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Arnez Desmond
1 Posted 30/10/2017 at 07:04:10
Time to move forward: Promote the youngsters you have Dave. Jags (love him) he's done, Williams (don't rate him). Baines (that's a problem – no backup or get young Lookman to patrol the wings from a wingback slot or being back Kieran Dowell). At the moment, we need to regroup...

GK (Pickford) ,
2 cbs (Keane & Holgate),
1 rw (Kenny),
1 lb (Baines / Dowell / Lookman),
1 DM (Gueye / McCarthy),
2 CM (Klaassen / Davies),
2 AM (Sigurdsson / Lookman / Mirallas),
1 striker (Rooney / Calvert-Lewin).

The team needs energy.. Only 1 manager I know worked without a proper striker... remember Marcus Bent? Yes...David Moyes! We need to fix the issue now and not wait till the January window. Big job for a Manager who wants to be Big!

Dan Kemp
2 Posted 30/10/2017 at 07:13:00
A good summary, Lyndon. I just don't know if I can bear to watch any more of this. I keep tuning in (two games per week!) and waiting for us to start turning it round. It's not happening.

The last time Rooney played for us, we finished 17th. Just saying.

John Keating
3 Posted 30/10/2017 at 07:31:58
Can't score.
Can't stop shipping goals.
No pace, enthusiasm or confidence.
This is not pessimism but reality.
Ominous and everyone should be fully aware.
John McGimpsey
4 Posted 30/10/2017 at 07:37:57
Time for Davies to be left out. He has hit a level which is not good enough and has been found out and is becoming a fouling and ball giving away player.

Williams...nothing to write about this tortoise. Calvert-Lewin needs time on the bench and Niasse needs leaving at a bus stop at our next away game. Look at our players man for man and 8-10 shouldn't be at the club – remember NSNO!

Subs and set up yesterday were a joke .

James Byrne
5 Posted 30/10/2017 at 07:40:09
The board need to think fast on this one; we're relegation material. We'd all like to see Unsworth get the job but he shouldn't be handed such a task while we are in free fall.

We need a master survival expert to come in and drag us from the bottom of the league, not an apprentice at this stage.

Darrel Pugh
6 Posted 30/10/2017 at 08:13:49
This is one game away from turning into a Mike Walker, 94 situation.

In fact talking about Royle, Unsworth, Ebbrell and Ferguson, makes it even more like the worst kind of déjà vu. We need a complete departure from what we have been doing, now, today. I fear only Sam Allardyce can make this happen, before it is too late.

The only bright spot is, we won’t need to disgrace ourselves twice a year against them lot, if we leave things as they are.

Phil Walling
7 Posted 30/10/2017 at 08:24:43
Sadly, Unsy is proving as big a 'messer' as was Koeman with little idea what to do with this myriad of below average players.

My on-going worry is that the problem may not lie with the manager – whoever he is – but with the lack of talent able to perform at Premier League level. Most of them continue to look either over the hill or incapable of climbing it.

I increasingly believe that Kenwright will turn to Moyes – and then the inevitable end is nigh!

Iain Love
8 Posted 30/10/2017 at 08:25:15
Leicester with a new manager at home was always going to be a difficult task, especially as they too really needed the points. Expecting Unsworth to come in and turn things round with less than a week to sort it out is naive.

Many teams have tried to have a go at Leicester without planning for their pace on the break. Unsworth showed his naivety and joins that list. Their 1st goal was what Leicester was all about 2 seasons ago. I fail to understand why Davies, Gana or Rooney (especially given where he was) didn't take a yellow for the team.

The 2nd goal, shit happens... especially when you're struggling. Second half with changes made (I thought it was Koeman who always ended a game with the team he should have started with) we looked better defensively, but we also looked like we'd never score.

I honestly can't see a way out of this, no matter who is in charge. My only glimmer of hope is that we do a Joe Royle until Coleman, Bolaise and Barkley are back and we use the winter window wisely.

Final point: Rooney should be used only from the bench. Oh how we're missing Barry.

Dave Evans
9 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:10:40
James Byrne @5

We would all like to see Unsworth get the job? Average players in the Burnley team and now Leicester were more focused, sharper and motivated. More importantly they seem coached to become familiar with what they and their team mates will do in the the different parts of the pitch and phases of the game.

We are a tactical joke. Our main weapon under Koeman was to boot an angled ball to Calvert-Lewin. Unsworth has kept that with a 'new' ball down the line to the wide men.

There is something seriously wrong at Finch Farm. Responsibility must lie with all coaching and player support staff. This problem is a coaching problem and as such can be fixed. We need the right man manager with a new coaching staff and clear tactical system. Coaches who train players to become familiar with their roles and their team mates roles in terms of tackling. passing and moving in the different phases of the game.

This is a coaching problem. It can be fixed.

Geoff Lambert
10 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:26:48
Are Koeman's staff still running the training?
Mike Allen
11 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:29:07
Maybe Unsworth isn't the right guy for the job but, for fuck's sake, two games... and while still defeats, we have gone from an absolute shambles to something that while maybe only average to something that is at least competitive; an improvement. The man can't cater for costly individual mistakes or bad refereeing decisions. Both games saw indifferent first half to improved second half and being the better team in both cases.

We haven't had pace at the back for god knows how long so whoever is the manager needs to address the problem Unsworth hasn't created this mess – give him the same respect as you would to any of the so-called big names. The man is selecting players that he thinks can do a job; he is not just picking names out on reputation from an over-loaded over-hyped squad.

To be honest, he hasn't got a lot to work with – especially some of the big money signings who, by the way, not many, if any other clubs were interested in.

Peter Murray
12 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:29:43
Too many generals, not enough troops.
Rick Tarleton
13 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:30:49
Everton looked just as lost yesterday as they have all season. To send long angled balls into a central area for Calvert-Lewin, when facing Morgan and Maguire was foolish in the extreme and smacked of desperation.

Sigurdsson looks totally disinterested, he looks as though he feels he is not valued and cannot really be bothered.

To take off both Lennon and Mirallas seemed tactically foolish. Rooney worked hard, but frequently gave the ball away, Davies struggled. Niasse came on and was busy but ineffective.

The defence is woeful. I can't think of anything to say in their favour. Jagielka was poor, but was possibly the best of the back players which says it all.

This was my first live game, Leicester are my local team and my son was given two seats; we sat with Leicester supporters and their comments were scathing, about all the money spent and about Rooney's uselessness. The Everton fans were understandably quietish.

As an audition for Unsworth's bid, it wasn't great. He's a good lad etc, but I'd like to see Dyche or Wagner in, especially if Dyche could bring Mee with him. I preferred Mee to Keane, because of his intelligence and left-sided defending.

Awaiting developments.

Tony Marsh
14 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:39:33
The problem I have with yesterday is not the loss as that can happen anytime in the Premier League, but the ridiculous way Unsworth set the team up. Those fans bleating that Rhino has only had 6 days in charge, therefore it's understandable we lost, are so far out of touch it's frightening.

David Unsworth has been at the club for God knows how many years. On one hand, fans are saying give him the job, he knows us inside out... then saying he has only been here 6 days ?

Unsworth after all this time at Everton cannot see that Aaron Lennon is rubbish – always has been – but plays him anyway, leaving out Lookman and Vlasic. Same applies with Mirallas. I mean why not play Stekelenburg ahead if Pickford? That's how pathetic the selections were.

Once I saw the team sheet, I knew it was game over yesterday. Calvert-Lewin up front on his own while Niasse, the only striker we have who scores goals, is on the bench. I don't like having a pop at young lads but sorry Dominic isn't Premier League class, never will be. Calvert-Lewin just isn't a finisher. He is 21 now – look what Lukaku was doing in a crappy West Brom team at that age. Micheal Owen was a world beater at 17 in an average Liverpool side. Calvert-Lewin will end up like Cadamateri and James Vaughan.

Sorry guys, but Unsworth exposed his inadequacies yesterday. He is no better than Koeman sending out a team to perform.

It's time for Fireman Sam to put out the fire. We are in the shit big time. Please stop dreaming and calling for managers who would never come here. It's getting silly. Ancelotti? Not a chance. Time to wake the fuck up, people! Forget fancy football – we need rescuing.

Paul Smith
15 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:46:34
Sensible post Tony Marsh. Yesterday was piss poor. Unsworth is not what we need right now.
Mike Doyle
16 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:47:54
The ONLY issue to focus on now is Premier League survival (forget the Europa League).

Short term priority should be to try and collect some points – with plan A being to keep clean sheets.

Probably the best way to approach this is to deploy a 4-5-1 formation (as in the days of Marcus Bent) and have at least one quick player in the 5 (probably Lookman) to support the lone striker in counter attacks.

Calvert-Lewin and Niasse, despite their shortcomings, have both demonstrated a willingness to run, hassle etc – and appear worthy successors to Marcus in this role.

Our current defensive options (especially Williams, Jagielka, Keane, Baines) lack the pace to play a high line – so there seems no option but to sit deep, keep a solid shape – and park the bus... essentially the approach that got us a point at Man City.

There seems little point in playing an open/expansive style as (a) is leaves us exposed at the back and (b) we don't have a meaningful attacking threat – as demonstrated by the lack of real attempts on goal created this season.

This approach probably won't appeal to Unsworth as he's said he wants to try and win games – and feels he needs to to stand a chance of getting the job full time. However as he's probably now realised he doesn't have the personnel to go toe to toe with most of the Premier League sides.

Steve Ferns
17 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:49:46
Unsworth cannot come in and wave a magic wand and make everything ok. He cannot stop players making stupid mistakes.

Let's go through the side. That back four was the back four everyone of us would have selected with Keane injured. Maybe a few would have argued for Holgate, but you can't have Kenny and Holgate in the same back four against a top player like Vardy.

Midfield, most on here have been banging on for ages about ditching the double pivot. Unsworth just showed why you can't. If you play two out and out wingers, like Mirallas and Lennon, with Rooney behind the striker, then we need a double pivot. Personally, I would have gone for three battlers in the midfield - Gueye, Davies, and Schneiderlin. This would have given us the protection to play wingers and let Davies get forward to support the front three.

Up front, Calvert-Lewin seems a bit lost. I still think he will become a fantastic player, and he just needs one to go in off his arse then a load will follow. He's the only player we have that is capable of leading the line. It's either that or start with Rooney, and then threaten to sub him if he drops too deep.

I still think Unsworth can turn things around and he just needs time. Let's see how it goes against Watford. Forget Lyon, we've more important things to worry about.

Phil Sammon
18 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:51:59
Tony Marsh

I share your frustration, but that post is absolute nonsense mate.

You say ‘forget fancy football' and at the same time berate Unsworth for selecting Lennon over Lookman. As shit as you think Lennon is, surely you can at least appreciate that he's going to give you 100% effort up and down the park.

Picking Calvert-Lewin over Niasse is hardly a criminal offence from the manager. Both are at a similar level right now. God knows why you're comparing the lad to Lukaku. There's barely a player in the world that can stack up next to his stats as a teenager.

You seem to know it all anyway, Tony. What back four would you have played? It seems to me that is the biggest problem right now.

Christopher Timmins
19 Posted 30/10/2017 at 09:57:00
Contributors to the forum are very fickle, a guy can be a hero one day and a no hoper 90 minutes later.

Unfortunately for the current manager it may well be that anything short of a win against Watford next Sunday will see his departure after 4 games.

it is often said that you need your leaders to be lucky and to be without Keane and the yet again injured McCarthy was not a good start for the manager heading into yesterday's game.

Yesterday's game confirmed that Jags, Williams and Baines are losing their battles with father time. Rooney is the moderate player he has looked for the past two years at Old Trafford. Niasse should only be used in the last quarter when we are chasing a game. He brings a level of confusion to the party when introduced. He does not know what he is going to do so how can the opposition know.

We found out that Davies can only play in a midfield 3 and not when we deploy two wide men, he is too light. Calvert-Lewin is being over played due a lack of options up top.

The mess that we are in was not caused by the current manager but unfortunately for him I reckon he has to get a result on Sunday or the International break will see a new man in the hot seat. I wish luck!

Tony Marsh
20 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:03:14
Phil @ 18,

One of my good pals is a Spurs season-ticket holder goes home and away. He tells me Lennon was finished when Spurs let him go. When was that... 3 years ago? Yet, despite never playing one decent game for us, he starts in a relegation dog fight and does nothing, gets pulled off?

Calvert-Lewin isn't a Premier League grade striker and never will be because he isn't a natural finisher!! Mirallas has been useless for years now – most fans ar ein agreement – yet he starts. Where is the nonsense, Phil? It's facts, mate – hard-to-take facts, but true.

Unsworth messed up Big time experimenting in a bottom 3 game. It was suicide and we played the price. Of course other things were wrong also but I mentioned the main ones that could of been different.

Tony McNulty
21 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:09:18
The world of the Premier League has moved on. In 2017, Everton is too big a job for a manager who is a fledgling in terms of the Premier League. Our prestige as a club, our size and ambition dictate that we need an experienced name to get us out of this mess.

The old model of bringing in a Moyes type (ie, someone with potential who can learn on the job) is dead.

Whilst the rest of the Premier League plays World Championship Chess, we cannot afford to be playing draughts.

Steve Ferns
22 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:19:52
So what about all these foreign managers winning the league with no Premier League experience then?
Pat Kelly
23 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:22:23
The Club has the finance to fix this. Relegation must be avoided at all costs. The financial cost of relegation would be enormous and could be long lasting.

Get a relegation avoidance specialist in to get us safe. Shore up what we can in January. Nothing will be won this season. It's a long road ahead. But that's Everton.

Brian Harrison
24 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:31:43
Well typical the fans who were screaming on here for months for us to play 2 wingers and 1 holding player, now don't want that style and castigate Unsworth for giving the fans what they wanted.

Now some are suggesting we appoint Allardyce... really? Is this the same Allardyce that was booed out of Newcastle and West Ham for his non-footballing idea of what fans want to watch? Or maybe Dyche, who plays the same game as Allardyce – maybe those thinking along them lines may also put forward Warnock's name in the hat. All 3 play the same long balls into the channels for a big man to chase, then hopefully pick up second balls. Play 8 or 9 men behind the ball home and away. Now even though he was much criticized for playing a cautious game even Moyes wasn't as negative as these proposed managers.

All this club ever do is look to someone who has done well with a lower league team, or has had a team punching above their weight in the Premier League. We got lucky once doing this with Kendall but the rest we have appointed this way have won nothing.

Funny how a lot of these pundits are saying Dyche is made for Everton I wonder, if any of the top 6 clubs sacked their managers, would anyone even mention Allardyce or Dyche? No. Yet we keep banging on about challenging for a top 4 place. Well getting second- or third-rate managers won't get us anywhere near the top 4. But if you want mid-able obscurity – then these managers will be perfect.

Brent Stephens
25 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:32:02
Unsy has led U23s to the U23 title. He clearly has what it takes at that level. What is different at the Prem level? Well maybe, that is mainly the ability to out-think other managers currently operating in the Prem in terms of selection, tactics, substitutions.

Judging by TW posts, we all think can see what is wrong in each game re selection, tactics, substitutions. Do we really think Unsy can't see the same? My guess is he sees and knows more than the majority of us on TW.

I suspect the problem is partly one of players: to some extent, with some, ability; to some extent confidence; to some extent understanding (after less than a week) with what Unsy wants in terms of tactics.

I'm cautiously optimistic about getting up the table. But we DO need to solve that ability problem: striker, plus replacing a few older players.

Andy Codling
26 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:45:19
In a nutshell, we are fucked!
John Harrop
27 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:47:42
Absolutely correct, Brian #24.

All of those advocating giving the job to Sean Dyche should take a look at what he's actually achieved. He's won nothing above Championship level, his overall win percentage is a measly 38.8% and that's before we even start on his style of football.

Just say no!

Brian Williams
28 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:49:58
Too many weak links, too many players just not good enough, and NO creativity whatsoever.

The chasm between us and even lowly Leicester was there to see at times with young Gray running through our midfield and defense like they weren't there.

Mike Price
29 Posted 30/10/2017 at 10:57:23
Brian (#24),

Any of the top 6 in the bottom 3 after 10 games and looking as shockingly clueless as this team would have fired their manager and I'm sure the fire fighter managers would be looked at, including Allardyce, because survival is paramount.

This isn't a time for pretty football and thoughts of challenging the elite, we're in as deep as we've ever been because we've got nothing.

No pace, no power, no size, no aggression, no structure, no balance, no team spirit, no skill, no goalscorer .we're the absolute definition of a relegation team right now.

Dale Rose
30 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:13:20
Well I'm going to buck the trend. The Vardy goal was a cracker. The second unfortunate. Credit to Kenny, he played well after it.

Unsy has to try some combinations and this is what he is doing. At least there is some heart and passion there now. Second half we were quite good. It is work in progress.

Koeman initially said his project would take two years. Unsy has had two games. Give the man a chance and we will come good.

It's very much green shoots at the moment. The more the youngsters play the better they will come.

Brian Harrison
31 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:15:00
Mike,

I accept all the deficiencies you mention, but Unsworth isn't responsible for them and anyone who thinks that an Allardyce will come in and turn things around quickly are kidding themselves. I think he went 6 games when he took over at Sunderland before he won a game, and Dyce went nearly a season without an away win.

But you say bring them in as a firefighter, and just lets say they avoid relegation what happens then. I am sure Dyche would want a minimum of 3/4 year contract, but if he gets us to safety and in his 2nd season the fans decide they don't like his style then the process starts again.

We paid Martinez £10 million and I am sure Koeman will get something similar. now as a club you cant keep firing managers every 2 years and then pay them off to the tune of £10 million a time.

The board need to take their time and appoint a manager who has a record of winning trophies and also his style of play.

Mike Price
32 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:23:07
Brian, the trouble is, if we get relegated it's hundreds of millions and the implosion of our club.

I agree that from a comfortable mid table position in the future, a dour style would be an issue but right now mid table is our holy grail.

Tim Griffiths
33 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:32:01
An excellent report, Lyndon. There appears to be so many issues with the team, squad and club, it's difficult to know where to start. I can't think of a manager who would be suitable to sort this out, especially with the names being touted.

A good start would be a new contract for Barkley. We miss Barry a lot. Will help when Seamus and Bolasie are back. Sorry disjointed ramblings! Just bemused at the moment!!!

Charles Barrow
34 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:36:43
Unsworth should have played Vlasic and or Lookman. His real problem is Koeman ignored the defence and didn't buy to replace Jags, Williams or Baines. The defence is old and creaking. We are the most unbalanced team I've ever seen, no defence, little in attack, midfielders everywhere. Surely you need cover in every department. Really Koeman has a lot to answer for!
Tony Flanagan
35 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:41:37
Forgive me for being ignorant here, and I am by no means expert in all things Everton. Could Mirallas be used in a Jamie Vardy type role? He is quick and he can score goals given some service? Just seems to be left out a lot and likes to have a pop at goal; seems a waste when we don't have many people up front with a goal in them?
Jay Woods
36 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:46:25
I don't agree that relegation would be the calamity some are saying.

Newcastle have been relegated twice in recent years and bounced back both times.

If it meant getting rid of Blue Bill and his entourage once and for all, I would be willing to think of going down and back up again as a kind of Hartz Flea Dip exercise.

That said, ideally we should stay up AND divest ourselves of Bill's detritus. That means we'd have to appoint the Red Adair of relegation fire fights as our new manager, sadly.

Rick Tarleton
37 Posted 30/10/2017 at 11:59:46
The problem may be, Jay, if we are relegated, it gets rid of Moshiri and the new stadium, which to me is the most important item on the Everton horizon, but we'll need to stay in the Premier League for that to materialise.
Christopher Timmins
39 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:10:49
One other point that I forgot to make earlier, we need to keep our nerve, no supposed short term fixes, if Unsworth is not deemed to be the man by the Board then it should be someone with a track record of winning things and not a fire fighter. In fairness to Dyche I don't consider him to be a fire fighter rather a manager who has done remarkably well with the talent at his disposal. Whether he could make the next step, who knows?

If we go the fire fighter route it might as well be Pulis as Big Sam.

Iain Johnston
40 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:14:53
Koeman had all summer to sort this lot out and failed.

Unsworth has had the job for 7 days and possibly only two training sessions due to the fixture congestion. It will be the same this week too.

Looking at the stats, yesterday we had more possession & more shots on goal with passes into the final third increased by over 20% compared to the Burnley & Bournemouth games and over 30% compared to both Arsenal & Stoke.

We now have a run of 5 games which should see us leapfrog many of the perennial strugglers especially as time on the training pitch will increase a lot.

My gut says stick with Unsy for these five games, let's give him a realistic attempt at improving the squad... If there is no change by then any new manager will still have 23 games and a transfer window together with the return of Seamus, Mori & Bolasie and have the opportunity to recall Dowell & Galloway.

John Keating
41 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:15:29
Brian,

I don't think those mentioning Allardyce are doing so as a long term solution as a manager. I think he is being mentioned as a stop gap until the end of the season. From appointment to close season, the Board can source a long term successor to Koeman.

The facts are that this present team are in serious trouble both in our actual league position and the whole demeanour of the squad as a whole and no sign of improvement. We cannot allow this present state to drag on week after week until it's too late.

Jay Woods mentions being relegated wouldn't be a calamity! Well can you imagine the shit we would get around town from the RS for the rest of our lives. Yes, Newcastle bounced back but Villa, Norwich, Sunderland, Leeds etc etc etc didn't. It is without doubt the hardest league to get out of.

No we really have to bite the bullet and get in Allardyce until the end of the season. Most won't like it, I don't like it, but just think of the alternative.

Nigel Munford
42 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:20:37
We need to stop shipping goals but I can't see anyway the current players in the back line or defensive midfielders will achieve this.
Gerry Western
44 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:30:11
I haven't felt this dejected since the abject negativity of the Moyes years. We really are a mess, I really don't get the hype and clamour for young Davies inclusion. He is high on energy but much of his work rate is aimless and he was culpable for both the goals conceded, headless chicken springs to mind.

As for Rooney I'm afraid he is fast becoming a liability apart from the occasional goal and defence splitting pass he's a yard off the pace and rarely manages to close anyone down. He's late with his tackles, conceding unnecessary free kicks and I've lost count of the number of misplaced passes some of which have left us horribly exposed to the counter attack. I'm not convinced he was necessarily Koeman's choice more like someone he felt obliged to bring in to placate Bill as he appears to all intensive purposes to be surplus to requirements.

What I'm struggling with is that we've parted with £45m to bring in Sigurdsson, overpriced I'll grant you, but a talented footballer nonetheless and he's benched to accommodate Rooney of all people. I'm afraid Rooney's best days are long behind him and he shouldn't be any more than a bench warmer and should be on half of his current salary.

Vlasic was seemingly fit for this game but not included in the squad a decision which I find unfathomable as he's been one of our better performers of late.

Martinez was hounded out for mid table finishes and failing to make it through cup semi-finals but I never really believed we were in danger of relegation under his tenure but I'm less certain about are present status worrying times indeed.

Ian Hollingworth
45 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:36:10
We need to realise that it is only us Evertonians who think we should be challenging for top 6 / top 4.

The rest of the football world simply does not view us in this way and that is why we are getting linked with Dyche etc.

This is a crucial decision the club now has to make and it should not be made on sentiment. Therein lies a big problem with Boys Pen Bill at the helm.

Alun Jones
46 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:36:24
Tony Marsh – what team would you have started with against Leicester?
Iain Johnston
47 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:42:20
Sunderland, 31 games, 36 points.
Newcastle, 24 games, 30 points.
Palace, 24 games, 30 points.

Allardyce is not the answer.

Ray Roche
48 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:49:57
What I find difficult to understand is why the 6th best defensive side form last year cannot keep a clean sheet despite a better keeper and the addition of Keane. What has happened to them? It MUST be down to the coaching. Remember when Martinez took over Moyes defence and started faffing about with it we became porous and leaked goals.
John Keating
49 Posted 30/10/2017 at 12:55:58
Iain,

I note your statistics and see those Clubs averaged over a point per game. Have you seen our points per game?

One thing Allardyce would definitely do is stop us shipping the amount of goals we do. Once we stop teams scoring, we get at least one point. Once we are sorted defensively, we can then look at the offence.

Again, Allardyce is not the long term answer and I believe he doesn't really want to come back into full time football but as a short term to the end of the season stopgap we could do a lot worse.

Losing is becoming a habit to this team.

Ray Jacques
50 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:04:52
Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic.

I fear we are already doomed.

Mr Koeman, you are a stupid boy.

Brent Stephens
51 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:07:54
Ray #48 "What I find difficult to understand is why the 6th best defensive side form last year cannot keep a clean sheet despite a better keeper and the addition of Keane".

Yes. Maybe it's the lack of a settled back four. We've permed any 2 from Keane, Jags, Williams in a back four, with JJ, Martina, Holgate (etc?) at RB. Martina (and Holgate?) have also played on the left.

Then we've had a back 3 / 5. Further lack of a settled formation.

Couple with too many in midfield, no width,and hence the full backs being left with no cover.

Add to that Baines etc being another year older.

Add to that what might be a reluctance to take chances and expose oneself to severe fan criticism, so playing a slow, safety first, non-threatening game.

Simon Dalzell
52 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:14:44
I think a lot of people are missing the point saying that Unsworth must be given time,and cant turn it around in two games. Of course he can't! But this is NOT the time to "experiment" with a man with no senior experience.

We all know Joey Barton is a prick and his comments yesterday were despicably personal, but his basic point is correct. Unsworth needs to ply his trade down the pyramid and work his way up.

Obviously no manager is guaranteed to save us,but leaving Unsworth in charge could be the most costly mistake ever. Get someone in NOW.
Andy Meighan
53 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:17:35
Jay,

Relegation wouldn't be a calamity... It'd be a disaster, believe me. This squad would struggle in the Championship.

Look where Sunderland are and we have got the same problems they had in the Premier League... ie, a leaky defence and an impotent strike force.

We 'll end up like Leeds, stuck down there for an eternity wondering if it was ever going to be our year. Get this: if we do go down, forget the shiny new stadium on the dock We 'll be stuck at The Old Lady for ever... That's how calamitous it would be!

Michael Lynch
54 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:23:06
Sam Allardyce has not ruled himself out of the job, and has laid out what he'd do: "You look at the strengths and weaknesses of the side and promote the strengths, build the confidence, but stick to a basic game where you make fewer mistakes than the opposition, try and get the clean sheet and go from there."

He admitted it wouldn't be pretty or entertaining, but if you're nor scoring and you can't keep a clean sheet, you address the latter first.

Seems to be the opposite of the Unsworth approach, which seems to be more about attacking, width, pace etc.

I reckon we're one more defeat away from Unsworth being replaced by Allardyce for the rest of the season.

Mike Green
55 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:23:10
Alladyce confirms he would consider the Everton job.

Link

Iain Johnston
56 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:28:42
John I understand your point and there is the argument that our squad is far better than the three mentioned plus I agree to a certain degree that Allardyce may make us hard to beat but...

We'll have 29 games remaining after Sunday, a defeat would probably see the club look at a short term solution such as Big Sam who would again need another 3 to 4 games to tweak the squad in order to achieve the points per game you mention.

Question is would Allardyce's average of 30 points total over those remaining 25 games be enough to secure EPL survival, we only have 8 now?


Mike Doyle
57 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:34:22
Big Sam clearly wouldn't be the choice of most posters (me included), however we are fast approaching the point where the only focus of the season is to avoid relegation - in truth we are probably there already.

Like Jack Charlton with the Rep of Ireland 20+ years ago, Sam has a demonstrable track record in getting results from the resources available. Off hand I struggle to think of a stronger candidate to tackle the task ahead (even if it is on a short-term basis).

Needs must etc...

Mike Doyle
58 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:39:18
Correct Ian (#45).

I spend my day surrounded by fans of the London clubs – particularly Chelsea fans. Most think we've done very well in recent years on limited resources. Don't think any consider us a serious top 4/6 regular.

Then again most take a similar view of our friends across the park.

Oliver Brunel
59 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:40:42
I think Allardyce will be brought in because the powers that be are tuning into Talkdrivel rather than consulting with football tacticians. They really should have got Fonseca, Simeone or Bielsa in before the Koeman debacle which I predicted. If you look at Allardyce's record it is garbage in terms of points he just scrapes by. Are we so pathetic that we are taking our cues from Talkshoite?
Steve Ferns
60 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:50:22
Big Sam comes in, does what all of you who want him appointed expect and we're in midtable comfortably by January. What then? He carries on? He signs yard-dogs for the side? We become another Bolton / Stoke / West Brom? We sit back and watch hoofball in our shiny new half empty stadium where people like me boycott because we don't want to see that crook in charge of our club playing the worst football in Europe?

No, not for me. This is Everton. We have principles. We are the school of science. We're the team that plays beautiful football. And now we become long ball hoof merchants. We'll be pining for the days of Davie Moyes in no time. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum? More like 16th and happy to stay up.

Get a grip of yourselves. We can fix the current problem in no time. We will have 40 points by March. We will finish 7th-10th. Next season we will be back to demanding we close in on the top 4.

John Keating
61 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:52:22
Iain I think we are so deflated just now that any manager would have a massive job to turn things around even at this early stage. I cannot for the life of me believe that managers mentioned by some posters, Ancelotti, Tuchel etc wanting to be involved with such a situation the team is in or being able to fight a team out of this situation. Once the situation is stabilised then fair enough but right now?

I totally agree that even Allardyce would need a few games to get our defence organised – if possible. However, we are fast running out of options and really need to make a decision by the next international break.

Allardyce for all his faults knows what's needed to be done to avoid relegation, very few managers are and I can't think of anyone but Allardyce available at this time.

Beggars can't be choosers

Russell Smith
62 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:54:12
Why do people think that Allardyce would get us out of trouble? He has the same players as both Koeman and now Unsworth have until January when there is no certainty that we can buy the three or four key players that we need to sort out our current deficiencies.

We all know that Baines, Jagielka and Williams are now too slow for the pace of the majority of the premiership teams. As some have mentioned above the younger players like Davies, Calvert-Lewin and Kenny whilst energetic are not either physically strong enough or Premier League savvy to play in a team that is devoid of confidence and lacking any form of leadership. Davies was exposed yesterday for both goals and not for the first time this year. Would Matic or Kante have allowed Gray to get past him when he was only 10 yards from Leicesters box? Those players would have either got the ball or taken out the man and stopped the breakaway before it got started. How many times did Barry get booked in exactly the same situations. Savvy is required when you are battling for points.

But back to the real point, how will a third manager who does not know any of these players come in and sort it out? In other years of torture there was always one or two players who had a spark that eventually brought the remainder of the players up to a level where we survived. I just cannot see anyone in the current set-up, be it confidence, loss of form or just not interested, who is providing that spark.

Unsworth will be just as effective in the short term at Alladyce, Tuchel or anyone else we bring in. Whether that is sufficient to get us some points and move us up the league remains to be seen, but at the end of the day it is the current players who have to sort out the mess not the manager. When Moyes was in charge you could see a distinct two lines of 4 when we defended and he always had at least one or usually two very quick central defenders (Yobo, Jagielka pre 2015, Lescott, Distin) who made loads of last ditch interventions/tackles.

None of the players currently available to play in the middle of the back four are quick, and none are of the quality mentioned above, hence our inability to keep clean sheets. Not even Allardyce could make our current 3 fit centre halves into what they can never be, and none of our midfield players, including the wider players cover back in a line of 4, there is always one or more times two of them out of position when our attacks breakdown.

Franny Porter
63 Posted 30/10/2017 at 13:55:39
Unsworth is hamstrung by the fact 3 of our back 4 are shite, add to that Kenny doesn't look ready to start regularly.

We have the conundrum of several midfielders who don't seem to give a fuck, Schneiderlin, Gueye and Sigurdsson.

Rooney is a fucking liability who is either giving the ball away or snarling at someone.

Finally Calvert-Lewin is not a finisher and Niasse is, well I'm not sure, he's game but all over the place.

It's a poisoned chalice.

Brian Harrison
64 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:11:17
I find it amazing that many were suggesting weeks ago that we sack Koeman and appoint Unsworth. But after two games in charge they want another change. Did anybody really believe that after a couple of training sessions he would wave a magic wand and everything would come good. He will now have another 2 training sessions then off to Lyon then back Friday but they don't normally train the day after a game. So another session on Saturday then Watford Sunday.

He has taken over a group that are massively underperforming and very low on confidence. Now that takes wins and time to turn around, so lets show some balls as fans and give Unsworth a fair crack. But more importantly he needs time on the training ground not 5 sessions its not working off you go.

I think he deserves till Xmas, and then if there is no improvement they can bring in a new man he can asses what he needs and buy players in the Jan window. Lets face it by and large this club have made lousy appointment after lousy appointment. as I said after they sacked Koeman that was the easy part, but if they appoint Allardyce it will tell you what a short sighted board we have in charge.

Sam Hoare
65 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:11:55
I fear we are already doomed"

Goodness me there's some panic on here. Its October for Lords sake. Get a grip people.

We are a whopping 5 points off 9th place!!

It's been very poor and we don't have a proper striker but lets at least hold off all of this 'we're doomed rubbish' till Xmas.

Unsworth has been in the job 6 days. He's had two matches against the last two champions. We played badly yesterday and yet still had more shots and passes in opposition half than any Premier League match all season.

If we are 18th in January then by all means get those teeth gnashing I reckon we'll be in midtable by then (which still isn't good enough).

,"I fear we are already doomed"

Goodness me there's some panic on here. Its October for Lords sake. Get a grip people.

We are a whopping 5 points off 9th place!!

It's been very poor and we don't have a proper striker but lets at least hold off all of this 'we're doomed rubbish' till Xmas.

Unsworth has been in the job 6 days. He's had two matches against the last two champions. We played badly yesterday and yet still had more shots and passes in opposition half than any PL match all season.

If we are 18th in January then by all means get those teeth gnashing I reckon we'll be in midtable by then (which still isn't good enough).,,BlueKfrog,1,14:11:23,,82.12.150.98,ok,2108,10/30/2017 14:11:23,samhoare,reader,, 865550,35740,toffeeweb,30/10/2017,Sean Patton,seannoctor-patton@hotmail.co.uk,"Fans desperate for Big Sam and we are still in October that is a sign of the absolute mess that clueless god awful manager has left behind.

2 players have scored in 10 matches and the defence is ancient and error ridden, we have to scrimp every point from now until January and then get in some quality reinforcements the minute the window opens.

Roman Lizuch
66 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:12:01
I am getting really sick of this. It looks like almost everybody has the patience of a 5-year-old child. You want the changes to have impact immediately, eh? I know that we are in the relegation zone but come on... one match? That´s first thing that bothers me.

Second thing I am almost used to for a long time – everybody is a triple A manager and actual manager is wrong and full of shit. Everybody seems to know more than the manager and all the stuff that works in the club. Absolutely amazes me. I was used to meet these people in the pub but now they are also all over the internet.

Lucky for them, Everton seems to be looking for the new manager, so don´t be shy. Go there and tell them your ideas of how to run a football team and maybe they will choose you.

I am not choosing any side and I am not defending anybody – I like Koeman, he has his flaws but he's not a dummie. I also like Unsworth even if he's not the man for the job.

But I am not going to pretend that I have the solution for this club because nobody but the owner, manager and chairman or other staff knows more than we do. It´s all in their hands. All we can do is sit, watch and hope. also trying to be positive.
CYOB!!!!

Kevin Tully
67 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:15:41
There is absolutely no need to call on the likes of Allardyce, we have got good players. We need to stop with the obsession about playing inexperienced kids from the U23s, that will not address the problems we're facing here and now.

I'm sure any decent manager could come in and organise what we have, and settle us into a compact, decent footballing team. It needs a clean slate, and for the new guy assess who can be most effective. Unsworth will have all the ex-Everton lads down his ear, and will no doubt want to play some of the U23s. It won't work.

Let's say we can attract a decent manager, then surely he could get the likes of Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson & even Klaassen playing in a well drilled midfield. I don't believe for one minute these are as poor as they are showing on the pitch. It's the rotten instructions and formations they are being asked to play in. Leave Rooney on the bench, and stamp your mark on this team. Allardyce can go whistle!

John Keating
68 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:15:49
Steve I don't think you are actually reading what posters are writing. Allardyce has said he does NOT want to be back full time.

Allardyce's name is being put forward only to get us out of our present situation. A contract to the end of the season has been mentioned and it seems from an interview he gave that Allardyce would consider that.

Even if Allardyce is brought in to work with Unsworth it would be a more preferable situation than we have at present. You make it sound as if we've been this so-called School of Science Club forever and have only just stopped!

We have principles ? Well I can remember Carey and we didn't have principles then. The School of Science didn't last too long either.

But hey if people want this present situation to continue let's keep trying to play "beautiful football" although I haven't seen any consistent "beautiful football" since the 80s. I am sure you are right, the league table and our form is false and it's only a matter of time we start winning handsomely and go for Europe. Unbelievable.

Oliver Brunel
70 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:31:29
They would need to spend £200m on some quality players with grit and determination to get us out of this mess because the existing players (and I use the term loosely) don't care.

Was it only me who saw Sigurdsson walking around not giving a fuck when he came on. Everton have been taken to the cleaners by Koeman and god knows who else who have arranged a load of dodgy signings for massive kickbacks.

Steve Ferns
71 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:34:33
John, I just do not want to see that cretin's name on these boards with people requesting his services. There's no way Moshiri would appoint him. If press reports are right then Moshiri wants Silva, whilst Kenwright wants Dyche.

I would take Silva, he's my preferred choice. After spending some time trying to work out if Dyche could develop a more attacking game, I feel more confident about his appointment. I mean I could live with it, but he'd be well down my list.

As for beautiful football, what about 2013-14? That's the best football I have ever seen us play. And yes, I am old enough for the 80s.

Last season,we still played some good stuff, and I expect to see some good stuff again before the season is out. The school of science is not shut for me. And we have been it forever, well since the 1920s is forever for me.

Tony Marsh
72 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:40:00
Steve Fearns @ 60,

Stay in denial, mate, just like Kenwright does. First of all, forget any notion of a shiney new stadium that isn't going to happen. As for we will become another Stoke or a WBA!!! What the fuck we are below them in the table and play worse football than those sides. Stay gullible mate follow Kenwright and Moshiri and the other Lemmings over the cliff edge.

Steve, we are absolutely shite,play terrible football and need rescuing from this mess. No big name continental manager will touch us.We can't afford someone who needs to learn in the job. Unsworth is not up to it so what do we do? Sit back pretending we are to good for Big Sam and go down?

None of us want Allardyce in an ideal world but this is a 999 situation we are in. If we don't get a proven Mr Fixit guy in we are doomed. Joe Royle did it in 1995 it needs a similar approach. Anyone can see we won't be able to nice football our way out of this mess.No chance we ain't good enough.

I give up, I really do. So many Evertonian s suffer from Kenwrighitis. It is infectious. Wake the fuck up and smell the coffee Steve you and all the other fans out there who believe in fairy tales and shiny new stadiums.

Stay as we are and we will go down. That is the truth you deny yourself from accepting.

Oliver Brunel
73 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:50:31
Tony does have a point. At the moment we are going down. I can't stomach Allardyce. If we can't get a top Manager in then Dyche for the rest of the season.
Peter Hughes
74 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:53:03
Well said, Tony Marsh! Absolutely spot on!!
Steve Ferns
75 Posted 30/10/2017 at 14:55:41
Give up then, Tony. I'm an Evertonian, we never give up. Not in '94, not in '98. And certainly not now. We will be mid-table by Christmas.

We were 7th last season by a long long way. We were missing Coleman for half the season. Holgate played right back. We are only missing Funes Mori, Barkley, and Lukaku since then.

Funes Mori is shit according to loads of people on here. Lukaku was much maligned. A load had it in for Barkley too.

So how do you explain the loss of three players to transfer or injury to equal a team that will be relegated. Especially when we have signed the best players from teams who successfully stayed up? Add to that the captains of the two teams that contested the Europa League Cup final.

We will be mid-table by Christmas.

Tony Marsh
76 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:01:46
Steve you obviously know very little about football mate.Losing Lukaku is and was the catalyst for this season's mess. Not only did Romelu score goals for fun, he also dragged midfielders and defenders all over the place creating space for others to run in to. All of that has gone now.

As for giving up, who said that? All I am saying is it's time for all Evertonians to forget the past and live in the now moment. All this football snobbery gets us nowhere.

If Sam Allardyce came here and rescued us, I wouldn't give a rat's arse what the style of football was like. Let's face it, could it be any worse than we have seen since January? I don't think so.

Paul Mackie
77 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:01:53
Tony, were you not calling for Unsworth to get the job only last week? If (God forbid) we appointed Allardyce I imagine you'd turn on him within a similar space of time.
John Keating
78 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:03:42
Oliver. Dyche – quite rightly – won't come in "for the rest of the season" Why would he? He is doing well at Burnley, settled, well thought of and producing a good level of football on limited resources. Why throw all that away for an 8 month contract?

I think the problem is that I just cannot see an established top manager wanting us in our present situation. Again, why would they?

Our only priority right now is what so many supporters, commentators even Unsworth are alluding too, survival. There are not a great deal of experienced managers out there at present who have the know how and experience of salvaging lost causes. Especially guys actually prepared to come in and help out short term.

Let Unsworth stay where he is but bring in someone like Allardyce to advise and assist. The best of a bad job?

Steve Ferns
79 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:06:06
You said you give up, Tony. Your words.

As for not knowing about football, perhaps you can explain using a tactical analysis with particular reference to the transitions as to how we are in our current predicament and how Lukaku could have assisted in that.

I look forward to you showing your knowledge of football, above and beyond using well trodden football clichés.

Greg Hasbrouck
80 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:10:55
Sam Hoare - (#65). You're so right.

Is this team the Top 6 squad we all hoped it would be in July? Clearly not. Are we likely to get relegated? No. There's an age old adage in sports, "You're never as good as you look when you're winning or as bad as you look when you're losing."

Case in point, yesterday. If Jonjoe doesn't whiff and the ref doesn't blow the penalty call on Lennon, it's a 1-1 draw and we're all talking about how Unsworth has begun to stabilize the squad.

Moshiri has too much invested in this club's future (stadium, etc.) to let it go down. We'll bring in a defender and a striker in January, Coleman and Bolasie will come back, and we'll finish well safe of relegation. While we're not as good as we thought, and Walsh should probably be fired next, we just have way more talent than the teams in the relegation zone.

Michael Kenrick
81 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:24:32
Dale (#30) – spot-on. A rare poster that saw the same as I did. Green shoots.

I don't usually care about knee-jerk but some of the crap being posted is shameful... Players not trying, not interested... were you even watching the game?

If we had scored a goal like their first, there would not be a single post pointing up supposed failings in the other side's defence.

People wanting Allardyce... Moyes!!! Give yerselves a shake, ffs!

Tony Marsh
82 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:25:57
Paul @ 78

I have changed my mind on Unsworth after Sunday's debacle. I asked for Unsworth to be given a go ahead of the rumour of Deadly Dave but, after watching that silly starting 11 and awful performance at Leicester, It dawned on me that this is to big a job for Unsworth. He was part of the problem in Sunday's defeat. Not up to it, and rather than piss about, act now. No time for sentiment now, Paul. Let the cull begin.

Ray Roche
83 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:29:16
Brent Stephens #51

Yes Brent, I'd really answered my own question when I mentioned the coaching and Martinez, and then Koeman, faffing about with the defence, but you put it so eloquently...you're a credit to your Dad.;-)
(aren't you son?)

Sam Hoare
84 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:36:56
Tony@83

Don't you think one bad performance is quite quick to change your mind? Especially given how limited the squad is and how damaged their confidence is?

Palace lost 4-0 at home to a dire Sunderland team after Allardyce had been in charge for a month last season. Would you have had him booted out then?

It's not easy to turn these things around quickly.

John Daley
85 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:40:25
How would 'Big' Sam have 'sorted out', in six days with only a couple of training sessions, a back four containing three players on their last legs, bereft of pace and bang out of form? Was he going to bung a de-aging youth suppository up their arse? Would he have picked different defenders entirely? Who? Keane (who has been terrible himself and turns like a teenage mutant ninja turtle with Siphyus's big fuck off boulder strapped to his back in place of a shell) was out injured, along with Funes Mori, while Holgate has looked less then assured at centre half. He surely couldn't have binned Baines off because he's the only left back in the squad. Maybe play Martina at right back? Last I recall he was being ripped to shreds for being 'shite', with people clamouring for 'that kid who won the wee lads World Cup' to be given a chance. No surprise that a couple of games after going straight into a struggling side sapped of confidence, he's now complete 'shite' as well.

How would Big Sam have sought to break down Leicester, shorn of the target man his sides normally seek to twat it to? Looking at Everton's performances this season would he not have recognised that the teams Koeman was sending out were lacking any width whatsoever? Loves a ball whipped into the box Big Sam, like. Shame he would have only had the two Unsworth started with and Lookman to select from, with Vlasic (supposedly) having taken a knock.

Maybe he could have tried to pack the middle instead and provide protection for the back four that way? After all, it's worked fucking wonders so far this season. Then again, if 'Big Sam (or Unsworth) did that, people would probably be on here giving it the usual Evertonian Eric Cartman, calling him out on his 'cowardice', saying how he 'crapped himself' turning up to play against a team 'like fucking Leicester' with a side crammed full of 'shite' defensive carthorses selected to keep the score down.

The next five league games leading up to the derby will define the rest of our season: Watford, Palace, Southampton, West Ham and Huddersfield. Three at home, two away. Simply keeping it tight and focusing on a clean sheet over and above everything else isn't going to cut it. Those games are all there to be won and, in order to take make the most of a more kind run of fixtures, we need to find a way of creating more chances than we have in the last couple of months. Relearning to play with wingers and willing runners, rather than static ruminators who inevitably roll it back to the nearest player anyway, is one possible route to hopefully raising this sides feeble goal return. Whether, it will pay off or not is another matter, but in the absence of a ready made complete striker just waiting in the wings to step in and save our season, I certainly won't be slating Unsworth or accusing him of being 'naive' and 'out of his depth' for attempting to solve an obvious problem that has been severely hampering our ability to harm the opposition for what seems like ages.

Tony Marsh
86 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:42:00
Sam, Unsworth has lost 2 games in a week. Nothing new is happening. Sunday was so Koeman-like, it was scary.

Just think we need new blood, new ideas not someone who is cosy with the players and Kenwright. New broom sweeps the cleanest.

Steve Ferns
87 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:46:26
If Unsworth could call upon all the players on Everton's books then I am sure he would consider the following:

Garbutt - not registered and so not available for first team selection
Galloway - out on loan
Pennington - out on loan and highly rated by Unsworth
Walsh - his captain last season - out on loan
Dowell - out on loan
Connolly - out on loan

Ok, Garbutt and Galloway have not done well in recent years, though Garbutt has looked better for the u23s this season. But, with Baines looking old, one of them should be getting games in the cups to give Baines a rest. Baines' bad form must have some attribution to the fact that he has to play every second of every game for years, ever since Koeman got rid of Oviedo and never replaced him (see we did have a backup).

Walsh would be an interesting one, and I don't take too much notice of him not getting a game for Redknapp or Birmingham, they did sign 501 players in the window. Dowell we discussed on the thread yesterday.

Pennington gives us an option as regards Williams and Jagielka. Same with Browning. Neither looked amazing for the first team, neither are young (22-24 I believe). Pennington has looked good for Leeds, by all accounts (not seen him myself but going off reports and what others have said). But simply, these are options, and they are Unsworth players, and they are unavailable to him. So instead he has to go with Koeman's unbalanced squad.

Steve Ferns
88 Posted 30/10/2017 at 15:52:29
Well said John.
Tony Marsh
89 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:05:50
Steve Ferns, I take it you didn't watch Leeds play Sheff Utd at the weekend? Pennington got absolutely torn a new one. He was awful, mate. That's in the Championship.

He was bad when he got his chance here last season. He won't be in the Premier League anytime soon.

Ajay Gopal
90 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:10:57
I am stunned by the negativity of some (most?) of my fellow TWers. How can people (Lyndon included) turn on Unsy after just 2 games? He needs to be given time to work with the players – in his 2 games in charge, most will agree that we had 2 good halves, better than the previous 17-18 competitive games.

Moshiri has got to hold his nerve – give Unsworth time until end-November. I think Unsy is a bit overwhelmed with all the players (whom he has not worked with before) at his disposal – it is impossible for him (or anyone else who comes in now) to evaluate which of the players are up for the fight, that will take time. I suggest that he use the Europa's 3 remaining games to tell the players that he has not used – "Show me what you got?"

Robles, Holgate, Besic, Schneiderlin, Vlasic, Lookman, Sigurdsson, Klaassen, Sandro

Depending on how they perform, he can gradually introduce them into the Premier League.

Keep the faith guys, we got to get behind and support the team and Unsy and the rest of the coaching staff. We have a good squad (although bloated) and we have Barkley, Funes Mori, Bolasie and Coleman to come back from injuries. Surely, we will start seeing a turn of fortune soon. COYB.

Paul Tran
91 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:12:16
Of course, the other way we could look at this is that we have the same tight defence as last season, minus Funes Mori, plus Pickford & Keane. Have they all become poor players overnight? Don't think so.

This isn't a bottom three squad. It won't end up a bottom three squad. This is a poor league and when Unsworth organises them, things will change. Every team has a good spell and ours will get us up the table.

If you want say I'm in denial, that's your choice. I'd say some on here are addicted to their own misery and jerking knees.

This isn't good enough, but there's three quarters of the season to turn it around.

Sam Hoare
92 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:14:32
Tony, I agree we need new ideas and I think Unsworth has those. At least he is playing players in their right positions for the most part. But new systems and ideas take more than a few days to implement effectively.

As for being cosy with the players I think that's okay too. A new manager will take at least a few weeks to get to know his players strengths and weaknesses but Rhino already has a good idea. If you mean 'cosy' as in unprepared to rock the boat then I'd say he's already shown he's prepared to drop the senior pros and go with who he thinks is most likely to get the points by leaving Sigurdsson on the bench.

His team selection didn't work out yesterday but I could at least see the plan to play two 'proper' wingers and have some width and pace. An improvement surely on Koeman.

I'm not saying Unsworth is definitely the man but I think any manager would need a little more time before I could say that he definitely wasn't.

Scott Hall
93 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:14:57
When you're at the bottom, things don't go for you. We all know that was a stone-wall penalty at 1-0. Does anyone really believe that if that had been Paul Pogba, or Eden Hazard, or David Silva being hauled down like that then the ref wouldn't have pointed to the spot? Of course he would. If we get that pen and we score then it's 1-1 going into half-time and our tails are up.

Even before the penalty, if Calvert-Lewin had kept his eye on the ball, he strokes it into an open goal. Sadly, he's a runner not a finisher but that's another chance gone begging that most teams put in the back of the net.

The point is, I actually thought we were very unlucky to find ourselves 2-0 down at HT. Lyon away is a write-off but let's see how we do at Goodison against Watford. If we get played off the park then fair enough, I'll get my coat, I'll grab Unsy's on the way and I'll reserve a hanger for Big Sam. But give the bloke a week FFS.

Tony Marsh
94 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:37:25
Sam, leaving Sigurdsson out of the team, leaving Lookman out and Vlasic out tells me Unsworth isn't going to win the ten games we need to stay up.
Brent Stephens
95 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:37:25
Ray #84 - you learned me proper, dad.
Jay Wood
96 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:48:32
Jay Woods, my doppelganger @36

"I don't agree that relegation would be the calamity some are saying. Newcastle have been relegated twice in recent years and bounced back both times."

Sorry Jay, but that is really flawed logic.

The Barcodes first went down before the mega riches of today's Premier League kicked in and were also protected by the then considerable 'parachute payments' granted (for some bizarre reason) to clubs relegated from the Premier League. That's why so many club's yo-yoed between the Premier League and the Championship. They continued to have financial clout other teams in that league could match.

Because they had a single season out last year they did not benefit from the mega windfall all the Premier League clubs did and barely competed in the transfer market this summer. Praise to Beneathus (spit!) for sticking with them and getting them straight back, and indeed for having them so high this season.

But if they had stayed a second season in the Championship, no longer protected by the parachute payments as in the past, they could well have struggled to return to the Premier League.

And as to your second point, it could herald the departure of Kenwright. Well quite possibly Newcastle have a chairman-owner even more loathed than our own by the fan base. A man who wants to sell up, yet he is still there.

It is absolute madness to think 'relegation would allow us to regroup and re-focus as a club.'

Would it bollocks! It would delay even further our desire and ambition to rise to the top again.

Gavin Johnson
97 Posted 30/10/2017 at 16:53:08
I agree with Tony. Leaving out Sigurdsson. Playing Lennon and Mirallas over Vlasic and Lookman isn't going to get us the necessary points

Fair play to Unsworth playing lads in their right positions, but yesterday seemed like he was just working with players he knew. U23s and old boys. I don't blame him for that. I don't think it was a deliberate attempt to freeze out the summer signings.

Unsworth has only taken a few training sessions but to move us forward he needs to work out a formation to integrate our better players. For me, Rooney, Sigurdsson, Davies, Lookman, Vlasic and Keane are the nucleus of that team.

Tony Abrahams
98 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:13:16
Steve@72, have you worked out that Dyche, could get us to play an attacking game?

Tony, he sounds like some player that Lukaku, constantly dragging defenders and midfielders out of position for other players to run into? Never saw it myself, and can still remember the semi-final at Wembley, when a proper footballer would have stayed calm and gave a simple square pass for Everton to score a tap-in when Rooney got back and cleared it off the line.

Only watched the last 35 minutes yesterday, so I think I saw Everton’s best spell of the game, but this definitely ended when Rooney got subbed?

Dermot Byrne
99 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:14:20
Well Big Sam angling for job it seems. Worst thing is it seems credible now.
Ray Roche
100 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:16:29
Yes Brent. Dat's dead good.Innit.
John Pierce
101 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:17:54
Michael; the post game thread does contain the elements you refer to. There was a plan and the players tried to execute it, albeit in a timid and fragile way. There can be no issue that for the first half we were poor and the goals were gift-wrapped by ourselves.

But throughout the game we pressed, often had 5/6 players in their half looking to pinch the ball. I believe both Sigurdsson & Klaassen would look better in this set up. Rooney & Davies making way.

Playing this way does expose a leaden back line, that has to play high and they did for the most part, again they followed the plan. Yes, we got screwed for the first goal but was that really their fault?

Baines: terrible free-kick, Davies, Gana, & Rooney: all failed to bring Gray down to take a Yellow Card for the team. So the execution was poor but the plan and method most certainly was for me.

I'd restrict the youth to 2/3 players, as any more burdens the team too much.

Vlasic, Kenny & Lookman.

Niasse
Lookman, Klaassen, Sigurdsson, Vlasic
Gana
Baines, Keane, Jagielka, Kenny
Pickford

Energy, mobility and a side that can press. I think if Unsworth sticks to his guns and doesn't throw away the Lyon game, then we stand a good chance Sunday.

James Hughes
102 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:29:05
Jay #97 thanks for that post. You are right Newcastle have been a basket for years and my fear is that we will join them in the basket.

Jay #36 I can only assume you are not a scouser, as to even consider relegation as 'not that bad' is at the least jaw-dropping. I have been away from home for 30 years but still have RS mates who like to banter. For the past too many years I have little to use in my defence.The shit that would fly about is too much to contemplate if we were relegated

We have the record for the most seasons in the top flight of football in England, Longest consecutive seasons in the top flight (apart from the Arse, who got the dodgy decision way back) we have played more top flight games than any other club ever!!

Relegation is not acceptable, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT???

FFS last game of the season against Wimbledon, I almost renounced football, Thank god we stayed up.

Oliver Brunel
103 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:47:34
What are these 'green shoots' some people are seeing? I just see something rotten in the state of Everton.
Bobby Mallon
104 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:51:47
He seems to be the complete opposite of Koeman, not playing any of the summer signings.
Oliver Brunel
105 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:55:42
Bielsa is available. Nah.. why would we want a football brain at our club, let's get Allardyce in?!
Jim Bailey
106 Posted 30/10/2017 at 17:57:41
Why is Unsworth in the job? Because the powers that be had a knee jerk reaction (getting rid of Koeman) with no-one to take over the complete and utter shambles. Sadly Unsworth is a scapegoat worthy of the definition. He can't win either way.

To think that some on here have screamed for Unsworth and, in the space of less than a week, are now calling for him to be sacked/replaced or whatever is indicative of the fact that too many people/fans still think sadly that Everton is a big club and managers will be fighting to take the reins. Ancellotti any club, so why would they be interested.one? Not a prayer. Even Dyche and Silva are above our "massive" club.

Lots of posters have voiced their concern that nothing will change until Kenwright leaves or passes the reins to somebody more football savvy and ruthless. I agree entirely with that sentiment.

This once great club already in lots of peoples eyes are a laughing stock. The one person that can change this is Moshiri.

So, in the immortal words of Delia Smith, "Come on, Moshiri, where are yer?"

Oliver Brunel
107 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:00:20
Jim(107) perhaps Moshiri is waiting on Usmanov, that is what I have heard. The stadium and investment.
Jim Bailey
108 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:02:49
Oliver@108
Hopefully
Oliver Brunel
109 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:10:59
The Everton guy on Merseyside saying things are cataostrophic. He usually sits on the fence so much his arse has headaches. Thats how serious it is.
John Pierce
110 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:16:46
Oliver, if you know ‘el Loco then you also know its just as likely to end in relegation, acrimony as a fa cup win.

Whilst he's a genius of which I won't dispute, he's also unhinged. With age he's has become more unstable and more intransigent about his methods.

10 or even 5 years ago probably but now no way. Why expose Everton to that? He dominates the club with his own craziness and never puts the club first, anything he isn't interested in withers and dies. Everything is on his terms or he walks away.

You have to be equally unstable or desperate as a club to even cite him as a possibility.

Although I bet Everton still use VHS just like Biesla does so maybe he might be a good fit!

Tony Marsh
111 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:17:13
Oliver @ 108, Moshiri isn't bringing anyone here to help us. Usmanov? Do me a favour, mate. Look no further than the imaginary new stadium to see progress under Moshiri. Since the Iranian took over, the club has almost sank without trace.

You're catching Kenwrighitis mate, a highly contagious disease. Makes you all delusional and dreamy. Since Moshiri bought them shares, we've sold or alienated our best players and hit the bottom 3 with a thud...

This joker Farhad Moshiri is merely a Bill Kenwright mouthpiece. I've seen nothing to suggest anything else.

Oliver Brunel
112 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:19:14
John (111) 'Whilst he's a genius of which I won't dispute, he's also unhinged. With age he's has become more unstable and more intransigent about his methods.'

Sounds like Bukowski. Get him in!!

Phil Walling
113 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:26:44
Truth is Unsworth has probably pissed off the likes of Sigurdsson, Vlasic, Klaassen and Rooney by either ignoring or subbing them during his short time in charge. Not that I blame him for these decisions but all these'come-latelies' are only too anxious to find an excuse not to perform.

I think 'the class of 17' will go down as the most lily-livered we have ever had the misfortune to have at Everton and are only too anxious to do for Unsy just as they did for Koeman.

I wonder who is next to suffer their ire?

Rahman Talib
114 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:31:21
I disagree with Lyndon here. I think Unsworth had to do what he did given the circumstances.

I think the line up was right for the game. But one moment of carelessness was enough for Leicester to capitalize added with a mistake by Kenny. The two goals could happened to the best of teams. Leicester was lucky to win the game at all. They surely did not deserve to win.

Then at half time, Unsworth could not risk another down-the-middle counter attack and decided to play narrow football. With 2-0 down at half-time, the game was as good as dead. Unsworth substitutions were spot on. They stopped Leicester's counter-attacks for good.

The only problem was we needed just a little bit more quality in the final third. Maybe Unsworth went a bit far by taking out two of our wingers.

He should have kept Lennon. Lennon was the only dude that could get the ball behind their defense and for the first time this season we were able to get the ball behind our opponent's defense. He should be a regular, this Lennon dude.Next, Williams, Davies, Gana and Baines should be benched.

I believe Unsworth will get us out of this mess. He inherited a myriad of problems that can only be solved over time. Patience is a virtue.

Eddie Dunn
115 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:36:06
So many people going over the top. Unsworth needs time to settle things down. Unfortunately this European football thing that we all try to be in is fucking-up everything.

Koeman was right, in that the qualifying rounds put a dent in a pre-season in which 9 or so new faces arrived. The games have come thick and fast and the demands on a squad of either ageing veterans or kids have left them all a bit shagged-out.

Unsworth is now struggling to get the time on the training pitch that he needs to sort out the team's shape. Instead we are off to Lyon to suffer more indignation, before we prepare for yet another Sunday game with our league position looking even worse due to the other clubs having played.

if Big Sam had come in, we would be in exactly the same boat..short of time, games coming thick and fast. A performance of some sort in France would do wonders for our confidence. We have nothing to Toulouse (sorry) so we might as well give it a right go.

The Watford game is very important. Last season, we would have expected a win, but now a win would be like manna from heaven.

I like this kid Baningime, he did well at Chelsea and it is a shame Unsie didn't start him at Leicester. Davies needs a break, he doesn't know what he is doing, and Calvert-Lewin needs to sit on the bench too.

We need to sit deep defend in depth and knock long balls over the top for Niasse to chase. We need to stop conceding and get back to basics. Over to you, Unsworth.

Ian Jones
116 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:41:30
I've read all the posts on here and have laughed at most of them. All very entertaining. In my opinion, whilst not undermining the seriousness of the situation, it's early days. I think David Unsworth should be given the chance to see what he can do.

The situation reminds me of the time Shearer got called in to help Newcastle and Dalglish, the same, at Liverpool. Many of their fans wanted those guys in to solve a crisis. Their presence in the background may undermine whoever the manager is, up to a point, with many fans thinking 'if only' we had him in charge.

Once they were given the chance after the manager was sacked, it didnt work out that well but at least the fans couldn't be too critical etc of any future appointment as their local 'hero' had been given a chance, tried...and failed.

We have David Unsworth in now. I think we have to give him a fair go. Otherwise there will be many fans perhaps thinking 'if only we had given him a go'...

Colin Glassar
117 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:44:57
We are in purgatory right now. We can't buy our way out of trouble, a top manager won't touch us at the moment and we are stuck with our beloved chairman and his “wheeling and dealing“ for bargain-basement deals.

If there's a god up there

Oliver Brunel
118 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:52:32
Ian (117) 'I've read all the posts on here and have laughed at most of them.'
I hope you will still be laughing at the end of the season.
Ian Jones
119 Posted 30/10/2017 at 18:58:05
Oliver. I laughed at mine too!
Clive Rogers
120 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:03:14
Jim #107,
Wasn’t it “let’s be avin yer”
Colin Glassar
121 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:03:19
Ian, at least Unsy has given us two (separate) half decent 45 minute displays. If he can get us to play well for 90 minutes we might win a game – unless we lose in added time.
Oliver Brunel
122 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:05:56
Ian, fair enough. Youre right though I have to admit some of mine are ludicrous.
John Pierce
123 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:10:46
Eddie,

The Europa League excuse will not wash. Everton should be playing European football most seasons and have to learn to live with it, as a club.

Koeman's failure to catch sixth in the last 10 games of last season would have spared us the ignominy of qualifying.

The club top down has to be set up to play twice a week, set budgets accordingly, increased exposure on the continent and forge a reputation which will benefit us in the long term. That's preparing to be in competitions for the long haul.

In fact if anything Lyon is chance for Everton to stick with the plan play the players in same formation as preparation for Sunday. Winning is required full stop, confidence building, reaffirmation in the manager and his methods.

No dead rubbers for me.

Dave Williams
125 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:21:41
We don't have the players we need but what we must get is a settled side so they can start to play as a team. So much chopping and changing formations and personnel cannot be any good for players trying to get to know each other. Get a settled side and work from there.
George McKane
126 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:31:21
Very interesting "debate" just now on Monday Night football between Carragher and Neville. Both defended Unsworth, and both asking "what about the older experienced players"?

I totally agree with their views that Baines, Jags and Williams are just "too old and have no pace left" – this has been obvious fro some time but seems to have been ignored by Koeman and just now with Unsworth.

It is still quite early in the season to make sweeping changes and bring in fresh and young legs and give them a run and allow them to settle in. As poor as Keane may now seem,think about who he has played with since he joined – constant, almost weekly, changes.

Leicester's winger Gray showed what belief in real pace can do – don't we have Lookman?

I would like to see Unsworth really get rid of some of the old guard; the number of goals coming in from Baines's position is dreadful; the number of times Jags is missing from the box is woeful; and Williams – well enough already said. Give some young, pacy players a game and stick with them for a while.

I would hate to see these older gang begin to be ripped apart by opposition players and fans, which is going to happen and is already brewing. Do something now, please.

Tough times for Blues, but see you all on Sunday when our dreams and hopes will again be on the rise.

Danny Broderick
127 Posted 30/10/2017 at 19:40:04
Unsie has had 2 tough away games, but I have seen signs of progress in both. We have another tough away game on Thursday, but it might do the team some good to be away for a few days with the new regime. I am sure we will pick a strong team, as Unsie is still working on the shape of the team. This game is now a dead rubber, we might as well use it as a training exercise.

The big game is Sunday at home to Watford. We have to win at home against teams like that. That game will be the barometer of whether Unsie can be given the job or not. If we don’t win that one, we really will be in trouble...

Mike Allen
128 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:01:10
Over the top reactions because everyone was getting over excited preseason with all the hype –150 mill or so spent on what? Players that nobody else was interested in.

Fans only interested that we where spending money – not on who we where spending it on. Koeman never bought players to address last season's problems – he just bought numbers.

David Hallwood
129 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:08:10
George (#127),

I agree that the defence have all aged together, but replaced with who precisely. Keane's out with some mystery ailment, Funes Mori's long term and as we all know, Baines is the one and only LB at the club. That's what Unsworth has inherited.

From now til January, it should be a case of stuff the flair, pack the midfield out with mids who can put a foot in and chase and harry the opposition. My joker which absolutely no one will agree with would be to play Mirallas in the Marcus Bent role up top.

So play a diamond with Rooney at the tip and either Macca, Beni, Guye or Davies all protecting the back 4.

Desperate times and all that

John Keating
130 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:16:55
To be honest Rooney spends more time defending than attacking. Him and Beni would be as well playing as the two defensive midfielders
Ian Riley
131 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:30:50
What do people mean by beat teams like that? My biggest concern is beating teams like that are better organised with better managers. Yesterday was a total lack of respect for the opposition. A team that was holding the Premier League trophy 14months ago.

Sadly the squad was going to need a over haul. Aging players, players sold and moving players on. Yesterday two wingers who sadly are not good enough left us exposed to pace. Clean sheet should have been the aim. Double up on players and work your backside to the ground. Get to half time 0-0. Quiet the crowd and frustrate the opposition.

Expecting Unsworth to manage a bottom three side is a mammoth task. Managers that organise and demand performance who ever you are is needed. There are managers/consultants in business who rescue failing businesses. Make decisions on performance not friendship. We are failing and change has to happen to quickly.

Oliver Brunel
132 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:37:07
I would say that , more important than getting a new Manager in, is getting Barkley back in the team. I think him and Lookman would be effective.
Christopher Marston
133 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:39:11
Being reported on MNF that there is a major difference of opinion between Moshiri and Kenwright about who should be appointed. Is this the end of Kenwright? Can he be fired by Moshiri?
Tony Everan
134 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:45:06
It's desperate. It's affecting us all. I think we need an experienced manager and quick. This is a force nine shitstorm and Unsy is completely out of his depth. I hope the board is doing their best to get an experienced manager in as we speak.

It's time for us Everton fans to get behind the team unconditionally. The time for complaining and criticising players, managers and the board has been and gone.

The only way we are going to turn this around and stay up (and win the FA Cup... ha!), is to stand as one with the players, manager and club.

Fight it together. I'm proud to be an Evertonian and Everton does not shy away from a battle. We puff out our chests, stand tall and fight like Spartans.


Oliver Brunel
135 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:46:55
You are right, Tony. The Last of the Corinthians!
Tony Hill
136 Posted 30/10/2017 at 20:49:15
My worry, Christopher (#134), and it has been for some time, is that they are both clueless.
Mike Doyle
137 Posted 30/10/2017 at 21:00:21
David (#130). I agree with your approach, except cannot see Mirallas putting in the effort Marcus used to. Calvert-Lewin & Niasse are game enough though to give it a try.

In other news, Marcus is still turning out for some non-league side. Maybe we could draft him back in – he's about 45 (approx same age as Jags).

Mike Doyle
138 Posted 30/10/2017 at 21:04:52
Apologies I do Marcus a disservice... Wikipedia reckon he’s only 39.
Neil Copeland
139 Posted 30/10/2017 at 21:32:28
Get a grip guys, 2 games over 6 days. Give him a chance ffs!
Neil Copeland
140 Posted 30/10/2017 at 21:36:42
Mike, same age as the Yak then!
Jay Woods
141 Posted 30/10/2017 at 21:50:37
Jay Wood, I wasn't saying relegation would certainly do any of the things I mentioned; you're conflating conjecture with assertion.

Rather, it MIGHT be retrospectively worth it, IF we came back up AND it removed that hideous caricature of an Evertonian, Blue Bill.

Like everyone else, my first choice would be to avoid relegation.

Jack Convery
142 Posted 30/10/2017 at 22:26:42
The players we have can only play in one way now – we must keep it tight. We do not have enough to go head to head with anyone and I include Crystal Palace in that too.

Forget trying to beat Lyon because the Europa League has gone. Set the team up to be hard to beat. Keane has to be back asap. However he's out most probably for Lyon and Watford.

For Watford, I would play, Pickford, Davies at right back and give Kenny a rest. The rest needs to be Jags, Holgate and Baines. Play Lennon out wide on the right with his main job to cover Davies.

Play Calvert-Lewin on the left out wide to help cover Baines. Both these players will give 100% up and down their respective sides of the pitch.

In midfield put Gueye, Baningime, with Lookman in a free role in front of them. Have Niasse up front and let him run his legs off chasing the back four and making it as uncomfortable for them as possible.

This team gives us a solid base and pace / stamina out wide and up front. For Lyon, play the rest, ie, Robles, Kenny, Williams, Besic and Martina. In midfield, play Rooney, Klaassen, Mirallas, McCarthy with Sigurdsson in front and Sandro as the striker. Use kids for the bench. Those who shape up in Lyon can be the subs on Sunday v Watford; those who don't should be told in no uncertain terms, they will be shipped out in January.

Let the Eleven I've picked for Watford spend all this week practising defending from open play and set pieces (attacking, defending). They also need to practice breaking with pace using Lennon, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman and Niasse.

Like everyone else, I'm finding it very difficult to come to terms that as November approaches I'm resorting to writing this type of comment, when I was expecting so much more. I have assumed Schneiderlin is still ill. If not he can go to Lyon and try to figure out, why his form has dipped so dramatically. Getting married in the summer should have perked him up!!

COYBs – or is that sounding a bit hollow these days !

Keith Monaghan
143 Posted 30/10/2017 at 22:48:31
Our current plight is NOT Unsy's fault.

The rot set in before the end of Martinez's first season. He had opportunities later to replace Howard with Robles and Baines with Garbutt, but bottled it and recalled the seniors when they were fit.

Jags should have been eased out in Martinez's last season, but Martinez/us lost Stones.

Our biggest problem is we are too soft and need to get rid of Kenwright and his chummy hangers on - what the hell are Jeffers, Ferguson, & Ebbrell doing here, and now Rooney? Guys like him who jump ship so young like he did should not be welcomed back when they are past it and ready for their pipe and slippers? What message does that send to our youngsters?

I believe we may need to go down in order to move forward -– I just can't see us collecting enough points in 2017 to give ourselves a real chance (with additions?) in 2018.

We have some good youngsters, but it's near impossible for them to perform well in a poor team with such a dire defence.

Please get KENWRIGHT OUT – URGENTLY!

Dave Bowen
145 Posted 30/10/2017 at 22:55:00
Naivety from Rhino playing 2 wingers/wide men away from home. Had to be either Kev or Lennon with Beni playing.

Sadly Tom chose this match for his worst performance in a blue shirt, but he's still only young, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Interestingly TW has been very quiet on Kenny's cock-up. Not sure if it would have been the same reaction if Williams had done that.

Jack Convery
146 Posted 30/10/2017 at 23:18:11
Kenwright must go. We are a rest home for ex players and hard luck stories. Happy with Rooney's goals, though not his passing and late-night driving adventures.
Joe Ainsworth
147 Posted 30/10/2017 at 00:10:33
Whether David Unsworth won or lost the last two games is irrelevant. His name shouldn't even be under consideration. We're talking about a youth coach here with virtually zero experience of first-team management at any level never mind the top flight.

Appoint the Man They Couldn't Hang and you're taking a colossal gamble on the future of the club. Thumping the club crest on your quilted coat until it disintegrates is not a qualification for the job.

Similarly why are people getting excited about Dyche, a manager whose brief is to finish fourth bottom every year. Not exactly setting the bar high is it. Talking about a man who knows his way around a bar, Fat Sam can fuck right off back to Bugsy Malone, where he can gorge himself on cream pies and compare collar sizes with Rhino.

For my money the rot set in when we appointed that snake oil salesman blag artist Martinez, another clown whose only job at Wigan was to keep them up. A task he singularly failed to do. The only reason he got the Everton job was 'cos they beat us in a cup tie at Goodison. Lose that game and bullshit Bobby would have been in the comedy odds long list alongside Lord Lucan. But he won it and led us to a brace of magnificent eleventh place finishes instead, heralding in the era of the stubbly Dutchman, his dreams of Barcelona and his mysterious inability to pronounce the word 'half'.

So who's left? Moyes is out as he has turned into some kind of one-man Shakespearean tragedy, and as Howard (RIP) proved, you should never go back. Having said that, given the stick he gets on this site, that string of top six finishes don't look too bad now do they?

Silva didn't save Hull and though he has had a decent run at mighty Watford, I'm not sure why everyone's got their Y-fronts in a twist about him either.

Trying for Ancelloti would be like asking the head chef at the Ritz to work at the Famous Blue Star Chippy. I could stomach Benitez but half the crowd couldn't so what's the point. The only other semi-realistic name appears to be Tuchel. Again, a gamble but a lot less of one given he's managed a top team in a very tough league.

Whether he'll come or not is another matter but are we really saying, two months before Christmas, that we need that utter footballing horror Allardyce to tuck his giant napkin in, slurp down his pint of wine, pocket a couple of backhanders and tell our multi-grillion pound squad to hit the channels non-stop till next May? That would be giving up the ghost, right here, right now.

Dennis Ng
148 Posted 30/10/2017 at 00:18:21
I have no opinion on whether Unsworth is part of the problem. BUT we need a strong and resourceful manager who can use our current players to win games and push for change all the way to the top.

Unsworth is not ready at the moment and being too embedded in the system, I doubt he can bring about change fast enough. Nothing less than the top names would do it for me.

Jack Convery
149 Posted 31/10/2017 at 00:28:29
I should point out I thought Vlasic was injured so left him out.
David Israel
150 Posted 31/10/2017 at 02:21:51
Christopher (#134), Moshiri needs someone else's backing to fire Kenwright, I suppose, as he has no overall control.

Board members are as follows: Bill Kenwright, Jon Woods, Robert Elstone, Alexander Ryazantsev, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, and Dr Keith Harris. Ryazantsev probably represents Moshiri's stake. Elstone and Barrett-Baxendale are board members on account of being CEO and Deputy CEO, I suppose. As for Dr Harris, he's one of the people who helped Kenwright in his famous 24/7 search for investment.

On the other hand, not all the stock is represented on the board (I'm thinking, for instance, of Lord Grantchester), which means Moshiri has a majority at board level.

Sorry if I sounded a bit confusing, but these things are not clear-cut.

Ian Linn
151 Posted 31/10/2017 at 04:13:06
I just heard what that toerag Joey Barton said about David Unsworth. I find it hard to believe that such a human paraquat is employed as a sports pundit.
Will Mabon
152 Posted 31/10/2017 at 04:39:38
Koeman out, as most appeared to want. Unsworth in, as many appeared to want. Visible signs of improvement, after previous continuing decline. The intricacies can wait for now, there have been positive overall signs of change.

Two games. Late October. Dyche? Allardyce?

The start of this "New era", veiled as it was in its real agenda, nonetheless showed what can and did happen when the vital decisions of choosing a manager and new players are left to conflicting internal forces within the club. Forces new to the fraught task of large scale transformation of a football club in an unfeasibly short time.

Immediately bringing in another "Big name" manager is not a decision they are best placed to make right now, in my opinion. At the end of these incredibly damaging and destructive 16-or-so months that we find ourselves, we are maybe luckier than we yet know, to have had Unsworth to hand - even if briefly.

Another month or so will tell us and the club what we need to know. Another month or so will not cement our fate. A month will give those tasked with the finding of a manager when one is needed, the time to think and do what they maybe didn't before appointing Koeman. Anxiously throwing more Moshiri Millions around in an uninformed panic will result in similar to the baboons tossing their shit about at the zoo.

On a long drive home last night, I listened to TalkSport. I've been onto mainstream media and its machinations for a long time. They now don't even try to hide it. For me, they can get totally to fuck with their overtly scripted/framed, pseudo lad's chat routine, with its good cop-bad cop format and engineered controversy (Barton), all aimed at reinforcing the status quo, or the changes as they desire them. And TalkSport are not alone.

Who's a good fit, or a natural progression for this club or that. They talk it up, then the bookies diligently confirm it. It sickens me that we may jump to, as the good and harmless, plucky mid-table club they have us earmarked with their increasingly nefarious reach. That we will instantly toe the line, and double quick.

Should it happen, horribly, that we need to bring in the Big Firefighter (that you won't hear Joey Boy or anyone call "Fat"), then we can do it when we need to do it, in our time. Same for any other appointment. There is no panic just yet that requires such desperate, surrendering action. We know how important it is to get the right manager, such as it's possible to determine – so let's give it the realistic time and consideration it warrants.

Meanwhile, let's at least give David Unsworth a chance.

Will Mabon
153 Posted 31/10/2017 at 04:46:26
"I find it hard to believe that such a human paraquat is employed as a sports pundit."

All part of their system, Ian. Barton will disappear only when he stops acting that way. Or is used as a sacrificial lamb to upholding the standards of the station.

Shaun Wilson
154 Posted 31/10/2017 at 04:54:19
David (#130)

I totally agree with you on Mirallas up front, Unsy should start him there against Lyon, there's nothing to lose at this stage. He's obviously not a winger and he was a striker in Greece.

This, coupled with the fact that DCL hasn't scored in the Premier League, Niasse seems to be more effective coming on.in the last third and we can't buy anyone until January, surely he's worth a try. He has a lethal shot and you never know, maybe starting up front will take that scowl off his jib.

Neil Copeland
155 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:11:04
Being reported on Sky that we are to make an approach for Sean Dyche in the next 24 hours.
Ray Roche
156 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:17:41
Dave Bowen (#146),

"TW has been very quiet on Kenny's cock-up. Not sure if it would have been the same reaction if Williams had done that."

Bit of a difference Dave, Kenny is 19 and thrown into a struggling side. Williams is a seasoned International and part of the reason that we ARE a struggling side.

Kenny is still learning, Williams should be in a position to teach him

Denver Daniels
157 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:27:07
If Sean Dyche becomes our next manager, I think I'll be taking a leave of absence from all things Everton. After 30 years of living and breathing this club, I think that would be the end for me.

Not that I have anything against the man, I just don't think he's of the caliber to take us forward. I'd rather they stuck with Unsy than this guy.

Please show some ambition, Mr Moshiri. Make us believe again.

Peter Hughes
158 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:31:03
Dyche? Jesus, is this what we have come to?
Neil Copeland
159 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:34:25
If it is true, it looks like the board agrees with those saying that we need someone for a relegation dogfight. I cannot see why else we would go for Dyche.
Christopher Marston
160 Posted 31/10/2017 at 07:47:55
I quite like how we try and go for British managers first. Granted, Dyche isn't a household name but he could actually be just what Everton need at this point in time. He is strong minded, organised, comes across as terrifying with that croaky voice. He won't take any bull shitting. The more I think about it, the better this sounds.
David Nicholls
161 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:01:41
If Sean Dyche had a luxurious jet black barnet, spoke with a continental accent and was called Sergio Tacchinni, we would all be raving about him.
Laurie Hartley
162 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:05:20
Will # 153 - I think you have got it just about right. David Unsworth does at least deserve to be given a chance.

His two games in charge against Chelsea and Leicester away from home were always going to be tough assignments and at Everton we don't do fairy tales. We have to earn our chaff - it has always been that way.

On Saturday he comes up against a manager who many want as our next gaffer. This is a fair test for him and the players. The Goodison crowd will be behind him and the team.

Hopefully he has learnt from the last two games and sets us up right. Personally I reckon he missed a trick by not starting Baningame at Leicester - that lad has got something about him. He should have started him instead of Tom Davies.

Time is of the essence though. Moshiri and Kenwright have got to agree on who the manager is going to be at the start of December so that whoever it is can get involved in the January transfer window.

I think that unless they go for a "long term" appointment in the next week or so and David Unsworth hasn't turned it round by the West Ham game then they will have to go with Sam Allardyce in November because under those circumstances it really will be a question of survival.

James Watts
163 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:06:42
If, and a big if, the Sean Dyche rumors are true then we know without a shadow of a doubt the level of the board's ambition. Anything we hoped for in the Moshiri era will be blown away, just as it would have been if they seriously considered Big Sam. Dyche aka David Moyes Jr.

Net spend of £35m whilst with Burnley. Should fit in nicely with our board.

Utterly depressing.

Daniel Lim
164 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:10:54
Agree, James.

If it's Dyche, we will hear again in the next few years that Everton punching above their weight, Dyche getting us to 6th with net spend of £20m in 5 years, etc.

Eddie Dunn
165 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:11:08
A good friend of mine has a mole in TalkShite and the word is that Allardyce is deperate for the job.
Mark Tanton
166 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:14:24
James who exactly should Everton, with the creaking 1960s facilities, in the bottom three, last trophy in 1995, be aiming for?

We all love Everton, but for God’s sake let’s stop pretending we’re an attractive proposition to top table managers. Dyche has done a great job at Burnley and has earned a shot at a bigger club. We might be what club. Moyes moved up and failed. Silva moved to and looks to be succeeding. There’s a hierarchy and it’s about we acknowledged more realistically where we currently are.

Ian Jones
167 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:17:22
Peter, don't think we can get Jesus in – pretty sure he's still playing for Manchester City. :)

I wonder how Dyche might feel seeing his name linked with Everton. He's been a good Manager for Burnley, and got them up to 7th so far this year with some good performances against teams they might expect to beat and even better ones so far against the the top teams.

He then looks down the table... and then further down to see where we are... and stops to think something on the lines of 'so that's all that people think I'm good for, a relegation dogfight'.

If I was Dyche, I would probably feel tempted but at the same time a little irritated. Many of the pundits say we are the next step up for him in his managerial career....to where! Okay, I am sure we would all love the idea of someone coming to Everton with half his mind on a top job elsewhere.

I would expect, and hope, that come towards the end of the season, Everton will be be higher up the table and above Burnley, with or without Dyche. If we can get a few games won in the next month, it's surprising what a bit of confidence can do to a team.

I also feel that currently, and no disrespect to other teams who are not perhaps as strong as they have been in the past, together with Aston Villa, Sunderland, Leeds Utd, we are one of the teams that would appeal to young British managers who probably understand the tradition of the club and 'get' us. Not so sure if the foreign managers do, however good they may be.

Personally, I would be happy to see David Unsworth be given the reigns to the end of the season, but of course, if it's really going pear-shaped by the end of December and he hasn't been able to get a reaction from the players by then, we can re-visit the managerial merry-go-round.

Any manager who gets us playing entertaining football and winning a trophy or two will be a hero and no doubt be given the freedom of the city – would be hilarious if that was Rafa Benitez :)

Daniel Lim
168 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:18:09
Eddie, did your mole say that Big Sam is paying us to get the job?
John G Davies
169 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:21:03
Mark (#167).

Precisely.

As much as it pains to say it.

Craig Taylor
170 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:29:30
I love that a lot of posters cant discuss anything with balance. I don't want Big Sam, but he was the 1st manager go down the sports science route and all his signings weren't yard dogs. I'd love an Okocha playing in midfield, with Djorkaeff. Don't remember them being 'Dogs Of War'.

He's never been a manager at a club with a big budget. He's never been relegated. He also isn't the best coach in the world either. Tuchel is a massive unknown. Dyche has never managed a club as big as us. Ancelloti can't come as he is still effectively on gardening leave from Bayern.

Who would want the pressure of appointing our next manager? Who would want to come to our club that is so disjointed on the field? Who is going to score our goals?

James Watts
171 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:33:15
Mark #167.

Dyche is a solid manager, no arguments from me. He'll make us tight at the back and difficult to break down. That's it. The football will be as dull as dishwater. Still. Have you ever thought "Ah Burnley are on TV, they are good to watch"? No. Nor has anyone else. And the best we'll ever reach? 7th.

If we were still under Kenwright with no money, absolutely Dyche would be the man. Under Mosh with a supposed ambition to break in the top 6? Maybe top 4? Dyche? Seriously?

We should be going for the best available coach. That is Tuchel. Paying 6m a year for a manager should make us an attractive proposition. So too should the rumoured ambition we have.

Dyche would be a poor man's, plucky Everton, knife to a gunfight appointment.

Dave Ganley
172 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:34:06
Biggest problem Everton have is that Kenwright is still at the helm. If he hadn't hired that bumbling idiot Martinez and actually got an established top level manager, as we could have done then, we could have taken the next step forward as we should have done. Instead we got a lazy appointment and the downward spiral started and look where we are now.

When Moyes left we were in a healthy position. It was a good job to have and we had a decent squad. Now look at us. The squad have no idea what they're doing and we are reduced to having fans suggest that Allardyce is the way forward. Makes you want to weep. I wish Kenwright would just fuck off, you're no Evertonian, you set us back years. We are no better now than when Moyes first joined.

Ray Jacques
173 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:34:15
Besides family, my two great loves in life for the past 30-odd years have been watching Everton and playing golf.

There are a few similarities in the latter two in that as I get older both are annoying and frustrating me and I am struggling to enjoy both pastimes.

Further coincidences happened in the summer in that I have been struggling to hit my driver well and started to lose some distance. The answer of course was to spend £400 on a new Callaway driver that would all of a sudden bring about those arrow straight 300 yard drives. The excitement when I opened the box and took it to the range to try out was unbearable, similar to when we unveiled those wonderful signings in the summer.

Anyway, needless to say the expectation was gone by the middle of September when the massive improvement in drives didn't materialise and our new signings proved to be just as useless.

I don't think my driving will drastically improve now as with age my decline has been steady, and similarly with Everton we have been in decline for decades. Yep I may hit one out of the middle every now and then and we may beat a Man City once in a while, but overall we are a bang average team/club/organisation who are long past their best.

I don't know who the new manager should be, but whoever, I wish him luck, good fortune and hope at the very least we can get a derby win!!

Neil Copeland
174 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:35:50
Ok, ok I will take the job on and save the club a fortune. I am happy to have Unsworth as my assistant and will even sort out any plumbing jobs needed around GP. I will change my name to Nero Copelotti if it helps.

There problem sorted for the same risk as any manager we bring in but for much lower cost.

Mark Tanton
175 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:53:14
I am torn -– appoint Dyche now, or stick with Unsworth for the season and then go and get Silva in June. They are my two preferences.
Dave Bowen
176 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:55:57
Don't want Dyche or Howe for that matter. I would like Tuchel but he is a bit of an unknown. Would love Ancelotti to come but realistically can't see it. Allardyce, would undoubtedly save us from relegation but the football would be awful (Carroll signed in January), but with the proviso that Rhino is his assistant, I would take him short term.
Laurie Hartley
177 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:58:21
Dave (#173) – I don't think anyone is suggesting Sam Allardyce is the way forward but he may very well be the way out of this mess in the short term.

Craig (#171) raises a couple of valid points about Sam Allardyce not the least of which is that he has never had money to spend. I wonder what he would have done with £140 million to spend this summer. I reckon he would have found us a left footed centre half, two full backs, as well as a target man with that sort of dough.

Ray (#174) – take up fishing – I find it far less stressful (than golf that is). You can buy a decent rod and reel for £50.

James Watts
178 Posted 31/10/2017 at 08:59:14
I agree in part Mark #176.

The absolute no's from me consists of Dyche, Allardyce and Moyes. Each one is a backward step. Safety first, boring football. Allardyce in February if things are REALLY desperate.

Unsworth until the end of the season, then Silva. Would like that too. Or Tuchel now.

Rick Tarleton
179 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:05:48
If you're in a relegation battle and we are, look at the table, Dyche strikes me as a better bet than Guardiola, Ancelotti or Tuchel.
Kevin Tully
180 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:21:06
Sometimes, you have to employ a manager who 'suits' the club and the players, rather than going down an unknown entity route. When Martinez first came, the tippy-tappy was unbearable, it didn't fit in with the club at all. To be honest, it never got much better, but we did get results for a short while. It certainly never suited the players we had, Jagielka and Distin were lost, along with a few midfielders.

The question is, which manager is the best fit for all these expensive new signings? Firstly, they have to address the obvious and change the system to suit the likes of Sigurdsson. It's no use spending £45m then dropping him for one of the kids from the U23 squad, we have to find a style to suit him, and the players like Klaassen, like it or not.

If you take all factors into consideration, it would be a huge gamble to give the job to a manager like Tuchel, who has no experience in this League. There is no doubt that Dyche would be a an underwhelming appointment, but our precious little players may not be able to hack it with a more continental style approach.

Koeman may have been right, they are simply not good enough (ridiculous, as he purchased most of them.) Imagine any manager spending over £200m then telling his players to knock it long and hope the second ball sticks, right in front of the whole footballing world! No wonder he was shown the door.

Lawrence Green
181 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:22:54
Hasn't the football been pretty much boring for the last few season's apart from the odd match? Moyes' last season and part of Roberto's first season were good to watch, the rest of it has been fairly non-descript.

Every team looking for success has to start with the defence, get that right and you give yourself an opportunity to add flair to the mix. Everton at the moment have to go back to basics no matter who the manager might be. Until the boardroom and owner are of one voice, the club will find it difficult to progress and notions of high profile people taking up the managers position are fanciful and even if one does come it won't solve the issues with the team overnight.

Who knows somebody like Dyche may keep us up, stay in post for a decade, win the odd derby get to a Cup Final and hover around sixth or seventh in the league, until they are attracted by a 'bigger' club than Everton. That's the Everton way is it not?


Colin Glassar
182 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:24:06
If Dyche is Kenwright's choice (sounds like him) then I'd rather give Unsy the job till December and then if we are still at, or around, the bottom then call in Big Sam to do his thing.

Dyche, IMO, will be another Moyes. Yes, he'll keep us safe (probably), yes, he'll restore our top 10 status etc but the football will be bread and butter stuff. Expectations will, once and for all, be restored to the plucky little Everton days.

It would also mean that Chairman Bill is well and truly restored to his throne and that Moshiri is just another weak-kneed wanker who has fallen under his spell. What a travesty!

Tony Marsh
183 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:26:46
Rick @ 180,

We are not in a relegation battle at all, mate – just ask a number of our delusional fans on here. We are still a massive club because we have Moshiri buying shares at EFC.

You can tell we are not in trouble by the names of Bigtime managers our fans are calling for. Let's face it, Ancelotti or Silva are dying to take over a club in the bottom 3 with an ageing squad and a dickhead chairman still in power.

Honestly I don't know if I should laugh or cry at some of the nonsensical and delusional names being put forward on here for the next manager. You have to be kidding me. Who on God's earth would want to tarnish their reputation by taking on this mess? Which fancy name from the continent would want a piece of this shit?

You people need to shake yourselves and get your head out of your arses. The reality of our plight is that bad that Allardyce or Dyche would be doing us a favour if they came here its not the other way around. Why can't you see how low our stock has fallen? Are you all blind deaf and dumb.We are bottom 3 for a reason not because of a bit of bad luck.

Wake the fuck up, people. Get a grip of reality and look around. Bottom 3, crap squad, crap stadium, delusional owners and fans, and a future as bleak as a snowman in July. Tell me why any top-notch manager would touch us at present?

Rick, you are spot on, mate, a no-nonsense grinder who knows this league is what we need right now, today... this week. Someone for the future and fancy football is just not feasible right now. All I want for Christmas is our fans to stop suffering from Kenwrighitis FPS.

Dave Abrahams
184 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:43:11
People are saying the old guard are past it, maybe they are: but they are all we have got at the moment plus Keane, there are are no players to take their places in defence, so we are stuck with them for now.

In the management department we have Unsworth, Royle, Ferguson and Ebbrell, make your own opinions about them, I'd say we need a fresh face in that department which we can do now to try and sort this out.

I don't care who he is as long as he can get us out of this predicament of relegation, staying up is the only concern mine, and in the state we are in it should be everyone at the club. Once it is sorted out, and hopefully, it will be, we can have a long look at the mess we are in and who created it, sort it out and start again.

Yes, another long wait but if we stay up it will be worth it.

Barry Pearce
185 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:44:30
Ray (#174) – great post, mate.
Tony Abrahams
186 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:50:25
I don't think Dyche would be anything like Moyes. He's not as dour, and I'm sure he would be a lot more interested in the whole club, than Moyes ever was.

I'm also sure that Joey Barton gave Unsworth so much stick because he wants Dyche to get the Everton job, and it's patently obvious that Allardyce also wants the job.

I wanted Unsworth, because of the kids, but once I heard the team on Sunday, I wasn't so sure because the formation he used at Chelsea should have been used again, and again and again.

Anyone who watches Everton knows that the team and the formation have both been getting constantly changed and this is one of the main reasons why we are so far down the league. Whoever gets the job has got to decide on a system and mostly stick to it, because if they don't, then we won't be able to open the parachute until we are receiving parachute payments.

Football reflects life, and the more settled you feel, then the better you will do. Back to the basics indeed!

Barry Pearce
187 Posted 31/10/2017 at 09:57:55
Just a name I'd throw in...

Chris Wilder.

[And runs for cover].

Pete Clarke
188 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:06:02
We can all be wrong at times. How many of us own up to wanting Kendall out?

The big problem has to be at board level. Do they not do their homework on managers or ask the chosen one questions about his formations, tactics and style??

Could they not see bringing in Rooney ( long finished at top level ) and Sigurdsson was wasting another decent players spot and causing problems on the field??

We are in a mess but the players are good enough. Unsworth with Royle's nouse will get them to become tighter and battle. He will need to try a few things with different players because you can't just bring another player in to this mess from outside.

But Allardyce is a no-no for me.

Rahman Talib
189 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:10:05
Next formation should be:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Jagielka Baines
Lennon Rooney Baningime Vlassic / Mirallas
Sigurdsson
Niasse

Niasse should play lone striker cause he can at least hold the ball compared to Calvert-Lewin.

Rahman Talib
190 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:15:22
Rooney keeps playing from deep. So, why don't we put him there and put another one in his place – like Sigurdsson?
Jim Lloyd
191 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:19:31
I think the sooner we get Sean Dyche or Sam Alladyce in, the sooner we have a chance of escaping relegation. Unsy might do a job but the situation I believe we are in, needs sorting now. Not in a month or two, or January but within the next couple of weeks.

I think we need to forget about new stadiums, world class managers and top four places (or even top six.)

It looks to me that the squad of players we've got is riddled with weaknesses and we need to get someone in who can get the collection of players working as a team that is difficult to beat.

If unsworth is only going to be a caretaker, then we need to get a permanent manager in a.s.a.p.

If it's Unsy, I think we're asking to much of him and my view is he needs to go and manage a club for a few years and see how he progresses. And the position we are currently in, I can't see a win coming and the longer we leave bringing a permanent manager in, thew more we will slide into the bottom 3.

I don't think Pellegrini ot Tuchel would be very sensible choices right now. Our need is for a man who can work with the players we have and get them to avoid defeat. That's the starter. Some comments before the Leicester game and I've heard it said on Toffee TV about the Watford game, that they are must win games.

Well to me, there is no must win about it. We aren't given a right to just go out and say "We must win" any game, because if we don't win it, where do we go from there? Worse morale and one game less to pull ourselves out of the mire!

We have to become hard to beat. God knows how many silly goals we've given away this season, which just robs our lads of any spirit.

Depressing? Yeah, it is but it weill be much more depressing if the worst happens.

I thinkl we have to start from scratch. To build a team with the players we have and avoid defeat being the first target.

It's not only having no centre forward that's been a failing.

We needed another centre half that is at least 5 years younger than either of our first team two. A left back to replace or back up Baines and a full back who would make Seamus fight for his place when he comes back.

We've got none of them and of the three number 10's (whatever that is!) or the creators, as I prefer to call them, then Wayne Rooney has been by far the most effective. We've got two, whose confidence is shot, or they are just not up to the job.

So, before we dream of becoming regular challengers for the top 4 places, we have to stay in the division.

Some Red come on the footy show last night and snidily referred our aspirations to Charles Dickens books. He crowed about it being "from Great Expectations to Bleak House" (they are clever chappies, are they not.) Well I just hope it becomes "A Christmas Carol"

Paul Kennedy
192 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:22:03
Ray (#174), the other thing that links both is coaching. I bet with the right degree of coaching confidence and planning you could hit that driver, although you should not have bought one without giving it a good try out first again a lot like most of our summer acquisitions.

Happy golfing – and fingers crossed we cannot stay this bad all season.

Jim Lloyd
193 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:26:47
PS, WE also, in my view, need to give a new manager as much time as possible before the January window, to identify players who will add strength, determination, hardness to skill; because we are in a fight and will be all season. I think then, if we get stabilised, next Summer we can think about identifying and bringing in better players and moving on (if we can!) the players who haven't got what it takes.
Tony Everan
194 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:36:50

They are probably finding out who actually wants the job!

Managers who would want it?

Dyche, Moyes, Big Sam, Howe, Benitez?

Dyche's no-nonsense approach, ability to keep games tight, and his age / career trajectory put him on top.

I share the misgivings of previous posters, but I think it is time for pragmatism, horses for courses.

He's not going to turn us into Pep's Man City, but he could keep us in the Premier League.

Geoff Williams
195 Posted 31/10/2017 at 10:36:53
Truly despair at times with the fickle TW contributors. This time last week there was universal support for Usworth, today he isn't up for the job etc. Who is stupid enough to have believed he could turn things round in six days having had a maximum of two full coaching sessions due to the mid week match and recovery time.

The team have lost two matches but could have easily beaten Chelsea with a spirited 2nd half performance. Leicester scored one great goal and one complete fluke whereas Everton did not get the deserved penalty and Calvert-Lewin missed a sitter. Both performances though unsuccessful were much better than anything we've seen recently.

Anyone coming in will struggle at the moment but I am far more optimistic now than I was 10 days ago and I have far more faith in Usworth than most to turn things around.

Tony Everan
196 Posted 31/10/2017 at 11:02:00
If If If If my Aunty had a pair of bollocks she'd be my uncle.

Uns may get a result against the Watford disparate yard dogs, but the team set up against Leicester was not right. He admitted as much when changing it all at half time Koeman style.

I want David to do well but it is a massive task and too big a job for someone with no sharp end managerial experience.

Too big a risk for our club at this stage , we need stability going into this 2 week break so the new man whoever it is can sort the situation out.

If that man is David I will get behind him and the players.

Jay Wood
197 Posted 31/10/2017 at 11:17:19
Jay @ 142

"Jay Wood, I wasn't saying relegation would certainly do any of the things I mentioned (uhm... der! EXACTLY, Jay); you're conflating conjecture with assertion.

"Rather, it MIGHT be retrospectively worth it, IF we came back up AND it removed that hideous caricature of an Evertonian, Blue Bill."

Nice manipulation of your own semantics, Jay.

You've repeated the same conjecture/assertion(you choose) more than once in recent days.

I look forward to you explaining how such a multiple conditional laden scenario you describe comes with guarantees that all will come to pass and Everton emerges stronger and better for it.

Conjecture or assertion, it is utter bollocks to describe relegation as you do as 'not necessarily calamitous.'

Dale Rose
198 Posted 31/10/2017 at 13:07:49
Everton are not known for sacking managers. The man has had two games in charge. Many on here are starting to talk like Manchester United supporters, lost a game get rid of the manager.

We have a good team, and a good mix of players. Whats missing at the present is confidence. The Koeman era has not been good, on a par with the Martinez era, which was also awful.

We don't have the type of team as yet that can compete in Europe on any acceptable level. We certainly don't' have the bench for it.

I saw green shoots on Sunday, particularly in the second half. I thought we were unlucky not to score. It needs time, things on different fronts were not good under Koeman. His transfer buying and tactics were very poor. We are also a lot of players down, Coleman, Barkley, Funes and Bolasie. These four were pivotal to our games, particularly during last season. Unsworth needs to be given time. We were wider on Sunday and also attacking quite well. This just needs some tuning but its coming. What we need to do is to get behind the club, not bandy managers names about. Unless Allardyce can get his boots on and guarantee two goals a game he can F**k off.

If we did take him there is a financial clause we have to pay anyway. We have spent enough, on tossers. No more.

Oliver Brunel
199 Posted 31/10/2017 at 13:18:18
I think Unsworth should be given a run, allowed to make a few buys, especially a striker. He hasnt had any time. However I think they will bring in the usual uncreative names Allardyce, Dyche etc.
Phil Lewis
200 Posted 31/10/2017 at 13:28:12
Sam Allardyce was a dog of a player. Never the type to be considered as Everton material. His style of play continued into his managerial philosophy and man management. He was a dog of a manager. Clearly, in light of his 'ethical indiscretions' and lack of moral fibre as England manager, it would seem fair to assume that he is a dog of a man. With apologies to the canine community, I beg the Everton board to keep this dog confined to his retirement kennel. His type does not belong at our club. His appointment, I believe would bring catastrophic consequences to the club.
David Hallwood
201 Posted 31/10/2017 at 13:54:40
Now that I’ve calmed down a bit, and can be more reflective. The Leicester result was bad, but the Chelsea performance 4 days previous was probably the best we’ve played since March, so it can be done.

We’ve got plenty of points to play for and Barkley, Coleman Bolasie and Funes Mori to come back, so now’s not the time to panic.

Stick with Unsworth for now; we’ve tried Hollywood so maybe a bit of Home grown Pinewood is needed.

Colin Glassar
202 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:04:18
Oliver, David, the more Big Sam and Dyche are mentioned the more willing I am to give Unsy a few more games.

The two second half performances showed he can change things around and can motivate better performances. He’s only had a week with them. Most of them might be staying at FF during the international break so let Unsy work with them, at least until December. Big Joe and Ebbrell will be analysing the mistakes with him and can try and iron things out.

C’mon Unsy, I still (want to) believe.

Jason Wilkinson
203 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:10:30
After the initial anger and general downhearted feeling post Leicester. There are a couple of things that come to mind.

1/ We scored a very similar goal against City (Tom Davies) last season.

2/ Real, Barcelona or Bayern would have struggled to defend against that kind of pace/ counter attack. The second was unfortunate.

So apart from two isolated incidents were Leicester much better than us?
I don't think they were. They defended better than us, but there wasn't much going forward. In conclusion we were possibly a little naive committing so many players forward in the attack that led to the counter.
Patience and a bit more nous up front we might have come away with a more encouraging result.

Will Mabon
204 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:12:54
So the board (or whatever it is) may go from waiting til the death to fire Koeman, to suddenly jumping to appoint a dour firefighter after two games from Unsworth.

After well over a year of Koeman, we can't wait a month to see what transpires with Unsworth? If the board perceived such danger of relegation as the reason to fire Koeman then why did Unsworth even get the reigns? Where was Bungy when Koeman left?

Had they already started the process of searching for the next manager? Since Unsworth was not designated caretaker manager, was his audition planned as two or three weeks? Surely not.

This is all very poor. Maybe Unsworth has been given the helm purely as caretaker but in the guise of trying out for the job. Two games after Koeman leaves, and we go into Big Sam panic mode, yet two weeks before, no planning?

Methinks "The board" are being guided by the media.

Will Mabon
205 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:16:42
We are in a mess but the players are good enough. Unsworth with Royles mouse will get them to become tighter and battle."

Peter you could be right - it may come down to Royle's mouse. ,"We are in a mess but the players are good enough. Unsworth with Royles mouse will get them to become tighter and battle."

Peter you could be right - it may come down to Royle's mouse. ,,,1,14:16:23,,81.108.253.187,ok,19747,10/31/2017 14:16:23,Overdrive,reader,, 865844,35745,toffeeweb,31/10/2017,Dennis Stevens,dchstevens@msn.com,"I'd rather stick with Unsworth!

We won't attract any of the "top" managers because they don't see us as a top club & we won't offer them the sort of budget they'd want. At the moment many would also see the job as something of a poisoned chalice. That being the case, I see little point in swapping like for like.

Unsworth's had 2 matches at very short notice & we've already seen noticeable improvement, he is also further ahead in terms of familiarisation with the squad of players. He may not develop into a great manager & win any silverware for the Club, but I reckon he is capable of dragging us clear of the relegation trap-door. If he is then not considered the man the take the Club any further, a proper recruitment can take place at the season's end.

Jon Hirshman
206 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:20:19
Cut it out Tony Marsh, I'm sick of you having a go at fellow Evertonians on this site. We get it, you disagree with them but their viewpoints are as valid as yours.

As regards the Leicester match Lennon and Mirallas didn't have a bad half, the defence is past it although Williams and JJ didn't play badly but nobody could handle Gray. Lennon should have had a penalty and Carragher shouldn't be anywhere near a microphone. I agree that Lookman and Vlasic should start but Rooney shouldn't. He's at the stage where he still has a very good brain (well a football one), but his body is letting him down. I disagree with those who say he was ok against Leicester, he wasn't. Also think that Baningime looks an exciting prospect.

With regard to Unsy we can't afford to give him the time he needs because if we don't start winning soon we really will be in a relegation dogfight. If we do decide to bring a new manager in I like the look of Marco Silver. Interestingly Joe Royle replaced Mike Walker in early November and went on to win 16 of the remaining games including the cup final, whereas Walker only managed 1 win in the first 16 games which was just before he was sacked. We need to have someone who is going to win us matches sooner rather than later.

Neil Copeland
207 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:20:34
Colin, Oliver, David - agreed, Unsworth will certainly have the crowd behind on Saturday. Whilst the game against Lyon is less important in terms of result it is just as important in terms of performance. Hopefully we can turn the 45min spells into something longer and start dominating teams more. Unsworth was a defender so I trust him to improve the defence and goals will come if he continues with width and pace.

Come on Unsy we are routing for you!

Neil Copeland
208 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:25:29
Will 206, beat me to it. I wonder if Royles mouse has a name?
Lawrence Green
209 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:33:21
Royle's mouse will suffer the same fate as all of those other tactical geniuses, it'll struggle to deal with the growing number of Everton Fat Cats!
Sean Patton
210 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:46:22
I'd rather have Benitez or Rodgers than Allardyce
Pete Clarke
211 Posted 31/10/2017 at 14:54:00
We are all frustrated and we all have our own thoughts and feelings on our current situation.
Right now I have a feeling that Boys Pen Bill and Moshiri are split too. It does not bode well for us in that department either as Mosh fucked up with Koeman and Bill would have Moyes back.
We're in for a bumpy ride I think but as in past troubles we are going to have to rely on there being three shittier teams than us if that's possible to imagine right now.
The Watford game is now bigger than the Kevin Brock moment.
Colin Glassar
212 Posted 31/10/2017 at 15:08:09
Big Joe’s mouse is called Mr Bojangles.
Neville Jones
213 Posted 31/10/2017 at 17:37:27
The main problem on Sunday was our midfield, Davies decent usually but poor at present, only a young lad and Gueye, completely lost it. Bamingime is our best defensive midfielder so should start and Mo Besic should be on sub so we have some toughness to come on. Put Rooney in the midfield to take responsibility and make him Captain.

We give teams far too much space and our defenders struggle/panic when their strikers suddenly appear near our penalty area. So, we concede goals and without a natural goalscorer we can't score.

Bring in Lookman and Vlasic up front and keep Mirallas and Lennon, who despite their limitations have plenty to offer and look dangerous when in possession then jig the team round as necessary using the bench. Niasse, not fantastic but our top goalscorer bring him on after say 65 minutes. Drop Dom CL and use him as a sub. We can always switch Lookman to the wing.

If we had been given a penalty, the match could have been very different and the statistics show we were the better team in many areas but it is goals that count.

Yes, we are top heavy with no.10s, any way some of these could be switched to midfield such as Klaasen or Siggurdson to give Rooney, see above a rest?
In other areas, we are extremely short. Why were many promising young players sent on loan in the ares where we are currently short? Dowell being the obvious, great preseason, a goal scorer who would walk into the team.

We have to question not only the previous management but also our so called "Director of Football". Why pre season did we leave ourselves so short in the right back position? Surely, Koeman knew Martina's limitations? Kenny doing a decent job but no back up. Same problem at left back.

These decisions seem like very basic mistakes that David Unsworth would not have made. He's lost 2 matches but he has been manager a week and the performances have been better with no luck. Give him a chance and get off his back.

January will give us the chance to bring in players where we are short but in the meantime, we are not so deficient. We need fight, battle and spirit, close teams down and use whatever pace we have upfront.

Sean McCarthy
214 Posted 31/10/2017 at 18:59:02
People on here saying we should be patient as soon we'll have the likes of Barkley Bolasie and Funes Mori back
Barkley and his inconsistency and complete lack of a football brain
Bolasie, remind me what did he contribute in the games he played before his injury??
Funes Mori is a car crash waiting to happen

I'd suggest it's prayers not patience were in need of!!!

Geoff Lambert
215 Posted 31/10/2017 at 19:04:57
We need a striker now.

Here are the out of contract options any thoughts?

https://www.transfermarkt.com/spieler/vertragslosespieler/statistik/1/plus//galerie/0?ausrichtung=Sturm&spielerposition_id=alle&land_id=alle&altersklasse=&wettbewerb_id=alle&seit=alle&yt0=Show

Neil Copeland
216 Posted 31/10/2017 at 19:25:09
Lawrence 210, never thought of that - perhaps Koeman ate it and that was actually the final straw.
Dennis Stevens
217 Posted 31/10/2017 at 19:27:29
Geoff, I'm not too keen on signing a player called Dodo!
Geoff Lambert
218 Posted 31/10/2017 at 20:15:50
Dennis ???
Dale Rose
219 Posted 31/10/2017 at 20:52:51
I was going to post but Nev #214 you said it all.

The one we do need back is Galloway, a hard little defender who was doing well for us until he was loaned out.

One thing though, all this talk of a relegation fight, its not going to happen because we are not going to be in that zone for long. We are fortunate that we have a good pool of players here and out on loan, we will find the right combination. Unsworth is trying he knows the game, and it is coming, keep the faith.

The anticipation in August was so high, but didnt manifest into the finished product. This was so apparent in the knock out euro matches. What we are experiencing now is the hangover. Lets just hope Watford is the hair of the dog.

David Israel
220 Posted 31/10/2017 at 21:55:26
Peter Clarke # 189, I'll own up to it. I wanted Kendall out, until Adrian Heath popped in and... we all know the story.
Terry Underwood
221 Posted 01/11/2017 at 09:08:00
OK, we lost 2-0 away to a decent side. Our fate this season, will come down to can we become a hard side to beat at home? Home points will keep us up, or the lack of them will, well, let's not even think about that. Teams no longer look at Goodison as a tough place to come. That needs to change, the place needs to be a bear pit for the nest couple of games, for the oldies amongst you, think Bayern Munich ECWC semi, think the Eastoe, Varadi cup game against the RS. A wall of noise, cheers, not groans. A couple of wins, however scrappy, will work wonders on confidence.
COYMB
Oliver Brunel
222 Posted 01/11/2017 at 09:19:41
I believe a solid manager (not Allardyce or Dyche) and a decent striker (the dude from Besiktas) , Barkley back, Coleman back and we should be ok. But if these things don't happen we could be going down. However talking about survival is not acceptable for Everton FC and Moshiri will, eventually, incur the wrath of the fans unless he starts investing properly in the club. If that means Usmanov then so be it.
Will Mabon
223 Posted 01/11/2017 at 09:31:37
All makes sense, Oliver.
Charles Brewer
224 Posted 01/11/2017 at 10:07:47
Having been delighted by Koeman's sacking - I thought he was like Walter Smith, but without the happy positive personality and managerial talent - I am concerned by Unsworth's start, but not yet ready for the arrival of 'Lifeboats' Allardyce (though I would not rule this out if it's still as horrible by Christmas).

Koeman had a hideous set of fixtures at the start of the season, but it was the manner of the defeats and the utterly awful European displays - against complete dross - that settled it for me. He spent an astronomical amount of money in a shockingly incompetent way and seemed indifferent to the lack of a striker (having a bit of a moan afterwards does not strike me as the actions of a new Alex Ferguson). We should remember that, had the Niasse sale cockup not happened, we would be 3 points worse off in second from bottom slot, and starting to lose touch even with 17th place.

Unsworth has had an even worse fixture list to start - Chelsea after 2 days "in charge" and a revived Leicester after 3 more, however, he has not yet shown that he has reinstated the determination required to hold other teams off - the disorganisation for both Leicester goals was shocking - or found any kind of solution at all to the lack of a goalscorer.

Unsworth needs to find some kind of solution to being overwhelmed by pace and by breakaway football - which seems to be the successful choice of the top teams, and even the not-so-top like Leicester and Liverpool, and to end the kick-it-backwards-and-sideways stuff which Martinez brought in and which resurfaces as soon as anything goes wrong.

He needs to find someone a bit stupid like Andy Gray or Tim Cahill who will put his head in where the boots are flying and take chances - actually, I don't remember either of them suffering that much from taking risks, and they certainly lifted the crowd and the team. In fact, I think what those players did was to take the chance that they might look a bit silly running for possible crosses when none came. The thing is, you don't have to be right very often, and this sort of chance is exactly what Rooney is still exemplary at.

Unsworth has certainly not proved he is the right man yet. He may not do so, but changing the style and improving morale are absolutely mandatory. We should give him a few more matches at least.

Steve Carse
225 Posted 01/11/2017 at 10:53:02
I agree with much of this Charles.
I would add that Unsworth deserves alot of credit for his tacticality flexibility. A main complaint about both Martinez and Koeman was their inflexibility; that they had no Plan B (many might argue that the latter didn't even have a Plan A). But Unsworth saw that his bold Plan A wasn't working and moved on to Plan B for the second half.
What's being overlooked about his two games in charge are the long periods in the second half of each when the opposition were hardly touching the ball. At Chelsea in particular the edginess in the opposition ranks was evident in alot of finger pointing among their players as they fought to try (unsuccessfully) to regain a hold of the game.
For me the only (but unfortunately naive and fatal) tactical error Unsworth made on Sunday was in not having his back line play 10 yards nearer their own goal, to prevent or at least discourage Leicester playing the ball over the top for Vardy. They exposed our back line with such a tactic as early as the 5th minute but it was another half hour before we changed our positioning.

Tony Marsh
226 Posted 01/11/2017 at 11:07:12
Steve @ 226

Unsworth plan A on Sunday was pathetic that's why we were 2-0 down in the first half. Bringing in plan B when it was to late didn't help.Unsworth selected the wrong team.He did a Koeman.

Steve Ferns
227 Posted 01/11/2017 at 11:41:17
Yes Tony, with hindsight, Unsworth got it the wrong way round. He should have selected a compact narrow midfield three for the first half and then introduced the wingers and gone for it.

But that game was defined by three things. Firstly Davies and Gueye letting Gray race away from them. Secondly, Kenny slicing the ball into his own net. Thirdly, the referee not giving a clear penalty.

Take those three things out of the game and it was a 0-0 game. Leicester did not do much else. Of course, they didn't need to, so they didn't have to, and that does not mean that they could not have done. in other words, if it was 0-0 then they could have gone up the gears and could have threatened us more.

Unsworth, didn't want to do a Koeman and confuse the players. He switched things at half time so he could ensure that the players knew what was expected of them. We held shape well and we executed things well, up to a point. Of course, we did not score, so it was ultimately a move that did not pay off. Unsworth has not had enough time to coach the side, to get them working.

He is also managing the team with short term goals. It's all about knockout blows for him. He gambled in his initial selection by trying to blow them away with pace and width and get the big win that we all need so that he can stake a claim for the job.

I believe that had he the job fulltime, then he would not have gone for the win, he would have gone for a point and he would have kept it narrow, kept it compact and kept it tight.

Unsworth most certainly did not do a koeman.


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