If you register with thenationalleague.org.uk you can watch for free (legally)

So john, What would your line up be and tactically tell us why. 4-5-1 ATM against Chelsea seems not a bad idea. Also, when did we last play a 4-5-1?

The best option would be to cut down the amount of game time we revert to a 4-5-1.

Apologies for off topic. This is one of the reasons their will be no relegation involved. https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/emirati-owner-of-manchester-city-was-given-knighthood-during-scandal-years

Dave, One thing I do remember is around 100 Blues dancing on the floor and tables in the Wine Lodge all singing the theme music to The Great Escape. In the aftermath we all came to the same conclusion. Everton Football Club will never allow this to happen again. How wrong we were

This is all what I would do, I would utilize Jacks skill and give him the no. 10 role. Then George out wide left and Dibs wide right. Obviously Barry up top BUT if not working don’t wait until the 85th minute to change . Put charley on at the 46th minute and let him get into the game. Subs (in general at 85 minutes don’t work I know I’ve been that sub). That’s my configuration for the team v Chelsea, (as big as cheats than Man City but old money abhors gate crashers ) COYB

I think, with David Moyes is that he seems to be playing the right notes but in the wrong order. I can’t believe that his backroom staff all agree. What he’s doing at the moment seems to be working but time in football can change everything. Earlier subs needed. DM should know that 5 minutes on the pitch in general changes nothing if you need to score a goal. Basic changes, not much but, from what we’ve had and it’s not a given, back 4 is a problem and gives the word fluid a new meaning. With our team it can change like the British weather. So for me, for the squad we have and where we’re up to now, I would take AMN and give him LB. A decent thoughtful player at RB would be Jimmy. Tarks and Jarrod in the middle. In front of them I’d go for Hayden and KDH. (we should be good enough for 1 DM when in the attack, at home) 1 of these players stays back and the other breaks the land speed record to get back when transition occurs. Now the juicy bit.

Yes John I was replying to your post, then it doesn’t give an option to any replies. That whole season was very strange if I remember it correctly, Howard packed in on his second time as manager, then someone took over for about 6 games- Jimmy Gabriel (?) and I think we lost those 6 matches— then Mike Walker took over and we struggled to get the points in and Wimbledon was our do or die game which took us all the the edge before we could relax by staying up. I’m not sure if I am remembering the middle of that season correctly though!

Hey Dave, keep an eye peeled for our U-21s today in the National League Cup.

Swashbuckling? David Moyes?

I was stuck in a traffic jam in Brixton. When we went 2-0 down I switched off the radio – too scared to listen to it anymore- switched it on just before Stuart scored – went completely ballistic- tooting the horn, banging the car roof, the car was shaking from side to side – a couple of old Rasta guys were watching and were pissing themselves at me.

oh no it is barry h.

You could see a change to a more swashbuckling style in the pre-season games. Unfortunately it comes with a bit more risk to being countered on and so it is essential we convert enough of those chances to beat the opposition, which is never a given with our willing but limited striking option(s).

top picture looks like vinny samways – though i could be wrong ! i went to this game with my brother .we paid cash at turnstile for main stand top tier close to park end building site . i remember dean holdsworth warming up b4 kick off and knocking off a hard hat off one of the construction workers. never a penalty when anders fell over but hey ho ! our late dad came with us but when he saw the queue stretching down city road he decided to go home . close to the front on that top tier was a test of your nerves as was the game…

What a horrendous lead up to that season defining game. I was living in the south of England at the time and I took my wife and five kids for a day out. On the way home I put the car radio on, I didn’t know the score and there was complete pandemonium. The score was eventually announced and those final minutes to the whistle dragged on. When the whistle went my three sons were shouting for joy whilst the tears rolled down my face and a massive weight lifted. Anyone who has supported Everton will know the agony and ecstasy we have endured simply avoiding relegation. It has been far too long waiting for a trophy, let’s keep the dream alive and push on for silver ware.

spelling error alert ! it should say starring ! staring is looking at someone or something in a fixed manner .. yeah colin right man , wrong time ? i was there for his great goal against west brom april 1970 in goodison road paddock . was it a tuesday or wednesday night…

Michael, the U-21s are going today in the National League Cup

Michael, the U-21s are going today in the National League Cup.

Fair enough, thanks!

8 Goals in 7 games and 5th in the table. I’ll take that with our understrength squad. I would say though for the upcoming game against Chelsea I would love to see Jack take the 10 role with George on the left and Dibling on the right. AMN to left back and Jimmy to right back and replace him with KDH.

I cant reply to your post Dave,no option to reply. I recall chatting to a mate of mine outside the Wilmslow ,a very tough lad,well known in the city. We spoke about the coffin,his reply…if they bring that down Goodison Road i will put a couple of them in it. I didn`t doubt him .

If I have to explain it… it kinda falls flat on its arse.

Good question. I went through a phase where I collected every Everton book I could find… you should see my study, shelves are creaking. But it became more of a compilation job for ToffeeWeb — one which I have neglected somewhat in recent years. So that is another way of saying: No, I haven’t read the book. And No, I doubt if I will. I read for revelation rather than reliving memories, and am always disappointed. They never spill the dirt.

Ooops… you just can’t get good help these days!

Yes he’s name is Jonathan although Michael is usually spot on naming all of Everton’s Academy players, by the way the opposition might think there are two Nsangous on the pitch the way this lad plays!

Bring a sub on early, what are you suggesting ?? I need a lie down

A deeply emotional day for everyone in the ground and plenty of fans hanging from the trees in Stanley Park and those bastards Liverpudlians dancing at Villa Park(?) when Everton were 2-0 down— they had to burn the wooden coffin with Everton’s demise on it and cancel the planned celebration march if we had been relegated. As for those still in Goodison Park what a relief for all of dancing on the pitch and hugging strangers you didn’t know even if we were all brothers and sisters that lovely sunny afternoon.

With Grealish the problem looks to be still the same as last season: who to put around him to create a bit of space. We had some lovely interplay last season with KDH, but KDH isn’t super quick either running nor from a standing start. Myko is a bit explosive from a standing start, but isn’t a dangerous overlap. I know what you mean about the Right wing. Johnson’s clearly yet to regain his Tottenham levels, and the whole set-up is new and different from last season. It’s still odd that Moyes hasn’t sorted things yet – quickly finding something that works is one of his strengths.

Brian my reply was just one line saying what a good post yours was and agreeing with everything you said.

I still have nightmares about that game!!

Dave that’s exactly what most Evertonians think about Colin a great footballer— same as as Howard I could talk about him all day as a footballer, I rated him better than Colin but it was great to have them in the team as Alan Ball not forgetting the rest of an excellent but very small squad.

Surely this was Jonathan Nsangou, or do we have 2 Nsangous playing for the U18s?

I Think the balance is completely wrong, we have Grealish attacking from the left, but Johnson is a passenger on the right, as we saw on Sunday, Maitland-Niles was more of a threat going forward, less said about his defensive duties though.

I think Dale, has adapted a position of just posting rather than replying, which would make a lot of sense if everyone else did the same Paul. Another problem (a long list of them, unfortunately) is though the posts don’t seem to run consecutively anymore.

He agreed with Margaret Hardacre, Paul, along with Dale, so I think I’ll put a 👍 myself!

The first of the two goals is maybe a bit of a “Tarkowski and Keane not being able to get back” situation that people sometimes criticise the pairing for, where Branthwaite’s recovery pace might possibly have helped. (That’s not to criticise either player individually – they’re just both slower as a pair.) The Hull player chipped the ball because it was the safer way to score, if you have the skills, and it does bobble in, leaving a bit of time to intercept. Keane doesn’t even try to run because he can see he couldn’t get there. Maybe Branthwaite could have got there? That said – it was a long distance to cover, even if the defender had recognized the danger very quickly.

Midfield… As DM, Norgaard is the natural because he’s a better tackler, but Garner can “do a job” because he’s so aware and has a great engine. As an 8, for me it would normally be Garner for his all round game, then either Hackney (his passing/control) or Armstrong (more energy) whether the team’s solid or pushing on. I’m delighted that Armstrong is getting as much time because he’s from the city and has come through the Academy. If his passing developed, he could be a very complete player. 10: KDH for his all round ability, and goals, with Alcaraz as back up. Johnson/George on the Right gives pace the team needs with Grealish Left. George is the more “Moyes” player, but Johnson (in better form) is one of the few players who you’d expect to score and I expect that’s why Moyes is playing him so much. Hopefully they all play enough that they aren’t exhausted at the end of the season, like last year but with a smaller squad!

We’ve got a great player in Grealish, and when attacking needs a quick player near him, that’ll do good. As for Johnson… I don’t know what’s going on – are the players still trying to gel in to the system around that area on the right side? It was obvious that Branthwaite, as good as he is, was out of position. Good on him willing to try it out, but don’t put him back on the left-back position, please. Atleast now we know that (and Moyes must’ve learned???). He THRIVES at the centre-back position. As for Alcaraz as a forward, looks like the players are still learning each other at the front – the learning MUST BE CAPITALIZED until we get a new forward. Or else, it’s just wasted long distance shot at goal efforts until the new year, or God forbid if we don’t get a new forward until next summer.

We learned we are in for very solid season!

I was due to go to the game but Iived in the south at the time. An urgent legal document was required so I ended up listening to the game on the radio whilst working. At 2-0, I turned the radio off but was so gutted I couldn’t concentrate. I left home to pick up my son from his friend’s house at 6pm and found out they were staying up by my son and his friend’s rendition of “we’re staying up, we’re staying up” shouting and jumping up and down as they greeted my car arriving at his friend’s house. I sat in the car and as realisation hit me, I let the tears flow.

I was in Portugal on the day so didn’t get to see the game live. I remember when it went to 2-0 I just thought “fuck this, I’m going in the pool!” I jumped into the freezing cold water and sank to the bottom, staying there for as long as I could without air. My Dad came outside a little later and said, “I don’t want to get your hopes up but it’s 2-1.” Obviously, the rest is history. As Horne says, amazing that a year later (and I was once again in Portugal with my folks), we won the FA Cup. This time my old man and I were in a bar full of United fans (you know, all southerners) and about 4 fellow blues. At full-time there were only the 6 of us left in the bar, at least 2 of the group sobbing! One of the lads had a copy of our ‘Altogether Now’ FA Cup song with him on CD and we got the barman to play it continuously on loop until he’d had enough of us! Happy memories!

“Oi, wot you lookin’ at, Harvey?!”

I seem to remember Harvey’s notes in the first program of his time as Everton manager. If my recollection is correct, he said that he was on a caravan holiday in north Wales when he got word that he was going to get the job. Even at the time, the way he wrote suggested that he wasn’t just surprised to get the job but also didn’t think he deserved it. Some people are just better at being ‘number 2’. Harvey was hugely important to the club and it’s a shame that he was thrust into a position he clearly wasn’t comfortable with.

Is the book any good, Michael? You’ve summarised the background to the Harvey appointment and subsequent years in charge but not given an opinion on O’Hagan’s written account. Thanks.

I cried at the final whistle Paul,sobbed like a baby. I was a lot more emotionally involved then mate

I was at this game. When Ablett put through his own net to make it 0-2, I felt physically sick. A guy must have been in his 60’s got out of his seat in tears saying he can’t watch anymore and walked out. I’d loved to have seen him after the match. Best and worst game I’ve ever been to.

Colin’s recruitment was shocking. McDonald to replace Stevens, Nevin to replace Trevor, Newell to replace Sharp, Cottee for £2.3m!!!- Wilson and then Beagrie to replace Sheedy for heavens sake!! He was unfortunate that the team fell apart with injuries to Ratters, Reid and Pat and the younger players wanting to move on but trying to copy the Liverpool boot room by making the coaching team an Everton old boys club was a huge mistake. A shame because he should be remembered as one of the best footballers ever to grace Goodison Park!

Dave just seen you replied to my comments about Colin unfortunately I cant see all your post as when I click on I only get 6 or7 posts and on the other thread regarding our midfield despite it saying there are 24 posts despite hitting the see more posts button I only get to see 12 posts obviously I am doing something wrong.

Michael, I know you and Harry have been as frustrated as us posters with the new set up especially th erecent comments post which are all over the place. I click on articles yet for some reason cant see the posts on the recent comments page. Have you any idea when the changes to getting the comments on each post back to chronological order will happen.

Good post Brian that sums it up for me — not sure if Howard would have lasted much longer at Everton if Colin hadn’t have joined him when he did.