Blunt... to all of this

Is his 'absence' the reason Mykolenko has been so poor?

From the luxury of 12,000 miles away, after watching the 3-minute 'highlights', I agree that we should have won a poor game. We stole a point last week and this week we gave away at least 1 point – and possibly 3.

The game itself was typical and they were due a win and sods law it was against us.

Interestingly the away end had been moved to accommodate a fan zone and Francis Benali was speaking prior to kick off and said he fancied a first home win against us and called it right.

Long pissed off journey back for the travelling blues from the homeland.

Hordes of mostly adults in a mass stampede across the station floor, pushing and shoving to get on the train, not good when you have two young grandkids in tow.

I wonder whether were finally seeing the last few weeks of Sean Dyche? I watched from afar on the dodgy stream at home, and come to realise, even the players can't enjoy playing in that system.

I honestly cannot think of another manager who coaches his team to regularly play with 30% possession, you simply hand the initiative to your opponent to dominate play.

Where in the UEFA coaching manual does it say that? Arn't all current managers obliged to have an UEFA coaching qualification.

Mykolenko has stunk the gaff out for weeks now, and should have been dropped weeks ago, for his own good.
As you say, Coleman or Patterson (who the manager has clearly made his mind up about) will never be first choice, but should have been brought in at right back with Young at left back.

Having not trained for seven days, why on earth was a clearly unfit McNeil even considered? He is so stubborn he clearly is losing the backing of the majority of the fans, even the extremely temperate Lyndon Lloyd from ToffeeWeb has seemingly seen enough.

The next five fixtures will probably see us slip into the bottom three in the Premiership, and seven wins in the last 30 games hardly points to nothing but a relegation battle.

This manager would and could see us relegated, simply because he won't change. The Friedkin Group will have a serious decision to make pretty soon.

His starting selections are baffling as are his tactics. His inability to tweak either once we're past the half mark is almost as if he's asking to get beat or stubborn beyond belief. Or both.

This defending the "V" stuff is like we've gone back to Allardyce.

If we go down this season, we will rue the recent games when there were winnable fixtures that we blew due to the negative and cowardly approach this coach has taken.

I am presuming those two clowns are from Hampshire. Knowing the area well, the joke is on them because they have to live in Hampshire.

It's like West Ham fans chanting stuff about council houses at our travelling fans.

No-mark clubs who have little to say but eschewing stale cultural stereotypes.

That Ramsdale was Southampton’s player of the match gave an indication as to why we failed to win. On another day Beto’s header goes in and we are celebrating a late victory. As it was it would have been better if he had headed over rather than hitting the bar. The immediate counterattack caught most of our team out of position but as you say Branthwaite may have had the wherewithal to read the final pass and intercept.

Yesterday was the first time I thought DCL resembled the hotel guest who, having checked out, is waiting in the lobby for a taxi to the airport. He might as well not have been on the pitch. For all his flaws Beto did enough to earn a start next week.

"And yes, you'll have to chase your own headed flick-ons!"

We know he's not the complete article, never has been, but try and understand his situation. How many strikers would score 15-20 goals in that set-up? If I was him, I'd be looking for a way out as well.

He didn't impose himself on the game at all and, for the last 2 games, Beto, who most people don't rate, has come on and showed him up.

Calvert-Lewin's problem is that, because he is not in position or making the correct runs, players do not even bother passing to him. Therefore, to get himself in the game, he must impose himself, which he has never been able to do.

It is down to another player looking up to see what is on. If Calvert-Lewin is the wrong side of the defender or not making the run into a position, the pass is not on.

On top of that, Dyche does not have attacking tactics, so goals come from opportune moments and Calvert-Lewin is not an opportunistic striker. But he will be first-choice striker next game on his defensive effort.

As for Mykolenko, he is more an overlapping full-back than a defender. Dyche does not use overlapping full-backs and Mykolenko's defending has always been a bit ropey.

McNeil should have been rested. Everton have bought so many wingers in, I even think I have forgotten about one. McNeil, like other players selected, has an opportune shot in him. Important in Dyche's book with no definable style or tactics.

Paul, glad you've seen positives in midfield. There is hope then.

Always a good read about your away days; though I don't go away anymore, you paint a good picture. I agree with your comments about the game.

Steve 4, Have you ever heard of Catenaccio? Or maybe watched Germany play football in the 90s?

Whether we like it or not, sitting deep and hitting teams on the break is a recognised tactic.

We have the defenders suited to it, we just don't have the quality in the final 3rd to implement it properly. Like we don't have the playing staff to press high with energy when we know we haven't got the pace at the back or in midfield.

I'm sorry that there was no result for such a long and tiring journey.

I think you made a good point of how Dominic has been playing for quite a while now and other posters have noticed the same point you make. I've been a fan of Dominic since he started playing for the Blues but “the lack of application” you stated has been obvious to me and others.

It might be the way he has to play in no man's land or possibly he has made his mind up to leave and is taking no risks that might injure him. A bit harsh maybe… but he doesn't look like he is giving 100% now.

Play Calvert-Lewin unsupported up front for 70-85 minutes to absolutely no effect. Take him off, bring on Beto and move Keane up front and score goals, hit the bar, or just look dangerous.

As a supporter, I freely acknowledge I know nothing about football team management… but as a Bayesian statistician, I recognise that using accumulating evidence is a better way of forecasting outcomes than not bothering to take any notice of what actually happens repeatedly.

I really feel for you loyal supporters who get up at stupid o'clock, travel hundreds of miles, to support a set-up not worthy of such commitment.

It is not as if it was just a one-off either; it is sadly becoming the norm under this Neanderthal manager. I do hope the takeover, which seems to have dragged on infinitum, gets sorted sooner rather than later.

Now whether TFG will stick with Dyche but provide funds for a limited foray into the January Window, or start afresh, one can only speculate.

Will they be happy just to stagger over the line, but still in the Premier League, or wield the axe early and try for as high a position as possible. If it is the latter, who do they go for?

But for now, all I can say is: Calvert-Lewin is looking like he's on strike. Yes, he doesn't get any good service, but he doesn't even try nowadays... that has changed and his body language is negative and impacts those around him.

Yes, Beto is not a world beater – but give me an energetic tryer all day long instead of someone who has given up or prefers a different job.

No contract extension for me – sorry, Dom, your communication is clear. I've rarely seen such crap from a team in Blue – and that's saying something after the last 30+ years.

Keep the reports coming, Paul, at least your stories are well worth the read and a few smiles. Thanks!

We will have enough to stay up… although I was having to talki my lad and nephew down from the relegation cliff edge on Saturday.

The next match is more important now. You can't change what's happened. We will win matches, draw matches and lose matches. It might be stating the obvious, but that's football.

Hopefully the Calvert-Lewin situation will be discussed?
Saturday wasn't his fault but he didn't show anything that helped.

In my opinion, a player who is running down his contract shouldn't be playing. He's not invested in our future and he's not showing any commitment whatsoever.

It's not Everton's job to showcase his (cough) talents to his future club.

We're all desperate to see Beto get the goals his attitude deserves, but my goodness he was almost under the crossbar when he headed that ball. If it wasn't the sitter of the season, it has to be up there.

The defending from the ensuing counter-attack was unforgivable. It would appear some are pointing at individuals for blame, but collectively, I thought we were a complete shambles. That ball was moved the length of the pitch and we didn't have a single player doing his job.

I was foolish enough to watch it back. How on this earth have we contrived to lose both this and the Bournemouth game?

Hand-wringing frustration.

I could not agree more.

Dyche simply wouldn't understand the meaning or the motive behind such a move, particularly with 30% possession, it's totally alien to him.

So how do you explain that we had 16 shots with 5 on target – their keeper making 5 saves – while they had 2 shots on target, 1 for their goal and 1 saved by Pickford. Sorry to repeat that again, folks!

We hit the crossbar and the upright and had one ruled out by a millimetre. Anyone would think that we didn't attempt to score, reading the usual moaning posts if we lose a game.

They had the ball for 70% of the time but did bugger all with it.

I reckon about 60% of their possession was fannying around in their own penalty area until giving the ball away.

Their other 10% was split equally between the cross in the first half that Pickford palmed away, and the break in the lead up to the goal.

I think Raymond is right that we had more than enough chances to win that game and got caught by a sucker punch, though this does happen with startling regularity with Dyche.

As such, it is just one of the reasons why I want him gone now. Such defeats as these on a regular basis just point to a lack of discipline and organisation throughout the team.

"I think the good news is there are worse teams than us in the Premier League, including Southampton."

Really!!! They are so shit, they have beaten us home and away already.

The guy next to me said if Tarkowki had Young's touch of last week, it would have been a goal.

The team can do better than this – and would if they weren't sent out with an inferiority complex.

Do you really think that Southampton are better than us? Really!!! We lost twice against Luton last season and they finished way below us at the end.

A competent manager would get a tune out of them along with some discipline, confidence and tactics.

Oh and not leaving the best player at the club on the bench.

Tarkowski did hit it with his right foot, it was travelling at some pace when it met with Beto's head, and that's probably the reason it hit the bar, rather than going in.

There is little or no sign from Dyche that his tactics are going to change and that we are actually going out to attack and win games. So next game and the games after that will all be the same.

It's a recognised game plan to surrender possession and hit teams on the break with speedy wingers and overlapping full-backs getting balls into the box. Apart from having no wingers with pace or overlapping full-backs, does this look like Everton to you?

The actuality is we surrender possession and then sit back and let the opposition come at us, eventually giving away a silly goal. This may work if we have one of the top defences in the Premier League, but what does Dyche do? Leaves his best defender on the bench!

I know we lack quality in the squad but Dyche seems incapable of changing the tactics to meet the needs on the pitch, and this is killing us.

Games are dribbling away and we can't afford to drop unnecessary points, we are fast approaching the point of no return to get the points we need to stay up.

The conclusion is inevitable. Dyche must go and go now.
I did think he would at least see his contract out, but I‘ve changed my mind; he has to go immediately to give a new manager some time to change things around.

If I could see any sign that he is capable of changing his approach and ideas, I wouldn't be saying this but unfortunately I can't, and he has now run out of time.

Dyche Out!

Ndiaye will get a few, I hope, McNeil pops up now and again and Doucoure gets the odd one, but you have to point the finger at Calvert-Lewin. I like the lad but it's just not happening.

He's not getting many chances but, when he does, he's fluffing them. I think Dyche keeps picking him, hoping once he's scored, he might go on a run and get a few more.

As for DCL's detractors, have a word with yourselves, imagine playing in a set up the way Dyche sends us out.

And anyone calling for Beto to replace him is futile, does anyone seriously believe Beto would automatically get the service Dom doesn't get?

No chance; for me, Beto is better used as an impact sub as has proved the last 2 games, and he was desperately unlucky with that nonsensical decision on Saturday.

As for the manager's decision to leave Branthwaite out… well, words fail me. I'm honestly beginning to believe Dyche hates our fans, and this is a smack in the face to us.

The club spent the whole of the summer fending off bids from Man Utd, telling them it's £70Ml or it's no deal… and then goes and does this because absurdly he thinks his Burnley buddies are performing miracles.

What utter fucking drivel, as others have alluded to. Do you think the top teams would leave their best players out? No they would absolutely not.

Keep this manager at our peril, because, believe me you can only play Russian Roulette for so long…

The tactics are a real worry. We know we don't have the greatest attacking options but there are other ways to play with one up top.

Using wingers and pumping crosses into the box for Calvert-Lewinor a late run would be better than this long switch to an isolated striker we see from Pickford and the cenre-backs.

And that is a tactic. I doubt the players want to do that. I fear he's losing the dressing room and that only ever ends one way.

I would get rid. But only if we have a progressive replacement lined up. If we don't, I'd rather scrape by this season and have a proper clean slate next season.

I think we just have enough to stay up. However, if, like any reasonable and sane club would, there is a replacement lined up – get them in now so they can work with the squad going into January.

Do not repeat the mistake we did with Lampard after the two Bournemouth away debacles last season.

Calvert-Lewin and any other player should be judged and selected on current form – not on form of the past. Yes, he has been a trier, worked his ass off… but his body language has been very negative for some time now.

And once you lose that drive, the extra spring in your step because you are pissed off, or your kid keeps you awake at night, or your head has been turned – then you need to either get back in the game or make way for others.

We all need both competition and support and Calvert-Lewin hasn't had any for some time and it's showing in his attitude.

He's had it kicked out of him Kevin with these ridiculous tactics.

I would still like to see Beto and Calvert-Lewin up top together though, especially at home.

I know you don’t like Dyche, and I know I’ve usually defended him, but just because I can’t defend our current tactics, this doesn’t mean that I think Lewin’s only problem is because of Dyche’s tactics.

I’m positive I have watched him play in a very selfless way for the team, many times before, and was very surprised (not in a good way) when I have watched him and Beto, when they’ve partnered each other before because I couldn’t believe how inept they have looked in a tandem.

One in one out Mr Styles, but not with these two because it has always looked like they don’t really understand each other, except for the game when we went out the FA Cup at home to Luton, when they were both let down by the lack of quality around them, imo.

Fair argument mate, though could it be that they just don’t have enough experience in terms of time in forging a partnership together.

I never played centre forward but I’m guessing that just like centre half you need a certain amount of playing time to understand each other.

Anyway, a moot point as he won’t start both but in my book Beto at least has shown enough to start tomorrow.

Our midfield seems to get missed, but even so, Dominic can't do it all on his own. He needs support and runners when he does win or hold up a ball. Often, he is left on his own. As Dave says, he is chasing his own flick ons.

I'll give you a shout. I'm up for Brentford and Wolves.

I remember watching Beto play for the under 21’s against Tranmere Rovers at the start of the season, he looked lost for most of the game. They then brought Martin Sherrif on to play alongside and he looked a different player, grabbed two quick goals if memory serves.

I know that the EPL is a different proposition but West Ham are under pressure at the moment and with Branthwaite also in it gives us the ideal opportunity to play much further up the field.

Unlike yourself I never played football to a high standard but it just seems to me that you can’t score goals if you don’t have the ball. A much more attacking set up against teams in and around us imo.

Another phrase is "attack is the best form of defence" but I'm not sure that this is the case with our squad?

3-5-2 (or is it 5-3-2?) I'd probably try and play this way, but I think we are short of two wingbacks?

McNeil lacks pace but has got a very good engine, he could possibly play on the left. Patterson might be an effective wingback, who knows? Mykolenko would be okay in a 3-man defence, with Brainthwaith in charge, although I'm not sure about either Keane or Tarkowski,playing a little bit higher while covering the right?

It's gotta be Gueye and Garner, sitting, but maybe not, just so you could get N'diaye in behind the two centre forwards, but maybe this formation is just utter madness?

Maybe shore it up with another midfielder, play N'diaye and Lundstrom, as inside forwards, and just leave one up front!

The message for the manager is: be more fucking adventurous!!!

‘if they are not interfering with play then what are they doing on the pitch’.