Allardyce seeks assurances over Everton future

Friday, 20 April, 2018 212comments  |  Jump to most recent

Sam Allardyce says that he would benefit from Everton's hierarchy providing some clarity over his position as speculation regarding his future continues.

The 63-year-old signed a shorter-term contract than is usual when he agreed to an initial 18-month deal last November, a compromise arrangement following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman as Blues manager.

Allardyce was tasked with preserving Everton's Premier League status, a feat that was confirmed this evening with Southampton's failure to beat Leicester City, but uninspiring performances and results mean that all indications suggest he remains unpopular with a majority of Toffees fans.

Talk of current Shakhtar Donetsk manager, Paulo Fonseca, coming on board as his replacement continues to bubble in the background, albeit from unreliable tabloid stories and speculative Internet betting sites — the Portuguese is as short as 2/1 to become the next Everton boss — which has contributed to the uncertainty over Allardyce's position.

Article continues below video content


Allardyce has said that he has regular contact with major shareholder and effective owner, Farhad Moshiri, and that he is already preparing for pre-season and 2018-19 beyond but, in today's conference with the print media, he inferred that he was not sure of his future.

Asked if he wanted Moshiri to make a statement confirming that he would be in charge after this season, Allardyce is quoted by The Telegraph as saying:

“I'm not going to tell you what I would do, but I would agree with what you say, yes. I leave them to make their mind up about what they do and what they don't want to do.

“I don't think it is my position. I leave them to make their mind up about what they do and what they don't want to do.

“His [Moshiri's] life is hugely busy in terms of what he does in the day-to-day running of a massive, multi-billion pound company. The direction from him has to come from the people he chooses below him and who he chooses to work with at the football club.

“If there is no clarity then you have to speculate on that. It builds the pressure but I'm not the boss. I'm the boss of the team and I make the football decisions with the rest of the staff but only [the board] can decide if, or when, they want to come out and say what they want to say.”

 

Reader Comments (212)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Paul McCoy
1 Posted 20/04/2018 at 00:22:06
He can take the credit for keeping us up (although I'd argue that Unsworth was turning things around anyway). Just pay him off and get someone else in who has fresh ideas and isn't happy playing dull, unattractive football.

I never wanted him in the first place and he's done precisely nothing to change my mind about that.

Paul Kernot
3 Posted 20/04/2018 at 00:24:45
I think we'd prefer some clarity on who's replacing you actually, Sam.
Steve Carter
4 Posted 20/04/2018 at 01:07:11
Look, Sam is next to nobody's, if not nobody's, cup of tea in terms of a manager that will see us being a regular 'top 4' performer. But he deserves our appreciation. He was brought in to prevent us from being relegated this season. In my opinion, we were at serious risk of that occurring at the point of Koeman being dismissed.

Like, Paul, I'd speculate that David Unsworth would have turned things around to avoid that risk. We will never know. However, Sam did what we all wanted him to do and what he was brought in to do.

The long-term consequences of us being relegated could, quite possibly, have been disastrous. Would, for instance, Moshiri have stayed around and continued to dip into his pocket in order to try to see us bounce right back? Would the appetite amongst those Councillors charged with making the decision in terms of funding the build of a new stadium have immediately abated? And so on.

We could well have joined the likes of the two Sheffields, Leeds Utd, Nottm Forest, Derby County, etc – former glory clubs in "history" perennially languishing in the Championship (or below).

David Barks
5 Posted 20/04/2018 at 01:18:14
Steve,

You feel we were in serious danger of being relegated after 8 matches!!! Christ, don’t look at how Allardyce faired against those same 8 opponents, because he actually did worse than Koeman. He deserves nothing other than to be put away in a dark section of the Everton history books.

Bill Watson
6 Posted 20/04/2018 at 01:23:57
Anyone who maintains we weren't serious relegation candidates is in denial.

This year is my 60th as a Blue and this side is the worst in my experience. Not the worst players but by far the worst team.

It's an indictment of the quality of the Premier League that we could actually finish in the top half. So, thanks Sam, job done. Now let's try to put this appalling, chaotic, season behind us and get the new management team in ASAP.

Mike Gaynes
7 Posted 20/04/2018 at 01:36:46
Then count me in denial, Bill. I don't think we were in danger. I don't think anybody's in danger in October. Sam was a panic buy, nothing more.

But I agree with you on new management for sure. I say give Sam all the assurance he needs of a free air ticket to Pago Pago or Pitcairn Island.

David Barks
8 Posted 20/04/2018 at 02:02:18
Were we in worse danger than Crystal Palace, who hadn't scored a single goal in at least their opening 7 matches? West Brom, worse than them? No we were not.

We were poor but we needed a quality manager to come in and get us playing good football. Instead, we appointed a disaster of a manager who thinks far too much of himself for never winning a single solitary thing.

Peter Fearon
9 Posted 20/04/2018 at 03:04:51
I absolutely reject any suggestion that we owe Sam Allardyce a debt of gratitude of any kind (Bill Watson #6).

Look at the results since he took charge. There hasn't been one single victory that we would not have expected to have in any season under just about any manager, and a good few dropped points we would have expected to pick up in any average season.

We have played some of the most uninspiring, drab, anti-football I have seen in decades of watching Everton. For God's sake Go!

Derek Thomas
10 Posted 20/04/2018 at 03:08:36
Aka, pay me out now please, so I can get cracking on the golf and spring gardening.
Steve Bingham
11 Posted 20/04/2018 at 03:44:55
Hang on a minute, this has just got interesting! There now possibly might be the slightest glimmer of hope that I may get to go to a game next season... Here's hoping!
Chris Jones [Burton]
12 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:01:26
As to whether or not we were relegation candidates... I for one believe we were.

One of this season's low points was when we were spanked 4-1 by Southampton. They are now one of the three teams staring down both barrels, while we're sitting safe and sound (if not exactly pretty).

As to whether Sam's done all he was engaged to do... has anyone seen his contract? If not, 'tis all conjecture.

Lee Brownlie
13 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:16:21
Anyone, on here or anywhere else, who claims we weren't absolutely serious relegation candidates when Sam Allardyce took over is talking crap... and they know it!! Even claiming Unsworth would have turned it around anyway looked extremely unlikely seeing as we were faring no better under him than under Koeman until the West Ham game... for which – hey, I know you fellas don't want to recall the truth of that – but the new manager, yes, sorry, Sam Allardyce, was sat in the stands watching on. The players, every one of them, clearly knew it... hence they were, for once – as we'd all been asking and praying! – playing like they wanted to keep the shirt!!!

No, I don't want this guy in charge either – in fact, I hope the 'clarification' he wants comes as, "Well, thanks but no thanks on anymore.. so, yep, take yer holiday money and tata an all that!" – but claiming he didn't even do what we initially got him in to do, is just subjectively spiteful bollocks, and does no-one any good.

Ed Fitzgerald
14 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:17:38
We were 13th when he took over; we are now clinging to 9th – give him the clarity he wants and ship him out today. I was against his appointment in the first place and he has been a disaster.

Outside of the top six, anyone can be labelled a relegation candidate at that stage of the season; it's time for him to fuck off and trouser his pay off. Get out of our club NOW!!!

Lee Brownlie
15 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:34:50
Ed (#14), I would get your 'no-ones a relegation candidate at that stage of the season' if we weren't – for the most part – losing game after game, and not looking like we were ever going to turn that around.

We weren't plodding along but 'slipping' occasionally, ffs... we were getting to be, already were really, a team that every other thought they could get something out of, usually a win, and that our heartless defence would simply collapse again under any pressure. Facts are facts, let's not bullshit ourselves.

But, no, I don't want Allardyce as our manager any longer either. I'm just not going to hatefully, blindly, go along with this 'he's made our problem' either, like he hasn't, at least, made us generally more 'solid'. No, that's not enough, I know, and he can leave right now as he doesn't belong here, especially if we're going to continue to dream of a much brighter, much more attractive football-playing future.

Let's just keep a real and clear perspective on what's been happening with Everton for a while now, and was seemingly coming to an ugly head – no pun intended... or was it? – early, yes even so early, this very season.

Chad Schofield
16 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:36:07
Steve #4, he can also then take credit for not winning the league, because we had as much opportunity of that happening if we won every game and results went our way.

Perhaps we could and should extend things further? Credit where credit due, since Sam's arrival, tensions with Russia have grown, Assad's been using chemical weapons (allegedly, but it could have been Sam), cryptocurrencies have tanked, Kate Middleton's pregnant (and while she's due... Big Sam can just decide the gestation period – look what he did from the stands versus West Ham and his first clean sheet!) and the bloke from Supermarket Sweep has died.

All this under Sam's watch... no such thing as a coincidence and all that. All hail Sam.

Paul Smith
17 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:36:09
We were going down in my estimation... I couldn't see a worse team in the Premier League at the time.

Absolute shambles from top to bottom.

Brian Porter
18 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:38:59
I agree with those who think we were not in a relegation battle after only 8 games of a 38-match season and that David Unsworth was on the cusp of getting things right when Moshiri panicked and made one of the worst appointments in Everton's history.

Allardyce has even had the brass neck to try and claim responsibility for the 4-0 drubbing of West Ham in Unswoth's last game in charge. How appalling is that? I never saw him on the touchline that night shouting instructions, making decisions – did you? And yet, what credit did David Unsworth receive for that performance. None!

We'd had a bad start to the season, but the fixture list had been more than unkind to us. In 59 years of supporting the club, I've seen us make some poor starts before and there were a number of occasions when we were languishing in the bottom half until Christmas, only for us to storm back in the New Year and attain a top half finish. God help us if we had panicked and changed the manager every time that happened.

So okay, let's see Moshiri act decisively for once. Call Allardyce's bluff and tell the useless twat he's out at the end of the season. Any other decision will only serve to inflame the feelings of the fan base and he runs the risk, despite record season ticket sales, of supporters turning their backs on the team next season.

If, as a result of the survey, the fans vote almost unanimously against Allardyce, Moshiri will find himself between a rock and a hard place. Does he allow the bully boy to force him into endorsing his position for another season, or does he react to thousands of fans clearly telling him we want rid of the man?

The survey has proved what a weak leader Moshiri is. He should have had the guts to take Allardyce into his office and quietly tell him we would not be retaining his services next season but we would not make any announcement until the season ends.

If Kenwright has really apologised to Allardyce over the survey, we have yet more weakness shown at the top level of the club, and, if I were the marketing director of Everton I would be rightly seething. Both Kenwright and Moshiri must have known the survey was to be sent out. It's too big an issue for them to have been in total ignorance about it.

So it boils down to whether the men at the top are going to let themselves be bullied by Allardyce into endorsing his disastrous reign, as I'm sure he knows how weak they are, or will they stand up for what's best for the club going forward, because we sure aren't going to be challenging for anything under Allardyce, that's for sure. Their decision will go a long way towards telling us just how serious Moshiri is about turning us into a club that can regularly challenge for honours and a place at the Premier League's top table.

We are waiting, Mr Moshiri!

Will Mabon
19 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:51:01
The club made an error in issuing the questionnaire in the way it did. This mistake is not a green light to Allardyce to set his mouth off on the "Political" games. A bit of professionalism all round (in the form of closed gobs) is called for.

Allardyce would've appeared more dignified by saying he'd leave any statements on the matter, in the hands of the club. Not his modus operandi, though.

Expect a full-on shitty mess.

Will Mabon
20 Posted 20/04/2018 at 06:54:58
And since the topic has resurfaced: I'm in the "We'd have been fine with Unsworth" camp. I even believe it was a missed opportunity for a new start, in a new way.

Water under the bridge...

Drew O'Neall
21 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:08:26
Will (#19),

Good point. Allardyce was gifted a much-needed opportunity to earn the respect of the fans by remaining quiet and dignified on the matter but, despite having time to think it through, has waded in as usual with his siege mentality narrative and embarrassed the club and divided the hierarchy.

Jack Convery
22 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:14:33
I want Moshiri to take full ownership of the club. Only then will I believe he is not after making a fast buck for him and Usmanov, by selling us on at a massive profit following a future Mega TV deal.

Bringing in Allardyce was the move of a panicked man who could see his investment being lost if we got relegated. After all, the money he would get for EFC in the Championship wouldn't do, if he's after a profit in the medium term, would it?

Bobby Mallon
23 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:20:47
I think the new manager is already in place, but I also think that this is probably the worst close-season coming up to do transfers with the World Cup on the horizon. Boy do we need new blood but I can't see many coming and, if they do, it will be a short pre-season.
Colin Glassar
24 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:29:19
Sam: "So Farhad, can I start planning for next season?"

Moshiri: "Your taxi is outside waiting for you, Samuel."

What a cheek this fat tub of lard has! He should be jumping on one leg in anticipation of his massive golden handshake and his luxury retirement in whatever tax haven he chooses to go to. POS!!

Ralph Basnett
25 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:41:55
Seems Sam is waiting for the same thing as all Everton supporters — the chairman's vote of confidence!!!!!!!
Ken Kneale
26 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:52:16
He is not going to go with dignity, so sack him. There is a frightening lack of noise from the hierarchy, as seems to be the norm now.

We are a mess, gentlemen – there is no way of dressing it up. If that were not the case, we would not have countenanced the ridiculous buying and selling of last summer... nor panicked in the autumn and appointed a manager who has dented our cause for a long time to come.

Hugh Jenkins
27 Posted 20/04/2018 at 07:57:07
As Lyndon has said, if Sam's sole remit was to keep us in the Premier League, that was only finally achieved last night, as it is now impossible for any of the bottom three to equal or pass our points total this season (unless we were to have points deducted for some infringement of the rules).

Given that fact and the timing of the issue of the survey, it could be that the survey issue was designed to provoke exactly this type of reaction and "showdown" from Sam Aallardyce.

He has now asked publicly for the board to clarify his situation i.e. "back me or sack me".

The results of the survey will have left the board in no doubt as to how the paying fans feel.

Over to you, Messrs Moshri & Kenwright!!!

Brian Williams
28 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:00:09
"Sam, I assure you — you're gone at the end of the season!"

There... how's that?

Eddie Dunn
31 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:10:58
I fall into the "yes we were in danger" category. The nosedive in confidence was possibly going to get worse.

The efforts of Unsworth only really bore fruit in that West Ham game, when the players were well aware of the new boss in the stand. It was the lack of leadership from the board that was causing the whole situation to slide, and the decision to bring in Sam was a good one. Overlooking his big personality, his basic football has kept us up and he has been rewarded by his fat paycheque.

Who knows what would have happened? I am just glad it didn't.

Eric Paul
32 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:13:06
“His [Moshiri's] life is hugely busy in terms of what he does in the day-to-day running of a massive, multi-billion pound company. The direction from him has to come from the people he chooses below him and who he chooses to work with at the football club”

It's not just a manager Mr Moshiri should be looking for.

Alan Johnson
33 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:28:26
For whatever reason the survey was sent, it's played into Big Sam's hands. The media are lapping it up. So, Farhad please get this over with and sack him now.
Stephen Bird
34 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:28:30
We were 13th when fat arse arrived, playing like a relegation-haunted team...

We are now 9th and playing like a relegation-haunted team!!

Progress??? Close the door after you, big head!

Keith Harrison
36 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:29:25
He should be given absolute assurance today that he won't be here next week, never mind season.
Rob Baker
37 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:52:13
I was mildly worried about relegation as Unsworth was basically doing the same as Koeman, chopping and changing with disastrous results. The upturn in immediate results with Lardarse guaranteed our survival but, since the turn the year we have been absolute dross.

I look at the empty seats at the Emirates as a way of conveying the message yet our fans keep coming to Goodison Park... A half-empty stadium speaks volumes! Vote with your feet people, stop renewing season tickets.

Keith Harrison
38 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:52:56
I posted on the Echo website on the Allardyce kicks off thread that I didn't think Sam should be sacked on the back of a census. He shouldn't be allowed within 500 miles of Goodison Park and that Moshiri should be the man to sack him.

A Moshiri who my jury is still out on, by the way, as I can see Jim White in the Sky studio saying: "I've just had Farhad on the phone, and we know you are watching, Sam, so I'm telling you, you're sacked."

They never posted it.

Keith Harrison
39 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:54:25
A bit late for that Rob. A record number, including me, have renewed. On the assumption things can only get Samless better!
Alan Johnson
40 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:57:15
Keith @21 - Absolutely brilliant...
Keith Harrison
41 Posted 20/04/2018 at 08:58:35
Loud, continued, verbal protests on Monday night should be telling, Rob. And the Skunks supporters would join in!

"Nil points, Sam Allardyce, nil points Sam Allardyce" etc

Or the 80's Alluette song, starting with: "How we love our Marketing Department, shaggy Stevens, Big Nev etc."

Sam Hoare
42 Posted 20/04/2018 at 09:26:02
No team is in genuine relegation danger in October!

We were playing poorly but then so were 12 other teams and we had played 5 of the top 6 in our first 9 games. Of course, things were likely to get better and more points to be found against the likes of Huddersfield and Swansea at home.

Too many went over the top in terms of doom and gloom and that includes the board who appointed an archaic relegation specialist when the season might yet have yielded something a bit more progressive. It was a panicked move that has set us back and re-inforced the negative mindset that has taken hold of our club.

I strongly suspect that, had Unsworth been made permanent manager (how hard it is for temporary charge to command total respect), he would've achieved as many points, played some better football, and developed the kids a bit more along the way.

Pete Clarke
43 Posted 20/04/2018 at 09:28:16
He was asked to come in and save us from possible relegation but I imagine his demands were for a longer term just to cover his Wrigley gum expenses and so on.

He knows quite well that we don't want him and he cannot win us over so he will play the victim and somehow demand compensation for something that has been overlooked in his contract.

I could be wrong, of course, and Moshiri falls for it and extends his contract!!

Lenny Kingman
44 Posted 20/04/2018 at 09:51:32
On the never-ending talk of to be or not to be relegated, the story of this season nearing its conclusion, and sees Everton as remainers.

Looking at the club's who have taken up residency in the top 5, I give you Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs, and Manchester City. All of whom have been relegated in the not so distant past. City, of course, had the shame of slipping further than most into the pits of Division 3. Look at them now.

I suppose what I am saying is that Everton have been treading water for so long, and have become an inconsequence at the top level. Maybe dropping down would have been beneficial long-term somewhere down the years. Instead of trying to hang onto something that has quite clearly left this once great club quite some time ago.

The money now is so vast for all concerned in the game, that it would be unthinkable for that scenario to be regarded. Of course, parachute payments would still be made, which have of course assisted teams to return to the top flight in the past. Maybe England's answer to Red Adair has done us a disservice in keeping this proud but becoming pointless existence in a blue twilight zone in the top flight.

Well we remain, in name only, in the money madhouse of the Premier League and will have another bash at getting it right sooner rather than later. Onward and upward... though the latter may be a tad optimistic.

Brian Harrison
45 Posted 20/04/2018 at 09:59:29
I am not surprised Allardyce wants assurances as to his position, and seeing he has extracted an apology from the chairman over the survey, he probably feels in a strong position. He may also have been approached by other clubs, so why not force Everton's hand which will allow you to get compensation and then take up a new appointment. Certainly a win-win situation for Allardyce.

I think his comments on Moshiri are more telling: he implies that Moshiri is so busy running the accounts of Usmanov's companies, that he has to trust the people he has put in place to run the club. I genuinely believe that Moshiri has come here to facilitate a new ground and then once built sell the club for a healthy profit.

Now if, as has been suggested, that Everton cant raise the capital for the new stadium the council will fund the whole project, then it really is a bonus for Moshiri. Will he take up the other 50.1%? Well, if the council do fund the whole stadium it would be mad not to? Many hoped or expected Usmanov to follow Moshiri; I don't think that was ever on the cards. If it had been, with the go-ahead for the new ground, he would have been here by now.

So I will be interested to see if Moshiri takes up the remaining shares and if we can raise the money for the new stadium or whether the council stump up all the money. So maybe he doesn't want to pay another £10 million in compensation, as he has with the last two managers, and will keep Allardyce till his contract is due for renewal or Allardyce walks before that happens.

Darren Marsh
46 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:04:43
Just get the twat out of the club, fuckin horrible envelope-snatching, bent, chippy titted, anti-football dinosaur. And breathe!!!!!!
Neil Lawson
47 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:09:32
What a conman and fraud Fat Lard is. He knows he will be gone imminently. He is simply playing his usual media games and self aggrandisement. It is a shame we are playing on Monday and will miss out on MotD.

There is a unanimity of reaction towards him. I am in Exeter so can't be at Goodison but I would implore those of you who are to make your feelings visible and voluble throughout the game.

Even if we are winning, and heaven forbid looking almost half decent (unlikely) there is more than enough talent and wit within the crowd to devise appropriate songs and chants.

My favourite is "Allardyce you are shit you useless lump of lard" – sung to any tune whatsoever. Over and over and over and over ..... And over.........

Sandra Williams
48 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:12:14
There you go, Sam, there's a vacancy at Arsenal now. Let the Arsenal fans suffer even more!!
Michael Lynch
49 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:17:44
Like Brian @45, I'm more worried about what Sam is implying about the running of the club than I am about his position. We need clarity from the top down, so everyone in the club knows what's happening and what their position is in the plan.

Sam did the minimum I expected of him, which was to stabilise us and stave off any threat of relegation – whether that was real or imagined. What he hasn't done is show any sign of us being able to kick on under his management. He's managed to get about 10% more than either Koeman or Unsworth got from this unbalanced, injury-hit and starless squad, but that's not enough to keep the job, in my opinion.

Arsenal have now clarified Wenger's position – he's off – and I would expect Moshiri to do the same with Sam now that Allardyce has started bleating about needing to know where he stands. I'll be disappointed if there isn't a statement in the next couple of weeks saying Thanks and Goodbye.

Jerome Shields
50 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:27:35
Extended contract talks have hit the wall, thank God. Allardyce on the PR brinkmanship rounds, reminiscent of his contention time, during the replacement management saga.

Well done the Everton Marketing Department, they have spooked Big Sam. Hope they are real efficient getting the results out. Had a good thought just now, that maybe Moshiri initiated the survey.

John Roberts
51 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:31:53
Fixtures, fixtures, fixtures!!

Koeman v Alllardyce (against same teams)

P W D L F A Diff Pts
Koeman 9 2 2 5 7 18 -11 8
Allardyce 9 2 1 6 8 19 -11 7

Solution (now we're safe). Call Allardyce a taxi RIGHT NOW. Moshiri to pick the team for the last four matches (well he does own the joint!!). Boys Pen Bill to manage/coach the last four games then call him a taxi and make sure Elstone and Walsh are in there with him. Simples ;-)

Tony Marsh
52 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:39:46
I would bet serious good money that Sam Allardyce starts next season as Everton manager. Yet again, I will ask which manager would actually take the Everton job who is any better than Allardyce? Forget Fonseca – he will not come here. Maybe Silva would take us on but who is he and what credentials does he provide? Dyche, Howe, etc – I don't even think these guys at smaller clubs would risk coming to us right now, not with the circus we have become.

Let's get one thing straight: here in the world of football, you attract players and staff to the club that match your ambitions and match the vibe that you give off as a club. We at EFC have got the manager that fits right in with what we are at the moment. Under Kenwright, we are still as we were 20 years ago. There has been no progress and the addition of Mysterious Moshiri has taken us backwards. Moshiri is no better than Peter Johnson as far as I am concerned.

If Everton FC wants to attract one of these top foreign coaches you all lust after, then the club needs a drastic overhaul from top to bottom. A radical re-think, a shake-up, a clear-out – call it whatever you like. Sadly, I can't see anything decisive happening any time soon around Goodison Park, so suck it up, guys – Sam is here to stay... unless you want Mark Hughes or Niel Warnock!

Kevin Gillen
53 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:40:28
Would Evertonians accept Wenger as a new manager next season? Just saying.
Brian Williams
54 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:40:50
It's only just really dawned on me this but isn't the fact that Allardyce is annoyed about the survey absolute proof that he himself knows that he's not good enough. In addition to that we've got the likes of Paul Merson saying it's disrespectful to Allardyce.

On TalkSport this morning Ally McCoist was having his two penneth worth as well. What's the fucking problem if he's done such a good job, done what his remit stated? Isn't this a chance for the supporters (not fans) to show their appreciation?

The reason it's been taken like it has is down to the fact that everybody knows he's been shite, he's been arrogant in his shiteness, and all the sycophantic arse-lickers within the game, or ex-players STILL look after their own. If he's so fucking good, what's wrong with a survey?

They all know that you can blow smoke up just about everybody's arse involved in the game nowadays except for the paying supporters who have to watch his fucking garbage, week-in & week-out.

They don't want the truth.... THEY CAAAAAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!

Andy Walker
55 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:42:53
First thing to say: I hope Allardyce goes in the summer.

Secondly, read this match day fan reaction from ToffeeWeb after our hammering at Southampton, our 12th game of the season, so nearly a third in.

Another dismal and dispirited capitulation

Dozens of fans, including me, felt relegation was a serious threat after that performance. The very same fans whose opinion is now being asked of about Allardyce's performance, so their opinion is valid.

At that point in the season, we needed a manager to come in and provide stability and ensure we didn't go down. That's what has happened.

For me, to now try to change the narrative to ‘We were never going to get relegated', in order to undermine Allardyce's impact, is disingenuous.

As I say, I don't want him here next season, but he has done the job he was brought in to do and we should at least acknowledge that.

Johan Elmgren
56 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:44:07
I was trying to post the comment below on one of the articles in the Liverpool Echo regarding Allardyce not ruling out a Lookman-sale this summer, but it was removed due to moderation... Can someone please tell me what was wrong with it?

"He just keeps on saying the wrong things. We are trying to build a team, not dismantle one. Lookman should be part of our future, Allardyce shouldn't...

Allardyce out now!!"

John Boswell
57 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:50:56
Kevin at 53:

Or Wenger as DOF to guide the club forwards? Would he want the challenge, will he come north?

Just asking, like.☺

Kevin Tully
58 Posted 20/04/2018 at 10:57:00
The Arsenal fans want rid of a manager who has won 3 FA Cups in 4 years, and who are on the verge of reaching a European final. Not to mention his past achievements and signings, on a minus net spend.

Then think about us, and how far we've fallen.

Brian Williams
59 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:04:48
Wenger to Everton. Why would he?
John Roberts
60 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:09:58
Andy #55

As I said "Fixtures, fixtures, fixtures". If Allardyce was the coach at the start of the season, he would have been sacked after the Arsenal game!

Lawrence Green
61 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:14:29
Kevin (#58),

Precisely mate. I get annoyed with pundits such as Merson et al, asking why Evertonians are so vexed with Sam. In truth, it's not just Sam we are annoyed with, it's the whole club that we are dismayed in.

It would be acceptable if the team went out on the pitch and at least tried to play the game in the right manner and with a competitive edge... but no, we continue to plough the same old boring furrow.

I challenge any of those self-opinionated pundits to visit Goodison Park to see a few games on the spin and do the same with away matches. If, at the end of that arduous task, they still hold the opinion that we shouldn't be so demanding, despite spending a shed load of cash, then I would be amazed. Then again, only six English clubs really matter to those pundits, so not that amazed.

Lee Gorre
62 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:14:39
I hear it said a lot that Allardyce's task was to preserve our Premier League status. In many cases, it's said as a defence of Allardyce although not with this article, I know. Mainly it's from those that are looking to defend him.

I don't agree, that wasn't his role; if it was, his contract would have been to just the end of the season, not another season after that. Allardyce's job was to steady the ship and make progress with a view presumably to then earning himself another deal after the 18 months is up.

What he has done is alienate virtually every supporter as far as I can see with his dull tactics and his boorish and arrogant behaviour.

Derek McMonagle
63 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:23:12
That's easy — you don't have an Everton future. And, if we can somehow rewrite history, you won't have an Everton past either.
Kevin Gillen
64 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:25:27
To John, at 57, I don't think he would come north. I think he is an honourable guy, a visionary ahead of his time so it would be a betrayal to come north to Everton. He is however the sort of character Everton needs. Say what you want about Arsenal's current position but they always try to play football, attack and win games. I notice that many of the top teams get talent from the French league and we have none of it, so he could certainly help with that.

I have renewed my season tickets for next season and I travel a long way to the ground, irrespective of Allardyce staying or not. I'm not a great fan of his although some of the draconian views above and personal comments I despair of.

Allardyce has brought Tosun and Walcott to the club, two players who have improved us. He has also used Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, quite well really. I don't think he is the man to lead us forward to a new competitive era but there are no real obvious candidates to succeed him and I would hate another short-term speculative appointment to fail, it's never been the Everton way.

The Mike Walker and Walter Smith years show that. People above saying this is the worst ever Everton team need to take a long hard look at themselves. Allardyce I think will be Everton manager at the start of next season and he has already given us all an idea of his brief, to dramatically trim the squad from 35 to 26 professionals.

The errors of the Koeman era are coming home to roost. Leicester and Spurs have shown that shrewd investment in youth, cautious development of young talent, energy and commitment can succeed. Allardyce has at least shown an eye for someone who can improve on what we have so I think we won't be in for a scattergun approach over the summer in terms of transfers. Whoever it is, come August, I will be shouting on the Blues.

Lenny Kingman
65 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:30:00
Wenger to Everton is not so hard to imagine. With some Arsenal faces already involved on and off the field, and maybe others to follow, there could be some mileage in it. Giroud lands with Wenger at JLA!

Better be quick, though, because – when Southgate is potted after a disastrous World Cup – the big Frenchman may take the England job as his swan song.

Alan Smith
66 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:36:02
Or maybe we are wrong? We were wrong about Fellaini, Lukaku and Barkley. Maybe we are wrong about the fella who only lost the England job for non-footballing reasons?

No manager could have had this group higher than 9th. Leicester have Vardy and Mahrez. We have a good right back who's been injured for most of the season.

The fans love Pickford. He's almost 6'-1" tall, he's inexperienced, he is error-prone and may not get in the England side. He is probably the 15th to 20th best keeper in the Premier League and he's our Player of the Season.

A promoted manager next summer will back himself to find a forward better than Tuson, Niasse and Calvert-Lewin.

Our fan base is either utterly clueless or they just love being on trend. Slagging Allardyce – it's fashionable, it's well-liked by the sheep. Is it a true assessment of his ability or performance?

John Clowes
67 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:37:01
I think one good thing which Sam Allardyce did was bring in Tosun and Walcott, players who should be in the team next season.

It would have been interesting to see what he would have done with a summer transfer window (based on two good signings out of two)... but hopefully, we won't find out!

Alan Smith
68 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:40:20
No, John; we will find out what the fourth-best Portuguese fella can do instead.

But at least it's fashionable.

Steve Taylor
69 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:52:11
People who are good at keepie uppie often can't play very good footie.
Alan Smith
70 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:57:31
I take it that hasn't even crossed anyone's mind? We don't want England's best manager – we want Portugal's 4th or 5th best instead.

Diego Simeone isn't being touted by our intelligent fan base but the fourth-best Portugal fella will have us in the top 6?

I suppose he would have turned Martina and Kenny into Cafu and Carlos as well?

Dave Wilson
71 Posted 20/04/2018 at 11:59:22
We’ve got to get this guy tied down. If we don't, Barca, Real Madrid. PSG and Man City will be embroiled in an almighty struggle to be the club who prize him from our grasp.

Nothing more certain...

Lawrence Green
73 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:20:26
Tosun and Walcott seem to be good signings, but what have they contributed since initally bursting into the first team? Is the manager getting the best out of those two players? Is it fair to ask Tosun to plough a lone furrow up front?

Take the percieved or real threat of relegation off the table and judge Sam on the majority of the team's performances and we have what exactly? A dire, boring brand of football with very little in the way of entertainment – that might have been acceptable when he first arrived but he's done nothing different since those opening fixtures, and he doesn't look capable of doing things differently, whether he stays for another season or five.

Allardyce could take charge of Manchester City and he would have them playing in exactly the same style that we are currently seeing at Goodison. Granted, his results may improve due to the higher quality of players available, but his team wouldn't be giving most opponents a football lesson, week-in & week-out, as City do under Pep.


Johan Elmgren
74 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:21:06
Well Alan & Paul, I certainly do not follow any "trends" when saying I want Allardyce out. It's plain to see, for you and me, all, that his football isn't going to take us where we want to be.

Alan, how on earth have you come to the conclusion that Fonseca is Portugal's fourth-best coach? That statement is kinda absurd. How do we rate them? Are you referring to titles won?

I take a look at the football that is on display in Shakhtar and see that it is good. And he is a viable option. Simeone would be class, but I don't think Atletico Madrid will let him go. Fonseca's contract is expiring, so he is a viable option.

Generalising about Evertonians that they can't think for themselves is such an erroneous assumption. The football we are playing now sucks bigtime, and most Evertonians see it. That's why everyone is calling for his sacking, not because they're following a trend like sheep...

Allardyce out now!!

Alan Smith
75 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:27:19
The football has a direct correlation to the ability of your players and standard of the opposition. Please expand on why you think Allardyce is playing a poor style and what he could do differently – and what Fonseca would do differently. We certainly are not long ball like everyone said he'd be.

Would Martina be Cafu under Fonseca? I'd say Yes. Trophies and CVs are good ways of determining who is the best coach.

Also, Fonseca doesn't have much competition in that league. Or does he? You seem to have watched a lot of his games??

Ian Hollingworth
76 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:30:15
I am worried that we all seem to think that getting rid of Allardyce will end our problems. Sadly it only gets rid of one problem and that is Allardyce.

We will still have Kenwright as chairman.
We will still have too many sub-standard players.
We will still be selling to buy.
We still won't see any Everton merchandise in the high streets.
We will still be little old Everton or 'Who?' to most of the football world.

So hold on tight; it's going to be a bumpy ride, with or without Allardyce.

Soren Moyer
78 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:39:35
What has he actually done besides collecting his fat checks? We were not exactly at the bottom of the Premier League and in a desperate situation when he took over, were we?
Johan Elmgren
79 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:41:19
Alan, I have commented on many threads stating my view on the shortcomings of Allardyce... You can search for my name in this forum to see where my views lie... I don't have the time right now to go through it all again.

The thing with trophies is that they are all in the past. We are thinking about what football we will play in the future. The way the optimal football is played changes long-term in time but also short-term with the opposition, hence we need a manager that can be tactically flexible... Allardyce isn't tactically flexible. He has one style of play and implements it, but it isn't a good enough tactic to take us where we want to be...

You can never say if a manager will succeed in your team until you try him. Fonseca + Everton might be a unique match, and he'll go on winning it all with us, or it might not work. But if we don't try we will never know. None of all the managers you can think of started his managerial career with a lot of titles in his CV... And Allardyce has more experience than many to boast in his CV, but has he any titles?

Allardyce out now!!

George Cumiskey
80 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:46:14
I see the Smith's are at it again, Allàrdyce forever.
Johan Elmgren
81 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:48:29
Alan. "The football has a direct correlation to the ability of your players and standard of the opposition."

Yes, that is correct, but you are forgetting that our players play based on the instructions they get from Allardyce. And with the mentality instilled in them by Allardyce. I don't agree with either his tactics or his mentality. We should go into games with only one mentality — to win the game, no matter who we play against.. Then it's up to the manager to draw the tactics how to do that. Football isn't just putting 11 players on the pitch and hoping they play good enough to win...

Allardyce out now!!

Martin Nicholls
82 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:57:01
Alan (#75) — if you need Johan (or anyone else for that matter) to expand on why he thinks Allardyce is "playing a poor style", you can't have seen many of our performances under him.

Allardyce out now!

ps: I love the way my tablet defaults to the word "malpractice" every time I type his name – it seems so appropriate!

Don Alexander
83 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:57:14
Apart from his time managing Bolton over 10 years ago, every struggling team knows what they're likely to get when they appoint Allardyce, and we've received nothing unexpected. That said, his 18 month contract would have provided him with little credibility in the squad's eyes and that's a failure by those in charge of the club. And no, I don't want any more of what we've had to endure thus far from Allardyce.

A three- or four-year contract to the next guy, with significant spending if possible (which I doubt will now happen) will at least concentrate the minds of any ambitious players, assuming we have more than Seamus and a few of the youngsters in the first place, to start the revolution from within the dressing room that I think we also need.

Alan Smith
84 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:57:38
Explain his tactics then. And even with Guardiola in the job from when Allardyce took over, with only two signings, would we have finished above Leicester? Above Vardy and Mahrez?

Expand and explain using evidence or logical reasoning. You can say he's shit and I can say he's good. Explain how anyone gets this squad with injuries from where it was to higher than 9th.

Do you even believe Fonseca would have? Why aren't you demanding Simeone?

Pete Clarke
85 Posted 20/04/2018 at 12:57:42
It is indeed very easy in hindsight to say we were never going down but I think any of the managers available at that time could have done what Allardyce did. We were extremely lucky in his first few games and it's only because there are really piss poor teams in the prem that we escaped a few beatings. Palace luckily only had half their first team against us.

So I can give him no credit at all and he should consider himself lucky to have had the opportunity to manage Everton whilst at the same time take the piss out of us due to the most unprofessional board in our history.

Steve Ferns
86 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:03:55
Alan Smith,

1. Pickford is the same height as Southall. Southall highlights deficiencies with big keepers and says that, as no-one whacks in crosses at 8 feet high anymore, there's no need for a 6'5" keeper, and he said keepers should be more his height now. Who are we to argue with the great man? I don't know why people keep going on and on about his height.

2. Leicester might have a better side than us, certainly on form and with the current moron in charge. Other than them and the top 6, no one else comes close, certainly not Burnley, and it should be a sackable offence for finishing below them. They have worse players but play better as a team due to better management (I would argue that they will struggle badly should they be viewed as a top side and teams be happy to get a point at Turf Moor and stop attacking them and let Burnley attack them; quite simply they are not good enough to play this way and they will struggle next season, Dyche or not).

3. Allardyce is not the best English manager, he is one of the worst. He has never won more Premier League games than he's lost. His current form for Everton is bang on trend with his long career. He's crap. He loses more than he wins, season after season after season. He's an utter failure and failing at Everton like he's failed at every other club, by never ever leaving a club having won more Premier League games than he's lost. Utter shite — and we pay him £6m a year to be utter shite.

4. Who are the Portuguese managers better than Fonseca or Silva? I could suggest two, but neither are having their greatest seasons. I would love to know who's third best to relegate these two down to 4th and 5th or even 5th and 6th?

5. It's not about making Martina into Cafu. It's about making a system that works, that suits what we have, playing a way that gets the best out of the players, using the media to encourage the fans and to get them behind you, and going out to win games against the team bottom of the league, not getting a point and trying to spin it as a good result.

Face it, Allardyce is the most overrated manager of all time. His record speaks volumes. He's never done anything, ever. He loses wherever he goes and he's built a career on failure. Every reasonably big side he's been at – West Ham, Newcastle, and now us – their fans despise him. He's turned us into a small team with a small team mentality. If he stays next season, we will be back to "knives to gunfights" type quotes once more. He's a clueless buffoon. A serial loser.

Tony Everan
87 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:08:06
Will Fonseca's agent be touting him to Arsenal? Mr Moshiri should give him a deadline and be prepared to walk away or we may be played to boost his Arsenal contract.

All this business needs to be happening now for us to get a manager in June 1st. He will need a full pre-season to make a couple of quality signings and get his methods over to the players.

Anthony Hawkins
88 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:09:17
Alan Smith (#75) – you simply cannot be asking that question in all seriousness? If you were you'd be accepting the quality of football currently being employed and that the WDL ratio was also acceptable. Neither are.

If Everton finish 9th, it will be through pure luck that the teams lower are somehow, inconceivably, playing worse football than us.

It is completely possible for the existing team to play a style of football which is far more attacking and for certain players to be dropped/replaced with more fitting players within the squad which would galvanize a better response and performance – we've all seen it this season.

Martina at left-back could and should have been avoided. Schneiderlin continually played must have been avoided. Lookman going out on loan should have been avoided. Niasse being dropped shouldn't have happened as he was the only player scoring regularly. All these happened under Allardyce.

Imagine a leading line including Lookman, Walcott and Tuson or Niasse. The number of scoring opportunities would go up significantly with the ball being whipped in.

The midfield always had more cohesion without Schneiderlin.

It's about the players AND the style. Some players will not get better under any manager. Others are portraying the mentality Allardyce is conveying.

The mentality Allardyce passes onto the team is that there are games we simply are not going to win and therefore simply should not try to win. This is so, so wrong. The mentality bleeds throughout everything the players then do and into games the team could and should win easily.

Rafa at Newcastle has begun instilling the passion and desire needed to win. They have a long way to go but the team are showing the type of play and team work and aggression the Everton team so desperately need.

Fonseca may not be the right answer but there's a manager out there who is and would instill a massively different approach which the team needs.

Steve Ferns
89 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:10:08
Tony, Ancelotti is linked to Arsenal. My money is on the excellent Jardin of Monaco though.
Alan Smith
90 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:12:08
Fernsy, I can't get post 1.

Pickford is the same height as Southall but nowhere near as good, and Southall got Player of the Year in 1985.

Average height in 85? Henry was 6'-2" Andy Murray and Djokovic are 6'-4" compared to Becker and McEnroe? 6'-4", 6'-5" athletes like De Gea are as agile as 6-foot athletes of the past.

But what about the errors?

Steve Ferns
91 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:13:50
Anthony, we will finish 9th or better because the rest of the Premier League has been shite. They've all been shite for a few seasons now. Which is why Huddersfield are going to stay up, despite being complete crap.

We were never going down this season, not with such poor teams in this poor league.

Steve Ferns
92 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:18:53
Alan, Southall says keepers got bigger to be able to get crosses. No-one takes crosses anymore. He goes on about having to get crosses early and getting smashed by the centre-forward. He says it does not happen now. He goes on at length about the weaknesses of Cech and the other big keepers because they are not agile enough.

In Southall's words, Pickford is the perfect height. The game is not the same as the 80s or 90s. A keeper does not need to be 6'-5". And whilst you mention about people getting bigger, so what, the goals are the same size.

Pickford would only have a problem with height if he was getting lobbed a lot or his height was an issue. He is not. It is not. There is no issue. Big keepers overcompensate for their lack of agility, meaning they get so low their height doesn't matter anyway.

You should google the Neville Southall interviews on Goalkeeper Magazine. Particularly the chat between Shay Given and Big Nev. They are truly enlightening. You will change your opinion.

Tony Everan
93 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:19:37
Steve,

Jardim was lined up last season to take over Arsenal so it looks like that transition may have already been arranged. Unless Mr Moshiri has pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

Otherwise, have you got an achievable preference for us, Fonseca or Silva?

Alan Smith
94 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:21:19
Why wasn't Rafa initialising the desire from the beginning? You look for correlation where there is none. They've hit form for a number of reasons.

Did Allardyce not instill passion at Bolton and all of them teams he kept up? You are all pissing in the wind. No facts. No logic. No evidence.

Talking about mentality like you've sat in his changing rooms. Little Sam is like a tiger on the touchline.

Steve Ferns
95 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:24:09
As I said before, Fonseca on form. But Fonseca's work with Shaktar is off my radar, so it's hard to decide.

I believe Silva is much more active on the training ground. He is certainly more innovative. He is also more pragmatic in terms of formations, meaning he can play more than one way.

I don't care too much about how it all went wrong with Watford, but it would have been good to see that he is the kind of manager who can dig in and turn things around when the going got tough. For me, that remains the only real question mark against him.

Jim Wilson
96 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:35:01
Silva messing about with different formations means he is definitely a No from me.

We need a settled team a 4-4-2 formation and continuity to get back on track.

Thomas Surgenor
97 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:35:06
Apologies folks, a bit late to this thread.

1. Put me in the ''slightly concerned but never really thought it would happen'' relegation group.

2. As an admirer of Unsworth, put me in the ‘'I think he would have kept us up and turnt the corner.''

3. Obviously in the ‘sack Sam' camp. Due to #2 and wanting Unsworth to have been kept on instead in the first place.

4. Give me a manager/DoF who has a plan/strategy or style they want to play. I fail to see ours! Before the RS kick a ball, I know exactly what to expect.

Finally, our recruitment was diabolical and frankly unforgivable. I wish Steve Walsh & Koeman would go on record and tell us exactly how they planned to implement 4x plodding No 10s in a system? Any system? In a league where pace is king!

An above poster mentioned TalkSport. Well they had a conversation about Wolves the other day. Wolves have the foundations to make an impact next season. A few proper signings and they will do well.

We, however, need a complete squad overhaul due to not having a style, direction or gameplan and just collecting players like they were Pokemon cards. We've become the Spurs team of the early 2000s, where they just bought every central midfielder going.

Steve Ferns
98 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:38:01
Jim, as we showed a few times this season, 4-4-2 gets hammered. It's the easiest formation to beat. It's got so many weaknesses and a lesser team can beat it easily. Did you not watch how ridiculous Man City made us look with 4-4-2?

Forget 4-4-2; 4-2-3-1 is not a million miles from 4-4-2 anyway.

Tony Everan
99 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:39:35
I don't know much about Fonseca, are his achievements in the Ukrainian league any better than Brendan Rodgers at Celtic? I know he's done well too in the Champions League competition but that doesn't sway it for me.

Silva seems to me a more hands-on manager, tracksuit on and conveying methods first hand on the training pitch. I think this leads to closer ties and bonds with the players. Maybe this is just what we need to get our essential team spirit back.

He is young, hungry and fresh. He wanted to join us in October but was it was poor timing for us in the extreme.

Whoever we get is a gamble but I think Silva would be up for it and dedicated. Between the two, Silva for me.

Justin Doone
100 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:42:29
Go get Mancini!

I never wanted Sam, Ronald or Roberto. The football has continued to get worse although the quality of the squad has improved (on paper). Certain players have been terrible yet continue to play without credit.

I have no idea what will happen but I wouldn't be surprised if Sam stayed and we qualified for Europe next season. Then what would happen?

I only know we will continue to play appalling football with him as manager and I just can't watch it. He'll probably also sell all our best young players. So I won't watch it.

Steve Ferns
101 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:43:22
I'd say Fonseca's achievements are better, as Shaktar displaced the top club in the Ukraine. Also, I believe they are not even allowed to play at home due to the current issues in the Ukraine.

What really sets Fonseca apart from Rogers though, is the Champions League performances.

I did a direct comparison of Fonseca and Silva and it was quite interesting to see how their careers went up together, and Silva certainly had the upper hand early on. Fonseca has more trophies now though, with 2 leagues won to 1.

Steve Ferns
102 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:45:46
Justin, isn't Mancini on a fortune out in China? What makes you think he'd come here?

Also, his football was alright at City, but not exactly exciting. His football elsewhere was dull. And since City, his career has been rather poor and there's a long queue of ex-players and journos lining up to slate him.

No thanks; he'd be another Koeman for me.

William Gall
103 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:46:40
I'm just reading the comments by Paul Merson on how good Sam Allardyce is as a manager, who would still be leading the England team if he had not opened his mouth, and how Everton would have been relegated if they had not hired him for a manager.

I wonder if Merson will recommend him for the Arsenal job???

Tony Everan
104 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:52:47
Mancini did well at Man City but success was largely down to the budget for transfers and wages.

Managing us would be a whole different ball game, one that I don't think he is capable of. Hiring Mancini would be a huge mistake.

Thomas Surgenor
105 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:57:26
I would love someone like Maurizio Sarri. Someone bold and attacking.

I remember reading about how he transformed Koulibaly from an average defender into one that will command a large fee. All by the use of a drone! His methods are very modern and I think that's what we need.

Unfortunately, Sarri is someone out of our price range but would like us to find someone like him or even a Bielsa disciple.

I know it all went tits up in the end but I thought we were onto something in Martinez's first season.

Dave Elliott
106 Posted 20/04/2018 at 13:58:34
Wenger in... with Vierra as his No 2, anyone?
Sean Patton
107 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:02:52
Unai Emery for me; he was my preference when Martinez was sacked and he is available now so we should at least try.
Steve Ferns
108 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:03:24
I doubt someone will pay Sarri much more than what Allardyce gets now, but he is not going to look past Champions League football. We need to understand that the likes of Tuchel, Sarri, Simeone, Jardim, Emery, and so on, will all demand a Champions League Club.

The wildcard for me, as manager, is Julian Nagelsmann. 6 months ago, he had "agreed" to become the next Bayern manager. Clearly, that was wrong and he's not. Hoffenheim have not done as well this season (6th) as last (4th) and perhaps he could be tempted away.

The guy was considered the brightest young manager in the world, just 6 months ago. He's only 30 years old (yes thirty – not a typo) and is extremely innovative (he has a giant TV screen installed on the training pitch so he can pause training wind something back and explain what they are doing wrong and then put it right).

This guy is meant to be special. I haven't watched much Bundesliga this season to know why Hoffenheim have not done quite as well as hoped, but surely we can have a chat with this fella?

Interesting article on him: Outside of the boot

Tactical analysis video:

John Graham
109 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:04:16
The only assurances any manager should get is that, if they play well, win games and win something at the end of the season, they get to keep their job. Too many managers on big contracts just go through the motions and try to survive, then get a big pay-off if they get sacked. Yes, it is a tough job with lots of competition but they are paid very very well so they have to take the consequences if they don't perform.

If Sam wants has any ambitions to remain as Everton manager then he has to earn that chance by playing a good style of football, winning games (not drawing) and have a chance of winning a trophy.

For me, with Wenger leaving Arsenal, I would give him a contract for a year or two and tell him to bring in his successor to work under him. He would attract better players, he likes to work to a budget without going over the top, he likes his teams to play with style, and he would get us our respect back.

I would hope that Moshri could tempt him with a last project of taking a once-feared and well-respected team back to the heights it deserves.

Bring back the School of Science!

Iain Johnston
110 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:19:16
Steve (#98 & #101),

Playing 4-4-2 hasn't done Burnley any harm this season with Cork & Westwood or Hendrick in the middle, Lennon & Gudmundsson on the wings. I agree trying to do it over here with the German double six doesn't really work; it did for Ranieri after one season, but with the more traditional 6 & 8 there's greater balance linking defence and attack.

I'm not a huge fan of the Premier League version of 4-2-3-1 – it seems to be used by lower to mid-table clubs trying to stifle those more successful ones filling it full of defensive-minded players. Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd and Spurs tend to favour 4-3-3, Chelsea 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.

I'd also agree with what you said about Fonseca to a degree. Shakhtar are forced to play miles away from Donetsk and are now on their second move which must be difficult plus their Champions League form has been excellent especially in the Ukraine but as for displacing the top club, I think they've won 11 of the last 17 titles.

Personally I'd settle for Fonseca but I still wish they'd attempt to break the bank for Mancini. Surely if perennial underachievers Newcastle can attract Benitez we can attract a manager of an equal calibre?

Paul A Smith
111 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:20:19
There's nothing wrong with not liking the manager. Totally up to the individual.

There is something wrong with believing it's the style of play after 3 managers. The way people are talking, it's like we change system and the players become good. So rash, this fanbase.
I try to learn from errors of judgement – not demand a new thing that is a big risk.

John Graham
112 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:29:44
Mancini has never done anything to warrant being put forward as a manager who would make us a better team.

At Man City, he had money to waste and was lucky to get the league.

Also, his style of play is almost as boring a Big Sam's.
Steve Ferns
113 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:35:34
Paul, last season we had a purple patch playing 4-3-3:

Robles
Holgate Jagielka Williams Baines
Gueye Davies Schneiderlin
Barkley Lukaku Mirallas

That was mainly the team, particularly after Seamus was injured. There was no Number 10; Barkley was shoved onto the right, but played inside. His sensational cross for Lukaku was one of the rare moments he did go down the outside. Mirallas was also very narrow.

Koeman decided to change the style of play and bring in a Number 10. He wanted to play a narrow 4-2-3-1 like so:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Williams Baines
Gueye Schneiderlin
Rooney Klaassen Sigurdsson
Sandro

This was how he was shaping the side up to play. With Klaassen, Rooney and Sigurdsson all extremely narrow and using their quick feet, quick thinking and good passing to play one-touch stuff and move the ball quickly through the opposition lines. Only it didn't work and things fell apart quickly.

On occasions, we have slipped back into a 4-3-3, and nearly every time we have played rather well. But, rather than sticking to it, Allardyce keeps shifting formation and heavily prefers a 4-2-3-1.

We've not had a settled side to say what the 4-3-3 that worked so well was, and that shows it was the system that achieved the result – not the players. The 4-3-3 is narrow, it leaves a channel for Coleman in particular to surge into. Walcott is narrow and plays inside the channel like he prefers, and therefore we have 3 attackers. The formation only works with a lot of energy in the middle 3. There is a big gap from the back 4 to the front 3 and a lot of ground needs to be covered.

Rooney in there can do a job against the lesser sides and he can hit those long passes that release us on the counter-attack, but Sigurdsson covers much more ground and really makes the system work so much better. He can also launch those longer passes and really make us go front to back so much quicker. It's getting forwards quickly in the 4-2-3-1 that we've really struggled.

So yes, change the manager, change the system, and things will work much better.

Phil Walling
115 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:37:16
I'm surprised no one has suggested Wenger for DoF with him bringing in Arteta as Head Coach!

We could do a lot worse...

Alan Smith
116 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:39:13
Steve (#98),

Man City wouldn't have made us look ridiculous in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? I thought Allardyce was slagged for using Calvert-Lewin as the Number 10?

Anthony (#88),

How do I in any way suggest accepting the current situation? How do you come to that conclusion? I'm simply saying the narrative of shit style of play is false. We played well in patches vs Burnley and lost because our keeper, who is better than Southall, fucked up. As well as individual mistakes from Williams. The style of play was on-the-floor passing, with a centre-forward in central midfield and our best attackers playing. Hardly negative.

Who could we have had at left-back instead of Martina? Who could have played central midfield instead of Schneirderlin when Schneirderlin has played? The £7M wonder signing from a relegated team, 8-stone baby legs? Or that brilliant 50-cap England International, Tom Davies?

Schneirderlin was being called "Rolls-Royce" last season. A Man Utd reject. Our fans are too quick to jump on bandwagons all the time.... too quick to find scapegoats.

Where would Guardiola have this squad in the league with his (buzzword at the ready) "expansive" style of play?

Anyone, where would Guardiola have had us? 8th?

And yes, we've been lucky. Penalties, rebounds etc... We are fucking shite with 37 shite players and Coleman.

A bit harsh on Rooney but he's terrible in central midfield.

Alan Smith
117 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:40:34
I'd take that all day, Phil (#115).
Alan Smith
118 Posted 20/04/2018 at 14:54:33
Steve (#113),

Koeman wanted a target man for Giroud to play off, Depay to cross from one side, and Sigurdsson the other. He also wanted Witsel in central midfield as he knew Schneirderlin and Gana are second-rate and one would have to be benched. He also wanted cover at left-back. The board let him down badly

Moshiri phoning Jim White to cry because Barkley wouldn't leave. Koeman probably envisaged Sandro and Klaassen bedding in slowly as more experienced players like Rooney and Giroud played their position until we were winning games and had confidence

Dave Elliott
119 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:01:13
Only assurance I need is that he's gone by the end of the season, if not sooner.
James Hughes
120 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:10:13
Alan (#118) – you have been dismissive of other posters about lack of facts. Yet you use tabloid rumours to back your point. Also: How do you know what Koeman thought about Gana and sideways Schneiderlin? You don't... unless you are his bessie mate and still in touch.

Also, "we played well in patches against Burnley..." – Jeez, I must have missed that couple of minutes.

Stop talking bollocks mate, you're a proper wind-up merchant

,
Martin Reppion
121 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:21:31
Well, it's official. Arsene Wenger is available.

Dream-team time: Arteta with Arsene upstairs.

I'll wake up one day.

Brian Williams
122 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:22:58
England's best manager. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Dermot Byrne
123 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:27:27
Martin — my dream too!
Alan Smith
124 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:33:28

Who is better? You could say long ball Dyche or maybe or bring Hoddle out of retirement.

If you want a laugh, laugh at people pining after two coaches that aren't even on West Ham's radar. The Moose would rather keep Moyes but our Ukrainian football experts want Portugal's fourth best coach. If he is 4th. I can only think off Mourinho, Villas Boas, and their Euro championship winner. There's probably Carlos Queiroz and few others as well.

Stephen Davies
125 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:35:37
Martin (#121),

We should at least sound him out. If he is favourable and it's found that Brands is still uncertain, then get him in asap.

We need to sort this mess out urgently. Him being involved in some capacity would at least attract the right kind of players.

Jermaine Jennings
126 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:36:21
I'll give you assurances... there is no future for you at Everton and there are no assurances... so fuck off!!
Jim Wilson
127 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:37:08
Steve (#98),

You can't be serious and blame the formation on the City defeat. We were just not good enough to match them.

Of course there are variations of 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1 – I just do not want to see the dreaded back 3 or back 5 line ever again when we really can get murdered.

And I do not want a manager who continually changes the team and formation, which is the main reason this season was a disaster. A settled team and continuity is key.

Clive Mitchell
128 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:37:59
By the time Koeman was sent packing, we looked at times like we might be the worst team in the Premier League. It was vital to get rid of him, his tenure had been disastrous and was only going in one direction.

I really don't know whether Allardyce can claim huge credit for us now being where we are and not where Southampton or Stoke are. I don't know and I don't care, because his level of achievement since he arrived is not one of the reasons he has to go. And he has to go.

Dave Elliott
129 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:43:04
Fonseca et al all sound good but all unproven in the Premier League. Wenger with Patrick Vierra would be a good proven option with succession in place too.
Steve Ferns
130 Posted 20/04/2018 at 15:50:37
Jim, I'm not blaming 4-4-2 for the City defeat. I was pointing out what a terribly dated formation it is, and how any decent team will exploit it. We'd have got battered whatever we played against City.

Having two midfielders against three, you're simply outnumbered. Then figure in that the three are very mobile and the two are Rooney and Schneiderlin and it's like a comedy. What on earth was Allardyce thinking? Well I know, launch it long over the press and hope Tosun, Calvert-Lewin, Walcott and Bolasie would scamper after it and get lucky. When he shifted into a 4-2-3-1, it was marginally better, but maybe that was just City easing off the throttle.

4-4-2 limits Coleman, he is blocked by a winger. If he plays a team with a front 3, then he has to tuck in and make a flat back 4 and so cannot attack. Whereas with a 4-2-3-1, he can push on and let a defensive midfielder cover behind him.

The formation also limits Walcott; suddenly he was playing like a right back instead of getting forward. Same with Bolasie on the left. The midfield 2 have to be so mobile. The front two in a proper 4-4-2 need to get the ball; otherwise, they both become passengers. 5-man midfield formations have an extra man and can really punish a 4-4-2.

Come on, lads, 4-4-2 is over. Forget about it. And don't give me Leicester. Okazaki dropped off Vardy to play in an attacking midfield role making a five-man midfield, and Kante would cover behind the midfield like Superman and play like two men. Therefore, it may have appeared like 4-4-2, but it was more like a 4-2-3-1 when they defended.

Jim Wilson
131 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:00:50
Steve, it's all about the right personnel. 4-4-2 is not outdated if you have the right players and anyone with any sense knows it can mean 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 during a game when it changes depending on the game and opposition. 4-5-1 converts to 4-4-2 when attacking, or even 4-2-4.

I would back a 4-4-2 formation (or variation of) against 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 any day. That's all I'm saying. And don't change a formation halfway through a season so the players have to adjust to a new system which causes massive problems.

Tom Bowers
132 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:02:27
It's purely one's own opinion whether Everton would have been bang in trouble right now if Allardyce hadn't taken the helm but, in any event, it's been pure ugly watching this team under him.

I am not going to judge Unsworth at all as he wasn't in the job long enough but under Allardyce and Koeman Everton performed so poorly in too many games.

In fact, it's hard to mention any game especially at Goodison where they looked convincing even the Hammers game when they scored four.

If nobody bought season tickets, then perhaps Moshiri would get the message... but that wasn't to be, so I suspect Allardyce will be kept on a little while longer... but it's hard to see what he will change.

Alan Smith
133 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:05:32
It was 4-2-3-1 vs Man City. With our quickest players in the three to press hard and make a five-man midfield.
Steavey Buckley
134 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:14:03
Steve (#130). It is not formations that are holding Everton back, but lack of footballing abilities such as passing to the same team more than a couple of times. That's why there was a possession rate of 86% in favour of Man City when Everton last met them. It is not just them, but all the best teams out-pass Everton; and why Everton are penned in their own half.
Jay Harris
135 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:19:27
Phil,

I have been advocating Wenger as DOF for months with David Dein as CEO and let them sort out a new manager.

Alternatively we could try and tempt Monchi to reform his relationship with Emery.

There are quality people available we just need to get them to believe in the dream.

Justin Doone
136 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:38:55
My main points on Mancini are:

He wants out of Russia.
He would love another crack at the Premier League.
Yes, money helped both personally and in building a team capable of challenging and winning trophies... and we now have some.
He won Man City's first trophy in donkey's years, remind you of another club?

The above goes for all managers but crucially Mancini:
Proven experience in the Premier League.
Win ratio for career is about 45%.
Good cup record.
Decent European record.
Good age, name, reputation and respected.
Bought, played and improved David Silva, Kompany, Augeuro, Ballotelli amongst many other quality players.
These were not household names. Good players only just starting to get into their international teams.
Mix of youth and experience, solid and skilful players.
Started as a counter-attacking team before improving to simply outplay teams.
Good international contacts.

Obviously:
Better than Sam.
Talks a lot less rubbish than most managers.
Knows Northwest England.
If you can get a player like Balotelli playing, you've got to have something about you.

The only gripe I read about him was from Shay Given. He was a near 40-year-old keeper who couldn't get a game for the Champions... Pinch of salt needed.
Mancini very much required! NSNO

James Hopper
137 Posted 20/04/2018 at 16:56:28
I’ve heard some right shit spouted on here over the years but Alan Smith rates Jordan Pickford as the “15th - 20th best keeper in the league.”

If you want anybody to give any credence to anything you say, don’t say something so frigging stupid.

Dermot Byrne
138 Posted 20/04/2018 at 17:13:24
Just heard on BBC Bob Wilson say Wenger changed the rehydration of the game.

It really doesn't matter what you say now as long as the audience may have heard of you.

If only I was famous.

"Allardyce changed the effervescence of the game"

Geniuses Paul Mersen and Gary Lineker not knowingly.

James O'Connell
139 Posted 20/04/2018 at 17:21:42
Now we are safe, on Monday you will see the real Allardyce brand of football. With fear removed from the side his Cruyff- esque 2-2-6 attacking masterclass will pass through the hapless Geordies like an extremely high dose of Andrews liver salts. 14 - 0 with Schneiderlin to get 6.

Paul Kossoff
140 Posted 20/04/2018 at 17:37:55
Utter fucking amateurish tactics from the board again.

T'was my mistake to pick up The Metro on the train today, four pages of the dark shits advertising the new kit; four pages of the ugly smug twats... I admit to getting my pen out and doing some alterations.

When will we get with the big boys and be ultra pros? Moshiri, it's up to you!

Alan Smith
141 Posted 20/04/2018 at 18:16:26
James (#137), he's got fantastic potential in a league full of international goalkeepers, league winning keepers.

I actually said he was our player of the year and this is a thread about Allardyce but, if one wrong comment invalidates every subsequent opinion, then we all might as well go home.

If it's such a stupid thing to say refrain from abuse and tell me why I'm wrong. It should be easy. Have you got stats to back up your opinion? Why is he better than Watford's keeper, for example?

The top 8 all have better keepers. Burnley have two. He's been at fault for at least 8 goals this season, I've only witnessed Hart make anywhere near as many fuck-ups. You might know more.

Peter Gorman
142 Posted 20/04/2018 at 18:26:12
Mike Gaynes @7

I could not disagree more. What have the poor people of Pago Pago or the Pitcairns done to deserve Allardyce?

John Graham
143 Posted 20/04/2018 at 18:40:04
Justin (#136),

You are basically saying "Appoint Mancini because he bought Ballotelli (waste of space) and he knows the northwest."

He has not got a proven record of success anywhere and was lucky to win a very poor Premier League with the funds to go buy anyone he wanted at Man City. The reason City got rid is he is not good enough.

We need Wenger to get us back on track, bring in some decent young players, and overlook the next long-term manager.

Steve Ferns
144 Posted 20/04/2018 at 18:42:48
Alan, on Pickford I'll respect your opinion. Whilst I agree that he's far from perfect, I think he's the best British keeper, especially after watching Pope's nightmare game, Butland's nightmare season, and Hart is finished. But that's probably a bigger indictment on the standard of British goalkeeping. My main point was think Pickford's crap, sure, that's your opinion. Think he's too small, then you are disagreeing with world-class goalkeepers who think the opposite.

We started with 4-4-2 against City. We switched to 4-2-3-1 after the third goal, when Calvert-Lewin dropped 20 yards deeper. Honestly, guys, playing with 4-4-2 is too rigid, it's too inflexible, and it's like playing with 10 men, you're outnumbered. There's a reason no-one plays it anymore.

Cantona is considered a maverick here simply because he stood between the lines. In the rest of Europe, they don't consider him to be half the player we do and they all laugh at the outdated tactics (4-4-2) that we used until we got going in European football once more and learnt to be more flexible.

Shane Corcoran
145 Posted 20/04/2018 at 18:47:56
This thread is long, so I only read the first few posts. We lost to Southampton 4-1 on 26 November and that was our 13th league game and that was the point where I wanted Alllardyce. I was completely against him up to that point but we had just been hammered by the lowest scorers in the league at the time.

Unsworth was turning it around? That was his last game in charge and it reeked of relegation. Of course, there was plenty of time for him to improve us and also more time for us to get us relegated.

Allardyce has done his job. It was ugly and I really have been staying away from all things Everton since we got to 40 points. But credit where it's due.

David Israel
146 Posted 20/04/2018 at 19:03:57
Worse than the obsession with Sam Allardyce, whom I have stopped complaining about, as I'm pretty sure he will be gone come the end of the season – and good riddance, I say – is the fantasy world some people seem to inhabit when entertaining the romantic notion that David Unsworth would have done the same rescue job.

There is no evidence for that whatsoever, unless people have forgotten the Atalanta and Southampton games, which made it very clear we needed a fireman immediately. And in he came.

He didn't mind about saving the furniture or granny's framed portrait. He concentrated on the beams, the floors and the ceilings. I admit I have to sympathise with him when people now say the guy with the bucket of water would have done the same job.

Dermot Byrne
147 Posted 20/04/2018 at 19:23:30
Agree David. Unsy is nice enough for the lads but I fear that niceness may have been his weakness at manager level. I love the guy but think we may have stayed mid-table, just with a younger but not necessarily better team.
Phil Walling
148 Posted 20/04/2018 at 19:36:51
Much worse than a fear that Allardyce will be retained is the thought of whom the powers that be might get in to replace him!

Believe you me, there are literally dozens of 'Koemans' out there ready to take advantage of the naivety of Moshiri & Co. Although, this time around, the Board may well put the appointment out to a poll of 'recognised Evertonians'!

Close to the fanbase, this lot, you know!

Dave Elliott
149 Posted 20/04/2018 at 19:54:53
Shane (#$145),

I think you will find Unsworth's last game in charge was the 4-0 win against West Ham. I think you been conned by Big Fat Sam who also thinks it was him who masterminded the West Ham win. He has taken us from 13th to 9th... playing crap.

His mantra seems to be: "Play as negative as we can as long as we don't lose." Oops – that didn't work! My, what a success...

Stephen Davies
150 Posted 20/04/2018 at 20:41:52
If he's retained, then there's something more seriously wrong with the club than first thought...
Andy Crooks
151 Posted 20/04/2018 at 20:56:42
Tony Marsh @ 52, I believe your are right. Now, I wouldn't be quite so gleeful about it as you but, in my view, your post is accurate. I think the utterly cretinous survey will ensure that our appalling coach, and the duds who surround him, will still be thieving of us next season.

Also, we were not going to be relegated. Allardyce did not save us. Those defending him and who think his appointment was okay, seem to me, to have a lack of aspiration that is truly jaw-dropping.

Sam fucking Allardyce as our manager? How low, how defeated, how fucking devoid of ambition have we become???

Simon Dalzell
152 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:01:21
We need rid of this vile individual now, before he does any more damage. (He's talking about selling Lookman today!!!)

I give him very little if any credit for our "survival", and I was so wrong when I thought he could evolve... No chance!!!

Wenger, anyone???

Denver Daniels
153 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:07:54
Phil, my biggest fear is that Sam will be here next season. If he does get replaced, anyone they bring in will be an upgrade.

Being a World Cup year, it's imperative to get the new man in asap. Now that we are safe, it's job done and I really don't see the point of keeping Allardyce around till the end of the season if he's going to be let go anyways.

Emery or Nagelsmann for me.

Phil Walling
154 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:22:29
Villa and a raft of other former 'big' clubs thought top half was theirs by right, Denver. I'm a Sam hater but there are many less competent than he, I assure you.

That's we are about to find out!

Dave Abrahams
155 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:32:27
It's just absolutely inconceivable that our present manager will be our manager next season... it just cannot possibly happen.
Denver Daniels
156 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:46:41
The best appointment Moshiri can make is not the next manager, but someone who knows how to successfully run a football club. Clearly he does not.

We need sweeping changes from top to bottom. It feels like amateur hour, the way we've been run the last 20 years.

Alan Newton
157 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:53:51
We had a tough start to the season and it was probably for the best that someone like Sam came in and stabilised things but he's never going to take us forward. He's had plenty of time with a talented squad now, but they still largely look like zero-confidence strangers out there.

Worst of all, his actions have meant that our biggest prospect since Rooney is at risk of leaving us after a successful loan spell in Germany.

The crisis manager has sorted the crisis out; now let's get someone who wants to play football.

David Israel
158 Posted 20/04/2018 at 21:59:35
Re the comments above on the ranking of Portuguese coaches, something very difficult to ascertain and dubious in what it achieves.

Leonardo Jardim of Monaco probably tops the bill (I don't think he would have lost at Huddersfield, at home to West Bromwich, or indeed been knocked out of the Champions League by Sevilla :-) ). He has won the League in France. He's probably on Arsenal's short list.

You-know-who is now possibly just number two. Between Fonseca and Silva, I would choose the former: Shakhtar had an impressive season in Europe, and they're winning Ukrainian league titles with ease while being unable to play in their home city. When Fonseca arrived there, the dominating force was Dynamo Kiev.

His record in Portugal includes finishing third in the league with a small club, and thus qualifying them for the play-off stage of the Champions League. I have a hunch he'll be our next manager, and I wouldn't mind.

David Reid
159 Posted 20/04/2018 at 22:17:02
Jokanavic, the Fulham manager has a decent record with most of the teams he has managed. If Everton played the same type of football Fulham have just done against Millwall I would be well pleased.

Perhaps some might argue "that's a lower division" but it's looking like all 3 promoted last year from that lower division will stay up & one could overtake us on Monday night.

My concern about keeping Mr Allardyce has nothing more to do than the style of football he plays. I would rather not take the risk of giving him another transfer window for fear of who he might bring in and sell.

Thankfully we will be in the Premier League next season; if the powers that be realise Sam's term is over, it's time to get a replacement sooner rather than later.

Brendan Rogers might be another worth considering. No matter who the next manager is, it's all about playing good entertaining football.

David Currie
160 Posted 20/04/2018 at 22:23:06
Tony 52, good post and you make great points but I think Eddie Howe would still want to manage us. He is the best we can get and would rebuild the club given time.

He is young, hungry and would get the fans back on board with his brand of attractive football. He will get a bigger club – I just hope we act quickly.

Tom Bowers
163 Posted 20/04/2018 at 22:52:46
Sometimes getting a new manager with a trophy-winning background doesn't guarantee success. I like Mancini and Ranieri but I also liked Koeman until he took over at Everton, so go figure!

It's pretty much a sure bet Allardyce will not improve things at Goodison if he stays for 5 years – let alone another 5 months – and so a change has to be made if the board has any sense whatsoever.

I just want someone who has the vision not to sign strikers like Stracqualursi, Niasse, Traore and Tosun.

Tony Everan
164 Posted 20/04/2018 at 23:01:10
There is a disconnect because Sam has a bit of a power base now solely within the confines of the club.

There's a close-knit unit in Allardyce, Lee, Shakespeare and Walsh. They are supported by Ferguson and Jagielka for obvious reasons. Possibly a few more too.

It's just possible that this power base is having a warped influence on Mr Moshiri. He will be getting first-hand information from the above about how the club is making progress and being sold on future glories. Also, he may be a bit isolated because of it and be hesitant to remove them all.

Simon Dalzell
165 Posted 20/04/2018 at 23:22:51
Steve Ferns (#86) – nailed it... Moose head is not our saviour. We have survived despite his diabolical attitude, team selection and soul-destroying tactics.

I thought the moment Koeman left couldn't be beaten. The lifting of this moose-shaped shadow will be unsurpassable.

James Power
166 Posted 20/04/2018 at 23:32:33
Allardyce seeks assurances that question Number 33: “Is the manager a massive cunt?”– wasn't aimed at him but actually at the manager of the Enterprise Rent-a-Car nearest to Goodison Park.
Ian Linn
168 Posted 21/04/2018 at 03:18:45
I wasn't against Sam being appointed, Unsworth wasn't cutting the mustard and there was nobody else in the queue.

But Sam has done his job and kept us up... though I don't think we would have gone down, whoever was in charge.

Time to thank Sam for his services, give him his huge wad of cash, and find somebody else.

Who exactly? – no fucking idea... but, seeing as I have fuck-all part in the decision-making process, my thoughts don't matter.

Tell you what, though – as shit as we are, it makes compelling viewing.

Kim Vivian
169 Posted 21/04/2018 at 06:50:23
For what it's worth, I lean with Justin. Mancini was my shout before we got Koeman. Reasons largely as stated, and expanded on, by Justin. Mancini for me.

Assuming Allardyce is gone, of course.

Colin Glassar
170 Posted 21/04/2018 at 06:50:45
Justin, I like Mancini, in fact, I like a few (available) Italian managers like Conte, Allegri, Ancellotti etc... they all seem to have a winning mentality but I'm not bothered about managers with proven prem experience. I give you Wenger as a prime example of an unknown foreign manager coming to our shores and turning the game on its head.
Kim Vivian
171 Posted 21/04/2018 at 06:53:20
Why has my 'edit' button disappeared? Anyone else lost theirs?
Andrew Merrick
172 Posted 21/04/2018 at 07:02:40
Wenger's available now, guys... and Moshiri knows him well.
Sam Hoare
173 Posted 21/04/2018 at 07:18:23
Mancini has had a pretty mixed time since leaving Man City. His Zenit team have been pretty unspectacular this season. He also plays a pretty defensive and pragmatic type of football, more Koeman or Allardyce than Martinez. He's a decent manager but wouldn't be in my top 3.

There's actually a lot of good managers out there and probably only 4 or 5 teams who might be looking for new managers and will pay them more than us.

I think Emery, Nagelsmann, Tuchel, Jardim, Wenger, Conte, Simeone, Fonseca and even Silva are all exciting options potentially. Howe and Dyche deserve consideration too.

The thought that Allardyce will still be here next season fills me with nagging fear. We've already written off half a year. Let's not lose any more time going backwards.

Mike Connolly
174 Posted 21/04/2018 at 07:46:41
Tony (#164)

You have hit the nail on the head. The club has listen to players, backroom staff and hangers-on for years.

You look back over the years, Kirkby for instance. Moyes, Nevile and Cahill etc.. Urging us to go to Kirkby. They were looking after their own interest. keeping well in with Kenwright. Who would have suffered, Not them. They're not here now. It would have been us the supporters who still go the match.

It's not just Sam who needs to go, it needs a good clean out from top to bottom. Then we'll get a manager that won't be influence from previous regimes'. The managers we had all come with great intentions but end up playing the same style – even Unsworth fell into the trap.

Frank Sheppard
175 Posted 21/04/2018 at 08:06:58
Everton at a crossroads. Need to say thanks, Sam, and goodbye. And replace with goodness only knows. An excellent time to remind ourselves of the stability we enjoyed under Moyes, and the forward momentum.
Kim Vivian
176 Posted 21/04/2018 at 08:54:44
Wenger wouldn't come to us – he's not totally lost his sanity!
Paul Mackay
177 Posted 21/04/2018 at 09:53:34
Why are we waiting until the end of the season? Surely it would make sense to sack him now, put Unsworth back as caretaker, allowing us the rest of the season to find his replacement.

We know it takes time to find and structure a deal for a new manager, so why not give us the time now, so the new boss is in place before the transfer window opens?

I can see Allardyce getting fired after the final game of the season, before pissing around trying to find a replacement, not allowing enough time to bring in players in the window... etc, etc.

Alan Johnson
178 Posted 21/04/2018 at 09:59:17
I think we need a manager with Premier League experience – Eddie Howe for me.
James Hughes
179 Posted 21/04/2018 at 10:04:29
Please don't sack him now, a lot of my Hammers mates are looking forward to the last game of the season. I'd go sick if I was him.
Jim Wilson
180 Posted 21/04/2018 at 10:10:45
Sorry Frank, I can't get past the inability of Moyes to beat average Liverpool teams at Anfield which started this present Liverpool hoodoo, along with numerous humiliating cup exits and league hammerings. He got us to the top of the average pile, that's all...and we also had a few relegation worries with him in charge which people seem to forget.

Oh, and he was a treacherous twat!

Alan Smith
181 Posted 21/04/2018 at 10:22:20
Sam (#174),

I'd take half of those managers you've listed over Allardyce. It would be an absolute no-brainer if Simeone was interested.

But how have we gone backwards under Allardyce? Factually we have moved up the Premier League and made two good January signings.

The club are a step closer to building the stadium. Reality just doesn't back up the wild accusations that get thrown about.

Having watched a bit of Simeone and Silva, I believe they both would have set us up very defensively this season if they were in charge because of the players we have had available.

Brian Porter
182 Posted 21/04/2018 at 15:09:50
Kim Vivian (#172), I lost my edit button weeks ago.
Brian Porter
183 Posted 21/04/2018 at 15:36:22
Shane Corcoran (#145),

David Unsworth's last game in charge wasn't the defeat at Southampton as you say in your post. It was the 4-0 win over West Ham at Goodison Park. Allardyce has since tried to steal the credit for that win but he had just been announced as our next manager and sat watching in the stands as David Unsworth's team recorded our best win of the season.

Albert Jones
184 Posted 21/04/2018 at 15:37:20
Has he gone yet?
Pete Clarke
185 Posted 21/04/2018 at 15:52:40
All managers start off somewhere so it no use anybody saying “so-and-so has won fuck-all” unless you're talking about our current manager who has had plenty of opportunities trying.

The reason we would be interesting for the foreign legion would be money and the Premier League. Wenger, however, may just be a good shout for more than just football reasons.

The biggest problem is, the people in charge of our club do not fill us with any kind of confidence in making the right decisions... so we are all left debating about all sorts of shit that we have no control over.

It would be nice, however, if they actually tried to connect with the fans a bit more than just sending out season ticket renewals.

Shane Corcoran
186 Posted 21/04/2018 at 15:53:10
Brian, we're splitting hairs, but Allardyce was appointed by the beginning of that game.

The point is that a manager with Unsworth's results/performances, culminating in the performance and result at Southampton could not be said to be turning things around.

David Barks
187 Posted 21/04/2018 at 16:19:50
Alan Smith,

How have we gone backward? Well for starters, against the same 9 opponents that Koeman faced to start the season, Allardyce has picked up a point less, 7 compared to Koeman picking up 8.

Also, Allardyce is averaging less points per game than Unsworth did. In Unsworth's 5 games in charge, we picked up 7 points, an average of 1.4 points per match. In the 20 matches Allardyce has been manager, we've picked up 27 points, an average of 1.35 points per game. Slightly worse off.

Under Unsworth, we averaged 2 goals per game. Under Allardyce, half that, only 1.1 goals per game. Under Unsworth we were also allowing on average 2 goals a game. Under Allardyce, we're allowing 1.3 goals a game, so on average we are allowing more goals than we're scoring under Allardyce whereas we were breaking even under Unsworth.

Of course, beyond that is the undeniable fact that our play has been atrocious and the man is trying to act as if a point against Swansea in which we were mostly played off the pitch was some grand accomplishment!!

Geoffrey Williams
188 Posted 21/04/2018 at 16:54:25
I believe Unsworth has been unfairly judged by many on TW.


Unsworth had no idea how long his tenure as manager was going to be so every day he was turning up for work not knowing if it was his last day as manager. This meant planning ahead was impossible.

People assume that because he was already at the club Unsworth was aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the players but Koeman had removed the first team squad from contact with the other age groups.

Because of the European fixtures he had little opportunity to work with the first team squad. If match days, recovery days and travelling time are taken off there's little time left. There was enough to time however to recognise that Schneiderlin and Mirallas were not up to the task and Rooney, who was having marital problems, wasn't worth a starting place. The West Ham result showed that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Allardyce was lucky to come in when he did and the fixtures helped him too. I genuinely believe Unsworth would have matched the results under Allardyce and that the football would have been better.

If Allardyce wants some reassurance then I would say be assured Sam you won't be manager for much longer.

Tony Marsh
189 Posted 21/04/2018 at 17:03:59
Geoff @189,

You mean the Wayne Rooney who Unsworth didn't fancy scored from the halfway line in that game you mention versus West Ham? Of course, it was Allardyce sitting in the stand as the new manager that helped with that result.

Do you not remember how utterly shambolic we were under Rhino? After watching Koeman get sacked for his shambolic management, Unsworth takes over and plays the same players in the same positions.

Unreasonable to suggest no improvement came when Allardyce first arrived.

Michael Kenrick
190 Posted 21/04/2018 at 17:25:04
Peter Clark,

It would be nice, however, if they actually tried to connect with the fans a bit more than just sending out season ticket renewals.

Err... ya mean like putting out a survey of their 'customers'? Got it.

Jamie Crowley
191 Posted 21/04/2018 at 17:50:19
**PA Announcer**

Everton goal, scored by number 191, Michael Kenrick!

Sean Patton
192 Posted 21/04/2018 at 18:11:20
Under Unsworth, we were more exciting to watch as well – especially at home.
Peter Lee
193 Posted 21/04/2018 at 19:06:13
Amazing how people rewrite history to suit their views, isn't it?

"No team is in danger if relegation in October." – Really? If that is true, then the logical conclusion is that, despite the 5-2 tonking we got from Arsenal, sacking Koeman was totally unnecessary. Haven't seen anyone make that point, I don't expect to either.

Is any team in danger of relegation in November? Because that's when the owner called time on the Unsworth debacle. Between 22 October and 28 November, we saw no consistency of team selection or tactics and the only bright spot was a streaky 3-2 win against an unlucky Watford who missed a penalty in the last minute. What exactly was Unsworth turning around? Give him credit for the West Ham game. Was that the turn?

At Southampton, for his last game in charge, we got into a friendly argument with Soton fans. Both sides reckoned that their team would lose the game and would go down. They strolled to an easy win against a clueless Blues and they have since looked like they might well drop.

We've picked up from there but, make no mistake, we were miles away from competing with a poor Soton side.

That game was also when we lost Leighton Baines. From that point until his recent return, we have been forced to field teams with no left-right balance whatsoever. Given the poor form and injuries in the defence and the lack of punch up front, we were not just relegation candidates, we were nailed-on.

I make none of these points in support or otherwise of Sam Allardyce, but I'll pose this question: Suppose that the team continued in an erratic fashion in the months that followed his appointment. That was largely the pattern of other rescue acts that he'd been involved in. Suppose we were in, say, Swansea's current position, with the four games to play which we have currently. Would we be arguing about sacking the manager because he's failed to produce attractive football? Or would be grateful that we were in a position to make sure we finished in the top 17?

Seb Niemand
194 Posted 21/04/2018 at 23:16:57
What a pathetic specimen of a man – a shame and a stain on our beautiful club and our beautiful game. The Marvin K Mooney of Everton Managers.
Pete Clarke
195 Posted 22/04/2018 at 00:56:33
Nice one, Michael.

Moshiri is obviously a man of few words as he generally only speaks through Jim White. I think the board are so far removed and disconnected from us and football in general that the surveys were sent out to find a glimmer of positivity from the fans as a reason to keep Big Sam. They must wear ear-muffs when they are watching the game.

David Barks
196 Posted 22/04/2018 at 01:11:17
Peter Lee,

No, you don't get relegated in October and plenty of clubs sack managers in October and November not becaus they fear relegation but because expectations aren't being met. I give you Chelsea when they sacked Mourinho (I believe they sat 16th in the table at the time) and Liverpool when they hired Klopp in October, when they sat below us in the table. Sacking a manager doesn't mean panic, relegation struggle.

Alex Bennett
197 Posted 22/04/2018 at 02:22:16
It's interesting that Allardyce's record against the teams that Koeman faced is worse. However, things were not right at the start of this season and it was clear to everyone Koeman had lost the team or even his faith in himself.

It's hard to say "Let's rebuild" because we haven't had any foundations for a while now. Nothing to build on etc. I'm not a Moyes fan boy but I do believe we need to get back the ethics he brought to the team. Get the staff and players who get the "club" and will die for the badge and always work for each other.

We are not in a position to simply buy the best players and hope it all works out. Back to basics – get the players that want to play for Everton and have a management team behind them that isn't just there for the wages. Easy... right?!

Jamie Crowley
198 Posted 22/04/2018 at 03:10:51
Alex,

We did have a foundation:

Lukaku, McCarthy, Barkley, Barry, Jagielka, Coleman, Baines, etc in the 5th-place finish season.

We had a manager who didn't pay attention to defensive duties and lost the dressing room with Lukaku's eminent departure.

You could have focused on the defending / made a signing like... gulp... the January one across the park (Van Dijk) to shore up their defensive frailties. And you could have brought up some of the younger players into that side and you would have had something really exciting.

But it all went pear-shaped.

Justin Doone
199 Posted 22/04/2018 at 05:37:24
The first 10 games of this season were bloody hard and there was some understanding that we may not get many early points on the board. I'll be honest and say I probably would have given Koeman until December but in the meantime be actively looking for his successor.

We played well against Man City and were unlucky not to win. But the level of performances after that was shocking.

Sadly, for different reasons and circumstances it hasn't worked out for Koeman, Unsworth or Allardyce. No real improvement in results or performances. A better coach could get more out of our squad and be more decisive with the terrible form and attitude of certain senior players.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs (I think Pochettino is 60:40 to go) will be targeting top-class managers and can all offer better squads and European football next season.

The majority agree Sam was the wrong man at the wrong time and that hasn't changed. I want Mancini and have done for years. More importantly, I just want improvement, on and off the pitch; if it ends up being some unknown name and proves me wrong, I would be delighted.

Peter Lee
200 Posted 22/04/2018 at 09:06:06
David, would you have sacked Koeman? At what point?

What gave you optimism in the Unsworth interregnum?

What was it in the attitude, ability, balance in the squad that reassured that relegation was never on?

Ray Jacques
201 Posted 22/04/2018 at 09:38:23
If Unsworth was so great, why don't we appoint him as our new manager? Keep half the posters on here happy...
Gerry Ring
202 Posted 22/04/2018 at 10:29:12
Two things for sure:

1. Allardyce is not the answer...

2. If relegation was determined by a vote of real football fans on quality football, we would definitely be playing in the Championship next season.

We are in a very precarious position. Moshiri has seen a lot of his money wasted on second-rate players, apart from a couple of reasonable buys. We need a really good talent scout to identify players who haven't yet hit the big time. We're not going to attract quality players after the season we've just had. I'm worried!!

Wenger, anybody??

Shane Corcoran
203 Posted 22/04/2018 at 10:42:58
Dave (#149), I'm not conned nor am I fan of Allardyce.

All I'm saying is that Unsworth was most definitely in charge for the Southampton game and that looked like a team chasing relegation. Therefore, in no way can I accept that Unsworth was starting to turn things around.

Anthony Murphy
204 Posted 22/04/2018 at 10:50:50
The board should look at the mess Southampton are in to remind them how pissing about can cost you dear. Great academy, finished 8th, 7th, 6th and 8th last four seasons, yet undone by selling their best players, not adequately replacing them, and dodgy managerial decisions.

We are in a different league to Southampton in terms of club size, but we need to consider our next steps really carefully. Whoever we bring in needs our backing and we need to show patience.

Dermot Byrne
205 Posted 22/04/2018 at 11:24:36
Anthony: it could be argued that getting Allardyce prevented us from being 3rd bottom like Saints. But Jaysus, if that is true, it was a hell of a price to pay in terms of dullness. Maybe get a sparky new boss and keep Allardyce on a retainer!
Jon Withey
206 Posted 22/04/2018 at 11:39:13
Good point on Southampton – how quickly a club can go from being a model for how things should be done.

Everton is an expensive mess but it's not yet a disaster.

Peter Gorman
207 Posted 22/04/2018 at 13:14:23
Shane – I almost get where you are coming from as not only that Southampton game but the dire performances in Europe showed an Everton side with neither ability nor desire, and made me more than a little worried that we'd get dragged into a relegation scrap, even if I never went as far as fearing the worst.

But it is a tiny bit odd you fixate on the Southampton game as the epitome of Unsworth's time as caretaker. I saw vast improvement in spirit from the team even during the loss to Chelsea. Then there were the much-appreciated wins against Watford and West Ham.

In arguing for Big Sam — well can anyone point out a single stand-out performance or result? Where exactly have we picked up points where points would not have been expected? I can remember some one-sided tonkings against Spurs, Man City and Arsenal and that was with trying not to concede at all costs!

I struggle to see how anyone can argue definitively that Sam succeeded in his brief where Unsworth couldn't, unless of course, you are referring to making us as hideous to watch as possible.

William Cartwright
208 Posted 22/04/2018 at 17:03:24
Allardyce has no 'class' whatsoever. He probably thinks it is an over-rated and outdated concept. He might be right.

I think his press conference in response to the questionnaire lacked class, nous, and was a total embarrassment to himself and the club. The journos were laughing at him, not with him, as he showed his true worth.

No way on this planet will Moshiri stick with him. He will be removed quietly, probably expensively, and probably without any of the clarifications he is seeking; same way out as Martinez and Koeman before him.

He did the job he was tasked to do. Okay. Lot of cheek to ask for an extension before his contract has even finished, and in doing so, has alienated Moshiri even further. If Allardyce had played players to their strengths, had played some adventurous football, and got the same results, then possibly he may have been considered further but, as it stands, then no way.

I have read in the media that Mr Brands is joining us? If so, then probably a further nail in his coffin. Also, I expect to see Walsh either demoted to Chief Scout (if he remains) and Shakespeare can also slip away quietly.

Brands will give his opinion regarding Fonesca or Silva or Howe, and Moshiri will follow his advice.I'm looking forward to seeing Allardyce going with no fanfare and certainly little if any waving goodbye from Moshiri.

Andy Crooks
209 Posted 22/04/2018 at 18:06:02
Tony Marsh, take a deep breath and, possibly for the first time in your life, admit that you were wrong. I have done it; it's easy.

Allardyce is a useless, money-grabbing (I saw his Jag and wanted one) sack of shite. I know you are kind of stuck with him as you begged for him to come and save us but no-one will condemn you when you admit that you got it wrong about him. We all get it wrong sometimes.

Peter Gorman
210 Posted 22/04/2018 at 18:35:03
"Do you not remember how utterly shambolic we were under Rhino? After watching Koeman get sacked for his shambolic management, Unsworth takes over and plays the same players in the same positions."

I remember getting a couple of results I thought impossible under Koeman, more of the same half-heartedness from the senior players and Unsworth blooding youngsters who arguably performed better than their teammates.

Then I remember being revolted at the sight of Allardyce's face, revolted at the sound of his voice and bored senseless by the football he served. What do you remember about that, Tony?

Michael Greaves
211 Posted 22/04/2018 at 23:27:12
Surely to God, the replacement has been identified already?
Steve Ferns
212 Posted 22/04/2018 at 23:47:55
Unsworth was clearly not the answer. But the point most are trying to make is he's better than Allardyce. He had a 100% record in the league at home. Unfortunately he only played two at home and everything else seemed to come away.

After smashing West Ham, and I give no credit to Lardiola at all for that, we had Huddersfield at home. Had Unsworth had both these games then he'd have won both, fitting in with his 100% league home record (2 games this season and the Norwich game), and the fact had Huddersfield are dog shit and we would have beat them easily whoever was in charge.

It was Unsworth who got us on solid foundations at home, and Allardyce maintained that for a few months to eek us to safety.

We were dreadful against Southampton away, and we've been dreadful away all season. The Leicester result is no shame, considering the table now, and a draw at Crystal Palace away would have Lardiola grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

So, no. Allardyce is a shit manager, and he gets no credit from me for anything he “achieved” this season. He's been an utter failure, like he has been all his managerial career. If he fails to win more premier league games than he's lost with us this season, with our £250m squad, then that's a sackable reason on its own.

He's failed to win more premier league games than he's lost at every club: Bolton, Blackburn, Newcastle, Sunderland, palace, and West Ham. How on earth has he got a good reputation and got the England job? He's got a shameful record. He shouldn't be getting any jobs with his record of failure. How he conned any of you to back him, I'll never know.

Chad Schofield
213 Posted 23/04/2018 at 00:20:43
As ever, a great deal of comments to wade through – some great stuff. And while I'd certainly put myself in the Steve Ferns camp on Allardyce (above), David Barks (#188) needs highlighting after Alan Smith's (it's got to be, right?) trolling throughout this thread.

Get rid. We should have a couple of weeks back so our new manager can assess, but presumably they're under contract elsewhere.

Lawrence Green
214 Posted 23/04/2018 at 00:46:51
Two views on Allardyce one from the man himself in the Telegraph as reported by Chris Boscombe:
Allardyce feels he deserves more credit for ending any relegation fears. “We have managed to overcome the chaos,” he said.

“Even David Unsworth said he could not wait for the new manager to be appointed. He was in for (eight) games and he was saying before the West Ham game, ‘get me out of this position, get a new manager appointed because I am struggling to cope and these players have got no confidence’. That is where I came from.”

Although Unsworth oversaw the final victory of his caretaker reign, Allardyce says that was due to his arrival.

"I came in for West Ham and spoke to the players,” he said. “It helped have a positive affect. David does the last game and he gets the win. We both benefit from that and move forward. Where we have gone from there, I consider it my contribution, which is 30 points from 21 games, rather than 13 games, 12 points. I had a contribution to play in the victory over West Ham that day. I spoke to the players before the game. The players reacted. I’m not saying they reacted to what I said but they certainly reacted to a new manager on the door.

“When a new manager comes in, even if he hasn’t taken a coaching session, the players go out and respond to it. They think, ‘I have got to prove that I deserve my place in the side’. That contributed to what was a great victory.”

What Sam said in that interview may have some grains of truth in it but really if he didn't train the players that week and didn't pick the team - he could give Unsworth sole credit for the result coulnd't he?

The following piece by Luke O'Farrell for ESPN is closer to the truth and one of the many reasons why the Goodison faithful have never really taken to Sam.

Allardyce believes safety was the one and only goal, but he had the platform to do more than that. That there was never any attempt or inclination to seize that opportunity speaks volumes. Three wins in his first four matches lifted Everton from 13th to ninth as panic and relegation talk faded. Those results saw Everton head into the festive period within six points of Tottenham. The gap between the two teams now stands at 26 points.

Everton then survived a run of six league games without a win due to the equally poor form of the teams around them. The general hopelessness of the teams outside the top six meant successive home wins against Leicester and Crystal Palace saw the Toffees back in the mix, travelling to Watford in February just two points behind seventh-place Burnley with a trip to Turf Moor the following week.

Wins at Watford and Burnley would have put Everton seventh on their own and given them a three-point advantage over both Burnley and Leicester in the standings. But Everton lost both matches with little resistance and the two-point gap to Burnley has since stretched to 10 and ended any hopes of a belated European push.

Link

Trevor Peers
215 Posted 23/04/2018 at 07:56:51
Spout as many statistics as you like, Steve, the fact is Allardyce has the balls to be a manager and live comfortably with it.

Unsworth, however, lacks the steel and strength of character to become a manager, especially at Premier League level. I think he knows that and is happy to be involved as a youth coach.

Chad Schofield
216 Posted 23/04/2018 at 08:22:28
Actually, Trevor, all he lacked was the nod from Moshiri. Unsworth said very publicly what he wanted only to have idiots like Joey Barton attempt to ridicule him.

By all means, ignore the statistics. Ignore all the negatives Sam has and sniff up the scent of his used big Y-fronts. If he stays on he'll be gone by Christmas... and we'll be worse off again.

Hopefully the next manager works with our existing staff, like Unsworth, rather than isolation like Koeman. Hopefully, they won't have to weakly point to a result that had nothing to do with them as signs of their ability.

Had Allardyce continued on that run or made any real progress, would people be calling for him to go? Or is it just a few internet cranks and statistics don't count unless they've come out of Sam's Trump-esque Analysis Room... which closely resembles his ample backside.

Trevor Peers
217 Posted 23/04/2018 at 08:37:47
Chad, the only nod Unsworth got was to clear his desk, the lad was way out of his depth and was happy as Larry to hand the reigns over to Allardyce. He's a good youth coach and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

Allardyce has done the job required; it wasn't pretty, and hopefully we can now replace him... picking the right man will be very tricky though.

Chad Schofield
218 Posted 23/04/2018 at 10:40:12
Are you basing any of that on facts, or just your imagination, Trevor?
Steve Solomon
219 Posted 23/04/2018 at 12:37:54
To be perfectly honest, it's becoming embarrassing being an Everton supporter (proudly for 45 years now). This 'survey' is the shoddiest piece of management (in any field) I have ever seen.

The last few years have been a litany of foot-dragging and indecision. The confusion over who we should buy in the last off-season, the frustration and clear miscommunication with Koeman and then the indecision and foot-dragging double-takes over who to appoint as his successor was frankly cringe-worthy to watch.

The poor handling of players in the club and out on loan and then sending match-winners out on loan is stupefying. Now this debacle seems to cap a hilarious year of The Everton Follies.

We discuss ad-nauseum in fan sites like this one about who we would like to have as our new manager as if they are lining up to come here (they're not, let's not fool ourselves) and we are falling into the bottom 8 category of the Premier League manager-go-round (after Allardyce comes Pardew, no?).

The ultimate insult of asking the fans what they think of the current manager, who has basically achieved what he was hired to do, is embarrassing. I'm sure he is aware of what the fans think due to sites like this and yet the Club upper management apparently don't? Sheesh.

If I lived in Liverpool I'd be throwing eggs and insults at the top brass rather than the manager.

Rob Halligan
220 Posted 24/04/2018 at 17:23:14
Moshiri has summoned Allardyce to his office in London. Let's hope it's to give him the boot.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/writing-is-on-the-wall-for-big-sam-after-moshiri-summons/

Brent Stephens
221 Posted 24/04/2018 at 17:33:16
Rob, we live in hope. Ideally there would be a clause in Sam's contract about not bringing the club into disrepute (deemed to be an offence leading to instant dismissal, without compensation), and Moshiri sought to invoke that clause by reference to Sam's public pronouncements e.g. about the Comms Dirctor.
Simon Dalzell
222 Posted 25/04/2018 at 23:39:52
Dermot (#206),

Getting Sparky as the new boss is not much of an improvement.


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads