Williams lost his rag... and his claim to the armband

Ashley Williams abandoned his defensive duties and his responsibilities as leader on Saturday. It's time to give the team captaincy to someone far more worthy.

Lyndon Lloyd 05/03/2018 54comments  |  Jump to last

When Ashley Williams was identified as a potential Everton recruit in the summer of 2016, the rationale for the move was roundly — if not unanimously — accepted as a sound one.

Roberto Martinez and the Everton board had dug their heels in the previous year when Chelsea lodged a series of bids for John Stones and the idea of trying to keep the want-away young defender when Manchester City came calling 12 months later was futile. He wanted to move on and even in the knowledge that his value would probably keep rising, £47.5m was too good to turn down.

Besides, it was felt that what Everton needed at the time to augment the squad that Ronald Koeman had inherited following a horrendous season from a defensive point of view was an experienced and committed centre-half. What better than a seasoned captain of club and country with the reputation, at least, of being a tough-tackling, unflinching defender to help usher in some new-found solidity under a new manager? After all, hadn’t Williams just demonstrated for Wales at Euro2016 the kind of fire and dedication to the cause that Goodison Park sorely needed?

It’s fair to say that for whatever reason, Williams has never fully lived up to either his billing or reputation in an Everton jersey or ever looked entirely settled with the Blues. Perhaps it was a passion and commitment for Swansea City and Wales that elevated his game to that of one of the most dependable defenders in the Premier League but Everton did not get the player they thought they were buying 18 months ago.

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He has shown flashes of that previous form here and around November when the reins were passed from David Unsworth to Sam Allardyce he and Mason Holgate looked to be the Blues’ best central defensive partnership. Too often, however when the chips have been down — before under Koeman and since under Allardyce — and Everton have sorely needed a leader, both by example and deed, and a rock at the back Williams has often gone missing.

Worse than that, he has undermined the cause at times, as he nearly did against Lyon earlier this season when he should have been sent off for sparking a meleé that spilled into the crowd and then actually did on Saturday at Burnley — first, by abandoning his responsibilities in marking Chris Wood for the Clarets’ winning goal and then, by being sent off for throwing an elbow at Ashley Barnes six minutes later.

Williams has spoken of the need and the challenge of managing one’s emotion and aggression on the field and, for him personally, using his experience to straddle the fine line between remaining in control and losing control.

“If I think of some of the better games I have played in my career I was probably, as you say, heated,” he explained to David Prentice in the Liverpool Echo prior to the Anfield derby in December. “but because of the environment you are in, if you didn’t keep a check on it and control it a little bit it would probably go over the top. And that’s not me.

“You need to be a bit mindful of where you are at emotionally on the day. It’s something I have thought about many a time — to try and control it — but sometimes, when you are out of control, somehow you end up playing a better game I feel.

“It could be a fracas or something and suddenly you’re not thinking, you are reacting. It might be the referee, an opposition player or one of your own team-mates.

“Sometimes you can use that it a good way, but as an experienced player you want to be more in control so that you can use your knowledge. You don’t want to lose yourself in the emotion of the game.”

At times, the pent-up energy has exploded in a volcanic goal celebration — see last season against Arsenal — while at others it’s either been strangely lacking or, as was the case at Turf Moor, it has boiled over as frustration and indiscipline. Williams was caught reacting to a situation at an offensive corner in which he appeared to be caught in the eye by a flailing arm and lashed out, earning a straight red card from referee Chris Kavanagh. But just a minute earlier, he had thrown an elbow at Wood in a more innocuous incident unseen by the officials. Clearly frustration — with the imminent defeat and, perhaps, his own dereliction of duty — had got the better of him.

It’s understandable to a point but unforgivable, for the simple reason that Williams was wearing the captain’s armband against Burnley and had a higher duty to keep himself in check. That the sight of him disappearing down the tunnel for an early bath just epitomised Everton’s lack of collective responsibility and discipline, both in this match and in this torrid season as a whole, just made it worse.

It’s also why, at least until Phil Jagielka returns (and, even then, probably beyond) the team captaincy should be handed to Seamus Coleman now that he is fit again, a player whose longevity at Goodison and commitment to Everton Football Club makes him far more deserving.

Already the skipper of his country, Coleman is a fan favourite who bears many of the characteristics you’d want in a Toffees captain — he doesn’t shirk his duties and he plays the game with a Corinthian spirit and his emotions channeled into the right avenues rather than into opposition players’ faces.

Give Seamus the armband. He’s worthy of it and he’s earned it.

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Reader Comments (54)

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Ian Bennett
1 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:37:55
He needs putting on the transfer list. The guy's a liability in terms of ability and mindset.
Ken Kneale
2 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:39:18
Lyndon, I voted for Séamus Coleman on another thread earlier today.

Your headline perfectly captures my take on Williams – in my view, the management need to set an example and get rid of him irrespective of the business side of football. He is unfit to represent Everton.

The appointment of someone who represents the Brian Labone end of the market, such as Séamus, would be a statement in itself that both on and off the field we were blind but can now see.

Peter Laing
3 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:52:11
Ashley Barnes is a second-rate Premier League striker who puts himself about, does the basics and works hard for his team. He's certainly not prolific in front of goal and my comments are in no way intended to do him a disservice.

On Saturday Barnes totally bossed, out-muscled and out thought both Williams and his former teammate Keane. The swing of the elbow from Williams aimed at Barnes was the icing on the cake for the centre-forward and confirmed what we all knew – Williams had been owned all afternoon and his cowardice and subsequent red card was totally justified.

Going forward Everton need to rid itself of the players who in addition to clearly lacking in ability but also the character, self-discipline and motivation required as a minimum. Too many players have demonstrated flaws in their mental strength and character this season – exemplified by Williams on Saturday.

Moshiri needs to go in and read the riot act at Finch Farm as it quite clearly has not worked under either Koeman or Allardyce. We need to know who is up for the fight ahead given that a relegation fight is not out of the question. The list should start with Williams and include:

Keane
Schneiderlin
Martina
Bolasie

William Cartwright
4 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:53:03
He has not and is not captain material when wearing an Everton shirt, and on occasion he has let himself down badly. I don't think it is reasonable to crucify him on this or any other forum. He was and is, what he has been and sometimes should be but, given his overall performances this season, perhaps now is the time for a parting of the ways and we all move on.

I find his quality of football more frustrating than his temperament, but mix them together and you have really negative mix. I don't think you can question his sincerity, however, and whatever direction his career takes we should wish him the best, but away from us.
Dermot Byrne
5 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:54:52
Been obvious about Seamus for years. He could have been a good captain when hobbling with a bust leg.
Dave Speed
7 Posted 05/03/2018 at 17:56:24
We should have known when Williams returned to pre-season training, knowing that we had competitive games early on, that he was undisciplined. He had an ale gut like Gazza's boozing mate, Billy Ten Bellies or something like that. He should have been closer to full fitness, not looking like a Weight-Watchers Slimmer of the Year 'before' photo.
James Stewart
8 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:03:42
One the worst signings we have ever made, even Alcaraz looked better than Williams. He is an utter disgrace to the shirt and at best a coward.

Should be shown the door at the first opportunity.

Gerry Ring
9 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:06:14
Coleman is the obvious choice for captain. Williams is not a Premier League player. We need a tough, aggressive, physically strong, brave and composed centre-half who would bully centre forwards with his physical power and football ability and would be proud to play for Everton.

Oh, I forgot!! We had Shane Duffy and sold him to Blackburn. He'd make bits of Keane and Williams!!!

Paul Swan
10 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:10:44
Every now and then, typically during periods when nothing else is going on, lists of the all-time worst players at the club are compiled.

This player is high on my list. His ability is extremely limited, poor in the air, abysmal on the ground and has the positional sense of a fart in a bottle.

Ian Bennett
11 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:28:36
Here's my dream (nightmare team)

Baardsen
Hottiger
Krøldrup
Williams
Keane
Martina

Claus Thomsen
Schneiderlin

Bakayoko
Kone
McGeady

Subs:
Gerrard
Tony Thomas
John Collins
Bilic
Angell
Oster
Simon Davies or Alexandersson

Manager – Allardyce, Koeman or big Walter

Tim Michael
12 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:41:08
It's a strange one with Ashley Williams. His arrival at EFC was received well. Prior to his arrival, he was a consistent performer at Swansea plus for Wales and at £10m looked a very good buy. Fans had cried out for a no nonsense stopper and that's exactly what arrived. I wouldn't say he set the world alight in his early games but he was a performer.

However, this season has gone seriously wrong for him. Without letting the emotion get in the way, I've tried to look at possible reasons.
  1. He's personally happy at the club so he's not trying to get away (even if his form wouldn't get him too far).
  2. I know he forged a good partnership with Holgate earlier in the season which was broken up by Allardyce no sooner than when it started to look promising.
  3. The most likely reason is the decline in his form is similar to that Distin. His decline was swift and was evident by similar traits. Mistimed tackles in dangerous situations, poor clearances either by foot or head and regularly being caught cold by on running attackers. Much that I respected Sylvain he was being caught out positionally and in possession. I think that this is what's happening with Ashley Williams.

He can longer repeat what he did with Wales and Swansea three years ago. When Allardyce leaves in May, whoever takes charge will deem Williams surplus to requirements.

Robin Cannon
13 Posted 05/03/2018 at 18:52:17
Is it possible for a player to just be not great, without automatically jumping to him being "one of our worst players ever"?

I don't think a team of our "worst ever", as Ian proposed above, would have six players from the last five years in the starting XI. But immediate/recent memory tends to rule when it comes to "best of" or "worst of".

Williams has been disappointing, and failed to improve our defence. He's been a mediocre player for us and now seems to be declining further. Wholly underwhelming, yet far from one of the worst ever players to play for the club.

Jim Bennings
14 Posted 05/03/2018 at 19:14:43
I'd really love to know just what happened to the Ashley Williams that was outstanding for Swansea and captained Wales with immense pride and leadership at the Euro 2016.

When we signed Williams I was mildly excited at the prospect of us getting a solid vocal leader, something that with the likes of John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori had been lacking from the previous 2015-16 season whilst it's been widely known that Jags is a bit too nicey-nicey with opponents.

The signing of Williams at 31 seemed to be perfect for at least two or three years – much in the way Sylvain Distin arrived in his twilight years, but produced immense defensive capabilities for four solid years.

Watching Ashley Williams now is cringe-worthy, what the hell happened to his leadership qualities? Where is the solid defender at Swansea gone? Why is he making pathetic rash stupid decisions like getting sent off on Saturday and at Old Trafford last April with us holding on in injury time?

I thought when we signed him we were getting a role model and a leader of men but, instead of that, he's become a complete embarrassment to himself and to be brutally honest this current three-game ban should be the curtain call on his Everton career and he shouldn't be seen in a Blue shirt again now.

A sad end to a shockingly poor short Everton career that should have produced a solid captain that the defence was organised around instead of the joke figure Williams has become.

Lenny Kingman
15 Posted 05/03/2018 at 19:17:45
His links to being Welsh are tenuous at best and the lack of recognition for England national duty, being from Wolverhampton, should reveal something.

His golden moments in the Welsh march at Euro 2016 were commendable. But the buffoons who sanctioned his buy at £12 million at his age and under achievement, were complete mugs on an epic scale.

Swansea to Everton, via Mickey Mouse stopovers along the way were a bridge too far, by many miles, for the West Midlands lad.

Eddie Dunn
16 Posted 05/03/2018 at 19:23:08
Robin, spot-on. Williams has had some good games for us and he has shown some much needed aggression at times. Unfortunately he has let himself down, with the state he returned to preseason and the way he has responded to the usual on-field needle.

His frustration is probably down to coming to terms with his own demise. We got him on the way down but he is by no means one of the worst we have seen.

Stephen Brown
17 Posted 05/03/2018 at 19:33:00
Being from Swansea, I've seen a lot of Ashley Williams from playing in League One with the Swans to a consistent premier league performer. When we signed him I was delighted and was quick to rub it in to family and friends (Swans fans). There were one or two who said to me he's gone and I took no notice!

I've been willing him to do well ever since he signed but it is absolutely clear his time has gone! He is a complete liability and it's best for all of he never plays for us again!

He's a bit like Samson (not Kenny) – ever since he's had that long hair he's lost his strength, pace, ability and confidence!

I predicted he'd be the next Everton captain to lift a trophy – not one of my better predictions! Gutted!!

Paul Birmingham
18 Posted 05/03/2018 at 19:43:18
Agreed all in, Lyndon.

Deffo make Seamus captain, and get Williams anger management. Passion, guts and determination... yes, in every game, but having a nark as he looks prone to increasingly as he's too slow and can't read the game means, he is always yards off and nearly always on the positional side as a centre-back.

Imagine in the Man City and RS games. Hopefully he won't be in the team for the RS, and he will miss Man City as part of his 3-game ban.

David Currie
19 Posted 05/03/2018 at 20:24:54
A shocking player who should be playing League Two. Amazing that Fat Sam had him as captain instead of Coleman.

I hope Williams never plays for us again. When he signed for us, I knew it was a bad signing.

John Crook
20 Posted 05/03/2018 at 20:25:22
Another excellent article, Lyndon, that certainly catches my feelings toward our captaincy situation. Williams should have been dropped for good and sold following the Lyon incident. That would have been at the time merely icing the cake as far his poor form and judgement is concerned.

He has been a liability for too long and Sam must shoulder the blame for allowing him to continue to play, nevermind lead the team. Coleman is the obvious answer.

Kase Chow
21 Posted 05/03/2018 at 20:31:56
Complete waste of money and time. This guy is appalling. Awful attitude and ability.

Typical of the new era at Everton: over-paid, over-inflated ego and over the hill.

Paul Tran
22 Posted 05/03/2018 at 20:36:32
Jim, what happened was that Williams peaked in a year playing for club and country as a dependable backs-to-the-wall stopper. He moved to us, a team where he was going to have more time, with and without the ball. That's not his strength and he then clearly looked past his peak. And it's snowballed ever since.

There was a time when ITV would pinch stars off the BBC just past the point where they were starting to go backwards. Godolphin often do this buying racehorses off other yards. We did this with Williams. And if the rumours are true, we want to do it with Vardy and Wenger.

But those rumours are nonsense, aren't they?

Ian Hollingworth
23 Posted 05/03/2018 at 21:09:56
Just about sums Everton FC up that Williams is even considered as captain when his performances in a blue shirt have been largely poor.

Just what does that say to the rest of the squad?

Johnny Rainford
24 Posted 05/03/2018 at 21:29:00
I think we all bought into his signing after his decent Euros.

Pattern emerges that a lot of our signings never really live up to their previous reputations when they come to us. It's like they switch off as soon as the ink is dry.

Gotta ask why???

Geoffrey Williams
25 Posted 05/03/2018 at 21:38:52
Ashley Williams was never the centre back Everton needed. A player dominant in the air was a necessity, at 6'-0" he never filled the bill.

He was never a good passer of the ball, he used to simply pass the ball onto Leon Britton. His performances for Swansea over the previous two years were showing a rapid decline. Very few Swansea fans were upset at his departure.

His signing must have been based on the Welsh performance in the Euros. He has always been an accident waiting to happen and, even in his better games, there have been moments of panic.

Oliver Molloy
26 Posted 05/03/2018 at 21:47:34
It would not be a surprise if Coleman is Captain this weekend.
Keith Harrison
27 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:18:23
I was pleased when we got Williams. He seemed to drive on an ordinary side, was always in the thick of the action, a guy you'd want beside you in the trenches.

It transpires that the trenches is where he really belongs in a footballing sense.

He puts his body on the line with blocks, lunges etc, and is a siege player. When he moved to an arguably better team – yes we were – and he wasn't required to clear his lines and play in his own box for almost the whole match, he was found out to be an average football passer with no pace and poor positional sense.

I don't blame whoever signed him; it seemed a good, if pricey, move at the time. It looks like the Euros were his Swansong, and time has now exposed his increasing limitations.

He should have been used as a makeweight in the Sigurdsson move, or a concerted effort for Alfie Mawson.

I don't think he should represent us again though.

Ray Robinson
28 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:18:54
Although I agree, he is unworthy of the captaincy and his form this season has been diabolical, I suppose, in a perverse way, his actions at least demonstrate that he cares.
Mark Boulle
29 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:23:23
I've been convinced for some time that Williams is like the opposite of Samson. When his hair was a short, efficient crewcut at Swansea, he was a very solid, dependable defender.

He came to Everton, hit the big(ger) time, grew those stupid dreadlocks, and his form went completely down the pan.

I rest my case!

Peter Gorman
30 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:27:32
This brute donkey of a player is a charlatan to boot.

In what I thought was our darkest hour this season (sadly I fear it may still be around the corner) Williams was a total liability and played with visible fear in his eyes. I'm thinking about the trouncings received in Europe.

I anticipated a leader but he has never shown an ounce of leadership. Barely says a word to his teammates. Contrast that with a virtual child named Morgan Feeney and this gutless clown has no redeeming features.

In an ideal world he simply should not ever play for the club again, he is not good enough and, on recent showing, not deserving.

Frank Wade
31 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:32:45
Geoffrey (#25), I don't know if you watch all the Swansea matches, but the stats don't back you up on your analysis that Williams's performances were in decline for 2 years before he signed.

Roll back to Summer 2016. We have just signed a DoF in Walsh and tell him we need a strong durable no-nonsense centre back to replace Stones. So he checks his stats, as it's quite clear that's how our DoF works. He finds a guy who in 2015-16 season was 2nd in Blocks, 1st in Clearances and 2nd in Headed clearances in the Premier League, a club captain, a leader and had just had a great Euros as captain with Wales. A no-brainer, apart from his age.

I had only seen Williams play for Swansea against Everton and he always did well. Unfortunately, he was just at the end of a stellar career with Swansea and could never replicate that form. The only criticism we can make is that the age profile was off, as we are all agreed, the signing was a disappointing one.

Andy Williams
32 Posted 05/03/2018 at 22:43:33
Seamus should have been made captain 3 years ago. There is nobody who shows anywhere near his level of leadership.

Here's hoping – always hoping!

Jack Convery
33 Posted 05/03/2018 at 23:33:35
Never buy a player on the back of a good tournament – Gary Breen, anybody?

Ashley should go in the summer for his and our sakes. I reckon his frustration is coming from the knowledge that he can't do it anymore at Premier League level. He won't be the first or the last to get pissed off at getting old. It comes to us all.

He also thought coming to EFC was a step up to bigger and better things. That turned out well, didn't it?

James Hopper
34 Posted 05/03/2018 at 23:57:56
For me, Ashley Williams epitomises and embodies everything that's been wrong with Everton this season and in our far periods last season.

It seems to me he got his last big move from Swansea to Everton and, likely knowing he'd peaked, has coasted ever since. Strolling around the field showing no heart or desire, growing his hair into a ridiculous (albeit probably fashionable) pastiche of Jason Lee and, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, has lashed out and disgraced himself on more than one occasion now.

At this point, I would honestly pick Pennington or Galloway over Williams. There's also potentially Funes Mori, Holgate and Jagielka to choose from.

Sam has done a great job of making Klaassen, Vlasic and Sandro disappear. Please, Sam, do the same with Williams!

John Belshaw
35 Posted 06/03/2018 at 02:26:44
Writing in The Guardian recently, sports journalist Sachin Nakrani singled out Williams for being at fault for Troy Deeney's second-half winner by backing off the Watford striker and allowing him the time and space to fire home a shot.

Nakrani then went on to bluntly state that Williams has been lacking, both physically and technically, for several months. And while the 33-year-old has had a proud career – not least captaining Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 – he is now done at the highest level of English football.

The worrying thing is that, despite Williams's obvious shortcomings, Allardyce not only continues to play him but makes him club captain. Says it all really!

Dick Fearon
36 Posted 06/03/2018 at 06:58:52
The only cowardice I saw in the sending off incident was that of the referee. The defender had one arm across Williams's shoulder and his other wrapped around his midriff. The referee would have had to be blind not to have seen it.

I was reminded of the howls that came when Lescott was physically assaulted by Carragher in the same part of the field. If the referee does not protect players, it is he who should be suspended.

Darryl Ritchie
37 Posted 06/03/2018 at 06:59:52
Williams was a good player. He isn't any more. He was never the poster-boy centre-back. Not tall enough or quick enough, he relied on grit, determination and a well thought out defensive system to be effective.

He's lost a step or two and, with the defence in shambles, he needs to join Distin in the stands until we can find a club that will suit his current skill set better, and allow him to leave.

Michael Kenrick
38 Posted 06/03/2018 at 07:18:23
Er, Darryl "he needs to join Distin in the stands" You what?
Darryl Ritchie
39 Posted 06/03/2018 at 07:29:18
Michael, I seem to remember seeing Distin shown sitting in the stands when he couldn't cut it any more. He wasn't just benched, he was made a spectator.

Williams should be in the stands.

Michael Kenrick
40 Posted 06/03/2018 at 07:36:26
Ah okay, I vaguely remember that, Darryl... but it was ages ago. Surely he ain't still there, is he? How could Williams join him if he's not there? I mean, he doesn't watch Everton from the stands now, does he?

On the other hand, if you'd named one of our current number of no-playing players, rather than one who's long gone...

Darryl Ritchie
41 Posted 06/03/2018 at 07:41:52
"If you know your history".

Two-over-the hill centre-backs. The similarities seemed obvious to me... maybe just me, though.

Ray Roche
42 Posted 06/03/2018 at 08:14:20
James Hopper (#34)

James, Pennington can't get in the Leeds team. I wouldn't put him in in place of a fully fit Funes Mori, Holgate or Jagielka.

And where is Galloway these days? Struggling to get a game for Sunderland Under-23s?

Ray Roche
43 Posted 06/03/2018 at 08:15:58
James Hopper #34

Sorry, pressed the send button in error.

James, I would, like you, play almost anyone instead of Williams but some of the young lads we thought had a bright future appear to have lost their way.

Noleen Daya
44 Posted 06/03/2018 at 08:34:07
One of the most classless, useless and embarrassing players that entered the gates of Goodison. No wonder Slimy Sam likes him!
Michael Lynch
45 Posted 06/03/2018 at 09:03:01
He was a good signing at the time. I was pleased to get him as a stop-gap. Time's up for him now, as evidenced by his performance and loss of control on Saturday, but I don't hold any real animosity towards him. And I don't give a shit how he cuts his hair.

One of the worst Everton players of all time? I'm not sure he's even one of the worst Everton players this season, unfortunately.

Sam Hoare
46 Posted 06/03/2018 at 09:14:06
Unlike most of our other transfer moves in the last 2 years, I was 100% on board with buying Williams. And sadly I have been proved wrong.

He has never looked as good as he did at Swansea and is proof that buying players who have performed well at other Premier League teams is little guarantee that they can replicate their form. Different systems, clubs, players bring the best out of some and the worst out of others.

Not worth paying the huge premium that Premier League players tend to cost, though Williams was fairly cheap – unlike Keane, who is a much bigger concern and disappointment to me, to be honest.

Andy Bacon
47 Posted 06/03/2018 at 12:51:08
I think Coleman needs to be given the armband for the next game. It is so obvious that he is the only one who can stand up and be counted. It has been years since we have seen the likes of leadership such as his.

Williams's Everton career should be as good as over now after Saturday. He is simply not good enough for Everton, not that Sam will see this! I agree with other comments on here about Keane, another massive disappointment. Funes Mori and Holgate (if fit) need to start the next game at the back. Bring Rooney back alongside Davies and drop Gueye, then put Sigurdsson behind a front line of Walcott, Tosun and Bolasie.

On paper, we have players to get at defenses but when it comes down to it, we just sit back and then crumble. I cannot remember the last time an Everton team were offensive from the start of a match.

Mark Dunford
48 Posted 06/03/2018 at 16:53:09
Coleman is the obvious captain in the side. Leads by example on and off the pitch. Seems to be wholly committed.

Williams was a promising player at Stockport and we should have nabbed him before he went to Swansea. Bringing in ageing players on the back of good performances in an international tournament that few people really care about isn't a good idea. He is past his best now and almost certainly was when Koeman brought him on board. Looks frustrated with his own decline.

Holgate and Funes Mori is probably best medium/long term option for me in central defence. If our best defence is Coleman, Holgate, Funes Mori and Baines, then it is certainly short of games this season!

Brian Porter
49 Posted 07/03/2018 at 06:56:30
In order to set an example to the rest of the squad about what will and what won't be accepted from any Everton player, Williams should be dropped and immediately placed on the transfer list.

Perhaps if the others see that the club is serious about the standards we expect from those who wear our shirt, it might prove to be something of a catalyst, assuming they have the intelligence to realise they could be next.

Terry Underwood
50 Posted 07/03/2018 at 10:26:22
Ian @ 11...

Some good choices but you must be too young to remember Micky Walsh.

Oh for a True Blue skipper. Bring back Mike Lyons. Fuck all skill, but a solid, hard defender AND one time top scorer. Blue to the core.

Charles Brewer
51 Posted 07/03/2018 at 18:23:24
I think this is a sad story.

The thing most lacking in the Everton team for around a decade has been leadership and spirit. We have had a team which has talent, skill and great support, but which has not had the player who will inspire and get stuck in when trouble arrives.

Williams actually is such a player. For all his faults, he does not run away, he does not hide. When he gets stuff wrong (which is fairly often) at least he was there to make the mistake, unlike, say, Schniederlin. Personally, I'd prefer someone who turns up and gets it wrong to someone who just packs up and doesn't bother (like the striker who went for a very large sum) when it gets a bit tough.

Unfortunately, Williams has lost both form and the kind of inner restraint which allows passion to show and to inspire, but stops the kind of stupidity we saw last weekend. What he needs is to regain the qualities he had when playing for Wales in 2016.

It may be too late in his career to get back the form and the footballing intelligence he would need, but I still don't think he is a post cause, and is still one of the few players out there whom I think could provide the spark.

That said, I resume my call for Coleman as captain which I used to recite regularly before the poor man got the usual "Everton player in an international" result.

John Raftery
52 Posted 08/03/2018 at 15:04:51
When we signed Williams, I was with the majority who thought he was a decent acquisition. In a hotly contested field, he has proved to be one of the worst signings we have made since Moshiri arrived.

With Jags suffering regular injury problems, the time has come to appoint a team captain who is pretty much guaranteed to be an automatic choice. For all the reasons outlined by Lyndon, that man should be Seamus.

Kev Johnson
54 Posted 08/03/2018 at 21:05:35
I never have rated him, and proved correct this season. I hope he is moved on this summer.
Barry McNally
55 Posted 22/03/2018 at 16:53:15
Hopefully spotted by scouts in China this week!!
Jamie Crowley
56 Posted 23/03/2018 at 18:25:22
Seamus Coleman personifies Everton Football Club, in my humble opinion.

If he doesn't get the armband soon, I'd be shocked and disappointed.


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