Davies breaks Saints hearts with equaliser at the death

Saturday, 5 May, 2018 129comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton 1 - 1 Southampton

Everton denied Southampton two priceless points with a goal deep into stoppage time after Nathan Redmond's header looked to have settled it.

The Saints were heading for a deserved victory having taken the lead earlier in the second half through Nathan Redmond but were pegged back in the 96th minute when Tom Davies's shot deflected past Alex McCarthy to earn the Blues a draw.

It was cruel on Mark Hughes's men who could have lifted themselves clear of Swansea near the bottom and confirmed West Bromwich Albion's relegation had they been able to hold onto a deserved lead.

Everton and Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, were not spared the ire of the Goodison Park crowd as they were booed off at the end of each half following a dreadful display and the team, minus the manager whose departure from the club was called for again by chants during the match, were left with a mostly empty stadium for the post-match lap of appreciation.

Theo Walcott (calf) and Wayne Rooney (knee) were the key absentees from the starting XI, with neither named in the match day squad because of injury.

Nikola Vlasic retained his place in the side and was joined by the returning Tom Davies and Yannick Bolasie.

Wearing the new 2018-19 home strip, Everton made a bright enough start and Davies raked a left-foot effort a couple of feet wide from around 20 yards in the third minute.

That was about as exciting as it got from the home side for the remainder of the half, however, and they were booed off at the break after the Saints began to assert control as they went in search for a crucial goal in their quest to avoid the drop.

Cenk Tosun dropped a header narrowly over from a right-wing cross but at the other end Jordan Pickford was forced into a terrific save by Charlie Austin who tested him with a well-struck half-volley from just outside the box.

A few minutes later, Phil Jagielka was prompted to make an important block in front of goal as the ball pinged around the box following another parried save by Jordan Pickford from Oriel Romeu.

Bolasie, who was anonymous in the first 45 minutes, was withdrawn at the break in favour of Ramiro Funes Mori with the Blues switching to a five-man back line.

Hughes, meanwhile, belatedly replaced the injured Mario Lamina with Redmond.

As Everton toiled in uninspired fashion, the visitors made the breakthrough they had been threatening. Cedric made a strong run on the overlap down the right flank and crossed impressively for Redmond to plant a downward header between Pickford's legs and make it 1-0 in the 56th minute.

Allardyce responded by taking off Vlasic and throwing Oumar Niasse up front and after he won a corner, Michael Keane headed narrowly wide of Alex McCarthy's right-hand post.

And Niasse was involved again in the 66th minute when he controlled Leighton Baines's deep cross and whipped the ball across goal where a Saints head got in front of Tosun to head it behind.

Back in front of the Park End, Ryan Bertrand got to the byline and Jagielka had to flick a header over his own crossbar.

Redmond saw a shot cannon off a defender and fall behind as Klaassen was prepared to come on for Jagielka with 11 minutes to go and the Saints' goalscorer went close to doubling his tally when he flashed an effort just over.

Ward-Prowse then tested Pickford with a free kick searching for a gap inside the 'keeper's left-hand post but Southampton's task of holding out for three priceless points was complicated five minutes from time.

Maya Yashida, already booked for an earlier challenge, caught Niasse late and was shown a second yellow by referee Jon Moss.

Still Southampton came forward and Redmond's jinking run ended with another save from Pickford.

Mark Hughes's men were seeing things out fairly comfortably until Wesley Hoedt caught Coleman with a late tackle setting up a direct free kick for Baines but McCarthy came to Southampton's rescue with a flying save.

That looked to have been that but as the clock ticked on for over a minute beyond the four signalled for stoppage time, Davies sent a side-foot shot goalwards that took a wicked deflection off Hoedt and past the wrong-footed McCarthy.

Kick-off: 5.30pm, Saturday 5 May, 2018
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Last Time: Everton 3 - 0 Southampton

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Davies, Bolasie, Vlasic, Tosun

Subs: Robles, Martina, Funes Mori, Kenny, Baningime, Klaassen, Niasse

Article continues below video content


 

Reader Comments (129)

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Chris Gould
1 Posted 05/05/2018 at 18:21:06
Can anybody actually last until the 78th minute?
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

2 Posted 05/05/2018 at 18:25:46
The laundry lady is going to have an easy wash on Monday.

Have any of our players broken into a sweat in that first half?

Michael Greaves
3 Posted 05/05/2018 at 18:35:36
Anybody questioning why Allardyce is currently receiving a lot of negativity as regards his credentials for the Everton manager position beyond this season should be watching this game.
Steve Bingham
4 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:13:34
So the walk out came to nothing ?.
Ed Fitzgerald
5 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:17:05
Plenty of people left? Perhaps you are there or watching on TV - and didn’t hear the chorus of boos at half time or the chants of fuck off Sam Allardyce after the goal?
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

6 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:27:19
Abject.

A totally undeserved equaliser.

And it looks like the 'walk of appreciation' is going to be acted out only in front of the match stewards.

Derek McMonagle
7 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:32:02
Clueless - and we are the 8th best team in the country? The rest must be shite.
Steve Brown
8 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:34:10
Are we not entertained?
Jay Harris
9 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:49:35
Did the lads who booed Allardyce leave their hearts and minds at home and didnt appreciate this scintillating performance.

Thought the camera shot of the NSNO lettering in the family enclosure summed up our status quo damaged beyond repair.

Derek McMonagle
10 Posted 05/05/2018 at 19:53:35
This has got to be a contender for the worst performance of the season - although it is difficult to choose.
Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
11 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:03:07
I have some blank DVDs

I am going to sell them as Everton's Highlights 2017-18

Paul Kelly
12 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:08:25
Shame about the ‘78 min walkout. Fair play to the organisers, was always going to be hard but you have my total support in removing Allardyce, Kenwright and his staff.

I feel our fan base has become so placid and fed shit by the
Owners (and the like below them) I reckon they feel they don't have the right to complain.

Not having a pop at anyone, but if more protests don't pick up more pace, we are fucked, they in charge will do what they always have, and will accept that they will think we (the fans) will accept the status quo. (They don't think that, they know it-loyalty.)

We mock kopite behaviour, they don't accept it, it's become par for the course for us lot due to filtered propaganda by the club, yes, the owners of the same club you've always supported.

There is a overdue uprising, one that has already started in earnest. If your happy with the current situation, good for you, if your not and I quote “The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing”, if we do nothing, accept more of the same.

I'll get on board and help out in anyway I can.

Is anyone on here a revolutionist? Or has a plan? because I'm sure most think the same, but don't know how to start it. Maybe a leader is needed?

Maybe Sam will get the boot after this season, if he don't,( and I'm getting more worried by the day ), then the time for action is then, made even harder by the close season.

It's not easy, but I'd love to see someone's else's face on a t-shirt other than Che!!!!


John Harrop
13 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:08:54
So now Glen Hoddle has joined in with the conventional wisdom of the pundits and mainstream media. What more do they want at Everton? Well Glenn, a lot more than I saw today.

Why can you not understand that!

Brian Williams
14 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:12:52
Just in from the game.
I left on 78 minutes. As far as I could see only a couple of hundred did likewise.
Leaving on 78 meant I missed Everton's only shot on target (if it WAS on target?). It was even more dire than the Newcastle game. Absolute unadulterated dross.
So Allardyce has done a good job yet can't get his team to muster a decent performance against a relegation side like,..............Aw fuck it I can't even be arsed.
Ian Carrie
15 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:15:17
Last 3 mins on MOTD tonight then.
Brian Williams
16 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:19:04
Oh and on the way home heard the RS gobshite who regularly features on Talksport pretending to be an Evertonian on Radio Merseysides phone in bigging up Allardyce and saying how he should be kept on. Talk about adding insult to injury ffs.
Len Hawkins
17 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:19:15
Will the last one out turn the light off, yet ANOTHER meaningless season to go with the MANY Evertonians have had to suffer.
What is the point of Everton F.C. Ltd other than to alienate the people who actually PAY to watch them underperforming year after year after Christ knows how many years.
Si Cooper
18 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:21:56
John, it’s almost as if they are reading from a script. Owen Hargreaves was called upon by his co-commentator to speak the usual pro-Allardyce mantra, but they rather spoiled that effort by frequently noticing how uninspiring the performance on the pitch was and highlighting why the fans might want the club’s motto to become significant again.
On the match itself, I didn’t see the last 12 minutes but thought Yashida’s first yellow was a trifle harsh unless he had been warned about transgressions prior to it.
I was very disappointed with Vlasic’s contribution today but can’t work out why he wasn’t instructed to switch flanks when Bolasie went off.
Did Klaasen get to do anything in his time on the pitch?
Ian Riley
19 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:24:33
Sorry, sam has to go. We played southampton. Enough said!
Rob Dolby
20 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:24:40
Its all down to Moshiri now.
We had put up with Moyes for longer than we should but in his defence we didn't have a pot to piss in.

Roberto was the emporers clothes

Koeman living on his player reputation took us back 5 years.

Sam is Sam and specialises in dishing up shit sandwiches for fans to eat.

We have to move on, I am not even bothered who we get.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

21 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:27:01
Brian @ 14.

I was watching with interest to see just how many chose to leave on the 78th minute. Not an awful lot from what I could see.

What those remaining chose to do at the time was to be very scouse and direct: burst into a raucous chorus of 'Fuck off, Sam Allardyce, Fuck off, Sam Allardyce...'

This was the HOME crowd, remember, not our hardcore away fans who have been more vocal on this front.

I thought by game's end, even before our thoroughly undeserved equaliser, there were many, MANY more empty spaces.

I'd be interested to know if, as I pondered in an earlier post, the 'walk of appreciation' was played out in front of the match stewards only, with only very few fans staying behind.

This report in the Telegraph suggests it was:

Link

An extract: "Everton had been dreadful, their manager bombarded with chants of “f--- off Sam Allardyce” and the stadium all but empty for the post-match lap of appreciation to mark the last home game of the season. When they did eventually come out post-match, there was no sign of their manager.

Any one able to cast light on the post-match walkabout..?

Brian Wilkinson
22 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:28:52
On the train home left on 78 mins shocking game Sam needs to go.
Colin Glassar
23 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:34:07
One of the worst Everton team I’ve seen in years. Worst manager ever. Even Walker was cheese and onion compared to Sams salt and vinegar.
Neil Lawson
24 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:34:37
How can it be that a dyed in the wool Evertonian of nearly 60 years of devoted support can be disappointed when we equalise after the game should have finished ?
Answer. That complete useless knobhead Fatsam Allar ........... . No. Don't want to say the useless, arrogant, conceited, ignorant tossers name.
Gerry Morrison
25 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:37:22
Si @18. In the little time he was on the pitch, I thought Klaasen was one of the few who knew what he was doing. I still have hope for him.
Joe McMahon
26 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:38:25
Guys who go to the game, well done for sitting through this season, the worst Everton team to watch since the 50's. I haven't been once this season and I decided I won't again until Kenwright has gone and taken this awful manager and coaching staff with him, including Duncan.

It's bad enough going to such a dilapidated stadium to watch Everton, but the slow disgusting football is shameful and embarrassing to be associated with when our neighbours slay teams for fun. Gonna get even better when they win the CL.

Brian Wilkinson
27 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:38:51
Sam timed bringing on Klassen on to perfection on 78 mins must have caught wind of a walk out on 78.
Neil Copeland
28 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:39:27
Yes, truly shocking - anyone defending Allardyce after that needs professional help.

I left on 78 mins also.

If the ground was near empty at the final whistle then that is indeed a statement when it is the last home game but not convinced it is enough to make a difference. Like many others have already stated I think the cast has already been set - we will see.

Steve Ferns
29 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:41:12
I left on 78, but I went downstairs and watched on TV. Loads more came down but well after the 78 was gone. It seemed like most stayed until the end and booed and left.

On another note, Alex Ferguson is in hospital with a brain haemorrhage. I’m not is biggest fan, but I do hope he pulls through.

Gerry Western
30 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:41:13
Can honestly say I've never been so disillusioned, today's performance has just about ended any lingering credibility Alderdyce might have had. A defender replacing a midfield attacker at half-time really?


Klassen brought on in the dying embers of the game and played predominently out wide. Truly awful stuff. Simply can't bear to watch any more of this crap and to cap it all, the sight of Sam and his backroom staff in a state of euphoria celebrating the equaliser like they'd just won the Champions League final was simply embarrassing, perhaps they'd all thought they'd just managed to secure extensions to their existing contracts.

God help us next season, me personally I have had enough of this dirge.

Raymond Fox
31 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:41:20
Footballs a simple game, our players have given all in recent games but they havent got the nessessary skill to play a quality passing game.
Changing the manager wont transform our ordinary players into top 6 candidates.

The probabilty is that we will be having the same conversation after the end of next season whoever is manager.

Gavin Johnson
32 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:44:43
Rubbish and not up to standard. Relief we got a point but that performance hopefully put the nail in Big Sam's coffin. I'm not going down the road of the likes of Andy Crooks giving Allardyce nasty personal abuse about his character.

Had he signed a 6 month contract I'd actually take this position - We were a shambles that looked like were heading towards a relegation battle. Big Sam's got us to 8th which all things considered hasn't been too bad. The footballs been gash to watch but he came in and probably overachieved because I never thought we'd finish 8th when he got the job.

Unfortunately that's not the case and a lot of good will he would have received had it been a short appointment has gone out of the window because he insisted on a longer contract going into next season. Sorry Sam, but we can't endure another 7th/8th finish watching that brand of anti football. Thanks, but your time is up.

Just a mention for Yannick Bolasie. Again his positional sense was woeful. I get the impression that the few moments of magic (few and far between) this guy produces are just down to luck because his technique and style of play is unconventional to say the least. You'd hope we could recoup £10m, but who would buy him?! Lookman bagged a brace today but BS will always pick Bolasie because of his fee and seniority. Beggars beyond belief!

Jim Bennings
33 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:47:58
Utter shit fest and I don’t just mean today’s game but the season as a whole.

It’s going to take a lot more than just a new manager and pissing away 40 million on a few players to change the mentality of this club.

We need a brave bold new plan and a transfer window that sees sensible investment on quality players that have still never been replaced like Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar even Fellaini (not that I’d have him back but just using it as an example)

We don’t have a midfielder that can put their foot on the ball and find a pass.

We don’t have a striker capable of successfully playing up front alone.

We are useless on the wings, Theo Walcott exempted.

We can’t keep dragging out Jagielka, Baines and expecting them to roll back the years.

Over to you Moshiri!

Shane Corcoran
34 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:50:19
Those that left on 78, why not just stay away for the full game? Save a few quid, incur less frustration and the empty seat still gives the message you were aiming for?

Roger Helm
35 Posted 05/05/2018 at 20:56:09
I didn’t go but watched it on TV. I discovered if you record and play on fast forward they look like a Premiership team.

It would take a lot of transfer activity (including management) in the summer to make me interested in next season, but I can’t say I’m confident.

Aren’t football commentators useless? All Hargreaves did was grunt obvious comments occasionally and Hoddle went on and on about too much time added, when the Southampton injury took over a minute, and the foul on Coleman 40 seconds before Tom’s minutes. Why are they so much worse than any other sport?

Ian Hollingworth
36 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:02:40
Unfortunately far too many stayed and it was as usual a damp squib.
We get what we deserve.
Sam will be manager next season and Kenwright will be Chairman. Most of our fans will continue to hope and clap.
Another season and same old shite.
23 years and counting
Thanks Bill
But after today we really should stop morning and accept our lot, we are shit and nobody involved in the club has any real ambition to do anything about it.
We’ve sold our season tickets though... hooray!


Pat Kelly
37 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:05:22
Everton's future rests in Moshiri's hands. Leaving Allardyce in place will alienate more fans and confirm the Club has no ambition but to remain in the PL. No ambition to fight for honours, no ambition to entertain fans, no ambition to reward travelling fans, no ambition to win games we're 'not expected to win' And on and on. In short, the expectation that Moshiri brought to the Club will be consigned to the dustbin if Allardyce remains.
Tony Everan
38 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:06:38
Oh well fellers, only one more week of the big Samuel era left.

Mr Moshiri will be going to the cash point every day this week with all of his cards. He will be getting as much wongo out as he can to pay the big man off.

Get ready for the announcement after the West Ham game. A new dawn awaits.

Steavey Buckley
39 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:14:54
It has to be acknowledged only one player on show was brought in by Allardyce. So if Evertonians have a manager in mind, would he have done any better today with the same group of players?
Bill Gienapp
40 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:15:38
What a debacle. An absolutely wretched performance that should have been the final nail in the coffin of the Allardyce era... then an undeserved, last-gasp equalizer takes all the sting out of it. At least the fans had the presence of mind to still boo the shit out of BS at the final whistle.

Changes nothing, of course. How Moshiri could watch that dross and deem it an acceptable performance - in the home finale, no less - is beyond me.

(speaking of the final whistle, I imagine Southampton will be screaming bloody murder about the ref not blowing it, but that's what you get for having one of your players writhe around for two minutes, pretending he's hurt)

Steve Ferns
41 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:16:31
Yes Steavey. Any manager would. Even pardew. A decent manager would have the same players in 7th and closing on 6th.
Trevor Peers
42 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:18:07
Steve Ferns is right give Silva the job asap he's young and dynamic, fck the risks we can't watch any more of that shite ! It's worse than relegation.
Jim Bennings
43 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:18:08
Moshiri’s answer to Liverpool reaching the Champions League Final should be to quickly announce a new manager with the next two weeks.

Any of Fonseca, Wenger (and Arteta number 2) Silva or Howe would excite me more than watching this tosh we have witnessed for almost 12 months now.

Whoever comes in needs to have the fans patience, and to be allowed to make and learn from his mistakes though.

Jonathan Tasker
44 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:21:13
Joe McMahon, 26th post


Spot on

I, too, won't set foot in Goodison until Kenwright leaves

Separately, and I have no inside knowledge, but I strongly suspect the fans are being strung along on the supposed new ground
Precedence suggests there is no new ground

Tommy Coleman
45 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:22:07
Gutted there was no 78min walk out.
William Gall
46 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:30:24
First of all I am not blaming Allardyce. Any one who follows football are fully aware of the type of football this man uses to get results., it is definitely not nice to watch, but is effective for getting a mid table position. His comment about achieving the next season on a top10 position (the one we have achieved this season ) simply shows his lack of ambition.

The blame for this season simply goes to the Chairman who as a supporter must have been fully aware of what to expect by signing Allardyce., followed by the owner who must have agreed to the firing of the previous manager without having a backup ready.

Instead of the progress we expected this season we have gone backwards in both the playing and management of the club that will take a tremendous amount of dedicated personnel to change it around.

If the d.f.o. from Belgium does come in, he and the owner hopefully have a new manager ready to come in, otherwise we are going to struggle before the season even starts.

If the present manager starts next season this is another demonstration that the Owner and Chairman have no interest in their loyal supporters opinions, and will be happy for a mid table position until the new stadium is built ( if ever ).

Brian Williams
47 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:30:41
There was Tommy. Just not very many lol.
Kevin Moorcroft
48 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:32:09
I wasn't expecting anything today. No miracle will happen here for a long time; be happy with top ten, I reckon – at least were not relegated.

A new manager will not guarantee anything: look at our track record. They'll struggle to get anyone decent. Koeman was supposed to be the one and look at him. I see the ground emptied very quickly again. Moshiri must wonder what the hell he's taken on. He's lost the support as well but our fans have always been like that.

Gavin Johnson
49 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:37:43
Jonathan #44

It's crossed my mind that the commonwealth games going to Brum could have big repercussions for us further down the line. We have form for counting on other people to realise our plans. Tbh, I really don't understand why Brum got the games. I seem to remember them having it in the late 80's. You would have thought that the panel who decides would be looking for a greater legacy from it, much like City had with Eastlands, which is now the Etihad stadium. We've had this stadium issue for well over 20 years now and it's getting really old.

Of course I could be wrong, but I'm struggling to see who is going to put the money up for things like infrastructure around BMD when the council are meant to be giving us a loan.

Andy Crooks
50 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:40:00
Gavin, I do not believe I have given Allardyce" personal", abuse. I have never called him fat Sam or hippo head and deplore those terms. I have questioned his ability as a manager, I have said he has no integrity and I I have said he is greedy and motivated by money.

I have backed up each of those points with evidence but I'll do it again for you:
He has never won anything as a coach, his win ratio is abysmal and he has produced dire football at our club.Do you accept that?

He was sacked by England for reasons which called his integrity into question. His comments about Roy Hodgson also call his integrity into question. Do you accept that?

He is, by his own admission motivated by money, eg, his resentment that he drove a Morris Marina while other players, (better players, by the way) drove Jags. Do you accept that?

Just plucking an example out of the air, but say I called Ronnie Biggs are robber, not a nice thing to call anyone, would you describe it as a personal insult?

I have been relentless in my disdain for Allardyce but there have been no personal insults, no comments about things over which he has no control. So, I am disappointed that you have chosen to name me in a thread which I have not commented on.
I thought todays performance was one of the worst I have ever seen, I thought his performance as coach was appalling and I think it is shameful that this man without integrity remains employed by our club..Now, you may see these as personal attacks on him, Gavin, I do not.

Phillip Warrington
51 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:41:41
Surely Moshiri can see what's in front of his eyes, but probably doesn't give a shit as a businessman because Everton's loyal supporters will always turn up at games and will always buy merchandise.

As a business project, as long as we stay in the Premier League, bringx through some good youngsters we can offload, and our loyal supporters financially support and bleed Everton blue, things will never change. Unfortunately, Everton supporters are too loyal to command change as witnessed by the planned walkout.

Dave Abrahams
52 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:47:02
Everton's performance was worse than it normally is under Allardyce, putrid would not be an over statement.

Don't think many fans were interested in protesting, if they knew about the planned protest, I stood up in the eighteenth minute, turned my back to the pitch, what a relief that was,had a good look round, looked like I was the only standing from what I saw, hope I was wrong.In the seventy eight minute got up to go, Steve a fan I know in the row behind me got up as well, seemed to be plenty of fans smiling at us, but staying where they were, met another fan I knew, he said he wasn't going out because of the protest he was just fuckin' fed up with the whole club, another fella was effing and blinding at the top of the stairs going down, he looked like he'd been there since half time, frothing at the mouth, looked like he had finally snapped and Everton and Allardyce were to blame.

To be honest I'd made my point so I went back in to the Street End and watched the rest of the game from there, Allardyce getting loads from that end, butvto be honest the crowd were roaring Everton to get the equaliser they didn't deserve.

I mudt admit The Street End Crowd seemed a lot more hostile to Allardyce than those I spoke to in The Upper Bullens,really surprised me tge way some were talking about him, don't get me wrong, theybstill didn't want him but were worried about who would replace him.

Anyway back to the game, I think it is just best to forget about it along with most of the performances this season no matter who was in charge.

Gavin Johnson
53 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:47:28
No worries Andy. I've just noticed that some of your recent posts seem to be more vitriolic lately and you've kinda taken the mantle from Darren Hind as chief rebel rouser. Is it really necessary? Everyone on TW seems to be on the same page as far as BS is concerned. Coincidently, I've not noticed any posts by Darren lately. I don't think he gets much enjoyment on here when the majority agree with him.
Jay Harris
54 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:53:47
I had high hopes for Moshirir but to see him sitting next to Bill, texting with a big stupid grin on his face, at the end of the game gives me major concerns for our future.
Paul Birmingham
55 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:56:04
Jay @2 spot on, in your assessment.

In life there’s a limit to wasting life and accepting garbage as normal.

Far from me to say but this season EFC, has really sunk, and for me bar a miracle, there’s no easy way back, as we are as a board, leaderless.

Say it as it is, we are light years and more behind,, it’s like building prefabs and proper foundations.

Paul Birmingham
56 Posted 05/05/2018 at 21:59:52
There’s no, Foundation, ever laid, and every decade every has seen EFC, slumber.
Steve Ferns
57 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:00:54
That last second equalizer just saved Sam a record 200th defeat in the Premier League. I can’t see anyone topping that if he gets it. It sums him up. The most beaten manager in Premier League history. I wonder what the top flight record is, because he can’t be far off that.
Sam Hoare
58 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:10:21
Grim.

Just hoping in a few weeks time we have Silva, Brands and Lookman to look forward to next season rather than more of today.

I don't want a whole new team but I want a manager who can coach this current lot to play to the best of their ability in a team that at least ocassionally plays something approaching good football.

Gavin Johnson
59 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:17:09
Agree with that Sam. Lookman will definitely get more game time under Silva. I get the feeling he's a player he'll fancy.
Jim Bennings
60 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:36:35
Everton need a player that excites, a player that can carry the ball and create things.

I want to see a player of the ilk of Wilfried Zaha, Xerdan Shaqiri, someone who can run with the ball and see a pass.

Until we get players or a player of this ilk we will always struggle to both create and score enough goals.

Joe Clitherow
61 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:37:48
Walcott is twice the player Shaqiri is, don't talk nonsense
Steve Ferns
62 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:39:02
Shaqiri sounds more infuriating than Ross Barkley. Why would we sign him? Zaha would be a great signing but would be out of our budget. Better then to bring through Lookman?
Jim Bennings
63 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:46:53
Walcott really twice the player that Shaqiri is?

Not for me.

Don’t get me wrong he’s done ok but he’s not twice the player of Shaqiri not in a million years .

As for the Barkley comparisons, well I think Ross Barkley would have probably walked into this current Everton side.

Gavin Johnson
64 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:48:00
Jim, I remember the days when you longed for us to sign Bolasie and I think we'd be going down the same road if we entertained signing Shaqiri. To say he blows and cold is an understatement. For me, it would be better to lose Bolasie and go with Walcott and Lookman with Vlasic standing in for either of them. If we have to go for another winger maybe get the Mexican lad, Hirving Lozano from PSV. He also has the same agent as Brands, and he's mustard.
James Flynn
65 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:52:13
Keep Klassan.
Tony Everan
66 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:52:21
Lookman needs to be playing for us next season regularly. He is on an upward curve, they more he plays the better he is going to get. We have got plenty of young talent and for me Lookman has always been the best of the lot.

Leipzig will be begging him to move there, we need to be firmly saying no go whilst telling the young man he is a big part of our future.

Bolasie will be his understudy or be sold.

Steve Ferns
67 Posted 05/05/2018 at 22:52:46
I liked Barkley Jim. Infuriating as he was. For me, Sigurdsson aside, he'd still be out best player. The fool has wrecked his World Cup chances, and maybe his career. If only he'd played when fit under Unsworth and got himself back in the side and helped us buy time to get a top coach in. We could be looking forward to a new era now, with a plan coming to fruition.
Paul Birmingham
68 Posted 05/05/2018 at 23:29:47
Just watched a great good fight and a real battler. Well done, TB, fantastic guts and fight.

If the EFC teams had the same application and guts.

Jerome Shields
69 Posted 05/05/2018 at 23:38:39
Big Sam got his 40 points. The objective is to get to the end of the season with as little effort as possible.

Sorry to have to say that I think Allardyce will be there next season. He has been trying to negotiate a contract extension, but Moshiri hasn't bit into it.

Moshiri will want him to finish his contract and have a replacement. That is for next season. The odd strategic signing will occur, but the objective will be to streamline the squad, which includes the youth squad.

So if you want to support Everton next season, hold your nose because it's going to be a sticker.

I won't even comment on tonight's drivel.

Alexander O'Brien
70 Posted 05/05/2018 at 23:39:25
Shaqiri? That same under performing one at Stoke. God no. Walcott has been a breathe of fresh air and a genuine miss today - one positive Allardyce has actually achieved.
Paul Birmingham
71 Posted 05/05/2018 at 23:48:09
Let’s see if the Board is interested. The way it’s going, God help us.

Going for a win -double in the European finals, with my Money, on the Madrid teams.

Let’s beat West Ham, and then, as a club stay, strong.

Neil Pickering
72 Posted 05/05/2018 at 23:57:12
Watched the game in a hotel bar in Marrakech with a saints fan, and to be honest at 1-0 I wanted them to go on and win it so it coz we were just beyond poor. When Davies scored I was absolutely gutted for the lad in the bar, and actually embarrassed that Davies was running round like he'd scored the winner in Champions League final. Thats how shite we are- I was ashamed to celebrate that.
Tony Everan
73 Posted 06/05/2018 at 00:14:52
On the interview for motd, Sam is talking about finishing the season unbeaten !

The PR machine is so well oiled he puts Donny J in the shade.

Mike Keating
74 Posted 06/05/2018 at 00:47:11
Brian @ 27 - spot on. When I saw Allardyce warming up Klassen, it was clear that he was making a pathetic attempt to keep the fans in the stadium at 78 minutes by stimulating a bit of interest in a player he has ignored ever since his arrival at he club.
The man has no shame.
Dennis Stevens
75 Posted 06/05/2018 at 01:41:46
I truly believe that if Allardyce stays he will finally experience relegation & it'll be exactly what all parties concerned deserve.
Ed Prytherch
76 Posted 06/05/2018 at 02:57:51
Many say that our squad is not good enough but compare them man for man with Burnley and then say that we are inferior in ability, yet they have performed much better than us. They all play for each other and their manager. A few of ours are team players despite our manager and a few will never be team players and the majority will become team players when they get a manager they admire and trust.
Jamie Crowley
77 Posted 06/05/2018 at 04:07:30
For everyone slagging off commentators, I really wish I could find a link of Robbie Earle and Kyle Martino on NBC to show you.

They ripped Allardyce. Earle at one point said, "This is Everton Football Club!" in desperation. He might as well thrown in a "for fuck's sake" at the end of it. He was exceedingly critical of Sam and the tactics. He and Martino lamented the fact we never once looked like having a go. Martino actually mentioned how supporters are completely disillusioned with Sam and this was his chance to have a go and open up a bit; only to revert to type.

Some commentators see it. They just work for an American broadcaster.

I'm over it all. I'm disgusted. Meanwhile my wife is reading the Burnley boards loving how her Clarets are in Europe thanks to us.

Honest to God if we don't fire this man who's ruined the joy of football itself for us, then fuck it. We deserve what we get.

If Sam isn't gone on May 14th, and God forbid if he's here start of next season, I fear for our Club. We won't get relegated - Sam has his ways of getting just enough points to stay up. But we will sink further into the abyss of mid-table mediocrity. A nothing Club with nothing to hope and aspire to.

He sucks the life out you I swear.

I literally hate this man. He's ripped the soul out of something I love.

And that is unforgivable.

Dano Holcomb
78 Posted 06/05/2018 at 04:16:49
Phil (11),
I just woke the kids from laughing out loud. Brilliant.
John Pierce
79 Posted 06/05/2018 at 04:18:47
Everton are in the worst place we could ever be, purgatory.

No longer deemed attractive enough to decent coaches to take the job, not quite crap enough to go down and experience a spiritual rebirth with a winning season in the championship.

Plum stuck in the middle, with no redeeming features, saddled with a manager and potentially a shareholder who revel in the nonentity we are.

Shamefully we are an irrelevance as far as any national media goes, a poor last in the north west and second in our own city.

Stick a fork in the club, it’s done.

Jeff Spiers
80 Posted 06/05/2018 at 08:12:33
Si @18. Owen fucking Hargreaves. Worst sicknote in history!!!
Paul Birmingham
81 Posted 06/05/2018 at 09:33:57
John @80. Youv3 summed up th3 situation for EFC, very well.

It need miracles, not one but many, to save this club. I can’t see how the hell we c@n attract top notch players let alone a top class proven winning manager.

There’s no fighting mentality in the board, and no doubt 85h plac3 will be lauded as a successful season.

For me the worst of seasons in my time is about to close, next week.
Where the club goes, who knows.

Paul Columb
82 Posted 06/05/2018 at 10:27:02
10 hour flight, 4 hours train, first time back at Goodison since 2011. Walked at 78. Dire.
At least had grand company in Keith, Rob and Co and TB win a grand watch. Stroll down to BMD to see the site of our latest fiction.
It’s the hope that kills you.
Bill Watson
83 Posted 06/05/2018 at 10:28:53
I couldn't walk out at 78 because I actually had to go at half time! Plenty of others were leaving, too.
The 45 minutes I did see was truly shocking: our players don't seem to have the ability to find the most simple pass.
I heard the second half on the car radio and it didn't get any better.
Shocking, awful, abysmal, boring! I actually felt sorry for Southampton fans when Davies scored.
These players have failed three managers so the blame is not all Allardyce's but his team selections, and tactics, are sucking the life out of me.
How we've got to 49 points mystifies me as this is the most shambolic team I've seen in 60 years of following the Blues, home and away.
Change must come and come soon.
Mal van Schaick
84 Posted 06/05/2018 at 11:13:21
Everton were dreadful in their last home game of the season, which should of been a reason to celebrate, but not with that performance. It was totally down to the managers team selection and tactics, and to make matters worse, when Allardyce realised that he had got things wrong in the first half, he changed to an even worse system with three at the back, then again realised that was not working and went back to a back four.

Allardyce should apologise and take responsibilty for his own decisions and not blame the players.

Moshri watched the game, and should act now to stop this mess getting any worse for the fans, and means boardroom changes and a change of manager.

Steavey Buckley
85 Posted 06/05/2018 at 11:16:59
Steve (41) Yes Steavey. Any manager would. Even pardew. A decent manager would have the same players in 7th and closing on 6th.
Moshiri believed Koeman could not, so was fired. But with the excellent Barkley and Lukaku, Koeman did reach 7th place, just one place above an awful Everton team that Allardyce had little to do with been put together.
Colin Malone
86 Posted 06/05/2018 at 11:45:22
With Allardyce, you get what it says on the tin, full stop. Hoofball football, mostly guaranteed to stay up, never turning up against the top four and horrible to watch. That's as good as it gets.

Do we keep him for guaranteed safety every season and rip up our motto or do we go for a footballing coach with no guarantees and hope that we have the financial clout that we think we have?

It's a no-brainer. Taxi for Sam.

Ian Bennett
87 Posted 06/05/2018 at 11:48:19
I want Alladyce out, but part of yesterdays terrible performance lies in the sheer number of players out injured or out on loan.

The negative brand of football isn't on, but the sheer number of unavailable players has restricted us being able to do anything.

Cut the numbers and up the quality is key this summer.

Andrew Clare
88 Posted 06/05/2018 at 11:56:04
If no action is taken over the summer it will be clear that Moshiri will be resigned to building the new stadium and then selling the club on. If that’s the case then we really will be in limbo just like the Kenwright years.
He has already invested a lot of money, relied on others advice and failed miserably.
Overspending on very average even mediocre players.
Bar one or two I would like to see the lot go. Even our young players are not good enough. Where’s Barkley? Where’s Stones? Where’s Rodwell ? We thought they were special when they were here but they can’t even get a game now.
A total clean sweep is required.
Tom Bowers
89 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:00:10
With the same players and the same manager next season things won't be any different.

Everton have a squad of average players basically comprised of some big names who had their best times at other clubs, some journeymen past their prime and a bunch of youngsters who have not yet pushed on from last season.

Add to all this a journeyman manager just content to pick up his paycheck until retirement and we have a lukewarm product.

Michael Lynch
90 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:15:24
We're going to need better than Marco Silva (31% win rate in his PL career) or Eddie Howe (29% win rate in the PL) to lift this pile of shite into the top half next season.

If we're going to replace the second-rate Allardyce (39% win rate for us this season, 34% over his entire PL career), let's aim for better not worse.

No more losers at Everton.

Amit Vithlani
91 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:19:46
"Moshiri believed Koeman could not, so was fired. But with the excellent Barkley and Lukaku, Koeman did reach 7th place, just one place above an awful Everton team that Allardyce had little to do with been put together."

If you are saying 8th place is some kind of achievement with this squad of players then you need to put into context who finished above us this season - Burnley. I look at their squad and scratch my head as to the number of players we would take. Chris Wood, Tarkowski and Pope at a stretch.

I watched a very average Brighton team attack and beat United and a re-invigorated West Brom outdo Tottenham: two teams who completely outplayed us under Allardyce's watch. Even woeful Stoke got a point at Anfield when they put their back into it and had first half chances to have won the game.

There is absolutely no excuse for Russian-roulette, safety first football when this league has shown that a good balance between defence and attack can yield good results even if your squad is average.

Stephen Davies
92 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:22:20
Michael # 91.
What would you expect his win ratio to be when he managed Hull & Watford?...
And how do you think it may have compared if Fonseca or Emery had been in charge?
Ray Roche
93 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:25:30
Michael#91
It's far too simplistic to judge someone in their win rate percentage. Without factoring the playing staff, opposition and means at their disposal it's pretty meaningless.
Steve Barr
94 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:30:47
Chris Hughton might be worth a shout.

Peter Gorman
95 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:43:49
Hughton is a very underrated manager but think we could attract better.
Michael Lynch
96 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:51:23
Stephen, Ray.

I agree, it's far too simplistic. I mean, Allardyce's win rate was achieved at top clubs like Bolton, Blackburn and Sunderland, so you can't possibly compare it with Silva.

Like I say, let's fuck off Allardyce, but if people on here are going to slag him off for his career record, I'm not sure why they're touting SIlva or Howe as a replacement.

Nil Satis etc.

Rob Halligan
97 Posted 06/05/2018 at 12:54:35
News of the Planned protest seems to have reached one of the national newspapers, as well as the BBC sport website

Sunday Express - Bruce Archer
Such was the level of discontent at Sam Allardyce's short reign there were reports of an organised protest taking place.

But fans did not heed the request of a pre-match printed flyer asking them to turn their backs to the pitch in the 18th minute or leave in the 78th (the relevance being 1878 was the year of the club's formation).

However, with 10 minutes to go a brief chant of "F**k off Sam Allardyce" rose up from the Gwladys Street End.

This extract is from the BBC website

Those hoping this would be the last time Allardyce was in the home dug-out distributed leaflets calling for a "peaceful protest" beforehand, aimed to signal they will not "robotically accept the dross served up".

While few, if any, turned their back on this lacklustre game as suggested, there were boos at half-time following an abject first 45 minutes with only three shots on target in total.

Seems it wasn't a totally wasted effort after all. Let's just hope this gets back to some of the board members?

Steavey Buckley
98 Posted 06/05/2018 at 13:03:07
Amit (92) If you are saying 8th place is some kind of achievement with this squad of players then you need to put into context who finished above us this season -
Burnley have done what no Everton team, usually, do, beat top opposition.

If Evertonians were promised 8th place in the dark days when Southampton beat Everton 4:1 in October, they would have bit your hands off. Now they have 8th place, they are still complaining about not good enough football played when the same squad of players were in pole position to have Everton relegated last October.

Kevin Tully
99 Posted 06/05/2018 at 13:06:07
Sick of saying it, but the ethos of any football club is set by those at the top. What is ours? Lovely. Community. Charity. Ex-players. Celebrate 7th. Pat each other on the back every time we get an award for kipping in the Park End with the youth team and Unsy.

News everyone. We are not a serious football club. Everyone on the board wants to be viewed as philanthropists, instead of running a ruthless, winning business.

And let's be honest with ourselves, how many times have you read on these very pages how proud people are about our charitable exploits? This post will be followed by a poster saying the exact same thing. WE ARE A FOOTBALL CLUB, NOT A FUCKING CHARIDEE.

I go to the game to watch sport, I can donate to thousands of good causes with the press of a button. They are kidding the bollocks off everyone. When this regime is questioned, they hide behind EiTC. Don't be fooled, this hasnt occurred by chance, or goodwill. They are very aware that charidee is a fantastic method of covering their incompetence and greed. Even the fans are in a footballing coma. Docile. Myself included. I've forgotten what the game is all about.

Stephen Davies
100 Posted 06/05/2018 at 13:22:04
Nichael #97
I agree.
I think its more about not who they are WHAT they are.
Someone on this site alluded to this previously ( think it may have been Steve Ferns?)
What certainly needs to be done is that Allardyce is thanked for his service and the next appointment is done quickly and the RIGHT man put in place.
Hopefully we will know soon enough.

Gerard McKean
101 Posted 06/05/2018 at 16:06:24
Spot on Kevin #100. It really is time for some kid in the crowd to shout out that the emperor is wearing no clothes. EitC undoubtedly does lots of good work but there is a dark side to it in that it is used to distract from the lots of shortcomings at the club.

I used to donate quite a lot of money to EitC until I began to question how some of this money is used. I was particularly suspicious of the mutual back scratching that goes on between this charity and Hope University. It seems that it is imperative to pay Hope to evaluate all the good work of EitC, and any award of a “professorship “ by Hope to the head of EitC was purely coincidental.

Separate the charity from the core business. Sure, there is a place for the charity but when that place moved into the small ante room next to Robert Elstone’s (previously the head of EitC was located with the rest of the staff in an office in Gwladys St), and then the CEO was persuaded to knock a wall down to make that ante room bigger and his office smaller you do have to wonder who’s running the show. Decent bloke that he is, Robert never knew what was happening.


Steve Brown
102 Posted 06/05/2018 at 16:27:30
Merci Sam Le Gros, now piss off back to where you came from.
Raymond Fox
103 Posted 06/05/2018 at 16:49:55
As far as I can see its going to take a multi billionaire as it did with Man City to change the situation.
Moshiri hasnt enough money or the brains to change our future.

Its more of the same I fear, because our squad is a million miles off the quality we need to breach the top 4.
Yesterdays performance was embarrassing in its incompetence.

Matthew Williams
104 Posted 06/05/2018 at 17:28:29
Talk of top four again...JESUS !,yeah let's toil for 38 games to finish fourth & then what ???????.

Or bust a fucking bollock playing 6/7 games & have a day out at Wembley lifting a Trophy !!!!!!!!.

No fucking brainer...jeez,I need a drink !.

Amit Vithlani
105 Posted 06/05/2018 at 17:46:31
"If Evertonians were promised 8th place in the dark days when Southampton beat Everton 4:1 in October, they would have bit your hands off. Now they have 8th place, they are still complaining about not good enough football played when the same squad of players were in pole position to have Everton relegated last October."

Wrong on 2 counts:

1- Not all Evertonians thought we were destined for relegation. Quite a few felt that we would move up the table once we got a few home games against weaker opposition under our belt. The stats proved it: Koeman won 2 of his 3 home games against the teams outside the top 6, ie Stoke and Bournemouth (lost to Burnley). Unsy won against Watford and West Ham. Indeed, Allardyce's home form continued this trend: no wins against the top 6 at home, which yielded 2 out of a possible 10 points.

2. You make out as if Allardyce's critics are operating with the benefit of hindsight. Infact, many Evertonians were using foresight. The polls run in the lead up to Allardyce's appointment had so many dead set against his appointment. They knew what he would bring to the table and they have been proven right: a disgraceful brand of football coupled with a series of missed opportunities for us to win more than the 9 league games Allardyce has managed to win so far.

Your initial argument was that 8th was a good achievement considering our squad. It patently ignored Burnley's performances with an inferior squad.

Now you shift it to "well we were so much in the dwang it was an achievement".

You again ignored a few facts.

A few further points to consider. Seamus Coleman's return has made a huge difference. Prior to his return against Leicester, we were on an 8 match winless streak under Allardyce.

The January window also saw the squad strengthened with Tosun and Walcott's arrival. Both have chipped in with goals and assists worth 15 points.

After early January we were playing one game a week, having played 11 cup games (one third of total fixtures) before Xmas.

A fresher squad has turned out turgid performances and failed to beat sides with inferior squads such as West Brom (twice), Swansea, Bournemouth, Watford, Southampton and Burnley.

Andy Crooks
106 Posted 06/05/2018 at 19:34:47
Kevin Tully, that is a top post. Everton in the community is an untouchable, feel good enterprise that is, apparently beyond criticism. Does anyone earn a living from it? Can a torch be shone on what they do?
We are proud of how our club helps people and
EITC is top notch. But, by fuck, we are a football club, not the RSPCA.


Andy Crooks
107 Posted 06/05/2018 at 19:39:54
Type or paste your comment here. PLEASE capitalise initial letters of proper names and use proper grammar. No txt-speak; all-lowercase posts are likely to be deleted
Brian Williams
108 Posted 06/05/2018 at 19:52:08
Sorry lads but taking out our present predicament on EITC is out of order IMO.
Being a successful club and EITC are not mutually exlusive. In fact EITC is one of the very few things to be proud of at the moment.
I don't believe EITC impacts negatively on the running of the football team and most others who see how much good EITC does, don't either.
Blame Moshiri, blame Allardyce but EITC are blameless.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/11337745/Everton-are-a-shining-beacon-for-football-as-a-force-for-good-in-the-community.html

Darren Hind
109 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:28:55
Brian (and Keith)

I suspected your calls for action were not going to reach enough people to make a massive difference, but I applaud your efforts and I have no doubt they were not in vane. A lot of people who were unaware of any organised protest, will be aware now.

You didn't lose the battle guys. You just started it

Brian Williams
110 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:36:05
Hiya Darren. I think, luckily, the message was heard loud and clear due to the mass evacuation before the lap of (insert appropriate term here).
Let's hope the right course of action follows!
Dave Williams
111 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:38:19
My goodness this was simply dreadful. Totally boring, no exciting incident or piece of skill to appreciate, a performance absolutely devoid of anything to enjoy.
The TV punters are so obviously friends of Sam- how Hoddle can defend him when he himself likes his teams to play attractively is beyond me.
I could wax lyrical for hours about this but to cut the crap the man quite simply has to go. Sometimes a manager just doesn’t fit the club- Hodgson at the RS,Villas Boas at Spurs, Benitez at Chelsea- and smith our tradition of wanting ( not always getting) good football Sam will never,ever find favour at Everton. He has slagged off the players umpteen times- even yesterday- and is also now turning on the fans. It is never his fault so exactly what is he paid his salary for? What does he see as his duty?
I believe he will leave after the West Ham game and we will see some ruthless pruning of the staff and engage a manager who has a plan, a desire to play good and adventurous football and someone who can bring an end to the substantial drain on the owners finances. Moshiri has close relationships with the men who built Arsenal and will know better now what he has to do in order to succeed.
Stand by!
Rob Halligan
112 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:39:36
Darren / Brian, I posted this earlier on.

News of the Planned protest seems to have reached one of the national newspapers, as well as the BBC sport website

Sunday Express - Bruce Archer

Such was the level of discontent at Sam Allardyce's short reign there were reports of an organised protest taking place.

But fans did not heed the request of a pre-match printed flyer asking them to turn their backs to the pitch in the 18th minute or leave in the 78th (the relevance being 1878 was the year of the club's formation).

However, with 10 minutes to go a brief chant of "F**k off Sam Allardyce" rose up from the Gwladys Street End.

This extract is from the BBC website

Those hoping this would be the last time Allardyce was in the home dug-out distributed leaflets calling for a "peaceful protest" beforehand, aimed to signal they will not "robotically accept the dross served up".

While few, if any, turned their back on this lacklustre game as suggested, there were boos at half-time following an abject first 45 minutes with only three shots on target in total.

Seems it wasn't a totally wasted effort after all. Let's just hope this gets back to some of the board members?

Brian Williams
113 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:48:22
Rob. It already has mate ;-).
Dermot Byrne
114 Posted 06/05/2018 at 20:52:56
Kevin Tully and others. Your EitC rants are ridiculous. Remind me of Life of Brian mob.

EitC had income of £4.3m in their last published charity accounts. Look again, £4.3m We have individual crap players on more. Get some frigging perspective.

Other successful clubs with the competitive edge have similar. It's called Corporate Responsibility and exits throughout the business world. Just turns out EitC do it very well.

As for it being responsible for apathetic fans or the performance of team, that is a tenous link and a half.

Andy Crooks yeah, they have 77 employees in a variety of roles and projects. Not sure any are on huge wages that would back up your silly conspiracy theory.

If you want to try and advance your small minded, mean spirited arguments, go to Charity Commission and view the audited accounts and other details. Search charity number 1099366.

Then, as in Life of Brian, put your stones down and wander away muttering amongst yourselves.

Next: "God's a Red" claim explains Blues decline.

Don Alexander
115 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:00:54
The point I've always made about EitC is that it is a worthy cause indeed. However, it's become the most notable feature of success regarding our club, and features far too loudly, too often for my comfort, from those in charge of the club. I don't believe anyone is denigrating the charitable work in the least but more success on the field is what I hope the owner, chairman and board concentrate 100% of their energies on, leaving the charity work to a dedicated team of respected subordinates.
Sean Kelly
116 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:06:24
Hi folks. I'm an Evertonian and have been for nearly 60 years. First and foremost I'm a football fan. I want us to win games and cups in style. I've been isolated increasingly for the last 20 years or because of our lack of football.

We are a football club and should contribute to the community. My problem is they glorify in it. Just do it and keep schtum. But then again, it's a great cover up for the boards failures.

Andy Crooks
117 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:09:45
Dermot, I think Don makes a fair point. However, I hope I am open minded enough to see another point of view. Therefore, I took your advice, followed the link you gave and have put my stones down. You are quite right and I was wrong. No excuses, hands up, bad call. Sorry.
Dermot Byrne
118 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:24:26
Very easy for me Andy, worked in charity sector for 25 years! But it is a link worth having as debates come up re EitC
Dermot Byrne
119 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:27:41
See what you mean Don. To me the club needs to learn how to operate as successfully in PL as EitC does in charity work.

Let's not drag EitC to recent football standards

Brian Williams
120 Posted 06/05/2018 at 21:32:30
Andy#118.
Good man. Nowt wrong with admitting a mistake. Nice one. Well in.
Neil Copeland
121 Posted 07/05/2018 at 06:19:47
Dermot, the "God's a red" comment really made me chuckle.

It reminded me of something I used see regurarly in the 70's. On the board outside the church in Gwladys St. would be the proclamation "Jesus Saves" under which some wit had written " but Latchford nets the rebound!".

Perhaps God is a red after all .

Gerry Ring
122 Posted 07/05/2018 at 10:03:03
Jim @#61 100% in agreement. We need a ball player capable of running & beating opposition defenders. Walcott is fine but his best years are behind him. Zaha would be a great buy. Watching Schneiderlein on Saturday, on several occasions he had the ball with nobody challenging him and instead of moving forward to exploit the situation, he passes square to a player in the exact same situation as himself. Unreal!! Tom Davies gives away too much possession & is easily dispossessed.
We need to offload a bagful of negative midfielders and buy players who will unsettle the opposition by running at them. Major changes needed for next season!!
Brian Harrison
123 Posted 07/05/2018 at 10:33:07
I think that if Chelsea don't take back Loftus Cheek from Palace after his loan spell then he is one I think we should buy he could make a huge difference to our midfield. He was man of the match for England against Germany a few months back but sadly got injured. He is big and strong can use both feet and can also score goals. Maybe with the uncertainty about their managers position a cheeky offer might get him although I would imagine staying in London will be a big draw for him. I am sure Palace will be trying to get him permanently or try to extend his loan for another year.
Colin Malone
124 Posted 07/05/2018 at 11:58:11
I'm going to leave my opinions about players until we get a coach who plays the ball on the ground. Even Bolasie, who's been stinking the place out, hoof-ball is defiantly not hIs game. A Martinez with money and bottle.
Kevin Tully
125 Posted 07/05/2018 at 13:14:03
Dermot - DBB is deputy CEO of the club. She is one promotion away from becoming CEO proper, and is seriously being considered for the position when Elstone leaves at the end of the season.

Running a charity as part of a world-famous football club, with players being the main promotional tools isn’t exactly a difficult sell, is it? You clearly know far more than anyone here about the charity business, but I can only judge from what I see at the AGM, and other club functions.

To say EiTC isn’t an integral part of the club, is ridiculous. More time and promotional space is spent at any AGM than any other part of the club’s business. How does that translate in the day-to-day running of the club and focus of the club as a whole? You don’t know.

I know it makes many of our fans all warm and fuzzy when this subject is brought up, much like Bill and his speeches. All P.L. football clubs have a charitable foundation, but I believe ours has become far too ingrained in the footballing side of the club, for the reasons I have pointed out above. We’re supposed to be moving grounds shortly. First thing we heard from the club about the move? The legacy of L4 and the community. We haven’t even got planning, design or finance in place FFS! The recent business breakfast was hijacked by the “legacy” of GP, which I found absolutely amazing, considering Elstone was there to talk about business opportunities. He went straight into legacy mode, as soon as he could - then left.

If that’s what you and other fans take comfort from, I’m not here to pour cold water on that. I take comfort from watching a successful Everton. That’s why I believe 100% of the club’s focus should be on winning a trophy or two. Or have we lost sight of that? It’s great that we have a successful charity as part of the club. The thing is, it seems to have become a major part of it, rather than a seperate entity.

Dave Abrahams
126 Posted 07/05/2018 at 13:32:03
I'm with you Kevin, good luck to EITC with whatever they do as long as it doesn't become the main talking point whenever Everton FC. are mentioned, Mrs Baxindale certainly likes the sound of her own voice, went on for ages at the AGM about plans for what Goodison Park will look like after we move to Brambley Moor, she even produced drawings of the plans for that area, if she gets the job we'll be out of the frying pan into the fire, with Bollicky Bill writing her scripts
Kevin Tully
127 Posted 07/05/2018 at 13:50:57
Too true, Dave. And for the hard of understanding, nobody have ever criticised the work they do, just the prominence it’s given.

The lads at Everton Business Matters summed the situation up perfectly:

“We are in danger of becoming a charity, with a football club attached.”

We are one CEO away from that scenario.

Paul Tran
128 Posted 07/05/2018 at 14:14:15
Completely agree, Kevin. For far too long, the laudable success of EITC has been used as a fig leaf to mask our lack of purpose and success on the pitch. I'm longing for the days when we're known as a great team and ruthlessly efficient club with a successful charity attached.
Gerard McKean
129 Posted 07/05/2018 at 17:03:57
Dermot and others, nobody is against the charity arm per se but can’t you see there is a certain insidiousness about the way it is used?

I’m totally with Kevin on this, especially his remark #128 that we are one CEO away from becoming a charity with a football club attached. Everton does not, unlike LFC, actively go out there and seek the right people to fill a vacancy. Nepotism is the order of the day. That is why we are miles behind the other lot not just on the pitch.

There are many questions about the role and influence of Barrett Baxendale; how successful was she in her previous role as head of the Fiveways Trust? Why did one of the two main stakeholders of that Trust remove his school from it? Why did the other learn about her appointment to EitC only after the fact? So, if he didn’t, who if anyone provided references? Or was there no due diligence apart from the recommendation of one member of the EitC Board who “knew someone who runs a charity “?

And the biggest question of all: how did she make the leap from EitC (but without actually leaving it) to Deputy CEO of Everton Football Club? For the sake of clarity, I would welcome a woman as CEO but call me old fashioned if I must add the caveat that she must be competent, capable and qualified to do the job.


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