Everton Flux But it Stays the Same

We have all the ingredients to succeed, ie, owner with money and now a world class manager but if this does not now work out then I don't know what else can be done.

But then after no more than eight weeks into the season, I realise it's just shaping up to be another Groundhog season. Nothing changes. That said, there's always next season.

Very accurate including your mention of how we always hit a purple patch after the cup run. The 4-year-old Ell was duped with the 1995 FA Cup win, just as I was roped in at 7 by the same victory a decade earlier. At least I was able to enjoy some more happy years so I feel bad for you with the timing of your birth. Great article though, reflects precisely everything I feel and see.

It's certainly hard to change a culture!

We have all we need to succeed but the mentality. I am hoping Ancelotti can instill it into the players here now, and future players, or he won't hang around long!

This mentality problem also goes for the Board. We must stop ignoring the cup competitions and really really try to win some. If nothing else, it will buy them time for the "big project" to succeed.

What I would like to see is a team hungry to beat whoever the opponent is in front of them. A team hungry to succeed and to hate losing – not a team full of players happy to collect a wage.

I want our players to actually want to feel what it's like to win a trophy. I am not confident but will continue to keep my fingers crossed.

We need bottle, identity etc. Coleman, for all his 㿨k is never captain material, never. We need a leader out on the pitch, raising his voice, screaming if he has to. This is not about making friends, this is about winning and for me that is what it's about.

Bill Shankly picked up Liverpool in a much worse state not even having a proper water supply he gutted the place introducing a complete new squad to take on the basics of hard running and simple passing. This basic foundation has sustained them ever since.

The real problem here is the place is run (and in many cases supported by) people a bit too grand to get down and dirty when required. For all his success I don't see Carlo as the man to remedy this

Poor Carlo, He's tired and old, now I know why I and much of the crowd on here are so grumpy – it's because we're all tired and old!

Everton FC are paying Carlo to do exactly what you claim he won't be able to do, perhaps it's because the owner and chairman are also tired and old.

The only people I've seen looking tired and old at Everton recently are those who have taken to the pitch.

Healthy rivalry is one thing being obsessed with them or using stuff that happened prior to the birth of many of our followers – those who are under sixty – as an example of what our club should follow is another.

Surely other clubs can provide us with the personalities who we can use as examples of good practice?

I must admit, I'm tired and old too. :-)

Actually, I think today, we could do with a young Moyes, coupled with Farhad's money. That combination could win us something.

I've seen the highs and lows since 1968. Recent history tells us that no matter how much money or how much good will of managers past and present, it is down to the desire of the players that will bring any future success at Everton.

At the moment there is neither the will, desire or quality to bring success from a good proportion of the players. Particularly in midfield.

The owner and the manager have seen what we have seen, and must know what is required to achieve their aims.

A wholesale clear out in midfield is required. The signing of proven goal scorers and creative midfielders will be essential for us to get anywhere near the top four.

We can only hope this time they get it right.

We Evertonians have to be optimistic and hopeful. It's all we've got left.

There's a long transfer window coming up until October 5th so there'll be no excuses for Brands. Carlo needs players who will fight for him and the team; we all know the positions, but that's just one part of it.

The players coming have in to be of the right mentality, tough uncompromising professionals. It's of no use signing meek shirkers again. Much more needs to be studied about the character of the player.

Carlo will have a vision on the style of play he wants. The players coming in must fit this vision and be bought as starters.

Brands says 2 or 3, maybe he's right when it comes to the critical signings we need. On top of that, maybe Brands can find us a hidden diamond.

Surely fans of no other club in the country can predict results with the same tedious accuracy as us?

We will lose away to at least 4 or 5 of the ‘Big Six', regardless how many injuries they have or key players they rest. The other game will be a draw, usually at Old Trafford or occasionally Stamford Bridge. Never a win, so we're essentially playing a 32-game season every year. Bournemouth, Southampton, Burnley, Palace etc etc sometimes overcome the odds at these grounds, but never us.

We'll go out of the FA Cup to the first Premier League side we get drawn against. We will suffer at least one horrific home defeat to a newly-promoted team, before finally putting a too-little-too-late run together against a few mid-table sides with one home win against a traditional ‘top‘ side (Usually Man Utd, sometimes Chelsea, never Liverpool) thrown in just to tease us. Then, just as night follows day, the season peters out as soon as we start optimistically eyeing the top 6.

How do we change it? Managers, players, formations and owners come and go, but the lethargy and mental weakness around the club seems to remain.

Please, can somebody give me cause to believe next season will be different? Please!

Carlo Ancelotti has proven pedigree, and I believe and I am confident in his ability to turn the mess around, granted he has the time and resources to forge his own team.

Time, and patience are staple life essentials, but in football, are rarely given.

Let's get behind the club, forget the RS, and whilst very tough now, transcend the grey skies over Goodison Park.

Here's to hoping, and like so many, the clocks being running and runs faster, it seems, every passing day.

It would be incredible to win a trophy next season, but hand on heart as it stands, it's gonna take a huge tank of effort and some good luck.

After the last trio of matches, I don't believe the poo4 unprofessional attitudes by most of the players, will not be tolerated any more, and the lazy players, won't be picked.

Let's see which Everton turns up tomorrow night.

Defenders motionless at the back save for the odd foray down the wings, midfield never getting very far past the half-way line and attackers waiting in their half for the ball to drop to their feet. It's like watching Subbuteo – no movement, waiting for ball to feet.

You watch the good teams and they all move up and down together with movement to create space and movement into positions to receive a ball to move forward to attack the goal. There is something wrong with training.

The latest classic example, of course, being the chalked-off winner against Man Utd – an immensely demoralising and deflating event – since which we've never got close to the form we were showing up till then.

Im 60 in September fell in love with Everton in 1966 after watching the FA Cup being paraded down Scottie road. It's been a Long And Winding Road since..

I relate to all the above posts. However the reality of how the world has changed and not for the better leaves me reflecting on how short this life is. We can only live in hope that it will change for the better because hope is all we have left.

10 years is a lifetime in football for any generation. Carlo is the last hope for us over 60 to bring back some kind of nostalgia and pride back. Sadly I think it won't happen.. We have become the 2nd rate club lost in the shadow of darkness to the red shite.

Before my time Liverpool FC were the ones in the shadows the rivalry of the Merseyside derbies were friendly but passionate now their filled with resentment and hate.

I have four grandsons not one interested in football. Is that a blessing?? It's been a curse for my son not old enough to remember his dad's excitement when coming home from watching Kendall's great teams of the 80s.

Just old enough to fall in love with Royle's FA Cup winning team of 95... since then he has had to endure the long and winding road to nowhere.The world has changed and not for the better football the same..

Good luck to all who still live in hope that Everton will rise from the ashes to become the biggest team in Liverpool again..

It ain't gonna happen any time soon.. this coming from a man whose glass is half full. Talking of which I need a top-up... cheers Blues.

The news of Man City's ban being overturned may just be the catalyst we need. Get Usmanov involved now!

I hope we vote against 5 subs for next season as that just benefits the so-called bigger clubs.

You're one mature and intelligent 29 year old man, Ell.

Without a shred of being condescending, if your parents aren't proud of you, they should be. You see a bigger picture.

Not everyone does.

Great piece. Now let's get on the flippin' Blue Merry-Go-Round and go for a ride. And even though it's Groundhog's Day, enjoy the ride, kid. There's still some beauty in it.

We have changed managers because the last four have been very limited – not because of any fan pressure.

Evertonians everywhere - this is our story.

Regardless of the curse of being an Evertonian in 2020 Ell, you at least have the consolation of being an absolute wordsmith, a genius with the pen. Football is a lot like writing, at the end of the day the difference is in the style. A KITAP1 1-0 is so very different to a one goal win where you dominate possession, hit the woodwork multiple times and your frontman fluffs a few sitters. The result may be identical, but the process is what counts.

It's all in the style, and you've lashings of it young man. Will look for your byline more often and I'm hoping we get to see it. Outstanding.