watford against Chelsea? If you did you will know what to expect on Sunday. If you didn't then there is a great show on BBC 4 about paint drying.

Watford will murder us. Only hope we have is if we score first (and in the first ten minutes) and really grind out a solid defensive performance.

If the bookies do a special on any EFC goalscorer at 25/1 or more I might have a dabble. If not BBC 4 it is.

Pete Clarke
226 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:30:32
I said Unsworth was going to keep trying different things and here's what we get.
I'm not even blaming him as he's been left a total shambles of a set up.
We need to wreck Watford coach at the service station this weekend to rattle them as we are fast running out of ideas.
Neil Copeland
227 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:31:11
Ian, 222 - can I have prescription please? I do with taking some before I go to the Watford game.
Neil Copeland
228 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:35:23
Jason, 226 - yes, the were unlucky not to go 3 or even 4-1 up before cam back at them. I would say they are a bit suspect at the back but I think that won’t matter against us! However, if Stoke can beat them, then you never know.
Liam Reilly
229 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:40:07
See Evra got sent off BEFORE Marseilles game tonight for kicking a supporter;.

He still had a better game than Schneiderlin!

Brian Murray
230 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:45:51
Need a more natural finisher. Time to step up Henen and or Sambou. Worth a shot, pardon the pun. Got to try something quickly.
Derek Knox
231 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:47:23
Whoever takes the reins next, it must state on the job requirements, must have previous experience of working in an Effluent Plant, or very similar environment.

There is a plethora of detritis to be segregated, evaluated, and disposed of, without any more detriment to the fans, who have had more than enough.

Trouble is, there is a considerable amount at Board level, and should the incumbent recognise this fact, he will be deemed an unsuitable candidate.

Peter Mills
232 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:48:19
Best wishes to Martina. It looked an innocuous fall, but the medics were clearly concerned. I’m not going to make any judgments about our players not being with him, I could only see it on the telly, and the camera was focused on Martina.

David Unsworth has had 3 difficult away games. He has been trying stuff, some of it good, some of it not so. He’s probably been trying too hard.

Given where we are, and the well recognised mess of signings, and lack of them, we are better off out of the Europa and League Cups. That’s not an easy thing to accept, but it’s our current reality. We have one concern until January which is accumulating Premiership points. The real business starts on Sunday. I am hoping that David Unsworth can at least buy us some time so we do not make an panic- based managerial appointment.

Hywel Owen
233 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:52:32
I have posted before that I thought the players were "on strike" as they, for whatever reason, wanted to be rid of Koeman. I am now of the opinion that the "players" do not have the ability or the passion to perform together and that any manager coming in has his work cut out to identify who wants to play and who should be shown the door.
I sincerely hope that Unsy does not get the job as he cannot succeed and the crowd would want him out after a while. I would not like this to happen to a truly genuine bloke like him.
Never fear we will not go down
UTB
Jason Wilkinson
234 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:52:51
Hi Neil, you did see some of their game then. Stoke probably have a better team than us right now. As in they have persevered with the same starting 11 until the game plan has worked. The best teams in Europe don't tinker with their line up and formation even with way more talent at their disposal.

I really can't see how we a/ can keep a clean sheet. b/ win a midfield battle or. c/ score goals. No confidence, no plan and little commitment from seasoned pro's.

My starting 11 for the game.
Southall
Stevens, Ratcliffe, Labone, Kay.
Steven, Reid, Ball.
Thomas, Sharp, Young.

Oops!!! I've just turned into Bill "those were the days" Kenwright.

Geoff Evans
235 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:54:27
Like a bus rolling backwards downhill without brakes. Stop living in a fool's paradise, disband the club and sell the ground for a supermarket.

There's no point in pretending the city has two serious football clubs when clearly it only has one.

The final straw, parking the bus and still losing 0-3 in a Mickey Mouse tournament.

This clubs days of being a force are long gone never to return.
A laughing stock of the highest order.

Do us all a favour and end it now.


Ste Traverse
236 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:55:26
I well recall the abuse Lukaku got on here for being 'lazy' 'offering little apart from goals' etc. Then we had sad twats rejoicing when Harry Kane pipped him to the Golden Boot and the 'good riddance' type comments when he was sold.

Well I tell you what, I bet these beauts would have him back in a flash now. Be careful what you wish for and all that.

Thomas Rigby
237 Posted 02/11/2017 at 22:58:35
So many comments say this is either the worst team in living memory or only saved from that fate by Walkers team.

So we are likely to go down.

Would we prefer to go down trying to play our way out of trouble with a group of players who appear incapable of doing that. or stay up playing Allardyce ''take no prisoners ''type of football.

Choose the former, and you can feel good about staying true to the school of science and accept the club losing millions alternatively, go against all your previous views and give Allardyce a generous contract until the end of the season in the hope he can turn everything around.

Then bring in a new manager.

I hate advocating this approach but ,having watched the Blues since 1957, I am genuinely convinced we are likely to go down as things stand at the moment.

Danny Broderick
238 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:01:32
The team on Sunday MUST be a mix of the young lads and the experienced pros we can rey on. Williams is clumsy and has a mistake in him. Schneiderlin has had a mare of a season. Same for Sigurdsson. I would go with:

Pickford
Kenny Keane Jags Baines
Davies Beni Gueye Vlasic
DCL Rooney

The only one who I would also consider is Lookman, who had a good game tonight. We need to get back to basics. We need dogs of war from now on.

Charlie Lloyd
239 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:02:13
Neil @ 214 & Ray @ 221

I take on board your opinions about the changes to formation and personnel which have had a detrimental effect.

My concern though. There are too many instances of poor quality happening throughout the players.

Whether it’s a misplaced simple pass or not concentrating to track runners.

They are the basics expected and these lot can’t cut it.

This I

Andy Crooks
240 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:02:35
Mark,# 134. Van Dyjke was essential to Southampton. Coutinho to Liverpool. Lukaku to Everton, THIS season.
David Israel
241 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:02:39
Ash #105, Villa are showing signs of improvement, which is more than can be said about us.

Unsworth is obviously not to blame for this mess, but neither should he have put his name forward for the job on a permanent basis. He's not on trial here, that is not the point. The point is getting the club out of trouble as soon as possible. Likewise, Sunday is not a trial or a test for Unsworth, it is a very important game for the club, an altogether different and much more serious matter.

I wish some people on here would put paid to their apparent obsession with seeing Unsworth appointed, and focus on the more important stuff. Get your priorites right, people!

Carl Allan
242 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:03:01
That Atalanta home game will be a strange affair with a likely sparse crowd now with nothing to play for,that will show us just how many real loyal fans we have.
The last twice that we have had dead rubber games in the Europa was against Bate Borisov (2009) and Krasnodor (2014) both attracted less than 20k, and that was when we had already qualified from the group !
Dave Williams
243 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:04:21
Compare the reaction of the players when Oviedo broke his leg to tonight with Cuco- very strange how even the skipper showed zero concern.
Morgan was a disgrace - something seems to be going on with him- such poor form and two red cards for silly conduct.
For an hour Unsy seemed to have got it right, then a very lucky goal and we collapse down the middle.
Great that we are out of Europe so we can get ourselves safer in the league then hopefully ready for a crack at the Fa cup.
I thought Kenny and Beni were very good tonight- Jonjos best game yet!
Oh and why blame BK or the board- they gave Ron a huge sum of money to spend and either he or Walsh or both have cocked up big time. Not the fault of the board who put their faith in two professionals who most on here were excited about when they were appointed. The buck stops with Ron and/ or Walsh and the fact that one is still here points to the one who has gone as being the guy to blame.
Right decision to rest players for Sunday- a win will do wonders for the team and we were pretty much dead and buried in the Europa anyway!
Lawrence Green
244 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:05:53
As much as you have painted some fans in a bad light Ste, it wasn't they who sold Lukaku it was that best Evertonian of all time that did, just as he sold Lescott, Stones, Arteta, Fellaini, et al. Fans are fickle no doubt about it - but no sale of Lukaku no purchase of Keane, Pickford, Siggy et al Now I come to think about it .

The board and owner deserve the team they have because they thought that their manager was a genius when quite a few fans were in doubt about his talent and his commitment.

The fans who watch Everton deserve far better than the team they are watching or the bric-bats they take from others for airing their views on individuals or the team as a whole.

Man U fans are also being berated by Mourinho for not recognising Lukaku's value to the team, but that's football fans for you real beauts.

Charlie Lloyd
245 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:07:43
Ste @ 237

Lukaku hasn’t scored in 6 at Man U.

And he wouldn’t have made any difference if he had led our attack through this wretched spell.

Practically nothing is being created.

Andy Crooks
246 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:08:57
I seems to be a given with some that big Sam guarantees safety, that the only drawback is his style of play. I don' t see it like that. Someone is going to need time and patience. So,,Sam comes in, his magic touch( by the law of time and averages) has gone. He loses three in a row. What next?

I think we must pick a man with a plan in mind and stick by him.

Paul Birmingham
247 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:13:42
DK @174, his farce performance tonight is and should be his exit visa, out from EFC.

He’s become a fraud footballer and tonight he took the cowards route and let the team down. There’s no excuses, he’s hiding on the pitch, but why was he picked?

In summary he’s not good enough for Everton.

Paul Birmingham
248 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:31:59
No excuses for tonight, but in the rest of the season , getting beat in Lyon, it may be a saving grace.

I’m not dreadding any game at the moment. We don’t have a team, that can defend, that can score goals at will, and believes in it self, and that’s rank.

So it can’t get any worse? Seriously this is the worst time in the last 60 years, since the last relegation, because, we need a team that believes it can win.

Killing all Evertonians, this seasons woes and sagas, it’s surreal but sums up this club, Kings Dock, Dunford, Greig and the rest, BK, why and why and more, is there more? (Blight)

A life time in The Abyss, by all Evertonians (1995-2017)


Jason Broome
249 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:40:03
James Ebden @ 192

Relax. Who said anything about top 6?

You sound so panicked and shrill. Take some diazepam, read your post back at the end of the season when we have survived relegation (and we will)... Breath.


We have played some of the toughest matches of the season. Had one of the shittiest managers in our history and handed the job of survival to a novice. It has been hard.

However nothing at the club right now is beyond repair.

And don't say that Ancelotti or a like for like manager is to good for Everton. It is that defeatist attitude that is currently running through our dressing room.

You cannot compare us to Sunderland. They didn't have the quality in personnel, prestige, finance or management.

Our main problem is buying 1 or 2 quality strikers, organising the squad and remembering how to win.

We can and will win before January.
We can and will buy the players we need by January.
and we can and will install a manager before January who will keep us up.

That I believe is a reality.

Paul Holmes
250 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:43:25
I suppose you will all blame moshiri and kenwright for unsworth playing sigurdsson as a centre forward and putting kenny to left back when besic came on,making them both playing in their wrong positions instead of just besic.I wanted unsworth to do well but joey barton was right on talk sport.Unsworth has not got a clue (that includes royal and ebrell who made the trip).We did ok at chelsea second half,so what did unsworth do,play 3 different systems in 3 matches,fucking unbelievable !.Footballers are not the brightest at the best of times so keep it simple so they understand what they are supposed to be doing.Do any posters on here think the players know what system we are playing,answer NO,neither do the supporters unsy.Get a manager in quick who can organize a team that the players can understand.
Tony Hill
251 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:43:27
Andy (#247), he doesn’t guarantee safety but he offers the best chance of it. Given our appalling state, I can think of no other manager of whom I could say the same, including Dyche, since none has his street-fighting skill nor his track record.

Of course, if it is not accepted that we are seriously threatened by relegation (a great mistake in my view) then I see why Allardyce would be down the list. As it happens, I think he could do a lot more for us than just keep us in the PL but that will be enough for me.


Keith Monaghan
252 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:49:23
Our early season form was poor but results OKish.
Results collapse started with the Spurs game, our first after the window closed with no replacement for Rom & no left-sided central defender/full-back cover signed - any coincidence? We lost 3 straight games by a total of 0-10!!!

It's BK who finalised transfer dealings after Walsh & RK had done the spade-work. It's BK who was desperate do get the ale-house has-been back and caved in to MU's demand for Rom before their USA tour. Business-sense!!! Rom's replacements should have been signed before the disastrous Lukaku/Rooney deal.

It's down to BK we've got other hangers on like Ferguson, Ebbrell, Baxter & Jeffers - BK OUT & take them & Rooney with him - a 31-year old unfit has-been is our top-paid player!!! What did that do to dressing-room morale?

WE ARE IN DIRE TROUBLE & LIKELY TO BE RELEGATED - VERY LITTLE CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE THINGS ON THE PITCH SIGNIFICANTLYIN 2017 - IT MAY BE TOO LATE BY 2018

Christopher Marston
253 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:50:34
Kevin Campbell saying he thinks and all Everton supporters want either Tuchel or Silva.
John Davies
254 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:52:33
David Unsworth has shown again tonight what any level headed person can see clearly. He simply is nowhere near good enough to have the first team managers' job. Everything he does on and off the pitch smacks of "youth team" football. Ridiculous team selection and substitutions in his last two games have surely put paid to his hopes of getting the job. If he does get the job it will be because the demented idiot Kenwright will have had far too big a say - and we WILL get relegated.
Gavin Johnson
255 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:53:03
And Glenn Hoddle thinks we should have Chris Coleman haha
Conor Skelly
256 Posted 02/11/2017 at 23:57:21
The following players need to go in Jan -
1. Rooney - I believe his presence is toxic.
2. Baines - Retire
3. Martina - Free
4. Holgate - Ch’ship
5. Jagielka - Free
6. Klaassen - Back to Ajax is nailed on
7. Gueye - Living off early promise - he’s bang average and we should sell.
8. DCL – Will never make it at this level.
9. Niasse – Just no.
10. Mirallas - Turkey
11. McCarthy – Do the honourable thing and retire.
Charlie Lloyd
257 Posted 02/11/2017 at 00:07:37
Paul @ 251

The players do seem to understand the formation better under Unsworth. But your right that we are still fishing for the best combination.

Whether it’s 4-3-3, 4-1-2-1-2, 4-2-3-1 or 4-6-0. We’ve had them all in the last 3 games with multiple changes to personnel.

Are we any closer to understanding what is the best fit?

NO.

Ashley Roberts
258 Posted 02/11/2017 at 00:15:37
I did not see the game tonight but it appears DU was protecting what he thinks is his best 11 for the Watford game. The fact that he replaced Gueye even though Shneiderlin was on a yellow card indicates to me Shneiderlin was not earmarked to start on Sunday and he was resting Gueye. I also note if you just look back over the previous 250 postings, none of us can agree to the best first 11 players. We all have such differing opinions. It is no surprise as none of the many permutations that have been tried this season have been close to a team that has any composure or has competed at any level. Unlike Steve Fearns I think Klassen is a complete dud and I have not seen anything in Sigurdsson yet that shows he should start. As for Shneiderlin I do not think he even warrants a place on the bench. I am hoping that Barkley will be back after the International break along with McCarthy as I would have both to start along with Davies and Rooney in midfield. My point is DU has been given a poison challis and finding a permutation that will be able to break this terrible run of form is not going to happen over night. I hope he is given longer than the Watford game but if things do not start to change and very soon then I can see us all hoping Allardyce will take the reigns just to keep us from getting relegated. I just hope we get a result on Sunday and DU is given time to turn this around.
Clive Mitchell
259 Posted 03/11/2017 at 00:19:35
You can't be unlucky every week, let alone twice a week. We've rested Rooney and Baines tonight, both of whom looked on Sunday like Gary Neville did in the game he realised he was done. Our situation is desperate. There's nothing else to say.
Paul Holmes
260 Posted 03/11/2017 at 00:32:39
Most of us on here have all played football at some level,but what I realised is that you don't have to be a mastermind to play the game.These fucking managers like Koeman and now Unsworth think that all footballers are extremely bright,news alert they are not,just read the newspapers.
Why not get the players to play a set system in their right positions and any subs just fit into the same system when they come on,simple you would think.No not for Everton managers,lets do the opposite,lets play players all over the place and create more chaos !.
Get a manager who can do the basics and not overcomplicate the tactics ffs !.Also play the kids like Lookman Kenny and Bani every game,good or bad results as they are the future and get rid of schneiderlin gueye as one season wonders have been found out.
James Marshall
261 Posted 03/11/2017 at 00:44:49
I only just watched the game, and we looked half decent for almost 70 minutes when they scored the first one - and that was a lucky break from a good tackle by Schneiderlin.

From then on it was us chasing the game again, which we simply can't do without a centre forward. DCL tries hard but he's just not going to score a huge amount of goals as he doesn't have enough presence.

Sigurdsson worked hard up front too I thought.

I'm glad we're out of Europe - I wouldn't normally say that but given our current situation, I think it's for the best since we must stay in the PL. On that note, I also don't think we're in a relegation battle - yet.

Our form is so bad that we simply have to get a win soon. One win could really move us up the league, which will make all the players, and supporters feel a whole lot better.

The main thing the players need, apart from the obvious goals, is a clean sheet. Just one would be lovely.

Mark Wilson
262 Posted 03/11/2017 at 01:10:37
The scale of the mismanagement in just five months is truly staggering. A crisis borne out of three poor transfer windows .but a lot more besides such as a disasterously over rated manager spending 15 months to actually make us a relegation favourite. A huge amount of money lost but then in truth we’ve spent “just” £50m net and the resulting unbalanced, poor squad can take us down.

Unsy just isn’t up to this task. One of my favourites from a lifetime ago. But this is such a pile of steaming crap that he’s arrived at this point too soon and with too little quality in the squad to deliver for him.

The defence is an utter nightmare. Williams so poor at times it’s like a bad dream but then Jags, Holgate, Baines, Martina .they are in a terrible place right now.

There’s so much wrong but how can it have got this bad so quickly ?

Tom Las
263 Posted 03/11/2017 at 01:28:14
Rhino was doing such a great job with the U23's. I just hope this mess he's temporarily walked into doesn't affect his confidence and unravel the success he's had with the kids.
There's no doubt we're rotten. I'm hoping it won't spread to the core
Gavin Johnson
264 Posted 03/11/2017 at 01:29:57
Speaking of the deadwood that needs to go. Maybe the new manager could do a part exchange with Ajax involving Davey Klaassen and Kasper Dolberg. I've got nothing against Klaassen and think there's a good player in there but I just can't see him getting a run of games this season.
Simon Dalzell
265 Posted 03/11/2017 at 01:47:49
We must get a manager BEFORE Sunday. Yes, even Allardyce !! We've wasted 3 games already, on a complete rookie . Amateurish. . Laughing stock,aren't we ?
Nicholas Ryan
266 Posted 03/11/2017 at 02:04:19
I remember Mick McCarthy, when manager of Ipswich, being asked, what advice he gave his players before the match. He said: "Kick it to a bloke, wearing the same-coloured shirt". Might not be a bad starting-point for some of our lot!
Sean McCarthy
267 Posted 03/11/2017 at 02:12:17
We can't score
We can't defend
We have NO strikers
We have old, slow defenders
We have no creativity in midfield
We have won just TWO games all season and were lucky in both
We have no manager
We are out of the League Cup
We are out of Europa League
We can't improve the squad for another 2 months
And yet some on here still believe we're not in a relegation battle!!

If we're not we're certainly doing pretty good impersonation of one!!!

Terry White
268 Posted 03/11/2017 at 03:00:15
Danny (#239), with Keane in the hospital I think it unlikely he will be starting on Sunday!
David Pearl
269 Posted 03/11/2017 at 03:04:55
I’m obviously in the minority but I think unsworth has shown more than the results point to. I can’t see any other manager coming in and changing things in one or two games. Tonight’s line up? Well you could see his plan. Keep it tight and then bring in fresh legs up front to try and sneak the win. We were not that far off. Much better organisation. Lookman did okay. Our defense isn’t good at all. I thought Lennon put in a great shift helping out Kenny. And when Martina had to go off Lennon switched flanks with Kenny. Good management. We had a lot of young players in the team and a few older heads. I’m pleased with the effort. Steve Walsh has a lot of work to do. I hope he’s up to it, and we have to try to build up confidence and form so he can try to attract the right kind of players in January. I’m not over keen on any that have been on our managerial shortlist. We need to support the boys in blue on the weekend and not get on their backs.
Daniel Lim
270 Posted 03/11/2017 at 03:20:22
Tom @264

I am worried that he might walk after being relieved of the duty of the first team, and not going back to U23 at all.

Peter Gorman
271 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:03:35
How shit is Mason Holgate these days.
John Pierce
272 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:21:47
David. 270.

I agree, I posted after the game that through the wreckage of the last three games I’ve seen a plan, partly executed, littered with several mistakes but no less a pathway.

I think even under duress and a shattered squad, Unsworth has learnt and corrected himself, he hasn’t to my eye made the same error twice.

Too loose against Leicester or hubris whichever, he tightened up.
Against Lyon he learnt and started off tight and unwound. Had we scored at the right moment; Gana & Sigurdsson then it would have helped.

Three very different games in three competitions I think despite the gloom Sunday will click. Not spectacularly but enough for us to see a clearer picture and the win.

Me, no rush to appoint despite the clamour for it. Keep Unsworth until Xmas and revaluate. The candidates available to us are underwhelming at best, beneath us at worst.

Ajay Gopal
273 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:33:39
The defending was never this bad under Martinez. At least, RM had in Barry and McCarthy, an excellent defensive pairing who protected the Back 4 brilliantly. Only when McCarthy started having all those injuries and Barry started slowing down, we conceded daft goals. Koeman has overseen a complete dismantling of the defense. We should beg Leeds and Sunderland to return Pennington, Browning and Galloway to us from their loans. Give them Holgate, Williams and Jagielka in exchange, if they want (they have been very poor). A back 4 (or 3) from Kenny, Browning, Pennington, Keane, Galloway and Baines (for experience) and Coleman and Funes-Mori when they are back will surely be far better than what we have. We have to stop leaking goals at the back, that is the number 1 priority.

In the transfer window, I would get rid of:

1. Schneiderin (a complete liability)
2. Klaassen (unfortunately, we don't have time to discover his skills)
3. McCarthy (because of his continuing injury issues)
4. Mirallas (flatters to deceive, does not have the stomach for a relegation fight, IMO)
5.Martina (not good enough)
6.Stekelenburg (see Martina)

And get only 2 high-quality players:
1. A LB to replace Baines (Luke Shaw)
2. A proven goal-scoring CF (Dzeko - break the bank if necessary)

Get Barkley fit and signed, Coleman, Bolasie and Funes-Mori fit, and we should be able to see out this season.

John Boon
274 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:38:15
I have watched Everton since 1948 and the present team is far better than the team that was relegated in 1951. However it is impossible to really make comparisons because those players were underpaid and almost any team had a realistic chance of winning the league. Not so today when everything is MONEY. We allowed a clueless Dutchman to totally ruin a team that was relatively good. We already had good players and any decent manager with an eye for a true ability and potential could have signed players who would have improved the team. We now have about twenty five reasonably good players who are as confused as the management and the fans. Their confidence is declining game by game as we switch players around so that no matter which eleven goes out they just don't know what to do. Koeman was in a constant state of confusion and made things so bad that almost any manager who followed would have an impossible task. Sorry but unlike many of the armchair critics I really wouldn't have a clue as to decide who should be on the pitch. However I am not the manager. Perhaps there is someone out there who can save us from the weekly and weakly dross. I feel I am waiting for a miracle. Once again the person I blame most is Koeman. Koeman Koeman Koeman. I wish I could get him out of my head far quicker than we got him out of my beloved club. I really think he should charged with fraud for impersonating a manager.
Tom Dodds
275 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:40:48
GET THAT AR'L LEECH KENWRIGHT OUT NOW.
IT'S TIME FOR THE BANNERS.
(and IBefore Baningime gets sold to united)
Amit Vithlani
276 Posted 03/11/2017 at 04:48:53
Some seriously over the top reactions ( Geoff Evans @ 236 take a bow for a baffling, bizarre suggestion to "end it all now").

We were poor first half. We did quite well from 45 - 60 mins. The subs changed it and we collapsed, and some salutory lessons learned.

DCL cannot play upfront as his confidence has gone.

Williams has lost it. He was asleep on all 3 goals and simply can't be in the starting XI.

Schneids made a couple of good challenges but is far too immobile to play up the pitch, which he did when Gana went off.

Lookman on the right side is a diamond.

Lennon is getting back to a decent level.

Gueye missed a great chance but I thought alongside Beni he was good.

Beni was awesome.

Jonjoe is suffering from a lack of confidence.

Siggy worked very hard for the team but when he dropped deeper his decision making was poor and he was too slow on the ball.

We live in hope.

Jags, Baines and Rooney will carry a lot pf responsibility against Watford.

Unsy needs to trust Mirallas and keep on the pitch.

The formation before DCL came on was working just after half time; but replace Siggy with Rooney and Schneids with Davies.

Pickford
Kenny
Jags
Holgate
Baines

Beni
Gana
Davies

Mirallas
Rooney (Niasse)
Lennon (Lookman)

The discipline and cohesion shown in that spell is what is needed for 90 minutes in every game.

That is what Unsy, or whoever takes over, must focus on.

We will not be relegated. The side has had 3 difficult away games and are dreadfully low on confidence.

A win against Watford plus the international break to work on formations could see an uptick.

Keep the faith, unlike Geoff Evans.

Will Mabon
277 Posted 03/11/2017 at 05:21:44
I thought Kenny was a lot better in this game. Sigurdsson may have worked hard, and played a couple of good set pieces, but by hell is he slow. Not just in outright pace, he can hardly accelerate off the mark. It was pitiful to see how easily he was beaten to loose balls by defenders from twice the starting distance.

He was never a ball of fire but the guy looks shot to me. He was apparently one of the Prem's longest runners in the stats'. What on earth has been going on at this club?

Paul Ward
278 Posted 03/11/2017 at 05:25:29
No point in having a preference for a new manager, because we will get whoever the board want us to have. One thing is certain is he won't be a high profile coach with major honors to his name.

As previously stated I don't think any coach could turn this group of players into a reasonable PL team.

Despite the many team changes this season there are no signs anything is beginning to gel. There is little or no teamwork, most players are only interested in self preservation, they don't want to get caught with the ball so they pass sideways to the nearest man even if that man is marked. So many simple passes are short or played behind the man.

There is absolutely no team spirit in this club today. I seen something today that I have never seen in any form of football in 70 years, and for it to have involved Everton I felt disgusted.

To see a player severely injured like Martina was, lying on the ground looking as if he was paralyzed and not one so called team mate went near him.
Several Lyon players came over from different parts of the pitch to see how he was but it was not of any interest to any of the Everton players.

Darren Hind
279 Posted 03/11/2017 at 05:42:27
There were improvements. Young Beni made you question why Koeman allowed the team to free fall without giving this guy a sniff, We were well and truly in the game and were looking threatening until old familiar let downs did their party pieces.

The tackling machines had their limitations cruelly exposed again, while one charged around seemingly hell bent on getting sent off, the other was missing the sort of chance we had been praying for ... at 0-0.

Still we did create one or two chances, that's something we simply hadn't done away from home under the last guy.
Those who are outraged with the idea of going without a center forward need to consider what happened, this is tournament football. The first instinct is to stay in a game when you are facing more skilful, more confident opposition. We did that . . until we opened up and all our old failings were exposed.

Sixty minutes without a CF 0-0 and looking good
Thirty minutes with a CF 0-3 and in total disarray

Rhino had one realistic chance last night and that was to give this team a chance by keeping them in the game. he did that, but they fluffed their chances. Those calling for him to be removed need to ask themselves who on earth would have been able to have won any games he has been in charge for ?
There is no bungee rope here. were are in free fall and have been playing Zombie football for over a year . . That will take more than a week to sort out.

I’m with Unsworth. I am convinced he will now know he cannot rely on Koemans signings.

We don't need Faux hard men like Williams and Schniedelin. What a pair of fannies

Will Mabon
280 Posted 03/11/2017 at 06:19:19
I'd say he can't rely on Schneiderlin for certain. Sigurdsson needs to get fitter and faster. Pickford good. Keane needs to get back to how he was for all of three weeks, when he's recovered. Vlasic has something to offer. Gueye needs to get back to the first five months of last season. Klaassen looks like a poor clone of himself. Rooney needs to get back to the weight he was ten weeks ago. The list goes on. But yes, most of the recent signings have been poor.

I also think someone needs to check the food and water in the canteen at Finch Farm. The lot of them look like something ain't right physically.

James Morgan
281 Posted 03/11/2017 at 06:31:51
Sorry but we can’t be fussy about someone like Big Sam! We are up shit creek without a paddle I’m afraid folks! We can’t defend and can’t score for shit. Ancelotti and Tuchel will laugh us out of town!
The first fix of sorting any team out is keeping it tight at the back and scraping the odd goal and win here and there, exactly what we need and what Allardyce does.
Get him in on a contract heavy on bonuses and start again next summer. This season is a write off so we may as well get short term fix and approach the whole scenario again next time round.
2017/2018 is a season to forget.
Will Mabon
282 Posted 03/11/2017 at 06:39:53
We still have our paddle here in Shit Creek, for now - and only when it's long gone should we even consider Bungy, as the very last of last resorts.

Sooner or later that bent hoof-baller is going lose the "Magic" touch and it might be with us. There are no guarantees beyond Unsworth right now, in my opinion. It's too soon to panic, and the downside of Bungy will be considerable.

Ian Hollingworth
283 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:06:22
Unsy has said more than once that he is on the phone to the chairman several times a day.
Enough said for me.

Changing several players and formation every game smacks of desperation and makes the management team look like they don’t have a clue. It was the same under Koeman.
We are in danger of experimenting all the way to the championship lauding green shoots as we go.

Derek Knox
284 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:22:25
Darren, Zombies would have even played us off the park in recent games, but they would have been especially good at 'dead ball' situations.

When skies are grey, and Zombies give a Masterclass against a hapless Everton.

Dave Ganley
285 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:44:33
Amit I've been keeping the faith for over 40 years, I don't think it's in me to stop now. The problem I have, many supporters have I guess isn't that we are rubbish, we are and have been quite a few times in the past. The major problem I have is that we shouldn't be in this position in the first place. Kenwright needs to take the lions share of responsibility for this shambles. Instead of hiring a decent manager after Moyes we got the idiotic Martinez who had just got his team relegated. We needed someone who could take us forward. Regardless of your thoughts on Moyes he left the club in a decent state. Then we got Martinez who eroded all the fight and team spirit from the club. A fucking lazy choice from a stupid chairman. He is no evertonian he's just an old man making bad decisions. Ffs only Everton could hire a relegated manager when we were in position to take the next step forward to challenge then CL clubs.

Darren we have been playing zombie football for about 4 years now. I have no idea how to stop it but now we are in the state whereby fat Sam us being touted by many fans. How low can we go. Rhino has only had just over a week with the players so it's very hard to judge but after Leicester and last night it doesn't look good. We are in a mess there's no two ways about it. It's a terrible time to get a new manager in but there's every chance we could get firmly entrenched in the bottom 3 over the next few weeks given that we just don't look like scoring. I would give Rhino a chance if only because I wouldn't have fat Sam anywhere near our club and I'm not sure theres anyone out there who would cone right away.

How did it come to this? A decent squad left by Moyes with a never say die attitude that just needed to be taken to the next level. Now we are in serious danger of relegation so early in the season. Take a bow Kenwright, even a RS fan couldn't have planned this downfall as good. Wish he would just fuck off out of our club now and take his loser parasitic ways with him.

Tony Everan
286 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:47:58
Big Sam Allardyce.

Doesn’t he need a target man to employ his long ball tactics ?

What’s he going to do for 10 weeks , Sign Kevin Davies on a free?

Who are we going to boot it up the pitch to? Lookman?

Big Sam is a joke and will be hounded out of the club in no time. It would be one of the saddest days of my time as an Evertonian if he was hired.

Steve Solomon
287 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:53:25
In any organisation the board must be held responsible for the poor performance of the team. They are the ones that bring in the people to take up positions.
We brought players from Sunderland, Swansea, Burnley and Southampton. Middle to lower table teams. Thus our current position makes perfect sense. None of them know what a winning culture at a club is about or have experienced such a thing. Only Rooney has shown fight and character even though his talent is on the down slide, but this is because he understands how much wiork it takes to win consistently.
I don't know whats wrong with Schneiderlin, he has lost the plot completely.
So now we're cherry picking from our youth squad and while there is some talent there, in all honesty I wouldn't think they'd get selected for any other Prem teams. We're playing the youth with a bunch of old and slow veterans. Of course it doesn;t work.

We could seriously get relegated unless some clear out of the deadwood and some proper spending is done in January.
Buy a fucking striker dammit!!!!!

Mark Tanton
288 Posted 03/11/2017 at 07:58:27
Big Sam is many things, but a joke he is not. I cannot believe the snobbery towards him on here. Evertonians are in denial. Other football supporters I know think we are utter garbage, with ideas above our station.
Roger Helm
289 Posted 03/11/2017 at 08:01:41
We could get relegated, Steve? As things stand, we are nailed on for relegation. I can’t see where the next goal is coming from, never mind the next win.
Stewart Lowe
290 Posted 03/11/2017 at 08:24:01
I think we are 2 or 3 bad managers away from a good Everton team. If we hire Allardyce or any other Manager of that Ilk, we will be simply going through the hire and fire motions that is every other club and not Everton. Only a stop gap until Ancelotti takes over in the summer? I'll accept that, but not our next permanent manager, no way.

As for Dyche, how on earth is he ambitious??? I remember us considering Malky Mackay before we hired Martinez just because he has done OK at Cardiff, no thank you.

Signing Dyche would be like signing Moyes all over again, brilliant with a shoestring budget because he had to make the average players play better football because they had no better players on the bench to push them or replace them. It's easy for a Dyche or Moyes to play the same team week after week and get solid consistent performances, because they had no better players to replace them with.

We are supposed to be at a higher level now where, just like with all the other big clubs, we can change a system and 3, 4, 5 player changes per game because that's what big clubs do to win the points and trophies,,,,,,,,which unfortunately smacks in the face of what Dyche and Moyes try to do.

Dyche HASN'T done Brilliant, he has done only OK. yes he is 7th right now but in 3 months he could be 17th and we will have wondered what all the fuss was about. Yes he got Burnley promoted twice, which is admirable, but winning two promotions from the championship compares nothing to running a huge club and with massive direction. Don't forget, Burnley was absolutely woeful away last season, and although they have had some great away results so far, we are only 10 games in, so let's not get carried away.

I will repeat, signing Dyche will be like the first step in the road if being 2 or 3 poor managers away from a good team.

Tony Hill
292 Posted 03/11/2017 at 08:51:30
Yes, Mark (#289), we are a club of fantasists.
Martin Nicholls
293 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:08:55
Today's rags reporting that Abramovich is about to fire Conte - he might appeal to our Board as no compo would be payable. Conte might be up for the job for remainder of season then who knows after that?
Denver Daniels
294 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:11:33
Is there some kind of rule that states Schneiderlin can only pass the ball sideways or backwards? Or make a proper tackle for that matter?

I hope Martina is ok but his first 11 minutes of the game was the worst I've seen in a long time. Since when does turning your back and sticking your leg out constitute a tackle? I reckon he would have been marched if he'd played on before he got injured.

Williams .too slow and simply shite.

Holgate .not good enough for the top level.

Kenny not really as quick as what I thought.

I thought Beni was the one bright spark.

3 soft goals conceded. We need to sort the defence out.It's a shambles.

Koeman has spent a ludicrous amount of money to turn a top 7 team into relegation candidates. He will go down as one of the worst manager's in our history. What a shambles.

Denver Daniels
295 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:26:00
The biggest joke is that if Man Utd hadn't come sniffing round Moyes, he'd probably still be here. He did a great job to steady the ship and even make us competitive. But after his limitations became apparent, we should have moved him on and gotten an upgrade. Any club with ambition would have done this.

Instead, we went for a manager who had just gotten his team relegated. And after it all turned to shit, we go and replace him with someone worse.

Tuchel for me please.

James McPherson
297 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:26:56
Martin Nicholls - Bill is more likely to plump for John Conteh
Jim Lloyd
298 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:37:29
I think we need to have some certainty now (if not weeks ago!) Whoever the Board are thinking about as manager, I sincerelyhope they are not thinking of getting a temporary manager (or leaving Unsy) in charge until the end of the season and then looking for the ONE, who'll take us to our rightful place in the dizzy heights of Olympus.

I would much rather we were two or three managers away from being a good side (let alone one of the top teams) than being in the Championship.
This is where I think the odds are on us being, if we just go on (with whoever in charge) until the end of the season.

I think we are in danger of getting relegated even if we have a manager appointed permanently NOW. But we have a better chance of avoiding the drop with someone who knows he will have two or three years to plan for any eventuality.

We need someone who will have the backing of the board to bring in players during the January window, in at least 3 position, plus the goalscorer we are crying out for. That's a centre half, a left back and a right back at the very least. If we can, maybe we could bring in a winger on the left if there's one around who can do the job that Mirallas sometimes does.

Whatever we do as a club, I hope we do it soon, ie; Monday or at the beginning of the international break at the latest.

I think it is a risk, well, know it is a risk, whatever is done but to me, there is an extremely short window for this club to avoid relegation, if it can be avoided at all.

The sad thing , or one of them, is we do have good players but they have been plonked in a side without any thought given as to how they can contribute their undoubted skills to the benefit of the team.

Klaasen and Siggurdson, both scored at least ten goals each in their respective leagues, and they both made chances regularly for their team mates. Sandro is a proven goal scorer (admittedly in a different league) and Rooney is our top goalscorer and is also creating chances.

So we do have some creativity and some goalscoring players.

What we don't have, is a defence. If we had two, mobile, snarling take no prisoners centre halves and a left back who defends in a similar vein. That would be a start.

I think that the new players need time to develop their understanding of each others play, and personally, I'd forget about how far up the league, the under 23's are, I'd be playing Siggy, Klaasen, Sandro together in that team every week, in their proper positions and leave them to develop an understanding of each others play. And play them in their proper positions, if the first team need them.

That's only my view of course and I'd like to see Sean Dyche come in; but the central point, I feel, has to be that we need a permanent manager in now.

James Marshall
299 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:46:03
Amit@277

So often the voice of reason on here, and get's it pretty much bang on again in my view.

We were good for almost 70 minutes last night, against a very good Lyon team let's not forget. They'll do well in the EL this year, and going well in Ligue 1 too.

I agree the system was working well last night, and so was the lineup until their goal, which there was no way we could have stopped. It was pure luck the ball fell into the path of whatshisname that used to play for Chelsea.

On that note, I never understand the knee-jerk reaction when opposition players do something good against us - it always has to somehow be an Everton player at fault for literally everything that happens on the field. Not everything can be legislated for, and the opposition often do really good things against us, which you have to just hold your hand up for - they train all week as well, in case you weren't aware.

Unsworth picked a good formation last night, despite no striker, and it worked for 70 minutes. Of course he had to change it at some point, and bring DCL on - unfortunately from then on we struggled a bit as the game developed.

I'm one of those who doesn't think we'll get relegated, and I also don't think we're even involved in a relegation season yet. In fact I'd go so far as to say there's only one team flirting with relegation in the whole league at this point, and that's Palace.

Jon Withey
300 Posted 03/11/2017 at 09:53:10
Always tempting to see the answer in the players not picked - but agree with #299 that we should be playing Sandro and Niasse as our strikers - as they are only true strikers right now with experience in a top league - however limited. DCL on his own is something for the future.

I'd be tempted by Allardyce myself, just because of the situation.

We overspent on some flavour of the moment players - are we going to do the same again on a manager ?

James Ebden
301 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:01:45
Stewart Lowe - time to wake up. we aren't this so called "big club" everyone keeps mentioning. Ancelotti would laugh in your face if you asked him to manage us, can you honestly not see that? you really deep down believe we are an attractive proposition to elite managers that have multiple trophies on their CV's? Why would they come here when the squad is in disarray and they will have to REALLY scrap to get us away from relegation, and have no hope of securing European football for next season?

Our number 1 priority this season is secure survival - 17th place. nothing else. once that is done we can start rebuilding over the summer and try to return to the top half of the table.

so many people on here with ridiculously rose tinted glasses, it's unbelievable. I swear some of them haven't seen our games so far this season and seen the form of the squad. just because we won the league in the 80s doesn't mean we are still a big club who can compete toe to toe with the Spurs, City, Utds etc.
utterly deluded.

Jim Lloyd
302 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:01:56
The thing is, as I see it, the Board have taken the decision to sack Koeman. They must have thought that we were going nowhere but down, and fast. Otherwise, I'd see them leaving Koeman in place until the end of the season and see who they'd fancy for the next stage of the "Project."

I think Unsy going week by week as temporary, is unfair on him; and I also think that as each game goes by without someone given the opportunity to plan for the January break, the more we will drift.

Whoever the Board decide to put in charge, I'd hope they make that a choice for a permanent manager. I hope they wouldn't waitfor a "Big Name" who'd come in, as I think the Big Name would laugh his socks off.


Ernie Baywood
303 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:02:02
Calling for Koeman's sacking wasn't knee-jerk, but I've been surprised by how knee-jerk the reactions have been since.

We've played ONE Premier League game! It was an away game and we got beaten. There was a much improved effort but completely lacking in quality. Now the coach can't do much in 6 days about the lack of quality in key positions.

Other than that there was an away game at Chelsea after a day's preparation. We acquitted ourselves well - probably our best performance this season (I know that's setting a very low bar).

Then there was an away game at Lyon. A team that is well ahead of us. In a comp that we were almost certainly out of but it's contributing to us playing twice a week when we have survival to worry about. With a massive game coming up on Sunday. He understandably picked a very weakened side. I was thankful that we didn't get a rugby score put past us but I had honestly stopped caring about the comp - nothing more than an unwelcome distraction from a serious need for league points. Hopefully the traveling blues treated it like a short holiday. I know some of my mates did.

Sunday is where Unsworth will be judged. Can he pick a team that will get the crowd going? I'm feeling confident. 4-4-2. Attack in numbers. Yes we'll concede; the defence pretty much picks itself and it's shit. But we can get men up and down the pitch, in and around the box, taking shots.

James Lauwervine
304 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:06:20
I'm sure I'll get slammed but I thought we were very unlucky last night. We were on top in the second half after successfully containing them first half and the gameplan was working. We looked like we were going to score, in fact we really should have with Gueye's chance, but there were more chances. Then a lucky bounce and their striker is in and it's 1-0 and effectively game over as we needed two and you could see the players heads go down. Had we got that first goal I think we would have gone on to win. We were away to a very good French side with an excellent home record don't forget.
The difference between last night and Koeman's last few games is that I was shouting and roaring at the TV and desperately wanted us to win. With Koeman I was at the 'don't give a shit' stage.
Their supporters were dickheads by the way and hardly half-filled their stadium. Fuck them. Did Everton have any supporters there? According to the TV coverage not as I didn't see a single picture of them throughout the game. I did turn off after the second goal though I was so pissed off. And the crowing commentators loved us losing, it was so clear. Savage is a thick c***.
If we keep the attitude and effort of last night I'm convinced we will be okay and nowhere near relegation in a few months. Give Unsy a chance, he nearly pulled it off last night. His mistake for me was taking Gueye off instead of Schneiderlin.
Whilst I'm wittering on, and to try to bring some cheer. Did anyone hear the pundit at the Leicester game say, when at 2-0, "If Leicester score again them they'll have an unattainable lead'. Er, perhaps you mean unassailable you absolute tit.
John Graham
305 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:10:56
Without doubt we need a new manager in now. the players are falling apart with no guidance and lack of confidence.
people are coming on here saying this one is rubbish that one is rubbish. these are players who we were all looking forward to seeing in a blue shirt.
everyone was looking forward to a good season when there was talk of us getting Sigurdsson, Klassen, Keane, Pickford to go with the players who had taken us to a European place last season.
these have not become bad players over night, they have become players who haven't a clue what formation or style the team is suppose to be playing.
get someone in who will organise and build confidence and I don't mean Sam Aladyce.
we need to decide what type of football we are looking for and then find a manager who plays that way.
do we want to defend most of the game and hope for a breakaway goal (Sean Dyche) do we want another manager like Martinez who's team passes the ball around all game without getting near to the opposition goal. do we want a manager like Koeman who is bland and doesn't get on with his players and is always looking to play safe.
or do we want a manager who gets on with his players, plays an energetic pressing game, actually tries to outplay the other team and will give us all a lift (Tuchel)
think the big question is do we have ambition or do we just want to fight relegation every year?
James Marshall
306 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:11:09
There was no way Unsworth was going wave a magic wand and change things from the off - he was always on a hiding to nothing taking the job for however long anyway.

Did anyone really think we were likely to win at Chelsea & Lyon? I certainly didn't. I also don't fully blame Koeman for the mess - the mess was created primarily by whoever failed to replace Lukaku, and that for me is the bottom line in all of this.

I read some comments from Martin Keown about the Giroud thing, where he said that Koeman had Giroud up at Finch Farm, and he (Giroud) decided not to sign for us - at that point the club should have had another striker lined up waiting in another room (yes, right there & then) to sign for us instead. This is the problem we have - we have no focal point, nobody to put the ball in the net, nobody in the box the players trust, which affects our entire style of play from front to back. DCL spends half his time running the channels, and Rooney drops deep all the time - remember when everyone used to moan about Lukaku standing around up top? Always offside? Hanging on the arm of the last defender? Do you see WHY he does that now? Get it? Notice how we struggle without a powerful, recognised striker doing that? Am I the only one who can see this pattern?

Alan Bodell
307 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:14:45
We need to let Tony Bellew do the pre-match and half time team talks on Sunday.
James Ebden
308 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:18:44
Jason Broome - 250

seriously? you think we are ticking along fine and will be fine and not even near a relegation scrap. ok then.

as for Sunderland
players - they had Defoe, one of the most consistant strikers in the league for the past 10 years - you wouldn't want him in our squad at the moment? I would!
prestige - yeap, can't beat a bit of prestige, that's going to get us at least 10 points and secure our survival. oh, I forgot, old trophies from 30 years ago mean sod all in a relegation fight!
Finance - yeah, we may have more money, but it's only good if you spend it correctly!
Management - this is the best one! you seriously think we have better management? Given the dross we have signed this summer, the lack of foresight to replace aging players? the complete lack of formation. BK being unable to take the club forward and making shit decisions. SW for not pushing for players to plug the OBVIOUS gaps in the squad. The multiple failed stadium moves. shall I go on?

our main problem is to but 1 or 2 strikers?! if only. we need a whole back 4 as well to replace old players and provide cover.

sounding panicked? yes I am. for the first time in over 30 odd years (except maybe walter smiths year) I fear we have a real chance of going down. people who say we are a big club, too much prestige to go down, blah blah, are simply deluded.

Yes, we can get out of it, if we appoint the right manager and make some shrewd buys in January. However I don't have the confidence in the board to get that right.

James Marshall
309 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:23:15
James - 3 points could put us up to 15th. Yes we're in the bottom 3, but until there's a tangible gap between us and the teams not in the bottom 3, I would suggest that relegation is a little premature.

Of course we're struggling, and we're all wondering where the goals & points are going to come from, but I'm also one of those that doesn't think relegation needs to be talked about in November, when one win can move us up that much.

I think that's what people mean when they say we're not in a relegation fight - yet.

Jim Lloyd
310 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:24:54
No James Marshall, you're not the only one who sees we miss out on a big C/F but the trouble is, we haven't got one.

Blame now, gets us nowhere. I think it's well known throughout every team in the league, what our weaknesses are and, somehow, we have to put them right while playing competitive teams who are either aiming for the top spots, or trying not to get into the position we are in. Pretty obvious, I know and I'm not in any way knocking Unsworth for the job he's done so far. Nor do I expect him to wave a magic wand and put right what has been wrong

I just think we have either got to give him some time, and also some power. If the board don't give whoever it is in charge for the rest of this season, then I think the chances of us getting out of this mess will diminish with each game that passes.

This isn't a knee jerk reaction, it is a view I have. I've watched EFC for donkeys years and, apart from Mike Walkers, reign, this is the most dangerous situation I think we've been in.

Dave Wilson
311 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:30:11
I don't know what I will do if Big Sam gets the job, he has spent most of his career finishing lower than Moyes and playing an even more unattractive game.

Looks like he is coming though. Wish it was possible to resign as an Evertonian, I have tried, but for reasons I cant explain I always come back

"Just when I thought I was out. They pulled me back in"

Jim Lloyd
312 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:36:21
Haha Dave! The lot of an Evertonian eh! I remember going on strike against Catterick for two seasons...think I got angry with him for some reason...think it was selling Youngy.
James Marshall
313 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:38:13
Jim - what I meant by that post was that people are on here slagging off the team and all that yet again, when we all knew this was highly likely to happen against Chelsea & Lyon.

I mentioned the striker thing really because Keown had brought up what he believes SHOULD have happened. To my mind that view is borne out of reality, and the way he's seen other clubs (Arsenal?) do business in the past.

Sam Hoare
314 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:41:31
For 68 minutes last night I was really happy. We we're playing away against a very good French team and had contained them well and created the games best chance which Gueye really should have scored from 7 yards.

Then they got a fortunate bounce, the crucial first goal and heads dropped as the lack of confidence seeped out.

I feel sorry for Unsworth as I genuinely think he has us playing better and we've just not had much luck (ricochet first goal last night, stonewall pen at Leics etc) but ultimately bad luck is irrelevant and results are the bottom line.

Watford therefore is crucial.

If we lose then sadly I think Unsworth has failed his audition. If we win or even if we draw but play well then I hope he'll get more time as it looks clear to me that he actually has some discernible tactics and is getting more out of most of the players than his predecessor.

On another note I thought Schneiderlin was a disgrace last night. Slow, error prone and contributing nothing other than a needless red card. When I think that Schneiderlin, Siggurdsson and Klaassen cost almost £100m between them it makes my blood boil! If we could get £70m back for the lot of them I'd be delighted but wishful thinking I fear.

Jim Lloyd
316 Posted 03/11/2017 at 10:53:19
James 314) You're absolutely right in the running of the club. And it's not easy to put down all that we want or else we'd be writing for ages...and in my case, forget what we wanted to include anyway!

I agree with you about where the blame lies for the mess we are in; and I don't think it lies with the players either. Yep, they're professionals but they're also men and their confidence is shattered. I think Unsworth has done a better job in two weeks than RK has done in 18 months, in addressing the need for supporting our players and giving them a sense of belief.

He's also made a better fist of organising the team in this short time and getting them to fight.

I think my fear is that if the players get to feel that Unsy, or anyone one else, is only in charge temporarily, they might well feel like "What the hell is going on." and then lose even more confidence.

If I felt Unsy could do the job I think is needed, then I'd hope he was given permanent charge. But then I also think the team needs strengtheneing in January, in the defence at the very least, as well as the best goalscorer we can get our hands on.

Perhaps the lads I mentioned, Klassen, Siggy and Sandro would benefit from playing togethger for a few weeks in the reserves and then maybe they will be more effective for us. But time is short and I'm definitely like corporal Jones "Don't Panic!" while panicking away like no ones business!

Kevin Tully
317 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:00:16
I know we are all looking for any sign of a recovery, but come on, most on here are setting the bar so low, it's like Malta v England low, and we're the Maltesers! (I know, before anyone points it out )

The fact is, we set up 4-5-1. Mostly played 4-6-0. If you can find solace in that performance with 10 men behind the ball, then great, maybe we can take a spud gun to their bazooka when we play the red shite.

This team will not win a game with DCL up front, he hasn't had a kick for over a dozen games. I don't know what's happened with Sandro, he scored 14 in 30 appearances for Malaga last season, so at least he should offer us something up top?

It's a common theme, but are not playing the players strengths. This is the first thing any manager needs to address. This is why you pay the big money. They get the most out of what's at their disposal. Allardyce will play exactly the same. 4-5-1 with lone strikers chasing balls down the channels. Remind you of anyone?

The fact any manager is praised for setting up to 'make us solid' and then players are lauded for running a bit more has me very concerned. Seriously fellas, a Sunday League manager could set us this team that way.

Page one of football for dummies: 4-5-1.

James Marshall
318 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:07:06
What I gleam from a lot of the posts above (inc Jim and Kevin above) is that basically we're a striker short of a team. It's really simple isn't it?

Until that gets fixed, possibly in January, we're going to struggle.

I would also be playing Sandro in every game - the kid does know where the goal is - you don't score 16 in 30 in La Liga and suddenly forget how to finish. Play him.

James Marshall
319 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:07:20
Sorry, 14 in 30.
Brian Harrison
320 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:23:36
Sam 315

I totally agree regarding David Unsworth having an impossible start 3 away games at Chelsea, Leicester (playing in front of a new manager) and Lyon who are 3rd in the French league. Did anybody really expect anything other than the results we got.

Being an old cynic I think the board have already decided who they want, but they delayed making a decision like the gutless group they are. As they didnt want to give the new manager such a tough start, and if the results had been the same and they probably would imagine the pressure they as a board would have been under. So sadly I think even if we beat Watford I don't think they will give Unsworth any more time.

I would love to know the brief that Steve Walsh was given when he joined. Was it we cant compete in buying players that the top 6 can buy so lets get as many good young players before they become known. Or is he involved in selecting players for the first team, and if he has well it doesnt seem to be working out too well. Obviously we will never know who decided to bring in 3 number tens yet no strikers, as part of Koemans pay off will be a confidentiality clause which will stop him writting in the press about it.

I hear all this nonsense about they thought Giroud would sign, we needed at least 2 if not 3 strikers. We could have gone for Llorente and Dzeko but no we had Giroud in the bag. Now I thought Koeman came here saying he wanted to play a high pressing game, and yet proceeds to sign Rooney,Klassen and Sigurdsson. None of which have any pace about them.

Finally I would question what Moshiris intentions are, he came in and bought 49.9% of the club. Some thought that maybe his pal Usmanov would eventually buy the other 50%, but that seems highly unlikely at present. Kronke has said he and his son will be at Arsenal for a very long time, so if Usmanov had nay intention of selling his shares at Arsenal and buy into Everton that would be taking place and it isn't.

Jim Lloyd
321 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:26:19
I think the reason the bar is set so low, and that a manager is give praise for instilling some of the basics into the players, is because we were so lacking in these basic strengths for so long.

Yes, that is the very least a club should expect, but we weren't getting that for so long, it is a welcome development than the utter capitulations we have seen.

If we can get a manager who's very least expectationis is that every player has to perform that way in every game. That doesn't mean to say that expectations should not be higher, they should be much higher.

We however, appear to be watching our players going back to school to learn the basics. The fact that they appear to be learning something, is a sign of hope...hence the praise.

There's lots more to go though, even to get us away from the bottom 3.

Whatever or whoever we choose, to get those basics right, and build on them with better players (and I think we need to massively improve our mobility in defence, as well a getting in another goalscorer) then we have to play with what we have

Silk purses and sows ears comes to mind.

Colin Glassar
322 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:29:40
We’ve become so insignificant that most of today’s papers don’t even mention the game nor our shameful, new, losing record in Europe.

It’s got to such a low point that even rival fans can’t be bothered to bait us. Good job, Moshiri, Kenwright and co.

Gordon Crawford
323 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:38:03
We are a shambles and it’s not going to change any time soon. The bottom could fall out of our club completely. Really worrying times.
Oh and expect a tin can for a stadium when it eventually arrives.
Bill needs to go with all the other dead weights.
James Marshall
324 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:45:21
Colin - on that note, a guy in the pub last night said to me, "oh Everton, you're one of those lovely friendly old school clubs aren't you?"

It was said in a really quaint, gentle, yet almost disparaging way - we're a fucking soft touch, a footnote in history, a dinosaur and in no way seen as as threat to anyone.

Kenwright has created us in HIS image. Soft, doughy, cuddly even - non threatening, likeable, amiable and easy to approach.

Our football is exactly the same.

James Ebden
326 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:58:23
I'm scared shitless for the upcoming derby with the RS. With the pace and scoring ability of their front line I can see us on the end of a record tonking and some serious abuse.
Our next 5 PL games are against so called "weaker easier" teams, and we need to wrack up at least 3 wins from those 5 games I would say to get some sort of confidence in the side. if we lose say 4 of those 5, playing as we have been then it will be lamb to the slaughter time at the hole punch.
Ciaran O'Brien
327 Posted 03/11/2017 at 11:58:37
Ronald Fucking Koeman has been the worst managerial appointment in history. He is even worse than when us Irish hired Steve Staunton and a dying Bobby Robson to assist him.

How Moshiri fucked up big time? I don’t know?

We seriously could go down now after this debacle that has been created over the last 18 months.
In fairness to Moshiri, I think Emery was the first choice before he settled on the dour Dutchman.

We haven’t had a plan on playing the game for ages now apart from Gueye and Schneiderlin starting each game.

I’m afraid Unsworth isn’t the answer. He may be a true blue but he has no experience outside youth coaching. His team selection proves it. In fairness, he has had 3 tough away games but we have been beaten well in these games apart from playing Chelsea’s second string.

We all dream of an Ancelotti or Tuchel but they won’t come to us while we’re in this total pile of Shite.

For me Dyche is the man, he’s done wonders at Burnley and they don’t play bad football. Hendricks goal against us, Barca would be proud of.
People are put off because his name isn't Juan Dychelli or something like that and he’s a ginger.
Big Sam could be an option but his football is prison football and we have no target man to lump it up too. Plus he’s dodgy as hell.

Simeone would be my choice if we were in a better situation.
But make no mistakes, whoever comes in has one of the toughest jobs in world football to rectify this mess.

I just hope a striker or two, centre half, left back and winger are lined up on January 1st because we desperately need it and a proper, no nonsense, tactically astute coach is in the helm otherwise we will be welcoming second tier football next season for the first time since 1954, which we may never recover from.

Barry Williams
328 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:12:11
Alan Bodell - 308

Can we get him registered as a free agent and play him?

Lawrence Green
329 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:12:30
The Derby game in a month's time is the least of our worries, we get beat so what? It'll hardly be a surprise will it? Far more important are the games against those clubs in and around us and that includes Watford on Sunday.

Somehow the team has to aqcuire as many points as possible prior to the window opening, however, the way our club operate until January 31st when we host Leicester City. After the Leicester home match Everton will have 13 Premier League fixtures to play, including games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Waiting for the window to open is not an option the solutions have to be found immediately with the players we have in the squad right now.

Phil Walling
330 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:14:28
Colin @ 323, I don't think either of us go to the games on a regular basis so we have no real grounds on which to criticise. The same is probably true of most on here - we are happy to moan - but not able/so prepared/ willing to do more than that.

Nonetheless, we still regard ourselves as Evertonians and can hold a view on how the Club is run and the people running it. What we can't do is influence in any way how they get into such a bloody mess.

I'm almost to the point of nor caring !!!!

Jim Lloyd
331 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:37:23
"Hard Times" as Charles Dickens said!

Well said Ciaran. My guess about the choice of Koeman, is that Moshiri thought his skill as a manager was in keeping with his skill as a player. Whatever the reason, Mr Moshiri has done what he said his job was,hiring and firing, he's sacked the manager for not doing the job he was paid for.

Hopefully now, he'll do the hiring...and take no notice whatsoever of Kenwright's advice.

I hope too, that he'll go for Sean Dyche and allow Dyche to bring in in January, whoever he thinks will improve the team from those available. I agree that a Centre Half, Left Back, and recognised goalscorer is an absolute minimum.

I think Unsy ought to go out and learn the trade as a manager and hopefully, he'd be in the running for a big job in a few years. To expect him to do what is almost a resucitation job on this club, is asking too much of him; and if the worst happens and we go down, the outcome is nightmarish.

One thing I hope is that Mr Moshiri stays with us. Then I hope he'll say farewell to Boys Pen Billy and to Elstone and the rest of the cronies. If he's going to spend more money on this club, then he needs as top class team of advisers and executives to help him, not the bash street kids.

Then we might start beginning the climb back towards the top...but it's a bloody long way from where we are now, both in the team and in the club.

Barry Williams
332 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:38:56
Paul Ward - 279

The reaction of the players spoke to Martina's injury spoke volumes to me. It then made me ask myself, how can I really get behind this bunch of players?

James Marshall
333 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:38:56
A couple of wins could put us in the top 10.

Jus sayin...

Tony Hill
334 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:45:37
James (#325), "soft, doughy, cuddly likeable, amiable". There are other adjectives which come to mind when I reflect upon BK. Though "doughy" is, I suppose, quite apt after all.
Jim Lloyd
335 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:50:10
James, a couple of wins might lift us into the top ten; but my fear is that we're like a hungry man sticking his last £ on a raffle for a decent meal. We might win it but there's big odds that we won't.

I truly hope that if Unsy stays, he'll get us those wins, and more but I think we have no time on our side to keep putting off a decision to basically, save this club from relegation.

I realise I might be panicking. I can't see though, that David Unsworth is the right man for a permanent post as manager. If he isn't then I think for the situation that we are in, Seaun Dyche, if he will come, is our best bet for a0 survival and b) for progress.

James Marshall
336 Posted 03/11/2017 at 12:56:54
There is zero guarantee that Dyche, Allardyce, Ancelotti, Ferguson, Wenger, Conte, Mourinho, Bobby Robson, or Brian Clough would get us any points with this squad.

Without a striker we're snookered, and that applies to whoever takes over. To be completely honest, I reckon they could appoint you, me, or the bloke who runs my chippy until January, but unless we buy a striker (or ignite Sandro/Niasse) I don't see much changing.

Colin Glassar
337 Posted 03/11/2017 at 13:05:31
Two half decent 45 minute displays (Chelsea, Leicester) and 70 mins of effort and some sort of organisation against Lyon. Can Unsy do it for 90 mins against Watford? I believe he can, at least a draw.

This is a watershed moment for us but I think we need to hold our nerve, unless a marquee manager is interested, as neither of the two candidates most mentioned are exactly mouthwatering prospects are they?

Jim Lloyd
338 Posted 03/11/2017 at 13:09:22
haha James, don't tell Kenwright about that feller in the chippy! No, you're right about there being no guarantees. It's about us wanting the best for EFC but having different views on what that is.

I just sincerely hope that the board know something we don't.

John Graham
339 Posted 03/11/2017 at 14:23:51
IF we win a couple of games we will be in the top ten. IF we don't win from now until the end of the season then we could win the league. IF we get taken over by a billionaire we could do a Man City. IF we had Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar it would solve some of our problems.
IF .IF IF
REALITY we are in the relegation places, probably playing as bad as anyone in the Premier and need to get out of trouble fast.
John Graham
340 Posted 03/11/2017 at 14:26:24
Freudian slip .if we win from now until the end of the season DOH
Tony Twist
341 Posted 03/11/2017 at 14:55:19
Plain and simple the board needs to get it done, bite the bullet and make the decision and get the man in place. Whether that is one of Unsworth, Big Sam, Dyche (hopefully not) or one of Tuchel, Benitez, Blanc, Fonseca, Fabre, Silva (hopefully). I just hope the man who comes in is able to see what players we have, bring out their strengths and to then utilise them and mold them into a decent team so we can get wins under our belt before the start of the January transfer window. We have reasonable players, I think, maybe too willing to cave under pressure but that could be rectified with right manager and some survival training!
Mike Dolan
342 Posted 03/11/2017 at 15:06:08
Maybe the mistake made was rebuilding the midfield at great expense while expecting the aging defense to function with only one significant new addition in Michael Keene. I read a lot about how bad Williams is but really he is no worse than Baines or Jags at this stage of their careers. David Moyes said in his last season that the defense needed almost a complete overhaul and we are still playing Jags and Bains. The only thing patching the whole show together was Gareth Barry but he is not there to shield us anymore.

It was nuts to and get rid of Koeman panic is never the best way . But Fat Sam is a nightmare. This is a deeply flawed team but we have good players it is just very difficult to play every game from behind.

Schneiderlin was a complete disgrace yesterday. I never want to see him pull on our proud Blue shirt again. Lets start rebuilding our team spirit from that point.

David Currie
343 Posted 03/11/2017 at 15:21:26
Schneiderlin should never play for us again, he is a disgrace for what he did last night. Get rid ASAP we do not need him playing in our fight to stay up, his attitude is rubbish.
Gordon Crawford
344 Posted 03/11/2017 at 16:47:13
I agree about Morgan, he has been rubbish since before the season started and he is a massive liability due to his lack of discipline. I also think he has had a very negative effect on Gana. Before Morgans arrival Gana was being talked about as a rival to Kante, but not anymore. Maybe it’s a coincidence but I don’t think so.
On this form he just isn’t good enough. No wonder he didn’t play many games for United. How Davies gets dropped for this lad I’ll never know.
I would sell him this January.
Peter Lee
345 Posted 03/11/2017 at 17:28:11
On previous two performances expected to see a shambles last night from start to finish.

What I saw was an Everton team that played for 70 minutes with more shape and discipline than I
I have seen in the last three years.

Case in point. Lookman did a great job in covering wide but once he got back he switched off and he let his man get off his shoulder whilst ball-watching. He did this a few times and Williams gave him an almighty blocking. He moaned but he took notice. Discipline, shape.

We had two tight lines that moved together up and down the pitch. We had width.

We knew from the home game that Lyon were no great shakes. They are mid-table PL at best, and run out of steam and ideas fairly quickly. Not interested in how good they are in France, the French league is shite.

Sigurdsson as a CF was a massive compromise and we were a bit wary about pushing up to give support in the first half but after the break we did and we had a couple of good chances.

We gave away a ridiculous goal but, instead of keeping the shape that had got us something DU totally abandoned any shape at all. We went headless. I was surprised it ended at just 3.

Sunday we absolutely need the same formation and shape. We need to make clean sheets a priority. With a full squad to choose from and the practice of Thursday and with a Watford team with little real pace we can win the game.

Announce the new manager, might he have had an input on the shape and tactics Thursday do you think, on Monday.

Two weeks to work on defensive discipline and we are off and running.

All the people on here talking about two up front, no defensive midfield players are barking mad.

Oliver Brunel
346 Posted 03/11/2017 at 17:30:14
The only time I have wilfully missed an Everton game was yesterday. I didnt bother watching. Everton has now sucked me into my most apathetic period ever as an Everton fan.
Peter Lee
347 Posted 03/11/2017 at 17:30:39
IMHO
Ciarán McGlone
348 Posted 03/11/2017 at 17:56:26
A couple of wins could put us in the top 10."

Are you expecting the other teams above us to stop playing games so we can catch up?,"A couple of wins could put us in the top 10."

Are you expecting the other teams above us to stop playing games so we can catch up?,,,1,17:54:24,,2.122.50.15,ok,664,11/03/2017 17:54:24,ciar�n,reader,, 867109,35752,toffeeweb,03/11/2017,Colin Glassar,colinglassar@yahoo.co.uk,"That would be cricket, ciaran.

Frank Crewe
349 Posted 03/11/2017 at 18:03:42
@ Peter Lee.
Completely agree. It was a scratch side and but for a bit of better luck the outcome could have been a lot different. Schneids tackle sending the ball to one of their players and flat footing our defence which led to their first goal was a good example. Although I wish Unsworth hadn't chickened out by picking Siggs up front. He was useless their. I think a better bet would have been Niasse. He's got more pace, chases lost causes, and can score.
I thought Beni had a great game. I think we'll get big things from him. I also thought Besic looked decent at right back. Not the best I've seen but better than anything we have at the moment. Even Shneiderlin looked like got a bit of form back. Personally with one or two tweaks, Keane for Holgate, Jags for Williams, Niasse for Siggs, Maybe give Pickford a blow and give Robles or Stek a run out I would pick that side and that formation again.
Liam Reilly
350 Posted 03/11/2017 at 18:23:49
"Shneiderlin looked like he got a bit of form back."

Are you related to him Frank, cause I (along with the majority on here) thought he was utter shite.

Anonymous in the first half, never plays a forward pass, slides into tackles far too often (1st goal), lack of awareness (2nd goal) and the sending off!

He should be docked his wages.

Jim Lloyd
351 Posted 03/11/2017 at 18:33:53
We couldn't use Niasse Frank, Mr Koeman didn't put him in the squad for Europe, as well as nicking his locker!
Denver Daniels
352 Posted 03/11/2017 at 19:07:15
We are too static. We pass and then stop instead of looking for a return pass. Last night I saw Schneiderlin pass the ball to a team-mate, trot a few yards forward and stop directly behind a Lyon player thus making it impossible to receive a return pass. I mean really??? In my mind he didn't want that ball back. Also, we get in behind them and then proceed to stop and play the ball back instead of putting a cross in.

We need a striker as focal point to play up top. I know Siggy was stop-gap last night so hopefully we don't see him there again as the system may have worked but quite frankly it's a waste to have him there as he couldn't influence the game. Niasse has to start. I don't think DCL or Sandro can play this position. I'd like to see Sandro play off him as the 2nd striker. Drop Schneiderlin for Davies.

Free the shackles off Lookman and let him run at them.

Andy Crooks
353 Posted 03/11/2017 at 19:16:12
Dave Wilson, you can't resign from Everton anymore than you can resign your dna. Some on here say they will be done with Everton if Allardyce comes here. They might try, but they can't.
Frank Crewe
354 Posted 03/11/2017 at 19:34:47
Liam being in the majority doesn't make you right. Shneiderlin may not make that many forward passes but who does? That's half our problem. Sigurdsson was bought for that but he appears to be infected with the same fear inflicting the rest of them.
As far as I'm concerned compared to his recent form he showed some improvement.
Julian Exshaw
355 Posted 03/11/2017 at 19:53:05
How our standards have fallen if people think we played well yesterday ( even for only 70 minutes). As much as I respect comments by all contributors, I cannot agree. I think that yes, we may have played slightly better but this was by no means acceptable. I would love someone to count how many decent efforts we have had on goal all season, what our average per match is. I haven't been excited by an Everton performance since we beat Man City last January. We've had a year of dire, old-fashioned and sleep-inducing football. I don't criticise the players' commitment but too often they have played like sheep without a shepherd. Like most on here, I will take anyone any coach who will get us out of the mire.

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